Dragon Ball Yugure Z
A Dragon Ball Z fanfiction
by Son Goharotto (son_goharotto@hotmail.com)
Welcome to Dragon Ball Yugure Z, my personal pet project. This is what I like to call a "multi-generational alternaverse epic." Expect a complex story spanning several volumes that are littered with cliff-hangers and titanic battles. DBYZ has been revised in its entirety. While some episodes have merely been ridden of typos, others have been rewritten completely. I'll be starting from the beginning at one episode a day so new readers can join in, undaunted by DBYZ's length, and old readers can review past events. All this is leading up to the new Episode 37, from which I'll try to keep a normal updating pace instead of letting this be forgotten as it once was.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I mgiht wish it not to be, DBZ does not belong to me. It's the property of Akira Toriyama-sama and many others who (unfortunately) aren't me. I'm not trying to make any money off of this and it's just a way for me to show my love of all things Dragon Ball. Well, except maybe GT. Bleah. I is teh poor, so don't sue me.
WARNINGS: As a whole, this series contains mature language (usually in Japanese), graphic violence, brutality, mature situations (non-lemon), and a touch of angst.
NOTES: A liberal amount of Japanese vocabulary is sprinkled throughout, though nothing extremely important is ever said in another language that isn't translated. Mostly just basic Otaku Japanese. I've compiled a list of phrases I use on my homepage here: www.enpitsudo-dojo.com/libjapanese.html.
"dialogue"
""layered voice"" (Fusion, for example)
{alien language}
[thoughts, telepathy, memories]
_stressed words_
*sounds*
~scene change~
Volume V -- Evil, Revisited
Episode 34 -- Break Out!! The Calamity in Hell!!
"Now pay attention. It's like this......and this...aaand that, done."
"This really is harder than it looks. You ready, Goten-kun?"
"Yosh! One more time!"
"Fuuuuuu..."
"...siiiooon...."
""HA!!!""
Paresu slipped on her sunglasses again, though it provided little defense from the brilliant flash. This was their fourth try and despite the pair's excellent teamwork and coordination, Goten and Trunks just couldn't seem to pull of a successful Fusion. So far, they had ended up with an extremely portly Gotenks, a thin and frail Gotenks, and a Gotenks with--quite frighteningly--a few too many limbs. The young woman tried very hard not to laugh in anticipation of their next goof up.
Finally, the light dimmed and the wind died down. ""Anou...I don't think it worked,"" Gotenks said in a high pitched voice. Paresu hesitantly looked up, was stunned for a moment, and dissolved into a fit of giggles. ""Oi, oi! Stop laughing, it's not funny!""
"What the hell did you do wrong this time!?" the prince cried in outrage. Vegeta's hands were practically tearing the hair from his head and he looked like he was about to have a coronary.
Gotenks--looking quite cross--shrugged, her generous bosom bouncing slightly with the motion. ""How should I know? I thought we did it right.""
"Oh, I don't know," Paresu tried to say between choking laughs. "You could always use your new..er..'attributes' to stun enemies into submission."
The once-man looked down the front of her pants to inspect the damage. Going pale, ""G-good thing this isn't permanent...""
Vegeta turned around the thumped his head against a tree in an effort to knock himself out. "Why me?"
~~~~~
A small shape dashed from behind a potted plant to underneath an unoccupied desk, then squeezed past some inattentive clerks to hide in the shadow of an enormous column. It was the elusive little fellow from before, trying to stay out of sight while wracking his brain for answers. Agile of mind though he may be, spending several centuries locked up in Nagareboshi's unconscious did not help to clear one's thoughts.
Crouching down, he watched the various oni going about their business and seemed to recall an image from his mind. Others like himself, running errands in..a castle? Was he a servant? No...a courier..but for whom? His name was...Basil..yes, Basil. He was..a courier for...for the Demon Lord, Garlic Junior! It was all coming back; Basil had been sent to take a message to Garlic Senior at the castle on Makyo-sei when he heard something strange in the bushes. Knowing full well the dangers that lie in the demon world wilderness, he was accosted by a ravenous kleag'rohsn. It was the creature that came to be called Nagareboshi that had attacked him.
[But where is Garlic Junior-sama?] Basil thought desperately. He could still pick out things from his time in Nagareboshi's mind. Thoughts and memories that weren't his own, that told him things he hadn't known. Something about Garlic Junior..in..the Dead Zone!? Basil himself didn't have the power to open a door to the Dead Zone, but the Namek-seijin's mind had revealed something else. The father, Garlic, was defeated in his efforts to become Kami of Chikyuu and was locked away within the Tenkai.
Garlic would be far more accessible, but how to return to the land of the living? Even though Basil had his body back, he was still dead. Could he go back, regardless? The entrance to the checkpoint--where souls arrived from the mortal plane--was heavily guarded by fierce oni. He would need a diversion..or better yet, help....
Basil lurked along the wall, then slipped through the gate to Jigoku. On the other side, some oni mechanics were fixing the cleanser while the line of souls started to back up. Off to the side, a very angry Freeza leaned against the wall. Although he stood alone, there were many guards in the area and escape was impossible, not that he had anywhere to escape to. Basil crept closer, ducking behind a stack of spare gears.
"Psst, you there!" Basil hissed. Freeza's head snapped up and he looked around. "Don't react, just listen! You look like you want to get out of here as much as me. What do you say to a collaboration?"
Turning away from the voice, the shape-shifter tried to act like he was still alone. "And what would one who cowers in the shadows have to offer myself?" he murmured in a low, dangerous tone. "Why should I, Freeza-sama, trust some unknown peasant?"
Basil tried hard not to cry out in indignation and let the insult slide. "Because we both want to return to the world of mortals, correct?" The planet pirate nodded ever so slightly and the demon continued. "I can move unseen. If I create a diversion to let you escape, will you help me go there?"
Freeza made of show of looking bored and yawned. "Very well, your offer is acceptable. Make it quick, I tire of this place."
With that, Basil slunk away. Around the corner, he found a storage area of giant jars. Some were empty and yet others were filled to the brim with the thick slime of liquefied evil. Near the soul cleanser, a young oni listening to a portable CD player was dancing around while changing a full jar for an empty one. Basil chuckled to himself hurried to catch up to the oni, who was now carrying the fill jar over to the others. The small demon quickly tripped the youth, making him drop the jar.
"Ut oh," the young oni groaned. The jar shattered on the hard ground, spilling out all the essence within. It swept up the other jars and shattered them as well, the combined tidal wave of evil crashed down in a torrent upon Jigoku. Basil watched with glee as it washed over oni and souls, mutating them into nightmarish creatures that started going on a rampage. In fact, many of the once villainous spirits grew and reshaped, apparently regaining their physical forms--and all their prior maliciousness.
On the other side of the cleanser machine, the guard oni were having a fit. Many others rushed in to help contain the beasts and everyone was in a panic. Freeza took the opportunity to blast a ki bolt at the ceiling, causing a cave in that separated him from his captors. "Excellent work, little one!" he said, flying over to pick the demon up by his shirt. "This will be more than enough..."
Freeza paused and Basil squirmed around, looking over his shoulder. "What is it!? Let's get going already!"
"Just a moment," Freeza responded, his face twisting into a grin. He spotted several familiar faces in the distance. "There are some comrades of mine I wish to accompany us on our glorious return to life." Despite the small demon's arguments, his tyrant 'partner' flew down into the chaos of Jigoku.
~~~~~
Atop Kami's lookout, the young deity Dende shuddered as he felt a great disturbance in the here after. Before him, the small statue of Shenlong lay unfinished. The Namek-seijin boy was still trying to repair it and much remained in crumbled pieces, but he feared it's completion might not come soon enough.
~~~~~
West Capital's Main Street was one of the few areas that escaped destruction by Nagareboshi all those years ago and remained today as a bustling center of commerce. If anything, it had become even more important to the citizens of the city during this time of reconstruction. Everyday, the street was flooded with people: shoppers trying to catch the latest bargain, families on vacation, even lovers on a midday stroll.
One couple in particular just stepped out of an ice cream parlor, their lavender-haired friend trailing along just behind. "You know, I really feel like a third wheel here..." Trunks murmured, taking a sip from his lemon smoothie. Paresu was content with just a strawberry cone while Goten--true to his heritage--had the little-bit-of-everything Chubby Hubby.
"Oi! Don't be like that, Trunks-kun!" Paresu grinned. The brunette was currently glomped onto Goten's arm, whom--for what appeared to be a first--didn't seem to mind. "It's real sweet of you guys to try and cheer me up."
"I felt bad about how broken up you were over tousan's death," Goten replied with a sigh. "We thought it would be a good idea to have a day on the town and just hang out." Trunks nodded his assent.
"Like I said, sweet." Paresu stood on her toes to peck Goten on the cheek, then let go of him long enough to do the same for Trunks, eliciting a blush from the older half-Saiyajin.
"Ha ha, hai. It's the least we could do," lavender-haired teen said, laughing nervously.
Though Goten was smiling, his eyes turned towards his best friend in a glare. [Don't get any ideas, buddy.]
[A-anou, no ideas here!] Trunks responded mentally, a giant sweatdrop rolling off the back of his head.
"But to be honest," Paresu continued unaware, "I don't think I could be any happier after..erm...'training'..this morning," she said with a grin. The brunette brushed some hair from her brow and peered up at her boyfriend, who was making a point to look away. "I wonder who's fault that was?"
Goten coughed into his hand. "Hai, I wonder..."
Paresu hung her head, feigning a pout. "Actually, I was kind jealous... You guys were bigger than me," she added, placing her hands on her breasts. Trunks promptly had a nosebleed and walked into a lamp post. "Trunks-kun!" the girl cried. She and Goten knelt by the dazed Saiyajin's side.
"Oorroooo...." the older man groaned. Other pedestrians gave the trio an odd look and stepped around them.
There was the sound of an approaching motor, which came to a stop at the curb next to them. "Who are you harassing this time, imoutochan?"
Paresu looked up at the voice and smiled. "Manoru-niichan! Aren't you one duty?"
"Eh," he shrugged. "The crime rate's a lot lower here, so I doubt anyone'll miss me for five minutes." Manoru leaned forward on the handlebars of his patrol cycle and took off his wide, reflective sunglasses. Just like Paresu, her older brother had chocolate brown hair, but his was short and combed in an Elvis-style pompador. He was casually dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. Aside from the West Capital Police 4th Precinct patch on his bomber jacket, he really didn't look like a cop. "So, I finally get to meet your boyfriend," he said, extending his hand.
"Um, that's Trunks-kun," Paresu corrected him.
Clearing his throat, "Of course. Hajimemashite, Goten-kun!"
The raven-haired half-Saiyajin shook his hand gratefully. "Likewise. But, I thought you lived in Central Capital?" Goten blinked, looking down as Manoru cowered on his knees. "Oh, shimatta!!" he yelped and quickly let go of the older man's hand.
Manoru cringed. "You've got....quite a..grip there," he chuckled. Looking up at his sister, "You didn't tell him?"
"Oh! That's right!" Paresu replied with a snap of her fingers. "Goten-kun, while you guys were gone, oniichan thought it might be best if we moved here."
"She disappeared everyday to wait for you at Capsule Corp," Manoru explained. He took out a comb and tended to the gentle crest of his hair. "And I figured I could use a change of scenery, so..."
"Well, it's great to have you two so close by now," Goten smiled. "I hope you like it here, Manoru-kun. Ne, Trunks-kun?"
The lavender-haired teen was still sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk, but didn't appear to be concentrating on the conversation. His gaze was directed up, to the south, and his face was set in a serious expression. "Do you sense something over there...or is it just me?"
The Son boy stood, looking in the same direction. "Now that you mention it, it does feel like there's someone there."
"Isn't that over by Capsule Corp?" Paresu asked, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Uh, what are you talking about?" Manoru queried. He turned his head and looked up, but could see nothing but blue. He reached into a side pouch on his cycle and took out a pair of binoculars, then scanned the skyline.
"It's a strong ki," Trunks murmured. "But I can't tell if their hiding it or..."
"There!" Manoru exclaimed. "Huh... Looks like a big guy wearing some kinda costume. White with big yellow flaps..."
"Sounds like an old-style fighting jacket," Goten wondered.
"Maybe it's just Vegeta-san doing some training?" Paresu suggested.
"I think I would know my own father's ki," Trunks corrected. "That's definitely not him."
Goten nodded in agreement. "We know his power too well and that's _not_ jisan. Let's go check it out, Trunks-kun." Both teens hovered up a few feet and to Manoru's credit, he didn't freak out. "Wait here, Paresu-chan."
"Ha! Fat chance," she responded. The brunette floated up next to him and stared at the young man dead on. "You're not leaving me behind again."
"Oi, imoutochan!" Manoru called. "I know you're a big girl now, but...you're still my lil' sister, so take care of yourself. Na?"
"Wakatta!" Paresu saluted. "Jaa, oniichan!" She and the two half-Saiyajin flew off.
On his patrol cycle, Manoru leaned forward and lit a cigarette. Down the road, some punk knocked down an old woman and ran off with her purse. The young cop raised his kick stand and gunned the engine. "Oi oi, kids these days."
~~~~~
Hovering a few hundred feet over Capsule Corporation, a large bald man glared down at the golden domes. This was rich; the Saiyajin no Ouji was playing house maid. How could the prince of a noble warrior race sink so low? Then again, how could the prince of a noble warrior race betray his most trusted ally? Nappa adjusted one of his gauntlets and tried very hard not to get carried away in anticipation. "That treacherous dog," he muttered. "I'll return the favor and drag him back with me into Hell!"
The undead Saiyajin gave a feral growl as he gathered his ki. A red aura rose off his overly-muscular body and electricity sparked out from his hand. "HHHEEEEEAAAAAAAAHH!!!" he roared, swinging his arm down. A great arc of ki formed and descended on the compound. Nappa laughed as he could hear the frightened screams of the citizens below. "Die! Die, prince of a dead race!! You'll be seeing your subjects shortly!!"
Just before it would have exploded, Nappa's ki blast slowed to a stop above the ground. It shook violently, then shot up into the sky where it could detonate harmlessly. The bald Saiyajin shielded his eyes from the light and stared hard down at a new figure. The Saiyajin no Ouji rose up to meet his former comrade, his arms crossed and looking for all the world completely unsurprised a dead man had just tried to murder him. "Nappa."
"So the traitor remembers me?" the larger man said. "I thought he might have forgotten his most loyal soldier. I would have assumed that living with these weakling ningen would have rotted your mind and power. A shame," he smirked.
Not a moment later, Trunks, Goten, and Paresu arrived. "Papa! What's going on!?" the lavender-haired teen demanded.
"Who is this guy?" Goten asked, jamming a thumb in Nappa's direction. "Want us to take care of him for ya?" Behind the Son boy's back, Paresu made a face and flipped off the muscle-bound Saiyajin.
"Are you going to let these brats fight for you?" the bald man guffawed. "What a fall from grace!"
"Do yatte, Nappa?" Vegeta asked, unfazed. His tone was sober, but his eyes still glistened with surprise and anger.
"Of all people, Freeza brought me back with him to the world of the living." Nappa spat at the name and grimaced. "The butcher of my people...but at least he was kind enough to grant me a chance at revenge. I won't waste it on words!!" The bald man lunged in with a punch.
Obviously not anticipating that his prince had grown far stronger with time, Nappa had no idea what he was getting into. Vegeta dodged without effort and did so for every following strike as well, but never broke eye contact. "Woe is the eternal soul that is restless with mortal troubles."
"Have you become a poet as well as a coward!?" Nappa taunted. His giant ham fist hurtled towards the prince's face.
Vegeta caught it almost too easily. "Iie..just a bit wiser," he smirked.
A Dragon Ball Z fanfiction
by Son Goharotto (son_goharotto@hotmail.com)
Welcome to Dragon Ball Yugure Z, my personal pet project. This is what I like to call a "multi-generational alternaverse epic." Expect a complex story spanning several volumes that are littered with cliff-hangers and titanic battles. DBYZ has been revised in its entirety. While some episodes have merely been ridden of typos, others have been rewritten completely. I'll be starting from the beginning at one episode a day so new readers can join in, undaunted by DBYZ's length, and old readers can review past events. All this is leading up to the new Episode 37, from which I'll try to keep a normal updating pace instead of letting this be forgotten as it once was.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I mgiht wish it not to be, DBZ does not belong to me. It's the property of Akira Toriyama-sama and many others who (unfortunately) aren't me. I'm not trying to make any money off of this and it's just a way for me to show my love of all things Dragon Ball. Well, except maybe GT. Bleah. I is teh poor, so don't sue me.
WARNINGS: As a whole, this series contains mature language (usually in Japanese), graphic violence, brutality, mature situations (non-lemon), and a touch of angst.
NOTES: A liberal amount of Japanese vocabulary is sprinkled throughout, though nothing extremely important is ever said in another language that isn't translated. Mostly just basic Otaku Japanese. I've compiled a list of phrases I use on my homepage here: www.enpitsudo-dojo.com/libjapanese.html.
"dialogue"
""layered voice"" (Fusion, for example)
{alien language}
[thoughts, telepathy, memories]
_stressed words_
*sounds*
~scene change~
Volume V -- Evil, Revisited
Episode 34 -- Break Out!! The Calamity in Hell!!
"Now pay attention. It's like this......and this...aaand that, done."
"This really is harder than it looks. You ready, Goten-kun?"
"Yosh! One more time!"
"Fuuuuuu..."
"...siiiooon...."
""HA!!!""
Paresu slipped on her sunglasses again, though it provided little defense from the brilliant flash. This was their fourth try and despite the pair's excellent teamwork and coordination, Goten and Trunks just couldn't seem to pull of a successful Fusion. So far, they had ended up with an extremely portly Gotenks, a thin and frail Gotenks, and a Gotenks with--quite frighteningly--a few too many limbs. The young woman tried very hard not to laugh in anticipation of their next goof up.
Finally, the light dimmed and the wind died down. ""Anou...I don't think it worked,"" Gotenks said in a high pitched voice. Paresu hesitantly looked up, was stunned for a moment, and dissolved into a fit of giggles. ""Oi, oi! Stop laughing, it's not funny!""
"What the hell did you do wrong this time!?" the prince cried in outrage. Vegeta's hands were practically tearing the hair from his head and he looked like he was about to have a coronary.
Gotenks--looking quite cross--shrugged, her generous bosom bouncing slightly with the motion. ""How should I know? I thought we did it right.""
"Oh, I don't know," Paresu tried to say between choking laughs. "You could always use your new..er..'attributes' to stun enemies into submission."
The once-man looked down the front of her pants to inspect the damage. Going pale, ""G-good thing this isn't permanent...""
Vegeta turned around the thumped his head against a tree in an effort to knock himself out. "Why me?"
~~~~~
A small shape dashed from behind a potted plant to underneath an unoccupied desk, then squeezed past some inattentive clerks to hide in the shadow of an enormous column. It was the elusive little fellow from before, trying to stay out of sight while wracking his brain for answers. Agile of mind though he may be, spending several centuries locked up in Nagareboshi's unconscious did not help to clear one's thoughts.
Crouching down, he watched the various oni going about their business and seemed to recall an image from his mind. Others like himself, running errands in..a castle? Was he a servant? No...a courier..but for whom? His name was...Basil..yes, Basil. He was..a courier for...for the Demon Lord, Garlic Junior! It was all coming back; Basil had been sent to take a message to Garlic Senior at the castle on Makyo-sei when he heard something strange in the bushes. Knowing full well the dangers that lie in the demon world wilderness, he was accosted by a ravenous kleag'rohsn. It was the creature that came to be called Nagareboshi that had attacked him.
[But where is Garlic Junior-sama?] Basil thought desperately. He could still pick out things from his time in Nagareboshi's mind. Thoughts and memories that weren't his own, that told him things he hadn't known. Something about Garlic Junior..in..the Dead Zone!? Basil himself didn't have the power to open a door to the Dead Zone, but the Namek-seijin's mind had revealed something else. The father, Garlic, was defeated in his efforts to become Kami of Chikyuu and was locked away within the Tenkai.
Garlic would be far more accessible, but how to return to the land of the living? Even though Basil had his body back, he was still dead. Could he go back, regardless? The entrance to the checkpoint--where souls arrived from the mortal plane--was heavily guarded by fierce oni. He would need a diversion..or better yet, help....
Basil lurked along the wall, then slipped through the gate to Jigoku. On the other side, some oni mechanics were fixing the cleanser while the line of souls started to back up. Off to the side, a very angry Freeza leaned against the wall. Although he stood alone, there were many guards in the area and escape was impossible, not that he had anywhere to escape to. Basil crept closer, ducking behind a stack of spare gears.
"Psst, you there!" Basil hissed. Freeza's head snapped up and he looked around. "Don't react, just listen! You look like you want to get out of here as much as me. What do you say to a collaboration?"
Turning away from the voice, the shape-shifter tried to act like he was still alone. "And what would one who cowers in the shadows have to offer myself?" he murmured in a low, dangerous tone. "Why should I, Freeza-sama, trust some unknown peasant?"
Basil tried hard not to cry out in indignation and let the insult slide. "Because we both want to return to the world of mortals, correct?" The planet pirate nodded ever so slightly and the demon continued. "I can move unseen. If I create a diversion to let you escape, will you help me go there?"
Freeza made of show of looking bored and yawned. "Very well, your offer is acceptable. Make it quick, I tire of this place."
With that, Basil slunk away. Around the corner, he found a storage area of giant jars. Some were empty and yet others were filled to the brim with the thick slime of liquefied evil. Near the soul cleanser, a young oni listening to a portable CD player was dancing around while changing a full jar for an empty one. Basil chuckled to himself hurried to catch up to the oni, who was now carrying the fill jar over to the others. The small demon quickly tripped the youth, making him drop the jar.
"Ut oh," the young oni groaned. The jar shattered on the hard ground, spilling out all the essence within. It swept up the other jars and shattered them as well, the combined tidal wave of evil crashed down in a torrent upon Jigoku. Basil watched with glee as it washed over oni and souls, mutating them into nightmarish creatures that started going on a rampage. In fact, many of the once villainous spirits grew and reshaped, apparently regaining their physical forms--and all their prior maliciousness.
On the other side of the cleanser machine, the guard oni were having a fit. Many others rushed in to help contain the beasts and everyone was in a panic. Freeza took the opportunity to blast a ki bolt at the ceiling, causing a cave in that separated him from his captors. "Excellent work, little one!" he said, flying over to pick the demon up by his shirt. "This will be more than enough..."
Freeza paused and Basil squirmed around, looking over his shoulder. "What is it!? Let's get going already!"
"Just a moment," Freeza responded, his face twisting into a grin. He spotted several familiar faces in the distance. "There are some comrades of mine I wish to accompany us on our glorious return to life." Despite the small demon's arguments, his tyrant 'partner' flew down into the chaos of Jigoku.
~~~~~
Atop Kami's lookout, the young deity Dende shuddered as he felt a great disturbance in the here after. Before him, the small statue of Shenlong lay unfinished. The Namek-seijin boy was still trying to repair it and much remained in crumbled pieces, but he feared it's completion might not come soon enough.
~~~~~
West Capital's Main Street was one of the few areas that escaped destruction by Nagareboshi all those years ago and remained today as a bustling center of commerce. If anything, it had become even more important to the citizens of the city during this time of reconstruction. Everyday, the street was flooded with people: shoppers trying to catch the latest bargain, families on vacation, even lovers on a midday stroll.
One couple in particular just stepped out of an ice cream parlor, their lavender-haired friend trailing along just behind. "You know, I really feel like a third wheel here..." Trunks murmured, taking a sip from his lemon smoothie. Paresu was content with just a strawberry cone while Goten--true to his heritage--had the little-bit-of-everything Chubby Hubby.
"Oi! Don't be like that, Trunks-kun!" Paresu grinned. The brunette was currently glomped onto Goten's arm, whom--for what appeared to be a first--didn't seem to mind. "It's real sweet of you guys to try and cheer me up."
"I felt bad about how broken up you were over tousan's death," Goten replied with a sigh. "We thought it would be a good idea to have a day on the town and just hang out." Trunks nodded his assent.
"Like I said, sweet." Paresu stood on her toes to peck Goten on the cheek, then let go of him long enough to do the same for Trunks, eliciting a blush from the older half-Saiyajin.
"Ha ha, hai. It's the least we could do," lavender-haired teen said, laughing nervously.
Though Goten was smiling, his eyes turned towards his best friend in a glare. [Don't get any ideas, buddy.]
[A-anou, no ideas here!] Trunks responded mentally, a giant sweatdrop rolling off the back of his head.
"But to be honest," Paresu continued unaware, "I don't think I could be any happier after..erm...'training'..this morning," she said with a grin. The brunette brushed some hair from her brow and peered up at her boyfriend, who was making a point to look away. "I wonder who's fault that was?"
Goten coughed into his hand. "Hai, I wonder..."
Paresu hung her head, feigning a pout. "Actually, I was kind jealous... You guys were bigger than me," she added, placing her hands on her breasts. Trunks promptly had a nosebleed and walked into a lamp post. "Trunks-kun!" the girl cried. She and Goten knelt by the dazed Saiyajin's side.
"Oorroooo...." the older man groaned. Other pedestrians gave the trio an odd look and stepped around them.
There was the sound of an approaching motor, which came to a stop at the curb next to them. "Who are you harassing this time, imoutochan?"
Paresu looked up at the voice and smiled. "Manoru-niichan! Aren't you one duty?"
"Eh," he shrugged. "The crime rate's a lot lower here, so I doubt anyone'll miss me for five minutes." Manoru leaned forward on the handlebars of his patrol cycle and took off his wide, reflective sunglasses. Just like Paresu, her older brother had chocolate brown hair, but his was short and combed in an Elvis-style pompador. He was casually dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. Aside from the West Capital Police 4th Precinct patch on his bomber jacket, he really didn't look like a cop. "So, I finally get to meet your boyfriend," he said, extending his hand.
"Um, that's Trunks-kun," Paresu corrected him.
Clearing his throat, "Of course. Hajimemashite, Goten-kun!"
The raven-haired half-Saiyajin shook his hand gratefully. "Likewise. But, I thought you lived in Central Capital?" Goten blinked, looking down as Manoru cowered on his knees. "Oh, shimatta!!" he yelped and quickly let go of the older man's hand.
Manoru cringed. "You've got....quite a..grip there," he chuckled. Looking up at his sister, "You didn't tell him?"
"Oh! That's right!" Paresu replied with a snap of her fingers. "Goten-kun, while you guys were gone, oniichan thought it might be best if we moved here."
"She disappeared everyday to wait for you at Capsule Corp," Manoru explained. He took out a comb and tended to the gentle crest of his hair. "And I figured I could use a change of scenery, so..."
"Well, it's great to have you two so close by now," Goten smiled. "I hope you like it here, Manoru-kun. Ne, Trunks-kun?"
The lavender-haired teen was still sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk, but didn't appear to be concentrating on the conversation. His gaze was directed up, to the south, and his face was set in a serious expression. "Do you sense something over there...or is it just me?"
The Son boy stood, looking in the same direction. "Now that you mention it, it does feel like there's someone there."
"Isn't that over by Capsule Corp?" Paresu asked, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Uh, what are you talking about?" Manoru queried. He turned his head and looked up, but could see nothing but blue. He reached into a side pouch on his cycle and took out a pair of binoculars, then scanned the skyline.
"It's a strong ki," Trunks murmured. "But I can't tell if their hiding it or..."
"There!" Manoru exclaimed. "Huh... Looks like a big guy wearing some kinda costume. White with big yellow flaps..."
"Sounds like an old-style fighting jacket," Goten wondered.
"Maybe it's just Vegeta-san doing some training?" Paresu suggested.
"I think I would know my own father's ki," Trunks corrected. "That's definitely not him."
Goten nodded in agreement. "We know his power too well and that's _not_ jisan. Let's go check it out, Trunks-kun." Both teens hovered up a few feet and to Manoru's credit, he didn't freak out. "Wait here, Paresu-chan."
"Ha! Fat chance," she responded. The brunette floated up next to him and stared at the young man dead on. "You're not leaving me behind again."
"Oi, imoutochan!" Manoru called. "I know you're a big girl now, but...you're still my lil' sister, so take care of yourself. Na?"
"Wakatta!" Paresu saluted. "Jaa, oniichan!" She and the two half-Saiyajin flew off.
On his patrol cycle, Manoru leaned forward and lit a cigarette. Down the road, some punk knocked down an old woman and ran off with her purse. The young cop raised his kick stand and gunned the engine. "Oi oi, kids these days."
~~~~~
Hovering a few hundred feet over Capsule Corporation, a large bald man glared down at the golden domes. This was rich; the Saiyajin no Ouji was playing house maid. How could the prince of a noble warrior race sink so low? Then again, how could the prince of a noble warrior race betray his most trusted ally? Nappa adjusted one of his gauntlets and tried very hard not to get carried away in anticipation. "That treacherous dog," he muttered. "I'll return the favor and drag him back with me into Hell!"
The undead Saiyajin gave a feral growl as he gathered his ki. A red aura rose off his overly-muscular body and electricity sparked out from his hand. "HHHEEEEEAAAAAAAAHH!!!" he roared, swinging his arm down. A great arc of ki formed and descended on the compound. Nappa laughed as he could hear the frightened screams of the citizens below. "Die! Die, prince of a dead race!! You'll be seeing your subjects shortly!!"
Just before it would have exploded, Nappa's ki blast slowed to a stop above the ground. It shook violently, then shot up into the sky where it could detonate harmlessly. The bald Saiyajin shielded his eyes from the light and stared hard down at a new figure. The Saiyajin no Ouji rose up to meet his former comrade, his arms crossed and looking for all the world completely unsurprised a dead man had just tried to murder him. "Nappa."
"So the traitor remembers me?" the larger man said. "I thought he might have forgotten his most loyal soldier. I would have assumed that living with these weakling ningen would have rotted your mind and power. A shame," he smirked.
Not a moment later, Trunks, Goten, and Paresu arrived. "Papa! What's going on!?" the lavender-haired teen demanded.
"Who is this guy?" Goten asked, jamming a thumb in Nappa's direction. "Want us to take care of him for ya?" Behind the Son boy's back, Paresu made a face and flipped off the muscle-bound Saiyajin.
"Are you going to let these brats fight for you?" the bald man guffawed. "What a fall from grace!"
"Do yatte, Nappa?" Vegeta asked, unfazed. His tone was sober, but his eyes still glistened with surprise and anger.
"Of all people, Freeza brought me back with him to the world of the living." Nappa spat at the name and grimaced. "The butcher of my people...but at least he was kind enough to grant me a chance at revenge. I won't waste it on words!!" The bald man lunged in with a punch.
Obviously not anticipating that his prince had grown far stronger with time, Nappa had no idea what he was getting into. Vegeta dodged without effort and did so for every following strike as well, but never broke eye contact. "Woe is the eternal soul that is restless with mortal troubles."
"Have you become a poet as well as a coward!?" Nappa taunted. His giant ham fist hurtled towards the prince's face.
Vegeta caught it almost too easily. "Iie..just a bit wiser," he smirked.