I wish I owned DBZ, but I don't. I own DVD's and tapes, but it just isn't the same. I also don't own the right to any of the music pieces you may see selected, just copies of merchandise, such a shame. The artists that created them are geniuses and we all must bow to them.

Chapter 27: End of the Road

I opened my eyes in pain, groaning all the way. The Kaioken technique on top of my transformation had really packed a punch, mostly on myself. Every muscle was burning in agony as I crawled out from behind a boulder and stood up. Before me I saw Goku with an absolutely huge ball of energy held high above him, Must be the spirit bomb. Below, his target Buu was standing over a helpless Vegeta, kicking him a few times. I scowled, sensing Vegeta couldn't move much at all, Buu had really beaten the crap out of him. I sensed the same from the others, as they were scattered all around in a similar condition.

"Come on Goku, launch that thing," I whispered. Goku on the other hand, was backing off a bit, refusing to fire even though Vegeta was shaking his fists at him and shouting for him to go ahead and do it. Buu took this chance to kick Vegeta again, then fire multiple ki blasts at Goku. Each tiny blast hit Goku and drained his power all the more. Buu charged a larger one and hurled it, blazing by Goku as he barely dodged it. A little ways from Buu, I saw Mr. Satan hiding behind a rock, but angry curses were streaming out. I quickly hatched a plan and turned Super Saiyan, drawing on my final reserves. I flew up to him, scaring him shitless in the process.

"Hey kid, you okay?" he asked.

"Forget that, listen, I'm going to attack Buu. Get Vegeta out of there when I do. I only have enough power to hold him off for that long, let's go!" I ordered, Satan nodded and start dashing towards Vegeta. He still had a little way to go, letting me have the time I needed. Damn, this might kill me, but it wouldn't be the first time. Shit, my body hurts more than ever! I sighed and powered up to full, not having much to run off of.

Then I shouted my resolution, "Kaio-ken… times 3! AHHHHH!" I screamed the last part because my body felt like it was being melted the energy. Instead of dropping to my knees and into sleep, I launched at Buu, powering up a punch with everything I had left. Buu was to busy laughing to notice me at all. I sailed past Mr. Satan and plowed into Buu, hitting his head dead on. He bounced initially off the ground before rebounding and coming back for more. I rushed him again and speared him in the gut, keeping him away from Vegeta. I planted him into the ground and held his arms back, sensing Satan grabbing Vegeta once I did. My power plummeted and I felt myself drop out of Super Saiyan. Once this happened, Buu threw me off with a wave of his hand. I sailed backwards in the air, trying to stop myself. I found I had no ki left at all, and dropped slowly backwards. I heard the hit on the rocks, but I didn't feel it. I thought maybe I missed for a second, but then I realized I couldn't feel my burning muscles below my waist. Great I hit a bad spot in my back. I managed to turn over and saw Goku crank his arms backward and throw the huge bomb. It was heading straight for Buu and only a true disaster would save the monster from it. I saw my tail slump to my side, no feeling left in it, and the lure of sleep made itself known. All right, finally an end to this nightmare.., and I fell asleep to the tune of Majin Buu's deafening scream.

-

A/N: I think most of us know what happens right about now, Goku eventually wins with the Spirit Bomb. No real point in writing that one out.

-

I became aware of my legs twitching slightly, I discovered I had feeling in them again. My body was felt warm instead of horrible pain running up and down inside of it. I opened my eyes slowly, only to see big white eyes belonging to a green face staring back at me.

"Stay still please, I'm almost done!" Dende said. My eyes darted around, I spotted Vegeta and Future Trunks looking down at me, smiles of pride could be seen. Dende's green hands ceased to glow gold and he motioned that I could get up. I shot to my feet instead, scaring the green guardian and causing him to fall backwards.

"Goodness, you must be well again," Dende muttered.

"Way to go kid!" Trunks said excitedly.

"I'm not a kid," I said, smirking slightly. I glanced over to see Goten and Kid Trunks dancing around in victory, Gohan and Piccolo were talking to the Kais, and Goku sat back on a rock, looking at the sky. I scanned the area for Buu's ki signal, and found it was gone, totally gone.

"Did we finally beat him!" I asked in wonder.

"Yes, that freak is dead, though we almost blew it at the end there. Kakarot ran out of power and couldn't deliver the bomb properly, we used the third dragon wish to restore his power and he blew that freak to kingdom come!" Vegeta explained. I looked down at my armor, or what was left of it, the body suit was still there from the waist down, and the other half of the chest plate was hanging on my right shoulder. I tore it off easily, and threw it to the ground.

"So he's finally gone, good riddance," I said.

"You sure did lay into that freak, I never thought you'd be that strong!" Trunks said in curiosity.

"And it hurt like hell too," I replied, chuckling.

"You were risking total destruction there boy. That Kaioken technique is dangerous for someone so, inexperienced as you are," Vegeta scowled slightly.

I raised my eyebrow at him, "It worked didn't it, you always said to do everything you can to win, well I did!"

Vegeta laughed at this, "Good point boy, perhaps you know what you're doing after all, but that doesn't mean you can sluff training off either!" I gulped, realizing that I'd be in for nasty training now that I had shown so much power. Oh well.

Trunks grinned at my reaction, "Good ol dad, hasn't changed a bit!" Training thoughts reminded me of something I had been meaning to ask for a long time. The recent battle only reinforced it.

"Trunks, why do I transform the way I do?" I asked as I swished my tail around.

"Oh that. From what I can tell, that's how Saiyans transform in your dimension, or at least they did. I thought it was strange to, but not every dimension is the same. Imagine if Goku never hit his head? I'm sure several are like that!"

"Then Kakarot would have grown up to be the third class idiot with a weak level of power. Kakarot, I am borrowing your harpy's frying pan first chance I get, so prepare yourself!" Vegeta shouted.

I laughed slightly at this, "Just what we need Vegeta, an evil Goku running around!" Vegeta's smirk turned to dread, and he spun around and turned his head down slightly.

"Hey I was only joking!" I said, walking up to his side.

"It isn't that, it's.., Argh!" Vegeta's face shot up and spotted something in the sky.

"What is it father?" Trunks asked, looking up well. I focused on what had spooked Vegeta and managed to make out a small pink blob floating in the air. You've got to be kidding me!

"Impossible!" Vegeta shouted. This got everyone's attention and a collection of gasps and shouts filled the air. Up in the air, a small part of Buu remained, slowly reforming himself.

"No fucking way!" I said aloud, not caring that the kids had just arrived next to me. In the sky, Buu's ki resurfaced before he did, feeling very weak compared to what I expected.

"He's weaker than before," Gohan said, noticing the same thing I did.

Goku stared hard at it before taking on a strange grin, "That's because it isn't the Buu were thinking of."

"Huh?" I said along with everyone else. I turned back to see the blob grow bigger and shaped larger arms and legs. The pink slowly receded to show off a purple cape and a black vest, a general happy feeling coming from it.

"The fat one?!" Vegeta said. Sure enough, Fat Buu was floating in the air, doing a dance before jumping down to see Mr. Satan and the dog, who were jumping with joy.

"Little Buu must've had absorbed him again when he blew up the earth, and the spirit bomb can't harm those who are good hearted, like him," Goku explained.

"Ha, good hearted, and my woman can cook!" Vegeta scowled.

-

At first, Vegeta and Gohan wanted nothing more than to destroy the Fat Buu right away. However Goku intervened and said he could stay, Mr. Satan volunteered to keep an eye on him and to keep him out of view for at least four months until the dragon could be summoned to wipe everyone's memory of Buu. I wasn't sure about this, but I felt that everyone nearby was strong enough to deal with him if he went mad again. Assuming of course that he didn't produce another Kid Buu on the spot. With that determined, Kibito Kai reappeared and ordered everyone to stand connected for the journey back to earth. The bright flash blinded me temporarily, but then I found my boots standing on the white surface of the lookout.

"Well, thank you warriors for everything, I feel the Earth will be safe with you warriors to protect it from the next threat," Kibito Kai nodded to us. Then he looked at me with a strange expression, and my head felt like it was spinning slightly.

I've returned your previous memories, you will more than likely need them now. Farewell Verto, we will meet again someday soon, I heard Kibito Kai's voice through my thoughts. At first I didn't feel much different, until a flood of comparisons flew into my head. Part of me was screaming that what happened shouldn't have, the other half replaying the fights for me. When I got my thoughts under control, I looked back to see Kibito Kai standing behind us and bidding us farewell, telling us to train hard.

"Bye bye!" Goku waved happily as Kibito Kai vanished. We began to walk around the lookout, approaching the front.

"There's another threat?" Vegeta asked me.

"I'll tell ya later," I whispered back, not wanting to spoil the happy moment that awaited us around the corner. Vegeta, Goku and Dende walked out first, causing a noticeable hush in talking from the Z gang. Then the rest of us slowly joined them, not including Mr. Satan and Buu, who were trying to prevent the dog from jumping off the lookout. Goten and Gohan stood next to their father, Piccolo right behind them alongside Tien. I stood next to Vegeta, Trunks on the other side. Once Mom and Chichi got over initial shock of sight, they were over to us faster than a ki blast.

"Hey mom! Glad your okAYYY!" Kid Trunks started, before his mother locked in the death grip hug from hell.

"Oh don't you ever worry me sick like that again, no doubt you get that from your father!" Mom smiled slightly with a tear in her eye, rising to hug Vegeta as well, who stood as stiff as a board. On my left, Chichi was giving Goten and Gohan the look over inspection, before scolding them for running off in the afterlife.

"But mom, we never died! We were stuck inside Buu for awhile, then the Kai's rescued us and we ended up on their planet!" Gohan pleaded.

"Hush, you know better than to interrupt me!" Chichi claimed. I chuckled at the situation before a metal substance banged into the top of my head. Once the ringing in my ears stopped, I looked up to see Mom holding a frying pan.

"Ow, what was that for?" I whined slightly.

"That was for not listening to me and getting yourself killed silly!" Mom sighed and launched the death grip on me next.

"He was doing what I told him to do for your protection woman!" Vegeta backed up my case.

Vegeta was on the ground a moment later with a headache, "Damn Earthling women."

"Hey mom, you should have seen Verto and Dad fight Buu, they were beating up that monster with a left and a right, and a kick, and.." Kid Trunks said excitedly.

She interrupted him quickly, "Yes I'm sure they were dear, another reason your going to get heavier studies from now on."

"Ah, but mom, studying is boring!" Trunks whined. I shook the resounding clang from my head and looked over to see Videl giving Gohan a good scolding.

"You had me worried sick you idiot!" she cried at him.

"Gosh Videl, don't cry," Gohan muttered, unsure of what to do. Mr. Satan and Fat Buu decided to make their presence known at this point, giving the rest of the gang a heart attack. Goku did his best to explain what happened, when the other question popped up.

"Hey Goku! I thought you were dead, where's your halo?" Krillin asked. Chichi looked up, hopeful looks in her eye.

"Old Kai granted me a life, so I'm not dead anymore!" he shrugged like it was nothing.

"You mean were going to live as a family of four, in our little house!" Chichi gasped.

"Well that was what I was planning if you think you can put up with me again Chichi!" I crossed my arms and smiled slightly, the general happiness had even gotten to Vegeta, who couldn't help but grin slightly. It happened to be for another reason that didn't involve them fighting each other.

"Hey Baldy, is there a camera up here?" Vegeta asked the fully haired Krillin.

"I've got one with my cell phone," Videl claimed as she pulled it out, "Why, do you need it?"

"Just snap the picture when you see it," Vegeta said, chuckling before he turned over to Goku. "Hey Kakarot, you remember the bet?"

"What bet?" Goku asked, confused.

"The one at the tournament, I believe it was if your son lost, you had to kiss the Namek! Guess what, your son lost to mine, better pucker up Kakarot!" Before Vegeta had even finished explaining, Piccolo rose into the air with full intention to run for the hills. Goku flew up after him, chasing him in circles around the lookout while Videl snapped pictures. No one on the lookout could stop laughing from the sight with the exception of the two in motion.

"Oh come on Piccolo, it's just this one time. Besides I agreed to do it and if I don't he'll think I'm a lair!"

"Forget it Son, you're not getting near me!" Piccolo declared. Goku would have none of it and sped up considerably, catching Piccolo in the air and hovering down to the ground in a flash. Goku bent over and kissed him on the cheek in one swift motion that including a snap flash of Videl's camera. Vegeta and Trunks immediately tumbled to the floor in hard laughter, I joined them a second later just as the rest of the gang realized what just happened. Piccolo dashed to the edge of the lookout and vomited over the side. This got a distant response from a certain cat that somehow got hit a few miles below.

"Gee, what's so funny you guys?" Goku asked, scratching his head.

"That has got to be the funniest thing I have ever seen!" Yamcha roared. Chichi slapped the side of her head in embarrassment.

"Hey Kakarot, I heard there's a village down there missing their idiot. You should apply for the replacement job, Hahahaha!" Vegeta laughed, picking up Mom who had fallen victim to laughter as well.

-

"C'mon boys, were going home now," Vegeta said a short time later, lifting into the air with his wife curled up in his arms.

"Bye you guys. I'll call you with party plans later, we gots to celebrate!" Mom called down to the gang. I lifted off and followed Vegeta, both versions of Trunks flew beside me as we dropped off the lookout with faint goodbyes reaching our ears. The dragonballs did their work very well, everything was restored completely, the Capsule corp. buildings never looked so good. Landing at the door, it flew open to reveal Dr. Briefs and Mrs. Briefs standing inside.

"Well, it seems were alive again, must have beaten that Buu fellow up. Back to work!" The doctor strode off to his labs quickly.

"Oh you big strong boys beat up that mean Buu huh? How about I fix you something to eat!" The magic word was said, and four distinct growls could be heard in sync with each other, one of them came from me.

"I can't stay, I have to get back to my mother!" Future Trunks said, waving it off.

"In law woman, the rest of us want food, make your preparations," Vegeta ordered. Mom shook her head as her mother skipped off humming a tune.

"Why did you come back Trunks?" she asked her older son.

"To check up on Verto here, and to give him something," he said, pulling out a pack of capsules. He pulled a purple-labeled one out and pressed the button to release it. Inside was a small electronic device of some sort with a few buttons and such on it.

"What is this?" I asked as he handed it to me.

"Well, your real mother told me how much you liked music on your world. So I thought you should have a memoir of it as least, I downloaded every music song that was on your computer onto it. Sort of like a music library. I meant to give it to you when we arrived here, but thanks to Frieza that didn't happen exactly how I planned," Trunks said.

"How did you get out of that mess anyway?" Vegeta asked him.

"Right after you left, Frieza started tearing apart the ship. We managed to get away, but his thugs had damaged the time machine that mother had built into the ship, it took us a good eight months to get the sucker working again."

"I see, maybe the boy will get to destroy the worthless tyrant himself then," Vegeta said, shooting a smirk my way.

"Nah, I got to when I visited Hell for some exercise, he isn't worth the effort! However, if there comes a day when I can return to my dimension, I will take care of it" I said, smirking back.

"Hopefully that day comes, well I better be off!" Trunks said, heading for the door.

"When will you be back?" Mom asked him.

"I dunno, whenever I guess. Me and mom are gonna travel to other realities again, which ironically is what started the whole mess!"

"See ya man!" I shouted at the door at him as he lifted off in his time machine. Young Trunks, who had stayed pretty silent up till this point, decided to speak.

"That guy was weird, how could he be me, but then again, that sword was pretty fucking cool!" CLANG!

"Trunks, what have a constantly told you about swearing! Now you two get upstairs and get a bath! You both smell bad from fighting, not to mention your clothes are torn up!" Mom ordered. I sighed and slumped my shoulders slightly, heading up the stairs. I let Trunks have first dibs on the shower room, lying back on my bed while I waited. I measured the slight differences in our fight with Buu and the original fight, and there was quite a difference, but then it all came out similar, and with a happy ending. I decided it didn't matter what was supposed to happen, and in that small moment, I made up my mind to ignore the entire story. Things had changed now, and what was to be was no longer important, nor would it occur exactly that way. Trunks announced he was done with his bathing, something that took pretty long because of his playful habit with the bathtub. I entered and stripped off the now melted pieces of my bodysuit, contemplating what Dabura and Kibito Kai said about the Zerg.

Power levels

Kid Buu: 560,000,000

Verto (SS1): 175,000,000; Kaioken x3: 525,000,000 (drains fast)

Goku's Spirit Bomb: 550,000,000; Super Spirit Bomb: 700,000,000