A sweet surprise

by Trugeta

[Complete] Videl is pregnant, and the usual problems arise. The biggest problem being a moodswing driven Videl. Add to it a Kami up to pranks and you get a glimpse on what awaits Gohan...

36. The Road to Ascension

Title: A sweet surprise

Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Akira Toriyama and Funimation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the trademarks mentioned or not mentioned in this chapter.

This story focuses on Gohan and Videl, and is set after the Majin Buu Saga. It's and AU, and Reviews are welcome and appreciated.

Author's Note: Here it is. Vegeta's ascension into Super Saiyan Level Three. Took me a lot of thinking, but I like the end result. Add to it that it's probably the longest chapter I have ever written (over 5000 words!). But don't expect the other chapters to be as long. :)

Chapter 36: The road to ascension

Last time...

"Yeah, I have. I thought about having Capsule Corp., naturally the one of the holographic reality, being attacked by an even stronger Cell, maybe even in team with Frieza. We have more than enough knowledge about Cell, and it will be easy to simulate his KI so that even Vegeta won't notice the difference. The only thing is to keep it quiet from Vegeta. And we have to inform Trunks without making Vegeta suspicious. I will work on the project in the nights while Videl is asleep. At days she deserves a caring and attentive me. But be assured, we'll be ready within at least two weeks." Gohan stated.

Goku and Goten nodded impressed. Gohan's plan was another stroke of genius. Privately, Goku only hoped that Vegeta would not hate Gohan for doing something that could be interpreted as an act of 'betrayal'...

Now the continuation...

As planned, Gohan and Bulma spend the next two weeks planning and refining the holo-technology, creating believable holograms of Frieza and Cell. Due to the use of force-field generators the holograms would appear real and could not be distinguished from the real Frieza and Cell. Gohan had even made them stronger, so as to make the whole scenery more threatening.

The holograms of Frieza and Cell had mass, form and naturally a KI, in all essence making them act like living beings, or better, act like the asses they were.

It was a good thing that they had so much experience with the energy-signatures of the two evil beings, for thus it was quite easy to program and create exact duplicates. Bulma and Gohan had disguised their work as 'improving the cloaking device', and, as expected, Vegeta had dismissed it with a wave of his hand. As long as the training did not suffer, everything was fair game.

What helped was also Gohan's (and to some degree Bulma's) experience with the behavioural patterns of Frieza and Cell. After all, the holograms of the two evil beings had to act and react in a convincing fashion. It had taken quite some planning and programming, but in the end the two geniuses had managed to create very believable holograms.

So believable in fact, that Gohan had been hard pressed not to incinerate them on the spot. Good thing that holograms could be deactivated.

As Gohan had planned, due to his excellent Saiyan stamina he was able to work on the programs and other components of their plan in the nights, while he was taking care of Videl and her needs during day time. During these two weeks he could rightfully claim to live two lives: during day time he was the caring and loving husband of his pregnant wife, and during the night time he became the scientific genius working on an important project.

The young Saiyan had banned all thoughts that evolved around the topic what Vegeta would do when he found out that he had been tricked to the farthest regions of his mind. He would deal with that when he had to cross this bridge instead of involving himself in useless speculations. Sometimes he just loved his Saiyan pragmatism.

Working hard Bulma and Gohan really managed to complete the project within two weeks time, and finally everything was prepared and ready. Gohan had suggested innocently that the next trainings session should be held at his house, as his wife would make some Saiyan fit cake to test out that new recipe of hers. That was, of course, a diversion, but one that did not make Vegeta suspicious at all. Present food to a Saiyan, and you got him with hook, line and sinker.

Goten had managed to let Trunks in on the plan, and naturally the demi-Saiyan was all for it. He, like Goku and Goten had only voiced his concerns what his father would do once he found out it had all been a set-up. Nevertheless, Trunks was very much looking forward to see the plan in action.

And finally the decisive day arrived. The training was planned for 2 p.m., and Gohan spent the morning making the last preparations. The force-field-projectors had been masked due to the use of cloaking technology, and Gohan would activate the holographic reality some minutes before the start of training.

The program was timed to start an hour after the activation of the holographic reality. In Gohan's and Bulma's opinion that was an acceptable amount of time. Everything would seem normal at first, but then all hell would break lose.

Gohan was especially proud that the holographic GR offered all the features of the real one, but that had also posed a problem. Everything had to match the real GR, detail for detail. But they had managed. Gohan had then programmed the holographic computer to have a critical malfunction, making it impossible to shutdown the force-fields. Add to it a (holographic) Bulma in mortal peril, and the plan was a go.

It was now five minutes before the start of training (finally! Incredible how slowly time ticks by when you're waiting for something), and Gohan activated the program. At first glance, nothing had changed, but Gohan knew better. He was very satisfied with the end result, and the young Saiyan was sure that Vegeta would not be able to tell that this was a holographic GR.

Nodding to himself he went up to the kitchen, where Videl was sitting in a rocking chair, massaging her more prominent belly quite contently. He smiled at his wife, knelt down and stroked her belly too before giving her a deep kiss. After breaking apart he looked up at her
"Everything is prepared. I see the diversion is too." he said, looking at the large and tasty looking cake in the oven, and his smile grew into a smirk.

Videl smiled back at him.
"Sure, luv. But don't see it as a diversion, rather as a reward for ingenious Saiyans."

This caused Gohan to smirk even broader.
"Who am I to doubt your wisdom, my lady?" he said and made a mock-bow. Then his face got a far-away look, and he nodded. "Good. Vegeta and Trunks are on their way, and I suppose Dad and Goten will arrive any second. Very good."

Gohan had just finished speaking, when the customary VIZ of someone teleporting in could be heard. Without turning around Gohan said
"Morning, Dad. Hello, squirt. Ready for the big one?"

"As ready as one can be, son." his father said, and Goten added
"Yep, ready, big bro."

The four spend the remaining time until Vegeta and Trunks were due to arrive talking and joking, and Goten admired Videl's grown belly.
"Wow, Videl, you have really become big. But it is looking good on you!" he complimented.

Videl smiled at her brother-in-law.
"Thank you, Goten. You're really a charmer. But privately I have to admit that I feel more and more like a beached whale. And I'm quite glad that it is only two more months to go."

Goku made a thoughtful face at that.
"If at all, Videl. I know that Chi-Chi gave birth to Gohan before the whole nine months were over. Part-Saiyan children obviously develop faster than normal human children, so it might well be that you'll give birth sooner than anticipated. Even if Pan is only a quarter-Saiyan."

Videl nodded eagerly at hearing that.
"I'd be very okay with that. Pan is already getting quite heavy. And her kicks are certainly that of a Saiyan, that I can tell you."

Gohan grinned.
"Yeah, dad. I think last week my dear daughter confused my head for a football. She really has quite a kick."

Goku smiled too.
"I remember similar things about you, son. You were quite the kicker too." he said, remembering.

Videl smiled.
"Heh, seems to be running in the family, eh, Gohan?"

Gohan scratched the back of his head.
"It certainly seems so, luv. Oh, Vegeta and Trunks are just landing. Good. Then we can get started."

Videl looked at her husband.
"Good luck, my love. And don't get blasted."

Gohan smirked and blew her a kiss.
"Not if I can help it, luv."

The demi-Saiyan then went to the door and opened it, while his father waited with Goten in the kitchen.
"Hi you two. Come right down, so we can get started." Gohan said and cracked his knuckles.

Vegeta smirked as he entered, Trunks behind him.
"Nothing better than training to start a good day."

Little did the Saiyan Prince know that this day did indeed hold the potential to become a very good day for him. If it would be a good day for the others remained to be seen.

Together the five Saiyans made their way down to the cellar and into the (now holographic) GR. Without wasting any time Gohan set up the trainings program.
"Computer, activate grids Alpha One to Twenty. Set up force-field for specified area. Activate."

The computer obliged, and the Saiyans entered their designated trainings area. Goten and Trunks, who would be sparring as Gotenks with Goku in Super Saiyan 3 mode fused instantly, while Gohan and Vegeta would be sparring as Super Saiyan 2s. Officially that would serve the purpose to guide Vegeta to his limits as a Super Saiyan 2, but in all honesty, the Saiyan Prince had already reached those.

Thus the four Saiyans sparred in all earnest for about an hour, until, unbeknownst to Vegeta the program became activate.

And suddenly Vegeta's head snapped to the side.
"I'll be damned! Kakkarott, do you sense that too?" he asked, looking first at Goku, then at Gohan.

The two Saiyans looked at each other concernedly, then at Vegeta.
"It feels like... Frieza and Cell!" Goku exclaimed, acting according to the plan, "But that's simply impossible! They're dead and in hell!"

Gohan nodded.
"Yeah, but somehow they obviously managed to escape." he said and concentrated, "Damn it, they're headed towards C.C.! Oh shit, we have to get there before them!"

Goku looked deeply concerned.
"I bet they want to get their hands at Bulma. That's Frieza's way to pay you back." he said darkly, while Vegeta nodded numbly. "Computer, deactivate force-fields!" he ordered.

But instead of obliging, the main-control-console suddenly sprayed sparks. In a strangely modulated voice the computer answered
"Comm... Command can... not be obliged. Master failure."

Vegeta looked at the computer-console in horror.
"Kakkarott, what have you done now?"

Goku looked at Vegeta with raised brows.
"Nothing, Vegeta! I ordered him to shut the force-fields down. Gohan, what's with the computer?" he asked, turning to his eldest son.

Gohan growled in answer.
"Computer, this is Gohan. Shut down the force-fields immediately. Condition Zero."

Again the computer answered in a strangely modulated voice.
"Access denied. Master failure."

Gohan did not give up.
"Computer, this is Gohan Son, Administrator. Command authority Delta Kappa Eleven Alpha. Deactivate force-fields. This is an order!"

"Order can not be followed. Command authority not accepted. Master failure."

"Damn!" Gohan exclaimed, "The computer is completely malfunctioning, and I can do nothing to deactivate the blasted force-field! Not even my override command works! Shit!" he yelled, switched into Super Saiyan 3 mode and fired a huge KI-blast at the forcefield which dissipated there like it had been nothing.

"But we have to help her! Cell and Frieza could be killing her right now!" Goku exclaimed, concern for his long-time friend written all over his face. "And I can't even teleport out, as the force-field is blocking me! Damn! Damn! Damn!" he yelled frustrated, and that very convincingly.

"Damn, we have to get out of here!" Gotenks exclaimed and fired his strongest blast at the forcefield, but this one, too, was not strong enough. "Damn! I can't get through it!" he yelled, frustration obvious.

Gohan looked at his father, then at Vegeta, a grim expression on his face while growling deeply.
"I can do nothing! The computer has a total crash, and completely refuses to acknowledge any command. We would have to break through the forcefield to get out, and that is impossible right now! We would need at least four Super Saiyan Threes' firing their strongest energy attacks at it to overload it, but we're only three! Damn it!" he exclaimed and slammed his right fist into his left hand, creating a tremendous shock-wave.

"What the..." Goku suddenly exclaimed, and the others had felt it too. "Kami! Bulma's KI is dropping! They must have reached her! And the others are far too weak to be of any help. Damn!"

Vegeta looked shocked beyond anything the others had ever seen concerning him.
'No!' the Saiyan Prince thought, 'my mate is in mortal peril and I can't do anything to help her? No, that can't be... I won't let her die!'
"I... won't... let... this... happen!" he exclaimed through gritted teeth and started powering up. Vegeta reached his maximum power within Level Two ten seconds later, but this time it did not stop there. The need to reach his wife fuelled his powers, and the power-up continued.

He powered up more and more, and his power grew constantly. It was now responding to the primal need to reach his mate, and nothing was keeping it at bay. Gohan and the others had great difficulty not to smirk at the happenings, but had to do so in order to keep it believable. Instead they had looks of fake-concern plastered on their faces, as the whole GR started shaking like wild.

Vegeta had never felt such rage before, and the only thing he wanted to do was to break out of this thrice damned GR and blast those damned creatures that answered to the names of Frieza and Cell all the way straight back to hell. Not even when Cell had killed his future son he had felt such rage and fury. How dare they attack his mate!

He screamed at the top of his lungs and the shaking of the room increased even more. The Prince of all Saiyans was putting out more energy than ever before in his life, but he was blissfully oblivious to it in his single goal to reach his mate.

His power started flying and the first changes in his appearance became obvious soon. His body mass increased even more and he became much more powerfully built and even grew a few inches. The muscles in arms, legs, simply everywhere bulged, and his hair started growing until it stopped in waist length. The hair was now falling down his back thickly, while his aura gave off a high-pitched, powerful sound.

Vegeta's hair waved about with the energy he gave off. The Saiyan Prince's pupils had become a slightly darker shade of green than his irises. His eyebrows were completely gone, but his brows had extended, giving his face a more apelike look.

The Prince of all Saiyans had finally reached Super Saiyan Level Three, even if without his notice. And he was already ready to burst into action. The Saiyan Prince put his hands in front of him, ready to fire his strongest and most deadly energy beam yet. All conscious thinking seemed to be gone, and he only acted on instinct. Thus he had not noticed the significant changes he had undergone. Fact, which suited the others quite well.

Despite its supposed uselessness Vegeta readied himself to fire and energy blast at the force-field. But he simply had to do something. He had to. He could not just stand idly by while his wife was being killed by those monsters.

And without waiting for the others he screamed "FINAL FLASH!", and a huge beam exited his palms, impacting with the force of a freight train into the force-field. Goku, Gohan and Gotenks hurried to aid Vegeta, and every single Saiyan fired their own trademark energy attack.

It seemed to take a lifetime to Vegeta, but finally the force-field collapsed. He did not stop to think that it would have taken four Super Saiyan Threes to take the force-field down, he was too caught up in his single goal to reach his mate.

And faster than anyone could see Vegeta had taken off, not even bothering to open the locks. Instead he had simply given it a punch, knocking it soundly off its hinges and out he was, a battle cry on his lips.

Yeah, everything was going according to plan. Now Vegeta could take out his fury on the holographic Frieza and Cell, and Gohan had made sure that Vegeta would get an interesting workout. Bulma and he had managed to create believably strong holographic versions of Cell and Frieza, and they were sure that Vegeta would not notice the difference until Gohan deactivated the simulation. What would happen then only Kami knew. And maybe not even he.

———————————————————————————————————————————————

The Saiyan Prince had a head-start on his team-mates, just like they had planned. Sure, Goku could now have used his Instant Transmission to teleport them over, but he could always claim that he had not thought of this in all this commotion. After all, it pertained one of his oldest friends, so it was believable that he might have lost his cool momentarily.

Thus they followed the Saiyan Prince as fast as they could via flying, and by sensing Vegeta's KI Goku determined that Vegeta was only two minutes away from C.C.

At the same time Vegeta was flying at top speed towards his home. While doing so he could do little more than contemplate what had been plaguing him ever since the Cell Games, when he had been helpless to do anything to prevent the death of his future son. He had never let it on, but since then Vegeta had been afraid that something could happen to his family, something that he could not prevent. These happenings now seemed to confirm his fears.

'Never ever have I flown this fast. And never in my whole life have I been so afraid that I might be too late. But these are thoughts that I have to ban into the farthest corners of my mind, for her sake. Concentrate, Vegeta! I will save her! I will not fail like it did with my future son! This time I will make it better!'

He arrived at C.C. and blasted through the doors, again not bothering to open them or stopping to think why they were still closed. His aura and speed took care of this problem, and the Prince of all Saiyans zeroed in onto the KIs that he was feeling. There they were! Down in the lab!

Without wasting a second he flew towards his destination, and he noticed with dread that Bulma's KI had become even weaker. He blasted through the doors leading to the lab, and the sight that greeted him made his insides freeze over. A second later he was filled with a rage so cold that it burned more dangerously than any fire. It would have been sufficed to freeze hell over ten times, but the figures in the lab did not seem impressed in the slightest.

"Ahh, the Prince of all monkeys shows up to join us. How nice!" Frieza said, while Bulma was dangling from his grip like a piece of meat from a hook, already blue in the face. "I take you want your concubine back? Don't worry, we're nearly done with her. You can have the remains." the Icejin tyrant said with a wicked grin.

Standing beside him with a cruel smirk stood Cell, tall and arrogant, just like Vegeta remembered him from the Cell Games.
"Yes, Frieza, she will make a delicious dessert, don't you think?" the Android said mockingly, also wearing a cruel smirk on his face.

Vegeta's cold fury even increased, and his tone was deadlier than his Final Flash as he said
"Drop her! NOW!"

Instead of following the order Frieza looked visibly amused.
"Which part of 'We're nearly done with her' did your monkey brain not understand? It is impolite to interrupt other people's business." the former self-announced ruler of the universe said mockingly.

That was the final straw for Vegeta. And what happened next was too fast to follow for Cell and Frieza. In a flash Vegeta was across the room, had freed Bulma from Frieza's grip and flown her out of the lab to a secure room he had had constructed by Bulma for even such cases. As she was still alive Vegeta would check on her condition later. Luckily the real Bulma had even thought of including this room when programming the simulation with Gohan.

The holographic Cell and Frieza followed Vegeta, and the Prince of all Saiyans had as recently as shut the door and sealed it this way when they arrived. Smirking evilly Vegeta turned around to the two former most dangerous beings.
"And now it will be hell to pay." the Saiyan Prince announced matter-of-factly, cracking his knuckles and joints.

This caused Cell and Frieza to laugh. Obviously they had not registered just how powerful Vegeta had become, but they would soon find out. Vegeta's evil smirk grew even broader.
"You, you draq-queen, are not even worth my time." the Saiyan Prince said with disgust, and an expression of outrage appeared on the Icejin tyrants face, "You're too weak, and will soon be in your proper place in hell where you can lick asses again. And here's a going away present!"

And again, faster than the two evil (even if holographic) beings could follow, Vegeta yelled
"BIG BANG ATTACK!" and incinerated Frieza on the spot. Cell stared dumbly at where his partner in crime had stood mere seconds before, and the arrogant look had vanished from his face.

Vegeta's eyes grew hard as he surveyed the bio-mechanical Android.
"You on the other hand, Cell, are worth my time. I still have to repay you from the Cell Games, and I intend to pay fully!" he stated, and with this he rushed forwards.

Using his momentum he applied an uppercut to the stunned Androids' chin that shot him upwards and through all stories of the C.C. building and into the air. The Saiyan Prince followed in a flash, and just at this moment the others arrived, first looking at the horizontal flying Cell, then at Vegeta.

Said Saiyan Prince snarled
"He is mine! And I will pummel his sorry ass straight back to hell!" and took off in pursuit of Cell.

The others looked at each other and nodded. It had been the right decision to use Cell and Frieza. Vegeta's hate for Cell was still burning strong, and this was the perfect opportunity for the Saiyan Prince to vent his feelings.

Vegeta had never admitted it, but they all knew that it had been a hard hit for Vegeta to see his future son die. Back then it had been a very unusual show of emotion on Vegeta's part when he had attacked Cell head on in retaliation for what the Android had done to Trunks.

There and then he had not been able to serve proper retaliation, but now it was a completely different thing. Just watching Vegeta pummel the (holographic) Cell warmed the heart. The Prince of all Saiyans made full (even if unaware) use of his Super Saiyan Three abilities, even if he was just in the sub-level the other three Saiyans had overcome. But it was enough. More than enough.

Vegeta used every technique he knew, and the display was amazing. Cell was not able to put up anything resembling a fight, and finally, when Vegeta seemed to have vented enough of his hatred for the bio-mechanical monster he yelled
"BIG BANG ATTACK!" once more and eradicated Cell to the last traces.

With a satisfied expression Vegeta descended and sat down in the grass of the parklike garden of C.C., panting. The others landed, but Vegeta got up in a flash and wanted to check on Bulma instantly now that he had regained his breath. Gohan held him back though, internally bracing himself for what was to come now.
"Stop, Vegeta. There's no need to go inside."

That puzzled the Saiyan Prince greatly.
"What? I have to check on my mate!" he exclaimed.

Gohan shook his head.
"No, Vegeta. Bulma is just fine. She is in fact waiting for you." Without waiting for a response from Vegeta Gohan called
"Computer, end program."

And the computer did just that, revealing that they were still in the GR. Vegeta looked around astonished, and then all the pieces fell into place.
"I'll be damned... that was all a ploy? Frieza and Cell... just a... simulation?" he asked stunned, but at the same time anger was rising in him. "What for, Gohan?" he finally asked with barely suppressed rage. He did not like to be fooled, and he had the distinct feeling that he had been fooled greatly.

Gohan pointed at him in answer.
"Just examine yourself, Vegeta, and you have your answer."

Despite being angry, no, downright furious, Vegeta did just that. And that was the first time that Vegeta noticed that some things were different. Far different. He had a far greater reservoir of energy, and the physical changes were quite obvious to him, now.
"Hell and damnation, I'm a Super Saiyan Three!" he exclaimed, obviously barely believing it. Then, after absorbing this, he looked straight at Gohan.

The look with which the Prince of all Saiyans regarded Gohan could have molten steal, but the flicker in his eyes betrayed the internal battle that was commencing. The urge to give Gohan a sound trashing for this betrayal battled with his gratitude, and the gratitude won by a long shot.
"You planned this all to trigger my ascension into Super Saiyan Three." he finally concluded.

It was a statement, not a question, but Gohan nodded anyways.
"Guilty as charged. I knew that you were ready to ascend. You had reached the maximum power a Super Saiyan Two can offer, but without a pressing need to ascend it would not have happened. And I know what I am talking about. Explanation later." he said at Vegeta's curious look, "Thus we," he looked at his father and then back at Vegeta, "came to the conclusion that we had to create this need. No would-be-tyrant volunteered, so there. It was quite helpful that Bulma and I had perfected the holo-technology in time, otherwise it would have gotten really tricky. My felicitations, Vegeta." the demi-Saiyan said and extended his hand.

To Gohan's surprise the Saiyan Prince hesitated not a moment, took the offered hand and shook it firmly. One thought reconciled Vegeta greatly: Gohan must have well known that he would be furious because of this set up, but he had done it nevertheless, despite the impending consequences. He had once again acted like a true Saiyan. Something Vegeta approved of greatly.
"I might not approve of your methods, but definitely of the result. Gohan..." he growled, and with a conscious effort he said words he had not uttered for quite some time in public, not to a Son anyway, "Thanks."

Gohan nodded solemnly.
"My pleasure, Vegeta."

Android 16 had once said 'Vegeta has changed'. This statement had there and then been made regarding his power, but here and now this statement could not have been truer. The Saiyan Prince had indeed changed, in character and personality. And all for the better.

And to anyone's surprise Vegeta even smiled as he examined his new form more intently. The Prince of all Saiyans had finally reached a dream he had chased for months, and one could see from the gleam in his eyes that he was very satisfied with the result.

Now it was Goku's turn to congratulate Vegeta, and the Saiyan did it all too gladly.
"Vegeta, my felicitations. I'm happy that all worked out the way we planned it, and I'm looking forward to some interesting spars!" he exclaimed.

Vegeta smirked.
"Me too, Kakkarott. And this time I'm gonna beat you!" he stated only half in jest, causing laughter and snorts all around.

The Saiyan Prince also accepted the congratulations from Goten (who was by now himself again after having defused), which the youngster gave quite formally. Vegeta was surprised at the changes the young Saiyan had gone through, and he had to admit that he liked this Goten better. His son's best friend was now acting more like a Saiyan, something he, as the Prince of all Saiyans, certainly approved of.

Now the two youngsters had to be kept in training, and between the three of them they (Goku, Gohan and himself) would be able to form capable warriors out of them.

Trunks was very proud of his dad and hugged Vegeta's middle, and for once the Saiyan Prince let this public display of affection slide and even ruffled his son's hair. Goku and Gohan looked at each other and nodded. Yes, they had indeed done the right thing.

Had they not acted and helped Vegeta, he most probably would have gotten bitter because of his inability to reach the third level. It might not have been as bad as back then when the Saiyan Prince tried so desperately to reach the level of Super Saiyan, but it might have proven as a risk for the group. This risk was now out of the way, and the real and proper training to get Vegeta beyond the sub-level he was in now could soon begin. Something the Saiyans were looking forward to very much.

Together the Z-Gang exited the GR and went upstairs. As Gohan had said, Bulma was safe and waiting together with Chi-Chi and Videl in the kitchen. Bulma was wearing a KI-suppressor to avoid detection, something that had worked perfectly.

Without a word Bulma jumped to her feet, ran to her husband and hugged the living daylights out of him. To say that she was proud would have been an understatement. And the Saiyan Prince was incredibly smug about the whole affair. He had meant what he had said to Gohan: he might not approve of the method, but most surely of the result.
"Like what you're seeing, onna?"

Bulma grinned at him.
"You can bet on it, Vegeta." Then she turned serious. "Forgive me for my part in this?"

To her utter surprise Vegeta smiled at her. Not his usual smirk, but a smile.
"I do, onna. I said already to Gohan that I might not approve of the method, but most surely of the result. And I mean that. I don't like being tricked, but you did what you thought what had to be done, and I'm fine with that. In fact, I am proud of you. You acted like a Saiyan, onna. And besides, that holographic reality of yours offers some real possibilities for training. Vegeta paused for a moment. "But don't think I'll let this slip by so easily. I will have my revenge... tonight." the Saiyan Prince concluded.

That coming from Vegeta was a huge praise and brought tears to Bulma's eyes. She fell into her husbands' arms again and embraced him in a hug that could envy the patented Chi-Chi hug™ anytime, while the others smiled at this open display of affection between Vegeta and Bulma. Goten and Trunks exchanged a high-five and a 'Yeah!', and the grins grew even larger.

Once Vegeta and Bulma had finished exchanging tendernesses, Goku put in
"Hey folks, I'm going to teleport over to the shops. That whole simulation has made me hungry."

And with a VIZ, he had teleported away.
"Some things never change." Videl snorted, while massaging her more prominent belly. Gohan was standing behind his wife, massaging her shoulders.
"I hope they never do, luv."

What followed then after Goku had returned was another patented Z-Fighter BBQ to which the Saiyans naturally also invited their fellow Z-Fighters. They spent the evening joking, talking, eating, drinking, and making plans for training. And, of course, celebrating Vegeta's ascension into the third level. All in all, a perfectly normal day in a Z-Fighters life.

TBC...

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Next time: Vegeta has given it a long time to think, but finally he has decided of how to reward Gohan. But only Gohan? And what has Vegeta come up with? Stay tuned!

As always very special thanks to my beta Rose Vaughn, who is doing a great job! Thx, Ash!

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kiwigrl89: Thank you! I'm glad that you love it, and I hope you liked the result of 'Operation Vegeta' too.

Tsume-Hiei luver: Good thing, that. Glad that you liked the chapter, and as this one had even more Vegeta in it, I take you liked that one too, eh? :)

Electra Black: Heh, glad that you loved it! And no problem with taking ages, it took me ages too to review your new chapter. So we're even. :)
Ah, getting glasses. I'm a spectacle wearer myself since four years, and one gets used to them fast. Glad that you liked the line. It was fun to portray Gohan as a prankster too. Guess it runs in the family...

Saiyan-of-the-Seas: I agree. Gohan now makes full use of his potential, and the outcome is quite great. I think Vegeta likes the outcome very much.
Glad to hear that your wrist is better now. And I'm looking forward to read the sequel!

SilverRainbow223: Thank you! I'm glad too that I managed to keep this story interesting for so long, and I like to think that it has not descended into boredom. As for your suggestions, they're really good. I had not even thought to include Videl's family. Dunno if I'll do it in this story, but those are definitely very good ideas and I'll keep them in mind. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tootsy: I have now read the new chapters of this story too, and you're right, it is good. Very good. But no, that was not the place where I got the idea. I got the idea for Vegeta's ascension from DBZ itself. As Goku (in Gohan's reflections) said in Episode 145: 'The power comes in response to a need, not a desire'. O tone Goku. And as there are precious few ways to create such a set-up that was needed I had to create a situation where Vegeta was trapped with the others in the GR and where Bulma apparently was placed in mortal danger. I could have used hypnosis, but as said, this would have been too much OOC. I chose the way of holographic simulations, as I did not want a real fight in a Romance / Humour story. I did not intend to steal anyone's ideas, and I don't think I did. The holographic setup is all mine, as well as the computer malfunction. I'd say Demonman21 thought along the same lines as me. Vegeta would never be able to ascend without the proper need, thus the need had to be created. Hoped you liked the holographic Frieza and Cell. :)
Anyways, thanks, and I will do my best to keep it up. I'm also glad that you like my Afterlife story.

Princess of the Saiyans 16: Yeah, one of my favs I'd say. Definitely. But I think I did not use it here. :)
I agree completely, messing around with Vegeta is detrimental for once health. But Vegeta has changed enough to see that Gohan did what had to be done. And thanks!

nick-lover1991: Thanks! I'm glad that you approve of the plan, and yeah, Gohan's 'hard years' seem to pay off now. Yeah, to possess such a necklace in RL would be way cool. Sadly its only a product of my imagination. And thank you for the compliment! It's greatly appreciated!

Cappucine: Thank you! Hope you liked the conversations in this chapter too. As for the danger of 'misinterpretation', it has gladly all gone smoothly. I'd rather say Vegeta's respect for Gohan (and the others, including Bulma) has even increased. They pulled off a plan to which Vegeta might have reacted badly (to put it mildly), and they did it anyway.

goldfighter: Yea, Vegeta's now a Super Saiyan 3. Hope you liked his 'road to ascension'. And thanks for the compliment! It's greatly appreciated!

SSJ3MysticGohan: Thanks. I always try my best to keep it interesting. But it's quite hard to present the fireworks each and every chapter. Though I do try. And thanks for the compliment regarding my imagination!
Hmm, as for the new villain, I guess you'll have to wait for the sequel. There I've also planned more action. This story will remain a Romance/Humour story, and be finished in two or three more chapters.

Saiya-jin Queen: Yeah, but I think it's also nice to see them act intelligent. I never saw Goku or Goten as dense, that's why I portray them this way. And I agree completely, if I were Gohan, I would never give something as advanced (and ideal for the pranking department) to my younger brother who is known to be a mischief maker.
And yeah, the previous chapter was indeed a bit shorter, but I guess this one makes up for it.

Pikachu90000: Thanks! I had a laughing fit too when this thought crossed my mind...

PanBraSaiyin: Thank you! I'm glad that you like the plan. As for Goku, well, he's full of surprises...

Rejhan: Heh, glad that you liked that. As mentioned above, I had a laughing fit when this thought crossed my mind. Glad that you liked the chapter, and no, Vegeta did not kill them, as seen.

Rose Vaughn: Yeah, I had planned an escape route to another planet too in case Vegeta got mad with me. Wheew, glad that this danger is over...

Joou Himeko Dah: Nope, he wasn't at first, but then he saw why they did it and accepted it. And thanks! :)

animeprincess1452: Hmm, the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, I'd say. Glad that you liked the chapter, and I hope you liked this one too.

cosmictwilight: Np, some laziness is allowed, most of all in face of your impending Graduation. Hope it was fun!
Heh, so I did catch you off-guard. Yay! And yeah, I'm finishing this story once Pan is born, and will write a sequel after I have finished my 'Afterlife' storyline. One project at a time...

zfighter1989: Even a short review can express much. So thank you! Glad that you liked it!

felinoel: Thank you! As for the details regarding holographic people, I know how this works, being a Trekkie and all. But thanks for the offer! Glad that you liked it!

Candy the Duck: As for the similarities, this is answered in Tootsy's review response. Glad that you liked it!

Mei fa-chan: Thank you! And here's the update...

Marshmellow13Dragon: No prob. I find it kinda odd anyway that they delete those. But that's f f . n e t for you...
What, I made Sarki faint? # holds smelling salts under her nose # They smell terrible, but I think they helped... :)
Nope, Vegeta did not roast any members of the Son family. 'No members of the Son family were hurt in the process of the making of this chapter'. Lol. Glad that you liked it!

zara m: Thanks! I'm glad that you loved my explanations for Gohan's and Goku's ascensions. They never gave one for the ascension to Super Saiyan 3 in the show, so I made my own. Thank you for the compliment! It's very much appreciated!
Yeah, Veggie is now a Super Saiyan 3, and I'd say he likes it very much. And sure, blame the poor AG, will ya? Lol. Just joking. :)

Till next Wednesday. Ja ne!