I'm really glad this story has turned out to be such a success. Hope you
are still enjoying and thanks to all my reviewers.
Later on Vegeta tried to identify with words what the trip between dimensions had been like. The closest he could get was that it had felt like falling in several different directions at once while at the same time remaining perfectly still. He had also got the impression that someone was trying to remove the top of his head. He couldn't figure out exactly how long the trip had taken but the remembered vaguely a screeching sound, like an alarm.
When the feeling of being turned inside out stopped and the machine stopped shaking, the prince opened one eye and swivelled it around. Seeing that the time machine was whole and seemingly undamaged he opened the other one. He moved his head gingerly as it felt as though it were stuffed with feathers and his stomach lurched unpleasantly. Glancing fuzzily at screens before him he noticed one was flashing a red warning sign.
He ignored it and looked over at Goku. The younger Saiya-jin was staring at the console in front of him with a glazed expression.
"Kakarot," Vegeta managed to say on the second try. His voice sounded unsteady.
Goku swivelled his eyes toward the prince, "Is the top of my head still there?" he asked.
Vegeta nodded slowly.
Goku sighed then unbuckled his seat belt and stood. He pointed at the computer screen that was flashing, "Is that important?"
Vegeta stared at him, how could he be so calm?
"Vegeta?" Goku frowned at him, "You okay? You look a bit grey."
"I'm...I think..." the prince gave up and managed to unbuckle his seat belt. He stood slowly and paid a bit more attention to the screen, "It's a warning, it says there's an object attached to the outside of the time machine."
"What kind of object?" Goku asked.
"I don't know," Vegeta snapped fighting down the queasiness, "Let's get out of here." He popped the hatch and hefted the molecular beam gun onto his shoulder, then the two Saiya-jins flew out onto the green grassy area they had landed on.
Goku peered into the distance, "Middle of nowhere," he said unnecessarily.
Vegeta glared at him and looked around. He looked past the time machine into the distance then did a double take and stared at the machine instead. Not trusting his eyes just yet he tapped Goku on the shoulder with out looking at him and pointed forward.
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" he demanded.
Goku followed his gaze then his jaw dropped. He stared for a moment before replying, "If you're seeing Ranorik clinging the side of the time machine like a limpet then yes," he said.
Vegeta sidled up to the counsellor who had his hands hooked into two air vents and his feet shoved into the landing gear. The man was breathing very slowly and didn't seem to notice them. His eyes were unseeing.
Vegeta snapped his fingers in front of Ranorik's face a few times but got no response.
"Is he okay?" Goku asked peering at the advisor.
Vegeta snorted and adjusted the weapon on his shoulder, "I doubt it," he said then stopped and looked at Goku with a frown.
Goku was no longer studying the counsellor but rather staring disconcertedly into the distance, "You feel that?" he asked the older Saiya- jin lowly.
Vegeta nodded, "A battle," he said unnecessarily.
Goku frowned even more, "Something strong," he muttered, "Very strong."
"Three guesses who it is and the first two don't count," Vegeta said wryly jumping into the air.
"What about him?" Goku pointed at Ranorik.
"I have a feeling he'll still be here when we get back," Vegeta told him before taking off. Goku was quick to follow.
Following the practically visible ripples of power in the air the two Saiya- jin arrived at the scene of the battle sooner than they expected. As they flew two figures became visible fighting in the distance fighting in mid air not far out of Satan City. To Goku's surprise both had knee length golden hair. The younger Saiya-jin glanced at Vegeta and was surprised to find him, despite the seriousness of the situation, grinning from ear to ear.
Goku scanned the area briefly and found there were a few different energy signals in the area. It didn't take him long to figure out what was going on. The other Vegeta and Goku with their newly acquired SSJ 3 bodies were fighting while the other Z fighters looked on.
As they drew closer Vegeta didn't hesitate in bringing the molecular weapon from off his shoulder and firing two shots at the fighters. The two blue beams came close but with their superior strength and speed both fighters twisted out of way then stared at their counterparts in amazement.
Vegeta and Goku stopped a short distance from them, the former still aiming the large gun. There was a long silence. Goku could see far below Vegeta's and his sons with Krillin, Yamcha and Tien. They all looked confused and worried.
The Mirai Vegeta gave Vegeta a critical look with cold eyes, clearly assessing the situation. He pointed at his equivalent, "Those are my clothes," he said in a flat tone.
Vegeta smirked, "I was about to say the same thing," he said noticing the Saiya-jin king wore his trademark blue jumpsuit with white gloves and boots looking a little torn and dirty.
Mirai Goku, dressed in Goku's trademark orange Gi also a little worse for wear, was looking completely flummoxed, "What the hell is going on?" he said eventually.
"Long story short," Goku said quickly, "The four off us are in each others bodies, so we need to switch back."
"Like hell," Mirai Vegeta snapped and flew straight at Goku. In their current state both Goku and Vegeta couldn't have stopped him if they tried.
As Goku went flying rather impressively Vegeta took the opportunity to aim the gun at his counterpart but Mirai Vegeta swung a hand up and knocked the gun out of his hands then grabbed the Saiya-jin prince by the throat.
"I should thank you," the Saiya-jin King said mockingly, "I always wondered what it would be like to be this strong."
Vegeta's eyes followed the decent of the molecular gun and he was relieved to see that Gohan had flown up and caught it despite not knowing what was going on. The prince looked at his counterparts face and was stunned to see absolute lack of emotions in the eyes. They looked completely devoid of life. Even at his most cruel Vegeta was sure he had never looked like that.
The king sneered and began to squeeze. Vegeta kicked out uselessly with his legs as his air supply was cut off, knowing it wouldn't take any effort for this Mirai Vegeta to crush his throat. In desperation he brought both hands up and sent a Ki blast directly into the king's face. This seemed to do no damage for the last thing Vegeta heard before he fell unconsciousness was mocking laughter.
Goku picked his head up out of the rock it had been buried in. He wondered if he was still in one piece, he hadn't been hit that hard since Brolly.
"Dad!" someone called. Goku chuckled as he thought it could only be one of two people. It turned out to be Goten.
"Are you okay?" he asked helping him up.
Goku nodded then eyed his youngest son, "How'd you know it was me?"
"Gohan said it had to be if the other two weren't," Goten explained, "We figured out they weren't you and Vegeta-san pretty quick."
Goku nodded then looked up in sky and spotted Mirai Vegeta with his counterpart by the throat. He cursed mentally as Vegeta's blast did nothing and took off toward the two impostors. Goten followed and Goku was about to tell him not to when it occurred to him that his son was currently stronger than him.
Before he could reach Mirai Vegeta however, Mirai Goku attacked the king from behind causing him to drop the insensible Saiya-jin prince. Goku shot forward and caught him easily then looked up as the two Mirai Saiya-jins resumed their long fight.
He looked at Goten, "Where's the gun?" he asked.
"Gohan has it," the youngest half Saiya-jin pointed at the group down below. Sure enough Gohan had the molecular beam gun in his arms.
Goku flew downward, landing before his friends and placed Vegeta gently on the ground. Trunks immediately came forward.
"If he okay?" he asked anxiously kneeling next to his father.
"I think so," Goku replied. Trunks felt Vegeta pulse and breathing then nodded in satisfaction.
"Uh, Dad?" Gohan started, "What exactly is going on?"
Goku sighed, "It's a long story." He gave them the short version and when he was done they looked equally confused. He filled in the gaps a bit until the Z fighters looked a little less perplexed.
There was short silence after he was done, "So what do we do now?" Krillin wanted to know looking at the two fighting impostors apprehensively.
Goku frowned, "We need to shoot both of them with the beam from that gun," he pointed to the weapon Gohan held, "That will switch us back then we'll take it from there."
"What's the problem?" Trunks asked, "Just beat them up and fire at them when they're out of it."
Goku chuckled mirthlessly, "Unfortunately Vegeta and I are a lot weaker in these bodies," he said, "We couldn't fight those two if we tried."
"But that Goku is on our side," Tien pointed out, "We could get him to pin down the other Vegeta."
Goku nodded, "Perhaps," he conceded, "But I don't think he'll want to go back to his old body either. They want to kill him his timeline remember."
The others nodded glumly.
"Do we have any Senzu beans?" Goku asked suddenly.
The others shook their heads, "I think we'll need some before this is over," Goku told them, "Vegeta could use one now," he added.
"I'll go get some," Yamcha volunteered, "Its not like I'm a match for those two anyway."
"Okay," Goku agreed and the scarred warrior flew off to Karin's tower.
Vegeta opened his eyes and was pleased to find this time upon awaking he was on earth. He was not pleased to find his neck ached and could hardly breathe without his throat feeling as though it were on fire. Sitting up slowly he saw Goku, Trunks, Gohan, Goten, Krillin and Tien staring up into the middle distance where the prince could just see Yamcha disappearing into the ether.
He coughed involuntarily and immediately they spun around to look at him.
"Are you okay?" Goku asked.
Vegeta opened his mouth to tell him to leave him alone but coughed again instead which ruined the effect. His lungs felt starved for air.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Your better half happened," Krillin told him wryly.
Vegeta snorted and managed to stagger to his feet. He peered into the sky where Mirai Goku and Mirai Vegeta were battling ferociously. He frowned briefly then turned to Goku, "Where's the gun?"
"I've got it," Gohan told him lifting it for him to see.
Vegeta went forward and inspected it briefly, "Damn," he muttered with a frown, "Those shots completely drained its power."
Goku peered at the gun over the princes shoulder, "Now what?" he asked sounding worried.
Vegeta shrugged, "I'm sure Bulma can fix it," he pointed out.
Goku started to nod then noticed the deafening silence that had fallen over the group. Vegeta also noticed and narrowed his eyes at other Z Senshi.
"What?" he demanded in a tight voice. The others suddenly became interested in, respectively, the sky, ground and tops of their shoes.
Trunks stepped forward and looked his father in the eye, "Mom...she..." the lavender haired Saiya-jin stopped with a swallow and looked into the sky at his father's counterpart, "He killed her," he whispered his voice breaking.
Aargh, I'm cruel I know, but I'll post the next chap within the next two days, I promise.
Later on Vegeta tried to identify with words what the trip between dimensions had been like. The closest he could get was that it had felt like falling in several different directions at once while at the same time remaining perfectly still. He had also got the impression that someone was trying to remove the top of his head. He couldn't figure out exactly how long the trip had taken but the remembered vaguely a screeching sound, like an alarm.
When the feeling of being turned inside out stopped and the machine stopped shaking, the prince opened one eye and swivelled it around. Seeing that the time machine was whole and seemingly undamaged he opened the other one. He moved his head gingerly as it felt as though it were stuffed with feathers and his stomach lurched unpleasantly. Glancing fuzzily at screens before him he noticed one was flashing a red warning sign.
He ignored it and looked over at Goku. The younger Saiya-jin was staring at the console in front of him with a glazed expression.
"Kakarot," Vegeta managed to say on the second try. His voice sounded unsteady.
Goku swivelled his eyes toward the prince, "Is the top of my head still there?" he asked.
Vegeta nodded slowly.
Goku sighed then unbuckled his seat belt and stood. He pointed at the computer screen that was flashing, "Is that important?"
Vegeta stared at him, how could he be so calm?
"Vegeta?" Goku frowned at him, "You okay? You look a bit grey."
"I'm...I think..." the prince gave up and managed to unbuckle his seat belt. He stood slowly and paid a bit more attention to the screen, "It's a warning, it says there's an object attached to the outside of the time machine."
"What kind of object?" Goku asked.
"I don't know," Vegeta snapped fighting down the queasiness, "Let's get out of here." He popped the hatch and hefted the molecular beam gun onto his shoulder, then the two Saiya-jins flew out onto the green grassy area they had landed on.
Goku peered into the distance, "Middle of nowhere," he said unnecessarily.
Vegeta glared at him and looked around. He looked past the time machine into the distance then did a double take and stared at the machine instead. Not trusting his eyes just yet he tapped Goku on the shoulder with out looking at him and pointed forward.
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" he demanded.
Goku followed his gaze then his jaw dropped. He stared for a moment before replying, "If you're seeing Ranorik clinging the side of the time machine like a limpet then yes," he said.
Vegeta sidled up to the counsellor who had his hands hooked into two air vents and his feet shoved into the landing gear. The man was breathing very slowly and didn't seem to notice them. His eyes were unseeing.
Vegeta snapped his fingers in front of Ranorik's face a few times but got no response.
"Is he okay?" Goku asked peering at the advisor.
Vegeta snorted and adjusted the weapon on his shoulder, "I doubt it," he said then stopped and looked at Goku with a frown.
Goku was no longer studying the counsellor but rather staring disconcertedly into the distance, "You feel that?" he asked the older Saiya- jin lowly.
Vegeta nodded, "A battle," he said unnecessarily.
Goku frowned even more, "Something strong," he muttered, "Very strong."
"Three guesses who it is and the first two don't count," Vegeta said wryly jumping into the air.
"What about him?" Goku pointed at Ranorik.
"I have a feeling he'll still be here when we get back," Vegeta told him before taking off. Goku was quick to follow.
Following the practically visible ripples of power in the air the two Saiya- jin arrived at the scene of the battle sooner than they expected. As they flew two figures became visible fighting in the distance fighting in mid air not far out of Satan City. To Goku's surprise both had knee length golden hair. The younger Saiya-jin glanced at Vegeta and was surprised to find him, despite the seriousness of the situation, grinning from ear to ear.
Goku scanned the area briefly and found there were a few different energy signals in the area. It didn't take him long to figure out what was going on. The other Vegeta and Goku with their newly acquired SSJ 3 bodies were fighting while the other Z fighters looked on.
As they drew closer Vegeta didn't hesitate in bringing the molecular weapon from off his shoulder and firing two shots at the fighters. The two blue beams came close but with their superior strength and speed both fighters twisted out of way then stared at their counterparts in amazement.
Vegeta and Goku stopped a short distance from them, the former still aiming the large gun. There was a long silence. Goku could see far below Vegeta's and his sons with Krillin, Yamcha and Tien. They all looked confused and worried.
The Mirai Vegeta gave Vegeta a critical look with cold eyes, clearly assessing the situation. He pointed at his equivalent, "Those are my clothes," he said in a flat tone.
Vegeta smirked, "I was about to say the same thing," he said noticing the Saiya-jin king wore his trademark blue jumpsuit with white gloves and boots looking a little torn and dirty.
Mirai Goku, dressed in Goku's trademark orange Gi also a little worse for wear, was looking completely flummoxed, "What the hell is going on?" he said eventually.
"Long story short," Goku said quickly, "The four off us are in each others bodies, so we need to switch back."
"Like hell," Mirai Vegeta snapped and flew straight at Goku. In their current state both Goku and Vegeta couldn't have stopped him if they tried.
As Goku went flying rather impressively Vegeta took the opportunity to aim the gun at his counterpart but Mirai Vegeta swung a hand up and knocked the gun out of his hands then grabbed the Saiya-jin prince by the throat.
"I should thank you," the Saiya-jin King said mockingly, "I always wondered what it would be like to be this strong."
Vegeta's eyes followed the decent of the molecular gun and he was relieved to see that Gohan had flown up and caught it despite not knowing what was going on. The prince looked at his counterparts face and was stunned to see absolute lack of emotions in the eyes. They looked completely devoid of life. Even at his most cruel Vegeta was sure he had never looked like that.
The king sneered and began to squeeze. Vegeta kicked out uselessly with his legs as his air supply was cut off, knowing it wouldn't take any effort for this Mirai Vegeta to crush his throat. In desperation he brought both hands up and sent a Ki blast directly into the king's face. This seemed to do no damage for the last thing Vegeta heard before he fell unconsciousness was mocking laughter.
Goku picked his head up out of the rock it had been buried in. He wondered if he was still in one piece, he hadn't been hit that hard since Brolly.
"Dad!" someone called. Goku chuckled as he thought it could only be one of two people. It turned out to be Goten.
"Are you okay?" he asked helping him up.
Goku nodded then eyed his youngest son, "How'd you know it was me?"
"Gohan said it had to be if the other two weren't," Goten explained, "We figured out they weren't you and Vegeta-san pretty quick."
Goku nodded then looked up in sky and spotted Mirai Vegeta with his counterpart by the throat. He cursed mentally as Vegeta's blast did nothing and took off toward the two impostors. Goten followed and Goku was about to tell him not to when it occurred to him that his son was currently stronger than him.
Before he could reach Mirai Vegeta however, Mirai Goku attacked the king from behind causing him to drop the insensible Saiya-jin prince. Goku shot forward and caught him easily then looked up as the two Mirai Saiya-jins resumed their long fight.
He looked at Goten, "Where's the gun?" he asked.
"Gohan has it," the youngest half Saiya-jin pointed at the group down below. Sure enough Gohan had the molecular beam gun in his arms.
Goku flew downward, landing before his friends and placed Vegeta gently on the ground. Trunks immediately came forward.
"If he okay?" he asked anxiously kneeling next to his father.
"I think so," Goku replied. Trunks felt Vegeta pulse and breathing then nodded in satisfaction.
"Uh, Dad?" Gohan started, "What exactly is going on?"
Goku sighed, "It's a long story." He gave them the short version and when he was done they looked equally confused. He filled in the gaps a bit until the Z fighters looked a little less perplexed.
There was short silence after he was done, "So what do we do now?" Krillin wanted to know looking at the two fighting impostors apprehensively.
Goku frowned, "We need to shoot both of them with the beam from that gun," he pointed to the weapon Gohan held, "That will switch us back then we'll take it from there."
"What's the problem?" Trunks asked, "Just beat them up and fire at them when they're out of it."
Goku chuckled mirthlessly, "Unfortunately Vegeta and I are a lot weaker in these bodies," he said, "We couldn't fight those two if we tried."
"But that Goku is on our side," Tien pointed out, "We could get him to pin down the other Vegeta."
Goku nodded, "Perhaps," he conceded, "But I don't think he'll want to go back to his old body either. They want to kill him his timeline remember."
The others nodded glumly.
"Do we have any Senzu beans?" Goku asked suddenly.
The others shook their heads, "I think we'll need some before this is over," Goku told them, "Vegeta could use one now," he added.
"I'll go get some," Yamcha volunteered, "Its not like I'm a match for those two anyway."
"Okay," Goku agreed and the scarred warrior flew off to Karin's tower.
Vegeta opened his eyes and was pleased to find this time upon awaking he was on earth. He was not pleased to find his neck ached and could hardly breathe without his throat feeling as though it were on fire. Sitting up slowly he saw Goku, Trunks, Gohan, Goten, Krillin and Tien staring up into the middle distance where the prince could just see Yamcha disappearing into the ether.
He coughed involuntarily and immediately they spun around to look at him.
"Are you okay?" Goku asked.
Vegeta opened his mouth to tell him to leave him alone but coughed again instead which ruined the effect. His lungs felt starved for air.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Your better half happened," Krillin told him wryly.
Vegeta snorted and managed to stagger to his feet. He peered into the sky where Mirai Goku and Mirai Vegeta were battling ferociously. He frowned briefly then turned to Goku, "Where's the gun?"
"I've got it," Gohan told him lifting it for him to see.
Vegeta went forward and inspected it briefly, "Damn," he muttered with a frown, "Those shots completely drained its power."
Goku peered at the gun over the princes shoulder, "Now what?" he asked sounding worried.
Vegeta shrugged, "I'm sure Bulma can fix it," he pointed out.
Goku started to nod then noticed the deafening silence that had fallen over the group. Vegeta also noticed and narrowed his eyes at other Z Senshi.
"What?" he demanded in a tight voice. The others suddenly became interested in, respectively, the sky, ground and tops of their shoes.
Trunks stepped forward and looked his father in the eye, "Mom...she..." the lavender haired Saiya-jin stopped with a swallow and looked into the sky at his father's counterpart, "He killed her," he whispered his voice breaking.
Aargh, I'm cruel I know, but I'll post the next chap within the next two days, I promise.