"Dragonball AS: Aftermath Saga:

Chapter 9- "Preparations"

By- Tiny

"Are we back home yet?" Gohan asked Trunks, who was piloting, "We need to warn the others quickly."

"Yes, we're getting ready to reenter the atmosphere right now," Trunks confirmed, "Now get back to your seats and buckle in. This is gonna be a little more rough than our exit from the air was."

Everyone knew he was right and rushed quickly to their respective seats. Goten and Paresu had built a couch-like seat for all the couples, complete with baby seats for the little ones. The little ones were all asleep in their seats, much to the delight of the tired parents.

"Okay guys, we're going in," Trunks said, "This is gonna be a little rough, so hold on tight!"

Everyone leaned back in their seats in preparation, their heads being tossed back from the sudden increase in G's against the hull of the ship. They were headed towards the Lookout, knowing that there, they could have Dende warn everyone of the incoming disaster.

"I just hope we have enough time left," Gohan sighed, "Father, if only you were here..."

"VEGETA!" Bulma yelled across the gravity room, "Get your high-and-mighty ass out here this instant!"

"What do you want, woman?" Vegeta snarled, "I'm busy."

"Well then, I guess you don't care that you're son and daughter have just reentered the Earth's atmosphere," Bulma huffed, "They appear to be heading for the Lookout."

"Hmm," Vegeta mused, closing his eyes, "Yes, they've just landed, but something is different."

"What do you mean, different?" Bulma asked.

"There are three energy signatures that I know for a fact DIDN'T go into space with the others," Vegeta grumbled, "Guess they picked up some stowaways."

"Well then, let's go see them!" Bulma beamed, "I can't wait to see my kids again!"

"Won't she be surprised when she sees who they've really brought back!"

Hell, the Home for Infinite Losers. To some it is known as "the office", mostly for the ogres who keep the inmates in line. To others, it is known as the most desolate, miserable, sorry excuse for an existence there is. To one, it is known as home.

"What a boring home it is," Piccolo grumbled, "But I chose this, and now I'm stuck with it."

"Not necessarily, my green friend," a voice laughed, "There is a way to get you out of this...hell-hole so to speak."

Piccolo turned around quickly to see who had so brazenly addressed the keeper of Hell, nearly face vaulting when he saw the man.

"Goku?"

"Not hardly," the man grinned, "The one you know as Goku, I know as Kakarot. My name is Bardock, Kakarot's father."

"Your son!?!" Piccolo gasped, "But...but you look so young!"

"That's the result of Saiya-jin genes combined with the fact that I'm dead," the man chuckled, "But back to the matter at hand."

"Indeed, back to that," Piccolo coughed, "How do you think you can get out of here? Even I can't."

"I know, but there is a way," Bardock smiled, "You see, not even the Kais know where my son is, but I do. I can see the future, you know, and I know exactly where my son is at."

"What? Where?" Piccolo screamed, "How can we get there!?!"

"Patience, my friend," Bardock assured, "My son is located in the domain of the Dragons, a planet far beyond the reach of the Supreme Kai's own world. Only one other man knows where it is, and that is the Ultimate Kaio-Shin. He can help you to reach my son."

"But Goku gave his life to purify the Dragonballs," Piccolo explained, "Why should we interfere with his decision."

"Because everything he gave his life for, all the people he cares about, are in grave danger," Bardock stated flatly, "There are seven evil beings on their way to Earth as we speak, and they hate Saiya-jin's. Gohan and Vegeta are strong, but they are no match for what is coming."

"But they can't die!" Piccolo grumbled, "Gohan is the Legendary!"

"Of his generation yes, as is his father before him," Bardock nodded, "But even he won't last against these new evils long. Of my generation there is a legendary warrior, the Saiya-jin King, but even he won't be able to stop them."

"Damn you, Bardock!" another voice cried, "I thought I told you not to mention us until he agreed!"

"My apologies, Lord Vegita," Bardock bowed, "But he is a thick skulled Nameksei-jin and won't listen."

"Then persuade him!" King Vegita yelled, "Nameksei-jin, you are going to help us do this!"

"And what's in it for you?" Piccolo inquired, "What do you want in return for my help in finding Goku?"

"All we ask is the chance to live again and be with our descendants," Bardock smirked, "As well as my son, whom you've met, our mates, and the son of Nappa, Diive. He is a strong warrior and is Raditz's best friend."

"Saiya-jin have friends?" Piccolo growled, "You never fail to amaze me. Very well Saiya-jin, I will help you. What now?"

"Well, first we need to knock out the guards," Vegita laughed, "That should be easy enough, and then we have to contact Lord Enma. We'll figure out the rest on the way."

"Alright then. Let's get a move on," Piccolo grumbled, turning away, "I'm coming for you, Goku."

"I can sense them now," Trunks smiled, taking Bikini from Marron, "Dad and Mom are the closest, the others are a bit further behind."

"Wrong brat," Vegeta chuckled, "We're already here!"

"Trunks!" Bulma cheered, rushing up to her son, "I've missed you so much! Who's the kid?"

"Mom, meet Bikini," Trunks smiled, "This is mine and Marron's child, your granddaughter."

"My...my what?" Bulma gasped, "But you and Marron aren't married! How did this happen!?"

"I think you know how it happened, woman!" Vegeta laughed, "And they are so married, at least by our standards."

"What do you mean?" Bulma sighed, "That Trunks marked her?"

Smiling at the older woman, Marron pulled back her hair and showed Bulma the almost invisible bite mark on her neck. Bulma traced a finger along the mark and Marron shivered, showing just how sensitive it really was.

"I guess it is true," Bulma smiled, "Then I'm gonna get to do some spoiling now! Give the baby here Trunks, I wanna hold my grandbaby!"

"Hey, you forget about us?" Gohan and Goten whined, holding their own children, "You wound us!"

"Oh, two more kiddies to spoil!" Bulma cheered, looking at the two babies, "They...they look so much like..."

"NO!!!" Vegeta screamed, "NOT MORE KAKAROT'S!!!!!!"

"Oh, shut up Vegeta!" Bulma snickered, "Look, here come the others!"

Sure enough, just as Bulma had pointed out, there were several figures on the horizon, all of whom the fighters recognized. All of the older human fighters were present amongst them, as was the blonde cyborg, Juuhachi. They landed swiftly and effortlessly, each getting confused by the sight of three Saiya-jin infants.

"Who are those kids?" Krillin laughed, "One of them looks like you Bulma."

"That's my granddaughter, shorty," Bulma giggled, "And guess what? She's yours too!"

"Wha...what!?!" Krillin screamed, his aura flaring out, "Where's Trunks? I'M GONNA KILL HIM!!!"

"No you're not!" Juuhachi snapped, taking the baby from Bulma, "Just look at her Krillin! How could you not love someone like this?"

Krillin looked down at the small, lavender-haired girl as she squirmed in her grandmother's arms. The baby's big blue eyes lit up at the sight of the graying older man and she instinctively wrapped her purple tail around Krillin's arm. In an instant, the old man's face softened and he plucked the girl from Juuhachi's arms.

"Good to see that you can learn to lighten up!" Bulma giggled again, "And look! Chi-Chi seems to be living this up!"

Sure enough, over with her two boys Chi-Chi was bouncing the two little boys on her lap like a real pro. Little Goken was poking at Medon's ribs and Medon would respond by laughing at his cousin's playfulness. The sight made everyone feel so at ease, but it was not to last.

"Okay everyone, that's enough goofing off," Gohan said matter-of-factly, "We've come home so early because we're all in danger and our home is being threatened. We might not survive."

"Is it really that bad son?" Chi-Chi sighed, handing the kids back to their mothers, "Can't we handle it?"

"I don't know Mom," Gohan gulped, "I just don't know."

"Is it worse than Shenlong?" Vegeta asked, crossing his arms.

"Form what I understand, yes," Gohan nodded, "Much worse..."

Getting past the two ogre guards had been no problem, but talking Enma in to granting Piccolo access back into the Kais planet was a different story. The old red demon was stubborn and didn't want to listen.

"Absolutely not!" the large demon growled, "I will not allow the keeper of Hell and six Saiya-jin riff-raff to his holinesses planet! No way, not on your afterlife!"

"But Lord Enma!" Piccolo started, "We have to see King Kai!"

"Go back to Hell!" Enma grumbled, "I'm not letting you pass!"

"Then you shall never see Goku again!" Bardock butted in, shaking a fist at Enma.

"What do you mean?"

"I am his father, Bardock, and I know where my son is," Bardock explained, "I have a gift, the ability to see the future. I can get him back, but I need to see the Kai's first."

"Hmm," Enma mused, "I don't know..."

"If you don't allow us to reach Kakarot, then his home will be destroyed!" Vegita butted in, "Is that what you want!?!"

"No, of course not," Enma sighed, "Very well, I will see to it that you get to the Grand Kai's world. Now be off, I have other affairs to attend to."

Bowing in "respect" to the red demon, Piccolo and the six Saiya-jin left for the world of the Grand Kai. It would be a short journey, but the path ahead was going to be long and hard on everyone, especially the Nameksei-jin. Piccolo didn't know this yet, but his new friend's did and Bardock wasn't about to tell.

"Destiny is not for me to interfere with," Bardock smiled, "I only hope that our green friend will be able to pull this off, or we're all doomed...

.....END OF AFTERMATH SAGA.....

NEXT TIME: Vegeta and Gohan decide to hold a tournament to find new recruits in their battle against the incoming evils. Some of the newbies remind them of old friends, some of those long lost, and others of old enemies long forgotten. Will these new recruits combined with the might of the older fighters be enough to take out these incoming evils, or will their last hope lie in a long lost friend? Find out in the next installment of Dragonball AS!!!