"Dragonball AS: New Recruits Saga"

Chapter 23- "Training Ends"

By- Tiny

Vegeta and the Z warriors continued with their training furiously even after the birth of Pan's son, Goshin, and Bra's little boy, Boxer. Even the two new mothers kept at it as much as possible while at the same time seeing to their little boys. Yuno and Ubuu were now training even more furiously than before, determined to preserve their families lives at any and all costs.

Their time was growing short and they all knew it, even though they didn't know quite how short it was. All any of them really knew was that they had to be ready for whatever they were facing, or else all would be lost.

"Is that all you've got, Ubuu?" Yuno chuckled, "I would've expected much more out of Majin Buu's reincarnation!"

"You want more?" Ubuu growled, "I'll give you more!"

Yuno ducked just in time to avoid a red energy wave only to be hit by a second blast from below. The move was just the opening Ubuu needed to pounce upon his prey, hammering the human boy with a series of punches and kicks too fast for Yuno to avoid, much less counter. From the sidelines, Bulma watched the two young men as they commenced in a battle of strength as well as skill, which pleased everyone greatly.

"Such spirit in two young warriors," Bulma giggled, "It kind of reminds me of Goku and Krillin when they were that age."

"Krillin is indeed a great warrior as humans go," Vegeta grunted from beside his wife, "These two hardly compare to him, much less Kakarot."

"But they're doing so well!" Bulma smiled, "You said yourself that everyone has come a long way since that day almost three years ago."

"They have and will continue to do so until this threat is put to rest," Vegeta nodded, "Even then, I hope that they will continue with their training. You never know..."

"No, you never do," Bulma sighed, hugging the Saiya-jin prince tightly, "That's what makes life an adventure."

Vegeta smiled for the first time since his grandson's birth, a bright smile that showed just how far he had come since landing on Earth almost forty years earlier. The prince had mellowed out so much, though still retaining his warrior's edge, that he could almost pass off as a human. Almost...

Bulma was about to suggest her and Vegeta disappear for some 'alone time', but never got the chance as her mate jumped up suddenly. The fur on Vegeta's tail was ruffling up like a scared cat's would and his eyes were narrowed dangerously towards some unknown point in the sky. Bulma could almost see the gears in his head turning and could see his muscles tense ever so much.

"What is it?" the blue-haired woman asked, "What's wrong, Vegeta?"

"Call the others and tell them to get ready," Vegeta snapped, turning towards the two training boys, "Our time has just run out..."

"My lord, we have reached our destination," a raspy, shrill voice confirmed, "We will have breeched the Earth's atmosphere in no more than one hour."

"Excellent," another voice boomed, "We're ahead of schedule. Go and inform the troops to prepare for combat. How many strong powers are on the planet, Death?"

"A couple dozen, my lord," the one known as Death commented, "Out of these, only three stand a chance against you and your allies."

"Perfect, we have them against the ropes!" the dark one laughed, "Go now, inform the troops of what I have told you. Malice, prepare to land the ship!"

"As you wish, my lord," Malice hissed, turning to the controls.

"The day has arrived when you Saiya-jin will finally meet your end," the dark one mused, "What Frieza failed to do all those years ago, I will now finish! Prepare yourselves Saiya-jin, for your sins have come to haunt you..."

It hadn't taken long to gather the Z warriors, as they had all sensed the energy just as Vegeta had done. Deciding it would be best to take the fight away from civilization so as not to endanger innocents, Vegeta had ordered that they all meet out in the canyon that Goku and him had fought in for the first time.

"It all began here," Vegeta mused, "It will all end here!"

"Can you feel that energy?" Goten asked, "Most of them are pretty weak, but there's a handful of really powerful people onboard that ship."

"Not surprising," Vegita huffed, "Bardock said that at least seven of them would be too much for even Vegeta to handle alone. That was before our training, however. We may just stand a chance now."

"If only you knew," Bardock smirked, "We will do fine. I'm certain my son is on his way right now."

"I hope your right," Chive shivered, "He may be our last hope."

"Um, guys?" Krillin gulped from a distance, "I think now is the time to stop talking. They're here!"

Looking up to the sky where Krillin had indicated, the group of fighters noticed the dark shape now heading towards them. It was a large, black cruiser of sorts with cannons and gun turrets all along the outer hull and underbelly of the ship. It's streamlined, sleek design indicated that it was probably a stealth ship of some sort, meaning that the Earth's radar hadn't been able to detect it's entry.

"Convenient," Vegeta snorted, "They must know we've been waiting for them."

As the ship drew nearer, Vegeta could sense the uneasiness rising up within his fellow warriors and knew they were becoming scared. He couldn't blame them for that, he was scared as well, though he would never show it to anyone. It was about the time that it looked as though some of the new people would run away that the prince decided to speak up, just as Goku would have were he there.

"Everyone, listen to me," Vegeta began, "I know that you are scared and that we are out gunned, out matched, and they probably can out think us too. However, I refuse to believe that we trained so long and sacrificed so much only to die like cowards in the wholesale slaughter of this planet!"

All of the fighters listened intently to every word the Saiya-jin prince spoke, taking in the words like a young child would candy. Vegeta paused for a second and looked over the rag tag group of fighters, noticing their faces hardening in defiance and felt his own face soften in satisfaction.

"I know it may not mean that much to any of you, but I have to tell you something important," Vegeta continued, "Should I not make it through this battle, or should any of you, regrettably, die, I want you to know that you have all made your races proud. Nowhere else in the cosmos does a more powerful group of warriors reside and I think that no other place will ever have such warriors again!"

The fighters anxiety and fear had all but disappeared by this time, leaving only looks of determination and eagerness on the faces of the Z warriors. Everyone now knew what it was they were fighting for and why it was so important that they do so, which pleased the Saiya-jin prince to no end.

"Now, we are going to face these spineless cowards and we are going to triumph no matter what!" the prince finished up, "And if we should die, we will die as warriors in battle, as a warrior should go. Is everybody with me?"

"YEAH!!!"

"Poor Vegeta," the dark man mused, "Like a general rallying his troops before an upcoming battle. Too bad all that splendor will be for nothing in the end."

"To fools will not know what hit them," another voice chuckled, "Will you be joining us my lord?"

"To soil my hands with their blood would be a waste of my talents," the dark one huffed, "I will stay here and watch as their blood turns the desert wastes red."

"As you wish, my lord," the other figure bowed, "Shall we begin the attack now?"

"Yes, lets get this over with," the first nodded, "Leave nobody standing and take no prisoners. I want them all in the next life by dusk!"

"As you command, great one..."

....End New Recruits Saga....

NEXT TIME: With the time for training over and the battle about to begin, doubts linger in everyone's minds about the outcome of this fight. Vegeta seems confident in his fellow fighters abilities, but will it really be enough? Will Goku and his two companions make it back in time, or will their journey have been for nothing? Find out in the next installment of Dragonball AS!!!!