"Dragonball AS: Ultimate Cell Saga"

Chapter 79- "A Father's Love: Part 2"

By- Tiny

"Son Goten, this is the most unorthodox action I have ever seen in my years on this panel!" Nione roared, "Bringing Vegeta here is not a problem, but to bring two...humans before the Saiya-jin deities? Do you even realize the implications of such an action?"

"I don't give a damn about the consequences, because this entire matter concerns both of them as well as Vegeta," Goten snapped, grabbing Nione by his collar, "Paresu is my mate, so she would be here eventually anyway, and Marron is the mate of our dear departed friend Trunks. They have just as much right to be here as anyone!"

"You speak out of line, young one," Nione growled, charging an energy ball in his hand, "Perhaps it's time to remind you who the supreme being here is..."

"You will all stand down this instant!" Saiya snapped, catching the two arguing deities attention, "Goten, I am going to ask you in a calm and collected manner why you have brought the Saiya-jin prince before this council."

"My Lady, Prince Vegeta of the Saiya-jin has...requested to be brought before you to plead for his son's soul," Goten explained coolly, shooting a glare at Nione, "I agreed to bring him here, as well as the Saiya-jin in question's mate and my own."

"I see," Saiya mused, "Vegeta, do you understand just what your son has done?"

"I understand that his crimes were gruesome and horrendous, but he was under the control of two sadistic and evil wizards," Vegeta grumbled, "As his father and the prince of the people you created, I have come to ask that you allow my son to be given a second chance at life."

"I am afraid that is out of the question," Cumber chimed in, "The mark on your son's soul is a horrible taint, one that cannot simply be dismissed as though it never occurred. He is to be punished for his crimes against the Saiya-jin people, as decreed by the very gods your people worship!"

Vegeta had been keeping a tight leash on his emotions up to that point, reminding himself constantly that he was in the presence of the Saiya-jin divinity council, but Cumber's remarks pushed him over the edge. Silver power erupted all around the Saiya-jin prince's body as his power level shot all the way to his maximum and beyond, going so high that the roof actually exploded off the enclosure he stood in. The aura then shifted from silver to a brilliant blue as the prince's roars of anger echoed throughout the land of the gods, energy shooting out all around him.

Marron and Paresu watched in wonder as the Saiya-jin prince's body began to shrink back down to it's normal size once again, but there was something entirely different about him this time. His tail, for instance, was radiating a royal blue color, as was the hair on his head, but the power they could feel radiating from the prince's body was even higher than Goten's! To add to these changes, Vegeta's clothing had returned in the form of a kind of Saiya-jin armor, only it was much more intricate than the battle armor they were used to and it had a flowing, blood red cape attached to it.

The deities themselves were shocked beyond words, not knowing how a mortal had managed to transform into something that had taken them merging with a former deity to perform. It was entirely unheard of, not having been achieved since the days of the original council, and everyone in the room was absolutely speechless, save for the only original deity standing, Saiya. It was quite clear that she found the whole situation quite amusing, almost laughable even, but she kept her gaze passively on the Saiya-jin prince as he began to gaze right into her.

"I will not tolerate any insults to my son, be you a god or an insect!" Vegeta snarled, "Now, I demand you to consider the fate of my son's soul, or I won't hesitate to see if a god can be killed!"

"You are quite brave to stand so defiantly before the deities of your race, not to mention incredibly foolish," Saiya giggled, "But it is quite clear that you care a great deal for your son and for that reason alone, I will offer you a deal."

"I'm listening."

"Well, it's actually more like a trade off," Saiya explained, "Back when you faced off against the monster known as Majin Buu, the Dai Kaio-Shin sacrificed his life so that the legendary Son Goku could return to Earth and kill the beast. What I am offering you is a similar choice Vegeta, but it will be much more difficult for you make than it was for the Kaio-Shin."

"I doubt that," Vegeta huffed, "If it means my son lives to see another day, then I will gladly lay my life down to the council."

"It is not that simple Vegeta!" Latta interrupted the prince, "Should you sacrifice yourself for Trunks, you will take the taint that marks his soul upon yourself and be cast into the fires Hell for all eternity. You will never be able to see your mate, Bulma, or children when they pass on into this dimension, not even allowed to visit them in the upper region. Do you honestly mean to say that you are willing to separate yourself from a family that loves you dearly for the sake of one damned soul?"

Latta never even saw the Saiya-jin prince move before he was upon her, driving his powerful fist into the woman's face with a sickening crack, much to the shock of the other people in the room. No mortal had ever struck one of the Saiya-jin divinities, least of all the Goddess of Love and Beauty, but the prince of the people they served had actually had the audacity to lash out against her. It was almost too much to take in, even for Saiya, who had seen quite a few abnormal things in her existence, and nobody really knew how to take it.

"I do not care what happens to me, as long as my son lives to see his grandchildren grow up!" Vegeta roared, "I have lived a long time, much longer then I am certain any other Saiya-jin has lived naturally, and I have seen many wondrous and amazing things in those years. I want my son to be able to see all those things for himself and if it means that I must lay my own life down for that to happen, then I will gladly do so."

"Not that it matters what you are willing to do, because it is not going to happen!" Nione snapped, "We are not going to give you the option of saving your son, because you failed to show the proper respect to a goddess of the council."

"Who are you to make such a decree?" Saiya shot a cold glare in her companion's direction, "You will not hold the prince's descendants accountable for his rash actions, nor will you hold them against him. He is simply upset about the fate of his son, something that I myself can understand."

"Your brat destroyed Saiyasei, his race's original home world, because he could not control his power and cared little for what would happen to his people," Cumber pointed out, "We showed no leniency towards him upon his death, why should we do the same for someone who attacks his race's deities?"

"Because you are supposed to be an understanding celestial body, yet you are no more perfect then the race you brought into this universe," Goten spoke up, becoming increasingly fed up with all the bickering, "What he is doing, he is doing out of love for his family and yet you want to condemn him and his son both, a problem I intend to rectify right this second!"

The entire council simply watched in disbelief as their newest inductee raised his fingers to his head and disappeared from sight, his energy signature showing up at Enma's desk only to disappear again seconds later. Then almost as quickly as he had vanished, Goten reappeared in the center of the room, his childhood friend standing very confused right beside him. The two male members of the council were fuming mad that the hybrid inductee was so blatantly defying them, but Latta actually seemed amused as she approached the two men.

Despite the force that Vegeta had clearly put into his attack, the Saiya-jin woman seemed unharmed as she came up to the two Saiya-jin men and gave a soft smile to both of them. Nione and Cumber actually fell over where they stood, wondering how the woman who had been attacked was actually being so passive to the people who had caused them all so much trouble. It was unheard of, even unimaginable, but the love goddess had always been a soft-hearted one and they just tried to put up with it.

"Briefs Trunks, despite the crimes you have committed, your father is still willing to sacrifice his life for your own," Latta smiled, placing a hand on the lavender-haired one's shoulder, "What do you have to say to him?"

"Father, how can you do that?" Trunks actually began to cry, "Mom, Bra, all of the others look to you and rely on you so much! How can you just up and leave them like that?"

"Your mother will understand, and so will your sister," Vegeta smiled, "You are my son, and it would absolutely kill me if I knew there was a way to keep you alive and I didn't follow through with it. And even if it didn't, I'm pretty sure Marron and your mother would take care of the job!"

"Damn straight we would!" Marron shouted, "But why does it have to be you?"

"There is no more time for words, the process must be taken care of," Saiya interrupted, "Vegeta, you must say your good-byes, for you will be immediately transferred into Hell after this is done."

"Trunks, I know that I don't say it as much as I should have over the years but know that I am very proud of all you have accomplished over the years," the prince smiled, tears in his eyes, "Also know that I...love you Trunks, you and your mother and sister more than life itself. And even though I may not be around when you pass over to this world, know that I love you all and I will always be with you."

"Wait, father!" Trunks pleaded, rushing for the prince, "Don't do this!"

"Good-bye, my son," Vegeta waved, his body fading out of sight, "See you around..."

Trunks was almost to his father when the Saiya-jin prince's body vanished completely from sight, causing the lavender-haired warrior to collapse to his knees in tears. The halo from his head disappeared immediately, but the son of Vegeta didn't really care as he slammed his fists hard into the ground, causing the ground around him to crack open. Nobody spoke a word as the younger prince's tears flowed down onto the floor like two tiny waterfalls, nothing else on his mind then the sacrifice his father had just made on his account.

Marron could only pity her mate as she walked in on him, placing a hand on his shoulder while the tears stayed flowing from his eyes, causing the blonde woman to cry as well. She had witnessed her own father's death many years before, not knowing exactly how to take it, so she could feel the Saiya-jin hybrid's agony from the loss of someone who had cared for him so deeply. Trunks didn't seem to really know what a mess he was as he looked to his mate with bloodshot eyes, tears still streaming down the sides of his face. The human woman just smiled at him as warmly as she could, pulling the prince close to her in a tight embrace as he finally began to calm down under her touch, though his aura was still filled with sorrow.

"And so another great warrior has passed on before his time, all out of desire to preserve his family," Saiya sniffled, wiping a tear from her own eye, "Your sacrifice will never be forgotten Vegeta, my long-removed grandson..."

NEXT TIME: In the ultimate gesture of love and affection for the son who had grown up resenting him, Vegeta has condemned his spirit to Hell so that Trunks may live to see another day. But while the proud prince's son grieves, the battle on Earth still rages on between Cell and his long-time rival, Son Gohan. And with Vegeta no longer around to help them, will the Z fighters even stand a chance against the bio-android, or has their time finally come? Find out in the next installment of Dragonball AS!!!!!!!