Chapter 10: Farewell My Prince

By the Vegetian gods, my life has seen nothing but ruin since Codie died. Mirai hasn't done so well lately… I know what it is… but I can't stand to think of it. I try not to, but today… today I have to.

Capsule Corp.'s Med-center was my least-favorite place ever. I had spent too many lost battles healing here, and now another prince dies. It seems only a few moments since Codie died, but it has been a few years. Once more I am at a bedside. Once more a family member is dying.

"Katrin… my time is near."

"Vegeta… you just can't go yet. I love you, old man. You are like my father, more so than Goku ever was. You trained me… you saved my life… I saved your life." I placed my hand on his arm, trying to comfort him. We both knew it wouldn't be long now, "I couldn't stand to be the… the last Sayjin…"

"You're not." Vegeta said plainly. I thought perhaps his mind was fading on him, on his deathbed, and at his age.

"Yes, I am. After you… it's just me."

"You haven't been able to sense them yet, have you?"

"Who? Sense who? Vegeta, you're confusing me." I replied.

"More Sayjins. More full blooded Sayjins like us."

"What, really?" I felt hope grow in my heart for the first time since Codie had died. Apparently Vegeta saw that too.

"Yes… I don't know where exactly… or how, but I have sensed a few strong Sayjins Ki's across the galaxy. You won't be alone, Katrin. Our race will live on."

"That's… that's great…"

Tears spilled over, but not due to grief. These were of happiness. Not all of my people were gone, and as long as there were Sayjins out there, it would be okay. No matter if we weren't on earth, and no matter how many there were, as long as there was one Sayjin, our race would live on.

"Katrin, what s it like in Otherworld?" he suddenly asked me.

"I've never been, remember?" I asked.

"I know, but you know it from the TV show. Will I… go there?"

"I have no doubt you will. You've done too much good to not. I'll see you there one day." I responded.

"What is it like?"

"It depends. Warriors like us will get to keep our bodies and train all we want. There will be many fighters there. If I remember… there is one who rivaled Goku at Super Sayjin level after Goku died by Cell's hand."

"Kakorot will be there… a rival again…"

"I know it won't be too long for you before I show up."

"Katrin… thank you, for all of this. You gave me a life that was much fuller than the one I would have led if I had kept going at the rate I was going. You were always better than me. I always gained power to prove myself better than that clown… for the sake of power itself. You gained power to help others."

"For the most part." I sighed.

"Thank you for the Ayokii, too." Vegeta added.

"You're welcome, but I should thank you. You're my hero, Vegeta. I'm glad I got to meet you. I'm glad you respected me."

"Katrin… I feel it… I feel the end."

"Yes… I know." I held back tears as I spoke to him, "Vegeta, remember what you use to always say? What does not kill us, makes us stronger? Once you reach Otherworld you'll be stronger from this death."

He smirked, proud even now. His rough and scarred skin seemed so frail. That didn't seem right. His chest didn't rise again. The room was silent except for the machine's monotonous, everlasting ring.

And that was it for Vegeta. No epic battle, no self-sacrifice, just death in a bed. He once told me that this sort of death was no death for a Sayjin, but after the life he had, I think it fit perfectly.

Already his body was fading away. I teleported to the Lookout, I just needed the fresh air and beautiful sky around me while I thought.

I sat under a large cherry-blossom tree, deep in thought. I wasn't the last Sayjin. That was a hopeful thought, seeing as I knew how great and powerful my kind was before Frieza. Now Sayjins could start over, and I had no doubt those guys out there would be heroes, not monsters.

"Katie?" I turned to the voice, and it was Dende. He was maturing slowly due to his Kami powers, but he was still old by now.

"I'm it, Dende. I'm the last Sayjin of earth. After me, we're extinct. And all because of Frieza." I sneered. Then I began to cry. I cried for Vegeta. Then I cried again for Mirai. His Bond mark stung on my neck. It has done that every so often after he died.

"You may be the last full-blooded Sayjin here, but you still have your kids and cousins. Teach them what Vegeta taught you about your people, and then the Sayjins won't be gone."

"It's so hard. First Goku… then Codie… then Mirai, and now… Vegeta."

"As Kami I'm suppose to keep these things quiet, but you'll see them all again in Otherworld. I cannot tell you when, but its hope for you. Death is only the beginning."

"Especially when you're a Z Senshi." Dende gave me a reassuring smile and walked away, back to his work.

I smiled as I looked around the Lookout. 75 or so years ago I came here and was initiated into the Z Senshi. Now, only a few of us remain. One is Krillen, and then Gohan. That's it.

I looked out to the sky as the wind blew the hair out of my face. It dried my tears and cooled my aching heart.

Once I die, I will have a new purpose. I will watch over my people, earth and these new Sayjins. I will watch over them, and Kami help anyone who tries to hurt my people.