Capsule Corp security was good - perhaps the best in the world - but like everything there were holes. People forgot that nothing, no matter how much money you dropped into it, can work perfectly. They created something and then effectively forgot about it; sure in their own safety. Gates locked but unmanned.

Men and women - training well enough, planning hard enough, moving quickly enough – could cut through any security system.. with some luck. Nothing was impenetrable.

The night prior a shadow had swept through the halls of Capsule Corp, making a beeline for the labs where all the most precious things were stored. Pausing only to avoid the sweeping glare of security cameras, the dark form spent most of the scant moments that passed running. The schematics of the building were hot-wired to his memory; more than that he had been there before.

Everything was for sale in the world, even the plans for Capsule Corp security. Still it would take an expert to use them, and the shadow was an expert.

Hesitating at a long corridor, he unhooked a small bow from over his shoulder. The shadow sighted an arrow along it and released it with a hiss, the reinforced head managing to pierce the ceiling halfway along the corridor. A rope trailed the arrow and he held it fast, eyeing the wall.

Were he someone else he might have said, 'Here goes nothing.' He didn't.

From a standing start he leapt and began to run – along the wall. He continued to reel in the rope as he ran, keeping it taught even as he came level with the arrow, then began feeding it out slowly enough to keep it taught. The rope gave him just enough lift to keep running, padded feet dancing just above the invisible infra-red sensors that lined the floor.

He landed silently and, bringing a dagger out from his belt, fixed the rope to the wall.

Certainly Capsule Corp was a bigger job than he was used to; life vows were a bitch.. in a manner of speaking. Lord Pilaf had come within seconds of killing him – which was understandable as he had been a hired assassin and Pilaf his target. He had scaled every trap the diminutive lords palace had to offer to arrive in his bedchamber's.. unfortunately the MO hadn't mentioned trouble sleeping.

The problem was that while he could handle the sort of solo bravery scaling a fortress required.. he couldn't support that sort of will in a face-off. He was shamed to admit that, as Mia stepped out of the shadows with a pyjama wearing Lord Pilaf hiding behind her legs, he had crumbled. Still Pilaf was an old fashioned kind of person – it was something he respected – and after explaining at length how inferior he was, Pilaf offered him a job. In exchange for his life he would enter service as one of many in Pilafs' army up until the day he took control of the world.

Of course Pilafs' own temperamental nature meant that by the time Son Goku appeared the army had dwindled to two. Still he had stuck with it. A vow was a vow was a vow and all that.

Within minutes he was inside the lab (a short sentence that hid an assortment sort of gymnastics and lock picking skills; at least Pilaf could afford telectronic equipment required). The journal, something he had discovered in his first venture into Capsule Corp, was swiftly released from its' locked cabinet – he flicked through it then secured it in a black cloth bag tied to his belt.

He glanced over the area for a moment, there was an incredible treasure trove of technology hidden in the darkened room. A different kind of shadow would have been tempted. He wasn't.

Ten minutes later he was outside again; all traces of his invasion removed. A plain black van met him a few streets away. He stepped in through the open back and closed the door silently.

"How'd it go?"

He moved to lean against the drivers' seat, dropping his equipment on the shaking floor. His companion turned and brushed the hair from her eyes as he grinned at her – sharp teeth glinting orange in the glow of street lamps.

"Perfect, I just hope this journal is worth it. I don't like sneaking into that place.. it feels weird."

Though he didn't realise it in his training the arts of Ki had slipped in somewhere. Not manipulation, few people on Earth could teach that, but sensing people around him was all part of the Ninja trade. The good ones found themselves knowing someone was near without any tangible evidence. The odd feeling that Capsule Corp held was a result of the powerhouses that Trunks and Vegeta represented.

"He seems confident.." she turned back to the road and shifted gears, sighing quietly. Not quietly enough; his fox ears picked up just about everything.

"But?"

"He's been different lately, ever since he disappeared a few months ago."

"The day of the World Tournament.. yeah.."

"Then suddenly he's back, looking at us like.. I don't know what like.."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. He's different, I know, but maybe it was time for a change. He seems more alive than he has for years. When's the last time we've ever really done anything?"

"It's been a while."

"Then maybe change is a good thing."

"Maybe you're right."

And the van had sped on through the night. Shu and Mia watched the road silently, caught in their own thoughts. Back to Lord Pilaf and the beginning of the end.

--------------------------------

Two figures danced through the air.

The mountains were the perfect place for sparring; it had to be said. The area was so changeable – a rocky precipice one minute, a forest the next – that any number of variations were possible. All out battles could, without warning, become a game of hide and seek as both warriors sought to pounce on each other.

And then they were back in the air again, one chasing the other frantically as he gripped the mantle of his cloak and tore it away – the heavy material not even giving his opponent reason to pause as he batted it away. Halting instantly and twisting about, the green warrior bared his fangs as a fist swung right past him.

Shocked, Son Gohan had enough presence of mind to bring his knees up and block the punch; the ripple effect of Ki crashing from one body to the other causing both of their gi to flap in the calm. He looked up at his former sensei and blushed.

"This," Piccolo said dryly, "is the one who almost defeated Buu?"

"Ah," began Gohan, "Well.."

Snorting, Piccolo brought around his left hand – along with the build up of Ki he had been charging while talking. Speech, he had told Gohan when he was younger, was as good a distraction as any. Apparently he needed a reminder. Golden energy erupted from his open palm and broke against against Gohans' stunned expression.

Of course the fact that Gohan was permanently empowered with his Mystic transformation meant that even going all out – which he wasn't – Piccolo could barely scratch him. The whole thing was more for his training than Gohans'; if the Buu experience had taught him anything it was that he was letting himself go. That sort of laziness could not be tolerated.

The young halfbreed spiralled backwards through the air, clothes smoking from the blast.

For his part Gohan felt every bit as shamed by Buu as Piccolo did. They had won and that was great but.. with all his power he hadn't been the one to end it. All he had really done was make him stronger. Would the old Gohan - the one who trained all the time - have lost? He honestly didn't know.

Gathering energy, aura crackling to life around his torso, Gohan felt for his teacher even as he fell. The important thing was to always let your opponent think you were off balance. If they thought they had the advantage then you had the advantage. There he was! Just below him!

Immediately he twisted about and opened his eyes, one hand firing a sphere of molten yellow energy. The shocked Namekian was born backwards even as he blocked the attack and Gohan had a split second to celebrate. Then two pairs of feet collided with the small of his back and the pit of his stomach respectively. The two thirds of Piccolo grinned and seized him by an arm each, pitching the stunned warrior down towards their final third who was already charging energy from his fingertips resting against his forehead.

The two took identical poses.

"Special.."

"Beam.."

"Cannon.."

They grinned in unison and fired three corkscrewing beams - "Fire!" - that hit Gohan together. Even as the three separate beams pummelled him from all sides, Gohan had to laugh. After all it had been Piccolo who taught him about advantage. Weaker though he was, Gohan was hard pressed to beat him.

Still, Gohan thought, awakening that Mystic power, he also taught me to use every advantage I have.

Gohan threw his head back and cried out, the trees below them quivering as he brought new energy forth from his body. He driove the three beams back with a wave of invidible ki, then Gohan dove back into the fight. Piccolo had time enough to bring himself together, then he was dodging and blocking through blurred air.

--------------------------------

Hands raised, Goku stepped backwards with a concentrated expression on his face.

Before him stood a girl, short raven hair ruffling more from the energies she was summoning than from the breeze that ran through the grass outside his home. With a cry she leapt forwards, hooking a foot around at his head only to have it blocked easily by his left hand. Ki swirling around her, she bobbed for a moment then rose upwards to kick down with her other foot - again blocked.

Sweat dancing off the tips of her hair, Videl flipped forwards off Gokus' hand to land crouched behind his back. She drove her fist upwards, into his back, and was caught again.

"Good.."

The air crackled as she brought her other hand around, a bright orange glow appearing as she concentrated and fired into the Saiyans chest. Goku stepped backwards and snuffed the beam out with one hand, still concentrating on the girl.

"Very good, Videl."

"If I'm so good, why are you being so soft!"

Her aura flared up, her hair swept upwards from her eyes, and Videl punched rapidly at her opponent, blows deflected left and right. Turning, her momentum still pushing her forward, she pistoned her foot forwards in kick after kick. Not a single blow landed. And it hurt.

They continued on for a few minutes, then the expression on Gokus' face melted to that familiar open grin. She hadn't wanted to stop but Videl respected the man enough not to push it, and just that moments pause gave her time to reassess just how tired she actually was. It wasn't normal for her to be tired. After all she had worked on her endurance for most of her life. Yet she was panting, bending forwards, sweat dripping into her eyes.

As if reading her thoughts, Goku produced a towel and passed it to her.

"I.. I don't know.. I'm so.."

"Tired?"

She nodded.

"You never really tapped into your energy to fight before." Goku dropped back onto the grass, legs crossed, and Videl mimicked him immediately. No matter how nonchalant he was, she refused to forget the ettiqute she had learned at the dojos of her home. "I'd say that fight with Spopovitch was your first, that right?"

Videl grimaced at the memory, but nodded again. The Saiyan patted various parts of his gi, then managed to find a plastic bottle of water which she gulped down with much more relish. Goku laughed but, again, Videl found it hard to take offence. He just found it funny that she was so thirsty; there was no mocking there.

"That's what we're working on, getting you used to using energy in your fights. Gohan could have done it but, well, once you get as strong as some of us have, keeping your power down and fighting at the same time becomes pretty difficult."

"Conflicting instincts?"

"Um, maybe?" Goku ran a hand through his own hair, completely sweat free. "Vegetas' probably got a whole list of reasons, but you can ask him later."

"So.." Videl glanced into the distance, just managing to pick out the shimmering light of two warriors - pupil and master - training. "What happens when I get used to it?"

"Well I've been thinking about that.. I know plenty of humans who could train you, it's just that they might not want to."

"Oh." Try as she might, Videl couldn't help but deflate a little at such a prediction.

"Krillens' still raising his family. Yamchas' only just got back into training. Tien is.. Tien, so that's probably a no." As he spoke, Goku ticked off fingers. "Even if Vegeta wanted to train you, you just aren't powerful enough to take it. Even Trunks gets bruised and he's a Super Saiyan himself.."

"And you have to help bring Gohan back to speed, he told me about it."

Videl smiled. It wasn't an easy thing to do but she managed to keep the feeling of rejection from her voice. Training someone up from scratch was just a lot of work - and apparently her previous training counted for next to nothing. With all kinds of creatures from space to worry about how could they possibly waste time on her.

"So I asked Picollo about training you."

Her smile froze.

"Um, that's okay, right?"

"Picollo? The big green man who trained Gohan?"

"Yep!"

"He was willing to train me?"

"Well.." Goku hesitated, then his grin came back in full force. "Of course! He isn't easy on students, though, so-"

The Saiyan warrior was cut off as Videl literally pounced ontop of him, pulling him into a hug that could have bruised a couple of ribs on any 'normal' man. He sat there, bemused, and the girl fell backwards off him, stammering apologies with a blush on her face. Public displays of emotion were not her thing. But Piccolo had taught Gohan nearly all he knew! How could she not be excited?

"I'm sorry, Mr Son-"

"Videl, please?"

"Sorry, Goku, sorry. It's just that I'm so happy! A fighter is the only thing I've ever wanted to be and.. well, it just feels good to be making progress."

"Well I'm glad." Goku rose to his feet and brought his hands up, Videl echoing him instantly. "It's best you train hard for a year or two right away."

"Oh?"

"If you let it slip for too long it's nearly impossible to come back."

"Well," Videl smirked and began to power up. "I don't intend to let it slip."

"Good! The more you gain now, the less you lose when you and Gohan have your baby."

"Yeah, I- What!" Videls aura died out completely for a moment, then came back with a new lease on life. She drew a deep breath, a vein popping up on her forehead, when Goten appeared at her side, bouncing from one foot to the other.

"Daaad?"

Goku glanced at Videl for a second longer, nose wrinkled in confusion, then turned to his son.

"Yeah, Goten? What's up?"

"Mom says that Aunt Bulma says that you've got to go to her place."

"Right away?"

"Mmhmm, and you have to take me, and Gohan, and Mr Piccolo." The boy hesitated. "And me."

"Gee, its kinda out of the blue.." Goku turned back to Videl, who had lost the momentum of the tantrum she had been working up to. "Guess we're going to have to cut training short, Videl. You're staying for dinner, right?"

"I-um.. that is, yes. Yes, I am."

"Great!"

Goten leapt into his fathers arms and the Saiyan pressed two fingers of his free hand to his forehead. And he was gone, leaving Videl standing half a mile from the Son house. She picked up the towel and the bottle conscientiously, tucking the latter in her pocket and wrapping the former around her neck. Then she rose up into the air and skimmed across the rippling grass, making her way towards rest and relaxation.

Rest and relaxation.

Videls' eye twitched.

"Just what the hell did he mean by that, anyway!"

--------------------------------

Lying back against the pillows, the covers of his opulent, king-sized bed covering from the waist down, Pilaf held a diary to his chest and pondered. He had dismissed his servants as soon as they returned - even Mia, who normally stood in the shadows of his room as guard. She had protested but he had been quite adamant about it.

The fact was that they creeped him out a little.

As far as they were concerned he had just disappeared the day that Buu creature appeared. They had no recollection of him leaving, nor of Buu itself. They didn't even remember being dead! If not for his iron clad ego he might have suspected his own memories. But he was Pilaf, Lord and Master of the entire world. He was never wrong.

And finally he had his proof.

Miss Briefs, who he still thought of as a monstrously crude young woman, knew everything. His first actions had been to skip forwards through the diary to a year and a half before, the day everything went wrong. That entry was the largest of them all, it covered page after page with feelings, thoughts and meaningless self-congratulation. And facts; beneath the incomprehensible tripe he found the facts.

Buu was a magical being, created by a wizard aeons ago. It had been resurrected on Earth - no doubt Son Goku played a part in that, Pilaf had thought with no idea how right he was - and for a while had obeyed the orders of the wizards' son. Then it went rogue and wiped out the entire population on the planet, though Goku and an assortment of other people - including Briefs' husband - managed to escape through some odd, half-mentioned ability, then blew the entire planet up.

Pilaf paused there for a moment and shuddered. He had stayed in a high orbit, hoping the whole thing would blow over, and the sight of the planet being ripped apart still haunted his dreams.

From there things got crazy. According to the writing Buu, Goku and Vegeta - Briefs' husband - went to the planet of the gods which wasn't heaven; she went there. The planet was brought back with an entirely different set of Dragon Balls - he marked that for later thought - and with the help of the population Goku formed something called a 'Spirit Bomb' and destroyed Buu.

Only, apparently, Buu was still on Earth and living unmolested - proving once and for all that Son Goku was a fool.

A few months later they altered the populations memories - Ah - and went back to business as usual. That meant that the Dragon Balls had only recently come back into action.

And I know exactly what to do with them.

Further reading kept bringing up a certain word. Fusion. Apparently two warriors could, in all manner of ways, fuse together to make one super powerful being. In this they created something that could, for a while, over power Buu. So he just had to bring the Dragon forth and ask to be fused to.. who?

Pilaf stared at the fabric that made up the roof of his bed, wondering.

The Vegeta that Briefs had described sounded like Gokus' match, if not superior.

"Mia!"

As he expected the door swung open a second later and Mia strode into the room, snapping off a quick salute, staring straight ahead. It would have been impressive if he hadn't seen her do the same thing every morning since she had come into his service; now it was expected.

"Yes, Lord Pilaf!"

"How soon can you have the Dragon Balls collected."

The woman permitted herself a small smile.

"Ten minutes, give or take a second, sir."

His mouth fell open, but he covered for himself a moment later. He was a Lord! He did not gape at servants because they had pre-empted his wishes. It was good thinking but he'd be damned if he'd admit that.

"We had hoped to ask the Dragon where you had gone.."

"Ah, well.. Good work! Have them set up in the court yard, I shall take breakfast then make my wish."

"Yes, Lord Pilaf!"

With a click of her boots and a swish of her hair, Mia turned on the balls of her feet and strode out the door, closing it gently behind her. Pausing to make sure she was gone, Pilaf then leapt from his bed and discarded his sleeping cap. He pulled the curtains back and let new light of another day in - already it was approaching noon!

Pilaf dressed quickly - he had long since learned how. Too easy for such servants to be bribed into assassination. He was much safer taking the extra few minutes. He paused to check himself in the mirror, pulling his dress suit into a dignified shape, adjusting his bowl-cap, then scampered towards the door. His hand brushed against the handle.. then hesitated.

He went back to the bed and pulled the blaster from beneath his pillows.

Tucking it into his belt, hiding it badly under the shirt, he left.