Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty

Written by: Feraligreater328 and StevenBodner

Edited by: StevenBodner and SparkerLightning

A/N: So, this is probably how I'm going to end each section of the story going forward. Epilogue 1 ended the "Frieza Section" and the overall "Reborn Dynasty Saga" (named so because it encompasses everything having to do with Bardock, Gine, and Raditz being reborn). Epilogue II, here, is going to end the "Cell Section" or "Relocated Dynasty Saga" (named so because it encompasses Bardock, Gine, and Raditz relocating their lives and settling on Earth). After this begins the "Majin Buu Section", which I think I am going to called the "Reformed Dynasty Saga" for reasons that would spoil most of the plot.

And yes, I know I'm terrible at naming things. These names might change after I have a talk with my editors about it, but these are what I'm going with for now. I hope you all continue to read and enjoy~

Chapter 126: Epilogue II

Mt. Paozu, the home of Raditz and Launch...

Blue Launch sat in the bed she shared with her husband. Dressed in one of her fine, lace nighties that he had bought for her for her birthday, Blue Launch attempted to make some progress through her nightly reading. However, she had been trying and failing to make it through a single chapter of this book for nearly a year now and failing to make any headway. The elephant in the room was getting too big to ignore. It was small at first, but now it was a problem so large that both she and her more aggressive head-mate couldn't help but stare.

Raditz sat next to her, naked except for his underwear. He stared at the TV with unfocused, unthinking eyes. The hurt from a year ago...from what that monster had said to him...was still frozen on his face. It hadn't faded, nor washed away. It had crystallized across his features. This wasn't mere sadness, something inside Raditz' head had broken. Maybe irreparably.

And that very idea filled both of Launch with dread. It was the sadness in Raditz' eyes that had drawn her to him in the first place. It was a sadness that matched hers. For a moment, it almost seemed like he might have two people in there, just like she did. Two separate Raditzs for two separate Launchs, there to help balance out the horror of this awful life.

That turned out not to be the case, but he had been the one for her all the same. The two Launchs didn't need a man containing two men to make their lives better. Their trusty, stalwart Raditz had proven to be quite the exceptional husband.

But now, their stalwart Raditz was stuck in throes of pain that made Launch's simple, early life of misery seem quaint. People had tried to convince her that he was being selfish. That she just needed to tell him to man up and get on with his life. But Launch knew better than most just how bad of a move that would be. This was a real hurt, and it wasn't just based on what Cell had said. Launch could tell that. This would be a long, hard healing process. But they would both be here for him.

Blue Launch gently traced the tips of her fingers over Raditz' chest. "Raditz~ It's been a short while since we last were intimate. Would you be up for some fun together~?

Raditz looked down at his wife with sad, tired eyes. But he managed a sweet smile. "I've been a terrible husband, haven't I? You deserve better..."

Blue Launch delivered a gentle, not-at-all-malicious slap. "Hush! How could I do better than the best?!"

She smiled at him. "You're number one in my book, Raditz~"

Raditz shuddered. That phrase. "N-Number one, huh...?"

Blue Launch flinched. "Did I say something wrong...?"

Raditz was quiet for a moment. He took a deep shuddering breath. "N-No. Nothing wrong. It's just...I..."

*CRASH*

As Raditz began to speak, a toy box came crashing through the wall. That was quickly followed by what had become a standard bit of intense, pained screaming. Blue Launch sighed. "Oh...the wall. We just got that fixed..."

Raditz pressed his hand to his face. "I-I'll go check on her. Would you go get the teething ring out of the freezer?"

Blue Launch nodded and the two of them hopped out of bed. As they exited their room, Raditz going down the hall and Blue Launch breaking off towards the kitchen, Blue Launch turned to her husband. "Raditz...are you going to be okay...?"

Raditz didn't look to her. He just nodded. "I-I should be fine..."

He continued towards their daughter's room. Blue Launch nodded, and then she doubled-timed towards the kitchen.

Alone, Raditz made it to the end of the hall and gently opened the door. He looked in and saw his daughter sitting on the floor. She was screaming and holding her face, tears rolling down her cheeks. Raditz groaned. "Poor thing. T-Teething sucks, huh...?"

Raditz squatted down and looked over his daughter, in her cotton-candy-pink onesie and sleeping booties. She looked up at him and sniffled, but adopted a small smile. She reached up for her daddy, cooing and gripping. Raditz reached down to her. "You're adorable, Ranch. Just..."

Raditz' hand touched Ranch's and a rail of lightning shot up his back. His eyes went wide as, mentally, he watched a bolt of ki shoot through his daughter's chest. Raditz went pale and he felt a certain breath against his ear. It was like Cell was leaning right over him. He could hear the smile on the monster's lips. "Careful~ She's fragile~"

Blue Launch came walking into the room, holding the teething ring between her fingers. She walked in on a sight that broke her heart. Baby Ranch sat on the floor, whimpering and confused. Raditz was crouched over her, face trembling and pale. Tears spilled down his cheeks, though he didn't seem to notice them. He hand was mere centimeters away from finally touching his daughter after a long year if inability. Blue Launch stepped into the room and crouched next to her husband and child, handing the baby the frozen ring to bite down on for relief. She gently stroked her hand across Raditz' face. "Let's go see if we can find a babysitter for the night..."

Mt. Paozu, outside of Bardock and Gine's home...

The stars twinkled in the sky like fairy lights as Blue Launch and Raditz traveled down the path leading to Bardock and Gine's house. It was a balmy summer evening as they walked. The air felt pleasantly hot and sort of sticky on their faces. It had been six months since that once full home had become half-empty.

Everyone had been confused as to why Bardock had suddenly gone. He hadn't even offered a parting word of farewell before he had vanished from their lives. The only person he had seen before going off was Gine, and she refused to elaborate on the matter. The only words she offered Goku or Raditz was a simple "you know your father". The words were not unsure though. As a matter of fact, that was the steadiest Blue Launch had ever heard Gine's voice. Blonde Launch insisted that Gine knew more than she was letting on and Blue Launch agreed, but it wasn't her place to pry at the end of the day. Bardock was a blunt and reserved man with a gruff kindness to him. Both Launchs knew that he wouldn't just drop off for no good reason.

Raditz spoke up as they walked. "Piccolo knows."

Blue Launch turned to her husband. Raditz's arms were tightly crossed over his chest. She had thrown a robe over her nightie; he had simply put on a pair of baggy sweatpants. Raditz stared up at the starry sky. "Piccolo knows where my dad is. I can tell that he does. That Namekian is a shrewd one, but there are certain things one just can't hide..."

Blue Launch cocked her head. "How can you be sure...?"

Raditz closed his eyes. "He's killed me in cold blood before. You get to know a person after going through that with them. I can tell by the look in his eye, Launch...he knows where my dad has gone."

Blue Launch nodded and then her nose wrinkled. Before she could sneeze, Raditz placed his finger under her nose and gave a quick scratch. Blue Launch nodded. "Thanks. Hay fever is bad this time of year. And Blonde me can be ornery when she gets woken up this late..."

She cleared her throat. "So, if Piccolo knows...then why not ask him?"

Raditz looked to the stars again and the sadness in his eyes morphed, changing into sadness' more experienced evolution: nostalgia. He scratched his head. "I know my Dad. He'd have talked to us if what's going on involved us..."

Raditz trailed off. "Or...at least if he thought it needed to..."

Blue Launch frowned as she walked. She hugged her drifting daughter close to her chest. Raditz was one of the tallest people she knew. He was almost taller than Piccolo, who was only shorter than the Ox-King. And yet, these days he seemed so small. His eyes were tired. His youthful appearance seemed little more than a glamour that hid an aged husk of a person. As they walked, Blue Launch couldn't help but ask the terrifying question that had plagued her for these past months. She knew that she needed to help fix Raditz...but how?

Blue Launch had no time to ruminate on this thought however. As they approached the front fence to Bardock and Gine's home, several familiar voices made her perk up. Standing in the yard were Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan. And in Goku and Chi-Chi's arms the astonishingly awake Baby Goten and Baby Chika.

Goku and Chi-Chi's faces were painted with exhaustion. They both looked like it had been ages since they had enjoyed proper sleep. Gohan looked concerned as he stood next to them, a pensive look on his face. Chi-Chi's massive ox-horn-style hair buns, a new style she had only recently started to experiment with, stood limp and messing on the sides of her head. Launch almost envied just how much ebony-shined, lustrous hair Chi-Chi had.

Goten's messy hair waved about as he dangled from Goku's arm with his tail. Chika's hair was barely visible, most of it hidden by an ever-present bonnet.

Gohan sighed. "Are you guys sure? Lime does have a girlfriend that she could go to the movies with. I could just tell her something came up..."

Goku yawned. "Man...you were never as difficult as these two when you were little. Ya know what I mean, son?"

Gohan nodded. "I do. That's why I'm offering to stay and help. You guys need to sleep..."

Both of the parents shook their heads. Chi-Chi rubbed her hand over her face. "You and Lime have been wanting to see this movie for months. We can't just force you to cancel like that..."

Goku smiled warmly and reached into the pocket of his orange-and-black jacket. "Here..."

He produced a small wad of bills and pressed them into Gohan's hand. "Just a few extra zeni I got from helping Raditz and your grandmother on the farm. Get a large popcorn, 'kay?"

Gohan nodded and gave a hug to both his mother and his father. And then he produced a capsule from his pocket. Clicking it and tossing it, a Capsule Motorcycle quickly appeared. Gohan climbed onto the bike and looked back at them both. "And you're sure you don't need me...?"

Chi-Chi shook her head. "No. Now you and Lime both make sure you're wearing helmet!"

Goku smiled. "And put your phone on vibrate. No reason to let people spoil your fun~"

Gohan nodded, slotting on his bike helmet and pulling down his goggles. And then he sped away.

Once Gohan was gone, Raditz and Blue Launch made their approach. Raditz spoke first. "Wow...you just don't realize how big a person is getting until you watch them speed away on a motorcycle. Gohan sure is growing up..."

Chi-Chi nodded. "Yeah, he sure is. Time Chamber shenanigans have turned my boy twelve way too early..."

Goku chuckled. "It's exciting. I remember when I was twelve..."

Blue Launch nodded. "And Lime is only eleven, right? And she already has a girlfriend?!"

Raditz sighed. "Kids get more and more adult every year, it seems..."

And then the four of them stood there for a moment, feeling tired and old. Raditz cleared his throat. "So, Kakarot, what brings you to our mother's house? Are your kids refusing to sleep too?"

Goku nodded. "Uh-huh. And we try not to just dump things on Mom outta nowhere, but neither of us have gotten more than an hour of sleep for nearly a week. I almost made it to the hour, but then Chi-Chi poked me in the eye with one of her-"

Chi-Chi slapped a hand over Goku's mouth. "You're the one insisting I let my FINGERNAILS grow. Don't complain. I was keeping them short for an entire list of reasons, Goku!"

Goku moved her hand and yawned. "I'm not complaining. I'm just..."

Another long yawn. Chi-Chi yawned as well. "I know. Sorry. I'm not trying to be short with you, Goku..."

Blue Launch sighed. "You both seem tired. Let's just check with Gine and then, hopefully, we can all return to our beds..."

Moving past Goku and Chi-Chi, Blue Launch walked up to the door and rapidly knocked to the tune of Shave and a Hair Cut. Near immediately, the four of them heard the rustling of papers, followed by a loud tumble, followed curtly by a four-letter-word that no one ever expected in Gine's voice. And then, finally, the door opened.

Gine was a mussed-up wreck. Her hair was in knots, her reading glasses were crooked and fogged by the warm, summer air. She was holding a cup of black coffee like it was Frieza's throat. "H-H-How can I help you this evening?!"

She forced a smile, but it was clear that Gine was on edge. The skin on the bridge of her nose twitched, making her left eyelid slightly flinch inward. Raditz flinched back. "H-Hey Mom...ya busy?"

Gine nervously chuckled. "Only sorta kinda busiest I've been since I was a soldier. Wassup?!"

The four weary parents quickly explained themselves as Gine downed the cup in her hand and poured herself another from a nearby coffee pot. Once they were done, Gine frowned. "S-Sorry. I would if I could, you all know that. But...tonight isn't an ideal babysitting night..."

Goku frowned. "Is something wrong, Mom?"

Gine nervously drummed her index fingers on the surface of the coffee cup. "M-My final is in 30 minutes, so I'm trying to cram for it. I... I might finally be getting my teaching degree I've been working on for a year..."

Chi-Chi gasped, cupping her hand over her mouth. "O-Oh dear! That's tonight! How could we have forgotten about that?!"

Blue Launch nodded. "S-Sorry Gine. We didn't mean to-"

Gine waved her off. "No apologies. It's fine. You're all fine, my dears! I would watch the three of them in a heartbeat, I just need to focus..."

The four parents stared at Gine with what could almost be called pure awe. Or, at the very least, reverence. She had been a beacon of poise and strength since Bardock's sudden departure. She had stepped up and helped keep the farm from falling apart until Raditz was ready to take the reins by himself. She had been a pillar in the lives of the Son Family. And now, this was her night to do something for herself.

Goku stepped forward and hugged his mother tight. Raditz leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. They both smiled and spoke simultaneously. "Good luck, Mom~"

Gine smiled warmly, her face looking considerably less exhausted. "I've got such good boys~"

Everyone quickly said their goodnights and then Gine's door closed. The four parents turned to walk away, all looking defeated. Goku groaned. "What do we do now...?"

Blue Launch nodded. "I mean, our options are spent on this mountain. But...we could always try West City..."

West City, Vegeta and Bulma's house on the Capsule Corp grounds...

Instant Transmission shuttered like a camera and the four parents showed up in Vegeta and Bulma's den. They all flinched in shock, having come across quite a sight. The room they had appeared in was a vortex of screaming and shouting. Vegeta sat on the couch, wearing nothing but his underwear. His face was buried in his hands and he snarled. "WHAT DO WE PAY THAT DAMNED WASHING MACHINE FOR HIM NOT TO BE HERE WHEN WE NEED HIM?!"

Bulma was standing off to the side, black lace lingerie fused to her svelte form, spiked dog collar locked around her neck and a rubber-and-leather dog mask sat atop her head like a crown. "16 HAS PAID-TIME-OFF JUST LIKE ANY EMPLOYEE! HE'S ALLOWED TO USE IT AS HE SEES FIT, VEGETA!"

In the room nearer to the back of the house, Miss Bulla Eschalot Briefs could be heard screaming her head off. The turmoil of being a newborn was getting to her. She was wide awake. In the corner of the living room, Trunks sat in his "bad boy" corner. Sitting next to him was a shattered, and rather expensive-looking, flat-screen television.

Vegeta lifted his head to shout back, only to see Goku, Raditz, Chi-Chi, and Launch standing right there. His face turned crimson and he grabbed a couch cushion to cover his near-nudity. "WH-WH-WH-WH-WH-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN OUR HOUSE?!"

Bulma turned to see the unexpected visitors. She scowled and pulled the dog mask from the top of her head, tossing it over the kitchen counter and out of sight. "Ugh. Great. Company."

Bulma had her cell phone pressed tightly to her ear. A robotic voice was speaking from the other end. Goku cheerfully smiled and waved. "Hey Bulma!"

Bulma spoke bluntly. "Hey Goku. You look like shit."

Goku nodded. "Yeah. Feel like it too. Super tired. What's the dog collar for?"

Bulma glared at him. "Do you pay bills here, Goku?!"

Goku shook his head. "No."

She snapped. "Then, shut up!"

Goku obediently nodded. "'Kay~"

Bulma roughly sighed and ended her phone call. She rubbed her hands over her face. "My parents left for that Gambling Riverboat and Swingers cruise they were talking about. Won't be back until next week, Vegeta..."

Vegeta pressed his hand to his forehead. "16 and 17 are on a fishing trip, your damned parents are on a cruise...Gine is-"

Raditz finished the sentence. "...finishing her big final exam for her teaching degree."

For the first time, Bulma and Vegeta really looked at their unwanted guests. They noticed the three babies, all wide awake and staring. Vegeta groaned. "You too...?"

Grim nods. Vegeta threw his head back. "Goddammit..."

Bulma crossed her arms. "So, lemme guess, you came here for a babysitter?"

Again, grim nods. Bulma sighed. "And you guys don't have anyone else...?"

Everyone shook their head no. Chi-Chi chimed in. "I think my dad is on that cruise too. So, he's not going to be any help..."

The three couples sat in silence as their children cooed and called out and screamed. Bulma growled to herself, grabbing a bottle of wine that she and Vegeta had apparently opened and chugging it. She looked to Goku. "You and I have been spending a couple decades making friends, right Goku?"

Goku nodded. "Ayup."

Bulma sighed and grabbed a trench-coat from a nearby coat-hook. "Well then, surely one of them must be free. Right?"

Goku shrugged and held up his fingers. "I guess any of them are just an Instant Transmission away..."

Jingle Village, the home of Yamcha and Suno...

Instant Transmission brought the three couples ankle-deep into the northern snow of Jingle Village. Bulma pulled back her fist to knock on the door to Suno's house, only to suddenly hear a sharp, shrill scream from the other side. Bulma flinched back, only for the front door to suddenly fly open.

There stood Yamcha, his face wreathed with a full beard. He looked tense and anxious, but still smiled at the familiar faces. "Goku! I thought I sensed you out here! How's it go-"

Suno cried out. "YAMCHA! WH-WHERE ARE YOU! WH-WHERE AGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH! OH MY GOD!"

Puar screeched. "YAMCHA! HELP! THERE'S BLOOD EVERYWHERE!"

Eighter shouted. "ARE YOU OKAY, SUNO?!"

Goku looked concerned. "I-Is everything okay, Yamcha?"

Before he could answer, a doctor in a pair of winter galoshes and a snow-spattered white coat pushed past everyone. "Move it! Move it! Doctor coming through!"

Yamcha turned and his face turned green. "O-Oh my god!"

He nearly collapsed, but Raditz stepped forward to catch him. Bulma looked very concerned. "What's going on?!"

Yamcha stammered, watching as the doctor stepped into the room across the den and slammed the door shut. "A... a head...a head w-wah-wah-was c-co-homing out of S-Suno's..."

Bulma flinched. "Wait a minute!"

She did some quick math of her fingers and her eyes went wide. "IS SUNO GIVING BIRTH?!"

Silently, Yamcha nodded. He looked faint. He looked over to Bulma and gave a small chuckle. Bulma stood, dumbfounded...and then she smiled at him. "Oh, Yamcha~"

The sound of rending metal followed by a pained yelp from Eighter. Suno had squeezed his hand into pieces. Yamcha and Bulma stared at each other, both of their faces glowing red. Yamcha mumbled. "I'm a father, Bulma. A-Ain't that exciting...?"

She nodded, speaking in a hushed tone. "Y-Yeah..."

For a moment, both of their hearts seemed to swell. Bulma and Yamcha looked to each other with the same loving eyes they had next to the ruins of Pilaf's castle so long ago. And then, Bulma stood on her tip-toes and gave him a kiss on his scarred cheek. "Get in there~ And make sure you bring her by to meet her Auntie Bulma sometime soon, okay~?"

Yamcha bit his lip and hugged Bulma tight. And then he raced off to his and Suno's bedroom, not even bothering to close the front door in his haste. Bulma closed it for him and then turned to the others. "Strike one, I suppose..."

Bulma started to walk away, her eyes a bit misty as she heard the muffled sound of Yamcha shouting "my baby girl". She sighed. "I guess Roshi and Oolong...or more appropriately, the Sea Turtle, would be next. Right?"

Vegeta sneered. "I'm not leaving my children anywhere near the old lech. Especially Bulla."

Bulma nodded. "That's fair. So, who's next Goku...?"

Goku stroked his chin. "Well..."

East City, the home of Krillin and Android 18...

Another flash of Instant Transmission brought the weary parents to a lovely little condominium in East City. Moving with haste, Goku pulled his fist back to knock on the door. Before the tip of his knuckles even made contact, however, the door flew open!

Krillin seized Goku's wrist tight and held him in place. He roughly pressed his finger to his lips and shushed all six of them. Once they all nodded in agreement, Krillin released Goku and nodded with a whisper. "Sorry. Can't have any loud noises. What's up, guys?"

Quiet as a field mouse, Raditz motioned to all of the kids and then pointed to Krillin. It took a moment, but Krillin got the gist. He frowned. "I'm sorry, guys. I'd love to help, but I can't. Not tonight."

The others were all confused, and then Krillin silently motioned to the couch next to the television. Curled up there was Android 18, slumbering peacefully in the middle of a sea of pillows and blankets. Krillin whispered. "This is a first. It's the first time since we bought this place together that she's slept soundly. No thrashing, no screaming, no crying or begging for Dr. Gero to leave her alone..."

Krillin looked at her for the longest time, his golden-haired angel. "If something were to disturb her out of this for the first time, I'm afraid she might never be able to do it again..."

Vegeta, growing weary in the hour, crudely scoffed at Krillin's words. "Screw that! She has plenty of time to sleep!"

He tried to march in. "I'll wake her up myself if I-"

Moving quickly, almost without thinking, Krillin pressed his hand to Vegeta's chest and shoved him back. Bulma, holding both of the kids, gasped as her husband fell back onto his butt. Goku and Chi-Chi were both shocked as well, as were Raditz and Launch. Krillin glared down at Vegeta with the most spine he had shown since facing down Cell. "I said no. I'm sorry. I can babysit in the future, but not tonight."

Vegeta stared up from his place on the ground. Krillin had shoved him off of his feet. KRILLIN had shoved HIM off of his feet. Vegeta stood and Krillin flinched back just a bit. The Prince reared back his fist and Krillin grumbled. "Come on, Vegeta. Don't-"

Vegeta offered a fist-bump. Krillin was stunned. Vegeta spoke in a hushed tone. "Forgive me. I am stressed. We will look elsewhere."

Krillin returned the fist-bump. "Th-Thanks. Like I said, Vegeta, I-"

Vegeta wordlessly turned away and waved Krillin off. The others quickly followed behind him, trying to keep as quiet as possible. Chi-Chi brought up the rear of the group, but then turned with a proud little smile. She winked. "You're a fantastic husband, Krillin~"

Krillin blushed and smiled. And then, he turned and shut the door tight.

Bulma groaned as they stood next to Krillin and 18's mailbox. "Okay, those two are out. Who else?"

Bulma flicked a dandelion sticking out of one of the hedges. The pollen from the flower rushed over and put a tickle in Blue Launch's nose. She sneezed before anybody could stop her and Blonde Launch cracked open her eyes. "Still dealing with this kid shit, huh?"

Raditz nodded. "Yes dear..."

Blonde Launch looked down at Baby Ranch, who was looking at her with big, shining eyes. Blonde Launch sighed. "It's a long-shot, cuz he hates dealing with babies. But I have a suggestion..."

The Northern Mountains, home of the New Crane Dojo...

Rudely awoken by the sound of someone beating on the door to his dojo, Tien Shinhan shuffled to see who it was. Dressed in his nightgown, nightcap, and feathery crane slippers, Tien's eyes were only half-open. He could barely focus on the flame of the candlestick in his hand whilst in this state of dozing ire. Tien opened the dojo door with a creak and immediately flinched back at the sight of six desperate adults brandishing five agitated children. Goku smiled. "HEY TIEN, WE-"

*SLAM*

A long pause as the six of them stood there. Goku called out. "Ti-"

*LOCK*

"-en"

*LATCH*

"Shin-"

*BOLT*

"-han"

*SLOT*

Another long silence. Goku turned to the others. "M-Maybe he's just preparing a room...?"

The sprinklers for the hedges outside came on and fired right into Goku's face.

Flying through the air...

The three exhausted couples were at a loss as they flew through the nighttime air. The moon was large and full that night and all three Saiyans could tell without looking. In spite of Garlic Junior's modifications to the moon, it still did produce a certain level of Blutz Waves. They could feel it in their bones. And it was clear the kids could too, as they only became more active and fussier as the night wore on.

Goku was floating aimlessly. "What about King Kai?"

King Kai's voice suddenly chimed in. "I still don't have a planet, jackass! So, no!"

Goku sighed. "Oh, right, I was supposed to gather the Dragon Balls and fix that..."

Vegeta snapped. "Priorities, Kakarot!"

Goku nodded. "Uh...Namek?"

Chi-Chi frowned. "You want to leave our babies on another planet?! No!"

Goku groaned. "Uh...Genoa and Salam seemed like they could be good with kids..."

Raditz cocked his head. "Your slavegirls?"

Bulma gasped. "HIS SLAVEGIRLS?!"

Chi-Chi yowled. "YOUR WHAT?!"

Goku shuddered. "O-Okay. Bad idea to even bring that up..."

Blonde Launch looked from baby to baby to baby to baby to baby. Not a drowzy eye amongst the whole litter. Wearily, she murmured. "I mean...Blue told me she overheard Gohan saying he'd be willing to cancel his evening plans. Can't we just take him up on the offer and buy him a few movie tickets later...?"

Vegeta snapped. "WHAT?!"

Annoyed, the Prince pulled out his phone. "We've had that option this entire time?!"

Goku groaned. "Come on, Vegeta. He's having fun. I don't wanna spoil that..."

Vegeta pressed his cell phone to his ear. "THEN I WILL! GOD DAMN IT!"

The Matinee, Satan City...

Gohan's phone buzzed in his shirt pocket, but he didn't hear it or feel it as he and Lime stood in their chairs and sang along with the rest of the movie theater.

"I'm just a mean green mother from outer space and I'm bad~
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space~
And it looks like you been had~
I'm just a mean green mother from outer space~
So get off my back 'n get out my face~
'Cause I'm mean and green and I am bad~"

Back in the air...

Upon the fifth answer of the voicemail system, Vegeta screamed with rage and tossed his cell phone like a pitcher at a baseball game. Immediately, regret creased the Prince's face and he shrieked. "MY PICTURES OF BULLA!"

*POP*

*POP*

Raditz appeared next to Vegeta and handed the Prince his phone. Vegeta nodded in thanks and Raditz rolled his eyes. Vegeta sneered. "What do we do? Who is left?"

Bulma clung to Vegeta's back, looking sullen. "Nobody. We've checked with everyone..."

Launch frowned. "No love making..."

Chi-Chi whimpered. "No sleep..."

Bulma sobbed. "No petplaaaaaaaaaaay!"

Launch glared at her friend. "Really, Bulma?!"

Bulma snapped back. "I want to do adult things with my husband! Sue me!"

Raditz groaned and rubbed the back of his head. "It's a shame we don't have someone who's entire life is about babysitting Saiyan hybrids..."

And then, Goku gasped in shock. "THAT'S IT! I ALMOST FORGOT!"

Kami's Lookout...

Piccolo blew on the steam rising out of his cup of rose-leaf tea. He was all alone atop the lookout. Korin and Mr. Popo had taken Dende down to the planet below for some special Guardian training. And Piccolo had personally threatened to slit Yajirobe's throat if he dared to come and bother him.

The Namekian stared down at the expanse below. He had his eyes locked onto a secluded mountain, one with a nice lake and a few trees. "That would be a nice place for a house. And Bulma still has that ship Kami came to Earth in. I wonder if I could get her to-"

*CRASH*

Piccolo whipped around. "Yajirobe, I swear to god...!"

No energy signature. That was bizarre. Weak as he was, Yajirobe was still strong enough to kill a Saibaman. Piccolo should be able to sense him. But there was truly nothing to sense. Piccolo walked towards the source of the noise and eventually found a broken flowerpot as the culprit. He cocked his head. "I doubt Popo left this where it could break. So, how-"

Rapid footsteps. Piccolo turned, but it was too late. Goku smiled and shoved something warm into his arms. "Here Piccolo~"

And Launch. "Here Piccolo~"

And Chi-Chi. "Here Piccolo~"

And Vegeta. "Here Namekian."

And Bulma. "Here Piccolo~"

Raditz gave a thankful smirk and then followed behind the other five. "Thanks Piccolo!"

Piccolo glanced down in shock to see Goten, Ranch, Chika, Bulla, and Trunks were writhing in his arms. He was aghast. "WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?!"

He glared after the six fleeing adults. "WHAT?!"

Immediately, Piccolo gave chase! But, unfortunately for the Namekian, he was too slow to stop the escaping interlopers. Chi-Chi tackled into Goku like a raging bull and they immediately Instant Transmissioned away. Raditz scooped Launch off of her feet and they took a running leap!

*POP*

And, with a burst of Instant Warp, they too had vanished. Bulma reached the edge of the Lookout. "Quick, Vegeta, teleport us!"

Vegeta was blunt. "Can't."

Bulma raged. "Then what are we-"

Vegeta shoved her off of the edge of the Lookout. He took a brief moment to glance back at Piccolo and smirk. Then, as he flipped the Namekian off, Vegeta did a backflip off of the edge of the Lookout and raced down after his falling and screeching wife. Piccolo reached the edge, watching as Vegeta flew and Bulma slapped him. "HOW DARE YOU?! I'LL THROW ALL OF YOUR GODDAMNED KIDS OVER THE SIDE OF THE LOOKOUT! YOU HEAR ME?! OVER THE SI-"

A small hand reached up and grabbed Piccolo's lower lip, pulling it down. He glanced down at the five kids held tight in his arms and saw a sea of sparkling eyes looking up at him with genuine love. Piccolo shuddered as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

And then, the former Demon King and former Guardian of Earth sighed in defeat. "What has my life become...?"

A few minutes pass...

Trunks, Ranch, Goten, Chika, and Bulla all slumbered peacefully as they hovered around with Piccolo's telekinesis. On the ground, the Namekian himself had nodded off. The neck pillow from Vegeta was snug around his neck.

At Lime's house...

Gohan and Lime had both fallen asleep on the floor of her room, playing video games together. Kooky smiled as she covered each of them with a blanket.

At the New Crane Dojo...

Tien and Chiaotzu were both sound asleep in their beds, the nearby barracks of the New Crane Dojo was full of slumbering mounds as well.

East City...

Krillin was the big spoon to 18's little spoon. He held her tight in his arms. She gripped his hand with a gentle firmness even she didn't know she was capable of.

Jingle Village...

Yamcha laid in bed next to his slumbering, exhausted wife. Silently, Puar floated above the two with her eyes locked onto the sleeping little infant between them. Eighter smiled from his spot in the corner, looking up from his book. "How's the baby doing?"

Puar grinned from ear-to-ear. "Little Koriocha is fine~"

West City...

We will not be revisiting Bulma and Vegeta now that they are alone and free to do what they were planning.

Mt. Paozu, Bardock and Gine's house...

Gine was slumped onto the dining room table in her now lonely kitchen. Surrounded by books and dirty coffee cups, the Saiyan mother was wiped out. As she slumbered, the computer next to her flashed a congratulatory message, showing a score of 92% on her final exam.

Mt. Paozu, Goku and Chi-Chi's house...

With an empty, quiet home now all to themselves, Goku and Chi-Chi got the sleep they so desperately needed. A pile of hairpins sat on Chi-Chi's nightstand and now, with her massive and shapely horns exposed, she laid slumbering on Goku's bare chest. Goku had one of his hands gently placed atop the exposed horns, comfortingly holding them still to prevent another eye poke.

Mt. Paozu, Raditz and Launch's house...

After taking turns with their husband, Blue and Blonde Launch both slumbered peaceful and satisfied. And, as he laid awake next to them, Raditz also briefly felt a full and hardy satisfaction. He almost felt whole again.

But no feeling lasted in the silence and the dark. As Raditz stared at the ceiling, his heart began to race and he began to hear it again. Cell's laughter and his mocking voice. "You're not good enough, Raditz~"

Then Frieza. "You never have been, monkey~"

Dodoria. "No matter how hard ya scrape..."

Zarbon. "...or how hard you try, you flea-bitten chimp..."

Nappa. "...you'll always be Raditz the Runt~"

And then Vegeta. "Hey, don't fret~ You're still Number 1 in my book, Raditz the Runt~"

They all chanted as the Power Level reading on a handheld Scouter flashed in Raditz' face. Power Level...1. They all chanted in mocking unison.

"Number 1~ Number 1~ Number 1~ Number 1~ Number 1~"

Raditz could feel the stinging tears in his eyes. Then Vegeta's voice again, this time with various explosions of pain radiating across his body. "You aren't good enough! You never will be! And that brat has to rely on you for strength?! WHAT STRENGTH! YOU'RE RADITZ THE RUNT!"

Raditz pressed his hands to his ears and began to wheeze and stifle sobs. He still heard Vegeta, but this time in the voice he had when they were kids "YOU CAN'T TURN SUPER SAIYAN! YOU COULDN'T SAVE HER! YOU LIKE TO ACT LIKE YOU'RE STRONG, BUT-"

Raditz' voice spoke in a broken whisper. "...you never will be."

The elder Saiyan brother squeezed his eyes shut. And then, a different voice played in his mind. A voice from so long ago. "That's my boy~"

Raditz heard that praise from so long ago. The praise his father had given him on that day. And today...those words rang hollower than ever.