Title: Reflection

Summary: One night, Vegeta wakes up after having a nightmare of his bloody past. While washing his face in the restroom, he finds his reflection oddly staring back at him with a spine-chilling smirk.

Genre: Psychological Horror, Action, Friendship, Family

Basis: Shin Budokai 1 Dragon Road Chapters 3 to 4

Continuity: After Dragon Ball Super Chapter 66

Disclaimer: The Author made this story as a fan fiction for fun purposes only. The author also disclaims ownership to the characters and elements in the story and credits the rightful owners. Characters and Elements are based on Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super by Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro, credits go to Bird Studio/Shueisha/Fuji TV and Toei Animation.


Vegeta had always looked at Kakarot's back, both with aspiration and jealousy at the unimaginable power the lower class Saiyan had surpassed him for years. No matter how hard the Prince of all Saiyans has trained, Kakarot was simply greater than him. Since when has the gap between their powers turned out this much?

Vegeta was staring at Kakarot's back again, after the devastating explosion of the Planet-Eater Moro. Kakarot has surpassed him again. He has finally mastered Ultra Instinct and his skills as a warrior were astonishing. Vegeta thought that he has finally gained the upper hand after his training on Planet Yardrat but he was terribly wrong. Kakarot was still stronger than he is.

Yet, despite all of that, the fool almost failed at defeating Moro after he has given him a chance at life and offering him the magical senzu beans that instantly healed their enemy. For some reason, Vegeta was questioning himself of what he just did after finding out about that. Kakarot was hopeless. Vegeta has the Forced Spirit Fission, the ability to forcefully separate spirits or energy bind together by fusion or absorption. If anyone can defeat Moro, he knew that he has the skill and power to do so and the will to finish off the fight without second thoughts. Even if he mistakenly let Moro absorb his power when he landed to the ground just to use Forced Spirit Fission, Vegeta could have used the combined energy of the Dragon Team and that strange divine power sent by a stranger to himself. So why did he pass that insurmountable amount of divine power at Kakarot? Why did he put his trust in him at defeating Moro when the fool just failed earlier when he gave the magician goat a senzu bean?

Why?

Hearing Krilin and Gohan happily celebrating Kakarot's victory, Vegeta wondered if he has finally become one of them. Completely, without any hesitation or regret. He was glad that the fight's finally over. They won, he can go back home to his family and train with Kakarot and Whis as he look forward to another challenging battle with a new nemesis one day.

Or so, he thought...

They left the battlefield to meet with their friends at the lookout of Dende. Everyone was congratulating Kakarot for their victory while he looked on in silence.

Bulma approached him later on in tears, jumping to wrap her arms around his neck and leaning her head over his chest.

"Oh Vegeta! You're finally back! I missed you so much!" she cried. "How could you leave your beautiful wife behind like that. You should have given me a call at least."

Vegeta awkwardly raised a hand to rub her head, "Yeah. I'm sorry it took me a long time to go home. I had to train in order to protect you, Trunks and Bulla. I told Irico to send my message to Jaco."

"I know, Vegeta. You did a good job." she said, pulling away from him and giving him a wink and a thumbs up.

"Of course, this fight wouldn't be our victory if not for Vegeta." Kakarot exclaimed.

"Of course," Vegeta snorted before yelling furiously at Goku. "Thanks to me, you are victorious, idiot! You think I'll forgive you for that stunt you just did?! Damn Fool! You just won't learn your lesson, would you?! How about I give you one this time!"

"Goku has never changed." Krilin said, shaking his head as he watched Vegeta scream like a furious woman at Goku. "He was always like this. Always easily fooled and trusting to everyone, thinking they will suddenly change over into a new leaf. Goku should learn that not everyone will do that just as Piccolo and Vegeta did."

"Yeah," Jaco who was standing next to him agreed. "Come to think of it, when I first learned that Prince Vegeta was in here, fighting for the sake of this planet, I cannot believe what I'm seeing. Who would've thought he could change that much? Back in the day, his penchant for trouble, blood and destruction was legendary across the Universe. He's made quite a fearsome name for himself, almost equal to that of Freeza."

"He used to desire the destruction of Earth and rule the entire Universe with an iron-clad fist. And now look at him saving the Earth and the cosmos with his Forced Spirit Fission Technique." Piccolo said.

"Honestly, I never even once thought that he could change at all. He was beyond redemption at that time." Krilin said, reminiscing that day he was about to kill a beaten Vegeta after their first battle on Earth. Thinking about how cruel and evil the Saiyan Super Elite Warrior was back then sent chills across Krilin's spine. It's a good thing that the Saiyan Prince is on their side now but still, his fearsome demeanor was there whenever he goes mad such as what's in front of him right now.

Even Goku could not make Vegeta calm down and shut up. The way Goku step back in trepidation at the sight of a yelling Saiyan Prince was beyond funny considering how the two of them used to be the greatest of enemies.

"-you idiot!" Vegeta huffed, finally ending his lengthy sermon.

Goku, who was flinching the entire time at the prince's rain of blessing (also known as a free shower of spit), finally relaxed. Wanting to make his friend satisfied, Goku finally spoke up.

"Don't be so angry, Vegeta. Look, I'm sorry for what happened. But it's over now, we won and that's mostly because of you. Your Forced Spirit Fission is amazing."

"Don't you dare try to lighten up my mood with you kissing up!"

"I'm not kissing up. I'm telling you the truth. Without you, we couldn't win. Plus, everyone is happy for you. I am happy for you. You've changed a lot over the years, and you just proved that you're not the same as what you used to be."

"My people are grateful for what you did." Dende said. "The Namekians were brought back to life because of you, Vegeta-san."

The Namekian kid, Esca sprinted happily towards Vegeta and said, "Thank you so much, Vegeta-san!"

Completely flustered, Vegeta awkwardly turned his back, "I was only paying a debt I had with you, that's all."

He was reminded of the old days when he had ruthlessly murdered an innocent Namekian village in his quest for obtaining eternal life with the Dragon Balls. Now that he has compensated for the evil things he'd done, he felt a lot better. Although, he still knew that he would still pay the consequences when he dies and goes to hell. He has accepted that fact and had been preparing himself for quite some time.

Bulma invited everyone to Capsule Corporation so they can have a party to celebrate their victory. The party was up until midnight and when everyone has gone home, Vegeta was glad he can finally go to bed next to his beloved Bulma.

It has been a long, tiring day and as soon as Vegeta was on the bed, he was quickly asleep. He knew he heard Bulma talking beside him but he was too tired to listen to her blather.

And then, he was dreaming...


Vegeta found himself on Planet Namek, surrounded by several Namekians, both adult, elderly and the children. They were staring right back at him with utmost fear. Vegeta was confused. Aren't they supposed to be happy and grateful for what he just did for them? Why are they looking at him like that?

'Where is your Elder? I came here looking for the Dragon Ball.' he said when he opened his mouth.

An elder Namekian wearing a red vest, whom Vegeta recalled as the one named Tsuno, stepped forward.

'I am the Elder of this village. May I ask why do you seek the Dragon Ball?'

Good question. Vegeta knew this scene almost perfectly. It was that day he had brutally killed all these people in a frenzied rampage for defying him and not giving him what he wanted. During this time, Vegeta was so desperate to get his hands on the seven Dragon Balls to wish for immortality so he can finish Freeza off and rule the entire Universe. Vegeta knew all those days are long gone and forgotten. He had let go what he used to be and all of his ambitions for the sake of having a much peaceful life with his newfound family on Earth, the very planet he wished to destroy back then. Despite trying to return to this stage of his life once with the help of Babidi, Vegeta knew he cannot let go of his love for his family for this kind of life ever again. He knew what's more important in his life and did all he could to protect the things he treasured the most, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

If he could make a wish with the Dragon Balls, that is for him to stop having these ridiculous nightmares again.

After the whole Cell fiasco, Vegeta would often dream about his past murders, haunted by them in nightmares that would keep him awake at night. It all stopped by the time he achieved the Super Saiyan god state with the help of Whis. He thought he has finally gotten over that part of his life until he was back on Planet Namek and having feelings of guilt for what he did.

Was that the reason why he's dreaming about this all of a sudden?

'That is none of your business, old man.' Vegeta said to Tsuno. 'Now, just hand it over to me.'

The Namekian stood firmly as he announced, 'I can feel something evil in you. I cannot hand over to you the Dragon Ball.'

Since becoming a Super Saiyan god, Vegeta thought that all the evilness he had in the past were all gone. After all, the divine powers of a Super Saiyan god can only be achieved by those with a pure heart.

Why?

Vegeta pointed a finger towards Tsuno and exclaimed, 'Then die!' then he fired a ki bullet towards the elderly who was saved by one of his villagers.

Vegeta looked around at the Namekians surrounding him. They were all still staring back at him in pure terror, especially the children. But Vegeta didn't feel any remorse or mercy instead, he felt exultant at the sight. The smell of fear radiating off their terrified bodies made his heart pound with excitement and thirst for blood. He threw his head back and cackled out loud like a maniac. He continued laughing like that as he proceeded to massacre the entire village without any mercy. The terrified screams and cries of those weaklings sound like sweet music in his ears. All the while, Vegeta's own voice screamed for him to stop it this instant. He didn't stop though. He didn't stop until only the Elderly was the one last standing.

As Tsuno cradled a dead Namekian child, he said to Vegeta. "There is no evil in you. You are evil!"

As soon as Vegeta blasted the stubborn old geezer to atoms, he heard a voice in his ear saying 'You will never escape your past, no matter what you do.'


Vegeta shot his eyes open to reality, his face covered with cold sweat as his chest felt like something hefty was sitting over it. Gasping and panting heavily, he turned his head to his left side to find Bulma sleeping soundly next to him. Feeling suddenly in need of her warm presence, he pulled her next to him and hugged her for a few minutes, sniffing at her fragrant hair in hopes of helping himself calm down.

He stared at the bedside alarm clock next to Bulma's side, it was three fifteen in the morning. He sighed and decided to go to the bathroom behind their room. He carefully pulled away from Bulma, got off the bed and walked soundlessly into the bathroom. He flipped the lights on and peed first. After washing his hands by the sink, he proceeded to wash his face to help him shake the sudden nightmare off, pondering to himself why he dreamt about that.

"It was probably because of what happened on Planet Namek." he muttered to himself, referring to the events of their battle against Moro on the said planet. He stared at his reflection in the mirror infront of him. "I guess I was subconsciously thinking about it too much. It's all over now." he sighed.

He knew he had guilty feelings about his past deeds with the Namekians about two months ago but after compensating for what happened by reviving them with his Forced Spirit Fission technique, he should be feeling a lot better now.

But why does it feel like something was wrong?

"Stop thinking too much, Vegeta." he suddenly heard Whis' voice in his head, a memory of his training with the angel flashing in his mind.

"Ah yes, Whis is right. Let's forget about it and go back to sleep." Vegeta told himself. He pulled a face towel from a drawer beside the sink and wiped his face with it. He threw the towel on a basket afterwards.

As soon as he was about to leave, Vegeta noticed something wrong with the mirror. No, not the mirror itself but his reflection on it.

His image in the mirror wasn't moving at all. It only stood there, staring back at him with a chilling, malevolent, dark gaze - down into his very soul.

And then, it suddenly smirked back at him.

Vegeta gasped in horror, almost screaming at the sight of his reflection in the mirror right in front of him. It was him indeed, but it didn't move just like he does. It only stood there, completely unmoving. Its dark, narrowed eyes staring back at him with a spine-chilling gaze. A wide, evil smirk on his lips.

What the hell?!

'Yo,' Vegeta suddenly heard his own voice in his head. It wasn't coming from his mouth but from the creepy reflection in the mirror. A cold, cruel sound that sent chills across his body. 'Did you miss me? No worries. I missed you, too. My foolish, weaker self...'

The prince shut his eyes, silently telling himself that whatever he was seeing and hearing weren't true at all. He's just being delusional after that stupid nightmare. He breathed in and out, calming himself and his mind, remembering all the training he had with Whis and Pybara.

"You're not real. You're not real." he muttered to himself repeatedly. Yet, despite his whispers, he could hear a voice chuckling in his mind.

'How pathetic of you. Seeing myself as weak as you makes me want to puke. You are being dragged down by these foolish attachments. By love. Do you honestly think you can surpass Kakarot just by thinking about those weaklings you call your family?"

"Shut up! We have already discussed this not too long ago. I was able to erase you!" Vegeta defended, remembering that time during his training with Whis in order to become the Super Saiyan god.

In order to achieve such power, Vegeta had to erase all impurities in his heart. He was brought to a realm where he faced this creature, a physical manifestation of his darkest side. It was a hard struggle between his pride, his life, his emotions and his purity. When he tried fighting it, he cannot defeat it with sheer strength alone. Since they're the same person, their power and skills were equal. The only reason why he was caught off guard were his attacks to his personal beliefs. Since Vegeta used to believe that emotions were a warrior's biggest weakness, the darker side used that as its greatest weapon against him.

It took him an entire week trying to find out how to overpower this darker side of him. Whis gave a few advices here and there but in the end, it was all up to Vegeta himself who would defeat this creature. One clue Whis told him was holding on to the things he thinks are more important to him. It was like Vegeta choosing his own path to take in the future. Choosing between his princely Saiyan Pride and his growing humanity. That night he made his decision of who he truly is. He didn't wish to be every bit as bound by his Saiyan Pride. He also didn't want to let emotions become his weakness. Instead, he chose both, so long as it is the right thing to do and that he will use to become his power.

When he faced this dark side of him again, he told him of his decision. Despite all the taunts and insults the evil side of him threw at him, Vegeta would counter it with the correct way to deal with the problem. When his love for his family were called his chains and weights, dragging him down from his supposed destiny to become the perfect warrior, he told him how wrong it was for him to think of it that way, reminiscing that time Beerus slapped Bulma in front of him. He came to realize that those things he initially thought were going to be his greatest weakness actually became his greatest source of untapped strength.

When the dark side told him about surpassing and killing Kakarot, Vegeta told him that he has willingly accepted Kakarot to be the better warrior than him. While he's still into his goal of surpassing his rival, all the spite and desire to kill him are gone now. He said that Kakarot was a useful goal for him to become stronger, which he proved when he refused to obey Freeza's orders for him to kill Goku.

There was nothing else for his dark side to use against him. There were no hatred, jealousy, evil arrogance, bloodlust, selfishness, ambitions and vengeful desire in him. This further proved Vegeta's choice to be righteous. Vegeta said his goodbye and his thanks for this side of him for being always there for him. It was mostly the reason why he survived that terrible hard part of his life, grew stronger and was able to live and feel like his people, but it's all over. Vegeta knew who he is, what he's made of, what he's fighting for and what he truly wants in his life. And when it was over, he was surrounded by a fiery aura of the Super Saiyan God.

Vegeta thought he had already erased this dark side of him. Why has it resurfaced again?

'HAHAHAHA! Erase me, you say? Don't think that just because you were able to grasp the powers of a god meant that you don't have any impurities any longer. I was always here all along, inside of you... Waiting for a chance to resurface once again.'

"You have no place here. You are completely unnecessary. I'm not as hopeless as you think I am."

'Hmph! Believe what you want but know this. Of all things, you cannot lie to me. I know every single thing about you. Your true feelings, your true power, your regrets, your ambitions, your rage, even your innermost desire. Do you honestly think I have no idea what you were thinking while you were watching Kakarot's back after he has defeated Moro? You were foolish enough to give him that win. You had the chance to become the strongest and you ruined it by entrusting everything on that fool.'

"Shut up!"

'Yes... That's right. Your anger, your regret, that jealousy in you... It's making me stronger...'

Vegeta raised his fist in an attempt to break the mirror but an abrupt knock on the door made him jump and gasp. "Vegeta, are you in there? Come out, I wanna pee." Bulma's groggy voice said on the other side of the door.

"Uh... Yeah." he responded breathlessly.

He looked back at the mirror, hoping that Bulma wouldn't see this cursed reflection in the mirror. Should he just destroy it?

Bulma knocked again, harder this time. "Vegeta! Hurry up!"

"Uh... Coming!"

He went out of the bathroom, leaned his back against the door with his right hand behind him grabbing at the knob. He found Bulma gazing at him anxiously. "Are you alright? You look a little pale."

"Just a bad dream." he said, breathlessly.

"Okay. Talk to me later. Let me use the bathroom first."

Bulma noticed Vegeta grabbing the door knob as if he was preventing her from entering. "What are you doing?"

"I-"

"Seriously Vegeta, take your hands off the knob!" she said, slapping his hand away.

Vegeta helplessly let go of the knob and let Bulma enter. As she did, he felt as if his was heart pound so hard against his ribcage with that amount of dread he was feeling.

'I swear if that damn thing showed itself to my wife, I will...'

Bulma came out safely. When he looked back, the evil reflection of him in the mirror was gone.

'I must be hallucinating.' he grimly thought to himself.

They returned to their bed. Bulma clung to him lovingly as she asked, "It has been quite some time since you had a bad dream. What is it about?"

"It was about how I killed all those Namekians years ago." Vegeta muttered.

Bulma blinked at first. She knew he was still feeling guilty about whatever happened. Who guessed that he would ever feel this way one day? Not even her thought he would have the slightest conscience to feel guilty about his evil actions in the past. Him dreaming about it only showed he was truly feeling remorseful.

She reached out her hand to touch his face, smiling at him. "It's over now, Vegeta. Those days of yours are over. You're doing well. What matters most is how you were able to atone for what you have done to them. I'm pretty sure the Namekians have already forgiven you as much as we did. You're a changed man now and I'm so proud of you."

He held her hands with his and pressed her palms on his face so he can feel their warmth. "I know. It really doesn't matter to me anyways. I have no idea why I had a stupid dream about it." he muttered under his breath. "I guess I was subconsciously thinking about it too much. Don't bother."

"Hmm... That's better."

He pulled her towards him so he can embrace her warmth. It was typical of him to be this clingy whenever he had those nightmares. Bulma rubbed his hair and his back gently, comforting him.


The following morning, Goku called Vegeta through the phone, saying he would be coming over for a sparring in the Gravity Room. While Vegeta was waiting for him to arrive at the front lawn, a strange elderly woman with long, unkempt greyish hair wearing black yukata suddenly pop out of nowhere behind him. Her abrupt appearance took Vegeta by a shock since he was unable to sense her presence.

"Hello there." she said as she grinned back at him. It was a creepy smile. She pulled his hand and put a bottle of red juice over his palm. "You look like you need this, boy. Take it and drink it."

Vegeta stared at the odd bottle the woman gave him. It had a label though he had never heard or seen this brand before. Is this a new product?

"I'm sorry but I do not take anything from strangers." he told the woman.

"Oh no, no, my child. It's free. It's free." she assured him. "You don't need to worry about it. It's not like it would kill you or anything." she chuckled. Even her laughter sounded quite malevolent, like how witches giggle when they are planning something really nasty.

"Uh... Alright. Thanks." Vegeta awkwardly said.

The old woman's smile got even wider. "You look strong, and has an intimidating aura too. I'm guessing, you have caused people to fear you greatly."

"People tend to say that I'm scary. I am strong, too."

"Yes, I'm sure. But... Even strong people like you have darkness in their hearts. I wonder... What's yours?" said the old lady with a sly look, running her tongue across her lips as she chuckled wickedly.

Vegeta's eyes narrowed at her words. Suddenly, he can sense an incredible, baleful spirit within the woman. It appeared like a black, shadowy smoke engulfing her form. Her eyes glowed a bloody red as she muttered incoherent words at him, 'Ketamitzune... Memuruz radaka...'

A hand abruptly grabbed Vegeta's shoulder and the Prince automatically turned towards Kakarot.

"Osu, Vegeta!" Goku greeted cheerfully. Vegeta stared at Kakarot confused for a short moment before looking back in front of him. The old woman had disappeared. He looked down at his hand and found the bottle she just handed over to him.

"You idiot!" Vegeta suddenly yelled. "Did you see the old woman I was talking to just now?!"

Goku made a confused look, gazing down at him as he scratched the top of his head, wondering why Vegeta was suddenly angry at him.

"Huh? Were you even talking to someone earlier?"

"Of course, you idiot! She even gave me this thing!" he shoved the bottle of red juice at Kakarot.

"But..."

Goku was definitely sure Vegeta wasn't talking to anyone when he arrived. The reason why he grabbed his shoulder earlier was because he was worried at him after seeing Vegeta talking all by himself.

Vegeta growled to himself, feeling annoyed. "Let's just go inside and begin!"

They went inside Vegeta's Gravity Room inside the Capsule Corporation, passing by Bulma and Trunks on their way. They did a few warm up exercises in normal gravity before Vegeta decided to turn of the simulator to one hundred fifty times the planet's normal gravity. Goku noticed that Vegeta was acting a little odd with the way he seemed to take his surroundings. It was like he was being wary about something.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Goku's question seemed to have snap him out of his trance and Vegeta blinked, shaking his head. "Of course." he said. Falling into his signature fighting stance rather hesitantly.

Goku shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, "Okay, if you say so." he mumbled as he also fell into his fighting stance.

In the blink of an eye, both Saiyans were exchanging hits in the air. Goku could tell that there was something going on Vegeta's mind for some reason, making him lose his concentration with their training. Hoping it would make Vegeta snap again, Goku landed a straight punch right into Vegeta's face, causing the prince to plummet down into the floor really hard.

When Vegeta didn't get up, Goku started to worry. He quickly descended next to Vegeta, pulling him up towards his body.

"Vegeta! Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - -"

Vegeta rudely pushed Goku away. "Stay away from me! What the hell have you done?! That hurts!" he complained, rubbing the sides of his forehead. Goku raised an eyebrow, Vegeta's lips were bleeding from the punch he received from him.

"I'm sorry." Goku quickly apologized.

"Ow... It hurts." Vegeta growled, rubbing at his forehead with even more force than earlier. "It's... It's burning hot!"

When Vegeta cried out in agony, Goku began to panic. "Hey..! Vegeta! What the hell is happening to you? Hey!"

Vegeta kept on screaming about how much it hurts him, how his body is burning so hot. Goku didn't know what to do. Vegeta was never one to complain about pain. Him screaming like that would only testify that the agony he's experiencing right now is definitely serious.

First thing that Goku thought he should do was to call Bulma. Perhaps, she knows what to do with her husband.

"Hold on, I'll get you to Bulma in a sec. Just have to shut the simulator down-."

Before Goku could do anything he was saying, Vegeta abruptly grabbed him by the neck, his entire demeanor changed into a completely malevolent one. Goku stared back at him with wide, shocked eyes. Those cruel, evil glint in the prince's dark eyes. That nasty, bloodthirsty smirk across his lips. It all sent chills across Goku's spine and made his skin crawl with fear. It reminded him of Vegeta's merciless face when he killed all of those people in the Martial Arts Stadium four years ago.

"It has been a long time, Kakarot." Vegeta said. "Did you miss me?"