Disclaimer and Warnings: Mentions Mpreg, Heats, violence, swearing, and Alpha Dominated Society!

Timelines and ages are slightly different. Different world from the original DBZ world.

Since I'm making up a lot of terms here I thought I'd drop some definitions.

Suitors:An Alpha who is courting a Omega. During the courting phase they are Suitors, after the pair has mated they are referred to as Mates.

Pillage: When a crew goes off to claim planets in the name of Vegeta-sei. A first Pillage and how well a crew does on pillages is a status mark.

Ranks of the Saiyan Warriors: (from lowest to highest)

Third Class
Second Class
First Class- Also known as Elites
Captains

High Council:The High Council is a level between Captains and the King. They advise the King on troublesome planets and which troops should go to what planets. There are Six Council members total. Generally the position is passed down from generation to generation, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

In This Chapter: One battle is over but another is just beginning both on Borgessa and Vegeta-sei.


Alpha Royal

Chapter Twelve: Heroes Appearance


Chapter Twelve: Heroes Appearance

If there was one thing Goten knew he was good at it was starting a fight. Not on purpose or anything, he wasn't more violent than any other Saiyan, but fights seemed to follow him around everywhere he went. At Omega school, in Tarbel Town, in the Training Academy; for an omega he was surprisingly use to being in the center of fights.

Picking one with Aun would be no different, he assured himself. The creature was just waiting for the right moment to strike, and the longer he waited the longer Trunks had to charge his attack.

Two beady black eyes stared him down as Goten floated nearby. "What's this? The Prince is sending me my first snack?" Aun's clicking laughter followed the joke, his head bobbing like a cat coughing up a hairball.

Goten tilted his head and smiled, "Sure, but I have to warn you its fast food."

"We'll see about that." Aun hummed snatching a leg out, quick like a whip. Goten ducked to the side, and managed to jump out of the way as another long limb stretched out to grab him.

On the floor he could feel the steady rise in Trunks power, growing almost as quickly as Aun's own. Goten couldn't help but smile as he continued to slip around the lashing limbs and hear a growl of irritation rumble from his opponent. "Stand still you little monkey."

"I'd rather not," he panted, keen eyes tracking each moving arm. Goten felt the blood continue to soak into his armor, slowing him down. He pushed on, digging deep for the energy to keep up his frantic pace and dodge Aun's deadly grip. A lot was riding on their plan, on him to keep his strength up for two minutes. Just two minutes.

Aun suddenly stopped, his head turning to look down at where Trunks stood, unguarded and vulnerable. A wicked smile pulled at the creature's tight lips. "Well well, what's going on here?"

Goten shifted in front of Aun's line of sight to distract the brute, hoping to pull the creature's attention back onto him. "Hey hey!" he called, clutching a desperate hand against his side and pulling it back drenched in blood. He waved the scent in the air, letting the smell do the rest of the work. "I'm bleeding pretty bad, better get it while its good."

"Ahhh," Aun sniffed the air and sighed, making a strange guttural noise that sounded like a man in bliss. The smell of blood was euphoric to the creature, a blessed distraction. "Your blood smells… different from your fellow saiyans. I'd love to suck it out of your corpse."

"Well then come over here big guy." Goten said, ignoring how his hair stood on end.

Trunks' power level flared, his golden aura surged and filled the entire room with its blinding light. Relief sunk into Goten's muscles as he realized they were ready to attack.

"Goten!" The Prince called, "Get out of the way."

"Roger that Captain!" Goten yelled as he descended to the ground. Aun let out a roar and followed after him, its large mouth open and pincers clipping at his heels. At the last second, Goten moved up, flying up and over the raging monster. Aun twisted his body up in an attempt to follow him, his underbelly fully exposed. A scream rang across the room as Trunks thrust the blinding golden energy in his hands forward.

Goten caught the sight of sharp appendages snapping frantically at his skin, hoping to get a bite of some soft Saiyan flesh before the light consumed Aun. Borgessa's leader screeched, eyes wide in horror as his body's momentum stalled out.

With a hard thump, the large insect body hit the dirt floor.

Goten was right behind it, his knees buckling when he landed, bringing his entire body to the ground. When he looked up the body in front of him was steaming, completely cooked from the inside out. Aun's mouth was hanging open, the hungry expression on his face now forever changed to horror.

Dirt sprinkled from the roof above them, causing Goten to look up. A large hole pierced the ceiling, if he tilted his head just right he could see Borgessa's beautiful purple sky. Trunks' blast had carved a hole straight through Aun, and managed to make their exit. Goten stared in impressed awe.

Trunks' power truly was amazing.

He didn't even hear the footsteps saunter up until Trunks was right in front of him. His hair had returned to its lavender shade, his eyes their normal ice blue. Trunks' mouth was pressed down in a familiar displeased scowl that quickly sobered Goten's good mood.

The black haired boy swallowed the thick thump in his throat, and clutched at his injury. Hoping to hold the bleeding back with his palm.

"I would punch you right now if you didn't look like that would kill you." Trunks said, his voice oddly quiet and void of the victory they should both be celebrating. Goten shrank back from the harsh words and looked down at his scuffed boots, taking the Prince's criticism without complaint. "I should execute you, you know that? For lying to everyone. For lying to me!"

"I'm sorry…" Goten began.

Trunks cut him off, his voice as sharp as his sword, "Don't interrupt me. Sorry doesn't begin to describe what you almost did. You jeopardized this entire fight, the entire mission. How was I supposed to fight when there is a unmated Omega standing right next to me? Your smell..." his rant broke off into a low angry growl.

Ouch. Goten flinched at the sting of the words, it nearly hurt as much as the throbbing gashes across his side. His own anger tempered up, he never did learn how to keep his mouth shut. "You seemed to manage just fine, with the help of a omega."

Trunks opened his mouth before quickly closing it, his eyes went dark with anger. His nostrils flared, now with the heat of battle out of the way, the only smells in the room was Aun's cooked corpse and Goten's scent.

It was a recipe for disaster. Goten could see the struggle on the Prince's face as Trunks' blood lust threatened to turn into something completely different. "Come on," he snapped through gritted teeth, "You reek. I'm going to have to hide you somewhere before your scent grows any stronger. Leta and Beet will find out eventually what you are, but they don't need the distraction."

Goten scowled, "Just leave me here to die. That's what's going to happen to me anyway right? I know the laws."

Trunks' handsome face was unreadable as he stared at the Halfling. Goten was pushing his luck, he could see the rigged lines in the Prince's body. It was taking all of Trunks' self control not to pounce on him then and there. When he spoke though, his voice just held the slightest bit of gravel in it. "This cave is falling in on itself. Lets go."

He was right. The soft dirt petals that had been showering from the top had gotten bigger. Larger balls of clumped dirt hit the ground around them, the hole above grew wider by the second as everything collapsed.

This time Trunks didn't offer to help him up. Goten knew his secret would get out eventually, knew his crew members and the Prince wouldn't take the news lightly but he didn't expect such cold treatment. Especially not after he had helped Trunks win such a vital battle.

He drew his bottom lip between sharp teeth and bit down. Perhaps, things would never change. Even though he'd matched the alphas in every sense, and helped them take the planet they would never see him as anything more than a distraction. Something that needed taken care off.

Like Axal, the secret had changed Trunks to him.

Goten froze. Oh no, Axal.

Trunks was already floating in the air, heading towards the sky, he stopped short once he noticed Goten hadn't followed him. "Goten, that wasn't a suggestion. It was an order."

"But Axal," Goten stuttered, "he's still in the tunnels somewhere."

"What?" Confusion and then fear fixated itself on Trunks' face. He looked at the numerous tunnels that lined the walls, some of them already beginning to close off. "What's he still doing in there?"

"I um… left him there." Goten mumbled, looking away as Trunks turned to face him. Whatever expression decorated the Captain's face he didn't want to see it. Shame seeped up his throat he was realized he might have condemned Axal to death by leaving him behind.

"He caught my scent and was going to kill me. I had no choice."

"You killed him?" Trunks growled.

"No! Kami no!" Goten shook his head, "I knocked him out, I planned on going back to get him."

"There's no time." Trunks gave the tunnels a grim look and clenched his fists. "We'll never find him."

Goten stared at him, watched as sorrow and resignation shaped itself in Trunks' eyes despite the man's attempts to hide his emotions. With a heavy sigh his Captain turned back to the opening above them, "We have to move on Goten. We need to get you out of the way before your scent…. becomes too much."

The words didn't hurt as much as the tone did. Goten felt the distance between them and the bitter chill in Trunks' voice that made it clear that even if the Prince decided to spare his life he would never forgive Goten for lying to him. Axal's death was just one more tick against the Omega.

He felt hopeless. Lost. Alone.

He'd put his life on the line and now was nothing more than a burden.

Trunks' commanding voice settled over his body, urging his instincts to follow the alpha's orders. Leave quietly and be grateful for whatever life he still had after this mission. But Goten couldn't help but fight those instincts.

Somethings, it seemed, would never change.

He curled his fingers into a tight fist, felt the nails bite down into his callused skin and shook his head. "No, I can find him. We can still help!"

"Goten!" Trunks snapped, "I said let's go."

"No." Goten repeated, breathing the word with some difficulty. His body yearned to obey the alpha's orders, to follow quietly but that would get him nothing. Fight, Goten told himself firmly, Fight on and die fighting if you have to.

"I'm sorry Trunks but I'm not Your Omega, and I'm apparently not your crew member anymore either."

Trunks' gawked at him, "Well I- of course you're not. A Omega can't be a part of a crew Goten. You know that."

Goten nodded, "Then I don't need to listen to you."

"I'm still your Prince!" Trunks shouted at him, "and if you don't listen to me now, I'll be forced to strike you down."

Black eyes stared at blue, both exhausted after the fight, with the world seemingly falling apart around them. Goten understood where Trunks' words were coming from and didn't begrudge him in the least.

"Then do it, but I'm going to at least try to find Axal." He didn't wait for Trunks' answer, couldn't wait. Pushing off the ground Goten flew towards the nearest tunnel.

Trunks' threat pulsed in his ears and he fully expected the heat of a ki blast to sear against his back as he retreated. It wouldn't take much to bring him down, he'd lost a lot of blood, his flying was shaky at best. If Trunks was serious about his threat the Alpha could easily bring Goten to his knees.

But nothing happened.

Before he knew it the dim lighting of the tunnels surrounded him, along with the smell of rich soil and the hum of the walls shaking. Behind him Trunks bellowed out an anguished and frustrated noise that sounded too much like Goten's name to be anything else.


This was a bad idea, Goten thought, not for the first time, as he hovered down the tunnels looking for any sign of the small trail he'd left behind. The thought had come so often he wasn't even sure which situation it pertained to anymore.

His bad idea to leave Axal behind.

His bad idea to charge back into the tunnel to look for him.

His bad idea to pretend to be an Alpha.

They piled up quickly. He'd let his ego lead him down a road of bad ideas and now he was going to pay for it. Either dying in the tunnels or dying at the hand of his Captain once Trunks found him again.

The ache of his body was nothing compared to the invisible bruises from Trunks' words. They echoed in his head as he traveled down the tunnels alone, complete with the bitter tone and the disgusted look in those handsome blue eyes.

Goten swallowed his own bitter tears and forced them not to fall. It was his own fault, he knew lying to the Prince would bring trouble. Knew falling in love with him would only make the situation ten times worse when it came, and he'd been right.

He was almost grateful for the pain in his body, it distracted him from everything else.

The space to fly became narrower, his shoulders bumped against the rocky edges enough to scrap his armor. Faster than he anticipated the tunnels were closing, occasionally letting out coughs of dirt and mud that filled the air. One of the tunnels closed forcing Goten had to backtrack completely.

It was worse than before. Now, not only was he lost but he would be buried alive if he didn't find Axal soon.

All the dirt falling above him could have easily covered up the trail he'd left behind. Now he was just hoping to stumble over the body. Eventually Goten couldn't fly anymore, he needed his energy and the more he spent hovering over the ground the more the room around him spun.

Blood loss, he thought to himself dully. Why is everything working against me?

He started calling out, hoping the tunnels would carry his voice to a conscious Axal, but there was no reply.

Goten's body started feeling as if it weighed an extra hundred pounds. There was an invisible weight he couldn't shake off, causing his limbs to feel heavy and drag underneath him.

This is it, he realized after another closed off tunnel turned him around. I'm lost. I'm going to die.

Such a sad thought, especially after they'd defeated Aun. It wasn't suppose to be like this. He was supposed to be celebrating with the others. Basking in the glow of their victory. Instead he'd been shoved away, left to die alone, in vain.

He doubted Trunks would keep his secret when they returned. No, Goten would be revealed to the entire planet as the liar he was. Dishonor would fall on his family. Maybe his father would be shunned and forced back into the home he hated living in so much.

That brought a smile to Goten's lips. He wished he could have lived to see the day.

His foot caught on something, making Goten fall flat on his face.

Goten coughed the dirt out of his mouth but let his head lie on the ground. It was only slightly cooler than the area around him. He could almost go to sleep, that would be a better death than fighting on at least.

His senses began to melt away. Slipping from him like water as Goten closed his eyes. The familiar rumble of the tunnels faded to white noise and his sixth sense for power levels eased over the surrounding area. Grasping for something living…

…it didn't search very far. A weak signal, like a faint pulse bumped against it. Someone nearby was alive. Hope bloomed into Goten's body, encouraging him to pull himself out of the dirt and move forward. He focused fully on the weak power level, following it like a starved man might track the smell of food.

Down the tunnel he came across another directional decision. Left or right. With the newly sensed power level Goten didn't hesitate, he turned left and continued on. Finally his foot hit someone bulky in its path, a small but solid hill of dirt.

Goten fell to the ground and quickly brushed the dirt aside, relieved when he uncovered Axal's face first. The steady rise and fall of Axal's chest nearly brought tears to his eyes. He'd found him, he wasn't dead… yet.

Thank you Kami, Goten praised as he lifted Axal's arm over his shoulder. The hardest part was over but they weren't out of the woods yet. He still needed to find his way out of the tunnels.

Carrying Axal's weight normally wouldn't be much a struggle, but as soon as Goten took the weight his body staggered, unprepared for the dead pounds. This might be harder than I thought.

Flying made the burden easier to carry, though it put extra strain on his shoulders and back Goten at least didn't have to worry about his legs giving out underneath him. The cavern gave a hard shudder, causing the ceiling to drop larger and larger pieces of clumped dirt on top of them. A large rock dislodged from overhead and hit the top of Goten's skull with a hard thunk.

The Omega hissed and scooted away as quickly as possible, knowing the tunnel around them wouldn't last much longer.

He needed to get out.

"You owe me," he told the unconscious body hoisted across his back as they traveled down the tunnel, "I'm not asking for very much but when you wake up do you think you could put in a good word with the Prince?" a laugh bubbled up as Goten shook his head, "Shit, I'm losing my mind down here."

He vaguely remembered the tunnels that he'd raced down as a Super Saiyan, but so little thought went into picking his direction there Goten struggled to remember. Everything looked and felt the same, and he was running out of time.

"Fuck," Goten cursed quietly, he couldn't stop to think, they didn't have time. Keep moving, he told himself, keep moving keep moving keep

A second shudder threw him against the wall and the dirt floor collapsed into the tunnels underneath. Goten maintained his hover, shifting Axal nervously on his shoulder. Behind him the walls began to sink, blocking off any attempt to back track. "Crap," he hissed, searching for another plan of escape- something that could lead him out.

At that moment he would have given anything to see Borgessa's purple sky, to breath in fresh air, to not feel trapped. He remembered the hole Trunks made in the ceiling and wished he would have taken the chance to escape while he could.

And then it hit him.

The hole.

He could do the same.

That's crazy. The part of his mind that still clung to logic screamed. This place is collapsing and you have no energy. Goten looked at the dirt walls around him, saw the way they shedded more and more clumps of rock and gravel.

The voice wasn't wrong. If he used a energy blast it could bring the whole place down on him faster. Or it could be the break he needed. If he couldn't find a escape he would just have to make one.

Quickly, Goten assessed his own energy levels. It was the lowest he could ever remember being.

One more blast. He told himself, I can manage one more blast. And then he truly would be done. There wouldn't be anything left. No second chances. No more miracles. A basic ki blast wouldn't be enough, he needed to use everything he had left. But would it be enough?

"How did Dad do it?" He remembered asking his brother one day, after a short hike to the nearby lake. Gohan was barely fifteen at the time and Goten was six, but he would never forget those lazy days when his brother returned from training academy and entertained him with stories about the Saiyan elites.

"What?" Gohan asked.

"How did Dad always win? There must be some secret technique he knows that other saiyans don't." It was the only explanation for how their third class father had risen to become on the planet's most skilled fighters.

Gohan smiled at him before skipping a rock across the lake's crystal waters. "He has a couple secret techniques, if you must know."

"Can you teach me one?"

A thoughtful looked crossed his brother's face. Goten had seen it before, whenever he requested they train, whenever he showed traits that weren't 'omega-like.' Sometimes Gohan brushed off his questions for another time but sometimes he would indulge his little brother.

"Sure, I think it's only right that you learn this technique."

"Really! What is it called?"

"The Kamehameha."

A earth technique, that used a minimum amount of energy to release a powerful blast. Gohan had warned him against using the move for trivial things, but this wasn't some school yard fight. This was life or death.

Goten gently placed Axel on the ground by his feet and flexed his blood soaked fingers. If there was ever a time to use the technique it was here and now.

If this worked, he knew there might only be a few seconds to escape before the entire tunnel collapsed. He took a deep breath and prepared his body for what was about to happen. One last burst of energy. One last move. It all came down to this.

Goten felt his heart race as a another quaked around them. He closed his eyes and moved into a position he practiced every day since he was a child. Usually it was easy to get in touch with his energy but now it was like digging for a well and praying for water. There was just so little left.

All he needed was a little bit though. Just a little bit. And… there. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it would be enough.

Eyes still closed he let that energy flow into his cupped hands. "Ka…me…ha…me…"

He felt the warmth of light erupt from his palms and when he looked the entire tunnel was bathed in a blinding blue light. He'd always found something comforting about the Kamehameha. Its warmth, its color. Maybe it was because it was a earth technique, or maybe because he was using a skill that had gotten his father out of so many bad situations. And now it was going to do the same for Goten.

With one last prayer he let the last syllable fall from his mouth, "HAAAA!"

He thrust his palms upward and felt all the energy leave his body into a single beam. The blast cut threw the ceiling, bringing a barrage of dust and rocks raining down on them. He saw the cracks splinter out across the ceiling. Fear that the whole thing would collapse any minute nearly choked him, but he kept pushing. Kept urging energy into the blast until he saw the first speck of purple blink through the ceiling.

Goten cut off the blast and fell to the ground. He was spent.

He'd reached his limit, went past his limit, and now there was nothing left.

He needed to get up. He needed to grab Axel and get out… but all he could do was stare at the sky and listen as the dull roar of earth crumbling together echoed around him. The unfairness of it prickled hot against his eyes but there wasn't even enough energy to cry.

Sorry Gohan, he thought dizzily, unable to keep his eyes open. Sorry Trunks.

He was so out of it he must have imagined the feeling of arms wrapping under his back and legs, lifting him up up… until he was breathing the sweet sweet taste of fresh air.

"I see them! They made it!" A voice cried; he almost didn't recognize Leta's high feminine voice as it was pitched with excitement.

Goten didn't say anything, he didn't have the strength. Instead he listened to the rustle of boots running across the ground, smelled the air which still held the heavy scent of the dead. But it was air and he was so so so grateful for that.

He felt someone lay him on the ground as gently as possible. But even laying there, unmoving, didn't spare him the pain that lanced through his body. Each breath brought agony to his side and his head throbbed where the rock had hit.

"Axal's alive!" Beet's voice called out.

"What about Goten?" Leta sounded worried, her voice close.

"Oh shit," Beet hissed, "I can smell him."

"Don't' get near him," came Trunks' warning growl. Close, he was so close, and Goten felt his body ache. The alpha had touched him, had carried him to safety and then just as suddenly the Alpha's presence retreated.

"Are you just going to let him lie there and die then?" Leta snapped, sounding irritable. Goten could hear low noises, territorial and predatory sounds that told him his scent was taking its hold. Soon there wouldn't be a Crew anymore, not unless Trunks could keep everyone in place.

No one answered, the two younger crew members backed off. Leta was right though, he was dying. His body was shutting down, slipping off into the cool darkness without any promise of waking up.

It was surprisingly pleasant. Knowing that his death was coming from a hard won fight, knowing he might have lied to his crew but at least he didn't let any of them die.

No matter what they said, Goten felt whole. He would die a true warrior.

The dirt beside his head shifted as someone crouched beside him. A soft hand pressed against his neck feeling for a pulse. The Saiyan sucked in a breath as they found the slowing pulse, pulled from the mouth so the Alpha wouldn't take in his scent. It was a ragged sound, torn between relief and misery.

"You idiot," Trunks hissed, as the hand whipped Goten's hair out of his face, "You complete and total idiot. Don't you dare fucking die."

Don't hate me, Goten wanted to say. Please don't hate me for this.

He couldn't get the words out, his tongue was tied down by stones. Sleep was overriding his headache and luring him into the darkness.

"There's too much blood," Trunks said grimly before barking an order to his crew, a need for medical equipment. Then his focus was back on Goten, his hot breath was close to the Omega's face as he said quietly, "Don't die Goten. Stay with me."

Kami really was looking out for him. It was exactly what Goten needed to hear to know that Trunks still cared about him, that he would be missed. It was everything he wanted. He could now die happy.

So he did.


The Alarm went off, echoing off the metal walls and causing the landing dock crew to scramble. Normally there would be no need to leave their post, but this was different. The incoming ships were a part of the King's High Council and those required a personal touch.

The two attendants were Non-Saiyans, aliens from planets at the far ends of the galaxy who had been taken under King Vegeta's rule decades ago. They were small in comparison to the muscular Saiyan warriors but their agile speed and mechanical knowledge made them assets to the King's forces.

They readied the landing dock, made sure the padding was secure and prepared for impact, set at a cool temperature that would immediately break the heat that encased the ships once they broke past the atmosphere.

"Canvas, is the other one ready?" One of the dock hands called to his partner. He got a thumbs up in reply before his wide lizard-like pupils moved down to a digital tool in his hand. "They're landing in 2 minutes."

"Fine fine," Canvas called back as he stepped off the padded area and started towards where they would faithfully wait for the two ships to come. Once the Saiyans landed their job wasn't over, they were expected to record their Medical Status, collect any recordings from the Space Pods, route the Pods back to the docking area for reassignment and then file the official report. It was going to be a long day.

Canvas shuffled his white boots against the sleek marbled floors before something caught his eye. A figure was heading towards them from the main building, the silhouette of the man was familiar but the lack of company surrounding him was a shock. The King of Vegeta-sei was rarely ever alone.

Nerves closed up the worker's throat before he turned to his companion, "Hey Jax, get over here. We have company!"

His friend turned, annoyance flashing across his face before he took in their newest arrival. As the Primary Attendant of the Docks it was on Jax if anything should go wrong. Including the surprise visit from the King.

He rushed over to the entrance, body already ducking into a low bow as he greeted the King. "My Lord what are you doing here?"

The King's dark eyes squinted down at him, revealing only narrow slants of darkness. "I am expecting important news from the new arrivals."

"Ah, we were not informed." Jax apologized, "or we would have made sure to acquire your guardsmen for the perimeter."

"It makes no difference," The King snorted, "I don't need guards in my own home."

Jax's face fell as he struggled to find the words to say. Apologize for assuming the King would need protection, or repeat his own insolence at not being prepared. The King of Saiyans was a hard man to read, so the attendant settled on not saying anything at all. He bowed one last time as his digital communicator beeped.

Across the dock he saw Canvas checking his as well. The pods had reached orbit.

A second later a familiar wooshing noise filled the area. The wind picked up violently, tossing their short military hair and the King's towering locks around before two solid circles fell from the sky. Jax was used to the rush of Space Pods landing, blink once and you miss the entire ordeal. The blur of white falling at top speed, the quick sound of pressure leaving the impact pads as soon as they landed, the steam rolling off the circular surface before the cooling temperatures took effect.

It all happened fast before the slow hum of the inner working kicked in and the space ship doors popped open.

As they had been trained Jax and Canvas ran towards the ships. Jax taking the one closets to the King and Canvas the other on the far end. His fingers flew to his communicator, marking the time of landing and the outside condition of the pod before he turned his attention to the Saiyan inside, "Welcome to Vegeta-sei sir. The King is here to see you, but if you don't mind I need your Medical Status for records."

"Vegeta is here?" a chipper voice replied before the Saiyan stepped out of the doorway. His black eyes completely bypassed Jax before they fixed themselves on the King standing nearby, "Can't say I'm not surprised."

"Sir?" Jax prompted again but the Saiyan completely ignored him by jumping out of the doorway and making his way towards the King. The attendant frowned. Honestly, he was used to being ignored by the Saiyans but that didn't make it any less demeaning. He looked down at the name of the new arrival and sighed in realization.

Medical Status and the rest of the in-processing would have to wait. After all, Kakorot was no ordinary Saiyan and couldn't be treated as such.

No, he was ten times worse.


Vegeta looked the same as always, decked from head to toe in his royal robes. A red cape flushed around his shoulders, and the crown sitting neatly on his head. Not a hair looked out of place, with his usual scowl already set across his face. Goku smiled at the sight, it had been a long time since they'd seen each other, nearly half a year, and it was nice to see that nothing much had changed.

"When you said you'd be eagerly waiting for my return I didn't think you'd be…. Actually here when I stepped off the ship." Goku laughed as he approached his King.

A smirk quirked Vegeta's lips upward. "I never lie Kakorot and you've been spending way too much time gallivanting off to all corners of the galaxy. I can never keep track of where you are these days and I sincerely doubt that your son required any assistance on Namek."

"Well that is where you would be wrong." Goku smiled, it was easy to fall back into their light banter. The same arguments as always. It had taken years for their friendship to get to that point but now it made for good diplomacy. The King was surrounded by Saiyans who agreed with every word out of his mouth. Sometimes, Vegeta hungered for one voice to argue against him and that was Goku's place.

When he was gone there wasn't a doubt in his mind that Bulma happily fulfilled his place.

Vegeta's eyes slid to the side as another body approached. Gohan took the spot beside his father and gave his King a respectful bow. His short cut hair was tousled from the flight, and he looked different dressed in his Saiyan armor once again. On Namek, Gohan had taken to wearing the planet's more comfortable clothes. "King Vegeta it is good to see you here."

"You should show your father how proper respect is given Gohan." Vegeta said smugly, "maybe he would actually listen to you."

Gohan laughed lightly, straightening up and raising a brow at his grinning father. "I doubt that."

Goku joined his son's laughter before he schooled his features. Somethings never changed, like Vegeta's stubborn pride or Goku's own boyish attitude that many Saiyans found distasteful. But he had grown up some over the years, the battles he had lived through, the lives that had been lost, they left their scars. Markings that covered his heart and mind, nowhere that the visible eye could see them, but Goku had learned when it was time to joke and when it was time to get to business.

There was a reason for his early return. "We need to talk in private."

Vegeta nodded, "We can go into the throne room. Follow me." He turned, his cape swishing behind him as he stalked forward.

Goku took his place beside the King, so they could keep conversation constant and low as they walked. Gohan kept a respectful distance behind them, alert and listening with keen senses.

Goku was ready to get down to business, his news had been burning the tip of his tongue for months and though he didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle figured out they were on to something big.

However it was Vegeta who took charge of the conversation as they strolled towards the throne room. His tone was clipped, almost as if he were trying to reprimand his Council Member as he said, "I don't mind that you left to assist your son Kakorot, but next time you flee the planet you must let me know. I had to try to console Eguse and Paragus when they questioned your whereabouts."

"I told you before I left," Goku sighed, shaking his head, "I told them as well, but they wouldn't hear it."

"Something came up while you were gone," Vegeta continued, "Another planet near Borgessa disappear."

Gohan let out a stifled noise of frustration, "Another one?"

Goku looked back at his oldest, saw that surprise and mourning that twisted his open features before Gohan collected himself. The total of missing planets was now up to Six. He didn't blame Gohan for the show of concern, all in the southern quadrant, all planets under Saiyan rule. It was a very real possibility that Namek would be next.

Vegeta nodded, "I had to make a decision. I needed answers, so I sent Trunks to Borgessa for his pillage."

Goku tensed, his teeth clenched together in an attempt to conceal his surprise, but Gohan wasn't as quiet. "You can't be serious," the younger saiyan exclaimed, his voice was calm, still holding on to his manners, but there was a edge of panic there, "He only has three crew members. Does he even have a clue about what is going on out there?"

"He does," Vegeta said sharply, effectively cutting off the exclamation. "He and his entire crew have been briefed. I was hoping to add your father to his crew," dark eyes shifted in Goku's direction and pinned him with the weight of the words, "but since he was away I had to find a substitute."

"I told you I was leaving," Goku repeated again with exasperation while behind him Gohan eagerly asked, "Who is the substitute?"

"Someone I think you'll approve of nicely." a smug smile found its way across The King's face at his own self-satisfaction, "your son is now a part of Trunks' crew Kakorot."

"My…son?" Goku repeated, looking back at Gohan.

Gohan's mouth was opened in surprise and his head tilted as if trying to conceive if he had heard the correct words.

Vegeta pressed on without noticing their hesitation, "The guards I sent to find you brought him here. I know you like that pathetic house in the middle of nowhere and all but that is no place where a proper warrior should grow. I would have thought you would want your son to come to the Capital. Especially after how well Gohan excelled."

Something cold kissed Goku's spin, a chill that raced up to his gut and throat. Gohan looked like he been pierced by the same icey presence. Hesitantly, Goku asked, "Who are you talking about?"

Vegeta paused to fix him with an impatient stare, "Goten of course. He has joined Trunks' crew."

Goten, The name almost sounded foreign coming from the King's lips. Goku had to blink and check to make sure he had heard correctly, but when the situation didn't warp, when Vegeta didn't look any less amused or impatient, reality hit, and Goku's jaw dropped.

"What!?"


Author's Note: Continuing with weekly updates. What did I tell you? Was it worth it? Thanks for all the amazing reviews, you are all so kind. I hope this has been living up to your expectations.

Please read and review!