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

Timelines and ages are slightly different 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: Things get worse before they get better.


Alpha Royal

Chapter Twenty-Six: Broken


The constant drone of the medical equipment drummed in Goten's ears. It was a good sound, a steady sound. One that signaled Piccolo's stability with each monotone beep.

At one point, the Namekian stirred, his mouth moving to make unintelligible words before Gohan soothed him back to sleep. Goten tensed, ready to make a break for the exit should Gohan need something. But his brother didn't make any requests. He was satisfied with sitting at the bedside, watching the rise and fall of Piccolo's breathing.

It was just family now; the doctors having done everything they could to save the Namekian, left some time ago. The King and Queen had long since gone to check on the status of the castle. From the sound of things, all the buzz from earlier had died down, but no attacker was found. The King wasn't as good as his son at shielding his emotions. The man had been eager to stalk through his palace to bark orders and find the culprit himself if need be.

Vegeta was nervous. At least that was what Gohan said. They all were. With each passing minute, Goten felt his own patience fizzle lower and lower. Like the flame eating away at a matchstick, it threatened to consume him entirely until he was nothing but jittery limbs.

He should have gone with Trunks. But doing so would have left Gohan and his grandfather alone. And he knew that his family got nervous whenever he was out of their sight. And with his father gone and Piccolo out of commission, he could feel that those concerns were justified.

He spared the two a glance. Gohan was staring at Piccolo as if he expected the alien to wake at any moment. Meanwhile, their grandfather sat in the far corner of the room, eyes closed. Goten would think he was sleeping if not for the regular tapping of his index finger against his forearm. They were all lost in their own thoughts, content to let the beeping machinery fill the void of the room.

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep his unease at bay, but the pain did little to distract him. The ground under his feet felt like it was vibrating with energy, as if the entire planet were bracing for a shift. Goten thought at first that it was his own restlessness getting the better of him. But then he glanced over to his grandfather and saw Bardock's dark eyes snapped open. From across the room, their eyes locked. One look and he could see that his grandfather felt it too.

Something was happening.

A pulse of power appeared above them. The gravity of the room shifted, as an invisible weight pushed them down, threatening to crush them until it disappeared as suddenly as it arrived. Goten felt his stomach flip from the change. His body shivered as a new sensation made itself known. Large and overwhelming, it wasn't just a single source of power... it was thousands.

An army, He realized. An army was descending on Vegeta-sei. He closed his eyes to concentrate on the force, trying desperately to feel the strongest power level among the masses. Shock quickly turned to horror as he realized how far the invader's powers reached. Out to the rural parts of Vegeta-sei. Out to the edges of his old home.

There he felt the strongest power level of them all glowing like a raging fire.

Goten swallowed a gasp. He never felt his father's full power before, but there was no doubt about it. That energy belonged to a Super Saiyan. One that was angry beyond belief. "The enemy is here." he announced, looking around the room, "Dad is already fighting."

"It's a fucking invasion." Bardock snarled, getting to his feet.

"Is it Frieza?" Gohan asked.

Their grandfather shook his head. "I would remember that monster's energy anywhere. He's not here, but that doesn't mean he isn't involved."

"We should go," Goten urged. As they spoke, he could feel hundreds more energy levels from the palace and surrounding area raise up like a battle cry. Everyone was preparing to fight and he was ready to join them.

Bardock nodded, but Gohan didn't move. His brother looked down at the injured Namekian, brows knitted in concern. Guilt flushed down Goten's neck as he realized his mistake. Piccolo was too injured to fight, he was too injured to do anything. If Gohan left now, the alien would be an easy target.

"You two go ahead," Gohan said. "I'll stay here with Piccolo."

"They'll need you out there," Bardock said. "You're one of the few Super Saiyans we have."

Gohan nodded in understanding, "I know. But I can't leave him."

A growl of disapproval vibrated out of their grandfather's throat, but there was nothing he could say that would change Gohan's mind. His brother was the kindest Saiyan Goten had ever known, maybe even the kindest on the planet. He'd always chosen to protect others over fighting, regardless if it made tactical sense. It was the thing Goten always admired about him.

Bardock turned and pinned the young Omega with a sharp look. "And I suppose you want to get out there and fight?"

A grin cut across his face. "Of course, but first I need to check on the King and Queen."

And Trunks. His mind silently added. Wherever his mate was, he was sure to report back to the royal quarters to check on his mother and father. The odds were good that Goten would find him there.

Bardock raised his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. "Kami, your father raised headstrong cubs. Alright, Goten, you go report to the King and Queen. I'll aid your father in Tarble Town. Gohan, don't wait too long to join in the fight. We'll need you out there."

"Yes Sir," Gohan and Goten agreed in unison.

"Alright," Bardock stared them both down in a look only a grandparent could master. One that wavered dangerously between warning and pride. Finally, he let out a long-suffering sigh. "Your father is going to kill me for this."


The walls shuddered as a fresh series of explosions went off outside. Goten weaved between panicking servants and elite fighters that crowded the halls. He'd thought the place was chaotic earlier but now he had a new appreciation for the word.

"Out of the way!" Bardock snapped, "Get out of my fucking way."

It was taking way too long just to get out of the medical wing. Goten tried to think of an alternative route to the royal quarters as the crowd slowed to a crawl. Saiyans pushed from all sides, the crowd bottlenecking at the nearest doorway. Those trying to get out clashed with others seeking shelter from the onslaught. Two large Elites stood in the way, blocking any and all movement. Goten frowned at the sight and took to the air, pushing to the front of the line without hesitation.

"Hey," He called to the fighters, "what's the holdup?"

Their gaze fell on him without recognition. He was still dressed for a night on the town, in dark jeans and a black vest. Without his armor identifying him as an Elite, there was little for them to react to. Luckily, his grandfather hovered nearby, dressed in his old third-class armor.

One of the Elites snarled, "Don't worry about it third-class. It's none of your concern."

"None of our concern?" Bardock growled, "We're under attack."

"Consider this a change in leadership," the second one grinned, "If you all stay inside you'll come out of this alive."

Cold realization seeped into Goten's limbs at the words. "You're fighting against your King?"

"He's not my king," growled the first, "If you have a problem with it just—" He didn't finish the threat before Goten's fist collided with his jaw.

Goten felt the crack of bone against his flesh before the fighter went flying into the nearby wall. A new hole appeared from the impact, cutting a doorway to the palace grounds outside.

The crowd surged for the opening. Finally, the space didn't feel so claustrophobic and Goten could touch his feet against the smooth marble flooring. The second elite stared in shock at his partner's limp body. Not dead, but definitely knocked unconscious. "Y-You..."

Goten landed a kick in his gut. The attack wasn't nearly as strong as his first strike, but it was enough to shut the Saiyan up.

"Geez kid," Bardock breathed, "you're as ruthless as any Alpha I've ever met."

Goten flexed his fingers, shaking off the tingling nerves. "Trunks and I knew there were traitors among the Elites, but we don't know how many. This is probably going to get messy."

When they stepped into the outer field, Goten could finally take in the true chaos of the capital and what they faced. The rising sun was blocked out by a giant spaceship. There were small specks, he recognized as fighters, jumping from open doors without pause. Hundreds of them.

It was an all-out attack. His and Trunks' worst nightmare was coming true.

Bardock's face was grim as he took in the scene. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?"

Goten could sense the hesitancy in the question. He could imagine his grandfather's instincts screaming at him not to leave an omega alone in such a dangerous situation. He forced himself to nod, putting as much confidence as he could into his next words. "I won't be by myself for long. Once I find the King, we'll push the enemy away from the capital. You go help dad."

Bardock snorted. "You're a bossy omega, anyone ever tell you that?"

Despite the chaos surrounding them, Goten smiled. "All the time."

"Don't you dare die," Bardock snarled, pushing to the sky without a second look.

"Love you too!" Goten called after him.

He watched as his grandfather's form grew smaller and smaller, ducking between the enemy as Bardock escaped. Once he was out of sight, Goten took off towards the Royal Quarters.

Shouts rang from every corner of the palace, some demanding reinforcements, others calling for order. It was impossible to tell who was friend and who was foe, as Goten rushed by. No one gave him a second look. In his street clothes, he blended in with any other low-class caught up in the commotion.

He kept his head down and focused on the task at hand. Get to Trunks. Get to Trunks. Get to Trunks.

Goten took a shortcut across the training field, jumping over a wall and landing on the hard earth that opened up to the quad. There he stumbled on the epicenter of the fighting. It looked like the entire academy was engaged in an outdoor brawl. The invasion must have occurred during morning formation. It was the perfect time to attack a bunch of unsuspecting fighters, outside and unguarded. Bodies were already littering the field. Blood soaked the dirt, staining it red.

Goten's fists clenched at the sight, but there wasn't time. He sprinted past his fallen comrades, eyes focused on the far tower that would take him around the back of the palace. He was nearly there when a familiar cry reached his ears.

His head snapped over and... there!

Only a few yards away was Beet and Leta. Their backs were against a wall as a group of ten masked fighters surrounded them. Every time the Saiyans pushed one opponent down another seemed to take his place.

Goten's arrival was a surprise though, one he used to his advantage, "Hey!"

His cry distracted a few of the enemy forces enough that they turned. Goten took care of two with a jab and kick combination. He grabbed the nearest alien arm and flung his opponent in the opposite direction before firing a ki blast. The creature screamed as his body dissolved into nothing, leaving only the sharp scent of burning flesh behind.

Goten turned to find Leta and Beet firing their own ki blasts at the invaders. Their combined energy proved enough to kill three instantaneously. The remaining aliens cried out in panic as they scrambled to retreat.

Leta moved as if to pursue them, but Beet held her back. A silent exchange transpired between the two crew members that ended when Beet inclining his head towards Goten. That seemed to be enough for the female.

Goten took in their state. Like him, they were still dressed in their clothes from their outing. But the expensive cloth was now shredded and bloodstained. The blood wasn't theirs though, only minor cuts marred their skin. It was nothing compared to some of the other Elites Goten had seen. Relief surged through him, making it easy to throw out a playful tease. "How many times do I need to save you two?"

"Ha," Leta huffed, wiping the sweat from her brow, "About the same amount that we have to save you and the Prince."

Now that he was closer, Goten could see the two alphas weren't just huddled against the wall. They had been using it to protect their backs. No... to protect something else.

Telo and Nella were crouched low against the wall's foliage, using it to camouflage their bodies. At Goten's appearance both Omegas stood, shaking the bits of leaves and flowers from their hair. Goten nearly stumbled over his own feet at the sight of them. He hadn't felt their energy at all, but then again, an omega was usually taught to keep their energy low and unnoticeable.

"What are you doing here? I thought you went home," he gawked.

"Axal hasn't come back yet," Nella answered. "When the attacks kicked off we didn't want to be alone. We came here to find you all."

"That's when all hell broke loose." Beet chimed in, "It was crazy! The entire training dorm erupted into a cage match. Leta and I both managed to get out of there, but it wasn't any better on the quad. We ran into these two on our way to find you and the Prince."

Goten's friend puffed out his chest as he explained their harrowing escape. His voice pitched slightly lower from its usual tone. Goten blinked at the slight change until he noticed Beet's eyes shifting over to Telo expectantly. The small omega offered the warrior a tentative smile that made Beet's entire face light up.

Oh.

"Where is the Prince?" Leta asked, drawing Goten's focus back. "And Axal? Why aren't they with you?"

"They went to interrogate Czar before this whole thing happened." Goten answered, "but that was hours ago. I haven't seen them since."

Or felt them. Usually, Trunks's presence was always there in the back of his mind. A steady reassurance that calmed Goten's nerves. There were places in the palace that hid one's ki, but it was never for so long. Unease seeped into his gut at the thought, but Goten did his best to keep his concern hidden.

Leta and Beet did the same. They were trained warriors, taught that emotions were the worst kind of weakness on the battlefield. Still, when they shared another silent look with one another, Goten knew it was an expression of concern.

"I'll go with you to look for them," Leta announced without further comment.

"What about Nella and Telo?" Goten asked, "They need you more than me."

"I got them," Beet answered quickly, thumping a fist on his chest. "We'll find somewhere safe to hide until this thing blows over."

A sense of déjà vu hit him hard. Goten couldn't help but feel like he was having the same conversation over and over. Splitting off into different groups. Saying goodbye. When Trunks left he didn't think of it as the last time he might see his mate, but now that question needled its way under his skin. He wished he would have kissed Trunks a little harder, held on a little longer.

War was hell. That was what his grandfather and father always said, and now Goten was going to see it first head. He'd always been confident in his fighting skills alone, but now he had people he cared about who were fighting as well.

He stared at Beet, Telo, and Nella, committing their faces to memory. "Stay safe," he said softly.

Beet raised a fist and Goten knocked it in a friendly bump. "You can count on it." He said nodding to the omegas, "I don't care what happens to me, but these two will be taken care of."

"Well, we care about you too," Leta growled, "So don't do anything dumb."

Beet laughed but made no promises. Goten couldn't blame him. In the thick of battle, a fighter didn't have time to think. When their Saiyan instincts called them to react, they were slaves to the fallout. It was better not to make promises to loved ones and friends when there was no way to guarantee a happy ending.

Still, Goten couldn't help but hope that they would all come out of this alive.


"I thought you said the Prince was interrogating Czar!" Leta said as she followed Goten down one of the identical palace hallways. "Why are we going to the royal quarters?"

"I need to find the King fist," Goten shouted over his shoulder, "besides. Trunks might already be there waiting."

"I hope you're right."

Me too, but it was a fruitless hope. If Trunks was there he would have felt his lover's ki. But it was still missing and Goten was doing everything within his power not to think of why that was.

They'd finally broken away from the fighting and their boots echoed with each step across the empty halls. He would have suspected more intruders to head towards the royal quarters, but the palace was a maze and it was possible they hadn't found their way to the King and Queen yet. Goten prayed that was the case.

In front of him loomed the large double doors that signaled the entrance to the Royal living spaces. The usual guards that were posted on either side were nowhere to be seen. Goten swallowed hard, forcing his fears down as he burst through.

He barely managed two steps before an energy blast whizzed by his face. "Duck!" Leta screamed, tackling him to the floor.

Goten's face planted into the cold marble, pain laced up his nose from the impact. Leta's panting breath warmed his ear as they waited for another barrage of shots to follow the first. But the room was eerily quiet.

The only noise they heard was a tentative, "Goten?"

His head perked up and there, hiding behind a small fortress of furniture, stood the queen. The energy gun in her hand was still smoking from the first shot, but now the end was pointed up at the sky instead of at them.

He sighed in relief, "Your Majesty..."

"Oh, thank kami it's you. I thought it was someone else."

Goten knew exactly who she thought he was. Even though a majority of the intruders were weaker species, compared to a human, they might as well have been elites. And kami forbid if one of the traitorous alphas found the queen alone.

"Where are your guards?" He asked, looking around the room.

"I sent them away. They had families they were concerned about and I can defend myself." Bulma answered, nodding at her gun.

Goten sucked on his bottom teeth. Leave it to the Queen to have a bleeding heart of concern for the guards who were supposed to be... guarding her. He always heard complaints that the queen was odd. Trunks always had a kinder word for it, stubborn. Sometimes that word was used to describe Goten, which was how he knew the kind of exasperation a stubborn person can incite. Thank kami I got here in time.

"Where is the king?"

"He went to look for Trunks." Bulma stared at them, her face pinched in concern. "But that was a while ago. He hasn't come back yet."

An alarm sizzled through Goten. Some base instinct, screaming at him that something wasn't right. He reached out to feel the King's energy and... there, there it was. Pulsing as other smaller power levels encircled it. "He's engaged in the fight downstairs." He said out loud.

"And Trunks?" Bulma asked hopefully.

Goten extended his senses as far as they would go. But, like all the other times, there was nothing to find. He shook his head, trying desperately to hide his own worry, until something caught his attention.

Three new power levels, all unmistakably Elites, were heading their way.

"Crap. We have company." Black eyes snapped open to take in the room. Bulma and Leta both tensed at the announcement but neither moved. Their enemy was too close. Any kind of escape would ultimately just lead down the hall right to them. There was no time. If they wanted to leave, they were going to have to fight.

There were only two reasons he could think of for the Elites to come down this way. Either they were looking for the Queen or they were looking for the dragonball. Neither option was good.

"Is the dragonball safe?" He asked, turning to the Queen.

"Yes," Bulma cocked her pistol with emphasis, "I'll die before I tell those bastards where it is."

Goten felt himself grin. The queen's resolve was contagious. "I'll make sure it doesn't come to that."

Leta groaned next to him. "Then I guess it's my job to make sure you both don't die."

He urged Bulma to hide while he and Leta made quick work of sealing the room as best as they could. They stacked furniture against the door and prepared for when their enemy eventually broke through.

It didn't take long. The elites broke through the door like bulls. Charging in with little concern for any danger that might await them.

When they did, Goten gave them the same greeting Bulma had given him upon entering. But instead of a small laser gun, he unleashed a volley of deadly ki blasts directly at the elite's faces. Leta followed his lead and did the same. Their battle cries turned into screams of pain as the unsuspecting Saiyans doubled over, clawing at their eyes.

"Now!" Goten shouted, jumping into action. Leta followed behind him, taking on one of the Saiyans who was still recovering. Her nimble body blocked every blow that came her way. Goten sometimes forgot what a fierce fighter she could be. He couldn't help but be impressed as she got in close and fired a quickly formed ki blast into her opponent's liver. The Elite went down and didn't get back up.

The other two were on him with the ferocity of two dogs fighting over a bone. They snarled at each other as they tried to be the one to land a blow against the agile Omega. The infighting made it easy to dance out of reach.

"Goten!" Leta cried as she moved to jump into the mix.

"No," he growled, dodging another punch, "protect the queen. I got this."

He saw her hesitate, torn between the need to protect her crewmate and her queen. But Leta did as she was told, hanging by the doorway where Bulma was hiding out of sight.

The Elites were strong, but they weren't anything Goten could handle. He caught the next punch thrown his way and shifted to offense. Goten pivoted forward and twisted the limb until the bone cracked. The Saiyan screamed, clutching his arm until a well-delivered chop to his collar bone turned him into an unconscious pile of muscle.

One down.

Moving seamlessly, Goten ducked another blow from the second fighter. He crouched low and delivered three punches to the man's gut. One was enough to steal the air from his opponent's lungs, two left the Elite gagging, the third punch had the man gagging on blood and spittle.

Everything happened in a matter of seconds. When the combination was complete the two elites were laying on the ground in a crumpled mess.

But it wasn't over.

Where there had once only been three enemy power levels to be concerned with, now three more appeared at the threshold of the door.

Goten turned to meet their newest arrivals.

"So, you've finally decided to show yourself." He was careful to keep his surprise in check when he saw Paragus standing in the doorway, two Captains beside him.

A deep frown cut its way across the older Saiyan's face. His one good eye took in the three limp elites with mild irritation. When his gaze shifted to Goten it was twisted in unbridled hatred. "You're in my way, boy. Tell me where the Queen is and I'll consider letting you live."

Goten watched him carefully, trying to decipher how much the council member knew about the situation. It seemed Paragus was doing the same in return.

Paragus's eye narrowed on him then moved to Leta who still stood guarding the doorway. "She's there, isn't she?" He asked, then in a booming voice, "If you don't want me to kill this halfling. You'll give yourself and the dragonball up!"

The Captains standing by Paragus grinned and stepped forward. Their nostrils flaring at the promise of a bloody fight. These fighters were different from the three before. Two battle-hardened Captains, Saiyans with power levels on par with Leta and Beet. Goten's body braced for it, his adrenaline hummed like the roar of a ship against his ear.

"Leta, if anyone gets past me. They are all yours." He called over his shoulder.

"Got it," she answered.

And then they were on him.

The Captains lunged at the same time. Their ki pushed against Goten, threatening to overtake him. But this time Goten didn't intend to mess around. Paragus was right in front of him. If he could kill the older Saiyan now, all this could be over.

Gritting his teeth, Goten reached for the super Saiyan energy for the second time that day and unleashed it. He screamed, feeling the power explode from every pore. His muscles burned, warning him that he was at his limit, but Goten pushed on, drawing the energy out as much as he could.

The light from his aura engulfed the Saiyans attacking him and in a matter of seconds their screams of victory turned into cries of agony.

As his body eased into the power, Goten reined his ki back. The golden light dimmed enough that he could see his attackers laying on the ground, unmoving. Paragus still stood in the doorway, his face impassive.

Goten couldn't help but give him a confident smile. "What? You don't want to jump me too?"

With his power on full display, he felt unbeatable. This was what he and Trunks had been training for. Against the power of the Super Saiyan, Paragus didn't stand a chance, and the other man knew it. Except…

Except there was no fear on Paragus's face. No hint that the man understood the trouble he was in. Goten had just taken down two Captains without throwing a punch. Why wasn't he afraid?

"I won't kill you," Goten continued, "The King will want you alive to pay for your crimes. Is there anything you'd like to say before I break your jaw, though?"

Paragus's mustache twitched as he sneered, "You're just as arrogant as your father. And just as stupid it seems."

"I'm the stupid one?" Goten tilted his head in amusement. "You're the one who hasn't realized he's lost."

Paragus's face changed, the irritation melting away into a feral grin. "I haven't lost anything, brat. You think you're so strong with your Super Saiyan abilities and I'll admit it is a surprise. But it isn't anything we can't handle."

The words made little sense at first. Goten just stared, expecting there to be more. Expecting him to charge or run or fight, like any proud Saiyan would. But then his mind caught on to a single word and his entire body tensed. We.

"Who are you—"

"Goten!" Leta's cry came at the same time a new presence appeared behind him. Like his own, it enveloped the room in a golden green aura, but this one reeked of destructive power. It dwarfed him. Even as a Super Saiyan, Goten felt small.

Like a rabbit caught by a hunter, he could not move against the threat that lurked behind him. His muscles trembled, torn between the need to run away or just submit. It took everything he had just to tilt his head up. And there was Brolly, towering over him, the power of a Super Saiyan oozing off of him like a miasma.

No, not a Super Saiyan. This was different. This was deadlier.

Goten couldn't breathe. He couldn't even make a sound.

Brolly stared down at him, his eyes dead, blood speckled across his chest plate. And then, without a sound, he delivered a sharp blow to the back of Goten's neck.

It was as if someone pulled the plug on his body, forcing it to shut off. His brain, his muscles, his tail. Goten opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came.

His legs gave out, and his body hit the ground with no resistance. Shock numbed him to the core, as the power he harnessed flickered out of existence.

Cold. His body was turning so cold without the warmth of the Super Saiyan energy. It took a second before he realized that the icy chill was coming from Brolly, from his unique and deadly aura.

"Goten!" Leta cried again, and he heard her move to protect him.

No, don't come closer! Brolly would kill her. She didn't stand a chance against him, and he needed to tell her that. But his mouth wouldn't work, his vision painted the room in doubles. He couldn't even turn around to see her come to his aid, but he felt it. Felt her ki flare just before Brolly disappeared. And then his energy engulfed her own. Goten felt Leta's vibrant ki cut out like his own. Felt it fading… fading… until there was nothing left.

"Leta…." He gasped, "No…"

"Not so cocky now, are you brat?" Paragus sneered, strolling into the room. His boots stopped right beside Goten's prone body. For a long moment he stood there, glaring down at the Omega. "You are trash."

"Father," Brolly spoke up for the first time, his voice so soft Goten almost didn't hear it over the ringing in his ears. "He is strong, for an Omega."

Brolly did know. There wasn't enough energy left in him to be surprised by the revelation. Or the fact that Brolly seemed to be standing up for him after delivering a nearly fatal blow. Goten almost thought the words were a hallucination. But he heard Paragus click his tongue in disapproval and sharp kick to Goten's ribs.

"Your Highness," he called out, "Come on out and tell us where the dragonball is. If you do, we'll spare these two."

"No…" The protest was too weak. Goten swallowed hard, forcing the tendons of his throat to flex before he called out with everything he had left, "Bulma, don't do it!"

Annoyance clouded over Paragus's face at the outburst. "Shut up!"

That was the only warning he got before an unspeakable pain erupted along his tail.

His tail. It had uncurled from his waist after Brolly's attack, and now Paragus was stepping on it. The Saiyan's foot flexed against the slender appendage, threatening more weight.

Goten choked on a gasp, his body frozen in place as the pain in his tail traveled throughout his entire body. Up his spine, behind his eyes, into the tips of his fingers. His eyes watered and he wanted to cry out, but he wasn't able to make a sound. Not a single sound.

Kami. It was worse than the heat. Worse than anything he could ever imagine.

He must have made some kind of noise because Bulma's voice broke out in the room. "Please, don't hurt him!"

"Ah, there she is." Paragus grinned victoriously. "You can make this stop. Just tell us where the dragonball is."

No. Goten's brain burned with the protest. He couldn't let Paragus win. His family was depending on him. Trunks was depending on him.

Bulma's hesitation stretched between their small group. She must know the bargain was a lie. Paragus was going to kill them both after he got what he wanted. Pushing through the white-hot pain, Goten turned his head to meet her gaze.

Her blue eyes were wide with fear. The tiny pistol in her hand was pointed at Brolly, even though they both knew it wouldn't do them any good.

Moving his mouth took herculean effort, but he managed one word. One desperate word. "Don't…"

"Goten… I can't…"

Paragus grunted, "This is taking much too long."

"No, don't!" Bulma's cry was followed by a crack that ricocheted off the walls. Paragus's boot slammed down on Goten's tail with his full strength, shattering the bone.

This time Goten did scream. His voice broke mid sound, turning into a child's wail that was never-ending. He tried to curl in on himself, but found his body unresponsive. Everything in him clenched as the pain burned bright. Brighter than any Super Saiyan. Hotter than any heat. It consumed him from the inside out.

He couldn't get enough air. His cry had taken it all away. Leaving only the pain. Not even the encroaching darkness could take it away. His tail was broken. He was broken.

Bulma was talking, but her voice sounded far away. She was crying though, he could make out that much. And without hearing the words, he knew she was giving up the dragonball to help him.

It wouldn't do either of them good.

They had lost.


Author's Note: Poor Goten. Guys, I'm going to be saying that a lot. Like I say above in the Chapter preview, things are going to get worse before they get better. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I wrote and rewrote it. There was so much to say and so much to get through. (I might rewrite it again! Who knows!) Either way, I've been on a huge Truten binge and enjoying my time with these boys. Sorry, they are separated right now but don't worry they will be reunited... eventually. And it will be glorious.

As always, the grammar mistakes are my own as well as some minor changes in spelling. Leave a review to let me know what you think!

I'm still active in the dragonball fandom on twitter: ladykarasue and I love talking about truten!