"Son, would you like to tell me about the new hole in the wall?" Bulma-Obasan asked the lavender-haired boy.

"You don't know it was me-me," he told her, digging through the overhead freezer. It was one of the few times the kids were allowed to fly inside.

"The proximity to your room suggests it was."

"It's equally close to his room."

"Older you has never left a hole in one of my walls. That is something only you-you and your dad are guilty of."

"Ummm… identity crisis? Debating with myself? Not sure how to call it."

He tossed an ice pack down to Goten-kun while Tsuchi slumped at the kitchen table.

"Hmmm. This isn't too weird for you, is it?" the bluenette considered.

The boy closed the freezer then floated to the ground before his mom. "I'm getting used to it. It is a little like having a brother," he shrugged. Seemingly satisfied, Bulma simply nodded and headed in the direction of her lab.

"For the record, it was both of us!" he shouted after her.

Earlier that day, Trunks-kun told the twins that he had gone to rudely rouse his future self out of bed with a charged strike which the time traveler smacked away before opening his eyes. It was the reason for the new hole in the wall that separated their rooms.

'What the hell?' Chibi Trunks asked, coming back through the hole, rubbing his side.

'I should ask you that…' the older demi replied, sitting up. 'I would think having dad around would have made you better at something so basic as hiding your ki.'

'Well you didn't have to throw me through the wall!'

Mirai stood up, crossing his arms over his chest and shook his head. Beforehand, however, Chibi noticed just how many scars his older counterpart had. Nearly as many as his… their… dad.

'You deserved it for being so intrusive. And I know it didn't hurt.'

The younger crossed his arms over his chest as well, turning away. 'Not much...'

Mirai pulled a black long-sleeved shirt on then walked past Chibi.

'Entire buildings are a lot worse, mini-me.'

They honestly could have been brothers the way they got along. And the two did seem to get along, when her friend wasn't actively trying to get under the time traveler's skin, but it was a strange show of affection. At the same time, however, they also tried to stay out of each other's way. If one seemed upset about something - and both were moody in their own ways - the other stayed away. Know thyself, I suppose. If it was her, Tsuchi wasn't sure she'd be able to leave her future self alone. She'd have so many questions, except now the princess couldn't fathom what she would ask a future version of herself. She was in too much pain.

Chai's decision to have the boys go all out on the girl was a brutal request and the demi felt it throughout her body. Her legs, arms, abdomen, and especially her chest ached. She was already aching with puberty and the developments that brought on, but taking a few hits there just made it worse.

"Ugh," she groaned, graciously taking the ice pack that Goten-kun handed her and applying it under her shirt. They sat in the kitchen, having gone inside shortly after Chai left.

"That ended up being no fun," her brother pointed out. His tail gently patted the girl on the head before he joined the search for senzu beans.

"Yeah, no kidding. I didn't think I'd ever hate sparring," the other boy added.

Tsuchi nodded her agreement, shifting the pack to the other side. The cold of it was nearly as uncomfortable as the soreness she felt. She leaned over the kitchen table, her face buried in the crook of her arm as the boys shuffled around, looking for senzu hidden anywhere.

"Trunks-kun, are you sure they're in the kitchen? Seems like a weird place to put medicine," Goten asked.

"Right? But that's what my mom- Score!"

Tsuchi groaned as a hand shook her shoulder slightly.

"No. Just let me perish. Cook me and eat me so I don't go to waste." Even her tail hung lifeless off of the chair.

"You're adorable, and disturbing," Trunks told her, shoving the senzu in her hand.

"And probably don't taste good," Goten added.

He was now rummaging through the fridge for a sandwich, Tsuchi observed, popping the bean into her mouth. She scrunched her nose but swallowed the bitter bits. The effects were instantaneous. She felt normal again, her tail swaying behind her as the girl hopped down from the stool she sat at to rummage in the fridge with the boys.

One of the things that made Capsule Corps different from home was the endless supply of food. At home, Mama did provide lots of food at mealtimes but the Sons had to wait until then to have any. The kitchen at Capsule Corps, however, had two fridges! One for food that was yet to be cooked, and one for the various leftovers, premade sandwiches, fruits, veggies and other goodies that Panchy-obaasan stocked it with.

Thank Kami everything is labelled, the girl thought, turning over one bagged sandwich, then another in search of a pb&j with grape. A peach would be lovely too, then maybe some bananas and if there's any hard boiled eggs left. And white cheddar. Mama can't usually afford something so luxurious... Oh my gods, is that salmon and cheese dip?

"Yoink!" Tsuchi exclaimed, grabbing the creamy concoction, along with some fruits and cheeses. She took off to the table.

"I was saving that!" Trunks cried after her, tossing a few things on the table as he followed. This dip was evidently very important.

Tsuchi laid down the fruit and cheese but kept the dip to her chest as she went to the pantry for some crackers.

"Mmmm, I don't know…" she said, going to the table again. Goten was there already with a mountain of meat and cheese sandwiches that spanned the animal kingdom.

"Tsu-chan, you don't know what I went through for that. I had to beg my Papa not to kill it off and then he still made me do 200 laps, 200 push ups, and 200 sit ups at 300 gravity! And spar with him! For 200 minutes!"

"I wis' my Pap' would s'are wit' me mo'e," Goten said between bites, "But he' alwa's hangin' out with t'at Be'rus guy and 'orking on the rad'sh fa'm."

"Chew your food, Ten-kun," Tsu-chan scolded.

"Please, Tsuchi. I really wanted that dip! Obaasan never makes it! I'll give you five of my toys!"

"Nuh-uh," the girl shook her head, slowly opening the container and bringing it to her nose. "Mmmmmm. Smells delicious."

"Any six! Any. Of. Them."

The girl, however, proceeded to stir a cracker around in the creamy mixture, singing to herself. It was a song she'd had stuck in her head for a while and hadn't had a chance to get it out yet. Okasan was so picky about what they listened to.

"Anything you want."

"He...mmmff… means it, y'know! He gave me…. "ChronoTrigger" ...after the world tournament!" Goten said between bites.

"It was one of my favorites too," the other boy muttered.

She brought a cracker to her lips, the pink bits of salmon gleaming under the kitchen lights. She began singing as though she were serenading the food she was about to eat. "And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut."

"Nuh uh! O'e-chan 'its on da t'rone…" Goten said through a mouthful of food.

Tsuchi took a bite and allowed her eyes to roll back a little as the whipping of her tail picked up with zeal. "Mmmmm. Soooo good. And it's only a song, Goten-kun. And chew your food."

"And she isn't an old man," her brother replied, finishing his bite.

The lavender-haired boy smirked. He knew exactly who sang that song. "I'll get you every song Halsey has ever made. Even undergrounds and featured songs."

The princess smiled coyly. "Don't trifle with me, Trunks-kun."

"I'm serious. You know I can get my hands on anything I want and I have an extra mp3 player sitting around. I can add onto it whenever you want more."

The girl regarded him. Was it worth it? Was it worth this delicacy? Then again, it wasn't like she'd get access to this music any other way...

"It'll be easy to hide from your mom. I know you can't have that kind of music. " He then raised an eyebrow. "What do you say Tsuch'?"

She blinked down at the food, then looked back up at him. "We share."

The boy then narrowed his eyes at the dip then looked back up with a confident smile. "Deal."

The three sat around the table, the only noises being the crunching and chewing of food. Tsuchi quickly realized the reason that the little prince so readily agreed was because he was taking bigger scoops than her. No matter - it was big enough for both of them. Occasionally a chair would scootch across the floor and the fridge would open as more food was scavenged.

Tsuchi pushed the last of the salmon dip towards her friend and slowly got back into the fridge. Maybe there was a nectarine? Onee-chan loved nectarines.

"Do you think Chai's okay?" Goten asked suddenly.

"I'm sure she is," the princess smiled, hopping back between the two boys. Her tail, however, was beginning to snake itself down her leg.

"Yeah.. I mean, big me didn't go with her. If he thinks she's fine then she's probably fine. "

Emerging from the hallway was the sound of arguing. Three voices: one that was too high pitched for its host, a girl's voice, and a third that was male but a little gruff. Great… the bootlickers.

"Sir, I really don't want to…"

"Well no one cares what you want, Mai! Now then, we'll just wait until everyone is asleep then -"

The girl immediately put her hands over Pilaf's mouth as the three entered the kitchen. She forced a wide grin onto her face, as did the ninjin, slowly followed by the blue kid.

"Hey guys! Whatcha doing?" Goten greeted.

"Nothing!" the brunette chirped, hand still over Pilaf's mouth. "Just.. uh…"

"Hi Mai…" Trunks-kun said, flushing.

"Hey," the brunette casually answered.

"Planning!" Pilaf shouted.

Tsuchi side-glanced the trio. "Planning what?"

"Ummmm…"

"Trunks…" The girl whispered.

He startled a look over at Tsuchi. "Huh?"

The girl couldn't help but laugh. If she liked Mai more, this would actually be endearing. "Stop being lovesick for five minutes-"

"I'm not-!" The boy snapped, turning fully to challenge her.

Like Vegeta, the little prince knew how to threaten with his eyes alone. He used it as a warning, usually.Keep going and I might come at you. It was a habit her friend developed after getting in trouble one-too-many times for his temper, especially recently. He focused that gaze on Tsuchi, ice burrowing into earth, when his eyes softened after just a moment. He cut himself off. All annoyance left his gaze, but he didn't break eye contact from the female demi.

"They're planning something in your own house and won't say what!" The girl hissed, not noticing his demeanor.

"That is a little weird, huh?" Goten offered. "Hey, what's up?"

The older boy simply continued to stare at the princess, a plethora of emotions crossing his face too quickly for Tsuchi to identify, though she did recognize one as confusion. Another resembled pain. Was that joy?

"Trunks," she shook his arm.

He blinked down at the gesture then looked back at her. The boy still stared but with less intensity, as though he was coming out of a trance. He slowly turned from her, the troubled look clear on his features.

"We want to look for the dragonballs," Mai said.

"What?!" The saiya-jins exclaimed.

"Mai! Why on earth would you-!" Pilaf began.

"Because maybe they'll help us!" She then turned to the other trio and batted her lashes. "You'll help us, right, Trunks-kun?"

"Ummm…."

He still would glance over at the princess. He'd give her a lost stare, blink a few times then look away. Why was he being so silent? It was completely unlike the little prince. Goten used his tail to lightly tap on the side of their friend's head. Tsuchi expected Trunks to react but he simply told Goten to knock it off. He even said it softly. What on earth is wrong with him?

There was a rapid ki spike in the distance, and higher than Tsuchi had felt in years. The sensation ran shivers up the girl's spine. Her tail rewrapped itself around her waist as she hopped down from the table.

"Did you guys feel that?" Future Trunks said quickly, coming in from the side. He had the beginning of a few bruises on his arms, and there was a scratch on his cheek. He'd just been sparring with Vegeta-san, the girl realized.

Mai let out a squeal and Tsuchi rolled her eyes. How quickly the mysterious brunette had gone from ignoring her friend to suddenly fawning over him, to ignoring him again in favor of his future self really irked Tsuchi. The two weren't so different to justify her fickle behavior, and it wasn't like they looked different.

"Feel what?" Pilaf asked.

"Ki…" Shu answered.

"Onee-chan…" Goten whispered, appearing next to his twin. His tail was similarly wrapped around his waist.

The time traveler disappeared into the hallway as Vegeta came in from the same side door, untouched. The older man leaned against it, an unreadable look on his face. Tsuchi would never say she was afraid of Ojii-san. Not at all, in fact, but she did find his poker face less than comforting. The Prince of All Saiyans was known for being unpredictable. The blue-haired Trunks reappeared from the hall, tightening the strap to his sword.

"You're going after her," Vegeta-san stated.

"Of course, Otousan."

"We're going too!" Goten-kun shouted.

"Chai-san needs us!" Tsuchi joined in.

"No," the time-traveler said. "You three stay here." He then made eye contact with his younger counterpart. "Seriously."

"But…" the lavender-haired boy began.

"Trunks, don't argue," Vegeta firmly commanded.

The boy glanced at his father but kept his mouth shut. The Saiya-jin Prince then glanced back over at his future son.

"We may as well wait for Kakarrot."

The younger man looked stunned at the suggestion then shook his head. "I'm going ahead."

The three waited about ten minutes after the men left then took off in the same direction. Just as before, Chibi Trunks was being uncharacteristically quiet while the twins discussed the scattered ki that they sensed. South of the castle, there was a large abundance of very weak ki and a larger concentration of ki that could have belonged to soldiers. Also, none of their family members were around to get the little hybrids in trouble, and so they flew there.

The southern edge of the Ox Kingdom was straddled by a wide waterway known as Mad River. It was known to flow so fast and roughly that nothing short of the largest tuna could survive travelling through it. Most land creatures, even bears, tigers and humans tried to avoid it for fear of drowning or being dashed against the rocks. It provided a rather secure southern border, separating the edge of the Ox Kingdom from the Rooster Kingdom. Funnily enough, those two kingdoms didn't need to be separated so intensely, having been in good relations for centuries.

It was against this devastating river that several of the kingdom's people were being forced by soldiers Tsuchi didn't recognize. Which meant they weren't hers. The princess tightened her tail and let off a ki blast which hit one soldier through the chest. He fell over before the small family that he previously aimed his sword at, the hole in his back smoking.

This drew the attention of everyone at the river, soldiers and civilians alike. The trio landed, taking in the scene around them. It was mostly women, children, elderly, disabled, and some men that were either being pushed towards the river, taken prisoner, or trying to fight back against the armed soldiers.

"Princess Tsuchi!"

"You guys are in so much trouble now!"

"Puh.. this little thing?" someone said behind them. A more decorated soldier stepped forward. She walked with more confidence than the rest, her beige hair pulled into a tight bun, and had a crest with a delicately engraved rat pinning her short red cape together. All signs of being an officer. "She is hardly out of elementary. Still, a princess would make a wonderful hostage," the woman chuckled.

17 Years Earlier

Sissy was back on her feet, and Daddy was on the way. Even better, Piccolo-san wasn't dead after all and Krillin was still alive. The best was the look on Vegeta's face when he put the scouter back on. He'd hit a few buttons on the side and after it beeped, his eyes got wide and his mouth fell open without anything to say.

Otousan must have gotten really strong, even by Saiya-jin standards.

"You see that look on his face?" Chai-chan asked him.

"Yeah," Gohan laughed. He was still wide-eyed with glee that they could finally feel their father on the way, but a little smugness was okay too, right? After all, they'd killed so many people.

"Vegeta-sama. Is what these guys are saying true? Is Kakarrot heading this way?" Nappa laughed.

"I don't know whether it's Kakarrot or not, but someone will be here in about four minutes," Vegeta replied. "Someone with a battle power of five thousand."

"Five-five thousand!? That's impossible!" Nappa cried.

Gohan grinned at his sister. Impossible, yeah, that's our dad.

"Th-That can't be! It must be some kind of mistake!"

"It's unusual to see this guy panicked," Piccolo-san laughed.

"Nappa! Kill them! If all five of them team up, it could be a problem for us! It will also serve as a warning to Kakarrot!" Vegeta ordered.

"Wh-what!" Gohan stuttered out.

He glanced over at his sister who stood firm but her tail was whipping wildly behind her. She wasn't calm at all.

Chai can't fight. I gotta protect her. I gotta protect Chai!

"But what about the Dragon Balls?" Nappa asked.

Oh, no, the Dragon Balls...

"I don't care! I have an idea!" Vegeta told him. "If we go to Planet Namek, I'm sure the Dragon Balls there will be even more powerful. I thought they were just worthless stories, but if Kakarrot really has come back to life, Then those legends are true after all."

Nappa snickered. "I get you. But Kakarrot being five thousand has to be a mechanical malfunction. Well it doesn't change the fact that I get to kill them all." The monster then looked Piccolo in the face. "I'll start with you!"

"P-Piccolo-san, run!" Gohan yelled over. "I'll stop him one way or antoher until Father gets here!"

"What?!"

"After all if you die, Piccolo-san, then Kami-sama dies too, and the Dragon Balls will disappear."

"You're talking nonsense! There's no way you can stop him by yourself!" Piccolo replied.

"He won't be by himself!" Chai argued. "We'll both stop him!"

Gohan felt warmth at that but -

"Stop me, you say? Me?" Nappa said slowly as he turned his head at the siblings. "Don't make me laugh, you brat!"

Nappa began to charge at the two. Gohan felt fear enter him again, making his body shake and his nerves freeze. He glanced over at his sister. She was tall, firm. He glanced at Nappa again who was headed straight for her.

No. Protect Chai.

Gohan let out a battle cry and pushed from his feet until he was midair. The boy appeared before Nappa quickly and delivered a roundhouse kick to his cheek. The trajectory flipped the giant onto his back as he flew past Piccolo and Vegeta, landing into a boulder. He disappeared inside up to his waist and the whole thing fell to pieces with him inside. Hopefully, he'll stay there.

Gohan landed back on his feet and breathed heavily. That felt good, admittingly.

"Otouto-san," Chai whispered. When Gohan looked over, she nodded her approval.

There was the sound of rocks moving as Nappa flew out from the wreckage and landed before them again. He was covered in bruises and scratches now. Some bled. That was strangely satisfying. Gohan wasn't sure he was very comfortable with how satisfying he found the blood dripping from Nappa's head and mouth. Isn't that something only villains feel? I'm not a villain. I'm a kid.

"Why, you brat! This is where it ends!" Nappa shouted.

The ground began to shake around him as little rocks and debris rose in a dance around his body. From his hand, a bright light glowed that reminded Gohan of Ten's last attack. Last attack. There it was. That guilt again. The anger drained out of Gohan's body and was replaced instead with shame. 'If you'd taken that last shot!'

"Die!" Nappa cried, and threw the blast.

It was blinding. So blinding.

"Gohan! Gohan move!" the girl cried next to him.

I-I can't. I can't. What if…

Gohan felt Chai grab his arm and when she tugged, he didn't budge. Instead, he threw her over nearer Krillin. He couldn't let her get caught too. He couldn't let…

"No!" Piccolo-san appeared in front of the boy, arms outstretched. The blast hit.

White.

Blinding white.

Piccolo's screams.

The pounding of Gohan's blood in his veins.

A rapidly disappearing ki.

The sound of Piccolo's screams.

Bits of cloth whipping around so fast to cut.

The sound of the boulder atomizing behind him.

And Piccolo's screams.

Suddenly, the white was gone and Gohan could see again. There was no longer a boulder behind him. Evidently Namekians bleed purple. Piccolo-san gasped and collapsed forward. Gohan slowly walked up behind him, words failing him.

P-Piccolo…

Gohan dropped to his knees just short of his master's body and crawled next to his shoulder.

"Piccolo-san! Wh-why did you… save me?"

Why didn't I move?

"I-I told you to get out of here… Hurry, or else… both of you," the Namekian managed.

"D-Don't die! Father will be here soon to beat him for us!" the boy began sniffling. "Please don't die!"

Piccolo's ki was failing however. His energy rapidly was disappearing from around Gohan and the boy tried hard to memorize what it felt like. His master may have been harsh in actions but there was something about his ki that made Gohan trust him all those months ago. He didn't feel malevolent. It was cold and whipped around violently, like a winter wind, but if you just stood calmly in it, it wasn't so bad. In the end, Piccolo-san wasn't so bad.

"Imagine, Piccolo Daimao, of all people, protecting some kid… Nothing could be worse," his master smirked.

"O-ojii-san!"

Piccolo then smiled warmly at the kid. "Gohan… you're the only one who ever spoke decently to me…"

Were those tears? Light green tears.

Did you think I didn't notice? Early in our training, you'd come at me mercilessly, leaving me with knots in my head and bruises on my face but I saw. I saw your eyes widen at the sight of me newly injured. The quick grins just before I'd attack back. I knew you cared, but not this much. This is… this is too much.

"Th-This last year that I spent with you wasn't bad…" Piccolo whispered.

"Ojii-san."

"D-don't you die, Go-goha…"

His face fell to the side. Silent.

Too much. Too much.

"Ojii-san!" Gohan screamed to the heavens. When he couldn't scream anymore, when he was sure Kami-sama must have heard him before he died too, he gasped. The gasps quickly teared to the shuddering of tears. The boy's face fell forward, crying into the dead Namekian's chest.

No. This.. this isn't possible.

Why didn't I just move?

I could have moved.

He could recall the sensation of Onee-chan grabbing him.

I could have just moved.

He tossed her aside. Couldn't let her get hit.

I could have moved before then.

Then Piccolo got in the way.

No one had to grab me.

No one had to get in the way.

Why didn't I just move!?

Anger began to flood the demi's veins. Anger was easier. Anger could get revenge. He shot to his feet with a roar and stared down at the Saiya-jins. There that beeping was again from the scouter. Vegeta's startled face once more.

Good.

"You want to fight?!" Nappa asked in excitement.

Why yes.

Gohan stacked both hands above his head and pulled his energy upwards.

"Masenko!"

The energy drew from all places in his body. Mostly his stomach. Mostly anger. It crackled yellow like electricity. Piccolo taught him this one. It was a favorite.

The beeping kept going in the background and Vegeta muttered to himself. Something about 2,800.

Gohan then pushed his hands forward and let go of the blast with all of the force he could muster. It came at Nappa like a shooting star. Hopefully it would hit him like one. The giant instead smacked the blast into a nearby mountaintop, blowing it to pieces.

No.

No.

Gohan stared at the monster, his hands still in position from his attack. That-that was the best I had. It demolished the mountain but Nappa swatted it like a horsefly. He was rubbing his wrist even but so what?

"For a kid, you can do some amazing things, huh? My arm tingles a little," he laughed.

Damn. Maybe this is the end. For some reason, that thought wasn't horrible. Gohan was just so drained, and Otou-san wasn't here yet.

"Piccolo-san, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to avenge you," he panted.

He glanced over to Krillin who was still down, and Chai was well but that couldn't possibly last long. That attack took everything. It was his last stand. Gohan knew he couldn't possibly protect anyone at this rate.

"Onee-san," Gohan called over.

The girl startled a look at her brother.

"Otou-san should be here soon, right?"

"R-right."

Nappa was coming. Huh. He just kept coming.

"Gohan! Gohan, run! You too, Chai! Run!" Krillin shouted from his position. His voice was strained. He couldn't move and it seemed this was going to take the last of his strength.

"I-I don't have the strength to move," Gohan chuckled.

"Gohan!" The girl screamed and got to her feet.

"Chai, no!" Gohan commanded, he collapsed to his knees, panting. He then raised his head again to see her standing but not moving forward.

"If something happens… remember, you're the last female saiya-jin… maybe… maybe they'll take mercy on you…"

"Gohan… Gohan-kun… what are you saying?"

"You're a girl, but maybe… maybe that's a good thing… It-it makes you valuable..."

"You cannot possibly…"

"You'll stay alive, and maybe - "

"No one's staying alive!" Nappa cackled. He was in front of the boy, his leg raised above him. "I can't wait to see the look on Kakarrot's face… when he sees his own cubs smashed to a pulp!"

The intensity of Nappa's ki this close was enough to force Gohan into the dirt. The man didn't even have to touch him. He was simply that powerful and the demi was that spent. The boy closed his eyes sharply. Honestly, he wanted it to be quick. Like his life had been. Those five years were nice. Maybe Otherworld has scholars.

The pain never came. Maybe it was quick. He was floating after all. Spirits float.

Gohan opened his eyes to get his first glance of Otherworld and was quite stunned to see Kinto Un carrying him.

An orange gi and messy black hair dropped down from the sky and stood tall.

"Father!" the siblings cried.

Nappa also took notice and Vegeta shot forward for a closer look. Papa did feel more powerful, especially this close. And there was an angered calm about him. His eyes were narrowed and his lips were downturned. Father had never looked so stern before.

We're safe.

"So you've finally shown up, huh?" Vegeta asked. "What did you come all this way for, Kakarrot? Don't tell me you're here to tell us some nonsensical joke, such as you've come to defeat us, or something."

Otousan didn't even look at either of the saiya-jins. He kept his face forward and walked between them as if they weren't there then paused before Piccolo-san. He leaned over and felt the green man's pulse but Gohan knew what he would find.

"Piccolo-san died to protect me," the boy whimpered.

Slowly, Papa rose and looked in the direction of Tenshinhan's body. He gritted his teeth and curled his lips. Gohan was sure he'd never seen his father look like this. The demi glanced over to his sister but she didn't seem phased by their father's expression. Vaguely, the boy remembered being taken when he was about three years old, a year before Raditz also kidnapped him. Maybe Otou-san had a similar expression then.

The man's head turned the other direction to look at Yamucha's body in it's own crater.

"Shocked over your dead idiot friends are you? Come to think of it, there was another, puny little guy, that went to pieces," Nappa boasted.

This caught father's attention. He turned to look at Nappa for the first time.

"He had more power than you'd expect for such a runt. Naturally, he was no match for Nappa-sama," the man continued.

Otousan began shaking in anger. No, Gohan had never seen such a reaction. He didn't even know his father was capable of getting mad.

"Don't worry. You'll join your friends soon. After going through all the trouble to come back to life, you just had to stroll on by, huh?"

Slowly, Otousan walked over to Nappa, who simply laughed and rose his fist. He must have thought this was going to be another easy fight, and why wouldn't he think that? He was still twice Goku's size in both height and width. One of the giant's legs was the size of the other man's whole body, who was six feet tall. What he didn't know was that Papa's ki was rising. The saiya-jins may have trained their tails, but they never learned to sense ki.

"W-what, you want to die already?" Nappa stuttered.

Goku said nothing. He just kept on.

"Here's something by way of greeting!"

The man threw his fist in the direction of Goku's face but instead of getting hit, he'd disappeared. Not even Gohan could see quite where his father went until he was beside him.

"Gohan, come here," he said calmly. The boy was more than happy to follow him over to where Krillin-san and Chai-chan were.

"Krillin," the man greeted before crouching down. The monk turned his face upwards, regarding the warrior. "Goku."

The larger man then turned to his daughter. "Chai-chan. Did you fight too?"

"P-papa!" the girl tearfully cried but she didn't move. "No," she shook her head. "I-I was curious… and useless."

"You were brave to come though." Goku then turned to speak to all three. "Sorry I'm late. Way to hang on, you three." He then offered something to Krillin. "You and Gohan each eat half of this."

"Isn't that a senzu bean? K-karin-sama still has them, huh?" Krillin replied.

"Mmmhmmm. This is the last one."

"Then you eat it."

"That's alright. I had one before I came here."

"N-no, you save it in case you need it. Even if we recover, we wont be much help to you."

"Don't worry needlessly. If you don't eat it, I'm throwing it away." He then decisively broke it in half and gave Krillin one of them.

The monk chewed graciously as Gohan took his first senzu ever. He couldn't believe how amazing he felt and even giggled as he jumped down from the golden cloud. With Otousan here, he knew they'd win, but if he and Krillin could help, they had this in the bag!

"Krillin, you've gotten a lot stronger, huh? I can tell by your ki," Goku pointed out.

The smaller man looked away, towards their opponents. "I thought I had but to no avail. I'm no use against them. They're too strong." His face then pointed downwards. "I-I just stood by and let everyone else die…"

Goku then looked up at this son. "Gohan, I hardly recognized you, too. You sure trained hard."

"Mmhmm," the boy nodded. "Piccolo-san trained me, but I wasn't able to do anything., With Piccolo-san dead, we'll never be able to use the Dragon Balls again. No one is coming back to life." Gohan then began quivering as realization hit him. These deaths would be permanent.

"Let's avenge them-the four of us!" Krillin postured. "With you joining us, Goku, we might be able to deal with one of them!"

"Yeah, but I'm going to fight them by myself. You guys stay back and watch, so you don't get caught in the middle of it."

Wh-what!? Daddy did you hit your head?

"By yourself?! No matter how strong you are, Goku, that's crazy! Their strength is far greater than we can even imagine!" Krillin cried.

Otou-san then looked over at the saiya-jins and let out a growl. His power then surged and engulfed them all. It felt like electricity dancing along Gohan's skin. Even Krillin shook at the sudden increase. He then turned and walked over to the invaders. He looked like a sheriff in a Western about to deliver justice.

"Father!" Gohan started, but Krillin grabbed him before he could budge.

"No. Let Goku handle this. I've never seen him show this much anger. W-we've got no place getting in his way."

He stopped a foot away from Nappa, who was smiling ear-to-ear. He clearly had no idea what he was about to get into.

"Chai-chan. I'm sorry but maybe you should clear outta here," Krillin added.

"But!"

"No. If Gohan and I have no business helping your dad fight, then you have no business being near the fight. If we get caught in the cross-fires, we might be fine. You though… I don't wanna deliver bad news to Chi-Chi twice."

"I've already run once…"

"You don't know how to fight Chai. It's not running. It's staying safe."

Ahead of them, Goku got into a wide-legged stance and began to power up. It was more intense than anyone so far had managed, the air vibrating enough to raise the dirt around him and the saiya-jins. Neither of which seemed to have anything snide to say. The ground shook hard enough for the three onlookers to find themselves backing against a nearby rock for support.

"Go!" Krillin shouted at the girl.

To Gohan's delight, she hopped onto Kinto Un and the two took to the air and disappeared into the clouds. He could tell she wasn't happy about it but that didn't matter right now. Sissy could be just like mother but she'd get over it.

The earth was shaking even harder. Papa just kept on.

"Otou-san, you're incredible!" Gohan called over.

He stopped suddenly.

"What's his battle power?" Nappa called behind him.

Vegeta snatched the scouter from his brow and smashed it in his hand.

"It's over 9,000!"