Vegeta's eyes were shut, not sleeping but meditating. He'd counted the hours and knew that his time was finally up. The trial of Prince Vegeta was about to begin. He heard the curtain being pulled aside and lifted his lids to see Dr. Tottle standing nearby, holding up a non-puncturing syringe.

"All right, Triple-Zero-One," he remarked, "You know the drill, open your mouth for me."

Vegeta grunted. "More anti-depressant is it?"

"Pain killer actually."

He frowned. "What for?"

Dr. Tottle sighed. "Have to have an explanation for everything, don't you? Very well, as you know, the guards will be coming to collect you any minute now. When that happens, you'll be shackled again. I hope I don't need to remind you how painful the process is."

Vegeta's brow narrowed slightly. "You are a curious man, doctor. You claim to hate Saiyans so much, and yet you are continually concerned about my comfort."

Dr. Tottle gave him a highly indignant look. "I don't hate Saiyans, I just don't like them, there's a difference. And in any case, you're not anywhere near the worst one I've ever met." His eyes shifted downward. "Which is…strange to say, considering you're supposedly the worst criminal we've ever captured." He snorted. "Will be a damn waste if you're executed…it's always a damn waste, but especially in your case."

Vegeta couldn't help but laugh. "Careful, doctor," he smiled thinly, "It sounds like you're almost becoming fond of me."

"Let me club you over the head and then we'll talk," Dr. Tottle returned, "But anyhow, I know you Saiyans love to pretend like pain's your best friend, but you'll scream less if you take this so open your mouth already."

Vegeta didn't give him trouble this time, allowing him to insert the syringe into his mouth, feeling the distasteful medicine slide down his throat. He watched as the doctor tossed the expended syringe, humming thoughtfully. "Something I'm curious about, old man."

"What would that be, little man?"

"You've had a lot of experience with Saiyans…I didn't care at first, but since this is likely the last time we'll speak, I'm wondering what kind of doctor you were that had so many encounters with my kind."

"Just a doctor," Dr. Tottle assured, looking at Vegeta's bio-readouts as the medication took effect, "I worked at a hospital waystation on a small moon. It was neutral territory and we had a unique policy of servicing anyone who came to us. Didn't matter who they were, what their station was, or how they chose to live their lives. Vagrants. Refugees. Honest folk. Pirates. Soldiers. Saiyans. Frieza left us alone as long as we serviced his minions and never tried to oppose him. So, you see, I was treating your kind long before The Justice was formed."

"Hmph," Vegeta grunted, resting his head against the pillow and shutting his eyes again.

"I'd honestly probably still be working there if it hadn't been blown up. Frieza had the good sense to leave us be, but once he was gone and the faction wars started…but really, what kind of moron blows up a gods' damned hospital?! I'll never get over that…"

Dr. Tottle continued on with his customary complaining, but Vegeta lost interest beyond that point, solely focusing on his meditation. He counted the minutes now. They slipped by slowly. He heard the door open. It was time.

Vegeta's eyes opened. There she was – his self-cultivated executioner. Nevrrest stood at the center of a contingent of guards. Hameus was at her side. The Saiyan and the Blecha's eyes met, his cold and hers full of fury. She said nothing, but merely pointed. The guards moved, surrounding the medical bed.

Dr. Tottle sighed, giving Vegeta a last glance. "Good luck," he whispered, pressing a button.

Vegeta lifted out of the restraints, his red boots touching the ground one at a time, standing up. He held the guards' gaze, silently reaching down and unbuckling the straps on his leg. His tail came free, wrapping neatly around his waist. The guards grasped the rods from their belts, the electric whips activating.

"Don't bother," he stated, making them pause. He turned, his shoulders squared, and walked directly to the shackler. He glared down at it for a moment with a lowered brow and dropped slowly to his knees, slipping his arms inside. There was a humming sound and Vegeta's teeth clenched, his eyes snapping shut as the hot metal poured around his forearms, straggling back a scream. The machine opened and Vegeta pulled his shackled arms free, standing once again. He looked at Nevrrest. "Well?" he prompted, challenging her with every bare fragment of pride he still had left, "Your prisoner is ready, Nevrrest. Come and get him."

Nevrrest eyes narrowed at him for a moment, but then she smiled. "So he is." She took the chains from Hameus and walked forward, stooping down to connect them to either side of his neck band. As she did so, she subtly brought her beak close to his ear. "Welcome," she softly whispered, "To the end of your life."

The door opened. "I'm here! I'm here!" Goku burst in, sliding to a halt. The edges of Nevrrest's beak turned red, her plume falling. "Whew…looks like we made it just in time." A mass of leaves rose up over his head.

Nevrrest straightened, turning her head to look over her shoulder. "Misado."

"Nevrrest…" the avatar returned.

"Kakarot," Vegeta chimed in, the contingent of guards grasping his chains from either side.

Goku softly smiled. "Hey Vegeta." He turned his head, seeing the blue skinned man in the black uniform. Hameus and him met eyes for a moment, silently acknowledging each other. Goku walked past Nevrrest up to his fellow Saiyan. "Glad to see you're well again. You really had me scared there for a while."

"And what about me?" Dr. Tottle interjected, cocking a brow, "Don't I get any thanks? Or at the very least a hello?"

"Oh!" Goku stiffened with embarrassment, "Of course!" He pressed his hands together and bowed deeply. "It's good to see you, doctor. Thank you so much for helping Vegeta."

Dr. Tottle slipped a portable scanner out from behind his back, quickly passing it over Goku's inclined head and scrutinizing the results. He busted up laughing. "Oh my, oh yes, look at that. No doubt about it."

"Huh?" Goku blinked as the wrinkly green doctor continued to chuckle.

Dr. Tottle lowered the scanner and clasped his hands over it. "I'm sorry to inform you…" He pause to choke back his snickering. "That you have a TBI." He busted up laughing again.

"A what?" Goku blinked again.

Nevrrest wore the most unamused look possible. "A traumatic brain injury…why am I not surprised?"

"And that…" Dr. Tottle started snickering again. "It's quite permanent and irreversible…congratulations!" He had to sit on the medical bed to keep from falling over.

"Uh…thanks?" Goku answered, even more bewildered. He scratched at his neck.

Dr. Tottle frowned. "Oh…you've had a relapse of Hammer Syndrome. That's a shame."

"Huh?" He looked at the hand he'd been itching with. "Oh, yeah. Bad nightmares again too."

"Nightmares?" Dr. Tottle asked curiously.

"Doctor," Nevrrest snapped, "The discharge papers, please."

"Oh yes…" he sighed. He wandered over and grabbed an envelope off his desk, passing it to her. "Here."

She took and read them over with a smile. "Very good. Everything seems to be in order." She pointed at Vegeta again. "Bring him. The time has come for the Prince of All Saiyans to be judged."

They departed. Goku stayed with the group for as long as he could, knowing he'd have to head into the courtroom before Vegeta once they arrived in the holding area. He could see that his friend's heart was heavy, he sensed it in every deliberate step the once proud prince took. As stern and resolved as Vegeta's visage was, he'd never seen him look so incredibly fragile. He was barely hanging on – struggling to keep whatever little pride he still had left. Nevrrest could see it too, that much was clear whenever she glanced back at her prisoner with a tiny smile and a hateful glimmer in her eye.

Goku felt at his case of capsules inside his tunic. Somehow, he had to slip Vegeta the fruit Misado had made for him. All he needed was just the shortest moment alone with him. If he could get him to take even a single bite, it would give him the strength he needed to get through this trial – like a sensu bean for the soul.

He glanced over at Hameus, walking directly behind Vegeta. He was sure glad his punishment was finally over and that Hameus hadn't told Nevrrest what had happened. He had told Oom'Bagu though. Goku sweated a little and rubbed at his neck as he thought of the lecture the Gregorik had given him on the second day of his detention. He hadn't enjoyed it. The guy could be as scary as he was kind. Goku's brow lowered. Poor Oom'Bagu. He could really see the stress getting to him. So it wasn't just for Vegeta sake he hoped this trial went well – it was for everyone's.

Even Nevrrest.

Goku heard chains clink as Vegeta inched closer to him, the group approaching the transit tube. "Kakarot."

"What's up?" Goku answered.

"I have to know," the prince continued, his eyes locked severely ahead, "Have you managed to make any progress in those plans of yours? Or should I expect to be dead by the end of this?"

Goku looked at him and smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Vegeta," he said softly, "You're not going into this alone. Thanks to Misado, everyone's soon gonna know just what kind of man you've become."

Vegeta grunted. "Misado, huh? Another of your new friends?"

"Uh-uh. He's the plant creature up there…or maybe she's more appropriate. I'm not really sure."

"Looks more like an 'it' to me," Vegeta grunted.

"Well that's just Misado's avatar. Misado's actually the soul of an entire planet!" He smiled again. "That's right, Vegeta. You're gonna have a whole planet standing up for you."

Vegeta's eyes shifted to him. "And what do you mean by that?"

Goku noticed Nevrrest glancing back at them and he lowered his voice. "I mean Misado's gonna be defending you at the trial," he explained, "We've spent the last couple days working together constantly to prepare for this. We would have included you but…"

"I've been a madman for the last few days," Vegeta completed, looking down and gritting his teeth slightly.

"But it's all right," Goku assured, holding up his hands, "You don't have to do much. Just answer any questions asked of you with complete honesty. And…don't lose your temper or anything."

"That's it, huh?" he rumbled sarcastically, "Just keep my cool and answer a few questions and I'll be returned to the Earth just like that?"

"Eh…" Goku itched at his neck awkwardly. "Well…the plan is to get them to give you the lightest punishment possible. And I'm hoping, if we can't get them to return you home in time to see your baby, maybe at least they'll let you watch somehow. Or maybe visit."

An uncanny darkness and pain filled Vegeta's eyes and he gazed ahead again as they neared the end of the transit tube. "Kakarot, if I can't regain my honor, I don't even want to see my child."

"What?" Goku gaped, "But why?"

"Because back on Planet Vegeta it was better for a child to be dead than to be born to a sire with no honor," he shot back, "You do not know my shame if Bulma gives birth to the offspring of a prisoner and not a prince."

Goku's brow lowered seriously. "This isn't Planet Vegeta. Things are different on Earth. And you promised Bulma you'd be there. You told me so yourself."

Vegeta's teeth gnashed. "Yes…" he admitted in a low voice, "I swore by my honor…of which I have none left."

The procession took pause as the blast doors to The Hammer started to open and Goku grabbed Vegeta by the shoulder, turning him to face him. "Hey," he stated sternly, "That's not true. Can't you see that's exactly what Nevrrest wants you to think?" He glanced at the Blecha briefly before holding up a fist. "Come on, Vegeta. We're Saiyans. Weren't you always the one reminding me of that?"

Vegeta's eyes shifted away, growling softly.

"You're strong, Vegeta," Goku pressed, "I know you may not feel like it anymore, but that can't be changed. You've always carried all the strength and pride of our people deep inside you. We're warriors. And this is just another battle." The chained prince's eyes shifted back to him. "And I've never known you to shy away from a fight."

"Pick up the pace," Nevrrest commanded as they crossed into The Hammer, "I don't want our route quarantined from traffic any longer than necessary."

As Nevrrest had implied, the entire route through The Hammer to the court room had been emptied for security. It was strange for Goku, he had taken up a habit of going on walks through the ship to meet people and was used to the halls being pretty crowded. As for Vegeta, the experience was entirely new and he honestly could care less. Despite the place having a far warmer atmosphere than Prison Ship 7, here or there he was still in chains so it made little difference for him.

Vegeta's eyes shifted to Nevrrest and she to him, glancing back over her shoulder. That gaze held as they arrived outside a heavily fortified chamber, much like the cells on Prison Ship 7. Goku watched intently as Nevrrest took the chains from the guards, his eyes widening as she led Vegeta inside. Oh no…she was going alone with him in there? He didn't trust that for a second! He looked anxiously among the guards as the door closed.

What am I gonna do now? I still need to get Misado's fruit to Vegeta. And what if Nevrrest tries to pull something before the trial? She's already done so much…

Vegeta couldn't help but think similar as the door closed behind him and the feathered warrior. He refused to even consider the concept of being afraid of her. But at the same time, when it came to his captor, he knew exactly what to expect. Always a trick up her sleeve. His head lowered a notch and his teeth gritted as he watched her. She stood with her back to him for a moment, her muscular tail flicking gently, chains clasped in one hand.

Her tail gave another wave. "So…I'm curious…" She turned her head just enough to look at him and gave a low smile. "What did you think of my 'get well soon' present?"

Vegeta spat. "As if I would entertain such a question."

"That absolute stubbornness and resolve…you haven't disappointed, Vegeta." She turned fully, her tail coming to rest casually over the back over his neck, curling in ever so lightly. "You're not an easy person to destroy. It's a very delicate process…" He lifted his chin, recoiling with gnashed teeth as feathers at the end of her tail stroked at his cheek. "I'm still not certain I'll be able to pull it off. But all the same, just look at you! You've accepted it, haven't you? You're just a chained up dog waiting to be put down. Not a drop of dignity left to your name." The tail held up his head as she leaned in close, studying him intently. "Those eyes of yours…they used to frighten me so much. But what's left for anyone to fear? You're weak. You're pathetic. You're but an item of pure mockery and wretchedness now." Her tail tightened around his neck, making him thrash defiantly as she lifted his feet off the ground and her smile disappeared, her beak clenching in a scowl. "Do what you like, but we both know the truth. You're finished."

Vegeta twisted about, struggling aimlessly against her grip, his breathing hissing as his windpipe was clenched. But as he gazed into those burning magenta eyes, a corner of his mouth slowly rose and he weakly chuckled. "You're right. But you know what? It doesn't matter." He lowered his chin against her orange and yellow scales and down, the defiant smile growing. "Perhaps you will succeed in destroying me after all. But…" His tail unraveled from his waist and waved around behind him aggressively. "Even so…my pride lives on…in my son. Half-breed Saiyan he is, he is warrior worthy of our race." He wheezed out a laugh. "And you lost your excuse to lay a hand on him when you took me. I'll treasure that knowledge even after you've sent me back to Hell, you weak-hearted, blithering woman."

Nevrrest's plume shot up in a burst of rage and she seized his tail, squeezing it until she'd forced out a scream, her own tail gagging him to muffle it. "Is that a challenge?!" she screeched, "Don't you dare underestimate me, you stupid, filthy, worthless, puny monkey!"

Energy moved. "Put him down right now, Nevrrest!" Goku demanded, lowering the hand from his forehead into a fist.

Nevrrest paused, Vegeta's breathing heavy was he fought against the pain, her eyes shifting back to the other Saiyan. "You're not supposed to be using that technique without expressed permission."

"And you're not supposed to be hurting Vegeta," Goku shot right back.

"Well then, we've broken even, haven't we?" Nevrrest released her captive's tail and set his feet down on some kind of pedestal in the center of the holding chamber. Vegeta hissed and coughed as her tail slithered off his neck. "Though, it's not the first time I've gotten a little rough with a prisoner. No harm done."

Goku's brow lowered, growling softly. "I know the truth, Nevrrest. And that you got Sepis involved."

"Anything Sepis has or hasn't done I assure you was his own decision." She reached out a slammed her palm against a button. A transparent cylinder lowered over the pedestal, trapping the prince like a bug in a test tube. She paused, stroking the side of the tiny prison.

Vegeta snarled and bashed his knee against where her hand was. "Enough of your blasted fawning, Nevrrest."

She chuckled darkly, lowering her hand. "Does it make you uncomfortable?" she trilled, "Good." She closed her eyes. "Would you like to hear something most peculiar?"

"The only thing I want to hear out of you right now is an apology," Goku snapped, watching her sharply.

"I wasn't talking to you," she shot back, gazing at the prince, looking almost as though he were on display.

Vegeta's brow narrowed. "There's absolutely nothing I wish to hear from you, you damned peacock," he assured.

She chuckled again. "Then that just makes me want to say it all the more." She crossed her arms and leaned in close, smiling viciously. "The peculiar curiosity is that in a way, I love you, Vegeta. I had to learn to love you to understand you." He utterly scowled and seethed at her as she continued. "It all started with the first time I found you. It was two years after you destroyed my people. You and your two boot-licking servants were all asleep amidst a pile of dead bodies…"

She was still a chick, but not entirely just down anymore. Feathers were starting to peak through the fuzz and spots were balding to make way for scales to grow in. The defenders of this world hadn't stood a chance against the Saiyan trio. Not once they had transformed into those…giant monsters. Since the day that hole was blown in her chest, Nevrrest had seen a lot of horrible things. But nothing quite as terrifying as those colossal monkeys. But the sun had come up and the great monsters had regressed into little monsters.

And they were asleep now. She gnashed her beak. Was this her chance? Perhaps she could take her revenge on her people's murderer while he slept. Hissing, she crept closer, stepping carefully over the puddles of blood and scattered bodies. She paused, eyeing her quarry carefully. Three Saiyans. One, an adolescent with long, wild, spiky hair slept cast off on a rock. She slipped past him first. She saw the large, muscular back of the large one. Her monster was asleep between him and a rock formation, the large one acting as a body shield. It wasn't a problem though. Even before she discovered her power, all Blecha knew how to use energy to fly. So she floated easily over the big one, landing carefully near the head of her foe.

He was curled up on a pile of clothes that had been robbed from the dead, the only one of the three who had a proper bed of any kind. Soon, she found herself shaking. If she blasted him in the head right now, would he die? It didn't matter. This was her chance. She raised her palm, just beginning to charge a red energy ball when suddenly, her monster stirred. She gasped, freezing as he lifted his head of erect black hair off the mishmash bed. Her mind raced, but she was too terrified to move, the energy dissipating from her palm and hunching over.

Go back to sleep…go back to sleep!

He grumbled a little and then sniffed loudly twice. His head turned and he looked right at her. She stared back, her fuzzy body puffing up. He blinked. Then suddenly he gave a grunt and smiled.

"How cute," he remarked. He rolled over, reaching out a hand towards her. Immediately she squealed, turning tail and running away as fast as she could. There was a whistling sound and he appeared right in front of her. She shrieked, curling in her legs as he grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. "Stupid animal, come here!" he commanded. Her eyes bulged as he wrapped an arm over her, holding her possessively. "Heh…how very cute." He pulled his glove off with his teeth and started running his hand down her soft, fuzzy back.

She stared dumbly across the battlefield as he continued to pet her. He…he thought she was an animal! Her monster was…was…

"Stop squirming or I'll break your tail," the boy ordered. He held her up and turned her about, chuckling. "What a peculiar creature. I'd almost be tempted to keep you if I could."

She stared at him. It's…it's just a game. Just play along. You've played farm animals before, just pretend!

She lowered her head and made a trilling noise as he continued to stroke her, enjoying her softness. Every second felt like an hour as she desperately waited for him to let her go, fearing he might catch on and kill her. Grumbling and footsteps sounded close behind them.

"Vegeta?" asked the large, muscular Saiyan, "What are you doing?"

The boy's head turned sharply. "Go away, Nappa," he snapped, "I want to be alone."

Nappa froze. "Of…course." He eyed Nevrrest curiously.

"That would be now, Nappa!"

"Yes!" he tensed, backing away and returning to where they'd been sleeping.

Her monster snorted, rubbing his fingers into the top of her head. "At least someone remembers who I am." He looked down at her with a little smile. "That's right, beast. You're in the presence of a prince – Vegeta, the Prince of All Saiyans." His chin lowered, gritting his teeth. "I know I don't look it anymore. Those bastards, Zarbon and Dodoria, they destroyed my royal armor. They think just because Planet Vegeta's gone I'm not a prince anymore." He held her up and looked directly at her face. "Well I am. And someday, I'll be the greatest warrior in the universe. Then anything and everything I want will be mine."

She blinked at him, amazed by what she was hearing, and he grunted again, holding her against his chest, his little brown tail minutely waving.

Despite her tone, Goku stood intrigued as he watched Nevrrest tell Vegeta this story.

"It was in those moments I came to an extraordinary realization…" Nevrrest stated in a low, quiet voice, "My monster…was just a child, like I was. Not a monster at all. A person. A person with hopes and dreams, fears and anger." She leaned in close to Vegeta's cage, raising a finger. "So herein lies the scales of love and hate. I hate you dearly – make no mistake. But in realizing you were a person, I grew to admire your strengths. In there lies the love. If it hadn't be that realization, I would have just destroyed you in battle – that's what you do to a monster. But a person?" She held up a fist. "You crush them."

Vegeta just glared at her.

"You're twisted up inside, Nevrrest."

Nevrrest cocked a brow, turning to face the other Saiyan. "You think so, do you?"

Goku held her in a stern, flat gaze. "I do. I've been getting to know a lot of your friends lately. There's not a person I've met that doesn't speak highly of you and has memories of lives you've saved." His knuckles turned white. "And yet…you can be a person like that…but at the same time…" His teeth clenched, that rage bubbling up in him again. "The things you've been doing to Vegeta are just plain evil!"

"Evil?" she snorted, folding her arms, "You don't even know the meaning of the word."

"It's more than that," Goku continued, still seething, "The story you just told…you know very well Vegeta's a person, just like you or me, and instead of letting that make you better you used that knowledge to plan horrible things!" He put a foot forward. "Can't you see how twisted that is?!"

"Oh let it go, Kakarot," Vegeta growled wearily, leaning his back against the inside of the tube, "Words are wasted on her."

Nevrrest was silent for a long moment, holding Goku in a cold gaze. Behind her, her tail curled about the base of Vegeta's tube. "Well I'll give you one thing, Son Goku," she finally answered, "There's nothing pretty, sweet, or even 'right' about any of this. Whatever you believe I may or may not have done – don't expect me to admit to any of it. But I will say this…" She pointed a finger severely back at her prisoner. "This man is more than a mass murder and a criminal. He's a lifelong disease to my soul. One that I am trying to cure myself of. I crave the moment of his execution, so that I might finally be free of him and his haunting presence in my mind." She leaned forward, bringing herself and Goku face to face. "You think I want to stay like this forever? No. I dream of a life where I can be free of Prince Vegeta."

The anger slowly drained from Goku's face as she spoke and turned to one of softness. "Then…let me help you. Please." He held up his hands. "You don't have to keep hurting like this. There's a better way, Nevrrest. It's not too late to do things right."

Vegeta growled with disgust at these words. He wanted to berate him for being stupid enough to try to sympathize with this crazed bird, but he knew better than anyone that this simply was Kakarot's way and no one could change that. It would be pointless to interfere.

Nevrrest's plume grew flat and she turned away, lowering her head. "'Right.' As there's such a thing in a situation like mine. No, champion, in this line of action there are only two things for me: what I could do and what I must do."

"Even if it means hurting Sepis?" Goku gently challenged.

She paused, her eyes shifting back to him. "What are you talking about?"

"He didn't want you or anyone else to know," Goku continued, "But I saw what I saw. That errand you sent him on…he got hurt bad. Looked like bite marks."

Nevrrest's jaw dropped and her eyes widened slightly. "But…" Her brow lowered, her feathers puffing up as they did whenever she was angered. "That little grinning piece of shit." She gave Goku a sharp look. "Why wouldn't Sepis tell me—" She froze, her plumage slowly flattening once again. "Oh…my dear Sepis…you try so hard…" She looked down at the floor. "I should never have let you get involved."

Goku looked upon her kindly. "You do care, don't you?"

She scowled at him. "Well of course I care!" she snapped, looking down again a moment later, "He's…my oldest friend…we may not have as much in common personally as we do with some others but…" She shut her eyes. "He…" Her mind flickered with memories, seeing him frantically running around, trying to catch one of his rogue inventions; seeing him help her bandage a wound; seeing his big, red eyes squinted in a warm smile. "He is…special. No matter what, he has always supported me, always believe in me; made me smile when I thought I never would again…" Her tail came loose from Vegeta's tub, slithering down and thudding against the floor. "…But I don't expect an ape like you to understand."

"Actually…I do," Goku carefully assured, stepping a little closer to her, "He's family to you."

"…We are to each other…"

"Then isn't that worth more than…all this?"

She gave a long pause and then chuckled softly. "I know what you're trying to do, Son Goku," she stated, her eyes shifting back to him, "But I'm afraid my resolve is stronger than that. However…I do have some words for you…" She turned fully about, her powerful talons gripping the floor as she stepped close to Goku, leaving Vegeta behind. She stretched out a finger, touching the point of her claw to his forehead. She chirped and cocked her head to the side. "What do you see when you look at me, champion?"

Goku gazed at her for a moment and then dipped his head down, cupping his chin in a hand. "Hmm…well…"

"Don't overcomplicate it," she warned, "Just tell me what you see."

He looked at her again. "A warrior."

"Heheheha…" She retracted, lowering her hand. "Quite right. My body's a living weapon. Just like yours. In fact…I think we two have more in common than either of us would like to admit." She cocked her head again. "You'd say I'm strong, yes?"

"Of course," he agreed.

"Ever wonder how I got that way?"

"Well I figured you must have trained a lot."

"That's part of it," she admitted, "I've spent my entire life testing and pushing my limits. But all my fellow justiciars have spent countless hours training just as fiercely as I have…well, close enough at least. The fact remains that I am and have always been twice as powerful as any of them." Her eyes shifted down and her brow lowered. "I didn't understand it at first – where was this power coming from? And then I had a realization. For whatever reason, every time I encountered a force I couldn't handle my body would adapt – strength and alter itself for survival. And with this change came an extraordinary increase in power." Her eyes locked his. "Sound familiar?"

Vegeta was no longer leaning against the tube wall. "That's a Saiyan characteristic."

Nevrrest hissed. "Keep your mouth shut, you son of a whore, or I'll have the pacification field do it for you."

Vegeta's teeth and muscles clenched, but he relented at the firm, reassuring look Goku gave him. The other Saiyan's eyes shifted back to Nevrrest. "But he's right. That is something we Saiyans can do."

"I don't know why it's that way," Nevrrest continued, refocusing on Goku again, "Whether I somehow magically absorbed something from your prince the day we met or I've been cursed by the lost souls of my people – or something else – whatever the case, I'm more like a Saiyan than a Blecha. You yourself once compared me to a Super Saiyan. It's true. I exemplify almost none of the characteristics my people were once known for." Her gaze fell sadly. "And yet…I am the last of my kind…and likely the most famous Blecha that ever lived. I…am what they will be remembered as…this…'twisted' being…" Her visage abruptly flamed and she spun around. "BECAUSE OF HIM!" Her fist landed parallel with the bridge of Vegeta's brow, the transparent tubing cracking in a web, distorting the prince's image.

Vegeta didn't move an inch.

Nevrrest seethed and hissed, her knuckles still braced against the shielding glass until Goku gently put a hand over her wrist. "I understand. I really, I do. Growing up on Earth, I didn't have a clue what I was. And then I met Vegeta and I really struggled with being a Saiyan." His eyes shifted to his fellow with a soft, warm smile. "But then…I was shown there was more being a Saiyan than being a brute or hurting others. It was that realization that gave me the strength to face Frieza." He looked at Nevrrest again, guiding her arm down. "I don't think your people would be ashamed of you. How could they be? I think they'd be proud of you and all the good you've done."

She lifted a corner of her mouth ever so slightly. "Hmph. A kind sentiment." The smile dissolved. "But it does not change the point I'm driving at." She faced him once more. "I am the last of my kind. When Vegeta is dead, you will be the last of yours. I hope you understand the severity of this." Her tail rose up, arching against her back. "There is a great opportunity before you, Son Goku, worthy of a man of your honor. Unlike myself, you exemplify the very best of all that your kind once was – even the characteristic they had lost. When the Prince of All Saiyans is vanquished, you will be the sole representative of your kind." She stepped closer, looking down at him severely. "This opportunity is unique – to alter the memory of the Saiyans for all time, to become their legacy. For this reason, I am saying what I say now…" Her eyes narrowed. "Get out. Now."

Goku's expression fell. "What?"

"You heard me." She stepped closer, her face the embodiment of seriousness. "Get out. Get away from this man, away from this courtroom, away from this fleet. Do it now, while you still have a chance. Before it's too late."

His black brow lowered. "Why?"

"It's as I said, you a great opportunity before you – to become what the universe remembers about the Saiyan race." She held up a fist. "By staying here and defending this murderer you are only tainting their memory even further and marring your own image. You are the Legendary Super Saiyan! You stand for something. Can't you see that?" She bent over him. "So get out. Because if you don't, I can't guarantee what might happen to you in the crossfire. You can't stop this, Son Goku. This is my destiny. This is the reason why I survived, why I didn't perish in a pool of my own blood thirty years ago. I am the Blecha's champion. I am their avenger." She grabbed his shoulders and leaned in close, her beak only inches from his nose. "What I could do…and what must do. Stay, and I fear a time will come where you will force my hand to do something…drastic. I don't want that anymore than you do."

She pushed him free of her grip, slowly backing off, stooped with her hands spread apart from her hips. "So go. Leave. It's easier than you think. Just walk away. That's all I'm asking, Kakarot Son Goku. Just walk away."

Goku stared at her for a long moment, his brow raised and taken aback. The air was still and silent. Nevrrest waited patiently, her arms still spread and eyes intent. He finally sighed. "I can see what you're saying…and you make some good points." He looked to Vegeta, the imprisoned Saiyan also watching him. "But I can't do that. Even if I hadn't made a promise, Vegeta's my friend. And I never abandon one of my friends, no matter what. So I'm sorry."

Nevrrest's visage slowly darkened as he spoke, her feathers flattening. The sharp point of her beak hung over him. "Then perhaps…you should learn to choose your friends more wisely." She left, her tail weaving as it slipped past the doorframe, the automatic door closing behind her.

Vegeta watched, following Nevrrest as she disappeared from view, returning to Goku, who stood facing the door with firm, stiff shoulders. For hardly the first time in his life, he found himself both scoffing and marveling at his fellow Saiyan. Even in the face of a ridiculous, hopeless, miserable situation as this, he remained completely loyal to him. The only person he could remember that had ever shown such dedication was Nappa – and that was out of fear of his power and admiration of his bloodline. But to Kakarot, ideas like strength or position meant nothing. It was enough for someone to be his friend for him to be willing to risk anything and everything to protect them.

Vegeta smirked. He had to wonder…at what point had Kakarot started to consider him a friend? And an even better question…

When had he done the same?

Goku's stiff shoulders finally relaxed, turning aside. "Whew…she really doesn't like you."

Never did a smirk disappear so fast. "No, really?" Vegeta scowled, shifting his weight around, "Whatever gave you that impression?"

Goku laughed, smiling as he rubbed at his head. "Don't start looking at me like that now. I'm nervous enough as it is!"

Vegeta scoffed. "You? Nervous?"

"Yeah, I really am. I've never done anything like this before."

"Whatever happened to 'we're warriors and this is just another battle'?"

"Oh I still believe that," Goku assured, fishing around the inside of his uniform, "No doubt about it. It's just when it comes to this kind of battle, I haven't had a lot of training, if you know what I mean." He grasped his case of capsules and opened it, popping one and releasing the large fruit into his palm. "Hmm…now how am I gonna get this to you?" He walked around the transparent tube, poking at it with his elbow. "Haven't got much time to get it to you either. I don't want Nevrrest to find out and hurt you again."

Vegeta's eyes shifted. "If it's all the same to you, I'm not very hungry right now, Kakarot."

"Oh, well that's all right," Goku assured, running a finger down the side of the tube, "You don't have to eat the whole thing, just taking a bite should be enough."

He gave him a critical look. "Enough for what?" He lifted his back off the inside of the tube. "What is that exactly?"

"It's a gift. For you from Misado." Goku came around the front again and held the fruit up. "It'll make you good and strong for the trial. It's kinda like a sensu bean." He paused, looking at the large button on the wall and tried pressing it twice.

"Access denied. Access denied," chimed the computer.

"Huh…" He took a step back, putting his hand to his chin. "Guess there's only one way. I just hope no one comes in on us."

"What are you talking about?" His eyes widened with horror as Goku pressed two fingers to his forehead. "Oh no, Kakarot. Don't you dare. Don't you even think of—!"

His cheek and backside plastered against the shielded glass, his face mashed into the taller Saiyan's chestline as Goku transmitted inside the tube with him.

"Oh wow," Goku grunted, shutting an eye, "It's an even tighter fit in here than I thought!"

"You stupid, careless, son of a—GRRRRR—GET OUT OF HERE!"

"Hold on, hold on!" Goku protested, wriggling around as Vegeta snarled into his tunic, "I just need to—oh whoops."

"The hell are you doing?" Vegeta gnashed, trying to see past the mesh of orange fabric.

"Hehe…I think I dropped the fruit. Here, just climb up on my knee and I'll squeeze down and get it."

"You idiot, I can't even move!"

"Don't worry, I'll slide you up!"

"This is by far the dumbest thing you have ever done, Kakarot! And I've seen you do a lot of dumb things! Grrr…if I had use of my hands right now, I'd squeeze the fat out of that empty head of yours!"

"Come on, you gotta work with me here, Vegeta!" He shoved the Prince of All Saiyans even harder against the inside of the tube, the glass squeaking as he slid him up it. "Alright, now you go up and I'll go down."

"This is the dumbest thing…" Vegeta snarled, wiggling like a worm to shove himself up on Goku's bent back as the other tried to crouch.

"Okay," Goku grunted, his hair shoved into his face as he reached, "I think I can see it…" He grunted again as he stretched out his fingers. "Ugh…it's a little—hehe—it's a little—"

"STOP LAUGHING!"

"Sorry!" he giggled, "It's just…it's a little out of my reach. You think you could reach down with your tail and move it a little closer?"

"Arrrggghh…I hate you, Kakarot," he gritted, crouched on Goku's back as his tail unwrapped from his waist. He squeezed it down between Goku's legs, feeling around for the fruit. "I really…really hate you right now." Goku started giggling again. "STOP THAT!"

"I'm sorry!" Goku snickered, "It just kinda tickles!"

"Oooh that does it! I am not standing this humiliation a moment—!"

"No, no! I'm sorry, I'll stop!" He bit his lip, puffing up his cheeks to hold back the laughter as Vegeta's tail continued to feel around for the fruit. "There you go! You almost got it! Just a little closer…there!"

"Good!" Vegeta snapped. He wrapped his limber tail around the fruit and passed it into Goku's fingers.

"Okay I got it! Now just slide back down…"

"Grrrr!"

They wriggled and squeezed until the two Saiyans were chest to chest again, Goku keeping the fruit firmly in hand.

"Don't you dare crush my tail!" Vegeta snapped as they moved.

"I'm not!" Goku protested.

"And keep your hands to yourself! Feels like you're groping me."

"Groping you?"

"Just move your goddamn hand!"

"Okay! Okay! Eesh." The tubing squeaked as they both shoved against it, trying to get into any kind of reasonable position. "Okay. Now take a bite, quick, before someone comes in."

Vegeta glared at the fruit as Goku held it before his mouth. "It had better have been worth all this, Kakarot."

Goku watched with anticipation as Vegeta bit into the fruit, chewing slowly. He smiled as a glimmer filled the prince's eyes. "How you feeling?" Vegeta didn't speak, his expression lightening as he looked at the fruit and took a second bite. Goku laughed. "I'll take that as a good sign!"

"Yes," Vegeta affirmed upon swallowing, "I no longer feel like strangling you."

"Hehehe!" Goku giggled.

"Now get out of here before I change my mind."

"Right! I'll just…" His eyes shifted and he frowned. "Hmm."

"What now?" Vegeta scowled.

"Well I can't use instant transmission to get out or I'll end up taking you with me…"

"Oh genius!" Vegeta snapped, his brow narrowing all over again, "Why didn't you—"

"No wait, I got it! I'll just climb up the tube first!" Sticking the fruit in his own mouth, he braced his arms against the sides of the tube, hoisting a foot up on Vegeta's shoulder.

"Goddamn it, Kakarot!" Vegeta snarled as he was turned into a living step-ladder.

"Mim smmrmi!" Goku piped back, stepping up on Vegeta's head and finally bracing his knees against the tube. He scooted up it carefully until he was fully in the clear, giving Vegeta a little wave before touching his forehead and vanishing.

Vegeta growled one final time, but a moment later smiled softly. His mind filled with a memory – a mighty Super Saiyan Three biting Majiin Buu like an angry toddler. He gazed up the tube where Goku had vanished. "Yes…that's how are you are, aren't you, Kakarot? No matter how ridiculous the task, you'll do what it takes to accomplish a goal." He snorted softly, shutting his eyes. "If that's how it's going to be then…perhaps I'll escape this fate after all."