The worst kind of sleep didn't occur when one woke from an terrible nightmare into a bright day. It was when one returned from an empty sleep into a terrible nightmare.

Nevrrest's eyes snapped open, her magenta irises rapidly shrinking in the bright light. She immediately knew where she was. She had been in the room so often over the last few years that it had become like a second home to her. She had even been in this position before, when Sepis had done his tests. But Sepis would never again stand with her in Processing, his antennae vibrating timidly. She didn't bother struggling against the energy cords that wrapped around her wrists, ankles, and tail or take the time to note how her body had been restored to health. Instead, she looked down at the single figure that gazed upon her. Her expression froze, unable to believe her eyes.

"You can't be here," she stated, "You're dead."

Her black hooded robes folded neatly about her, Nettelish gazed up at her with her distinct, glowing violet eyes. "There was a series of wishes made on the dragon balls. One of them was to bring me back."

Nevrrest's harsh gaze narrowed. "And which one are you? The one that died three years ago or the one I destroyed?"

Nettelish snorted. "Oh come now, Nevrrest—"

"No," Nevrrest snapped, "I don't care if I have been robbed of my place in the Justice, you will still prove yourself to me. Convince me you aren't that…creature."

Nettelish pursed her lips beneath her mask and nodded. "Cautious even in your situation. I respect that. Very well, I'll prove it to you." She bowed her head and brought her hands together under her chin with a thunderous clap. There was a shimmer and flash of light as she flicked her wrist and a cup of hot tea appeared in her hands. She pulled down her mask and sipped it.

Nevrrest stared. "…How did you do that?"

"Magic," Nettelish answered.

"I've never seen you do magic like that before," Nevrrest accused.

"That's because magic isn't dependent on ki. It's all about the measure of one's soul. That creature may have had my mind, body, and life energy…but it couldn't replicate my soul. Thus, it didn't have my same magical abilities. Magic is more than just knowledge, after all. It isn't just some technique."

Nevrrest slowly nodded and turned her head away. "Very well…I accept you are the real Nettelish."

"That doesn't seem to bring you any joy."

"Because it makes no difference to me."

Nettelish pursed her lips and sat the cup down. "I thought it best that I was the one here at this moment. Since I'm the only justiciar who wasn't involved in all this. I have an… unbiased perspective on the matter."

Pure hate and agony burned in her eyes. "…Is that so? I tend to disagree. See, I know who you are now…Breet. And I checked our records on you. You're a murder and a beast and if I could I would kill you where you stand." Nettelish's throat rippled. "So what right do you have to judge me…?"

Nettelish's breath quivered and she turned away, pulling her mask back over her mouth. "I've brought someone with me…someone to see you." She nodded.

As if by another act of magic, a tiny insectoid emerged from the folds of her cloak and pressed his hands together. "I'm here, Nevrrest."

She lost her breath and a feather dislodged itself and floated down into the processing pit. "Sepis…Sepis! I…I didn't think they'd bring you back."

"They didn't have to," Sepis assured, "You didn't kill me, Nevrrest! Goku's friends saved me."

Her plume shivered against her skull. "Sepis…I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, I swear."

"I know you didn't," Sepis assured, "And I forgive you."

Nevrrest sighed with relief. "Thank you, Sepis." She spotted the glow on the plates of his right arm.

"Oh," Sepis said, touching the numbers, "Seven-seven-two-five. I like it. It's almost an equation. Two plus five equaling seven…except there's two sevens…but it's close enough!" He stepped close to the libra monk. "Nettelish has been very kind to me. They've been holding me in a transit cell aboard one of the striker ships – The Snare. I don't know what's going to happen but…you should trust Nettelish. She doesn't hate us like the others. She'll make sure we're treated fairly."

"I will," Nettelish assured, looking at Nevrrest very seriously, "I promise."

Nevrrest's gaze never left Sepis. "Breet. Nettelish. Whoever you are. Let Sepis go."

"Nevrrest?" blinked Sepis.

"I take full responsibility for all charges. Sepis was acting against his will."

"Nevrrest!" Sepis cried.

"I manipulated and coerced him into everything he did. He is just another victim in all this."

"But Nevrrest—"

"Quiet, Sepis," she commanded. She looked at Nettelish, her gaze not as powerful as the saiyan had once remembered. "Laswe will never let him go. But if you really do care…then put him on a shuttle. Say he outwitted you. He's capable of that. And make sure he's never found."

Nettelish narrowed her gaze thoughtfully. "You say that like a command, but really you're pleading with me. This really is your defeat, isn't it, Nevrrest? I honestly wondered if it was possible for you." She rested her hands on Sepis's shoulders. "I will protect him from Laswe's anger, as I will you. But I won't go against justice. Besides, have you even thought about what Sepis's wants? This is a big step for him – not running away from his problems. You should be proud of him."

"What do you know?" Nevrrest snapped, her chest heaving, "You hardly even know him. You're just some damned saiyan who's been dead these past few years."

"I am a saiyan!" Nettelish snapped back, her lovely voice cutting, "A saiyan who's come to know forgiveness. I want that for you too, but it isn't going to be easy."

"I don't need your pity," Nevrrest scowled, craning her neck down as far as she could against the restraints, "In fact, I don't need anything from you. Sepis and I were fine before we met any of you damn fools. And I will kill anyone who harms him."

Nettelish's brow lowered. "You won't have to. Because no harm will come to Sepis. I can swear that to you. And do you know why, Nevrrest?" She stepped closer. "Because we're going to make the universe better. That's what justice is about, not retribution. Bettering our lives. Bettering people. So I won't spare either of you and I won't torment you. From this day on, justice truly will prevail."

Nevrrest fanned her plume with deep seeded disdain. "Well then…if that's how you really feel, give the order to process me. Make me…'better'."

Again, Nettelish's throat rippled. "Sepis…you don't have to watch."

"I know," Sepis whispered, his eyes on Nevrrest, "But I'm not leaving."

"I understand. Computer…begin processing."

Sepis had watched Nevrrest scream during the tests of Processing. But she didn't scream now. He could see the scream battering around in her chest cavity, but she somehow held it in through the whole thing, even as the pacification field ripped through her hide and skeleton. Sepis wished he had been so brave when he had been processed. He wish he hadn't squealed, screamed, and begged. But Nevrrest was strong enough for the both of them. And he vowed from now on that he would be kind enough for both them as well. Maybe, that was all they needed.

Somehow, Nevrrest landed on her feet and remained in a stubborn crouch as the final aperture descended and pressed against her shoulder. She looked at Sepis with the pain of fate, as if she somehow knew before the computer even stated it.

"Implant successful. Prisoner designation: 0002."

(**Scene Break**)

"WHAT?!" shouted Chi-Chi, shaking their entire mountain top home, "I don't believe this! You're leaving again?! You only got back the day before yesterday!"

"Eh!" said Goku nervously, pulling back and holding up his hands like a shield, "Well I'm not really leaving, Chi-Chi. Nettelish just asked me to meet with her today."

Chi-Chi reeled back with horror, holding her hand up to her mouth. "You mean you're meeting alone with that saiyan woman?!"

"Yeah, she said she needed my help," Goku nodded, blinking with confusion at her response, "Is there something wrong with that?"

"Of course there's something wrong with that!" Chi-Chi shouted and then turned away, clasping her hands and trembling, "Oh my poor, foolish husband. She's already got her hooks into you…!"

"She's got hooks?" Goku scratched his head, "I don't know…whatever it is, I wouldn't worry about it. This Nettelish isn't like the last one – she's good!"

"Oh I'm sure she's very good," Chi-Chi grumbled, "They always are. And I'm not getting any younger!"

"Anyhow," Goku stepped back with a wave, "I better get going. I'll see you, Chi-Chi!"

"Just try to be back in time for dinner at least…"

"You bet!"

Goku touched his forehead and concentrated on Nettelish's energy. Instantly, he found himself standing in a Justice conference room aboard one of their ships. Nettelish was there, her back turned to him and leaning over a computer console. She had removed her outer cloak and laid it over a chair so that all her saiyan features were exposed, from her long, forked hair to her unraveled, swaying brown tail. The moment he arrived, she turned around with a smile.

"Goku!" she drew close to him, "Thank you so much for coming."

"No problem," Goku assured, "What do you need help with?"

"Well it's a little more complicated than just a single sentence can explain," she answered, sighing a bit. She looked him up and down and her smile grew. "I still can hardly believe it…you're the first of my kind I've seen since our world was destroyed. I'd always hoped there'd be survivors but…" She squinted. "I certainly didn't expect you."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We're of a savage race, Goku. Yet you grew up with an entirely new perspective on the universe. Maybe you think that's just because you were sent away, but it's not. All the other infants followed their nature to its inevitable end. But you didn't somehow." She reached up and brushed one of his bangs aside in a gesture that reminded him of how his grandpa had once touched him. "And your face…it's more than just the first thing I saw in this new life. It's familiar somehow. I wish I could remember why."

Goku rubbed the back of his head. "I'm not sure either. But you're different too, aren't you?"

"Hmhmhm…not as much as you think. Well, anyhow, is there anything I can get you before our meeting? Something to drink perhaps?"

"No, that's alright. I do have a question, though."

"Of course."

"Is there a reason you're grabbing my butt?"

Her slender fingers twitched as they squeezed him through his gi and she abruptly pulled back with an awkward laugh, holding up her hands and wiggling her fingers. "Oh, no reason!" she assured, wildly blushing, "They do have a mind of their own! Ah-hahaha…ah…ehem." She held a fist to her mouth, cleared her throat, and then held a hand out to the side. "Have a seat, please."

Confused but unconcerned by her behavior, Goku took a seat at the conference table. Nettelish's tail wrapped around her waist just like he'd seen Vegeta do in the past and she took the seat across from him. "Goku…I'm afraid the battle with Nevrrest isn't over. And I need your help to defeat her."

Goku's brow lowered, immediately serious. "Sure, what do you need?"

"See, the problem is that she's broken," Nettelish stated, leaning to the side and upholding a hand, "And I don't mean that in the sense defeated. I mean damaged. I'm convinced her only goal is to take the Justice down with her. I don't think it's even as simple as spite. She's convinced that we don't deserve to protect the universe anymore."

"But isn't she locked up now like Vegeta was?"

"She is. And she's demanded that her respitory period be waived. Which means we'll be forced to try her before we've had any chance to reform our system. I think she wants to expose us as flawed and useless. And unfortunately we're obligated to agree to her demand – all our prisoners may waive one of their rights at any time."

"So she's still trying to hurt others…" His hands tightened into fists on the table. "I could try talking to her, but I'm not sure if she'd listen."

"I wouldn't bother, she's beyond convincing. No, that's not why I asked you here." She moved forward and her scent hit him, making him feel somehow excited. At that same moment, he became very focused on her movements, particular her pink lips and her slim, yet powerful hands as she reached across the table and clasped his between them. "But I have a plan, Goku. And I need your help for it to work. Super Saiyan…fight for us one more time!"

(**Scene Break**)

Bulma laid down the gauze next to the syringe and the medical scissors and turned back to her husband with an earnest gaze. "Now are you sure you want to go through with this?" she asked, "It really wouldn't be that hard to just grow a new one."

Standing with her in her laboratory in nothing more than his boxers and the bandage around his newly broken leg, Vegeta looked at the array of instruments very seriously and nodded. "My mind is made. Despite your intentions, from the moment it returned, all it did was remind me of a past I've put behind me. It's time to stop looking back."

She sighed. "Well so much for all my hard work. Better lie down then."

Vegeta got on the examination table and lay down on his stomach, waiting in silence. Bulma looked again at the short length of tail that remained from Vegeta's ordeal, once again feeling disappointed that such a thoughtful gift had gone to waste. But not one to be held back by the past, she proceeded with injecting the cut tail with the numbing agent she had prepared and then grasped the medical scissors. She was surprised by just how easily it snipped, returning to what it had been before all this began – a tiny little stump at the base of his spine. She covered it with gauze to stop the bleeding and wrapped it with medical tape.

"There you go!" she cheerfully assured, "All gone. You'll never have to worry about it again."

"Good." He got off the table and went to examine himself in a nearby mirror.

Bulma rested her hands on her swollen belly, observing her husband as he gauged her work. "I'll have to do something even better next year!" she declared, more for her sake than his, "Something you'll really go for. Maybe a new program for the gravity room or an improvement for your armor. As long as it has to do with fighting, I'm sure you'll be happy."

Bulma paused as she caught Vegeta looking at her from the mirror. He grunted uncomfortably and shifted his gaze away. He was silent for a long moment. "Bulma. I never gave you anything for this anniversary, did I?"

"Huh?" she stared at him, leaning forward, "Well no, of course not. You never do. I don't think you've even gotten me a birthday present once."

"Hmph. Very well. Hand me the scissors."

"Scissors?" Bulma made a face, looking at them. "What could you possibly need those for?"

"Just do it," he grunted.

"Fine. Here you go." She passed the scissors to him.

Her heart stopped as she saw him grasp a fistful of his hair, raise the scissors, and snip the thick locks. He turned and held out his hand, releasing the shower of black strands. "A gift," he announced and then flipped the scissors, holding them out to her.

Bulma stared. "Wh…wha…?"

"Well? What are you waiting for?" he demanded, "You've always said you wanted to 'try doing something with my hair'. I'm giving you that chance."

"Wait a minute," she accused, "Why the sudden change of heart? You always said that saiyan hair 'didn't require any grooming'."

He growled. "Why do you always have to make things difficult? It's simple. I let my recent trial nearly break me and doing so not only damaged my pride, but yours as well. This…is to make amends for that."

Bulma's lips pressed into a very pleased, little smile and she stepped forward, clasping her hands over the scissors. "You know, Vegeta…you can be really sentimental when you want to be." She kissed him on the cheek. "And you've made me proud too." She took the scissors and held them up. "Now let's do something with that hair of yours!"

Vegeta pulled up a chair and sat in it, folding his arms. "You should know, though, whatever you do won't last very long. Saiyan hair grows very quickly and always returns to its original shape."

"All the better!" Bulma enthused, "That way we can try out all different kinds of looks."

He grunted. "Just don't go overboard. I'll hold you responsible if you make me look ridiculous."

"Like you know the first thing about cutting hair," she scoffed and began to snip. The hair was difficult to cut, but bit by bit the strands collected on Vegeta's shoulders. "Okay…take a look!"

Vegeta stood up and returned to the mirror, examining his wife's work. He had been prepared for her to do something extreme, but was pleasantly surprised to see she had done little more than shorten it into a more rounded shape. Seeing it, he couldn't help but think it almost made him look like an earthling. And for once, that didn't seem like such a bad thing.

"Not bad," he declared. He started as he suddenly heard the scissors clatter on the tile and turned to find Bulma clutching her stomach and grunting with pain. "Bulma? What's the matter with you?"

"Ooooh…! I think the little guy likes the haircut too cause he's coming out to see it!"

Vegeta's pupils shrank to dots. "What?!"

"What, are you stupid?! I said the baby's coming!"

(**Scene Break**)

Though nearly half its prison population remained dead, Prison Ship 7, for the first time since the break out, was alive and functioning again. With all the guards and personnel returned to life, they had more than enough personnel to restore and man the place. Though, the block at the very end was quite vacant, because no one wanted to go near the cell where Prisoner Triple-Zero-Two was held.

She stood with her back to the wall between her cell and the one at the very end, which still bore the words: Vegeta, Prince of All Saiyans. She could somehow feel those words reaching out to her through the hyper steel walls, touching her. It was like a piece of her nemesis was still close by, taunting her. But then, reality itself was damaged. It was like a crack had split through time and place. Rama would be disappointed in her. If the afterlife was real and not some hallucination recalled by the dying mind, she probably already was.

The silence of her cell was disturbed as a group of guardians arrived. She had been expecting them to arrive sooner or later. She knew the procedure. Prisoners were to be examined by a doctor before their trial date to ensure they were in condition to be prosecuted. Somehow, they all managed not to exchange a word as they released her from the cell, took her chains, and escorted her toward the infirmary.

As they traveled, they came into view of another prisoner under escort, a velex with bright green spots and soured-milk colored skin – Prisoner 0548 according to his shoulder marking. The moment he spotted Nevrrest, his eyes lit like a predator.

"Oooh, do my eyes deceive me? Is it really the Crimson Fighter? What an honor! Ah-hahahahaha!" Nevrrest kept looking ahead while the other prisoner pulled against his chains to get closer to her, a twisted, grinning sneer on his lips. "I heard you got bested by Frieza's pet monkey – how embarrassing!" His eyes flattened gleefully. "But don't worry, we'll take good care of you here. Oh I know Seven may seem lonely, but believe me, we'll find ways to keep you company. By the time we're done with you, all you'll be able to say, parrot, is 'Polly wanna cracker'! Ehehehehehehe!"

Nevrrest stopped walking and her cheeks lifted into a little smile. "Is that so?"

"Pardon?" he leaned closer, cocking an earhole.

A guard yelped with horror as she moved so quickly that he lost his grip on her right chain. The prisoner didn't even know what hit him until his collar bone snapped between her jaws. Her beak and hooked fangs ripped through his neck and shoulder muscles, splattering the walls and guards in blood. It was only through a blast of the pacification field that she didn't completely take his head off.

Nevrrest laughed wrathfully as his blood pooled on the floor and the guards swarmed to restrain her. "That's what you get, moron!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice carrying and echoing through the cells, "You hear that, you animals? You thought this place was Hell before?! Well now the Devil's moved in! So please, come visit any time! I'll make it worth your while!"

Horkion paused the security recording, freezing the frame on Nevrrest's face. "According to the report, our people were able to rush Curd to the infirmary in time to save his life, but he's still in critical condition. I'm not sure next time her victim will be so lucky."

Laswe leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "Prisoners have nearly killed each other in scuffles before. I don't see how this is news."

"Because the Defense has good reason to believe that if the Accused were to be convicted and imprisoned in the Justice facilities, her casualties will only rise. This security recording is clear evidence of her intent to do so."

Laswe glanced down the table at Oom'Bagu and Nettelish. "Well…I don't disagree with that. I've been wondering myself how we're going to stop Nevrrest from turning our prison into her personal playground." He narrowed his eyes at Horkion. "But what is the Defense suggesting exactly? If you're hoping to make a plea of innocence based on the Accused's intention to kill more people, then that's funny."

"No, of course not. But in the face of the fact that the Prosecution has gotten a full confession from the Accused's accomplice, I may be able to convince Nevrrest to submit her own confession."

"Okay, I like the sound of that. But why do I get the feeling this is going somewhere I'm not going to like?" He pointed back. "And while I'm at it, why is he here?"

Goku blinked, looking up from Chi-Chi's flower pot where the tiny, growing Misado resided. "Did…you not want me here, Laswe?"

"Well…no, not necessarily." He looked at the others. "Especially if we've decided to make it official?"

"Official?" Goku asked.

The justiciars all looked at each other. Oom'Bagu nodded and Nettelish pinched her eyes in a smile. She looked at her fellow saiyan. "Goku. We want to extend an invitation for you to join us."

"Join you?"

"That's right," Laswe nodded, "Our team is down a man and we think you'd be a great justiciar. If you want it, the band is yours."

"It would be an honor, Goku," Oom'Bagu bowed his head.

"And I'm sure we could learn a lot from you," Horkion encouraged.

Goku looked down at Misado as she shimmered and he smiled kindly. "I really appreciate the offer, guys…but I can't. My place is here on Earth."

They sighed. "We had a feeling you'd say that," remarked Laswe. He snickered. "Good thing we had a back-up plan. From now on, Goku, consider yourself an honorary justiciar."

"Honorary?" he asked.

Nettelish moved her hand forward on the table in his direction. "We understand you're committed to Earth, so we won't ask you to leave. But even though you won't be joining the Justice, we want you to consider yourself a member, with all the rights and privileges." She pulled a ybora wristband from her sleeve and pushed it across the table to him. "Feel free to call upon us any time. You will always be welcome among us."

Goku took the band. "Wow. Thanks, guys. I'll gladly accept this. Though…I hope you don't mind if I don't wear it all the time. I know ybora makes you strong, but I don't want to end up like Nevrrest."

They all chuckled. "Believe me, Goku," Horkion assured, "After what happened, we're going to rethink that too. Nettelish and I have been talking about all kinds of new ways to train."

"But let's get back to the topic of Nevrrest." Laswe leaned back in his chair again. "I believe the Defense was planning to propose something?"

"Yes," answered Horkion.

"And I'm not going to like it?"

"Probably not."

"Dammit."

Horkion put his arm behind him and stood tall. "I have a plan where I believe the Defense will be able to convince the Accused to confess." He relaxed a little. "And Laswe, may I be real for a moment?"

"Sure."

"We all know Nevrrest's real target in this is you. It was obvious you would want to prosecute."

Laswe folded his arms and looked away sheepishly. "I…yeah, I know it too. And I've been thinking about that a lot – about how I can beat her without dragging the Justice through even more mud. Even after all that's happened, there are still people out there who support Nevrrest. I want to prove her wrong."

"If I may," interjected Oom'Bagu, "We may simply have to accept that we cannot beat her – at least not in a direct confrontation. It was she, after all, who made each of us what we are now. And the Justice is home turf to her. We'd be risking much trying to defeat her here."

Laswe sighed and leaned back with a twitch of his wings. "Okay. Now that I've been duly softened, what's your proposition, Horkion?"

Horkion nodded. "If the Defense can offer a confession, the Prosecution must agree to these sentencing terms." He pressed a button on the monitor and brought up a wall of text.

Laswe nearly spat up a web. "What?! This is preposterous! You can't be serious."

"I am," Horkion assured, "Nevrrest would be handed over to the custody of the newly honored Justiciar Goku and sentenced to indefinite confinement to the planet Earth pending a review in ten years."

"I've already made arrangements for Sepis," Nettelish added, "He's already agreed to remain a liaison for our engineering and tech teams in exchange for limited parole."

"Wait, wait, wait," Laswe waved his arms around, "You want me….to agree to relocate Nevrrest and Sepis…together to a defenseless planet?"

"It's not really defenseless," Goku assured.

"It's too dangerous for them to remain here, Laswe," Horkion explained, "They know us too well. Even if we completely changed our systems, it wouldn't matter. Besides, they wouldn't be a threat to Earth."

"And why not?" Laswe squawked.

"Because Earth doesn't have any evil people," Nettelish explained, "No one for Nevrrest to hunt down. They were all killed by Majin Buu."

"Hrrrmmm…I hate it…but you have a point," Laswe admitted. He scratched at his ear tuff. "I don't like it. Way too lenient. Besides, she'll just go after Vegeta again."

"I don't think it will be that simple," Oom'Bagu assured, "Nevrrest has been defeated. She won't just rush after Vegeta. She'll be patient. And in that time…" He looked at Goku. "Maybe something will change."

Laswe glared at Nettelish. "Dammit. This was all your idea, wasn't it?"

"Me?" said Nettelish innocently, "What makes you think that?"

"Don't play coy. This has your prints all over it." He snorted and sank into his chair. "I don't like it. Not one bit."

"Come on, Laswe," Horkion pleaded, "Just think what good it will do. Nevrrest will be taken out of the picture. Earth is very out of the way. We'll be able to rebuild without being constantly reminded of her. And the people of the worlds can recover too. Earth's people won't mind, they don't even know Nevrrest."

"No…don't like it…not good enough," Laswe sank further into his chair, his face pinched.

"Oh come on, Laswe." Goku pressed his hands together. "Please? I promise, I'll make sure to keep an eye on her so she doesn't cause any more trouble."

Laswe looked at Goku and immediately felt drowned in his overwhelmingly sincere gaze. "What? No. No—stop looking at me like that. No!" Goku's large, innocent blinked at him earnestly. "No, Goku! I said no! Noooo! Noooo! Noooo!" Goku blinked again and Laswe slumped all the way down in his chair. "Aaaaah-dammit."

"You will?!" Goku chirped.

"Yeah, yeah…stinking cute little monkey." He sat up and pointed at him. "But here's the catch. I'm holding you personally responsible for her. If anything goes wrong, the deal's off."

"You bet, Laswe." Goku gave him a thumb's up. "I won't let you down!"

"Knowing you? Somehow you won't…" He looked around the table. "So…how you geniuses going to get Nevrrest to confess anyhow?"

Nettelish chuckled. "Oh don't look at me. I'm sure the Defense has a brilliant plan…"

AUTHOR NOTE

One more chapter to go! And remember, the story isn't ending even in the next chapter! Click Follow Author to continue the story in Dragon Ball Z: Light and Shadows!