Revenge of the Super Saiyan God (2-in-1 Story)

by Chrissi B

A Super Saiyan God has come to Earth to wipe out all the saiyans. Will Goku be able to reverse the despair or is all hope lost?/ The haunting past of the prince we all know and love. (2-in-1 story)

2. Movie: Revenge of the Super Saiyan God

MOVIE: Revenge of the Super Saiyan God

---

The pavement shuddered upon Gohan's landing. He started mumbling to himself as though in rehearsal, re-enacting several poses as he trekked along. An alarm on his watch sent him into an instant panic and without thinking he dashed off into a quick trot. As his frantic footsteps pounded the concrete, he checked his watch and sighed loudly. He stopped just before the residence and bent over, gasping for air. He tugged at his blue suit and eased his sweaty hands along the sides of his over-starched trousers.

He bowed his head in pretense that he was greeting someone with a handshake and proceeded to mumble to himself, "Good day, Bulma. Thanks for inviting me to dinner. Oh, well, you know the family's alright. I was just wondering about a raise. I mean - not to be so abrupt about it - but I-"

His trail of thought was overtaken by his nerves as he started to sweat. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his face and sighed heavily, "Oh, boy."

"Why are you out here talking to yourself?"

The voice startled Gohan but he relaxed when he noticed who it was standing before him. He patted the boy on his grey hair, which he always considered quite the phenomenon, "Oh, it's just you, Trunks. Thank goodness it wasn't your Mom."

"You're weird," Trunks acknowledged, "And what's with the stupid glasses."

Gohan made his way into the house as he took off the black-rimmed spectacles, "I'll have you know these are not stupid. I need them to read, that's all."

"To read?" asked the boy slyly, "What, were you reading on your way over here?"

"No, I," Gohan became increasingly embarrassed and it showed as his cheeks flashed a bright red, "I just forgot, that's all."

Trunks led the way and disappeared into the adjoining room, taking up a seat next to his father on the floor. The two moved in unison as they made a grab for their controllers and they proceeded to punch the buttons and waved their arms in intense competition. Within seconds, Trunks was celebrating and making funny faces at his father, "Ha! I win again!" He stuck his tongue out at him.

His father stood to his feet and patted the boy on the shoulder, "For now." He looked up and noticed Gohan staring at them and growled angrily, "Do you have nothing better to do!"

"Uh, hi, Vegeta!" Gohan greeted nervously as he watched the two leave the room. The edge of Vegeta's voice always rattled his nerves especially when he was angry, which seemed to be too often, "It's just, I've never seen you so, um...relaxed. I guess the last couple of years really taught you something, huh?"

It was no secret that Vegeta had softened up somewhat over the years but Gohan deduced that after having sacrificed his own life and the return of the cruel tyrant Frieza, he would have learnt to hold on tighter to his family.

"Naw," Trunks answered, "We do this all the time!"

"Really, wow!" The frankness in the boy's tone could not be mistaken and he felt foolish for making his assumptions known. Bewildered, Gohan scratched the back of his head, "That's so cool. Who would've guessed?"

"Oh, hey bro," greeted a small boy with wild, black hair.

"I should've guessed you would be here, Goten," Gohan admitted.

"Yeah, they feed me good!" the boy gleefully rubbed his stomach, "Speaking of feed - I'm hungry!"

"Well, come help me set the table then!" called over Trunks.

The two boys dashed back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room. In record time, the once bare table now laid adorn with matching china and a bounty of large pots that oozed off tantalizing aromas. In the centre laid two voluptuous, whole baked chickens and a never-ending supply of bowls filled with egg rolls and rice balls. The large, mahogany table seemed overwhelmed as not even an inch was left untouched.

Vegeta and the two boys took up seats at the table and wasted no time helping themselves to some of everything and filling their plates.

"Seriously, boy!" growled Vegeta, so annoyed he bent his fork.

"Uh, sorry," Gohan apologised and quickly joined them. He quietly followed suit and soon his plate was brimming over but he couldn't help but look about him, "Uh, where's your Mom? She invited me last week but I couldn't make it so I decided I'd pop in today. She said she had to discuss the plans for the new project we are working on."

"Yeah, mom's sick," Trunks said as he ripped off an oversized chicken leg.

"Oh, I had no idea."

As if everyone had the same idea at the same time, the four guys wolfed down the dinner as though they hadn't eaten in ages, making numerous returns until every single pot was empty. It resembled a scene from a messy food-eating contest.

"Mom would have killed us if she saw us eating like this," Trunks remarked licking the inside of his bowl.

"Well, she's not here, is she," Vegeta smirked, seeming pleased with himself.

"Wow, Bulma really outdid herself, huh!" Gohan admitted proudly, patting his stomach graciously.

"My mom didn't do this. I told you, she's sick," Trunks reminded, his words barely audible over the loud slurps as he sucked on the bone.

"So who cooked it?" Gohan asked curiously, "Not the two of you, for sure!"

The two boys shook their heads in response as Vegeta fumed under his breath with his arms crossed so tightly that the veins bulged.

"So did she finally hire help?" he continued, laughing nervously at the thought because even though he was saying it, he didn't believe it. He knew how proud Bulma was to take care of her family.

"I did you fool!" Vegeta answered with a loud, angry snarl.

So off guard was he by this revelation that Gohan toppled off of his chair. Wide-eyed, he stared at the man in front of him, "You - you did? Vegeta can cook!"

Trunks nodded, "Dad's a pretty good cook. Mom taught him when they were dating."

"Wow." Gohan couldn't fathom the idea but it did bring a smile to his face. He never realised that Vegeta was your run of the mill, everyday kind of guy.

"He cooks on special occasions or y'know, when my mom's sick like she is today."

"Wow," Gohan repeated, "Thanks for the meal, Vegeta."

"Don't mention it," he uttered roughly.

The foursome sat quietly glancing anxiously at anything but one another. The boys were fumbling with their cutlery while Vegeta thumbed at his glass.

"I call dibs on the skateboard!" cried out Goten excitedly and he flew off at top speed.

"Oh, no you won't," Trunks followed his lead, grateful to escape the awkward silence.

"Uh, well, I guess that's my queue to leave," Gohan said nervously and started his way out of the room waving furiously, "Send my well wishes to Bulma, 'kay."

---

"Hey, sweetie," greeted a warm voice as Gohan barged into the house.

"Hey," he greeted his wife with a peck on the lips as he tossed his blazer over the chair.

"Daddy!" a young girl bounced off of her comfy seat perched on her grandmother's lap and straight into her father's arms. She planted a wet kiss on his cheek to which he beamed happily.

"Never in all my married life have I ever been greeted like that!" wailed his mother as though she had just swallowed a bad pill.

"Oh, hey Mom, you're here," Gohan was not at all keen on having her there, "Third time this week, huh, in a row." His words trailed off sarcastically.

Chi-Chi folded her arms and flicked her head upwards like a pouting child, "If you have something to say, just say it!"

"No, nothing Mom!" He could never bring himself to stand up to his mother.

"You're home early, how did your talk go?" egged on Videl as she poured out some tea as her husband joined them at the table.

"Didn't happen," he said quickly as he shifted his gaze from his wife, "Bulma's sick."

"Ah," she pushed the teacup closer to him, "How convenient."

"Yup, totally," he laughed nervously.

"I don't see why you don't just walk up to her and demand the raise. It's not like she's going to miss the money," Chi-Chi interjected.

"And it's not like we need the money," Gohan reminded.

"It's a matter of principle," she snapped defiantly.

"So, uh, anyway," he toyed with the word begging for a little more time as he thought about a way to change the subject, "Vegeta's a pretty cool guy, huh! He cooked dinner and all. The way he and Trunks are like best pals, it's freaking amazing! It's hard to think of him as anything other than ruthless and short-tempered but it's like he's always been this...cool. Who would've known?"

"Well, I always knew," his mother said confidently, "Especially after that party, you know the one your dad was oh so late for...we talked and talked. There wasn't anything that we didn't have a passionate debate on. I've never had a man sit down and really listen to me like that." She stared off in a dreamy state, "It was such an intense moment! And that kiss was just as intense!"

If the rest of the story hadn't caught their interest, then this news definitely shook them up.

"You mean you kissed him?" Gohan asked, disturbed by the thought.

Chi-Chi now realised her mistake and she waved her hands wildly before falling to her knees. She grabbed hold of her son's ankles in desperation, "Please don't tell your father!"

"So you mean it's true!" gasped Gohan and Videl.

"It's not that big of a deal! It was only one time! ONE!" she screamed loudly at the top of her voice now in battle mode and ready to pounce, "One time!"

The only one who was enjoying her charade was Pan who clapped happily thinking that the adults were playing but it couldn't have been more of a painful experience for each of them.

---

"Are you going to be doing this every time you make a visit?" greeted Trunks nonchalantly. Once again he caught Gohan in the middle of talking to himself, only this time he was standing in the middle of the corridor.

"Goodnight, pal," Gohan ran his hands through the boy's hair but so nervous was he that his entire body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Dad's pissed that you've got my Mom up so late."

"Really," he tugged at his shirt as it suddenly felt too tight against his throat.

"Yeah, whatever." Trunks faked a yawn and groggily made his way out of the room, "If my mom asks, you never saw me."

"Um, OK." Gohan had no idea to what he was referring to but he was too sleepy to even bother to ask.

"Ah, you're back. Help yourself," Bulma smiled serenely, motioning to the tea set perched on the table in front of her. Next to this was a large white sheet of paper with intricate sketches and numerous scribbles. An untidy pile of papers and notes laid on top of it.

"Thanks." Gohan smiled shyly as he took up a seat in front of her, "Some coffee would be great, but I don't mind." He was never one to admit it, not even to himself, but he had always thought that she seemed to get more beautiful with each passing moment.

"No can do. I intend to get some rest after this," she stretched her arms and yawned.

"Is it me or are you glowing?" Gohan had to ask, "I think we've been working too hard."

"I am?" she asked self-consciously. Her weary eyes suddenly lit up with joy, "I am!"

"That's great!" Gohan found himself smiling from ear to ear, her wide grin was contagious. He adjusted his glasses as he took out his own stack of untidy papers from the satchel beside him on the floor. He laid them out on his lap and started scanning through them, "So let's finish up, shall we? I don't want to keep you back any longer."

"We wouldn't have to be here cramping everything into one night if it wasn't for you," her sweet smile turned into a frown, "You just blew me off. And because I was sick, this is the only time I can fit in to discuss this project with you."

"Well, uh, things came up," lied Gohan.

"So you couldn't call?" she leered.

"Well, uh," Gohan could not find his way out of this trap.

"Lucky for you, I've been in a good mood," she said brashly. In quick succession she was over the moon with joy, "You want to know why! I got so wrapped up I almost forgot to tell you!"

"Uh..." He could not find the words to say. He would rather have the meeting over and jump to asking about the raise and having it over with.

"Well, Vegeta wasn't the least bit worried when I got sick," she continued, that infectious grin lighting up her face, "It's as if he knew - I'm pregnant!"

Her euphoric news was lost on deaf ears as Gohan had become distracted by Vegeta's entrance.

"Oh, hi, Dad," he greeted without thinking and then he realised what he had just said, "I mean, step dad, I mean..." In his mind, he couldn't help but to replay an image of Vegeta and his mother kissing. So disturbed and haunted was he, that he started connecting the event to the two getting married.

Vegeta cocked his head and grunted and continued into the next room.

"Well, that was weird," Bulma said staring at her guest in disbelief, "You could've just said congratulations."

"Congratulations? For what?" asked Gohan, his cheeks a deep shade of purple.

"I just told you -" she started slowly, pondering his sanity, "I'm pregnant!"

Stunned by the news, Gohan stared awkwardly as Vegeta re-entered the room. Vegeta launched one of the two canned vodkas at him, "Maybe you need this as much I do."

Catching it easily, Gohan's eyes were following Vegeta's every move on his way out of the room, 'With a pregnant wife there's no way he could possibly got the hots for my Mom!' he thought excitedly.

"What are the odds! I didn't find out until I was a couple of months pregnant with Trunks, too," Bulma continued, not realising that he had zoned out once again.

She caught a glimpse of her watch, "What the hell! Is that really the time?"

Snapping back to reality, Gohan checked the time on his own watch and nodded, "I'm afraid so."

"It's my fault, I got too sidetracked asking you about the family and everything. It's been a little while, y'know," she admitted calmly, "I think we better call it a night, huh?"

"Um, no!" He had not planned on ending the meeting like this, "I've been meaning to ask you about a r-."

"Damn it, right. A reactivator, of course! I'll have one made and get it to you by the end of the week." She sighed, "You're a life saver. That must have slipped my mind. You know, you're the best employee I've got!" She patted him on the arm.

"No problem," he definitely had no choice now but to quit while he was ahead. He will try again some other time, "Goodnight, Bulma. I'll see you first thing in the morning."

"Goodnight, kid." She waved after him.

She stretched and yawned again, her eyes drooping off into a weary state, "Once upon a time I could stay up all night working. I really need to pace myself more."

She clicked off the remaining lights leaving the house in total darkness. She trodded along blindly until a flicker caught her attention.

"Are you kidding me, young man!" she yelled at the silhouette of the teenager in front of the television, "Get your behind to bed right now, mister!"

"But, Mom!" he pleaded.

"Don't but Mom me, not get," she demanded pointing towards his room, "Now!"

Trunks switched off the television and lugged his way towards his room in defeat, feeling the wrath of his mother burn into his back. There was never any chance when his mother started yelling.

"Humph, the nerve," she said as she stretched once again.

By the glow of the alarm clock on the small desk, she noticed that her husband was already asleep as she entered the bedroom. She mumbled to herself, "Knocked out already. He's the only man I know who drinks before going to bed."

She climbed into bed next to him, nestling her head on his chest. She hadn't realised just how tired she was until the moment she finally found rest. It had been a long day; satisfactory but long nonetheless. Drifting off so peacefully, she was not the least bit tolerant by being awoken by sudden, impulsive throbbing.

She could do nothing but stare at her husband's hand which was shaking haphazardly, "Oh no, is he having that nightmare again?"

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she bent over him and rocked his shoulders at first gently and then anxiously, "Wake up, you inconsiderate idiot! You should have guessed that alcohol would've worked for so long!"

Not getting any response whatsoever, she was forced to slap him with all her might not once but twice. However, Vegeta did not budge, rather he became awash in sweat with fear written all over his face. Absolutely terrified now, Bulma climbed out of bed. She watched helplessly at his fidgeting body, his breathing was becoming increasingly erratic and his right hand continued to twitch wildly.

"What in the world..." she mumbled terrified.

"I don't want to remember," Vegeta muttered under his breath. His arm was outstretched ready to charge an attack. Everything around him was an eerie emptiness. He struggled to move from his stance but it was in vain. He looked up and recognised a clearly pregnant young woman before him, clearly his target. He looked into her eyes and a sense of deep regret overwhelmed him. She did not look afraid rather she seemed brave and had accepted her fate. "I don't want to remember!" he repeated.

The woman nodded towards him, her pink hair sweeping behind her from the effects of the growing blast. Turning away, he fought within himself whether to release it or not but ultimately the inevitable happened. Suddenly the blast slowed down until it was frozen in time.

"You killed me, now I kill you."

"What?" he asked finding it suspicious that it was a male's voice, "What do you want?" Still trying desperately to move from his stance, he bellowed in rage, "Stop being a coward and come face me!"

The voice hummed satisfactorily, "Now you're talking. 45th Street, West City."

Vegeta watched as the blast became alive again and engulfed her. He trembled at the sight; his throat tight with grief and regret.

The white of his eyes haunted the room and sent Bulma scampering in a flurry. Taking caution, she crept closer to him and clasped his hand. She couldn't even begin to speak as he struggled to catch his breath.

"V-Vegeta," she stammered.

Ignoring her, he snatched his hand out of hers and made his way over to the closet as though he was being pulled by strings. She watched him curiously as he pulled on his boots.

"I'm going out," he muttered aggressively as he made his way out of the room.

"Do what you have to do." She could not quite wrap her head around what had just happened. She slumped down on the bed and sighed, "Can't even ask for help? That man!"

She fell on her back and stared absent-mindedly at the ceiling, "But why do I get the feeling he just did. Something's up."

---

The city laid silent under the thick of the night, the stars and the street lamps the only company as Vegeta landed directly in front of the "45th Street" sign post. He was clearly not happy to be there and his impatience got the better of him, "What a waste of time!"

Almost immediately, a voice answered in response, "Hello, father."

There was no mistaking it; the voice was a definite match to that of the one heard in the dream, "Who are you? I demand to know!"

In the subtle light he could barely make out the appearance of the stranger but it was safe to estimate that they were the same height and a similar built. He made out burgundy spiky hair that hung wildly over his face and a devious smirk that solidified that this man did not intend to play fair. Having guessed correctly, Vegeta clasped his hand around the incoming fist, minimising any possible damage. He growled in annoyance at the show of cowardice on his opponent's part; as if he would fall for such an obvious strike.

The two dissipated into nothing but lightning that flashed across the sky with such speed and ease that the average person might not have even noticed the event. Vegeta struggled to land a single punch but held his own against being hit himself. It seemed like a fairly even match that could continue indefinitely and Vegeta had had enough of the child's play. In the middle of a heated sparring round, he reappeared from behind and sent an energy blast. It made a clean connection and he calmly waited as the smoke cleared. He knew that it wasn't enough to claim victory just yet but he was not prepared in the slightest when he felt a tight grip clamp down around his neck. He struggled to break free as the powerful arms sunk deeper into the skin and he cried out in pain.

"For a man who power is everything, you sure are weak!"

Not ready to call it quits so easily, Vegeta thrust his legs against his attacker with sheer brute force and managed to kick himself free. Gasping for breath and wincing as he brushed his hand against his neck in an effort to ease the effects of the chokehold, he needed to know just who he was dealing with and he struggled to ask.

The two men stared down each other as Vegeta regained his footing, ready to go again. He now had a full view of the man and could not place him although he thought he may have been someone from his past but at the same time he had a pretty good guess of just why he was there.

"Your son."

The response baffled him, "My son is at home with his mother as we speak. Stop your worthless mind games and let's fight!"

"As you wish, father!" That devious smile reappeared.

Vegeta dashed higher and motioned over the man, "Now follow me."

Obediently, the man jetted after him but he greeted with a powerful kick to the chest. So fast was he that Vegeta could not have blocked the blow even if he wanted. He was sent sailing back by the force.

"All I care about is torturing you. Make you feel what I feel!" his opponent yelled angrily.

Regaining control, Vegeta stopped in midair, "Damn him."

He sped off at top speed but almost ran right into his opponent.

"Where do you think you're going? My dear father. A coward!"

"Stop calling me that!" spat Vegeta, "There are innocent people here who have nothing to do with our sprawl."

A piercing laugh shook the soundless night, "And since when did you give a damn about anybody but yourself?" He charged a blast aimed at the city below.

"Are you mad?" bellowed Vegeta. He needed to dissuade his motivation and quick, "You want to fight me, right? I'm right here."

The blast was reduced to nothing, "To where do you suggest your final resting place?"

Burning with fury, Vegeta dashed off at top speed once more.

In a matter of minutes, the pair settled over a massive land mass that sat undisturbed by the pounding of the waves of the ocean. Having alighted on a high mountain, the conversation continued.

"Are you not the least bit curious as to who I am?" The cunning in his voice was undeniable.

"A pissed off Mezoran!" yelled Vegeta, "Who else has the ability to reawaken memories and twist and turn them as they please."

"So aren't you upset that I survived!" He stared intently at Vegeta, "I thought you wanted us all dead."

"I had no choice in the matter," he roared.

"No choice?" He cocked his head back, "Humph. It seemed like you had a choice to me - and you chose POWER!"

There was no escaping the powerful punch and it sent Vegeta flailing into the rocks beneath creating a massive crater. He was picked up by the hair and dragged along causing the top portion of the mountain to break away completely before flinging him back up and blasting him with multiple bursts of energy.

The flickering light emitted by these blasts were overpowered by the overwhelming light radiating off of Vegeta. Lightning oozed off of his golden aura which lit up the island for miles. He had suffered some damage and was trying to catch his breath; the horrific onslaught left him with a bleeding head and numerous bruises and scratches decorated about him as the majority of his shirt had been ripped away.

Making a landing he offered a way out, his now golden hair making him resemble an angel of peace, "I don't intend to hurt you, I have cost your people too much as it is, but if you insist." He motioned the man forward.

"Oh, I insist, father."

"Stop calling me that!" barked Vegeta.

"So even now you disown me," the man yelled. His burgundy hair started to flap wildly about his head as it consistently grew. In seconds his shoulder length hair was falling at his knees and in the crimson essence of his aura his hair had become a ghostly white.

"You don't look it but you have the strength of a super saiyan 3. In fact you are the closest to reaching level 4. Did you know that father!" In self-admiration, he looked down at himself while flexing his muscles, "I, on the other hand, am a super saiyan 5."

Beyond scared and surprised, Vegeta could not fathom the idea, "Y-you can't be... a...a saiyan!"

"Of course. Saiyan blood has the potential to be passed down for generations and never dwindles even if with a pathetic race like the earthlings," he smiled maliciously, "But if you mix that blood with that of a Mezoran, well you get...me!"

He revved up his energy and the very essence of it inflicted several small but deep wounds even though Vegeta had dodged.

"And this is only a drop in the bucket at what I can do, father."

Another wave of the energy was unleashed but it was so powerful that it sent Vegeta, despite his best efforts, off of the mountain and crashing into a set of boulders some distance away. With no time spared, he was being pounded with blows too fast to comprehend.

Easing up, his opponent watched patiently as Vegeta struggled to his feet.

"I don't believe you! My son died before he could be born."

"I'm alive and well, father."

"No!" he shook his head not wanting to hear it, "That's not possible. I - I saw with my own eyes, b-by my own hands!"

He shook off the intense damage to his body and was ready for another round, "So this is some kind of lousy trick to get to my psyche, well it's not going to work. You may know my memories but you won't trick me." He lunged forward, his fury and increased strength allowing him to successfully connect a series of powerful blows. Having achieved this feat, he dared not stop his assault; at any rate he felt good to finally get his hands on his opponent. However, his edge was short-lived as he was caught by the leg and smashed into the earth. Not giving in, he sent a large power ball which as far as he could see made perfect contact but having learnt from before he wasted no time by following this up with an even bigger blast.

Dashing through the blast, the man unleashed a series of kicks and punches to the stomach causing Vegeta to throw up blood. Regaining some control, Vegeta countered with an uppercut to the face which caused his opponent to throw up blood as well. Smiling, he was not prepared for the heavy kick to the head that sent him flat on his back. He felt the full extent of his ribcage breaking away as his upper torso was mercilessly crushed by the weight of the man's foot. He yelped out in agony much to his opponent's delight.

"I thought you should know just exactly who you're dealing with. My name is..."

As the man spoke, Vegeta bore through the pain and was charging a powerful blast. Now twice the size as the last, he had no intention of stopping as it grew closer to the man's face.

"Fahren."

"Fahren?" gulped Vegeta as he paused the blast just as he was about to release it. Tears came to his eyes as he stared at the stranger intently. In the spectacle of their auras, he recognised the dark eyes. They were a perfect match to the woman in his dreams, "You - you have her eyes!"

"Not going to attack me, father," egged on Fahren.

"I - I cannot," he admitted and his golden aura was reduced back to normal, now donning his original jet black hair, "You are right. You are my son."

"About time you caught on," Fahren smirked devilishly as light emitted from his right fist. He grabbed hold of what was left of his father's collar and pulled him closer. The light wobbled and bent until it finally settled on its final form; one that resembled a long, three-inch wide spear. In a second, that spear made a clean cut through Vegeta's stomach.

His eyes widened at the gall of the move more so than the pain. Fahren proceeded to unleash another round of blasts directed at the recent wound.

Coughing up more blood, each blow grew more antagonizing than the last, Vegeta struggled to speak, "W-Why?"

"I think you know why." Fahren's stern expression on his face was all that there was to convince Vegeta.

"Very well." He had accepted that this was the moment of his death and he closed his eyes in anticipation.

"Sorry, father," he laughed under his breath, "Do you really think I was going to kill you that easily."

The blade dissipated and as Fahren opened his hand, a spinning red disc was growing in size. On this special disc were sharp teeth making loud whirring noises as the speed increased. The teeth started ripping away at the seams of Vegeta's left pants leg. Bit by bit, the disc finally made its way to the skin and the agonising screams erupted.

"Should I go slower, father!" Fahren bared his teeth in delight and he started laughing maniacally.

In the heat of the moment, he was not wary of the impending blast until it was too late. However, the blast seemed to have been absorbed by him rather than damage him as it dissolved into nothing against his skin. He looked up with a smirk at the terrified boy in front of him.

"Hello, brother." Fahren smirked, "What can you possibly do against a super saiyan 5?"

Trunks watched terrified as the man outstretched his hand towards him; not even an attack as a super saiyan level 3 had fazed him. Fighting his fear, he nodded his head towards the sky and a large cylinder of light poured over Fahren. Realising the attack was successful, Trunks made a dash towards his father now freed as the blast consumed the enemy. He almost threw up at the sight of his father washed away in blood but more so when he noticed the large gap in his leg. He was careful as to how he held him as he flew towards a large ship above.

"Mom!" he cried out, the second he set foot in the vehicle, reducing his power level as his grey hair flopped down.

Bulma was at the helm of the aircraft and with a single click on a nearby button the doors closed behind Trunks. With the click of another button, she abandoned her post and made her way towards her son.

"Oh my," she froze in fear at the sight of him but quickly brushed off the fear, "I've got you."

She rested a comforting hand on the injured man in front of her as tears came to her eyes, "I don't even want to imagine what would've happened hadn't I-"

She shook her head not wanting to think the worst and propelled herself into action.

"Is he going to be OK?" Trunks asked.

"Don't worry about that. I've got this." she answered determinedly.

With that, Trunks nodded and darted towards the helm of the aircraft.

'What the hell!" she snapped as she fought to keep her footing as the airship dove down.

"He knew the last attack came from the sky. We should stick close to the ground."

"Good thinking," she responded calmly as the ship was now cruising along at a steady pace. They were hovering over the ocean in record speed and were soon zooming past a towering field that led back to city life. She scrambled towards some supplies neatly tucked away in their own compartment. She went to work collecting vials of varying medicines and was already attaching a hypodermic needle to a syringe. Soon it was filled with an orange liquid and she effectively stabbed it into his left thigh.

He cried out in pain, "Leave it! Leave it woman!"

Ignoring him, she grabbed a jar of translucent liquid from her vast options and was about to pour it over the open wound when he grabbed her hand. Terrified, she was forced to look into his eyes.

"I deserve to die like this."

Hearing those words from her husband's mouth sent a dark feeling through her very being.

"What are you talking about?" Trunks leapt to his father's side.

"I'm sure someone must have told you by now," Vegeta struggled with every word and forced a smile. "I'm not exactly a saint."

"But, Dad," Trunks felt the sting of tears on his cheeks, "That's not true, you helped saved the earth a few times, didn't you?"

"And I've also put the earth in danger one too many times. Son, I lived an evil life." He grabbed hold of his hand and squeezed as tightly as he could. This small action took an incredible amount of strength to accomplish, "I killed countless people cold-heartedly. But, you, my son, you are just like your mother." He looked into his wife's eyes, "An angel I never deserved. Now throw me out, I do not want him to hurt you."

"Dad, no!" Trunks laid his head on his father's chest, shaking his head not willing to accept that this was the end, "You can't fight like this."

"I don't intend to anyway," he rested his hand on the boy's head.

"Dad!" He cried openly. It was like Majin Buu all over again. The moment his father was opening his heart to him as he was now and the fear that churned in the pit of his stomach felt very much the same. He remembered it as clearly as if it were yesterday, how his father held him for the first time he ever knew him. He always admired him, for his idiosyncratic ways seemed so easy to translate but for him to come right out and admit his love so boldly was beyond strange. His father had taken his own life that day as a sacrifice but he never felt such anguish and anger because the act felt selfish to him. And now here he was, selfishly giving up all over again.

An intense anger erupted over him; he could not control it and he wouldn't have dared to even try to stop it, "Dad, we can't wish you back if you die. You've been brought back by Shenron once already."

"Lucky you, then. I won't be your burden any more." Vegeta clasped his arm around his son for what he believed to be the very last time.

"And the Namekian balls are unusable," Bulma said sadly. Flames shone in her eyes, her angry yells booming over the entire vehicle, "I never thought I would ever see you this pathetic!"

Trunks looked up at his mother; he had heard her yell before but there was deep emotion in her voice that even surprised his father.

"Your biggest grudge isn't with Goku, it's with yourself."

Her words pierced him deeper than any wound and he was not about to let on just how much, "Sounds great, I almost believe you."

"I've seen the way you fight countless of times. You only give up when there is absolutely no other way out. And we're giving you a way out and yet you won't take it because all of a sudden you have a conscience. If this is the way you see yourself, then you really are pathetic. I did not fall in love with an evil saiyan prince!" She pulled off the band around her marriage finger and threw it at him, "Die you jerk!"

She slumped down to the ground, completely drained of energy after that intense speech. The look of guilt written all over Vegeta's face had she noticed, she would have no doubt that her words were not in vain. He tried to say something but his words were muffled by an upsurge of blood. He started coughing harshly and grabbed at his stomach. Springing back to life, Bulma poured on the transparent liquid that he refused earlier over the wound but it was now bleeding profusely and she lamented that it might have been too late. Soon the aggressive shaking calmed until ultimately he laid still, his eyes closed.

"Vegeta," she said weakly.

---

Trunks felt his father hug him tightly. Somehow he was eight years old again and in the exact same spot when this memory occurred. It was such a unique experience, it was as if he were a part of the dream. In fact, it didn't feel like a dream at all but it was as if he were reliving the very moment. The sting of every word said to him, the confusion at his father's odd behaviour and his increasing fear were all too real. As if lost in a mist, his father disappeared and was replaced by Goku who was the one who revealed that his father was dead and somehow he was transported atop the lookout.

"No, Dad!" he cried out.

"Oh yes," he heard a familiar voice speak. He looked around him, everyone who would have been there were faded out and wore no faces. He only saw Goku as vivid as he had his own father and the dreadful words were repeated, "Vegeta's dead!"

It did not make any sense to him. The voice that spoke before was neither Goku's nor his father's. And then he heard it again as Goku spoke but with a devious smirk, "And then so will you!"

Immediately he understood and remembered how he watched the man as he ripped into his father's left thigh. That voice belonged to the man that tortured his father and his anger was multiplied tenfold.

"Sorry, lil brother, but I intend to wipe them all out."

"No!" he yelled, his breathing erratic. Suddenly, he noticed that it wasn't Goku or even the man before him but his mother, "M- Mom?"

"It was just a dream, honey," she comforted, however she looked bothered with worried, bloodshot eyes and a drained face. She drew his head closer to her bosom and hugged him tightly.

"I - I swear it wasn't." He was desperately trying to settle back in reality, "It felt like I was there, actually there. Reliving it, feeling it all over again."

Terror shone in his eyes as he pushed his way out of her arms, "And to make it worse, Mom, the man who did this to Dad, I heard him as if he were speaking directly to me."

A grim expression swept over his mother.

Suddenly remembering where he was, his eyes opened wide with curiousity, "Is Dad awake?"

He darted towards the single bed in the room. His father laid motionless with numerous tubes attached to him. He was anxious about his leg but his entire body was hidden beneath the large, white linen sheet.

"Dad?" he grimaced at the sight of him.

"The doctors are saying if he doesn't wake in a couple of hours he will have to go on life support," his mother informed as she stared blankly at the walls of the room.

"Mom, that's so stupid!" he snapped at her, baring his teeth in his rage, "I don't understand why we're here. What about the senzu beans or even the dragon, mom! This is total B.S!"

"We barely made it here to begin with," she said softly, unperturbed by her son's defiance.

"Well it sucks, seeing him like this." He slapped his forehead in frustration, "I'm going to do something about this!" He opened the window and rested his foot on the sill, ready to jump out.

He then had to bare the wrath of his mother, "No! Don't you dare. He can afford to suffer for all I care."

"What? Mom! Are you serious?" he was baffled by what he heard.

"You will go directly home and nowhere else. Goten should be here any second. He will make sure you're there." She laid down the rules frankly much to her son's utter disapproval. No matter how much he wanted to, he never dared defy his mother.

The door to the room burst open and in ran Goten almost stumbling right into Trunks. He inspected every inch from the behind, the side and the front of his friend, "You look pretty OK to me. When your Mom told me you guys were at the hospital I was so worried."

Trunks almost choked under the pressure of the tightening grip as his friend hugged him.

"Yeah, that kind of hurts," he revealed and Goten released at once, "I was just drained, though. I guessed I just needed a little rest."

"It was a lot longer than a little rest," Bulma smiled, the first sense of life shown, "I've been trying to wake you up for the last twenty minutes in vain. I thought I was going to have to let Goten fly you home on his back."

"Home?" he shouted aggressively, "Screw that! If I can't help Dad then I'm not going anywhere!"

"You're going home and that's an order!"

Her intense eyes and that tone in her voice reduced his ego exponentially. Trunks looked down completely ashamed of his actions, "Alright, Mom."

"That's why I love you, kiddo." Her happy-go-lucky tone was so forced that it had no direct effect on the situation. She hugged him warmly and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"Thanks, Goten," she said graciously.

He nodded respectfully and the two boys dashed off through the open window with great speed.

---

Goten could not stand not knowing any longer and grabbed hold of his friend's hand, stopping him in his tracks, "Are you going to tell me what happen now?"

Not wanting to look into his eyes he moped around, ignoring him.

"I think I at least deserve to know what's going on," he pleaded.

"My Dad got messed up real bad, Goten," he confessed mournfully.

"What do you mean? He looked like he was just sleeping to me," said Goten innocently.

"I almost lost him last night." He tightened his fists, shaking despite himself. He dashed off much to Goten's surprise and dismay.

"Hey, wait for me!" He followed and was soon beside him again as they flew swiftly by, neither saying anything. Goten was beginning to understand the gravity of the situation and he understood that his friend was hurting, "Come on, there's no one tougher than your Dad. He'll be OK."

"I don't think so. They're thinking of putting him on life support if he doesn't wake soon," Trunks turned his head away to hide the tears, "Can you believe it, my Dad, the prince of all saiyans, clinging on to his life at the hands of a stupid machine!"

Goten had no idea what else he could possibly say at this point.

"And to make things worse, I don't even think my Mom loves him any more."

"Huh?" he asked confused, "Are you kidding me, your parents are rock solid, everyone knows that."

"She's not even going to lift a finger to stop this madness," he growled, "It's like he's already dead to her."

The two continued to fly on in silence for some time at a much slower rate than before.

"Who did this to him, Trunks?" Goten asked sternly.

"My brother." His response was so frank and direct that it completely went over his friend's head.

"Why would your brother do something like this? I thought he was a good guy, he was always so sweet and so..." Goten then caught hold of what he was saying and then he thought a while, "But you don't have a brother."

"That's what I gathered when he addressed me as his brother. He's clearly older than I am, maybe my Dad had a kid before he met my Mom. I mean he doesn't say much about his past unless he's giving a saiyan history lesson."

"Yeah, I think it's funny when he does that," chuckled Goten but then he became serious again, "But that still doesn't make any sense, why does he want to hurt his own father?"

"Dunno, but he promised in my dream somehow, that he will kill all the saiyans. Meaning us, your Dad, your brother and his daughter."

"What?" Terror zipped through him but he became calm almost immediately, "I'm sure with all of us together we can beat this guy, no sweat!"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Goten," Trunks narrowed his eyes dramatically causing his friend's sudden dropped ego, "He's a level 5!"

"Level 5!" cried Goten, wide-eyed, "We don't even know what 4 looks like."

Both boys stopped suddenly, having sensed something. Without warning, Fahren appeared before them causing them to cower, "What about a 6 then!"

"That's him," warned Trunks, stiff with fear. He recalled how he used practically all of his strength to unleash his most powerful blast and it faded away to nothing against his skin. He could not even think straight at the possibility that the now long, silver haired level 6 transformation was reality.

"Whoa, he just transformed so easily, with no effort at all!" exclaimed Goten too stunned to move.

With no escape, Fahren slammed Trunks with a brutal blow to the head sending him whirling towards the city below.

"No," cried out Goten as he dove after him but it was in vain as he was grabbed by the foot and flung forward. Revved up with so much speed, Goten landed a few seconds before Trunks would have. Two large buildings crashed down from the tremendous impact and the screams of the people were awaken.

Regaining control, Trunks stopped himself in the nick of time. He clutched his injured head and growled in agony, eyeing his attacker with intense rage.

"Tough guy, eh?" Fahren asked condescendingly and smirked. Appearing before Trunks, he launched a powerful kick to the stomach. Trunks coughed up blood and was slammed into the rocks beneath him.

"Get up. Let me enjoy killing you!" Fahren smiled deviously.

Bruised and battered, Trunks struggled to get to his feet but Fahren lashed him with another powerful, swift leg which sent him speeding towards the sky.

Fahren was about to leap after him when he was met by a series of powerful ki blasts against his back. Not wasting any time, Goten dashed for his friend and was making a clear escape but was thrown off course by a powerful rush of wind.

Goten managed to regain sufficient control and switched sides with Trunks so that he would take on the full extent of damage as they were thrown into the buildings below.

As the smoke cleared, Goten struggled to his feet, "Hey, what about fusion?"

Trunks did not like the sound of the idea, "What good will that do? He's a level 6!"

"6!" gasped Goten, "Well, exactly - three and three makes 6!"

"I guess it's worth a try," Trunks responded with newfound determination.

The two powered up; their golden auras ripping away at the debris about them and reducing it to fine dust. Their now golden hair grew at an inconceivable rate and mimicked the length of Fahren's silver locks. They proceeded to perform the fusion; a technique that resembled a ballet duet.

Fahren smashed down Goten and Trunks with one punch, respectively. He smirked as the two boys squirmed to get up. The boys nodded to one another and they proceeded to try again but at a much quicker pace but when Fahren dashed forward at them, they paused.

"Don't be afraid. I won't stop you, I'm curious."

Now trembling the boys continued the dance and in no time was successful at accomplishing their new form as one body.

"Nice little trick," he complimented the boys, "I'm impressed."

Gotenks, as they preferred to be called once in this form, growled in frustration and he dashed towards his enemy unleashing powerful kicks and blows with such finesse and lightning speed but every lash was easily blocked by Fahren's large arms. Gotenks dissuaded from his futile attacks and released multiple ghost versions of himself. These copies obediently continued attacking Fahren from all angles. Realising the success of this ambush attack, he followed up with a succession of powerful blows alongside his doubles. In finale, he sent a powerful blast at Fahren with the ghost copies being absorbed into him one by one just before impact.

Feeling confident, he waited as the smoke cleared to see what damage he had achieved. He had the shock of his life when he saw Fahren cruising towards him without even a scratch.

"Not bad, brother. You and your friend are not bad at all." Fahren's proud words meant nothing to the boys under the circumstances, "However, you're boring me. I think its time you die!"

He proceeded to repeat every kick and every blow that Gotenks and his copies had dealt him but doubled the intensity. He never allowed his victim to get any further than a few inches away throughout his onslaught. Crying out in agony, the boys plummeted with a final kick; one body had become two once more. They landed head first into the buildings below. Completely thrashed, they could not move no matter how much they tried, their golden auras wore off and their hair returned to normal. They watched as a massive blast, which shone brilliantly as it blocked the sun's own rays, came speeding towards them. Goten and Trunks waited helplessly for the end.

Moments before the blast made impact, the boys disappeared from the scene altogether. However, the city and the people were not so lucky. Everything within a two mile radius was consumed by the fiery ball of energy and unknowingly that force was more than enough to crack the hard outer shell of a dragonball that was hidden in the earth. Fahren smiled with satisfaction but it was replaced with intrigue when Goku appeared before him.

"Well, it's about time Kakarot," he greeted coolly, "A little earlier and you would have seen me finish off your son and my brother."

"Your brother?" asked Goku bewildered. He had no clue as to what he meant by that. However, he was not that interested to find out. He was overcome by rage, his heart hurting for the lives lost, "Why are you doing this? All those innocent people!"

Fahren lashed at Goku with a powerful side kick which despite his best efforts to block it sent him flailing towards the earth. He managed to regain control and stopped midair and transformed effortlessly to level 3.

Fahren yawned mockingly at the sight which only angered Goku as he dashed towards him trying his best to land a punch or a kick.

"Answer me! Why are you doing this?"

"You should ask my father that!"

Realising that he could not successfully connect any blows he paused, "Your father? And who might that be?"

"Your good, old pal Vegeta of course," smirked Fahren.

This shocked every nerve in Goku's body. Wide-eyed, he studied his opponent's face and recognised a distinguishing similarity to that of Vegeta, "Vegeta has another son?"

Now giddy from the realisation, Goku gleefully exclaimed, "Yeah, I see the resemblance now. Whoa! Who would've guessed. Just when you think you know a guy." In an instance, his happy countenance disappeared and he aggressively shouted, "I don't care who you are but you are going to pay for what you've done."

"Humph." Fahren repeated a similar onslaught to that which he subjected Gotenks to and every hit made a deep impact on Goku, "And when I'm finished with you, I'm going to pay my dear father a visit."

The pain grew more and more unbearable with each blow and he needed a way out now. 'He knows where Vegeta is. That's not good at all,' he thought.

With no other hope, he placed his index and middle fingers to his forehead and his body started dissolving into thin air but he was held by his feet and slammed down into the ground at full speed. Fahren proceeded to repeat slamming him a few more times and then he raked him through the rocks before landing his knee into his back.

Goku cried out in agony as he watched his blood fall to the earth. He wiped away what he could from his mouth and he realised in that moment that he was no match for him, 'He's too strong. And did he just stop me in the middle of my instant transmission technique? But that's instant.'

"If the children couldn't do much, what makes you think you could do anything?" Fahren chastised as he landed a powerful jab into the neck, "You too are obsessed by power and now look at you."

He kicked forward Goku sending him hurling and tumbling wildly. He struggled to get to his feet and tried the instant transmission technique once more but was met with a head butt that sent him drunkenly back. He fell to his knees, blood springing from his head.

Running out of options, Goku desperately used a "Solar Flare" attack which sent exorbitant, white-hot rays about them. He shielded his eyes and was making a desperate attempt to perform the instant transmission once more. A deep chuckle alerted him that Fahren was standing before him and he squinted for confirmation.

"Go ahead," Fahren calmly said.

Goku's body disappeared instantly.

"So that's what he was trying to do," Fahren remarked, "A race, eh?" He picked up to the skies.

---

Goku appeared before a startled Bulma, struggling to stay on his feet. She dashed over to his aid, "Oh no, you're hurt."

She directed him to sit down but he refused, "There's no time."

He staggered over to the lone bed in the room, trying his best not to fall over. He was overwhelmed with deep regret when he saw Vegeta's motionless body, "I couldn't sense Vegeta but I did sense you. Luckily you're both in the same place." He rested his palm on the man's shoulder and motioned her over with his head, "Grab hold, NOW!"

His last word was forced into a shout as the walls of the room crumbled away to reveal a quickly approaching Fahren. Bulma barely touched Goku's back as she stared with wide, terrified eyes as a massive ball of energy neared her. The heat of this blast unnerved her and she closed her eyes expecting the worst. After what felt like a lifetime, she fearfully reopened her eyes. Noticing that the great power ball was no longer a threat, she collapsed on all fours, gasping for breath as if she were a fish out of water.

"We should be safe here," Goku comforted. He slumped back into a sitting position, sighing loudly. He looked down at the motionless Vegeta who had not once flinched during the ordeal. His landing wasn't exactly the easiest as the bed was not teleported with him. He was able to see the extent of his injuries with the multiple bandages in plain sight without the cover of the linen sheet.

"Man, he's fast," he acknowledged, "Where we were must have been no less than 6 miles away."

"Mom?" a voice called over.

Bulma took one last deep breath and picked herself up with a sense of newfound hope searing through her. She almost burst into tears when she saw her son and his best friend in a corner of the house, bruised and bleeding.

She darted towards them and consoled the boys.

"Oh, no." She was clearly upset by their appearance, "But how...?"

"I couldn't think of anywhere else at the time so I brought them here," Goku interjected as he finally flopped onto his back, his harsh breathing slowed down somewhat.

"Where are we?" she asked but her answer came immediately when a bumbling, old midget came rushing through from the adjoining room.

"What's all this ruckus going on in here?" he asked loudly. It was Master Roshi with a bottle of whiskey in tow. He lowered his shades and smiled lustfully at the woman in front of him. His voice became soft and excited, "Oh, my, it's you Bulma. I guess dreams do come true!" He laughed victoriously.

"And us too!" called out Goku.

"Oh." Master Roshi seemed disappointed at first but it was quickly replaced with fury, "What the hell are you doing here anyway!"

"Well, short answer. We've got a real menace on our hands," Goku informed.

Bulma abandoned the boys and was raiding the cupboards and soon she came across a bounty of medicine, gauzes and ointments much to her delight. She took up as much as her hands would allow and carefully carried them over to the boys who were not all grateful when they noticed the familiar purple ointment.

"Oh, yeah, and who might this be that is giving you all such a hard time?" asked Master Roshi in disbelief.

Without thinking, Goku blurted, "Vegeta's son."

"What?" This discovery sent Bulma in an uproar.

"It's true Mom," Trunks said.

"Well, you would've think when you decide you want to marry someone you would say something like...oh, I don't know, I have another son! Did something like that just slipped his mind? That man!" she growled in annoyance.

"You can't really expect a man like that to have been waiting around for you to come along, did you?"

A voice from behind startled them all. It was Chi-Chi, now making her way down the bottom of the stairs with a heap of towels of different sizes and a wide bowl filled to the brim with water.

"What?' snapped Bulma, eyeing her evilly. She turned to Goku and demanded some answers, "Why is she even doing here?"

"Chi-Chi and I were on our way in the plane to visit you guys at the hospital," he struggled to pick himself up from the wooden floor, "Then this huge power level just hit me about the same time the plane lost control and crashed. I had to get her out of there and fast."

"Couldn't you have just flown over, oh, I don't know, or use the instant transmission?" barked Bulma.

"Do you think we're uncivilized!" griped Chi-Chi as she made her way over to the boys. She got to work washing the wounds on her son's arms.

"How did you guys know where I was going?" he asked his mother curiously.

"Well, you didn't finish your lunch before you left," Chi-Chi chimed, "Most unusual and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. When I called, Dr. Brief explained that you guys were in the hospital. He didn't say why which prompted me to go myself."

"Can't put anything past you, huh, mom!" giggled Goten, realising he had been caught red-handed.

"So why were you guys at the hospital anyway?" she asked now moving on to Trunks' wounds. Already she had bloodied at least a dozen of the white towels.

"Vegeta," Bulma said sadly, "He almost lost his leg but they managed to reattach it in surgery. And he's lost a ton of blood."

Chi-Chi froze. She clumsily stumbled over to the body on the floor, having dropped the towels in the water. Upon first glance, she whimpered loudly and slumped back into a nearby couch.

"When did all of this happen?" Goku asked infuriated, "I don't understand. Did this guy just come here to kill his own father?"

"And us too - as in all the saiyans," Trunks filled them in, "And what you saw was him at a level 6!"

"Level 6!" Goku was lost in shock and disbelief, "W-Wow! That's great!"

Everyone in the room eyed him curiously. How could he be excited at a time like this?

"He's twice stronger than you, why are you so happy about that?" asked Chi-Chi.

"Yeah, but a super saiyan god is times higher than him!" he exclaimed.

"I thought you were already a super saiyan god," Bulma questioned.

"Nah. Vegeta and I promised we would lay off of training in that form and figure our way to getting there on our own. We had the dragon take it all away and leaving us what we were originally."

"Why would you do something so stupid, Goku!" she yelled at him and waved her fist, "And I have reason to believe it was all your idea!"

Laughing nervously, he tried to calm her down, "It's OK, promise. As part of the wish, courtesy Vegeta's genius, once the transformation is achieved our bodies will accept it immediately."

"But how - didn't you need the others to...?"

Before his wife could finish her question he had disappeared and a second later a confused Gohan appeared along with his two-year old.

"Uh..." Gohan started but Goku was gone again.

"But Vegeta hasn't woken," Bulma lamented, "If he ever wakes."

"Huh?" Gohan turned around and noticed Vegeta on the floor. He was overwhelmed with despair at the sight.

"Grandma!" Pan cried out and ran towards her grandmother who welcomed her with a warm hug.

"Heh, heh!" Master Roshi seemed suddenly excited as he bounced and hobbled his way over to Vegeta, "I think I know what will wake him up."

"He drinks to sleep not to wake up," Bulma addressed crossly.

"Oh!" This only peaked his interest, "Is that so?"

"He's been having nightmares for the last few days and he figured that was the only way to cure them. And it seemed to be working for a while until last night happened," she retold the sorry tale, "I've never seen him in such a panic and then he decided he had to go out. Huge red flag right there. Over the years I've been working on a special type of cannon, you could say, that would produce blasts as powerful as Goku and Vegeta combined at their most powerful. If it wasn't for me and Trunks, he would have most certainly been a goner."

"So that explains why I didn't see you at work this morning," Gohan burrowed his brow deep in anger. He threw off his glasses and hid them in his pocket. His fist shook violently as he tried to keep his emotions under check.

Tears came to Chi-Chi's eyes and she held the little girl even tighter, forcing her gaze away from the body on the floor.

"So he likes a swig before bed, eh?" Master Roshi mischievously grinned as he neared his target, popping the cover off the bottle, "I know the feeling. In fact I was getting to that feeling before you morons barged into my house!"

"But it's the afternoon," Goten pointed out.

"Don't you dare!" yelled Bulma, darting after the old man.

"Too late," he giggled as some of the alcohol slipped down Vegeta's throat. Bulma managed to snatch the bottle away and was about to break it over his head when coughing and sputtering sounded from behind her.

She leapt towards her husband and held his hand, glad to see him finally up, "Oh dear. I thought I was losing you. About last night, I -"

"Thanks for that," he said weakly.

Bulma smiled and hugged him, "It's about time you realised."

"Told ya, your parents are rock solid," Goten gave his friend the thumbs up but Trunks was more concerned about what was happening on the other side of the room.

"It's about time," Vegeta agreed with a smile, resting a hand over hers as the others crowded around them excitedly. His calm demeanour faded away to an alert and terrified countenance, "How long have I been out?"

"14 hours," Trunks said as he alighted before his father. He fought through the pain of his own bruises and hugged his father, "Dad, I'm glad you're OK."

"No!" gasped Vegeta with wide eyes.

Goku reappeared in the room alarming everyone. He lowered his head as he spoke, "Bad luck guys. There's only one senzu bean. Korin says the next batch won't be ready any time soon, so," he snapped the small, green bean in half, "Hey, catch!" He tossed them at the two boys who ate it gratefully.

Noticing that everyone was all crowded together, he came to see firsthand what the fuss was about.

"Hey, look who's up!" He bent down and touched the man's shoulder with a light tap, "You think you've got it in you for a super saiyan god transformation?"

Vegeta nodded, "We have to hurry. He's on his way here."

"What do you mean?" Goku asked alarmed, "He doesn't know where we are."

"Through my dreams, he knows exactly where we are," Vegeta shared much to everyone's dismay.

"That must be how he knew where I was," Trunks realised growling in frustration, "I had a dream before we left the hospital."

"Yes. He is a part of a race of people who can manipulate your memories and distort them in any way they choose. Sometimes they can pick up information about you and those close to you through these dreams. I had known it was a Mezoran but I would never have guessed it to be..." he grabbed hold of Goku's arm, "Please, I beg of you, don't kill him."

"If you insist," smirked Goku confidently, "But don't worry, by the time I'm through with him he'll be fit for a good spanking."

Vegeta smiled, "Let's get this over with."

The women stepped back as the others surrounded Goku and held hands offering their energies to Goku. A magical display of interweaving light escaped their bodies as they converged into one.

"Whoa! I think this is going to be even stronger than last time," Goku said as he looked at his son with a huge grin on his face, "You really have been doing some serious training, you're even stronger than me and Vegeta combined. A lot stronger!"

"Well, I took Vegeta's advice. Never again am I ever going not even a day without training."

"Well done," smirked Vegeta proudly.

Soon Goku's hair changed from a red-purple to a bright blue but the link was broken suddenly by the rattling of the front door and ultimately the crashing of the broken wood. They had all sensed the tremendous power level the same time Fahren stopped suddenly before them. The sight of him sent the women and the old man in a frenzy.

"Well, all of you have gathered just waiting for me!" he smiled looking around the room. He sent a blast at the little girl who was quivering against her grandmother's leg. Her father dashed in front of the blast and sent it sailing back from whence it came but Fahren dodged easily.

"Oh no, my house!" cried Master Roshi at the damage caused by the minor explosion.

"Why not mess with someone your own size," Gohan demanded angrily as he powered up causing the concrete floor to break away and rise along with his aura.

"Kakarot, what are you waiting for!" yelled Vegeta.

"But I can't move," Goku struggled to speak. His body was frozen in the fighting stance he possessed throughout the transformation.

"Ah, you don't look it," Fahren said proudly, "but you're a level 6. You were 7 but you pathetically gave away your power to that fool!" he motioned towards Goku.

"7!" Intense stares and gawking expressions were on the faces of everyone in the room except Vegeta who was smiling contentedly.

"Since we're evenly matched, for now, why don't we take this outside. Shall we? This should be something." Fahren was grinning from ear to ear.

"Have it your way," Gohan agreed.

With lightning speed, Fahren kicked Gohan through the opening where the front door once was.

"Kakarot," yelled Vegeta, "Do something or your son will be killed."

"It seems like he's a pretty good match, there's not much of a difference between their power levels," Goku informed through clenched teeth. It was obvious it hurt for him to speak as his words jumbled together and slurred off under his stress.

Vegeta pushed his body along the floor using one hand. In a great effort he pushed against the wall of the house and tried to stand, "He wants me, this has no concern with the rest of you."

"Vegeta, no!" Bulma cried out seeing what he was trying to do.

He was standing now, putting all the pressure on the good leg, "He's my son and he's after me! I appreciate the help but perhaps this is how it finally ends for me."

"That's not true, Dad," Trunks warned, "He wants to kill all the saiyans. Why do you think he attacked Pan or us?" He pointed at himself and then Goten.

"What?" He could not have been more surprised by this revelation, "A - Are you sure?"

Trunks nodded.

Vegeta bared his teeth in rage, "Damn him."

"Boy, I wish I could see what was going on out there!" complained Master Roshi. At that exact moment, Gohan came crashing through the roof towards him and he scrambled to get out of the way.

"Oh boy," the old man said hopelessly, now accepting that he was out of danger, "Be careful what you ask for."

Gohan had stopped himself before he smashed into the floor and dashed his way back out at warp speed.

"I don't see either of them," Chi-Chi called out, inspecting through the space.

"We're in the middle of a war zone," cried Bulma, "We need to get out of here."

"But how?" piped up Goku, "I can't instant transmission you guys out of here. This hurts like crap." His hand throbbed from his effort to move.

"This has never happened," growled Vegeta, "We were both successful at accomplishing that form. I don't understand this!" He slammed his fist into the wall and it crumbled under the force of the impact.

Master Roshi was not too pleased by the added damage to the house.

Vegeta flew up to the opening in the roof.

"Where are you going?" asked Goku.

"To survey the fight. Gohan is the best hope we've got right now and I don't intend to miss out on an opportunity to help out." And with that Vegeta was gone.

Goku struggled to nod his head in response.

"We've got to go, too," Trunks said to Goten.

"Oh no you won't," cried Chi-Chi, "I refuse to let you go after that monster. I will not allow you to fight, do you hear me!"

All of her yelling fell on deaf ears as the boys proceeded to perform the fusion dance in their level 3 forms.

"Oh, pipe down," snapped Bulma.

Pan hugged her grandmother's leg even tighter, seeming to understand what was happening around her.

"At least I still have you," she picked up the little girl in her arms and hugged her tightly.

---

The battle between Gohan and Fahren was a thrilling spectacle in the sense that they were both achieving powerful attacks to the other without being the least bit fazed. The fight was so evenly matched that it seemed like it would go on for hours before a victor was declared.

"Something's not right," Vegeta announced to Gotenks who was anxiously waiting next to him to join at a moment's notice.

"Yeah, even though he's getting beaten he seems really calm," agreed Gotenks.

"Look boys, take your mothers and Pan and get as far away from here as possible," he ordered.

"But Dad!" the hybrid fighter wailed.

"You heard me!" he barked.

Just as Gotenks turned around to head back to the house, Gohan zipped past him and crashed through another section of the roof but this time he caused a large crater that ripped the front half off completely. Appearing just before a very fearful Vegeta, Fahren smirked, "This time father, I will snap off your foot and beat you with it!"

So consumed by fear by the sight of the blue hair on his son froze him into position. It was in that moment that he realised his son was also a level beyond super saiyan god. Fahren made a grab for him but was met with a series of kicks and punches by Gotenks who was not letting up having made a connection. Grabbing him easily by the shirt, Fahren drove his knee in the stomach and sealed the deal with a punch to the face.

"Please, stop!" begged Vegeta.

Proceeding with the onslaught, Fahren's face lit up with glee, "Did you stop when you killed my mother?"

Vegeta was so enraged that he levelled up to super saiyan, "If you knew what really happened."

"I know more than enough," Fahren said firmly and he proceeded to compress the boy's head between his large hands.

"Stop!" yelled Vegeta as he unleashed a powerful blast. The blast dissolved away to nothing at the touch of Fahren's aura.

"Humph. Is that the best you can do?"

"They've had more than enough. Come, I'm right here."

"Very well, father." Fahren released his hold on the now unconscious Gotenks.

Vegeta was about to go after him but Fahren motioned him to stop and he obeyed reluctantly. Realising how helpless he was fuelled his rage.

Fahren drew closer to his father, "The last surviving Mezorans were living in filth and ruin. Everyday was a struggle as we suffered at the hands of the Elmorites, the race that bought our planet after you killed my people. Just for looking different we were tortured. We had no food and were subjected to daily whippings but I was the one who defeated them seven years ago. That was when I found out the truth, to know that my own father was responsible for our suffering and to see how he killed my mother, it pissed me off! How could you, you bastard! She loved you but you bowed down to your lord Frieza because power was all that mattered to you, wasn't it?"

"That's a lie," snapped Vegeta viciously, "You don't know what you're saying. I am very sorry for the troubles that the survivors of your race endured but it is because of me that they survived in the first place."

"Because all of a sudden you had a change of heart, please," Fahren said casually as he bridged the gap between them. His aura alone was ripping into Vegeta's body causing painful burns and deep scars, "I saw for myself through the eyes of the Great Ruler before he passed."

Vegeta growled at the mere mention of the name, "The Great Ruler survived? He was the bastard that tipped Frieza off in the first place. He might have shown you what he wanted you to see."

"Do not speak ill of the Great Ruler! He was more of a father than you ever will be!" yelled Fahren viciously causing an increase in his energy that edged even deeper into Vegeta's skin.

Wincing in pain, Vegeta yelled, "I had no idea you were even alive!"

"I wondered why," Fahren narrowed his eyes, "My mother was from a kind, gentle race. Unlike yours, father. Oh yes, I discovered my ancestry. And I want nothing to do with you saiyans. All of you must die just like I killed your brother. I will wipe you all out and conveniently all of you are on the same planet in the same place. And when I'm through with you, I see no reason to exist, as I too, most unfortunately am a saiyan as well."

Vegeta was visibly moved about the news of his brother's death. He had never known his brother as he was sent away as a babe and he had been taught from an early age to hate him because he was born as weak as a low-class saiyan which was absolutely unacceptable as the King's son.

Gohan appeared by his side, "This is absurd! Is he - is he a saiyan god?"

"I'm afraid so."

Fahren launched forward at Gohan and pounded him mercilessly and sent him sailing deep into the island.

"3 down," he smirked and laughed at the terror in his father's eyes. He proceeded to pound Vegeta in a similar manner, "I especially want you to suffer!"

He prolonged his beating on his father rather than sending him to the same fate as his last victim. Fresh blood sprung from beneath his bandages as he yelled out in pain. Fahren grabbed hold of the injured leg and tightened his grip and a blood curdling scream drowned the atmosphere. The stitches tore out and the leg started to rip away by the immense pressure.

He fired a beam that sent his father reeling into the house. He continued his torment with more blows and he was loving every minute of it.

"He's toying with him," Master Roshi noticed as he hid behind the ruins, holding on for dear life as the earth shook violently, "And I don't think insurance is going to cover this!"

"Good news," Goku called over to the two women as they shuddered from under their makeshift fort. They had ripped off the backing from under the couch which allowed for extra room as they hoisted it over them. It was tattered and dirtied from the falling of debris and wood.

"Good news?" yelled Chi-Chi, "Does any of this look like good news to you!"

"Krillin's on his way. He probably sensed the huge power levels from before. Especially Vegeta's son, his is so huge I'm sure I would have definitely sensed it even all the way out at home."

"But what about our sons? I don't see them anywhere. I won't leave without Trunks," demanded Bulma.

"And I'm not leaving without Goten and Gohan," agreed Chi-Chi grabbing hold of the little girl with her free arm and drawing her closer.

A sorrowful expression crept over Goku, "I'm afraid to break it to you ladies, but their energies' dropping fast. They may not make it."

The women were overcome with grief and wept bitterly for their children. Pan who could not maintain her bravery any longer started bawling.

"Oh, wow-wee!"

They all looked up to see Master Roshi running in as he jumped out of the way of the missile in the nick of time. A terrible crash imploded the walls behind them and they quickly realised that it was no missile; it was a badly hurt Vegeta.

"Oh, no!" cried Bulma dashing from under the makeshift fort. Upon seeing the ripped away stitches on his now gaping leg, she fainted. However, she had a soft landing in the hands of Krillin.

"Thanks, Krillin," Goku said.

"What the hell is going on!" Krillin said looking about the mess and the chaos, "Are you and Vegeta at it again? Man this is ridiculous. Do you guys know you destroyed most of West City. It's all on the news."

"No time to explain, just get the women and Pan out of here," directed Goku as much as he could because the gravity pull on his body was too much to bear.

"But what about you?"

"I can't seem to move."

Fahren floated slowly into the room much to Krillin's horror, "Oh wow! His power level's skyrocketing. Who the hell is this!"

"Fahren. Nice to meet you, Krillin," smirked Fahren and he landed before him, "Leave now with the women but the little girl stays."

"But," whimpered Krillin, "Why?"

"She's as much of a saiyan like the rest of these pests," Fahren said dryly, firing off a blast.

"I would let go if I were you," laughed Fahren as Chi-Chi looked on too stunned to move. The blast was clearly meant for the little girl but as she held on so tightly, she was also in danger.

Goku watched with fury as the blast neared, he hated that he could do nothing to save them. Vegeta appeared before the blast could hit them and took on its full effect. However, a strong gush of wind emanated from the collision which sent the pair tumbling over.

"Oh, no, Vegeta!" cried Krillin upon seeing Vegeta's ragged body drenched in blood. As much as he would have loved to help the fallen man, he knew the others were his priority. He dashed over to Chi-Chi, "Hey, hop on, quick."

She wasted no time and pushed Pan up onto his back and scrambled her way up herself. Krillin shot off towards the hole in the roof but suddenly Pan was falling behind.

"No, my grandbaby!" Chi-Chi called after the crying child.

Krillin paused when he realised what had just happened. Fahren was holding the girl by the hair.

"Don't worry," he smiled coyly, "I'll shut her up for you."

"Not on my watch," Vegeta growled as he released a powerful blast.

"Are you serious?" asked Fahren as he landed a powerful punch to his father's stomach which knocked all the wind out of him, "I must say I admire you, father. Your relentless spirit makes torturing you so much more fun."

Krillin was about to fly after Fahren but was stopped by Goku.

"No Krillin, leave now. Please," he begged.

Krillin nodded and obeyed reluctantly and made his way through the roof.

"Now for a little fun before I finish off my father," Fahren turned to face Goku and he tossed the child at him, "Catch."

Goku grimaced for he knew that there was no way he could move to catch her. However, the crying girl's shirt hung perfectly around his clenched fist.

"Saiyan God is achieved at level 10 but it can be surpassed with many challenges, of course. You and my father were lucky to have survived one step above it. Now you've pushed one step above that. Level 12's a tough one, eh?" he shook his head condescendingly, "That kind of power can crush your bones if you're not careful. Pity."

"Kakarot, you fool! Dispense some of your energy now!" yelled Vegeta despite his severe weakness.

"I'll try," Goku struggled but was able to release a large blast from his free fist which smashed through the walls in front of him.

Tears fell from behind Master Roshi's shades. There wasn't much left of his house.

"It's working," he charged another blast which zipped over the water creating waves over thirty feet high. He was able to get some movement in his shoulders and then his hands. He opened his fist and thrust off Pan. With both hands freed now, he unleashed a massive "Kamehameha" blast which by the sheer energy radiating off of it, shattered the windows and ripped away at what was left of the eaves causing the walls on either side of him to cave in.

Blocking with both hands, the blast dissolved away to nothing against Fahren's arms, "Ooo, that tingled."

Angered that his attack had not achieved anything, Goku launched forward, now a lot faster than he was when he was only a level 3. He was able to connect some punches but Fahren had no trouble blocking. Not playing nice any longer Goku used a technique most used from his previous form but he believed that the effects would be amplified.

"Dragon Fist!" he yelled as he successfully forced apart Fahren's arms and connected an uppercut. A dragon or it seemed a mirage of one, exuded from his aura and tightened its grip on Fahren. Seeing that extensive damage was caused, Goku with a boost of ego proudly exclaimed, "God style."

Fahren cried out in pain as the snake compressed his body, the large being now opened its mouth in an attempt to swallow his head. With an upsurge of energy, a blast protruded it would seem from Fahren's head, ripping the giant creature's mouth in half.

Goku gawked when he saw the dragon mirage reduced to nothing. He growled in frustration, "What the hell?"

Fahren pursued his opponent who as he realised was using the technique that can instantly transport his body but he was too fast and grabbed Goku and lashed him into the foundation of the house. He swiftly pounded into Goku's chest and stomach. When he thought that he had had enough, he backed off and studied his handy work.

"Oh no," grumbled Vegeta. He was propped against a short table and from his distance could make out that Goku was definitely losing. Through telepathy, Vegeta spoke directly to Goku who was having a hard time getting up, "Kakarot. Do me a favour. I can sense our children's power weakening but they are still hanging on. Fahren can sense them as well. I know you're better at this than I am. So tell them to reduce their power levels as low as possible, 0 if they have to."

"But..." started Goku, grimacing in pain.

"Just do it!" Vegeta yelled.

"Alright, will do," he agreed, not sure about the odd request but he fulfilled it nonetheless, "Done."

"Good." Vegeta smiled as he struggled to stand, "Now go get your butt kick and do the same. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I guess," Goku admitted his confusion.

Ignoring him, Vegeta continued, "When I say, you will use the instant transmission and get them all out of here, starting with the little one first and me last. Got it?"

"Are you sure about this?"

"Stop asking me stupid questions," he growled, losing his cool.

Now on his feet again and regaining some of his energy, Goku pounced at his opponent. Fired up, he was able to connect successful blows and once he had, he had no intention of letting up until Fahren got the upper hand. Goku was pulverized with aggressive jabs and kicks until he was thrown into a pile of debris off to the corner of the damaged house. Still brimming with energy, he decided to obey his friend's orders by lowering his power level and besides he realised how pointless it was to fight to the death; the battle was already lost.

Fahren sensed this and averted his attention to the whimpering little girl who had not once moved from the spot her grandfather left her in.

"You sick bastard! Kill her after you've dealt with me," Vegeta yelled, now standing firmly on his good leg.

"I'll get to you in a second, father," he said assertively. He was about to slam the crying child's back into his knee but Vegeta appeared before him. In complete rage, Fahren kicked Vegeta all the way through to the very end of the island.

He threw down the little girl with such force, knocking her out immediately. He walked in a one-for-today, one-for-tomorrow fashion through the wreckage, his aura mincing everything in his path.

Thinking the coast was clear, Master Roshi made a grab for the little girl but he was blown back by a burst of wind from Fahren's hand. He fearfully picked himself up and stayed in his corner not daring to move again. Goku opened his eyes a peak, removing some of the rubble from about his face and surveyed the situation. The sight of his granddaughter on the floor grieved him and he felt stupid for doing nothing but waiting like a sitting duck.

Making his way to his father, Fahren looked slightly disappointed. He picked up his father's limp body, "Pity. I so wanted to follow through with beating you with your own leg, oh well," he dropped the still body on the sand, "Now that you're dead..."

Fahren was revving up his power and his aura grew immensely knocking down any remaining walls of the house much to Goku's vantage point. The force of the blast pushed Vegeta's body closer to the trembling waters. The earth shook violently as sharp lightning bolts rained down on them. It was the apocalypse of disasters. The very island cracked in half and molten hot lava erupted, rising and bursting.

Making his way closer to the villain, Goku motioned Master Roshi to stay put. He picked up the little girl and held her tightly with a sigh of relief that she was still alive.

"Damn you, Vegeta, was this your master plan?" he growled.

The blue light encircling Fahren grew at a rapid rate and the blinding light made spectating impossible.

"Now," a very weak voice sounded through Goku's head and he couldn't be any happier for he knew in that moment what was about to happen.

Fahren released one last, powerful yell as the ball of energy burst. Understanding the danger, Goku deviated from the plans and made Vegeta his first target. He then grabbed Master Roshi and they disappeared. Offloading them on the sidewalk of a peaceful city, Goku made his way back to the devastation. He used the technique once again and appeared before the two boys. Wasting no time, he was about to grab hold of them but the heat of the explosion ripped into his back and already in instant transmission mode he disappeared.

---

"Oh no!" Goku fell to the floor on all fours. With tears pouring down, he chastised himself, "I wasn't fast enough!" In a fit of anger and sorrow, he crashed his hand into the pavement just outside of the Capsule Corporation which caused it to break away easily.

"Is this - is this really how it ends?" quivered Master Roshi, visibly shaken.

"No, it can't be!" yelled Goku and in a soft, weary tone, "It can't be."

He looked up at Vegeta, "I hadn't understood the plan at first. He knew Fahren was going to kill himself once he was aware that we had no intention of coming back, that was the reason why he asked us to reduce our power levels."

Folding his fists tightly, he remorsed bitterly, "But the plan went so wrong. I grabbed for him first because I saw he was the closest to that blast. And he was already dead! You never intended to come out alive either way, did you!"

Goku wept openly and a moment of silence washed over them. Not even Krillin's presence alarmed them.

"I just got the ladies to the hospital. Bulma's still out and Chi-Chi was in a hysterical fit before they gave her something to sleep."

"Thanks," Goku said quietly. He had not once looked up.

"Just glad I could help," nodded Krillin, now looking about him, "Where are the others? I'll go back and get them out of there!" He picked back up to the skies when Goku stopped him with one, intense yell.

"There's nothing to go back to," he explained.

"What do you mean?" Krillin could not evade his intense stare. Making a landing, he looked down at the motionless bodies on the ground, "Are they dead too?"

"Pan's just been knocked unconscious," Goku said.

Krillin shook with anger, the sadness dragged heavily on his face, "What about the dragon balls?"

"On it," Goku said firmly.

"But you can't even walk," cried out Master Roshi.

"I don't need to." And with that Goku disappeared.

A few minutes passed before they saw Goku again this time with the dragon radar and a small tote bag in tow. They celebrated noticing the obvious bulges of the balls stuffed in the bag, but what Goku said next killed the euphoria instantly.

"The four star ball. It's broken." His heavy words were proven as he showed them the cracked orange orb in his palm.

"Broken?" Krillin pouted sorrowfully, "How did that happen?"

"I don't know," Goku admitted glumly, finally lifting his head, "I found it in the wreckage of West City, it was probably caught in the aftermath of the battle there."

Emptying the contents of the bag, Goku collapsed on his buttocks. He was completely drained not only by the injuries sustained but the emotional turmoil that hurt more than any wound could ever have. Consumed by an intense rage, he yelled, "Why is everything so against us? I don't understand!"

"Maybe they'll still work," Krillin said, hoping for the best, "I'll be damned after everything we don't at least try." He stepped forward, his shadow hanging ominously over the glowing orbs. He called forth the dragon by name as the other men looked on expectantly.

Bright, yellow light cascaded over the balls and out of it a large dragon zoomed out. It resembled that of Goku's Dragon Fist technique in size and length, the green scales glinting in the brilliant sun.

"But, the sky?" asked Goku, noticing that the sky had not become dark as was accustom.

"Who cares," Master Roshi was euphoric once more, "Woohoo! We can get our wishes!"

"You have two wishes," the dragon's voice boomed over them, "However, I have been severely weakened and your wishes may not be fulfilled."

"Not be fulfilled," gulped Krillin, "Oh man."

"Shenron, can you restore the lives lost against Fahren today," Goku pleaded.

"Resurrection is beyond my powers. I am too weak to perform such a task."

Despair drained the men's spirits.

"Hey, what about sending us back in time like that Whis guy did?" Master Roshi offered.

"Time travel is also beyond my powers," the dragon informed.

"I wish that that Fahren guy never existed to begin with," Krillin demanded viciously.

"I cannot fulfill your wish."

They were at a loss as to what else could be done and Goku said exactly what was on all their minds.

"I don't understand any of this! None of this makes sense. Why would a son want to destroy his father so cruelly, so punishingly and how did the rest of us get wrapped into this? I don't get it. I just wish someone could give us all the answers and reverse this mess!"

"Your wish has been granted," the dragon's red eyes glowed and a burst of light erupted about him.

"Huh," Goku said looking up but the blinding light forced him to shield his eyes. He had no intention of making a wish.

"Oh boy, this doesn't look good," wailed Krillin.

As the light subdued, a running figure dashed towards them. Master Roshi blushed a furious shade of pink that matched the mysterious woman's long locks. She bent down at Vegeta's side and touched his face lovingly. She was an extraordinary beauty with cat-like ears and she donned an odd dress that doubled as a battle suit. She looked everything like the girl from Vegeta's dream.

"Oh, I wish things could be different," she said sadly.

She stood up and faced the dragon, "Why dragon! Why have you brought me here? What can I possibly do?"

The dragon responded, "King Yemma's orders."

She thought a while before she asked her next question, "Does he think I can save my son's life as well?"

The dragon nodded, "You are the only one who can fulfill the wish and it was only made possible by King Yemma himself."

"I'll give it a try," she nodded. She turned to face the curious men, with Master Roshi exhilarated at the girl's beauty and more so at the expanse of her bosom, "There is only one way that I can help. I can make it seem like this moment never happened," she paused for a while, fighting back tears, "I too just lost a son."

"Oh," Goku now understood, "You're Fahren's mother."

The woman nodded her head and Krillin looked utterly surprised. However, this news infuriated Master Roshi, "Why does Vegeta always have to get the good ones!"

He approached the woman making kissing faces and noises at her as he took her hand in his. In response, the woman unleashed a powerful gush of wind sending him sailing.

Goku and Krillin prepared themselves for battle in a stance that signalled that they meant business.

"I'm not here to fight," she said firmly, "I just simply can't stand foolishness."

With his feet over his head and red with anger, Master Roshi complained, "I should've known. Vegeta's got a thing for coloured hair hotheads!"

"Shut up, old man!" she yelled in annoyance and Master Roshi hastily covered his mouth.

The other men relaxed realising that she was not there to cause any trouble.

"Hey, I don't blame you. Master Roshi's a bit of a pain that way," admitted Goku.

The woman smiled and hugged Goku tightly much to his shock, "I never thought I would have had this chance."

"Um, you know her Goku?" Krillin asked looking on, blushing.

Goku shook his head and despite himself he was also blushing as the woman's bust, which was not to go unnoticed, rubbed against his chest.

"My name is Mela," she said excitedly, now shaking his hand furiously and planting a kiss on his cheek, "I was the one who begged you not to take Vegeta's life during your first battle here on Earth."

"But - but -" stammered Goku as he tried to remember, "it was just a hunch feeling that I couldn't quite shake off. I don't understand."

"That was me. As I was already dead I could not pass on my memories to you and since you did not yet know Vegeta I could not reawaken any memories of him to you. I tried desperately to get you to feel what I felt about him."

She kissed him on the other cheek and made her way over to Krillin. She hugged him in a similar fashion and he shone a brilliant red, "And thank you, for obeying him." She kissed him on the forehead.

She returned her attention on Goku, who was most certainly now as red as Krillin. Her happy-go-lucky attitude was quickly replaced by a stern countenance, "Just like our son, he had a hard life and because of it sorely misguided."

She looked down at the lifeless body and continued, "He may have preached otherwise but he only killed when he has no other choice. If he truly was as evil as he wanted people to believe, I would have died the minute we met. In that moment, I knew he was different than the rest of Frieza's men - instead of joining in to kill me, he joined in to save me." She smiled at the memory, "He never quite admitted it but he was impressed with my fighting abilities. We Mezorans are a warrior race, just like the saiyans were but we are a kind and peaceful people. He demanded that I train him and out of fear I agreed. He's not the most approachable man, you know."

When she grinned widely it forced them to gleefully nod in agreement.

She continued, "We became fast friends, in fact, more than that. Eventually, I understood that he wasn't as cold and ruthless as he led me to believe or else there was no way we could have loved the way we did. But, he was consumed by the thrill of power which I later learnt runs through his veins the day he was born and on top of that it was instilled in him by his father that he must become the best. As a child prodigy when it came to battle and his father the King, he still had to endure bowing down to Frieza especially after he lost everything at such a young age. You could imagine how that would make one feel."

She closed her eyes, trembling slightly by the thought of what she was about to say, "Countless times he's told me that he wants nothing more than to achieve the legendary super saiyan and one day defeat Frieza. The Great Ruler, the emperor of my people, had been the one to invite the tyrant to my planet unknown to us. In fact, Vegeta suspected that our planet was to be wiped out in routinely fashion. He helped devised escape routes for my people or at least the ones who would listen. Three years Frieza and his men stayed on our planet, neither of us knowing that the only reason we were spared was because the Great Ruler had formed an alliance with Frieza. What we thought was a sudden plague as he made us believe was indeed the effects of Frieza draining every last ounce of our people's energies and in return the Great Ruler would receive a portion along with riches untold. It was even he who alerted that my father and I were the only Mezorans to have the ability of time displacement. This threatened Frieza and inspired him to destroy us all."

She paused as though she was weighing whether or not to continue, "One of his men discovered who I was and informed that Vegeta and I were involved and expecting. Instead of carrying out his threat immediately, he waited months later until days before I was to give birth."

She flung her palm in the air wildly and a thick, purple mist appeared. In it, they were able to see the very memory of which she was speaking of. They saw a much younger Vegeta being thrashed by Frieza viciously, "Vegeta tried to fight him but he failed miserably and his life was only to be spared if only he destroyed our people first starting with me. He struggled so much with that decision, he begged that he would do so if my life was spared as well. He was denied such and was willing to die alongside us but I forced him to see the promise he made. I got him to realise that if he died now, Frieza would only continue his rampage and planet after planet was in danger. I made him see that he could use our deaths as a reminder as to why he needed to continue to fight and never give up - to find that power, the power to defeat Frieza!"

The men saw Frieza's ever-growing energy ball reduced to nothing as Vegeta struggled to his feet and in turn formed his own. A clearly pregnant Mela turned her head away as she knelt before him. They saw how he hesitated and the pain in his eyes were so profound it moved them. As the blast consumed her, Vegeta turned his head away from the body. Frieza could not be any happier as he laughed at the spectacle.

"Oh man," Krillin said clenching his fists, "I was never one to vouch for that guy when he wasn't on our side, but with a past like that, there's no wonder he was so evil. I would be too, to lose my family so cruelly, so cold."

The others were too consumed by the tragedy to respond.

In the mist, they witnessed how Vegeta nodded ever so slightly towards some terrified Mezorans before he released another blast. They noticed how they had tapped on a device on their person and a signal was beaming from it just before they slipped beneath the earth.

"He couldn't save me or Fahren but he did save many of my people that day including my brother and my father."

"So Frieza destroyed your people because of you and your father's ability?" asked Goku shaking with sorrow.

Mela nodded, "The time displacement technique is a power unlocked to us as we progress in level much like the saiyans do. My father and I were the strongest by far of our people."

She waved her hands once more and the mist dissolved as though it never existed, "I believe that this technique can give me a chance to save our son from himself. When I died, I grieved when I realised that my baby wasn't with me. I only learnt that he was alive the same time Vegeta did, after all of these years. It hurts me to see the vengeance my son had against his father. I can't stand it!"

"How - how were able to see this?" asked Goku cautiously.

"Through the East Kai. Through her, I've been watching out for Vegeta ever since my death in hopes that one day, just maybe our son will find him." She held down her head, lost in the sadness that what she desired the most had indeed been realised but she had never wanted it turn out the way it had.

"So how does this time displacement technique work?" asked Goku.

"I will go back in time through the memories of my host, in this case I will go to my son. At the very least I will be able to speak to him."

"And then what?" asked Krillin, "No offense, but he doesn't seem like if talking will get through to him."

"From his mother, it will. He believes he is doing me a grand favour by accomplishing this mess," she said softly.

Goku nodded, "You want to give him a chance to join you in the other world, don't you?'

The others were at a lost as to what he meant by this but Mela responded knowingly, "If I can't stop him then yes. Who's going to be the one to go back?"

"I will," Goku suffered immensely as he got to his feet, "It will be a bit tricky but I think I know how I can save them all."

Mela waved her hand wildly and the purple mist erupted, washing over Master Roshi, Krillin and Pan. "Their fates are sealed and no matter what happens, they have already been saved. They will remain here in time as opposed to this moment becoming nothing but a memory and reliving the tragedy."

"Uh, thanks," Krillin said unsure as to how to feel about the possibility that where he was right then could never have happened and it was made official just by touching some purple mist.

"Grab my shoulder," she directed Goku.

"All the events that had transpired will repeat themselves unless of course we make a change. However, be warned, once things are changed it is final. I cannot go back more than once to a particular event in time."

Goku nodded and in an instant, he felt his entire body being shifted through the air but all he saw was the purple mist about him and a calm Mela. Soon, he started to see the last panicked moments of their battle with Fahren. Time was going backwards as though they were rewinding a movie.

Suddenly, the images stopped as though frozen in time and Goku saw himself though it seemed through the eyes of Fahren. He laid encased in a massive swarm of blood after a deadly attack.

"This was just before the final blow that took Vegeta's life. So do what you have to do, so he doesn't get hit. Again, be careful. The only sure thing to happen is that Krillin, Pan and the old man are saved even if somehow you do not get to them in time, they will be transported back with me."

"That eases the pressure," Goku nodded, amazed at the extent of her abilities.

"Alright, this is it. However, Goku, you will be transported back in the exact state you were in," she smiled meekly at him.

"I'm not that far off from there anyway," he admitted.

"Now," she said defiantly as the mist disappeared. Goku felt his body materialised as though he were a weightless cloud. He was floating without any control regardless of what he did. He tried desperately to stop as he knew he was about to crash into himself. In the moment of impact, he suddenly became overwrought with intense pain and a drained body. He quickly realised what had happened, he was back in his body at this exact moment.

As Fahren lifted Pan by the hair, Mela appeared before him. She touched his cheek and looked at him with deep regret and sympathy, "My son."

Fahren jabbed with his free hand multiple times and each time his hand went through her as if she were the mist itself.

"There in not a thing you can do to hurt me. I am in here," she touched his forehead, "and in here." She touched his chest.

He studied the woman before him for a while, "Mother?"

"Yes, son. It's me," she said softly as she stroked his cheek lovingly, "How handsome you are! Like your father."

The mere mention of his father enraged him and he directed his hand towards where he laid in the rubble. He charged an attack but was stopped by Mela as she rested both hands on his temples.

"This time you will see all that had really happened. You will see the truth."

Fahren's eyes were consumed with the purple mist.

"Your father did not want to kill us. Yes, he was the one that wiped out our race but he was also the reason for so many survivors," she explained.

Fahren fought against the images that passed before his eyes.

Mela yelled angrily, "If the Great Ruler was such a great man to you, why hadn't he showed you what happened that night until the moment of his death? Come on boy, think! He had control over your mind and as such over your abilities. That was why when he passed, your powers were unlocked. He waited conveniently until it was close to his death so you would see nothing more ever again."

Fahren tightened his fists and shook with rage, "How was I suppose to know the difference? The Great Ruler was my father. I trusted every word he said to me. He was the one who raised me as a child and even taught me how to fight."

"Look," she begged him, "Look at how cunningly he used and abused our people. He sold us out to Frieza and when he turned on him, he pinned everything on me and my father."

Fahren could not believe what he saw and seemed to be fighting back tears. He screamed at her, "Get out of my head, witch!"

"For years I've searched for you on our planet and in the Other World," and she added softly, "For years."

She calmed herself down before continuing, "We have always been a gentle race and only fight as you are out of agony and duty but I am here to tell you that there is no reason to fight. What you are doing is not honouring me, it is ripping me apart."

The mist dissolved from his eyes and he smiled wickedly, "Sorry mother, but what is done is done!"

"Stop it!" cried out Mela but it was in vain.

He picked up the little girl and was about to slam her back into his knee when Vegeta dashed before him. Fahren unleashed a powerful kick at him.

"No!" yelled Mela, she knew that that was the blow that took Vegeta's life.

Goku, however, used his instant transmission and received the full effect of the blow and pulled him back in an effort to make the scene look convincing. He used instant transmission again and appeared by Vegeta's side and he whispered quickly, "Play dead." And he was gone once more.

Vegeta was at a loss as to what happened but he obeyed nonetheless and he slumped back his head on the sand and closed his eyes, lowering his power level to 0.

Fahren threw down the little girl and walked towards his father, the very edge of his aura ripping away everything in his way. As before, Master Roshi went to grab Pan but was blown back by a burst of wind from Fahren's hand. He fearfully picked himself up and stayed in his corner.

Making his way to his father, Fahren looked disappointed as he picked up the limp body, "Pity. I wanted to so follow through with beating you with your own leg, oh well." He dropped him, "Now that you're dead..."

Fahren was revving up his aura and he yelled at the force of it. The blue light encircling him grew and the force of it pushed back Vegeta's body easily and caused the very foundation of the house to pull apart and molten lava to bubble and rise. Lightning rained down on them and the waters trembled.

"Fahren, stop!" Mela cried out.

Goku reappeared by Vegeta's side and he watched the blinding light radiating off of Fahren suddenly dipped and grew in size repetitively as if it were a tug-of-war battle.

"If what you showed me was true, he wiped out our people. He should have chosen to die at your side but he didn't."

Trying to hold back her tears, Mela was overwhelmed with emotion as she tried desperately to get him to understand, "I was the one that convinced him to kill us."

"What?" Fahren's eyes widened with shock.

"I made him see that he was the only hope against Frieza. I made him choose to fight. He loved us, son. He would sooner lay down his own life for us but I begged him, I begged him that it was OK."

Tears came to Fahren's eyes and he held down his head in guilt, "Please forgive me. What a fool I've been."

"Your father was an even bigger fool than you were," she smiled, wiping away her tears and clasping her arms around her son, "Oh, my baby!"

"What?" Mela realised that the energy continued to grow, "Stop! Please, it's over!"

"It cannot be stopped," Fahren said calmly, "I will see you on the other side! Thank you, mother."

"No!" yelled Mela.

With one last yell, the ball of energy burst.

---

Looking about him, dazed and confused, Goku took a moment before he realised that they were back outside of Bulma's house. In fact, the familiar warmth of his wife's arms around him was his first indication that he had escaped to safety; that profound moment drowning out the celebratory chants and greetings circling around him.

"Uh, hi, honey," he greeted, tempted to return the hug but his body would not budge.

She was crying, "I'm so glad you made it, they explained the whole thing to me."

"Uh, yeah, how and when did you get here?"

Overjoyed, Krillin motioned to the yellow airplane a few feet behind them and he gave a thumbs up to his friend, "Great to see you, buddy."

Looking around, he noticed the two boys laid motionless on the hard concrete. His younger son was smiling from ear to ear despite the wounds, the other stood behind him and clasped an arm on his shoulder.

"Grandpa!" cried out Pan jumping out of her father's arms and into Goku's. He hugged her warmly, "Hey, when did you wake up?"

"I would totally hug you now, Dad, but I'm beat," Goten wearily said.

Goku laughed nervously, scratching his head, "I'm just glad I got you guys out of there the second the explosion started."

Goku looked up. Mela's back faced him and noticing her lowered head, his mood became somber. He understood that she was in mourning for her son's life. He looked down in sorrow, blind to the man laying before him. His wife had gotten the wrong impression upon witnessing this action.

"Is he...?" asked Chi-Chi.

"I was sure I got him just in time," he said reassuringly.

"You did?" Mela was looming over him with sorrow shining in her eyes. She stooped down and touched the man's face, "Either way he suffered a lot of damage."

The celebratory mood went away and the silence thickened.

"Mela?" sputtered Vegeta weakly.

Her eyes widened with joy when she noticed that he had survived. Everyone rejoiced to see that he was alive. Trunks forced himself up, fighting the pain of the intense injuries to see his father and he smiled, "Dad!"

Mela took hold of his hand and with her eyes closed, "Our son. He didn't make it. I wanted him to have a chance at life, I didn't want his end to be like this but at the very least now he will have a chance to be with me in the Other World."

"How so?" he asked.

"Now knowing the truth he realised what he was doing was wrong but he had no control of the blast. Had he killed himself so selfishly his soul would have been sent straight to hell without any chance at parole."

"Thank you, for everything," he tightened his grip on her arm and they smiled at one another.

"Hey, so are we supposed to know what the heck parole is!" whispered Krillin to anyone who listened.

"You shouldn't thank me, it was all King Yemma's doing. You most certainly have a lot of clout in the Other World for him to go this far. And besides, I'm just glad I could be the one to help. I've been so helpless just standing by."

She took off her necklace from about her neck, "Pass this on to my brother and he can be of great help to you. Through Fahren's memories I've determined that the Great Ruler is still alive. He twisted up the truth and faked his death knowing exactly what our son was going to do about what he showed him. I fear that bastard has taken siege over my people and I do believe he's not pretending this time around. And do me a favour and go say hello for me."

He smiled, "You don't have to ask twice." Then he cried out in pain as he tried to get up, "If I could...I don't have much time."

"Oh no!" She sprang to her feet realising the situation. She turned to face the dragon and then back again, "Hang in there, I've got an idea."

She placed her palm against Goku's forehead and he blushed a furious red much to his wife's disapproval.

"I see it. Catch you in few!" She removed her hand and waved it about and purple mist sprang to life and in an instant she disappeared along with it.

"Whoa!" Chi-Chi exclaimed at the spectacle.

Everyone was stunned and in awe. As though it had never happened she was back. She had something clasped in her hand. She revealed it to be the four star ball but it was in perfect condition.

"Magic!" Pan clapped excitedly, tugging at her grandfather's face to show him.

"H-how?" Goku asked shocked as he looked at the cracked one amongst the balls under the dragon and then at the one in her hand.

"Time displacement," said tapping her forehead as a signal that gestured, 'Figured it out yet?'

"Wait. Didn't you say you needed a host?" Krillin asked.

"Not in this case. Had I done so, when I returned there would have only been one ball and since I would have the seventh ball in my hand that would mean the dragon would have never been summoned and I would have never been here to begin with."

"He likes 'em with brains, too," Master Roshi guffawed, blushing furiously.

"Shut up old man," she raised her hand ominously aiming it at him and he scampered behind Krillin. Ignoring him, she faced her attention to the dragon. She replaced the broken ball with the perfect one. The sky became black instantly.

"You have two wishes," Shenron's eyes twinkled, "What is your first wish?"

"Two?" asked Krillin shocked, "Didn't we already used up one to bring you here Mela?"

"Not exactly," she thought a while, "Think of it as a whole other set of dragonballs."

"Whoa!" his eyes widened.

Mela made her first wish, "I wish that everyone here be completely healed."

"Your wish has been granted."

The wounds on the guys miraculously disappeared. Goten and Trunks jumped up at the same time and dashed into the arms of their respective fathers. Vegeta had gotten up but was knocked back down when his son ran into him. He growled in annoyance at first but hugged the boy tightly.

"Whoa, not even a senzu bean could've cured me like this!" Goku remarked.

"What is your second wish?"

"I wish everyone who died at the hands of my son today to be brought back to life."

"Your wish is granted."

Vegeta stood to his feet, "Damn you, Kakarot. Next time stick to the plan."

Goku patted him on the back, "Yes, sir," he teased, "Besides if it weren't for you to begin with, we would have all been goners for sure."

"I didn't do anything that special," he said as he turned his head away from him abruptly.

"You know, Vegeta, for a proud man you sure are humble."

Everyone laughed and even Vegeta chuckled a bit. Then Vegeta looked up and noticed Mela as if he was seeing her for the first time. Mela ran towards him and hugged him much to his annoyance but he finally clasped his arms around her. Breaking away from the embrace but never letting go of each other, they talked.

"It's nice to see you again."

"It's always nice to see you."

"Well, how handsome you've become since the last I've had the chance to hug you," she smiled.

"And you look very much the same."

Krillin uttered under his breath, "Uh...are they flirting?"

Mela freed one arm and caressed his cheek, her hand flowing along to his shoulder and she played lovingly on his tricep, "Oh my." She said lustfully to which Vegeta gave a quick, low chuckle.

"Oh, yeah, definitely flirting," realised Krillin as he hung his head low in disbelief.

She kissed him on the cheek prompting Krillin to whisper, "Does she even know that he's married?"

"You know I never quite understood you. Thank goodness you found someone who does and right from the very start. You should thank your lucky stars for her, you know."

"Everyday."

"Ah, so she does know he's married," Krillin said.

"Krillin, will you please stop narrating every single detail. It's not as juicy!" yelled Master Roshi flustered.

The two drew closer which prompted Krillin to dash over to the boys and covering their eyes, he whispered, "Nothing to see here, boys."

"Aren't they just kissing?" asked Trunks in a frank manner.

Krillin gave up and withdrew his hands, "Can't get anything past you teenagers, can you?"

"Well, I'm not really a teenager just yet," Goten filled in innocently.

Master Roshi turned bright red. He shifted his gaze away from the sight and wailed, his arms crossed tightly, "That should've been me."

Everyone else was just staring on wide-eyed and wide-mouthed.

"Uh, time to go," the dragon said as sweat poured from the side of his face.

"Well, then," Mela said and the two finally let go of each other. She touched his lips with her finger, "I'll be seeing you around soon. But not too soon, OK."

She walked towards the dragon and took up the broken four star ball that laid not too far off from the wholesome set. She ran over to Goku and gave it to him, "I know this is special to you, now you can hold onto it, forever."

Goku looked at the ball wide-eyed and took it in his hands, "Wow, thanks."

Mela ran back to the dragon, "It was great to finally meet you all! Goodbye!"

Everyone waved back as the blinding light once again erupted from the dragon and Mela disappeared. The balls dispersed and the sky returned to normal.

Goku scratched his head in pretense and with his eyes closed, he slyly asked, "I know you two had a kid and all but how could you just kiss her like that?"

"She was my first wife, you buffoon!" yelled Vegeta, his head seemed to have ballooned in size.

"Oh!" everyone said together, as that seemed to have satisfied their unsaid curiousity.

"Wait," blurted Goku, counting one and two back and forth on his fingers, "But isn't Bulma your first wife? No wait! Never mind." He was clearly embarrassed making Vegeta growl with disdain.

"I sure hope that's not how you kissed my mom," Gohan said.

Everyone's faces dropped but Vegeta's, his was distorted in rage, "What!"

The boys became green and covered their mouths. Trunks said, "I think I'm going to be sick."

"Me too," agreed Goten.

Chi-Chi ran over to her son and jabbed her elbow into his skull, "You big mouth, how could you!" She waved a threatening arm at him.

Master Roshi perked up by the news, giggling like a gleeful school girl, "Oh goody."

"It was just one time!" yelled Chi-Chi, her face fully flushed and her ears widening creating the sensation that steam was puffing out. Pan clapped and laughed.

"One too many," yelled Vegeta who was also red with humiliation.

"Hey," piped in Goku turning red in response, "Don't I get to yell too! You kissed my wife?"

"I most certainly did not, Kakarot," Vegeta cleared the air, "She was the one who was boring me half to death..."

"Boring you?" squeaked Chi-Chi, trembling at the hurt his words bore.

"...and then all of a sudden, I felt her crusty lips on mine!"

"Crusty lips?" she squeaked again. Her anger returned, "Crusty lips! How dare you? I am the best darn kisser on this earth, ain't that right Goku?'

"Uh, well I don't really have anyone to compare you to, Chi-Chi," he admitted.

"What do you mean by really?" she snapped. Her fury swarmed to another level and she started her rant against Vegeta, "My lips are not crusty, you stupid man. You just don't know what's good for you!"

Disinterested, Vegeta made his way towards the house. Realising she was being ignored, she growled in frustration.

Trunks ran up to him, "Hey, dad. Can we come with you to outer space, huh?"

"Yeah, me too," piped in Goku, "It sounds like it would be a lot of fun!"

"Never in my life have I ever travelled in space for fun," Vegeta said defiantly.

"But that would be so cool," agreed Goten excitedly.

"Yeah, I get to miss off school to go outer space with my dad! It's not like Mom would care."

"Speaking of which," Vegeta folded his arms as he cocked his head back at the others, "Where's my wife?"

Krillin looked guilty at first as he explained, "Uh...well she had fainted and I took them to the hospital but then," he pointed an accusatory finger at Chi-Chi in annoyance, "someone here decided to leave her behind."

"Well, then, you will go back and bring her here immediately," yelled Vegeta.

"Not until you apologize to me," she yelled back and started her rant once again, "I am a great kisser and my lips are not crusty. You should be so lucky to have even..."

Goku offered a suggestion to make peace, "I'll just go get her."

He disappeared and immediately returned with Bulma in tow. She cried when she saw her son and dashed over to him and hugged him tightly. Looking up, she admired the man in front of her and the two looked at one another, saying so much without saying nothing at all. She hugged him tightly, "Oh thank God, you're OK."

Then Bulma withdrew and went over to Chi-Chi and slapped her with all her strength much to everyone's peaked interest. Chi-Chi was so stunned that she stopped her rant immediately.

"That," she said angrily, "is for you leaving me behind, you idiot!"

And with even more force, she slapped her again, "And that, is for kissing my husband, you wretch!"

Chi-Chi now fuming made a grab to beat her but she was held back by Krillin and Master Roshi.

"Hey, cool it," warned Krillin, "She's pregnant, y'know."

"Pregnant!" cried Chi-Chi outraged, "Isn't she too old?'

"I'll show you too old," yelled Bulma as she tightened her fists and made a grab for Chi-Chi to beat her but she was held back by Gohan.

Krillin abandoned the melee, leaving Master Roshi to fend for himself. He dashed over to Vegeta, "Aren't you the least bit concerned?"

"She can handle herself," he smiled and turned towards the house.

"Yeah, but Chi-Chi's like the strongest woman on the planet!"

Vegeta's only response was a low chuckle.

Krillin scratched his head and hunched his shoulders. He could best as well forget it, if the husband hadn't the least bit of worry, why should he? With a tap on the shoulder, he stopped Vegeta.

"Hey, I guess I'll come too. By the way, do all the women of her race look like that?" he asked with guilty eyes that shifted off in one corner.

Vegeta responded as though bored, "Yes, all the Mezorans have cat-like ears. It is their distinguishing feature such as ours was the tail."

"Yeah, the ears. That was what I was so talking about!" Krillin said, scratching his head and closing his eyes, ashamed at himself for even asking.

"Can I come too!" called out Master Roshi lustfully.

Vegeta held down his head and grunted, "Ugh! I can't believe the men of this planet." He turned to Goku, "Is that your reason for wanting to go too?"

"It better not be!" yelled Chi-Chi as she broke away from Master Roshi and dashed over to her husband, pulling on his ear.

Extremely embarrassed, he struggled to get away from his wife, "No, no, I swear. I was hoping that I could get in on a piece of the action. With all that stolen power he got from the Mezorans for those 3 years means he should definitely be super strong now. Besides, I was hoping we could visit Dende and Piccolo on New Namek, that's all."

Chi-Chi let go of him, reluctantly believing his story, "Humph."

"When they are through, they will be back on their own time," Vegeta said.

"Aw!" wailed Goku like a child, "But can I still come? I want to fight this Great Ruler guy." He twiddled with his fingers anxiously.

"No!" yelled Vegeta. He opened the door to the house and cocked his head back at the others behind him, "And who doesn't belong here, get off my property or I'll blast you all to oblivion."

"What about me!" begged Goten.

"You practically live here," he casually said and disappeared inside.

The two boys celebrated and flew in.

Frantically, Krillin said a quick goodbye to everyone, "Well, it's been a trip. Got to go, bye!" He flew off hastily.

"Come on, let's go home," Chi-Chi said, pouting as she was making her way to the airplane.

Pan waved at her father, "Bye, bye, daddy!" This was the only thing to change the woman's entire disposition.

"You want to come with us, sweetie?" she asked happily.

"You don't mind do you, son?" asked Goku.

"Not a problem with me," Gohan waved goodbye to the little girl and he took off.

"In that thing! It's going to take ages to get home," complained Goku, eye-balling the yellow plane with disgust. He rubbed his hands across his stomach as it growled loudly, "And I'm starving." Resting one hand against the vehicle with the other to his forehead in preparation to perform the instant transmission, he asked, "And whose is this anyway?" And they disappeared.

"Bye, guys," Bulma waved merrily after them and she joined her family inside the house. Soon the crowded driveway was as tranquil as though nothing had happened to begin with. The only reminder of the ordeal was the crack in the pavement. However, Master Roshi was the lone straggler as he looked around with his fist against his chin as though deep in thought. He scratched his wild beard as he turned to each recently vacated spot. Holding down his head, he pondered a while. With sudden realisation, he yelled, "Wait! What about my house!"

---

END CREDITS : Author/Creator of the DBZ series and characters: Akira Toriyama

Author/Creator of this Story/Movie; Creator of characters Mela, Fahren and the Great Ruler; and Bulma's super awesome cannon gun that's as strong as Goku and Vegeta at their best : Chrissi B (c) August 2015