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Chapter 3

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Bulma's head spun in confusion. She felt like it was time for her to check herself in at the psych ward. Vegeta sat impatiently in the passenger seat of her car as she drove them towards Goku and Chi-Chi's. He seemed stressed and anxious and he seemed to believe his tale. Somehow, Bulma couldn't fathom the implications. The notion that the man that sat next to her was a merman from the tales of old.

Legends which stated that they were all birthed from the sea and humans were born from generations of evolution. A group of merfolk decided to leave water and eventually they populated land until they lost their ability to shift. The ones that still lived in the ocean stayed the same. It was supposed to be a legend. Kids stories that parents told for shock and awe.

"Stop thinking so hard woman." His voice broke her from her scattered thoughts. "It was told as a legend to keep our people safe. There has been a war going on for generations. My species is almost wiped out."

"If you're a merman why do you look human?"

"Because we can change forms. It's an adaptation to fleeing our enemies." He sighed. "Every species has an act of will for self-preservation."

"I suppose so."

"How much further?"

"About a half hour."

"Did his woman pick this spot?" He sighed.

"Yes, she did."

"Selfish, foolish, woman."

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Goku looked out at the dirt all around him covered in green grass. The only time he felt at peace was when it rained. He loved Chi-Chi dearly, and their son; but he felt sad. He tried to explain that he wanted to live by the ocean. A need for water that he could not explain. It was one of the reasons why their water bill was so high.

Clouds gathered in the distance and he could smell the moisture in the air. Dinner was in the house, sitting on the table; waiting for him to eat but it seemed like anything other than fish disagreed with him. He'd been to the doctors and they couldn't figure out the cause.

"Aren't you coming, Goku?" His wife called.

"I'm not feeling well."

"Goku, we've been over this. We can't afford property by the ocean."

"I could build it, Chi. Or I could get one of those premade houses from Bulma." He scratched the back of his head. "I just need to be by the ocean."

"There are no good schools by the ocean front." She sighed. "Gohan is going to do great things when he gets older."

"He's not going to be in school for another three to four years yet, Chi-Chi."

"Come eat, Goku." She smiled softly. "I made your favorite."

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The water parted as the disfigured figure made his way down towards the bottom of the sea. Remains of an ancient city filled his field of vision. Toppled buildings, algae coated statues. The green/blue seahorse-like creature looked upon the destruction with a sideways grin. He was pleased with his master's work, yet he also knew his time was drawing thin.

The prince had escaped his grasp, swimming towards land as fast as his fins could carry him. He hated the merfolk and their ability to be in two worlds at once. Zarbon knew the little prince would be back soon, there was no way he could be above water for too long. Not to mention, his master would be waiting as well. What hope did he have of avoiding his servitude?

"You let my little fish go..." His master sighed in mer, the bubbles rising up from his lips in agitation.

"No, he escaped me." Zarbon argued. He looked at the pale scaled skin, the lizard-like arctic creature huffed.

"You will get him when he returns to the sea. No one escapes the wrath of Freeza." His forked tongue licked up the side of his cheek. "He was my prize, my little delight. King Vegeta betrayed me in more ways than one. When he comes back, and he will, you are to bring him to me. Do not play with my toy."

"Yes, your Lordship." Zarbon bowed. "I will comply."

"I'll send Dordoria to look after you. That seal should be good for something."

"Indeed."

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Vegeta grumbled to himself as he watched the blue-haired female talk animatedly to Kakarot. She was wasting his time, but it seemed like the youngest son of Bardock was already feeling the effects of ocean loss. His body sunk low and his skin became pale and sallow. He needed the ocean and his woman was killing him slowly.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, Bulma. The doctors can't figure it out."

"You're dying, Kakarot." Vegeta spoke up as he shut the car door. "You are not human."

"I told you to wait in the car, Vegeta."

"I haven't the time for this and neither does Kakarot. He needs the ocean, now. Sooner rather than later." At those words Goku fell to a knee and started to struggle for breath.

"What's happening?"

"You've never fully been to the ocean since you were born. You could've survived that way if you'd never transitioned. However, all Merfolk seek the ocean when they come of age. Although you've never transformed, your body recognized the water as your home. Yes, we can survive on land but we need the ocean to maintain ourselves." He sighed. "Let us get him to water before he dies."

"How long does he have?" Bulma asked as they walked him to her car.

Vegeta touched his forehead to the young merman and breathed in a heavy sigh. "A few hours before he goes into shock, a day before he dies. It was lucky that I located him and it seems it was fate that I found him through you."

They took off towards the setting sun, the ocean plain reflecting the glowing hues. The drive felt like it was taking forever, but at least the young male would be saved by his first swim.

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Goku felt his body shudder and quake, followed by heaviness of all his limbs. He was numb, painfully so, and so very cold. Truthfully, he'd always felt strange as a child; like he didn't fit in. especially with vague memories of a family he'd never really known. In honestly, he'd felt empty since Bulma had introduced him to the sea when he was a young boy. He'd come back every year to enjoy it's gentle caress. He hadn't been back since Gohan was born and he couldn't get Chi-Chi to understand.

His thoughts were broken by heavy pain in his limbs, pressure, and a sense of motion. Something smooth and wet touched his skin and granted him instant relief. Yet, the victory felt hollow when his body started to shift and change. His feet were gone, body aching as he started to tread water to try and breathe the air.

"No, Kakarot, breathe the water." A distant voice sounded. "Breathe the water, it will not hurt you. Air will suffocate, water with grant you breath."

He gasped, feeling cool liquid fill his nose; a sense of choking and he knew he'd drown yet, something wiggled on his neck. A strange feeling of loss overcame him as he opened his eyes. A wavy surface overcame his vision, a blurry moving picture of the man he'd just met. "Vegeta?"

"Don't talk, Kakarot. English isn't well understood underwater when spoken."

He blinked.

"Good. Swim for a few hours, get used to your new body; then come back here. Don't worry, you'll be able to find it. Your new self will know how."