So I'm stuck in my apartment for three days due to this stupid snow and sub zero temperatures. I was SUPPOSED to start student teaching Monday, so I came back down to campus Saturday to beat the snow and what do ya know? Monday, Tuesday, and now Wednesday, school is cancelled. BAH.

Anywho, please enjoy! It's a little raggedy, I think, but, well, I just wanted to put the damn thing up!

"No, no, no. All you're doing is powering up. You can't just blow through your maximum without finding your driving source."

"Mr. Piccolo, I don't know what that is!" Gohan exclaimed, exasperated, thumping to the ground and breathing heavy.

"But you were so close on Namek! You had the golden hair and the blue eyes and everything!" Krillin said. He had come to help and to sharpen his skills because he knew he'd be forced to fight as well. Vegeta had vehemently declined training with them, which was just fine with Piccolo.

"But Krillin, that was a totally different situation! People were close to dying!" Gohan said, his eyes shooting to Piccolo.

Piccolo sighed. "Take a break, Gohan," he relented. He was growing increasingly worried. Weeks passed, and the boy was still no closer, nor was Vegeta. If anything, the desperation and anxiety was making them almost back peddle. Not only did Vegeta refuse to train with them, but he had contemplated desertion as well, citing the incident on Namek. What chance did they, a band of misfits, have against the Legendary Super Saiyan, who had defeated Frieza without so much as breaking a sweat?

Piccolo tried to call upon Tsuki for help, yet she could provide none.

"I do not know how or when he'll transform, Piccolo. All I can say is Gohan's transformation will spur Vegeta's. Nor do I know who will live and who will die. Broly will kill you all without prejudice, if you give him the chance."

"So you're saying you know nothing," Piccolo said bitterly.

"Yes."

"Then what use are you?" Piccolo growled.

"I have warned you of impending dangers, Piccolo."

"You warn us only because of the boy! You treat him as your own personal weapon and only need us, me, alive to keep that weapon safe!"

Tsuki's eyes darkened. "Remember who you speak to, Namekian."

"A washed-up goddess who can't defend against her own bro-"

Piccolo was pinned to the tree so fast, he hadn't been aware it happened. Tsuki's nose was nearly brushing his, her eyes dark and angry staring into his own.

"You listen to me, Piccolo Daimao. I do not need you around to accomplish my goals. I use the boy because I must. If you think you can do my task better, have at it, But until then, never call upon me again. I do not have time to waste on a mortal with no appreciation." She pulled her head back. "I thought the boy had changed you. Maybe I was wrong," she added, much softer, releasing her grip on him. She left him without another word.

He hadn't seen her since.

"Man, I don't know Piccolo. Maybe Vegeta's right. Maybe we should just pack up and leave Earth," Krillin said, sitting on a rock with his chin in his hand.

"What difference does it make? Broly's going to keep searching for Gohan and Vegeta. He'll just keep tracking us down until he's killed them. Our best bet is for them to transform. Our only chance, really," Piccolo responded, his eyes on Gohan in the kitchen. The boy was gulping down water. "Slow drinks!" he shouted. "You're going to throw up!"

"Sorry!" Gohan replied.

"I don't know how to push him anymore than I already have," Piccolo admitted quietly to Krillin. "I've tried everything I can think of."

"Gohan said he was only close to ascension because people were close to dying. I don't know...can we simulate that?"

"Hm. Perhaps. It's worth a shot."

"What's worth a shot?" Gohan asked, joining them outside.

"Gohan, I want you to close your eyes and clear your mind," Piccolo said. Gohan gave him a look of confusion, but followed his direction. "Think back to Namek."

"Okay."

"Now picture Frieza. Picture him trying to kill me. Trying to kill Vegeta. He's beating us both to a pulp." Gohan's eyes screwed shut even tighter and he inhaled sharply through his nose. "He's shooting me. Blasts are going through my body. I'm bleeding, dying. I can't defend myself. There is nothing you can do now. Frieza's too strong for all of us. We're all going to die...I'm dying...Vegeta is dying...your friends are dying..."

Gohan's breathing became staggered and a spark of gold flashed around him once. "Stop," he whispers.

"You can't do anything for us. You're too weak..."

Gohan's hair flashes gold before he opens his eyes, tears in them as he drops to his knees. "Stop!" he cries. "I can't... I can't..." he whimpers, holding his head. "No more..."

"You were so close..."

"Piccolo, he can't," Krillin said, going to Gohan and resting his hand on the boy's shoulder.

Piccolo whirled around and sank his fist deeply into the trunk of a tree.

"Hissy fits and crying never got anyone anywhere," Vegeta's voice sounded suddenly from just above them. They all looked up to see him hovering above them, arms crossed over his armored chest.

"What do you want?" Krillin asked.

"Are you guys that dim-witted? I'm here because of that," Vegeta sneered, pointing to the sky.

And then the others sensed it.

A massive ki was entering the atmosphere. Piccolo berated himself for his negligence.

Gohan was in full-out panic mode. "No, no, no! You all need to leave!" he exclaimed, pushing at Krillin. "Go home! Hide! Leave this place!"

"Gohan, stop it," Krillin said, planting his feet firmly. "We're here to fight together. That's what we've been training for all these weeks."

"But he's after me! Not you!" Gohan said, stomping his foot.

"He's after Vegeta too," Piccolo added. "You're the last of the Saiyans. He wants you both gone."

Gohan's face turned to stone, set in an expression of determination. "I said leave!" he shouted, the air sparking around him, golden.

"It's too late for that," Vegeta said, angry now.

"Then let's get away from the house. The desert is our best bet to protect the Earth," Piccolo said.

"Yeah, but, Piccolo...didn't you see what he did to Namek? It blew up!" Krillin exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

"Not helping, numbskull," Piccolo snapped, jerking his head in Gohan's direction.

"Okay, fine. To the desert we go..."

Gohan was milling about uneasily as they awaited the landing of Broly and Paragus. They had chosen a familiar spot to them all; where they had all first met.

Where Gohan had died.

Piccolo split a senzu bean in half and gave them to Gohan and Vegeta, since both had been in heavy training just moments before.

"Gohan, settle down," Piccolo ordered softly.

"Can't," Gohan replied simply, pacing. His uneasiness was contagious, and soon Krillin was pacing with him.

Vegeta shifted from foot to foot, growing irritated. "Would you two stop that?" he snapped. "You're driving me insane!"

"Sorry, Vegeta," Gohan mumbled, coming to a halt.

"Can they sense ki? Or do they have to rely on scouters?" Krillin asked.

"How the hell should I know?" Vegeta snarled. "I didn't stop to ask!"

"Paragus was wearing a scouter. Broly was not. I believe Super Saiyans can inherently sense ki. He sensed Gohan's on Namek."

"How do you know all this, Namekian?" Vegeta asked skeptically.

"Piccolo is in touch with the gods," Krillin said.

Vegeta let out a derisive snort and crossed his arms over his chest. "Right."

Piccolo ignored him and set his eyes on the boy. He had begun pacing again, his head down in intense concentration, tracking the ki of the invaders. Then, he stopped dead in his tracks, his head snapping up to look heavenward.

"They're here," he whispered.

"Oh great. Alright Piccolo, what's the plan?" Krillin asked, wringing his hands nervously.

"Excuse me? Why does the Namek get to make the plan?" Vegeta snapped.

"Because his plans actually, oh I dunno, work?" Krillin snapped back, becoming bold.

"Want to run that by me again, cue ball?"

"Yeah. His plans wor- "

"That's enough!" Piccolo practically snarled. "Stop your incessant bickering for one moment, would you? The plan is to allow Broly to make the first move. See what he does, who he goes after. What his motives are."

"His motive is to kill us, you overgrown lizard," Vegeta stated.

"Stop it," Gohan whispered. As the Namekian and Saiyan continued to stare each other down with icy glares, he spoke up, louder this time. "Stop it!"

Piccolo felt a sharp throbbing in his head and he immediately looked to Gohan's eyes, which flashed blue.

He would save them.

Not too far away, they saw two Saiyan pods plummeting from the sky, landing with enough force for the four warriors to feel the impact as a light tremor through the ground. Krillin dropped into quick stretches, and Piccolo opted to do the same. Gohan and Vegeta, however, stood together, looking out over the horizon for the two Saiyans to come at them.

They did not disappoint.

Piccolo was highly confused. The two before him both were of black eyes and hair. Where were the blue eyes, the wild, blonde hair?

"Prince Vegeta, so kind of you to set up a greeting committee for our arrival," the one called Paragus said, bowing mockingly.

"Paragus," Vegeta said tightly, his jaw muscles working as he clenched his teeth.

"You remember me?"

"You're the only Saiyan my father had ever exiled. Of course I remember you," he said bluntly. "You and that horrible brat of yours."

"Your father had no idea who he was dealing with. This...brat..." he said, gesturing to his son, "turned out to be the Legendary Super Saiyan. Your father was foolish for trying to kill him. It's a good thing Frieza destroyed him. If only he had destroyed you as well. No matter, Broly will kill you today. Broly. Broly?" Paragus pressed, looking to his son.

Broly was paying him no attention, his eyes locked on Gohan, who stared straight back at him, unafraid. Piccolo realized that both their eyes were piercing blue.

"Kakarott," Broly said softly. "Kak-ar-ROTT!" he snarled, nearly lunging for the boy.

"Broly, he is not of your concern. Kill this one," Paragus said, holding his fist towards his son. It was then Piccolo noticed a ring upon his finger, which glowed green, matching the green inset on Broly's headband.

Paragus controlled his son's transformation.

Broly, apparently, had other ideas. He shook his head furiously, scratching at the headband and growling, his eyes never leaving Gohan.

It was very clear who his first victim would be.

"Broly! You listen to me! I said this one first!" Paragus reprimanded.

Broly snarled then, and the inset of his headband cracked. He began to chuckle softly, only for it to grow into loud, raucous bellows of near-insanity. He tore the headband from his forehead and immediately his hair turned to wild gold and his eyes to blue, ki surging about him in golden waves.

"Gohan, move!" Piccolo shouted as the Super Saiyan hurdled for the younger Saiyan. Gohan began skimming backwards at a quick rate, nearly matching Broly's speed, but not quite enough. The larger Saiyan barreled into him, plummeting him into the ground. As he held a fist up to bring down on the boy's face, Piccolo was at them, catching Broly off-guard and kicking him away. He grabbed Gohan by the collar of his gi and thrusting him away and Broly rebounded back. He prepared for impact with the Saiyan, but Broly swiped past him, focused only on Gohan. Piccolo caught his ankle just as he barreled past, yanking hard in an attempt to deter him.

In response, Broly turned around and punched him square in the face, sending him spiraling back several feet. As the behemoth turned to attack Gohan again, he was swept to the ground as the boy snuck behind him and kicked his feet out from under him. As he scrambled away, Piccolo regained his composure and sent a blast at Broly's back. It seemingly rebounded off him with no effect, as he ignored it in pursuit of Gohan.

He caught the boy by the back of gi, spinning him around, and punching him hard in the stomach. Gohan fell to the ground with a sharp cough. The torture did not stop there. Broly continued to punch and kick the boy to a pulp, as Piccolo and Krillin moved into action. In tandem, they kicked and then blasted at Broly's back, who in turn turned and sent a massive blast of his own at them, forcing them to dodge away from each other.

Vegeta still had not moved.

"Vegeta, some help would be appreciated!" Krillin shouted as he and Piccolo made for another attack.

"Are you scared, oh powerful Prince?" Paragus taunted.

"The kid needs no help from me," the prince spat back.

He was proved correct when Broly suddenly went careening between Piccolo and Krillin and Gohan sat up and brushed himself off, beaten, but not yet broken. He pushed himself to his feet and barreled past his friends in pursuit of his opponent, intent on getting another blow in. As he raced by, Piccolo felt the pounding in his head again.

"KAKAROTT!" Broly practically screamed, rebounding and meeting Gohan head-on. Gohan met him fearlessly, and they rose in the air, trying to match each other's blows, though it was obvious Broly had the upper hand. Gohan came plummeting back towards the earth, only for Piccolo to catch him and set him up gently. Gohan shoved both him and Krillin away as a blast came straight at them, thrusting it away with a blast of his own. Piccolo rushed back in, but, to his complete surprise, was pushed back by Gohan.

Piccolo stormed forward again, holding steady as Gohan tried to send him back. "No! Do you hear me? No! I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for me again, you understand?" he snarled, yanking the boy against him and shaking him slightly.

"Mr. Piccolo! Let go!" Gohan said, struggling against him.

Piccolo paid him no heed. "Vegeta! You get in there," he ordered, jerking his head towards Broly, who was laughing maniacally.

Before Vegeta could do or say anything, Gohan broke free and whipped past them, clashing with Broly once more, and then being sent to the ground once more. He stayed down a little longer this time, just barely rolling out of the way of a large blast.

And that's when the other blast hit him.

Gohan barely had time to throw his hands up to stop the blast, which pushed him several inches into the ground. Above him, he could hear Broly's insane laughter. To his left, he could hear and feel Piccolo's frantic footfalls in an attempt to save him. He saw out of the corner of his eye a blast spiraling upward, only for one much more massive to go back down, and knock Piccolo away, where he lay still.

"Piccolo!" he heard Krillin shout dimly on the edge of his consciousness. All he could feel was heat in his face and the pounding in his ears.

And then, with an animalistic shout, Gohan pushed himself up, holding the blast back much easier now. He planted his feet firmly, growling as he took a step forward.

Piccolo felt his head growing fuzzy as he tried to sit up. He was aware that Krillin was at his side, trying to help him up. He took his hand and pulled himself to a sitting up position, and his head snapped over to Gohan. The boy was holding the blast up, away from them all, his aura alternating between blue and gold, his eyes between black and blue. His hair stood on end, gradually turning blonde.

Krillin stammered, "He's...he's becoming..."

"A Super Saiyan," Piccolo finished. His head began to pound violently, and he felt sick to his stomach. He could easily hear the grunts of Gohan's exertion and then, a piercing, animalistic cry. The blast was sent careening into space, missing Broly by mere inches. He snarled and looked down, only to be met by a piercing gaze of blue, wild blonde hair, and a surging golden aura.

Gohan glared up at his enemy, a Super Saiyan at last.