The Tides Turn

Hitsugaya: "You're the one who attacked our men yesterday..."

Our Vegeta looked at this other Toushiro, knowing that he had to be careful.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Eh... Not exactly."

Hitsugaya held his sword at the prince, acting very aggressively.

Hitsugaya: "I'm gonna enjoy taking you down. The last time we met, you nearly took my head off."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Yeah sorry but you've got me mistaken."

Hitsugaya: "Oh no I don't... Walking on all fours... a long black tail... a huge scar on the chest... You're the one."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Guess you got me, listen... I know this is all a huge misunderstanding, can't we talk things out?"

Hitsugaya: "... Sure, I'll talk things out..."

Vegeta didn't buy it, and he knew why.

Hitsugaya: "When you're DEAD!"

Hitsugaya charged at Vegeta with his blade extended! Vegeta didn't have time to get out of the way when the sword struck his chest at the area where his heart is! The saiyan just stood there in shock as Hitsugaya tried to impale him, but his blade wouldn't move any further. The young captain was completely confused. At that moment, Vegeta's shirt tore open and Hitsugaya saw what had stopped his blade from impaling his enemy.

Hitsugaya: "What!? That's...!"

It was Vegeta's Lieutenant's Badge! He had hid it just seconds before he was found by his counterpart yesterday! Hitsugaya withdrew his sword in total shock. The moment he did, the badge broke apart and fell to the ground. The young captain just stared at it. Vegeta, on the other hand, took this moment to flee.

Meanwhile... In the same forest not far from Hitsugaya...

The distinctive sounds of running could be heard vividly. It was Toushiro! Against all odds, he's managed to keep running for a whole 30 minutes despite being absolutely exhausted! But his troubles weren't over yet... There was a very good reason why he was still running for his very life. Vegeta was still hot on his tail despite still being clumsy on all fours! This chase was one of who had the most endurance and stamina. And poor Toushiro, after running for a whole 35 minutes now, started losing this battle! The Vegeta of this world, however, was also getting tired. But the saiyan had just a little more energy than Toushiro! The Soul Reaper could not continue and he stopped, utterly spent.

Vegeta: "I've got you now!"

But just when the prince was no more than two strides away, he was struck with incredible force on his side! The saiyan prince of this world was thrown across the forest floor! When he recovered, he froze at what he saw!

Vegeta: "Ah!... W-What?!..."

The same evil and murderous stare that he had given Toushiro was being returned... By himself!

Lieutenant Vegeta: "If you value your life... You'll stay right there!"

The younger Vegeta just stared in confusion and bewilderment as his older counterpart picked up the young Soul Reaper and ran off with him. The saiyan lieutenant ran for some distance before coming to a natural opening in the forest. He listened carefully for any sounds of battle, any hint that they may have been followed. There were none. Feeling secured, the prince put his young friend down. Despite everything, Toushiro knew that THIS was his Vegeta, his best friend and protecter. Now back together, they could find a way to stop the chaos and this world... At least Toushiro thought so.

Toushiro: "Glad to see you again, Vegeta."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Same here, now let's go."

Toushiro: "To where?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Home. We're getting out of here while we have the chance."

Toushiro: "Are you crazy? Don't you know what's going on here?!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Oh, I'm aware! Your counterpart just tried to run-me-through! Lucky he hit my lieutenant's badge that I had tucked away instead. Now let's go!"

Toushiro: "... I'm not leaving."

Vegeta turned around and eyed the young captain with a serious look.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "That had better've been a joke, Toushiro."

Toushiro: "It wasn't. We can help them!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Listen, I know you want to help them. If you could, you'd help everyone you can! But you have to understand that there are times where you JUST CAN'T!... You know what's going on here. They're at war with each other because of a huge misunderstanding created by Aizen and Coge!"

Toushiro: "All the more reason we have to go back and stop this! You've killed Aizen once before, you can do it again! Once he's gone we can rally the others and chase off Coge!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "I'm sorry, Toushiro, but I'm not putting our lives in danger just on a slim chance."

And Vegeta started walking away. But Toushiro remained still. It seemed that the great saiyan prince had forgotten his own words once... Words that he should be reminded of.

Toushiro: "... Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope."

Vegeta stopped at that moment and gasped silently to himself.

Toushiro: "But sometimes fear clouds our vision. Sometimes our strength gives out."

The prince did not move as he listened.

Toushiro: "And yet sometimes, when all seems lost... a light... shines through the darkness, and we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage..."

Vegeta finally turned around and stared straight at Toushiro.

Toushiro: "Can turn the tides of war."

Vegeta stared and blinked in astonishment. The young captain really did remember those words he spoke long ago, and what's more... He now knew what they meant.

Toushiro: "... We're the only ones who can stop this now, Vegeta. We're their last hope."

Vegeta sighed as he thought about everything. Meanwhile, the war still waged on. Both sides were exhausted and beaten pretty well. They were even.

Goku: "I have to say... Not bad for an old man like you..."

Yamamoto: "I have to agree... But you're still out matched."

Goku: "Heh... We'll see about that."

As both sides continued, their Vegeta and Toushiro returned from the forest. The two saw each other and noticed that both seemed a little rattled.

Hitsugaya: "... There's another you running around... Isn't there?..."

Vegeta: "... Same thing with you, right?..."

Hitsugaya nodded. It seemed that they were the only two who were just beginning to realize the truth about their counterparts. At that moment, a Garganta opened and the real enemy stepped out.

Gin: "My, my... Look at this."

Aizen: "Indeed an interesting sight."

Hitsugaya gasped out loud!

Hitsugaya: "Aizen!"

The shout was heard by all and the fighting stopped with everyone looking up at the Garganta.

Aizen: "Looks like we came at just the right time."

Behind Aizen, Tosen stepped out... Followed by Coge.

Vegeta: "Coge!"

Coge: "Heh, you all look like you've seen better days."

Soifon: "You finally show yourself, traitor!"

Aizen: "Oh, but I'm not a traitor. I've merely become something far more superior than you Soul Reapers."

Vegeta: "So those three aren't with you then?"

Hitsugaya shook his head. Now the two were understanding what their counterparts were trying to hint to them. Aizen pulled back the clothes covering his chest. The Soul Reapers all gasped. Embedded in his chest was the Hogyoku.

Aizen: "With the Hogyoku, I will transcend all and be called a god."

Aizen's eyes suddenly flew open with shock and horror! Pain shot throughout his body as blood erupted from his chest! Both sides gasped as they all watched in horror! Aizen looked down at his chest and saw a bloody hand holding the Hogyoku while sticking out from his chest! Blood ran down his mouth as he turned around to see who it was. To his horror... It was the scared saiyan.

Aizen: "C... Coge!... Why?..."

Gin and Tosen attacked Coge together, but they both failed and were beaten to the ground with one swift punch each. With those two gone, Coge got back to business.

Coge: "I never wanted to join you, Aizen. I only agreed to help you to earn your trust so that I could take the Hogyoku from you without difficulty!"

Aizen: "You... Bastard!..."

Coge: "Pleasure doing business with you, Sosuke Aizen."

And the mad saiyan tore his hand out of Aizen's chest with the Hogyoku in hand! The betrayed soul reaper just fell from the sky, injuries too severe to survive. Both the Z-Fighters and the 13 Court Guard Squads all watched as Aizen fell to the rubble below before gazing up at the power hungry saiyan.

Kyoraku: "This isn't good."

Ukitake: "I wonder what he's going to do with the Hogyoku?"

The Z-Fighters had their own fears.

Gohan: "Do you think Coge's gonna use that thing, dad?"

Goku: "I don't know, Gohan."

Goku turned to his Vegeta. Regardless of what happened next, he knew that Vegeta was his target.

Goku: "You'd better stay close, Vegeta."

Vegeta wasn't going to argue. He was safer with Goku than anyone else. Coge just gazed at the bloody Hogyoku in his hand. He grinned at the shinning orb he held as he felt its power. Then to everyone's horror...

Coge: "Hope you're ready to die, Vegeta! Cuz here I come..."

Everyone gasped as they all watched Coge put the Hogyoku in his mouth and SWALLOW it!

Hitsugaya: "He ate it!"

Krillin: "Oh man, we're in trouble now!"

Coge: "Ha-ha-ha! The Hogyoku is MINE!"