Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z

A/N: I'm sorry! I know, I'm a very bad person! I've been struggling to write as my laptop has near enough died. I keep getting the blue screen of death so I've been forced to buy a new one which will mean I have to work more in order to pay for it but at least I'll be able to write for more than an hour at a time. Anyway, here's another chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 14

Farwell Ima

Appura sighed in defeat as she finally gave up trying to reach her glass of water. She was going to have to get up off the sofa. She shifted herself forward a couple of inches and was just raising herself off the sofa when the door opened. "Appura, Gohan said you're not supposed to stretch yourself so much!" cried Goten. Appura groaned and slumped back into the cushions. She'd reached her seventh month of pregnancy. Ten weeks left to go. And she was HUGE! Goten handed her the glass. "Thanks, kiddo," she muttered.

"You seem upset," Goten said, clambering onto the sofa next to her.

"I'm upset with your brother for doing this to me," said Appura, rubbing her bump with one hand, her new engagement ring glinting on her ring finger.

"But, you're going to have a baby," said Goten, putting his own hand on her belly, "That's good right? You and Gohan will be happy. Babies make people happy." Appura chuckled under her breath at Goten's logic.

"I'm not unhappy because I'm having a baby," She said gently, "I'm just tired of being pregnant. I just want to hold my baby in my arms." Goten looked up at her. Appura bit her lip.

"And I'm sure he wants a cuddle with his uncle Goten too," she smiled. Goten smiled.

"C'mon, Gohan sent me to find you, everyone's starting to get here," he said, sliding back off the sofa and taking her hand. With his help, Appura hauled herself off the sofa and followed him to the Son family home's backyard where Goku was busy lighting the BBQ. The last few months had rolled by quickly. Appura had found herself too busy preparing for the baby. Decorating the nursery, putting the crib together, shopping for clothes and a stroller. She'd ended up putting the crib together herself as Gohan and her father had made three attempts at it and had just ended up arguing. But it was over and done with. The nursery was ready. All they had to do now was wait the final ten weeks and he would arrive. Yes, it was a boy. The only thing Vegeta had been interested in was the gender. Appura had settled on the name Kabu, her grandfather's name, for her son...not that she had told Gohan yet. She was distracted from her thoughts when she saw Gohan. He was stacking up firewood for the bonfire later. He smiled at her. In the last couple of months they hadn't had much time for each other with him working with Bulma and herself being occupied preparing for the baby.

But his proposal last week had reminded her that he still thought about her. He had even arranged for everyone to be out the house so that when she came home from her shopping, laden with bags, she had been shocked to find him in the kitchen, a candlelit dinner for two on the table. A small box, gift-wrapped waiting on her plate. She smiled at the memory as Gohan strode up to her and kissed her cheek. Her arms automatically cradled her bump. Gohan put a hand on her belly and received a swift kick from his son. He smiled down at her. "You ok?" he asked gently.

"Aside from looking like Yajirobe," replied Appura.

"You don't look like Yajirobe!" Gohan chuckled. Appura couldn't help but laugh as well. Another kick from their son made her flinch. "Ugh," she groaned, "The sooner he's out the better." Gohan opened his mouth to say something but was distracted by the sound of the others arriving. "Happy birthday Gohan!" called Krillin. Gohan just grinned at Appura before turning to greet his guests.

"So Appura, not long left now, huh?" Appura jumped and turned to look at 18. She shook her head in response.

"Ten weeks," she said quietly before turning back to watch Gohan play-sparring with Trunks and Goten. 18 sat down next to the Saiyan princess. "What's up?" she asked. Appura looked at her through the corner of her eyes. "I'm scared," Appura replied, "For a while it felt like Gohan and I were drifting apart..and I...I kept remembering what my dad said to me."

"What did Vegeta say?"

"That I could never trust Gohan with my heart..." Appura muttered, "He may be half-Saiyan but he's also half-Human and they...don't fall in love the same way Saiyan's do. He pointed out what happened between Gohan and Videl...and I..."

"How do Saiyans fall in love?" 18 interrupted.

"Once, only ever once..." said Appura, "But Gohan did love Videl...and then he fell in love with me...I don't know...it's stupid."

"It's not," said 18, looking down at the young woman next to her, "Look, it's true Gohan loved Videl and now he loves you, but you two have cemented your future together, you're engaged, you're having a baby...that may not mean much to Humans but if what you say about Saiyans is true, Gohan will never leave you if he has a choice."

"Thanks 18, I think," said Appura, turning back to watch her mate, unsure whether 18 had meant to comfort her or not.

"Just ignore your dad, he's an idiot," replied 18. Appura chuckled but soon trailed off as she and the other warriors started to look north where a huge ki had suddenly appeared.

"Who the hell is that?" Appura asked.

"I don't know," said 18, leaping to her feet and racing over to Krillin. Appura struggled to her feet and raced to Gohan as fast as she could.

"Do you feel that?" she asked. Gohan nodded, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.

"I think we should investigate," said Vegeta, "Whoever it is, they are clearly trying to get our intention. Appura, stay here." Appura was about to answer when Gohan spoke.

"Uh-uh," he said, "I'm not leaving her here where I can't protect her."

"You are seriously suggesting we bring along a woman who is six months pregnant?" barked Vegeta.

"Appura's not stupid, and she can still fly quickly," said Gohan, "If she needs to hide..."

"Fine, she will be your wife soon enough," Vegeta snapped, "If anything happens to her, on your head be it." Gohan kept his face neutral. He hadn't missed the fact that in the last year or so Vegeta had begun slipping back into the old heartless prince facade more and more, especially around Ima and Appura. "Vegeta, stop being such an ass!" snarled Ima, "If Appura wants to come with us, she can. She's an adult now, she can do what she damn well pleases." Vegeta winced and turned away from them. Ima was glaring at the back of his head angrily. "C'mon, let's go," said Goku, breaking the silence that had fallen, "We need to find out who this power belongs to."

One by one, the Z fighters took off, leaving Yamcha, Chi-Chi, Bulma and Marron behind. Vegeta was way out in front of everyone with Goku behind him. Gohan sped up to him, leaving Appura with her mother. "Dad, do...do you think I made a wrong decision, bringing Appura?" he asked.

"You didn't force her to come, son," replied his father, "She wanted to come, and no one could have stopped her. Relax, you're right, she can still fly faster than any of us if she wants to." Gohan smiled faintly. "So, tell me what you think about this power? Ever felt anything like it?" Goku asked.

"It...it feels a bit like Freiza...but also a bit like Cell...it's weird," said Gohan.

"It's coming from the Northern mountains," said Goku, "Well away from civilisation...something about this doesn't feel right, son." Gohan swallowed nervously.

"If anything should happen, Gohan, the first thing I'll do is get Appura back home," said Goku, "Can I count on you to distract whoever it is?" Gohan nodded.

"You can count on me, Dad," he said.

"Hey, Vegeta!" Goku yelled, "What about you?"

"Kakarot, I don't give a rats ass...but if a distraction is what you need, I'll be more than happy to pummel someone into a pulp," Vegeta yelled back, making Goku chuckle.

It was still bitterly cold in the Northern mountains despite the fact that summer was just around the corner. The Saiyans didn't feel it, running on a slightly higher temperature than humans. They had landed some distance away from where they had felt the power coming from so as to sneak up on whoever it was. It was just over a ridge less than a mile away. Goku and Vegeta didn't wait for the others and headed straight for the ridge. Gohan and Ima helped Appura along as her distended stomach kept her from maintaining her normal speed whilst on solid ground. They slowly made their way to the top of the ridge and looked down. There was a spherical white pod in the middle of a crater and then some twenty yards away from that was a white cube that shook and spluttered. Goku was quickly moving his head from looking at the sphere to the cube. "But...the ki we sensed..."

"Kakarot, the ki we sensed was coming from that piece of machinery," Vegeta stated.

"Wait, a machine can replicate ki?" asked Krillin.

"I only knew of experimental designs made by Freiza, they all failed," Vegeta muttered.

"Looks like someone succeeded," said Piccolo, "Whoever it is, they are trying to get our attention, I suggest we go give it to them." He, Goku and Vegeta led the way down to the sphere. Gohan stood directly in front of Appura. As the group approached the sphere, there was a creak and the door to the pod opened. An alien stepped out, dressed in armour similar to that of Frieza's soldiers. She had turquoise skin and purple hair. She stretched, not noticing the warriors approaching her. She was just scratching the back of her head when her gaze fell on the group. Her eyes grew wide and shifted from side to side as if looking for someone.

"Who are you?" asked Vegeta. The alien girl took a step back before straightening up.

"My name is Mi, and you must be Prince Vegeta," she said before bowing, "I was told of rumours that there were Saiyans on this planet and..." she trailed off, her eyes fixed on Gohan's right shoulder. "P..princess Appura," she muttered. Vegeta looked over his shoulder at Appura who was stood at Gohan's side. Mi started to look around wildly. "You...you weren't supposed to bring her," she said, his voice shaking, "You were supposed to leave her behind because she's with child." Appura frowned. Mi seemed to becoming slightly hysterical. "You weren't supposed to bring her!" screeched Mi before turning on her heel and making a break for the pod, throwing herself into it and slamming the door shut. The engines roared into life and the pod sped into the air, heading out of the atmosphere. "What the hell did she mean we weren't supposed to bring Appura?" said Gohan, putting one arm around Appura protectively. "Whoever Mi was working for intended to for us to leave Appura behind, to separate us from her," said Piccolo.

"Wait, that means someone has gone to Mount Paozu!" said Krillin, "Marron's there!"

"We need to get back there quick!" said Gohan. Ima hadn't moved since Mi had fled but now she turned to her daughter. "You need to stay here," she said, "Kakarot will stay with you. Swap shirts with me."

"What?" said Appura.

"Whoever sent the Athosian here is looking for you," said Ima before turning to Vegeta, "Vegeta give me your shirt too."

"Mom..." Appura started but was cut short by her mother yanking her yellow maternity top over her head, leaving her in the white vest she had worn underneath. Ima quickly replaced it with her own blue shirt and pulled on Appura's top. Vegeta had removed his black long-sleeved shirt and handed it to Ima. She balled it up and tucked it under the large top. Gohan supposed from a distance at least she would look like a heavily pregnant Appura. "Right, let's go," Ima said.

"Wait, I'm not sure about leaving Appura," said Gohan.

"Gohan, if whoever it is comes looking for Appura, your father will be the best bet for getting her as far away as possible as fast as possible," said Ima gently, "Plus, I'm willing to bet if they know us as well as I fear they do, they'll become suspicious if it seems you've strayed from Appura's side." Gohan looked down, knowing Ima was right. He had to go along with the pretence that Ima was Appura. "Alright," he said, his voice sounding strained. He hated this whole idea, hated leaving Appura. He turned to her, his princess, his fiancée. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'll come back for you as soon as it's safe," he promised. Appura closed her eyes.

"I know," she said, "Gohan, I'm scared..."

"I know," replied Gohan before letting go of her, placing a hand gently on her stomach for a second before following the others who were leaving for Mount Paozu. Appura snorted in a huff and sat down on the ki generator as Goku stood guard watching for anything coming towards them.

Gohan was restless. Even though they were flying, everyone could tell he was fidgety and ill at ease, almost as much as Ima. The group was flying in a triangular shape with Vegeta at the front and everyone in place behind him. Gohan was behind him on the right and Ima on the left. They were close now. Almost back to the house and had still not sensed anyone else. Gohan hoped it was a false alarm, that all this was Mi's idea of a joke. His heart was just beginning to relax when a ki blast hurtled through the tree tops so fast that by the time anyone could react, it had hit Ima, knocking her out of formation and out of the sky into the forest below.

"Down, Vegeta, lead us down!" Piccolo ordered. For once, Vegeta obeyed and immediately lead the group straight down into the forest. Ima was nowhere in sight. Gohan looked at Vegeta. "Where did that come from?" he asked. A deep chuckle from within the forest drew Gohan's attention. From within the shadows, several large figures emerged. They were all easily as tall as Gohan, built like Nappa had been. Gohan's eyes widened as he took in the dark hair and eyes and the thick furry tails that were wrapped around their waists.

Appura started chewing on her fingernails as she stared south-east. Something was niggling away in the back of her mind, something was off. "Goku, I don't like this," she said, "Something is wrong. Something is very wrong."

"How do you mean?" asked Goku looking up from where he'd been picking dirt from under his fingernails.

"Well, for starters, all their ki's have just dropped off the grid," said Appura. Goku stood up straight and looked in the same direction as Appura.

"You're right," he said.

"If someone's managed to develop that ki generator, maybe they've found a way to shield them as well," Appura suggested, "Goku, take me back to Mount Paozu."

"No way, I promised your mom and dad I'd keep you safe," said Goku, before pointing in the direction they had been looking, "If their ki's have disappeared, it means there is danger back on Mount Paozu, there is no way I'm risking you or my grandson by taking you there."

"Goku, your sons, and your wife are back there, are you seriously just going to sit here?"

"I promised one of my sons I'd keep you safe," Goku replied flatly, "Besides, Chi-Chi can take care of herself."

"Fine! Sit here with your promises, but I'm going!" snapped Appura, poking Goku in the chest for good measure before stomping off. Goku stood still for a moment.

"Fine I'll take you," he said, "But first sign of trouble we're getting out of there, got it?"

"Thanks Goku," Appura replied, "If anyone asks, I'll tell them I forced you." Goku smiled briefly as he put a hand on Appura's shoulder and raised two fingers to his forehead.

"Vegeta...what do we do?" Gohan asked.

"Do nothing," said Vegeta, sounding as tense as ever.

'Saiyans, it's impossible, but here they are,' Gohan thought as he took in the dozens of Saiyans emerging from the trees around them.

"Dad, who are they?" Trunks asked, looking up at his father. The largest of the Saiyans, clearly the leader, quirked an eyebrow as Trunks called Vegeta 'Dad'. Vegeta quickly pushed Trunks behind him and out of the large Saiyan's sight. "So," the Saiyan spoke, "This is what has become of the House of Vegeta. A pathetic Half-Breed son with the weakest race in the West Galaxy." Vegeta sneered and looked the Saiyan up and down. Gohan saw his eyes settle on a symbol on the Saiyan's armour. "Kuda," he growled.

"Yes, I am Captain Daikon of King Kuda's army," said the Saiyan. Vegeta spat on the ground.

"Kuda is a false king!" he barked. The Saiyans shifted and muttered, making the Special Forces shift into more defensive positions. "Enough posturing and talking!" Vegeta snapped, "What do you want with my daughter?" Daikon looked at Vegeta curiously.

"Who?"

"My daughter, Appura," snapped Vegeta, "Your little minion Mi said we were supposed to have left her behind."

"Oh, the girl is your daughter? Huh, Puchin forgot to mention that!" laughed Daikon, "He told us she was just some Half-Breed third-classes mate!" Gohan glared at Daikon.

"Oh, so she's your mate!" laughed a smaller Saiyan on Gohan's right, "My, what shame on the House of Vegeta, to have a Royal Daughter mated with this piece of shit!" The Saiyan stepped out of the line and made to grab Gohan but Gohan was faster than him. As the Saiyan made to grab Gohan's arm, Gohan spun around, smashing his fist into the Saiyan's face, sending him flying back into the trees just as Goku and Appura appeared in the centre of the group. "Dad, what the hell?" Gohan shouted at the sight of his heavily pregnant mate in imminent danger.

"Your ki's all disappeared, we had to guess," Appura interjected. Suddenly there was mass beeping all around them. The scouters the Saiyans were wearing seemed to have activated in the presence of Appura. "Target acquired," chuckled Daikon. Gohan quickly pulled her into his arms.

"Do you really think any of you will be able to stop us," laughed Daikon as he reached for what looked like a gun attached to his belt.

"Oh no you don't, you ugly son of a bitch!" called a voice and Ima landed right in front of Daikon.

Daikon took a half step back in surprise before realising this was one person and swiftly aiming a kick at Ima's side which she deftly blocked with her arm. Daikon tried to punch her head but was blocked again. Their fight sped up, watched by surprised humans and Saiyans. Daikon suddenly spun a full circle and jabbed his hand forward. It caught Ima by surprise as she was unable to stop his hand forcing it's way right through her chest and out her back.

Appura's eyes widened. 'No, not again, not this way,' she thought.

"Mama!" she screamed.

Appura watched the TV. Her mother rarely let her watch the news but for the past couple of days, she'd insisted Appura watch. Appura couldn't believe her eyes as the news once again showed the scenes from Gingertown. The clothes lying scattered on the street, the bodies of the people missing. Then the TV appearance of the being responsible, Cell. After watching that for the first time yesterday, she had called her dad, desperate to know he was safe and was going to take care of this monster but instead of her father answering his cell phone, a boy aged between sixteen and nineteen had answered and told her she had got a wrong number. Appura had carefully redialled her father's number three more times but each time the same boy answered.

Her mother stood leaning in the doorway, a full backpack in her hands. She'd been hovering for about ten minutes, thinking Appura hadn't noticed. Just then, there was banging on the apartment door. Appura squealed for a moment in fright. "Ima! Appura! Open up!" Appura felt relieved to hear her father's voice calling from the other side of the door. Ima turned around and went to the front door of the apartment. She opened it and Vegeta marched in. "Dad!" Appura cried and raced forward, throwing her arms around her father's legs before noticing he was not alone. Her father had never brought a friend with him before. The tall boy, who looked about eighteen, had purple hair and blue eyes. "Appura," Vegeta said calmly, bringing his young daughter's attention back to himself, "This is the boy from the future who warned us about the androids. He's also the grown-up version of your little brother I told you about." Appura blinked at her dad. She did vaguely recall a phone call last year about her father having a son by another woman. The tall boy walked over and knelt down next to her. "Hi," he said, "I'm Trunks."

"I'm Appura," she replied, unsure of this boy, he sounded like the boy who had told her she had the wrong number the day before.

"Is she ready?" Vegeta asked.

"Oh, yes, here," Ima said, handing over the pack, "I'll come join you tonight..."the priestess trailed off, her hand letting go of the backpack which fell to the floor, spilling it's contents. Appura looked around. Her mother was looking out the window, as was her father and the purple-haired boy.

"He's here," Trunks muttered.

"We need to move quickly," said Vegeta, follow me. He grabbed Ima's arm and raced out the apartment. Trunks stood up, swiftly lifting Appura into his arms and followed. "Wait, what's going on?" Appura asked.

"It's Cell," said Trunks, "He's followed us." He followed as Vegeta led the way down the back staircase of the apartment building. "Once we get outside, you take the girl back to the Lookout, Ima and I will join you," barked Vegeta as they reached the bottom, "You keep your ki suppressed until you're out of the city."

"Yes, father," replied Trunks, tightening his hold on Appura. Ima moved forward and placed a kiss on Appura's forehead.

"Be brave, sweetheart, your brother will look after you," she said.

"Mama," Appura said quietly. Vegeta pushed the door open and strode out with Ima, immediately flying into the air. Trunks hung back for a moment, listening.

"Trunks, where are we going?" Appura asked.

"Somewhere safe, you've heard of Cell right?" Appura nodded.

"He's holding a tournament for the strongest fighters in the world," said Trunks, "He's come here because he can sense your mom. He wants her to fight as well."

"But Mama doesn't fight anymore," protested Appura.

"I know, but Cell doesn't care, father says...he said Cell might take you to force her to fight," Trunks said softly, "That's why we've come. We're taking you to where all the other fighters are. So you're hidden amongst them."

"Ok," said Appura, "So, you're my little brother from the future?"

"Yes," said Trunks, "But in my time, our father died, and he never told my mom about you...in fact I didn't even know you existed until yesterday. When we've defeated Cell, and I go back to my time, I'm going to look for you." Appura smiled. Trunks peeked out the door.

"Father!" he cried, dropping Appura and racing out the door. Appura followed him only to be confronted by the monster she had seen on the TV, Cell, stood a few feet away. "Hello, princess," he said before raising his hand, "Special Beam Cannon!"

"No!" shouted three voices as light was emitted from his finger tips. Appura felt herself being pushed flat against the concrete and a shadow went over her head. There was a scream and then silence.

"I'll see you at the tournament," said Cell and Appura, still face down, heard him fly away. She looked to see who had pushed her down and saw Trunks who was staring horror-struck at something in front of him. Appura turned her head and saw her father crouched in front of her, cradling her mother. "Mama," Appura said softly as she scrambled to her feet and raced forward. Her mother's eyes were closed as if she were sleeping but as Appura continued to look at her she knew something was wrong. She wasn't breathing. Appura looked down. Just above her mother's stomach, between her ribs was a gaping hole. That's when it struck Appura what had happened. Trunks had pushed her down but her mother had thrown herself in the way of Cell's attack. "Mama!" she screamed and began to sob.

"Mama!" Appura screamed again as Daikon pulled his hand away. She pushed Gohan away and raced forward to catch her mother as she fell. "Mama," she sobbed as she cradled her. She heard the faint gasp of her mother's last breath and felt a surge of emotion so intense she closed her eyes and held her body closer to her. Anger, fear, sorrow all swirled around inside her. She was angry, so angry that her mother had felt the need to defend her once again! Fear for her life and the life of her baby! Sorrow, she was unbelievably , uncontrollably sad...her mother had already been revived once using the Dragonballs and couldn't be revived again. She let out a pained cry as she felt her emotions surge out of control. She felt the anger and the fear and the sorrow all at once. She let out a strangled cry and rocked back and forth more. No one around her moved.

Gohan was unable to believe his eyes. Appura was shuddering uncontrollably, her strangled cries starting to turn into angry grunts, her tail flicking from side to side like an angry cat. The Saiyans just staring at her. Then it happened. Her hair moved without wind and began to stand up on end, a widow's peak appearing from beneath her fringe. He knew the movement, he knew the tension and he could feel Appura's ki shooting up. There was a flicker of light and for the briefest second Appura's hair turned golden before going black again. "Appura!" he heard Trunks cry. He saw the boy rush forward to comfort his sister, his hand outstretched. "Trunks, no!" Gohan cried but too late. The second Trunks touched Appura a jolt of energy sent him flying backwards, his arm broken. Trunks squealed in pain, adding to the symphony of sounds around them as the Saiyans muttered in fear, Appura grunted in anger and earth and trees were pulled into the air.

Appura let out a final almighty yell and threw her head back, her eyes open. Her eyes were no longer blue, but teal and her hair finally shimmered gold. She dropped her mother's body and stood up. Gohan's eyes widened as he took her in. A female Super Saiyan, the first female Super Saiyan. Aside from her hair and eyes, she didn't look any different, but her energy, her ki, was dramatically different. It was no longer cool and calm, but boiling hot and raging like lava.

Appura looked at the group behind her. The Z fighters all took an involuntary step back as her wild gaze took them in before turning on the Saiyans. She looked at Daikon and said, "Run!" The Saiyans didn't need telling twice. They turned tail and ran. Appura's gaze was focussed on Daikon. She gave them a few seconds before following them, Gohan, Goku and Vegeta close behind her. She was even faster than normal in her Super Saiyan form, following the Saiyans. Gohan couldn't help but stare in both wonder and fear as she blew some of them into dust if they got in her way.

She suddenly stopped in midair, Daikon not far away. She raised her right arm, balancing it with her left hand and twisting her fingers. "Star Beam!" she cried, two beams of light coming from her index and ring fingers and piercing Daikon's shoulders, forcing him to stop. Appura yelled out and two beams of light came out of her thumb and pinkie. Daikon began screaming in agony as the energy pierced his knees. Appura sneered and powered up one last time, the final beam of energy coming out of her middle finger and piercing Daikon's head. He stopped struggling and screaming, in fact, he stopped doing anything. Appura frowned and moved her fingers slightly. The beams of energy moved to burn a five-pointed star through Daikon's body, severing his limbs and head. She dropped her hand, the energy dissipating. She was panting. Her energy plummeting. As amazing as the attack had been, it had completely drained her. Gohan watched as her eyes turned blue again, her hair lay down and turned black. She hovered in the air for a second before her eyes rolled backwards into her head and she began to fall to earth. Gohan sped down and caught her. Her ki was so weak now, and he could barely feel the baby's ki either. He clutched her closer as he saw his father rising back up with Ima's body wrapped in Piccolo's cloak.

Yamcha leaned against the doorframe, scanning the horizon. He could feel nothing, see nothing. It was as if the entire forest was being blocked from him, as if something was shielding the ki of every creature in the forest. He had no idea where any of the other warriors were. He was blocking out the sound of Bulma and Chi-Chi talking behind him. "Any sign?" Yamcha blinked and turned around. Bulma was looking at him. He shook his head. He was starting to worry. His heart had started hurting a few minutes before and there were faint explosions in the distance now.

"Can you not sense anything?" Bulma asked.

"No," Yamcha replied.

"They're back," said Chi-Chi looking over Yamcha's shoulder, "Oh no!" She raced past Yamcha who spun round and his heart stopped dead. Appura was unconscious in Gohan's arms, Goku was carrying something wrapped in Piccolo's cloak and Ima was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, the pain in his heart made sense. He'd seen Bulma feel it almost two years before...Ima was wrapped in Piccolo's cloak. "No," he said as Goku came closer, "No, no, no, no, no, no!" He dropped to his knees in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, Yamcha," Goku said as he stood in front of his long-time friend, "I'm so sorry. She was protecting Appura. We'll get the Dragonballs, we'll wish her back."

"We can't," Yamcha sobbed, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm, "She already got wished back after Cell. She can't be wished back." Goku looked down at his friend. He honestly didn't know what to say to him, to say to a man who had lost the woman he loved permanently. He stepped aside as Gohan walked into the house with Appura, Bulma and Trunks close behind. "Goku," Yamcha said, "Please, give her to me." He held out his arms for his wife's body. Goku carefully handed her over.

"Who did this?" Yamcha asked.

"Saiyans, I don't know how, or why they are here, but they are working for someone named Kuda, someone who claims to be the Saiyan king," said Goku, "They were looking for Appura. Ima died defending her..." Goku trailed off as the memory of Appura's transformation played inside his head.

"Goku? What happened?" Yamcha asked as he walked into the house, the Saiyan automatically following him, "What happened to Trunks' arm? What happened to Appura?" He laid his wife's body on the sofa.

"Appura transformed," Goku said simply.

"What? She went Super Saiyan?" Yamcha said in disbelief.

"She...it was amazing to see someone else react like that," Goku said, "I mean, Gohan transformed through the power of his imagination alone but Appura...She started off screaming for her mother, and caught her body before she hit the floor. She then sorta switched off to the world. Gohan kept calling her name but she didn't answer, she was rocking back and forth crying and then her cries changed, they changed into growls and that was when it happened. Her hair started to change. Trunks went forward and tried to touch her but her energy threw him back and crushed his arm. That was when she transformed and...she wasn't Appura anymore. She was more like Vegeta, back when he was really bad, she made the Saiyans run and she was hunting them, well, one of them, called Daikon, the one who killed Ima. She destroyed him with this Star Blast attack."

"Star Blast?" asked Yamcha.

"Yeah, it's brutal," said Goku, "Using her five fingers, she formed five beams of energy, two severing the shoulders, two severing the knees and the last one goes straight through the head before moving to sever every limb."

"She did that?"

"Yeah, it looks like an all or nothing technique, she passed out right after she used it," Goku said, watching as Yamcha stroked Ima's hair out of her face.

"Will the baby be alright?" Yamcha asked.

"Oh crap, the baby, in everything that happened I didn't think about what the transformation would do to the baby!" said Goku, smacking himself in the head.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Yamcha said, "Gohan's with her."

"Yeah," said Goku, "You seem ok all of a sudden."

"I can't...can't let myself feel sad right now," Yamcha replied, still looking down at Ima, "I made Ima a promise, months ago, but still...I promised if anything happened to her, I would look after Appura and the baby, that I would make sure they're ok before I did any kind of mourning."

"Sounds like she knew something was gonna happen," Goku said, frowning.

"She knew a lot of stuff," Yamcha said, "She'd seen a lot of stuff as well...did you know she watched her father die when she was five, along with her mother and her sisters? And that Vegeta's father himself rescued her and kept her safe?" Goku shook his head.

"Can you give me a minute alone, Goku?" Yamcha asked, looking up at him as he knelt beside the sofa, "I think you need to fetch Dende to heal Trunks' arm and check Appura's ok."

"Just let Chi-Chi know if you need anything," Goku said, squeezing Yamcha's shoulder before moving off and leaving.

"So the baby is gonna be ok?" Gohan asked over his mug of coffee. Dende, the Guardian, was sat opposite him at the kitchen table. The others had either out looking for the Saiyans or were dealing with officials in the nearest town with regards to Ima's death.

"Aside from being a little agitated which is understandable, your son seems ok," said Dende, "It could have been a lot worse, considering how violent Saiyan transformations can be. I think Appura just needs to sleep it off and they'll both be fine."

"Thanks Dende," said Gohan, "I just worry."

"From what I understand, that's normal when you're expecting a baby," replied Dende.

"Coming from the species that reproduces asexually," said Gohan.

"This is the one aspect of human and indeed Saiyan life that has intrigued me for a long time," said Dende, "The seeking out of one to share genetic material with to produce more genetically diverse offspring, or rather as you would call it, finding love and settling down. It can be so fascinating to watch two people find each other."

"You've been watching soap operas again haven't you?" Gohan quipped, raising an eyebrow.

"What? I think they're brilliant, if a little over dramatic," said Dende. Gohan laughed.

"I can't believe you're ready for this," Dende continued, "From what I understand, any other nineteen year old is out there, what is the phrase? 'Sowing your wild oats'."

"Other nineteen year olds haven't been saving the planet since they were five," replied Gohan, "Trust me, I've had enough adventure. All I want now is a quiet life with Appura, and in three months time, our baby." Dende smiled at his friend. An almighty scream tore through the house. Gohan dropped his coffee mug and ran into his old room. Appura was up and leaning over the bed, gripping the mattress. On the floor at her feet was a puddle. "Appura, what's wrong? What's happening?" Gohan asked.

"My water's have broken," Appura gasped, "The baby's coming."