I wish I owned DBZ, but I don't. I own DVD's and tapes, but it just isn't the same. I also don't own the rights to any of the music pieces you see selected, just copies of merchandise, such a shame. The artists that created them are geniuses and we all must bow to them.

Chapter 39: Berserker

Seventeen struggled to move as he slowly woke up, his body registering damage all over. He was also detecting a fair amount of heat, which was odd to him since he knew that area well. It rarely got much above freezing year round, unless there was an absurd heat wave. When he finally opened his eyes, he jumped up, realizing he was surrounded by fire. Seventeen glanced around, seeing that the ruined city had been set ablaze. Above, dark storm clouds were randomly spitting lightning that crashed multiple times only a few blocks away. It wasn't going to rain though; the air was far too hot for that. It was incredibly strange for anyone to even see lightning strike so many times in the same general area, but not to Seventeen. High winds began to blast through, all moving towards the center of the storm rather than outward. Over the sound of the wind, Seventeen thought he could hear a child's scream, but wasn't too keen on investigating yet. The wind howled even more and increased in intensity. The roar of thunder overlapped it, and the lightning bursts increased. The ground shook roughly and broke apart the various rubble piles while rattling any remaining structures. Seventeen's ears nearly overloaded even as he covered them, trying to shut out the incredible noise.

Then, all of a sudden the sound ceased. The wind, thunder and lightning also subsided at the same time. Seventeen glanced around in surprise and stood up straight, but saw nothing past a few lucky bystanders. The skies darkened further, lit only by the dim red light emanating from where the lightning struck. The break didn't last as a long shockwave went through, carrying incredible sound with it and shattering all glass nearby. A large, expanding bubble of energy followed it, ripping through buildings easily. The shockwave blew Seventeen right off his feet, as well as anyone else nearby while their residences crumbled. All anyone could make out was the bright red light coming from the distance. Seventeen briefly made out a figure coming closer just before the light flashed and condensed into an incoming vapor trail. The larger Android Thirteen came barreling into view, flying awkwardly; a clear sign of being hit. Verto chased him down, enshrouded in a thick, vivid and rapidly flowing red aura. The look on his face reminded Seventeen of wild animals on the attack. What could have happened, he wondered.

What has come over me
What madness taken hold of my heart
To run away, the only answer
Pulling me away
To fall upon the night
The source of my recovery
Sweet shadow taking hold of the light
Another day has been devoured
Calling me away, begging the question
Why?

Verto clobbered Thirteen in the face with the first hit, sending him flying backwards for several city blocks. He gave chase, passing a surprised Seventeen in the process. Thirteen managed to recover and stop in midair, but far from easily. He looked up in time to see Verto's follow-up kick make contact with his jaw. Thirteen swayed to his right with the impact and then glided backwards, attempting to readjust. With blazing speed, Verto was right on him again, aiming a kick into the sword wound in Thirteen's torso. Thirteen cringed in surprised pain, but recovered enough to lift his arms and smash Verto in the back from above. Verto fell for barely a half second before another flash of red went off. Thirteen lost track of him, but needn't look far, as the boy was directly behind with a blast charged. Thirteen had just turned to face him when the blast made contact and he sailed into the city again. Verto's hands filled with energy as he quickly cut loose with a fast and furious barrage of red Psi blasts, all aimed towards Thirteen's position. Many of them hit that area, and many did not. Verto didn't seem to care and kept up the effort for a solid minute before stopping.

He was breathing hard, but it appeared to be more from anger rather than fatigue. This was further proven when his deep red aura flowed back to life. Dust and debris filled the air ahead, amidst the already burning buildings. Thirteen eventually emerged from the newest rubble pile, though he had seen better days locked in his pod. Several of the blasts had hit his tough body and had seared right into the strong material, leaving scattered gashes. The gaping hole in Thirteen's stomach had gotten a bit bigger as well, now the size of a softball with multiple wires sticking out.

For saving me from all they've taken
Letting my armor fall again
Giving me the strength to face them
Feeling it taking over now
On a path to take it all away
There can be no better way of knowing

"Damn you boy!" Thirteen roared. Verto's expression melted back to the neutral, uncaring stare. From the streets, Seventeen rose up behind Thirteen.

"Finish him kid!" Seventeen shouted. Thirteen glanced back and fired a blast, catching Seventeen off guard.

"Mind your own business!" Thirteen retorted. When he turned back however, he saw a very intense red blast forming. He could tell right away that this one was meant to be the final blow. Thirteen rose higher into the air before turning and blasting off towards the south. He didn't go very far as a white vapor trail came at him quickly. Both Thirteen and the newcomer stopped, and both were surprised to see the other.

"Son Gohan?"

"Android Thirteen?"

Neither had time to say much else, as Verto phased in behind Thirteen, fist drawn back and wrapped in a fiery red with an absurd amount of lightning coming from it. Thirteen turned just as Verto rushed in, fist outstretched. The impact caused another explosion that blinded everyone who could see it, and Gohan shielded his eyes to it. When it cleared, the only thing Gohan saw was a few burning smolders floating towards the ground. Thirteen was gone.

In a world beyond controlling
are you going to deny the savior?
In front of your eyes
Stare into the night!
Power beyond containing
Are you going to remain a slave for
the rest of your life?
Give into the night!

"So I guess you can fill me in since I missed the party," Gohan said first. Verto's dark eyes turned to him, and a very low growl came from his throat. Gohan's own blue eyes widened, realizing what he may have just flown into. Seventeen floated up between the two in a more positive manner.

"Seventeen, you're here? How?" Gohan asked.

"Long story. Awesome attack kid! You didn't have to hold back for so long though," Seventeen scolded. Verto bared his teeth at Seventeen, who wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Seventeen, get back!" Gohan warned.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"He's not himself at the moment. There's some sort of hidden power he has that makes him incredibly vicious. I've seen it before, but then he had control. I don't think he does right now!" Gohan explained. Seventeen was about to inquire further, but was blindsided by Verto's back fist and fell into the debris field below. Verto had a blast already charging, targeting the fallen android.

"Verto! Get a hold of yourself! The battle is over, you can stop!" Gohan shouted. Verto glanced up at Gohan and his blast vanished, but his raging demeanor didn't. Gohan backed away nervously, Uh oh. He usually at least says something. He must be so far gone that he's on nothing but animal instinct. And animals attack the biggest threat first. Great, how long before he snaps out of it? Verto held his palm out and his bright red sword appeared again. Gohan mimicked the action, making a blue Psi sword of his own. This isn't what I had in mind for an early morning workout. The fact that he is even able to conjure his sword says at least part of his mind is working, even if it is only second nature to him now. Hopefully he realizes what he's doing before long. Verto bared his teeth again, and his low growl filled the air, making it obvious what he planned to do next. That's when Gohan got a good look at Verto's eyes, which were mostly black besides the red glow that came from his eyeballs. What is with those eyes? They look like Majin Buu's! What could that mean?

"So, are you going to say anything, or are we just going to fight?" Gohan asked. Verto responded by rushing towards him.

Interlude 39.1 – Intervention -

Another loud explosion reached the lab and the rock walls shuddered.

"Lenz, can you tell what's going on?" Bulma asked. Lenz continued staring at the ceiling with a face full of concern. The monitor screen wasn't of much help, as Doctor Cash couldn't stop gazing at his fallen daughter.

"It's hard to sense anything through all this rock. I think it's only because little brother's energy is so strong, and so hot. It feels as if there is a bright star about to crash into the planet," Lenz said.

"If there was a bright star out there, then the planet would burn up long before it could touch the ground," Bulma pointed out.

Lenz gave her a confused glance, "A big, flaming meteor then, whatever you want to call it. It's still really hot, yet I still feel cold from it on the inside!"

"Wait a second, if you can sense energy levels that must mean the ki disruptors are offline!" Bulma exclaimed.

Lenz lifted her palm up and cringed slightly, "If they are, I sure can't tell. Look, nothing."

"That doesn't make sense. When we were at that temple, Trunks and Vegeta got their energy back right away, Trunks even turned Super Saiyan!" Bulma explained.

"If it makes you feel any better, I wish I couldn't sense anything right now," Lenz replied.

Bulma paused in thought before snapping her finger, "Hold on. Can you sense me in this room?"

Lenz nodded, "Barely, but yes. I even feel that jerk over there!"

"Vegeta said specifically that when he couldn't use his energy, he couldn't sense it either. That must mean that either you can for some reason, or you've got Psionic potential!" Bulma surmised.

"Me? No way!" Lenz waved her off.

"That has to be it Lenz. That's the only type of energy Verto could be using right now if I'm not mistaken. The only two of our group that could use it or sense it were Gohan and Verto as far as I knew. Guess that makes you number three!" Bulma exclaimed.

"But why can't I feel it within myself?" Lenz asked.

"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't know. In the past, Verto couldn't really feel it either until after he transformed for the first time, or was it the second? I suppose it wouldn't be the first time; that was one weird situation. Anyway, can you try to control any of it?" Lenz cringed again as she attempted drawing it forth, but nothing happened.

"I don't even know what I'm looking for, never mind how to control it!" Lenz claimed.

Bulma grimaced, "Maybe we'll just have to try something else. Hey Flandal!"

Cash barely gave her a turn of the head, "What?"

"There's a chance that your daughter is still alive. If you let us out, I'll tell you how we can save her!" Bulma announced.

"What are you doing?" Lenz panicked.

"Improvising. What about it Flandal?" Bulma asked.

"Don't be absurd! Thirteen unloaded on her, you saw that yourself. She's dead!" Cash claimed as he attempted to hold back his sorrow.

"Maybe, but I saw her body. If that android is anywhere near as powerful as you say he is, she would have been dust easily! There's a slim chance that we can save her!" Bulma pointed out.

"How?"

"Verto has the power to heal others. It wouldn't be a problem as long as she's still breathing," Bulma explained briefly.

"You're lying! You're just saying that so I'll release the cage!" Cash shouted in anger.

"No, she's right. I've seen him do it before, even to me!" Lenz interjected.

"Haven't you wondered how the virus went away not long ago? How your cancer just up and vanished? That was his doing!" Bulma added. Cash stood up and typed into his keyboard. The viewer shifted finally, showing Verto and Gohan staring each other off; Thirteen was nowhere in sight.

"What happened to Thirteen? And what is he doing here?" Cash asked. Cash's camera zoomed in on Verto's face just long enough to see his rage filled eyes before he vanished and the shockwaves began again.

"He's attacking Gohan! Why?" Lenz asked.

Cash snorted as he turned off the visual, "Even if that kid could save Kati, it doesn't look like he'll care to try. This may not be a total loss though. At least I'll get to see its effect on Saiyans."

"What effect? What the hell are you talking about?" Bulma asked. Cash grinned slightly as he typed in more commands. The viewer came back on and rewound to Verto's piercing glare. Cash pointed to his reddened eyes, surrounded with black.

"That is what I meant. He has Chemical Z in his system!"

"So Kati was telling the truth about that," Bulma said with disgust.

"However it happened, this is a clear sign of it. Most of my test subjects had this signature symptom at one point or another, along with animalistic behavior. I can only assume the reddened eyeballs are a side effect of his unique energy," Cash explained.

"You idiot! Giving that to a Saiyan! Next time, why not just blow up the whole damn planet! That's what is likely to happen if those two go at it!" Bulma screamed at him.

"Should be a good show then," Cash grinned evilly.

"Don't you care one bit about your daughter?" Lenz asked. Cash's eyes darkened, and Lenz could detect a similar edging of blackness within them.

"Not really, she's disposable!" he claimed.

"Then the last shred of your humanity died with her," Bulma said sadly. Lenz growled in frustration and considered trying to force the cage up, but hesitated, knowing what it had done to her before. Behind them, the door suddenly flew open and bounced off the wall. All three turned in surprise, but Lenz was the only one who knew the person there, vaguely.

"You?" Lenz asked in surprise.

"Who is that?" Bulma added. No one said anything else before the red headed Leira walked into the room, a look of pure contempt on her face.

"And just who are you supposed to be? Has Ranso been out recruiting again? I must say, I approve," Cash said with a nod.

Leira's scowl took over, "Save your delusions. I'm here on my own business and it somehow got tangled into yours! Your own small mind has delved too deeply into things not meant for this world! You call it your Chemical Z, but there is a potentially disastrous secret locked away in that substance. Tell me how you found it!"

Cash smirked, "Why should I? It's obvious you are jealous of my work!" Leira vanished in the blink of an eye, but returned quickly, on Cash's side of the room. Cash backed up a step in fear, fully aware now that Leira was not an average person.

"Do not test me Doctor Flandal Cash. Your plans to conquer this world will only bring about its end, far sooner than it is supposed to! Answer me now!" Leira demanded. Cash nervously stared back into the woman's penetrating eyes. When he didn't answer, Leira's hand came up shaped as if she was trying to choke an invisible person. Cash's body floated off the ground and he grabbed his neck in panic. His breath shortened and he coughed for air.

"Now Cash, or I'll start squeezing!" Leira warned.

"I-I found it in a cave!" he stuttered.

"And I don't suppose this cave had a specific feature about it?" Leira asked with her stern voice.

"T-there was a doorway, it led to another world just like Earth. But everything was different there, like events had a different outcome as if it were a parallel timeline!"

Leira's frown deepened, "And where in this place did you first find the substance?"

"I didn't find it there first. I found it here, a little south of East City, but there were only a few trace elements. In that cave though, it was everywhere! As if it had replaced all natural bodies of water. There was almost no plant life at all, as if the massive amount of Chemical Z had suffocated most of the planet!" Cash added.

Leira sighed slightly, "Damnit, it's even worse than I thought. All right, I'm not going to ask whom you saw there, but I will ask if you know what the substance originally came from. Well?" she asked when Cash paused.

He looked genuinely puzzled, "No, I haven't had any matches to known substances on this planet. It must be alien in nature!" Leira sighed with very slight relief and released her telekinetic hold on Cash.

"It must stay alien in nature. No one should know about it, especially not the Saiyans!" she warned. Bulma's attention had been captured a long time ago, but now she was on full alert.

"And just why not?" she retorted.

"Yeah, what gives?" Lenz added.

"The source of substance Z has already been dealt with. However, grave danger remains if anyone should take it upon themselves to study that malicious slime. It will bring a new level of chaos and destruction to your planet and beyond! No one else should go through what destroyed that other world. And that means no one else goes through the gateway, I mean it! Now then, you two have an important task at hand, release them Cash!" Leira ordered.

Cash's low confidence returned, "Now just who the hell do you think you are, trying to give me orders?"

Leira snorted, "Very well, since you didn't want to comply." Leira barely waved her hand and Cash went flying backwards into the wall, where he slumped down.

"You could have just done that from the start you know," Lenz pointed out.

"I wanted answers first. Though in this case, no true answers are better," Leira claimed as she flipped the large switch on the wall. The cage lifted up, prompting both Lenz and Bulma to step closer.

Leira held out a decently sized bottle to Lenz, "Go to the surface and take this with you. When the energy-dampening field lifts, Verto will most likely transform to his ultimate form. Once he does, you must splash him with this fluid before long afterwards. It will purge his body of the toxin. Convince him to drink the rest of it once he regains control of himself."

"Yeah, but what if I can't? You know how strong he is at that level!" Lenz replied.

"We don't have time to discuss this, do what I say. Things are bad enough as it is and the longer we stand around here, the worse it will get. We will make sure the auto-defense systems are off so you can get through the cave quickly. Once your energy comes back, get there as fast as you can!" Leira ordered. Lenz gulped slightly and nodded, taking the bottle and running for the exit.

"I don't get it, what is going on with Verto? What is that stuff doing to him? On top of all that, just who the heck are you?" Bulma asked.

"All very valid questions. I might answer them as soon as the ki disruption devices have been deactivated, deal?" Leira offered. Bulma grimaced, but nodded in agreement and proceeded to the control panel. As she typed furiously, she felt the stare from Leira, as if she was being examined under a microscope.

"Answer me this, why do I get the feeling that you are behind everything that has happened recently?" Bulma inquired.

"Not everything, in fact most of the recent events probably would have happened rather I was present or not. I have only stepped in when I deemed it necessary," Leira explained briefly.

"Like now? And like when Vegeta, Trunks and I were lured to that temple with all the alien creatures? You were the one who gave Verto that special stone that allowed him to use his energy, right?"

Leira smiled lightly and closed her eyes, "Your reputation is undeniable, wife of Vegeta."

"I think I found the command line. Anyway, how do you know your plan will work?"

"Technically I don't. But you're a very smart human Miss Briefs. I'm sure you can decipher what I have really said," Leira said as her eyes opened again.

Bulma's face lit up in realization, "Because you've done it before, haven't you?"

"Sometimes I really hate being right so often, must be a family trait. Anyway, I must ask, what gave it away for you?"

Bulma snorted, "Well nothing you really said. Flandal gave it away when he talked of a different timeline. Then you claimed that the source of Chemical Z had already been dealt with. Yet, apparently this crap was all over the place and was even here in some spots. That part didn't make any sense, unless it was some sort of aftermath scenario that spiraled out of control. If that's the case, what is the threat?"

"You may have missed a key element to our words," Leira pointed out.

"No, I don't think so. If you know just about everything there is to know about us, then you likely know about my son. Specifically the son whom I met before he was even born. Time travel is not a new thing here, and he traveled back in time to prevent a disaster. I'm guessing you're doing the same thing aren't you?" Bulma said without turning around.

Leira gave her a slightly dazed glance, but then just shrugged and sighed, "Most impressive. To answer it bluntly, not quite. I had to make subtle changes in this timeline so that things happened with as little interference as possible in the present. I did so in a way that allowed the course of history to stay as close to constant as it could. Unfortunately, someone else is disrupting my efforts. Whenever I made a notable change, I was countered. This has happened many times over during a very key time in the history of your planet. Finally, I gave up and went back to the past to try and change each event as they happened, but the time travel device I was using became unstable and created a rip in the fabric of space-time. That rip is currently in the cave that Doctor Cash visited. I can't risk sealing it, nor destroying it, as it would be very bad for both worlds. That world is not completely dead, there are survivors, but they are on their own. It wasn't my intention for any of their problems to get over here, for that I'm sorry. Hopefully this will be the last of it. I'm stuck here now though, and the timeline will progress rather I intervene or not," Leira finished.

Bulma took a moment to answer, "Alright, the auto defense systems are down. Ki disruptors go offline in two minutes."

"Thank you, and good luck," Leira said as she turned on her foot.

Bulma also spun around, "Hold it! We're not done talking yet! You didn't answer all of my questions; you only threw me a different bone to think about. But while we're on the subject, why did you feel the need to change the timeline at all? When did it start?"

"I will tell you as much as I am allowed, as long as you don't tell anyone else. Not Verto, and especially not Vegeta," Leira said with a darker tone.

"I'm not sure what this has to do with my husband, but I won't promise anything if it threatens all of us," Bulma said in defiance.

"Fair enough. I was sent to monitor the kid from a distance, about five years ago, give or take a few months," Leira began.

"That can't be right! Verto hasn't been here for five years, not even three!" Bulma declared.

"I know, but I'll get to that. When I arrived, things here were just like that other world, the planet was a tomb and everyone was dead. I traveled backwards to find out what happened and then stepped in to change things where I felt they were needed, both here and elsewhere. When I did, the outcome improved without a problem at first, but then that other force jumped in and did the same, ruining my efforts. I've been trying to find out who is behind it, but it hasn't gone very well. The measures I've had to take would seem drastic to most. I even went back far enough to change history before your time; just ask the Namek about that."

"So, what all did you change?" Bulma asked.

"I can't tell you everything, and I wouldn't anyway. But I will tell you one more thing before I go, to give you an idea of the significance of some of these changes. If it wasn't for me, the Protoss would not have followed the Zerg here," Leira stated simply. Bulma's jaw dropped open as Leira made her way out of the lab in silence.

Blue and red energy swords clashed in the skies above North City, sending shockwaves of displaced air outwards from the two opponents. Every time Gohan's Psi sword touched Verto's, he could feel the incredible rage within Verto. It was several levels beyond what it had been before, but in some ways it felt foreign, like it wasn't his own. His eyes resembled Majin Buu's, giving Gohan brief flashbacks.

"Stop it Verto, this isn't you!" Gohan pleaded. The smaller boy only snarled in response and backed away from the clash for a moment. Gohan held a defensive stance, unsure of what would be next. This is beyond strange; Verto was able to control this to a degree before. It can't be that he's just gone that far over the edge. He didn't before even when he thought Mercurial had killed all of us, or if he did he regained his wits quickly. Gohan didn't have to wait much longer, as Verto charged at him again, sword in a heavy strike position. Gohan swung into the expected attack, parrying it to his left. When he looked up, he realized that no one was holding the red blade and it faded quickly. Gohan couldn't even turn before Verto's kick slammed into his shoulder. Gohan cringed in pain as he glided downwards. He sensed Verto coming up behind and charged a blast to counter. Just as the smaller Saiyan was upon him, Gohan spun and fired. To his dismay, the blue energy went right through a vanishing Verto. A small but powerful fist found the squall of Gohan's back, sending him flying forward.

This self discovery
Redemption taking hold of my mind
A serenade of haunting voices
Calling me away
To feast upon the night
So much felicity
Dark maiden taking hold of my hand
Lead me away from hibernation
Strong and unafraid
Never a question why

Damn, it this state he's not only faster, but stronger overall too. I've got to think of something! Gohan was able to recover and turn around, but found Verto charging straight at him, deadly eyes locked on. Gohan promptly pulled his own vanishing act as Verto swung into him. Verto halted and glanced around in surprise, before turning left and spotting the elder Saiyan. Verto charged at Gohan again, red aura blazing. Gohan teleported again, but this time Verto didn't stop. He simply changed directions, sensing Gohan's presence on the fly. Gohan was ready to instantly move again, but paused in thought as he tried to see through the next move.

I have to be very careful here, Verto can counter instant transmission based movements. Somewhere in there, he's already thinking about it. Verto came at him once more, fists burning with red Psi. Gohan teleported away, only to see a large energy beam heading straight for him. Gohan's eyes darted side to side as he checked his surroundings before opting to dodge it. The beam roared on by and headed into space, allowing Gohan to breathe easier. Once he turned, Verto's heavy punch collided with his face. This was followed by a hard kick to the solar plexus, and then a hard double-over arm smash. Gohan painfully rode out the momentum before stopping a few feet off the ground. Verto landed across from him, raging glare fully intact. His red aura appeared again as he started charging a massive blast. The blast took on a new feature Gohan hadn't seen before. It pulsed with lightning and seemed to catch itself on fire.

This must be the attack Dabura taught him, which unlocked this power of his. Great, how am I going to stop it? Gohan didn't have much time to debate on it, as Verto fired it without hesitation. The blast came fast, but not faster than Gohan's instant transmission. Just as he moved, he regretted it, spotting a small child directly in the blast's path. A bright flash of red power went off and Gohan feared the worst. When he looked again, he saw Verto standing in front of the blast, catching it with his palms and sparing the little girl from the abyss. Verto's power flared and canceled out his own attack quickly. He then glared back at the little girl, who promptly ran away screaming, before he turned back to Gohan. Gohan blinked in surprise, unsure what to make of that particular action. Verto's expression had suddenly changed, he looked saddened. His power made no real fluctuation, but his emotional state had made a quick turnaround. He must be finally realizing what he's been doing, about time. Gohan dared to float closer to the confused child, stopping a mere thirty feet away.

"Hey, just calm down," Gohan suggested. That was the wrong thing to do, as Verto was rapidly charging a large Kamehameha-like blast. Gohan nervously glanced backwards, seeing nothing but residential homes in the path of what would definitely be a big attack. Gohan began to prepare a counter-blast, but stopped when he felt something change in the air around him. He wasn't the only one to feel it, as Verto suddenly stopped charging and allowed the attack to fade. His aura pulsed violently as new energy filled in.

For saving me from all they've taken
Letting my armor fall again
Giving me the strength to face them
Feeling it taking over now
I'm about to take it away
There can be no better way of knowing

Verto's body shook and he cried out in pain as he grabbed his own head and dropped to his knees. Gohan stood by as Verto's red pupils flickered back to blue, but the rest of his eyes remained black. Gohan felt a slight drop of Verto's power, before it quickly skyrocketed again. His hair flashed white just before the power surge, and overwhelmed Gohan's senses as it blinded the area. He transformed? He shouldn't be able to do that, unless... Gohan felt his own ki returning to him, and the void of energy surrounding North City lifted as well. In the not-so-far distance, he felt Goku and Vegeta coming closer.

"Dad, don't use your instant transmission! In fact, don't come any closer to where I am! Something is very wrong here and I need to figure it all out first!" Gohan called out telepathically.

"Why Gohan? What's so bad that I shouldn't hurry there? Isn't that where Verto is fighting some sort of powerful force?" Goku answered.

"Just trust me Dad!" Once he felt Goku and Vegeta change directions, Gohan sighed with very slight relief. Verto on the other hand was looking himself over.

"How is this possible?" Verto asked as he stared holes into his hands. Gohan's eyes widened when he heard a slight change in Verto's normal voice, and his eyes seemed to darken even more.

"What do you mean? You've been going nuts ever since I got here!" Gohan claimed cautiously. Verto's suddenly malicious eyes turned to Gohan, and a truly evil smirk filled his face.

"Excellent, it appears that whatever brought this on has bestowed me great fortune. Now I not only have a powerful body, but I also have the one responsible for my demise standing before me! With this boy's power and abilities, I will dominate everything in my path, starting with you!" Verto declared.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Gohan asked.

"Prepare yourself Son Gohan. Your end is at hand!" Verto replied. Gohan then felt another powerful presence within Verto. It didn't appear to be making any difference with his power level, but it was very potent nonetheless. Verto blasted towards Gohan with his green fist outstretched, but this time Gohan caught it.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but it won't be so easy!" Gohan said as his own silver aura appeared. He quickly transformed to Super Mystic as well, blowing Verto back with his eruption of Chi energy.

In a world beyond controlling
Are you going to deny the savior
In front of your eyes?
Stare into the night!
Power beyond containing
Are you going to remain a slave for
the rest of your life?
Give into the night!

"Ah yes, you can assume this powerful form as well. Forgive my lack of memory. Being locked away in an abysmal sludge can be most taxing!" Verto said nonchalantly. Gohan's eyes narrowed, He's possessed, he has to be! Verto just doesn't talk like that!

"So who are you then?"

"Why tell you now? It'll ruin the surprise!" Verto shouted. He then pulled one arm back and charged up his Final Shine attack as Gohan pulled his arms up to block.

"You ruined my efforts before, the same will not occur this time!" Verto claimed as he fired. The massive blast pushed against Gohan, who struggled just a bit before heaving the huge, erratic ball of energy into the sky. The clouds above had finally had enough and evaporated from the heat of the explosion, revealing the clear morning sky.

Verto frowned as he looked up, "You're stronger than I remember."

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Both Saiyans charged each other and vanished into the air. Large shockwaves and sonic booms followed as they tried to strike each other with little success. Down below, a low flying golden haired girl came rushing in, stopping at Kati Cash's motionless form. Lenz glanced up, and was barely able to make any sense out of the brawl above. Instead, she moved some of the rubble aside and felt under Kati's chin. Lenz was more than surprised to feel a heartbeat, although it was faint.

She's alive? What a lucky girl. Lenz pulled Kati out and dragged her off to the side amidst the falling rubble. A bright flash of green lit up the sky again, drawing her attention. Above, Verto and Gohan were clenching hands in a test of strength. Verto was not on the winning end of this, but also seemed to realize it. He pulled back and aimed a kick towards Gohan's body. They both vanished suddenly, reappearing nearby as Gohan used the surprise move to flip and throw Verto off him. Verto spun around and fired a sudden burst of Chi blasts at Gohan, who barely had time to deflect them. Verto rushed in, bright green sword raised above his head as he bore down. Gohan glanced up in surprise as the sword came down. Lenz covered her eyes in horror, but blinked sharply when she heard no cries of pain. Above, Verto was driving his blade into another sword of green, courtesy of Gohan.

"It'll take more than copied moves to beat me. Whoever you are, get out of my friend's body and fight me like a man!" Gohan dared.

"Yes, I'm sure you'd like that. In due time dear boy, I just awoke after all. It shall be some time before I can even attempt to leave this body. Though, why would I want to? Destroying you and the other Saiyans with this body is not only satisfying, but incredibly ironic, don't you think?" Verto laughed.

Lenz's eyes went wide as she heard this; Little brother is being controlled somehow, or he's possessed. But who is behind it, and when did it happen?

"The Night" by Disturbed

A/n: For those wandering "who" is under Verto's skin, the hints have already been given. Rather you want to guess now or just wait is up to you, but I'm always interested in opinions. I thought about taking the Berserker form a little further now, but it just didn't fit at this point. I won't promise to feel out its full potential at a later time, but I won't deny its revisit either.

WDG: Let's throw another plot twist in there, why don't we. Oh looky, there's a preview! Looks like things are getting even more confusing! … Alright I've done my little comment thing, now gimme the next one. It'll be interesting to see whether my own guesses are accurate.

Next time on DBV: As Gohan and the Possessed Verto duke it out, Lenz intervenes with the special jar that Leira gave her. This does not completely stop the evil possessing Verto, and a winner-take-all battle starts in his mind when he wakes up. Meanwhile, Bulma tries to investigate some of Dr. Cash's work, but is stopped by Cash when he awakens. He launches a potentially catastrophic weapon against the Earth that only it's warriors above can stop. Will they? Maybe, but you'll have to read that and the other surprises, next time on DBV.