It was late when her father arrived.
Videl groaned at the sound of his pick-up pulling up the driveway and park within the meager garage. With a yawn she lifted her face, realizing notebook paper was stuck to her cheek. Pulling it off, she smacked her lips and shuffled in the dim light for her phone. Retrieving it she noticed it was late, but not as late as her father could be expected when out drowning his sorrows. Something was different...or at least, she suspected so.
"Is that...someone else's energy other than dad's?" She thought with furrowed brows, lifting herself groggily off the chair she trodded towards the door. Before she could even grab the handle the sound of her father grunting even from the entrance could be heard. And that feeling she had was being hauled with him.
Blinking away the sleep, she opened her door to find the most peculiar sight. Her mouth dropped at the sight of the tallest looking man she ever bore witness to; aside from Trench, that is. Familiar locks of black extended to his upper back, muscles defined all across his naked upper body bare with the exception of jewel encrusted bracelets a necklace matching it jingling around his neck. Other than some ragged crimson sash wrapped around beat-up white slacks to jewel encrusted boots, it almost looked like the man's sheer bulk was overwhelming for her out-of-shape parent.
"This Ki," Videl realized with an open mouth with sweat crawling down her forehead and jaws, dripping down onto the floor. Even as her father looked at her with a guilty expression mixed with panic, the ebony haired girl just kept staring at the man sprawled over his back. "He's a Saiyan...no doubt about it. But, even asleep, why does it feel so immense? Who is he?!"
"It was my master's idea, not mine!" Mr. Satan hastily excused himself with a look of alarm at his daughter.
Shaking her head, Videl rushed up to help ease the burden of the man's load on her father's back. Despite her training, she could feel the weight easily was something above the ordinary. Struggling to pull him into her room, the father almost recoiled at the direction. Pulling the both of them along with her, she sighed aloud.
"Honestly, dad, I have no idea where you've been but I almost don't wanna know," She bemoaned the current circumstance. Even though her inner curiosity eager to find out what was to come of this, it was way too late for her to be asking questions. "We'll just have him sleep on my bed. I'll figure out something we can do after I've slept on the couch."
"B-But, shouldn't I-?"
"Dad, you have a shift tomorrow. It's the weekend. I can afford being a bit groggy," She insisted as they eased the bulky frame over to the messy bed. A loud groan was heard from the bedframe but nothing worth being alarmed. Adjusting the quilt so that a light sheet was wrapped over him, she coughed at the smell of preserving liquids hanging over him. "Oh Hell, he'll need a bath or something tomorrow...I'll make a note of that."
Mr. Satan gawked at the take-charge attitude of his girl. He knew that she was always looking out for him, but to do it in front of his conscious eyes was a whole other matter. By the time she turned, he swore he saw a hint of his late wife staring back at him. Blue eyes glared up at him as she pouted her lips and sternly poked him in the belly.
"You. Bed. Now," She intoned dangerously.
"Uh...o-okay," Mark relinquished with a pair of defeated hands. "Just know...I intend to help make things right. We'll help this fella out and get him back on his feet. If he causes trouble, we'll just send him on his way-"
"Tomorrow. We'll talk about this tomorrow," She groaned as she stamped her foot with a raised fist cracking. "Don't make me kick your ass into your room. I will-!"
"I'm going, I'm gone!" The former champ hastily sprinted through his small house to his room. The sound of a closed door at the far end of the house left her to sigh and sit herself on the chair. Scooting up to observe the strangely peaceful visage of the outworlder, she couldn't help but furrow her brows. An almost forlorn expression was made from his open mouth, a hint of tears formed under his eyes followed by shivers as he rolled back and forth on the mattress.
Words that she couldn't understand were echoed repeatedly, as if it was a mantra in his sleep.
"Hope you get some rest, big guy," She grumbled as she walked out of the room, quietly closing it as she found the nearest couch to faceplant onto. "The gods know that you'll need it more than me..."
Chapter 26 - The Return
"Well, isn't this fun?"
"I detect sarcasm in that tone."
"Oh, no. I'm being very serious. Walking around with the brat pointing to everything within arm's reach like the spoiled child he is. Not to mention how freakin' long it took to arrive, book rooms and then lolygag around this so-called 'resort'. Yep, completely having fun."
Bulma could only sigh as she rolled her eyes. Nothing what her husband said was too far from the truth. Since the late afternoon they departed on a first class trip to a luxury isle not too distant from where southern coast was. Getting on Capsule Corp's premiere jet and arriving wasn't hard, apart from the crowded reception they had. Between hours of getting to their vehicle and navigating to their room, the night was fraught with turmoil of unpacking and situating themselves. Room service barely could contend with the late night shakes that Vegeta possessed, devouring all that he could which in turn made their young Trunks ravenous in turn.
By morning, they were all tired, which only made Trunks' agitating bubbliness. Going down a line of a bazaar transpiring only encouraged the four year old to point and beg. Eventually Vegeta laid the father hammer down and refused to do anything else until they had lunch. The walk was agonizingly slow for all of them.
"Oh? Now isn't this a surprise!"
A voice chimed in from beside them, one that Vegeta had almost passively passed. Turning he arched a brow while Bulma excitedly laughed along with Trunks whose hand she held. The purple blouse with a yellow jacket hugged the raven haired woman whom wore her hair more freely than before. As they parted she couldn't help but blink with surprise, "I'm surprised you're all the way here. It isn't exactly cheap to get reservations to Hiyou Island."
"Well, my son winning the Tournament all those years ago certainly gave us some extra money to use. I haven't been to such a splenderous place since my youth, so this is a nice welcome change," Chi-Chi replied with a smile, her apparel resembling a sleeveless teal colored dress with a pink floral design. While a purse was slung over one shoulder she looked far more at ease than she had since Bulma saw her begin mothering. Turning to look over her shoulder she raised her voice. "Gohan! Goten! Bulma's here with Vegeta and Trunks!"
Making a ninety degree turn to the right, Bulma noticed the short yet spikey head turn around with someone next to him. She almost did a doubletake when she recognized the little girl with a tuft of spikey hair identical to Goku's. But instead of a mischievious boy's expression it was a giggling smile of a bright-eyed girl. Adorned in a red tee with jean shorts and little sneakers, she floated a few feet off the ground atop Kintoun, gleefully sliding across the air with her brother not too far away.
Gohan on the other hand was dressed in a simple white tee with blue jean shorts matching a pair of dark tennis shoes. Having only grown a few inches since the last year he was still the size of a young boy entering the years of a teenager. As they approached he brightly waved hi to them while Goten just bounced adorably on the yellow cloud.
"Well aren't you the spitting image of your dad, you cutie," Bulma gushed with a forward lean at the young girl. She deftly avoided the hand aiming to pull at her nose and only waved her hand with a wink. "Nice try, Trunks was about as grabby as you are."
"Hi Goten!" Trunks greeted with a big smile.
"Twunks!" Goten remarked back with a smile.
"Wanna play later?"
"Play-Play!"
"Not so fast you two," Both mothers defused a situation that'd lead to them running amok. Despite the downcast looks, both assured them almost in unison. "Maybe later, okay?"
"That's weird," Gohan mumbled, chuckling sheepishly as he turned to acknowledge the stoic prince. Looking around he turned to both parents. "Where's Trunks?"
"Oh, he's...its one of those days for him," Bulma tried to laugh it off, despite a look of immediate sadness creeping in her eyes. "This isn't his real home. He left a lot of people he loved back there. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still taking his time to acclimate."
"Yeah, he did kind of get thrust back into the thick of it days after he got back," The son of Goku understood with a nod.
"Hmph, he's acting like a wounded pup instead of a scarred warrior," Vegeta huffed with cross-armed annoyance. "If he was a man, he wouldn't beat around the bush and tell us he didn't want to come with. Not that I blame him with all of the detours we've had."
"I think you're being a bit harsh-"
"And I think you're coddling him too much," The Saiyan argued with a sharp glare aimed at his wife. "He's not a boy like the one you insistently keep hand-holding. If you're not careful, he'll act just as dependant as his counterpart."
"Vegeta-"
"How about we all get something to eat?" Chi-Chi offered, waving her hand away with a nervous laugh. With a mutual look of resignation, both Vegeta and Gohan's stomachs thundered with hunger that made them look away with embarassment. Both women simply laughed as they ushered their families elsewhere. A particularly good smelling resteraunt wasn't too far away.
But a surprising number of people seemed to be gathered outside, looking through the windows with awe and mingling disbelief. Choosing to ignore that, both families entered with their children in tow. What greeted them was an odd sight.
Near the center of the establishment was a large table with a stack of dishes nearly three meters high. The sounds of scarfing food were made while a pair of colorful looking individuals were flanking the man. One was eating modestly while laughing with playfulness and the other just looked forward with disgust. The latter wasn't familiar but the one on the right seemed awfully familiar...
"Whew!" A voice that made Chi-Chi's countenance shatter and Gohan's mouth drop with Vegeta's, both wide-eyed at the words they heard. "What a great homecoming meal! I haven't eaten food this good since I was...well, alive, haha!"
"Goku?!" The widow cried out with sudden tears manifesting in her eyes. "Is that...you?!"
Hearing this made man's laugh stop. Two hands parted the sea of dishes, threatening to fall upon his seated guests. What greeted the whole crew was none other than the Turle Schooler himself, Son Goku. Leaping atop the table to walk off and stand before his wife, he'd look noticeably different. Instead of the gi they knew him by, he wore armor befitting of his Saiyan heritage. A sleeveless battle jacket, colored in black with orange lines bordering the intricate curves and angles of the more metallic substance instead of pliant plasteel. On either forearm, he sported a pair of blue-black braces, matching the blue belt wrapped around his waist. A pair of black leggings with orange highlights stretched down to a pair of black-orange armored boots.
Even as the raven-haired woman was pulled into his embrace, Goku nuzzled into her neck and quietly whispered, "I'm home, Chi-Chi. I'm back for good."
"Oh Goku!" She cried out as she pepperd his face and lips with kisses.
"Dad," Gohan gasped aloud.
"Kakarot, a little warning could have been useful!" Vegeta exclaimed, much to Bulma's amusement.
"He's right, I should've invited the whole gang," The lavender haired woman declared with a wry smile.
"Aw, where's the fun in surprising my family?" Goku argued as he held Chi-Chi around the waist with one arm, reaching forward to ruffle Gohan's head. "I went out of my way to have King Kai tell me what you guys were up to so I could sneak in and say hi first before everyone else."
"Ahem!"
Turning to look behind him, the home raised Saiyan chuckled with apology and turned to introduce the two seated guests.
"Guys, remember Aosai? I took her along when Goten was born," He explained, cueing her to stand and bow.
"Oh I remember now. You didn't talk much but I was thankful for your company," Chi-Chi acknowledged with a pleasant smile, one that the Herasian woman returned in kind.
"A pleasure to witness such a happy occasion, both then and now," Aosai intoned with a pleasing demeanor. Unlike the last time she was on Earth, she wore the apparel she was most familiar with. Consisting of a loose dark jacket with a red cloth wrapping her generously sized bosom, the hourglass ocean blue complexioned alien with knife-shaped ears adorned with golden hoop earrings and emerald eyes possessed curled orange hair that was lifted in an arching ponytail that allowed it to caress the back of her waist. Naked was her smooth abdomen leading down to a v-skirt of red outlines of its black coloration with a pair of leggings wrapping around her smooth legs to a pair of golden trimmed heeled boots.
Extending a hand to grasp Bulma's, she neutrally smiled at the woman she barely had met before now, "My name is Aosai, Champion of the Eastern Galaxies and recent victor of the Other World Tournament."
"Oh, nice," She dumbly replied as she turned to look at Goku with a grin. "I assume you won at least once, given the lack of a halo."
"Hehe, it took be three attempts, but I managed to win the third time," Goku affirmed with a smiling nod.
"Figured as much," His childhood friend sighed with a shake of her head. Peering around Goku and Chi-Chi, she pointed at the silent man whom simply looked on with bitter contentment. "What's the brooding guy's story?"
"He's the Western Galaxies' Champ," Goku acknowledged with a thumb over his shoulder. "He beat me at the last match in the first Tournament. He's technically the first winner and I'm the third, with her as the second."
"Why didn't you-?"
"Ask for my old body back?" Pikkon interrupted as he looked back at the woman with piercing round eyes. His own appearance was composed of white satin garments draped over a blue top with a golden center piece stemming from a brown sash, complementing his simple tabi slippers. The only thing off-setting his amphibious green complexion with pink lips and red eyes was an oblong black cone head piece, possessing a satin wrap with a golden piece near its base. "I have no need for such a thing. The world I hail from no longer exists and its people have long since forgotten my name. Besides, being an liason from the Afterlife has more uses with a Heavenly Body."
"So, you're playing babysitter?" Vegeta inquired derisively with a smug grin.
"In a matter of speaking, I am keeping watch of these two," He replied dryly, a minute amount of sweat falling from his brow as he spoke.
"Being the lapdog of the gods, what a joke," The Saiyan Prince scoffed. "I bet you lick their boots real good, don't you?"
Pikkon just snorted while closing his eyes.
"Careful, Vegeta," Goku insisted with a leaning gesture as he whispered with a look of apprehension on his face. "He's a lot tougher than he looks. He was able to take care of Hell all on his own, and took down Cell while making it look easy. I couldn't come back to life thanks to him the first time."
"Ho-Ho! I should see exactly how capable this warrior from the land beyond the dead is for myself-"
"Not so fast," Chi-Chi slipped between the two, shooting Vegeta a glare whom made an annoyed stare back. "My husband just came back. Do yourself a favor and just find a seat to begin stuffing your face in while I catch up with him. We'll have plenty of time talking about who fights who AFTERWARDS."
"Tch, fine," He grumbled, doing his best to stifle the grumbles his own belly made. As he sat himself down, Goten's floating person finally shuffled forward with big eyes full of wonderment.
"Hey, that looks like a little me," Goku noticed with a broad smile, leaning forward so that his eyes met hers. "Hiya, Goten. I'm your daddy."
"D-Daddy?"
"Yep, hehe. That's me!"
"Daddy!" Goten exclaimed with a giggle, leaping off the cloud to glomp her father around the neck. Even as he stumbled back he just hugged her before spinning her around in the restaurant. Bubbling with laughter, it put a smile on Gohan's face to see them reunite after nearly three years.
"I've kept showing her pictures and telling her things about her father, that way she'd know who you were when you...when you got back," Chi-Chi explained with she tearfully smiled at the scene between father and daughter.
"Hehe! I think you know more about me than I do about you. I hope I can change that," Goku admonished with a playful smile as he swung her around like an airplane. With a chuckle he tossed her up and down, making her squeal with laughter before he caught her for the last toss. "Wow, you're so big. How old are ya now?"
"F'wee!" Goten announced with pride in attempt to saying the number 3.
"Man oh man, already moving around and talking. I don't know what I was like as a kid, but my grandpa always said I was a handful. I bet you've given your mom and brother a run for their Zeni, hehe!" The father joked with a laugh.
"She's a feisty one, but she's so well mannered, just like her brother," Chi-Chi proclaimed with a gushing gout of pride, winking at Gohan whom simply laughed.
"She's a keeper alright!"
Aosai soon approached with a grin, locking eyes with Goten. While the toddler wouldn't remember her, she reached out and grabbed one of her bangs, yanking on it with a laugh. Wincing only slightly, she awe'd at the cute child in Goku's arms.
"She's truly remarkable," She complimented with a broad smile, freed from the grip once Chi-Chi took possession of her child once more.
"This little princess is a sign my husband kept his promise. I wish I was given a heads up but, I still love his unpredictability. I hope Goten grows up to be whatever she wants, and less what I want her to be," The once stern mother spoke softly. "I learned that, as much as I want them to be successful in this modernizing world, their happiness is the most important thing."
"Sounds like something a strong, caring mother would say," Aosai smiled fondly, her gaze far-off as if remembering something from her own past.
"Ugh, all this mush is making me sick..." Vegeta grumbled from a distance, rapping his fingers across the table impatiently. He was only distracted to see a good stack of plates come towards Goku's table again, only for him to shoot a glare in their direction. "You! Put them here! He's had enough and I want some of what he's had!"
"B-But-!"
"I'll cover it, don't worry about it," Bulma intervened timely, looking to Goku's hurt expression as the plates of food were hauled over to Vegeta's table. As he chiefed a smirk and gobbled up many portions, the wife of the prince leaned over and winked at him. "I'm sure you weren't going to pay for it, so I'll let you off the hook this time. Come by our place and I'll help compensate for your loss."
"Aw, Bulma! You're the best-!"
"Ahem!" Chi-Chi cleared her throat with a glare aimed at him.
"Hehe, almost the best I guess," Son Goku recovered quickly with a nervous laugh and a scratch to the back of his head.
"It's good to have you back, dad," Gohan spoke with a smile.
When the father of two knelt down, he wrapped his arms in a rare hug to the boy. Refusing to tear up he hugged around the bigger man's neck as the pair shared a small moment of father and son intimacy. Their departure was only through verbal communication, and now his return meritted one of genuine love.
"I'm proud of you, son," Goku proclaimed as he parted, standing up once more to ruffle his head. "You're becoming a fine man and a good big brother, I can already tell that. Thanks for holding down the fort for me while I've been gone; I'll make sure I pull my weight to make up for being gone so long, count on that."
Gohan could only beam at this proclamation. It was so wonderful to have his father truly back into his life and no looming threat on the horizon.
Suddenly, the memory of what had happened recently surfaced on the boy's mind, making him change expressions to one far more solemn.
"Dad," The son of Goku began, his serious stare attracting the older Saiyan's attention. "There have been things that happened while you were gone...things you may not be aware of yet."
"I have been out of the loop and King Kai only told me a few details of what's been going on for the past few years. So please," Goku grabbed a chair nearby, dragging it so he could sit, just as Aosai and Pikkon took a measure of interest in what the firstborn of their rival had to say. "Tell me everything."
It was late morning when he awoke, noticing a change in his surroundings.
The son of Paragus and Selary, a prophesied warrior who awakened his inner potential on the day his planet died at the hands of a mad tyrant. Through arduous years of being trained by a visionary father and later getting to know a band of loyal Saiyans, rallying to the cause of the rebirth of the Super Saiyan that got to know him as if he was their kin.
But now, they were gone, and tragedy had turned him into a monster.
Only at the end did he choose to be himself...and be more than simply a killer, but a proud warrior who made his last stand as the only one of worth that he perceived. A flanking attack made during a moment's distraction sent him with a searing wall of plasma cast into the empty void. His energy had all but been spent, leaving him bleeding, bruised and beaten. Only a small reserve from within held him from space's deadly clutches.
But that was over three years ago; not that he'd know that.
Rising out of bed, he stumbled across the floor, feeling slightly dizzy and more importantly famished. From the way the environment smelled and the air tasted he could immediately detect that something was delicious beyond the rudimentary designed bedroom. He had hardly wondered who had enough kindness to shelter a complete stranger, or how he got out of the crashed craft.
Neither mattered as he opened the door and walked towards the scent of delectable sustenance. A giggle was heard not that far at the end of the flat. Furrowing his brows his stride was measured and cautious but still carried him in the direction of rejuvenation. Passing by a small hall where pictures on his right were hanged and a closet to his left, he'd notice a soft carpeted living room aside an entrance with a humble mat. With only a few glances at any direction he stepped heavily towards another small hall that led into a humble sized kitchen, complete with its own fridge, sink, microwave, stove and oven with a meager cabinetry and four folding chairs around a folding table at the left part of the kitchen.
Already on the center of the table was a plate of eggs, pancakes, bacon and a couple two liters of orange juice.
"I knew you'd come out on your own when you smelled food," Videl commented as she turned around with a beige apron wrapped around her lithe shoulders. A sleeveless black tank-top adorn her underneath with slightly shredded jeans with just socks worn. Amidst cleaning the pan she explained with a gesture. "Don't worry, I didn't poison your food. I went out of my way to head to the grocery store to find as much protein that I think you'd like. Given how restless you acted, I'd figure you'd appreciate a good meal."
Broly muttered something she couldn't understand, angling his head around as if trying to determine where he was. With Videl cocking her head with confusion, he cleared his throat and tried again, "Can you speak Basic?"
"Wha-? Oh, I'm sorry!" The frazzled teen explained, still trying to wipe away the sluggishness from her eyes. Walking up to him she extended a hand which he looked at with a questioning expression. "My name's Videl, what's yours?"
"What...manner of greeting...is this?" He spoke slowly, still uncertain and a bit tired to comprehend her gesture.
"It's...oh my gosh, it's a handshake!" Videl exclaimed with a slight laugh. Clearing her throat she explained with a bit more tenderness at the frowning Saiyan. "You reach out with your hand, grip firmly but not too hard and shake it. It shows you're being friendly."
"Ah," Broly muttered, still staring at it with a few more blinks.
"Well-?"
"I'd prefer not."
"Why?"
"I don't know you...and I don't know if I should trust someone who-"
"Housed you, kept you safe and is trying to feed you," Videl dryly finished for him with an indignant glare that surprised the bigger alien. "I'm trying to be nice and I'm lacking sleep, especially given I woke up two hours ago to make sure this breakfast was nice for our guest my dad stumbled in the middle of the night with. Either you play nice, or you can simply leave and take your rudeness elsewhere!"
A loud growl echoed the kitchen that silenced any rebuttal the larger extraterrestrial had to say. Clamping his open mouth into a huffing frown, he stretched out his much bigger hand and shook hers; with enough force that stumbled her on the kitchen floor. When he released, he reached for the food only for him to hear her clear her throat.
"Before you eat, take a shower. Don't worry about the heat, it's still hot so I'll keep it warm while you clean yourself," The daughter of Mr. Satan ordered, making a waving motion with her hand over her curdling nose. "You stink like a dead pig."
Another growl and Broly suppressed the urge to bark or drool. Pathetically he hissed and straightened himself upward, "Where's the nearest faculty?"
"The-...oh, the restroom is in the hall behind you. I didn't know what size to get you, so got you some XXL shirt and pants you can wear while I...do what I can for whatever you're wearing," She explained with a few gestures, her eyes furrowed when he looked at her with a measure of annoyance. After he stood in place to stare at the food, he heard her stomp and grab his wrist. Blinking with surprise he saw the impetuous girl grumble under her breath. "I swear, if it wasn't for my dad I'd just be spending some time off. I don't do this for my health, y'know?"
Stumbling along, the Saiyan gawked at the ancient looking restroom. With only a toilet around a half-wall with a mirror-sink beside it and a curtain draped around a shower stall, Videl did a crash course on how to use things in their restroom. Once she felt confident he wouldn't break anything, she left the hangar adorned garments for him on the door handle and closed it behind her.
The process, while obnoxious, was still soothing. He hadn't realized how long its been since he had a good refreshing cleaning. It was almost unnerving how much more aware he's been since the time he had...had lost what ambition he had left on that world. He knew what he confirmed to be an Earthling was aware what calender date by his own upbringing to determine how long its been. He knew it had to have been years given space travel slowed one's perception to how long the universal chronic clock ticked.
After using some rudimentary cleaning supplies, he dried himself on a towel before looking at the mirror. Someone truly tired and lonely looked back at him, a face he knew that was full of regret. Closing his eyes he forced himself to put on the clothes offered to him and found to his pleasing surprise they fit rather well. His muscular build wasn't tight around the brown-belted dark blue jeans nor was the black tee uncomfortable. With a pair of socks wrapped around his feet he stepped out to see the girl smiling at him with satisfaction.
He himself couldn't help but cock a wry grin back, arms maneuvering around as he presented himself to her in a sarcastic manner.
"Oh don't patronize me," Videl huffed with a roll of her eyes. Despite her protests, she was very glad he didn't act like...well, like Vegeta. She knew that this big man was hurting inside and didn't want to protest too much just due to what he's been through. No one could be inherently cruel or stubborn when they cried and shuddered in their sleep like he had. When he finally took a seat, she watched him take some humble portions of each kind of food and began eating it with his hands. Letting him off the hook, she began with a question with her chin resting on folded upright hands. "Good?"
"Mhm," He mumbled between bites, slowly gaining traction to the genuinely delicious food.
"I'm not a chef, but I can make some mean dishes if I want to," She boasted with a giggling grin.
"I've never tasted such delicacies," The Saiyan mentioned with a few odd blinks before digging more into the small feast prepared for him.
"Then what do you usually eat?" The teenager asked with a tilt of her head.
"Military provisions, nothing of anything worth noting. Only a few times did father had us feast," He explained off-handed in between swallowing some orange juice. "Father never tried to coddle me. Harshness is the fertilizer of results, he said to me."
"Sounds like a hard man."
Snorting, Broly scoffed with a scowl, "That's giving him too much credit."
"That makes my dad sound reasonable, though he's got a good heart underneath all of that boasting and stupid pride of his," Videl mentioned with a half-smile.
"Was he the one who-?"
"He carried you here. You looked dead to the world when you arrived," She confirmed with a nod.
"Ah. He must have retrieved me from the vessel," The Saiyan confirmed aloud, scarfing some more eggs as Videl raised a brow.
"What kind of space ship did you crash land from?"
"An Earthling like you may not comprehend-"
"Trust me, I can comprehend a lot," Videl urged with a frown, pushing the point much to his visible dismay. "Well?"
"It's...what you may think of it as a slaver ship," He mentioned with disdain, causing her eyes to flutter with shock. "I was floating in the vacuum of space, barely alive. I'm sure when they realized what race I was from, they knew I was a rare commodity. When I was conscious enough to realize their scheme, I derailed their course and their ship ended up here...on Earth.
"The fact you don't look the least bit surprised indicates that your kind has seen us before," The survivor mentioned with an analyzing stare.
Clearing her throat she smiled sheepishly, "Y-You could say that. I know a few Saiyans of my own."
"Hmph," He grunted with distaste.
"You got a beef with your own kind, I get that," Videl mentioned with a raise of her hands. "Just as long as you don't make any trouble here, we'll feed and provide for you enough so you can be on your way."
"Sounds like a plan," Broly grunted.
"So...what's the name, stranger?"
He muttered something in between bites, again in the strange language that sounded raspy and guttural to her ears.
"What?" She inquired.
"My name is Broly," The Saiyan of Legend spoke to her directly as he set down his two liter that was over half empty. "To our people, its a name after our planet's star and from our ancient beliefs, the deity of war. My father had a sense of the grandiose, you see, even from my birth I had my destiny planned out. Nothing about my life is sacred to my own merit."
"It's a nice name," Videl tried to compliment only earning another audible scoff, much to her own annoyance. Tilting her head to look at him from a different angle as he continued to eat, she inquired something else. "What happened to you? I mean, you don't need to tell me everything but-"
"There's nothing to know, Videl," He intoned solemnly, staring stonily back at her. "I'm just a relic from a forgotten people. I'll die and fade away. My purpose is gone so I am simply a remnant of what could have been. The best for you is to simply keep your business to yourself, so I can keep my own sins a secret."
"Hey!" The sprite thirteen year old cried out with a standing press of her hands against the table. "What's your deal?! I'm doing what I can to help, but you can't just stonewall me or just give me excuses like that."
"Thank you for the meal," Broly declared as he finished all that was put in front of him. Licking his hands slightly to earn a fierce ire from the young girl he settled for napkins set by his plates. With a sigh, he told her with a look that bordered on pleading. "Don't know me."
"But-" Videl tried to insist until he walked back towards her room. By the time it closed she leaned back against her seat with a sigh.
"Dammit, dad," The daughter of Mr. Satan massaged her temples as she closed her eyes with a measure of frustration. "Why do I have to clean up your messes?"
"It seems our Saiyan is remaining stationary," Mr. Kneel mentioned aloud.
"Is he hostile?" The Doctor asked over the vid comm from the man's office in her own laboratory.
"Not yet. From what our satellite imagery tells me, he's not putting out a significant amount of Ki. None of the Circle or our illustrious allies will know of his existence. At least, not yet."
"Good, then its about time we've acted," Dr. Halo spoke with a pleased smile.
"From the sound of your voice, I assume you've finished waking him up?" Stephen inquired with a frown.
"Don't look so worried. I just had to make sure all the proper algorithms and command functions are working properly. It'd be a shame if something went wrong," She explained, turning around to face her hulking, long haired project. Bearing a far more sleek suit than what he possessed in life, black material wrapped around his defined musculature form while padded armor plasteel covered his shoulders pectorals to his abdomen and knees. With boots and gauntlets akin to his old combat uniform, the revived Raditz stared ahead with a cold empty stare with an impassive stoic expression. "Daikon hasn't been used for combat since his simulations went awry. I had to make sure we had him up to snuff."
"Still...he's such a risk to utilize-"
"Trench is being petty, I trust Void about as far as I can throw him and Sky would decline in this assignment because personal reasons," The scientist listed off as she adjusted her spectacles. "This is our best option to utilize against a threat this massive. Unless you want to disturb either of our bosses, I suggest you just deal with your own insecurities."
Sighing, Mr. Kneel leaned back on his chair and waved dismissively, "This is your project. You deal with him as you see fit, but I won't take any blame in your machinations."
"Gee, what a support you are," Dr. Halo rolled her eyes, turning to stand fully in front of the reformed warrior. "Now...Daikon. How are you feeling?"
"Optimal capacity, Doctor Halo," The transformed Saiyan spoke in a monotone, guttural and even. "What is my mission?"
"You have the DNA database uploaded into you, yes?"
"Affirmative."
"Then target Broly, then," She smiled with a menacing grin. "You have permission to engage with maximum prejudice."
"Obstacles and bystanders?"
"Minimize collateral if at all possible, but do make sure you don't get yourself killed. Your value exceeds that of mission achievement, understand?"
"Understood," Daikon nodded robotically, a mantle of scarlet energy revving around him with preparation as his dark eyes turned red. "Initiating objective now!"
A/N: And done! Whew, got another update done before the month ended, haha. Please give a round of applause for RHODESKurosaki for helping me proof this for your viewing pleasure.
A lot of development this Chapter. First off, yes, Goku has returned! I wanted to play it out more subdued than how Goku came back in Canon. Less of a huge get-together and more of a sudden arrival. Still, enough of his friends are here to be a nice reunion, including his family. And Aosai and Pikkon return as well! What role will they play in this Arc? Well we'll just have to wait and see, now won't we?
Broly isn't the rage monster you all expected? If more people read Legend of Broly, they'd probably find out he's more of a character than a construct for Goku's rival complex to be worked off of. He still has issues, but one you can relate and understand. His reasoning has returned but at what cost? He has no purpose and that guilt gnaws at him within. Will Videl or her father help him come to terms with his new existence? More questions I intend to answer in time.
And yes, Daikon has finally emerged from his tank. This can only go swimmingly...
Now, time to respond to Reviews!
Guest: Let's hope if Broly gets out of hand, though I'd be more worried about everyone else than this husk of a legend.
Jack905: It doesn't, does it?
ShadowLDrago: Yeah, the movie hasn't aged well in the slightest. Unfortunately, its the best one of the "trilogy" of madness. In my Legend of Broly story, I outright take some plot points and toss them into the nearest trash can. It doesn't make sense and some of it is quite absurd. The only thing that really makes it worth it is Vic's portrayal as a madman on super saiyan steroids, and the utter beatdown he lays upon the heroes, haha. But that's the only enjoyment I have with it.
I'd be more worried about the poor people of Earth than Mr. Satan's health XD
MalikJamalTimberlake: Yes, Void has returned along with Broly. Poor sod got hit by Broly's spacecraft in the vacuum and crashed onto Earth. Trench wasn't pleased with this, as you can see, lol. You have a lot of faith in Mark to become more than he was in Canon. I don't have any immediate plans for him other than his participation in this Arc, but I assure you he'll be better than a con artist wearing the guise of "World Champion" the series loved to parade around.
The Anguished One: Mel is definitely enjoyable to write, along with her antics. Mr. Satan's humility is something I thoroughly enjoy writing, if only to give this man with a good heart clarity and a new perspective that isn't wrapped around lies and fame. Past the ego, he's a good person, and I want to give him this Arc for what he can do to help out someone who truly needs it. And yeah, Void's back along with Broly, we can only expect craziness in the future of this Arc, can we? Thanks for the Review, looking forward to future comments from ya ^^
Mdhunter: Thanks for the compliments as always. Hope you like this update ;)
And that wraps it up from here. I'll see you guys soon on the next chapter of The Vegeta Chronicles!