Chapter 3
Bang! Crash! The whole house shakes and quakes, reverberating from a great force. In a panic Ayeka rushes to her window and throws open the curtains. The glare from the Sun blinds her momentarily from the view. As the princess' pupils contract to the bright lighting another set of pulsing vibrations rattle through her skeleton. Vegeta and Trunks zoom past her window, startling her and rocking the house further. Recovering from the shock, she looks out of the window again as more resounding tremors pass through the house to realise that Vegeta sparring with his son are causing them. Partially relieved that she is in no immediate danger from any natural disasters, except for the ones she within this household, she begins to prepare and get ready for the new day.
Sleep did not come easily to her. A strange planet, a strange bed and two confirmed killers under the same roof she was anxious and nervous. Her Ryuoh is no longer fit for her to stay in and out of necessity she has slept under the roof of a violent man without any chaperone. Sasami faced not such difficulty. Eventually feeling she has dressed herself appropriately for the day, donning an over-elaborate gown made of a fine and light material, she begins to exit the house so she can greet the house owner as is customary on Jurai for guests. Hissing and trembling, a nervous Ryo-Ohki runs frantically through the house not understanding what is going on until Sasami picks her up and eases her fears. Smiling tenderly at her younger sibling, Ayeka carries on her way out of the household to view the prince training with his prodigy.
" Boo!" Ayeka recoils from the sudden surprise and turns to see Ryoko phased upside-down through the ceiling impishly giggling to herself at that little prank.
The whole ground shakes violently and thunder sounds in the sky as a far off mountain crumbles to dust, crashing down on the horizon with one last mighty roar. Shock waves that carried on for miles from these regular training bouts have taken their eventual toll on this mountain as it surrenders its majesty and grandeur to gravity. The princess and the pirate look on gob smacked as remnants of something so tall now becomes a heap of jagged boulders in the far off distance.
At that point Trunks lands on the ground panting and sweating heavily, turning wearily to walk back into the house for a well earned rest. Without so much as a drop of perspiration on him, Vegeta gradually descends back to solid ground surveying the two woman audience, waiting for them to notice. The quick flicker in their eyes, the slight stare is all it takes. They have noticed his change. No longer will he look like a ruffian when hosting guests; he decided to take pride in his appearance and shave his beard. A few simple swipes of his palm charged with ki did a good enough job as it usually does although it does leave a bit of a stench of burning on his face, right beneath his sensitive nose as well. Walking back clean shaven into his house past the two women without so much as a second glance he sees that all his guests are awake and downstairs.
" Tidy yourselves up and look presentable; in a few moments I'll be going to Kame Island to meet with 'friends' and as I have no wish to leave total strangers in my home, namely you Ryoko, you'll be coming along also. Out of all the days you could have barged into my life it had to be right before this ridiculous get-together my wife thought would be a good idea to hold annually." Vegeta continues past the women and up the stairs into his spartan room as they begin to busy themselves at such short notice. Opening up his wardrobe he scans through the rudimentary collection of clothing he has; flicking through all his training gear, jumpsuits, armour, casual wear and one other item of clothing. He takes out the hanger and special item of clothing, reminiscing over the memories. The nostalgia brings a smile to his face and heart as he begins to put on the first gift from his wife, his pink 'Badman' shirt. With his shirt on but unbuttoned he hears a faint knock on his door. Buttoning up his shirt whilst heading towards the door, he opens the door to see a bashful Ryoko standing outside with her hands clasped behind her back.
" Glad to see that you finally learnt to knock, what is it now?" Vegeta asks noticing that she has not changed her attire yet. The cyan haired woman's eyes go to the still partially exposed chest of the Saiyan prince then back up to his scowling face; having put on considerable muscle mass since he was first forced to wear this flamboyant shirt he cannot do up the top few buttons without risking ruining this gift most precious to him.
" Um, Ryo-Ohki has no storage compartments on board so … I have no spare clothes to change into. Can I... can I borrow some?" Ryoko timidly asks in her well mannered pleading voice. Unmoved by the put on emotion portrayed in her voice but reluctant to let her go out in clothes she has worn for at least two days straight, he concedes and points her to a small chest in the far corner of the room containing a few of his late wife's old and unwanted clothes and decides he shall just have to live with a semi buttoned up shirt.
Leaving his room to preserve her modesty for she does not pause in removing her top, Vegeta heads back downstairs to be amazed that all the other women are all ready - even his son has gotten changed in the time it took him to battle with some pesky buttons. Trunks is sporting a denim jacket, black tank top and jeans looking every bit like his alternate self. A long purple and lovingly crafted gown, with a plunging V neck, elaborate metallic golden collar and shoulder pads encrusted with two over sized emeralds is being worn by Washu. The outfit suits a woman's body more than that of an adolescent, he has seen stranger foreign fashions. Little Sasami's clothing is also of great extravagance. With many hues of blue and purple and pink, large ornate shoulder pads and a flowing semi cape of white adorning her she looks every bit like a princess of Jurai. Ayeka's clothing is similar to Sasami's in all but colouration and the large static hood held in place above her head.
" Very good, you lot do scrub up well. I haven't seen clothes that fancy since the carnival last came round." Vegeta approaches the group and his son.
The demure princess tries not to look at the bared part of the prince's chest but her eyes can't help but be drawn there and her cheeks unavoidable take on a rosy tinge. She recalls the full picture she viewed last morning. No Juraian man she knows would dress like that. A flash of steel. A crack through the air, a sword is embedded at the feet of Trunks. Overjoyed by the return of his most prized possession, he removes it from the floor holding it aloft like an Arthurian warrior and sprints off to retrieve his sheathe so he can take it with him to show off to his friend Goten. Ryoko has to think fast as an excited Trunks rushes past and nearly bowls her over. Quickly recovering, she continues on her way downstairs.
The waiting group turn to her arrival, Vegeta looks on at her with mixed feelings coming from the sight of this woman wearing his deceased loved one's clothes. A simple red tank top and orange sleeveless jacket combined with plain white trousers; the same outfit Vegeta fondly remembers from Trunks' infancy. Feeling their eyes upon her Ryoko gets unusually self aware, especially from Vegeta as his eyes move over her body and then stop and stare at her waist. Uncomfortable under his unmoving gaze, she messes with the ponytail she wrestled her hair in. She blushes at his stare, not realising his thoughts are not those of admiration.
" Your tail's gone Ryoko." Vegeta states matter-of-factly. Ryoko is taken aback and sweat-drops, disappointed in her realisation of why Vegeta was looking at her in that fashion.
" I don't have a tail, what do you take me for? That thing is a fashion accessory, it moves because I will it to." Ryoko states tersely back before heading outside as the rest follow, annoyed that her planned seduction still has not occurred.
Bringing up the rear of the procession Vegeta absently rubs the scar tissue at the base of his back where his own tail once resided thinking that his son's tail still has the potential to regenerate back and he will not let it be cut off again. Ryoko stops at the edge of the crystal waters waiting for Vegeta or Trunks to lead on as they are the only ones who know the location of the destination. Vegeta steps forward and looks up at the sky surveying the clouds for any hints of bad weather.
" I don't mean to pry but is this Kame Island far away? It is just I see no means of transportation to get us there and I am afraid walking long distances is most impractical wearing this." Ayeka politely inquires.
Ryo-Ohki meows but Ryoko picks her up hushing her, no Juraians are allowed on her ship. Vegeta looks at the women and then at his son, Trunks goes to stand by his father and take his hand. The Saiyan moves his hand out of the way; his child expected him to use instant transmission and so physical contact would be needed to move multiple people but that is not what Vegeta has in mind. He woke up less than three hours after he went to sleep to get his daily amount of training over and done with before this outing and his sleep deprived mind wants to have a bit of fun.
" Trunks, think you can carry Sasami while I take these two?" Vegeta smiles as he asks this. Sadism was always his calling in life. A look of trepidation spreads across Ayeka's face as Washu enthusiastically goes up to Vegeta.
" You cannot be serious! I will not tolerate being manhandled in that manner and besides flying will totally ruin my hair and clothes." Ayeka argues back. Vegeta seems unfazed by her display and instead ignores her facing Ryoko.
" Think you can keep up with us?" Ryoko nods and starts to hover off the ground with her cabbit bundled up in her arms. Trunks moves his sword's sheathe off of his shoulder and around his belt and then bends, touching his knees to the floor, allowing Sasami to mount his back before he stands and carefully lifts off carrying her piggyback. A joyful giggle coming from the girl suspended in the air.
Vegeta steps towards Ayeka with Washu already clutched under one of his arms, her legs kicking in the air as she fails to contain her excitement at flying without the aid of any machines. Ayeka resolutely shakes her head and continues arguing against Vegeta but sees his lack of empathy or care for her opinion on the matter, his mind is set and there is nothing she can do to prevent him doing what he wants to. One quick motion later she is thrown over his shoulder and he blasts off into the air.
Ryoko and Trunks follow the distant screams of Ayeka as they tear through the sky. Sasami and Washu seem enraptured by the experience as their speed increases and the wind rushes through their hair, blowing it back in wild rivers of pink and blue. The kicks and blows raining on Vegeta from the desperately struggling Ayeka do little to the Saiyan but annoy him, she really should know that attacking the person keeping you airborne is not a too well planned out idea.
" If you carry on with that behaviour my hands might just slip." Vegeta menacingly shouts as his voice is torn from him by the rushing winds. He is not sure that she heard him until he feels her freeze; her body going rigid and cold as she stares at the ground rushing past miles beneath her.
Washu ignores the other passenger on Air Vegeta and whoops in exhilaration pressing closer to Vegeta. She never thought he would fly this fast when carrying other people, for one thing she should be burning up due to aerodynamic heating or unconscious from the high g-forces of near supersonic speeds but the slight tingle she feels flowing over her skin explains it. Vegeta is generating a protective layer of ki onto the women but he is also realising all too late the mistake of having Washu so close to his person. He accelerates rapidly so the journey will end quicker. An explosion in the air brings the women's hands up to their ears as they smash through the sound barrier whilst Vegeta pushes ever onwards.
Trunks and Ryoko continue to increase their speed to keep up with Vegeta but soon Ryoko starts to flag and fall behind, she has reached her limit. Ryoko is forced to occasionally teleport to close the gap and catch up to their consistent speed. Ayeka carries on her attempts for freedom as Washu huddles closer to Vegeta pushing him further and further into a very dangerous mood. He dives. Rocketing towards the ground in a spiralling descent he grits his teeth. With the Earth dead ahead, Washu's excitement turns sharply into fear and starts to behave like Ayeka as both women frantically wail at the inevitable fate of the ground. Screeching towards the earth with a woman in each arm, both on the point of tears, the chances of him pulling out of this kamikaze dive get slimmer as the gap to the ground narrows. It is too late, they meet the Earth. Vegeta somersaults planting both feet on the ground as the women's view now changes to that of blue sky in an instant. Trees topple, the ground splits and cracks open as it absorbs the force of their landing. Still bending his knees from landing he rebounds and is instantly back in the air regrouping with his son who has slowed down in consideration of Ryoko. Now in peace, Vegeta continues the rest of the journey with two unconscious women in his arms at a speed that the space pirate is comfortable with flying at.
Touching down on the white sands of Kame Island the group arrives. Vegeta lands first followed shortly by Ayeka and Washu, disembarking from him quickly, grateful for firm ground beneath their feet once again. Trunks and Sasami arrive soon after and then Ryoko brings up the rear, obviously fatigued from the many leagues they have flown beyond Mach speed. The small ball of fur in Ryoko's hands leaps forth onto the fine granules, hardly making any imprint as the humanoid's feet sink slightly into the tropical beach.
The small island has a few tall, spindly palm trees and patches of greenery, but apart from that the only thing of difference between this and all the many other islands they passed over on the way is the small pink house at the centre of it. Vegeta paces towards the house where many voices are emanating from inside, leading his son and the females. Trying to think of a way to explain his bizarre situation to the people inside Kame house, he pauses at the doorstep and turns to look at the party he brought. All seem eager to meet actual natives to the planet they are on, all but one: Ayeka.
She does not appear to have moved from where she first jumped down off of him. Her gaze is sweeping up and down the horizon at the calm, azure waters with a wistful look in her eyes. The smooth waves lapping onto the shoreline inches from her as seabirds caw to each other; this simple sight keeps her enthralled and enraptured, oblivious to all else. She smiles. A loud shout from inside the house brings her back round and she re-joins up with everyone waiting to enter the house. Gripping the door knob that has been badly malformed by all the overpowered people who have used it Vegeta turns it and swings the door open.
" Hey, Vegeta's here! How're you doing?" Goku announces, glad to see his brother in arms. As Vegeta enters the house with his son his bulk no longer blocks the doorway and reveals the entourage he has brought with him. The ten individuals already in the house seem mightily confused by this new group of people and even more confused that the antisocial Saiyan they haven't heard from in roughly a year has been keeping company with women. Feeling extremely self aware and all their eyes upon him, he quickly introduces his guests as they enter.
" The little one is Sasami, this is her sister Princess Ayeka of Jurai, that one is called … Washu and she is Ryoko." Vegeta extremely briefly states.
The women too now feel the curious eyes of the other Z warriors and are particularly disturbed by one set of eyes in particular. The owner of the household steps forward, wearing his best suit, red tie and fedora. Scratching his bushy beard and clacking his staff on the floor, the elderly man emerges from the crowd. Approaching the women with a stare penetrating through his dark sunglasses, he stops before them.
" So you girls also from space, hey? Can tell from the look o'ya. Strange though how so many aliens all look the same, when I was a wee lad I never woulda guessed the heavens were literally filled with beautiful angels like you. As no doubt one of the first humans you've seen I welcome you to Earth, but you should know that it is an honoured custom here on Earth to … give a great big smoochy kiss to the house owner!" Master Roshi blurts out, his lecherous ways exponentially growing with age. He was once a martial arts champion though now an old man who has gone bald and decided to live as a hermit. His big cheesy grin still lighting his face as the women have no idea what to do. The Juraian royal is all for upholding customs and traditions and would not want to appear rude but she does not feel at all comfortable doing what he says is apparently the human way.
Ryoko is all too happy to oblige and so kisses the bald dome of Roshi's head before winking at him and going to stand by Vegeta's side. The effect is instantaneous, Roshi's pure white beard is now crimson and sodden from his volcanic nosebleed. The old turtle hermit hurries off to clean himself up as one of the women that was already in the house walks up to Ryoko and Vegeta. She is Chi-Chi, the wife of Goku and mother of Goten and Gohan, with her raven black hair tied in a bun and wearing a purple dress with pink sleeves she leaves her husband's side with a scowl upon her face.
" Great, you didn't have to do that you know. That dirty old man tries tricks like that all the time and now he'll be even bolder in his despicable behaviour." The athletic housewife states with her family at her back.
Ayeka is relieved by Ryoko falling for the perverted senior's trickery and not her and puts her hand on her little sister's shoulder as she escorts her, following Trunks towards the other young ones. The cyan haired rogue simply shrugs, not caring for what Chichi has to say and looks back to the prince of all Saiyans. Ryoko takes a hurried step back as she witnesses the swift change in Vegeta's facial expression when his eyes lock with Goku's. The sound of war drums echo through the Saiyan prince's skull and his hands start to physically ache at wanting to clench into fists, he knows that now is not the time to settle his never ending feud but that does not stop him from still wanting to take a crack at it. The whole house goes deadly quiet in anticipation as the two from the planet that no longer exists grin at the other. Two Saiyan hands move, they grip each other and shake firmly with the sound of several knuckles cracking in protest. Everyone lets out a sigh of relief as Vegeta and Goku walk off into a corner to discuss each others training and what they've been up to since their last bout.
Goten, a more or less identical miniature version of his father, and Marron, the small, young, blonde daughter of 18, approach the two other youths and after Trunks quickly introduces Sasami and Ryo-Ohki to them, they run off outside to play on the sandy beach. Abandoned by her sibling, Ayeka looks for the one person she actually knows here but to her dismay Washu is busy pestering some kind of reptile that is cowering inside a thick hard shell. As a royal dignitary she is used to social conventions such as these, as an ambassador or such to represent her people or family, but something about being in a room where the majority of people could single-handedly destroy a solar system is stopping her from socialising as she would normally do. Still in discussion with his rival, Vegeta sees Goku now looking over his shoulder, his interest on someone behind him. Revolving around to see Ryoko glowering at who she has figured out to be Kakarot, the reason she came to this planet.
" Hey, how are you? It's Ryoko, right? Nice to meet you." Goku acts as his friendly, charming self, smiling and offering his hand for a handshake to Ryoko. She looks down at his rough, battle-hardened hand, back at his cheery face then stalks back off. Goku looks to Vegeta for an explanation.
" Hmm … yes, Ryoko. Well if you must know, she was a space pirate who worked for Frieza and the Cold family. She came to this planet to seek out the one who caused her current state of unemployment and hand your head in for a reward. Too bad for her that your fate has already been sealed to me since long before Frieza was slain." Vegeta says whilst observing Ryoko's movements as she heads towards the 6'9'' tall, green Namekian wearing a pure white cloak and turban named Piccolo.
" Oh come on now, why can't we just be friends and forget about what happened in the past. The way you keep talking about it makes me think you want to kill me." Vegeta's smile darkens as one single low chuckle is sounded. " Anyway … I thought we'd heard the last from Frieza and his rotten lot but you and her do have a lot in common; I'm happy you've found someone willing to keep you company."
" Grrr … You think I had any choice in the matter. Her and the other women are stranded on this planet and as it's my fault it's only right I offer them temporary accommodation. What did you think was going on you dimwit?" Vegeta bristles and Goku shies back waving his hands apologetically in front of himself and taking back what he just said.
On the other side of the crowded room Ayeka has found herself in conversation with 18, a beautiful, blonde cybernetically enhanced human with pale blue eyes and a flowing red kimono embroidered with golden lotus flowers.
" Your daughter is really quite beautiful Miss 18, she must get that from you but if you don't mind me asking … who is your husband?" Ayeka looks about the crowded room seeing a lot of men and then her eyes go where 18 points and sees Krillin. He is only a foot taller than her little sister and seems to have some dots tattooed on his forehead that are covered by his short, black hair and he appears to be lacking a nose. Such a diminutive man at first would be mistaken for a child - a child who spends every day working out at the gym.
" Him? But he's …" Ayeka stops herself as she sees 18's eyes narrow. Ayeka backs away and is about to try digging herself out of the hole she has stumbled into when a very well timed distraction saves her.
" Wow, so you are one of those androids! No physical degradation, mental faculties all still in check, though not technically an android are you? This is incredible to think such a primitive race could produce such sophisticated technology. Strength, speed and energy manipulation abilities; your creator was very thorough in making you. Even the ability to breed with humanoids, exquisite. Although compared to what I could do your circuitry and combat abilities could be vastly improved, such a shame that this planet doesn't have any nano-composite reserves because then I could make you into something truly wondrous, hehe." Washu jumps up inspecting every inch of 18 fascinated, whilst Ayeka slinks off to a quieter and safer area of the room. 18 does not like being reminded of her stolen humanity or what Dr Gero put her and her twin brother through. Not one bit. For all her intellect Washu should have noticed the twitch in 18's eyes and the clenching fists and if not for Krillin noticing his wife's mood the outcome for Washu would have differed severely. As Krillin attempts to soothe and calm his love, Washu stalks off in search of a new source of information and knowledge.
" Hey Vegeta, isn't, uh, that outfit that Ryoko's wearing like Bulma's." The tall, long haired, scar faced former bandit Yamcha asks Vegeta, who is no longer in discussion with Goku and is sat on his own.
" I allowed her to borrow them on the grounds that she herself owns no spare clothing, it's not like they were being used. She threw them out years ago, vain woman." Vegeta coldly replies, trying to end the topic there and then.
" Yeah, I thought as much. I'm sure those were the clothes that she wore when we first went to fight the androids … and I got impaled." Yamcha looks sheepishly at his own stomach where several years earlier there was an arm straight through it. "But why do you have her clothes in your new house, I thought, y'know, fresh start and all that?"
"What are you implying? That I kept them for sentimental reasons? Don't be so absurd. Luckily for Ryoko they just so happened to be already in storage in the house when I unpacked the capsule for it; Bulma never was much good at cleaning so she just hid her old stuff in random capsules hoping no one would find them." Yamcha nods accepting this and is about to ask another question, but Vegeta on the other hand has no interest in continuing talking to his wife's former flame and is more intrigued by the hushed conversation that Ryoko and Piccolo appear to be having. That is they were having before Washu interrupts in an attempt to study Namekian anatomy. Piccolo is not amused by this scientist and simply brushes past her. Both silent warriors look across the room at each other and in unison head towards the door to the sunny day outside, Vegeta and Piccolo were never social people. The rest of the congregation follow them to enjoy the glorious sunny day and so the parents can watch their children at play.
No doubt dissuaded by the extremely rough and tumble sparring that the young Saiyans are enjoying, the two young girls enjoy each other's company, socialising in the sand with Ryo-Ohki frolicking in the surf. Chi-chi looks on worried as Trunks and Goten play some childish fantasy game of pretend with each other, but with a real sword. Arcs of silver twirl and dance viciously through the sky. The lads finally tire of that game and look back at their parents before approaching their fathers. The two most powerful beings in the universe look down on their offspring as their sons challenge them to a fight, nothing brings more enjoyment to those with Saiyan blood than a good old fashioned brawl. The Saiyans exchange a glance between each other and look down at their sons with a serious expression. A cacophony of laughter erupts from both of them at the thought of their sons trying to take them on. Wiping a tear from his eye, Goku looks back at Goten and his friend declining their challenge. Frustrated by their fathers not taking their challenge seriously, Trunks and Goten sidestep a few paces away from each other with their arms pointing away from each other.
" Fu … sion.. HA!" In one well practised movement the boys complete the choreographed technique and touch the tips of their fingers precisely together.
Where their fingers touch a ray of light shines out and then envelops the boys. Its light intensifies until all but the Saiyans can look on at it without fear of permanent blindness. Slowly the brightness dissipates and as the women and other Z warriors look back they see no longer the two children but one; Gotenks, the fusion of Trunks and Goten. More powerful than both of them and more confident and cocky than Vegeta in battle. With upright, spiked hair like the Saiyan prince but with streaks of purple down the sides and wearing a blue and yellow vest in the style of the Metamoran people, who's technique they have just used, the fusion child offers up their previous proposal again.
" How 'bout now, think you can take on the mighty Gotenks?" Laughing at his self-assuredness in being able to take on his fathers now, Gotenks casually does some warm up stretches as he knows they cannot refuse his challenge. Ryoko, Ayeka and Sasami look on in disbelief. They might have seen the fusion technique done through the potarra earrings when they watched the videos of Vegeta but seeing this technique in real life is altogether something else.
" Wow, the merging of two bodies and people to become one perfect being. This is definitely a most interesting planet. My research will advance in leaps and bounds here, hahaha." Washu is getting over excited by all the new data she is processing and has started to giggle manically. None of the others pay any attention to Washu, the Saiyans are the ones who hold their attention. Goku and Vegeta are still smiling and look at each other. Their fists fly at one another and stop precisely millimetres away from the other's face. Vegeta's fingers are outstretched with the tips of his fingers nearly grazing Goku's nose whilst Goku's clenched fist seems to be just about to break Vegeta's jaw.
" Ha, better luck next time Kakarot. I win this round, the fight is mine." Vegeta steps towards his half-son and away from a disappointed Goku who lost the game of rock-paper-scissors. The two confident warriors smirk at each other and in unison float into the air and over the open ocean. Instantly the fight begins as Gotenks ascends to Super Saiyan and charges at Vegeta who also ascends. Their limbs are a blur to the onlookers but one thing they can tell is none of Gotenks blows are coming close to hitting Vegeta. Gotenks' aura bulges and grows from his infuriation at not being able to land a single blow. Static discharge begins to occur around the fused fighter as he spontaneously bypasses Super Saiyan 2 straight to Super Saiyan 3. A trickle of blood appears down the side of Vegeta's mouth. Gotenks withdraws his fist back and looks on exultantly.
Wiping the blood from his face and spitting the metallic tasting liquid from his mouth into the blueness below, Vegeta follows Gotenks' example and transforms to his ultimate, long haired form. The two combatants hold each others gaze until they both disappear completely from view. The women and human Z warriors look around, trying in a futile effort to locate where the fight is occurring. Now the only signs of battle are the distant tsunami like disturbances in the water and bone pulverising shockwaves rippling through the air. Occasionally flashes of light illuminate the silhouettes of where the two fighters were but have long since moved off from. Suddenly, Gotenks appears. The pain in his eyes is clear as he clutches at his stomach and bends forwards. An instant later, a fist materialises along with the rest of Vegeta. A swift elbow to the back of the head, a knee to the gut and a two handed blow to the back sends Gotenks powerlessly diving towards the sea. The descent of Gotenks is abruptly stopped by the chokehold that Vegeta has now got him into, his opponent cannot move nor has the strength to even if he could.
" I applaud your efforts, but your time is up." Calmly Vegeta lets go of the beaten fusion of his son to be engulfed by the waves. A ripple in the air later and he is touching back down next to the other father of Gotenks, hair reverting back to its original dark and spiky state. Without looking at each other they raise their hands and fist bump whilst they watch their now separated sons come spluttering out of the surf back onto the island. As the children collapse in a puddle of breathless exhaustion and wet sand, Chichi rushes to check on the well-being of her son. Goten and Trunks both leap to their feet and run off playing again, both as fit and dry as a fiddle again, before Chichi is even halfway to them. Sighing she walks back to her husband's side, who along with Vegeta is now sniffing the air eagerly. Both Saiyans vanish from sight in a dust devil of sand as Roshi appears in the doorway, still recovering from his encounter with Ryoko with rolled up pieces of tissue bunged up his nostrils.
" Food's ready, so better get yourselves inside before those two eat it all." Roshi beckons them in as the group amble on inside. As the last one into the house, Ayeka gets Roshi's special attention which means a groping hand to her backside. Shocked by such an affront to her she rapidly turns on him with the wrath only a woman could have. Her status as a maiden of Jurai shall not be dirtied by some lecher. The turtle hermit sputters apologies as the white's of his eyes become clear to see from behind his sunglasses. Master Roshi did not stand a chance. Wiping her hands in disgust at having to touch such a concupiscent OAP, she leaves him in a heap on the floor with many reminders of why he should not behave in that way dotting his body and nightmares for many nights of the twisted visage of tempest-like fury he bore witness to. Only one thing seems to be paying attention to the bloodied owner of Kame house and that is the centuries old turtle shaking his head disappointedly at his long time friend.
The large group of people arrange themselves around the three tables pulled together and try and get any food remaining as the two Saiyans and their sons are quickly demolishing it all. Ayeka and the other women try to ignore their abysmally poor table manners and eat with proper etiquette, except Ryoko who seems to be embracing the Saiyan way of consumption. Halfway through the meal Washu, who with the body and stomach of a young adolescent has already eaten her fill, stares intently at the Saiyans trying to figure out the volume of their digestive systems based on the large intake of food for somehow they are eating more than their body mass in food and this foils her calculations. When all the food has been cleared from the table the Saiyans sit back in a content manner.
" So if you don't mind me asking, how did all of you come to be living with Vegeta of all people?" Gohan - the eldest son of Goku who is now a man full grown with short, spiked hair, horn-rimmed glasses and his girlfriend of two years Videl cuddling into him – politely asks them. None of the women seem to mind the question too much and begin to recount their stories. First is Ryoko who quickly begins her 'true' story.
" It all began when I was a just little girl, no older than Sasami is now. My parents had abandoned me before I could remember. I didn't know who I was and had nothing to my name. No one cares for a defenceless child in the slums, especially Juraians. Yeah that's right, it was a Juraian colony I grew up on. Those arrogant snobs won't give you the time of day unless you come from some prestigious family or another. I had to live off what I could take from others without being seen, living a life in the shadows and gutters. Life was so hard and unforgiving, barely surviving from each day to the next. All on my own with no-one to look out for little me until, one day, a boy helped me escape from the guards who were pursuing me. He took me in and gave me warm food and shelter; he was the first person ever who cared for me, my first and only friend in that bleak and cruel Juraian world. We were a formidable team for many years, evading the guards all the time: watching each other's backs and having such fun. Until … until that one day when he … h-he betrayed me, sold me to the guards. Locked away in a prison where I was starved and beaten and abused whilst he lived off of my bounty in a life of luxury. Just goes to show you that all Juraians are the same. I don't know how long I rotted in that cell but it felt like an eternity: no windows or light it was just a dark, dark cave, just me and the stone walls. It was so cold and lonely down there and with nothing to do so I trained my body as best I could and became strong. My hope was to eventually be able to knock out one of the guards and steal the keys and make a break for it but my opportunity never came. Out of the blue the planet was attacked, fire rained down from the sky and all the cities burnt … so many people died. It was my one chance to escape and I took it, using my newfound power of phasing I took my chances and fled from the prison … only to be captured again by the invading forces. My long service as a puppet for Frieza was hell: forced to kill innocents, constantly beaten by my superiors and treated as dirt. Finally after so many long years of slavery, I was free. Free to escape as the Cold empire disintegrated. Rumours spread that Frieza had been killed along with his father King Cold. With my spaceship I began my long and perilous journey through the void of space to track down my saviour and thank him … and that's how, years later, I found myself on this planet." As Ryoko finishes her tale with tears openly flowing from her eyes, Chichi, Sasami and Videl struggle to keep back the floodgates of their tears from such a sad story. They begin to offer their condolences to someone who had to suffer through so much when a gruff voice overrules them.
" Very impressive story, Ryoko. Shame it's mostly a load of codswallop." Vegeta announces. Ryoko is taken aback by how easily he saw through her façade of lies and deception, the others look at him.
" You are not the innocent you make yourself out to be. You enjoyed the killing as much as I did when working for Frieza, thanking Kakarot is not your reason for coming here at all. I am not completely out of touch with what goes on beyond this pitiful rock, I know there is a bounty on that clown's head. Quite a vast sum as I recall. You sure that money was not what brought you to Earth." Ryoko stutters trying to think of a way to explain away Vegeta's extremely accurate guess as the others look doubtfully at the space pirate.
" Well that's to be expected from a lowlife criminal like her, hard to believe someone who's been convicted of fraud. " Ayeka retorts as she outlines her upbringing as the first princess of Jurai, her years of education and preparation for the role she will one day have to take as future empress of Jurai. She explains how she and her sister came to be going to a political meeting with Washu onboard to perform some maintenance when, by happen-chance, they were viciously attacked by Ryoko and her spaceship and went off in pursuit to bring her to justice.
" You can't believe that. She's lying! Do I look like the kind of person who would randomly attack another spaceship?" Ryoko's counterargument is ignored and unheeded as Washu has now stood up to her full height – on top of a chair. Everyone only partially listens to Washu's inflated ego boast over her great academic and scientific achievements and how she decided to leave the science academy to go into the private sector to work for the Juraian empire and so ended up on Ayeka's spaceship Ryuoh. As Washu ends her story, Gohan seems pleased at the prospect of another like minded scientist and so gets into an in-depth discussion with her about her inventions which she evidently enjoys talking about. He takes off his completely unnecessary glasses and slots them in one of his suit's inside pockets as he tries to worm from her some information or blue prints of any device that might aid and better mankind.
" So, if you're stranded here and your spaceship's broken, why don't you try using the dragonballs to repair it?" Yamcha asks Ayeka and Sasami, who's faces light up at this ray of hope and begin to ask and learn about how the dragonballs work.
" Vegeta do you still have that dragon radar that Bulma made?" Krillin cautiously asks. Vegeta's cold look drifts over Krillin, sending chills down his spine.
" I still have it and if Lady Ayeka desires so I will lend it to her. The other two wishes though?" Ayeka graciously thanks Vegeta whilst Washu and Ryoko both perk up after hearing about extra wishes. Conversations begin and end as time drifts past. The Sun is starting to hang low in the sky by the time Vegeta and his party leave the house to start their journey back. They say their goodbyes to the gathered Z warriors but as Vegeta turns to pick up Washu and Ayeka again a hand clamps down on his shoulder.
His signature smirk plays across his face as Vegeta turns around and looks up into the eyes of his rival as they both grin at each other. As the Z fighters see this they cower back and retreat into the house whilst Vegeta's party of women look on not sure what is going on. The princess is about to call his name when it happens. A sandstorm brews around the two as their limbs fly at each other at such speed that it disturbs all the water around the island. Neither Saiyan has moved an inch when the fight stops. Still stood in the exact same place with no injuries or signs of fatigue on either as they shake hands in a sculpture of delicate glass shaped from the grains of sand and the heat caused from their movement.
" One of these days Kakarot your luck will run out and I will surpass you." Vegeta gives a last firm squeeze in the handshake and turns back to the women as Goku goes back to his own family. Flying back over the ocean with the sun setting and sending an array of colours in the sky seems to soothe Ayeka which Vegeta is thankful for. The princess is spellbound looking at the many hues playing across the water's surface, such a romantic and beautiful sight that captivates her. No sight like that could be found on Jurai and here she is flying in the arms of a strong and brave prince – albeit a bit more bloodthirsty and ruthless than the ones normally told of in tales. By the time they land back at his house the Sun has long since disappeared and night has taken over the land. Relaxing in the living room Vegeta stands so that his guests can all sit down with Ryoko sprawled on one of the beams recuperating from the gruelling flight.
" So Lady Ayeka shall I get the dragon radar so that you can go and gather the dragon balls to repair your spaceship?" Vegeta queries the princess who responds with a nod and a kind smile.
" Well then, tomorrow you will be pretty busy scouring the whole planet." He sees she reacts the way he intended by looking shocked and worried by the Herculean task set before her.
" Do not worry or panic, it won't take long so I can spare the time to help you. As it seems you no longer hold such a fear of flying I could always carry you to the dragonballs." Ayeka seems pleased with that news as she watches Vegeta climb the stairs and enter his room to fetch the radar device. He opens the drawer he recalls placing it in to find it empty. Thinking he might have moved it, he rummages around all the nearby draws still not finding it, he even resorts to lifting up all the furniture with telekinesis to no avail. His sixth sense tingles and he looks to his doorway to see Ryoko messing around with what he was searching for. As he takes a step towards her she pulls and holds the handheld radar to her bosom and smiles at him.
" Is this what you're looking for? Too bad, it's mine now and I'm not going to give you something that will help Ayeka to arrest me." Ryoko looks at Vegeta, trying to gauge what he will do next.
" For all I care you can use one of the spare wishes yourself and besides … you couldn't stop me taking that from you if you tried." Ryoko seems satisfied with this outcome and smiles at him, handing over the radar as she phases out of sight to somewhere else in the house. Vegeta immediately goes downstairs and hands over the device to Ayeka who is appreciative of his help. With this done, Ayeka and Sasami head upstairs to get some sleep as Washu has already escaped into her lab. Once again Ayeka thanks Vegeta for the hospitality but before she can accompany her sister to bed Vegeta stops her.
" As someone of royal blood I feel it is only right that I allow you to use my bed tonight…" Ayeka turns red and blushes at such a sudden proposition " … whilst I sleep in one of the spare rooms." Ayeka stops blushing and happily accepts Vegeta's offer. As she heads into and enters Vegeta's room he sits down on the sofa waiting patiently. An hour or so passes and Vegeta is still sat in the exact same position downstairs with all the lights in the house off. His mind has entered a meditative state, improving his body is only half the training he requires to bridge the gap with the other remaining Saiyan.
Upstairs, Ayeka is fast asleep but not alone. A grinning visitor has silently entered the room and is subtly approaching the bed. Ryoko, who has phased once again into the room, has finally successfully managed to sneak up to the bedside and begins to hover. Now above the bed, Ryoko flies over the unsuspecting sleeper and lowers herself down. Straddling the person in the bed, Ryoko grins mischievously. She bends over, lowering her face closer to the one on the pillow until her lips are nearly grazing those of her target. Ryoko's eyes widen as she sees the eyes in front of her open and realises she has made a grave error.
Downstairs a piercing scream reverberates through the house and a dark smile encompasses Vegeta's face as his patience had been rewarded. This will dissuade Ryoko from trying that tactic again. Slowly he makes his way to the source of the night's disruption and opens the door to his room. Both women are at each others throats. Shouting at each other and wrestling against the other. Any normal person would run away at a single look at the terrible anger burning in each woman's eyes but this show of violence proves amusing for Vegeta. His slight chuckle as he approaches them draws their attention but does nothing to calm either of them down. Easily he gets in-between them and pushes them apart from one another. He walks up to each woman in turn and stands behind them, holding them and adjusting them into a proper fighting stance before leaving the room. This touching and intimacy shocks both women who weren't expecting it and they both blush and forget about their quarrel as Vegeta goes to find a room for himself to sleep in.