A/N: Hello dear readers and happy December! I am so incredibly sorry that it has taken me so long to update! I have been SUPER busy with work and family and friends etc it has taken me a while to sit down and just be able to write. I know this chapter and reaction in particular has been long anticipated and I hope I did it justice, though I dont think I did it in the way most expected! :') Now, before we start, I have a few things to clear up as I have had a couple of questions about the last chapter and to be honest I was anticipating it...

1) A few of you avid readers have asked how the Z-gang and particularly Goku and Chi-Chi don't recognise Gohan. I know, I get you I really do, how can parents especially a mother not recognise their own child? In normal circumstances I'd be totally on your side, I do get where you are coming from, and of course there is always going to be an element of that. HOWEVER, when the gang last saw Gohan he was 11 years old. Now Gohan is presenting himself as a 19 year old young man. That is a huge huge difference for a start. Also, at the age of 11 Gohan was quite shy and reclusive whereas this version of Gohan because of his experiences and more importantly his position carries himself differently, is more confident etc which will become more evident to the z gang as the story continues. Now another thing what somebody pointed out was his resemblance to Goku, and that his mother wouldn't forget him etc etc. Once again I get it but the spin I am trying to get on it and what I wanted to get across is that it is so INCREDIBLY SAD that his parents don't recognise him. Like heartbreakingly so for everyone involved. The fact that it is so inconceivable to Goku and Chi-Chi and so impossible to them that their little boy can come back from wherever the hell the eternal dragon (huge deal right?!) can't reach him that they cannot even comprehend the fact that this young man standing in front of them really was in any way shape or form their son. Surely if he came back he would be young? would he really lie to them too? I doubt the Gohan they knew would. This is why it is so sad, because they gave up hope that they would ever see their son again. Piccolo on the other hand, didn't give up, and recognised him. I know some things may seem a little far fetched and I understand that, but hey its fanfiction ;) :P

2) some people have asked why Gohan is British. Well, he isnt, nor are any of the characters. I am British, and therefore find it easier to write in such a way to allow my writing to flow better. I will not pretend to use the americanisms or Japanese language that is used in the anime and the show because I just dont write that way and never have. So sorry if its off putting for some people, but once again it it fanfiction and this is my story with characters that have american accents in the show yes but I have changed it to my own writing style. Maybe it has a few too many bloody hells and snogging references for some, but Harry Potter is a huge hit right?! Hope that clears that one up :)

So thank you so so much again, I cannot believe that this story is up to 845 followers! The pressure is on now to get this right! haha!

I really hope the wait has been worth it. ES :) x

Chapter Thirteen

The Devil and The Prince

xxxx

The music blared loudly in his ears, his feet tapping and moving in motion to the beat as he and Videl whirled around the dance floor. Gohan had absolutely hated the dance lessons that his mother had enforced on him in those three years of training before the androids appeared, stating that he had to do something other than solid fighting to enrich his mind if his studies were to be abandoned. Of course he had a choice at first, his mother being a royally stern yet ultimately fair woman, and it was either learn to play the violin or ballroom dancing classes. Though eventually the late night practising of a very screechy Mozart's concerto three was enough to make Piccolo, his father and his mother choose for him - so ballroom dancing it was. None of the other Z-Fighters had found out of course, and he had sworn his father and Piccolo to secrecy, the fact that he spent every Sunday afternoon dancing with doddery old women in a nearby village hall was something that he had most certainly taken to the grave. The memory of having his cheeks pinched over and over again by haggard, tobacco smelling fingers was enough to make him shudder. Though his lessons had certainly come in handy when the young Destroyer had been shown off at grand balls and events that Whis and Lord Beerus had taken him to.

He hadn't practiced for a couple of years mind, though he seemed to remember the steps quite easily. The fact that he was well accomplished in martial arts only enhanced the fluidity of his moments and Videl seemed most impressed. He couldn't help but feel rather smug at that, it was safe to say that the girl was a little shocked to meet a teenage boy who could dance so well.

"You seem as though you've done this a million times," she told him with a playful smile and flustered cheeks after he had twirled her around once more, catching her by the waist. The silkiness of her dress brushing against his fingertips.

Gohan shrugged, smirking a little, "Once or twice actually."

"You remember?" Videl quirked up at him, their bodies close as they danced. He caught the faint smell of alcohol on her breath, it was warm and inviting, and almost as intoxicating as her eyes.

"Some things are coming back to me," he told her with a shrug before twirling her around again, several people gasping around them as they forced a few dancing couples to move out of their path.

The Satan girl laughed, her long raven hair whipping about her from the momentum before he caught her, his fingers intertwining with hers, his arm wrapping around her petite waist and pulling her closer to him.

She was a little breathless as she looked up at him, her heels long abandoned at the side of the dance floor, making her over a head shorter than him. They had been dancing for a while, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Gohan too was having difficultly catching his, but certainly not for the same reasons.

"So, how many girlfriends have you had?" she asked suddenly, causing him to nearly halt in his tracks.

The teenager blinked, "What sort of a question is that?"

"I'm not stupid Beerus," Videl said dangerously, leaning even closer to him, he wasn't entirely sure whether or not she was doing it on purpose, but their noses were almost touching, "You don't mean to tell me that you've never been in a relationship when you can dance like this?"

Gohan cleared his throat awkwardly, before shaking his head 'no'.

It was true, the young saiyan had not even had anything close to what he would call a girlfriend. He had danced with a couple of princesses at the ceremonial gatherings where he, Lord Beerus and Whis had been invited. But that was more out of duty than pursuing feelings, only one had led to a rather clumsy snogging session behind a tapestry, and that was a few years ago now, he was rather ashamed to admit that he didn't even remember the alien girl's name though she had been strikingly beautiful. Other than that he had flirted with a few warriors and barmaids on planets he had visited, only to go as far as heated snogging and messed up clothes. He could pursue nothing further even if he wanted to. He could not indulge himself with such things when training to become a God of Destruction, there simply was not time or chance for commitment. Whis would have his head for a start. And he was oblivious to the few encounters with females that Gohan did have... as far as he knew.

Videl scoffed, grasping his palm tighter and causing them to sway again, "I find that hard to believe."

"You do?" he chuckled, though he was unsure of what she was getting at. Maybe she just wanted to know more about him. Unfortunately for Videl, his none existent love life wasn't all that interesting. "How so?"

"You we're in a hospital Beerus, not a nunnery," she said with a roll of her eyes and causing him to laugh, "You're handsome, funny, and so what if you're a little bit of a weirdo? Some people find that endearing. I bet you've got girls falling all over you."

"I haven't said they weren't," he mustered devilishly, now opening flirting with her, "I just never really acted on it."

"Ah I get it," Videl nodded, a satisfied smile upon her lips as if she had just figured something out, "You don't swing that way."

"W-what?" The young saiyan blinked.

"You like boys," she said matter-of-factly, causing him to splutter.

"N-no! I love girls honest!" He said hotly, "I just wasn't allowed to act on it!"

Videl raised an eyebrow disbelievingly, "At the hospital?"

Gohan gulped, realising all to late her game, "Um, sure?"

She stared at him for a while, her eyes narrowing, "You're hiding something."

The teenager stopped dancing immediately, freezing up, "I am not."

"Are too."

"Why are you so nosy?" he growled, feeling tricked.

She smirked back, "Why are you so secretive?"

"I'm not secretive!" he protested.

"You're a liar then," she stated, folding her arms across her chest, the warmth of her body leaving him.

He glared back, trying to cover up the fact that he was nervous under her scrutinising gaze, "How so?"

Videl heaved a hefty sigh, "Because! You're a good looking, nineteen year old guy, so what's your reasoning for not having a girlfriend if you're not into men?"

Gohan breathed an internal sigh of relief, though he couldn't help but laugh at the girl's justification. And what was that about him being good looking?

He shrugged, giving her a wry smile, "Maybe I just haven't found the right girl yet."

She stared at him before rolling her eyes in distain, "You expect me to believe that bullshit?"

"Would you leave my love life out of this conversation if I say yes?" he quirked, causing her to sigh in defeat.

"Whatever," Videl griped, shoving him playfully as she started to lead them off the dance floor, grabbing her abandoned shoes as she went.

"So, what's your story?" he asked, following her to a nearby cooler and grabbing them a beer each.

"You mean why don't I have a boyfriend?" Videl huffed, eyeing him.

"Oi, you started this depressing conversation," said Gohan, smirking at her, which caused her to smile.

Taking a sip of her beer, the girl sighed, taking a seat at the table next to them, which was covered in empty glasses and plates, the previous occupants having left some time ago. The young saiyan took a place beside her on the wooden bench, their knees touching as they looked out onto the dance floor.

He blinked, following Videl's gaze and catching sight of his mother had father sharing a slow dance. They were talking quietly to one another, caught up in their own embrace. He watched, as Goku kissed Chi-Chi on top of her prematurely greying hair, before resting his chin upon it, swaying side to side under the blanket of stars. They were smiling, though there was no denying the aura of sadness that seemed to encompass them.

"I'm stupid when it comes to love," Videl said finally, causing the young Destroyer to look towards her, "I just can't seem to get the hang of it."

"What do you mean?"

She sighed once more, her eyes never leaving his parents, "Everyone I've ever gone out with only seem to be in it for money or fame. You know, sweeping the girl that Son Gohan saved off her feet so that they can be in magazines and on TV, or being in with the daughter of one of the world champions so that they can pursue their own self fulfilled martial arts career. I always think that the next one is different you know? But time after time, again and again I get hurt. It's the same pattern no matter how hard I try. I fall for them, they get what they're after and then leave, I couldn't tell you how many times I've had my heart broken by the same stupid self centred idiot, just with a different face."

"That's just... awful," said Gohan, twirling his beer in his palm. How could anyone not want Videl for her? How could anyone not see how utterly incredible she was?

"Tell me about it," she drawled, "It's why I've given up on dating for a while. My days are spent focussing on my training and career."

"Seems sensible," he replied, though he couldn't help but feel a little glum at the thought.

"Who knows?" Videl chuckled, casting her eyes above her, "Maybe one day the Gods will answer my prayers and send me the perfect guy from the stars."

Gohan couldn't help but suck in a breath, as the girl continued, "But for now, I suppose I'll just enjoy the single life."

The young saiyan chuckled, tapping his bottle with Videl's that she had held out to him in a salute.

"Yeah," he mustered, forcing a smile, "The single life."

"Hey nice moves kiddos!" A cheery voice sounded, belonging to Oolong who smiled brightly at them as he approached.

"Thanks Oolong," Videl smiled, as the pig continued.

"Your dad is looking for you Videl," he told her, "He and Buu are leaving soon, apparently Buu's still not feeling too well."

Gohan hid his snort of laughter behind a cough, knowing all too well the after affects of having your body paralysed like that. All your muscles and organs tensing up in such a debilitating way caused them to spring back and relax completely when released suddenly. The fat Majin would be visiting the bathroom quite a few times tonight by his reckoning.

Videl sighed, "Alright, I'll come and say goodbye. You coming Beerus?"

"Nah it's fine," he told her with a wicked smile, "I'll stay here and keep the bench warm for you."

She gave him a playful look, before following Oolong and disappearing into the crowd, leaving the teenager to his thoughts. Gohan sighed, absentmindedly picking off the label on his beer bottle. He really liked talking to Videl, she was smart, witty and funny and it was more evident then ever before after dancing with her that there was an attraction between them. The heat of her body against his, the feel of her waist beneath his fingertips, her sparkling eyes, her dazzling smile, it was enough to make him keel over all over again. He knew it was selfish, relishing in her presence like this. Though he reasoned that it was better that he stayed with Videl rather than sitting on a table listening to his family and friends talk about The Cell Games over and over.

He shook his head, placing his empty bottle on the table and getting to his feet with the aim of visiting the bathroom, deciding that Videl might be a little while and more than likely get caught up in conversation with the Z-gang on her way back to him. He knew the layout of Capsule Corp. off by heart, so it didn't take him long to locate one of the many bathrooms upstairs. When he was finished, he splashed his face with cold water, staring at his reflection in the mirror and willing himself to get a grip. He shouldn't be dancing and flirting with some girl he had just met when he was supposed to be finding out how to achieve the divine power of a Super Saiyan God. Turning off the tap begrudgingly, the teenager dried his hands and face on the soft towel next to him, before stepping out into the corridor.

He stopped short, glancing around him. That was odd, he could have sworn that the lights were on when he had walked down this way. The hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end, and it was evident to the young Destroyer that there was a disturbance in the air - and it was right behind him.

Gohan whirled around so fast that it seemed to somewhat startle his visitor, though he quickly recovered, and all the teen could do was look into the pair of hard obsidian eyes that positively glared at him, full of hatred.

"So, we meet again."

There had been a lot of moments in his life when Gohan knew that he was in deep trouble, the sort of trouble that when he was alive would cause his heart to perform a hundred beats in one. Moments where he knew that he was utterly, completely hopelessly screwed. He had experienced it time and time again, the same feeling of dread, the coiling sickness in his stomach. It would happen whenever he used to sneak out of the house without his mother's knowledge or permission, and he would have to face her wrath when he eventually returned. It happened when Raditz managed to stagger towards him, shock and fury in his eyes after Gohan had attacked him and cracked his seemingly impenetrable armour. It happened when Vegeta and Nappa first arrived on Earth, and when he, Krillin and Dende had summoned Porunga and Frieza had appeared before them. It happened when he had faced Frieza alone, when he thought his father dead and Planet Namek was about to explode. The same feeling surfaced when he had learned of the android attack that would be happening in three years, and of the dreadful fate that would befall the Z-Fighters. It happened when his father chose him to fight Cell, and again in the same battle when the vindictive bio-android nearly blew the Earth to smithereens and then when he returned and blasted a hole through the young saiyan's chest.

He had experienced it in his afterlife, when he had come back late from missions or explored space without Whis and Lord Beerus' permission. Moments when he was faced with difficult situations when he could only think of one daring way out that would most likely result in his end, like when that sun-sucking tentacled monster ate Alala on their first mission and Gohan had faced the ten-thousand toothed beast head on. Moments of fear, realisation and apprehension that would settle in his stomach like a deadweight.

This too was one of those moments.

And as Vegeta opened his mouth to speak again, the teenager could only allow the familiar feeling of dread to seep into the pit of his stomach, chasing away the butterflies that had been present ever since he had grabbed Videl's hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.

"I suggest we take this conversation elsewhere, it's plainly obvious that you don't want to be discovered," the prince said, keeping his voice low as he turned to open the door adjacent to him - oddly, the same spare bedroom that Gohan used to stay in when he would visit with his mother and father as a child, "Please, in here."

Before he could even contemplate the fact that Vegeta of all people was using pleasantries such as 'please', did the door snap firmly shut behind them, and the hot tempered prince was upon him in an instant.

"So tell me, what is your business on this planet?" he growled, his dark eyes hardening, the flashing lights from the party outside illuminating the small bedroom in a rhythmic motion. The music vibrating through the walls, albeit muffled.

It was then did Gohan mange to get a proper look at the saiyan prince. Like his father, he hadn't changed that much in terms of ageing thanks to youthful saiyan genes - it was Vegeta himself that had once informed him that saiyans retain their youth for much longer than other races to be able to maintain a warrior's lifestyle. Still, it was odd to see him dressed in normal Earthling clothes, though the smart black trousers and crisp white shirt and tie did nothing to hide his warriors physique. Nor deter from the domineering presence he had grown accustomed to as a young boy.

"Well?" he spat again, this time more harshly, "Aren't you going to say something? I doubt you're here just to sample Earth's cuisine. So, what is it?"

Vegeta's chest was heaving, his calloused fists clenched, as though he was preparing for a fight, Gohan had seen that heated look in his eyes far too many times to count. Though there was a hint of something else hiding within the pitch black orbs, something that the teenager couldn't quite believe he was seeing. Was it, fear?

"Vegeta," the young saiyan started tentatively, "You've got the wrong idea -"

"Aha!" he spouted, raising an accusatory finger towards him, "So you do remember me! Although I have to admit you look a lot different to how I remembered you Lord Beerus. What is this form? Some sort of shape shifting?"

Gohan could hardly believe his ears, his eyes widening in realisation, "Y-you know Lord Beerus?"

"Enough games!" Vegeta scoffed, before his eyes grew fierce, "If you are who you say you are then show yourself! If it's the planet you're after then I'd rather go down fighting the true Destroyer!"

"Vegeta it's not what it looks like!" the halfling mustered, panicking slightly, "I don't want to fight you!"

"Oh?" he chuckled darkly, "Well I'm afraid you don't have a choice my Lord. I'll show you the true power of the saiyan race whilst protecting this planet until my last dying breath!"

Oh shit. Gohan thought, as he felt the prince's power begin to rise.

"Vegeta wait! I'm not Lord Beerus!" he tried, stepping backwards, his shins hitting the back of the bed and causing him to nearly topple over.

"Oh you're not are you?" Vegeta glowered, "Then how do you explain what you did to Majin Buu? I heard every word, you called yourself a Destroyer. Just what are you trying to pull?!"

"I-it was a joke?" he squeaked, causing his elder to falter slightly.

"If you're not Lord Beerus then how do you know that name boy?!" Vegeta positively roared, the man was seething, though Gohan couldn't help but notice that the hint of fear in his eyes was growing into something more frantic, "You'd better tell me what the fuck is going on -! "

"I will Vegeta! Just hold on!" he cried, waving his arms in front of him as the man's power began to rise even further. Vegeta did not like being tricked, and it was evident that he and Lord Beerus had some kind of bad history. Why oh why did he think that choosing the name Beerus as his alias was a good idea?! He was such an idiot!

Gohan gulped as Vegeta took another dangerous step forwards, his power now on the cusp of transformation. And if the hot-tempered prince turned super saiyan, then he would most certainly be exposed. He did not want his father and his friends bursting in as soon as Vegeta's energy reached the next level. He'd already had a close call tonight with Majin Buu.

"Well out with it!" Vegeta snapped, his energy growing rapidly, the bubbling anger of a super saiyan starting to unravel from within the depths of his Ki, "Or else I'll-!"

"Vegeta it's me!" the teenager yelled suddenly, halting the man in his tracks, "I-it's Gohan!"

There was a beat of silence, as Vegeta powered down, his obsidian eyes widening, drinking in the young man in front of him as he continued.

"I'm sorry Vegeta," he said breathlessly, "I only used the name Beerus because I didn't think anyone would know the name or what it meant so far out in the Northern galaxy."

"See?" Gohan offered a smile, waving off the concealment above his head to reveal his shining golden halo, proving his point, though the elder saiyan remained silent, "It really is me."

The full-bloodied saiyan continued to stare, his gaze darting to the halo momentarily, before locking his eyes with the teen once more. And then -

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Now Gohan wasn't entirely sure want made him do it, maybe it was ingrained in him since the early memories of his childhood. For even though he knew that he could quite easily block or counter the attack due to his increased strength and divine training, there was something about the prince of all saiyans' aiming a punch straight towards him that told him to move.

He yelped out of pure instinct, dodging out of the way of Vegeta's oncoming fist that embedded into the wall where his head had previously been. The halfling's eyes widened, as Vegeta's head snapped towards him like something out of those horror films he had watched with Videl, his teeth bared as a tremendous growl escaped his chest. The man was positively seething with rage.

"Vegeta calm down!" Gohan shouted, swiftly ducking out of the way as the prince pulled his fist out of the wall, sending plasterboard flying over the carpet as he aimed another punch towards his skull.

"Calm down?!" he snarled, missing him again, "CALM DOWN?! You're telling me to calm down after what you've put me through?!"

"Vegeta wait - !" he cried, phasing out and reappearing behind him in an instant.

"Do you have ANY idea the amount of SHIT I've been through these past eight years, SEARCHING NIGHT AND DAY FOR YOUR SORRY BEHIND?!" Vegeta roared, not letting up, punching the bedside table clean apart as yet another punch missed it's target.

"Vegeta damn it!" the young Destroyer bellowed, as the wardrobe almost came crashing down upon him, "Will you just listen - eep! - for a bloody minute!"

Though the prince of saiyan's didn't seem to hear or to care, especially not about the utter destruction he was causing to his own house, as he rounded on the teenager again.

"DO YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT THE STATE YOU LEFT THIS MISERABLE WORLD IN?!" He cried, his limbs blurring in motion as Gohan narrowly dodged his swinging fists, "HOW MUCH CRAP I'VE HAD TO ENDURE FROM YOUR BLASTED PARENTS?! NOT TO MENTION THE NAMEKIAN! GODS ABOVE! IT WAS ENOUGH TO DRIVE ME INSANE!"

"What the hell are you on about?!" Gohan yelled, ducking underneath the raging prince as he made a grab for him, subsequently making him crash into the other side of the wall, leaving a sizeable crack in the brickwork.

"DON'T YOU GIVE ME THAT BULLSHIT!" He spat, recovering quickly, "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I'VE HAD TO LISTEN TO THE PATHETIC WALLOWING OF YOUR FATHER?! IF NOT HIM ITS THE WOMAN, YOUR HARPY MOTHER OR PICCOLO! 'OH FIND HIM VEGETA, PLEASE HELP US, HE'S SO SCARED AND INNOCENT AND ALONE! WHO KNOWS WHERE THE POOR BOY COULD BE!'"

The young saiyan's eyes widened in horror, as the prince leered towards him, spit flying from his mouth as he drew closer, "YET HERE YOU ARE, SKULKING ABOUT YOUR OWN DEATH DAY PARTY, DRINKING BEER AND FLIRTING OF ALL THINGS!"

"Vegeta it's not what it looks like-!"

"DAMNED LAYABOUT BRAT!" He snarled, drawing back his fist once more where it all but embedded into the floorboards, "YOU'VE MADE NOTHING BUT A MOCKERY OUT OF ME!" BOOM! "WASTED MY TIME!" CRASH! "MOCKED MY PRIDE!" THWACK! "MADE ME ACTUALLY WORRY ABOUT YOU!" BAM!

"Vegeta!"

Vegeta shrieked with rage as he missed again, his foot flying through the plasterboard, "I'LL KILL YOU BOY!"

"VEGETA STOP!" Gohan practically screamed, phasing back into view once more, though it was not the only cry that reached their ears.

The bedroom door suddenly flung off it's hinges, and a flash of green and white darted in between them, just as the saiyan prince aimed another swinging fist towards him.

"Stop this Vegeta!" Piccolo glowered, as Vegeta's punch stopped inches from his nose. Though he seemed unfazed, "Just let him explain."

A tense silence filled the room, before Vegeta moved his hand, his arm coming to rest by his side as he positively glared at the fellow Z-Fighter.

"Don't tell me what to do Namekian," he spoke harshly, his dark eyes averting to the halo topped teenager who had slid down the wall out of sheer relief, "I'll kill the damned brat all over again."

The bedroom was in complete disarray, plaster and brick littered the ground and the majority of the furniture was splintered and beyond repair. Gohan cringed, Bulma was going to have kittens when she saw the mess. Luckily, he couldn't sense any one else coming their way, Piccolo must have been keeping an eye on them he had surmised. Everyone else was probably too drunk by now to notice Vegeta's rise in power.

"Vegeta," the teenager started tentatively, getting to his feet, as Piccolo stepped back, "I'm sorry, I-"

"You will be," He snorted, cutting across him and folding his arms across his chest, "But we'll get to grovelling after you've explained yourself. What the hell are you doing here after all this time? Where have you BEEN?"

"Well I've been dead," he mustered weakly, attempting a joke to break the tension.

"Yes I did get that far by myself, brat," Vegeta drawled, looking pointedly at the halo dancing over his head.

"You might as well tell him Gohan," said Piccolo calmly, "He's not going to tell anyone."

"How do you know I won't?" said prince scoffed, eyeing him.

"Because if you were, you already would have punched him through the wall and exposed him to everyone," he smirked.

"Yeah, you're right I would have," Vegeta smirked back, before looking towards him, "Well then boy? Out with it."

Gohan sighed, as Piccolo gave him a nod of reassurance, "Well you obviously know about Lord Beerus, right?"

"The God of Destruction," Vegeta confirmed, before giving him an incredulous stare, "We crossed paths in my youth. He visited Planet Vegeta not long before it was destroyed, the saiyans were accosted by Lord Beerus to locate the universes' comfiest pillow. It may seem mundane now, but back then good silk was hard to come by and my father though a brilliant King was a very naive man, and after purging the planet he found it on, he attempted to keep it to himself and pawn another pillow off on Lord Beerus."

"What, really?" the teenager blinked disbelievingly, Lord Beerus had never mentioned it. Then again, with all the planets he had visited and subsequently threatened, he had most likely forgotten.

"It wasn't pretty let me tell you that," Vegeta nodded, "Though it seems odd to me that you were using a fearsome name like that so casually. What of him?"

"Well um," Gohan started carefully, unsure what Vegeta would make of his story now, especially as the Destroyer had done who knows what to King Vegeta, "When I died, I didn't end up in Otherworld, instead my soul was summoned by the Angel of this universe to another dimension. It's why Shenron couldn't reach me, and why you lot couldn't bring me back to life."

"Angel?" the saiyan frowned, "This universe?"

"Yep, there are twelve universes, we are the seventh," he informed him, not giving him time to get over the revelation before swiftly moving on, "Anyway, these Angels are attendants to the Gods of Destruction and train them until the end of their life cycle. When their life cycle is nearing an end they draft mortal warriors to train on the Destroyer's world in order to compete to become the next Destroyer."

He paused, sucking in a breath as he watched the cogs in Vegeta's head turn and he let out a bark of laughter, "So you're one of these so called candidates? Give me a break."

The teenager frowned, though he had to admit that it would have seemed impossible for the once innocent cry baby that Vegeta had once known to become a candidate for the role of the most fearsome being in the universe. .

"And what?" the prince continued haughtily, "Let me guess, you've failed so you decided to come home with your tail in between your legs? What a load of -"

"Actually," Gohan cut across him, unable to stop the triumphant smirk that spread across his lips, "You're only part right. I was one of the candidates, but after obtaining a significant amount of power and successfully retrieving a legendary sword that no one else in history has managed to free, I ended up being selected for the role of Junior Destroyer."

Vegeta stared, his eyes widening at the revelation.

"So you'd better watch how you talk to me Vegeta," the halfling quirked, folding his arms across his chest, "because you're looking at the next God of Destruction."

The look of astonishment on the usually stoic man's face was priceless, especially when he turned to Piccolo and mustered, "Is he fucking having me on?"

"No," the Namekian informed him quite smugly, "Everything he says is true Vegeta. Gohan's absence these last eight years is because he is indeed training to become Lord Beerus' successor."

Vegeta looked at Gohan with a dumfounded expression, before bursting into a fit of laughter. The teenager could do nothing but stare, as the prince continued to full blown hysterics, collapsing to the ground and pounding his fist on the carpet as he struggled to control his mirth. He certainly didn't expect that reaction.

"Uh, Vegeta?" Gohan managed to muster, as he showed no signs of calming down. Piccolo was equally bewildered by his reaction. Eventually, the teenager started to get angry, "Oi! What's so funny?!"

The saiyan breathed loudly, attempting to control his laughter. But it was no use, for as soon as he looked up at Gohan did he erupt again, tears now evident in his eyes.

"Oh for Porunga's sake, snap out of it!" Piccolo growled after another minute of hysterics.

Vegeta was still laughing, though he finally managed to sit up and breathe out, "Oh this is just brilliant! If Cell was here, I'd shake his hand!"

"W-what?!" Gohan spluttered, utterly flabbergasted, "Why the hell would you say such a thing?!"

"Because!" the spikey-haired man chortled, "If it wasn't for him then you would probably still be that snot nosed little cry baby obeying your mummy and staring at textbooks for the rest of your life!"

The teenager scowled, as Vegeta continued, "Great galaxies there's hope for you yet kid. I always hoped that you'd use that explosive power of yours to it's full potential."

He blinked in disbelief, "You did?"

"Of course I did," he scoffed, steadily getting back to his feet, "I was getting sick of being the prince of a bunch of soft hearted fools. It's about time one of our race did something worth while, even if it is at the hands of the spawn of an idiot low class."

Figures, the young saiyan thought in annoyance, as Vegeta's eyes practically lit up with a mixture of malice and glee - a combination that he was certain could only be found in the prince of all saiyans.

"Oh please, please can I be the one to tell Kakarot?!"

"NO!" Gohan and Piccolo chorused suddenly, prompting the man to scoff.

"And why the hell not?"

"Because he can't know I'm here!" the teenager spouted hotly, before taking a shuddering breath, "No one was supposed to know. I don't even what to imagine what they'd say if they found out what I am."

"Gohan is actually here on a mission," Piccolo started to explain, allowing the junior Destroyer to wallow in his own bad luck for a moment, "There's a powerful enemy potentially on the horizon that Gohan may need to use a significant amount of power to defeat."

"Of course there is," Vegeta sighed in annoyance, "and let me guess, he's roping us into it as well?"

"Not exactly," Gohan sighed, looking towards his elders, "The thing is, even though I've achieved divine properties within my power, I haven't reached true divinity. It's supposed to come much later after centuries of training, but Lord Beerus and Whis - my mentor - have found out about a prophecy that could help me reach a divine level a lot quicker. This level of divine power may be needed if this enemy isn't stopped soon."

Vegeta was eyeing him curiously, as the teen spoke, "I've come to look for answers on Earth, though as I'm sure you've noticed I've not been too good about hiding my secret so far. This can't get out Vegeta. If it does, then it'll just make it harder to go away again, I can't come back. If I do, the universe could implode."

"But why have you come to find answers to a divine prophecy here on Earth?" he asked him, attempting to swallow all the information.

"Well V," the halfling said with a teasing smile, "That's where you come in. I thought that you would be the only person who would know about it, what with being the prince of all saiyans."

"It's a saiyan prophecy?" he quirked.

Gohan nodded, "Yeah, it's apparently a form or transformation that Lord Beerus himself dreamt about. A form to rival the power of the Gods. It's called a Super Saiyan God."

The room was enveloped once again in silence, as the young saiyan watched his elder with baited breath. Vegeta frowned in thought, causing hope to swell within his chest. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for. Vegeta could tell him how to achieve the power of a Super Saiyan God and he could be on his way and safely tucked back in his bed on Lord Beerus' world without subjecting himself to the heartbreak of being around his family. He watched with a building anticipation, as the strong saiyan warrior opened his mouth in reply.

This was it. The moment of truth.

"Never heard of it."

He was quite certain that his stomach had just dropped out of his arse.

"What the bloody hell do you mean you've never heard of it?!" Gohan yelled, barely able to restrain himself from strangling the man.

"I mean what I said," Vegeta glowered, his eyes narrowing at him, "Junior Destroyer or not you'll watch your tone with me boy."

"But you're the prince of saiyans!" the teenager spluttered, his voice rising, "Aren't you supposed to know about these things?! Did you not read a book of legends or something in your palace library?! Surely you had something like that!"

"Oh well now that you mention it Gohan I seem to remember reading something in between fighting for my life and being kidnapped by Frieza," said prince spat mockingly, "Now I wonder, was that before or after Frieza blew up my planet and wiped out my entire race?"

"There's no need for sarcasm you know," Gohan huffed, causing Piccolo to roll his eyes at him.

"Well then stop asking such ridiculous questions!" Vegeta spat, "Tch, a Super Saiyan God, I've never heard of anything so preposterous in my life."

"But it's true Vegeta!" the halfling pressed, "the Oracle fish told me so!"

They stared at him as if he had just grown an extra head.

"Oracle…?"

"Fish…?"

Yep, both Piccolo and Vegeta thought he was crazy.

"It is true," said Gohan with a sigh, sitting on the broken bed, "It has to be."

"You could still ask Shenron," offered Piccolo, causing the teen to groan.

"Yeah but not for another month!" he whined, resting his head in his hands, "I'm not sure how long I'm going to last."

"Tch stop whining," said Vegeta, "are you a Destroyer or not?"

"Well yeah but-"

"Then start acting like it," he scolded him, the dancing lights from outside casting shadows over his stern features, "If there's an enemy coming then you need to focus on obtaining this so called divine power and getting stronger, not wallow in your own self pity. I won't allow it."

"But - "

"Vegeta's right Gohan," said Piccolo, "Now, why don't you start by telling us about this enemy, we could help."

"It's not your problem."

"It becomes my problem when whoever it is decides to blow up the universe whilst I'm still in it," Vegeta growled, "Now spill."

The teenager sighed, knowing that they weren't going to take no for an answer, "His name is Perses. He was the Junior Destroyer before me that basically had a bit of a power trip and wiped out half the universe before being captured. He was the one that created Majin Buu, so you can see why I have a bit of a problem with that overgrown pink blob. He's half Kai, hence his powers of creation, though being a Destroyer makes him even more powerful. He's currently trapped within a dark realm known as the void, it's a wonder as to how he's still alive, as nothing is supposed to be able to live in there. Though somehow, after over a thousand years of being imprisoned, he's building power, there's no doubt about it according to Whis, the dark energy seeping through the fragments of reality is too strong to ignore…"

Vegeta and Piccolo listened intently, as the young saiyan continued to tell the tale of the wayward Destroyer, both of them left reeling from the revelation of the wicked being when he had finished.

"And you say that not even Lord Beerus could defeat him?" asked Vegeta, his dark eyes hardening. "I find that hard to believe."

Gohan shook his head, "Perses is unbelievably powerful, why else would he still be alive?"

He frowned as the prince said nothing, his lips drawn into a thin line, as if he was contemplating something. Though before he delve further, Piccolo cut across him.

"So how long before you think Perses can escape this 'void' you speak of?"

"Who knows," the teenager groaned hopelessly, "All I know is that I've got to think of a way to become this Super Saiyan God incase he does. Though Whis and Lord Beerus seemed worried, and The Supreme Kai especially so, and they seemed pretty eager to get me to Earth after barely giving me a heads up. I can only imagine that the probability of him escaping soon his highly likely. I don't he'll be too pleased to find that someone has nicked his job, or the Z-Sword."

Piccolo raised an eyebrow curiously, "The Z-Sword?"

"Oh yeah," Gohan said casually before materialising the ancient relic out of thin air and causing the men to jump, before he swiped it out of the air, "This is the Z-Sword, or Z as I like to call him."

"How do you do."

"He says hi," he smiled brightly, causing the pair to stare oddly at him.

"He?"

The young saiyan chuckled, "Yeah the best I can get out of him is that he is a celestial entity within an ancient prophesied sword that I pulled from an old stone on the Kai's planet about five years ago. Only I can hear him, and although he's annoying and a bit of a pervert - "

"Oi!"

" - he's been there for me through a lot. In fact, I have a hunch that he chose me to free him from the stone he was trapped in. No one else has managed to do it in history, including Perses. Like I said, doing so is what got me chosen to become the next Junior Destroyer, and I doubt old Perses will be too happy that I've got hold of it."

"He's got a point there," said Z.

"Just how many damned prophesies are there?" Vegeta scoffed, eyeing the glistening hilt of the legendary sword rather warily.

"Oh LOADS," said Gohan, his eyes lighting up with excitement, "But this one is really cool. Apparently when the sword his wielded by the right person, the two become one weapon, capable of cutting down the mightiest of foes etc etc."

"Tch, sounds like a children's fairytale," the prince retorted snidely.

The teenager shrugged, a smile playing on his lips, "Well it's worked for me so far, I've bestest every enemy I've come across with Z."

"Not to mention the attention from the ladies!"

"Oh shut up!" Gohan snapped at the sword, his cheeks blushing crimson, something that did not go unnoticed by Piccolo nor Vegeta.

"What did he say?" asked the Namekian, smirking.

"Oh nothing, he's just saying how amazingly badass I look with a sword," he said with a nervous smile causing his old mentor to snort.

"Sure."

"Anyway," the young halfling continued, moving swiftly on, "The point is that I can't just sit here waiting around on Earth doing nothing whilst Perses is gaining power. Damn it, I thought I would get somewhere tonight."

"Well you could find out where he is gathering strength from," said Vegeta, folding his arms across his chest, "From the sounds of it, The Void is an unlikely source to acquire power."

"Yeah exactly," Gohan sighed, running a hand through his hair out of frustration, "Though I can't even begin to imagine how he is drawing strength from outside a seemingly impenetrable dimension. It doesn't make any sense!"

"It sounds like there is much more to this Perses than even you or the Gods thought possible," Piccolo observed, "We may have our work cut out for us this time."

"What you do mean? I told you that I didn't want to get you lot involved!" he protested, "It's too - "

"Dangerous?" Vegeta scoffed, "Don't be so ridiculous. You'll do well to not forget the warriors that bore you brat, no matter how powerful you've become."

"Vegeta is right Gohan," said Piccolo, "Besides, you should have known that if someone messes with one of us then they mess with all of us. If it becomes your fight then it does ours too."

Next to him, Vegeta rolled his eyes, "Well I wouldn't have drenched those words in such sentimental drivel but the point is there."

He stared at the man in astonishment, Vegeta actually wanted to help? Some things certainly had changed. Perhaps Bulma and Trunks had something to influence that.

"Well thanks," said Gohan with a sincere smile, "It really means a lot, but hopefully it won't come to the point where I'll have to involve Earth."

"Well either way I want a decent fight out of you coming back," said Vegeta, smirking at him, "I'm eager to see the level of strength you've reached under a deity's influence. I doubt that all you've learned is a few magic tricks involving that dagger of yours."

"His WHAT?!" Z raged from within his grasp, "What did that saiyan monkey call me?! Let me at him! Let me at him! Gohan! You'd better slice his head off right now or - !"

Gohan snorted with laughter as the ancient relic continued to rant before he banished him into thin air with the same technique the prince had jested at.

"What's so funny?" He quirked, blinking as the Z-Sword was nowhere in sight, "And how on Earth do you do that?"

"Oh nothing," the teenager grinned back, "And it's just a little technique I learned whilst I've been training on Lord Beerus' planet. It's quite easy to do, I just think of a little empty pocket in space and banish most of my stuff there that I can't always carry on my person all the time. I've also learned healing techniques, concealment, teleportation, stuff like that."

"Hn," Vegeta observed thoughtfully, "and you've found this useful in battle?"

"Comes in handy now and again," he smirked.

"Really now?"

"Don't tease him kid," said Piccolo with a roll of his eyes, "You know he'll just want to fight you. We both saw what you did to Majin Buu, though I have to say that I'm rather eager to see what else you can do too."

"I know that," sang Gohan, feeling giddy all of a sudden, "But he knows he won't, because if he fights me then I'll be exposed. And if I'm exposed before I find out about the Super Saiyan god prophecy then I'll have no choice but to leave early and Lord Beerus won't be all too happy about that!"

"Gohan…" the Namekian warned, but the halfling ignored him.

Vegeta gaped, then growled, "What makes you think that -?!"

"That you were scared of Lord Beerus?" the teen saiyan grinned wickedly, "Come on Vegeta, you nearly pissed your pants when you thought I was him! I could totally see through that big scary saiyan bravado of yours!"

"Gohan!"

"I mean, I am a Destroyer after all," Gohan continued, laughing heartily, "it's basically in my job description to see through people's false notions and intentions in order to judge them. I could see right through you!"

As the vein in Vegeta's head throbbed out of control, the unsuspecting Z-gang drinking and dancing in the grounds of Capsule Corp. had no idea of the absence of two of it's members, nor the whereabouts of the mysterious new kid. Nor did they seem to mind as they carried on enjoying the festivities around them, reminiscing about the young boy who was seemingly lost amongst the stars. They had no clue that said boy was indeed right under their noses, nor that he had subsequently enraged a certain flame-haired prince. All they did hear was a mighty bellow that was so loud that it echoed over the music that continued to pump over the large sound system, causing their eyes to widen in surprise.

"WHY YOU LITTLE-!"

"VEGETA NO!"

"EEK!"

It was safe to say that the party dispersed rather swiftly after that, especially due to the fact that the majority of the party goers had to dodge the rampaging torrent of purple energy that was the Galic Gun as it burst through the side of the domed house and rocketed across the garden, sending a whirlwind of dust and debris flying through the air.

Though luckily, in the commotion, no one seemed to notice the screaming Junior Destroyer that was attached to the end of it.

1st December, 2018.

Reviews:

Lightningblade49: You guessed it!

Pie 555: Son bro's will be a feature I can promise you that xD

x2leoj : glad you enjoyed the ending of the last chapter! hopefully the next update wont be as long! sob!

hawkeyestratos1996: always hated Majin Buu. I needed revenge!

R.E.O19: wow thank you so much, your review really means the world and gives me the confidence to keep on writing!

MadmanJrs: haha thanks for your review! glad you liked the character interactions, really hope you liked it here too!

Ashborn2271: I too am itching for another fight scene, SOON.

Aaron Leach: thank you!

romanovascap : glad you enjoyed! the gang cant sense Gohan as he has lowered and masked it to resemble a door mouse that hadnt been fed for a week ;)

X3runner: ooo food for thought!

EleazarTheUnforgotten: thank you so much! glad you like Z, got to have that bit of comic releif!

Iwik: thank you! yes Im glad you saw what I was trying to get at with the feels!

Cyber Initiative: tournament of power is probably not going to fit into this story, however I havent ruled it out completely!

Naite-Laef : haha glad you are enjoying the cliff hangers, I feel so mean!

MysticSSJTwin : thank you so so much!

Guest c: thanks :)

Exiled Soul Nomad: I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations!

Star1X: hope i cleared this up for you at the beginning of this chapter

johndoe86 : I aim to do a proper showcase of Gohans power! I cannot wait! the moment is planned!

victor0606 : thank you!

FireEmblemMaster101 : I always thought this about vegeta but i like to think that he didnt take the role of king in order to honour is father, coupled with the fact that he was a prince when his planet got destroyed so technically didnt get a coronation or anything to make him official king. Vegeta's arrogance can get annoying, though I really wanted to do a humorous take on it which I hope ive achieved here!

DaDragon562: thank you so much!

777torn777: i know i am aware of my teasing nature xD

gameknight99999: all will be revealed ;)

duskrider : maybe so ;)

warriorofdark : i hope i got vegetas reaction right for you!

Shadow Tricked: so glad youre enjoying it!

mubaarik4858 : thank you!

LilRocboogie: wow thank you so much! that really means alot! I do have a friend that already does my art for me and comissions so I have something in mind. but do send me some details of your art and ill have a gander!

JulesSOD27: thanks!

erin: snogging to come xD

Chosen To Die: wow thank you so much!

Michelle: lots more!

colbyburningham: thanks sorry about the wait!

LEO LOVER 2016 : thank you! again sorry for the wait!

FeathersofMemory: literally everyone guessed vegeta but i LOVED the mystery behind it! thanks so much for your review! XD

darkprincess: thank you!

Pandawarrior51 : i get you, i hope what I put at the beginning of this chapter helps make more sense of why i chose chichi not to recognise gohan.

Guest: i totes feel famous it makes me really want to get it right for you guys reading!

Xanderr Fenton : please see start of chapter :)

aznalpha: HFIL is hell for infinite losers referred to in the db anime :)

Erin: i get your beef erin i really do, but i hope i have cleared it up a bit more in my authors note at the beginning of this chapter. :')

DarkLordInc: i hope i did vegeta and gohan justice!

memmek10k: thank you so much!

DragonCrusader : yes snogging is heated kissing/making out/ with tongue ;) gohan has been naughty but not THAT naughty. bless him.

shrushtee: thank you, hope the wait was worth it!

Gelid : haha i love that!

joshben4c: thank you :)

Hashirama 1710 " perses definitely has similarities to zamasu. but is this intentional dear reader? ;)

Guest : aww thank you so much! I hope you liked this chapter and that it was worth waiting so long!

Xxxsal : thank you! your reviews mean so much!

Razz : i LOVE LOVE LOVE how many people are saying that this is their fave fanfic! you guys are too much! xD

Guest : thank you so much, your review blew me away because you literally just said the exact thing I was trying to get across to the readers. which means i must be doing something right! :)

Thebandit7557 : sorry to leave you hanging!