Chapter 14: Mementos

Bardock approached the collection of items with slight intrigue, which included a school badge, a small folded-up gi and a Blue Star Medal, which Bardock didn't know was the most prestigious award one could obtain on Earth. He shifted his gaze to browse through the various photos nearby.

It had Chichi in a long white dress, and his first real look at his grown-up son Kakarot who was also in a white outfit of some kind.

'Heh. Almost exactly like how I saw him in those visions. But that outfit… That doesn't look comfortable at all. Is that for some sort of… special event?'

Bardock moved onto the next photo, which featured two people and a crowd behind them. The three-eyed man Tien Shinhan and either Goten or a very small Kakarot, in the orange outfit he recognised from the visions of him, were photographed locked in combat. It looked like an arena of some kind.

'Looks like he's in a fighting competition. Doing what a Saiyan does best, heh.'

Bardock looked at the third photo. It was a family photo with a younger Chichi holding a baby, with his son beaming at the camera, and there was also a large man with a horned hat placing a hand on Chichi's shoulder. Bardock wasn't used to reading this planet's writing system yet, but a label at the bottom read, "Our (1st) baby, Son Gohan".

The Saiyan wistfully thought about how the path of the Saiyans could have been a lot different with the right kind of leadership and ideals. Many Saiyans were never truly happy and free, thanks to certain long-tailed tyrants; one of their only joys was found through the fighting that those freaks offered. But at least they weren't hauling massive stone pillars with chains on their ankles. It sure was a hard life, nonetheless.

Happy, smiling family photos such as this one could have been much more commonplace on Planet Vegeta, if history had been kinder to the Saiyans, and if that damned King Vegeta wasn't the one in charge back then. Caring for others was mostly frowned upon thanks to his rule. However, it was also true that it had been that way even before his dynasty rose to power.

Bardock saw nothing wrong with having people he cared about, especially concerning his own bloodline. The more he thought about it, the more he realised why none of his kind had achieved the legend in his old era. Kakarot had achieved the legend because he had the right kind of help and the right kind of mindset. But the Saiyans Bardock knew cared little for others, especially if the power gap was too great. Therefore, their lack of consideration for others made them weak and foolish, unable to grow stronger collectively. They could never have toppled the Cold Empire.

He decided that when he eventually went to Hell, he would put King Vegeta III in his rightful place.

Bardock took a look at the next two photos; one was of a family picnic, and the other… Was that a floating ring on his son's head? And there was a tall young man who stood next to him, wearing a green and black outfit that had Saiyan boots.

'Interesting… Wonder what that's all about.'

Bardock was interrupted from his musings by Chichi, who asked if he wanted anything else from the table full of food. He shook his head as he regarded all the sugary items, and turned back to the photographs.

'Heh. That has to be the Prince. Just look at him.' He discovered a photo comprised of Trunks, a woman who was probably his mother Bulma next to him, and his father, who had his back turned away from the camera; he seemed to be watching the people on the opposite end of the photograph.

Alongside them was the Son family, except his son Kakarot didn't seem to be there, but there were other people he recognised like Krillin, or was it Yamcha? Those two never did say who was who when he met them.

There were two strange-looking people in the background on the opposite side where Vegeta had directed his gaze; one looked like a purple cat, and the other wore a red robe and had a ridiculous hairstyle (the one with the spiky Saiyan hairdo thought). They seemed to not realise a photo was being taken, and were eating something together, seemingly enamoured by the food.

'If they're from Earth, then this place is weirder than I thought.'

Bardock then noticed a green man in the photo who looked exactly like a Namekian. 'Huh, that's right... Earth's got 'em here too. It'll be that 'Piccolo' Goten knows.' He shrugged and noted that this photo looked fairly recent.

'Can't wait to fight the Prince. Though if he's got this Super Saiyan God thing, I'd probably be down for the count in no time flat, unless I train like hell and obtain that level of power myself.'

He turned to the kids. "Goten, Trunks." Bardock beckoned them over.

The kids had just had their fill on the sugary goods and bounced over to him, smiling. "What's up, Bardock?" Trunks asked.

"You told me about that ritual my son did to become a Super Saiyan God, but how did Vegeta become one? Was it through the same method?"

Trunks explained, "Well, since it has to be done by others giving power to you, my dad didn't really like that very much."

Goten added, "Neither did my dad!"

Trunks continued, "So, instead, he tried to get a grasp on Goku's God Ki by trying to copy it while they were fighting. Eventually, he managed to get his own God Ki… sssssomehow. Me and Goten haven't really figured that out yet. Only our dads are Super Saiyan Gods."

A few weeks ago, in a secluded part of the cosmos…

A tall blue-skinned Angel named Whis conducted a routine check of the cosmos through his staff.

Something piqued his curiosity. A sudden swell of godly energy in a random part of the universe… then nothing.

'How intriguing…'

He focused in on the anomalous reading. 'It appears to be coming from the new Planet Namek... Ah, they have their own set of Dragon Balls there. That might be the cause… Though, their dragon hasn't appeared and disappeared as instantaneously as this before… Hm, I suppose it's nothing to be concerned about.'

He was then struck with an idea he hadn't thought of previously. 'Hm, I think it's about time my pupils engaged each other in an all-out battle. That will surely be fun to watch!'

And so, in the present day, on the very same secluded planet…

…An intense duel was taking place.

"Still can't tap into it, Kakarot? I think that's a little insulting. Surely I, one of the greatest warriors of all the universes, would be able to pressure you enough to coax it out of you!" The sounds of fists and legs clashing was ever-present.

Goku responded, "Well, eheh, I guess we'll both have to just try harder then, Vegeta!" He grimaced right after as a kick found its way to his left cheek.

Goku went on the defensive against Vegeta, who was currently fighting at a slightly higher level than him. Goku was catching blows as best he cou-

"This is not your best by a long shot. Show me your full power like you did at the Tournament of Power! Like you did against Jiren! I want you to show me all of it!" Vegeta yelled.

Whis gave some advice, "Too much talking can hinder concentration, but I agree with Vegeta. You now need to both pick up the pace!"

Their fight was the kind that only Saiyans could enjoy. Each blow, each blast, countered and dodged with reflexes the likes of which were far too fast for the untrained eye to see. Sweating profusely, neither side would give in.

"Raaaagh! This is it! Galick Gun!"

"Alright! Kamehameha!"

An intense beam struggle ensued until the epicentre expanded into a brilliant light that both sides had to shut their eyes from.

"My," Whis commented, his coiffed hair billowing from the intensity of the clashing beams. "That is quite a light show. It is seems that your own attacks appear to be blinding you both. Whose attack will overpower the other's?"

Vegeta was slowly making headway with his Galick Gun, while Goku was hard-pressed to push it back. Goku yelled in frustration, and only made slight progress in pushing back the purple beam with his Kamehameha. Vegeta's attack inched closer, and Whis hummed in approval of Vegeta, with a hand on his chin.

"This… is where you lose, Kakarot!" Vegeta panted.

Goku thought to himself, 'C'mon… gotta concentrate. Now what was it Master Roshi and Whis said? Detach myself from myself, somehow? My… consciousness! And every part of my body has to move on its own… by its own instinct!'

Goku's eyes closed as he calmed himself and began to breathe slower and more evenly.

Vegeta shouted resolutely, "I won't allow you to take all the glory this time!"

'Ngh, I don't think it's gonna work. Vegeta keeps yelling at me!' Goku grimaced, annoyed, with his eyes still shut.

Whis was silent while he watched Goku's attempt to concentrate.

Vegeta noted Goku's extended silence on the other end, and was slightly curious. Was it that Kakarot was straining himself so much that he couldn't afford to speak? Or was he trying to come up with something?

Vegeta yelled and his hair turned a darker shade of blue, and his eyes were now also a deeper blue and more piercing. "It seems unlike you… I can remember how I performed… in my previous battles! Hyaaaah!" The power of Vegeta's Galick Gun skyrocketed.

Goku was trying his best to tune him out, but alas, his concentration was being thrown off. 'Just how can I tap into Ultra Instinct again? It wasn't even half a year ago!' Goku wondered, annoyed with himself.

"What's with… the silence, Kakarot?" Vegeta shouted.

"Ugh… It's no use! I'll have to try somethin' else!" Goku decided. "Kaioken times… twenty five!" He retained his Super Saiyan Blue transformation and stacked it with the red aura of the Kaioken, giving him a huge boost in power.

He maintained his current Kamehameha with one hand while simultaneously charging another in his other hand.

"Ka…" Vegeta blinked.

"Me…" He couldn't be charging a Kamehameha.

"Ha…" 'He's already firing one!'

"Me…" 'How can this be?!' Vegeta thought, his heart racing.

"…HA!" A huge blue light erupted from Goku's other palm, making two streams of ki rocket towards Vegeta's Galick Gun in unison.

"No!" Vegeta shouted, "I will not end up second-best again! This time, I'm the one coming out on top!"

With another battle cry, Vegeta's attack power exploded like Goku's. Now, the beam struggle was much more intense and dangerous, but both parties would not give in to the other at all.

"Ugh, just what are they doing to create such a bright light?" Beerus grumbled as he approached Whis.

Whis greeted him by nodding his head. "Ah, Lord Beerus. You've come here at a very exciting point in Goku and Vegeta's battle."

Beerus responded nonchalantly, "Really, now. How long have they been at it? I've lost track."

Whis hummed, "Oh, I'd say about two and a half hours, my Lord. These Saiyans sure do have a lot of stamina."

Beerus replied, "They eat like ravenous beasts for a reason, I suppose."

'Says another ravenous beast,' the Angel wanted to retort jokingly, but he refrained. Whis directed Beerus' attention to the fight. "Do you notice what Vegeta is doing?"

Beerus eyed Vegeta for a moment, then blinked in intrigue. "Ah, I thought his ki felt different than before. He's doing that transformation again?"

Whis hummed in response, "Oh, yes. Vegeta has pushed himself to activate his evolved state of Super Saiyan Blue."

"Impressive. The battle prowess of these two sure is something." He yawned, feeling a little groggy. "Anyway, I'm going to take a dip in the sauna. By the time I finish, there had better still be ground to walk on, or else there will be serious consequences for the both of them!"

Whis acknowledged him with a chuckle. "I will be watching them closely, my Lord, rest assured."

As Beerus flew away to his luxurious sauna, Whis pondered something. 'A battle between Goku and Vegeta against Lord Beerus would be a very interesting one, no doubt. At the Saiyans' current level, though, I'd say they're definitely not ready. Perhaps another few years or so of training for them both could garner much greater results, but it would still not be anywhere near enough to fight at Lord Beerus' level.'

'I can't give in now!' Goku thought to himself. Both arms outstretched, blasting forth his improvised twin Kamehamehas, he was feeling the strain. The same went for Vegeta, whose attack was being fed so much ki that it was getting very hard to sustain.

Whis got the feeling that both sides were starting to falter in their offences. "Oooh. The climax!" He grinned in anticipation.

With every last ounce of his remaining energy, Vegeta reinvigorated his Galick Gun, and began steadily overtaking Goku's beams.

Goku noticed this. 'What?! Is Kaioken times twenty five… not enough?'

Goku then had a flashback…

'This planet is as good as space dust!'

'Heh…' Goku managed a smile. 'Just like old times, huh?'

"Kaioken… Agh… Kaioken times…!" Goku's red aura flashed even stronger as he attempted to activate a different multiplier.

"Ugh-!" Goku grimaced as he realised he couldn't combat Vegeta's beam anymore. It inched too closely now.

"Wha… Waaaaa!" Goku braced himself for a world of pain as the purple light engulfed him.

Vegeta heard his yells, and disengaged his attack, dropping to one knee on the ground. Sweating and panting, his hair faded to black.

Whis went over to check on Goku, who was lying on his back, looking totally spent on all accounts. His clothes were singed all over. "Goku? Are you alright?"

Goku didn't respond for a moment, but then his fingers twitched.

"Goku? Hellooo?"

"…Whis…" Goku breathed out.

"It seems that you took on the brunt of Vegeta's attack. I assume you must be hurting somewhere?"

Goku coughed then smirked, "You… could say that…"

Whis turned to Vegeta and congratulated him, "Very well done, Vegeta! You have well and truly emerged victorious. Goku is down for the count and out!"

"I… I did it…" Vegeta flopped onto the ground, arms out. "I fi… finally beat Kakarot!"

Goku closed his eyes. "Aw, man… I'm definitely… gonna train… harder after this!"

Whis said to Goku, "Allow me to give you a few pointers towards what you should focus on improving for the next bout. Firstly, since you you allowed your thoughts and emotions to alter your channeling of energy, you failed to activate Ultra Instinct like you wanted. And, using a multiplier of Kaioken that you are not familiar with puts a huge strain on your unprepared body. That would definitely be a recipe for disaster, Goku."

Goku in turn nodded slightly and smiled. "I understand, Whis. You can bet I'll master higher multipliers of Kaioken, and I'll definitely try to master Ultra Instinct!"

Whis regarded him with a pleased smile and responded, "That's the spirit. Lord Beerus is taking a lovely bath for now, and perhaps during this time, you should both rest in your chambers. I take it you don't need any assistance in getting there?"

Vegeta quipped, "I take it that was a sarcastic question?"

Whis chuckled with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, I had best be leaving you two for now. Ta-ta!" He flew off, leaving an annoyed Vegeta and a tired Goku.

Goku groaned. "Hey, I dunno 'bout you… but I think I'll just take a nap right here…"

Vegeta responded, "That's fine by me. I guess you're too weak to travel to your own bed. I'll be off to mine; by getting there, I'll have a little more training under my belt."

Goku watched him leave. "Aw, c'mon. He's counting that as training? I guess I'd better not fall behind then!"

Goku shakily got up to follow him, his whole body aching. A good while later, both Saiyans made it back to their chambers to recover. A loud growl could be heard as Vegeta was about to doze off.

Goku laughed in his bed, "Man, what a bad time to be hungry! Hehehe!"

Vegeta sighed from his bed, "Of course…"

Back with those at the Son household…

Videl giggled. "Bardock?"

"What?"

"A certain someone is sneaking up to you."

Bardock looked around to find the toddler peeking at him from behind the couch. He grumbled, "Can that kid leave me the hell-" He cleared his throat. "…leave me alone?"

Pan had a curious expression. She wanted to make it her mission to understand this person's unhappy behaviour. Trunks and Goten also giggled at Pan's approach.

"Make poh-poh?" Pan opened and closed her hands at Bardock, trying to imitate something.

Videl soon caught on. "Oh, sweetie, you want Bardock to make you a little light in his hand? But I can do that too, you know! What about my pretty lights that I make for you, huh?"

Pan pointed a finger at him while looking at her mother. "Grey-gran'pa make poh-poh?"

Bardock looked agitated due to the kid's incessant interest in him. "Why does she keep wanting to come to me? I ain't doing some light show when anyone else could do it for her." He crossed his arms.

Pan comprehended the gesture and pouted.

Videl explained, "She just likes meeting new people. Besides, you just look too much like her grandpa to not be her next target! I'd say just indulge her and when she's eventually bored of you-"

Bardock cut in, "I could just go back to the ship."

Videl retorted, "Excuse me? That's rude! She's only a child. Haven't you been travelling with some these past few weeks?"

Bardock gave her a look of clear annoyance. 'Exactly,' he thought.

Videl scooped up Pan in her arms, and brought her slightly closer to Bardock.

"Poh-poh pwease?" Pan asked with a huge glistening eyes.

A few seconds passed, and Bardock rolled his eyes. Looking away with a huff, he opened a hand and created a ball of harmless energy.

He heard a squeal and looked back. Pan clapped in awe and appreciation, then started to laugh, making him feel uncomfortable for not only being the absolute centre of attention for so long, but for being so while entertaining a toddler.

What a very Saiyan thing to do.

"Yay, yaaay!" Pan cheered.

"Alright, that's it…" Bardock decided as he extinguished his ki ball, "I gotta go train."

Chichi approached him. "Well, if you say so, mister. But you have to take with you some of the food the kids brought. We can't have it around them for much longer or they might start taking some to eat in secret! Which they better not do." The boys heard her and gulped. "Anyway, I'm glad you came to see your little great-granddaughter!"

Bardock nodded, and took a couple of the plainer-looking items from the table.

"See ya later, Grandpa!" Goten waved to him.

"Bye, Bardock!" Videl and Trunks bode farewell.

"Bye-bye!" little Pan called out, waving her hand to everyone's surprise.

Bardock walked out of the door with a quick two-finger salute to the group. He then flew over to his ship to store the food, before proceeding to find somewhere in the area to train in peace.

However, many thoughts passed through his mind as he trained, and most were centred around that little girl. His face had a frown.

Bardock knew this planet was a danger magnet…

…So, he quickened his sit-ups.