DISCLAIMER:

Vetyga: (Breaks into Rath's safe and pulls out a stack of papers) Aha! I knew it! The next chapter for TTWV was here all along…

Rath: (Yawns) It wasn't finished yet…

Vetyga: Wait, you saw me breaking in to the safe and didn't try to stop me?

Rath: Well… It's finished now, so doesn't matter.

Vetyga: (Pouts) It isn't fun if you just say go ahead and steal it...

Rath: Just post it for me, would ya? Time to put those fancy smancy assistant skills to work!

Vetyga: (Rushes off enthusiastically) On it! Say no more!

Rath: (Turns to the reader) We still don't own DBZ, but alas, enjoy the chapter!

IN THE PAST WORLD, ABOARD THE 'GHOUL SABER':

With the elder's demise, the colorful mist slowly thickened as the surrounding plants continued to emit an endless supply. It stalked towards them like an amorphous predator hungry for blood.

There was no time to question the King's actions.

"Fly up!" Goku called out.

"Step aside!" a commanding voice bellowed moments before Trunks could grab hold of Vegge.

Trunks paused as the King approached them until he was not even at arm's length away. Trunks glared up at the man. "It's too late," he snapped. "Nothing you do will ever make it right."

King Vegeta's expression darkened. "Why you insolent…"

"Fly up now!" Goku's urgent shout interrupted him mid-sentence.

It took but a glance around the room to rein their focus back to the current situation. Here was not the place for discussion. The King conceded for the time-being and flew up to the ceiling without another word of protest.

"You know, I coulda handled it on my own," Trunks commented as he joined them up in the air— Vegge in his arms. "That old guy wasn't very strong. He just took me by surprise with all that plant stuff. Cheating really…"

Goku chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe if you didn't get weakened on Frieza's ship…"

Trunks's face flushed red. "That had nothing to do with it! I was clearly the superior fighter even with that taken into account."

"If you say so," Goku replied. "Anyways, we should get going before everything resets itself."

King Vegeta could not take his eyes off Vegge. He questioned, "This 'loop'… When it resets, I won't remember any of this, will I?"

"You won't," Goku confirmed after a moment's hesitation.

"And the brat truly is my son?" the King asked, but he already knew the answer.

"What do you care?" Trunks retorted.

"What's with all the hostility, Trunks?" Goku raised an eyebrow.

"You weren't there, Goku," Trunks replied, his eyes locked onto the Saiyan King. "You didn't see Vegge's reaction when the King disowned him."

King Vegeta rubbed his temples in annoyance. "I can't disown what I never had, boy."

"Oh? Why the change of heart?" Trunks questioned. "You didn't care earlier. What's the point? Soon we'll be gone and you won't remember a thing."

"I don't have to explain myself to you," King Vegeta snapped. His patience was worn thin.

"No, but you will have to explain to Vegge," Trunks muttered as Vegge's body twitched. Vegge was regaining consciousness.

WITHIN THE DEPTHS OF VEGGE'S MIND:

Vegge's form faded in and out as his older self dropped him unceremoniously to the ground.

Vegeta stared down at Vegge with a hardened expression. "Get up, Vegge," he ordered.

For a long time, Vegge remained motionless. Vegge heard the words, but he couldn't bring himself to obey. Who did his older self think he was— Frieza? He had no right to order him around like this!

"Get up," Vegeta repeated. His irritation was almost palpable. "I tire of your games."

"I don't have to listen to you," Vegge snapped. "I do what I want. You're not my master! You have no control over me." He made no effort to move.

"Oh, I know your master well enough," Vegeta commented. "But where you're mistaken is that you think you can do whatever you want without consequences."

Vegge resented that statement. He knew all about 'consequences'. How dare his older self tell him otherwise?

Vegge flinched as a strong pair of hands forced him to his feet. For a moment, his resolve wavered as he expected to be beaten for his insolence, but no blows came. The child stared up at Vegeta trying to gauge his intentions, but the older Saiyan was far too good at keeping his face blank.

After a tense staring contest, it was Vegge who averted his eyes away first.

Vegeta nodded as he released his iron grip on the boy. He was satisfied by Vegge's subtle display of fear. It did not matter if the fear was justified or not. As long as the boy feared him, Vegeta would not have to worry about his family's lives being jeopardized. Vegge would do as he was told and tell Kakarrot and the others about the riddle.

But was it enough?

IN THE PRESENT WORLD:

Piccolo stood at the edge of Dende's Lookout, observing the clouds in the distance. They were darker than before—black and red. Flashes of lightning hit the earth with greater frequency. If anything, the storm was growing worse in intensity. He glanced over at the Saiyan prince.

Vegeta had not moved from his spot since their meeting had adjourned. He seemed to be locked within some troubling dream. Every so often, Piccolo would hear the prince mumbling. Most words were too jumbled to make much sense out of, but one word stuck out above the rest: Vegge.

'Is it just a dream or is he currently communicating with his past self?' Piccolo wondered.

Piccolo wasn't the only one to take note.

"I don't think it's a good idea to rely on Vegeta's younger self," Yamcha voiced from across the courtyard.

"I don't like it any more than you do," Chichi admitted. She gently combed her hand through a sea of flowers before crushing one of them in her fist. "To think the lives of my precious Goku and Goten rests in the hands of some mass murderer… Unthinkable!"

"Vegeta's the only one with a connection," Gohan replied with a shrug. "We have to trust him to make it work. He'll pull through for us."

"Did you miss the memo?" Yamcha asked. "Vegeta can't do a thing from here."

"Well, no…" Gohan agreed. "But it's all we've got at the moment… You have a better solution?"

Yamcha turned his focus to the 'dreaming' prince. Since it was made clear that going back to the past themselves was not an option, what more could they do?

"Let's not give up hope," Videl piped in as she wrapped her arms around Gohan's waist and rested her head against his shoulder. "Even when things look bad, it always works out in the end!"

Gohan grinned at his wife. "Exactly!"

IN THE PAST WORLD:

"We should get back to the ship before we too are trapped in the loop," Goku said as he stared at the swirling mist below. He led the way out of the room. "Follow me."

"Ya…" Trunks muttered, sending a hateful glare at the Saiyan King trailing behind them. He wanted the man to know he wasn't welcome with them, but the King paid him no mind.

"So, uh, you're the King of Saiyans, huh?" Goku asked in an attempt to make conversation.

"I am."

"Oh, well, that's cool," Goku said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Trunks rolled his eyes.

"It must be weird seeing your future son, huh?" Goku asked.

"I don't know what to think of that. The brat hardly speaks," King Vegeta replied. "His behavior is… odd at best… I see too much weakness in him."

Goku stared ahead. "If you knew him, I think you would judge him differently."

"Doubtful," King Vegeta disagreed. "Still… I'd rather not have my own blood trapped aboard this bloody ship."

"Does this mean you are helping us?" Goku asked.

"No," the King replied, gesturing towards Vegge. "I'm helping him."

A small grin played across Goku's face, but he chose not to comment.

ELSEWHERE ABOARD THE 'GHOUL SABER':

Bulma and Goten were waiting anxiously in the air duct for Goku's return. Rah was still laying unconscious behind them. The duct was high enough in the wall that the mist from the floor posed little threat to them.

'How much time has passed since I had spoken to Dende?' Bulma wondered. 'It can't be much longer before the Rift opens. If we miss it...'

The air became notably frigid and stale. The walls of the ship slowly aged before their very eyes as small cracks snaked along the walls and gradually turned dull and antique-looking in color. The orange mist ebbed away and faded from view until no remnants remained.

"Miss Bulma?" Goten's eyes widened as he looked up at Bulma.

"I know," Bulma replied. They were out of time. The loop was about to reset. Of that she was certain.

Bulma glanced back at Rah. The Saiyan girl repeatedly faded in and out.

"Rah?" Bulma called out. She moved to place a hand on Rah's arm, but her hand passed right through her.

"Rah?" Bulma repeated a bit louder, but Rah did not awaken.

Rah's breathing came to a complete stop. The girl faded in and out one last time before vanishing like a long lost memory.

Goten remained silent. Normally, he would try to say something reassuring, but now he was at a loss for words. Deep down he knew Rah was gone forever.

Silent tears slid down Bulma's cheeks as her hand rested where Rah had lain mere moments prior. Bulma had seen the hint of a smile on the girl's face before she faded permanently. That smile was filled with hope and content. They'd made a difference in her life. Even though it was only for a day and would be forgotten once the loop completed, it was enough.

"Help me down, Goten," Bulma said as she wiped the bittersweet tears from her eyes. "Let's find the others."

ELSEWHERE ABOARD THE 'GHOUL SABER':

Bulma and Goten were not the only ones to note the changes in the ship's interior. Goku and Trunks made brief eye contact before pressing forward with a greater sense of urgency.

Only the King didn't seem to notice, but then again, his focus was entirely on his future son… Or at least, the son of his non-time looped self. King Vegeta rubbed his temples. The thought of it was enough to give him a headache.

As the effects of the mist wore off, Vegge regained full consciousness. He heaved uncontrollably, but nothing came up. His eyes clenched tightly closed as his malnourished body trembled from the exertion.

King Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with him?"

Trunks hesitated before admitting, "I don't know."

"Trunks!" a voice called out.

"Trunks! Dad!" a younger voice mirrored the first.

Trunks looked up in time to see his mom and Goten bounding down the hallway towards them.

"Goku, the ship…" Bulma started, but Goku interrupted.

"We know," Goku replied. "We have to leave now. No time."

Goten noticed King Vegeta and waved. "Hi, I'm Goten!"

"Hn," the King replied curtly.

At Bulma's questioning look, Goku replied, "This is King Vegeta. He's helping us. …Also, he knows about the loop."

Bulma nodded. If he was aware of the loop, then he knew he was a mere fragment of time. His fate would be the same as Rah's.

Goku glanced behind Bulma before redirecting his eyes back to hers. It was a purposeful gesture.

In response, Bulma shook her head 'no'. It was an unspoken answer to an unspoken question.

'Where is Rah?'

'Rah is gone…'

Goku nodded solemnly. "Time to go."

King Vegeta's scouter beeped. He scowled as he hit the side button to answer the call. "Lord Frieza."

"What is… y… status?" Frieza's voice came in choppy.

"Lord Frieza, there are…" King Vegeta replied as he looked from Goku to Bulma to Goten to Trunks and finally to Vegge. "There are no survivors. All signs of life exterminated."

"And here… thought… brats… slow you down," Frieza said. "…more useful… th… expected."

"Both brats were weak," the King lied. "They died in the process."

Even Goku and the others could hear Frieza's maniacal laughter at that statement. The King's eye twitched in annoyance.

"Is that all, Lord Fr-?" King Vegeta spat out, but the signal cut off before he could finish his question. He growled. He wasn't sure if it was due to the bad transmission aboard the 'Ghoul Saber' or if Frieza had purposely cut the signal. He turned off his scouter.

"We don't have long before the lizard heads to the loading docks," King Vegeta stated.

"Thank you by the way," Goku said in gratitude. "You lied on our behalf."

"No…" King Vegeta corrected, gesturing once again to Vegge. "I lied on his behalf. Until the loop resets, it's better for him to think the brat dead."

"Such a noble gesture from the Seijin, isn't it?" a feminine voice echoed around them like a whisper in a forlorn cave. "I helped you and here you turn around and team up with those better dead. Why? Guchwey kau!"

There was no mistaking that voice…

"Galan?" Goku looked around in anticipation, but the Yuuli was no where to be found.

"I'm here… I'm there… I can be anywhere at a moment's notice here on the 'Ghoul Saber'. I am an Aware after all. Now you know, don't you? But you ruined everything! It is unforgiveable! It wasn't supposed to end this way."

"What's that supposed to mean? Why don't you show yourself instead of hiding?" Trunks called out.

"Very well," Galan replied as her ghostly pale form materialized a short distance away from them.

Goku stood in between Galan and his companions. "Your grudge against the Saiyans is misplaced."

"What would you know, Time Traveler?" Galan challenged. "What? Surprised I know of that? The good scientist told you all the Awares are connected, didn't he? You forgot?"

"We know the truth of what happened… The experiments you did with captive Saiyan children… We know everything that led to this loop's creation in the first place."

"I never took part in that," Galan insisted. "It was the Schlakarr. The elder you killed… Brilliant scientist and giver of multi-chances... That was his doing, not mines. But now it is ruined. Never has he died in the loop. Never have I been the last. The Schlakarr is the Resetter. Now that task falls to me."

"You don't have to go through with it. Aren't you tired of reliving the same day over and over again?" Goku asked.

"Not if it means we finally get our revenge," Galan retorted.

"What revenge? The unlooped versions of your enemies remain unaffected by this loop of yours," Goku replied.

"None of that matters if we have him," Galan glared at Vegge. "He's already linked… at least partially. That is enough. Even if we never join the non-looped timeline, he himself is from it. It is only proper we punish him for the deeds of his race. It always falls to the next in line."

Goku sent both Trunks and King Vegeta a warning glance before they could act rashly.

"Does this mean you would accept punishment for the deaths of all those Saiyan children your race tortured?" Goku asked. It wasn't a rhetorical question.

Galan hesitated.

"Listen, I'm not going to argue that the Saiyans didn't do terrible things," Goku started. "But now that you are the last, it is up to you to decide if you truly wish to continue living in this curse or if you wish to finally rest at peace. How many years has it been since it started, but yet here you are still repeating the same day? When is it ever going to be enough? Punishing Vegge over and over for this makes no more sense than punishing you for the things you had no part of."

After a long moment of silence, Galan turned her back towards them and uttered one word, "Go."

Goku grinned at her. "Thank y…"

"I said 'GO'! Now! Before I change my mind," Galan interrupted dismissively. She did not want to be thanked for this treason. "You have 15 minutes. That's as long as I will grant you before this ship fades for eternity… And you with it."

With that said, she vanished, but her voice echoed around them in a melody. At first it sounded with an air of soft uncertainty, but as the verses repeated over and over it became strong and resolute.

"Imril… lutec… sto…. Lu...tec sto... imril lang… Ami lumelo sto... Lumelo... ami lang..."

Swirling beams of light consisting of blue and golden hues began to glow from a distant teleporting platform. At first it was very slow and dim.

"Imril lutec sto... Lutec sto imril lang... Ami lumelo sto... Lumelo ami lang!"

With each verse sung, the light intensified and spun faster and faster.

"IMRIL LUTEC STO! LUTEC STO IMRIL LANG! AMI LUMELO STO! LUMELO AMI LANG...!"

At last, the beams of the teleporter had woven in and out until an intricate lattice of was formed. Galan had opened up a gateway back to the loading docks.

Goku still had a grin on his face as he stepped through. The others followed his lead. In moments, they found themselves in view of the ship they had stolen from Frieza. Once it was confirmed everyone was through, Galan's song stopped.

"Your countdown starts now," Galan's voice whispered from everywhere at once.

They didn't need to be told twice. At long last the Z Warriors prepared to board the ship.

"Wait…" King Vegeta spoke up from behind them. "Give me 5 minutes to speak to the boy… Alone."

Trunks had half a mind to ignore him… And he did just that until Goku grabbed him by the back of his shirt.

Trunks glared at Goku and then the King. "No! There's no point."

Bulma's eyes softened towards her son. Trunks was so protective over his father's younger self. He was afraid. Bulma placed her hand to Goku's arm and shook her head.

Goku relented, releasing his grip on Trunks's shirt. "Fine, Trunks. Not going to force you to go along with it, but make sure your choice is in Vegge's best interest and not your own."

With that said, Goku, Goten, and Bulma continued up the ramp and entered the ship. Bulma paused briefly at the ship's entryway, but she did not glance back.

Trunks was torn about what to do. At last he admitted, "I just don't want to see him hurt anymore."

"I just want to talk to him," King Vegeta replied. "This is the last chance I have. I'd rather not waste it."

"Fine," Trunks conceded as he lowered Vegge to the ground. "Five minutes. Then lead him up to the ship's entry." He turned away and walked briskly towards the ship before he could change his mind. Trunks had not always had the best relationship with his father, yet his father meant everything to him. Perhaps this was the same.

The King nodded gruffly before turning his attention to Vegge. Vegge was still too nauseous to stand on his own.

"When's the last time you had eaten, brat?" King Vegeta asked.

Vegge was aware of the question, but chose not to answer.

"I don't have time for this," the King growled as he bent down and roughly forced Vegge to his feet. He didn't intend to be so harsh, but time was ticking down. He had no time for this. Not now. "Answer the question."

The sudden motion made Vegge's head spin. King Vegeta had to keep a firm grip on him lest he collapse.

The child heaved again before replying, "I d-don't know."

"Explain," King Vegeta demanded.

"I d-don't know," Vegge repeated.

The King sighed. This five minutes was turning into a huge waste of time. It was aggravating. Trunks was right. Nothing would ever make this right. Vegge was too far gone.

King Vegeta's iron grip tightened around Vegge's arm as he practically dragged the boy up the ramp to the ship. He roughly shoved Vegge inside and walked away wordlessly. Only 3 minutes had passed.

"Wait!" Trunks called out to him, but the King kept walking.

Before the King reached the base of the ramp, he faded away in a wisp of smoke. His one and only chance to tell Vegge what he truly thought of him had passed. Vegge would never hear the words forever lost to eternity:

"I was wrong. You truly are my son..."

Rath: And so concludes this chapter for TTWV. Looks like the Z Warriors are finally on track for Schreetept. Thank you again to all those who continue to read/review this story. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Until next time… Sawatdee!