Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ At Odds ❯ The Fight ( Chapter 20 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. I don't have that kind of artistic skill. Even my stick figures look like the cat coughed them up.

 

Thanks to LisaB for her editing. I will miss her skill.

 

Chapter Twenty

The Fight

 

As the titans collided, a showery explosion of ki and ice expanded through the room, disintegrating everything in its path. The few remaining guards were killed instantly, and little Trunks was thrown against the back of his cage, landing on the ground unconscious.

 

Bulma would have been blown to dust if not for the quick thinking of Goku. He wrapped his body around hers, erecting a ki shield to absorb the monstrous blast. The rope that held her snapped under the force, brutally tossing them nearly a hundred yards. They would have crashed into the wall, but the wave of ki destroyed the room, leaving it open to the elements. Goku blinked through a haze of blood, the bright sparkle of the distant sun shining on the ice momentarily blinding him.

 

King Cold and Vegeta stood in what would have been the center of the room, locked in ferocious combat. Goku could barely see their attacks as they moved at super-sonic speeds, breaking the sound barrier with nearly deafening blows.

 

Goku had never been outside the protective palace walls, and the cold open air almost froze him on the spot. He kept his shield up, glance around him. The domes of the palace stood in a distance, shining pale against the sky. Most of the complex was underground, carved out of the ice, and could not be seen from the surface.

 

They were in a field of snow, bright and sparkling, untouched and pure. A mountain stoically stood guard, its overhang of ice and snow leering menacingly over them.

 

A loud boom shattered the air, and Goku whipped around to look at the combatants. Vegeta and Cold had separated, briefly pausing their frenzied battle. Both were blood-stained and their clothes ripped. Vegeta stood silently, his gaze terrifying in its absolute stillness. King Cold was breathing heavily but in no way winded. His own gaze was murderous; his cruel eyes jumped to and fro, seeking a chink in Vegeta's armor.

 

Goku knew that this was only a prologue. They had danced briefly, sliding in and out of each others defenses looking for their strengths and weaknesses. His blood sang with its own battle lust, but he knew that this fight wasn't his. King Cold had tortured him, taunted him and eventually broke him, but there was no denying that he couldn't defeat him. This battle had to be left to Vegeta---his king.

 

He swept up Bulma's unmoving body, her weight less than a feather to him. He stopped to grab up Trunks, wanting to take him away from the biting cold. Goku wasn't sure where to take them. Back to the palace would be suicide, but they couldn't stay here.

 

Goku and his charges were completely ignored by Vegeta and Cold. They only had eyes for each other. Cold was achingly aware that he stood across from the man who had killed his son. He wanted vengeance, he could taste it on his tongue, but he was also cautious. The man he faced was no weakling. It would have taken a great warrior to defeat his son in battle.

 

Vegeta watched as Cold stared at him. He knew the lizard was thinking of his offspring, wondering at the strength of the man who defeated Frieza. Vegeta stood proud, wearing his battle prowess like a badge of honor.

 

He was distantly aware of another time and place. He had fought this battle before, only it wasn't Frieza that stood across him, but his father. Vegeta felt none of the trepidation that he had felt on Namek. Instead he felt nothing but overwhelming confidence. This battle would quickly be over.

 

No words, but silent consent heralded the continuation of the battle. They raced towards each other, their feet leaving the ground, sprays of snow trailing them. They rammed together with such force that their ki spiked in all directions.

 

Sickening purple merged with royal blue. They spiraled upward, unhindered by gravity. They grappled, hands swinging and feet kicking. Their eyes locked in a mental battle of dominance. Neither looked away; neither showed weakness.

 

They slammed into the overhang of ice, their bodies corkscrewing through the mass until they exploded from the top. There was a heartbreaking groan from the mountain, followed by a sharp crack. The overhang teetered, tenaciously clinging to the side of the mountain. Its battle was quickly lost as ice and snow tumbled down the mountain, gaining momentum with every yard.

 

Soon there was a hungry ocean of relentless snow. It buried the icy plain in a blindingly white wave. The ten ton weight collapsed the underground rooms, crushing those who were inside.

 

It reached out, sliding its way towards the palace and the city that surrounded it. The ice mowed over the ice-bricked walls, burying half the city before its hunger was sated.

 

The two enemies continued to climb, uncaring of the destruction they wrought. They battled endlessly, disregarding their ki in favor of their fists. The satisfaction of feeling their bare fists hit flesh was enough.

 

They entered the upper atmosphere, and Vegeta smirked. He had participated in this battle before. At the top of the world he had captured Frieza and sent him careening towards Namek. His evil smile grew as the knowledge that victory was at hand spread through him.

 

Cold saw Vegeta's victorious glint in his eyes. His lips stretched over sharp teeth, a mocking rumble echoing from his chest.

 

“You know what they say, Vegeta. Don't count your egg laying birds.”

 

Vegeta looked at his enemy oddly before snorting in disregard. “I have you, Cold. Soon you are going to join your pathetic son in the next dimension.”

 

Cold's smile melted, and he glared at Vegeta. “My son was one of the greatest rulers of the universe. He would have kept you as his pet if you hadn't stabbed him in the back. You cheated, Vegeta, like a sick, pathetic worm that couldn't do it on his own.”

 

Vegeta felt rage trickle through him. He was still in his dark-haired form, his blue ki snapping around him. He was a little afraid of turning super Saiyan. What if the darkness was still there, waiting to infect him when he was at his greatest glory?

 

He made a vicious jab for Cold's head, growling when the lizard ducked at the last second.

 

“Cheated!” he roared. “I never cheated at anything. I assure you, he was facing me when I ripped his putrescent head from his neck.”

 

Cold pulled back, twirling effortlessly in the air. He swung his tail, aiming for Vegeta's legs. The prince easily avoided them, but he nearly lost his stomach contents when the lizard retaliated with a horn gorge to the midsection. Vegeta dodged, but not soon enough. A shallow cut dripped blood down his abs.

 

“You did cheat, Vegeta. You hid yourself away, using some fancy machine to train in. Worse it was created by some harebrained girl!”

 

Vegeta snapped his hand out, his fingers curling like an iron band around Cold's neck. He held him there immobile for just a moment.

 

“She is far from harebrained,” Vegeta spat.

 

Cold jerked away, disgust curling his lips.

 

“You're pathetic. Getting help from some woman. Using her machines to make yourself stronger. It's disgraceful.”

 

Vegeta smirked, amused at the lizard king's outrage.

 

“It's not cheating if you win. I found the best possible way to become the strongest in the universe. How I did it is of no concern. All that matters is that I put your precious son in his grave, and you are about to join him.”

 

Cold snarled in rage and tried to lash out at Vegeta, but Vegeta was too fast, and dodged under his arms, dancing away from the flailing feet.

 

As they passed through cold and then heat, they raised their ki shields, creating their own comfortable atmosphere. They crested the top, only a thin layer of ozone, protecting them from the vacuum of space.

 

Cold looked back, and Vegeta followed his gaze. Endless blackness stretched about before them. It was decorated by stars, shining diamonds set in velvet. A small sun, reached out its rays, its weak light barely touching the ice planet. Vegeta took a moment to enjoy the view. He knew it was the end of the line for Cold, and he wanted to memorize everything.

 

“There's one thing you don't know about me, Vegeta.” Cold turned back towards the windswept prince.

 

Vegeta rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in front of him. He stood firm on nothing more than shifting air, unwavering in his surety that he had won.

 

“Like I care.”

 

Cold smirked. “Oh I think you might. You see, I can survive in outer space.”

 

Cold dropped his bomb with relish, looking closely for any change in Vegeta's posture.

 

He didn't so much as flinch. Vegeta's control over his body was astronomical. Years as Frieza's slave had taught him to hide emotion. No, to banishemotion. One wrong twitch and he would have been a goner.

 

But Vegeta was worried. He didn't have the ability to survive in outer space. Of course his body was honed by years of rigorous training in hostile environments, but an extended battle in space was risky. He could battle limitlessly in a thin atmosphere like Primus, but actual space would require a shield and not just any shield.

 

It would have to be thicker than his normal ki shield. It would have to be able to hold the oxygen that he would need to breathe, but it would only be big enough for about thirty minutes of air. That, of course, was if it didn't get breached, something that was bound to happened in battle.

 

Not only would he have to concentrate on the battle, but he would have to extend his shield to throw a punch, or slick it against his skin to take a blow. If he used his shield to deflect a punch it would more than likely be ruptured. If he was too far from the planet, he might die before he could get back for more air.

 

Cold smile faltered when he didn't see a reaction from Vegeta. He was almost certain that Saiyans couldn't breathe in space. But then again, he had no idea what a super Saiyan could do.

 

Vegeta reached out to grab Cold, intending to keep him within the atmosphere, but the lizard was too fast. He erected a shield, and was through the burning ozone in seconds. Vegeta stood silently watching him as he went. Once on the other side some miles away, Cold stopped and turned around. He smiled broadly when Vegeta didn't follow.

 

“Who's the coward now, Cold?” Vegeta yelled across the distance, knowing very well that Cold's hyper-sensitive hearing could hear a mouse scurry across the planet..

 

Cold shrugged his arms nonchalantly, grinning menacingly. The Ice-jinn didn't believe in honor. His jibes had been directed at Vegeta's Saiyan sense of fair play. King Cold was out to win, not to play some little game.

 

Vegeta grimaced in frustration. “You are never going to win out there, Cold. I should have known that you were a fucking pussy. You're going to forfeit just like that?”

 

Cold didn't answer instead he raised his hand, palm up. Mockingly he molded his blotchy purple ki into a ball, bouncing it on his hand.

 

“Oh, I don't intend to lose, monkey.” Cold hurled the ball towards Vegeta, safe behind his wall of ozone.

 

Vegeta side-stepped it with ease, but one was quickly followed by thousands. He raised his arms, crossing them over his face to protect his eyes. Purple mists of ki enveloped him as balls bounced off him, ricocheting in the clouds. Others flew past, hitting the world below them, erupting into mushroom clouds of destruction.

 

The wave of ki balls stopped, trickling down to nothing. The mist dissipated, leaving Vegeta to stand silently in the center of it all. His head was down, shadows cast in his eyes. Slowly he lifted his head, his deep, penetrating gaze meeting Cold's.

 

“Now you've pissed me off,” Vegeta growled, barely audible to the Ice-jinn.

 

Cold jerked to attention as Vegeta began to gather his ki around him, sucking in his power. Blue lightning bolts slammed into him, convulsing his body. Vegeta's hands fisted at his sides turning his knuckles white. His head fell back, his tendons standing out starkly beneath his chin.

 

The blue ki turned to white, and then to gold. Light streamed through Vegeta's hair, turning the dark color blonde. His muscles bulged, and his power jumped. Before Cold's eyes he became a super Saiyan, the most unstoppable creature in the universe.

 

Vegeta rocked his head forward, his teal eyes locking onto his prey. Cold stood aghast, uncertain of what to do. Suddenly, Vegeta bolted forward, passing through the barrier without hesitation.

 

Vegeta knew that his new form would hide the ki shield he was forced to erect when exiting the atmosphere. He just prayed that he could keep the charade up long enough to defeat Cold.

 

He appeared before Cold, and struck without warning. He caught the reptile beneath the chin, sending him spiraling further out into space. Vegeta cursed under his breath, damning himself for the move. Every punch would send Cold further out to space, and Vegeta further from the planet.

 

What Vegeta needed to do was reposition himself so his back was to the blackness and Cold between him and the planet. It was easier said than done. Cold maneuvered artfully, never allowing the Saiyan to get around him.

 

The way he moved, Vegeta thought for sure that Cold knew that he couldn't sustain the vacuum for long, but the lizard was also skilled in the art of stoicism. They danced for long minutes, and every second was a nail in Vegeta's coffin. He pursued Cold relentlessly, striking his enemy painfully. Cold returned the blows, but less often and with less power.

 

They paused again, squaring off for the final battle. Vegeta caught a glimpse in Cold's eyes, something desperate. Vegeta felt a surge of excitement. If Cold did believe that the Saiyan could fight continuously in space then perhaps Vegeta could get the upper hand.

 

“Well, it's been fun,” hissed the Ice-jinn.

 

Vegeta cocked a brow, staring incredulously at the mysterious lizard. Exactly, where did he think he was going?

 

King Cold touched two fingers to his forehead, gifting Vegeta with one last smirk before he disappeared before Vegeta's disbelieving eyes.

 

Vegeta snapped to attention, his eyes darting about. He twirled in the air, looking for any clue where the lizard could have gone. He saw nothing, nothing but impenetrable darkness.

 

“NO!” he shouted his head back, and his hands fisted.

 

He felt a flicker of power, something new, down inside him. Vegeta ignored it for a minute, instead using his mental radar to detect his opponent. He felt him, but it couldn't be possible. King Cold was a half a galaxy away, somewhere by another planet crusted in ice.

 

Vegeta desire to chase after him was so strong it ate him up inside. There was no way he could make the journey, and by the time he got a ship, the lizard king would be long gone.

 

Despair and anger welled up inside of him. He latched onto Colds ki signature, trying with all his might to send his loathing towards the beast. He shook with disappointment, and he trembled with the need to chase after his enemy.

 

He was concentrating so hard on King Cold; he almost didn't realize it when something burst forth inside him. One minute he was glaring at the faraway planet and the next he felt his molecules start to come apart.

 

Vegeta snapped together so fast that he almost made himself dizzy. He stopped thinking about his anger, and his need for vengeance. He concentrated all of his thought to his insides, unable to believe what just happened. His body had almost flown apart. Was he so strong, that his body could no longer contain him? Vegeta looked deeper, but he didn't think that was the answer.

 

He was almost certain that he could project his body to another place, just by concentrating on a person's ki. It was the almost that made him hesitate. He was afraid that if he let his body fall apart that he might never reappear, but his anger at Cold was stronger.

 

He cleared his mind, concentrating only on King Cold. Everything fell away, and through the darkness of his mind, he began to see threads, hundreds of thousands of them, each leading to a different place. He shifted through them, looking for the one he wanted. Finally he came across a pulsing purple one that stood out from all the others. Vegeta reached out and grasped it, concentrating firmly on reaching the end . . . .

 

King Cold jumped back a few feet when Vegeta appeared before him. His jaw went slack, and his eyes bulged. They were hanging far above another frozen world, but this one was completely uninhabitable. Instinct told Vegeta not to lower his shield.

 

“Miss me?” Vegeta smirked.

 

For once King Cold forgot to hide his astonishment. “How did you…?” he started to ask, but his question drifted off in wonder.

 

“I'm the Prince --” Vegeta paused, almost uncertain. “I'm the Emperor of the universe. There is nothing that I can't do.”

 

Before Cold could pull himself together, Vegeta crossed his hands, slamming into his enemy's chest. Cold flew backward, threw misty clouds, and thick rain. He plummeted to the ground, shattering the ice, and crashing through the flesh of the world.

 

When King Cold didn't emerge, Vegeta lazily floated down from his perch on the raging winds. He peered into the hole, past the layers of ice and into the hard crust. His super Saiyan eyes could easily see into the dark, but he saw no sign of the lizard.

 

He cautiously entered the hole, aware that it may be a trap. Once inside he stopped to sweep the area, his piercing eyes missing nothing. The center of the world was a series of spacious caverns, the thin bones of rock and dirt, just barely keeping the outer layer from collapsing in on its self.

 

He thinned his shield, allowing a small amount of the planet's atmosphere in. He parted his lips, poking out the tip of his tongue. His brows grew together into a vee as he tasted the air. The planet was primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, which was a very volatile mixture.

 

A firm palm planted itself in Vegeta's back, nearly rupturing his shield. He flew forward into a thin pillar of dirt, breaking through it easily. Vegeta spun around, shaking dust to the ground.

 

“Ha! Your weakness!” Cold gloated.

 

Vegeta grimaced in response. Cold had felt his shield, and now he knew it was only a waiting game. All he had to do was let Vegeta's air run out.

 

Vegeta darted after Cold, but even though the Saiyan was much stronger than the lizard, he was no match for his speed. They raced through the cavern, breaking pillars and dodging boulders, but no matter how he pushed, Vegeta couldn't catch him.

 

He stopped, floating silently in the air. His oxygen was nearly gone. If he left now, even with his instant transmission, Cold would be gone before he could return. He had no choice left. He had to destroy the monster, even if it meant killing himself.

 

Vegeta turned to the side, his stance proud and unbreakable. His gold hair waved up from his face, framing his head like a crown. He extended his right arm, holding it straight away from his body. He flexed his wrist, drawing his hand parallel to his body, tucking his thumb into his palm. In his ascended form, his Big Bang attack would be devastated and he didn't need to hit his opponent to kill him.

 

Hydrogen heated to one hundred thousand degrees or more would turn molten. The entire core of the planet would heat up like the corona of a sun, leaving no room for survival. Not even he could survive such a blast.

 

King Cold appeared in front of him, smiling indulgently.

 

“You take so long, Vegeta. A three-legged dog could dodge your blast.”

 

A white ball of ki formed in Vegeta's hand, glowing so brightly it nearly hurt his eyes. His temperature shot up, and his face beaded with sweat as he held the ball. He kept the burning mass in the center of his palm, feeding it more and more energy, until it became a nova bomb of power.

 

“Dodge this,” he spat as the blast flew from his hand.

 

At the last moment, King Cold understood what Vegeta was up too. He extended his own ki around the ball attempting to contain it. Vegeta watched as the lizard struggled, startling aware that he wasn't dead yet.

 

He took no time in seeking out a thread, any thread that would take him anywhere. He reached out grasping it just as Cold's power failed. There was an intense flash of light, and Vegeta closed his eyes against it, sure that he had failed.

 

He waited for the burning caress of the molten hydrogen, but there was nothing. He opened one eye, bravely taking a peek. He met Kakarot's eyes that were shining in joy. Vegeta quickly snapped both eyes open looking around him.

 

“Where is everyone?” he barked, but Kakarot only shrugged in response.

 

He was in King Cold's throne room; the only people present were himself in Super Saiyan form, Kakarot, his tiny son, and Bulma.

 

Vegeta looked down at his mate. She was lying on an ice sculpted settee, her blue hair falling like a waterfall, pooling on the ground. Her face was pale, beyond white.

 

When he had searched for a thread, a ki to escape, hers was the one that came to him the easiest. Sapphire blue, it had reached for him as he put his hand out, welcoming him warmly. But her ki stand had been weak, barely pulsing with life, and now he knew why. She lay at his feet, barely alive, mostly drowned.

 

“Mama! Mama!”

 

Trunks was straining against Kakarot, who had him firmly in hand. He was frantically trying to reach his mother. He fought so viciously that Kakarot was hard-pressed to keep his grip.

 

Vegeta strode up to Kakarot, and ripped the boy from his grasp. Trunks continued to struggle, his wails growing frantic. Vegeta gripped him by the neck, shaking him hard. His irritated growls chastised the child, who grew still in his hand. Vegeta dropped him to the ground barely giving him a glance.

 

Vegeta would have walked over to Bulma if a small hand at his trousers hadn't stopped him. He looked down to see bright blue eyes peering up at him.

 

“Mama. Flower.”

 

Trunks pointed at Bulma as if what he had said made perfect sense. Vegeta didn't understand what the boy was saying, but he knew what he meant. He was concerned for his mama.

 

Vegeta shook him off, growling in reprimand. The boy retreated, instinctively knowing Saiyan authority.

 

Vegeta bent forward, stopping himself suddenly.

 

“Go guard the door,” he snapped at Kakarot, silently relieved when he did so without question.

 

Vegeta leaned forward again, gathering Bulma up against his chest. He sat down on the settee keeping her balanced in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, embracing her with his entire body. His ki glowed; its soothing warmth penetrated the chill of Bulma's bones.

 

The moments seemed endless while Vegeta fed his ki to his mate. Their son watched quietly, his big eyes absorbing everything. Soon the color returned to her face, and her fingers became malleable. Her lips turned from blue to red, and a pink blush warmed her cheeks.

 

Bulma's breathing became stronger, less strained. Her thick, teal lashed fluttered against her cheeks, and Vegeta couldn't stop the flutter in his heart at the sight. She opened her eyes, their blue locking with his black fearlessly. She didn't tense in his arms but relaxed with relief.

 

She remembered everything. Their cold hostility back on Capital World, his violent anger that he took out on the universe when he left, and lastly, their horrible fight where he scorned her.

 

She wanted to forget it, to make it all go away, but she knew she couldn't. Finally she stiffened in his arms, tearing her eyes away from his while holding back the tears.

 

Vegeta sighed, the hole in his chest widening. His experiences on Namek had left him open to infestation. Evil had invaded his soul. Self doubt and loathing had ruled him. He didn't regret keeping Bulma at his side when she wanted to go after Trunks, but he should have handled it different. Before he had fought Cold, he purged his heart and mind. Now he felt different. For once in his life he felt whole.

 

Bulma filled in a huge gap in his life. She brought him things he never thought possible. Sunshine and laughter. But even with her presence in his life he still had felt something was missing. He knew, deep down, he could never be at peace in his life until he came to terms with himself.

 

Secretly he had always hated what he was, what he had been forced to do in the name of his master, but now he knew that those experiences were a benefit to him. His body had been formed into a weapon, hardened in the very fires of hell.

 

Bulma had looked to him for protection, for freedom of tyranny, as all of his subjects had looked to him. Now he knew that was something he could provide for them. An innocent, sickly-sweet Emperor would never be able to protect them from the monsters of the universe.

 

If some powerful, evil-hearted being came looking for his throne, it would have a fight on its hands. Not because Vegeta was a kindly ruler, but because he was a monster himself. He knew how to defend himself from his like. Bulma could help him rule the universe in benevolence, but it was his experiences that would protect it.

 

He cupped the back of Bulma's head gently, lifting her up so she would look at him. He lowered his brow until their foreheads met. Bulma stared up at him with surprised eyes, full of wonder at his actions.

 

“I'm sorry,” he whispered.

 

Bulma was so surprised she almost fell off his lap. She sat there a moment, trying to muster her thoughts.

 

Although she felt that her actions were justified, she also knew that she had hurt Vegeta. Their relationship was still in the bud, just barely blooming, and yet they had so much in their lives. The stress of reforming the government, bringing the revolutionaries to heel, and now they had their son to raise.

 

What they needed was time, time together as a family.

 

“I'm sorry too, Vegeta.” She paused a moment, her breath caught in her lungs.

 

“Does this mean that you are going to give us another chance? That you are going to give us time?” she asked meekly, unable to find the strong-willed woman inside. So much was riding on his answer; she didn't think she would ever feel again if he denied her.

 

Vegeta lowered his mouth to hers, his lips brushing against her tender ones.

 

“Yes,” he whispered, his breath tickling her.

 

Before she could reply, his lips were crashing down on hers, drinking deeply. His touch was possessive, but questioning, almost if he wasn't sure if had the right to call her his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself firmly against his chest. That was all the answer he needed, and his kiss became a devouring need.

 

He broke away, panting hard in her ear.

 

“I love you,” she breathed in his ear, not expecting any reply. Much to her shock, he did.

 

“Me too.” He hugged her tighter, loathing to have any part of them separated.

 

“Mama?”

 

Bulma felt a light tug on her hair, jerking her from the haze of Vegeta's touch. She whipped around in Vegeta's lap, looking down at the absolute love of her life. Vegeta may be the air she breathed, but Trunks was her lungs.

 

She tumbled out of Vegeta's lap, her arms sweeping towards her baby boy.

 

“Bulma!” Vegeta warned, but she ignored him.

 

She wrapped her arms around her baby, relishing her first hug from him. He returned the hug, squeezing her ribs painfully. Vegeta jumped to his feet, but she waved him down

 

“Mama, flower. Delicate,” she panted out with small breaths.

 

Instantly his grip lessened, allowing air to reach her lungs. He looked up at her, his big eyes contrite.

 

“Sorry,” he muttered.

 

For the first time, Vegeta finally understood what Trunks had been saying all this time. Bulma was as delicate as a flower and needed gentle handling. He had been afraid that his son would crush his weaker mother, but somehow she had single-handedly tamed the half Saiyan.

 

He looked down at his mate as she glowed in the presence of her son. Her eyes darted up at him, so filled with happiness it was like a kick in the gut. Her joy was for all of them, not just her son. Vegeta silently admitted that she had tamed more than one Saiyan.

 

The quiet, family tranquility was interrupted by the crash of the door. Vegeta jumped up to defend his family, while Bulma moved back, hitching her son on her hip.

 

Vegeta couldn't have been more surprised when Zarbon appeared at the entrance, followed by Kakarot.

 

“I'm glad to see that you are both well. Is that the new prince?” Zarbon said smoothly without missing a beat.

 

“What are you doing here?” Vegeta ignored Zarbon's question in favor of his own.

 

“We captured a spy, who was able to tell us where you were being kept. After we realized who was backing the Shari-Reeves Union, we knew it was time to attack. We had been watching their ships creep up on our star bases for quiet some time. Naturally we beat them back, and came to rescue you.”

 

“Naturally,” Vegeta retorted sarcastically.

 

Zarbon raised a perfectly sculpted brow, but did not respond. Bulma was sure that there was a story in there somewhere but she was too tired to ask.

 

“How is that you got past the guards so easily?” Bulma asked.

 

“Well, I wouldn't say it was easy,” said Zarbon with an amused hitch to his voice.

 

“That's what you paid us for isn't it?” Seventeen's bored tones rang out from the door.

 

Everyone looked over to see the two androids lounging against the frame. There was a small, short man beside Eighteen, but no one paid him any mind. Bulma's eyes lingered on him for a moment, recognizing him from a dream---a dream of silver and broken promises, a dream of hope and destiny.

 

“Eighteen,” the boy thumbed towards his sister, “started a riot in the harem while I started one in the slave quarters. Between that and the avalanche that took out half the city, it was pretty easy.”

 

“We took care of the rest of the servants.” Delia chimed in from behind the mercenaries. She pushed past them, making her way to Bulma. “I'm so glad that you are okay. I was so worried when they took you away.”

 

“I'm fine,” replied Bulma while hugging her friend.

 

Raditz bowed formally to his king, and then stood behind Delia, nearly hovering. Bulma saw him over her friend's shoulder, and when she pulled back from the hug, she lifted a questioning brow. Delia smiled in response, warming Bulma's heart. The two lovers had worked out their problems as well it seemed.

 

“This isn't a fucking party. Get this place secured. I don't want any of my newly acquired property to get damaged.”

 

Zarbon, Kakarot and Raditz jumped to do Vegeta's bidding, and since they were still on the payroll, the androids gave a hand. Vegeta smirked confidently at Bulma, taking her hand to lead his family to Zarbon's ship where they would be safe.

 

Finally, everything was as it should be. He had destroyed the Ice-jinn dynasty, claiming their palace and subjects as his own. His family was reunited, his son safely in his mate's arms. He had come to terms with what he was, and he was no longer ashamed of it.

 

He was the Emperor of the universe who had everything he could ever need, power, family and respect. The Saiyan race was finally at peace.