Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Altiverse: Dawn of Time ❯ Goodbye, Sephiroth -- Hello, Vaya ( Prologue )

Chapter 1

Goodbye, Sephiroth -- Hello, Vaya

Sephiroth landed softly on the balcony, then moved out of the way for Cassinian to follow. The Emera, an animal that resembled an almost elephant-sized white tiger with wings, made almost no sound as he alighted on the cold marble. He carefully sniffed the large bag that his master had slung over his back. The bag moved a little, but nothing more. Sephiroth and Cassinian moved quietly as they made their way towards the nursery. The prince would be asleep.

They reached the door, and Sephiroth raised one hand and cautiously knocked. The door slowly opened, and his old friend King Vegita smiled and welcomed him. Queen Jenova sat on a chair inside, slowly rocking her year-old son back and forth.

Sephiroth motioned for Cassinian to stay. The big animal lay down on the hard floor of the hallway, head down so that he could see into the room. Sephiroth went inside and set his bag on the floor.

"What is that?" King Vegita asked.

"A little present for my soul-son," Sephiroth whispered. "You'll see." He turned to Queen Jenova. "Can I wake him up?"

She hesitated, then nodded.

Sephiroth knelt in front of the baby. He reached out with his mind, using telepathy to call his soul-son. Vegeta, wake up. I've got something for you.

The tiny chibi prince yawned and slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Sephiroth, he laughed happily and reached up for him.

King Vegita laughed. He was well aware of the soul-bond between his son and his best friend. When two Saiyans, a child and an adult that were not related at all, showed an incredibly strong bond and affection from the first meeting, it was apparent that they were soul-family. A soul-father, soul-mother, soul-son or soul-daughter...always and only two there were in a soul-family. Given enough time, the bond would strengthen to telepathy between them and even a sixth sense.

Sephiroth smiled as he took out his sword and moved it back and forth, causing it to catch the light and sparkle it. Prince Vegeta raised his arms to play with the sparkles.

Sephiroth put his sword away, then pulled the bag over and reached inside. He pulled out a tiny Emera the size of a puppy, with a scar running over one yellow eye. The other eye, like a cat's, sparkled emerald green. The Emera pup yawned, showing sharp white teeth, and stretched its tiny wings. Jenova set her son on the floor, and the chibi prince giggled with joy.

"His name's Warfrost, and he's all yours, kid," Sephiroth said, handing it over to Prince Vegeta. The two looked at each other, and Warfrost licked Vegeta with his warm pink tongue. Vegeta sneezed, and hugged his new pet around the neck.

Outside, Cassinian lifted his huge head to watch the young ones play. Chibi Vegeta noticed him, and toddled over to say hello. Warfrost followed, and Cassinian gave them both a gentle head rub before nudging them back into the room.

Sephiroth, King Vegita, and Queen Jenova were talking in the middle.

"Is he Cassinian's pup?" asked Jenova.

Sephiroth shook his head. "See Warfrost's eye, his good one? It's bright green. Cassinian has blue eyes. Pups always have the same color eyes as their father. Besides, I found this one alone in the forest."

Jenova nodded.

Vegita, who had been watching his son play, turned to Sephiroth. "How is Sikah? She's due in one month, isn't she?"

"That's right. She's fine, and she says hello."

"Is it a girl or a boy?" Jenova asked.

"Girl. We're going to name her Vaya."

"What a pretty name!" Jenova said approvingly. "What does it mean?"

"It means `aurora moon'," Sephiroth replied.

King Vegita raised an eyebrow. "How does Turles feel about his coming baby sister?"

Sephiroth chuckled. "He doesn't know what to do. Part of him is excited, and part of him is finding it hard to cope with. I think he doesn't want to share his mother and I."

King Vegita laughed. "Will you keep her on the planet, Sephiroth?"

"Absolutely. She's going to be very strong, and I want to start training her as soon as possible."

"Then you'll bring Vaya over to see us, won't you? As a training-and-playmate for Vegeta, perhaps."

"Of course." Sephiroth smiled.

All of a sudden, Jenova almost fell over as Warfrost rolled into her. Prince Vegeta was close behind, jumping on top of him and promptly starting a wrestling match. Sephiroth chuckled affectionately at the little prince.

Jenova sighed. "We had better find somewhere else for our son to play, Vegeta, before he breaks something in his own nursery."

"Indeed." King Vegita pressed a button on a control panel on the wall. "Nappa," he said.

"Yes, sir?" came a voice through the speakers.

"Take my son to the Menagerie, so he can play with his new pet."

"New pet? When did he get--"

"Don't ask stupid questions, Nappa. Do as I say!"

"Y-Yes sir," the voice crackled. King Vegita pressed another button and turned the speaker off.

Sephiroth sighed, and glanced at his friends. "I've got to get home, and see if Sikah needs anything. Turles will also be upset if I don't come back to train him."

King Vegita clasped hands with his best friend. "Goodbye, Sephiroth. If you and your family need anything, the palace is open to you."

Sephiroth nodded, and his eyes glittered. Then he said goodbye to Queen Jenova and left the room, Cassinian padding regally after him. When they came to the balcony, Sephiroth climbed onto Cassinian's back. The Emera spread his huge wings and took off without making a sound.

King Vegita watched as Nappa came and took his son and Warfrost out of the nursery. Queen Jenova had already left to do whatever she had planned. The king of the Saiyans thought carefully about the soon-to-be-born child of his friend.

The daughter of Sephiroth and Sikah... he thought to himself. If she is properly trained, both with her father and my son, she could be a great help to the Saiyan cause. Her father is the strongest Saiyan alive, and my son is the strongest child...together, we may all be enough to defeat our suppresser. He furrowed his brow. Well, we shall see. When the time comes, we shall see.

~*~

"I'm hooooooome!" Sephiroth yelled as he walked through the doorway of his house.

"Dad! Dad! You're back! Guess what, Dad, guess what!" Turles cried as he ran into his father's middle and gave him a huge hug.

"What's up, kiddo?" said Sephiroth as he swung his six-year-old son onto his shoulders.

"Dad, I was training with Mom, `cause she was telling me how to do stuff, and I can almost fly now! Pretty soon I'll be as good as you!"

"I bet," Sephiroth laughed.

Sikah came walking slowly into the room, weighed down by her bulging stomach.

"All right, you," she said to Turles. "Move aside. Lady with a baby coming through." She strode over and Sephiroth leaned down and gave his mate a kiss. "So did Vegeta like his gift?" Sikah asked.

"Vegeta likes everything I give him, either because he's only one, or I give such great presents. Right, Turles?"

"Right. Or `cause you're his soul-father."

"Whatever."

Sikah smiled. "Sarafina just called. She wants to know if we'd like to come over for a while. I'm sure you and Bardock have much to catch up on, and Turles could play with Raditz. How does that sound?"

"Yes! Please, Dad? Can we, can we, can we?" Turles pleaded.

Sephiroth laughed. "Hmmm...It's two against one. I guess so."

"All riiiight!" Turles jumped down from his father's shoulders. "I'll go get Cassinian!" He ran out of the house.

"Sephiroth...do you think Vaya will get along well with Kakarrot?" Sikah asked slowly.

"Well, sure. I mean, why wouldn't she?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling that this baby is going to be...different from other children."

"Different how?"

"I'm not sure."

"Don't worry about it. We'll teach her to be the best fighter on the planet. And did I tell you? Vegita decided to have Vaya come to the palace every so often to train and play with the prince. Think of how strong they'll both be!"

Sikah thought about this, then relaxed. She smiled. "Okay, I guess you're right."

"Of course I am. Now let's get going before both our friends and our son think we've deserted them."

Sikah smiled and took her mate's arm. Sephiroth led her outside, where Turles had already mounted Cassinian. Sephiroth helped his mate up, then climbed on himself and they set off for the house of Bardock and Sarafina.

As they passed overhead, they noticed that Raditz was outside playing by himself. He looked up and saw his friends, and a big smile cut his face. "Hi Turles! Hi Sephiroth! Hi Sikah!"

"Hi, Raditz! We're here! Dad, let's go down so I can play with Raditz," Turles yelled.

Sephiroth laughed and Cassinian glided in for a smooth landing. Raditz ran up to greet them.

"Hey Turles, guess what? My dad's teachin' me how to fly. I can get pretty high now."

"Yeah, me too. C'mon, I'll race ya!"

"Wait, Turles," Sikah said quickly. "Let's go say hello to Bardock and Sarafina first."

Turles pouted. "Aw, c'mon Mom, do I have to?"

Sephiroth gave him a look. "Raditz, where are your parents now?

Raditz sighed. "Where else? Dad's trainin' hard, so he won't let me help, an' Mom's playin' with the baby." He made a face.

Sikah and Sephiroth exchanged knowing glances. "What's wrong, Raditz? Don't you like your baby brother?"

The child shrugged. "I dunno. But Mom spends all her time takin' care of him an' she never does anythin' with me anymore. An' Dad's always with Toma an' Celipa an' those guys, an' he can't spend a lot of time with me, either."

Sephiroth noticed that Turles was staring at the ground.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure they don't mean to make you feel left out," Sikah said comfortingly. Raditz shrugged.

Sephiroth nodded. "Now, let's go."

Raditz led the three into the house. He called out, "Mom! Sephiroth and Sikah are here!"

Sarafina came out of another room, holding her infant son in her arms. She gave them a big smile. The baby turned to look at them without any expression, then turned and snuggled back against his mother.

"Sikah! How are you! And Sephiroth, it's so good to see you! You two haven't been to see us in a long time. Oh, hi Turles! Wow, you look so strong, just like your daddy!"

Turles rubbed his head self-consciously and laughed.

Sikah walked over to her friend. "Hello, Sarafina. Everything's just been so crazy, with the baby coming..."

"Oh, I know exactly what you mean," Sarafina said briskly, putting her son on the floor. "It's always harder with the second child. Kakarrot was such a handful, even before he was born!"

Raditz mumbled something. Sarafina gave him a nasty look.

Sikah looked down at the baby boy. As if sensing he was being watched, Kakarrot turned and stared innocently back at her.

"Hello, Kakarrot," Sarafina said softly. "I hope that you and my daughter will get along well. Her name is Vaya, and she'll be born soon."

At the mention of the baby girl's name, Kakarrot giggled and rolled around. Sephiroth moved over and inspected the baby carefully, but said nothing.

Turles and Raditz, annoyed by the constant mention of their siblings, shook their heads and went outside.

"Sarafina, where's Bardock? I want to talk to him," Sephiroth asked.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, Sephiroth. He's in the training room. I'll go get him."

"No, I know where to go," he said, smirking.

He left the room.

Sikah and Sarafina sat down at a table. They kept half of their attention on Kakarrot, who had gone to sleep on the floor, and began talking about their plans for their children, and how strong they would be. Bardock and Sephiroth soon came in and joined the changing conversation.

After about an hour or so, Turles and Raditz burst inside, waking Kakarrot.

"Dad! Bardock!" Turles cried.

"There's a guy outside an' he says he has to tell you something right now an' he's really big an' he looks like a warrior so you better hurry `fore he gets mad!" Raditz yelled.

Bardock gave Sephiroth a puzzled look. Sephiroth's face was impossible to read. They both got up and went outside. The two boys went and sat next to their mothers.

Sephiroth and Bardock returned quickly, looking very grim.

"What is it?" asked Sikah.

"Is something wrong?" Sarafina wondered.

Sephiroth stopped and turned to them as Bardock went to the training room.

"Invasion," he said. "Another race has landed here. They are potent, and are gathering in the middle of the desert to attack. Vegeta has called for warriors of every class to stop them. We have to go quickly."

They murmured with surprise.

"Where did my dad go?" asked Raditz.

"To get his armor and his scouter. Then we will leave on Cassinian, to get there faster. Sikah, will you be able to get home all right?"

"I can take them both," Sarafina said.

Sephiroth nodded. Then Bardock strode into the room, and both warriors departed from their mates and sons.

Turles and Raditz shrugged at each other. Kakarrot stirred fitfully on the floor. Sikah and Sarafina watched the door for a moment, then glanced at each other.

~*~

Sikah and Turles stayed with Sarafina and her sons for a little while longer until Sikah said that she was getting tired and wished to go home and rest.

"All right," Sarafina sighed. "I guess that the men aren't coming back anytime soon. I'll take you back."

She called the two boys and carried Kakarrot out to her car, because Sikah was in no condition to fly. Sikah followed and sat in the passenger seat. Turles and Raditz clambered into the back, and the baby was strapped into a car seat, more to keep him from moving around than anything else. Sarafina started up the car and drove her friends all the way back to their house.

She dropped them off in front of the house. Sikah and Turles waved goodbye as their friends drove away. Then they both went inside to await Sephiroth's return.

Several hours passed, and it grew very late. Turles couldn't sleep, so Sikah had allowed him to stay up until his father came home. But she was getting worried. Outside, a storm was brewing, and the rain had begun to fall in torrents.

Finally, less than an hour to midnight, Sikah and Turles were startled by two loud thumps on the door. Turles awoke with a start, for he had been falling asleep.

"Finally!" Sikah almost jumped up to answer it. But when she opened the door, her heart leaped into her throat.

Cassinian stood there in the rain, alone. In his mouth, clamped firmly but carefully in his sharp teeth, was Sephiroth's sword. Sikah shook her head numbly.

"No," she whispered. Then she heard her son's voice, as if in a dream.

"Mom? Mom, what's wrong? Where's Dad?"

Without a sound, Cassinian dropped the sword in front of Sikah. Then he turned and flew away into the stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder roared, and Sikah remembered nothing else.

~One Month Later~

A doctor studied a computer screen full of files while his assistant studied the sleeping newborn girl.

"What's the case with this one? Another orphan, huh?" the assistant asked carelessly.

"Yes, but not just any orphan. Do you know who this girl's parents were? A couple of Elites...Sephiroth and Sikah, that's who!"

"What? Sephiroth and Sikah! But...you don't mean the Blood Wolf Sephiroth, do you?"

"No, I mean Sephiroth the Happy Kitten. Of course I mean the Blood Wolf Sephiroth, you idiot! The same one who was killed in the battle with the invaders a month ago. Can't believe they still haven't figured out how."

"Yeah, I heard all that. Too bad, though. He was the strongest warrior Vegetasei had. Did you hear about King Vegita's reaction to the news? He didn't even believe it at first!"

"Yes, I know. He was in shock. Wasn't Sephiroth his best friend? That's rough."

The assistant nodded. Then he gave the doctor a confused look. "What about the mother...Sikah? What happened to her?"

"Died giving birth to the kid just today. Darn shame. This kid's battle numbers are incredible. Why, one day she might even give young Prince Vegeta a run for his money."

"Is there anyone else that can take care of her?"

"Well, her older brother is in the entrance hall. I assume he's been given the news already. Poor kid. He's only six."

"Six!"

"Yeah. But if he's Sephiroth's son, I'm sure he can figure something out." He checked his computer screen briefly. A new message had come up. "It seems Sikah lived just long enough to name the baby."

"Oh? What's the name?"

The doctor turned to glance at the sleeping Saiyan girl. "Vaya."

~*~

Turles' eyes were dark with an emotion that the doctors could not interpret as he stared wordlessly at the ground. Assuming that he was upset about his mother's death, they tried lamely to console him.

"Don't worry, kid. She's in a better place."

"Yeah, and she wouldn't want you to be upset."

"C'mon, cheer up, kid. After all--"

Turles shook his head, cutting him off without looking up. He had had enough of their pathetic attempts.

The doctors looked at each other, perplexed. "Well, kid, you do have a baby sister now, and--"

"I don't have a sister."

The doctors were surprised at the complete lack of emotion in Turles' voice. "Yes you do, your mother had a baby girl before she died. She's your new sister now."

"I don't want her," Turles muttered.

"D-Don't want her?" a doctor stuttered. "Kid, that's not really your choice. You have to take her."

"I said I don't want her," Turles said, his voice shaking. "Don't give her to me. I won't take her. Just...just leave me alone!"

Before the doctors could do anything to stop him, Turles burst from their midst and ran as fast as he could out of the hospital, taking off and disappearing into the sky.

The doctors needed a few minutes to regain their senses. Finally, they turned to each other. "Well...now what do we do with the baby?"

Suddenly, the doors to the hospital swung open again, and a Royal Messenger strode in pompously.

"King Vegita wishes for a full report on the health of Lady Sikah and her child. He demands to know how they fare at once. He also wishes to know if Lady Sikah and her family would care to live in the Royal Palace, because of the tragic loss they have suffered," the messenger told the doctors.

The doctors looked at each other, then back at the messenger.

~*~

King Vegita paced the marble floor of the castle hall.

Where is that messenger? I sent him off over an hour ago! the king growled to himself angrily. If Sikah is to stay at the palace I need to know as soon as possible. He sighed. I can't believe we don't have Sephiroth anymore! We were counting on him to help against Frieza...now the task will be much, much harder than before. But perhaps...if Vaya trains with Vegeta and is exposed early to the intense training systems we have...maybe we will have a gain as well as a loss.

Suddenly, the huge doors to the castle were opened and the messenger came striding in, looking very white. He was carrying a small bundle in his arms, and seemed very nervous about it. He quickly approached his king and kneeled.

King Vegita chose to ignore the bundle for the moment, and said in a voice tinged with relief, "Well? What news do you bring? Rise and report."

The messenger stood, shaking ever so slightly. "I am...afraid, sire, that Lady Sikah...has...died... while giving birth, sire..."

"WHAT?!"

The messenger cowered in fear as King Vegita exploded with rage and disbelief. It wasn't possible...it just couldn't happen! Not only had Sephiroth departed for the next dimension, but now his daughter as well? The last attempt...vanished!

"W-W-Wait, sire! There is more!" the messenger struggled to calm the Saiyan king. "After hearing of his mother's death, young Turles ran away and they lost him...but the girl...Lady Sikah's daughter...she did not die!"

King Vegita stopped dead in his rampage. When he spoke, his voice was a choked whisper. "What...did you say?"

The messenger exhaled, feeling safer. "The child was born before Lady Sikah died, sire, and they managed to save it...I mean, her. But with her mother dead and her brother gone, the doctors didn't know what to do with her...and they knew that you and Sephiroth were close...So..."

He reached out his arms, holding the bundle for King Vegita to see. Inside was a sleeping baby girl. All Saiyan children were born small and grew, but this little girl was tiny even by Saiyan standards, and scrawny. But from experience...with the child's own father...the Saiyan King had learned that a scrawny child could become a great warrior. King Vegita hesitated, then gingerly took hold of her. He gave a small half-smile.

"So this is Vaya," he murmured, slightly amused. "Well, in honor of Sephiroth, we'll give her a home. Although--" he chuckled to himself "--we must explain to Vegeta why he will have to share his toys."

The messenger blinked, then smiled with a combination of amusement at the thought of the prince's reaction, and relief at the knowledge that he had averted his king's disappointment and saved his own life.