Royal Namekian Blues

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Ally.

By Trynia Merin aka StarbearerTM

Disclaimer: I don't own the Anime or the Manga DBZ, and I make no money from this fan fiction. My characters Stellari, Fermi and Bohr mean no harm to the series owned by Funimation and created by Toriyama. Thanks to my reviewers! There will be v/b in the next chapter.

While Vegeta, Bulma and Trunks pursued the others, 13 had survived. He had masked his ki long enough to head towards Son Goku's home by a route different then Raditz carrying Goku. His speed was far faster than even the elder son of Burdock. Back in the Son home Chichi gasped as she heard something crackling through the bushes. Both twins looked to each other in fear. Just then, Gohan shot in through the door.

"What are you doing back so soon?"

"Mom, there's something coming closer! Mr. Piccolo says you two got to stay here! The androids…" Gohan panted. "Android 13 is coming this way! And he's got someone named 15 and 14 with him! Vegeta and Trunks are fighting them, but 13's on his way here!"

"What did I tell you about those things?" Chichi asked.

"No he's right," whispered Fermi and Bohr. "We can see them…"

"Can you? I can't sense them! Mom, we got to get you and Aunt Stellari and the twins out of here!" Gohan gasped.

"I'm not leaving this house! It's safer staying here!" Chichi argued.

Suddenly a bellow sounded in the yard. Gohan pointed to the window where they saw Piccolo suddenly pointing his fingers to his forehead. Energies crackled full force as they charged massive ki. "Special beam cannon!" Piccolo roared. The spiraling lance of death shot up into the sky at some distant target.

"Gohan, get them out of here!" shouted Piccolo.

"What the HELL is going on?" Chichi cried.

"There's here!" Piccolo yelled.

"Mom, stay here. Maybe Mr. Piccolo and I can fight them off!" Gohan panted.

"Oh god," Chichi gasped. She burst through the house as Fermi and Bohr raced over to Dr. Stellari.

"Damn it," Stellari hissed. "We can't run away. If it's the androids we can't possibly outrun them."

"Gohan don't you DARE leave! You are NOT fighting those machines!" Chichi shouted.

"But mom,"

"Stay with Aunt Stellari! I'm not going to let my baby boy fight!" Chichi growled. Suddenly she pushed open a closet door, and grabbed a long red pole in a sheath, along with a strangely shaped green object.

"What the hell is that?" Stellari asked.

"Take care of Gohan. Don't leave here! Gohan, you're going to STAY and listen to your mother!" Chichi shouted.

"Mom, you can't seriously be thinking of fighting them!" Gohan gasped.

"Stay HERE!" Chichi yelled. Piccolo crashed against the far wall of the house, scattering masonry. Angrily Chichi twirled the staff and held it before her.

"Mom!" Gohan cried.

"Gohan, get them out of here! NOW!" Chichi yelled.

"I can't let you do this!" Stellari gasped.

"Get Gohan and the kids to safety, now!" Chichi screamed at Stellari in a voice that wouldn't be disobeyed.

"Mom…" Gohan gasped. Seeing her grim nod, he grasped Stellari under the arm and waved to the twins.

"We can fly fine!" Fermi and Bohr said.

"I'll carry you miss!" Gohan said, levitating Dr. Stellari as the twins shot into the air alongside him.

"Gohan listen to your mother!" Piccolo shouted.

"Tell me where he is!" laughed android 13. Having recovered from his fight with the other two Saiyans, he had sent 14 and 15 to keep Vegeta and his friends occupied while he went after Goku and the other one.

Chichi raised the Bansho fan as spheres of light crackled down. With a mighty whoosh of wind the blast of air slammed them backwards. In her other hand she whirled Goku's power pole, whooping and screaming. She leapt onto the gleaming Nimbus cloud and shot up into the sky to confront whoever was there.

Cracks and blasts whirled, batted back as Chichi entered the fray. Windblasts barely managed to block the volley as Piccolo slowly recovered. He levitated up, floating beside her. "Are you mad?"

"I'm not having my boy fight! I'll do it myself!" Chichi yelled at Piccolo.

"You're not going to win! You're just in mah way!" laughed 13. With a snicker he fired a beam towards Chichi. Shrieking, she barely managed to veer out of the way as the beam ripped close to Nimbus. Head over heels, Chichi tumbled off the cloud, knocked cold by the blast.

"Stay OUT of this!" Piccolo grunted. Raising his hand he aimed a blast that blocked the next volley. With the last bit of his strength he swooped down and plucked Chichi out of the air. He crashed into the canopy of trees, consciousness deserting him.

"Well, well, this is easier than I thought. Tarnation, I thought the good Doc was going to give me a harder mission. Well, it looks like the half blood brat's escaping with my objective," 13 mumbled. His blue eyes narrowed to scan the distant spec of Son Gohan carrying a female over his shoulders.

Gohan felt sick in his throat. Perhaps his mother and Piccolo could hold off the unseen terror of Android 13 long enough. Dr. Stellari cursed herself that she had to rely on a boy to keep her safe. But in her condition if she were hurt, her babies would suffer. Gohan streaked faster; glad the children could keep up with him.

"Stop right there, boy!" came a voice that made him cringe.

Before Gohan appeared a new threat. He shivered to see Android 13 resplendent in his Red Ribbon overalls. Dr. Stellari drew in her breath sharply. She swallowed hard and gasped, "No, it can't be you… you were dead…"

"Well, well, if it isn't Scarlett's little wife. You're a naughty girl, Silver. You're on the wrong side!"

"Leave us alone! You've got no argument with us!" Stellari shrilled.

"Stay back, don't make me hurt you!" Gohan grunted.

"Heh, as if a little varmint like you could stand up to me boy. Do me a favor and hand me the lady. I got no quarrels with you, squirt," 13 said.

"Don't listen to him, Gohan. He'll kill us both!" Stellari whispered. "Leave me. I'll handle him."

"I won't let him hurt you. I promised Mom!"

"I don't got all day, boy," said 13. In his hand fizzled a sphere of energy, growing every second.

"Hold onto me," Gohan whispered to his aunt. She saw his fists glow with power as he raised them to his forehead.

"Masenkoo… HAH!" Gohan shouted as he generated a beam of solid energy to cut into the figure of 13 zipping in and out.

"You'll pay for that, you little cuss!" 13 snarled. He hurled a rapid series of blasts towards Gohan.

"Atomic blast!" Fermi and Bohr shouted, raising their hands to generate a beam along with Gohan's. Although feeble, it managed to push back their attacker long enough for Gohan to retreat with their mother.

"You won't stop me!" 13 shouted. He raised his hands and suddenly a shrill noise echoed, deafening both twins. Fermi and Bohr screamed, putting their hands over their ears.

"No!" Stellari shrieked. "Damn you!"

She let go of Gohan, and shoved herself away. Angrily her fists glowed, and she hurled plastic shards towards 13's back. One of them pierced 13's wrist, while the other slipped into his body. Others stuck into his sides so he resembled a porcupine. Panting, she hurled strange plastic globules at both her boys who were plummeting towards the ground. A strange gel formed around each boy as they crashed harmlessly through the trees, cushioned by an arogel.

"I won't let you hurt her!" Gohan shouted, appearing before 13. His fist flew out, slamming into 13, followed by a flip and dozens of sharp kicks.

"What the hell?" 13 snarled, struggling to bat away the boy's attack.

Stellari dropped down to the ground after her sons, knowing that Gohan was holding his own. Angrily Gohan's fists slammed into the android's frame. Suddenly 13 cut across him with a vicious uppercut, backhanding Gohan away. Spitting blood, Gohan barely managed to right himself.

Fermi and Bohr breathed gently, blinked up at their mother. "Mommy?"

"You two STAY HERE! I'll handle this! Don't get involved. That's an order boys!" Stellari scolded.

"But Mommy…" Fermi gasped.

"Do as I say, please! Bohr, take your brother, go back, and help Chichi and Mr. Piccolo! Gohan and I will be okay!" Stellari said.

"Mommy!" Fermi and Bohr cried.

"Get away! Fly to Kame house!" Stellari shouted. Fermi and Bohr nodded, zipping out of range as fast as they could.

"Masenkoo HAH!" Gohan screamed, holding his hands above his head. A wide beam of energy slammed into 13, pushing him backwards. He flipped over, shrugging off as his overalls only smoked the slightest bit. Strangely the spikes that Stellari shot were still imbedded in his back.

"You're pretty tough, kid. But that isn’t going to help you!" 13 taunted. A grin tugged up the corner of his mouth. Gohan panted his energy ebbing.

"I don't get it, why didn't you stay down? I hit you with everything I had!"

13's face drew up in a cruel smile. He sensed the two small telepathic traces as they zipped away towards where the green alien and the madwoman on the cloud had been. They weren't his objective. They'd be easy pickings later when the others came and polished off the Prince and the others. Right now, he had a kid to rub out. Gohan's hands raised again, as he struggled to marshal enough force. 13's hands crackled with power, his ultimate energy move fizzling into being.

"HAHHHHH!" 13 gritted.

"Perspex!" Dr. Stellari's voice shrilled nearby Son Gohan.

Gohan gasped, seeing stars. Someone moved in front of him, their hands raised. Before him the air undulated and shimmered into a solid barrier. Ki blasts rained down as Gohan saw them slamming into the generated shield. It bowed but did not shatter with the force.

"Auntie Stellari?" Gohan panted.

"You can't stop me, woman! I'll burn through!"

"Gohan, hit him now! I can't hold him much longer!" Stellari shouted.

"All right!" Gohan nodded. Sweat poured down his forehead. He raised his hands and aimed a series of rapid blasts overtop the barrier Stellari struggled to hold. To think an eleven year old boy had such power and strength was mind boggling. Every time a blast sizzled forwards a generated plastic shield easily deflected it. Gohan zipped forwards, grabbing at his aunt who was starting to sink with the effort divided between shielding and levitating.

"Hold onto me, Auntie!" Gohan whispered, grabbing her and holding her tightly. He heaved another blast at 13, knocking him back.

"Gohan, how many?" she gasped. She felt him hurling more blasts as quickly as he could generate. With him holding her in his levitation, she could divert more energy to the shield.

"You two are DEAD! Give up!" 13 taunted. His tactic changed. Suddenly he zipped out. Gohan's eyes frantically struggled to track him. Wildly he hurled bolts at the blurring air to the left and the right while Stellari held onto his back.

"I can't tell!" he shouted, his high pitched voice shrill in the air. "Hold on, I won't leave you!"

"YEAYYYY!" 13 shouted, from nearby. A blast sizzled towards them, and Gohan barely had the time to whirl his body out of the way.

"Saturday crush!" shouted a rough edged voice. Gohan panted with shock to see a purple sphere slam into the blast and knock it away. Stellari groaned, hugging him tightly while Gohan pointed to the new black armored warrior carrying his father over one shoulder.

"Fight me!" Raditz shouted. "I dare you!"

"What the hell are you trying to pull! Who are you?" 13 shouted.

"Masenkoo!" Gohan shrilled. The beam slammed into 13's shoulder, slicing his arm clean through the joint. In disbelief he glanced back towards Gohan. That split second was all Raditz needed because an instant later the Saiyan phased into view just before him. His fist slammed into 13 followed by a nasty kick that tossed 13 down towards the forested canopy.

"DIE! Double Sunday" Raditz snarled, aiming his flattened palms at the plummeting figure. Two huge ki balls surged forth then formed twin beam that followed 13's descent.

"Special beam CANNON!" yelled Piccolo, suddenly materializing between Gohan and the explosion. The spiraling beam drilled through the trees, hitting the figure below at the same time that Raditz beams had impacted. Smoke and flames rose up and the explosion nearly blinded Gohan as he zipped Stellari out of the way.

When the smoke cleared, a huge crater steamed in the heart of the forest. Hovering nearby was the panting form of Piccolo, his hands raised. Gohan was tightly hugging Stellari, who was in turn wrapping her arms around the trembling boy while he levitated her in relative safety. The third observer still hovered with his hands raised and the prone figure of Son Goku hanging over his shoulders in a fireman's carry.

"It's over Gohan," said Piccolo. Gohan blinked up to see the Namekian drifting towards him. Piccolo's clothes hung in tatters from his green and pink muscular form.

"Stellari! Gohan, are you hurt?" Raditz shouted as he lowered his hands.

"Mr. Piccolo, he… he's got my dad," whispered Gohan.

"He won't hurt you," Stellari panted. "I…"

"I won't hurt him, idiot! Is she all right?" Raditz demanded.

"She's fine," Piccolo said. Stellari promptly passed out in Gohan's grasp.

"What happened to my daddy!" Gohan shouted.

"He's sick! I've got to get him back to get the medicine now!" Raditz shouted.

"Follow me back," Piccolo grunted as he saw Raditz hovering there with Goku's body. "Gimmie the woman… I'll carry her…"

"If she's hurt you're mine, Green Man," Raditz growled.

"Don't worry, she's okay," Gohan gasped. Piccolo took the unconscious form of Stellari in one arm, and then grabbed Gohan as he soon followed the woman into wearied darkness. Dark black eyes regarded one another across the tense space. Piccolo rocketed back with Raditz close beside him keeping pace with his flight. Judging by the way Raditz protectively carried Goku under the back and knees now, Piccolo judged that the two brothers had no intention of continuing their feud.

"There's some sensu beans at the house," Piccolo said over the whistling of their ki envelopes.

"Good. Thank you for helping her…"

"Save it. Let's just get them back," Piccolo cut him off. "The boy's exhausted. What the hell took you so long, and where are the others?"

"The Prince ordered me back. My scouter doesn't detect any more movement from that tin can. Seems your little trick and mine finished him off," Raditz said.

"Huh, I don't think I'd be so sure. But for now, let's just get back," Piccolo said. Two former enemies now rocketed over the forest towards Goku and Chichi's home. Piccolo was relieved that Chichi had fed him a sensu bean just before conking out. His sharp eyes could detect the twins Fermi and Bohr helping carry her into the house just as he and Raditz landed with their cargo.

When Goku next swam back to life, he heard a faint sobbing. Slowly he blinked up into the faces of people assembled around his bed. Something was shoved against his lips while a muscular arm propped his head and shoulders up. It tasted like grapes, and Goku swallowed it because he was terribly thirsty.

"That's it, Goku-sa. Drink it down… please wake up and open your eyes," came Chichi's frantic plea.

"Chi... chi… is that you… I can't move," Goku groaned, his limbs starved of oxygen.

"Don't try and get up. Just lay still. Oh Goku what the hell were you thinking!" Chichi lamented.

"Daddy!" came Gohan's voice.

"Gohan, keep back a ways. Go watch over your aunt and cousins," came Chichi's command. The muscular arm gently lowered him back down.

Goku blinked up his vision still foggy. Still he could make out the faces of two concerned females leaning over him, one on either side. Someone taller with spiky hair hovered to the left, his dark eyes gleaming with anger. Swirls of clouds swam away with each blink, then sharpened into focus. Chichi's frantic pallid features pained him to see. Another dark haired woman with gleaming glasses held a vial of something that smelled of grapes. She bobbed out of sight, then returned with something hidden behind her back.

"Get him some water… easy now," said Chichi. Something cold was draped over his brow, while the other woman vanished from the area.

"Honestly Brother, you slept damn long enough!" Raditz snorted. With shock Goku blinked up into his older brother's frowning countenance.

"You… you're here… what happened…"

"Prince Vegeta and the others took on the androids. While I must say they were victorious, other things have transpired," Raditz grunted.

"What?"

"The green man… Piccolo has gone on with your friend Krillin, and Prince Trunks to see two other Androids in the place called Ginger Town," Raditz announced. "The Prince and Nappa are still on the trail of Android 13…"

"Thirteen?" Goku gasped.

"There was another. But you and I will stay here till you've recovered enough. Lt. Commander Bliss is also with them. And you need not worry, because the Prince can control his ascendance at will. He and Prince Trunks have discovered another level beyond…"

"Beyond?" Goku panted.

"Ultra," Raditz murmured. "They were terrifying to behold. He and the Prince Trunks… they were every bit as powerful as the Legendary was said to be."

"Wow. How long was I out?" Goku asked.

"Three days," Raditz said, pressing him down to the bed.

"Time to give him an injection," Chichi said.

"Oh no… no!" Goku cried as he saw the gleam of a needle in Dr. Stellari's hand.

"Hold him down, Raditz!" Dr. Stellari urged. "Chichi, you didn't TELL me he was scared of shots!"

"No, don't!" Goku yelled. Fortunately Raditz pinned him down, shoving a gauntleted hand over his eyes.

"Keep your eyes covered, moron," Raditz growled. Squirming, Goku suddenly felt terror surging through him. Yet all he felt was a sharp prick.

"There, done," said Stellari's voice. "That's the booster shot."

"That was it?" Goku panted, when his eyes were uncovered.

"Yes. Honestly, Goku, it's just a little needle…"

"Don't tease him like that," Stellari sighed. "If you had a needle shoved into YOU…"

"Uhhh," Goku moaned, wanting to pass out.

"Enough, both of you! Kakarotto, are you well enough to sit up?"

"My name's Goku, remember," he groaned.

"He's all right," Chichi sighed with relief.

"But where is everyone… are they…"

"Rest," said Chichi. To his shock, Gohan wandered in, his face filled with worry. Another fact that dawned on Goku was that Gohan was standing in the same room as Raditz and hardly batting an eyelash. Was it just because he was more worried that his father was gravely ill?

"Mom, is he going to be ok?"

"He's weak, but he's recovering," said Chichi as she drew back, and wrapped her arms around Gohan from behind to give him a hug.

"Daddy, I was so worried! We thought you were a goner!" Gohan sniffled. He scrambled up onto the side of the double bed, wrapping his arms around his father's neck. By this time Raditz and Stellari had moved back to give them room, standing awkwardly.

"Maybe we should leave them alone," Stellari suggested. Raditz simply gave a grunt and turned to stride out the door. His hand lightly rested on his mate's shoulders while hers moved around his waist. His blue and brown armor was slightly scorched and cracked in a few places as if he had fought hard.

"Gohan, you're not scared of him?" Goku asked.

"He saved your life, Daddy. I couldn't believe it," Gohan murmured into his father's neck. Goku managed to wrap a muscular arm around his son's shaking body. As if pent up emotions burst, Gohan sobbed in his father's arms.

"Hey, it's okay son. Let it out," Goku whispered, stroking and patting his back.

Around the door, Raditz peered with a frown on his face. "Sentimental foolishness," he mumbled.

"Don't make me hurt you," Stellari warned, grabbing a handful of his hair and tugging hard on it. "You know as well as I do that' he's a human before the Saiyan. Don't start!"

"Mmmph, he's a lot of trouble," Raditz snorted. Still he felt jealousy in his stomach to see how affectionate Goku was with his son. To see the concern in his brother's eyes for his nephew defied his comprehension. Something like emptiness filled him, and he forced the weak emotions away.

"You can sit with him, Gohan. I've got to get lunch ready," Chichi said. Leaning over she caught Goku's lips in a brief but grateful kiss. He reached to grasp her neck, keeping her mouth on his for a moment while Gohan blushed a bit. Then she drew back, stroking his hair affectionately.

"I'll be okay, Chi," Goku whispered, caressing her cheek. "Thanks…"

"Just listen to your brother," she muttered, wiping away a tear. "Gohan's going to sit with you for a while. But don't give him any ideas about fighting!"

"Mom!" Gohan groaned as she turned and left them alone. Goku managed to wink at his flustered son. Those last two days had been full of events. Gohan had told Goku everything about what had transpired. Now Goku was recovering, and Vegeta and the others had taken up the search for the androids. Closing the door on the two important men in her life, Chichi joined the others in the sitting room. She heard some clanking of dishes and a grunt of some strange language. Then she accidentally brushed past Raditz wandering out to answer the shouts of two wrestling boys.

"Apologies," he said glancing down.

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

"None are necessary. You've thanked me far too much. It's getting annoying," Raditz grumbled, wiping his cheek as Chichi laughed. Patting him on the back she joined her sister in law who was fussing over massive quantities of food.

"I don't see how you keep up with it all. Where the heck do you get the money for a huge grocery bill I'll never know! And you've got two of them to feed," said Dr. Stellari, wiping her brow.

"You don't have to do that… but thank you. Sit down… you're going to deliver any day now!" Chichi snapped at her.

"When I told Raditz I was a doctor of chemistry I wasn't joking! I'm not used to giving shots!" she complained.

"You did fine, dear," Chichi reassured her, keeping her back to the other woman. "I'm just glad my Goku's awake again. But it will be very hard to keep him in bed for very long!"

"Raditz will hold him down if he must," said Stellari. Both women exchanged a laugh. Chichi grabbed a spoon and dipped out some food. Before Stellari could say another word she shoved the spoon into her mouth.

"How's it taste?"

"Hmmm, I wish you'd warn me when you did that!" Stellari complained. "It's fine."

"You need more," Chichi insisted, giving her another spoonful. "You've got two kids on the way!"

"How DO you feed two hungry Saiyan if Goku doesn’t work… and you don't seem to… I mean you do midwifery, and you've got that herbal remedies business…"

"Goku never will hold down a job," Chichi sighed. "Pop's money won't last forever. It's a godsend having you and your husband giving us money…"

"Raditz has a paycheck, and all the food provided on Capsule's budget, not to mention my own," said Stellari.

"Are you going to still work with two babies on the way?"

"I wish I could just leave it up to him for the paycheck. But I feel guilty…"

"Don't," said Chichi. "Your boys need you there. But it's not for me to tell you what to do."

"You'd find a way anyhow," Stellari retorted. Chichi rolled her eyes and thrust a spoon at Stellari. Unspoken commands for her to check the eight treasures soup. When Stellari opened the steamer, she leapt back at the huge cloud of steam blasting her in the face. It wafted around the other scents enticingly dancing through the small kitchen.

"At least Mr. Piccolo's gone. He drove me nuts," said Chichi. "I know I'm glad he didn't eat anything, but Goku and Gohan hardly helped out with him around…"

"I'm glad it's not a problem for me to stay here. It's kind of nice to have a break from all that corporate rat race. But you're out in the middle of the sticks," Stellari said.

"Let's just say that Goku's sparring habits make it necessary. He'd cause untold damage if he was in a town or city," Chichi blushed.

Back in the living room, Raditz had tried to separate two rambunctious boys from pummeling one another. He finally was dragged into the middle of it, while one of them pulled on his hair, and the other was trying to twist his arm behind his back.

"This is for outside, both of you!" Raditz complained. "I don't want your aunt or mother angry with us!"

"Sorry Daddy," murmured one of them. Raditz reached down and pulled Bohr out of the mess then set him on his hip. Grunting, he rose up and reached down to take Fermi's hand.

"Fine, Dad," mumbled Fermi. "I guess it would suck if we got grounded! I hate being a Stellari unplugged!"

"Don't even go there!" Bohr gasped horrified.

"No video games would drive me insane as well, but then you'd have more time for training, young warriors," Raditz said as Fermi placed his small hand in his. Though Raditz gauntleted hand swallowed Fermi's the strength in the small fingers astonished him. Without question he had convinced both twins to accompany him out into the courtyard of the Son home.

Distant Dinosaur mating calls echoed on Raditz ears. He also heard the sounds of low grunting from the Green Man nearby. Piccolo was already sparring fast and furiously with another version of himself. Picking a spot well away from the Namek, Raditz let go of Fermi's hand, then set Bohr down from his armored hip.

"Ready to train?" he asked both. He punched his scouter button to attenuate his own reading from the boys. To his shock he saw he had to filter a level of 5000.

Five thousand? But this is impossible! Since when was THAT my apparent level and I haven't begun to move? Raditz asked himself.

"You bet," said Fermi.

"Let's go!" Bohr answered. Both stood in poses that were similar to Goku's Kame-sennen, while Raditz adopted a more Saiyan stance. For a few tense moments the boys waited while their adoptive father stared them down. Then he blurred out.

Fermi and Bohr vanished as well, their fists raised to block Raditz flurry of blows. Back and forth they traded hits, their tiny legs a flurry raining on his gauntleted fists. His punch arced out, and Bohr feigned. Fermi slammed his elbow on Raditz back, only to have a push out to the side. They flipped out of the way of his arcing kick, and Raditz landed opposite them.

"Nicely done. I'm impressed, young ones," Raditz nodded, knowing a bit of praise went a long way. They had the reflexes of newborn Saiyans and his scouter bleeped with battle levels of 2000 and 1700. He had to calibrate his own down, and blinked with shock to see his level had arisen already to 10,000. At resting state Raditz rating had considerably shot up. He swallowed hard, not even having broken a sweat. Lately he'd gone without the scouter, but for the sake of the twins he'd used it to track their progress.

They were unaware of someone peering out his bedroom window at them. Gohan rested his head on his hands, seeing Raditz training both twins. Ever since he saw Raditz carrying his father home, Gohan had felt mixed emotions. "Gohan, are you studying?" Chichi asked.

"Aw c'mon mom!" Gohan shot back.

"Aunt Stellari's going to help you with your formulas," said Chichi. Gohan grunted and settled down. Through his doorway shuffled the form of his aunt, who was very far along with her pregnancy. He leapt up to help guide her to his chair.

"You okay, Auntie?" he asked.

"I'm fine… I know this is the LAST thing you want to do now, but I figure we can knock out the first two groups of the Table before your mother bugs both of us," she said with a chuckle.

"I don't see how memorizing the Periodic Table's going to help me, but if you say so," said Gohan. He was balancing a pencil on his nose as he rocked his chair back.

"You've got balance that puts me to shame, kid," said Stellari.

"Oh, sorry," Gohan said.

"Worried about your dad, huh? I'm sure he's out of the worst of it. Piccolo's regenerating skills helped, and luckily I was able to help Chichi make some of that medicine to bring his fever down," Stellari said.

"Good thing Trunks told you the formula over the video link," Gohan nodded. "I wanted to thank you for making more of the medicine to save Dad's life… you're pretty good with chemicals…"

"I haven't synthesized a drug so complex… your blood sample helped… and then there was the matter of that transfusion… I'm glad your mother has some nursing skills… I don't like needles any more then Goku does…" Stellari shuddered.

"Mom's pretty good with most stuff. But I didn’t think Raditz would be the same blood type as my Dad," Gohan said softly.

"I'm just astonished you aren't terrified of hi anymore, Gohan," Stellari said, closing the chemistry book. It was clear Gohan's focus was far from his studies now. He glanced out the window seeing Raditz suddenly getting trounced by a twin beam attack. Barely Raditz managed to block an Atomic Ram with a Double Sundae.

"It's weird. He's not the same person. When I saw him carrying my Daddy, I was so scared… but he was holding him like my Daddy was… Uncle Yamcha or Uncle Krillin," said Gohan.

"Hell's a place that changes many a soul," Stellari said.

"Everything you know, he knows? Mr. Piccolo said you two had a bond. Piccolo and I sometimes share thoughts… but you know what Raditz did?"

"Everything," Stellari said with horror on her face. "And he knows what I've done. We're one, like your mother and father."

"Mom and dad? You mean that bite on Mom's neck is just like yours. It's weird!" Gohan shivered.

"It's a Saiyan mating bond. All Third Class share a bond. I mean all the ones that are like your Daddy and Uncle Raditz do that. It's considered a weakness, but Raditz family considers it a strength. At least his mother Kinoha did…"

"I can't get my head around it… it's so hard to think of any other family but my Grandpa Ox King, and Great Grandpa Gohan…"

"They ARE your family, Gohan. Blood doesn't make a relative. Love does," said Stellari.

"Uh huh, cause Mr. Piccolo's like my family now," said Gohan. "I guess if he can stop being bad, Uncle Raditz can."

Stellari wiped away a tear. Gohan leapt up and hugged her tightly, his arms around her neck. Kissing her cheek he gave her a squeeze. Stellari swallowed hard at the open affection of this 'nephew' of hers. The last month in the Son household had shown her more family then she'd ever recalled as a child.

Out over the desert Vegeta flew with Bulma and Trunks. For the last few hours they had been tracing the two opponents using Bulma's scouter especially trained to the plastic residuals Raditz had clued them into felt the blazing ki of two opponents. One was equal to Trunks power level, while the other rivaled his own. This would be messy, but a good challenge to see if his GR training had paid off. Not till the end would he reveal his true energy count, and then the androids would learn the meaning of the word power.

"They're coming!" Trunks yelled.

"Get ready. Take the ones to the left. Divide and conquer. Use your ki blasts and come at them from behind… they'll expect a full on confrontation," Vegeta said. "When I give the word, get clear!"

Trunks hurled energy balls at the first volley of fire rocketing to the left. The first exploded while the other two were narrowly missed. He then flew close, punching and kicking at one of the androids. Vegeta shot close to the other, then appeared behind him, punching the other androids. He kicked the android forwards, giving him time to outmaneuver and regroup with trunks.

Both he and Trunks crossed ki streams, weaving in and out to distract the first android that trained on them. Disintegration rays crackled dangerously close. Trunks focused narrow ki beams to pick them off one by one.

"Hold on tightly…" Vegeta whispered to Bulma. He raised his free hand to gather ki into a beam, hurling it forwards. Bulma yelped at the power surge crackling nearby, which sliced dangerously close to Android 15. It was twice as thick as any beam she'd seen anyone generated, causing Android 15's attack to be blocked.

"Kami," she whispered. Vegeta then orbited Android 15, raining rapid blasts of ki at him. He blinked, not knowing what was hitting him. Then Vegeta laughed, zipping out of reality to appear behind Trunks.

"Watch out!" Vegeta shouted into his scouter.

Trunks turned, and saw Android 15 raising his fists. He shouted, "Meteor storm!"

"Burning attack!" Trunks yelled. He hurled it towards the multiple ki balls raining on him. Only his armor protected him from the blasts that exploded upon meeting his flash. He sent another whirling towards The android.

"He's yours!" Vegeta barked.

"All right!" Trunks laughed. At last he could let loose and show his Father the fruits of his training.

Android 14 materialized close to Vegeta. Bulma screamed and squeezed Vegeta's hip, unwittingly cautioning him to what she’d seen. At the last moment, he dodged the android's kick.

"Saiyan, give up!" laughed 14.

"Don't insult me, you're still as much a slave to Gero's as you ever were," Vegeta snickered.

"Hiding behind a weakling female?" Android 14 laughed, raising his arms above his head. Bulma clutched tightly to Vegeta as he accelerated. Time stood still, and it was like they moved through jelly. She saw the ki ball forming between Android 14's hands that were held over his head, radiating into small blinking discs.

"Take THIS!" 14 laughed.

Vegeta slammed a foot into his head, and then punched with his free hand. A wild punch tagged Vegeta, sending him rolling to the side. Vegeta shook his head, clinging to Bulma as he righted himself.

"Creeping barrage!" 14 yelled, crossing his arms then uncrossing them as he soared over the ground in a zigzag pattern. Up from the earth exploded small puffs of gas, each one more explosive then the last. Vegeta wove in and out nimbly through the dangerous obstacle course while Bulma clung to him for her life.

“You insult me… is that the BEST you can do?” Vegeta taunted, whirling around 180. He stopped dead where he was, hovering in place. 14 snarled, whizzing around Vegeta in an ever constricting circle.

“You’ll wet yourself you stupid monkey when you see what I’m about to do,” 14 taunted. He spread his arms out and began to scream. Bulma realized he was powering up, and hid her face in Vegeta’s shoulder.

“Get ready woman… this won’t be pretty…” Vegeta whispered in her ear. Already she felt the energies throbbing through him, extending into her body as well. How was this possible? She could see 14 aura extend, his hair crackling as the smell of sulfur exuded from his pores.

“Pyro Lava…” he gritted, spanning his hands.

Simultaneously Trunks materialized his stretched out his and pointed it towards The android. He yelled, "Finish BUSTER!"

Bulma and Vegeta gasped as they saw their son in action. White hot ki sizzled from his fist. Seeing Trunks was letting off a big one, Vegeta held up his energy shield. His flesh beneath his armored shoulder hummed with surging power that almost burned her with its intensity. She squeezed her eyes shut at the explosive meeting of charges. Caught up in the shockwave, 14 spun out of control into the side of a large sand dune.

“How…” he stammered.

“Die now!” Vegeta hollered in triumph. Another big Bang slammed into 14, slicing him in two. He vanished into the dirt with the remaining energy pushing hard at him. Bulma's stomach twisted in disgust. While she knew that the tin can deserved it, she still felt sick.

“Kami… oh Vegeta…” she whimpered.

“IT won’t be much longer woman…” Vegeta told her. “Just keep hanging on…”

“All that power… I don’t understand… I’ve never been this close…” Bulma shivered.

“You won’t comprehend what a Prince of Saiyans faces till you do, woman,” Vegeta said calmly. “Are you scared?”

“Yes… and no,” Bulma whispered. “I know you won’t let them destroy me… but how is it I’m not vaporized when you…”

“Stop asking stupid questions woman, and let me concentrate… there’s one more task ahead,” Vegeta interrupted her. Out of the corner of her eye Bulma swore she could see movement.

“Look OUT!” Bulma screamed, pointing her finger to the right.

"So, you managed to defeat my brother?" laughed the deep voice Bulma recognized from their captor. Vegeta blocked the huge ki ball sizzling towards them with a hastily erected ki field.

Bulma's eyes shut just in time to feel a blistering heat wave that was mercifully halted. Vegeta squeezed her tightly to himself with his free arm. "Don't let go woman, no matter what…" he hissed in her ear. He shifted her to his hip, and she trembled against his hard body.

"Fight me you bastard!" Trunks yelled. "Burning attack!"

Android 15 gasped as another sphere slammed into him. Trunks appeared overhead, his sword slicing narrowly. But 15 suddenly shouted, "Field on!"

Trunks gasped, his sword crashing into an energy barrier. The surge of power slammed into him, knocking him for a loop.

"Trunks!" Bulma screamed.

"Amazing… you survived that? I suppose I should be impressed, you annoying monkey," laughed 15, hovering over a large gaping crater. Waves of sand were flattened as he spanned his arms wide, and swung a massive fist in the air. Vegeta saw that Trunks had shaken off the energy barrier and was regrouping to gather his energy. Knowing what he had to do, Vegeta began to distract his opponent.

"Hey you! You call THAT an attack!" Vegeta snapped.

"Yeah jerk face! Over here!" Bulma yelled, seeing what her mate was doing.

"Considering you're still doing what the long expired Gero's doing, I'm not impressed myself," Vegeta taunted. "What's the matter, can't get original? You're pathetic you know… he's dead, and you can't even have the imagination to think of your own plan for universal domination…"

"Shut up you stupid dust mites," 15 roared. "Seismic shock!"

Vegeta's shield held against the waves of ki crashing into him. He drifted backwards, then circled around just outside a half mile. "Touched a nerve, didn't I?" he smirked.

"Says the prince of the monkeys!" laughed 15.

"You and Dr. Gero know nothing about truly ruling. If you were so great, then why do you need to resort to weakling bandits and raiders causing chaos when you could rule with an iron fist and command true respect? " asked Vegeta, laughing loudly.

"You're the last member of a dead race!" said 15. "And I'll exterminate you!"

Vegeta shook his head. "If you were half the warrior I could be, you'd know that only by creating proper fear and respect can you control. You don't need to play foolish games and hide behind pretend threats to get what you wish. All the waste of good resources… I am not impressed…"

"You rule your way, and I'll conquer in mine!" 15 laughed.

"Then stay the blazes out of my business," Vegeta snarled.

"RRAAAAH!" Trunks yelled. Suddenly his hands were aimed upwards, generating a huge power ball that he had gathered the energy four while Vegeta was distracting 15.

"I shall. When you become prince of the seven hells! And make your puny race extinct!" 15 answered.

"Not while I LIVE!" Trunks roared. "FINISH BUSTER!"

"What the hell?" gasped 15, raising his hands to block Trunks attack. His energy field suddenly crackled under the strain.

"now FATHER!" Trunks yelled. "Get him now!"

Bulma gasped at the expanding sphere of light as 15 added more energy to his barrier. Sweat poured down Trunks forehead as he continued to push more ki to his attack. She aimed her weapon towards them, but Vegeta hissed, "No don't! You'll destroy our plans! Hold onto me Woman, because I need both hands, woman," he whispered.

“Here we go…” Bulma whispered. Her blue hair stood on end, feeling a crackling charge building up. She wrapped her legs around Vegeta's waist, squeezing her eyes shut. Blue sparks made his hair stand on end, crackling with the buildup of a huge charge from the air around them that grew bone dry. His body hummed with energy, just under Bulma's body, which vibrated with the same frequency. From the pit of her being the warm golden glow spread from Vegeta's body to hers, encompassing her frail human form. His loud cry grew in pitch and volume, splitting her ears and deafening. Both hands thrust forwards with the palms flattened. The entire world expanded to a supernova of blue hot fire. Every part of her body burned hundreds of degrees, but she was still breathing, wrapped tightly around the Prince. Bulma held her prince tightly, mentally willing her own meager strength into his body. It was nothing compared to his, but if it would make the difference.

"Kami…" she whispered. In her mind's eyes she saw Vegeta's body surging with a cloud of red and white ki. Nothing existed but his howling cry.

"Final flash!" Vegeta howled, sending a wide beam of energy out when he brought both hands together before the pit of his stomach. He surged against the advancing gas, parting it on either side of him in a widening triangle with himself and Bulma at the apex. 15 raised his hands to counter the surge of blinding white energy hitting him full force. His angry snarl shook the very earth underneath them, vibrating the atmosphere.

"It's… impossible!?” 15 shook his head as the additional energy crashed into his barrier. His ki had flared dangerously low, trying to block the power of Vegeta's display and Trunks energy.

"Because I'm no longer young and weak. I'm invincible. And here's another thing you underestimated… which you will learn to fear and respect! WELCOME TO OBVLIVION!" Vegeta thundered, his voice splitting the air. Seconds later the energy aura expanded into a beam of pure energy. All of the anger, the outrage and suppressed hate Vegeta channeled into the blast towards his nemesis. Bulma's stomach twisted into knots at the sheer purity of the loathing he'd thrown forwards.

15's stupefied look was banished forever as his body disintegrated under the impact of Vegeta's signature move and that of Trunks. Everything around them grew to blinding hot fire, and Bulma heard herself screaming in fear.

"Woman… it's over…" Vegeta said quietly. "You can open your eyes."

Bulma opened her eyes, and saw that Vegeta’s hair had shifted to raven black again. She heard him panting as they floated there. Sweat had soaked through his spandex, reaching through to soak Bulma's.

Whimpering she still clung to him, legs wrapped around his waist. Vegeta stiffly positioned her to face him, burying his head in her shoulder. Crying, Bulma hugged him tightly, letting out all the pent-up fear in her sobs. While she wanted desperately to tell him what she’d seen, half of her wondered how for a fraction of an instant he’d achieved his goal.

"Father! We did it!" Trunks shouted with a laugh as he flew towards them.

"I thought we were dead," she whimpered, kissing his shoulder. "Oh Kami… if I lost you…"

"Don't be stupid… we're still alive, and I have to listen to your fool whining again," Vegeta grunted.

"He's gone… I mean is he really gone?" she asked.

"Mom, are you okay?" Trunks asked.

"Well done, boy," Vegeta nodded. "You've done excellent. It is good to see that our plan paid off."

"Your PLAN?" Bulma gasped.

"See for yourself, girl," Vegeta said, turning his floating body so she could gape at the massive smoking crater below them.

"Wow… you guys really let him have it," she giggled hysterically. "Damn…"

"I did indeed," he said with a deep sigh.

"Mom, Dad, can we get the hell out of here?" Trunks breathed. "We've got to regroup and find out where any more Androids are!"

"You son of a bitch… I thought we'd die…" Bulma gasped, and then squeezed him tightly in an intimate embrace. Vegeta rolled his eyes, stiffening when he realized the position of her legs and arms. Still coming down from his victory, his body tingled with the aftereffects of adrenaline coming from a huge blast and a good fight. It had been far too long since he'd felt the exhilaration of such victory.

"We didn't," Vegeta said simply. "What is your problem?"

"You did," Bulma blushed, and then turned her head to kiss his cheeks, then his surprised lips. Vegeta almost lost his concentration at the feel of her hot mouth brushing over his.

"Uh, Mom, Dad?" Trunks asked.

"Not in front of the brat!" Vegeta grumbled, when she released his lips.

"I'll just go back to Capsule and check on Gramps and Gramma," Trunks blushed, happy to see his parents openly displaying affection.

"See to it, boy. And nicely done," Vegeta grunted.

"Thanks Dad," said Trunks. Vegeta turned crimson at Trunks familiar use of the word.

Then Vegeta turned to Bulma, swathed in armor identical to his. "Woman…" he said, tightening his arms around her. He squeezed her backside in one hand while rubbing her back with the other. She yelped when he bit her lower lip with his sharp teeth, but not hard enough to draw blood.

"Ow! What?"

"I didn't give you permission to stop," Vegeta said, nibbling along her neck. A half-kilometer above the desert they were floating and the Prince was rung his hands all over her, even squeezing her breasts.

"Stop what?" Bulma squealed. His gloved hand teased the tender breasts to an aroused state that studded her nipples out from her tight fitting AE suit.

"Whatever it was you were doing," Vegeta growled. "With your mouth. And it thankfully didn't involve that infernal talking…"

"That was a kiss you prick," she rolled her eyes.

"That was no kiss, at least not compared to what I have seen possible in your society," he complained, then devoured her mouth with his. Bulma yelped at the force of it, eyes wide with surprise as he thrust his tongue into her mouth to taste her, tightening his grip on her body to keep her from releasing her hold. Changing angles with his head every so often, Vegeta caught on quickly to just what this whole 'French kiss' business was about. His tongue and lips mimicked what hers were beginning to do, feeling as if he were devouring her very essence and finding it sheer ambrosia.

She panted in amazement when he finally let her breath again. Vegeta smirked because she was speechless. "What, nothing to say?"

Bulma shook her head, panting, "Um… no… I mean… wow…"

"Good," Vegeta nodded. "I like you better this way… perhaps I was hasty in not pursuing this sort of action sooner. If I knew it would have this effect I would have insisted on it the instant I heard your wretched voice…"

"You uncivilized monkey man!" she squealed.

"Woman, you talk too much, and besides you humans are identical to your chimpanzee brothers almost except for the last 1 percent. So I don't see why that's even an insult," Vegeta grunted. His hips rocked against hers, and Bulma whimpered through the kiss at the feel of his body rubbing hers in just the right way.

He angled his face to intercept her mouth, and then proceeded to kiss her as hard as he had before. After the fight he was growing quite aroused, quickly thinking of some place where he could retire to for a victory rutting. Her sweet wetness was all too apparent from the motion of his hands and hips. With amusement he thought how well her small body fit to his. Not many humans would survive a point blank exposure to his energy buildup. Her entire weakling body had suddenly absorbed the residuals, humming with his specific ki at about a respectable 100.

As he held the woman in his arms, kissing her for all he was worth, Vegeta reeled in shock still. He really HAD fought alongside another Saiyan instead of going it alone. Could the teamwork with his son have been the catalyst he’d needed to defeat the tin cans? To Vegeta that seemed intolerable, yet every time before that he’d tried to push the limit, he’d failed. Was it so simple that letting go of his pride and working together with Trunks had some way of providing the missing part of the equation? Vegeta swallowed hard, and then came to a decision.

She was going limp in his arms, panting from lack of air. Vegeta released her from the kiss, gripping her tightly to him. “Well?”

"Damn Vegeta…" she mumbled, releasing her legs and arms. "And you said that Saiyans didn't learn anything from humans."

"Come here, woman and keep your hands and legs where they are," he mumbled, releasing her lips long enough to let her breath, and crushing her to him with strong arms.

"I wasn't talking about the kiss Vegeta," she gasped. "I mean you worked with Trunks instead of trying to hog the glory and you WON!"

"Why not," Vegeta said. "The brat has proved himself. And he is far preferable to the company of the other weaklings. Apart from you, he's the only one I can remotely stand."

"Well well," Bulma laughed.

"Mmm, and if you let ANYONE know," Vegeta interrupted her, and cutting off the rest of her scathing reply with a kiss. He renewed his kiss, wanting to discover the sensual pleasures that humans held in such high esteem. While humans weren't the only species to perform this mouth touching ritual, it wasn't something that came to a Saiyan, unless they were sharing food with a young one.

"Mmm, Vegeta… stop…" she gasped, staring past his flyaway bits of hair.

"What now?"

"I can't… breathe…" she panted.

"Ah," he mumbled. "Then we'll just have to work on that part… won't we?"

His hand slid between her legs, causing her to squeal as he rubbed her secret spot. Bulma retaliated by reaching down to grab his ass and squeeze it. Vegeta hissed in delight, biting at her ears, then her neck. He flew her towards their concealed ship, not breaking the kiss except to see where he was going. Once they arrived, he carried her up the ramp into the ship, and closed the door behind them. Bulma's mind reeled at the collaboration between father and son, and felt a victory had been won that few could boast.