The Prince Ascendant

Chapter Twenty Nine: Vegito's Farewell

"You're doing quite well, Vegito," Whis said, parrying the Fused Warrior's latest blow. "I almost had trouble catching that one."

"Indeed," Beerus observed, walking up to the duo. "Even I would have a hard time dodging that!"

"I can't take all the credit," Vegito said with a happy laugh. "Whis here is an excellent teacher. I have to thank you two for permitting me to train on your world, its really helped a lot."

"Say, Vegito," Beerus began, stretching his arms. "What do you say to a little one-on-one? I'm curious to see how far you've come as my mentor's second student."

"How about we make it a little more interesting, Lord Beerus?" Vegito offered.

"What did you have in mind?" Beerus asked, eyes narrowed.

"A simple wager," Vegito said with a confident smile. "If you manage to best me, I'll have Bulma give Whis her recipe for one of my favourite desserts and you can have it any time you like. If you fail, you only get the dessert itself, and you two will have to figure out how its made on your own."

"And what kind of dessert are we talking about here?" Beerus asked excitedly.

"You've had cookies before, you've had brownies before," Vegito began, smiling at Beerus' shining, ravenous eyes. "What if I told you there were a way to combine the two? To make...cookie-brownies, if you will."

"Earthlings are culinary geniuses," Beerus stated simply. "Its a deal! I want that recipe!"

"As do I, Lord Beerus," Whis said, smiling. "I can't wait to try it!"

"Well, then," Vegito said with a smile, dropping into a ready stance. "Let's say you and I get this underway, then, Lord Beerus."

"You read my mind," Beerus replied speeding towards Vegito.

This time was massively different from their first encounter. Vegito wasn't working nearly as hard just to keep up with the Destroyer's movements. While he knew, to an outside observer, he and Beerus were trading blows with unfathomable speed, to Vegito, it was as if two normal martial artists were fighting. Almost like when Goku and Krillin would spar as children. It wasn't always easy to Beerus' movements, but Vegito managed to land several blows of his own, each causing the god to lose ground. As the fight continued, the blows landing with increasing ferocity, Vegito's heart began to hammer in his chest. Not even the reborn Cell had been this much fun! Beerus was so unlike Whis, mostly because Vegito could actually catch the God of Destruction and his blows weren't effortlessly blocked or dodged. Beerus threw a kick at Vegito's side, but the Fused Warrior caught it and, using the god's own momentum, threw him hard into the ground. Beerus was barely able to right himself in time to avoid making a crater in the field below.

Beerus smiled. He hadn't had this much fun in eons! Vegito, prodigy that he was, wasn't just landing blows against him, one of the most powerful beings in the universe, but he was actually capable of damaging him! It wasn't too long ago that this Vegito was just a particularly gifted mortal, still barely able to stand up to him, even at his peak. But now, this warrior, empowered to godhood, had grown massively in divine power enough that he could even rival him! It was incredible just how easily this warrior had taken to his new-found abilities. Beerus could see that he needed to work on his control, especially when he got excited, but his power was phenomenal.

"Amazing," Beerus said as they fought. "Simply amazing. To think, not too long ago, you could barely stand up to me, let alone actually harm me!"

"I can actually follow your movements now, Lord Beerus," Vegito said, dodging a right jab from the Destroyer. "You still catch me, but you're not all but impossible to follow, anymore. Won't lie, I'm starting to have fun with this."

"Likewise," Beerus replied, catching one of Vegito's blows and putting him into a wrist lock. "However, I see a flaw in your form."

"What's that?"

"You're overconfident," Beerus said with a nod. "Try as you might, it seems your power has gotten to your head, at least a little, and that overconfidence causes your focus to waver and you end up dropping your guard. Your power may have won you an overwhelming victory against that Cell creature, but against one such as me, you'll need to keep your head in the game if you want to live."

"Can you blame me?" Vegito responded, breaking the hold. "I'm a literal god, now. I'm the strongest Saiyan to ever exist, aside from you and Whis, I eclipse almost every being in the universe. Even Majin Buu wouldn't be a challenge for me, anymore. Not that he was to begin with."

"Vegito," Beerus began seriously. "You should know that there are things hidden in this universe that surpass even me."

"Lord Beerus," Whis warned from below. "There are some things not even you are allowed to reveal, even to another god."

"I'm aware of that, Whis," Beerus said back. "I won't name names or anything like that, but our friend here should know that there may be dangers in this universe that, unless he takes his fights more seriously, could put him and his little friends in serious jeopardy. I may be the Destroyer," he said, sighing a little. "But there are some calamities even I wouldn't visit upon this universe."

"There are beings even you fear, Lord Beerus?" Vegito asked, moderately astonished.

"Don't be thick," Beerus replied, though not unkindly. "Of course there are, and not all because they're uncontrollably evil. For example, the Creator, the one who formed the first universes and set the laws in motion that govern how new universes are formed and how things operate on the grandest possible scale. He is one of whom anyone with half a brain would have at least some fear."

"I suppose that makes sense," Vegito replied, nodding. "Given how many universes there are out there, and how big this one is, I suppose its reasonable to assume there's always someone out there that can beat you."

"Precisely," Beerus responded. "And not all of them are as friendly as yours truly. Some are, in fact, quite unscrupulous. Manipulative, vain, or even outright malignant. Not all gods are good, you would do well to remember that."

"I will, Lord Beerus," Vegito said, nodding respectfully.

"Moving along," Whis said, clearing his throat. "How are you feeling today, Vegito?"

Vegito knew very well what he meant. The time of his dissolution was fast approaching. He'd ranted and raved and railed and sobbed until he was hollow inside after his defeat of the reborn Cell. It felt good, in a way, to let it all out. It was like allowing an infected wound to drain, and now that it had been, he was able to clean and dress it properly. It didn't hurt that Whis was an excellent listener and his family had been there to help him along, insisting that this decision wasn't one they'd force upon him.

"Honestly," Vegito began, sitting down on the ground. "I'd be lying if I said I weren't at least a little anxious. I mean, in a few weeks, I won't exist, anymore. At least, if I were dying, I'd be able to continue existing in the afterlife, but I'm effectively being erased. I accept that its for the best, but that doesn't stop the concept from freaking me out."

"I believe," Whis began, sitting in front of his student. "That your primary issue is that you're only seeing this from one perspective: your own. From that one point of view, you are certainly going into oblivion, but that isn't true for anyone else. Take Lord Beerus and I, for example," he continued, nodding towards an attentive Destroyer. "He and I will never forget the unique life you've lived. Who you are and what you did will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone whose lives you've touched. After all, you've saved this whole universe twice, now, as it was likely that Cell wouldn't have stopped with just Earth, not from what you've told us about him."

"Exactly," Beerus added. "Think of it like when normal people die in your world. Most are completely unaware of the world beyond. For all intents and purposes, their loved ones are gone. Yet, they live on in their memories. While you, yourself, may cease to be, you will always live on in those who hold you closest. I know that I, personally, will never forget you."

"I guess, when you put it that way," Vegito said, lowering his head and narrowing his eyes, rolling the idea around in his mind. "Its a lot like a transformation. I'm turning into a being of pure memory from one that's physical. Besides, Old Kai has told me that at least part of me will continue to live on in Vegeta and Goku, since they'll retain all the memories of their time as me. Maybe I'm not dying so much as I am turning back into the two that made me in the first place, giving each of them a part of my power and everything I know, like a master to a student."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable, don't you think, Whis?" Beerus stated.

"Indeed, Lord Beerus," Whis replied, nodding. "I'd say your outlook is certainly a healthy one, Vegito. You've learned to accept the path you've chosen, and that's a good thing. While I know I'll certainly miss your...unique outlook on life, I'm gladdened by the fact you've reached this place."

"Well," Vegito said, getting up. "I think I'd better head home and make sure Bra doesn't have Trunks in a headlock again."

Whis smiled and nodded, saying, "Farewell, Vegito."

Vegito smiled back and waved as he used Instant Transmission to teleport back home. He'd been learning, slowly, how to target familiar locations instead of just ki sources. It was hard work, but it would no doubt prove useful in the future, if for no other reason than he would run the risk of waking either of his wives up when he came home in the middle of the night. They were never angry, but they did make it known that they were more than a little put out when that happened, even if they knew that telling time in Beerus' domain was all but impossible. Unfortunately, while he did manage to make it into the kitchen, he was greeted by a sight that made him red as a beet: Bra was standing next to Goten, lips placed firmly on the blushing boy's cheek.

Turning towards the wooshing sound, Bra gasped, crying, "Dad!"

Goten looked very much like he wanted to sink into the floor. Vegito felt much the same way.

"I saw nothing," Vegito said quietly, backing away. "I did not just see you kissing Goten's cheek and I will tell no one of what just did not happen and nobody will mention this again, agreed?"

Goten nodded weakly as Vegito walked out of the room. Vegito knew that Bra and Goten got along rather well together, but the expression he saw on his daughter's face for the fraction of a second before the sound of Instant Transmission registered in her mind was rather affectionate. Did she really have a thing for him? Weren't they a bit young? Bra was just a month away from being eleven and a half, and Goten only a few months beyond her.

"Even more to the point," Vegito whispered to himself in an empty room. "Isn't it just a little bit weird? I mean, I'm both their father...or half-father, or something like that. They were friends before I came along, but oh what the hell's going on? I think I'm getting a migraine!"

"So," Bulma began, propping herself in the doorway, giving Vegito a smug grin. "You finally put two and two together, huh?"

"You knew?!" Vegito replied, alarmed.

"I suspected," Bulma said with a laugh before sitting next to her husband. "I mean, our little girl is growing up and her and Goten have been friends almost since the day they first met."

"Isn't this all a little fast, though?" Vegito asked, pleading. "I mean, she was kissing him! Sure, it was on the cheek, but it wasn't some meaningless thing, either!"

"Goku's cluelessness and Vegeta's awkwardness," Bulma observed. "I think you're reading way too much into it. When I was her age, I was just starting to notice boys, and while I might have been a little affectionate with one or two of them, I was never really in love with them, either. I think its the same way with our daughter. After all, like I said, Goten's one of the only boys that hasn't given her any problems over being such a tomboy. Its only natural that she'd like him."

"Yeah, but this is still weird," Vegito stated. "I mean, given that I'm here and I'm their father...thing, shouldn't that make it really awkward?"

"I think, the way they see it," Bulma began, placing a hand on her chin. "They're still from two different families, even if you're technically their father. If they'd been conceived after you came around, then they'd be siblings and, yes, they'd probably have not done that and, if they did, we'd have to have a very, very serious talk with them. But, as it is, they're technically not siblings, just that their fathers are all rolled up into one."

"For the next month," Vegito added before sighing. "I guess you're right, though. Its going to be really awkward with the two of them for a while, though."

"You got that right," Bulma replied, laughing. "When my dad accidentally caught me and Yamcha, back when we were together, he could barely pour his coffee around me for nearly a fortnight, he was shaking so much. Actually," Bulma continued, a thought dawning on her. "It was around the end of that time when Yamcha started acting more gentlemanly towards me. Dad probably threatened to castrate him if he hurt me."

"You know, now that I think about it," Vegito began, smiling. "I seem to recall him doing the same to Vegeta. Said he didn't care if he could blow up the planet, that if he didn't do right by you, Vegeta would wake up in six different capsules tethered to the ocean floor. I see where you got your ferocity from, now."

"Yeah," Bulma said happily. "Dad might not always look it, but he can get scary when it comes to me. Being his only daughter, it makes sense. That, and nobody would suspect the kindly Dr. Briefs if someone disappeared."

"That's...actually kind of frightening," Vegito said with a shiver. "I'm glad he's one of the good guys, then."

"Honestly," Bulma replied, laughing. "I doubt dad could pull himself away from the lab long enough to actually get the job done! But, it is kind of scary just how much he can get away with. I mean, we can summon an Eternal Dragon in the middle of the city, and everyone would chalk it up to one of his 'crazy experiments.'"

"It kind of makes sense, I guess," Vegito said with a shrug. "The guy did invent some of the most impressive technology I've ever seen on this side of the galaxy."

Bulma laughed and Vegito smiled. He'd made an agreement with Whis to spend his last few weeks on Earth with his family, instead of training. Beerus was disappointed when he overheard them discussing it, but even the Destroyer understood the Fused Warrior's reasons. At the end of the day, it was Vegito's choice to spend his time as he saw fit.

A few uneventful days passed, Bulma and Chi Chi were both happy to have their collective husband around more often. Sakura was finally recovered from the revelation of Ein, and had to fast-talk her friends into thinking he'd moved away for work, or so she said. Either way, she still had her circle of friends and spent plenty of time with them, something for which Vegito was glad. For a while, he was worried that Sakura would withdraw socially and end up isolating herself and alienating her friends. He shouldn't have worried, his adopted daughter was a lot stronger than he thought. As for his other children...

"Dad," Goten said, landing as Vegito finished off a sandwich on top of the Son house. "I...I need to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead, son," Vegito began, stretching his arms. "What's up?"

"Uhm," Goten began, pressing his fingers together. "What..." Goten gulped, the tension in his voice was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. "What do you know about...about girls?"

"This is about Bra, isn't it?" Vegito asked, sighing lightly.

Goten surrendered to the inevitable, saying, "Yeah."

"Goten," Vegito started, looking at his son, trying to reassure him. "I'll give it to you straight. I'm not going to dictate your relationships, I trust you to do the right thing. I'm not about to chase you away from Bra just because any feelings you two might share are a bit strange for me. That wouldn't be fair to either one of you."

"But, I mean," Goten replied, somewhat encouraged by his father's words. "I've known her all my life. She's always been a really good friend, but I don't know if I like her that way or what's happening and I don't really understand what's going on and I see Gohan and Videl and I kind of envy them and their relationship and I really just don't understand what's happening in my life, anymore."

"Slow down," Vegito responded with a small laugh. "Goten, you're starting a really, really big chapter in your life," Vegito continued, his tone becoming more direct, but no less kind. "You're going to start developing feelings for girls, its only natural. Its overwhelming, I know, but that's normal. At least you've got a good home life and a proper outlet for all these new emotions cropping up in you. At your age, Goku barely even knew what a girl looked like and Vegeta's pent-up hormones caused him to blow up planets at the slightest provocation."

"What do I do?" Goten despaired.

"Take it easy, son," Vegito replied, clapping Goten on the shoulder. "You don't have to figure out all of the answers right away. If you keep letting yourself get all wound-up over everything, you're going to drive yourself crazy. Learn to relax, give yourself time and space to figure things out at your own pace. I know its weird and confusing now, but part of becoming a man is knowing how to deal with these things appropriately. I might not have the best perspective for such things, but your mother and I are both here to help you along, never forget that. I'm sure Gohan would be more than happy to lend a hand, as well."

"Are you sure?" Goten asked, his voice having a less hopeless tone than it had a moment ago. "I mean, Gohan's gonna be a dad, soon, do you really think he's gonna have time for me and my problems?"

"Goten," Vegito said, shaking his head in amusement. "He's your brother. He will always find time for you."

"I guess you're right," Goten said with a heaving sigh. "I just wish it weren't so much, so suddenly."

"You think you have it rough," Vegito replied with a wry laugh. "Try imagining how it is for Bra. Mother Nature's already starting to kick her ass. Its just one of those wonderful parts of biology that never quite seem to make sense, but about which we can do very little."

Goten turned green, and Vegito didn't blame him. Hearing his daughter crying, and knowing the cause, was a very unsettling revelation that his little girl was growing up. Inside, he laughed. It seemed like only yesterday she was his Little Princess who barely came up to his knees and always feuded with her brother. He still had fond memories from Vegeta, holding her as a newborn.

"You know," Vegito began, looking up at the sky. "It doesn't feel like all that long ago, you guys were barely up to my waist. Trunks and Bra were always butting heads, Trunks always badgering her for being a girl who liked to fight. You, always trying to be the arbiter of peace between them. And now," he continued fondly, looking down at his son. "Look at you! You've grown a lot since then. By the time you reach Gohan's age, you'll probably be taller than me! I know I don't say this a lot, but I'm proud of you, son. You're gonna grow into an incredible man."

"Thanks, dad," Goten replied, smiling. "I wonder why Trunks stopped picking on Bra, though. Seems like they're almost friends, now."

"That's because," Vegito responded, grinning. "Trunks is too busy being distracted by girls that aren't his sister. Oh, he tries to hide it, but every once in a while, I catch him staring at the older girls around the city when we go out...and at some of the young, female employees at Capsule Corp, come to think of it..."

"That would explain a few things," Goten observed, narrowing his eyes a bit. "I've been wondering why he invites me out to the mall every couple of weeks and barely buys anything."

"That sly dog," Vegito said, letting out a hearty laugh. "The madness of adolescence has hit him like a tonne of bricks, I guess."

"I hope I don't end up like that," Goten said seriously. "I don't know how he handles it. It sounds so...distracting."

"Somehow," Vegito said, smirking. "I doubt you'll end up that bad, but don't be surprised if you catch yourself checking out girls a little more than you used to. Just don't end up like Master Roshi, and I think you'll be fine."

"I'll certainly try," Goten said with a laugh. "Thanks for talking with me, dad, its helped a lot. I still don't quite understand what's going on, but...I think I can figure it out with you guys' help."

"Hey," Vegito said, standing up. "That's what family's for!"

After the initial awkwardness of being caught out passed, Bra pretty much never mentioned what'd happened or questioned what may or may not be happening between her and Goten. One of the few times Vegito actually approached his daughter about the subject, she seemed quite firm that this was what she wanted, that she liked spending time with Goten, but didn't know precisely what that meant, but emphasized that she'd figure it out on her own. While Vegito was taken a bit aback at that last part, Bulma just chuckled. According to his wife, Bra seemed to have fully inherited her mother's stubborn independent streak. When he actually thought about it, he could see a lot more of Bulma in their daughter than he'd initially realized. Though it was hard to spot when she was younger, Vegito could now easily see that his little girl had his wife's looks in almost every category except for her well-toned build and her eyes, which were all Vegeta.

A few weeks later, Vegito was sitting in the gravity chamber, watching his daughter spar with Sakura. It was impressive, how much power Bra could eke out of the normal Super Saiyan state. Though he knew Sakura could easily best his daughter if she wanted to, he could tell the young woman was more than happy to train the girl who'd basically become her little sister.

"Come on," Sakura said, her voice lightly teasing her opponent. "That can't be all you've got! Surely, you can hit harder than that!"

Bra let out a small laugh that caused Vegito's head to shoot up. That laugh never meant anything good for her opponent, because that was her "I have a trump card that I've never shown anyone until now" laugh.

"I'll show you just how hard I can hit!" Bra said as her aura flared out and electricity arced between her and the older girl.

Vegito's jaw hit the floor. Bra had never shown him that she could transform beyond a Super Saiyan! He almost wanted to scold her for holding back, but that was small potatoes compared to what came next. Bra's power continued to rise, much to the shock of both Sakura and her father.

"No," Vegito said quietly to himself as Bra's hair began to lengthen.

The ground started to shake, exercise equipment fell over and from the entrance, Bulma appeared, looking at her husband, clearly alarmed at the earthquake that was rocking the area. When she looked on her daughter, Bulma pointed and her face went slack.

"She's..." Bulma began, shock getting the better of her as her daughter's aura tripled in size. "Vegito! She's...!"

"She's doing it," Vegito said excitedly. "Our little girl is actually doing it!"

Bra's aura stabilized and the blinding light subsided. Vegito's little girl was smirking victoriously, not that she hadn't earned it. Gohan was the only one of his children that had achieved the form without the help of fusion and here his daughter was, barely an adolescent, and standing ready to truly fight her opponent as a Super Saiyan 3.

"How about..." Sakura said hesitantly, still taken by complete surprise at this turn of events. "How about we go somewhere else to do this, so we don't break everything Dr. Briefs and Bulma built...again?"

"I know a place!" Vegito said, hopping up. "I don't think Beerus would mind seeing this bout of yours."

"I have to see this," Bulma commented.

A few moments later, the party was standing in the field where Vegito and Whis often trained. Whis and Beerus were munching on popcorn as Vegito stood, observing his little girl as she beckoned Sakura towards her. Both Whis and Beerus had been quite receptive of the idea of watching this bout and didn't mind the sudden intrusion in the slightest. Sakura was powered up to her maximum, but Bra was still going to prove a tough opponent for her to overpower. One thing the young woman had on her side was time; she knew, from the experiences of those who'd achieved the form, that one couldn't stay in it forever, and it quickly drained one's stamina.

Sakura charged Bra, the younger girl dodging the first blow with ease, grinning widely as she threw a punch to the side which Sakura just managed to deflect. Bringing her leg up, Sakura kicked Bra in the side, sending her backwards. For her part, Bra's feet managed to stay firmly planted on the ground, kicking up a massive mount of dirt as she skidded backwards. Electricity arced from Bra as she charged forwards, preparing a blast in her left hand. As Sakura moved to block it, Bra disappeared. Unfortunately, Sakura swung her fist around, colliding with the younger girl's head as she appeared behind her, sending Bra flying once more. However, Sakura didn't notice, until it was too late, that a ki bomb had been left on her arm, which promptly exploded in her face.

"I had no idea your daughter was this powerful," Beerus said as the battle heated up even further as volleys of blasts began issuing forth from both fighters. "For a mortal so young, she's really rather impressive."

"This is new to me, too," Vegito replied, unable to hide his pride in his daughter's abilities. "She'd never used anything beyond the normal Super Saiyan state around me."

"She did use that beefed-up Super Saiyan state against Trunks in the tournament," Bulma added before laughing. "I still remember how surprised Trunks looked when she showed it off, too."

"Man, Trunks isn't going to be happy, knowing his sister is stronger than he is," Vegito observed, mildly alarmed.

"I don't think we'll have to worry," Bulma said with a mischievous wink. "A few years ago, Bra asked if I could somehow hide the ki signals from inside the training room. I did manage to find a way, and installed it."

"But," Vegito said, screwing up his face in confusion. "I've felt ki signals coming from the training room before..."

"That's because you can toggle it, silly!" Bulma chided her husband. "Bra could hide her more extravagant powers from a certain, potentially curious brother of her's, but also not have a suspicious lack of presence in the gravity chamber."

"Damn, our daughter's more devious than I thought," Vegito observed. "I'm actually kind of impressed."

"Bra's always wanted a one-up on her brother," Bulma said, smiling. "Looks like she's finally got it."

At that moment, Bra dropped out of her Super Saiyan 3 state, into an ascended Super Saiyan, breathing heavily. Sakura managed to stop her attack just in time; the amount of power in it could've seriously hurt Bra in this state. That's when Bra looked up at her and, straightening up, powered up again, her muscles expanding beyond normal. Vegito actually let out a bark of laughter, not even Vegeta had managed to do that as a Super Saiyan 2. Though the power output wasn't anywhere near what one could get out of Super Saiyan 3, Vegito noticed a rather marked power increase from his daughter.

"You want to keep going?" Sakura asked, actually breathing heavily as she wiped some sweat from her forehead.

"As long as I can fi-" Bra began before she reverted to normal, falling to the ground as she passed out.

"Is she okay?" Bulma asked, somewhat concerned.

"She's fine," Vegito assured his wife. "I don't think she's used Super Saiyan 3 often, if at all. She wore herself out, but thought she could keep going in a boosted, but lower state. Alas," Vegito added with a chuckle. "It doesn't quite work that way."

"Still," Whis added. "Its quite impressive that one so young can even achieve that form, let alone use it in actual combat."

"Considering she trains three to five times a week," Vegito began as Sakura brought his sleeping daughter over. "It makes sense, but I'm surprised that she's managed to get so far. Goten and Trunks might be able to go past Super Saiyan, but the level of skill she's just shown is well beyond that."

"I wanted to show you, daddy," Bra said weakly as Sakura laid her down in front of her father. "One day, I want to be a powerful god, like you."

"You'll get there," Vegito said gently. "I'll make you a deal, if you can get strong enough to maintain Super Saiyan 3 for at least twenty minutes, I'll see if we can't gather together and grant your wish."

"Challenge," Bra said, barely holding on to consciousness. "Accepted." A moment later, she was fast asleep once more, the toll of Super Saiyan 3 finally taking full hold.

"She's quite spirited, isn't she?" Beerus observed with a grin.

"Definitely takes after her mother," Vegito answered fondly. "I don't think Bulma ever backed down from a challenge, as long as either Goku or Vegeta have known her. Sure, she got scared like most people would during all those crazy adventures she had as a kid, but she always kept going," Vegito sniffed, grinning slightly. "Hell of a going away present, don't you think?"

"It was most certainly quite entertaining," Whis said, nodding in agreement. "I'm surprised she had that kind of power in her, much less knew how to use it."

"Held on to it for about five minutes," Sakura noted. "That's longer than Vegeta did when he first transformed, I think."

Vegito laughed. "I think you're right," he said jovially, before gathering his family. "Well, I'll...be seeing you guys. Its been...its been an amazing ride."

"Likewise," Beerus said, shaking Vegito's hand.

"I'll always remember you," Whis said wistfully.

Vegito nodded farewell to his two friends as the rest of the party were taken, via Instant Transmission, to the Lookout. If the Dragon Balls weren't ready, by now, they would be in short order. They arrived just as Supreme Kai, Elder Kai, and Dende were walking out with the Dragon Balls on a small, lavender pillow. The mystic orbs were glowing with a warm, but strangely different light. A few moments later, the rest of Vegito's family and friends had arrived, Korin quietly gave Bra a Senzu bean to revive the girl as everyone gathered round for what was about to happen.

"Well," Gohan said first in a somber tone. "I guess this is it."

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Chi Chi said, grabbing on to Vegito's arm.

"I can't deprive you of your husbands for any longer than I have," Vegito said firmly, but gently. "Besides, I'll still be around. Everything that made me was in them, and everything I am will still be there, just in two bodies instead of one."

"That's quite the healthy attitude to have, youngster," Elder Kai said as the Dragon Balls were laid down on the ground. "I'm glad you're at peace with this, either way. And, before you go," Elder Kai added before bowing. "May I say, it has been an honour working with you these past few years."

"You flatter me, Elder Kai," Vegito said with a small laugh. "Its been an honour working with you, as well. Well, Dende," he continued, turning toward the young Namek. "Let's get this show on the road."

"Okay," Dende said with a nod. "Shenron will only have enough power to grant the one wish, then he'll need to go back to sleep for another year before he'll be ready to go back to normal."

"I think we'll be fine with just the one," Vegito replied.

"Alright, then," Dende responded before clearing his throat. "Eternal Dragon! Hear me, answer my call and grant my desire! In your name I summon you, Shenron!"

A blinding light flared from the Dragon Balls as the sky turned black and, a few moments later, the sinuous form of Shenron, Earth's Eternal Dragon, appeared from the haze.

"State your wish," Shenron said in a booming voice.

"Shenron," Vegito said after a moment to collect himself. "I ask that you undo the magic that created me and separate me back into Vegeta and Goku."

"It shall be done," Shenron replied as his eyes glowed. "Your wish has been granted, farewell!"

As the Dragon Balls scattered across the globe, a white light encompassed Vegito and everyone held on to one another. Electricity began to arc and pop as waves of magic began rippling through the air. The ground began to shake as the brilliant silhouette of Vegito began to separate slowly. The outline of the silhouette began to take on a red tinge as the ground began to buckle, the forms of Vegeta and Goku finally making themselves visible. A few moments later, the shaking died down and the light faded. Where once Vegito stood, Goku and Vegeta were now standing, opening their eyes for the first time in five years.

"Goku!" Chi Chi said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Its really...its really you! You're alive!"

"Oh Vegeta..." Bulma said as she embraced her husband.

"Hey, guys!" Goku said, smiling broadly. "Its good to see you all again! Especially you, Chi Chi. I've missed you so much."

Vegeta couldn't trust his words and instead opted for pulling Bulma tightly. The years he'd spent as Vegito, the time he'd been dead, fearing he'd never see her again, it was all like a dream, and he'd finally woken up. There was nothing he wouldn't do for this woman, no sacrifice was too great, not even his own life. In that moment, in that peaceful, wonderful moment, Vegeta was well and truly happy.

"Daddy!" Bra and Trunks said simultaneously as they bounded up to their father, each hugging one of his sides.

Looking over, Goku's children were doing much the same, and he was also marveling at the fact that he was a grandfather, fawning over Pan as Videl held on to her, still somewhat tired from the ordeal of having her first child.

"Well," Vegeta heard a familiar voice say off to the side. "That was certainly a rather impressive light show."

"Ssh," he heard another voice say in an admonishing tone. "Be quiet, Lord Beerus, you're interrupting a very touching moment. Don't spoil it for them with your unnecessary commentary."

"Oh, hey, Beerus and Whis!" Goku said, happily surprised. "When did you guys get here?"

"About the time the dragon disappeared," Beerus replied smugly. "But, Whis is right. Don't let us interrupt you. I'm certain you all have to make up for quite a bit of lost time."

"Oh my!" Whis said, floating over towards Videl. "Is that your child? I must say, she looks positively adorable! What's her name?"

"Gohan and I decided on Pan," Videl answered, smiling. "It was my mother's middle name."

"You say we decided on it," Gohan said, laughing. "It was your dad that suggested it in the first place."

"Speaking of Mr. Satan," Krillin began, quirking an eyebrow. "Where is he? I figured he'd have wanted to be here to see Vegito off. I mean, he was his daughter's father-in-law."

"Dad's actually spending time training," Videl replied with a chuckle. "I think he said something about 'showing up all those crazy monsters next time the World Tournament rolls around.'"

"Hmph," Vegeta scoffed, deciding now was as good a time as any to speak up. "Mr. Satan actually deciding to do something other than stroke his massive ego? Will wonders ever cease?"

"Working with Sakura's really mellowed dad out a lot," Videl said, a smile tugging at her lips once more. "I think he respects her a lot more than he might let on. It doesn't hurt that Sakura's got the patience of a saint."

"You know," Sakura said in mock indignation. "Its rude to talk about someone when they're standing right next to you."

"And I say it might have been a mistake to teach my dad how to use ki," Videl shot back with a laugh. "Though, he has helped keep the crime rate down. Few people wanted to mess with him even before he could fly faster than a race car."

"I'll never forget," Sakura began between laughs. "When he first figured it out and accidentally went headlong into his own exercise equipment. I swear, that knot on his head had to have been the size of a baseball! It took us a whole month before he'd even try to fly again."

"You know," Videl said, putting a free hand around Sakura's shoulder. "I never did thank you for training with my dad. I haven't seen him this focused, or this happy, since before mom passed away."

"Hey, any time," Sakura said happily. "Besides, he's not a bad guy, behind all the bluster and ridiculous hair."

A few precious minutes passed after that where the large group simply reminisced and shared the happy moments they'd had over the years. Vegeta found himself envying Vegito, even just a little, for all the time he'd had to watch his children grow up. He had all the memories, and no doubt Kakarot did, as well, but he could tell that his presence had been missed greatly. The idea buoyed his spirits, that he'd made enough of an impact on everyone, not just his family, that they'd actually missed him, even if he could be more gruff and standoffish than Piccolo. Even after they'd returned home, the group going their separate ways as Kakarot and his family went to their home and Vegeta and his family to theirs, Vegeta couldn't help but relish the opportunity that had been given to him. He was alive again and, more than that, he'd inherited a share of Vegito's power, including his...status. Clenching his fists slightly, Vegeta could feel the divine ki coursing through him. It chagrined him somewhat that he hadn't achieved the power himself, but when put in the right perspective, he realized that there was a very good argument for him actually having at least partially achieved it via Vegito. After all, Vegito was half him, had half his personality and all of his power. Though he'd been liberally mingled with Kakarot's personality and power, Vegeta had contributed his fair share to their...conglomerate, as well. Either way, the power of a god was his to command and Whis had extended the offer of training he'd given Vegito, even if he could tell Beerus was somewhat skeptical of the arrangement.

The night passed...eventfully, for the Prince of All Saiyans. His wife had been quite happy to see him, a fact she'd made extremely plain after the kids had been put to bed. He didn't mind the attention one bit and, indeed, he had much for which to make up. So much time lost, so many days he'd been gone, so many events he'd missed. At least the time before him, for now, seemed peaceful and calm. He could train and spend time with his family, mostly the latter for the first few months. Trunks had been very adamant that he owed him five years' worth of birthday presents and Vegeta wasn't going to argue with the boy, he was starting to grow as tall as his future counterpart had been. Squinting his eyes, Vegeta wondered what his son from the future was doing. Was he still rebuilding? Most likely. Had he found a young woman of his own? Maybe even started a family...he almost wished his Bulma had tried her hand at making a time machine, as the curiosity was eating at him, albeit very slowly.

Bra was growing very...fierce, as Vegeta could see. She trained almost every day and, what's more, did every bit of schoolwork that'd come her way. Vegeta honestly didn't know how the girl was managing to keep pushing herself that hard and keep her grades as good as they were. For all the activity, she never seemed to show any signs of wariness or fatigue. She wasn't becoming a more typical adolescent like her brother, either. Indeed, she was becoming the epitome of the tomboy; her hair was almost always cropped somewhat short, never growing past her shoulders, and she had long since dispensed with the dresses and skirts for more flexible attire. Vegeta had even seen her in clothes oddly reminiscent of his own gi. While it looked fine on a man, the material was made to be much like a second skin, a fact many boys in town had noticed, to Vegeta's amusement. He knew he didn't need to worry about his daughter; that if any boy were to dare try and take advantage of her, then she'd put him through a brick wall for his trouble.

Sitting back on the couch after a hard day's training, Vegeta sighed. His life was back on track and back in order. So many things had been lost in the shuffle between the death of Cell and now. Images of Broly's second arrival, the battle with Arctic, with Bojack's gang, and with Babidi's henchmen and Buu flitted through his mind. Desperation, struggles, victories, defeats, discoveries...these years had been extremely hectic, to say the least. Now, he was a student of an entity beyond even the gods themselves. More than that, however, he was a father free to raise his children in peace. He hoped that, this time, the peace would be more than fleeting, lasting more than a handful of months before a new threat reared its head. He would protect his home, of course, but he yearned for peace. He wanted to seek power, not because of a desperate need to keep up with Kakarot or whatever threat was looming, but simply for the pleasure of attaining it.

Far away, a robed figure stood on a great stone dais, a large crystal ball held in his hands. Around him, six obsidian pillars rose into the sky, glowing runes carved into them. A red sky blanketed by black clouds began to stir as deep, throaty rumbles of thunder began rippling through the air. The crystal ball in the figure's hands glowed and the mouth of the figure, barely visible beneath the hood, stretched into a cruel smile. Within the confines of the crystalline orb was an image of a lonely, blue planet, like a beautiful sapphire. Around the planet, wisps of purple and black energy waved about in odd patterns.

"Finally," the figure said in a hoarse, gravelly voice. "I've found the first of you. Be patient, my Lord, you only have a few more years before you are finally free from your prison and you can begin your grand work," turning around, the crystal ball disappeared as the figure raised his thin, almost skeletal arms to the churning skies above. "Let all creation tremble, let the gods themselves once again know fear! On onyx wings, I shall ride, the harbinger of the apocalypse! Let death spare none! Let creation's end begin...with Earth!"

With that, a pair of black, spectral wings enveloped the figure and a cloud of billowing smoke rose up into the sky of the desolate world.

Author's Notes

Well, that took a while. German really kicked my ass, this time, but I managed a good grade, so it was all worth it! Now, I've only got one class to worry about, and only for, like, two weeks until this whole shite semester is done! Seriously, fuck summer classes. Yes, we're going to have a few chapters before the next arc begins, but bear with me. Why? Because the next arc is going to not only be more coherent, but I have great things in store for it. It has taken a lot of planning and refining to get something that sounds good in my head, but this is something I've had in my head since around the time of the World Tournament chapters. Let's answer some reviews, shall we?

Jack905: You can thank Vegeta for that. He's learned to be a lot more serious with threats, his cockiness literally and metaphorically got beaten out of him, and Gohan helped heal his mind much like how he did Piccolo.

Ashe: Only barely: had Bra not used the buff SSJ form, Trunks likely would've worn her down. Alas, Trunks wasn't counting on his kid sister taking a leaf out of daddy's book.

Apexawesome: Hm...as far as power, I'd say he's around there, perhaps. Though, its kind of hard to gauge, given that god ki seems to scale exponentially, whereas mortal ki scales either linearly or, at best, geometrically. I might also look into what the multiverse has to offer, I don't want to leave it be a completely hanging plot thread, but I really need to plan my arcs better than I have been. Kinda been winging it with this story, and its suffered for it. As for Arctic, he is Cold's brother; in my mind, in the canon universe, Cold managed to kill Arctic in his sleep instead of having him imprisoned like he did, here.

Great Saiyaman54: Hahaha, alas, Whis is just a little bit older than Sakura. Given what he is and what he represents, he is quite literally as old as this universe. From his perspective, even a Saiyan's abnormally long life is fleeting. Its kind of like the Doctor and Rose.

SuperVegitoFAN: Ohhhh hell yes. Of all the creatures in the universe, Whis is the one you absolutely, under no circumstances, want to anger. He is literally Order itself. Fighting a concept is pretty much a losing proposition from the get-go.

Also, re SSJ Blue + Kaioken, I haven't really seen it, so I can't honestly say how I feel either way. I've only seen bits a pieces of Super, mostly because, and this is just me, I find the Japanese voices to be a little grating. Also, regarding SSJ White (vs Blue), I find the blue to be a bit...strange, though that's entirely personal and also likely a bit cultural, since us Westerners tend to associate white with divinity more than blue. Plus, I was watching Claymore when I thought that part up, so I was a little inspired, lol. Well, I'll catch you guys later for Chapter Thirty (Woot!) of The Prince Ascendant, Whis, Spiders, and Other Fun Interludes! Take care!