A/N: I'm sure you already know what I am going to say. I ran into a horrendous case of writer's block with this story and overthought myself right into a hole, where no ending I could think of was "good enough" which only compounded my writer's block. I put a lot into my work here, and while that is good, sometimes that is to my own detriment. Finally though, I decided to just go for it. I hope this chapter satisfies and makes the wait worthwhile. Thanks always for the support, and as always, hope you enjoy.

Bra whirled around in shock when the door slammed hard behind her, leaving her trapped in the suffocating darkness of her closet. She frantically reached for the doorknob, but her hands couldn't grasp anything. Tentatively, the little girl took a step forward – and then another – and another, hands outstretched in a darkness so thick that she couldn't even see them, her fingers waiting for the feel of a door that never came. Finally, she lowered her shaking hands with a whimper when she realized that the door was gone. Turning back around, tears in her blue eyes, she looked around for any kind of light, but there was none. There was nothing but a vast emptiness before her, and unlike the palpable heat of her bedroom, it was cold.

Briefly she considered powering up – the light from her ki would light her way. But she could sense that she was not alone, and out of fear, she sat down and wrapped her arms around her torso to make herself as small as possible. The bad people had her now, she was sure of it. She drew her knees up to her chest and buried her face against them. Vegeta and Trunks could always smell her tears, and in this position, maybe she would be undetected until someone came to save her.

The little girl stayed in that position for what felt like hours to her, shivering from her fear and also from the cold cutting through her drenched clothes. Finally, her sensitive hearing picked up someone faintly calling her name in the distance. She looked up, peeking up over her knees. She recognized that voice, and finally saw a glimmer of light ahead. That voice was rough, almost as rough as her father's, which could only mean…

"Mr. Piccolo?" she whispered, blinking away her tears. The light grew a little brighter in response. Scrambling up to her feet, she ran ahead towards the light as fast as she could. The light was far away, but slowly, it came more into focus. It was from a lantern, and when she saw two familiar Namekians in its light, Bra raced ahead with superhuman speed as she cried, "Mr. Piccolo!"

Piccolo grunted when the five-year-old girl suddenly launched herself right into him. Although he had heard her footsteps as she ran towards them, he hadn't seen her until she was practically shooting straight into his chest. The Namekian grunted again, awkwardly holding onto the child who was latched onto him for dear life and sobbing into his cloaked shoulder. He looked towards Dende and Mirken knowingly.

"Told you it was her," he informed them. He scowled when he felt the girl shivering badly, and wrapped his cloak around her to warm her.

"Bra!" Dende gasped in surprise. "How did you get here?"

"Yes, how did this happen?" Mirken asked, bringing the lantern closer to peer at the child in astonishment. "You need to have Namekian magic to cross into the Black Gateway without dying."

"Not necessarily," Yona's soft voice cut in. "The spirits are stronger than I thought…to bring her here like this." Bra peeked up over Piccolo's shoulder, looking through her damp blue bangs hanging into her eyes. She tried to see who was speaking, or sense them, but she couldn't do either. She clutched Piccolo tighter, the underlying anger in Yona's voice not getting past her.

"That's what we have been trying to tell you," Piccolo growled. "You say you want justice. Here is your justice. A little girl being dragged into one of the realms that separate the living and the dead. Millions dying. To what end?"

"This is a violation of the balance of nature, Yona," Mirken rasped. "Retribution against Vegeta isn't worth this madness. You can end this."

Bra perked up at her father's name, meekly asking, "Is my Daddy here?" She immediately started trying to reach him telepathically, even though she hadn't been shown how to do so. She focused with all her might.

"No, he's not, Bra," Dende gently informed her, drawing the little girl's attention. At the sight of her reddened and tear-streaked face, he offered her a kind smile. "But don't worry. Yona is an old Namekian guardian, like me. He believes in justice, like I do. He won't let you stay here, away from your family. He will do the right thing."

Silence. Piccolo was tense, one arm holding the girl against him as he peered into the darkness. His Namekian hearing was on full alert as he waited anxiously to see how Yona would take Dende's bold words, his free hand clenched into a tight fist.

Finally, some tense moments later, that soft voice spoke again. "You are correct, boy. I do believe in justice. Emotion must never override justice. Not for Vegeta…or for the dark avengers, for that matter. Not for anyone."

Dende and Mirken looked visibly relieved, but Piccolo's guard was not lowered as he growled, "So you will end it then?"

"That all depends."

"On what?"

"On Vegeta."

Mercy is for the weak. Dazed and on his knees, Vegeta stared at the message, unable to hear Goku who was grasping him by the shoulders. It was the hospital all over again, with words being spoken to him, logical words, but hollow and unable to penetrate his fog.

Goku didn't understand, because he had never played his game. Because when Vegeta was younger, that's all it had been. A fucking game to lure in his victims, to give them false hope, before he slaughtered them without hesitation or remorse. When they pleaded for mercy, begged him, on their knees and at his feet, he said those same words every single time. He was a master at this game, and these spirits knew it and had turned the tables.

Goku shook him, making Vegeta squeeze his eyes shut. Clenching his fists tightly, his teeth grinding so hard he thought he would fracture his jaw, he struggled against intrusive, murderous thoughts. The sprawled message in his daughter's room had broken something inside of him; something he couldn't piece back together amidst raw terror for his daughter, and also over the crippling guilt wracking through him. He was supposed to protect his little girl, and instead he was entirely responsible for raining a worse hell down on her than he could have ever imagined. He didn't even know if she was alive, and the very thought had him wanting to scream until all the galaxies heard him and knew of his loss. He wanted nothing more than to burn the fucking universe to ashes, so everyone could burn in hell right alongside him.

Instead, he stayed on his knees.

Which was exactly where they wanted him.

Lightning flashed outside as Vegeta winced and grasped his head with both hands, sinking further down on his knees when he felt a mental pull for possession of his body that he hadn't felt in ten years. He instantly pushed it back, stifling it valiantly before it could overwhelm him. But he was weakened in body and in spirit; it was through sheer strength of will that he pushed back. It took its toll, leaving him shaking, sweating and out of breath as he lowered his hands and stubbornly shook his head. Unconsciously, he leaned into Goku's grip on his armor.

"Vegeta?" Goku urged, trying to keep the concern out of his voice as he shook the prince again who by all accounts looked on the verge of passing out. Vegeta's face was pale and his nose had just started bleeding, and Goku could sense something wrong with his ki. It feels like it did with Buu, the younger Saiyan realized with dread. "We don't know where Bra is," he said again, for the fifth time. "She could still be out there. They want you to think the worst, just like before. You have to keep yourself together right now."

You're wrong, Vegeta silently sent back. My daughter is gone-

"You don't know that! Now get up!" Goku ordered him in a tone that would have had Vegeta seething under normal circumstances. But these were far from normal circumstances. The weakened prince was helpless to stop Goku from hauling him back up to his feet, and could only grasp onto Goku's wrists in an effort to steady himself. He finally managed to squeeze open one eye, and Goku was relieved to see that even though it was bloodshot, it was dark brown. "We are going to find her and end this. Don't give up hope now. That's what they want-"

"Dad!" Trunks shouted as he ran into the room. "What-" his words choked when he looked at the message left for them.

Vegeta squinted over at Trunks, and then instantly felt like doubling over from the pain in his head. He squeezed his eyes shut as a voice from a shadow whispered in his ear-

He did it. He and Bulma both. Kill Trunks, then kill her, the voice urged.

Vegeta snarled in frustration even as his bloodlust soared. He pulled free from Goku and went over to the wall, leaning his forehead and hands against it while his teeth grinded together. He felt another mental pull, harder than the last; it felt like he was swimming and someone was on his back, trying to pull him under to drown him. He was intimately familiar with it; it felt just like it had before. The difference before was that after fighting it, he had willingly given in.

But he would never do so again; not here, not now, not ever. It finally dawned on the prince exactly what the spirits were pushing him to do; they wanted control of him to kill his family. If he gave in now, it wouldn't necessarily mean Trunks' and Bulma's deaths, not if the Son family had anything to say about it. Even still, he would be putting all their lives at risk. Valiantly, the prince shook off the attempt once again, but if it wasn't for the wall to lean on, he would have collapsed from the strain.

The smell of familiar tears finally broke through his haze of pain. He didn't need to look behind him to know they belonged to Trunks. He didn't know the fate of his daughter, but he still had his son and his wife, and that knowledge gave him back a few precious bits of strength he sorely needed. Goku was right. He had to keep his strength and his resolve. The last time he had lost control at the thought of Bulma and Bra dying, he had nearly killed his son in a blind rage. He could not slip into the madness.

They're trying to break you, Vegeta. You don't let them, you hear me? she had said.

He wouldn't. He had failed Bra. He would not fail Trunks and Bulma.

"Did you all search the compound?" the prince finally asked, his voice rougher than usual as he turned to face the other two in the room. He leaned back against the wall, trying to recover his strength as Goku and Trunks rummaged through the bedroom, the teen brushing impatiently at his eyes.

"I already looked. Gohan is double checking, but we couldn't find anything, Vegeta," Goku muttered, emerging from the closet of Bra's room. Walking over to Vegeta, he held out a stuffed bear for him to see. "This is the one, right? It was on the floor in the closet."

Vegeta couldn't stomach the sight of it for more than a couple seconds. He looked away, staying silent and leaving Trunks to confirm that indeed, it was Bra's favorite teddy bear Runo.

"No sign of her," Gohan said as he entered the room. "I double and triple checked," he informed them, before his eyes widened in horror at the message on the walls.

Vegeta's eyes settled on the fish tank in the room, the one filled with blood. As though following his silent train of thought, Goku spoke up. "I checked, it's not the same blood. That doesn't necessarily mean it's hers though. This could all be a trick, like with Trunks."

A trick to make me lose control, Vegeta thought idly. Though it made logical sense, he still couldn't bring himself to believe it. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to regain his bearings before reaching out for Goku. Kakarot, Vegeta sent, drawing the younger Saiyan's attention. Step out with Gohan. I need to talk to my son, alone.

Are you sure? Goku sent back, looking at him warily. Vegeta managed to give Goku a look out of the corner of his eye; the younger Saiyan sighed. Alright. But we are taking the door off the hinges first, just in case.

Vegeta grunted as Goku led Gohan out of the room with a few hushed words, although true to his word, they pulled the door off the hinges first for their own peace of mind. The prince closed his eyes and turned back to rest his forehead against the wall, even as he felt Trunks desperately moving around his sister's room. He checked beneath the bed, then went back over to the closet, flinging the door open even though Goku had already checked it. Nothing was out of the ordinary. In frustration, he slammed the door closed, and whirled around to face his father.

"Dad! Aren't you going to help us look? We still don't know where Bra is!" Trunks yelled at his dad. Vegeta didn't move as Trunks' voice escalated while the teenager advanced on him, "Dad! Hello? Can you help me here? Bra is lost somewhere and you're not doing anything about it!" He was borderline screaming, as Vegeta finally pushed off the wall and turned to face him. Through the flashing light from the storm, the prince could make out his son's tears as Trunks continued ranting, "We can't just – sit here and do nothing – Bra is only five – and –"

His words choked when Vegeta suddenly pulled him into a hug. Trunks couldn't have been more shocked even if Vegeta had struck him. The prince had only embraced him like this on two previous occasions – once before he died against Buu, and once more not long ago after their last major father-son conflict. He was stunned, and stood still for a couple seconds. When those seconds passed though, he desperately returned Vegeta's embrace. He buried his face against his father's shoulder, his eyes squeezed shut and burning with his hot tears.

"I'll find her," Vegeta finally told him, his voice hoarse. He had always prided himself on being blunt, especially when it came to his son. Never sugarcoating, always giving Trunks the raw truth. He couldn't bring himself to voice the truth whispering in his mind though. He had shattered enough pieces of Trunks with his bare hands barely a day ago; he could do no more harm to the boy, physical or otherwise. Trunks' body shuddered with sobs as he gripped Vegeta's armor tighter. "Wherever she is. I will find her."

"What are we going to do?" Trunks asked when he had regained some of his composure.

"Not we. You will go back to the Lookout," Vegeta informed him. "I will handle this alone."

At that, Trunks pulled back from his father's embrace. "What? No! If you're going to find Bra, I am coming with you. Don't leave me out of this," he snarled, hot anger flashing behind his tears.

Despite the circumstances, Vegeta's lips twitched into the faintest smile. His boy was like him, but so much better. Reaching out, he put a hand on the side of Trunks' neck, fighting to put into words how he felt as Trunks looked at him expectantly.

"Right now, I need you to be with your mother," Vegeta finally said, his words gruff and his eyes hard. "I need you to take care of her, while I finish this."

Trunks' stomach churned at decade old memories coming back. Getting a look at his dad now, he saw how much his father was struggling. He could feel the lack of strength in his father's hold on him. "Dad – you can't – not again –" his voice broke.

"I'll do whatever I need to do, for your sister, and your mother. And for you. I've…done wretched things, son. But you…you're the reason I stayed on this planet at all, Trunks. You and you alone. I need you to know that." There are so many things I should have told you.

Vegeta briefly closed his eyes when he felt that hard mental pull again, and not trusting himself near his son, he took his hand off Trunks and took a step back. He brought up the hand and pressed the heel hard into his temple as he winced.

"Dad…" Trunks worriedly stepped towards him.

"Don't," Vegeta warned, stepping back again and turning to the side. He caught sight of the bloody message on the wall again and looked away, grimacing. "Just go, kid. And if, by chance, I don't return…you do what needs to be done, and take care of our family, you hear me?"

Trunks said nothing, hands tightly gripped into fists at his sides. Finally, he reached up and brushed the remnants of his tears away. He lingered a moment longer, wanting to say something else, but at a loss for what to say. The man he respected, the man he had admired since he was old enough to admire anyone…he didn't know how to tell his dad how he felt, any more than Vegeta knew how to tell him. And so he nodded.

"I hear you," he finally said, before resolve and strength came back into his voice. "You'll come back though. I know you will."

Vegeta closed his eyes, reaching out for Goku as Trunks left the room and the three talked in hushed tones down the hall. Kakarot. You and Gohan take Trunks back to the Lookout. I will finish this.

He felt Gohan and Trunks leave within moments, but to his chagrin, Goku walked back into the room a heartbeat later. Unable to stand any longer, the prince sat at the edge of his daughter's bed, lowering his head into his hands. Goku took one look at him and already knew.

"They're trying to possess you like they did Trunks, aren't they?" Goku stated more than asked, frowning as he looked his friend over. "Your ki feels like it did before, with Babidi."

"It doesn't matter," Vegeta muttered unconvincingly, even as he sat with his eyes squeezed shut. He swallowed heavily, willing the pain back. He was no stranger to pain. He could deal with it. "I can fight it."

"Can you?" Goku asked, frowning as he examined his friend. Even after having taken the senzu, the prince looked haggard, though it was probably more from the emotional strain he was under. Still, he looked like he was in control of himself for the time being, though Goku wasn't sure how long that would last given the circumstances.

"What matters is my daughter," Vegeta snarled, fiercely shaking his head. He squinted up at Goku. "I know what you're saying, Kakarot. That we don't know for sure. But they must have her. They must. This? See this?" he demanded with a sweep of his arm, gesturing towards the walls with the bloody message. "This is a message for me, Kakarot. They are using Bra as a pawn." If they haven't already killed her, he silently added, refusing to voice the thought.

Goku said nothing for a moment, before frowning. "Alright. What should we do then?"

"We'll split up and search for her," Vegeta conceded. Even though deep down he felt the effort was fruitless, he had to at least do the search. There was no body after all, nothing to confirm the sinking feeling in his heart. Going back to face his wife on a gut feeling without doing his due diligence would cause more harm than good. As a husband and as a father, he had to go through the paces and at least try.

Plus…if I had wanted to torture someone, I would have left the body in plain sight…he mused, before stopping his train of thought before he gave himself hope. Hope was a dangerous thing, a luxury he could not afford.

"Ehh, not for nothing, Vegeta, but I'm not leaving you while you're struggling against possession."

Vegeta grunted, scowling as he massaged his temple with the heel of his hand. Finally, when he felt some strength return to him and felt his head clear, he slowly stood, scanning the message again as he did.

"Alright," he finally said, steel in his voice as he forced himself to think. With his emotions slightly under control now, he could make out Bra's scent in the room. His nose twitched as he looked around, and when he looked down at the carpet in the room, he grunted. "She was here recently. I can smell it. Plus there are wet shoeprints here that can only be hers."

"Yeah," Goku agreed, nodding. "I tracked that. From what I can gather, she came in through your room, if the broken lock on your balcony door is any indication. Then she came in here," he said, walking the steps as he followed her scent while Vegeta watched. "Then it's strong here in the closet…" Goku added, opening the door to the closet again. He poked his head in. "But, the scent ends here, so I dunno if she-"

The door suddenly slammed shut before either could react, right on Goku's head, with so much force it would have decapitated a human. As it was, it brought the Saiyan to his knees, though Vegeta could smell the fresh blood in the air.

"Kakarot!" Vegeta cried in alarm. He phased in and grabbed Goku by the back of his gi, yanking him backwards right before the door slammed shut on his head again. Goku fell back on the floor, limp and bleeding from a nasty gash on the side of his head. Vegeta fell to his knees beside him, cursing as he shook the fellow Saiyan by his gi, to no response. "Damn it, Kakarot! I know your thick skull is hard enough to take that! Wake up!"

Vegeta cursed under his breath when he saw that Goku was out cold. The prince checked to ensure he was still breathing, and then he checked the sides of his head to make sure there was no mark for the Code V virus. It was only when he verified both, that he let out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. Heavens knew Goku could take a hell of a lot worse than that, so he figured he would be fine.

Getting back up to his feet, the prince stepped over Goku to the door, vaguely realizing the heat in the room had risen exponentially. Grasping the door handle, he pulled, but the door had no give. Vegeta glared at the closet door, feeling the small hairs on the back of his neck rise as he felt another presence in the bedroom.

"I know you can hear me," he growled, his voice unsteady as his ki began to rise with his growing rage. "You fucking want a piece of me? Well I'm RIGHT HERE, SO COME OUT AND FACE ME, YOU COWARDS!" he screamed, ascending to his Super Saiyan state as he spun around.

Facing him, in the darkness, were almost ten pairs of blood red eyes that accompanied child-like silhouettes. Vegeta snarled at the sight of them.

"Prince Vegeta," that ominous chorus of voices sounded out. "You'll never see your daughter again."

Vegeta bared his teeth threateningly, ignoring his body rebelling as he forced his power to surge past Super Saiyan 2. He shifted into his fighting stance, his ki rupturing around him as he sneered hatefully.

"I'll send you back to the hell you crawled out of, you worthless pieces of-"

Vegeta suddenly felt that mental pull again for possession, but this time, it felt like an anchor pulling him backwards into the water. It was so strong and so sudden that it forced him to stumble back hard against the door, making him slide down as he held his head tightly in both hands. He struggled valiantly for a few seconds, before screaming his lungs out as he almost tore fistfuls of hair out, fighting to keep them out of his head. It seemed as though the earlier attempts had been simple mental tests, something to gauge how strong he really was.

"It's Trunks' fault. His fault, and Bulma's. Kill them," the voices commanded.

"No!" Vegeta stubbornly growled, even as he fell to the floor, not far from Goku. He rolled onto his side, gripping his head tightly.

"You must."

"It's a mercy."

"Their deaths otherwise will be more painful."

"Everyone is going to die."

"Spare them that end."

"Kill them, Prince Vegeta. They have made you weak."

"Kill them all, Prince. Show them your strength."

"Give them clean and merciful deaths. Don't let them suffer."

"Kill them all!"

"No," Vegeta moaned in pain, flames of ki around him suddenly going from gold to blood red. He rolled onto his stomach, grimacing as he held his head tightly. "No…I won't…" he weakly protested.

Feeling his will being subdued, blue hair came to mind, along with a dazzling smile. He pictured a mischievous little boy sitting on his shoulders and tugging on his hair, and a baby girl who would always stop crying when he held her in his arms.

Bulma…forgive me. His eyes slid closed as he momentarily blacked out, his ki vanishing.

When he opened his eyes again a few minutes later, they were blood red.

"Goku. Wake up. Goku!"

"Huh?" the Saiyan asked, groggy as he raised his eyebrows. "Wha? Wha happened?" he slurred, squinting his eyes open. "Oh, man, that stings," he winced, one hand going up to his head. His blurry vision began to clear as he made out Yamcha and Krillin leaning over him.

"Goku, are you alright?" Yamcha asked nervously, unable to keep from looking around the room every few seconds. The room gave him chills, particular with the bloody, ominous message still on the walls.

"Yeah, I think so," Goku mumbled, blinking a bit as he slowly sat up, rubbing his head while he did. He frowned when he felt dried blood.

Krillin nodded, "Good. We were going back to the Lookout because we found Mia Xhao. We tracked her down at Trunks' college. But when we felt what happened here, we decided to come and see if we could help-"

"Where's Vegeta?" Goku abruptly interrupted, looking around anxiously. He quickly got back up to his feet when he saw no sign of the older Saiyan.

"We…don't know. He vanished."

"Yeah. We can't track his ki at all."

"That's because you're looking for his ki signature," Goku said, his eyes turning serious. Krillin and Yamcha exchanged a glance. They rarely saw Goku with that look in his eyes, and when they did, it meant business. "Vegeta has likely been possessed, like Trunks was…where is Trunks? And Bulma?" Goku suddenly asked in alarm.

"They're at the Lookout."

Goku turned away from his friends. He closed his eyes, reaching up to his temple with two fingers. It was about a minute before he turned back to them. "Alright. I warned Gohan, just in case Vegeta tries to show up there. Now, you two say you found Mia?"

"Yeah, she was camping out there at the college. It didn't take too long to find her, since there are only so many safe havens available right now. We don't think she noticed us. They have some refuge there, from the storm and the flooding," Krillin explained to his best friend. He warily looked around, feeling uncomfortable as he read over the message on the walls, and saw the blood on the closet door. "Goku…what happened here?"

"There's no time to explain. Go to the college, keep an eye there on Mia and make sure she doesn't leave. Wait there for me."

"Not for nothing, Goku, but… Mia did try to kill Vegeta. Do you think we can trust her after that?"

"I'll talk to her. Now go on. I'll meet you both there."

"What? But where are you going?" Yamcha asked in concern.

"I'm going to find Vegeta."

Meanwhile, almost twenty miles away at a maximum security prison, prisoners were rejoicing. After all, they were located on a hill, and were unaffected by the chaos outside of their prison. They were blissfully unaware that the real danger wasn't outside; the danger was inside, in the rafters, where a Saiyan was hiding in the shadows.

The prince was numb, eyes burning red with hatred, his fingers itching for blood. Although his will had been subdued, it had not been completely defeated – he was answering the call for blood, but not his family's. There was still enough of his strong will lingering in the recesses of his mind to vehemently object to that, although not enough to stop him from killing altogether. Unbeknownst to him, there were silhouettes behind him while he gazed down at the prisoners, urging him to kill them with dark whispers, fanning the fires of the madness possessing him.

Undetected, Vegeta silently dropped down in an unattended corner. He disappeared into a hallway, and then found himself in a utility closet. It only took him a moment before he found the prison's power supply. One flip of a switch, and everyone's cell unlocked. Grunting, Vegeta stepped back, and fired a blast of ki that knocked out the backup power supply.

Chaos ensued as the prisoners exited their cells, and in the midst of the chaos with the police calling in for backup as they tried to regain order, the most dangerous predator in the universe lurked. He silently walked back into the heart of the prison where men of all shapes and sizes were running around, some fights breaking out, police officers desperate to get control with their flashlights and batons. The first prisoner who he bumped into Vegeta never even saw him before the prince grabbed him from behind and violently wrenched his head, breaking his neck and damn near ripping his head off. Vegeta cracked his neck, his ki surging now as red flames surrounded him, suddenly drawing everyone's attention. In the darkness, surrounded by the red energy of his intense ki, he looked like a demon.

The screams began as Vegeta went to work, but weren't heard for miles. They ended almost as fast as they started, lost in a sea of violence and blood.

By the time Goku teleported in, having finally picked up Vegeta's ki, only one prisoner was still alive. The younger Saiyan teleported in just in time to see Vegeta attempt to rip his heart out from behind. Goku immediately intervened, grabbing Vegeta's fist before he could impale the prisoner, and then yanking the prince roughly back.

"Stop this, Vegeta!" Goku yelled. His eye twitched when Vegeta turned to face him. His gaze was cold and there was no recognition at all in his red eyes as he regarded Goku. "This isn't you!"

Vegeta's lip curled up as he snarled, before he flew directly into Goku's midsection, taking them through prison bars and barreling through the prison wall altogether. The Saiyans brawled, before Vegeta got a hand in Goku's face. Goku was able to shove it aside right as Vegeta fired a ki blast that would have taken his head off, an explosion of dirt rupturing next to them. The prince growled as the dirt flew back into his eyes, and Goku instantly phased in right behind him, grabbing the prince into a choke hold as he hauled him backwards.

"This isn't you, Vegeta! You're stronger than they are! Fight this, I know you can!" Goku yelled right in his ear.

Vegeta thrashed desperately, before igniting his ki as he ascended. His ki skyrocketed, and Goku was forced to ascend as well, but he couldn't stop the prince from propelling them backwards back into the prison. The impact through the cement created a new hole in the wall, but Goku was relentless. He wrenched him backwards, not breaking his hold. Vegeta desperately elbowed him in the ribs with powerful shots that had Goku tasting blood, and then used his smaller frame as leverage as he twisted and dropped down, grappling himself free.

Phasing out, Vegeta appeared behind Goku, surprising the younger Saiyan as he caught Vegeta's boot right to the side of his head – right where the door had caught him earlier. Goku spun around completely, before dropping to the floor, visibly dazed. The prince landed on the floor, no mercy in his blood red eyes as he raised his hand up towards the man who considered him a friend.

Just as he was about to fire, he heard it. Vegeta cocked his head to one side, looking away as he did.

Daddy?

His ki dwindled a little, and his eyes flickered dark brown for a fraction of a second as he hesitantly asked, "Bra?"

She's dead, that haunting voice whispered in his ear. Vegeta shook his head, overwhelmed with dizziness. Yes…his daughter was gone…wasn't she?

Daddy! Her voice rang out again in his mind, making him shake his head again and take a step back. He closed his eyes, wondering if he was losing it as he felt nauseous.

"Bra…are you really there?" he asked, hope surging in his chest.

Yes! I'm okay…I'm with…

Her voice faded. Auditory hallucination or not, hearing his daughter's voice again broke the hold of possession on him. The pain brought him down to his knees as he fought mentally for control back over his body. Grinding his teeth together, Vegeta screamed as he fought for his life. It was taking everything he had.

Goku finally regained his bearings and stood, rushing over to his friend who was on his hands and knees. The red fire of his Vegeta's ki surged as the other Saiyan approached. "Vegeta!"

Vegeta looked up, and Goku was relieved when he finally saw recognition there. Despite the red tint to his intense ki that was still surrounding Vegeta, his eyes were dark again, and filled with pain.

"…Ka…Kakarot…" he barely managed to rasp out as he wrestled for control, straining his abilities as much as he could. "Help me…"

With that, his ki vanished and the fire around him disappeared. Vegeta's eyes rolled back and he would have collapsed had Goku not phased in to grab him.

"I will," Goku swore, reaching up to his forehead with two fingers as he held onto the prince with his other arm.

A second later, and they were both gone.

When Vegeta came to later that night, it was to the worst headache of his life.

He slowly raised his head as he regained consciousness, only mildly aware that he was sitting on a chair. Scowling, he tried moving his arms, only to find his wrists were fastened behind him. Handcuffs. His head fell back to his chest. He was physically spent, and he was exhausted.

"Hey, you awake? Sorry about the handcuffs," a voice chuckled nervously. Vegeta scowled, knowing the voice, but having a hard time placing it in his disorientation. "Bulma recommended them. Said it would help keep your ki subdued."

Vegeta grunted. That made sense, somewhat. He wasn't sure what made sense anymore. He felt a strong hand on his shoulder, and that felt real enough.

"Hey, you thirsty? I got you some water. With a straw, for now, til we can let you outta the chair and all."

The prince raised his head again, squinting his eyes open a little bit. "Krillin?" he hoarsely said, finally placing the man talking to him.

"Yep. And don't worry. Trunks and Bulma are safe. Goku's just in the next room. Yamcha went to find you a little something to eat in the school kitchens. Just something light to snack on."

"Hn," the prince grunted. He turned his head away when Krillin offered him the drink with a straw. Krillin withdrew the drink, but not before putting his hand back on Vegeta's shoulder.

"Hey, Vegeta, listen. I'm…really sorry about what's happened to Bra. I have a daughter too, you know. I understand."

Vegeta frowned, looking back over at Krillin and raising an eyebrow as he studied him. Outside of his family and Goku's, Krillin was the one who he had bonded with the most of all the humans. Bulma liked to say the he and Android 18 were way more similar than they realized, and so he supposed it must have been true since talking to Krillin had become more and more comfortable over the years. Not that he routinely sought the smaller man out, nor would he consider him a friend. But it was something, he supposed. Too exhausted for any snide comments, he just nodded, accepting the kind words for what they were.

"Where is Kakarot?"

"He is with Mia Xhao," Krillin told him, making Vegeta's head snap up in surprise. "Yeah, Yamcha and I found her. It wasn't that hard, since her house fell apart…there aren't a lot of safe havens around. This school is one of them. We found her here, and then Goku brought you here after what…happened. He's trying to convince her to help you out again."

"I ought to kill the bitch for what she did to me and Bulma," Vegeta snarled venomously, remembering her leaving him for dead, and trapping his wife in to watch him die.

Unfazed, Krillin shrugged. "She has been helpful."

"Has she, now?" Vegeta snidely demanded, looking around and seeing they were in a small college classroom. Now that he felt more coherent, he tried pulling the handcuffs apart, to no avail. Bulma had created the damn things years ago when Trunks was just a toddler, to help neutralize his ki when his nightmares would strike. They had also found more "fun" uses for them over the years. This was the first time though that he cursed their existence.

"Yeah. She was able to get rid of whatever was in your head," Krillin informed him, studying the prince's eyes. "Your eyes look better now. Half an hour ago they were red, and I don't mean bloodshot red. I mean, creepy, demon red."

"Half an hour ago?" Vegeta asked in confusion.

"Yeah, you've been in and out for maybe an hour or so," Krillin said as Yamcha strolled in.

"Hey, glad to see you up," Yamcha greeted, carrying a pack of apples. "Brought you some fruit, get you some energy."

Vegeta was going to respond when Goku walked in from another entrance. Behind him, walked the old crone that had nearly killed him. The prince grit his teeth at the sight of her, a muscle in his jaw rhythmically pulsing.

"Glad to see you awake, Vegeta," Goku brightly told him. The prince ignored him, glaring at the old woman who stared intensely back. "I talked to Mia for a while and explained everything that's gone on. She's going to check ya, make sure all the lingering possession is gone. Then we can let you go."

"If you touch me, I will rip your hands off, you fucking old bat," Vegeta threatened her. Mia rolled her eyes, and then looked over at Goku, who forced a chuckle.

"Aw, don't mind Vegeta. He's just had a really, really long day," he said.

"So have I. I lost my home, and thought I had ended the madness by killing this Saiyan," Mia drawled. "But not only did he somehow survive, it turns out he actually has made a friend or two who are good at tracking."

"I convinced Mia that it was better to help you with your possession, before you went on and purged the Earth or something crazy." Vegeta cast Goku a glare that read, you're an idiot, but Goku just shrugged. "You wanted help, I got help. Also, I was going to get Bulma-"

"No, don't," Vegeta immediately cut in, making them all raise an eyebrow. The prince scowled at all of them. "Not yet. Not until this shit is out of my system." Not until I can trust myself again.

"Alright, sunshine, since you being possessed makes you even more of a murderous asshole than you normally are, let me have a look," Mia declared. She reached out to Vegeta, who flinched and turned away from her touch. "I'm trying to help you, Saiyan. Sure, I did try to kill you earlier, but considering you murdered hundreds of people tonight, I don't think you've got much room to judge. Now hold still."

Vegeta growled low in his throat, but did nothing else when Mia tilted his head back. She opened his eye more with her fingers, checking his pupil in the light, before checking his other eye. When she was done, she released him and then covered his eyes with one hand, forcing him to close his eyes. She held her hand there for several long moments, and despite everything, he felt himself leaning into her touch when he felt his blistering headache vanishing from whatever she was doing.

"Looks and feels a lot better," she relented, removing her hand and scowling at him. "You should have protection for a day or two from the possession."

"That's it?" Krillin asked nervously. "That doesn't really seem long enough."

"It's the best I can do. The dead bastards are strong. If you got something better, by all means, give it a shot, darling." The scowl over her aged features worsened when Goku walked over behind Vegeta and started unfastening his handcuffs. "You sure that's safe? He is still psychotic, after all."

"Why? Afraid?" Vegeta drawled as Goku released him. The prince moved his arms in front of him, massaging his wrists. He reached up and effortlessly caught an apple that Yamcha tossed at him.

"Not of you."

"Hn." His respect for her grew at that response.

"Alright, since this is all under control now, you guys head on back to the Lookout," Goku ordered, hopping up onto a table at the front of the classroom. Vegeta noticed he favored his ribs a little when he did, but he didn't comment on it. "Give Bulma and Trunks the update on Vegeta. We need to talk to Mia about Bra, and then I'll IT over."

Krillin and Yamcha both nodded, gathering up their things.

"Good luck," Krillin called out as they walked out.

"Yeah, let us know if you need anything else, Goku," Yamcha added.

Vegeta looked down as they left, turning the apple over in his hand. Although he had no appetite, he forced himself to raise it and take a bite. Part of the reason he had struggled to fight against the possession was because his own strength was lacking. He couldn't put anyone at that kind of risk again.

"The people…at the prison…" Vegeta started uncomfortably, looking at Goku.

"You weren't yourself."

"How many?"

"It's not your fault-"

"How many, Kakarot?"

Goku was silent for a few seconds, before looking down. "I didn't count, but it looked around 300 or so."

Vegeta looked down, staring at the apple in his hand. Even if he could excuse the piece of shit prisoners – and they were heinous pieces of shit – the police officers didn't deserve what he had done to them. He forced himself to take another bite only to prevent it from happening again, even as the apple tasted like ashes in his mouth.

"I heard Bra, in the prison," he informed them. "I heard her telepathically."

"Can you reach her now?" Goku asked, his voice hopeful. The prince shook his head, before settling his gaze on the old woman in the room.

"Can you see if she is still alive?"

"Are you sure you weren't just hearing things?" Mia asked, her tone softer than he had ever heard it. He supposed talking about missing daughters would have that effect on a woman who had lost her own.

"Just answer my question," Vegeta muttered, tossing aside the rest of the apple.

"What happened to her-"

"Just answer my fucking question, woman," the prince heatedly interrupted.

Mia took a deep breath, glaring intensely at the Saiyan in front of her. Goku tensed when she approached Vegeta, observing them both carefully.

"Let me see your palms," she informed him. The prince wasn't wearing his gloves, long discarded after staining them with Trunks' blood. His uniform sleeves were already pushed up to his elbows. He turned his palms up as he extended his forearms to her, scowling when she placed her hands underneath both of his. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes.

"I can sense your son," Mia said after a moment. "He is strong."

"Yes, he is," Vegeta quietly agreed.

Mia hesitated, before admitting with difficulty, "I can't sense your daughter at all."

Vegeta scowled, forcing himself to swallow. He shook his head stubbornly. "No. I heard her. In my mind. She was talking to me telepathically. She stopped me from killing Kakarot. She broke through the possession. She's alive."

"If that is true, then she is somewhere I can't reach."

"Piccolo and Dende also went somewhere we can't reach," Goku reminded Vegeta. "If the spirits took her, we don't know necessarily where they have her."

"They must have taken her then. Gods only know if the child is still alive," Mia relented, letting Vegeta's hands go. She studied the Saiyan for a moment, before the old look of hatred was back in place. "If you had died in my basement, your girl would still be here in the land of the living, safe and sound, just so you know. And all those officers tonight would still be alive as well," she spitefully informed him.

The prince looked away, her blunt words harsh but true. His family and his friends may have forgiven him his sins, but this stranger was telling him the truth, and he knew it.

"Hey now, Mia-" Goku started, but Vegeta cut him off.

"No, she's right," he relented, looking back at her. "Is there nothing else we can do now?"

"There is nothing else. You already know what needs to happen. The things are getting stronger. You won't fight their possession forever. Must you lose your whole family before you see the truth, Saiyan?"

"That's what I thought," Vegeta mumbled, acceptance in his voice. He abruptly stood up, and Mia stepped back from him quickly, unable to hide her sudden fear. He frowned as he looked at her. "I'm not going to kill you." I've killed enough for one lifetime. I am tired of death. Turning to the other Saiyan in the room, he ordered, "Take me back to Capsule Corp, Kakarot."

"Wait-" Goku started, but Mia was already leaving. "Wait, that's it? You're just going to throw in the towel? Mia!" he called, making her pause as she looked back at them both.

"I like you more than this other Saiyan, Goku. You got spunk and I respect what you've done for the planet. That's why I helped Vegeta – because you asked me to. But it's out of all our hands now, darling. At least, it's out of mine. Now please leave me be, while I try to salvage what little life I have left."

Goku sighed, crossing his arms as the door closed behind her. He looked back at Vegeta, who was looking out the back window. From the building they were in, the prince could see Trunks' dorm where he'd been assaulted. His family had suffered immensely.

Enough was enough. He was tired.

"You going to teleport me back to Capsule Corp, now, Kakarot? Or will I need to fly home?"

Goku hesitated only a second, before hopping off the table. He sighed as he walked up to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder. He raised two fingers to his forehead, and then their settings changed and they were back in Capsule Corp.

"So now what do you want to try?" Goku asked innocently, watching as Vegeta walked up to the entertainment system which was largely unscathed by the battle in the living room between father and son. He plucked up a picture frame holding a snapshot of him, Bulma, Trunks, and Bra at the beach only several months ago. He stared at the picture as Goku continued, "I'm sorry Mia couldn't help us with Bra, but at least she gave you some protection so you aren't vulnerable to possession for a little while. Oh, I know. We can try reaching out to King Kai, seeing what he has to say. Maybe he'll know what to do-"

"There is no point, Kakarot. There is only one way this story ends," Vegeta sighed. He flipped over the frame, and then removed the picture, looking at it more closely. The family was in their swimsuits, with Bra sitting on Trunks' shoulders with a huge floppy sun hat on. Trunks had one arm around his father's shoulders, and his other around his mother's. His family looked happy; hell, even though he himself wasn't smiling, he looked…content. Goten had taken the shot. It was their last picture before Trunks went off to college, and an aching filled his chest just then that he couldn't place.

It took Goku some long seconds before it finally dawned on him what Vegeta was referring to.

"You mean…what? What you did against Buu?" Goku asked, mouth agape. Vegeta didn't answer, instead neatly folding the picture and tucking it into his armor. "You can't be serious! We'll think of something-"

"I know you're not used to losing, Kakarot, but I assure you. We have lost this fight. The old hag was right. The longer this goes on…the worse it's going to get," Vegeta calmly explained.

"No. I won't let you do this. Not to yourself, and damn sure not to your family."

"You don't have a say in this-"

Vegeta was startled when Goku grabbed his arm and spun him around. He was even more surprised by the real anger in Goku's eyes. "Well maybe I should, considering I was the one who had to tell Bulma and Trunks that you died against Buu! Now you want me to tell them again? She screamed and cried for you. And Trunks was devastated. And now that they need you, you're doing this?"

"You don't have to tell Bulma. Go to the Lookout, and bring her to me. I'll tell her myself," Vegeta told him. "She can tell Trunks. He's not 8 years old anymore…he will handle it."

"That's not the point!" Goku cried in frustration.

"This is different, Kakarot, don't you see that?" Vegeta insisted. "That was an attempt to defeat the enemy. This time…this time, I am the enemy. These things are here because of me. Because of my past. I deserve this. Bulma, and our children…they don't."

"What you did doesn't warrant the things they have done to you and your family-"

"Kakarot. Enough," the prince sighed.

"No! You're my friend…you're like my brother, Vegeta."

"Don't insult me now by comparing me to Raditz," Vegeta quipped, trying in vain to lighten the mood, even though he couldn't manage a smirk. Truth be told, he had made the decision as soon as he read the message scrawled in blood, which had prompted the conversation with his son. That had been brutal enough. And he was not looking forward to talking to Bulma. But he hadn't for a second expected it to be this hard with the Saiyan in front of him.

Goku wasn't amused as he added, "If you do this, Vegeta…if they get your soul, they will destroy your being and we won't be able to wish you back."

"Kakarot. You made the necessary sacrifice with Cell. Don't tell me now that you don't understand."

"That was a mistake," he surprised Vegeta by saying. "I almost missed Goten's entire childhood. Don't make the same mistake."

"You may think it a mistake, but at least the boy grew up in peace."

"I could stop you."

"You could," Vegeta relented, finally looking back at the younger Saiyan knowingly. "But you won't. Because deep down, you know I'm right. You understand, and would likely do the same thing if you were in my position. But you can't save the day here, Kakarot. It's a new feeling for you, I know. But you'll accept it. And you'll watch over my family for me. You owe me that much for me stepping in for you with Gohan and Goten while you were gone. Now," he finally said, turning to face the Saiyan directly. "Will you get my wife for me?"

Goku said nothing to that, staring intensely at Vegeta. He looked down, brimming with frustration, or perhaps anger if his balled fists were any indication. Or maybe, it was just acceptance. Acceptance that he was the stronger fighter in the entire universe, but he wasn't strong enough here. The prince frowned at him.

"For what it's worth, Kakarot…" he started, making Goku look back up. "If I had to be one of only two Saiyans left in existence…I'm glad you were the other." He paused briefly, before smirking. "Even if you are an idiot."

Despite himself, Goku managed a small grin. He looked down and nodded. "Alright, Vegeta. I'll get Bulma for you."

Vegeta nodded to him, and then Goku blinked out of sight. The prince looked around his home, for the last time, before he walked out of the domed building, into the flooding which was knee deep. He levitated in the air, and then his ki ruptured around him as he flew right in the storm. His speed felt faster and he could feel some strength returning to his body. He needed every ounce of strength if he was going to do what needed to be done.

Finally, he found an abandoned town with no life within hundreds of miles. It was high elevation, so it hadn't been affected yet by the flooding. Satisfied, he dropped down, standing there in the rain as he looked around. Seeing no one, the prince took out the picture, staring at it for some long moments. He was almost tempted to go through with his technique before Bulma reached him, now suddenly wishing he hadn't asked for his wife. He wasn't sure how he was going to do this if he had to face her.

It felt like years to him before Goku and Bulma suddenly appeared before him. Vegeta tucked the picture back down his armor, and barely had enough time to move his arms before Bulma launched into him, hugging him fiercely.

"Oh my god, Vegeta, I heard about the possession, and everything with Bra…are you okay?" she asked, pulling away enough to look him over. She reached up to cradle his face in her hands, studying his eyes closely. Goku meanwhile phased out of sight, reappearing where he could still see them but he was out of earshot to give the couple their privacy. "Did you find Bra?"

"I'm alright, woman," he informed her.

"And Bra?" Bulma pressed him urgently.

Vegeta swallowed. "I think…I think they have her. I think she is still alive. I heard her earlier, in my mind. I think she reached out to me telepathically. But…she is out of our reach right now."

"Oh, gods," she whispered, feeling like she was losing her strength and Vegeta pulled her against him into another embrace. It was pouring, but he could smell her tears.

"There is only one way to save her."

"How?"

He waited until he felt her strength physically return. "By giving them no reason to harm her any more than they may have already done," he whispered. "By taking myself out of the equation, they have no reason for any of this madness anymore."

It took Bulma a few seconds before his words sank in. When they did though, she looked up, her blue eyes a fiery storm of emotion that dwarfed the storm they were in. Despite the damp blue hair sticking to her cold skin, he had never thought her more beautiful than he did in that moment.

"Vegeta, no," she fiercely said.

"Bulma…"

"No! Are you fucking kidding me? No! Mia said if you did something like this, they might get more upset because you'll have one-upped them! She said things might get worse to make you regret it in the afterlife!"

"They won't."

"How do you know? You don't know that!"

"Because…deep down, they are good. They used to be good, pure hearted. All of them. They have been consumed and warped by vengeance, but hurting others is a means to an end. It's just to harm me. It won't continue if I die. And they won't be making me regret it, either. If I die…my soul will be destroyed. I won't regret anything. I won't exist anymore-"

"Vegeta…no."

"I have to do this."

"No you DON'T! You don't have to do shit!"

"Yes, I do," he quietly answered. "This is happening, because of what I did. I caused…a lot of pain. I have to take responsibility for this."

"Not like this! I…I can think of something," she weakly said, raising a hand to her forehead as she tried to think. "I will think of something, for us to fix this. Together. We'll get Bra together, and we'll fix this-"

"You can't fix this."

"Goddamn it, Vegeta!" she cried, and he could smell fresh tears. Before he could say anything though, she slammed both of her fists hard against the armor covering his chest. He didn't budge, nor did he try to stop her. "Don't do this to me again! I can't…they'll destroy your being, we'll never get to be together again…please don't…"

She was openly sobbing against his chest now, and he leaned his head back, closing his eyes into the rain and questioning his own resolve. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms, and give her what she wanted. Tell her that yes, he would stay, and that yes, nothing awful would ever happen to her or Trunks again, and that they would find Bra without issues.

But he couldn't do it. His very presence endangered her. It was the right thing to do.

Finally, he sighed and looked back at her, putting his hands gently on her shoulders for a moment. Reaching down, he raised her chin so they were making eye contact. Her eyes were red from her crying. He brushed under one of her eyes with his thumb, a futile exercise when they were standing in the pouring rain. When he did, she instantly started pulling herself together, brushing at her face self-consciously, missing his smile at her strength. She was stronger than he could ever be.

"You'll be strong, like you've always been, woman. You and Kakarot and the rest will get Bra back without me, and you'll raise her to be…good. Like Trunks. Like you."

"Vegeta…don't do this," she pleaded. "Stay and help me find Bra. Stay and help me with Trunks. Stay with me. I love you."

"I love you too," he said before he could stop himself. He blinked, surprising himself, though he wasn't sure what shocked him more: the words themselves, or the fact that they rolled off his tongue easier than breathing. He almost laughed at the shocked look on Bulma's face, even though his eyes were burning now at the thought of how many missed opportunities he had had over the years to tell her how he felt. He was grateful for the pouring rain as he lowered his hand to her face, his voice unsteady when he added, "I always have. I always have-"

Bulma pulled him down into a heated kiss. Vegeta put one arm around her waist, deepening their kiss with a raw desperation he hadn't felt in years. He put his other hand on the side of her face as she clung fiercely to his armor, exploring her warm and inviting mouth. It was the taste that would carry him to the afterlife, a fate he would endure a thousand times to save her and their children.

Breathlessly, she pulled away from him, before resting her forehead against his. Her grip hadn't loosened on his armor, but she finally nodded.

"Okay," she breathed.

"Okay," he echoed.

She slowly disentangled herself from him. Reaching up, she brushed the wet hair out of his eyes one last time, trailing her fingers down his face.

"Okay," she said again, strength back in her voice. He smirked a little, pride filling his chest. This was indeed his woman.

Bulma gave him one last longing look, before pulling away from him and turning back toward Goku. Vegeta watched her walk away, and it took all the strength in the universe not to break his resolve in that moment and go after her. He couldn't imagine how much strength it took for her to walk away. Unable to watch anymore, he turned away, giving them both his back.

Leaning his head back, Vegeta closed his eyes as the storm suddenly seemed to center around him as his ki rose. He raised one hand, clenching a fist tightly as his ki suddenly exploded around him. Grinding his teeth together, he powered up as a scream ruptured from his throat. His power soared beyond his ki; he tapped into his very life energy, electric shocks zapping the air around him. He could feel Goku and Bulma leave, and when he did, he unleashed everything he had, screaming in agony when he felt the raw energy begin to consume his body.

There was an enormous flash of light, blinding pain, and then his screams faded away into the rain.