A/N: Alright, this chapter took me forever to upload. I hand wrote the whole thing first before I typed it and all the hand written pages totaled out to be eleven. Eleven whole pages of writing. My usual is four so this was a big deal to me. I thank everyone who has decided to stick with this fanfic so far. What actually initially inspired me to write this story was another fanfic called Paranormal Sensitivity. You guys should go check that one out too when you have the chance. So sorry for the long wait, I plan on having more time to write soon! I swear I'll update this as fast as I can, hopefully school work won't catch up to me again like it did recently which caused me to put this fanfic on hold. Thanks to all my amazing reviewers as well, you guys keep me going! And special thanks to my neighbor and good friend Ryan who wouldn't stop bugging me to finish this chapter. Thanks buddy! To my reviewers:

Tiffany7898: I can tell lol! Haha well her story has to be sad otherwise it doesn't really hit the reader on an emotional level, or I'm just a really depressing person on the inside… Haha glad you enjoyed the chapter! XD

Happy reading, and be prepared for the longest chapter of the story yet.

*DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OTHER THAN MY OC(S) AND MY STORYLINE THAT WAS CREATED IN MY HEAD. THE ORIGINAL SERIES AND CHARACTERS BELONG TO AKIRA TORIYAMA, FUNIMATION ANIMATION, AND FUJI TV. WORKS OF LITERATURE THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THIS FANFICTION ARE NOT MINE AS WELL*

Song Prompt: Radioactive by Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix

Chapter Nine~

"Invictus"

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced or cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and years
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

~William Ernest Henley

Third Person Omniscient POV~

Trunks paced back and forth in the hallway by his parents' room; a full-blooded Saiyan blocking his escape on either end of his path. He stopped once and a while to glare coldly at Gohan and Goten, who were leaning tensely on an adjacent wall.

"You know the parallels between this and Romeo and Juliet are actually kind of scary."

Trunks glared at Goten apathetically while retorting with, "Well in this version one of us is already dead."

Everyone was silent as he continued on with his relentless pacing.

Just as Trunks was about to turn around, Goku grabbed ahold of his shoulder. He looked at the stubborn Prince and then at his own son.

"You know, you could've just told us all what happened in the first place."

"Actually, we technically di-" Goten was abruptly cut off by his father.

"You know that's not what I meant."

The group was silent once again; but this time, no one moved. Trunks kept his gaze locked on the floor, his lavender hair falling in front of his eyes and shadowing his face.

"No."

Goku cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"No, we couldn't have told you what happened. We couldn't have told you that she came up to us last Saturday; we couldn't have told you that she was at the soccer field the next day, and we most certainly couldn't have told you that she followed me to school this morning."

Trunks' voice was poison now and he glared at Goku with a fire in his eyes.

"The outcome would have been worse if I had told you earlier; you would have attacked her without a second thought!"

A loud crack sounded throughout the hallway and Trunks was sent flying across the hallway in the direction of his father. Gohan, Goten, and even Vegeta's eyes widened at the events that just transpired.

"Don't you dare say that. You can call me anything you want, but don't you dare accuse me of attacking the innocent!" Goku was seething.

Trunks felt warm liquid trickling down his chin and instantly knew that his lip was bleeding. It continued to trickle down his chin and onto the floor as he stared at Goku apathetically.

Goku's face contorted as if he was going to say something, but they were promptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing through the hallway in the direction of the four Saiyans. The eyes of the group widened when Bulma and Chi-Chi emerged with a bright-faced Hope. All of their eyes widened as well when they saw the sight that was before them.

There was silence among them for a few moments before Bulma went into a rampage.

"VEGETA OUJI YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T LAY A HAND ON HIM!"

She walked briskly past her son on the floor and directly to her husband, jabbing a finger into his chest. Vegeta retaliated immediately.

"For your information woman, it wasn't me who did that." His voice was even and calm as he stared at his son with no sure expression at all.

"WHAT!?" Chi-Chi was promptly in Goku's face. "What the hell were you thinking, Son Goku!?"

Goku simply looked down at Trunks again; this time his expression softening. Sensing Goku was going to say something, Chi-Chi side-stepped next to her eldest son.

"Sorry Bud, I guess I overreacted. I'm sure you were only talking out of anger, right?"

Trunks nodded, although he partially thought otherwise.

"Alright, so no hard feelings then, right?"

Trunks stood up off the ground in one swift motion. His eyes were focused on the ground again, but he abruptly looked up directly at Goku with a small smile on his face and renewed confidence in his eyes.

"You know it."

The tension was relieved among the group and Goten felt as if he could breathe again. All while this was happening, Hope stood off in the corner awkwardly, unsure of what to do. She watched the group embrace each other warmly. She watched, and smiled.

Hope's smile gradually faded when she started to realize that the group was staring at her. She was beginning to feel more and more awkward and uncomfortable by the minute.

"Umm…"

Bulma turned and smiled, laughing nervously at the sudden attention placed on Hope. Bulma's expression quickly became flat as she slapped her husband in the shoulder. Vegeta turned to glare at her and growled inhumanly. Bulma returned his gaze; her attitude suddenly becoming fierce.

"Don't give me that look! We heard the poor kid out and we decided to wish her back with the dragonballs."

The remainder of the group burst out into protest, all except Goten and Trunks.

Trunks' eyes widened temporarily, but then his expression turned to a smug look of victory; of which he blatantly showed off to his father.

Goten let out the breath that he hadn't realized he was holding in as a sigh of relief. He closed his eyes as a small smile graced his features. 'How did I have a feeling that that was going to happen…?'

Bulma's eyes narrowed at the group's outburst.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!"

The room became silent as all eyes turned to Bulma. She silently breathed in slowly and composed herself before speaking again.

"Chi-Chi and I questioned the spirit and determined that what she was saying is true. Due to the circumstances we determined that wishing her back was in Earth's best interest."

The hallway continued to be silent as the group mulled over the new information in their heads. A few long, agonizing minutes went by slowly before the silence was broken.

"Well if Chi-Chi approves of it, I'm all for it."

Gohan was first to protest his father's statement.

"Now Dad, listen I-" He was abruptly cut off by Goku.

"Don't even try to convince me otherwise, Gohan. I have made up my mind."

Gohan remained silent.

Vegeta, being silent the whole time, suddenly walked in the direction of Hope. She found that she was unable to move, nor did she feel the need to.

Vegeta stopped an arm's length away from Hope. He looked directly into her eyes, gaze not faltering. Hope returned his gaze, expression emotionless and steady. After a few minutes, Vegeta abruptly turned and walked in the opposite direction of the group. Trunks was the one to speak up first.

"Dad, where are you going?"

Vegeta slightly turned his head in the direction of his son and called over his shoulder, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going to collect the dragonballs."

Gohan's eyes were wide with shock as Trunks gave him a smug look of victory.

Trunks was quick to follow his father, followed by Goten and Goku. Gohan let out an aggravated groan.

"Doesn't anybody else find something wrong with this decision besides me?"

He quickly ran in the direction of the others when he received no answer.

*A few hours later*

Hope followed Bulma and Chi-Chi out to the large backyard of Capsule Corporation. She couldn't but stand there wide-eyed at the sight of the vast backyard that, in her opinion, could pass for a small park.

She followed the two older women, whom she owed her life to, as they walked further and further into the property.

As they walked, Hope wondered where she was being lead. Her silent question was answered when they were two hundred yards into the property.

There was a small clearing of some sort; the grass was replaced with white stone, which she assumed was marble, and in this clearing was seven decently-sized, orange orbs. These, she assumed, were the dragonballs she had previously heard of. Next to the circle of orbs were Goku, Vegeta, Goten, a smug looking Trunks, and a very annoyed Gohan.

Hope stared at the clearing with curiosity; she wondered if they needed to perform a ritual in order for the dragonballs to work. Trunks took notice of this right away and chuckled quietly to himself.

Vegeta rolled his eyes and groaned; aggravated at his son's current behavior. 'I swear that boy shows too much weakness sometimes.'

Goku stepped in front of the circle of orbs and turned slightly so that the spirit could see his face. A friendly smile graced his features and he motioned for the spirit to stand beside him. Hope was confused at first, but reluctantly walked over towards the crowd of Saiyans.

Once she was standing beside Goku, the previous collection of side conversations became silent. Goku took a deep breath as he raised his hands so they were level with his shoulders. His palms were out and his hands were open. He closed his eyes and was seemingly calm. He took a deep breath again, and suddenly he opened his eyes.

A determined look replaced his calm expression as he yelled, "Eternal dragon, by your name we summon you forth, Shenron!"

Hope's eyes widened as the orbs began to glow. After a few minutes, the glowing stopped. Hope initially thought it failed, but was promptly proven wrong when the orbs suddenly shot a blinding light in to the sky.

She shielded her face with her arms as the wind picked up and the light became stronger.

The petite spirit became annoyed when she realized that no one else had the same reaction. She narrowed her eyes at Trunks who was trying to stifle his laughter.

Suddenly, the beam of light took on the form of a dragon. The dragon had green scales and a long serpent-like body. There were two horns on top of his head, flowing green hair and whiskers that came out on either side of his face, and glowing red eyes. The dragon lowered his head towards Goku.

Hope found that she couldn't think straight at the sight of the eternal dragon. By the time she got her thoughts sorted out, she had totally missed what the dragon had said in reply. She would kick herself later for that.

Goku turned back to her and smiled again. Assuming this gesture was asking if she was ready, Hope gave a short nod in reply. Goku turned back to the dragon.

"I wish that the Jovian spirit Hope, whom is standing right beside me, would be granted her life back."

The dragon's eyes began to glow a more intense red and suddenly Hope started to feel heat coming from her chest. Soon it spread to her whole body. Suddenly, Hope looked down at her hands only to find that they were no longer transparent. She frantically looked down to find that her whole body was no longer transparent.

She was entirely flesh and bones.

Hope looked back up at the dragon, who she thought she saw smiling, with wide eyes.

"Your wish has been granted." His deep, thundering voice echoed throughout the city.

The dragon then reverted back into a beam of light and returned to the dragonballs. The orbs began to levitate high in the air. They then shot out on opposite directions, scattering across the globe.

Hope continued to stare at her hands, astonished at the dragon's power. She composed herself for the third time that day and looked at the group before her.

"I thank you for all you have done for me. Saving your planet is the least I could do to repay you. I'll head off and try to think of a plan to stop my people; I know where to find you when the time comes."

She turned to leave when Bulma's voice stopped her.

"Well that's a little rude."

Hope's eyes widened and she immediately turned around.

"Pardon?"

"You basically begged us to help you, stayed while we wished you back, and now you're just going to leave? That to me sounds like you were just using us."

Hope nearly fell over.

"No, no, that's not it at all!"

Bulma smirked. "Oh really? Because that's exactly how it looks to me…"

"That's not true!"

"I beg to di-"

"That's not true! I would never do that to anyone! I have more morals than that. If it proves to you that I'm not using you, then I'll just stay here!"

Bulma's smirk turned into a seemingly innocent smile.

"So it's settled then! You'll stay in one of the guest bedrooms here at Capsule Corporation! I'll go tell a 'bot to get the room ready."

And with that, Bulma turned on her heel and walked back to the large, dome-shaped building.

Hope sat there wide-eyed. The group of Saiyans had to hold in their snickers and laughter.

Goten cracked first.

Soon, the entire group was in hysterics; all except Vegeta, who was smirking and Gohan, who was still angry about being proven wrong.

Hope's expression was still a shocked one. "What just happened?"

Trunks calmed his laughter enough to reply. "Well, in short, you just got blackmailed into staying here by my mother."

Hope blinked once.

"How was I outsmarted by a human?"

Trunks smirked. "Because you were outsmarted by the smartest human being in existence."

Hope groaned in an exasperated manner. "Oh man, what did I get myself into?"

Bulma's head popped out of the back door of the building abruptly.

"Good news! Hope, they accepted you into Orange Star High! You start tomorrow."

Hope's expression turned to a shocked one yet again. "Wait wha-"

"I mean you don't have to, but I wouldn't want you to just use us for your life and a place to stay…"

Hope remained silent.

"Glad you see it my way." Bulma's wicked smirk reappeared on her face as she turned and closed the door behind her.

Goten and Trunks burst out laughing again as Hope raised her head to the sky.

"That was a rhetorical question, not a challenge!"

Trunks wouldn't stop completely laughing until he fell asleep that night.

*The Next Morning*

Trunks and Hope walked through the city on their way to school. Trunks would have shown her the scenic route, but they were running late already and he couldn't risk having Hope be late for her first day of school after enrolling so late into the first semester.

Hope's face contorted into a pout as she groaned and inhaled the thick sent of exhaust from the cars speeding past.

"I can't believe your mom is blackmailing me into doing this. Also, what do you humans put into the air here? It smells horrid."

Trunks laughed. "Well that's her specialty, and what you smell is exhaust from the cars. They run on gasoline, which burns off exhaust as a waste product."

Hope groaned. "What a horrible way to ruin the scenery."

In the distance ahead, Hope saw a doughnut shop. The shop must've just opened, Hope assumed, because the door to it was wide open. Hope disregarded it.

As they got closer to the small shop, they heard screams coming from it. Hope thought the screaming sounded like it was coming from a small child. A small smile graced Trunks' features as he held out his arm, promptly stopping Hope in her tracks. She gave Trunks a confused look. He motioned towards the entrance of the shop.

"Look."

Hope watched as the shop owner was violently thrown through the open door of the shop and landed hard on his backside on the hard concrete sidewalk.

Hope was about to run over to the man when Trunks stopped her again. She gave him an angry look. He motioned over to the man again.

"Just watch."

Suddenly, a small, oriental girl emerged from the doorway; a small brown paper bag clutched in her hand. She continued to scream at the shop owner.

"HOW DARE YOU RUN OUT OF BOSTON CRÈME!"

Hope stared wide-eyed as the girl scoffed and stormed off in the direction of the high school; brown paper bag in hand.

Trunks, on the other hand laughed, knowing his fellow classmate is known for her notorious temper and obsession with doughnuts.

"You go to a high school of freaks, just like you, don't you?" Hope mumbled in disbelief.

Trunks stopped laughing and raised an eyebrow at the smaller Jovian standing beside him.

"Look who's talking."

Hope narrowed her eyes at the half blood. "Point taken."

Trunks chuckled and started to walk again. "Just wait. You haven't seen anything yet!"

Hope groaned and ran after him. "Wait, it gets weirder!?"

Trunks smirked. "You bet. You haven't seen the girls at school who obsess over Goten and I."

Hope caught up with Trunks and fell into step with him. "Oh Boy. I am not prepared for this…"

Trunks smiled. "You'll be fine. Knowing the people at my school, by the end of the day you'll have a fan club yourself. Just stick with me and play along with the story I'll tell everyone."

Hope raised an eyebrow. "Oh how flattering. They'll believe anything you say?"

Trunks' wicked smirk reappeared. "Well you do."

Hope looked as if she was going to reply, but she stopped herself. "Point taken."

Trunks laughed. "Seriously though, you'll be fine."

Hope nodded despite the sinking feeling in her chest that insisted he was wrong.