Chapter 16

Vegeta flew as fast as possible to the coordinates Kakarot had given him. As he soared above the clouds and gazed down at the cerulean ocean below, he couldn’t help but feel his mind was clear. Clearer than it had ever been.

My world is like the water below me. Vegeta thought. Like the sky I’m rushing through. It all feels so clear, so pure, so…new.

Ever since he accepted he could never become the Super Saiyan of legend, it was like a burden had been shed. A massive boulder he’d been carrying for decades rolled off his back without him needing to do anything. He felt so free he couldn’t stand it.

For the first time in Vegeta’s life, he enjoyed flying. He had exactly no memories of soaring through the air giving him pleasure. Up to this point, flying was like traveling in a spaceship or walking for him. It was just what one did to get to their destination as fast as possible. Now that this burden had been shed, Vegeta could live in the moment more than at any point in life previously.

The wind…He thought. It feels so good. What a pleasant rush. It’s exhilarating yet calming at this speed. Why…why did I never notice it before?

Every memory he had was of battle and death. Killing was the only thing he could recall in his life. The only joy Vegeta cultivated was through taking life. He never realized how much it hardened his heart.

From here he could see so much beauty. The green islands below, vibrant with lush flora and springtime tropical flowers cast a grand sight for anyone above. The blossoms themselves formed a long chain of red through the middle of many of the pieces of land.

The blue water rippled below him with an almost sapphire gleam, both energetic and tranquil. Vegeta couldn’t help but stare down at the cascading waves that gently rocked against the islands. It was at that point the Saiyan decided blue was his favorite color, the water relaxing him as he watched it.

After looking down at the water enough he found himself flying through the white puffs of clouds not out of necessity but for fun. Moisture crept along his body as he temporarily lost sight in front of him before coming out on the other side, slightly wet but nonetheless amused. He laughed a little as he did.

“Clouds…” he said. “Surfing through…clouds.”

The sheer amount of fun he was having by merely observing the simple things around him gave Vegeta a bit of a mental crisis.

Is this what I was ignoring all along? He thought. Deliberately squeezing the joy out of life, just on the off chance it would make me weaker? So bound by superficial and insufferable pride I couldn’t allow myself a modicum of happiness even once?

And then he grew sad as he thought more about it.

The people I slaughtered…He thought. Most of them were happy…til I showed up. And destroyed them. And I wondered, right before putting an end to their lives…why were they so content…when I wasn’t? How could they be ordinary people, weak, insignificant and without pride…and yet so joyful? Why no matter how much stronger I grew and how much power I amassed, I became more miserable as time went on…while they would stay happy despite stagnating in strength and growing weaker?

He shook his head.

I wondered why Freeza would want to become immortal. Vegeta thought. Freeza didn’t desire more years to his life, only more power. And no matter how many planets he brought under his reign or people he’s conquered…I never knew a time when I was sure he was happy. Freeza obviously had moments when he felt good about himself but he never was content. Never at peace with his lot in life…and as a result he arrived on Namek seeking the last territory to conquer, death…and met his demise.

It was then that he saw the island that Kakarot directed him to. It was tiny, even by the standards of islands. If he leered closely enough he could see what looked like a fairly large gathering on its single shore.

And I was the same way. Vegeta thought as he stopped flying and levitated in midair. I didn’t want to become immortal. Not really. If I did, I think I’d be driven mad by trying to fill my time with enough activities. I just did it because…

Admitting the next part to himself was more painful than being shot through by Freeza’s Death Beam.

Because I had no better idea how I could become stronger. He thought. And once you achieve the pinnacle of strength…there’s nothing to do afterward. Why…why didn’t I realize that? That for all my bravado…it was all for, for…

He shook his head, trying not to cry.

For a way of making myself feel important. Vegeta thought. All for the sake of pleasing my father. A man…a man I never felt any love for.

He shook his head.

No, that’s not entirely true. Vegeta thought. I wanted to love him. I wanted to be his favorite person in the universe. I wanted to be his star, the thing he thought about every day and every night. Only…

A tear finally rolled down his left cheek.

Only he died before giving me anything that I wanted from him. He thought. But now…that’s all behind me. And I can start over…like I’ve always wanted to.

He flew down to the island below, absolutely everyone turning to him. There was a crowd of more than a dozen people standing along the seashore with the single house on it. As Vegeta received both glares and looks of fear, he lowered his head in shame.

If I’m not reminded of my atrocities enough to kill me. He thought.

Krillin was slightly nervous at the presence of Vegeta before Goku’s voice turned him back to attention.

“Don’t worry about him,” Goku said. “He won’t hurt anybody. Vegeta’s truly changed.”

“Yeah, if you say so,” Teinshinhan said, clearly unimpressed.

“I still don’t trust him,” Yamcha said. “I hope he didn’t do anything to Bulma while he was on Namek. I hate the idea of him hurting-”

“Enough,” Piccolo said to them. “Vegeta’s no longer a threat to any of us. If he’s given up his ambition of immortality, he has no reason to fight us for the dragon balls. Let’s get onto more important matters. Goku, what was the reason you called us all here?”

“Yeah, Goku,” Krillin said. “This is like a family reunion.”

Krillin wasn’t exaggerating when he said that. Chi-Chi and Gohan stood together, the boy’s mother weeping while Gohan hung his head in silence. Krillin and everyone else resurrected by Goku’s Qi Vendetta stood behind the wife and son of Son Goku. Puar levitated to Yamcha’s right while Master Roshi, Turtle and Oolong stood to Piccolo’s left.

All of them had been called to Roshi’s island by Goku’s voice. However, it was no mere voice. It didn’t speak to them audibly but more so arose from within their spirits. Krillin figured this to be because Goku was speaking from the Realm of Souls, where all life was connected through the recycled qi of the dead.

“Goku…” Krillin said. “King Kai…he said you won’t be able to return you to Earth even if we ask Shenron. Please…Please tell us that’s not true! Please tell us you can come back!”

“I’m sorry Krillin,” Goku said. “But he’s right. I can’t come back.”

“No!” Chi-Chi said. “I love you! You were supposed to raise a family with me! How can my son grow up without a father?!”

“Dad…” Gohan said, his eyes watering with tears. “Is there anything you can do to come back? Anything at all?”

“I’m sorry,” Goku said. “But I’m centered here in the Realm of Souls until the Trampled Innocence finds a new host.”

“Goku…” Teinshinhan said. “This world…it just won’t be the same without you.”

“The world existed before me,” Goku said. “It will exist without me. But while here…I’ll do my best for all of you.”

“And how’s that?” Chi-Chi asked. “How will you take care of our family while you’re away?!”

“It’s thanks to the fact that the Trampled Innocence has increased in number that I have more influence over the world than Yamoshi did,” he said. “With so many more souls empowering me during my transformation than Yamoshi’s I’ll have greater influence over the universe. Not enough to change everything…but enough I can have others treat you with extreme favor.”

“Like what?” Chi-Chi asked.

“I’ll get Gohan into a top-notch school,” Goku said. “Whatever college or university you want him in, I’ll whisper it into the ears of those that decide. You will never be wanting for bread or money. I’ll make sure you and Gohan are well fed and supplied with money.”

“Oh…” Chi-Chi said as she continued crying. “Goku…thank-you. Thank-you so much.”

“Goku…” Krillin said as his eyes watered with tears. “Even if you still plan on helping us…while you’re…you’re like this…I can’t say my life will be the same. I’ve…I’ve never known someone like you. Everything good about the world is inside you, Goku. I…I don’t think the Earth will find a protector greater than you.”

“Oh,” he said. “I think it will…I think it will. I’ve found people who are more than qualified.”

Without him saying anything more, Krillin knew who Goku meant.

“No…” Krillin said.

“Krillin,” he said. “I’m going to use the immense amount of control I have to do something I think I can only accomplish once. I’m going to shift the power levels of every mortal in the universe still alive. As the center of the Realm of Souls I am its lynchpin and know the hearts of every mortal. With this connection, I will do what Yamoshi was unable to do and increase the power of individuals I believe to be most deserving of it and decrease the power levels of individuals with the greatest wrongdoings.”

“Seriously?” Yamcha asked. “You can do that by just wishing to?”

“Watch,” Goku said.

And in a single moment, Krillin felt like his insides do a three-sixty shift. It was deeper than his internal organs or even his mind that changed. It was the center of his being that turned in a perfectly circular direction.

And then Krillin was filled with immeasurable power. It was as though inside of himself was a huge dam and the rushing tide caused it to overflow and collapse. A rising rush of qi flowed so strong through him, Krillin was lifted six feet in the air. He could hardly breathe, the sensation so immaculate and glorious.

I…He thought. This can’t be real…I feel like…like I could do anything. Like I could even take on Freeza!

He then gradually descended back to the ground, overcome with angelic warmth. He looked down at his arm, the same aura flowing over him that surrounded Goku after he recovered in the healing tank back on Namek. It was a white, slightly blue-tinted energy that continued surrounding Krillin. He couldn’t turn it off if he wanted to.

He looked around to find that he wasn’t not the only one. Teinshinhan, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Piccolo and Gohan were overcome by the same aura. Their power level had also spiked immeasurably. Their strength was also comparable to Freeza’s.

“Wow!” Gohan cried. “My power level! It feels…it feels like there’s no end to it!”

“My goodness!” Roshi shouted. “That’s beyond power! You bunch are so strong no one can defeat you!”

“I know!” Piccolo said. “Forget taking on Freeza in his second form…I feel like I could beat him in his fourth!”

“This is unreal!” Teinshinhan said.

“You’re telling me!” Yamcha shouted. “Training with King Kai was nothing compared to this!”

Just as Krillin was admiring his new power level, a soft voice spoke to him.

“What shall be your Qi Vendetta?”

“What?” Krillin asked. “Qi Vendetta? What’s that all about?”

“I know,” Teinshinhan said. “I heard it too. What does it mean?”

“It’s a special ability that goes beyond just sheer power level,” Goku said.

“What?” Piccolo asked. “Special ability?”

“Yeah,” Goku answered. “A Qi Vendetta is the very essence of one’s soul that is manifested as an individualized power. It requires a cost to activate but that cost is chosen by the user. You don’t have to decide now but be careful when you do. You can only create a Qi Vendetta once. I’ve given every being whose power I changed the ability to have a Qi Vendetta for the sake of fairness…so use it wisely.”

“This is amazing,” Teinshinhan said. “No amount of training has ever given me the same results that…that what you just did, did.”

“Yeah!” Chiaotzu said. “We’re all so much stronger than any villain we’ve fought to this point!”

“Not all,” Vegeta said.

Everyone turned to look behind and face Vegeta. He was not surrounded by a bright aura of power. In fact, Krillin could barely sense his power in comparison to everyone around him.

“Vegeta…” Piccolo said. “Your power level…it’s decreased!”

“It’s…” Krillin said. “It’s puny.”

“You went from stronger than Freeza’s first form to…” Gohan said. “To weaker than Guldo.”

Vegeta’s expression was downcast as he looked down at himself. He looked down at his gloved hand, sighing. Only Krillin couldn’t tell if he was doing so in relief or disappointment.

“I don’t care,” Vegeta said. “I’ve learned…I’ve learned it was pointless to be the strongest in the universe anyways. I don’t need that power.”

“I’m sorry,” Goku said. “But considering your evil deeds, I couldn’t allow you to continue having so much more reserves of qi than everyone else. I know you’ve changed, really you have…but I had to be fair to the rest of the universe.”

“The entire universe?” Yamcha asked.

“As I stated earlier,” Goku said. “Using my ability to connect with every living being, I’ve assigned them new power levels based on their morality. You guys are not the only ones’ whose strength I’ve increased…and Vegeta is not the only one whose power I’ve taken away.”

“Well…” Krillin said. “If Vegeta has really changed…couldn’t you give him our boost in power?”

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“I’m sorry Krillin,” Goku said. “But Vegeta has not changed to the degree Piccolo has. I’m not so strong that I can make everyone good with the flick of a finger.”

“But–” Gohan said.

“It’s fine,” Vegeta said.

Everyone turned to him, clearly shocked. Krillin couldn’t believe Vegeta had said that. The same person who couldn’t stop bragging about his warrior race, how glad he was that he could become immortal or that he felt like he was on the brink of becoming a Super Saiyan was okay with being weaker than when he arrived on Earth. It was maddening to contemplate but Vegeta just continued to shake his head.

“I have no more need for it,” he said. “I don’t know what I’ll do with my life now…but I know I won’t be trying to accumulate strength for strength’s sake.”

“Wow…” Krillin said. “That…that sounds as unbelievable as someone crushing Freeza like an ant and everything else we’ve learned today.”

“I will say that Vegeta won’t have to be like this forever,” Goku said. “I haven’t blocked off the ability for anyone to gain more strength so if he chooses to train more he can still grow stronger.”

“As I said before,” Vegeta said. “Power for power’s sake is worthless.”

“But that’s not the only thing,” Goku said. “With that act I have revolutionized the nature of qi itself. One thing that Yamoshi wished he could have changed but did not have the power to is that when one person has a power level higher than another, the fight almost always goes to the fighter with the greater amount of qi. It’s a bit too complicated to explain but now I’ve developed the nature of qi in such a way that will not always be the case.”

“You mean a person with a higher power level can now lose against someone with a weaker qi reserve?” Krillin asked.

“It’s complicated to explain,” Goku said. “But with my final change to how qi flows through individuals, each person drawing qi from the Realm of Souls can change their qi in more unique ways. This means if anyone with a pure heart I gave a power boost to became drunk on their newly given power, that doesn’t mean they can become a tyrant that obliterates anyone in their path.”

“It seems you evened the playing field for the entire universe,” Piccolo said.

“That’s precisely right, Piccolo,” Goku answered. “And with this change, I’ll speak directly to you guys over the coming years. I’ll help you and guide you where I can. I won’t leave you.”

“But what about the next Super Saiyan?” Krillin asked. “There’s still evil out there, meaning the Trampled Innocence still seeks to wipe out any race with even a little wickedness. Are you going to allow them to create a new Super Saiyan to destroy the rest of the universe?”

“I’m going to keep the Trampled Innocence from doing such,” Goku said. “I will not be like Yamoshi, who desperately wished to bring a new Super Saiyan into existence for the sake of complete and utter genocide. The Trampled Innocence will continue to grow stronger and stronger as more innocent people will die no matter how peaceful I make things…there will always be evil but I will try a more gentle approach than Yamoshi’s.”

“And how can you be sure of that?” Piccolo asked. “From what King Kai told us, both you and Yamoshi seemed to be pretty enslaved to the will of the Trampled Innocence. How can you be so sure you’re not going to do the same?”

“Because my mind is pretty segregated from the will of the Trampled Innocence,” Goku said. “From what I can tell, even though they empower me, they no longer drive to commit universe wide genocide.”

“You mean you’re not that monster that went around killing everyone?!” Krillin asked. “But how?!”

“I think it has to do with Yamoshi’s background versus mine,” he answered. “Yamoshi grew up amongst Saiyans, who were cruel, backwards and cold-hearted. He was so hellbent on utter destruction not just because of the Trampled Innocence fueling him but because only being exposed to the most evil race in the universe meant he saw everyone that way. However, since I grew up on Earth, I was exposed to a race that had far better people. The people were so mixed in their morality that I can see both the good and evil in others. I believe in the potential for benevolence, unlike Yamoshi who could only see the evil in others.”

“So you don’t think the Trampled Innocence will find a new host?” Krillin asked.

“They’ll try,” Goku said. “They’ll try until they finally get a Super Saiyan who will wipe everyone who has even a little bit of evil in their heart out of existence. But since I have greater influence over the world than Yamoshi did…I’ll do my best to help the universe in a more peaceful way. I’ve rerouted the system of qi recycling so much that I believe the Trampled Innocence could find a host that is not a Saiyan.”

“A non-Saiyan Super Saiyan?” Piccolo asked.

“That’s preposterous,” Vegeta said. “If anyone could become a Super Saiyan then the title is meaningless.”

“With so many souls empowering me,” Goku said. “My power is beyond even that of the Kais. I now rule this world. And I will keep the Trampled Innocence satisfied by continuous acts of goodwill so they lose their hatred. I’ll keep the Trampled Innocence satisfied by changing the universe without bloodshed.”

“Do you really think you can do that?” Krillin asked. “There are some evil people out there.”

“I’ll do my best to eradicate evil with kind deeds,” Goku said. “It’s the path I’ve chosen. I’ll watch over all of you, without exception.”

Krillin still felt hollow. The immense rush of power he received was gone. All he could think of now was living without his best friend who he’d had so many adventures with. The pit of his soul felt bereft of all substance, as if someone had drained him of who he was. Krillin had never felt so void of emotion.

“Don’t worry, Krillin,” Goku said. “I’ll do my best to get you a girlfriend. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

He hung his head in shame, his eyes watering.

“Thanks, buddy,” he said. “You know…you remember the reason I got into martial arts?”

“Wasn’t it to get noticed by women?” Goku asked.

“Yeah,” Krillin laughed. “It–It was all just to show up the other guys when I asked a girl out.”

His weeping was quickly turning to distorted, shivering laughter.

“I-I-” he said. “I was so–so nervous talking to them and…and didn’t ever get noticed considered my height and stupid looking face–”

He let out a scream that no one could tell was a shout of weeping or laughter.

“That I thought I had to be the greatest martial artist ever to get one to like me!” Krillin cried. “And–And what do I have to show for it?!”

He hung his head low, tears falling to the ground as he continued smiling.

“Not a single girl I got hitched to,” he said. “Not one.”

“Krillin–” Goku said.

“But I found–” Krillin stated. “I found something far better. I found…I found friends who would never leave me…no matter how bad things got. And–And one in particular.”

“I’m sorry that this is hard for you,” Goku said. “It’s hard for me. I-”

“And I knew from that time on,” Krillin said. “I wouldn’t need anyone else. As long as I had…had my best friend.”

He began sniveling as he tried wiping the tears from his eyes and looked up.

“Goku…” Krillin said, shaking. “I honestly don’t care who I find. I just…I just won’t be the same afterward.”

He shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Goku,” he said. “I failed you. If I wasn’t–wasn’t so weak…Freeza wouldn’t have done me in and…and you wouldn’t have had to take such extreme measures to end his life. It’s…it’s my blame. I should have done more to not be the burden for everyone to carry.”

“Krillin!” Gohan said. “Don’t talk to yourself that way!”

Krillin turned behind him, finding the young boy to have a similar expression of sorrow and disappointment.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I know it is but…but I know I have to go on. My dad would never want us to just keep doubting ourselves forever. We need to push forward…there’s nothing we can do by being sad.”

He turned away, shaking his head.

“I’m just not sure I can do it,” Krillin said. “It seems impossible to move on without…without someone who’s been there for me. Can…Can I really move on?”

Krillin felt a broad, strong hand placed on his shoulder. He looked over to find it was green with pointed nails. He jumped in surprise to find Piccolo was standing near him.

“Krillin,” he said. “I know it’ll be okay.”

“Wh-Wha-?” he asked. “B-But-! How?!”

“You were incredibly brave both defending Earth and Namek,” he said. “After combining with Nail, he told me of your heroic deeds and how the Grand Elder trusted you enough to willingly give you a Dragon Ball.”

Krillin relaxed, finding the Namekian’s words surprisingly comforting.

“And you will find others to fill the void you are experiencing,” Piccolo said. “I’m convinced at this point that we find our greatest friends in the most unexpected of places.”

He glanced over at Gohan.

“I stole Gohan away from his life to turn him into a killer,” he said. “Only to gain a friend who finally changed me. I owe everything to him and his father. I found a dying Namek who gave me closure over my origins and sense of belonging.”

Krillin stopped crying, hypnotized by the Namekian’s words.

“If beings as evil as me could gain new bonds,” he said. “Then I’m sure someone who has proven himself time and time again to be loyal will as well.”

Krillin nodded his head in silent agreement.

“Go back to your stations in life,” Goku said. “The time for weeping is over. The universe is a far better place now than it was before. And I’ll always be there for all of you.”

And with that, they all left. It was not a joyous occasion, more a silent and somber one. Chi-Chi and Gohan climbed back into the hovercraft they arrived on the island with and left, both downcast. However, before she left, Gohan was clinging to the edge of Piccolo’s white robe.

“Gohan, you are coming with me right this instant!” Chi-Chi said. “You’re not supposed to be hanging out with anyone who could be a bad influence on you.”

“Mr. Piccolo’s not a bad influence!” Gohan shouted. “He died protecting me! Didn’t you, Mr. Piccolo?”

Piccolo closed his eyes, too weary to answer.

“Piccolo…” the boy said. “Please come with us. I-I’m afraid without you. Freeza…the Saiyans…everyone I’ve fought…it all feels like a nightmare and I…I need someone to stop it and make me feel safe.”

Piccolo smiled and laughed.

“Gohan,” he said. “You don’t need me. You need…you need to be with your mother.”

“But I can’t-!” Gohan said. “I need you along with her. I…I can’t go without you. You…You make me feel safe.”

Piccolo’s smile broadened before he shook his head.

“I’ll visit you,” he said. “I will.”

“Then you’ll come with us?” Gohan asked. “Will you, please?”

“Gohan,” Piccolo said. “Know from the bottom of my heart I won’t just visit you…I’ll help you in anything you need. Really. But…But you need to live a normal life.”

“A–A normal life?” Gohan asked.

“You need to have the life a human would lead,” Piccolo stated. “Go to school, have friends, get into sports. Things that are healthy for boys your age. If I became your full time guardian…you’d never learn to grow the way a young man should. I’ll be there for you when I can…but let me live out my days so I can prepare for the future. In case Earth ever needs warriors to defend it. Is that okay with you?”

Gohan frowned before perking his expression up into a smile.

“Yeah,” he said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. “I will.”

He then entered the hovercraft and left with his mother, back to their home. Teinshinhan and Chiaotzu said they would go do some more training in the high mountains and left. Yamcha looked at Piccolo and Krillin before sighing and laughing.

“I think it’s time for me to tie the knot with Bulma, you know?” he said. “Goku promised she’d arrive safely and I better get ready for her. I think after all the craziness of hearing Goku’s brother killed him to fighting the Saiyans to training with King Kai…I just wanna live a peaceful life with the love of my life. You think you can handle having a permanent roommate, Puar?”

“Sure, Yamcha!” Puar said. “That sounds great!”

Yamcha and Puar left the island without saying much more. After they left, Roshi looked to Oolong and then Krillin. He smiled a little.

“To think two of my students would go into outer space to fight aliens stronger than even King Piccolo,” he said. “I’m not only proud but immensely satisfied with the results of your training. You’ve grown to be fighters of unimaginable strength. Legends will be told about you, passed from one generation to the next.”

“Thanks,” Krillin said. “But…I don’t know if I’d care for that. Being a legendary hero…I’m nothing like Goku.”

“Well…” Roshi said. “If that’s the way you feel…I suppose humility is also a virtue you learned under my tutelage.”

He then looked at Oolong and sighed.

“Come on,” he said. “I got to get dinner going. Even old men like me need to eat.”

“I’ll do all the cooking tonight,” Oolong said. “It’s the least I can do since…well, you’re probably not in the best mood.”

Roshi laughed.

“Hmmm,” he said. “I’m fine. Really. One of my students ascended to the

highest pinnacle of strength. You think I’m sad? I’m beyond proud. But if you think I’m too mentally strained to feed myself right now…you’re kind of right.”

He laughed a little bit more.

“All this…” he said. “It’s too much for me. A simple martial artist. All the thoughts I have swirling in my head…what would my friend Gohan have thought if he knew the boy he found would turn out like this? What would the Ox King think knowing his one and only daughter would have a son with this man? What would I think of having trained him? I’ve come to realize that in life, no matter how old and wise you are…”

He looked up a little, contemplative.

“There are some things too big for you to understand,” Roshi said. “And this is one of them.”

He entered Kame House where Oolong and Turtle followed after him. That left Piccolo, Krillin and Vegeta alone on the island. All three of them looked fairly reluctant to leave.

“So…” Krillin said. “Is what you told him true?”

“Of course,” Piccolo said. “I meant it with all my heart.”

“It’s really nice of you,” he said. “Honestly…I should probably visit him a lot.”

“He needs all the support he can get,” Piccolo said. “The boy’s a wreck. A good-natured, smart wreck. Honestly the only thing that’s keeping me from holding his hand at all times is that Chi-Chi couldn’t trust me for the life of her. Not saying she’s wrong for that…but Gohan’s going to need someone who knows what he’s been through to coach him through all this trouble.”

He then turned to Krillin and gave a remorseful sigh.

“Be sure to keep tabs on him when I can’t,” he said. “You two spent quite a bit of time together going to and arriving on Namek. He’s probably attached more to you than his own mother after all you two went through.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll be sure to check up on him when you can’t.”

Piccolo nodded.

“Good,” he said. “In the meantime, I’ll be…preparing myself for any threat that comes to Earth.”

He then jettisoned off into the air, kicking up a bit of sand as he left. Once Piccolo left, it was just Vegeta and Krillin standing on the shore. Krillin felt tired enough from today’s activities to go to bed but found himself staring at Vegeta instead.

The Saiyan warrior was uncanny in his stoic stature. If not for the color of his clothes and skin, Krillin could have mistaken him for a statue. His arms were firmly crossed and his gaze fixed on the blue ocean beyond him. He didn’t turn, didn’t shake even a little or move. Vegeta was perfectly frozen in place. Krillin honestly worried for him.

Should I even say anything? He wondered. He’s tried to kill me before. I don’t even know if there’s anything worth saying.

“Vegeta…” he said. “Will…will you be alright?”

He didn’t respond at first, his response as cold and unmoving as a rock’s. He continued to stare out at the ocean, nothing about him even suggesting he heard it. The question bounced off Vegeta like a stone thrown at a brick wall. Krillin was afraid to say anything further but also afraid to move. Krillin wasn’t sure if he felt safe having Vegeta around. After a small pause that felt like an eternity, the Saiyan answered.

“Yes,” he said. “I’ll be alright…so long as I am alone. I need to be alone…so, leave me.”

Krillin nodded before turning and entering Kame House, shaking his head.

What a weird world this is. He thought.

For the first time in Vegeta’s life, he felt as if there was no noise. No movement. No chaos. Everything was still. The setting sun cast against the bright blue water hypnotized him into a state of peace. As he began reflecting on what he learned.

There’s an afterlife. He thought. A world beyond this one…once you die. Determined…by what you did in this once.

In his daily life, Vegeta had regarded that as mere superstition. Saiyans were told that the most glorious death was one met in battle where they would be given rewards based on their competence as a warrior. Vegeta, on the other hand, had seen that wasn’t true.

I remember being questioned by that giant red guy. He thought. What was his name, Yemma? He told me every wrong thing I ever did. I felt…I felt embarrassed in a way I’d never known before. Normally I’d be proud of those evil deeds but the way he made them seem…like they were truly bad. The Yemma guy even told me one of the few reconciliations for my horrendous past was that deep down I had changed a little.

He shook his head, unaware anyone could change him like that.

And he gave me a choice… Vegeta remembered. go to the lower level of Other World and have punishment pronounced on me…or go through the soul scrubber. Which would be immensely painful and give me a second chance at life. Apparently that was pretty typical.

He hung his head in shame, remembering how he spoke to Kakarot as he waited in line to be judged. Vegeta had heard rumors that Saiyans on the brink of death being invigorated by the souls of recently dead Saiyans but he’d never experienced it before. Vegeta still wasn’t sure why he did so to his most hated rival.

I suppose I hated Freeza more than I did Kakarot at that point. He thought.

But something else bothered him. It was that he realized, without Kakarot, he would be suffering in the afterlife right now. Whether it was through the hours or even days in the soul scrubber or waiting in Other World’s depths, if Vegeta had not been resurrected by the Super Saiyan he’d be suffering. The Saiyan couldn’t help but feel like he dodged a bullet.

I was saved… Vegeta thought. Saved by a man I called a fool…a fool for the very reason he saved me.

Vegeta shut his eyes as tears stung them.

If it had not been for Kakarot…He thought. I’d be suffering right now. But now that I’m resurrected…I can start over. I don’t have to endure the horrors of what Other World would give me.

He hoped no one could see him right now as tears streamed down his face.

Of all the Saiyans and other horrid tyrants in this world…He thought. I was spared of a justly deserved hell. I don’t deserve that…I don’t deserve that fate when so many evil doers have had to face what I should have. What do I do now?

“Take the path to someone who’s been waiting for you,” he heard a familiar voice say.

Vegeta turned around to see him standing behind the Saiyan. He was smiling wide, as if he’d never known a day of sadness. He was dressed in the same orange gi he fought him on Earth with. Vegeta’s face was distorted with shock.

“K-Kakar–!” Vegeta said.

“Hey!” Kakarot said as he waved at him. “I told you that you had changed some! I believed you could!”

“Kakarot…” Vegeta whispered. “I…”

“Vegeta,” Kakarot said. “I don’t have a lot of time but I do have some good news for you.”

“And…?” he asked. “What’s that?”

“Someone’s waiting for you,” Kakarot said. “Someone in the afterlife. The afterlife beyond Other World…in heaven.”

“What?” Vegeta asked. “Who? It can’t be Nappa. It certainly wouldn’t be my father. It only means–”

He stopped himself, his mouth hanging open in understanding.

“She’s…” Vegeta said. “She’s waiting…?”

“Yamoshi told me all about your friend you lost,” Kakarot said. “That you lost to Nappa’s savagery. I spoke with her just recently and she misses you. Patata wants you to join her in the afterlife. She wants you to make it heaven.”

“That-” he said. “That can’t be true. I can’t make it there! Not after all I’ve done! I can’t…I’ll never-”

“Vegeta,” he said.

He placed a hand on the Saiyan’s right shoulder, his brilliant smile flashing like a second to the other Saiyan.

“I wouldn’t tell you this if it were impossible,” Kakarot said. “I know it may seem difficult at first…it’s not easy to start over…but I wouldn’t tell you this if it weren’t possible.”

“Is…?” Vegeta said. “Is she out there rooting for me? Like…right now?”

“As we speak,” Kakarot said. “Now…as the new ruler of the Realm of Souls I don’t want to be biased…but I know you can make it to where Patata is…if from this moment on you continue to change. Don’t just stay here, in this state of listlessness…continue to be better and better…and I promise you’ll see her once again.”

Vegeta slowly gathered his composure again, closing his eyes one more time before wiping them from his face. He nodded to Kakarot before turning around and running towards the ocean. Upon reaching the water he flew into the air as fast as he could.

Vegeta soared forward with all his might, the thought of seeing Patata stinging his eyes with more tears. The thought of being in her embrace again was more than enough to hurt him, it was so sweet sounding. All he could think of was the Saiyan girl’s bright and innocent face.

I’ll be with you at every point in your new journey. Kakarot said. But know even more, that she wants you to succeed.

Then tell her I’ll go out of my way to help every miscreant and to bandage every stubbed toe. Vegeta replied. And I’ll do it all for Patata…please…wait for me.

He soon found himself flying over the city of a nearby island.

Because every moment from here on out…He thought. I’ll be waiting for you.