Goku woke up in a very strange place.  He seemed to be out in a very wild and wooly wilderness, which was marked by steep rock mountains, and wind blown formations.  

He awoke floating a hundred feet above the ground.

"So Kakkarot, did you come here to fight or simply take in the scenery?" A familiar voice echoed in his head.

Standing on a bluff some yards below him was Vegeta.   But not the Vegeta he knew so well.   This was the Vegeta of their first meeting.   He was dressed in the old style Saiyan armor.  His hair was uncut and wild and swept up into the shape of a candle flame.  His eyes were as cold and cruel as Goku had remembered before all the years and life experience tempered Vegeta's attitudes.

Goku lowered himself to a plateau opposite Vegeta's position. "What's going on Vegeta?"

"What do you mean?   You third class scum, it should be plainly obvious that I've come here to destroy you, and complete the mission you were supposed to.  Namely clear this planet of all life." Vegeta smirked crossing his arms in front of him.

Goku recognized the area now.  This is where he fought Vegeta for the first time all those years ago.  He glanced at himself and found that he was wearing his old orange gi, with King Kai's insignia on the front.   He also felt that his power level was only about what it was during that fight as well.  Quickly scanning Vegeta, he found that Vegeta's power level was also what it was on the day they met.

Goku realized that he couldn't even go Super Saiyan.

"Quit daydreaming Kakkarot!  I might think you're not taking me seriously." Vegeta smirked.

Goku looked at his long time friend and assumed a fighting stance. "If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you will get!"

"Ah...  So there is a bit of Saiyan pride in you after all."  Vegeta also assumed a fighting stance.

Like the first time he and Vegeta squared off against each other, time seemed to stop for what seemed like an eternity.  Both combatants stared each other down.  Then, at some unseen and unknown signal, they flew at each other in heated combat.   The fight progressed similarly, but not the same as the first time.   This time, there was no Gohan or Kirillin around, and Vegeta didn't go Ouzaru.  They fought viciously for hours until neither one of them had enough energy left to go on.   In the end, it was Goku that held the sword aimed at Vegeta's heart.  Goku had no idea where the sword came from; it had just appeared in his hand when Vegeta tried to get away in his spaceship.

"What are you waiting for?  Do it!  Give me a warrior's death!" Vegeta said through split and bleeding lips.

"I-I can't do that Vegeta!" Goku stammered.

"Coward!  Do it!" Vegeta spat.

Goku threw the sword away and backed away from his friend.

"You know I can't do that." Goku stood with his fists clenched tightly enough to draw blood. 

"Stop blaming yourself Kakkarot.  Damned but you've always been this way!  You consume blame like a sponge takes in water!" Vegeta said behind him.

Goku turned to see Vegeta again; only it was the older version of Vegeta, the one with the flat top haircut and mustache, the Vegeta he remembered from the battle with Bebe.

"I've even seen you blame yourself when the people around you die of natural causes!" Vegeta said.  "You blame yourself when you can't somehow pull a miracle out of your ass and stop them from dying!"

"If only I was stronger maybe I could..." Goku started.

"Maybe you could what Kakkarot?  End death?  Stop disease and pestilence and hatred and every other reason that leads up to death and destruction?" Vegeta said. "Do you think you could change what is in men's hearts to nothing but love?  Maybe even the Grim Reaper will bow before your might, right?"

"Well maybe I could!" Goku blurted out. "I can do anything if I put my mind to it!"

"Kakkarot.  You are as capable a man as I've ever met, but you can't do everything." Vegeta said. "You couldn't have saved me, I died exactly the way I always wanted to go.  With honor, as a warrior should."  Vegeta explained. "It wasn't your fault.   In fact, I should be thanking you for the opportunity you provided to end my life in combat.  Thank you Kakkarot."

Goku looked blankly at Vegeta for a long moment. "I really can't bring myself to say 'you're welcome' over this."

Goku looked at his friend again and he saw Vegeta as he was just before he left Vegetasei.

"Think about it Kakkarot.  What you want you can't have; death, destruction, and renewal.  That is the pattern of things in the mortal universe.  You can only slow it down, you can never stop it."  Vegeta said.

"Then what's the point?  What's the point of anything?  We save people; they just die a few years later!  We save the universe just so it can be destroyed later?   WHAT'S THE DAMNED USE?!" Goku screamed to no one in particular.

Vegeta glowed white and his clothes changed.

"You know the answer to that already Kakkarot.   You were the one that taught me what the point was, remember?"

"Vegeta!  You're a Kai?!?" Goku asked incredulously.

"The Ultimate Kai decided that I really needed something to occupy my time.  So, he made me his assistant.   Normally, I wouldn't care to be an assistant, but in this case I have been granted some pretty far reaching powers and privileges, far more than I would have gotten in heaven or anywhere else.  I can pretty much come and go as I wish, and I get to look in on you from time to time."  Vegeta smirked. "In fact, one of my main duties that I have been assigned is to keep you guys in line."

"Really Vegeta?" Goku looked surprised.

"Yeah, really Kakkarot.  Do you know what the best part is?" Vegeta looked sly.

"What's that?" Goku asked in curiosity.

"I can still keep my weekly Friday afternoon appointment." Vegeta said nonchalantly.

It took a full second for Vegeta's statement to sink in. "Vegeta!  Really?"

I once told you that nothing would keep me from that.  I meant it!  Not even something as trivial as death would keep me from pounding the stuffing out of you every week." Vegeta smirked. "We'll see you in the Nexus at the usual time then?"

"You bet!" Goku said with tears forming in his eyes.

"Alright then.  Before you start getting all mushy, I gotta get back to Bulma.  She's with the Supreme Kai learning how he conjures up food from thin air.  She thought that would come in handy, I tend to agree." Vegeta smirked.

Goku smiled.  "Yeah, as much as you eat!"

"What?  Who are you to talk about eating?" Vegeta smiled back.

The two men looked at each other for a long minute.

"See you on Friday, Kakkarot." Vegeta finally said placing two fingers on his forehead.

"Friday, my old friend." Goku answered.

Vegeta disappeared.

Goku's eyes fluttered open and he looked around.  It was night, and the room was only half lit, but scattered on the floor and the couches in the room around his bed slept his family and friends.  The second he saw them all there he knew what the point was.  He remembered why he was who he was.  His world came back into focus again. 

"Goku?" Chi-Chi's voice reached his ears.

Goku turned his head to the other side of the bed and looked his wife in her beautiful eyes.   Goku couldn't remember anything ever looking so lovely to him before.

"Hey Chich.  You haven't stayed awake waiting for me have you?" Goku said.

Chi-Chi sighed inwardly in relief.  None of the earlier anger and threat was in her husband's voice now.  Goku was back once more.

"Well, no.  I was sleeping, but then you started talking in your sleep." Chi-Chi said.

"Oh?  What did I say?" Goku asked.

"It sounded like you were talking to Vegeta; is he really a Kai now?" Chi-Chi asked.

"Well, assuming that wasn't just a dream, then yeah." Goku sat up in bed.

Goku noticed another form that slept next to Chi-Chi that lay with her head in Chi-Chi's lap.

"So, I didn't just dream her after all." Goku looked at his mother's face.

"No Goku.  She's your mother."  Chi-Chi smiled. "She was captured along with many others, and made slaves until she went Super Saiyan and escaped.  They took a sleeper ship to get here."  Chi-Chi said. "She's a fine woman." 

"I know." Goku smiled.

The next few days were a recovery period for Goku.  He rather enjoyed the company of the new Saiyans, and he especially enjoyed being the one that they all turned to in order to find out what had happened since they were kidnapped, and Vegetasei was destroyed.  They made him tell the story of how he became the first Super Saiyan in three thousand years.   They really liked the part about embarrassing and defeating Frieza.  They made him tell it every single evening at dinner, almost like children who had a favored bedtime story.

Trunks had actually caused about a dozen of them to go Super Saiyan by working them hard in the gravity chamber during the day.   Many of them were close to ascending because of their work and hardships in the mines.

Piccolo had contacted Trunks a few days ago and he teleported to Vegetasei and brought him back to Earth.   Dende and Mr. Popo was glad to see him and readily agreed that he should stay with them until he figures out what he wants to do.

Grulung and Trilliam began work for Capsule Corporation the following week.  Grulung had a special affinity for the medical sciences, and was placed in the research department.  Trilliam took a position in company security.

Celritri approached her youngest son. "Kakkarot?  When are we going to Vegetasei?  The other Saiyans are anxious to see their friends and family."

"Any time you wish mom.  We can go there in an eye blink whenever you say." Goku smiled.

"How about tomorrow morning then?   That'll give us all time to say goodbye." Celritri beamed at the prospect of getting back home.

"Tomorrow morning it is then!" Goku smiled.

Everyone met that next morning in the middle of the lower hangar.  Bra had outfitted the recently freed Saiyans by whatever it was they requested.   Most of them opted for the old style Saiyan Armor, but a few of them opted for something a bit more colorful, and currently in style on Earth.

"Bardock. Aren't you going to take your ship with you?" Trunks asked.

"Well...  Umm...   No...  Why don't you keep it here?  I don't think we have much use for it anymore." Bardock exchanged nervous glances with Gohan and Raditz.   Bardock Jr. was in his usual spot on his Grandpa's shoulder.

"But the naked lady is so pretty!" Bardock Jr. said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Shhh!  Quiet brat!!" Bardock warned.

"Naked lady?" Trunks raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"It's nothing!  Kids just got an overactive imagination!  I got to have a talk with his mother when we get back."  Bardock said.

Raditz smirked.

"Just disengage the stealth after we leave." Gohan whispered to Trunks.

"Alright everyone!  Does anyone have any last minute things they need to take care of?   Has everyone said goodbye?   Alright then, Gerald will you do the honors?"  Goku said with a smile.

Everyone disappeared.

Trunks walked over to the hatch of the Saiyan ship. "Computer, disengage cloaking device."

"Affirmative.  Cloaking device deactivated." The computer returned.

"Trunks' mouth dropped open.  "Mother!"

Trunks Jr. covered Hanes' eyes.   Lindera giggled.

Everyone reappeared to be greeted by a shorter than usual Saiyan by the name of Kirillin.

"Hey bud!  Where you been?" Kirillin greeted.

"It's a long story.  Where've you been?" Goku asked.

"I got stranded on Earth!   Vegeta finally came back and brought me home.  He said something about tying up some loose ends.  He was dressed like a Kai!  Can you imagine that?" Kirillin answered.

Goku smiled. "Yeah, I guess I can imagine that."

"Hello Goku."  Roger said.

Goku turned toward the king.

"Hello King Roger." Goku said as respectfully as he knew how. "I suppose I owe you an apology for my behavior."

"Not at all."  Roger leaned toward Goku in a conspiratorially way. "You have no idea how much the spirit of cooperation has improved among the council members since your little...  outburst.   I should be thanking you!   Take a look over there."  Roger motioned to Goku's right.

Goku saw a large block of Saiyan Marble, easily five times the height of an average Saiyan, and several times the width that looked like it was in the process of being sculpted into something.

"That will be Vegeta when it's done." Roger said.  "It will be his memorial.   I was asked to write the words that will appear on the plaque at the base, but I think it would be more appropriate if you wrote them."

"I would like that very much, thank you Roger." Goku bowed in respect.

"What about you Roger?  How do you feel about being king on a permanent basis?" Kirillin asked.

"Scared to death if you want to know the truth." Roger said. "But Vegeta gave me this job, he must have had his reasons.

"He did Roger, he did." Goku smiled.

"Dad!" Gerald, just a ten-year-old boy once again, came running up and hugged his father tightly.   Roger returned the hug fiercely. 

"What took you guys so long?" Roger teased.

"Are you kidding?  We had to fight every step of the way through witches and demons and soul sucking tree people and then a horror by the name of Chaos, not to mention burning suns and exploding stars!  You're lucky we're back at all!"  Gerald said crossly.

"I'm joking son.  Welcome home.  You and Jessica should find your mothers, they've been worried senseless for almost two weeks!"

"Right Uncle Roger!" Jessica said and started to scoot off.

"Jessica.  That's King Roger now." Roger winked.

Jessica stopped and gave an over exaggerated bow. "Yes your highness!"  Before running off with Gerald on her heels.

Trunks had called Roger earlier in the week with a listing of the names of the Saiyans that would be arriving today.  This list was broadcast all over the planet and hundreds of Saiyans had arrived to the capital to see their long lost loved ones.   The plaza was full of people greeting their brother, sister, mate, lover, son, daughter, or friend.

"I got a strange call from King Tien this morning." Roger said.

"Oh?" Goku looked curious.

"He says that someone dressed like a Kai and looking a great deal like Vegeta visited him.  He says the person apologized for not being able to help him with his Kingdom anymore, but said that we would send advisors if needed." Roger said.

"Tying up loose ends." Kirillin said under his breath.

"Why haven't I felt his ki if he's popping in and out all over the universe?" Goku said out loud.

"Vegeta told me that The Ultimate Kai taught him a new way to conceal his ki." Kirillin said.  "Oh, and he told me one more thing."

"What's that Kirillin?" Roger asked.

"He told me to wait here and make sure I remind Goku that today is Friday." Kirillin said.

Goku got an extremely excited look on his face. "I know!"

Goku's eyes set on a large group of familiar people talking in low tones.   Bardock, Turles, Raditz, Gohan, Videl, Celritri, Chi-Chi, Nappa, Peppern, Hercule, Uub, Buu and several others that Goku didn't recognize off hand.  Were all talking very seriously.

"What's up over there Chich?" Goku mentally communicated to his wife.

"Come on over when you get free from Roger.  You're looking at the Coronation Planning Committee."  Chi-Chi answered.

Goku smiled. "Okay, I suppose we do need to make it official." 

Roger left soon after to take care of one royal detail or another.  Goku walked over to the gathering.  Yambia, Abigail, Gerald and Jessica had now joined them.  Goku listened to them all talk, but couldn't really pay much attention.  He was way too excited about this afternoon.  He kept irritating the hell out of Gohan.

"It's five damned minutes since the last time you asked!" Gohan finally said in frustration.  Gohan wasn't particularly happy about his father-in-law moving in with them, even for a short amount of time.   Gohan was already formulating plans about approaching Kirillin to ask him to help build another house.  Hercule was bad enough, but he definitely wasn't looking forward to having a baby in the house!

"Then it's time!" Goku placed two fingers to his forehead.

"Goku... Where are you going?" Chi-Chi asked.

"It's Friday afternoon Chi-Chi!" Goku said.

Chi-Chi thought for a second, then smiled. "Alright then, be home in time for dinner."

"I will Chi-Chi!"  Goku disappeared.

"I should have known that even death wouldn't keep those two apart." Chi-Chi sighed.

"Right on time Kakkarot.  You seem anxious to get your tail whipped!" Vegeta said as Goku appeared in the Nexus.

"I'm even more anxious to see what else The Ultimate Kai has taught you." Goku teased. "Do you think you can finally defeat me now?"

Vegeta wasn't dressed like a Kai now.  He was just plain old Vegeta in his old black training clothes.  His black tank said "Very Bad Man" across the front.

"I see you've got some new clothes." Goku teased.

"Yeah, the Supreme Kai taught Bulma how to make food, clothing, hell a car if we wanted." Vegeta said. "She wanted to come with me, but I figured that for this meeting, it should be just me an you with no distractions." 

Goku smiled. "I agree.  No distractions."

Vegeta powered up to level six, still smirking at his old friend.   Goku did the same.

The two warriors charged at each other at a mind-boggling speed, their fists crashed together with a cataclysmic force.  Bolts of raw energy poured from their bodies. 

For a few moments, Goku and Vegeta's eyes locked in mutual understanding.  Not even their wives understood what these two warriors understood about each other.

They shared a brief fierce grin.

The battle then began in earnest.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Okay my faithful readers.  I'm going to finish this tale at this point.  I've loved writing these fan fics, but I think I'm ready to try something original.  Thanks for all of you that have read and reviewed my humble attempts to gently reshape or more accurately, further shape the Dragonball universe.  Please feel free to contact me at my fanfiction e-mail address, or at [email protected]

Again, thank you all very much and please review!