Author’s Note: Written for Veronica’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Veronica!

I used repetition there because she’s old and has trouble remembering stuff. XD

Their Spotlight

“Trunks, if you don’t get your pants off and sit your ass on my fucking cock right now, I’m going to rape you through your clothes.”

“I’ve been waiting for an hour for you go say that.” Trunks said, reaching down to rip his jeans right off his body before jumping on Gohan—whose pants had met a similar fate—and straddling him hard.

“Aren’t they just so sweet together?” Chi-Chi asked Bulma, her eyes not leaving the two people whom everyone else was watching.

“They are, they totally are.” The other woman agreed, also avidly watching the scene.

Trunks and Gohan made out fiercely, as though trying to suffocate each other with their mouths. After some minutes, Gohan pulled back. “You’re not doing as I told you.”

“Sorry. But I had to taste you.”

“You can taste me while I fuck you.” He lifted the younger man up and took a second to aim before slamming Trunks back down on his length.

Trunks gasped as he was filled. It didn’t hurt; they had just fucked a couple of hours ago, after all. And yet he had already forgotten how much he loved it. “Fuck I love having you inside me, Gohan.”

“I just can’t get over it. This is way more…adorable than I’d ever imagined it could be.” Tien sounded uncomfortable even saying it, but beside him Chiaotzu nodded, then giggled as he caught his friend errantly thinking about what it would be like if it were the two of them over there.

There was more tearing of fabric as Trunks reached down and tore Gohan’s shirt from his body. “It should be against the…” He had to pause for a second as Gohan pushed into him again. “Law. For you…to wear clothes.” He was so fucking perfect underneath them, after all. It was a travesty of society that that body was forced to be covered.

“You’re the one…” Grunted Gohan, “who insists we get dressed when we go out.” He paused in his pounding for a moment to gaze lustily at his lover. “If I had my way, neither of us would ever wear them.”

“I just don’t want anyone else looking at you. You’re mine.”

“Actually, I think you’re mine.” Gohan punctuated this with another deep thrust, taking the breath away from Trunks.

Beside his brother on the couch, Goten looked away from the scene with a blush on his face. Everyone thought it was all cute and everything, and maybe it was, but it was so embarrassing…

So hard was their fucking that the very couch began to move slide along the floor as Trunks threw himself back and forth on Gohan’s cock, and as Gohan thrust ever higher, ever deeper inside his younger lover.

Roshi took in every detail of what the two men were doing, hoping that his sunglasses hid just how intent his gaze truly was. Normally he was all about the women, but this! This was worth a thousand dirty magazines. He would give up his entire collection of exercise tapes to have footage of what he was watching right now.

“Say it.” Gohan demanded suddenly, after a particularly hard thrust.

“Say what?”

“Say you love me.”

“I do.”

“No.” The older started pulling back, slowly. “Say it for real, Trunks.”

“I love you!” It was agonizing, the steady removal of Gohan from him. It was like amputation. He couldn’t bear it.

“Mean it, Trunks.”

Of course he meant it! He always meant it. “I fucking love you, Gohan.” Trunks panted. He would say anything, if it would convince Gohan to fill him again. “I’ve loved you since I was eight, when you fucked me senseless the first time. Now, do it harder, for shit’s sake!”

“I can’t believe it took them so long to get to it!” Yamcha said, to much nodding. “I mean, what took them so long?”

“I know! They’re so perfect together!” Puar chimed in from his shoulder.

Now they repositioned, Trunks resting his ankles on Gohan’s shoulders, his head on the floor as his lover plunged into him anew, hardly even on the sofa any longer himself. Trunks positively shouted in ecstasy, his cries filling the room as Gohan drilled him into oblivion.

“Why can’t you be more like that, Krillin?” Android Eighteen asked, whacking her husband on the shoulder.

“Ah, well it’s, uh…not really something I’m good at, babe.”

Trunks came violently, shouting Gohan’s name as he spurted his cum all over himself, belly to chin. Seconds later, Gohan pulled himself out and added his own seed to the mix, spraying the younger man with epic amounts of the stuff. They collapsed onto the floor, panting, both satisfied for now.

“You know, ‘Geta,” Goku whispered into his couchmate’s ear, “I know everyone’s here and I hate to be rude, but I haven’t heard or seen anything but you since you walked in the room.”

“I love you too, Kakarot. Now put that fool mouth to good use for once and kiss me.”

Goku did, and the whole room burst into applause at the climax of the scene nobody had been able to take their eyes off of all afternoon.

“I hate our fathers, Gohan.” Trunks sighed, glaring around at the room in general.

“I hear ya.”

After all, Goku and Vegeta were such a cute couple.

End

Happy Birthday, Veronica!

Author’s Notes: Chapter Title: And most of them lived happily ever after
Everything vibrated and the sound burrowed into his ears like insects, deafening him, hurting him. His brain, his body, nothing worked, he couldn’t tell up from down anymore and didn’t know if everything spun because of his dizziness, or the fact that the tower he was trapped in was actually spinning in the air, or a combination of both. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, Trunks had the vague sensation of the air freezing around him but the blanket of unconsciousness took him before he could think anymore.

Trunks shot up from the snow, he couldn’t breathe!

His chest constricted and his lungs worked to get some air, reminded of the horrible sensation of not being able to get at air when he needed it from his hurtle into the ocean, and not until he heard the wheezing sound he made did he realize that he was breathing. The air was too thin and cold for him to appreciate it.

The cold regenerated him. He had no desire to lay in the snow and rest. He got up, easing himself to use as little air as possible. Trunks took a step and realised that his feet were frozen, he couldn’t feel them.

That was right. Vegeta took his princely clothes from him, leaving him in the rags he started off with when all of this began. He didn’t even have shoes. He pinched his arms and everywhere on his body to determine what was numb and what wasn’t. Only his feet and part of his back and the back of his legs it seemed. The rest of him hurt.

At least that meant he wasn’t dead.

Something knocked him in the chest, sending him backwards on his ass, and he jumped up again to keep as much of his body out of the white stuff as possible. He looked down and smiled.

“Yajirabu.” The fat monkey mock saluted him before wrapping his arms around Trunks’ chest, trying to steal as much body heat as he could. They both shivered. There wasn’t much to share.

Trunks let him stay there anyway, then he looked up and sighed. Relief warmed him. Nimbus was there as well, he thought he saw the cloud join him before their unplanned flight but hadn’t dared to hope.

He strained his voice, a scratched whisper, like two rocks scraping against each other, came out. “Nimbus.”

The cloud seemed to be looking out the door, and it did not move to acknowledge him.

Trunks moved his legs. He had to rely on them to stay standing as he could feel nothing below his ankles, hugging Yajirabu close. “Nimbus,” He said again.

The cloud tilted a bit, and Trunks got the impression of someone glancing over their shoulder at him, before it turned to look outside again.

The cloud looked back out the door, and Trunks joined him to see what had him so transfixed. He had to kneel down since the door was not standing like it should, but only because the tower he was in seemed to be laying on its side.

He could see nothing. Like a sandstorm with snow, everything was being taken over by the wind, and he could see nothing. The yowling air moved away from the fallen tower, which was how he was protected from further cold, but the freezing temperatures still penetrated the room, and drifting snow along with it.

Trunks suddenly knew why he was still where he was. Nimbus hadn’t immediately taken him from the tower to return him to Truhania because of the storm.

Storm or not, they had to leave.

“I don’t know about you,” Trunks said, getting the attention of the cloud. “But Yajirabu and I will die if we stay here.”

Nimbus again did not move for some seconds before lowering himself so that Trunks might weakly climb on top of him. Knowing he was in for something even worse than what he showed up in, Trunks held Yajirabu tightly to him and curled up on the cloud to await the onslaught of snow and ice that would hit when he left the relative safety of the broken tower.

Nimbus stretched himself and wrapped half his body around his passengers like a pita, knowing it would not provide much protection but eager to do something more than simply leading them out, possibly to their deaths, and then flew out into the weather in the direction he thought Truhania was in.

***

It stormed outside. It always did since Vegeta took over. Gohan had never seen so much rain or thunder in his entire life as he had in four days.

“It’s always so hot,” Vegeta would say in between his attempts at seduction. “Cools the air, I think.”

Gohan tried not to make eye contact, tried to keep a low profile until he could find a way to free his father and get them out of the palace.

So far, he was failing on both counts.

Vegeta caught his fist when he’d thrown it at him, the strength in Gohan’s entire arm nothing compared to the magic flowing through Vegeta’s fingers. He had the nerve to laugh at him, yanking him close so that their noses touched.

“I love it when you fight me.”

The green man, genie, Piccolo when he learned his name, stood some ten feet behind his master, his arms folded and choosing to ignore the scene in front of him. Gohan had already tried asking for his help, and many times did he have to explain that he could give him none. Gohan would have to save himself.

Gohan brought his knee up, striking Vegeta in the ribs before pulling his fist back for the punch he’d been waiting to land.

Vegeta raised his hand. Gohan’s body froze. He commanded his legs and arms to move for him but they stayed in place like heavy rock. “What did you do to me?” He snarled, in control enough of his face to do at least that.

Vegeta tsked him, shook his head, and trailed his fingers down his cheek. It was too personal, too much like a lover, which was exactly what Gohan refused to be. “Don’t touch me.”

He did not remove his hand, but he did remove his spell. Gohan collapsed into Vegeta’s chest with the sudden release of his body. The man caught him and backed him into the wall. Gohan lifted his arms to push him away, but their confinement, even for that one minute, was enough to weaken his muscles.

Vegeta grabbed a handful of hair into his fist and yanked. “I’ll touch you however and whenever I please. I take no more orders from you, you little brat!”

Gohan felt the man’s breath against his neck. His throat hurt to swallow but he couldn’t ignore how much he hated the feel of it. “You constantly talk like my father and I were tyrants to you. We treated you like part of the family.”

“Ah yes, I remember. Dancing with that infatuated idiot at night, putting up with his own degree of sexual harassment. I think touching your cheek and standing a bit close is nothing compared to what I put up with.” Vegeta had his teeth bared and hands tightened around his arm and in his hair to the point of causing pain by the time he finished speaking.

Gohan winced. “You never said anything! If you didn’t like it you could’ve said something and he would’ve left you alone! He’s not a pervert like you!”

Vegeta grunted and released him, Gohan fell to his knees. “You would defend him. But you wouldn’t marry me to release him. Hypocritical of you, your highness.”

The title was an insult. Ever since Vegeta took over he’d taken to calling him, brat, insect, whore, and a variety of other untrue insults. Whenever Vegeta happened to call him by his proper title, it was only with the utmost sarcasm and disrespect.

He chose to ignore it. He just needed to buy some time, another day or two to figure out where he stood, to find out exactly where in the dungeons his father had been placed. It wasn’t hopeless yet. “I’m not a hypocrite!”

“Said by a true hypocrite. Look around you, brat, allow yourself to examine the fine clothes I allow you to wear, even while under my enslavement, and think of the hundreds of starving that could be fed had you chosen not to wear them.”

Gohan shook his head. Even if he chose to believe what Vegeta said, it wasn’t like he ever had a choice in how he dressed. “The people of Truhania aren’t starving.”

Vegeta raised his hand, calling Piccolo forth. The green man approached until he stood beside where Gohan knelt, facing his master.

“Slave, is it, or is it not true that your first master wished to be rich rather than poor?”

Piccolo nodded. “It is.” Then he looked down at Gohan. “But I was under the impression that he did so for love.”

Gohan shivered at the reminder of Alatrunks. Shivered for the reminder of how much he loved him, despite the lie, and out of fear as to whether or not he still lived.

“I did not ask you for your opinions, slave.” Vegeta hissed, turning his attention back to Gohan. “Is it true that you almost had your hand removed by a merchant for theft?”

There was no point in lying about it. “Yes.”

He barely finished the word before Vegeta cut in and knelt down so that their faces nearly touched. “A bit harsh for a man who has the money to afford such a loss, don’t you think?”

Gohan shook his head. “You can’t expect me to believe that you only want the throne for good!”

Again he was caressing his cheek, and again Gohan wanted to punch him, but he held his hands in check. “Of course not, you little fool. I could give a rat’s ass about the filth you left to rot down there while you enjoyed fine meals, jewels, and suitors every night. I just want you to see that the only difference between you and I is that I am capable of admitting that I am evil.”

When he kissed him Gohan did not have the strength to fight back.

***

Trunks returned to Truhania twenty-four hours after he left it. The problem was that by then he was so sick with frostbite and cold that he had to rest at his old house. Luckily for him though he was passed out through most of it otherwise he wouldn’t have wasted one minute in bed while that psychopath was off doing who knew what to Gohan and his father, forcing Piccolo into performing unspeakable acts.

Trunks took his first steps outside in three days, his body mostly healed, and stared down the street to the spot where the palace used to be. Empty now.

People were muttering to themselves even days after the event. Some packing their things to leave while others valiantly stayed close to their homes.

“Witchcraft.”

“Evil demons! That thing that plucked the palace from the earth.”

“They’re coming for us next.”

Trunks looked up towards the mountain next. The palace was still sitting there. The people were so transfixed on it that no one stopped him to question the golden cloud that hovered beside him as he walked.

He needed to know what was going on up there if he was going to sneak in. He needed some news of any kind.

A peasant down the way caught his attention, moving with his belongings tied to a camel and buggy behind him.

“Excuse me, sir!” Trunks ran for him, touched him on the shoulder, and when he turned Trunks stumbled back and fell.

“You!” They shouted at the same time.

Hercule. Of all the people to run into.

Trunks was frozen almost as if he was still on a snowy mountain, waiting for Hercule to grab and arrest him. Yajirabu jumped to his defence and hissed. All the man did was stare at him.

In fact, he wasn’t even wearing his robes that distinguished him as a palace guard, he really was dressed as a peasant.

Trunks rose to his feet and dusted himself off. They still stared uneasily at each other.

Trunks was the first to speak. “Why aren’t you at the palace?”

“There’s no need for palace guards now that a sorcerer lives there.”

Trunks clenched both fists. The answer, completely devoid of any emotion nearly killed him. “Then you know what’s going on. Why aren’t you and your men storming those walls? Trying to get Gohan and the sultan out?”

“Don’t you think we’ve already tried that! Idiot street rat! Half my men, including myself were still in the palace when that thing lifted it into the sky. We attacked Vegeta with everything we had before he threw us out, like we were nothing but ants to him! I rallied my men again, we took everything that could be considered a weapon and tried to take the palace back, but again we were sent away. Half my men are now dead. There’s nothing that can be done.”

Trunks blinked and let his shock take him. The sight of Hercule’s angry red face as he recalled his defeat was something Trunks never thought he would see up close.

Despite the man’s crooked behaviour, he truly was loyal to the royal family. Trunks knew in that instant that no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he would never get into the palace without help.

“There is something that can be done.” He said, hoping he wouldn’t regret letting the man in on his secret.

“Nonsense.” Hercule scoffed, then proceeded to walk off.

Trunks never thought he would be the one to chase after Hercule. “It’s true! That green man who took the palace, he wasn’t a demon or a monster, he was a genie!”

Hercule abruptly stopped and looked at him, one brow lifted.

Trunks swallowed. “I was Prince Ali, the one you nearly threw into the ocean.” He said with a touch of bitterness, watching Hercule’s eyes widen slightly at the revelation. “It was how I managed to be a prince and escape that day.”

“Tell me more.”

***

Vegeta had Goku brought up from the dungeons and tied to a post, where Oolong proceeded to slap him with switches and throw rocks at him when he didn’t dance in his tiny leather outfit as instructed, dangling the key to his chains in front of his face to tease him. Goku lifted himself up to strangle the shape-shifting pig, but he jumped out of the area that the chains could reach.

Oolong’s picked up a fist-sized and threw it. It made contact with Goku’s temple and drew some blood. Gohan could take no more. “Stop it! Leave him alone!” He moved two steps in his father’s direction but the chains on his feet connected to the throne prevented any further movement.

Vegeta raised his hand, signalling his pet to stop the attack. “Agree to marry me and not only will this barbaric behaviour cease, but I’ll even allow him to leave the palace. He can go wherever he wishes so long as he does not return here.”

Gohan looked at his father and back at Vegeta. He lowered his head and opened his mouth to agree.

“Don’t do it.”

His eyes snapped up. Goku stared at him with a strength in his eyes that was no longer in his body. “I’m not that weak that you need to give in after only a few days. Don’t marry him Gohan, if you do then he wins.”

Gohan sucked in a harsh breath and fought the burning in his eyes before he nodded. He spoke without looking at his captor. “I will not accept your offer Vegeta.”

The chains attached to his arms were yanked, and Gohan found himself facing the bared teeth of an angry Vegeta, who was no longer stroking the cooker on the arm of the throne in amusement. “You’re trying my patience you little brat!”

His hand closed on Gohan’s throat, cutting off his air. He grabbed his fingers to pry them away but Vegeta refused to be moved.

“Vegeta stop it! He can’t breathe!” Goku screamed, pulling against his chains.

“Marry me and you may have your air.” Vegeta hissed.

Gohan gasped, sounds like a hiccupping frog leaving his throat as his lungs constricted in his chest. “You can’t–force me–to marry–you.” He wheezed.

He didn’t think Vegeta could scowl any deeper when the lines suddenly vanished and the hand released him.

Gohan dropped to the floor and sucked in a coughing breath, the burning in his face leaving now that some oxygen could reach his head.

He looked up, Vegeta smiled as though someone presented him with the universe itself. “I think that I can force you to marry me.”

Gohan kept rubbing his throat.” What?”

Vegeta shot himself up from his chair. “I am such a fool! Slave!” He called.

Piccolo, who had been standing off to the side, walked forward with no speed or enthusiasm. “Yes, master?”

Vegeta’s grin was lecherous. He looked over his shoulder at Gohan while he spoke his wish. “I wish for you to make the prince fall in love with me.”

Gohan shook his head. “No.” He looked at Piccolo. “Please, don’t do that to me!”

Piccolo tried not to look back into his begging eyes as he addressed his master.

Gohan looked away. He couldn’t listen to them, didn’t want to hear his father yelling at Vegeta while he arranged for Gohan’s enslavement.

And he thought his father was pushy in trying to get him to marry. At least he was giving him a pick of suitors.

Shaking his head, Gohan caught sight of something purple out of the corner of his eye. He looked up, across the throne room stood Trunks, hiding behind a pillar.

Love and relief flooded him like warm water. His lips turned up in a wide smile, his eyes shone, and a happiness he hadn’t felt since Trunks was sent away, made him float.

Their eyes met. Trunks’ chest rose and fell heavily, also with apparent relief before he began to frantically wave his arms around. Gohan understood right away. Don’t look too happy in that general direction. He could end up giving away the fact that Trunks was there.

He could’ve kicked himself. Stupid, stupid! What was he thinking?

Trunks pointed towards the throne, and Gohan looked and saw the cooker, then looked back at Trunks, reading his perfect lips.

“Grab the cooker.” He was saying.

Gohan lifted his hands, gently to not rattle chains, but enough so that Trunks could see them and know he couldn’t reach it.

“I’m sorry.” Gohan mouthed.

Trunks nodded, understanding, then pointed to Vegeta. Gohan knew what Trunks wanted him to do before his mouth could form the words.

*Distract him.*

Gohan looked at both Genie and man, for the first time seeing them arguing.

“I’m telling you it can’t be done! If it was in my power I would but I can’t!”

“You said any wish! I wish for this!” Vegeta screamed, drops of spit flying out of his mouth.

Gohan didn’t need to think too hard about his plan.

He dropped his eye lids, stood up from the floor with a slight tilt in his hip, and smiled a lusty smile he’d only seen when he walked in on two servants in the middle of loving one another. He prayed that his plan worked.

“Vegeta,” He called.

The man turned to face him, almost in slow motion, then smirked at the look on Gohan’s face.

Piccolo’s jaw dropped, and while Gohan did his best to keep his eyes only on Vegeta he was aware of his father’s agonizing whisper.

“No, no, Gohan.”

Gohan forced himself to ignore it as Vegeta pat Piccolo on the shoulder. “That’s more like it.”

Gohan forced his body not to cringe against his will when Vegeta approached. The man touched his cheek and for the first time in a long time Gohan didn’t jerk his head away. He looked in the man’s eyes, tried to picture all the wonderful moments he had with Trunks, and let those emotions come through.

“Gohan, don’t look at him! He’s the bad guy! Remember?”

Gohan grabbed Vegeta’s robes and positioned him so that he was blocking his view of his father. Vegeta smirked at the act, and so did Gohan, because what Vegeta didn’t know was that by doing so he made Vegeta face away from the rice cooker.

He dared not look behind Vegeta, but out of his peripheral vision he saw Trunks stalking closer, silently set out to reach the thing that could set them all free.

Vegeta’s eyes lowered to his lips, and with a shock Gohan knew what he was going to do. The test. To see if he was truly in love with the man in front of him. As Trunks slinked closer Gohan knew that if he had to do it he could. He would do it.

Trunks lost his footing. He stepped on a small rock and it made his foot skate across the marble floor, the rock under his sole scratching the surface, making a sound like a shrieking bird.

Vegeta turned to see what the matter was. Gohan grabbed his ears and pulled his face towards his, squeezing his eyes shut when their lips met to pretend he was kissing anyone other than the man in front of him.

Goku wailed at the sight.

Gohan sighed when the distraction worked and Vegeta relaxed, then inwardly had a screaming fit when Vegeta pulled him closer and coaxed his mouth open.

‘Trunks had better be moving to that rice cooker, I swear he’d better.’ Gohan thought, forcing his body not to tense up.

Vegeta broke the kiss himself, then stared into Gohan’s eyes, pleased with the act.

The glint in his eyes sparked a panic inside Gohan’s chest, and the hand tightening around his arm confirmed it.

“That was by far, the worst display of acting I have ever seen.” Vegeta’s arm flew out behind him and blasted Trunks in the chest with a powerful red light that sent him flying across the throne room before he could reach his hand out and touch the cooker.

“No!” Gohan tried to run to him but Vegeta’s strength, and the chains, held him back. Gohan’s fist soared on its own, smashing into Vegeta’s jaw and sending a blinding pain through one of Gohan’s knuckles.

Vegeta’s laughed at Gohan’s cry of pain. “You can’t hurt me! I’m indestructible!” His own arm struck out, backhanding Gohan with such a force that the chain connecting him to the throne shattered and sent him across the hall much the same way he’d done to Trunks.

Gohan’s head smacked into the back of the wall. He fell limply into Trunks’ arms. Trunks shook him, trying to wake him, but he lay there with his eyes shut.

“Gohan? Gohan, wake up.”

Goku ran towards his son and knelt down with them to inspect the damage.

Vegeta stepped back at the sight. “How did you escape?”

He looked and saw Oolong tide to the same pole where the sultan had been, Piccolo stood over the little shape-shifter and stared unapologetically at his master.

“You released him!” Vegeta accused.

Piccolo shook his head. “No, I just didn’t tell you that he *had* been released.”

The knowledge that Trunks was not the only intruder in the room sucked the air from Vegeta’s lungs. He spun around in time to point his finger at Hercule, whose hand hovered directly over the cooker.

“Stay.” Vegeta commanded.

Hercule’s body shrank, his arms drew into themselves and brown hair grew out from every pore in his body. He opened his mouth to yell and insult but all the came out was an indignant bark.

Vegeta laughed at his creation, and Trunks watched in horror as Hercule’s clothes became so large that he shrank inside them, and all that came out was a frightened puppy.

He handed Gohan to his father and made a run towards Vegeta.

“How many times do I have to teach you a lesson?” Vegeta shrieked, throwing his arm out and blasting him again. The power sent Trunks skidding to the floor ten feet from the prince and sultan. “You never learn!”

Trunks looked up at him and grinned. “Actually, I do.”

Vegeta spun again in time to watch Yajirabu run away with the cooker. “No.”

Piccolo smiled, hardly able to believe what he was seeing. “Run, monkey, run.” He muttered.

Vegeta raised his staff and sent a burst of red magic at him. Yajirabu jumped, the magic missing him, but while in the air Vegeta worked his magic again and got him a second time, turning him into a fat plushy monkey.

Nimbus flew in and took the cooker from the animal before Vegeta could summon it to him and zoomed for Trunks.

“You’re all really starting to get on my nerves!” Vegeta yelled, and a giant vacuum cleaner appeared in the air directly in front of the racing cloud. Nimbus attempted to turn and fly in the other direction but he was caught in the suction and disappeared into the vacuum bag.

The cooker fell to the floor and Trunks dived for it, his arm stretched out to take the cooker before a wall of swords rained from the ceiling and spiked a barrier in the floor. Trunks crashed into them, breaking a hole into the makeshift wall. The cooker sat right in front of his eyes, but as he reached his hand out to take it Vegeta snapped it up first.

“I should keep you alive, boy. You are more fun to have around than the sultan, at least you dance when you’re told to.” He sneered.

Trunks glared up at him. “You call that dancing? At least I wasn’t flailing my arms around like some kind of confused monkey.”

Vegeta’s eyes flashed. “A monkey, am I?”

Heat whirled around him, and Trunks raised his head and saw that the swords were all on fire. He moved away from flames before they could do more than lick at his skin.

When he looked up again Vegeta’s eyes were yellow, his face lengthened and animal-like whisker protruded from the side of his nose.

“I’ll show you a monkey!” He opened his mouth, tilted his head back, and released an animalistic roar that echoed and shook the palace walls. The sound awoke Gohan who had to cover his ears, and Goku crouched over his son to protect him while doing the same to his own earlobes.

The sound momentarily disoriented Trunks, and when he released his ears Vegeta was already leaning down to grab him. He jumped out of the way of the fist, but on the second strike Vegeta had him, lifting him into the air and squeezing with just enough pressure for Trunks to feel his bones grinding together.

Trunks clenched his teeth but proof of his pain still escaped in a powerful cry.

Piccolo stepped forward. “Master, may I suggest—”

Vegeta kicked him away. “You stay out of this. He’ll have no defence for defying me!”

Gohan launched himself to his feet and ran forward. He grabbed the hair on Vegeta’s legs and pulled to get his attention. “Vegeta, stop it! I’ll marry you!”

“You’ll marry me regardless you little brat!” Vegeta’s foot went out and kicked Gohan the same as he’d done to Piccolo. Piccolo flew out and caught him before he could be smashed into another wall.

Vegeta resumed his torture, wrapping both hands around his prisoner this time for good measure. “You thought you defeat me? The most powerful being on earth! You are nothing, you little street rat! And even with the genie you remain nothing!”

A moment of coherent thought latched onto Trunks’ brain when he said that, and through the pain Trunks opened his eyes and looked down over Vegeta’s monkey knuckles to see where Piccolo stood, still protecting Gohan from anything else that might attack him.

Like window shutters being opened, an idea flew inside his head like the breeze.

“I’m a worthless street rat, but at least I can admit it, unlike you!” He screamed.

Vegeta’s hands squeezed in anger. “What!”

Trunks had to overcome the feeling of having his body crushed. “You’re only powerful because he made you like that! If we’d have gotten a hold of the cooker, you be nothing! Worse than nothing! You would be a peasant like me! No money, no influence and no power!”

“I am the most powerful being on earth!” Vegata said, repeating his earlier words.

Trunks shook his head. “No you’re not.” Then he nodded down at Piccolo. “He is.”

Piccolo gasped and took a step back.

Vegeta gasped and released Trunks, who fell limply to the floor after being unable to catch himself because of the torture inflicted on him.

Gohan ran to him, but Piccolo stayed where he was, not so much as blinking. “What have you done? Why did you bring me into this?”

Vegeta’s giant hand slammed down between Piccolo and the two humans. “Never mind them! I have my third wish for you to grant!”

Piccolo clenched his fists and glared at his former master before facing his new one. “More power?”

“No! I wish to be an all powerful genie!”

“What have you done?” Gohan asked.

“Trust me.” Trunks whispered.

Piccolo shook his head, but not in denial of the wish. “If I thought you were stupid before, it’s nothing compared to what I think of you now.” He said, facing Trunks before lifting his index finger and pointing it at the giant ape.

Glowing green light shot out, Vegeta stood taller and allowed the magic of the wish to hit him in the chest, sighing pleasurably as it disappeared inside his body, the physical change already happening as he shrunk to his normal size and into a red faced version of his human self. He opened his eyes and smiled, they were pitch black.

“Yesss, I can feel the absolute *power!*” The ceiling broke open with his delightful cry. The sun, moon, and stars appeared in the grey sky at the same time and swirled around at his command, creating a light show of the kind Gohan had never seen before.

The wind picked up, like a tornado entered the room, Trunks wrapped his arm around Gohan and grabbed the nearest thing to prevent themselves from being blown away. He looked up and saw that it was Piccolo’s leg.

“This will work!” He yelled.

“You had better be right!” Piccolo screamed back.

“The universe is mine! It’s *mine!*”

Trunks lifted himself onto his elbows when he felt the wind slow enough. “You’re almost right!”

Vegeta looked away from his lightshow to stare at him. “Hn?”

A black rice cooker materialized from specks of nothingness in Trunks’ hand. “Maybe the universe will belong to your master if he wishes for it!”

Golden cuffs appeared and clamped loudly around Vegeta’s wrists. “What!” He dug his fingers into them, trying to pry them off but they held firm, then he held his claws out to Trunks and Gohan. “You tricked me!”

Piccolo stepped in the way before he could make it to them.

“Get out of my way, slave!”

Piccolo’s lips quirked. “I’m not your servant anymore.”

Vegeta’s eyes popped, and when he felt the pull of the cooker calling him inside he turned and jumped in the air. Piccolo reached out and grabbed him before he could fly away and held him in place.

Vegeta clawed, screamed, and spit, his face becoming less and less human as he was sucked into his new prison like grains of sand being tugged by the breeze. “No! No!”

Piccolo dropped his prisoner when there was not enough of him to hang onto, and the three of them watched as he disappeared into the cooker.

Trunks felt it get heavier as he held it, but the silence that followed after everything that happened weighed the most.

He exhaled, the small noise of even that penetrating the huge room. He turned his eyes up to look at Piccolo. They both smiled.

“You are by far the most intelligent master I’ve ever had.” Piccolo said, taking the lamp.

“Is he gone?”

“Father!” Gohan got up and ran to him, hugging him. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Trunks stood awkwardly, and when the ill dressed sultan approached him, instead of bowing at the waist, like a near equal would do, he got to his knees, like a peasant was expected to do.

“Your majesty,” He began, not daring to even look at his feet lest his humiliation show. He was reminded suddenly that everything wrong with the palace, with the undignified way in which the sultan was dressed and how he was treated, was entirely due to Trunks’ lies and greed. “I’m so—”

Strong hands latched around his arms and forcefully lifted him to his still wobbly feet. Trunks expected the face to be angry, Goku smiled and clapped in on the back. “You don’t kneel for me.”

Goku took a step back and bowed slightly at the waist.

Trunks’ mouth dropped, a sound came out but he couldn’t make words. He looked to Gohan for some explanation, but instead of being helpful he too smiled and bowed like his father had done. Piccolo followed suit.

Trunks felt like he would explode. Too many things swirled inside of him and the scene before him was not helping.

He touched Goku’s shoulder. “Please, your majesty, don’t.”

Goku stood taller, as did Gohan and Piccolo, but he still smiled.

Before Trunks’ eyes Vegeta’s magic disappeared. The skimpy leather outfit the sultan had been reduced to wearing transformed into his proper royal robes, the sky outside cleared, Hercule returned to normal, Yajirabu turned back into a grouchy, fat monkey, and the vacuum cleaner disappeared, leaving only a confused Nimbus in its wake.

“Wow.” Gohan rushed to the window. “We’re back in Truhania!”

Goku went to look himself. Trunks, Hercule, Piccolo and everyone else followed. Trunks sighed when he looked outside and saw the city under a blue sky.

Then his cheer faded. Gohan stood in front of him, still looking out the window and completely oblivious to when Trunks turned around and left the crowd. He saw Piccolo’s cooker and picked it up in his other hand. He could barely believe that one housed his best friend, while the other one, the black one, housed a maniac.

“Trunks?”

Trunks pulled himself from his musings at Gohan’s call. Everyone stared at him. Trunks awkwardly cleared his throat and approached the sultan, handing him the black rice cooker. “You should have this, to keep it locked away somewhere, I wouldn’t be able to keep it safe.”

Goku took it from his hands and tucked it under his arm. “We’ll need to rebuild that tower, a lot of cement will be coming in and I’m sure there’ll be some to spare.”

Trunks nodded, then took another step back.

Gohan tensed, sensing that he was trying to distance himself. He reached out and grabbed Trunks’ free hand.

“What about us?”

Trunks looked down, wet his lips, then extracted his hand from Gohan’s. “I’m not a prince, your highness, it was wrong of me to trick you.”

Gohan shook his head, ready to deny it, but Trunks spoke first, looking up at him, Gohan saw the shine in his eyes. “I’m sorry to have caused you any unnecessary pain.”

Piccolo cleared his throat, grabbing their attention. “You do still have one wish left. If your desire is to be a prince then I’ll make you a prince.”

Gohan turned to Trunks, a new hope in his eyes, but it fell away when he saw that Trunks did not look nearly as happy as the news should have left him.

“That’s very kind of you, Piccolo,” He said, “I’m just going to discuss it with prince Gohan.”

Piccolo nodded, folding his arms and trying to look uncaring as Trunks took Gohan’s arm and walked with him to the other side of the throne room for some small amount of privacy.

Gohan stopped them as soon as he thought they were far enough away. Anger and fear spilled into his voice that he turned into a harsh whisper. “What is the matter with you? And what’s with all this prince Gohan garbage? You don’t need to call me that.”

Trunks stared at him and touched his cheek, his eyes large and sad. Gohan hated how he looked at him like he planned on never seeing him again. “What happened here, these last few days, is all my fault. I promised him his freedom, and I got scared, I thought I couldn’t be a prince without him so I didn’t give it to him, and then Vegeta got to him.”

Gohan inhaled deeply despite the building ache in his chest and the burning that started in his own eyes. “What are you saying? That you can’t make the wish to be a prince?”

Trunks nodded. “I know he just said I could, but I still promised him, and if there are other people like Vegeta out there who will use him to do horrible things like this …”

Gohan nodded, he reached out and took Trunks’ hand, tightening his grip when he tried to pull away. “I understand.”

Trunks’ eyes went wide. He yanked Gohan to his body to kiss him, trying to say his goodbye without words. Gohan reached his hands up to thread his fingers through Trunks’ hair and hold tightly around his neck.

They tasted salt from tears, neither knew which of them cried, then clung to each other after the kiss had ended.

Trunks held to Gohan tightly and kissed his forehead, cheeks, and mouth. “I love you, I’ll always love you.”

Trunks could see that it was Gohan who cried until he reached his hand up to wipe tears from Trunks’ face, then he knew that it was the both of them. “I love you too.”

They held each other again for a moment before drying their eyes and walking back towards the crowd, hand in hand.

“Celebrating?” Piccolo asked, not a sneer in his voice.

Trunks should have figured. From the distance it probably did look like they kissed out of happiness rather than regret.

He didn’t want to waste anymore time or give himself the chance to change his mind. “I wish for your freedom, Piccolo.”

Piccolo raised his hand to grant the wish, then stopped. “What did you say?”

Trunks handed Piccolo the cooker. “You’re free.”

Just as his green fingers touched the object did it disintegrate into ten million tiny sand-like pieces, pouring through his fingers and forming a pile on the floor. Piccolo took in a shaky breath and knelt down to inspect the small dune of sand. When one claw from his hand touched it, the golden cuffs at his wrists popped off, clanged to the floor, and turned into the same sand.

Piccolo inspected his wrists, touching the bare spots where the cuffs used to be, then looked up at his former master from where he still knelt.

Trunks tightened his hand around Gohan’s for strength. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t free you when I said I would.”

Piccolo stood up, standing taller than him, he didn’t make any move towards him, but his voice held all the emotion. “You are forgiven.” Then he offered Trunks his hand, smiling, Trunks took it and they shook hands like equals.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you your heart’s desire, kid.”

“It’s alright, Piccolo.”

Goku, furiously scratching the back of his head, piped in. “So, when’s the wedding?”

All heads turned towards the sultan.

“Father, Ali, I mean, Trunks here isn’t a prince.” Gohan said in case his father happened to miss that part. Trunks bowed his head shamefully at having pretended he ever was.

Scratching his chin now, Goku grinned. “Well, *I* for one thought I was sultan, and if I say that my son can have his choice in a spouse, then he can choose.”

Neither Gohan nor Trunks moved, both sets of hearts pounding in case it should be a royal joke. Trunks clenched Gohan’s hand tightly in his until they began to sweat, when Goku didn’t take back his order and continued to grin, Trunks looked into Gohan’s eyes.

“You’ll still have me?”

Gohan tackled him to the floor. “I picked you the day I met you!”

“A commoner, sire?” Hercule whispered, nervous of ever having to take orders from the street urchin he used to chase down for theft.

Piccolo growled at him, and Hercule flinched away. “This is no commoner.” He said, pointing to where Trunks and Gohan embraced on the floor.

Goku waved his finger at him. “He’s right, Hercule. You’d better get used to it, because this is the new addition to our family.”

Hercule groaned and slunk off, leaving the lovers to celebrate with the happy father.

***

Trunks walked into the garden, Piccolo sat by the fountain, soaking his feet, his face turned up into the sky to enjoy the sunlight.

Slipping off the best pair of shoes he’d ever owned, Trunks sat next to him and put his own feet in the water, though he was sure this wasn’t what the fountain was for. “Enjoying your vacation?”

“Immensely.” Piccolo popped open one eye to stare at him. “Where’s your prince? I thought the two of you were inseparable.”

Trunks laughed. “We are, but I’m taking a break while he goes out into town. He’s really taken to visiting Truhania on a daily basis.”

Piccolo grunted and went back to sun soaking.

Trunks smiled at him. Ever since control had been retaken and the truth about Truhania revealed, the royal family was no longer shy about leaving the safety of the palace walls. Shelters were being built for the homeless, more food being delivered into the city, and more jobs created, even the old school was being rebuilt. Trunks couldn’t have been happier, he knew he certainly would have enjoyed having those things while he was out on the street, now other people who will need them can benefit.

Still, there was one thing that was on his mind, and he couldn’t help but worry that Piccolo wouldn’t be around forever. “What do you plan to do?”

Piccolo sighed and opened his eyes. “Truthfully, I don’t know. My entire life was spent in that cooker, I’ve always wanted to see the outside, travel the world, and now that I’m out it’s like I’m afraid to go anywhere.”

Trunks shifted. “Gohan’s taken a liking to you. You know you always have a home here.”

Piccolo smirked at him.

Trunks felt the heat rising into his face. “And I would want you here too.”

“Thanks kid, but there still are a few things that need to be done here, I’d like to help until I’m of no more use before I take off.”

Trunks smiled, before he could say anything he saw Gohan enter the garden. His grin broadened and he stood up. “I’m just glad you’re going to stay a little longer.”

Piccolo waved him off. “Go and have fun with your husband and leave me be.”

Trunks grinned and ran off. He met Gohan at the entrance and kissed him tenderly before taking his hand and going inside the palace together. “Father decided we did enough work for today.” Gohan said.

Piccolo shook his head when they were gone. “Kids.”

***

Goku drank from his wine glass and popped a grape into his mouth, shifting until he was comfortable from the couch where he lay, then hardened his eyes. “You know my wish. Dance.”

Vegeta adjusted his see through skirt and veil, the magic of the genie forcing him to move even when he didn’t want to. “This is highly degrading.” He muttered.

Goku grinned and ate more fruit. “And you’re going to have to do it every night, because there’s no way I’m ever going to use my other two wishes.”

Vegeta sighed and sank into his fate. Dancing for the sultan like a common whore for the rest of his life.

“God damnit.”

The End

Author’s Notes: Chapter Title: A new Sultan
Trunks paced his room, his new room, one much more grand than a guest room fit even for a prince. This room was meant for Prince Gohan’s chosen one and the future co-ruler of Truhania.

“Sultan,” Trunks muttered, the word a curse on his tongue. Five days ago, if someone told him he would be the co-sultan of Truhania he would have laughed, not believed it, but then would have been thrilled when he discovered that the person telling him this was perfectly serious.

He was going to be sultan. Trunks threw off his jacket, the fine fabric was making him itch.

“I don’t know anything about being a king.” Trunks clenched his teeth and smashed his fists into the wall. “Damnit!”

The action jarred Piccolo from his cooker. He slid out, floating on air like he rode on a hammock. A lazy grin on his face.

“Ready to make your final wish?”

He opened his eyes and looked up. Trunks walked in the opposite direction with his shoulders down and back hunched.

Piccolo stiffened and flew after him. Trunks leaned against the rail and observed the pink flamingos that grazed only a few feet away. He didn’t acknowledge Piccolo beside him.

“Kid?” Piccolo touched his shoulder with a clawed hand. “You alright.”

Trunks shrugged him away. “I’m the most horrible person in the world. They’re going to make me sultan.”

“That’s a *good* thing. You’ll never have to worry about food or money again, long after I’m gone.”

Trunks flinched. “They want to make Prince Ali sultan, not Trunks.”

Piccolo raised a brow and looked him up and down. “Maybe you should wish for my freedom now.”

Trunks looked at him, his eyes that of a hurt dog, and Piccolo understood. His green face turned red and lips pulled up to reveal horrifying incisors. “You’re not going to do it. You lied to me.”

His rage filled face paired with a calm tone of voice made the accusation stronger. Trunks looked away from him.

“I’m nothing without you. You’re my only friend.”

“IDIOT! Do you think I want to be here? That I would be nice to you if I wasn’t your slave?”

“Piccolo I’m so sorry.” Trunks reached out to touch his arm, to make him understand. Piccolo yanked himself away.

“Don’t touch me. I’m tied to you but I don’t have to speak to you unless you wish it!” He laughed shortly. “You lied to everyone else, I shouldn’t even be angry because I should have known this was coming.” Piccolo slid back into his rice cooker, the lid slamming behind him.

Trunks watched the cooker, waiting for the genie to come back out so they could speak. He waited there for ten minutes before he grabbed a pillow and threw it at the cooker. The impact jarred the cooker from its place on the chair and knocked it on the floor. “Just stay in there then, fine!”

He turned to march out of the room and halted at the sight of Yajirabu, still in elephant form, staring at him over the rail. The tiny elephant eyes were wide and the mouth slightly open. Trunks knew he’d scared his friend.

“Yajirabu,”

Yajirabu turned and walked away.

“No! I’m sorry, please!” He chased Yajirabu out into the garden but the pudgy elephant didn’t look at him. He sat down under a tree in the shade and threw his trunk over his eyes.

“Yajirabu, I’m sorry, I just need him around a little longer. I’ll let him go, I will.”

Yajirabu turned his head away and tightened his ears to his head so he wouldn’t have to hear anymore.

Trunks nearly collapsed, Nimbus hovered around his shoulders, observing the scene, and would likely catch him if he did, but he held himself upright and clenched his fists.

He marched in a circle, glaring at his friend and glaring towards his new room where Piccolo hid from him. “Why can’t either of you understand? I don’t want to lie to everyone.”

Trunks stopped and looked down at Yajirabu who pretended to be asleep. “I don’t want to lie anymore.”

He looked back to his room where the curtains floated in the breeze, behind them Piccolo still lay in his cooker, steaming over what Trunks had done to him.

He called himself a slave. And it was true, he was, and Trunks hated himself for giving the green man hope and then taking it away like he did. “What am I doing?”

He took two steps towards his room, stopped, then went in the opposite direction. He needed to speak with Gohan first. Let Gohan know what kind of man he was attaching himself to, then, regardless of the decision the prince made and what would happen to Trunks if Gohan threw him out, Trunks would set Piccolo free as they agreed.

***

Oolong couldn’t feel his legs, and when the purple haired imposter finally left he breathed a sigh of relief and stretched. Sitting on the stilts in the flamingo costume hurt like Hell.

Carefully, he glanced over his shoulder, the elephant was down for the count, and that strange cloud thing had gone with him when he left the garden.

The cooker was exposed, and the genie within completely helpless.

“This is too easy.” He laughed out loud as he climbed the steps and hobbled through the curtains. Leaping off the stilts, he surveyed the room.

His eyes didn’t land on the cooker immediately. He searched under the bed, in the stone dressers, under the pillows until he finally found it hidden on a chair.

“That fool! He practically left it out in the open!” He hugged the cooker to his piggy chest. “I can see the look on Vegeta’s face!” He twisted his form to sprout a flame of black hair off the top of his head. “‘Excellent work Oolong!’” He laughed out loud again, shifting from a pig with the head of Vegeta to a giant eagle. He wrapped his talons around the cooker and took off into the air with it, escaping into the sky when he was free of the room.

***

Trunks jogged along the palace walls, the sound behind them suggested a massive group of people had gathered in front of the palace, and above the noise of their cheers and murmers he heard the Sultan’s echoing voice announcing something or other to them.

“Gohan?” He turned a corner and finally saw him. standing on the top of a staircase carved into the wall and peaking out of a curtain.

“Gohan!”

Gohan turned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of him. He rushed down the stairs two at a time and grabbed his hand when he got to the bottom. “Ali, where have you been?”

Trunks didn’t understand why Gohan was so intent on pulling him up the stairs. “Did I forget something?”

“I told father that you’re my chosen last night! He’s announcing it right now!”

“What!” Trunks tried to pull back but Gohan towed his along, too excited to notice as he grabbed a spare turban off a chair and put it on top of Trunks’ head.

“Gohan wait, you don’t understand! I need to tell you something!”

Gohan kissed his lips, silencing him. Trunks was frozen, he couldn’t move. Gohan manipulated his mouth open and slid his tongue inside. Trunks melted and responded. He grabbed Gohan’s waist and pulled him tightly against his body.

If he told Gohan the truth he would give this up. A prince could not be with a street urchin, a poverty stricken, thieving rat like him.

Trunks fought for dominance of the kiss. Surprised, Gohan had no choice but to give it. He took control, lifting his hands to touch Gohan’s face and flinging off the turban so he could thread his fingers through that black hair of his.

Trunks released him for air and gasped like he did when Piccolo rescued him from the ocean.

Gohan didn’t move to pick up his turban. He touched Trunks’ face much the same way Trunks touched his. His eyes no longer excited, but worried. “You kissed me like you were planning on never kissing me again.”

Trunks’ lips lifted slightly. “I’ll always kiss you.”

‘In my dreams.’ He thought.

Gohan’s grin returned, and mistaking the softness in his voice for passion he returned to his excited state. “Then get out there and tell that to Truhania.”

Gohan shoved him out the curtain. Trunks stared down at thousands of cheering dots in the distance, all cheering for him.

Gohan held his hand and waved politely to the crowd, resting his head on Trunks’ shoulder.

“Oh boy.” Trunks lifted his hand, but couldn’t bring himself to smile. Everything just got ten million times worse.

***

Vegeta fell to his knees when Oolong dropped the cooker into his hands. He clutched it like a father holding his newborn child. “I have waited decades for this. Get away!” He swiped his hand at Oolong, who stood too close for Vegeta’s comfort. He needed to do this himself, to have space

He rubbed the side of the cooker with his sleeve, careful not to scratch it.

It shuddered in his hands before a green smoke sifted out. Piccolo took form before him, scowl on his face before it melted into shock.

His head turned around in the room they were in, no doubt searching for Alatrunks, before his eyes travelled down to see that the man before him held the cooker in his hands.

“Where’s the kid?” He asked gruffly.

Vegeta frowned. “I am your master and you will not stand higher than me.”

Piccolo squared his shoulders and lowered himself so that he floated at eye level with his new master. “Where’s the kid?” He asked again.

Vegeta pulled his hand back and launched it forward, slapping Piccolo with enough force to knock him to the ground. The smokey trail leading to his lamp disappeared, and his legs replaced it, but he did not attempt to use them to scramble away.

He glared at the man instead. Despite what he told Trunks earlier about not having to put up with his master unless it was wished so, he had to tolerate any abuse inflicted upon him, wished or not. Just not with a smile.

Vegeta put one foot on his face and leaned down. “He is of no concern to you any longer, now grant my wish.”

Piccolo grunted under the man’s weight. “And what is your first wish?”

Vegeta smiled, baring his teeth. “I wish to rule Truhania as sultan.

***

The sky above them flooded with heavy clouds, blocking out the sun as though it were night. The cheering stopped suddenly and the wind picked up.

The people in the crowed screamed, turned tail and ran in the other direction like a stampeding herd. Trunks didn’t understand why until he turned and looked up.

Piccolo’s green hands descended from the sky, his yellow claws driving into the earth around the palace. The structure shook around them and Trunks and Gohan collapsed to the floor. Trunks twisted his body so that Gohan would fall on top of him and not on the hard ground, then as the palace floor rolled he reached his hand out to grabbed the balcony rail before they could fall off. Goku held himself firmly in place beside them.

“What’s happening?!” He yelled above the roaring thunder of running and screaming peasants and earth crumbling around the palace.

Trunks couldn’t explain to him because he didn’t know. Why was Piccolo doing this? Because he didn’t wish him free?

Butterflies attacked his stomach. Trunks felt like he was being lifted into the air and feared he would vomit.

A crash followed and the pressure in his face and stomach vanished.

“What was that?” Gohan asked, picking himself up from the ground and pulling Trunks with him. “Ugh, I nearly got sick there for a second.”

“Me too, Nimbus was never that quaky.” He said. Turning his head, he sighed at the sight of the sultan, standing in one piece and looking out over the balcony.

His pale skin and open mouth put Trunks on edge. “Your Highness?”

Gohan saw it too and stepped forward. “Father?”

Goku raised his arm and pointed his finger, confused, Trunks looked out and nearly fell again.

Gohan turned his head and gasped.

They were on top of the mountain that shadowed Truhania. Far below them the city was as small as a table cloth laid flat out before them, and at the head of the city was a rectangle of dark, fresh earth from which the palace had been plucked.

Trunks looked up, the genie was nowhere in sight. “Piccolo, what are you doing?”

“Confused, street rat?”

The three of them spun, Vegeta stood above them on the roof, leaning over and resting his elbow on his knee as he smirked. Trunks felt like a caged animal, but he refused to let it show.

“What have you done? Where’s Piccolo?”

“Who?” Gohan and Goku asked simultaneously.

Vegeta laughed. “So many questions and not all of them mine to answer, isn’t that right, you little pretender!”

Trunks tensed and Goku stepped forward. “Vegeta I order you to stop!”

Vegeta’s eyes blazed and spittle flew from his mouth. “I’ll be the one handing out orders from now on!”

A green cloud enveloped Goku, surrounding him from head to toe.

“Father!” Gohan rushed forward but the cloud disappeared by the time he made it to him, along with all of his fine clothes save for the underwear.

Goku looked down at himself and his body changed color in mortifying embarrassment. Gohan removed his shirt to spare his father’s dignity, but the sultan’s anger prevented him from noticing the offer. “Give me back my clothes!”

The clothes floated towards Vegeta, who held his arms out waiting, as though he were about to embrace them. When the fabric of the sultan touched his own robes, they merged. Vegeta stood before them wearing the sultan’s robes and turban.

“I am the sultan now! Bow before me.”

“Never!” Gohan yelled, the vein in his neck ready to pop, his fists shaking as though he were getting ready to hit something. “Just because you’re wearing my father’s clothes does not make you a sultan!”

“Oh, but you’ll find someone here who disagrees with you. Your Ali certainly believes that to wear the robes of a prince is to become a prince.”

Trunks stiffened when Gohan looked towards him, the line between his eyes drawn together in confusion.

“What’s he talking about.”

Trunks’ throat refused to work. Two minutes ago he was ready to tell Gohan everything, but now he couldn’t. it couldn’t be like this!

“Ali?”

“Alatrunks.” Vegeta corrected. Piccolo appeared at his side, strong arms crossed and stone expression on his face. “With the help of his slave genie, he wished to be a prince, to win your hand.”

Gohan shook his head. “It–it’s not true!”

“It’s true.” Trunks said quietly. He straightened his back to meet the gazes of the people he lied to, the Sultan, whom he’d grown so fond of, and the love of his life, whom he would never have. “The boy you met in the market place was as poor as he looked. I’m nothing, I don’t even know who my father was.”

Gohan rushed to him, stood before him to see the truth in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I tried to tell you.” Trunks said. Piccolo snorted, and Trunks winced at the disbelief he heard there.

Gohan stiffened. “I don’t care. Do you hear me!” He spun on Vegeta. “I don’t care!”

Trunks could hardly believe his luck. He spun Gohan and wrapped his arms around him, crushing him, refusing to let him go, and delighting when Gohan returned the embrace.

Vegeta watched, an unamused expression on his face, then he shrugged one shoulder. “It matters not to me. He will be leaving and you and I shall be married before the night ends.

Gohan stiffened in Trunks’ arms. Trunks turned his head, murder directed at the man for his audacity. “What?”

Vegeta snapped his fingers. “Slave, I wish for you to transform me into the most powerful sorcerer in the world.”

“No, no Piccolo don’t.”

Piccolo raised two fingers, a splurge of green power ready to hit Vegeta and grant him his wish. “Sorry kid, I’ve got a new master now.”

The green energy hit Vegeta square in the chest. Vegeta sucked it into himself, draining the power, his face twisting in ecstasy. “Yesss! I can feel it coursing through my veins!”

“Piccolo I wish for your freedom! I wish you free!”

“Too late, you little fool!” Vegeta bellowed. A snake staff that Trunks had never seen before appeared in his hand and he pointed the teeth end at Trunks. Yajirabu rushed him to stop the attack but a red light appeared at the end of the staff, hitting him and turning him back into a monkey.

More red light emerged from the staff, Trunks tried to jump out of the way but if he did he would have directed the light towards Gohan and he didn’t know what it was.

The light hit him. Trunks’ body went limp and his feet left the floor as he was lifted into the air. Yajirabu leapt onto his body and tried to shake him awake, but

“Put him down! Vegeta, stop it!” Gohan yelled. Trunks could hear him following after him, but he knew Gohan could do nothing to save him.

Trunks’ heart popped into his mouth when he went over the side of the palace. The ground was far beneath him and littered with giant rocks. He thought Vegeta meant to throw him over but he stayed floating in the air towards one of the towers.

He still heard Gohan calling to him, screaming at Vegeta to show some pity, to bring him back, when he was lowered to the floor of the empty tower that was good only for men to watch for intruders on palace grounds. He could still not move, even when the tower shook and trembled, the same way the palace shook before lifting into the air.

A gold cloud drifted into his vision. Nimbus! But the cloud couldn’t help him, they were already in the air, off to he didn’t even know where.

Author’s Notes: Chapter Title: The second wish
Trunks couldn’t believe it when Gohan told him he thought he’d died, and he delighted in the attention the prince bestowed upon him for it.

Gohan, who previously didn’t so much as want to lay his eyes on him, now refused to stop touching him. The prince laced his fingers between Trunks’ as he held his hand, rested his head gently on Trunks’ shoulder and occasionally brought his mouth up for another kiss in pauses between their conversation. Trunks was in heaven.

“So Vegeta said I was dead?” He asked after one of their kisses.

Gohan’s hand tightened around his own, a hiss escaped his mouth. “Yes.”

Trunks thought about it. He was a street rat back then, it had to have been an honest mistake. What reason could the Vizier have for lying like that? The memory of that same Vizier arguing for Gohan’s hand came back, and Trunks tensed.

No, that couldn’t have been it. If Vegeta truly wanted him dead then he could have killed him instead of simply lying like that. Unless the only reason he was alive was because that old man had broken him out.

Trunks shivered.

“Are you cold?” Gohan asked, looking up at him.

Trunks marveled at the concern he saw there and stroked his cheek. “Fine, we’ll get everything sorted out later. And as for my fake death, well, it had to have been some kind of misunderstanding. Some other criminal was probably beheaded and it just got back that it was me.”

Gohan didn’t look impressed with the explanation. “Hn, well, they still worried me for nothing.” Then he perked up and nudged him. “Dad already loves you, I can’t wait to tell him you were the boy I met in the market place.”

Trunks froze. “He knows about that?”

Gohan nodded, flexing his fingers in front of himself. “I couldn’t just let your death go unpunished, so yeah, I told him that I snuck out and about how you saved me.”

Like Trunks had done with him, Gohan stroked his cheek. “I wouldn’t have this hand if it weren’t for you.”

Trunks took it and kissed the palm. Nimbus stopped and when he looked up they were in front of Gohan’s balcony.

Trunks sighed. He wished the ride could have lasted longer but eventually he had to put his prince back in his palace. “Well, here’s our stop.”

Nimbus rose up enough to pass over the railing and descended so Gohan could step down. Standing, Trunks was lowered to the other side of the balcony.

Suddenly the full impact of the night hit him like a meteor. Gohan had found out who he was, at least he wouldn’t have to lie about that anymore, and he kissed him, held his hand, and wanted to be with him. It was surreal. “Sleep well, Gohan.”

Gohan leaned over the rail with the same stars in his eyes. Trunks delighted in the fact that the flower he gave him was still cradled gently in his hand. “Good night, my handsome prince.”

He could take no more. Trunks grabbed the thick railing with one hand and yanked himself up for one last kiss, his other hand cradling the back of Gohan’s head. The prince’s eyes widened but drifted shut just before the strength in Trunks’ arm gave out and he had to drop back onto Nimbus.

“When I see my father again,” Gohan’s voice was breathless, as though he’d just finished running. “I’m going to tell him that I choose you.”

Trunks’ mouth dropped but no words would come out. Gohan smirked at his face before turning on his heel and walking back to his room and the protective dragon that awaited him.

Trunks watched until the curtains closed, then exploded.

“Yes!”

He fell back onto Nimbus, who, matching his emotions, floated lazily to the earth. Trunks never took his eyes off of the balcony. “This night couldn’t be more perfect.”

Five sets of huge hands grabbed him, flinging him off of Nimbus and throwing him to the ground. His mouth was gagged and hands twisted behind his back before he could gather his wits or call for help.

Suddenly helpless, he twisted his head around, searching for something, anything, that could save him. He called out for Yajirabu through his gag but the words came out muffled. Even if the monkey-turned-elephant could help him, he hung from a net in a strong but still bent over tree.

Trunks was yanked to his feet by the fabric of his clothes. Nimbus was being sucked up into a vacuum, and when he twisted his head again he came face to face with Hercule.

Trunks’ blood ran cold as the man sneered evilly at him. He always knew the head of the palace guard was out to get him, but that was just because he was a thief. How the man could justify kidnapping a prince, he didn’t know.

Though Hercule’s face stunned him into shock, it was Vegeta’s that knocked him back out of it. “I think you’ve worn out your welcome, your highness.”

Red fury twisted his guts. Trunks wanted to rush the man. Tried to, but was held back. He cursed him through his gag but the guard laughed at his angry face that couldn’t speak.

Vegeta smiled and turned his back on him. “Make sure he’s never found.”

Trunks gasped through his gag, a thick, sharp pain knocking the back of his head and hitting his eyes. His body collapsed and the lights went out.

***

Vegeta stalked to the hidden room of the palace, searching through bottles and smashing the ones he didn’t need when he discovered them to be useless.

Oolong perched himself far away from the chaos on a tall shelf. “Uh, what are you doing?”

Vegeta smashed another bottle before coming upon the one he needed, holding it in his hands like a relic. “Ever since that simpleton came to the palace I doubt very much that the sultan would allow me access to his son, not until he was certain that the foolish Prince Ali has truly left.”

Oolong quirked his head. “But you just ordered him to be killed.”

Vegeta tilted the tiny bottle until three drops of the red contents hit his wrists, then he rubbed them together. “Exactly you idiot! So if I am to get the Sultan to give me permission to wed his son then I need something stronger.”

He wafted his wrist to his nose and sniffed, then smiled. “Perfect. This aphrodisiac will put the sultan entirely under my control. He won’t even know he gave me his only child until the effects of it have worn off.”

Oolong goggled, impressed that Vegeta even had such a thing.

“Come, you fool! There is work to be done!” Vegeta called, storming back out of his secret room the same way he got in.

***

Trunks woke up to a splash of water and was shocked awake. He thought he’d been dumped in a tub and would be dragged back up for air but kept on sinking. Salt water invaded his mouth and he knew what the guards had done and had to force his mouth to stay shut instead of screaming out the last of his air.

He was still tied up, sinking fast, and in the ocean!

The weight that his feet were chained to finally hit the ocean floor, his body felt like two giant hands were squeezing his body. His hat floated away with the impact.

His hat! Trunks forced his eyes open in the salt water and searched for it. Everything was blurry, but if he could only find it! Piccolo shrunk the cooker and they stuffed it into his turban for easy access. He prayed it was still there.

Spotting the blur of white on the floor of grey Trunks kicked himself towards it but was pulled back. The weight was too heavy! The movement cost him more air and his lungs began to constrict inside his chest. It was his only chance, he had to try!

Trunks kicked off again, this time digging his toes into the sand and inching himself towards the turban. He moved at bit, almost there! Water drizzled inside his nose with the effort, his vision darkened just as he came upon it, then he collapsed. His mouth opened with unconsciousness and releasing the little oxygen he had left, inhaling the water instead.

The weight of his body jarred the turban on the underwater sand dune, it tipped over and the cooker slid out perfectly into Trunks’ chained hands.

It was enough for piccolo to be disturbed and zoom out, fangs bared like an angry animal and back scrubber in his hand.

“I was taking a ba—” He cut himself off upon seeing Trunks’ incapacitated form.

His bath things disappeared. “Kid?” He asked, as though not entirely believing where they were.

Trunks’ only response was to release from his mouth another bubble of air that had been trapped somewhere inside him.

Piccolo gasped and took him by the shoulders. “You stupid kid! How am I supposed to save you?! You need to make a wish!”

Piccolo floated around his body helplessly. “You can’t get a free one this time, you need to make the wish!” He moaned, knowing perfectly well Trunks could do no such thing.

An idea hit him, and Piccolo took him by the shoulders again.

“Do you wish me to save your life?” He shook his shoulders enough that Trunks’ head bobbed, like he was nodding in agreement.

“That’s good enough!” Piccolo grabbed the cooker and Trunks and zoomed out of the water like a volcano had erupted beneath them. Before they even hit the ground Piccolo blew a powerful burst of air into Trunks’ lungs, forcing him to regurgitate the water.

He coughed and breathed by the time Piccolo set him on dry land, rolled on his back and passed out.

Piccolo removed the chains and stood back, patiently waiting for him to return to consciousness. He didn’t wait long, not five minutes later Trunks opened his eyes and smiled at him.

“You saved my life.”

Piccolo grunted. “That uses up one of your wishes, just to let you know.”

He expected an argument, Trunks nodded instead.” S’fine. Thanks.”

The gratitude knocked him back a bit, and Piccolo leaned down to pick him up, throwing the kid over his shoulder. “You’ve grown on me, that’s all. Just don’t try and get killed anymore.”

Trunks held on tight as Piccolo flew back towards the palace to rescue Yajirabu and Nimbus.

***

Gohan hummed the tune of the little song Ali sang to him while he thumbed through the books on his library shelf. Picking out an old favorite, The Thousand And One Nights, he tucked the flower Ali picked out for him to be flattened and preserved in its pages before gently returning it to its proper shelf.

He couldn’t wait until tomorrow.

His door creaked open without an invitation. Gohan smiled and spun, knowing only his father did that.

Sure enough, there stood Goku in front of one of the opened doors. The sight of him made Gohan stop in his tracks.

Something was off. Whereas Goku normally stood tall and proud, grin on his face and arms crossed, now he stood with a slight hunch in his back, eyes glazed and arms hanging limply at his side.

“Father? Are you ill?”

“You have celebrating to do.”

Gohan took another step forward. “Father, I—”

“I’ve chosen a spouse for you.”

Gohan halted, the air knocked from his lungs. “What?”

The second door to his room slid open much the same as the first had done, revealing a hideous set of smirking lips beneath cold, victorious eyes. “You will wed Vegeta.”

Gohan gasped and rushed to his father. “Father, I’m choosing Prince Ali!”

“I will strive to make our marriage as pleasant an experience as possible Gohan,” Said Vegeta, knowing the daring it required to use his first name. “However, after the wedding I must say that I will have no tolerance for this kind of spirited behavior.” He grinned lecherously at him, the insolent bird on his shoulder parroting the expression.

Gohan gaped at the man, then looked at his father, unable to believe that Goku would let Vegeta get away with talking to him like that. Gohan grabbed his father by the shoulders and pleaded up at the much taller man.

“Father, I’m sorry that I gave you such a difficult time when I threw out all my suitors, but I promise that I’m perfectly happy with Ali. I’ll marry him! You won’t have to worry about me anymore!”

“Prince Ali left.” Vegeta hissed, his eyes narrowed at Gohan’s attempt to dissuade his father.

“I didn’t go anywhere, Vegeta.” Trunks hissed back, standing in the doorway with his fists on his hips.

Gohan’s eyes lit up and heart swelled. When Vegeta said that Ali had left he didn’t know what to think considering the last bit of information he gave him concerning the other prince had been so wrong, but he still worried, and now here he was.

Gohan rushed to him and threw his arms around his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. Why are you so damp?”

“Ask him.” Gohan watched as Ali stared at Vegeta with nothing less than hate in his eyes. “Why don’t you explain it to them, Vegeta. You tried to have me killed!”

Vegeta’s own wide eyes quickly morphed back into their former controlled state.

“Is that true?” Gohan snapped. He turned back to his father, expecting some kind of reaction, but again there was nothing but a body without a soul.

Vegeta put his arms around the Sultan’s neck and lifted his wrist under Goku’s nose. “They’re obviously lying.”

“Obviously … lying.”

Gohan ran and threw Vegeta away from him, Oolong squawked in indignation and flew off. “Father! What’s wrong with you?”

“I know what’s wrong.”

Gohan turned and ducked out of the way before Ali dumped a vase of flowers and water over Goku’s head. The water had the effect the other prince was going for since Goku stumbled, blinked, and groaned.

“What, I … What’s going on?”

“Your Highness, Vegeta’s been controlling you.” Ali accused, pointing a stiff finger where the other man lay sprawled on the ground.

“Don’t listen to them your highness!” Vegeta yelled, righting himself from when Gohan knocked him away.

“What? But that’s not possible!” Goku’s eyes widened as he stared at Vegeta in horror.

“Father, you just told me I had to marry him! You wouldn’t even give me a choice!”

Goku seemed to stumble for his words. “I did?”

“Don’t you remember?”

Goku’s eyes traveled across the three people in the room, from his son, to Prince Ali, to Vegeta. He always knew that his vizier controlled him to some extent with his seductive way, but never in a million years …

Goku glared at Vegeta and called for the guards.

“Your Highness, no! I have an explanation!”

“Traitor! You dare try and hurt my child! Guards!”

Hercule and his men rushed in, they stopped like a group of stunned horses at the sight of Ali and gaped at him, though no one said anything, and Goku didn’t notice the silent exchange.

“Arrest Vegeta, at once!” Goku demanded, and Gohan caught the string of sadness in his voice.

The sultan’s voice was enough for the guards to snap out of their stupor and go after their new prey.

Vegeta pulled a red vial from his robes, his face crumpled in hate at Ali. “I am far from through with you, *Alatrunks*!”

He smashed the vial on Gohan’s floor and the room flooded with a suffocating smoke.

When it cleared the guards were wrestling with each other, all of them thinking that the other person was Vegeta until their eyes cleared.

They rushed to their feet, searched the room and came up with nothing.

“Find him! Search everywhere if you have to!” Goku yelled, and the guards scurried from the room like cockroaches.

Goku put a fist to his forehead. “This is unbelievable. That Vegeta could be so cruel …” He shook his head at himself. “I should’ve known better then to let him get away with—”

His eyes were suddenly drawn to his son, the way he and Ali held each other. When two friends hugged each other their arms remained above the shoulders, knees bent slightly to allow for a quicker escape time, and usually a bag slap or two.

Ali held his arms firmly around Gohan’s waist, their bodies pressed close together, whispering words of comfort to each other while Gohan had his head tucked under Ali’s chin. This was not the embrace of a friend.

Despite his own broken heart, the sight lifted him, and he didn’t need an explanation for it. His son finally chose a suitor.

Confident that they were safe in the room, Goku quietly stepped out to give them some privacy, though he waited just outside the door, knowing that when his son finally got around to noticing that he was gone, he would want to share the good news.

***

When Vegeta made it back to his secret room Oolong was already there waiting for him, a suitcase fully packed on the floor, but the sight of his master had him in a panic. He turned from a pig back into a bird and started flying around the room in an effort to avoid anything that could get thrown at him.

He abruptly stopped when laughter filled his ears, landed on one of the tables, and surveyed the scene.

Vegeta lay on the floor just in front of the secret door, one hand over his eyes as he laughed like an insane man.

Oolong shook his head. “He’s out of his mind.” Then he flew over and landed on his stomach.

“Vegeta! Hey in case you didn’t notice we’ve got to get out of here before they lock down the palace or something! Vegeta!”

His strong hand slapped him away. Oolong flew into the nearest wall and banged his head. He screamed and clutched the throbbing spot, terrified since Vegeta laughed no more.

“I saw it, in his turban, Oolong. He has it!”

“Has what?”

Vegeta leaned down to scream in his face. “The rice cooker you fool!” He straightened himself, adjusted his robe, and moved towards the suitcase, dumping the contents onto the empty wooden table. “Prince Ali is nothing more than that bothersome pretender Alatrunks!”

Oolong cautiously followed. “But then, that means—”

“There is still a chance for our plan to succeed. I can still become sultan.” He turned his gaze to the pig-turned-parrot. “I just need you to take the cooker from him.”

“Me?”

Author’s Notes: Chapter Title: A whole new world
Trunks kept at a low bow, clenching his teeth and completely aware of the bead of sweat trailing down his nose while he waited for the Sultan to make the first move and terrified he would be thrown back into the lowest dungeon for trespassing.

Goku abruptly slapped his hands together and laughed. Trunks sighed and stood straight to great the sultan.

“Splendid, absolutely marvellous! You know how to entertain, young man!”

Trunks hopped off of Nimbus and smiled at the compliment before his eyes were drawn to the mass of broken toys beside the throne, and the turn of his lips became more confident.

“First—” He coughed and deepened his voice. “First impressions are essential in making new friends, your majesty. Or so I find.”

Nimbus floated lazily at Trunks’ elbows before nudging him, and Trunks remembered that he had to make his proposition while he still had the father in a good mood. Trunks bent down to one knee. “Your majesty, I am Prince Ali Ababwa, and I have heard of your son and have travelled far for a chance to claim his hand.”

He chanced a glance up, hope filling him like refreshing water at the sultan’s eager expression before he thrust his hand out and pulled Trunks to his feet for a hearty shake. “Prince Ali, of course! Of course! I am delighted to meet you. And of course this is Vegeta, my Vizier, he’s delighted too.”

The man all but sneered at him, and Trunks felt like even though he wore the finest clothes he ever possessed that the man before him still regarded him as a peasant. Worse than a peasant, a recently squashed insect.

Vegeta crossed his arms, still sizing up Trunks as he circled him. Your highness,” he sneered. “you of all people should be aware that royal etiquette does not allow such an intrusion—”

Goku squealed as Nimbus floated over to inspect him. Trunks sighed with the intrusion as the sultan stroked Nimbus like a kitten. “This is the most remarkable device I have ever seen.” He looked at Trunks imploringly. “You wouldn’t mind if I took him up?”

Trunks gaped at how the sultan himself could ask a question like that as if Trunks was in a position to refuse him anything. “Why, uh,” He had to shake himself out of it, remind himself that he was a prince now and very nearly equal to the sultan himself.

Confidence restored, Trunks bent down and offered his hands to give Goku a leg up. “Certainly your majesty, allow me.”

No sooner did Goku’s rump hit Nimbus’ yellow top did the cloud zoom off at a speed that Trunks had only once ridden, and very nearly fell off.

His heart jumped into his mouth but Goku’s shrieks of delight stopped him from calling the cloud back down.

“Vegeta look how high I am!” He called, determined to treat it like a ride.

“Splendid, your majesty.” Vegeta drolled, barely glancing at him before turning his suspicious gaze, worthy of a lion about to attack and eat its prey, back to Trunk.

Trunks stood to great him, grinning for all the world like he belonged there and was not an intruder.

“Just, where did you say you hailed from?” His questioned was calm despite how his master flew about in dangerous circles thirty feet above his head.

The question put a rock in Trunks’ throat. He had no answer to give. “Oh, I’m sure it’s much farther than you’ve ever travelled.”

Vegeta twisted his lips upward. “Try me.”

Goku zoomed between them. Trunks and Vegeta jumped apart before they could be hurt. Vegeta’s parrot panicked and flew from his shoulder, a mistake since Nimbus made the animal its target.

“Watch out, Polly!” Goku screamed, still laughing and ignorant of the bird’s suffering.

Trunks laughed too, he doubled over and slapped his knees. The sultan loved him! He would introduce him to Gohan and Gohan would love him too! “This is going better than I thought it would.”

“What was that?” Vegeta demanded.

“Here I come, I’m going to land!” Nimbus swooped in for a sudden stop, the rush threw Goku from his perch and he slid to a gentle stop on his gleaming floor, laughing like a child and clapping his hands. “That was the most fun I’ve had in such a long time!” He got to his feet, and Trunks bowed again as he approached. “None of that! I want you to stand before me! Gohan is sure to choose you if you can entertain like that!”

Trunks saw Nimbus hovering shakily from dizziness, and he reached his hand out to pet the cloud for a job well done. Then his ears caught the next words, whispered to his vizier.

“If we’re lucky, you won’t have to marry Gohan after all.”

Trunks paled. That long haired man wanted to marry Gohan! He wouldn’t have it!

No one saw Gohan enter the throne room. The noise drew him out of his room and after the odd parade his curiosity prompted him to investigate. His eyes were wide as he looked at his father and Vegeta before landing on the stranger. At their conversation his curious eyes narrowed into thin slits.

“I don’t trust him sire.”

Goku waved his hand, as though shooing away a fly and not the potential happiness of his only son. “Calm down Vegeta. He can hardly be a danger, and I like him!”

Oolong sneered softly in a corner, his feathers ruffled with the attack and lack of sympathy that followed it.

“Gohan will like this one.”

“And I am most sure that I will like Prince Gohan.”

Trunks smiled, Vegeta saw it and sneered at him. “You may like him but that hardly makes him worthy of the prince!” The last was hissed at Trunks.

By then he saw red, and for once having the opportunity to put someone in their place, he would not waste it.

Like Vegeta spoke to the sultan while truly addressing Trunks, Trunks decided to do the same, his quirky, confidant smile stronger than ever. “Why, your majesty, *I* am Prince Alice Ababwa! Just let him meet me and I will win his heart.”

“How dare you!”

Trunks’ breathe caught at the familiar voice, he spun around but the face he’d fallen for was twisted into an unforgiving scowl that made him cower and step back. Gohan’s fists were clenched and arms shook, Trunks, for the life of him, couldn’t understand why he was so upset. Didn’t he recognise him?

“I’m out of the way for barely a day and I come back to find you all standing around making decisions about *my* life!” He sputtered with rage, like if anyone stood too close he would hit them just to relieve it. “I am not some *thing* that anyone can come and claim!”

He promptly stormed out of the room. Trunks rushed to follow but Goku grabbed his arm. His formerly delighted face sagged with sadness.

“It’s usually better to give him some time to cool off.” He put his large hand on Trunks’ back and began leading him in the opposite direction Gohan stormed off in. “But I can give you my word that when he’s in better spirits I’ll send for you, until then I’ll have room prepared for your stay.”

Vegeta seethed, watching them leave the throne room regardless of the fact that he was not with them. Fury spit inside his blood and he shook with the effort of containing it. So close, he’d been so damn close!

Oolong landed on his shoulder, Vegeta reached up and snatched him by the neck before hurling him across the room, storming out before he could see where he landed. “I need to get rid of that little fake!”

***

As promised Goku showed Trunks to a room more lavish and extravagant than anything he’d ever seen before in his life. The room itself was three times the size of the little space he called home in Truhania, but with none of the broken furniture, shredded pillows, and raggy curtains.

The sight took away any happiness as quickly as it came upon seeing it. Trunks circled the room, touching the fine dressers, the silk beddings, and wonderful carvings, wondering if a sultan as welcoming and kind as Goku knew that the curtains alone could probably feed a whole family for a month.

Trunks frowned. No, he couldn’t know, the royals spent all their time in their palace, were never permitted to leave but for rare occasions. Something was amiss, somehow, over the years, Truhania decayed without the sultan’s knowledge.

Then he thought of Gohan, how the Prince’s hand struck out, snatching an apple and handing it to the boy who needed it most with a smile on his face. Surely Gohan hadn’t known at the time that, that apple was probably the only thing the boy would eat without stealing in a fortnight, but when Trunks took him to his house, it must have clicked. He wondered if Gohan was doing anything about the starvation in Truhania. Trunks hoped he was, otherwise he’d doomed himself to fall in love with a spoiled prince.

Trunks set his hat down on a carpet which was so fine he felt a sting of guilt for stepping on it, then stretched his body out on the bed. Piccolo seeped out of his cooker, looked around, and whistled.

“Nice. You’ve got a way with words to get the sultan himself to hand over such a place.”

Trunks shifted. “He did it because I’m a prince now.” He didn’t mean for the words to leave his lips in irritation. He hadn’t realized the thought bothered him until now.

Piccolo raised a brow. “Idiot. Do you think, prince or not, that if you presented yourself disrespectfully the sultan would have given you a minute of his time. You’re here because of you. I heard you speaking to him.”

Trunks shifted and smiled at his friend. “Thanks.”

Piccolo settled himself on some pillows nearer to the window for the breeze, Nimbus went down at his feet, and Trunks shifted and turned for fifteen minutes before groaning and punching his pillow.

“Something the matter, master?” The master part was still sneered with sarcasm but rest was true concern.

Trunks stared at the pillow and fingered the tassels. Somehow, being so comfortable, it was *uncomfortable*.

He leapt from the bed and found his shoes. “I can’t sleep. I want to go and see if Gohan is still awake.”

“Love.” Piccolo hissed, still rising from his resting place, Nimbus followed suit.

Trunks was shocked. “You’re coming?”

“How else will you find the prince’s chambers? I might as well go with you.”

Trunks hadn’t wished or demanded that he follow. He knew immediately that the genie only looked out for his best interests. “Thanks Piccolo.” He said, jumping onto Nimbus.

The cloud floated out the window, he and Piccolo circled the palace, searching for the royal bedchambers. When the found the stables Piccolo dashed off to retrieve elephant Yajirabu, then returned just as Trunks found what he searched for on the other side of the glowing palace.

Trunks hovered just under the balcony, a grim expression on his face.

“What’s the matter?” Piccolo said when he arrived.

Trunks looked up and then back at the green man, his shoulders sagged and defeated. “When Gohan first told me that his father was forcing a marriage on him, I knew it was awful, but didn’t think it hurt him so much.”

“How do you mean?”

“I think he’s been crying.” Trunks looked up in the direction of Gohan’s room. The balcony blocked his view but when he did take a peek he noted how Gohan paced and rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t see any actual tears but I heard some sniffling.”

Piccolo remained stoic and silent before finally answering. “This only means that you’re going to have to work harder at showing him that you’re not another man in line to get his money or his throne.”

Trunks blew out a deep breath. “He won’t even talk to me.” Then he smashed his fist back against the palace wall. “I should’ve known I couldn’t pull off this stupid prince wish.”

Piccolo crossed his arms, eyes half lidded and deep set frown scarring his face. “Well, you could always tell him the truth about who you are.”

“What! No way! If he found out I was that guy back in Truhania he’d never marry me. I’m—” It just about killed him to say it. Wish or no wish, it didn’t change who he was. “I’m beneath him.”

“Beneath him or not, that guy in Truhania, as you put it, was the one he nearly kissed, if I remember the story correctly.”

When Trunks stared at him blankly Piccolo rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge between them. “This is the part where I tell you that you need to have confidence, perk up, be yourself, et cetera et cetera.”

“If I wanted to be myself then I wouldn’t have wished to be a prince.” Trunks muttered, looking back up towards the balcony. “Listen, I’m sorry that I got you up, you and Yajirabu can go back to sleep.”

“Why?”

Trunks sucked in a breath, his chest felt empty of courage but he needed to do this anyway. “I’m going to go and talk to him.”

Amusement flickered across Piccolo’s face. “Really?”

Trunks straightened his turban and smoothed his prince outfit, barely sparing Piccolo a glance. “Yeah. You made a little sense just now. If I want to win him then I’ve got to show him that I’m not just out for his throne. I’ll get started right now.”

Nimbus, taking the hint, rose higher towards the half circle balcony and stopped just before the ledge.

Gohan lay on his bed, idly stroking a dragon that Trunks had never seen before. He didn’t notice that Trunks stood just outside.

Trunks took a breath. This was it, the moment he waited for since being thrown in that dungeon.

“Prince Gohan?” He called.

Gohan all but jumped from his perch. “Who’s there? How’d you get there?”

Trunks leaped over the rail. “It’s me, Prince Ali—” He stopped himself, realizing he wasn’t using the deep voice that he was sure would impress him. “Uh, Prince Ali Ababwa.”

Gohan stepped up to the see-through curtains and opened them just enough for Trunks to be able to see his angry face. “I do *not* want to see you.”

Panicked, Trunks rushed forward, forgetting all about his manly voice and being suave. “No, wait, please, give me a chance Gohan!”

Icarus rushed him back into the rail, growling as he protected his master. Trunks was forced back on the rail and raised his feet to push away the razor teeth that threatened him. “Down boy, I’m not going to hurt him. It’s okay.”

Gohan stopped in the middle of his march back to bed, he turned and gave the intruder his full attention. That voice sparked something inside of him. It couldn’t be that boy from the market, it couldn’t be!

Gohan stepped back to the balcony, his fingers shaking as he grasped the curtain and pulled it back for a better view. Prince Ali removed his turban and shook it at Icarus, desperate to shoo the protective dragon away from him.

The hair, those eyes! Gohan rushed forward. “Icarus stop!”

Confused with his master’s sudden change of mind, Icarus cautiously stepped back, but Gohan wasn’t looking at him.

Trunks stared into Gohan’s intense gaze, though he refused to come any closer.

“Do I know you?”

The question sucked the air from Trunks’ lungs, and with a start he threw his turban back over his head. “Uh, no, we have never met before.”

Icarus rubbed himself against Gohan’s legs for comfort, and Gohan absently reached his hand down to pet him. “You remind me of someone I met in the market place.”

Trunks forced a shallow laugh. “Today was the only day I have ever seen your market place, and I myself have never been to the market place even in my own kingdom. So the man you speak of couldn’t have been me.”

Gohan’s face fell. “No, I suppose you’re right.”

“Nice one fool.”

Trunks jumped slightly at the voice in his ear, turned his head, and saw a shrunken Piccolo sitting on his shoulder. The genie flew back to hide behind his ear and hiss at him.

“If you want to win his heart the last thing you need to be is a jackass, don’t depress him.”

Trunks cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Listen, Gohan,”

Gohan snapped his head at him. “I did not give you permission to use my name so formally!”

Trunks winced. This was nothing like the Gohan he met in the market place.

Piccolo pinched his ear. “He’s just angry. Remember you said he doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage!”

Trunks ploughed on despite Gohan’s anger. “I understand what you’re going through.”

“You do not! You’re here of your own free will! Nobody’s forcing you to be here so you might as well leave!”

“You’re right, nobody is forcing me to be here but I’m here anyway, and don’t say it’s for your throne or your money because I already have those!” He snapped when Gohan opened his mouth.

Technically it was true. With Piccolo he could make himself ten times richer than Gohan would ever be, and he was a prince now himself, though without a kingdom, but he wouldn’t dwell on that.

He took Gohan’s hand, who reluctantly let him have it while Trunks searched for the proper words. “You were right, back in the throne room. You aren’t some object that people should be fighting for.”

Gohan’s eyes softened. Pleased with the effect, Trunks released his hand and jumped back on the balcony rail. “I would like to court you as a normal man, and not a prince. Should you accept me, then I will be the happiest creature alive,” He then shrugged. “If not, then at least you will still have made that decision and not someone else.”

Gohan stared up at him with something very near to adoration in his eyes. Trunks grinned. He had him eating out of his hand already.

“So for tonight, I’ll leave you to rest.”

He jumped off the rail where Nimbus waited for him.

Gohan’s scream brought him back up. “No!”

“What? What is it?”

Gohan stared at him. “How? How are you doing that?”

Nimbus rose higher to give Gohan a view of him. “It’s a Nimbus cloud.” He explained.

Gohan couldn’t tear his eyes away from the golden cloud. “It’s beautiful. How did you come by him?”

Trunks scratched the back of his head. “Uh, we just sort of found each other.”

Gohan reached his hand out to touch but then jerked back, looking at Trunks as though he weren’t sure of his permission to do so.

Genius struck him. “Did you want to go for a ride?”

Gohan’s face lit up before darkening again. “I’m not sure I should.”

“We’ll be out and back before anyone knows you’re gone.” He promised.

A puzzled expression flitted across Gohan’s face. “Out? You mean outside the palace gates?”

Trunks nodded and looked up. The stars sparkled like diamonds, perfect for a romance. “Where else?”

“Last time I left I—” Gohan shook his head at himself. “Nevermind. Is it safe?”

“Sure, do you trust me?”

Gohan whipped his head at him. “What?”

Trunks held out his hand, not noticing the wheels spinning in the young prince’s head. “Do you trust me?” He asked again.

Feeling sly, Gohan slid his hand into Trunks’. “Yes.”

Trunks lifted him onto the cloud. Nimbus shot off like a shooting star, knocking them both into sitting positions, leaving Icarus behind to watch them disappear into the night.

Gohan laughed, his stomach flopping around inside him. When Trunks took his hand, he let him.

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid.
Tell me prince, now when did you last
Let your heart decide?

Gohan couldn’t believe it. It was so laughable that this man, Ali, would actually sing to him, that he blushed. The man was serious when he said he wanted to court him. Everyone else barely shook his hand before demanding an answer for marriage.

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways, and under
On a magic carpet ride

Obeying the wish of the master, Nimbus did loops in the air and swerved under bridges in the city. Gohan held onto Ali’s arm for dear life, still laughing and not about to let some shocking loops frighten him.

A whole new world!
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreaming

Nimbus rose higher and higher into the sky, until they touched the clouds Gohan looked behind them and saw that Truhania, which he always thought so big was now but a tiny square in the whole of the desert.

The sight dazzled him and filled him with a giddy hope for himself, and without knowing why or where the words came from, he sang softly with his date.

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

Trunks quirked his lips at his desire to make a fool of himself along with him. Nimbus did a sudden dive towards the earth, sure that they would crash and be killed, Gohan threw his arm over his eyes.

Ali laughed at him and tore it away as they lifted up again before soaring down peacefully over a lake Gohan had never seen before.

“Where are we?” He turned his head about, searching for anything that would be familiar with what he knew of as home. Dark trees he’d never seen before hung over the lake with pink blossoms gently floating into the water.

Ali picked out one and handed it to him, though Gohan didn’t know what he was expected to do with a flower. Certainly not put it in his hair, but he held onto it anyway instead of letting it drift back into the lake.

“Not sure, we were flying pretty fast there for a while.” He answered before an explosion of color erupted in the sky.

“Fireworks!” Gohan said. “I haven’t seen fireworks since I was little!”

“I’ve never seen them before.” Ali answered.

Gohan looked at him with a brow raised, sure enough, Ali stared at the spectacle like it was the most amazing thing he’d ever laid his eyes on.

Sensing eyes on him, he coughed and looked away. “That is, I’ve never seen them so small before.”

Gohan had only had fireworks that day of his birthday when men from China delivered them to him as a gift. They were small, and he lit them up himself, but still delightful. That thought in mind, he suddenly knew where they were, and that the boy sitting next to him was indeed no prince.

He tore the turban from Ali’s head. “You are the boy from the market place! I knew it!”

He reached to grab back the turban, but when Gohan held it away from him he sputtered. “Gohan, I’m sorry!”

“Why did you lie to me?” He demanded.

The boy seemed to be not paying attention for a minute, like he was listening to a whole other voice before scratching behind his ear. “The truth, uh, well the truth is I only dressed as a commoner that day, you know, to escape the pressures of my own palace life!”

Gohan crossed his arms and raised an eye at him.

This seemed to irk him. “Oh, come on! *You* did it!”

With a start and a blush, Gohan realized that, yes, he had done it. “Oh, I see. Well why didn’t you just tell me from the beginning? I thought you were dead!”

Ali jerked back. “You did?”

He nodded. “They told me you were beheaded.” He wished he’d known, he certainly would’ve reacted differently if he knew that the seemingly arrogant prince bargaining with his father for his hand was the boy he nearly kissed in Truhania. He would have welcomed him like a friend, given him a better chance instead of locking himself in his room.

Ali smiled and grabbed him by the chin. “Well, as you can see, I’m in perfect health.”

His face, his grinning lips, were so close that Gohan felt he were still in that little house in Truhania, only this time he knew he wouldn’t be interrupted. He kissed Ali soundly and allowed the flying cloud to take them back to the palace.

Author’s Notes:  I mixed a few fairytales in this one. *Snickering* But you know what? I couldn’t remember the proper version of Sleeping Beauty. That’s what it’s Sleeping Beauty Vs. 1.2. Also there will be three parts. Part one is – The Kingdom is Cursed. Part two will be – The Kingdom is Blessed. And Part three wil be – The Kingdom gets Lucky..
Hope Contest: Special Mention of 2002-2003′s Jury
Chapter Title: The Kingdom gets Lucky
“Um…” Heated kisses left him panting for breath. He wanted to lose himself in the moment but the eyes staring at him from all sides were making him too nervous. “K-King Vegeta? Er… perhaps we could..hmm.. go somewhere more.. oh.. private.” He managed to pant out between kisses.

King Vegeta slipped his hands inside the guard’s pants and smiled, “Why? They’re just fairies.”

“Yep. He’s right. Don’t mind us, we’re just fairies.” The fairies grinned. They had finished beating Cell to a bloody pulp and decided that watching King Vegeta and his new play thing was the next best thing since television.

Goku growled and firmly pushed against the king’s shoulders, “King Vegeta, I cannot do this while they’re watching.” He said firmly.

King Vegeta sighed and pulled his hands out of the guard’s pants, “Very well. We’ll get a room.”

“Oh! No! Please don’t!” The fairies cried as one, “We wanna’ watch!”

King Vegeta got to his feet. “Come along servant.” He said to Goku.

Goku scrambled to his feet eagerly. The two left the great hall. The fairies all sighed together. “Damn.” One of the smaller fairies groaned, “We never get to have any fun.”

“Well…” Another fairy smiled, “We could create our own fun. Cell is lying over there, bound and unable to defend himself.”

There was a long, charged silence as the fairies turned to Cell. Cell, who had just regained consciousness and found himself tied up, saw the looks they were giving him and shuddered in fear. “Dear god no!” He cried as they advanced, “Please! Kill me! Anything but fairy love!!!”

***

Beauty collapsed to the ground, panting hard. Gohan landed beside him. Together they lay on their backs and stared up at the sky. “You’re good.” Beauty panted.

“You’re even better.” Gohan said with a smile.

Beauty turned to his side, resting his chin on his hand. “So… this is almost like a fairy tale or something.. isn’t it?”

Gohan grinned, “If it was I would be Prince Charming and you the beautiful Princess.”

Beauty blushed, “You think I’m beautiful?”

“I’m be crazy not to!” Gohan responded, “You’re gorgeous. Beyond beautiful really… If there is anything beyond beautiful.”

“Well…” Beauty blushed, playing with a blade of grass and trying not to look at Gohan, “If you’re Prince Charming, and I’m the beautiful princess… then technically you saved me.. didn’t you? Woke me from the wicked witches spell…”

“Yeah. I guess so.”

“With a kiss…” Beauty sighed, “I don’t remember.. much about the kiss. Will you.. do it again?”

“Well, being Prince Charming I think.. I’m supposed to.” Gohan leaned close, until their noses were almost touching.

“Really?”

“Haven’t you read any fairy tales before? Since I rescued you, the princess, I get to marry you.”

“Do you?” Beauty whispered, eyes wandering to Gohan’s lips. He’d never kissed anyone before.. well, except the occasional frog, but that was only because someone had told him if he kissed the right frog it might turn into a prince.

“I do.”

Beauty blushed, looking down shyly, “I think you’re supposed to say that at the wedding ceremony…”

Gohan laughed and cupped Beauty’s cheek with his hand. “Will you marry me?”

“It’ll violate every fairy tale ever written… yah. I’ll marry you, but only if you kiss me.. now.”

Gohan obliged. Leaning forward and pressing his lips against Beauty’s. Beauty moaned, surprised by the eager tongue that slid into his mouth. This was nothing like kissing those frogs!

***

“Wait!” Goku cried, panic seizing him as the king threw him onto the bed. He scrambled off the other side of the bed. “W-wait!”

“What is it?” King Vegeta demanded, placing his hands on his hips.

“Well it’s just…” Goku felt heat blushing his cheeks. He rubbed his hands furiously together, “I.. I forgot…”

“Forgot what exactly?” King Vegeta arched his eyebrows.

“Well… I uh… I’m sorta’… married already.” Goku said nervously, hardly daring to look at the king.

King Vegeta raised his eyebrows, “Oh? To a man?”

“No! To a.. a woman. H-her name is ChiChi and she’s going to /kill/ me.”

King Vegeta snorted disbelievingly, “Oh come now. What woman could possibly touch you?… Excuse me. You said her name was ChiChi? Where could I find her?”

“Oh.. in the kingdom southwest from here.”

Strange little light bulbs appeared over King Vegeta’s head, Goku watched with fascination. “How.. how did you do that?” he whispered.

King Vegeta ignored him, “ChiChi?! Queen ChiChi is your /wife/?!”

“Er.. yeah.”

“Then you’re the King!?”

“Er… yeah.”

“AAAHHH!!!” King Vegeta bellowed, grabbing his head and pulling at his hair, “I can’t believe this!”

“Erm….” Goku backed away until his back hit the wall.

“I /hate/ that bitch! All these years I’ve been trying to figure out how she /always/ knows every move my kingdom makes. For years I’ve been trying to figure out who her spy was and it was /you/!” King Vegeta pointed an accusing finger at Goku.

“Spy? Me?” Goku’s eyes widened.

“It was you who told her all that information about my kingdom, wasn’t it???!”

“Well… not really… I mean she would send me letters, and ask me questions about… the castle and stuff…but… oh shit.” Goku’s face fell as he made the connection, “I.. I guess I was the spy.”

“Well, not anymore.” King Vegeta moved so fast it took Goku a few seconds to figure out what exactly was stealing his breath.

His eyes widened as King Vegeta tried to reach his tonsils. He tried to speak, but of course it’s practically impossible to speak when you’ve got a tongue, other than your own, down your throat. Finally King Vegeta pulled away from the kiss, a wicked smile on his lips. “You’re going home.” He said, removing Goku’s pants and shorts with one, swift tug.

“Wh-what?” Goku gasped, shaking with pleasure as King Vegeta rubbed against his arousal.

“You’re going home, you’re going to write /me/ letters and you’re going to be my spy.” King Vegeta smiled widely, proud of his idea.

“You mean sp-spy on my wife?” Goku asked incredulously.

“That’s right.”

“Hmm..” Goku moaned as King Vegeta kissed him again.

“You and I are going to bring that /woman/ down. I will enjoy making her suffer!” King Vegeta chuckled evilly, “But, enough talking!”

“Oh… oh…” Goku gasped, grabbing King Vegeta’s shoulders. “D-do that again?”

“What? This?” King Vegeta trailed his hand down Goku’s chest, tickling lightly.

Goku gasped, eyes rolling up. “Oh gawd! YES!”

King Vegeta’s eyebrows flew up. “Tickling turns you on?” He questioned, running his fingers lightly up Goku’s sides.

“AH!” The response to his question wasn’t given in words. King Vegeta looked down, surprised.

“Now you’ve made me all wet.” He scolded lightly, “Remind me not to tickle you.”

“Oh…” Goku sighed, relaxing and sliding down the wall.

King Vegeta caught him and dragged him to the bed, “Silly servant. Have you no staying power?”

“No-not really but… I..” Goku blushed, “Rise to any occasion?”

King Vegeta laughed, “Good.”

***

“What’s wrong?” Gohan whispered, crawling back up Beauty’s chest, a worried frown creasing his brow.

“I.. I.. I’ve never…” Beauty flushed miserably. He was shaking so hard his teeth were rattling.

“Not even with a girl?” Gohan asked, eyes widening.

Beauty shook his head mutely, biting hard on his lower lip. “You don’t have to be afraid. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.” Gohan kissed Beauty’s nose, smiling warmly as he drew back.

“I.. I don’t know what.. to do..”

“That’s all right.” Gohan caressed Beauty’s cheek, “Just let me do everything this time.”

He wiggled back down Beauty’s chest, kissing and nipping all the way down. “Now pay attention, I’ll be quizzing you.” Gohan said with a mischievous smile as he licked the area around Beauty’s arousal.

“Oh..” Beauty gasped, arching his hips. He wanted.. well, he wasn’t really sure /what/ he wanted. He just knew that whatever Gohan was doing, it felt really good. Then suddenly a warm, firm suction cupped the head of his arousal and he cried out at the pleasure that coursed through his body.

***

Goku grabbed a nearby pillow and pulled it to his mouth. He bit into it to muffle his cries. It took King Vegeta, since he was otherwise occupied, a few minutes to realize what had happened. As soon as he did, he leaned over Goku’s back and grabbed the pillow, whacking Goku in the head with it a few times before tossing the pillow across the room. “Cry out servant! I want to hear your pleasure!”

Goku moaned, tossing his head, “The least you could do is stop calling for this ‘Servant’ guy. I told you! My name is Goku! Who is Servant anyway?”

King Vegeta growled, grabbing Goku’s hips so he could move faster. “Shut up!”

“But you just told me-”

“I want to hear you crying out, not talking you idiot!”

“oh…. sorry…” He quickly forgot /how/ to speak as King Vegeta did his best to slam poor Goku through the headboard.

***

“GOHAN!” Beauty came violently, arching his hips into the air as black spots filled his vision.

Gohan licked him clean, then crawled up so they were nose to nose. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked teasingly.

“I.. I can’t see.” Beauty whispered shakily.

Gohan chuckled, kissing Beauty lightly. “You’ll recover. My turn.”

“Your turn?” Beauty blinked hard, trying to clear his vision. Slowly Gohan came back into focus.

“Uh huh. Time for that quiz.” Gohan rolled onto his back so the boys were laying side by side. “Show me what you learned.”

Beauty swallowed nervously, eyes traveling down Gohan’s body. Then he nodded, “All right. And if I pass?”

“You’ll get a reward of course.” Gohan chuckled.

“Sounds yummy.” Beauty smiled wickedly and went to work showing Gohan just how much he had learned.

***

“I think I’ll keep you.” King Vegeta announced sleepily as he buried his head in Goku’s neck.

Goku sighed. “I’m so sore… I don’t think I’ll be able to sit for weeks.” He groaned.

King Vegeta smirked evilly, “Good, then as soon as you can sit again you’ll leave for your kingdom. That’ll give us just enough time to ‘get to know’ each other.”

Goku groaned again, “I’m starting to think ChiChi is the lesser evil.” He muttered.

King Vegeta laughed, highly amused. “You’re mine now servant. I’m never letting you go.”

***

Gohan pulled Beauty into his arms, hugging his new lover tightly. “Think we should head back?” He asked softly.

“I don’t wanna’ move.” Beauty murmured, rubbing his cheek against Gohan’s chest.

Gohan chuckled, “Just you wait. If you thought that was mind-blowing.. you’ll die when I show you the rest.”

“The.. rest?” Beauty looked up, a look of faint worry on his pretty face, “There’s… more?”

“Oh yes.” Gohan started to laugh, “There is soo much more and I’m going to teach it all to you! MWAHAHAHA!”

Beauty’s eyes widened, “Erm.. Gohan? Could you please not laugh like that? You sound like … well, my father when he’s be-heading peasants.”

“Oh.. sorry.” Gohan smiled sheepishly, “I won’t do it again.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.”

Beauty smiled widely, “Then I forgive you.” He laid his head on Gohan’s chest and within moments he was sleeping. His dreams were full of psycho half-man, half-frog creatures who kept kissing him. Strangely enough all the creatures had Gohan’s face.

***

And they lived happily ever after… or at least they did until ChiChi discovered /why/ Goku had returned home and the war started but.. that’s not important.

Author’s Notes:  I mixed a few fairytales in this one. *Snickering* But you know what? I couldn’t remember the proper version of Sleeping Beauty. That’s what it’s Sleeping Beauty Vs. 1.2. Also there will be three parts. Part one is – The Kingdom is Cursed. Part two will be – The Kingdom is Blessed. And Part three wil be – The Kingdom gets Lucky..
Hope Contest: Special Mention of 2002-2003′s Jury
Chapter Title: The Kingdom is Blessed
Unaware of the plight of those within the sleeping kingdom, time continued on its merry way. Days passed, then months and soon years. The kingdom became overgrown with weeds. Weeds so thick that soon the kingdom was completely covered and many forgot that the kingdom had even existed. It became the place that none would travel. Mostly because no one was adventurous enough to chop through the thick foliage. No wait. It was more like everyone was too lazy to chop through the foliage.

And now that your eyes are fixed firmly on King Vegeta’s kingdom, let’s move your head to the southwest where another kingdom stands. This other kingdom, the property of a great queen named ChiChi, consisted of only females. So you can just imagine Queen ChiChi’s horror when she gave birth to a son (Just how she managed to get pregnant when there were no men around is beyond me). She screamed, ranted and promptly beheaded her ‘female’ Nameken handmaiden.

When she calmed her fury, she noticed how pretty her new son was. So, to make a long story short she named him Gohan and dressed him in dresses (Brief pause from the narrator, then a little snicker). Erm. That is, she dressed him in female attire. Gohan grew up thinking he was a girl, but this little misconception was cleared up one day when one of the girls dropped her skirt. It was then that he realized he was built much differently from females.

One day, on Gohan’s sixteenth birthday, he decided that he wanted to travel. His mother was horrified, but in the end she agreed to let him go. She quickly had proper clothes made for him and off he went.

He headed in the direction of King Vegeta’s sleeping kingdom. After three days travel they came upon the overrun kingdom. “What is this?” Gohan asked, pointing to the thick line of bushes.

“Just foliage.” The guard, Yamcha, shrugged.

“Foliage shaped like a castle?” Gohan raised his eyebrows, “Come on. Let’s go in there.”

“No!” Puar, Yamcha’s magical pet cat, cried. “You mustn’t go in there! I heard everyone who goes in there is cursed!”

“Cursed? How cursed?… I mean, how are they cursed?” Gohan asked.

“Well, their hair turns blond and their skin becomes green and scaley.” Puar shuddered.

“Hm.” Gohan thought for a moment, then with an evil smirk he grabbed Puar by the tail. “Well then, let’s see if the curse is true!” He cried before chucking Puar into the bushes.

He chuckled as Puar’s high pitched squeals filled the air. “Sir!” Yamcha cried, “How could you do that to Puar!?”

“Well..I took his tail, exerted a little forc-”

“NO! I mean, how could you throw him in there like that?! That was horribly mean!”

“Mean? You want to see mean, you wake my mother up before noon!” Gohan responded.

Suddenly Puar burst out of the bushes, “I’m FINE!” He squealed, “I’m fine! I’m all right!”

“Good, then we shall go in also. Come along guard.” Gohan slid off his horse and approached the bushes. He drew a sword out of his pants (Yes, you heard right. Out of his pants), and proceeded to slash at the thick bushes.

“Sir,” Yamcha picked Puar up and placed the little catlike creature on his shoulder, “Where did you get that big ass sword from?”

Gohan just smiled and continued to slice and dice. “I think you answered your own question Yamcha.” Puar whispered.

“Sh. He might chuck you in again.” Yamcha whispered before he drew his own sword (From a properly placed sheath).

Three days later…

“huff.. huff… wheeze… pant..” Yamcha dropped his sword and dropped to his knees as they reached the castle’s great hall. “Finally! Those blasted weeds are *huff* gone!” He dropped, face first, to the floor and lay there panting.

Gohan sheathed his sword and looked around with awe, “Looks like they were having a party.” He said softly. Then he noticed Goku and King Vegeta lying just beside where Yamcha had dropped. “Quite a party at that.” He added with a smirk.

He stepped further into the room, looking with interest at the dog.. er, fairy pile on Cell and smiling widely. “They’re all asleep.”

“It’s the curse!” Puar piped up, “And if we don’t leave soon we’ll be cursed too!”

Gohan walked over the fairy pile and then he saw her. The most beautiful girl he’d seen in all his life. She was more beautiful than the most stunning maiden from his kingdom. He gasped and rushed over to the girl (who was really Prince Beauty but only we know that. ~_^*). “Fair maiden, who are you?” He whispered, taking the girl by the shoulders and rolling her onto her back. She was even more beautiful when he could see her face, rather then the back of her head.

“Please wake so that I might gaze into your eyes.” Gohan begged softly, touching the girl’s face.

There was no response. The girl was so pale that Gohan thought, for one horrible moment, that she might be dead. But then he noticed the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. Her chest? He frowned at her chest. “Well, so what if she’s got no jugs. I can get my milk from a cow.” He shook the girl lightly, “Come on luv, open your eyes.”

“Wow. She’s some chick.” Puar hopped over and then looked down at the girl. “Give her a kiss sir. That’ll wake her up.”

“You think?” Gohan shrugged, “All right.” He wanted to kiss her anyway.

He leaned down and hesitantly pressed his lips against her own. Music began to play. The girl’s eyes fluttered, then opened. “I know you. I saw you once upon a dream. I know you-” Gohan shot a quick glare at Puar who just shrugged.

“I don’t know where it’s coming from.” Puar said, referring to the strange music.

“Is that damned orchestra STILL playing?” Prince Beauty moaned, blinking blearily. He felt as if he had been sleeping for years (which he had).

“Ah, fair maiden, you awaken and show me your pretty eyes!” Gohan cried happily.

“Maiden?” Beauty snorted, “I’m a man you idiot.” He pushed Gohan away and sat up. “What is going on?”

“A man?” Gohan repeated with wide eyes.

Beauty got to his feet, a bit unsteadily. The rest of the kingdom was beginning to awaken also. The foliage, strangely enough, just withered away the moment Beauty opened his eyes. A traveler passing the thick bushes was scared so badly by this odd occurrence that he locked himself in his home and didn’t leave again.

“Wait. I don’t remember seeing you before. Why are you here?” Beauty asked as Gohan got to his feet.

“I was just curious. I saw this overgrown castle and had to investigate.”

“Overgrown!? Well, it is a bit large but hardly overgrown.” Beauty put his hands on his hips, “Listen lady, I don’t kno-”

“LADY!” Gohan bellowed, reaching for his sword, “I am a man and you will address me as such!”

“The men I know don’t usually wear such frilly dresses.” Beauty snorted, putting his nose in the air.

“Why you little-!”

“AAAAHHHH!!!” Yamcha wailed, getting to his feet and running desperately to Gohan’s side. He pointed at King Vegeta and Goku.

Gohan and Beauty looked over and promptly looked away, both boys turning pink. “Gads father!” Beauty cried, “Get a room!”

“You have a beautiful mouth servant.” King Vegeta purred, licking at Goku’s lips.

“Hm. No, I told you. My name is Goku.” Goku repeated with a little frown.

King Vegeta just rolled his eyes and proceeded to kiss the guard senseless (which didn’t take much effort since the guard was pretty much senseless in the first place).

Gohan looked at Beauty, and Beauty looked at Gohan. “So… what’s your name?” Beauty asked.

“Gohan. And yours?”

“Er, depends who you talk to. My father calls me Beauty, but my mother called me Trunks.” Beauty admitted reluctantly.

“Trunks? Why Trunks?”

“Well, she says she couldn’t keep fathers trunks on and that’s why I was born.” Beauty shrugged.

“Ah. I see.” Gohan nodded, glancing over his shoulder only to have the king’s shorts hit him in the face. “It would seem your father still can’t keep his shorts on.” He said, blushing furiously.

“Maybe we should leave.” Beauty suggested.

“OO. You wanna’ spar?!” Gohan asked eagerly.

“Sure!” Beauty agreed quickly, “But I’ll kick your ass. I’m the best fighter in this kingdom!”

“Yeah, well I’m the best fighter in MY kingdom!” Gohan was quick to boast.

“Of course his kingdom consists only of females.” Puar added under his breath.

“C’mon! This way!” Beauty rushed out of the great hall, Gohan following close behind him.

Meanwhile the sleeping fairies woke and not missing a beat continued their attack on Cell. Yamcha and Puar quietly snuck out of the room. Not only were the cries from Goku and Vegeta getting uncomfortably loud, but the fairies were not very careful about how they flung their magic around.

Author’s Notes:  I mixed a few fairytales in this one. *Snickering* But you know what? I couldn’t remember the proper version of Sleeping Beauty. That’s what it’s Sleeping Beauty Vs. 1.2. Also there will be three parts. Part one is – The Kingdom is Cursed. Part two will be – The Kingdom is Blessed. And Part three wil be – The Kingdom gets Lucky..
Hope Contest: Special Mention of 2002-2003′s Jury
Chapter Title: The Kingdom is Cursed
As all fairy tales must, this fairy tale starts in a beautiful kingdom far, far away from civilization (Which is probably why everybody’s so insane). The King of this kingdom (And his wife, but she didn’t really do much) had just given birth to a beautiful child. The child was so beautiful the king decided he would name his child: Beauty. His wife argued that perhaps since the child ‘was’ a boy a more appropriate name could be picked, but he had her thrown in the dungeon for three days for such insolence.

Beauty grew to be a handsome young man and on his sixteenth birthday the King threw a ball. He invited all the good fairies and or witches (some were both) in the area to come and bless his child (Of course they agreed but only for the free food). There was one person.. he didn’t invite. It was nothing personal really. It’s just several years earlier this particular witch had tried to destroy the world. So the King decided it wouldn’t be appropriate to invite him. The witches name was Cell, and when he discovered that he wasn’t being invited to the ball he was furious.

Cell plotted and decided that he too would ‘bless’ the child. So he formatted a disguise (pink tutu, blond hair wig) so he could sneak into the ball and ‘bless’ Beauty.

The night of the ball all was going well. Except for the fact that Prince Beauty was bored out of his skull and King Vegeta was quickly growing weary of all the pretty girls fawning over him. “Time to bless Beauty!” The King yelled suddenly, getting to his feet and pushing Beauty before him towards the fairies.

The fairies and/or witches, came forward one by one. Each touching the Prince gently on the head and blessing him. One particularly ugly fairy waddled over and peered at the prince. He tilted his head this way and that but did not speak or bless.

“Well,” King Vegeta said irritably, “Bless him already damn you woman!”

Master Roshi snorted, “Do I look like a woman?” He promptly ripped his shirt off and proudly displayed his flat chest. “Now… lesse…” He tapped Beauty on the nose as King Vegeta turned green.

“I bless you, young prince, with a pretty face.” Master Roshi smiled, “Not that your face isn’t pretty already… say, are you attached?” He winked.

Prince Beauty choked and stepped back quickly, “Uh..”

“And!” Master Roshi added with a wicked smile, “I also give you a nice voice.” He leaned forward and whispered, “With a nice voice you can seduce anyone you want. Trust me.. it’s useful.”

Prince Beauty stared hard at the strange fairy. “Erm… excuse me… aren’t fairies supposed to be female?” He asked quite suddenly in his new ‘nice’ voice.”

Master Roshi blushed, “Er… well… I was.. but, I got sick of it.”

Prince Beauty’s eyes bugged out of his head as he started to choke again.

“Yes, yes, whatever. Go go!” King Vegeta urged, pushing eagerly at the not-so-pretty fairies arm.

Master Roshi shrugged and headed straight for the buffet table, immediately he was flirting with the other fairies who were still oblivious to the fact he was male.

The next fairy stepped forward. “I am fairy Krillin.” Krillin announced, playing with his little fairy wings. He studied the Prince with a critical eye. “Well, you’re beautiful already. And you’re built.” His eyes wandered down the Prince’s body, “So, I will give you supreme blasting power!”

“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” The fairy who was next in line bellowed, rushing forward. “How DARE you! That was supposed to be MY blessing on the child! Do you know how LONG I agonized over this!!!”

Krillin stuck his nose in the air, “Well Piccolo, we’ll just both have to give him blasting power then.”

Piccolo growled, baring his teeth. “I don’t think you two are fairies at all.” Prince Beauty declared softly.

Two sets of innocent eyes fixed themselves on him. “We both bless you with supreme blasting power.” They said together before hurrying away.

Time passed quickly and it was time for the last fairy to come forward. King Vegeta stared at the blonde fairy suspiciously, “Do I know you?” He demanded.

The fairy (who was Cell in disguise) smiled and shook her head. “Oh no,” She declared in a hideous voice.

“Gads woman! Don’t speak! Just bless the boy and get out of here!” King Vegeta yelled.

Cell shrugged, ‘If you insist.’ He thought with an evil smirk. He reached out and touched Prince Beauty’s forehead. “Since your father has not invited me to his party after that beautiful night we shared together so many years ago I curse you Prince Beauty. May you sleep forever! MWAHAHAHAHA!”

Immediately Prince Beauty fell to the ground, unconscious. “Hey wait! I didn’t invite you!” King Vegeta bellowed, drawing his sword, “Wake my son now you vile creature!”

Cell just laughed, ripping off his wig. “Even if I could I wouldn’t!” He cried before flying off.

“I’ll get him!” One of the guards yelled, “KA ME HA ME HA!”

A burst of energy flew from the guards hands and struck Cell down. “WWAAAAAHHHH!!!” Cell came barreling out of the sky. He landed in the center of the ballroom. Almost before he hit the hard floor hundreds of fairies were on top of him, kicking, punching, screaming in anger.

“That was quite some move.” King Vegeta stepped over his fallen son and walked over to the guard, “What is your name servant?”

“No. My name isn’t servant.” The guard rubbed the back of his neck with a shy smile, “My name is Goku.”

“Goku eh..” King Vegeta said thoughtfully, “I’ve been looking for someone strong to be my King… would you marry me?”

Goku laughed nervously, “H-hey! I just met you! Besides, don’t you have a Queen already?”

“Bah! I beheaded her three weeks ago for being stupid. So? I can give you immeasurable wealth.”

“Immeasurable?” Goku repeated with a little frown, “Is that even a word?”

“OF COURSE IT IS!” King Vegeta bellowed. His temper was quick to fall however, “Say you’ll marry me and I’ll give you anything you want!”

“Erm… I’ve kinda got a craving for cheesecake.” Goku admitted.

“It’s yours if you marry me!”

“Well… okay.” Goku grinned. King Vegeta grabbed his hand and started to drag Goku out of the room but he was intercepted by the fairies, Krillin, Piccolo and Master Roshi.

“King! We have managed to find a stipulation in Cell’s curse.” Krillin announced with a proud smile.

“Yes. If one day a handsome prince finds Beauty and kisses him your son will awaken!” Piccolo put his hands on his hips and smiled also.

“Great. Good, out of my way.” King Vegeta said impatiently.

“But, there was one tiny loophole.” Master Roshi told the King sheepishly, “You see, in order to do that we had to-” But the King had already fallen to the floor, fast asleep. “Make everyone else sleep so that the Prince wouldn’t be lonely when he woke up.”

“Well, look on the bright side. Now all the food is ours.” Piccolo rubbed his hands together with an evil smile.

Master Roshi just laughed, “YEAH!”

The three ran to the buffet table. In the center of the great hall a big fairy pile was lying on top of Cell. The Prince still lay on the steps where he had fallen and somehow King Vegeta had managed to fall on top of the poor guard Goku. The two, when looked at from a certain angle, appeared to be in quite a compromising situation.

Author’s Notes:  Believe it or not I was completely sober when I whipped this one up! Many thanks to Lord Hervé for groovy story ideas. With reference as per Frieza’s gender: the lizard queen will henceforth be referred to as a ‘he’, but with feminine titles eg ‘Queen’ & ‘Lady’. Okies? Funky.
The dwarves all watched in silence ranging from amused to contemptuous as Prince Gohan began to make his way up the hill. The royal, now that he’d emerged from the shadow of the bulky dragon Icarus, was revealed to be the kind of dashingly handsome prince so many young girls dreamed about. Lunch almost started drooling on sight.

Once he came in sight of the coffin and realised that he’d stumbled on a funeral, Gohan’s face fell. “I’m very sorry for your loss,” he said solemnly to the dwarves. He was met by a collective shrug all round and looked somewhat abashed. But his royal dignity was swift to come to the rescue and he produced a handful of wildflowers from somewhere inside his cloak. “May I?” he asked. Again the dwarves shrugged. Looking politely curious, he stepped up to the coffin and looked inside.

“Oooh, what a simply scrumptious dress! … Pity about the stiff wearing it…”

That got the dwarves’ attention. All seven of them gaped at the prince as he plastered his hands to the glass surface, gazing in utter rapture at the motionless form of Mirai Trunks. Nobody (except maybe Goku, who was always a bit slow on the uptake) could miss the exact second Prince Gohan fell utterly in love.

His eyes just shone. The watching dwarves could swear that, just for a second, they adopted the shape of oversized cartoon hearts as he clasped his hands together.

“Oh, he’s beautiful!” Then, without waiting for permission, for a reaction, for a heartbeat, he unclasped the heavy gold of the lid and threw it open (miraculously, the glass didn’t shatter). Looking as though all his Christmases had come at once with the sight of the gorgeous Mirai, he leaned down and planted one right on the lavender-haired boy/girl’s lips.

The wet *smack* could be heard clearly by every single one of the watching dwarves and their reactions were instant and simultaneous (aside from Goku).

“Eeeeeeewwwwwwww…”

Drag they could deal with. Necrophilia they could not.

Their faces, however, changed expression completely when Mirai Trunks blinked, his eyes opened and he sat up. A look of charming vacancy on his lovely face, he glanced around from one dwarf to another, and finally to Prince Gohan, who stood right next to him with his hand on the paler boy’s shoulder.

*SLAP*

Gohan staggered as Mirai’s palm connected solidly with his face, leaving a stinging red mark. But instead of becoming angry, he raised his hand to his cheek and gently touched the affronted flesh. He looked somewhere between awed and delighted that such a beautiful creature had touched him and again, his eyes shone adoringly as he gazed at Trunks, who in all honesty looked a little weirded out.

“What are you, some kind of hentai?” demanded the purple-haired former princess.

The darker royal shook his head solemnly. “I assure you, fair sir, my attentions were entirely honourable.”

Mirai looked as though he was about to object to this statement, but then stopped himself. His eyes flickered to the glittering crown perched atop Prince Gohan’s unruly dark hair, and thence to the oversized purple dragon a few feet away. Even Goku could see the wheels turning in the doubtfully- engendered bishonen. Eyeing Gohan shrewdly, Trunks asked, “Did you say … sir?”

Gohan nodded.

“…Sir as in male?”

He nodded again.

“You don’t think I’m a girl?”

He shook his head. “Surely not, for you are the most enchanting person I have ever encountered, and I knew long ago that the person I would fall in love with would be a male. …Besides,” he added, as though as an afterthought, “you don’t really look like a girl, even in that dress.”

That was quite enough for Trunks, and now it was his turn to have his beautiful cerulean eyes replaced by cartoon hearts as he promptly fell for Gohan in return. With an indefinable sound expressible in textual form only by the symbols “!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, he launched himself at the raven-haired prince. The force of his glomp knocked Gohan straight off his feet and the two tumbled down the side of the hill, coming to a halt near the base with Trunks straddling the other male’s hips. He grinned down at the also-smiling prince.

“Y’know, that’s a pretty cool outfit you’ve got on…”

“Well, it’s not as pretty as that dress…”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I think so. I’ve always been more comfortable in a dress anyway.”

A flurry of fabric ensued, the speed and enthusiasm of which prevented even sharp-eyed Doc Roshi from a detailed perve, and a moment later the two stood together proudly, Trunks now dressed in the blue cloak and silver-grey tunic that Gohan had traded for his love’s dress of deep plum. The two smiled, satisfied, and Mirai proceeded to scoop the prince into his arms. As soon as Icarus had heaved his huge bulk over to them, they mounted the overweight dragon and rode off into the sunset. Behind them, they left some very confused dwarves. Surprisingly, it was the dense Goku who provided the closing line.

“Well, I guess this is the part where they live happily ever after … or something…”

Author’s Notes:  Believe it or not I was completely sober when I whipped this one up! Many thanks to Lord Hervé for groovy story ideas. With reference as per Frieza’s gender: the lizard queen will henceforth be referred to as a ‘he’, but with feminine titles eg ‘Queen’ & ‘Lady’. Okies? Funky.
When the dwarves came home they were shocked to find Mirai Trunks lying on the floor, one hand draped artfully across his forehead, his face pale and his cerulean eyes closed. A beautiful deep plum dress had replaced the customary tunic, satiny white high heels taking the place of boots, and Mirai wasn’t objecting.

“Something is seriously wrong,” stated Lunch.

“Of course it is, you baka,” snapped Vegeta. “Would the girl really be lying there in a dress if nothing wasn’t?”

“Ehehehe, such a pretty, pretty dress it is, too … wonder what she’ll look like without it…” Doc Roshi’s hand, groping towards the hem of Trunks’ skirt, was stopped by a punch to the nose from Vegeta.

“Doc Roshi!” exclaimed Yamcha, aghast. A furious red blush had sprung up across his cheeks at the idea of an undressed Mirai.

At that moment a snort interrupted them and Yajirobe waddled through the door, wiping sleep from his eyes. “Sorry I’m late, had to take a nap outside … what’s going on? What’d I miss?” He blinked around in confusion at the other dwarves.

Goku shrugged. “Don’t ask me. All I know is that Trunks is asleep.”

Mr Popo laughed. “That’s our Goku,” he grinned. “Always putting a good face on everything. You’ve got to admit, she does look very pretty now that she’s actually in a dress.” The other dwarves had to agree.

“Ah-CHOO!” Lunch wiped her nose on Master Roshi’s sleeve, then glared at the prone figure. “Stupid bitch, just lying there when there’s work to be done,” she growled, and moved over to nudge Trunks harshly in the side with her boot. “Come on, get up you lazy bint! Move your ass!” She kicked the motionless form harder, but luckily at that moment Vegeta threw a pepper shaker at her head. Lunch rounded on him, a cloud of black filling the air around her as the shaker fell to pieces. “WHAT THE ‘ELL D’YA THINK YER PLAYIN’ AT?” she bellowed, then sneezed. “Oops, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you Vegeta.” The other dwarf snorted, his way of acknowledging her existence.

“So what do we do now?” asked Goku cluelessly, scratching his head.

“Bury her,” said Vegeta instantly, a grim look on his face.

“No, we shouldn’t,” said Mr Popo. “She’s much too pretty to simply stick in the ground. It’d be a desecration of her memory.”

Of course, none of the other dwarves knew what he was on about, using such big words, but they figured that anything as important-sounding as that particular speech must be right.

Taking a deep breath, Yamcha suggested hesitantly, “Well, we could – uh, if nobody else minds – we could put her in a – in a-” He blushed furiously as all eyes turned to him expectantly. “Put her in a glass coffin,” he mumbled, and promptly shrank into himself, trying to get out of the way of the attention of the others.

“Yeah, so everyone can still take a good gander at ‘er,” grinned Doc Roshi lecherously, a tiny trickle of red beginning to eke into his moustache. Vegeta punched him instantly.

“Dirty old man,” he snapped.

All squabbles and insults aside, the dwarves managed to cooperate long enough to place the motionless figure of Mirai Trunks inside the glass coffin they used for special occasions, like getting suntans. Vegeta grumbled about the loss of his favourite sunbed, but the others ignored him and soon the lavender-haired bishounen was residing peacefully under a clear dome meant to preserve his beautiful image for the rest of time. Not, of course, that the dwarves looked at it this way.

“What an excellent anti-aging method,” murmured Mr Popo.

“I would kill to get a technique as effective as that,” grumbled Lunch. A sudden light flared in her eyes. “AND I WOULD, IF SHE WASN’T DEAD ALREADY!” Yajirobe woke up long enough to throw a handful of pepper at her to calm her down.

“Such a pity she gets access to such wonderful treatment when she’s not around to enjoy it,” said Mr Popo.

Doc Roshi was drooling. “Yeah, but I’m still around to enjoy ‘er.”

Vegeta punched him again, but Goku just looked confused. “I don’t get it…” he muttered, earning exasperated looks from all the other dwarves. Six swats upside the idiot’s head landed in quick succession.

“I – I think she looks, well, you know, really … really, uh … n-nice … in, in that dress,” mumbled Yamcha, flushing crimson.

“She’d look better out of it!” rejoined Doc Roshi, never one to miss an opportunity to say something perverted. But before Vegeta could punch him again, there was the sound of wings flapping furiously nearby followed by a loud thud and a string of cuss words more likely to be heard in a Disney film than any bar.

The dwarves turned as one to see that a fat, pale lilac dragon had crash- landed there, its puny wings evidently unable to support its weight off the ground. The creature was huffing and panting as though from an enormous effort as it managed to get itself upright. It had managed to land on its rider, trapping the figure underneath its considerable bulk, and the person who climbed out from underneath, stumbling and staggering on weak legs, looked distinctly crumpled.

The young man straightened up and the dwarves could see that he wore a long, handsome cloak of navy blue over a silver-grey tunic, a crown perched askew on his head of unruly black hair. He blinked innocent eyes at the group above him and, looking suddenly embarrassed, quickly began to pat the dirt off his clothes and fix everything. He then drew himself up and introduced himself.

“Good sirs, it is a pleasure to meet with you on this fine day. My name is Prince Gohan.”