Haunted by Old Foes, Vegeta Faces His Inner Demons While Shopping with Bulla
Vegeta walked alongside Bulla through the bright and busy streets of West City, doing his best to remain calm amidst the bustling crowds. After Goku had left with Shenron, things felt quieter—even emptier. But life went on, and he’d promised Bulla he’d take her shopping today, no matter how odd it felt. Bulla, however, seemed oblivious to his quiet thoughts, chatting excitedly as they entered a fashionable store filled with bright lights and elegant displays.
As Bulla sifted through clothing racks, Vegeta found himself drifting, his attention caught by the faint reflection in a nearby mirror. He blinked, squinting at the glass, and for a split second, he saw a familiar face staring back at him: Baby, with that unmistakable, twisted grin. The image was so brief that he almost questioned if he’d seen it at all. Shaking his head, he chalked it up to his imagination, a leftover memory of a fight that had long passed.
But as they continued through the store, the vision returned. In the reflective surfaces of store windows, or among the people casually walking by, he’d catch fleeting glimpses of Baby, his taunting gaze cutting through the crowd. Vegeta clenched his fists, suppressing a shiver. His heart began to race, and he felt the urge to prepare himself, to stand ready for battle. The world around him started to blur, voices fading until all he could hear was a faint, sinister chuckle echoing in his mind.
Suddenly, Vegeta found himself standing alone in a surreal landscape. The bustling city had melted away, replaced by a hazy, swirling purple vortex. The air felt dense, pressing down on him, and in the distance, Baby emerged, floating in the mist with that same mocking grin. “Miss me, Vegeta?” Baby taunted, his voice echoing in the emptiness. Vegeta’s eyes narrowed, instinctively dropping into his fighting stance. His aura flared, and with a roar, he transformed, his body engulfed in the fiery yellow energy of Super Saiyan 4.
In an instant, Vegeta lunged forward, exchanging powerful blows with Baby as the purple haze around them rippled with each strike. Memories of their past battle flooded his mind—the intensity, the rage, the desperation to reclaim his body and protect his family. But here in this strange, dreamlike vortex, Baby seemed stronger, faster, laughing with every strike. Vegeta’s movements grew fiercer, his focus sharpening. He wouldn’t let this phantom haunt him; he would end this here and now.
As they clashed, Vegeta’s mind began to clear, the haze around him starting to dissolve. Baby’s form grew distorted, his figure flickering like a mirage. Vegeta felt himself grounding back to reality, his senses slowly returning to the present. With a final punch, he struck at Baby, and the vortex around him shattered like glass.
He blinked, finding himself back in the clothing store, surrounded by bright lights and bustling shoppers. Bulla was looking up at him, a worried expression on her face. “Dad, are you okay? You spaced out there for a second,” she asked, her eyes full of concern.
Vegeta relaxed his fists, exhaling slowly. He gave her a reassuring nod, pushing the last remnants of the daydream from his mind. “I’m fine, Bulla. Just… old memories,” he said, his voice gruff but softened by a hint of a smile. As they left the store, Vegeta stole a final glance in a nearby window reflection, half-expecting Baby’s face to appear once more. But all he saw was himself, and with that, he felt a renewed peace as he continued walking with his daughter through the city.
