The Burden of Proof [SOLO]

    Too little, too late, so went the dreadful saying. Yet again, Xylo decided to strike at the Solar Empire's most vunerable moment. If he wasn't sworn enemies with the green overlord, Capper might have commended his impeccable timing. The stars aligned for the Mazoku while they smited the Saiyans, with Vi-Poi's arrival (or distraction, as Capper called it), on Vegeta. All of their forces were tied with the blue bot, leaving Beppa unguarded.

    Well, mostly unguarded.
        Capper and his family were still there.
            ...But not for much longer.

    They stayed behind namely because they simply couldn't be asked to bother with Vi-Poi. Capper had some trust for the earthly premier- Vi must have known what he was doing. There was no way Xylo would win with the android's eyes watching over the universe, no matter how much sacrifice had to be made prior... But, Capper feared that he would be that sacrifice.

    He and his entire family, to be exact. Corza, Ludva, and Chire had told little Cap about the afterlife. Even his mother said Hell was actually pretty nice! The fiery saiyan could only wonder how Heaven was if Hell was the "okay" realm. But death, dying, and hurting... Capper was scared. Really scared. He knew he was going to hurt all over again. He would lose. He would cry. He would die, even. He would face the death of his friends and family with the imposing Xylo knocking on their door. The boy closed his eyes, head buried into his folded arms. He didn't want to hurt. His family were already formulating their game plan- they had all pretty much accepted their own deaths, it seemed.

    "You okay, kiddo?" Capper felt a hand on his shoulder. He didn't raise his head. "No.", came the blunt response. Collard bit his lip. He couldn't imagine how hard this was for Capper. Even the father was afraid now, though he wouldn't show it to Capper. Nobody here wanted to die, but...

    "Capper, I know this is going to be one rough ride for all of us. You in particular. But--" Collard began. Capper finally raised his head, eyes reddened and cheeks smeared with dried tears. "Dad. I know you, mom, and Grandpa Courgi are all gonna d-die if you fight Xylo. He said it himself!" Capper retorted, recalling the Namekian's announcement. "...I don't want you to die, dad." He spoke, eyes drifting to finally lock onto his father. His tone wasn't shaking, as Collard kind of expected, but a conststent dreaful melancholy persisted. The saiyan son buried his head again. "I don't want to be alone again..."

    "Since when were you ever alone, kiddo?" Another voice called. Chire, Capper's mother. "Etoru, the rest of the Solar Empire, Earth, and us Hoffersons will be with you." She pat the distressed Capper's shoulder, a warm smile creeping across her face. They were all scared, but that never stopped a saiyan, let alone a Hofferson before. "You think death is gonna stop us from cheering you on, and helping you wherever you go?" She put a fist to her heart.

    "Yemma can only dream of holding us Hoffersons back! We're the roughest and toughest, biggest and baddest, and bestest squad out there!" Chire jostled Capper's shoulder with her signature grin. The mother feared no door- especially not death. She'd been there, done that.

    "...You're still gonna die, mom, dad." Capper glumly reminded them, causing Chire's grin to falter. It was a scary thought- knowing you only had minutes of your life in the mortal world left. Death was another door, but... They would all miss their little kid. Would he be okay with them on the sidelines this time around? "I know it's not okay, I-I know you don't want me to be scared and alone, but I know we can't just let Xylo walk over us... But can't we just... go? And live?" 

    The saiyan boy figured his request was selfish- maybe even traitorous to go against protecting the land of his Empire. But that didn't stop him from wanting a happy end for his little family. Collard sat down next to his son, with Chire on the other side of their little Capper.

    "Capper. We're scared too, though you probably know that already. I know you're a smart cookie." Collard bluntly stated, finally giving in. "Xylo's back, with more strength and force that is bound to overpower us." The father sighed, but Chire quickly picked up after him. "But we've been scared before! And I've been dead before!" She smirked. "No matter what happens, just know we'll be fine. We'll come back for you." An arm was wrapped around Chire's son's shoulders. "We always will, kid. So keep your chin up high. Xylo might be strong, but he's not strong enough to pull us apart."

    Capper raised his head again, listening to his parents continue. He caught eye of his father's eyes getting a little glassy. "We're so lucky we have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard, Capper." His hand ran through Capper's hair. Still, their son didn't seem convinced that this was indeed the right thing to do, with all that bundled up hurt imminent. "Ever since you were born, Chire and I have been nothing but proud of you." Collard's son was different in the best way possible.

    He hoped Capper would be an idol to others too, someday, a symbol to not let weakness get the better of them. "Your weakness is your strength. Your talents are perfect in only the way you can achieve, Capper." Capper blinked, his heart aching when he saw some tears stream down Collard's face. "No matter what happens... We'll stand against this. Xylo will truly know what it means to cross a Hofferson- a saiyan."

"Aw, don't sappy now, Colly..." Chire sniffled. "I'm.. geTTiNG kINda saD alSO now aND--" Collard put a finger to Chire's lips. "Hush, honey. I'm done." The father concluded. Chire nodded along quickly, turning back to a silent, mournful Capper. "Just don't worry about us too much. After all this, you, I, and all your buddies from Vegeta AND Earth are gonna throw a HUGE party!" She threw a fist into the air. "I haven't forgotten your birthday coming up, shortstack." Capper sighed. They were all frightened, afraid, but far from alone. Chire, Collard, and Courgi would not budge on their stance to stay and fight- to stay and die for their family and their Empire. "...I know I can't stop you, and this truly may be the right thing to do, but..."

 "I'm not leaving either. What can I do to help?"