User blog:KidVegeta/What's In A Name?

Hmmm… I dunno if I really want to post this, but DD has been asking for one of these all night. And I do mean all night. So what the heck, here’s the reasoning behind every chapter title for Dragon Ball Z: The Forgotten. I may or may not add reasonings behind my other stories in the future. And yes, I’ll be answering these in a similar way that the author of Death Note did in vol 13.

WARNING
I may reveal plot stuff about unreleased sagas below. Bewaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare.

Most chapter titles were chosen in the pre-plot era of every saga, in order to give myself a writing structure later. However, as time has passed, and now that I’ve finished the plot details for TF (the plot is fully finished as of the posting of this blog), chapter titles have instead been chosen after the plot for that episode has been worked out. This is fully the case with the reunion and fulfillment sagas. Fascinating stuff, I know.

1 Prologue
No real explanation needed here. If I remember correctly, this was one of the last chapter titles I came up with, because it was this chapter didn’t even exist in my first draft of The Forgotten. I chose a simple title only because I didn’t want to start out with any confusion.

2 Lest I Forget
This was an interesting title, and truth be told I have no idea where the inspiration came for it. As for it’s meaning, it’s written from Layeeck’s point of view, kind of playing off that fact that up until this point he had been putting off training his son.

3 Just Saibamen?
A reference to Prince Vegeta’s personality, something I wanted to bring to the forefront in his introductory chapter. I also wanted to reference Saibamen somewhere in this story.

4 Explosions, Vegeta… Lots Of ‘Em!
I have no memory of naming this chapter. Sorry!

5 A Little Paranoia Never Hurt Anyone
A personal play on the phrase “A little _ never hurt anyone.” Due to Layeeck’s increasing paranoia at his son’s growing power, I felt that was a fine word to use here; and it also gives off a sort of subtle irony that I really like.

6 Always Remember Your First
Another phrase reference. This one is kinda more adult in origins as it has to do with either the first time a person has sex or a first love or sommat like that. But in Saiyan culture, the most important thing is fighting; and I think a boy’s first fight (with his father) is as, if not more memorable than the “human” ones mentioned above.

7 Lord Frieza
While technically Frieza was introduced at the very end of the last chapter, this is his true introduction. Being the overlord of basically the entire galaxy, his entrance didn’t need much more than a “Lord Frieza”.

8 Do Come Back Alive
A Frieza quote said by him to a young Prince Vegeta in the Bardock special. I used it specifically here (as well as in the chapter text) to establish consistency and connection to the canon universe.

9 The Boy Doesn’t Mean Any Harm
Another Frieza quote said to Prince Vegeta in that special, but this time it was not meant as a simple same-character reference. At about this time, if I remember correctly, Zarbon was growing wary of The Benefactor, while Frieza remained staunchly supportive of him. This is a reference to their talks about him.

10 Because It’s My Birthday
Oh, this was a fun one. An obvious reference to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in that it’s a Gollum quote. This one however is kind of more subtle than the others in that it being posted itself is a reference to the other part of the Gollum quote (“And I wants it”). The and I wants it part is a reference to Frieza taking a personal interest in Prince Vegeta, and thus causing the Saiyan uprising. And no, I never wrote this with the intent that that day was actually Frieza’s birthday.

11 No More Monkeys
Pretty simple here. I thought this would be a good final Frieza quote for TF, as he is never actually killed or really given a proper goodbye within the story. The other part of this is that this is the chapter in which Frieza exterminates the Saiyans (monkeys) and it’s always good to be able to describe the actual story like that.

12 Serenity In Atonement
Hmm… this one is somewhat complex. At one time I was gonna write several Halo fanons, to which I am no longer doing. This chapter is a reference to that. In one of my stories I had a covie ship named “Serenity and Atonement”. I really liked that name, so changed it a bit to fit into this story. It is also a reference to Layeeck’s final act, of finally being able to “redeem” himself a little after not fighting in the last chapter.

13 Lyin’ And Laughin’
I watch a lot of Seinfeld, usually the whole series every year or so. This is a reference to the last episode where Jackie Chiles says “Lyin’ and laughin’… laughin’ and lyin’.” I loved that line, so it’s in here. It also is a good describer of Ledas (in Banas’ mind) lying about his crash and the plantains laughing about it.

14 To Cooler With Love
This was probably one of the easiest chapter titles for me to come up with, as it’s a subtle riff against Guva’s “schoolgirl” like attitude when around Cooler. The phrase itself (sans the name) is commonplace, too.

15 Wind Swept
A reference to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The planet visited in this chapter is much like Dantooine and is also very windy.

16 First Glimpse
No reference here. It’s just describing Ledas seeing how cruelly all the Cooler soldiers treated the natives. And how he, himself, begins to question his own brutality.

17Among The Giants
I swear this is a reference to something… I think a song or something similar. I’m not entirely sure though.

18 Big Mistake
Obviously a pun on Ledas turning into a Great Ape in this episode. Could also be interpreted as a mistake on Banas’ part not to kill Ledas here.

19 A Mess Of Politics
Something I heard a news anchor say one time on TV. I thought it was very funny, and seeing as Banas does make some tricky political moves in this chapter (killing another allied captain), I thought it’d fit.

20 Mysterious Presence
This chapter is all about Lauto. Someone nobody except for  seems to know anything about. This chapter title was chosen so it could be vague enough as to not give away too much before released. I do think some things are more exciting when you don’t know everything about them.

21 Chosen
Chosen for what?

22 New Tricks
Lieme teaches Ledas how to sense Ki. Or at least that’s what happens. Dunno if Lieme really meant to do that. But his mistake ultimately would be a great benefit for Ledas in the future.

23 Old Dogs
A reference to the last chapter from the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” In addition, this is also a small reference to the fact that Banas and his team are becoming less and less powerful when compared to Ledas; that they are losing their touch.

24 Haunting Memory
The chapter in particular brings back the themes of the last saga with Benefactor and Ledas, as well as the themes with the natives before.

25 Finding Aprido
A reference to the awesome Disney movie “Finding Nemo”. Aprido’s name was similar enough that I thought it would be interesting (given the actual plot of the episode) to do that.

26 That Makes Him The Guv’nor
Bioshock reference, particularily this quote. Made it easy to do, since Guva was the governor and even if Banas hated him, he would still listen (if begrudgingly).

27 Truly Alone
I don’t think this one requires any explanation.

28 A Promise
This one is another Lord of the Rings reference. The second greatest scene in the series: A Promise. This is mirrored in Ledas’ promise to end the oppression over the natives of Planet Cooler 92.

29 Our Savior, Fight Evil
A reference to a pair of lyrics in Europa (globus). This song is also the main theme song of The Forgotten, so it was fitting enough to use.

30 Costly Preparations
These last five or so chapters are all a blur to me. I think this one is a reference to my great distaste for all things drugs/alcohol. And in this chapter, Ledas gets drunk.

31 Ascendancy
Ledas takes his place as the “chosen one”. But in all seriousness, this was a simple explanation of his reaching Super Saiyan.

32 To Each, According To His Sins
A reference to Karl Marx, or communism in general. There’s not much more to it than that. But please don’t take the reference as a pro or anti communist reference; it was meant as neither.

33 Exodus
A play on several exoduses. I’m not sure which one is most prominent. This was also a slight goodbye chapter to Guva’s beloved, wooded desk which Banas so callously destroyed near the end of it.

34 The Orphan
The story behind this one is rather… recent. Anyways, I didn’t have the name for this one for the longest time; until one day I had a chance happening upon the movie “A Christmas Story”. It wasn’t even Christmas, so I dunno how I got around to watching it. Anywho, on the actual Christmas eve of last year, among my plot developments for Death Note: Our Truths, I also worked heavily on this chapter. And wouldn’t you which movie was playing during that day. As to how this relates to the actual name, well in the movie the main character had a little thing for a girl called Little Orphan Annie. As soon as I heard those words I knew I was golden.

35 Hazing
In the text of this chapter, I have a reference to sonic the hedgehog; the title therefore became one. Though perhaps “Hazy” would have been less indirect.

36 Capsule Corp.
No real meaning behind this one. Ryori has a capsule… Ledas goes to Capsule Corp.

37 My Friend Vegeta
There’s tons of My Friend ___s out there, but this one is mostly based on an awesome TSFH song My Little Friend Max, which I played a lot while writing/working on the plot for this chapter. This is one of my favorite chapter names.

38 Mist
For such a complex chapter, I didn’t really give a deep meaning behind the name. If anything, it’s kind of talking about how the whole atmosphere was misty that day and how Cardinal’s motives seemed to be quite shrouded.

39The Monster Inside Me
A reference to the anime/manga Monster, and especially the character Johan within that story. This is done because by this chapter Ledas is starting to slip into his own darkness and it is eerily reminiscent of the former’s personality.

40 Like An Apple
This chapter is highly based of Death Note elements, wherein a Benefactor “shadow” follows Ledas around. I thought that it was like a shinigami, so I made this a reference to Death Note.

41 Blutz Wave
While admittedly, I’ve never watch GT in it’s entirety, I am still somewhat familiar with the concept of the Blutz Wave Generator. In previous drafts, this episode was called “Ballet, It Tames The Spirit” and later “Furry And Brown”. The former was not a reference to anything, but the latter was a reference to Mr. Rogers.

42 Korin Tower
Would you believe I actually put a reference to Dragon Ball… in a Dragon Ball story? Say it ain’t so!

(oh it be so)

43 Chasing Ghosts
Referenced to Dexter here. Seeing as this chapter is exclusively (apart from a very brief bit at the very end) a Banas and Guva chapter, and seeing how it’s taking place in Lauto’s cave, and seeing how The Benefactor is there too… well it just fit so well. Oh, and spoilers.

44 Thine Actions Vindicated
I have been asked several times (mostly by DD) as to who’s actions are vindicated in this chapter. Some would say Ledas, others Cardinal. But when I wrote down the name (for I just made it up, off the top of my head) I had in my mind the vindicated actions of only one man; Shoekki. Because after all, he was just a nice guy.

45 Tell Me Governor…
Seeing as Guva is now in the position of Cooler, and Cardinal in the position of (lauto saga) Guva… how could I not use this quote?

46 The Cruelest Of Atrocities
Another one of the few nods to Europa (globus). This is also playing off the fact that Kindler (apparently) kills Ledas in this chapter in quite a horrid way.

47 Formally
This is merely an astute observation that both Vegeta and Ledas have already been reunited in the chapter “My Friend Vegeta”. Only Vegeta didn’t know it, and Ledas wasn’t trying to say hello. So this is their true meeting, of sorts. Also, Guva gets reunited with the bunch, too.

48 Losers Fight First
By the same title and same idea as the Cell Games episode, this one is spent with losers fighting Guva. I at first considered this to be the name of the chiaotzu vs. guva fight, but later abandoned that as I needed to make the whole thing two episodes.

49 Chiaotzu vs. Guva
…

50 Paid In Blood
A reference to the TF special “Paved In Blood”. Several people have already caught that and told me about it, with much bated breath. What could it mean?

51 Snow Day
For the Ledas/Vegeta flashback, I had a lot of leeway that I didn’t have in Prince Vegeta Saga to really do whatever I wanted. I realized that in PVS, there wasn’t all that much shown of their life, outside of fighting. So I drew up a quick plot and ended up on Snow Day. Yeah, it snows and Vegeta/Ledas play. They’ll be playing and having fun. Well mostly.

52 Story Of My Life
I swear the happiest moment of Halo: Reach was the ending cutscene of New Alexandria. If you’re unfamiliar with that game, well a character in it says the chapter name above in a (usual) horrible mess of inability to act and inability to speak english. Oh, and this is also a chapter that details the story of someone’s life. Whooda thunk?

53 Latchkey
By definition, a latchkey is a key that releases something. And Ledas is just that key. While not inspired by it, Halo Reach did make me take a notice of the actual (no pun intended) word.

54 Visionary
Tien fights in this episode. I make fun of his three eyes.

55 Tier Three
An interesting way to put Super Saiyan 3. Inspired by Cortana, of Halo 2 and her various, eloquently sexy monologues.

56 Spirit Bomb
There was very little inspiration behind this chapter name.

57 Pump Up
The main enemies absorbs the spirit bomb and basically gained all the power. Just in case people didn’t get that, I put this matter o’ fact title to help them along.

58 New Plan
No reference here. The Z fighters get thoroughly thrashed by the main villain and have to think up something new (instead of a spirit bomb) in order to combat him. Needless to say, it doesn’t go so well.

59 The Hunt
I can’t place an exact reference on this one as the actual quote is used in a lot of places. There are several short stories I’ve read at school though, particularly one about hunting a man (the ultimate trophy) which inspired this.

60 Android’s Delight
Reference to the alternate universe where Future Androids 17 and 18 destroy most of the world and cities. And wouldn’t you know it now… their present day selves are on the receiving end of that in my story.

61 Bloodied Turf
Reference to the days of yore when me and my friends would get together and play Halo 1, LAN, all through the night. Blood Gulch was lovingly renamed Bloodied Turf by a friend who could never remember the real name. So bam, I took it.

62 Suited
A play on words here, given that suit has many various meanings. The two main meanings are both brought up in this chapter.

63 Now Gotenks
Hmmm the reference behind this one is tricky. I guess the various Seinfeld Newman rants, but even then to say that was the inspiration would be… not fully accurate. But it was the main component for adding the “Now” in front.

64 Fusion’s Price
Perhaps a bash at the community at large who uses Fusion (a ridiculous concept to begin with) as a major, major crutch. And I hate crutches.

65 The Product Of A Stable Mind
This is a reference to a season 5 episode of Dexter (can’t remember exactly which one, but it was an early one). May even be a really slight laugh at Krillin’s idea in this chapter.

66 Desperation
People get desperate and stuff. Also very, very much based upon Gears of War II, and the last two Acts or so.

67 Riddle Me This
The main bit of this chapter is that there’s a new character, Verlate (who is a Rakatan). In the game KoToR, a Rakatan is trapped in a box much like Verlate. The chapter’s name in the game? Riddle Me This, Rakatan. So naturally I had to use it.

68 Laying To Rest
No specific reference, as this is just a common phrase. It’s mainly here cuz this chapter is spent by Ledas laying the memories of his hallucinations to rest (much like Dexter does in the beginning of season 2).

Well, that’s it. All the chapters for TF, save the epilogue. I may or may not add that soon. Now let's all give KidVegeta a nice tip o' the hat for being gracious enough to do this. I'm sure he neither wanted to, nor found it particularly easy to do so. And it must have taken so much time away from his busy social life!

Jokes aside, thanks to any who have read the whole thing. Comment in the area below if you have anything to say. Thanks!

-KidVegeta