Chapter 1: Bulma's Weekly Trip to the Harmony Center
Chapter Text
Bulma couldn’t wait to finish her appointments for the day. The past week has been nothing but hectic for the Capsule Corp. C.E.O.. Several new products are going to be hitting the market soon, and their testing isn’t going as well as she’d hoped. She’s been meeting with her team every day this week to ensure that the products pass their tests. Bulma Briefs would rather push back a grand opening, than have an inferior product with her name on it.
After a short meeting with her teams this morning, the bluenette stayed in her office for the next few hours. Bulma was planning a surprise vacation for her family. Having been with her husband for twenty years, she wanted to surprise him with something special. Vegeta wasn’t like the average husband, so Bulma had to make it as outrageous as possible.
Her last stop of the day was to The Harmony Center for her weekly massage. Bulma loved the studio her friends constructed. With the billionaire’s help, Ellery saw her dream come to life before her eyes. Goku did nearly all the contracting work, and Ellery made the space her own. It’s quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in West City. The Capsule Corp. C.E.O was more than happy she decided to invest in this project.
Bulma pulled into a parking space near the front, still awestruck by Ellery’s studio. As she entered, she noticed a new face at the reception desk. She smiled pleasantly at the young woman. “Good afternoon! I have an appointment at 3:00.”
“Of course, Mrs. Briefs.” Bedde gave Bulma a bright smile. “Ellery is waiting upstairs for you. She’s in Room Number One as always.”
Wide eyed, the bluenette wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“No ma’am.” Bedde continued to smile. “I recognized you the moment you walked in. Besides you being one of the most famous women in the world, Ellery talks about you all the time; all great things! I doubt any of us wouldn’t know you from the moment you walked in.”
Bulma wasn’t sure what to say, she felt a heat rise to her cheeks before she smiled bashfully. “Oh, you flatter me! Please, call me Bulma.”
Bedde chuckled. “Of course, Bulma. Have a pleasant day!”
The bluenette walked next to the reception desk to the staircase, leading up to the second floor. Besides her regular appointments, Bulma couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her friend Ellery. Last Friday during their appointment, the Saiyan woman mentioned how her life was becoming less hectic. Bulma wondered if that meant what she was hoping it did!
Taking the first room on the left, Bulma undressed to where she was comfortable. She pulls her fuzzy towel from the closet. The bluenette wrapped the towel around her before she laid on her stomach. Hearing the door open, she turned her head to see Ellery smiling at her. “Hey girly!”
“Hey there.” The young woman responded as she entered. “Anything interesting happen this week?”
“No, just more of the normal headaches at work. These new products are going to be the death of me.”
“Well it’s a good thing you’re here.” Ellery smiled while she grabbed the lotion Bulma preferred, putting it next to the massage table. “We’re gonna work that stress right out of you! How about we talk about something more exciting. You have an anniversary coming up.” The Saiyan woman grinned at her friend. “Twenty-five years is a big milestone. I don’t know many people, especially humans, that could tolerate my brother Vegeta for that long. I’ve only known him a short while, and I know he can be a handful.”
“You’re right about that.” Bulma couldn’t help but laugh as well. “He may keep my hands full with the kids and his own antics. But I wouldn’t trade these years for anything. I just finished planning out a vacation for the four of us. I’m hoping he’s going to enjoy it. I know he’s not attracted to tourist spots or places with any people at all. So, I decided to take us on a camping trip! Getting out in the great outdoors, teaching his children survival skills and even training with them. Add in some modern luxuries that I never want to live without, I think it’d be perfect.”
“You know, I think you’ve planned an event Vegeta would be happy to go to.” Ellery smiled, her fingers working Bulma’s skin and relaxing her perfectly. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time with the kids!”
“Speaking of kids…” Bulma grinned slyly. “How has that adventure been going?”
Ellery took a few moments to answer. The warrior left early this morning to get some training in with Lord Beerus and Whis. After seeing another white stick with only one pink line, the Saiyan woman could tell it was beginning to frustrate Goku. He sounded so detached this morning when he disappeared, Ellery grew a little concerned for her mate.
With the bond Goku and Ellery have, they’re able to feel each other’s thoughts and emotions. In the two years since their mating, the young woman noticed it only seemed to get stronger over time. For the first six months, it was nearly overwhelming having all of those emotions tied into one body.
After a lot of training and time together, the couple figured out ways of regulating their bond. Ellery has learned she can focus only on herself if she chooses. With some concentration, the Saiyan woman can block out Goku’s emotions. This helps her throughout her day, when she needs to focus on her business.
One boundary Ellery set took some getting used to for her warrior. She didn’t want Goku worrying about her constantly, which he seemed to do a lot in the beginning of their consummation.
Overanalyzing the emotions Ellery was giving off was one of the things the couple had to take a long time to work on. To this day, they’re still having problems with it. So, to take some of that off Goku’s plate, Ellery ordered him to worry about himself during the time she’s at The Harmony Center. A few hours a day of not analyzing another person’s mind took a lot of the stress away from the warrior.
With the stress of the Studio, and their new consummation, the two Saiyans haven't been able to achieve the one goal they desired most; conceiving a child of their own.
“Unfortunately, things are just now beginning to slow down here. I’ve slowly stepped back over the last four weeks. It’s been so nice! However, the time we do get to spend together seems so… orchestrated.” Ellery nearly pouted. It was almost like they’re just going through the motions in their love-making routine. Every Full Moon, Goku and Ellery would try to conceive. She hated thinking of how many pregnancy tests the couple threw away in vain.
“We haven’t done anything spontaneous or outrageous in almost two years.” Ellery continued. “Kakarot used to be such a fantastic lover, always attuned to my needs. But since we’ve been trying, every time it’s always the same. Kakarot swears that was how he conceived his first two children, so we’ve been doing what worked for him and his wife.”
“How exactly has that been going?” Bulma chuckled loudly, almost curious as to what that entailed.
“Honestly, it’s not terrible.” Ellery giggled to herself. “It just requires me to be on top. So there’s not much difficulty with it.”
“You guys need to think outside of the box! Every girl is different, just like every pregnancy is different. Doing something different could also help the two of you relax. Find things that excite the both of you, instead of something that is ‘supposed to work.’ Why don’t you plan a surprise weekend for him? The two of you alone together could cause some sparks to fly!”
Ellery smiled before sighing. “It’s hard to plan a surprise when your partner can feel any change in your mood or behavior. Over the two years since we’ve mated, our bond has become so strong we can have conversations without even moving our lips. I love the connection we have, but it makes planning something nearly impossible.”
“The only reason I’m talking to you about it now, is because I asked him not to scan my aura while I’m working. Also because I’m hoping he won’t bother to listen in while he’s training with Lord Beerus.”
“Really?” Bulma was surprised. While she knew Goku still trained, the bluenette didn’t think he would leave the Planet without his mate. “When was the last time Goku left to go train with them?”
“Honestly?” The young woman thought back. “It’s been a while. After the studio was built, he would go for the day on occasion. Always be back for dinner.” Ellery smiled.
“Probably because Whis’ cooking leaves a little to be desired.” Bulma chuckled. “I think that’s why we have so many lunch dates.”
Ellery joined her friend in the laughter. “After about six months or so, he stopped going altogether. That’s when we really started trying to have children. Even though I was pretty busy here, we thought it couldn’t hurt to at least try. Since it’s something the two of us became passionate about after mating.”
The look on the Saiyan’s woman’s face changed then. A once cheerful look gave way to the sadness she was truly feeling inside. “This morning, I took another test. After we saw the results, he told me he was going to Lord Beerus’s for a little while; Didn’t say when he planned on coming back. I knew what he was feeling, so I let him go train and didn’t push the issue.”
Bulma turned her head, seeing the depressed look on her friend’s face. Her own heart sank, seeing Ellery so unhappy. “Hey, I can’t have you down in the dumps when you’re making me feel like a million dollars. After your appointments are done for the day, how about you come back to my place? We can have a girls weekend! We haven’t had one of those in months!”
“That sounds nice.” Ellery smiles at her friend, thankful for the kind gesture. “You’re my last appointment of the day. After we’re done here, we’ll go out back so I can pack an overnight bag.”
“Elly!!” The tiny bluenette yelled as she ran towards her mother and friend.
“Look at how big my little Bulla is getting.” Ellery smiled as she lowered herself to her knees, allowing the young half-Saiyan to wrap her arms tightly around her.
“Play Elly?”
The Saiyan woman nodded. Picking up the toddler, Ellery smiled as they began walking more into the house. “Of course we can!”
“Play yoga!!” Bulla screamed excitedly as she clapped her hands together
Bulma watched her friend and her youngest daughter. When Ellery would come over, Bulla loved to play with the Saiyan woman. The two were like peas in a pod at this point. Even though the two haven’t seen each other in months, the tiny half-Saiyan was happier than ever to see her friend Ellery. Bulma knew her Saiyan friend was just as happy to play with the toddler as Bulla was to have an adult’s attention.
The bluenette couldn’t imagine her life without her son and daughter. They’ve become the pieces to the puzzle that were missing in Bulma’s life. She wanted to do everything in her power to help her friend achieve her goal. Watching how well Ellery played with her daughter made Bulma sure she was going to be a good mother.
“I’ve got the perfect idea!” Bulma piped up from the couch. Seeing her friend turn around, giving the bluenette her attention caused her to continue. “How about you leave the planning of your getaway to me. I would construct the perfect weekend for the two of you! I could even make it a week, if you’d like.” Bulma winked.
“You won’t know a thing about it, so he won’t be able to question you!” The bluenette continued, knowing her plan couldn’t fail.
“You know,” Ellery thought for a moment. “That just might work!” Smiling at her friend, the young woman thanked Bulma for her generosity.
“Anything for you guys!” The bluenette relaxed into the couch, grabbing the remote from the end table. “I just want to see you two happy, and if this is what it takes then so be it! When do you think he’ll be back?”
“I’m not sure.” Ellery answered honestly as she helped Bulla with her body position. The Saiyan woman lifted the young girl’s arms up high.
“I planned on introducing him to the team at the quarterly meeting. Goku knows it’s important to me and the business, so I know he’ll be there. At least he’d better be. I’ve got investors coming to the meeting. They’re intrigued on the martial arts portion of the studio. The meeting is scheduled for two weeks from today.”
“I’ll make the arrangements for that weekend.” Bulma excitedly clapped. “You guys are going to have a wonderful time!”
“Mama!” Bulla piped into the conversation. “Elly’s gotta teach me!”
“Oh! I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Bulma said with a chuckle. “Please continue with your session.”
“Looks like we’ll have to continue this conversation later.” Ellery smiled as she looked at her friend
Chapter 2: A Search for the Dragon Balls Begin!
Chapter Text
Ellery and Bulla played nonstop for most of the weekend. Bulma was surprised her friend didn’t grow tired of playing with her youngest by Sunday morning. After their little conversation on Friday however, she could understand why she loved playing with Bulla.
Being a human, Bulma felt exhausted raising two half-Saiyan children. She was thankful for any time her kids had with their father or his friends. Even with all the servants and help Bulma had around the place, Ellery was one of the biggest helpers of all. She played with little Bulla to the point of exhaustion.
Their final game of hide and seek had finally tired the half-Saiyan out. The young woman found the little bluenette hiding in a pile of stuffed animals, sound asleep. Ellery picked Bulla up from her fluffy make-shift bed. She gently laid the little bluenette into her bed, tucking her in for a much needed nap.
Ellery made her way to the kitchen, feeling Bulma’s aura there. “She finally tired herself out.” The young woman smiled. “I found her asleep in a pile of her stuffed animals. It was probably the cutest thing I’ve seen.”
“I wonder how long she’ll be down.” The bluenette chuckled. “I’m glad you two got a chance to play, she’s been talking about you for a couple of weeks now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Bulma smiled as she grabbed a few snacks from the counter. She took them into the living room, setting them between her and Ellery. “I think it’s because you can play with her until she’s tired. Only a couple people are able to do that, and I’m unfortunately not one of them.” The bluenette said with a laugh.
“Trunks plays well with her, but they usually end up doing some sort of training. Vegeta is the same way.” Bulma chuckled, thinking of the little training outfit Vegeta made for their daughter.
“Now that I’ve got some time, I’ll have to come over here for playdates.” Ellery gleamed as she opened the bag of kettle corn. “Lately, I’ve been using my free time babysitting Pan.”
“Oh?” Bulma questioned. “I figured Chi-Chi would be all over the babysitting department.”
The corners of Ellery’s mouth curled. “Chi-Chi has moved out of Gohan’s place. She’s living with her partner, Jean. I think that happened about four months ago? Since then, Kakarot and I have been taking most of the babysitting duties.”
“I bet he loves that.” The bluenette smiled. “I know Pan has her grandpa wrapped around her little finger. I’m just surprised Chi-Chi didn’t fight to babysit.”
“She did for a while.” The Saiyan woman admitted. “However, it seemed we were available every time they called. I remember Videl mentioning how nice it was to have reliable babysitters. I’m guessing Chi-Chi was canceling on them. It was happening when Jean and Chi-Chi started seeing each other. There would be several times I’d get calls from Videl at the last minute, asking to babysit Pan.”
“Hmm…” Bulma was a little surprised. Pan was the light of Chi-Chi’s life. She remembered when the little one was born, the grandmother went absolutely insane over her granddaughter. Perhaps it was her overbearing nature that caused Videl and Gohan to drift from her as babysitter. “At least you guys get the opportunity! Pan is a wonderful girl to be around.”
“It’s been great.” Ellery beamed. “Seeing Kakarot take on this role has been such a relief to me. I was a little worried at first since he tells stories of not raising his two sons. Watching how Pan and Kakarot are however, really helped ease my anxieties about him being a good dad.”
“The only downside of all this babysitting and little Saiyan playtime, is my baby fever has only gotten worse.” A saddened look took over the young woman’s face. “Interacting with Pan and Bulla brings me a lot of happiness. When I finish my day, I come home to a silence that’s deafening. I want to have the screams and giggles of children in my home too.”
“MOM!!”
“BULMA!!”
The bluenette perked up, looking around to find two half-Saiyan boys running towards them.
“Mom,” Trunks panted as he rounded the corner in the living room. He was covered in dirt, causing both women to wonder what they were up to. “Goten and I were wondering if we could go on an adventure!”
“What kind of adventure?” Bulma asked curiously.
“We want to find the Dragon Balls!” Goten excitedly clapped. “We’ve been training all day, and we want to see if Trunks and I can find them faster than last time!”
“Dragon Balls?” Ellery questioned.
“You’ve never heard of the Dragon Balls? Goku’s never told you about them?” Bulma was a little shocked the warrior never mentioned the wish orbs.
The Saiyan woman shook her head. “I don’t think so. Kakarot may have mentioned it in passing, but didn’t give me any detail as to what they are.”
Goten was the first one to speak. “The Dragon Balls allow you to make wishes!”
“Really??” Ellery’s interest was completely piqued. “You can make any wish you desire?”
“Shenron, the Dragon, is limited on his powers.” Bulma continued where the young Saiyan left off. “The Eternal Dragon’s powers have changed over the years as well. In the beginning, only one wish could be granted. Now that Dende is the Guardian of the Earth, Shenron is able to grant three wishes at a time, depending on the amount of strength the wishes take.
“Among his many powers, Shrenron also has a vast knowledge of many of the species in this Universe. The Dragon was a big help when we were trying to figure out the whole Super Saiyan God fiasco. Even though his powers are vast, they do have a limit as well. Shenron doesn’t know much about things that are outside of his jurisdiction. When we searched for the Super Dragon Balls, Shenron knew of their existence, but didn’t have any further intel on them.
“Of his many wish granting abilities, Shenron cannot kill an enemy that is stronger than him or his creator. However, he is able to revive multiple people at once who’ve lost their lives in battle. This wonderful power can only work once though, since the Eternal Dragon can’t make the same wish twice. Shenron unfortunately can’t revive someone who’s died of natural causes, or if they’ve passed over a year ago..
“There are seven orbs in all that need to be collected. After each summon, the Dragon Balls are scattered across the Earth. They’re inactive for a year after a successful summon. Once the year is up, you’re free to start looking for them again.”
“Wow Bulma! You sure do know a lot about the Dragon Balls!” Goten smiled. “Can we borrow your Dragon Radar?”
“I don’t see why not.” The bluenette smiled. Although she was worried for the boys, she knew most threats they could handle themselves. “It’s in the top left drawer in my desk. Make sure you’re careful, okay?”
“Duh Mom! We’re always careful. We’ll be back before Monday, I’ve got a good feeling about it this time!”
“Boys?” Ellery piped in, everyone turning to her.
“Yeah El?” Trunks asked.
“Do you mind if I go with you?” Ellery asked. “I’ve never seen these Dragon Balls before. After the week I’ve had I could use a little adventure. The only thing I ask is I get one little wish for myself.”
Trunks and Goten look at each other, taking it into consideration. “Okay!” The boys say in unison.
“We can each have a wish, it’ll be perfect! Trunks looked at his friend excitedly.
“With your help, we should find them in no time!” Goten happily jumped, pumping his fist in the air
Ellery beamed at the two boys. “Awesome! I’ll get my stuff ready!”
With the Saiyan woman’s help, Trunks and Goten were able to find all seven orbs before the night was over. Although they couldn’t count it as a win to their official record, it was nice to have the Dragon Balls so quickly. The trio sat on Bulma’s lawn, arranging the orbs in a pattern. Ellery watched with fascination.
“So what are you gonna wish for, Ellery?” Goten asked.
“You first.” The Saiyan woman looked at the younger version of her mate, not wanting to tell him what the wish was going to be used for. She felt it was a little selfish to wish for such a thing, when she could have almost anything she wanted.
“I think I wanna do something nice for my mom.” Goten mentioned with a smile. “I know she’s moved in with her new partner. Jean is very nice, but her place only has one bedroom. I want to get them a new house, big enough for everyone to visit.”
“That’s a fantastic wish, Goten.” Ellery gleamed at the younger Saiyan before turning to his purple haired counterpart. “What about you, Trunks?”
Trunks looked conflicted as he took his time answering Ellery. “I’m not really sure. I was doing this to help Goten, but now I kind of want to help my Dad.”
“Your Dad?” Ellery questioned.
“I know it’s something he would never think to summon Shenron for when he’s home. Dad talks about his tail sometimes and how he thought it made him a better fighter. I want to give him his tail back.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. Could that be the key to helping my problem as well? Ellery thought to herself. “Are you going to ask for just your father’s tail?”
“I think so.” Trunks thought out loud. “I don’t remember having my tail, and I think it’d be irresponsible to give tails to any of the little Saiyan’s. Bulla and Pan don’t need to wreck the house just because they looked at a Full Moon. I know my Dad would handle it just fine.”
“I was thinking.” Ellery looked at the violet haired Saiyan. “You could frame your wish in a certain way.”
“What do you mean?” Trunks’ brow raised.
“If you were specific with your wish, you could make it so Kakarot and your Father get their tails. Wishing for only full-blooded Saiyan’s to have their tails rules out any of you kids from the equation.”
“Wouldn’t that give you a tail too?” Goten asked curiously.
“It would.” Ellery could feel the corners of her mouth turning up. “I don’t have much memory of my tail, but I know it would bring me closer to my Saiyan heritage.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Trunks smiled. “Now, tell us your wish, and we’ll get this show on the road!”
The Sayan woman looked down, her hands touching her abdomen. “I don’t have a wish, per se. I would like to ask Shenron everything he knows about Saiyan conception.”
“Contraption?” Goten asked. “Isn’t that something you build?”
Ellery chuckled, looking at the young Saiyan. “Yes, you do build contraptions. But conception is… when two people try to have a baby together.” Unable to keep the gaze, She looks down once again. “We’ve been trying for some time. Since neither of us have any memory of our home world, I was wondering if there was a piece to the puzzle we were missing. I think he can help us.”
“So… You’re telling me I might get a baby brother or sister???” Goten questioned excitedly.
Ellery was surprised at how elated the younger Saiyan was about the news. “Hopefully in the future, you will have a little brother or sister.” She mentions with a gleam on her face.
“Well, what are we waiting for??” Trunks smiles. “Eternal Dragon, Shenron. By your name, I summon you forth!”
The sky turns black, devoid of any stars as lightning begins to encase the Dragon Balls on the ground. Ellery watched in fascination as a green Dragon appeared from the base of the orbs. He spanned well over one hundred feet. All the Saiyan woman could do was sit in awe in front of this incredible creature.
“I am the Eternal Dragon, Shenron. State your first wish, and I shall grant it.” The green dragon asked flatly.
Goten was the first to speak. “I wish for a nice house for my mother!” The young Saiyan spoke loudly to the Dragon. “Her and Jean are living in an apartment, and I want something better for them. Something with lots of room!”
“An easy request.” Shenron stated. “Your wish has been granted.”
From the sky above, a small capsule drops in front of Goten. Looking at the contraption, it almost looked like one of Bulma’s capsule homes. The young Saiyan quickly picked it up, placing it in his pocket for later.
“State your Second wish.” The Eternal Dragon mentioned.
Ellery gestured for Trunks to speak next. The young Saiyan looked nervous, almost as though he’d never spoken to the Dragon before. The purple-haired boy glanced at his feet as he spoke. “Shenron, I wish that all full-blooded Saiyan’s could get their tails back.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to wish for?” Shenron asked. “Saiyan’s use their tails in combat as a way to gain the upper hand on an enemy. Just giving that immense power to people of a warrior race could be dangerous.”
“Yes.” Trunks nodded in affirmation. “I know my Father, Goku, and Ellery are responsible enough to handle the power that’s given to them.
“Very well.” Shenron sighed before blinking.
Within a few moments, Ellery felt a tingling sensation originating on her lower back. As the young woman turned around, an ebony colored tail emerged from her. Suddenly, Ellery could feel her balance shifting as her tail instinctively wrapped around her waist. She could also feel her aura pulsating. Her new appendage had a lot more effect on the Saiyan woman than she originally thought it would.
“State your third wish. I don’t have much time.” Shenron stated.
The two boys looked at Ellery in anticipation. The young woman became nervous in an instant.
“Any day now.” Shenron said impatiently.
“What can you tell me about… Saiyan conception. Please, tell me everything.”
“A strange request.” Shenron’s brow raised. “But very well. I shall tell you everything I know. Saiyan’s residing on Planet Vegeta have a specific mating cycle. Saiyan’s can only mate during a Full Moon cycle. The chances of conception in between those times are slim to none. Certain cases have occured, but doing so can be detrimental to the life of the child and mother.”
“Only two Saiyan’s who have completed the Mating Ritual are able to conceive children. This was to stop the Planet from running rampant with Saiyan’s. Two Saiyan’s who wish to conceive children must give in to their natural instincts in front of each other. In showing their mate their true desires and fantasies, the two Saiyan’s become closer as a couple and the result is the conceiving of a child. This process can become dangerous for the Planet, since Saiyan’s have a habit of transforming during a Full Moon.
“This is all of my knowledge on the subject. Your three wishes have been granted. Farewell”
Shenron dematerialized into a golden dust before the seven orbs flew into the air. With a loud bang and flash of light, the Dragon Balls scattered themselves across the Earth.
The two boys looked at Ellery, who had a new glow about her features. The tail she just acquired made a home wrapped around her waist. Trunks was the first to say something. "Shenron wasn't very clear on what you needed to do…"
"Yeah.." Goten agreed. "I barely understood a word Shenron said."
The Saiyan woman could barely contain her happiness. Unlike the two boys, Ellery soaked up every word from Shenron. She knew exactly what her plan of attack was going to be. “It’s okay boys. I think I got something from what he said. Now, why don’t we do some training?”
“Sure!” Trunks and Goten yelled simultaneously.
Chapter 3: The Wishes were Granted! Time for Goten's Surprise!
Chapter Text
Trunks and Goten found the perfect spot just outside of West City to place his mother's home. It was a relatively short distance from both of their jobs, as well as Capsule Corp.. The half-Saiyan looked at the capsule, hoping Jean and his mother would love the present he was giving them. “You really think this is a good spot?”
“Sure it is!” Trunks nodded. “It’s close to their work, your brother’s house, and even my house. I don’t think we could get a better place, Goten.”
“You’re right.” The younger half-Saiyan clicked the top of the capsule, tossing it in front of them. A bright metal building popped out of the pod, surprising both boys at how it looked.
“This doesn’t look like your average house??” Trunks admitted. “Maybe we should’ve just asked my Mom for a Capsule Home.”
“It’s a little too late for that Trunks!” Goten yelled, seeing Jean’s car driving up to the building. “They’re already here!”
Chi-Chi and Jean pull up to the building, staying in the car for a few moments. This only added to the half-Saiyan’s anxiety.
"Goten?" Chi-Chi looked at the building in shock. "What on Earth is this? When did you acquire a metal building?”
The two boys stood there quietly, looking towards each other.
“Is this why you had us come all the way out here?"
The Mother stood in front of a metal building that looked to be over 3,000 square feet with Jean next to her. The metal had been painted a green/teal color, while there were window sills painted a light blue. The white roof was sprinkled with Solar Panels. It almost looked like the place had been transformed into a home. The look was something Jean fell in love with from the moment she laid eyes on it.
The half-Saiyan was a little surprised at the reactions of his mother and partner. Goten thought they would be excited about the new home, but they seemed more worried than anything. “Well, Trunks wanted to look for the Dragon Balls…”
Chi-Chi’s eyes widened. “You asked Shenron to build you a building??”
“Kinda?.” Goten shrugged. “I know the place Jean and you live isn’t the biggest. I wanted all of our family to be able to visit. I asked Shenron to build a home for you and Jean. When Trunks and I opened the capsule, we were almost as surprised as you were.”
Jean looks at her partner, confused at their conversation. “Dragon Balls?”
“I’ll explain it later, sweetie.” Chi-Chi mentions with a bright smile. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Her youngest son has given her the greatest gift a mother could ask for. “So, shall we take a look inside??”
“Let’s go!!”
Jean, Chi-Chi, and Goten all run to the front doors. The half-Saiyan gives his mother the key, allowing her to open it. Inside the building was an open living space that gave way to an enormous kitchen. Large windows from behind the sink allowed natural light to peer through.
Looking around, Chi-Chi noticed two doors on the left and right in the living area. Moving towards one, she opens it to find a rather large bedroom with its own bathroom. The Mother quickly walked to the adjacent wall, seeing another large bedroom. Chi-Chi could feel tears coming to her eyes as her heart was filled with joy.
Following the wall on the left, she was met with a second door on the inner wall. As she opened it, her heart nearly burst. In this space was a large washer and dryer, along with enough space to fold, organize, and hang clothes with no trouble. Taking a good look around the room, the Mother noticed the laundry room was already fully stocked with supplies. Shenron really outdid himself. This is the best wish he’s ever granted!!!
After Chi-Chi exited the laundry room, she continued on her tour. Her eyes gazed towards the back, seeing how large the kitchen was. As she walked back, her excitement peaked as she saw the chrome appliances and marble countertops “This Kitchen is amazing!!” Chi-Chi exclaimed happily. “It’s almost as big as the one from my first home!”
Jean looks at her partner skeptically. “Why on Earth would you need a kitchen so big?? Were you feeding twenty people daily?”
“Sometimes it felt like it.” Chi-Chi laughed. “You’ve seen how Gohan and Goten eat. Their father was twice, if not three times as bad. I’ve gotten better at my portion sizes over the years, but I know when it’s just you and I at home, it seems none of the food gets eaten! It actually stays in the fridge for a period of time.”
Her partner’s eyes widened. “I can’t imagine washing all of those dishes! You must be a miracle worker.”
“Something like that.” Chi-Chi giggled before she hugged Jean. “We have a place we can call home now.”
Jean embraced Chi-Chi as she beamed, still unable to believe this was happening. It almost felt like a dream. Once the two pull away from each other, the professor looks at the half-Saiyan. “Goten, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to repay the kindness you’ve shown us. Seeing how happy this home makes your mother is something I never thought I could achieve. You are an extraordinary young man.” Jean embraced Goten, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.
Goten smiled as he hugged Jean back. “I’m glad you guys like it! Maybe now that the house is big enough my baby brother or sister can visit!!”
Chi-Chi’s brow raised, unsure of what her youngest was talking about. “What do you mean Goten? Mommy doesn’t plan on having anymore kids.”
The half-Saiyan’s eyes widened as though he’d said too much. Goten slowly backed away from his mother, watching her face change to one of frustration. “Uh…” Sighing, unable to think of a lie to backtrack himself out of this one, Goten decides to tell the truth. “I overheard Ellery talking to Bulma. Dad and her are trying to have a baby together.”
“THEY’RE WHAT????”
Jean watched her partner react to the news, seeing it affect her more than she would’ve liked. Chi-Chi quickly took a seat at the dining room table, beginning to hyperventilate. Jean rushed to her side, massaging her shoulders soothingly as she thought of the right words to say. “Are you feeling alright? You’re looking a little pale..”
“I just… Can’t believe it..” The mother stated, all happy tones drained from her voice.
“They’re been together for some time now, Chi.” Jean whispered. “It’s natural if things stray down that path for couples. Although I’d think your husband is a little old to be having children.”
“Oh that’s not a problem.” Goten piped in. “My dad’s a Saiyan. They live a lot longer than Humans do anyway.”
Now it was Jean’s turn to be surprised. “Why is it I’m just now learning your ex-husband wasn’t human?”
Goten could tell he definitely said too much at this point. Without another word, the half-Saiyan quickly escapes the room. He took a hold of Trunks hand and ran to pick out a bedroom for himself.
“I didn’t think it was important information.” Chi-Chi shrugged it off. “I’ve told you everything you need to know about him.”
“We’ve barely spoken ten words about the guy!” Jean accused. “Unless you want to count all of the complaining you did in the beginning of our relationship.”
“You’re saying that talking about my abusive relationship with my ex husband is complaining??”
Jean could tell Chi-Chi was beginning to get defensive. Knowing it was nearly impossible to talk to her in this state, the professor takes a deep breath. “All I’m saying is it’s natural to have these kinds of tough conversations. If you only talk about the bad things, it’s really hard to appreciate the good that came out of the relationship. You have two wonderful kids and a granddaughter that fills your life with joy. You couldn’t have achieved that without the help of your ex.”
“What are you trying to say, Jean?” The mother’s eyes squinted as her arms crossed.
“I’m saying, until your son told you about this, when was the last time you thought of Goku?”
Chi-Chi thought for some time. In the last year or so, she’d noticed her focus had shifted from mourning the loss of her family to creating a new one with Jean. Since she was already good friends with her oldest, the transition was almost seamless. Until Goten mentioned his father, the older woman couldn’t remember the last time she thought of him.
“You know, I honestly can’t remember.” Chi-Chi sighed, uncrossing her arms as she looked at her partner.
“I guess I don’t understand why this took such a toll on you. You’ve been the happiest you’ve ever been, and because someone from your life is changing, you’re trying to put your happiness on hold? Because of an ex-husband? I want to understand why this hurts so much.”
“I’m sorry about my attitude.” The mother could feel tears in her eyes. “I guess I should start from the beginning.”
“That’d be helpful.” Jean takes Chi-Chi’s hands in hers.
“Goku and I met when we were practically teenagers.” Chi-Chi began, her eyes looking years behind her. “He saved me when my father’s home was burning down. At first, I just thought he was some country bumpkin. Hell, he didn’t know I was a girl!” The mother chuckled. “Fast forward a few years later, and Goku ends up saving me once again! This time, he’d changed somehow. His strength had nearly quadrupled since the last time I saw him and I just fell head over heels.”
“I remember telling him I was going to become his bride someday. He agreed instantly, not knowing what it meant.”
“What did he think marriage was??”
“Some kind of food.” Chi-Chi laughed. “The man was obsessed with eating, and had quite the appetite to match. We parted ways again. Five years later we met at a martial arts tournament. I never forgot about his promise, while he completely forgot who I was until I mentioned my name. Reminding Goku of the agreement we made five years ago, he asked me to marry him.”
“And the two of you were together for thirty-five years?????”
“Yeah? Why?”
Jean was trying her best not to laugh. “It’s amazing the two of you lasted thirty-five days, let alone years.”
“Ouch Vegeta!” Goku rubbed the back of his head as he pulled himself out of the rockwall. Looking behind him, the warrior saw a perfect impression of his body on the rock that he crashed into. “You know, I didn’t think you’d be this far ahead of me with your training. Boy was I wrong!”
“You’re not trying Kakarot because you’re distracted. Even the boost in power from getting your tail back hasn’t helped.” Vegeta scoffed at his sparring partner. The Prince was surprised to see his fellow Saiyan appear to train again. From the moment Goku stepped foot on the planet, he’s had a gray cloud chasing him around.
“You’ve been here for over a week moping, but won’t say a word about what’s got you so down. So spit it out!”
Goku found a large rock, taking a seat on it as he thought about telling Vegeta his problem. “I’d feel better if we just sparred, if I’m being honest.”
“And I’ll be honest, Kakarot. Your ‘sparring’, if you can even call it that, has been mediocre at best.” The Prince crossed his arms as he looked at Goku. “Something’s not letting you train to your best ability, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it!”
Goku sighed, looking towards the sky, unable to look Vegeta in the eye. “If I tell you, can you promise not to say anything?”
Vegeta raised a brow. “Keeping secrets from your mate can only end badly, Kakarot.”
The warrior took a deep breath. “It’s not me keeping secrets from her. She wanted to keep this a secret from everyone else.” Goku paused once again, looking up at his sparring partner. Vegeta was probably one of the few people that could actually help. Being Ellery’s older brother, it made Goku nervous talking to him about this subject.
“Ellery and I have been trying to conceive a child. She didn’t want our friends to know until it happened. This way we could keep it a surprise. But after two years of waiting and failed attempts, I’m kind of at a loss. I know how devastated she is every time she takes one of those damned tests. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel like I’m the cause of it all. I had my first two kids without trying or knowing what I did.”
“I was barely there to help raise Gohan. Chi-Chi did most of the work. Hell, Goten was eight years old before I saw him for the first time. I’m beginning to think the Universe is trying to tell me I shouldn’t have another kid. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”
Vegeta was at a loss for words. He’d never seen the warrior so distraught before. “I doubt the Universe has a hand in your sex life.” The Prince scoffed, attempting to get Goku to laugh. However, the look on the Saiyan’s face didn’t change.
“Look Kakarot, I don’t really want to have this conversation with you. But since your mate happens to be my sister, I feel obligated to help you out.”
“Help me out??”
Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose. He already felt uncomfortable about what he was going to talk about. The Prince didn’t want to have to explain every step to this oblivious Saiyan. “Humans and Saiyans are a little different when it comes to their sexual endeavors. I’m sure you noticed that before the two of you mated. Did the way you did things change in the last two years?”
“Well, now that you mention it.” Goku rubbed the back of his head. “We’ve been doing things the way Chi-Chi and I did. I knew it worked the first two times, I figured it’d work a third!”
Vegeta walked closer to the warrior. He clenched his fist and hit Goku as hard as he could on the back of the head. “You idiot!!!”
“Damnit Vegeta!!!” Goku yelled as he rubbed the bump that immediately began to appear. “Was that necessary??”
“Of course it was! The Universe gave you a brain for a reason! I’m hoping to fucking turn it on if I rattle it hard enough.”
“That was a little harsh.” The warrior nearly pouted.
The Prince rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in the process. “I guess I shouldn’t blame you. I thought you’d figure it out yourself, since the two of you seemed to be getting along very well before this.”
“So there is something I’m doing wrong?”
“Like I was trying to say, Humans and Saiyan’s are very different, as are their taste’s in the bedroom.” Vegeta began, taking a seat on the ground. His arms were still tightly crossed around his chest. “How were things before the two of you tried to conceive?”
“They were amazing.” Goku mused. “Every time was just as exciting and thrilling as our first time together. There was even one time she surprised me and overpowered me…” The warrior could feel his blood beginning to rush. “That was a magical night.”
Vegeta couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of his sister being stronger than his rival. “That is something crucial to a Saiyan relationship. Testing each other’s limits is something you need to do to keep the magic alive. Now is the time to explore your physical relationship all over again. You are able to hear her thoughts, Kakarot. Use that to your advantage.”
“I think you know what to do.. You just need to stop letting your nerves get in the way of your Saiyan instincts.” Vegeta looked up towards his sparring partner. “Just relax, take her feelings into consideration, and allow your instincts to guide you instead of that damned brain of yours. Allow her into your mind as well, Kakarot. Perhaps she’s not fulfilling a hidden desire of yours. She can’t know about it unless it’s communicated.”
“You’re usually right when I come to you for advice, Vegeta. I guess I should actually take it this time.” Goku said with a laugh. The warrior’s cheeks were a bright red, thinking of his mate back on Earth.
“Are you boys done with your little pow wow?” Whis asked.
The two Saiyan’s jumped, forgetting they were in the middle of training. “Sorry, Whis.” They both say in unison.
“Well, I guess I should give you a pass, since it’s Friday after all.” The Deity said with a chuckle.
“Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been here for a week already.” Goku mentioned as the gears began to turn in his mind. Wasn’t there something I was supposed to do this Friday?
“OH CRAP!” the Saiyan warrior yelled. “Whis, I gotta go! Thank you so much for training me this week.” Goku bowed before quickly placing two fingers to his forehead.
Vegeta and Whis look at each other in surprise.
“Do you have any idea what that was about?” The Deity asked.
“Not a clue.” Vegeta shook his head, standing to continue his training.
Chapter 4: Ellery has a Surprise for Goku!
Chapter Text
"Alright! I'd like to start this quarterly meeting by saying ``Welcome to The Harmony Center, because we have some new faces with us this time around." Ellery beamed towards her employees. The young woman's yoga studio opened nearly two years ago. In that time, The Harmony Center has grown exponentially.
Her staff going from five to nearly twenty in the last couple years has been more than hectic for Ellery. With the addition of this last batch of employees however, a huge weight has been taken off the young business owner's shoulders. Salla, Garmen, and Bedde are exceptional workers. Thanks to these ladies in the last month, Ellery began stepping back and taking a more executive role in her business.
"I know most people would be spending their Friday afternoons with their families. I plan on making this meeting short and sweet."
Ellery glanced around the room, seeing all of her faculty. Yoga Instructors, Massage Therapists, Chakra Aligners, receptionists, and even the behind the scenes personnel that help with payroll. The young woman had a habit of going a little overboard for the quarterly meetings. Inspired by Bulma's raging parties, Ellery has the employees invite their entire families for food and fun. There are some attractions along with enough food to feed an army. The young business owner didn't believe in keeping all of the profits to herself. Instead, she puts the money back into her business via employee morale and ensuring The Harmony Center remains the state of the art studio it deserves to be.
"Salla has been a wonderful addition to our chakra alignment program, as well as our yoga classes. She's never afraid to ask questions and is eager to learn. With her help, we've been able to add more classes to the studio on the weekends. Clients have nothing but kind words to say about her. I'd like everyone to welcome Salla to the team." Ellery turned to the right, smiling at the young woman. A tall being with fiery red curls stood from her chair and waved to the group. As Ellery took a good look around the room, she noticed there was an important person missing from this meeting.
Where are you, Kakarot? Ellery thought as the group clapped for Salla.
"We also have our wonderful part-time receptionist, Bedde. She's been able to assist Pilla with many of the day to day tasks. These two have become innovation machines! With their help, I never have to worry about inaccuracies in numbers or payments. They are the ones responsible for making sure all accounts are paid and up to date. Pilla and Bedde are the face of this company just as much as the instructors that teach the classes. Their expertise in customer relations has made sure every client is happy from the moment they set foot in the building. These ladies make our waiting room look like a seamless machine." Ellery smiled at the three ladies she mentioned, gesturing for them to stand.
The young woman suddenly felt another presence in the room. An orange dressed figure stood in the corner, his arms crossed but his lips were turned in a smile. I told you I'd make it, Princess. Goku thought, listening to the cheers around the room. .
You also said you'd be on time. Ellery bantered with her partner without missing a beat in her speech.
"Another new face you may see around here is Garmen. They are doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Garmen helps me with paperwork, payroll, and everything in between. They've been a tremendous help in keeping all of the books on track and I want to thank them for their amazing work. Thank you, Garmen!"
"These ladies have allowed me to finally take a step back. I wanted to see how you guys can run day to day operations. Needless to say, you guys have exceeded my expectations! You've practically been running The Harmony Center for a month without my help." The young woman chuckled. Looking at the happy faces around her filled Ellery with a warm feeling that allowed her to continue excitedly.
Come on sweetheart. No one even noticed me come in! They're all fixed on you. How could they not be? Goku smiled, watching a blush rise to his mate's cheeks. While the Saiyan wasn't sure why Ellery asked him to come, he knew it was important to her.
"The Harmony Center grows in clients every week because of your wonderful souls. I hear nothing but praise from each of you on how professional and helpful you are. To show my appreciation to you guys, in addition to the monthly retreat, everyone will be receiving a raise! I just ask that you keep up the good work. Together I think we're capable of accomplishing great things!"
The crowd cheered for their boss happily. As Ellery looked across the group, she noticed many smiles. Some employees were even tearing up at the news. Don't think I'm letting you off the hook for this. Ellery looked towards the back of the room, seeing Goku's eyes widen.
"The last thing I want to mention is the new and exciting program we have coming to The Harmony Center." Ellery watched the room, seeing quite a few confused faces from across the space. Sophai raised her hand from the left corner. The young woman acknowledged her with a nod.
"Does this have anything to do with those platforms outside?" Sophai, one of the Advanced Yoga Instructors asked.
"I'm actually glad you asked." Ellery beamed. "With the World Martial Arts Tournament being held in this beautiful city, I think it's about time we started catering to them as well! Starting next week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Harmony Center will be hosting Martial Arts classes. I think this is a great opportunity to get more clients through the door, along with a wider range of clientele."
"But we don't have anyone here that knows Martial Arts. Who will teach the classes?" Kimichi questioned.
Ellery looked to the back of the room in the man in orange. A huge smile spread across her lips as she turned the attention to her partner. "Many of you have met my partner, Goku." The young woman gestured to the warrior in back. "Those who haven't, he's right there in the back." Ellery said with a chuckle.
"Goku has been studying Martial Arts for the greater part of his life. When this place was built, my partner thought it would be a good idea to put the platforms in. For the last couple years, we've been using them to train with Goku's sons' and his friends. We wanted to make sure they could withstand anything we could throw at them." Ellery observed her wide-eyed partner, chuckling to herself as she felt his nervousness creep into her mind.
"The classes will start at the beginning of next month, and go all the way up to the World Martial Arts Tournament. Since everyone here has been such a wonderful help, any employee who would like to take Goku's class can do so free of charge."
"Are there any questions?" The young business owner asked her group of employees.
After waiting a few moments in silence, Ellery smiled and clapped her hands together. "Okay! If everyone follows the lovely attendants at the door, there will be food and fun waiting in the usual spot!"
The group hurried out of the room, eager to see what Ellery came up with this time.
Goku watched everyone file out of the room. He was so proud of his mate for everything she's accomplished. "You did amazing up there." The warrior made his way to the front of the room where Ellery was standing. The Saiyan woman beamed, her arms opened for her mate to walk into. As the couple embraced, Goku leaned down, kissing the top of Ellery's head.
"Thank you." Ellery lifted her gaze, meeting the warrior's eyes in front of her.
"Are you ready to join the party?" Goku asked.
"I had a better idea." The Saiyan woman smirked. "How about we leave the party to the employees, they deserve every bit of it." Ellery leaned closer to her mate. She could feel waves of different emotions crashing over her. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment was the first thing to hit her, followed by waves of happiness and even excitement.
"What did my Princess have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking we would go away for the weekend, just the two of us." Ellery smiled.
"Maybe this month we won't be disappointed when we look at that little blue and white magic stick."
"Just because it tells me whether I'm pregnant or not, doesn't mean it's magic." The young woman laughed loudly. The chuckles got the better of her. She distanced herself from her mate, Ellery's hands resting on her knees as she bent over in near guffaws.
"It might as well be cursed…" Goku sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "The first two times I had children, I wasn't even trying!"
"Don't get discouraged, Kakarot." Ellery whispered as she closed the distance between them once again. The young woman's hands ran up the man's chest, their final destination was wrapped around his neck. "There is a time and place for everything in this life. It will happen when life is ready to give us this blessing. For now, we should appreciate the alone time we have together. It won't be like this forever" She beamed up at her partner.
"You always know what to say to make me feel better." Goku smiled as he leaned down, capturing his mate's lips in a glorious kiss. "So, what did you want to do this weekend?"
Ellery's smirk widened as she began to play with the small ebony hairs on the back of Goku's neck. "I'm already a step ahead of you."
"Oh?" Goku asked, confused. He searched his mate's aura for any signs of a surprise, but it was completely empty. "How can you be one step ahead?"
"When you have the greatest friend in the world, anything's possible." Ellery laughs as she kisses her mate's lips. "Bulma planned the entire thing for me. All we have to do is pick up the destination packet from her on the way out of town. She grabbed our luggage this morning."
"Who woulda thought you'd be able to pull one over on me like that." Goku chuckled before returning the kiss passionately. "I love the idea. Let's get out of here."
"Use the blue? Please." Bulla pointed to the royal blue nail polish in her mother's hands.
"Of course." The bluenette placed the other bottles to the side. Bulma was having fun pampering her daughter. When she wasn't in the mood to 'wrestle' with her brother, the young Saiyan enjoyed playing dress up. She even allowed her Mom to do her nails, hair and makeup.
"Do you want this color on your hands and toes?"
"Blue on hands, pink on toes!" Bulla smiled happily.
"Good choice." Bulma gleamed as she opened the blue, starting with her tiny fingers.
Suddenly, two figures appeared beside them, startling Bulma and making Bulla jump.
"Hey Bulma!" Goku waved happily at his best friend.
"I should've known it was you." the bluenette rolled her eyes, yet still had a smile on her face. "Glad to see you made it back!"
"We're all ready for this weekend." Ellery said with a bright smile, unable to control her excitement.
"Oh yeah!" Bulma remembered. "I've got all the info in a manilla folder. It's on the counter in the kitchen."
"I'll get it." Goku kissed his mate's cheek before quickly exiting the room.
Ellery looked at her friend, still beaming from ear to ear. "I can't thank you enough for this."
"No need to thank me." Bulma smiled. "I just want you guys to have fun!"
Goku came back into the room, a confused look on his face as he read through some of the papers. "Bulma, this map is great. However, it doesn't tell me how to get there. I can't teleport somewhere unless I have a good sense of direction and an energy to lock on to."
"That's because you don't need to use your silly Instant Transmission. I've taken care of that for you as well." the bluenette snickered before standing from her position on the floor. She walks to the french doors along the back wall. "NIMBUS!"
"Hey! You can't call my Flying Nimbus!" Goku yelled at his friend. "It only works for me!"
As if to spite the warrior, a bright yellow object could be seen racing toward their location. The Flying Nimbus quickly landed in front of Bulla, Bulma, and her two friends.
"Did you find the place okay, Nimbus?" the bluenette inquired.
The puff of air and water vapor rose up and down, almost as if it was nodding to Bulma.
Turning to face the couple, the woman gleamed. She was more than proud of her full proof plan. "I can't have the two of you knowing where you're headed. Just relax, and have fun! It's going to be a great weekend, or week if you like! Stay as long as you want." Bulma looked at her watch, her eyes widening. "You'd better get going! I told them you'd be arriving soon. They're going to have dinner ready for you."
"Great! I'm starving!" Goku exclaimed happily. The warrior quickly hopped onto the golden cloud. Looking towards his mate, he raised a hand to take hers. "Are you ready to go, Princess?"
"Actually." Bulma interrupted. "I have a little something to give her. Goku, stay here and watch Bulla for me." The bluenette looked at her friend with a sly smile. "Will you come with me to my room, El?"
"Uh, sure?" Ellery raised a brow in curiosity, but still followed her friend to her bedroom. Once they were out of the room, the young woman looked at Bulma. "What exactly are you giving me?"
"Just wait and see. It'll help you this weekend." The bluenette mentions with a sly grin still on her face.
"Okay?." The two quickly reached the master bedroom. Bulma walks over to the end table next to her side of the bed. She pulls out a sealed white bag, a little bigger than her palm. The plastic package had a green plus symbol on the front of it, intriguing Ellery.
Under the sign, The young woman noticed the numbers 1:5, and 100mg. "What is in here exactly, Bulma?"
"It's something I use to help Vegeta relax every once in a while." The bluenette said with a laugh. "The man is so tense all the time. On nights when I can tell it's overwhelming, I'll give him one or two of these. He's up for just about anything that's thrown at him, even dressing up with Bulla." Bulma laughs hysterically, remembering the one and only time she convinced Vegeta to dress up as a Princess.
"There's two pieces of chocolate in here. Each of you takes one after dinner on the night of a Full Moon. If I planned this right, the moon should be full tonight or tomorrow night."
"Are you sure this is safe?" Ellery asked skeptically.
"Of course it is!" Bulma nodded. "I promise, it'll be perfectly fine. I'm hoping it'll help fight that little problem you've been having. If these can get Vegeta to relax and lighten up, I'm convinced they can do just about anything." The bluenette laughed.
"You're the best, Bulma." Ellery smiled.
"I know." She chuckled. 'Now, get on the road! You two have a weekend getaway to attend!"
Chapter 5: A Much Needed Vacation
Chapter Text
The wind was chilly against Ellery’s face as she and Goku floated across the ocean. While she was curious as to where they were headed, the young woman didn’t care how long it took to reach their destination. With her mate holding her close, whispering sweet nothings into her ear as she looked over the horizon, Ellery felt like she was in a dream. She wanted to pinch herself to ensure she was still alive.
closing her eyes, the Saiyan woman allowed herself to relax for the first time in weeks. Having her partner next to her was pure bliss compared to them being separated. When Goku arrived at the meeting, the young woman immediately felt a difference in his energy. After weeks of training, the change in his aura was palpable to Ellery. She never realized how empty she could feel inside without her mate. Now with his energy so different than she felt before, it was like she was next to a stranger.
The couple didn’t speak for several moments. The young woman could feel her mate’s hands roaming her body, reaclimating himself to her aura. Ellery could feel the warmness coming back to her body. She once again felt complete with her mate’s aura complimenting hers.
“My beautiful Princess.” Goku whispered, his arms wrapped around his mate. The warrior’s tail had a mind of its own, beginning to stroke Ellery’s thigh slowly.
The Saiyan woman scanned her mate’s mind, not sensing any of his previous anxieties. Her own tail intertwined with Goku's, causing shivers to run down her spine. “Looks like that training with Beerus and Whis did you some good. You’re even more relaxed than the last time we spent the weekend in the Time Chamber.”
“It allowed me to blow off a little steam.” Goku chuckled. “I’m sorry I caused you to worry though. I sensed your concern even from half the Universe away.” The warrior rested his head against Ellery’s shoulder.
“I felt a weakness when I couldn’t fulfill our desire to have a child. It’d been a long time since I’d felt this powerless. After talking with Vegeta and doing some training, it helped me clear my mind and I was able to see what was important.”
“And that is?” The young woman asked.
“You, and the family we’re trying to create together.” Goku’s head nuzzled into his partner’s neck. “The beginning of our relationship was some of the most fun I’d had in my life, aside from my training. Everything was new and I was learning so much about you. Over these last two years, I’d lost sight of that. Instead of getting to know you better, I went back into a familiar pattern because I knew it would give me results.”
Ellery’s eyes widened as she listened to her partner. “I’ve never heard you talk like this. Who are you, and what have you done with my Kakarot?”
Goku laughed, holding Ellery tighter to him. “I guess to make a Saiyan baby, I have to think like one. There isn’t a need to train right now. No villain has come to Earth to destroy it in a while, and the Universe has Lord Beerus or Vegeta if things really get too crazy. I want to focus on doing this right my second time around. I need to get in touch with my Saiyan side. I’ve been neglecting my own instincts for too long.”
“I like the way you think.” Ellery said with a smirk. “But I don’t want you to completely stop your training. I know how important it is. You and Vegeta are the strongest in the Universe. We need you to stay at peak condition in case something does happen. Just don’t leave for weeks at a time without some kind of notice.”
“I can do that.” Goku laughed.
The way their tails were brushing against each other was causing the Saiyan woman’s body to quake. “I am definitely liking these tails.”
“Yeah!” Goku exclaimed happily “It was the strangest thing. Vegeta and I were sparring the other day, then our tails just appeared out of thin air!”
“I may have had a small hand in that.” Ellery said with a smile. “It was Trunks’ idea originally. He wanted to give Vegeta his tail back. I asked him to expand his wish to the Full-Blooded Saiyans. I knew how much having your tail meant to you. We talk about them nearly once a week.” A giggle escaped Ellery’s lips. “It was the least I could do.”
“You truly are amazing, you know that?” The warrior’s eyes were wide in astonishment. “Over all these years, I never thought to ask Shenron to bring my tail back!”
“Trunks and Goten are sweet kids.” The Saiyan woman mentioned. “Your son’s wish was to get a home for Chi-Chi and her partner.”
“Really??”
Ellery nodded. “I thought it was a gr
eat wish! He said Jean’s place was nice, but not big enough for Gohan and his family to visit.”
Goku smiles, feeling nothing but proud of his son. He was glad Chi-Chi had people looking out for her. “What did the boys use their third wish for?” Goku noticed his partner suddenly became quiet, even her thoughts began to silence themselves. This caused the warrior’s brow to raise. “The boys didn’t get the third wish, did they?”
“No… I did.” Ellery mentioned timidly.
“Oh?” Saiyan inquired. “What did my Princess wish for?”
It was a few moments before Ellery could answer. She was nervous to tell her partner that she wasted a wish. “I asked Shenron about Saiyan conception.”
“Really??” The warrior’s brows raised. “What did he have to say?”
“It sounds like the same thing Vegeta told you.” Ellery said with a chuckle. “Saiyan’s are only supposed to conceive during a Full Moon. We must give in to our instincts, revealing our true selves to each other. Fulfilling each other's deepest desires and strengthening our bond is the best way to conceive a child.”
The feeling of anxiety began to creep on the Saiyan. The thing he desired most, was something he didn’t feel he could trust with anyone. As the warrior moved his head, he noticed the land below them had given way to the ocean. “I wonder where Bulma planned our weekend away.”
“I’m not sure.” Ellery admitted. “I told her not to tell me a thing. This way I would be able to keep it a secret a lot easier.”
“So that’s how you got away with it.” Goku smirked.
“It helped that I haven’t seen you in a couple weeks.” Ellery gave her mate a playful frown. “I missed my Kakarot.”
“I missed you too, Princess. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Our family is coming before my training.” The Saiyan kissed his mate’s cheek, before staring into the endless ocean. After a few minutes, an island became visible to the couple. The Flying Nimbus began his descent as the island came closer. Goku’s stomach began to rumble, alerting both Saiyan’s that he was hungry.
“Man, I’m glad there’s gonna be food ready when we get there, I’m starving!”
“I’m bored..”
“Me too… We’ve gotta think of a new game!”
The Omni Kings were interacting with their planet tables. Every move on this board shifted things in real life. Zeni and Zeno flick planets, moons, and asteroids across the board. Sometimes this causes them to collide, resulting in the destruction of several planets per game. After playing this for several hours, the Kings of Everything were tired of it.
Zeni looks at their companion, thinking of new ideas. "We could have another tournament?"
"I like the idea!" Zeno contemplated. "But what if we changed it up?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well.." Zeni thought. "Instead of watching a ton of fights at once, we could hold individual competitions."
"That'd take a long time, Zeni…" Zeno pointed out.
"That's the point!" The Omni King smiled. " The longer the Tournament is, the more fun we can have!"
"Okay?"
"Each Universe finds their strongest fighters. Once they're found, We pull two random Universes out of a hat and they'll compete against each other! The winner of the battle will go on to fight the other winners! This goes on until we have a single winner, who will be granted the Super Dragon Balls."
"Hmmm" The Omni King thought his companions' idea through. "I like the idea. However, I think it'd be cooler to have all twelve compete."
Zeno smiled. "Well, last time we left out the Universes with average mortal levels. You’re saying we should have them all compete together? I don’t think it’d be very fair on the other Universes."
“We need to speak to the Grand Minister, he could help us!”
"Oooh, Yes!!!" Zeni clapped. "We need to speak to the Grand Minister right away! He could help with our idea!!"
"Yes! Let's talk to the Grand Minister!!"
The two Omni Kings ran from their game room quickly. The partners in crime were too excited about their next adventure to wait another second. It took only seconds for the two beings to reach the Grand Minister’s office.
Zeni knocked on the door rapidly. “Grand Minister!!”
The handle turned on the office door quickly. “What do I owe the pleasure of this visit, sires?”
“May we come in?” The Omni Kings say in unison.
“Of course.” The Grand Minister steps aside to let Zeni and Zeno into his office. He follows them in, ensuring they’re comfortable in their chairs before sitting into his own.
“Now, what’s the reason you two are stopping by my office? It’s rare I can get you out of the game room these days.”
“That’s the thing.” Zeni began.
“We’re starting to get bored in the game room.” Zeno continued.
“And we want to play another game with ALL of the Universes!” Zeni clapped happily.
“You’re suggesting another Tournament of Power?”
“Kind of, but the Tournament was too short.” Zeno mentioned.
“We were thinking of some type of One on One Tournament, like Universe Seven does! Warriors from all Universes can come and compete!”
“Is this another game to rid the cosmos of weaker life forms?”
The Omni Kings considered the High Priest’s question. “No.” They said unison.
“We just want to watch them compete against each other.” Zeno added. "The Tournament of Power was a lot of fun! We want to see something even more exciting!"
The Grand Minister contemplated the Omni Kings proposal. It was a good way to ensure each Universe had warriors to fight for it. If done correctly, it could comradery across the Cosmos, allowing them to prosper in peace. “All of the Cosmos competing in one on one battles? That seems like it would take a long time, sires.”
“We know. That’s why we only want the best of the best to play in the one on one tournament. The rest of the Universes can battle for those spots!”
“Hmmm… This is an interesting proposal.” The Grand Minister thought. “I will have to speak with some of the Angels, but I’m sure we can figure something out that will satisfy everyone.” Smiling at the Omni Kings, the High Priest stood from his desk. “I think it’s about time we began a little friendly competition between everyone. This sounds like the perfect idea!”
“Hooray!” The Omni Kings clap in unison excitedly. “We love watching battles!”
“Man, that really hit the spot!” Goku rubbed his stomach as he leaned back in the chair. The few servants that were in the dining room were staring at the warrior with looks of awe. Never before had they watched a being consume so much food and not explode. The servants began to wonder how the man looked so ripped while eating so much food.
“A-Are you finished, sir?” Winda, the one on the left asked.
“Yes, and tell the chef thank you for a delicious meal! I don’t think I could eat another bite!”
The two servants nodded and quickly began taking stacks of plates off the table. Goku looked at his partner. His stomach was full, but his eyes were hungry for the treat in front of him. “Whaddya say we go check out that beach?”
“Is it safe for us to be out so close to a Full Moon?” Ellery asked curiously.
Goku nodded. “Only when the Moon is completely full, is there any real danger. I can check with the staff here. Bulma mentioned something about them knowing when the Full Moon will be.”
“The Full Moon will be tomorrow night.” Goku heard a timid voice speak from the corner. The warrior turned his head to see a young girl standing there, almost as if she were scared to move.
“Thank you.” The Saiyan mentions, his smile lighting up his face.
Ellery looked at the young girl, a little concerned. “Is everything alright?”
“I’ve just never seen a being eat so much…”
Goku’s laugh filled the entire room. “You know what they say! You gotta eat if you wanna grow big and strong!” The warrior flexed his muscles as he stood, causing his partner to roll her eyes.
“Let’s get to that beach.” Ellery shook her head, chuckling at the way her partner was acting.
The warrior nodded, taking his partner’s hand. The two walk out the french doors next to the dining room. The sky was full of stars, helping light up the darkness. A nearly Full Moon could be seen to the couple’s right. Goku took a deep breath, the salty air stung his nostrils, along with the alluring scent his mate was giving off.
“You smell delicious.”His lips beginning at Ellery’s shoulder, the Saiyan began to kiss a trail around her body. The couple stopped walking. Making his way towards her neck, the warrior’s lips slowly kissed to their destination. He could feel the Blutz waves from the Moon fueling his desire.
The feeling of her mate’s lips only added to Ellery’s need. However, tonight was not the night to begin acting out their wanton desires. Instead, The young woman’s plan was to learn exactly what her partner was into. If there was something she could do to enhance their experience, Ellery was willing to try it. “Kakarot… I thought you said you wanted to go to the beach.”
“We’ll get there.” Goku whispered against her skin.
The Saiyan woman began to walk, pulling her mate along with her. She could hear his disgruntled noises from behind her, but she paid it no mind. Ellery had a plan. “If we stop walking, we’ll never get there.”
“I guess you’re right.” The warrior mentioned with a sigh as he followed behind his partner. It didn’t take long for the couple to reach the sandy beaches on the edge of the island.
Ellery took her shoes off, the feeling of the sand between her toes was indescribable. She began to spin in the sand, a huge smile on her face. The young woman caught a glimpse of the Moon, stopping her in her tracks. The white orb in the sky was mesmerizing to Ellery.
Goku watched his partner in astonishment. Her ebony hair somehow glistened in the moonlight, as did her olive colored skin. The warrior took a slow step towards Ellery. “You look amazing under the moonlight.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself..” Ellery beamed as she walked to her mate. She wrapped her arms around his neck, fingers playing with the hairs at the base of his neck. “Tell me something.”
“Anything.” Goku’s voice came out as a purr, the Saiyan’s chest rumbling from the noise it was producing. He could feel her fingers working their magic, causing him to lean closer to her.
“Tell me your greatest desire.” Ellery whispered against his ear. “My Kakarot has to have something that tickles his fancy.”
It was a few moments before the warrior answered. Ellery could sense his mind fog with apprehension. Her left hand traveled down Goku’s neck to his chest, resting on his rapidly beating heart. “I want to fulfill every desire my warrior conceives.” The Saiyan woman’s voice was like velvet against his skin. She began sending wave after wave of calm to his mind, allowing him to think clearly.
“I-I.” Goku began stumbling over his words. With all of the attention he was receiving from his partner, it was hard to concentrate. “I just.. Want to give up control.”
Ellery wasn’t sure what he meant. “Okay?”
The warrior sighs. “There are a lot of days where the weight on my shoulders can get to be too much. Being the strongest man in the Universe can sometimes have its setbacks. I am so used to controlling my energy and being on constant alert. I make decisions that could affect humanity itself with the opponents I decide to fight. I just want someone I can trust to take away that decision making for me. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours.”
“So..” The young woman stroked his chest. Ellery looked into her partner’s eyes. “If that’s your desire, I can make that happen.”
Goku felt his lips turn up into a smile. “That’d be fantastic.”
“You’ve been worrying so much on how to conceive our child, along with everything else you’re burdened with.. Let me take the reins this weekend. Don’t you worry about a single thing.” The young woman kissed her mate passionately.
The Saiyan held his partner tight as their lips entangled together, the Moon shining bright above them. Goku’s tail began to wind itself around Ellery’s, causing both of them to shiver.
“Now it’s your turn to tell me something.” The Saiyan whispered into his partner’s ear.
“Anything.” Ellery began toying with the unruly strands of Goku’s hair.
“The both of us are going to get everything we want this weekend.” The warrior leaned into his mate’s touch. “I’m going to fill your every desire.” He whispered, hands becoming adventurous as they traveled down her back. “I just need to know what they are.”
“Oh, Kakarot.” The young woman bit her lip. It wasn’t something Ellery shared with anyone before.
“Tell me, Princess.”
“It’d be easier to show you.” Closing her eyes, the Saiyan woman imagined her greatest desire. She felt the man in her arms stiffen for just a moment.
“Really?” Goku questioned, honestly taken aback by the images running through his mind.
“Don’t tell me, my Kakarot is afraid of going all out in the bedroom??” Ellery giggled. “You’ve never wanted your instincts to take over during such a physical and primal moment?”
“I don’t think this little house could take it.” Goku chuckled nervously. He rubbed the back of his head, observing the serious look on his partner’s face.
“Then take me somewhere that can.”
Chapter 6: Briefs' Family Vacation!
Chapter Text
“Woman, when are you going to take this fucking blindfold off me??”
“Watch your mouth!” Bulma yelled at her husband, smacking his arm playfully.
"Dammit! You know I hate surprises! Especially when I can't see what's going on!"
The bluenette scoffed as she rolled her eyes, finally taking off the blindfold. She had her husband in the plane already, while he could jump out it was unlikely. "I just wish you'd relax for a little while. I was trying to surprise you for our anniversary!"
"Oh yes, because the last time we took a 'vacation' went so well." The warrior shivered at the memory of being dyed black by that squid's ink, along with being called out at the event they were attending. All of this led to Vegeta flying away from the scene as quickly as possible. "I don't want history to be repeating itself so quickly."
"Oh that was over two years ago! Lighten up a little will 'ya? I think this year is going to be even better! You trust me, don't you sweetheart?"
The way Bulma's eyes glistened as she pouted caused the Prince's heart to melt. He groaned as his eyes rolled, knowing there wasn't much he could do to stop that was going to happen. Vegeta felt he let his wife get away with too much stuff like this. She was always dragging him off to different places when he came back home.
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Vegeta mentioned with a chuckle as he saw the annoyed look on Bulma’s face.
“Hey Mom.” Trunks interrupted their little spat from the backseat. “You didn’t tell us where we’re going either. So why don’t you before we get there? Then Dad won’t have to be all uptight on this vacation.”
“I am not uptight!” The Saiyan crossed his arms.
“You’re wound tighter than an eight day clock.” Bulma giggled, seeing the confused look on her husband's face. “I guess now is as good a time as any.” The blunette admitted as she looked back at her oldest. “We’re going camping!!”
“Camping??” Trunks and Vegeta say in unison. Bulla claps excitedly from her car seat.
“There has to be a catch.” the Prince laughs. “I remember you being on Namek! After that fiasco, I’m surprised you’d ever want to be without modern luxuries again.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Bulma rolled her eyes. “Let’s just say we’re getting the best of both worlds! Ooh! That's our destination now!”
Ahead of them was an island with a sandy beach, as well as wooded forest area. The bluenette parked the ship in a clearing towards the center. To their left was a two story wooden home. A porch extended out from the base. A fire pit as well as a hot tub could be seen.
“This gives us a little place away from home.” Bulma gleamed as she turned towards her family. “We can relish in the luxuries if we wish, and we get a chance to live off the land. As you can see there’s plenty of room to set up a tent outside and rough it. There’s also lots of room to rain above the waters.” The bluenette gave her husband a wink. “Come on, guys! Let’s go!”
“Yeah!” Trunks yelled excitedly as he unbuckled his seatbelt and ran out of the ship.
Vegeta was still in his seat, completely shocked by his supposed ‘anniversary surprise’. Bulma easily made this one of the best trips out of his training. He watched as she got Bulla out of her car seat, turning around to face him. “Don’t tell me you don’t like it.”
“I-I’m speechless.” The Prince said honestly.
“Really?” Bulma’s eyes widened.
The Saiyan stood from his seat, pulling his wife and youngest daughter close to him. “Happy Anniversary.”
The bluenette was unsure of what to say. Her husband had never been so forward with his affections before. “Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?”
Vegeta couldn’t help but laugh, his tail relaxing gently behind him. As he stood there, it came up to touch Bulla’s cheek, playing with her.
“Daddy!!” The little Saiyan giggled.
“I guess Kakarot is rubbing off on me.” The Prince chuckled. “Seeing the way he is with Ellery and how happy she is, maybe I can start showing you a little more affection as well.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Bulma wrapped one arm around him and smiled “Let’s go enjoy this vacation!”
Vegeta sat next to the fire pit with Bulma, watching their children playing in the lawn. Normally, the warrior felt uncomfortable sitting and doing nothing. After one of his wife’s chocolates however, the Prince felt relaxed and ready to enjoy the night as it played out. Vegeta could remember the first time his wife gave him one of her funny tasting sweets. While it was sweet like chocolate, it had a bitter earthiness to it as well. The result left the Saiyan. Completely at ease.
Six weeks later, the couple found out they were having Bulla.
After they exited the ship, the kids explored the estate while Bulma and Vegeta checked inside. As they walked around the home, the couple was surprised how rustic the place looked. The house consisted of several types of dark woods. The kitchen was fully stocked with all the latest gadgets, allowing the family to make meals like they would at home.
This place is even more breathtaking in person!" Bulma gleamed as she spun around the living room. "I searched countless estates and islands trying to find the perfect place for us to go during our anniversary."
Vegeta listened, but was honestly too mesmerized by the home to participate in conversation. Although Bulma didn' t know it, the two story cabin reminded the Prince of a home his family vacationed in when he was four. The moment he walked in, he was taken back.
"What is the plan for tomorrow?" Bulma questioned softly, placing a hand on Vegeta's shoulder as she approached him.
The Prince nodded, a bright smile on his face. "Let's see what the kids want to do."
"Really?" The brunette's eyes widened.
Still nodding to his wife, the warrior chuckled at the shocked look on her face. The couple walks towards the door, seeing Trunks and Bulla sparring in the yard. A bright smile came to Vegeta's features.
"Look at that, Bulma. They take after me more than I thought."
"Trust me, honey. They have your attitude." The older woman said with a laugh.
Their day was filled with activities that Vegeta enjoyed. From the moment they walked into the yard, Trunks wanted to train with him. Unable to say no to a sparring session, the Prince immediately began training his son to become a better fighter.
The duo spent hours in the air, to the point that Bulma had to force them to come down and search for dinner.
The oldest Saiyan then had his son help him fish. Trunks enjoyed this activity most of all. It reminded him of the times he and Goten would fish with Gohan. The three half-Saiyan's always had the best time in the water! Although the one thing Trunks never got over, was the fact that all the Son men choose to swim in their birthday suits.
The duo caught several different types of fish during their adventure. Vegeta looked on the shore as he flung the last fish onto the pile, knowing it was more than enough to feed them. Bulma and her youngest were playing on the beach, building sand castles. The little Saiyan had more of a blast tearing down the structures her mother built than actually creating them.
After their fun packed day, both kids were trying to stay awake at the dinner table. The moment they finished eating, Bulma followed them upstairs to get them ready for bed. Vegeta went to the porch to start a fire in the pit, waiting for his wife to return.
“You know…” Vegeta interrupted Bulma’s musing. His voice brought her out of her head and back onto the porch with him. “Of all the anniversaries we’ve had, I think this is the one that I enjoyed the most.”
“Really?” the bluenette perked up with enthusiasm.
"My son asked me to train, we didn't have a single interruption from your work or the idiot in orange, and we had an amazing fresh meal. It was more than I could've asked for."
“I’m glad to hear that, sweetheart. You deserve every second of it.” Bulma gleamed, kissing his cheek. "I don't tell you how grateful I am when you're around."
"I like being at home." The Prince admitted to his wife. "The Saiyan side of me however, is more persuasive." Vegeta chuckled. "I will always feel the need to go train with Lord Beerus. While I'm there, I simply lose track of time."
"I know you do." The bluenette put her head on Vegeta's shoulder. "I get the same way when I'm doing research in my lab. I understand how time can get away from you."
Smiling at his wife, the Prince kissed her head. The couple sat in silence for a long while, enjoying the sounds of nature and the starry sky above them.
The warrior looked up at the sky, a deep sigh escaping his lips. “Do you ever wonder if the peace will stop?”
“Sometimes.” Bulma admitted, running her hand along Vegeta’s muscular arm. “I don’t like to think about it too often though. If we only focus on what could happen and what is going to happen, we can’t live in the present.”
“Not only that,” Vegeta’s wife added with a grin. “I have complete faith in our team of fighters here on Earth. Now that we have another Saiyan in our ranks, there is no limit to how strong the team could get!”
The Prince smiled, pulling Bulma closer to him. "That's why I'm always training. I need to be able to protect us from whatever life decides to throw at us. If it's taught me anything, it's that the opponents never get weaker."
"Do you think there's someone out there that can't be beat?" Bulma asked curiously.
"Honestly?" Vegeta pondered the question. "Everyone has a weakness. The test of a good warrior is finding that weakness and using it to your advantage before the opponent finds yours."
What in the world is going on??
From the moment Ellery woke up, she could feel something wasn’t right. There was a cloth over her eyes, shielding her vision. There were also objects in each of her ears, rendering her temporarily deaf. Instead of a bed underneath her, the young woman felt a thick layer of grass touching her bare back. The slightly tall blades began to tickle her neck, arms, and legs. Ki restraints had been loosely placed around her wrists and ankles. The young woman felt warm rays of sunlight hitting her body as well.
As if a lightbulb clicked on, Ellery knew exactly why she was in this compromising position. Her partner, Goku, was going to give her what she’d been asking for. I know the bedroom got a little damaged last night, but why in the world have I woken up outside?? And why in the hell am I still NAKED!?
Last night was almost completely a blur to Ellery. About thirty minutes after the chocolates were eaten, she felt her body go into a euphoric bliss that lasted for hours. The last thing that she remembers was running around the large home with her partner, naked as the day they were born.
I sense you’re finally awake. The Saiyan’s voice startled Ellery out of her own head, realizing it wasn’t only being occupied by her.
Ellery’s breath hitched in her throat. I didn’t even feel his aura around me… Where in the hell is he??
“ Kaka-”
“Shh.”
A tail came up and brushed against her lips, effectively silencing her. There was an electricity that crossed her lips as his tail caressed them. He has to be powered up…. No normal tail would feel this way. It would also explain why I couldn’t sense him.
Very good. The Saiyan mused, looking down at her open mouthed look of shock. I’m in Super Saiyan Blue form… I thought this would be a fun way to begin our little game. Any words that need spoken, will be done so through our bond. Anything other than this will be punished, am I understood?
Goku sat cross-legged next to his beautiful mate. After the night the two had together, the warrior decided their next physical encounter needed a change of scenery. While Ellery was sleeping, The Saiyan took her into the forest. He found a clearing with lush grass that would be the best place for their morning together. The two of them battled for years without an issue, so fulfilling her request shouldn’t be a problem in here!
The warrior’s tail began a route of its own around her body. From caressing her lips, traveling down her jaw to her collarbones. Goku watched the goose bumps form on her creamy skin as his tail descended to her chest. A soft gasp escaped Ellery’s lips as the blue appendage flicked over each of her nipples playfully.
“Mmmff-” The Saiyan woman took her bottom lip between her teeth to stifle her moan. Her back arched into the tingling sensations her body was receiving. With no way to see what was actually going on, Ellery felt her senses becoming overwhelmed. Her nipples pebbled under the menstrations of her partner’s appendage. The young woman attempted to move her own tail, but as with her legs and arms, it had been restrained.
Does that feel good, Princess? Goku purred, his hand moving to ever so gently stroke her neglected tail.
“Ohh” Ellery mewled, reveling in the arousal that shot through her body. The moment Goku touched his partner’s tail, her legs began to quake. She could feel a painful heat beginning to form between her legs.
Suddenly, the young woman was deprived of all touch she was receiving. Ellery whined softly as she writhed on the ground, missing the stimulation of her partner’s touch. “Baby, please.”
Unanswered questions will be punished, and it seems you’ve already broken my rule. The warrior stated, his voice deep and commanding. Do so again, and I will have no choice but to resort to other methods of punishment. Am I clear ?
Yes, Kakarot. . Ellery stated. Never before had Goku acted in such a way. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to concentrate on her surroundings. The young woman could sense her partner right next to her, relieving some of her nervousness. Ellery wanted nothing more than for him to continue his menstrations.
The warrior smirks, deciding to change his position. Goku straddled his partner, putting his knees on either side of her torso. Warm hands quickly found their way to Ellery’s breasts, kneading them as he watched her expressions change from confusion to pleasure. The young woman below him kept her lip between her teeth to hide her glorious sounds. Goku wanted none of that.
Taking her nipples between his fingers, the warrior gently twisted each of them. This elicited a loud moan from the woman below him. He could feel her back arch into him. That’s what I like to hear. Goku purred as he continued to tweak her nipples. His tail gained a mind of its own once again, choosing to grab the bright orange and blue flog next to Ellery. Wrapping around the handle, Goku’s tail lifted the flog from the ground, slowly dragging it across the young woman’s thighs.
“What is that???” Ellery questioned, but it came out as a gasp. Her thighs quaked as she felt the cold leather graze her skin ever so gently.
I warned you, Princess. Goku smirked, leaning down to take Ellery’s right nipple into his mouth. He suckled on it gently, allowing it to be pulled between his lips. The warrior continued to tease the companion, never wanting to take attention away from one. His index finger tenderly circled her left nipple before he pinched and flicked it playfully.
As he did this, the Saiyan’s tail whipped the flog repeatedly onto Ellery’s thighs. This caused the young woman to scream in shock and arousal. After the first time, her shouts turned into moans that became music to Goku’s ears.
Kakarot.. Ellery groaned, the torture becoming too much for the young woman. Please..
Please what?? The warrior questioned with a chuckle.
M-More! The Saiyan woman cried out as her body shook from the blissful touch of her partner.
Good things come to those who wait, sweetheart. Goku stood, ripping his gi bottoms away as he looked down at his mate. Seeing her gorgeous body writhing on the grass was a breathtaking sight for the warrior. The sight of her red thighs caused him to groan. Goku straddled her chest once again. The Saiyan gently placed his left hand behind Ellery’s neck, lifting her head.
The young woman could feel her partner’s manhood pressed gently against her lips. Ellery slowly parted them, allowing his member to enter the warmth of her mouth.
Fuck, Princess…
She bobbed her head up and down vigorously, knowing the Saiyan above her was enjoying the show. One of the things Ellery’s learned about her partner, is that he loves watching her do this to him. The Saiyan woman took his member as deeply into her mouth as she could, until she felt his hand come up to her head, effectively pulling her away.
I was enjoying myself!
Ellery pouted before she felt Goku take hold of each of her breasts once again. The young woman bit her lip as she felt him as he begin to thrust his manhood in between them. The sensation was a little odd at first, but hearing the moans of approval from her partner made it worth it. Tilting her head up, Ellery sucked the tip into her mouth with every thrust.
Oh fuck that feels good… The warrior grunted, tweaking his lover’s nipples as he continued his menstrations.
I can make it feel a lot better, if you let me out of these restraints. Ellery hoped her partner would take the bait. She was enjoying every second of this, but she needed to touch him, feel his muscles beneath her fingers.
Don’t think you’re getting away that easy… I have plans for you, Princess. Goku pulled away from her chest, allowing her breasts to fall to each side of her chest. The Saiyan placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Once he pulled away, he watched her head lean in to continue. A smile crept onto his face, leaning back in to deepen the kiss.
Ellery was beginning to run out of oxygen the way her partner was kissing her. The moment he pulled away, she was gasping for air. However, the bright smile never left her face. Her body's receptors were being flooded with stimulation from her partner. It was nearly too much to handle. Ellery knew she wanted more however, and she was willing to do what it took.
Writhing around on the ground, the Saiyan woman groaned in ecstasy for her partner. Kakarot… please give me more… Please, I'm begging you.
You look so beautiful, laying out before me like this. It's truly a sight to behold. The warrior leaned down, pecking Ellery's lips once more before he began to kiss his way down her body. Closing his eyes, Goku allowed his hands, lips, and tongue to act on their own. The warrior gave way to his Saiyan instincts.
A low growl emanated from Goku’s chest. His grip became possessive as his fingers took hold of Ellery’s hips. The soft kisses were turning into love bites the further he descended down the young woman’s body. Maneuvering the ki rings placed around her ankles, Goku quickly moved her legs towards her rear. This allowed the Saiyan to lay perfectly between them. His hands went to Ellery’s thighs, spreading them open slightly as he began kissing her womanhood. The musky scent that radiated from it caused Goku to moan loudly.
Not being able to see a thing was causing Ellery’s skin to overreact to every touch it received. The young woman was unable to control the animalistic noises that left her mouth. She wanted to be released from these confinements more than anything. Ellery attempted to move the ki restraints as easily as her partner, but it was no use.
Goku couldn’t help but chuckle as he felt his mate struggling against his masterpiece. You’re gonna have to try a lot harder than that to maneuver these ki restraints. The warrior moved her ankles with ease once more, hearing Ellery whine in frustration. They’re made with the strongest energy I could create on my own. I wish you luck, but I don’t think you’ll be able to move.
Never underestimate your partner, Kakarot. The young woman continued to struggle against her restraints. After some time however, her struggle became less active as Goku’s fingers could be felt parting her lower lips. A cool breeze blew in from the north, causing Ellery to shiver and moan.
The warrior began massaging his partner’s lips, slowly bringing them together and parting them. Hearing the animalistic moans coming from his partner only enticed him to continue. Goku leaned in as he parted Ellery one last time, placing a gentle kiss on her bundle nerves. He continued to leave gentle pecks there, a smirk creeping onto his features. Wrapping his arms around the young woman’s thighs, Goku ensured that she wasn’t able to move her legs as he continued his menstrations. The warrior was ever so slowly tracing patterns with his tongue.
Kaka… It was becoming hard for Ellery to think. All thoughts that were racing through her mind were centered around the man between her legs. Kaka please, I can’t take it….
All that background noise makes it hard to concentrate, doesn’t it? The warrior questioned, pulling away from her womanhood. Clear your mind, and just allow yourself to feel every single thing I’m doing to your body.
The amount of energy that was radiating from Goku’s body caused Ellery’s legs to quake. Although there was force behind his grip, it was still gentle to the touch. The young woman could feel the patterns the Saiyan was creating on her lower half. Everything Goku did felt heavenly to Ellery. Spreading her legs farther, the Saiyan woman began thrusting her hips subconsciously into Goku’s mouth.
The warrior smirked, taking Ellery’s clitoris between his lips, allowing it to be pulled gently as she thrusted into his mouth. Hearing his partner’s screams of ecstasy were music to his ears. However, Goku was just getting started. As he pulled away from the young woman, he got onto his knees.
N-no! Don’t stop!! Ellery all but screamed
The warrior used his energy to maneuver the ki restraints once more. He successfully flipped Ellery over onto her knees. Her hands were still sprawled out at her sides, leaving her asscheeks high in the air. Goku took in the sight with a devious smile crossing his lips.
What the hell is going on??? The Saiyan woman felt her body moving without her doing it herself. Her back stretched and popped from the new angle she was placed in, causing her some comfort.
You know I love seeing your ass in the air . Goku mentioned as he grasped the flog tightly in his hand. The blue leather strips began to glow, matching the Saiyans aura. He looked down at his new favorite toy, thinking of all the different ways the two could play with each other. Goku raised his right hand, smacking the young woman hard with the flog. The Saiyan grinned as the smack echoed through the forest, leaving bright red marks on her left cheek.
"Ahh!! Shit!" Ellery screamed in surprise. Biting her lip, the Saiyan woman felt the sting pulsating on her bottom. After the shock wore off, a small whimper escaped her. The pain brought on a whole set of feelings she was unprepared for. Although it was painful, the Saiyan side of Ellery revelled in the glorious feeling. She wanted more of it, needed it.
Princess… Goku smirked as he shook his head. Did you forget the rule? It looks like I'm going to have to punish you.
Punish me Kakarot .
Even in her thoughts, Ellery's voice was dripping with desire and a primal need that Goku had never heard before. This side of his partner shocked the warrior. Yet, there was a part of him that needed to see her this way.
The Saiyan was relentless as he struck her repeatedly, switching between Ellery's cheeks and thighs. The red marks slowly became purple as they piled on top of each other. Goku was beginning to feel remorse, not wanting to hurt his partner. As the warrior began listening closer, he noticed Ellery was purring in between her moans.
You're enjoying this aren't you? Goku asked in disbelief.
Ellery's face was bright red, slightly embarrassed to say she didn't want him to stop. Her cheeks were radiating heat from the energy Goku was using. Yet, she wanted him to continue. It wouldn't be punishment if I enjoyed it… it's torture Kakarot .
The Saiyan chuckled and shook his head. You've been a terrible liar since I met you, Princess.
Does that mean you're going to stop? The young woman's bottom lip jutted out, pouting.
How could I stop when you're enjoying it so much? Goku smirked, allowing the toy to graze her back as he contemplated his next move. Power up for me.
What??
Power up as high as you can. I want you to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible. The warrior smiled, watching as his partner transformed as much as the cuffs would let her. Goku clenched the flog tightly before letting loose on Ellery's red bottom. Each strike caused a bruise, some even tearing the young woman's skin. Seeing all the markings on Ellery's body made the Saiyan grin brightly. Each strike was a mark, sealing their bond to each other.
Several minutes passed, and Goku became worried. He was unable to hear his partner's moans, just small whimpers and cries. He slowly lets up on the harshness of his blows. However, a low growl made itself known from Ellery's chest.
You'd better not be getting soft on me . The Saiayan woman's voice rasped inside Goku’s mind. Ellery began swaying her ass back and forth, teasing her partner. I haven’t had enough…
Do you remember the word? The warrior questioned as he used his knees to walk towards his partner. He moaned, feeling how warm her skin was against his own. Goku ran his fingers up and down her back slowly . During the ascent, he removed the earplugs. The Saiyan wanted her to hear every slap of their skin.
Of course I do. The growl turned into a purr as she felt his cool skin touch her own heated flesh. Ellery moaned softly, feeling his manhood pulsating between her cheeks.
Once her hearing had been given back to her, the young woman was flooded with the sounds around her. Feeling Goku move once more, the young woman whimpered as she felt him slide into her. Her eyes rolled and fluttered beneath the blindfold. Instead of giving him the chance to move, Ellery began thrusting her hips back and forth, groaning at the tiny smacks she heard.
Someone’s eager to get started. The warrior chuckled before his hands made their way to Ellery’s hips, taking over.
Their pace instantly quickened, leaving her breathless as she moaned her pleasures to the world. The Saiyan woman could feel the ground giving beneath her, but she didn’t care in the slightest. With the force of Goku’s thrusts, and the bright light heating up her bruised skin, Ellery was in a complete state of bliss. She wasn’t sure this amount of pleasure was even possible until this moment.
In an instant, the Ki restraints were lifted from the young woman’s wrists, tail and ankles. The warrior switched their positions, flipping his partner onto her back once again. Goku slid Ellery closer to him, gripping her thighs tightly before he began pounding into her with that same relentless pace. Watching the way her chest bounced at the force of his thrusts, caused the Saiyan to growl possessively. He took a hold of each of her breasts, flicking her nipples as he massaged them and continued to thrust.
Ellery quickly wrapped her legs tightly around her partner’s neck, changing the angle of his thrusts. Both Saiyan’s cried out in pleasure, thankful for the blissful position.
My Kakarot has more power than that!!!
The young woman’s words goaded him to try even harder. Goku’s right hand moved back to Ellery’s thigh as he closed his eyes, summoning as much energy as he could muster. His blue hair faded to its traditional black, but his aura changed.
Ellery could sense Goku had finally transformed into his Ultra Instinct form. It wasn’t the mastered version, the young woman knew that would be too risky. However, she was over the moon with happiness knowing he was giving it his all.
“HAAAAAAAA!” The warrior let out a battle cry as his hands went above the Saiyan woman’s shoulders. This new position effectively folded Ellery in half, however with the power of Goku’s thrusts and the overwhelming sensations filling her body, she wasn’t going to last much longer.
YESYESYES!! Ellery’s mind was a blur with ecstasy and pleasure. She felt the sting of his powerful thrusts, causing her to scream to the heavens.
I love you Princess. Goku panted, feeling his energy draining quickly in this form. His right hand traveled down to her clitoris, slowly flicking it between his thrusts.
The tight ball in Ellery’s stomach burst, causing her to let out an animalistic growl as her orgasm racked her body. She felt her core squeezing her partner’s manhood, to the point that it was getting hard for him to move. It felt like the Saiyan woman had been electrocuted.
The feeling of Ellery’s tight warmth milking his cock brought on Goku’s orgasm. The warrior fell next to his partner, his silver aura fading quickly. His eyes were fluttering closed, nearly all of his energy gone from their little activity.
“I love you too, Kakarot.” The young woman felt a heaviness falling over her. Ellery passed out from all of the pleasure and depleted energy supply
Chapter 7: Jean Babysits Pan!
Chapter Text
Jean placed the last fork into the drawer. After finishing the dishes, she didn't have much else planned for her day. She looked out the window in front of her, noticing the morning was still hers for the taking. Summer break was in session, meaning Jean had a small reprieve from her duties at the school.. Being a college professor, most of her days were filled with reading essays and papers of her students. It was rare that she actually got out like she used to.
Chi-Chi was running errands most of the day and wouldn't be back until this evening. Goten was playing at his friend's, leaving her in an empty home. Jean thought about curling up in her chair with a good book. It would be the perfect way to spend a day off.
You know… Jean thought to herself. I've become such a homebody lately! I need to get out there and explore the city like I used to. Maybe there's a new shop in town! I've heard great things about this Yoga Studio across town. I actually have time to check it out today. The brunette quickly sets her drying towel down, rushing to her room to find something to wear.
As Jean looked for an outfit, she heard the phone began to ring in the other room. Making her way to the living area, the brunette picked up the phone on the fourth ring. "Hello?"
"Jean?"
"Yes? May I ask who's calling?"
"It's Videl! I'm so glad you're home!" The mother said quickly. "Is Chi-Chi home?"
"Not at the moment. She'll be running errands most of the day. Did you need something?"
"Are you busy today? Is there any way you can do me a huge favor?"
"It sounds like someone forgot to book a babysitter." Jean mentions with a laugh.
"I'm so sorry about the short notice. I over scheduled my own life, and I completely neglected to include Pan in my plans. Gohan has gone away for some scholastic conference and won't be back until late this evening. Is there any way you could watch her for a couple of hours?"
"Sure thing! You can drop her by any time. I'm just getting ready to walk around the city. We've still got a stroller, the two of us can go to a park or something!"
"That sounds great!" Videl said excitedly. "Thank you so much Jean, you're a lifesaver."
The two ladies said their goodbyes and Jean went back to her closet. She was more than happy to take Pan on her adventure today. When Chi-Chi and her partner used to babysit, Jean would observe the little Saiyan attempting to practice yoga poses. The brunette began to wonder if her mother was teaching her.
It didn't take long for Videl to reach their home. Jean heard a knock at the door, causing her to smile. "Come on in!"
"Thank you again for watching her!" Videl praised. She set down Pan's bag while the little Saiyan could be seen getting herself out of the car. The mother turned around, shaking her head. "Here comes Miss. Independent."
"Hi Jean!" Pan waved happily.
"Hey Pan!" The brunette smiled. "I was thinking we could go do some yoga today?"
"Yay!" The little Saiyan clapped happily.
"She loves doing Yoga." Videl said with a smile. "Have you been to The Harmony Center?"
"Is that the new place that opened up? I know it's been a couple of years, but I don't get out much." Jean mentions with a chuckle.
"Yea." The mother smiles. "We've been going since it opened. The owner has done amazing things with it!" Unsure whether to tell Jean who the owner was, Videl decided for now she wouldn't say anything. It didn't sound like she would make visiting a regular thing. "Little Pan has become a favorite there. Just don't tell Chi-Chi."
"There's a reason I shouldn't tell her?"
"No!" Videl laughed her comment off. She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "I just know a lot of our friends and family go to the studio."
"Well it looks like I'll have to check it out!" Jean smiled.
Videl nodded as she bent over, kissing her little girl on the forehead. "I'll be back to pick you up in a couple hours."
"Okay mommy." Pan said with a smile. "Have fun! I love you!"
"I love you too sweetie! Have fun with Jean today." Videl smiles before kissing Pan's cheeks. The mother looked at Jean one last time before exiting. "Take care!"
The brunette smiled at little Pan. "Whataya say? Let's take a trip to The Harmony Center. Would you like to walk, or take the car?"
"Walk!" Pan said with a huge smile on her face.
The two set out on their adventure quickly. After moving to their home a week or so ago, Jean and Chi-Chi haven't really gone out to explore their little piece of the city. The two have been focusing on making their house a home that her children want to come to. Huge changes have been made to their little piece of heaven, Chi-Chi began a garden in the back, as well as several flowerbeds in the front. Photos of the family have been plastered on every wall and crevice of the home. Jean loved how warm and inviting their new home felt.
But with the transformation of their home, the couple made it a place they never wanted to leave. The time Jean did get away from her office and classroom was always spent at home. The woman felt she never got enough time in the day to do everything that needed done.
It didn't take much time for the two ladies to reach The Harmony Center. Seeing the studio in their sights, Jean looked down at the little Saiyan who was skipping next to her. The woman thought back to what Videl mentioned. Why on Earth would telling Chi-Chi I came to a yoga studio be a problem? Jean thought to herself. So what if a lot of her friends and family go there.
"Come on Jean!" Pan began to tug on her babysitter's arm. Seeing the Harmony Center in the distance made her even more excited.
"We'll get there soon, dear." Jean chuckled. However, the little quarter-Saiyan had quite a bit of strength. Pan was nearly pulling her babysitter down the street. Jean couldn't believe how strong the toddler was. Whatever Gohan and Videl were feeding her, it was definitely working.
Once they were across the street and parking lot, Pan slipped her hand out of Jeans and ran to the door as quickly as she could.
"Well hello, Miss. Pan." Bedde watched her run in with wide eyes. "Is your Mom or Ellery with you?"
"Pan!" Jean runs inside, panting heavily as she looks at the little Saiyan in the middle of the room.
"Jean wants to do Yoga, please." Pan says politely as she walks up to the desk.
"You must be Jean?" Bedde snickered at the older woman that was chasing Pan.
"Yes." Jean nodded, still trying to catch her breath. The brunette picked up the little girl, holding her so she wouldn't run off again. "It's my first time here."
"Don't worry!" Bedde smiles as she types some stuff into the computer. "I just need you to fill out this form for me. The next beginner class actually starts in about ten minutes, so you made it in perfect time!"
"Sounds great." Jean took the clipboard from the young woman, taking a seat with Pan.
Jean waved goodbye to everyone in the class. After only a thirty minute session, the woman made an entire group of friends. The group seemed so supportive, Jean could see why Videl and her friends always come to this place.
"Will we see you next session, Jean?" Sophai asked with a bright smile.
"I hope so!" The woman happily stated. "You'll definitely see me again. This has been an amazing experience. Thank you for teaching me!" Jean took a hold of Pan's hand, making sure she stayed close.
"It's my pleasure." Sophai beamed. "We'll see the both of you soon!"
Pan looked up at Jean, tugging on her hand gently. "Are we leaving?"
"Let's walk around for a minute." Jean mentioned. "I haven't seen the whole place."
"Okay! They have stairs!" Pan said as she pointed towards reception.
"We'll get there." Jean smiles. "Let's take our time and walk around."
The duo walked back down the hallway, seeing several rooms devoted to yoga. The main reception area was gorgeous with the water fountain. Jean noticed a set of double doors to the left of her. There were large windows inside the doors, peering to several platforms with people outside. A man with a bright orange outfit was at the center of attention.
"Grandpa!" Pan yelled before slipping her hand out of Jeans, running for the double doors.
The warrior was finishing up his last martial arts session for the day. "Alright guys! Everyone really showed some improvement today! We're going to keep working on our breathing technique and timing this week. Class Dismissed!" Goku's Saiyan ears perked as he heard a yell come from inside the building.
"Pan! Come back here!" Jean hollered as she ran after her, but the little one was too quick. Pan was outside almost before the brunette could blink. She watched as the toddler ran up to the man in orange, who had a similar look of shock on his face.
"Grandpa!" The little Saiyan yelled once again as she flew through the crowd, landing square on Goku's chest.
"Well hello Panny." Goku laughed as he hugged his granddaughter close to him. Kissing the top of her head, the warrior began to look around to see where Videl or Gohan was. "Did your Mom and Dad bring you up here?"
"Actually," Jean interrupted. "I was babysitting her and we decided to come do some yoga together. I don't believe we've met, my name's Jean." The woman extended her arm for a handshake.
The Saiyan felt the blood drain from his face. Jean? As in Chi-Chi's new partner, Jean? Noticing her extended hand, Goku did his best to make light of the situation. "Hey Jean! My name's Goku."
"So you're the infamous Goku that I've heard so much about." The woman mentioned with a smirk.
"I'd hope all good things, but I know that's probably not true." Goku rubbed the back of his head, still holding his granddaughter tight. Looking at Pan in his arms, the warrior sighs. "Was there a reason you came here today?" The Saiyan asked. With his ex-wife, there was always an ulterior motive when it came to things like this. One doesn't just show up at the studio he works at out of the blue, especially his ex's new partner.
"Videl needed a babysitter." Jean shrugged, taking a seat on one of the wooden platforms. "When she came to the house, I told her I'd thought about giving this place a try. She had nothing but good things to say about it. She only asked that I don't tell Chi-Chi, which now I can see why." The woman chuckled. "I didn't realize this was the studio you and your partner built."
"We've been in this spot for two years now." Goku said with a smile. "I built the place for her. Before this, she was teaching yoga and giving massages out of her own home."
"That's amazing." Jean mentioned. "It's quite a feat to build a building like that for someone you love."
"I'm good with my hands." Goku began playing with Pan in his arms. "I built and made all of the repairs on the home Chi-Chi and I created together. I guess it's just something I do for the people I love. I build them things."
Jean watched the Saiyan in front of her. The man was nothing like she thought he would be. Goku was thoughtful, and it seemed that he had a good head on his shoulders as well. Jean couldn't fathom why Ch-Chi was holding such animosity towards him.
"Can I ask you something, Goku?" Jean said timidly.
"Sure?"
"How did the relationship between you and my partner end? I want to hear your side of the story, since I've heard so many others."
"How exactly will this help?" The warriors brow furrowed.
"It will help me understand the situation." Jean explained gently. "Hearing every side of the story allows me to find consistency in order to find out the real story."
The warrior took a deep breath, unsure of where to start. "I'll be honest, Jean. Over the many years I was with Chi-Chi, it was very rare that I put her first. I always put the safety of the Universe over the happiness of my wife."
Jean's brow raised. "Safety of the Universe?"
Goku sighed. "I'm sure Chi-Chi's told you I'm not exactly human. I come from a warrior race called the Saiyans. Fighting is in my blood and a lot of the time I'm unable to stop myself from getting into fights with other warriors, mostly bad guys.
"Over the thirty-five years we were together, I put her on the back burner countless times.. One night after I came home from training, we had an argument, which wasn't out of the ordinary. She decided she was going to stay with Gohan and Videl. I was devastated at the time. I wanted to keep our family together, but I also knew it wasn't fair to Chi-Chi to keep her from truly being happy."
"It was around that same time that I met Ellery through my friend, Bulma." Goku continued. "The two of us instantly hit it off. I'd never felt a connection like that to anyone before. I came to find out, she's a Saiyan just like I am." The warrior couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face.
"We dove into our relationship head first, and I think that rubbed Chi-Chi the wrong way. She saw me doing all of the things she'd been begging for over the course of our relationship. I can't imagine the kind of heartbreak that put her through. I feel terrible about it, but at some point I realized that she was relying on me to make her happy. I can't create someone's happiness for them, and that's kind of what it came down to."
"After meeting Ellery, I realized what it truly meant to love someone, to want to marry them and spend your lifetime together. With Chi-Chi, the two of us were so young that I didn't understand the seriousness of the commitment I was making. I stuck through it however! I did what I thought a good husband should do for so long."
Goku sighed deeply, it felt nice to get that off his chest. "I'm very glad the two of you found each other. Now Chi-Chi has someone to take care of her and make her happy." Goku mentioned it finally.
"She means the world to me, that's for sure." Jean beamed at the thought of her partner. "I'm glad you were able to find happiness as well."
"Thank you." Goku smiled before looking at the wiggle worm in his arms. "Time to go back with Jean, little Pan." The Saiyan hugged her tight once again. "Grandpa has to go check on something important at Bulma's house."
"Okay." The little Saiyan pouted but hugged her grandpa back just as firmly. Pan flew to Jean's arms, startling the woman before she just laughed it off.
Chapter 8: The Angels have a Meeting!/Another Day at The Harmony Center
Chapter Text
The Grand Minister stood at the front of a long table. Each seat was filled with an Attendant from every Universe. Wanting to get the opinion of his fellow Angel’s, the High Priest thought it’d be best to have them all meet. They had to discuss the Omni King’s newest idea, and the logistics needed to accomplish such a project. In all honesty, he didn’t want to drag out this tournament for months on end. As much as the Kings of Everything would love to have this go on twenty-four hours a day, The Grand Minister was there to add some rationality into their lives.
“I’m glad you’re all here.” The Deity began, silencing all noise in the room. “The reason I’ve assembled you here is because our great Omni Kings have a new idea.”
Whis was the first to have a question. “Why bring us all together? This usually only happens when there’s bad news. Is this going to be another Tournament of Power?”
“You see, the Kings of Everything loved the Tournament so much, they would like to do something similar once more. The Grand Zeno’s have made it clear they would like to see one on one battles. In addition to this, The Omni Kings expressed interest in allowing a multitude of warriors to begin in the preliminary rounds. I brought you all here because I need some input from Deities in each Universe to accomplish this goal.”`
Mohito raised their hand before speaking to the room. “How would we advertise such an event? If the Omni Kings wish to have more warriors compete, we would have to do some major marketing around each Universe.”
“I’m aware this is going to be a large project, Mohito.” The Grand Minister clarified. “That is something we’ll need to take into consideration. As of right now, we don’t have a set date for this Tournament. We are giving each Universe a chance to properly advertise for the event.”
“These battles could take months, depending on how many fighters from each Universe participate.” Whis sighed, thinking on the negative side. “I feel that’s dragging it out a little too long sir.”
‘I agree.” The High Priest nodded. “Do you have an idea that would shorten the time?”
Vados raised her hand, gaining the Grand Minister’s attention. “The best way to go about it would be with a battle royale in each Universe. Ones left standing after the timer has lapsed will continue to the one on one battles. The events could even be held on separate days to lengthen the Omni King’s enjoyment.”
“That’s a good idea Vados.” The Grand Minister applauded.
“What if there are a lot of fighter’s still standing?” Comparri asked Vados.
“We could extend the timer, or depending on how the Omni Kings feel, every one after the timer would automatically gain a spot. I know they both like super strong fighters, they could choose who moves on if there are too many.”
“How are we getting all of the warriors together? Most Planets throughout each Universe don’t know there’s life on other worlds.” Cognac wondered skeptically.
“It’d be easiest arrange a meeting place on each planet, then transport them to the Null Realm for the Tournament.” The High Priest offered up.
Everyone seemed to nod in agreement. Kusu raised their hand to acknowledge the group. “Is Universal Annihilation on the table this time?”
The High Priest shook his head. “The Grand Zeno’s expressed their distaste for that rule after the first Tournament of Power. The winner of the entire Tournament will still be awarded the Super Dragon Balls.”
“We could give out smaller, monetary prizes to the warriors that place in the top, but don’t win?” Martinu offered.
The High Priest nodded. “I believe that would suffice. Now, will every Universe have their elimination tournament on the same day?”
“If the goal is to keep the Omni Kings as entertained as possible, could we spread them out over the course of two weeks? Universes One through Six in week one, Universes Seven through Twelve the next.” Sour suggested to the group.
“The Final Tournament could be in two weeks after, to help build anticipation!” Awamo smiled.
“These ideas are excellent, you guys.” The Grand Minister concluded. “This meeting has been extremely helpful in the beginning stages of planning. I would like each of you to go home and begin spreading the news of a Martial Arts Tournament. We’re not sure on the date, but the faster we can get word spread, the bigger this event is going to be.”
“This meeting is now adjourned! Please have a safe return home!
Once the meeting was over, Whis stayed in his chair. The Attendant continued to dwell on the thought of his most prized warrior hanging up his fighting gloves. Although Goku still came to Lord Beerus’ planet, his training has been lackluster at best. With this Tournament approaching within the year, will the Omni Kings be disappointed their friend won’t be competing?
“Is something bothering you Whis?” The Grand Minister approached him quietly.
Whis jumped slightly, lost in his thoughts. “No sir, there’s nothing bothering me.”
“Come on son. I know that look on your face. Does this have something to do with your prized warrior?”
“It’s like you’re reading my mind.” The Attendant chuckled darkly. “Unfortunately, Goku decided over the last couple of years he would like to settle down and have a proper family. He still trains with Lord Beerus and I. However, the intensity and purpose has definitely faded. I’m not sure if he will even want to compete in this Tournament they’ve conjured up.”
“You worry too much, Whis.” The Grand Minister smiled. “Goku is still a Saiyan. I think he will still present himself in the Tournament. He will be too intrigued by the thought of competing against the other Universes. His mate is also a Saiyan, is she not?”
“Yes, Ellery is also a Saiyan?” Whis looked at his father skeptically, wondering what he was getting at.
“She may also be intrigued at the thought of fighting other warriors. This Tournament is still in its preliminary stages. The two Saiyan’s may already have their child by that time, so there isn’t really a need to worry.
“If all else fails, you could use your powers like you did with that Briefs woman.” The High Priest chuckled.
Whis nodded to his father, unable to shake the feeling this could end poorly. Obviously, the Omni King’s wishes must not be disobeyed, but the implications of Goku not competing could be disastrous. The Attendant wouldn’t be able to stop the Kings of Everything from Destroying any Universe, or person that didn’t comply.
“You know, Pan. We can’t make it a habit of coming here. Your Grandma could get suspicious.” Jean whispered to the toddler in front of her. The two were on yoga mats in The Harmony Center once again. On weekends when Videl can’t find a babysitter, the two have made it a habit to come and relax with a yoga session.
Saturdays were designated by Chi-Chi as her shopping days. Since Jean works during the week, the woman nearly always forgoes the shopping trips with her partner. Babysitting Pan has become the highlight of Jeans weekend. The two always have such a great time together at The Harmony Center. Sometimes, the two will even indulge in a relaxing massage, or alignment if they have time.
The professor couldn’t believe how much just a simple yoga session could’ve changed her life for the better. Not only does she feel more relaxed, Pan and Jean have really bonded while coming to this place. Summer was reaching its halfway point, and the two have been attending The Harmony Center multiple times a week. The brunette almost believed if her partner gave it a try, it could help her relax. Jean knew Chi-Chi wouldn’t catch herself dead in this place however, which was unfortunate.
“Just bring gramma next time?” Pan questioned as she rose from her pose to stretch. “If she just tried it, she would love it.”
“You think so?”
The little Saiyan nodded before she brought one finger up to her lips, telling her to quiet down.
Jean couldn’t help but chuckle to herself watching Pan. The little girl got so intense when it came to yoga. For her, Jean found herself keeping quiet and concentrating on the session. The way her body stretched during these poses allowed all the stress to just melt away from her body. Maybe Pan is right… Chi-Chi would love coming to this place. I just can’t tell her who owns the place. But is it really worth it to keep these things from her?
“Alright guys!” Sophai addressed the class happily. “That’ll be it for today. My next class is going to be Thursday afternoon. Please, bring along a friend to begin their relaxation journey!”
The class began getting their things together and filing out of the room. Jean packed their mats in her bag. Looking towards Pan, Jean reached out to take her hand. The two walk out of the room feeling more relaxed than before. “Your Grandma shouldn’t be home for a couple of hours, would you like to get some ice cream?”
“Ice Cream!!!” Pan yelled happily as she began to jump up and down.
“Pan???”
Hearing her name, the little Saiyan turned around quickly. “Elly!”
Jean spun around, seeing the young woman that babysit Pan a couple of years ago. The young girl ran up to the girl she called Elly and hugged her tightly. The woman was practically radiating sunshine. Her smile was brightening everything in the room.
“It’s nice to see you again.” Ellery smiled at Jean. “I don’t believe I caught your name, we were only crossing paths.”
“Jean.” the brunette held out her hand for the young woman to shake. “You must be Goku’s partner.”
“How did you know?” Ellery asked wide eyed.
“Pan called you ‘Elly’. It made me remember you introducing yourself at Gohan’s place. It’s been a long time. I really love the studio you’ve built here!”
“Thank you!” The Saiyan woman beamed. “It’s my pride and joy after all. How long have you been attending?”
“I’ve been watching Pan with Chi-Chi a couple times a week. The times that she goes to run errands, we’ve been here.” Jean rubbed the back of her head. “I haven’t exactly found a way to mention it to Chi-Chi.”
“Oof..” Ellery exhaled. “Do you plan on telling her?”
“I’ve never been good at keeping secrets.” The woman admitted. “I’m afraid that since we’ve been coming for so long, that she will hold it against me.”
“That’s always possible.” The Saiyan woman shrugged. “I would offer to bring her here yourself. Mention how happy it makes everyone. You’ve seen for yourself how relaxing it makes your life. Pan’s love for The Harmony Center has made me think of adding a Children’s Yoga course, along with a ‘playroom’ that’ll have a babysitter on staff at all times. It’s something I’ve been considering since so many of my employees and clients have children.”
“Everyone needs a place they can go and relax.” Ellery smiled. “For most people, I’d love it to be my Yoga Studio. I’m not here often, and I can give you the days that Kakarot teaches his martial arts classes. I want her to feel comfortable.”
“Really? Why would you do all of this?”
“Because she’s part of Kakarot’s family.” Ellery said with a smile. “Without Chi-Chi; Gohan, Goten, and Pan wouldn’t exist. Those three people mean the world to Kakarot and I. I have her to thank for it, even though I know she holds animosity towards the both of us. I can understand why she feels hurt by the situation. I just don’t want this to end up hurting the ones we care about.”
Jean was trying to wrap her head around the whole situation. For the last two years, all Chi-Chi has said about these two were awful things. It made her wonder why her partner was so hellbent on being against their relationship. “I completely agree with you.”
“Elly, do you wanna get ice cream with us?” Pan asked happily from the Saiyan woman’s arms.
“Oh, I wish I could.” Ellery smiled. “I have a lot of paperwork I have to get done-”
“I insist you come with us.” Jean offered. “I’m sure you can take a short break right?”
Eyes widening, the young woman wasn’t sure what to say. Looking at the little Saiyan in her arms, she nodded happily. “Alright! Let’s go!”
Chapter 9: Secrets Don't Keep Friends
Chapter Text
“Granma, can I have a snack?”
“Of course!” Chi-Chi smiled at her granddaughter, taking a few apples off of the counter and cutting them for her. She was elated to have Pan in her home once again. For the longest time, Videl and Gohan were finding other sitters for their daughter. While it hurt Chi-Chi’s feelings, the reward was getting to spend so much time with her new partner.
One day ,the grandmother came home from shopping to find Pan and Jean playing in the living room.
“Well, I didn’t know we had a visitor.” Chi-Chi mentioned she carried as many bags as her arms would carry. “When did Miss. Pan arrive?”
“Shortly after you left.” Jean mentioned as she bounced the rubber ball they were playing with. “Videl called here, saying she desperately needed someone to watch Pan while she went two different directions. I didn’t mind babysitting while you were away, and I thought it’d be a nice surprise having her here when you came home.”
“Hi Gramma!!” Pan waved happily, her toothy grin brightened the entire room. “Come and Play!”
“I would love to! Just let me put these groceries away.” Chi-Chi grinned, setting her bags on the table.
“Let me do that sweetheart.” Jean offered as she stood from the floor. “You’ve been out all day, you deserve a little break and grandbaby playtime.”
“You’re so sweet to me.” Chi-Chi beamed before she quickly picked up one of Pan’s favorite games.
Since that afternoon, Pan has visited nearly two times a week for the last five or six weeks. Having her granddaughter around brought Chi-Chi more joy than she thought possible. All those months without seeing her has caused the two not to be as close. The grandmother regrets all the time she didn’t spend with Pan.
“What would you like to do today Pan?” Chi-Chi asked, seeing Jean come into the room out of the corner of her eye. She placed the sliced apples in front of the little Saiyan, along with a little dollop of peanut butter. “It’s a beautiful Saturday. We could go to the park, even the library to pick out some new books!”
“Can we go to the Center, Granma?” Pan asked between bites of her apple. The little Saiyan happily bounced in her chair as she munched on her snack. “I like to go there with mommy! It’s so much fun!”
“The Center?? What is that?”
Jean felt the color drain from her face. Looking at the quarter-Saiyan in the chair, the brunette continued to walk past the duo in the kitchen. She was headed to the laundry room, and decided not to stop. Jean needed a few minutes to collect her thoughts.
“It’s a place where you can do yoga and stuff!” Pan smiled happily. “It’s a lot of fun, Granma. Can we go, please?”
“Is that the place your Grandfather works??”
Pan suddenly became quiet for a few moments. She looked down at the plate of apples in front of her. Eventually she shrugs the question off. “I’ve seen him there. We see lots of people there. Mommy and me go there a lot. Jean even took me.”
Chi-Chi spun around in the direction her partner beelined. “Jean??”
“Yes?” She hollered from the laundry room..
“You’ve taken Pan to The Harmony Center??” The grandmother was doing her best not to raise her voice. She watched as her granddaughter lept from the table and ran into Goten’s bedroom. Chi-Chi quickly walked in the direction her partner went, finding her folding clothes. .
“Videl recommended it the first time I watched her.” Jean answered honestly as she folded the towels in front of her. “At the time, I didn’t know The Harmony Center was the place your ex-husband built.”
“At the time??” Chi-Chi’s voice sounded more agitated. “Exactly how many times have you been there??”
“Pan and I have been several times. I don’t go without her. It makes her so happy to be there, I don’t want to deprive her of it.”
“How could you keep this from me? I thought I could trust you!”
“I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you Chi-Chi.”
“So just visiting the business that my ex-husband and new partner work at isn’t completely insane?“
“Not when it’s a damned yoga studio Chi." The older woman sighed. "I spoke to your ex-husband, Goku. I even saw the owner once and we got a chance to chat” Jean mentioned curtly, abruptly quieting her partner.
“He said he was happy for the two of us. He wanted to let me know he’s glad you’ve found someone that could make you happy. Are you happy Chi-Chi?? Ellery loves your family nearly as much as you do. She even thanks you for being with Goku before her. Without you, she wouldn’t h
ave three important people in her life. I think you should give this whole thing a rest.”
Her words left the grandmother utterly speechless. This allowed Jean to get her feelings off her chest.
“I’ve been trying to figure out why you couldn’t let go of your past relationship. For the longest time I wanted to believe that he was just a bad guy, and that you deserved better. I’ve met Goku and talked to him about how things ended. Now, I don’t know whether to believe you were actually abused, or if you continued to stay in a relationship YOU knew wasn’t going to give you the satisfaction. I’m beginning to think you’re always looking for reasons to be upset. If you’re constantly reliving your past mistakes, you can’t truly live in the present.”
Jean took a step past her partner with a hamper full of clothes, exiting the laundry room. “I’m taking Pan to The Harmony Center. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
Ugh… I feel like a Giant Ozaru slept on me last night…
Ellery slowly opened her eyes to the darkened room. Judging from the amount of light coming through the curtains, the Saiyan woman slept most of the morning. Her body felt heavy, a slight ache coming from her lower abdomen. Ellery remembered feeling almost the same way the morning she woke up after eating the chocolates.
She noticed the bed once again was empty next to her. Ellery never felt it get disturbed in the middle of the night, so Goku must have stayed at Lord Beerus’ again. The young woman sighed, his aura being so far away could also be the cause of the strange feeling she was experiencing this morning. Ellery still felt groggy as she attempted to pull her heavy limbs into a sitting position. It took every ounce of her energy just to stand from her bed.
Slowly walking down the stairs, the young woman made a beeline for the kitchen. She was hoping to ease the ache in her abdomen by eating something. Ellery made a bowl of cereal, not having the strength to do much else. After she sits at the table for a moment, the Saiyan woman couldn’t help but wonder if something else was going on. Eating a few bites of cereal, Ellery was starting to feel a little bit better. The pain in her abdomen began to subside the more she ate.
Could there be another reason I’m feeling so strange? Ellery contemplated. She continued to eat her breakfast as her mind began to race. It wasn’t like the young woman to worry like this. On the other hand, without her partner here, Ellery just felt off.
Am I getting sick? I know Saiyan’s can get sick, but I’ve never had it happen before! Looking down at the floor, Ellery watched her feet sway back and forth. Her tail was wrapped around her waist like always. The tip however, was caught caressing the young woman’s lower abdomen. Could it be??
Maybe I should call Bulma… Ellery pondered, looking at her almost empty bowl. Even if she didn’t know what was going on, she’s a scientist! The best bet I’ve got is to a doctor.
Looking at the calendar on the wall, Ellery noticed it hadn’t been changed from the previous month. As her hand gripped the bottom corner, the Saiyan woman observed a specific date on the calendar. Kakarot and I had our weekend getaway that long ago? Ellery’s other hand came up to count the number of weeks that had passed.
Ellery’s stomach flipped, causing her to run to the nearest restroom. The Saiyan woman was able to catch her hair just in time as she began to vomit into the bathtub. Groaning at the loss of her breakfast and appetite, Ellery couldn’t help but look down at her abdomen. Closing her eyes, the Saiyan woman concentrated on her body. Just below her belly button, she noticed a separate aura that she’d never observed before. It was so weak that she wouldn’t have picked it up if she weren’t looking for it.
Inside Ellery was a baby Saiyan.
Tears of joy welled up in the young woman’s eyes. She knew Goku would be elated to hear the news! Kakarot!!! I have the best news!!
Moments go by, and all the Saiyan woman hears is radio silence. The two had been able to communicate from long distances before, but never from planets away. Ellery had a small hope that it would work. Not letting that deter her, she rushes back up to her room. Quickly finding her phone, Ellery calls her friend Bulma.
“Well hey lady.” Bulma said from the other end of the phone.
“Hey! Are you busy?”
“Not this very second.” Bulma said with a laugh. “It sounds like something urgent is going on? What’s up?”
“I just wanted to come over and chat with you.” Ellery smiled. “I was actually wondering if you could play scientist for me.”
“Oh? Such an odd request from Ellery.” Bulma mentioned. “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is wonderful. I just kind of need you to confirm a hypothesis I have. I don’t really have the equipment here.” Ellery spoke in code, only to keep the secret as long as she could.
“Does this have anything to do with your wish you made??? Are little Bulla and Pan finally gonna get a friend to play with??”
Ellery burst into a fit of giggles. “Damn your good I’m not one-hundred percent sure, but I think you could be right..”
Bulma could be heard screaming from the other end of the phone. “THIS IS AMAZING!!! Does Goku know???”
“I tried to contact him earlier today with our bond. I think since he’s training with Lord Beerus, he’s too far away to hear my thoughts. It’ll be a surprise for him when he returns.”
“We’ll make it one hell of a surprise!!!” Bulma said happily. “Get your butt over here as fast as you can! We’ve gotta turn you into a lab rat for just an hour or so.”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can.” Ellery said with a laugh.
The two ladies said their goodbyes before the Saiyan woman hung up. She quickly finds a decent pair of clothes to wear and within minutes is out the door. Thankfully from her home, the drive to Bulma’s was relatively short. Ellery was greeted at the door by her friend with open arms.
“Come here!” Bulma pulled the young woman into a tight hug. “I’m so incredibly happy for you!!”
“How about we make sure I’m right before we start celebrating?” Ellery mentioned while the two headed inside.
“I know you say that, but El I’ve gotta tell you. You’re glowing today!” Bulma said as they walked down a series of hallways to get to Bulma’s lab.
“I’ve been hearing that for the past week. Multiple people have come up to me at The Harmony Center to tell me my glow was lighting up the room.”
“You should’ve taken the hint! It’s the glow of an expecting mother!” Bulma snickered as she opened the door to her office. “This won’t take long at all. I’ll just need a teeny blood sample and it’ll tell us everything we need to know!”
Bulma led Ellery to a comfortable chair where she could begin. “Have you been feeling any different this past week?”
“Now that you mention it.” The young woman began. “I didn’t notice anything until this morning. When I woke up, I felt like a giant monkey had slept on top of me. I had no energy whatsoever. It took me almost a half hour to sit up in bed. I slowly gained my energy back, but it was the strangest feeling.”
“That’s going to begin to happen from time to time.” Bulma stated. “I remember that happening to me as well. I would be running an errand or doing something around the house and out of nowhere, I felt like I was going to pass out from lack of energy. When you’re pregnant, the tiny Saiyan inside you is relying on you to give it energy to help them grow. From time to time, it’s going to completely deplete every resource you have. Thankfully we have strong partner’s that can help compensate for some of that energy loss.”
Suddenly a lightbulb shines in the scientist's head. “You know, most doctors won’t know what to do if you came to them with a Saiyan Pregnancy. I can set up a ‘doctor's office’ here at Capsule Corp. That way I can keep track of the baby’s progress! I’ve never seen a full-blooded Saiyan pregnancy before!
“Everything’s a science experiment to you, isn’t it?” Ellery chuckled.
“While I care about scientific progress as much as the next girl.” Bulma stated. “I’m doing this because I want to ensure that your pregnancy is as safe as possible.”
“Safe?”
The bluenette nodded. She had Ellery take a seat while she found the supplies she needed. “When I went through the birth of Trunks and Bulla, I thought it was going to tear my body apart! But I was also a human giving birth to a half-Saiyan baby. Vegeta was there for my second pregnancy and it made the world of difference.
“Besides, I would feel better knowing you were going to receive your care here. I can even hire a doctor, if that would make you feel more comfortable.”
“I don’t think that’d be necessary.” Ellery mentioned as she held out her arm for Bulma. She winced as the needle entered her skin, watching as the blood ran through the tubing into a vile. “If you’re willing to do all of this to help me have my child, how could I say no?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Bulma smiled. After she took the sample of blood, she ran to her machines, doing things Ellery wasn't able to see. “We should have our results in about ten minutes! Until then, do you have any questions? I might be able to answer some of them.”
“Is a Saiyan pregnancy longer than a human one?”
The scientist shook her head. “When I was pregnant with Trunks and Bulla, each of their pregnancies lasted less than eight months. Human’s gestational period is 40 weeks, or about nine months if the baby is carried to full term. Since my children are half-Saiyan, I would like to guess that a full blooded Saiyan pregnancy wouldn’t take as long.”
“Saiyan’s on their home planet incubate their children for several weeks, evenjo months after they are born. The reason they did this was to get back on the battlefield as quickly as possible. With their new lives here, I don’t know if that has caused any changes to their gestational period. Now that Saiyan’s aren’t needing to fight as before, it’s possible the body has compensated for that. Nevertheless, we’ll monitor the baby's progress throughout the entire process, Ellery. There’s no need to get so worried.”
“Every nerve in my body is an anxious mess.” The Saiyan woman mentioned as her hand caressed her lower abdomen. “I just wish Kakarot were here.”
Bulma placed her hand on Ellery’s leg, patting it gently. “When was the last time he came home?”
“A few days ago.” The Saiyan woman chuckled as she recollected their conversation. “He mentioned something about not wanting Vegeta to surpass him?”
“Probably one of Whis’ mind games.” Bulma rolled her eyes. “Vegeta will come home saying things like that too! I think their teacher is trying to pit them against each other. It doesn’t help that fighting is in their blood in the first place!”
“It sure did work.” Ellery sighed. “All he’s been thinking about is training since we came back from our vacation.”
“I thought he was teaching classes at The Center?”
“He does.” Ellery agreed. “As soon as he’s finished with those, he’s either eating or leaving to go train.”
“Does that bother you?” Bulma asked curiously.
It took a moment for the young woman to answer. “No, I wouldn’t say that it bothers me. I know he’s doing the thing that makes him happy. I just feel there’s other forces keeping him there.”
“What do you mean? Other forces?”
Ellery sighed. “I know Kakarot loves to train and get stronger. It’s just recently when he leaves, he acts like he needs to go, instead of wanting to go.”
Bulma’s computer beeped behind the two ladies, causing the printer to whir. Ellery jumped in anticipation. The scientist quickly kicked her feet back, allowing her wheely chair to take her across the room. Screaming in elation, Bulma threw the piece of paper into the air. “HOORAY!!! OUR SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED!!”
Ellery could feel the tears falling down her face. The young woman’s hands clutched her lower abdomen. “I can’t believe it. Kakarot and I are going to have a baby.”
“You know, Father’s Day is this Sunday.” Bulma mentioned with a gleam in her eye. “I could get a little party together, invite Lord Beerus and Whis, and we can plan to tell him then!”
“I don’t know, Bulma.” Ellery began having second thoughts. “I’d like for him to find out before we go and tell the entire Universe. It's only fair.”
“You’re right.” The bluenette said with a sympathetic grin. “I’m still throwing that party though! If Goku doesn’t come back to Earth before then, it may be the only way to get him off Lord Beerus’ world in the first place.”
“I guess you have a point.” Ellery laughed.
Chapter 10: Pan Saves the Day!
Chapter Text
"Fantastic everyone!" Ellery said enthusiastically. One of her ladies called in sick at the last minute, causing her to come in and teach a yoga class the day before Father's Day. Although she was babysitting Pan, the little Saiyan was more than happy to accompany her. Knowing the young one had mastered several poses already, Ellery was allowing her to teach the class. Pan could be seen walking around the room, assisting people with their poses.
"Next, we're moving onto the other side. Let's begin the Left Tiger's Pose." She mentioned as she lifted her left leg off the yoga mat.
Ellery was glad to have a distraction from everything else going on in her life. After finding out she was pregnant at the beginning of the week, the Saiyan woman has done everything to raise her own power level. She knew their child was going to require a lot of energy, and she wanted to be able to provide it without putting herself in danger. However, without the help of her mate, the training has been rather difficult. Goku still hasn't returned home for Ellery to tell him the amazing news. She was afraid her partner wouldn't be earthbound before the party began.
"Great work! Let's move into our next pose." The young woman slowly moved her body up. A sharp pain came from Ellery's lower back, causing her eyes to widen. The pain subsided immediately, but it left the Saiyan woman to ponder what in the world happened. Instead of standing, Ellery decided to remain seated for the next few poses. "From here, we're moving on to the Lotus Pose."
"I thought we were gonna do the Tree, Elly." Pan asked curiously. The little Saiyan took a good look at her babysitter, there was a pained look behind her eyes. She wondered if everything was alright.
"There's been a little change in plan, sweetie." Ellery smiled at Pan, taking a few deep breaths in order to make sure that pain would stay away. The Saiyan woman began to feel light headed. "Everyone take slow, deep breaths."
Pan quickly walked to the front of the room. She noticed Ellery's eyes were closed and her aura was fluctuating severely. It would skyrocket, then diminish to nothing. The young Saiyan was afraid she could be in danger. "Elly, is everything okay?" Pan whispered in her ear as quietly as she could.
"I'm fine, Pan. No need to worry." The Saiyan woman could feel her energy acting in a strange manner. If she could just get through this class, she could call Bulma.
"Can you show everyone how to do the Tree Pose, please?" Ellery smiled before opening her eyes. The Saiyan woman felt a wave of nausea hit her the moment her eyes were exposed to the light.
"Follow me, everyone! We're gonna do Tree Left. Please raise your right leg like this." Pan smiled excitedly as her left foot met with her right thigh. The young Saiyan's hands were in front of her, palms and fingers touching. "We're going to hold this, just like this!"
Ellery stood from the floor slowly, quietly excusing herself to the back of the room. The young woman felt a heat rise to her face, causing her to sweat and the nauseous feeling to intensify. Before she could make it to the door, the Saiyan woman's vision blurred before turning pitch black.
Kakarot, help…
"Alright boys! Let's take a quick break." Whis hollered from the earth. He was sitting next to Lord Beerus, who was finishing off the last bowl of special spicy ramen the boys brought as a thank-you gift. The Deity noticed over the last couple of days, Goku has become more distracted once again. While the Attendant wasn't permitted to speak of the Arena that was currently in progress, he could definitely persuade a couple of Saiyan's to do some extra training. It was easy for Vegeta, all Whis had to do was ask.
Goku was a harder case. Since Ellery and he were trying to conceive, most of his time has been spent Earth-bound. However, Whis found one trick that never seems to get old… having two rivals compete against each other.
"You don't want Vegeta to gain an advantage on you, do you, Goku?" Whis asked honestly.
"What do you mean?" The Saiyan asked with wide eyes. He always feared the Prince would surpass him one day.
"I understand that you're trying to have a child. That doesn't mean you need to neglect your training while you are doing it. I noticed how distracted you've been lately. Take your mind off of everything else, and your abilities are truly going to shine through. We wouldn't want the Saiyan Prince getting stronger than you, now would we?"
"No!" Goku said confidently. "I'm the strongest Saiyan in the Universe!"
"That's the spirit." Whis smiled. "We just need to intensify your training for a few weeks, then you'll be back to your former glory in no time."
Those words have been what's been fueling Goku to continue his training. Ever since Whis mentioned Vegeta gaining strength, the other Saiyan felt the need to gain strength as well. For the last six weeks, Goku has spent a lot more time on Lord Beerus' planet. When not taking care of his other obligations, the warrior was training to his fullest. Whis was astonished at the amount of progress he's made in the short amount of time he's been here.
"Whew!" Goku exhaled as the two Saiyan's landed near the deities. "I'm starving!"
"After you get washed up, Lunch will be in the dining room." Whis stated, not moving from his spot in the soft grass.
The two Saiyan's quickly rush into the south wing of the palace. There was a door on the outside that led them directly into the washrooms. Wanting to get to their meals as soon as possible, Goku and Vegeta speed through their shower routines.
"You get the feeling he's not telling us something lately?" Goku pondered as he dried off, grabbing a clean pair of clothes from the shelf.
"I'm sure there's a lot of things he doesn't tell us, Kakarot." Vegeta stated matter of factly. "They happen to be deities, or do you forget that sometimes?"
"Of course I know that, Vegeta! What I mean is, lately it just seems like Whis and Lord Beerus have been pushing extra hard these last few weeks. I wonder why that is."
"Now that you mention it, some of our training has gotten pretty intense. Last week, Lord Beerus chased me for an entire day, throwing energy blasts at me. He's never used his full speed like that before!" Vegeta winced at the thought of his sparring session with Lord Beerus.
"Do you think Zeni and Zeno are gonna have another Tournament of Power?"
"You've named both of them now?" Vegeta asked incredulously.
"Well, I didn't want Future Zeni to feel left out, so I gave him his own name!" Goku rubbed the back of his head as he laughed, walking towards the dining area. "I didn't think it was weird, and the two of them liked it."
"As long as the Omni Kings are happy, I guess that's all that matters." Vegeta sighed, rolling his eyes before the two turned the corner. The smells coming from the dining room caused their stomachs to rumble uncontrollably. "Do you think they would really plan another Tournament?"
"I don't see why not." Goku answered honestly. "No Universe got hurt in the end, it was a lot of fun for them, and we know how much those two like to have fun."
The two Saiyans noticed the mountains of food piled on the table. Goku's mouth began to water severely as he took his seat at the table, not even grabbing a plate. The warrior began digging into the closest thing he could find.
"Unbelievable." Vegeta shook his head as he got a plate, piling it high with goodies from the table.
Goku and Vegeta ate the rest of their meal in silence. The only noises that could be heard were to pass something from one to the other. Suddenly, a strange feeling swept over the orange suited warrior. His mate's aura was fluctuating in an unhealthy manner.
"What's wrong, Kakarot?" Vegeta asked between bites, noticing his sparring partner had stopped eating.
"Something doesn't feel right…" Goku mentioned that he tried his best to lock on to his mate's ki signature, but for some reason he wasn't able to sense it. Searching even more intensely, the warrior began to panic. Energy was severely fluctuating near their home. Goku didn't recognize it as Ellery's but for some reason it was definitely familiar. "I can't sense Ellery's energy."
"At all?" Vegeta's brows raised. "How does that happen?"
"I don't know…" Goku began to panic.
Kakarot, help…
"I've gotta go!" The warrior quickly put two fingers to his head, unable to sense any specific aura from Earth.
Out of the blue, A familiar energy made itself known. Goku was surprised he could feel his granddaughter's aura from this far away. Something must be wrong…
In the blink of an eye, the scenery around the warrior changed. He was in the middle of a room in their yoga studio. Ellery was passed out on the floor with Pan next to her. Her little body was trembling as it gave off as much energy as it could.
"Grandpa! I knew it'd work!" The little Saiyan fell to her knees.
"What happened, Pan?" Goku quickly sat next to his mate, placing her in between his legs. From what he could tell, Ellery was completely drained of her own energy. The only remaining aura was the one coming from her abdomen. The Saiyan acted quickly, placing his hands on Ellery's stomach, transferring his own energy to her.
"Elly was babysitting. We came here 'cuz someone called in sick. During yoga she passed out! I told the ladies to call Bulma, then I tried to get you here!" The little Saiyan plopped onto the floor next to her grandfather, exhausted from sending the distress signal.
"You did a fantastic job, Pan." Goku smiled brightly. One of his hands moved from Ellery to rest on Pan's head, giving her energy as well. "I would have never been able to make it home if it weren't for you."
"I just wanted to help Elly and the baby." Pan beamed.
"B-baby?" Goku's eyes widened, taking a moment to really assess his partner's body. As he scanned her aura, he noticed that little ball of energy once again in her lower abdomen. It was a perfect mixture of their aura's combined. That must be why it was so hard to sense Ellery's energy. The warrior thought to himself. Not only is her ki acting up, but this little one was also blocking it from me!
Hand moving to his partner's abdomen, Goku could feel moisture falling down his face.
"Grandpa, are you okay?" Pan asked worriedly.
"I'm just very happy, Pan." Goku said with a grin. "These are happy tears."
"Kaka-?" Ellery made an attempt to get off the floor.
"Don't you move a muscle." The warrior held onto his partner tight. "I'm right here."
"My energy…" The young woman could barely move.
"I'm giving you some of mine, sweetheart." Goku said calmly. "We're just gonna sit here until you two can move on your own."
"T-two? You already knew?" The expectant mother pouted. "I wanted to be the one to tell you."
"Pan kinda spilled the beans." The warrior chuckled as he kissed Ellery's forehead. "I had no idea until I arrived here. She mentioned she wanted to help you and the baby, and after that I sensed the little one's energy."
Ellery's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Why do you sound surprised?" The warrior's brow furrowed.
"The only person I told was Bulma, and we only found out at the beginning of this week. This is the first time I've seen Pan since I found out."
Goku looks at his granddaughter in amazement. "Maybe she can sense them?"
"I mean, it's entirely possible." The Saiyan woman agreed. "Happy early Father's Day." Ellery mentioned with a giggle. "Bulma is throwing a party tomorrow for everyone. I was hoping you would be home beforehand, this way I'd be able to tell you without a crowd. This really wasn't exactly how I wanted things to go down, but I'm glad you're here."
"I'm not going to leave your side if this is going to continue." Goku kissed her head repeatedly. "I want to provide our child with energy, easing part of the burden from you. I just wish I would've known before something bad almost happened." Looking at his partner, he noticed Ellery's eyelids were beginning to flutter. The warrior chuckled as he pulled her closer, purring gently in her ear. "Go to sleep, Princess. You need your rest."
"Ellery! I rushed over the second I got the call." Bulma rushed through the door. She slowed her movements the second she noticed Goku with her. Smiling happily, the bluenette looked at her childhood friend. "Fantastic!" Bulma whispered, seeing Ellery asleep in his arms. "You're back"
"Thank you for being there, Bulma." Goku said apologetically. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Don't mention it." The scientist brushed it off. "We're just glad you're home."
"I'm glad to be home as well." Goku beamed. "I'll probably be Earthside for some time. I don't want Ellery to have this happen to her again."
"It's going to happen again." Bulma sighed. "One of the downfalls of Saiyan pregnancy unfortunately. It could happen at any moment. These next six months are going to be crucial to the health of your baby."
"Is that why Vegeta never left your side?" Goku inquired astonishingly.
"That's part of the reason." Bulma smiled. "The other reason is because he's a good partner, and wanted to be there for me and Bulla."
"I want to do the right thing this time around, Bulma." The warrior looked down at his partner in his lap. "I was so young, and irresponsible when I had my first two boys. I'd like to think I've matured as I got older. But there's still a part of me that is scared beyond belief that I'm not going to be a good father."
"Goku, you're being too hard on yourself." His childhood friend sighed. "Although you took a backseat in Gohan and Goten's lives, that
doesn't mean you need to be afraid to step up. I know you care for Ellery and your child. Your boys adore the hell out of you! This child the two of you are having is going to grow up in the most loving environment. One where the parents love their children and each other. It won't be anything like last time."
"I know you're right, Bulma." Goku admitted. "I just know I'm going to need help."
"It does take a village to raise a baby." Bulma chuckled. "Ellery agreed that she'd like me to assist with the birth. I'd like you guys to stop by regularly so I can check on their progress. I hope that takes a little bit of the stress away."
"A lot of it, actually." The Saiyan smiled.
After a couple moments, the bluenette spoke again. "Goku, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Bulma!."
"During the planning of this party, since it's Father's Day I'm going to ask you if it's alright if I invite Chi-Chi and Jean. She's been a part of the group for so long, I feel bad for excluding her."
"I understand." Goku said after a little contemplation. "Go ahead and invite her, I just want you to make sure she's going to be on her best behavior. The two of us are nothing but civil, even nice when we see her. I just don't want this party blowing up in a fight because of us. Maybe… You could tell her the news? That way it won't be broken to her at the party?"
"It would be my pleasure." Bulma smiled happily. "I am going to have a long talk with her, Goku! You can assure there won't be a scene!"
"Grandpa, can we go home?" Pan asked, tiredly rubbing her eyes.
"I need to get back to Capsule Corp.." Bulma smiled at the little Saiyan next to Goku. "Got lots of things to plan for this party!"
"Okay." Goku nodded, waving to his friend as she left.. "We'll see you tomorrow!"
Chapter 11: Happy Father's Day!
Chapter Text
This conversation will probably best be done in person. I haven't seen their new place yet! Trunks told me it's a nice looking home. Instead of directing herself to Capsule Corp. Bulma took a detour to Jean and Chi-Chi's new home. Not far from the Harmony Center, There was a metal building that had been converted into a wonderful looking home. Flower gardens were around the entire perimeter. As the bluenette got closer, she noticed a nice vegetable garden on the side of the home, along with a pond towards the back.
Bulma walked towards the door quickly, knocking on the door.
"Come in?" Said an unsure voice from the other side.
Bulma opened the door, waving happily at the trio in the living room. "Hey guys!"
"Bulma!" Chi-Chi said with wide eyes. "Goodness, it's been ages! Please come sit down." The woman rose from her seat with a bright smile, giving her friend a hug. "Would you like something to drink? I can even cook up something if you're hungry."
"No need, Chi. I really appreciate it." The bluenette smiled at her friend. "I just came by to invite you guys to a little get-together I'm having tomorrow."
"One of Bulma's famous parties?" Chi-Chi beamed as she looked at her partner. "She throws the best parties!"
"Oh I've heard." Jean mentioned with a chuckle. "Capsule Corp has been known to throw down for their employees. My friends and colleagues would mention how wild the parties would get, not to mention all the food!"
"We always have enough to feed an army! Especially when we have Saiyan's and other Deities as guests." Bulma laughed happily. "Since it's Father's day, I figured the only way to get Vegeta to come to Earth would be to throw a party with a bunch of food. He can't train if his teachers are here enjoying the feast!"
"You are a genius." Chi-Chi said with a laugh. "Did you invite the whole gang?"
"Of course I did." Bulma mentioned as she followed Chi-Chi and took a seat in the chair across from the couch. "They all agreed to meet again. Dinner starts at six sharp, but as always there's fun before dinner starts."
"I assume Goku will be coming with Lord Beerus and Vegeta." The woman laughed a little, knowing how much her ex-husband loved to train.
"He'll be there. He's actually the one that asked me to invite you." The bluenette beamed at her old friend. "He said it wouldn't be a Bulma party without Chi-Chi!"
"Really?"
Jean smiled excitedly, placing her hand on her partner's thigh. "I think it's wonderful he wants the whole gang together! It'd be nice to sit down with him and Ellery." Everyone could feel the tension in the room beginning to rise. Jean sighed and looked at Chi-Chi. "If he's making an effort to be friendly, I say you do the same. Don't you agree?"
"I guess you're right." Chi-Chi said with a smile. "I even planned on going to The Harmony Center sometime next week with Pan and Jean. Over these last two years, I didn't realize how much hell I was putting my family through by continuing to live in the past."
"I'm so glad to hear that." Bulma was smiling from ear to ear. Maybe this next bit of news won't hurt as bad as I think…. "Chi, there was something Goku wanted me to tell you."
"What is it?" The woman asked curiously.
"They don't want Goten to know until tomorrow, but he's going to be a big brother. Goku wanted me to tell you before the party, so you didn't find out in front of the whole gang."
Chi-Chi and Jean's features both showed the same look of shock.
"Well… I guess that's nice of him.." Chi-Chi said quietly, looking down at her hands. "Kind of wish he would've told me himself."
"I wanted to take that away from him." Bulma said with an airy laugh. "I wanted to tell you when I came to see you. I thought it'd hurt less coming from a friend."
Chi-Chi felt a tinge of happiness. "You're right. You've always been a great friend to me, Bulma."
"I'm here for you, Chi." Bulma reaches across and grasps her hand. "It's going to be a great party, just you wait!"
I'm gonna be a dad again… I can't believe it's finally happening! Goku thought as he continued to stroke different patterns on Ellery's stomach. After Pan was picked up, the two Saiyans went directly to bed.
With the incident at the studio, the young woman was more than exhausted. She quickly fell asleep against her partner that night.
Goku supplied his mate with energy throughout the night. He would feel her aura begin to dip as she slipped into a deeper sleep. The warrior hoped by allowing the baby to feed off his energy along with hers, he could save his mate some of her own energy. It's gonna be different this time around. Every step of the way, I'm gonna be here. You hear that little baby? Daddy's gonna be right by your side.
That's the spirit I was hoping to see. Ellery snuggled closer to her mate, eyes opening slowly.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Just woke up." The woman smiled as she kissed her partner's chest. "Thank you for the help last night. With your energy, I feel like I could conquer the world today!"
The Saiyan chuckled. "Would you like to help me conquer breakfast? I'm starving."
Ellery smiled at her mate excitedly. As she sat up in bed, her nostrils picked up the scent of eggs and bacon already being cooked. Scanning the house, she felt four distinct energies in their home. "Kakarot, do you sense that?"
"Yeah, and I already smell breakfast… Were we really in our own world to not notice?"
"It happens more often than you think." Ellery giggles, kissing her mate on the cheek. "I bet your son's wanted to surprise you on Father's day." Getting out of bed, the Saiyan woman walks to her closet. She picks out clothes for the day and quickly heads downstairs. "It smells delicious!"
"Good morning!" Gohan hollered from the stove. The young man was cooking away, already making piles of food that Pan and Goten were devouring. "Looks like these two knuckleheads have started already. Go ahead and help yourself!"
Ellery sat at the counter, picking several different foods to put on her plate. Videl came by with a big glass of orange juice for her.. "Thank you!" The Saiyan woman mentioned as she began to fill her mouth.
"Sure thing." Videl smiled as she began to get her own plate together. "Will Goku be joining us?"
"Gohan must be cooking!" Goku yelled from the top of the stairs, all but flying himself into the kitchen. "Thanks for the breakfast, son!"
"There he is." Ellery mentioned quietly, smiling at Videl.
"Happy Father's day, Dad!" Gohan turned to his dad with a smile.
"We thought we'd surprise you with breakfast!" Goten said with a mouth full of food.
"You two are the best son's a dad could ask for." Goku said before he grabbed his oldest, pulling him into a hug. He extended his arm for his youngest to join him.
"Happy Father's Day." Goten hugged his dad.
"Thank you, son." Goku held his boys close, a huge smile radiating from his features. "It's nice to have all of my kids here with me this morning." The warrior looked at his partner with a huge smile.
Ellery felt a heat rush to her cheeks, her hand going to her abdomen. She watched her mate begin to devour the food on the table. Having all of them here puts the biggest smile on Goku's face. Seeing her mate so elated also caused her to feel extra happy. "So, who came up with this wonderful plan?"
"Actually." Goten was the first to speak. "Mom thought it'd be a good idea if Gohan and I surprised Dad. She told me so after she visited Bulma last night."
Goten was finishing his homework when he heard a knock at the door. He heard Bulma's voice in the living room earlier in the evening. The half-Saiyan wondered what she came over for. It's been ages since Bulma and his mother had a chance to talk. Normally, Trunks would fly over here to play, or Goten would fly to Capsule Corp. Their mother's didn't hang out anymore. Ever since Goten's mother and father split up, it was rare that his mom and Bulma saw each other. The Capsule Corp CEO was his father's best friend.
"Goten?" Chi-Chi cracked open the door to her son's bedroom.
"Yeah mom?"
His mother entered and took a seat on his bed. "Are you almost finished with your homework?"
"Yep! Why?"
Chi-Chi took a deep breath before looking at her youngest son. "Father's Day is tomorrow, and I think it'd be nice if you and Gohan spent the day with him."
"Really?" Goten's eyes were wide as he looked at his mother in disbelief.
Chi-Chi nodded, a sad smile on her face. "I've been… angry for a long time, Goten. Letting go some of that has really helped me to see the benefit of the way our lives turned out. I need to have a chat with him sometime, but how would you like to stay with Goku on some weekends?"
Goten jumped out of the chair excitedly. "You really mean it, Mom?"
"I do, sweetie. I just want you to be happy."
"I need to go tell Gohan!" Goten ran from his room, grabbing his jacket before heading out the door.
Both Saiyan's were shocked by the news. Goku smiled nonetheless. The warrior was more than happy to have his son on the weekends. "Well, it looks like I'll have to tell her thank you at the party tonight."
"I was thinking the same thing." Ellery mentioned with a smile.
The group ate the rest of their meal in silence. Only sounds that were heard were those of utensils scraping against plates.
When do you want to tell your family? The Saiyan woman thought as she filled her mouth with more pancakes.
After we eat? I was too hungry to wait..
Ellery chuckled, nearly spitting her food out of her mouth. You're adorable..
"You okay, El?" Videl asked while looking at the Saiyan woman.
Nodding, Ellery smiled happily. "It's actually great you guys are here. We have some important news to tell you."
Videl beamed at the couple. "I knew it!" She clapped happily. "When I saw you at The Harmony Center the other day, you were just glowing!"
Gohan and Goten looked at their father confused. "What's Videl talking about?"
"Yeah Dad? Why does Ellery have a glow?" Goku's youngest questioned.
"I'm not sure what the glow is about." The Saiyan admitted with a chuckle. He took his partner's hand from across the table, beaming at her as he told his family the exciting news. "Ellery and I are going to have a baby." The warrior said happily..
Cheers erupted from around the household. Smiles could be seen on everyone's faces.
"I'm gonna be a big brother!" Goten yelled, ecstatic that he was going to have a little brother or sister.
"So how exactly does a Saiyan pregnancy work?" Gohan asked curiously. "I remember with Videl, her pregnancy was a little shorter than a human's."
"Bulma tells me it'll be about six months." Ellery mentioned, leaning back in her chair. "Saiyan's were meant to have shorter pregnancies due to them going off-world to fight. Their babies used to stay in incubators for months to finish growing. It may be what has to happen once again."
Goten's eyes widened. "That sounds scary.."
"We would be there every step of the way." The expecting mother said with a smile. "Our little one would never be alone. I'm so glad Bulma insisted on helping throughout the pregnancy. I think I'd be a mess if it weren't for her."
"She is a remarkable woman." Videl agreed, smiling at the couple across the table.
"So, what do you guys wanna do today?" Goku looked at his boys curiously.
"Can we spar?" Goten asked.
"Is that even a question!" Goku laughed as he stood from the table, picking up his youngest and running outside with him.
"Looks like I'll start cleaning up." Ellery chuckled as she watched her mate, shaking her head.
"I'll help you." Gohan and Videl said in unison before smiling at each other.
"Go spend time with your father." The Saiyan woman beamed. "Videl and I can handle this."
"Come on Saiyan! You're going to have to do better than that if you want to defeat me!"
Whis chuckled from his seat in front of the action. Lord Beerus and Vegeta had been training since the early hours of the morning. The Destroyer didn't get the best sleep, so he was pretty cranky when the Prince came stumbling into the kitchen this morning. All the excess noise caused Lord Beerus to snap, and everyone else to miss breakfast.
"Wanna bet our Lord is going to win?" Asked the Oracle Fish with a smirk.
"I learned a long time ago, Oracle, never make bets with someone that can see the future." Whis chuckled. "Vegeta does seem to be getting better though, Lord Beerus wouldn't be taunting him like this if it weren't the case."
"Do you think he's stronger than Goku?"
"It's hard to say." Whis admitted. "They both have such different fighting styles. I would say either could win in a one on one fight. It all depends on the other variables."
"Such as?"
"Whether it's a friendly match, or if there's stakes behind the curtain." Whis looked into the distance. "Both Saiyan's come out stronger when their cornered. For some reason or another, Goku can tap into some unknown reservoir of power. If Vegeta could find a way of tapping into his hidden energy, I don't think the two would be in the same class anymore."
"You think he has hidden powers?"
"Of course." The Attendant chuckled. "If the Prince would learn to relax every once in a while, like his counterpart, I think it would do him a world of good." Whis looked towards the fight. "In fact, I can tell it's already made an improvement. Bulma told me she has a 'new full-proof method' to get Vegeta to relax. I haven't asked what it is, but it seems to be working."
"Do you think Goku will ever come back to train?" The Oracle wondered.
"It's only a matter of time." The Deity smiled. "The second he sees how strong Vegeta's gotten, his Saiyan blood will be itching for a spar.
"With the Tournament in its beginning stages, I'm still not sure I should tell Goku just yet. Something tells me he wouldn't be on board."
"I wouldn't worry about Goku joining the Tournament, Whis." The Fish mentioned as he relaxed into his bowl.
The Attendant's staff began to blink and beep, startling the two out of their conversation. "Hmm.. It's Bulma. I wonder what she wants."
"Only one way to find out!" The Oracle Fish clapped.
A projection became visible. Bulma, Trunks, and Bulla were on the other side.
"Hello Whis!" Bulma waved happily.
"What do we owe the pleasure of this call, Bulma?" Whis asked with a smile.
"Since Father's Day is today, I wanted to throw a big dinner buffet and invite you guys to come!"
"Is that the only way you'll get Vegeta to be there?" The Attendant laughed.
Bulma fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Dinner will be at Six sharp! Make sure to get here in plenty of time! I can always have it start early for Lord Beerus, but if he's late I can't guarantee the guests will wait."
"What's going on over there?" Vegeta could be heard in the background. The Prince flew closer to Whis, seeing his wife projected from his staff.
"HAPPY FATHERS DAY!" The trio yelled, waving at Vegeta happily.
"It's about time you called." Vegeta's tone was stern, but a smile was creeping onto his features.
"You're lucky I called at all!" Bulma yelled. "I even decided to throw a party for you."
The Prince rolled his eyes before flying away once again. Bulma watched her husband fly away in disbelief.
"We'll be there with your husband, Bulma. We promise!" Whis looked at the Oracle Fish. "Would you like to go as well?"
"OOH!" The Fish clapped excitedly. "I'll get to try Earth foods first hand, not leftovers!"
Chapter 12: Baby Saiyan Check-Up
Notes:
Eight weeks have passed since Father's Day. The baby Saiyan is now four months along! Goku and Ellery head to Bulma's for a sonogram check-up.
Chapter Text
“Are you ready to go to Bulma’s?” Goku was fixing the two of them snacks for the road. Ellery’s appetite has definitely increased over the course of the last two months. The warrior was surprised his mate could put away so much food. Nowadays, Ellery was eating more than Goku himself!
“That’s what happens when you’re feeding two Saiyan’s!” She would tell her partner during every meal.
With Goku being at home to assist with his partner’s needs, he’s also had a chance to grow closer to his little family. Several times a week, the Saiyan woman’s energy would plummet. After this continued to happen, Goku had a bright idea to continue giving her energy every night. The extra energy throughout the night helped more than the warrior expected. His partner could get through most days without collapsing from energy drain.
Watching Ellery’s stomach grow, along with feeling the baby’s energy growing inside her was the most fascinating thing. Another thing Goku couldn’t wrap his head around was the machine Bulma used on his mate. She would put some cold gel on her stomach before running some sort of scanner over her. With that, the two were able to see their little baby growing inside Ellery.
Goten has been a huge help on the weekends as well. Ever since Goku’s youngest has been staying with them, he has really taken to the roll of big brother. The half-Saiyan helped Ellery throughout the days, allowing Goku to train. For some reason, Whis had been on the warrior to get more training in than he was.
“Yeah, I’m coming!” His partner yelled from upstairs. Ellery walked down in one of the only outfits that fit her anymore. “We’re going to have to get me some bigger clothes if I’m going to keep growing at this rate.” The expectant mother’s stomach had nearly doubled in size. As she placed a hand on her abdomen, she could feel the little one moving around, causing her to smile.
Turning around, the warrior chuckled at the sight of the tight gi top on his partner. Taking his own orange one from over his head, he handed it to her. “You’re more than welcome to wear mine, it’ll fit for sure!”
“Exactly how much does that weigh, Kakarot? I don’t want to be crawling on the floor.” His mate said with a chuckle and a skeptical look.
“I’m sure you can handle it!” Goku smiled and extended his arms. “Just lay it in your arms. If it’s too heavy, I’m sure we can get you some clothes that’ll fit better.”
Goku laid the weighted gi top in her arms. If the warrior was being truthful. The navy blue undershirt held most of the weight. Some were held inside his outer layer, but not enough to hurt his partner. The Saiyan observed the surprised look on her face as she held it, and then quickly took her own shirt off to replace it. “Does it feel comfortable?”
“It’s perfect.” Ellery beamed at her partner, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around him. Her stomach was in the way of their embrace, but it allowed Goku to feel his little one begin to kick softly.
“Hey!!” Goku pulled away in astonishment. “I felt the baby kick me!!”
“I did too.” Ellery winced as she stroked her stomach softly. “The bigger they’re getting, the more painful the kick becomes.”
The warrior rubbed the back of his head, wishing there was some way he could help. “I brought some snacks for the trip, in case you got hungry.”
“You’re the greatest.” Ellery smiled at her partner, touching his shoulder. “Let’s go!”
“Alright!!” The warrior put two fingers to his forehead, and immediately the duo was transported to the make-shift doctor’s office. Bulma was at the desk, working on something when the couple arrived.
“Hey guys!” the bluenette smiled. “El, go ahead and take your normal spot. Have things been going okay since I saw you last week?”
Ellery gave her friend a pained smile. “They’re definitely gaining mobility. I can feel them moving around and kicking. It’s fascinating, but can be pretty painful at times. My appetite has gone through the roof. I feel like I’m eating more than Kakarot these days.”
Bulma nodded sympathetically as she took Ellery’s hand. “How bad is the pain?”
“It hasn’t taken me to my knees yet.” The Saiyan woman chuckled. “I’m sure it will by the end of this though. They’re growing stronger every day.”
“Trunks was the same way.” The blunette mentioned with a laugh. “That could mean you’re having a boy!! We should find out about this check-up!”
“Do we have to find out today?” Goku asked while watching Bulma put the gel on his partner’s stomach.
“If you’d like to keep it a surprise, I’d be more than happy.” Smiling from ear to ear, the bluenette couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’ll know through the tests that I run over these next few months. However, like I said, I can keep my lips sealed until they’re ready to come out.”
“I just don’t really care if it’s a boy or girl.” The warrior smiled, holding his partner’s hand. “As long as the baby’s healthy and strong, I’ll be the happiest dad in the world.”
“We could have a gender reveal party!!” Bulma exclaimed happily.
“You love throwing parties, don’t you?” Ellery laughed.
“I’ll take any chance I can to see my husband. If throwing a party is what it takes, then so be it.”
The room erupted in laughter at Bulma’s comment. Taking the scanner over Ellery’s stomach, the bluenette began to smile. “They’re developing perfectly.” She took a moment to scan over her friend’s abdomen. “I’d say they’re a little ahead of schedule for what I was expecting to see. This could mean they’re going to be fully developed before you have them. No need for the incubation.”
“You can tell all of that by looking at the black and gray mess???” Goku was astonished.
Ellery couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “Kakarot, do you not see anything on the screen?”
“It looks like a bunch of swirls and stuff!” The Saiyan scratched his head.
Bulma pulled the monitor closer to the couple. “Goku, take a closer look towards the bottom here.” The blunette pointed towards the baby's head. “Here is the head, and if you follow along with me here, you can see an arm here, even legs.”
“Their tail is even starting to develop.” Feeling tears erupt in her eyes, Ellery pointed towards the bottom of the screen.
“Oh my goodness….” Attempting to wrap his head around this, Goku moved his head closer to the screen. “There's a little baby in there!!!” Both females laughed at the Saiyan who rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. “For the longest time, I had no idea what you guys were looking at or talking about. Now, I can see it!”
“I’m glad.” Bulma smiled at her childhood friend. “I’ll just need to do some blood work this round and you guys can be on your way!”
“With n-needles??”
“You can wait in the other room, Kakarot.” Ellery snickered as she squeezed her partner’s hand. The moment she let go, the Saiyan was out of the room, nearly leaving a trail of debris behind him.
“The man could take on the cruelest monsters in the universe, but his one kryptonite is a pointy needle.” Shaking her head, Bulma couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s been this way ever since I met him.”
“Everyone has an irrational fear.” The young woman mentioned with a sly smile. “It is a little funny that his is something so simple. But, I guess it’s better than the alternative.”
Bulma quickly pulled out the equipment she needed and began the process. Ellery was fascinated by the blood filling the tube so quickly.
Suddenly, the young woman felt imbalanced. As she scanned the hallway outside, she noticed her mate’s energy signature had disappeared. “Kakarot????”
The bluenette looked at her friend worriedly. “What happened, El?”
“He- He’s gone..” The expectant mother’s thoughts began racing, becoming more emotional by the second. Tears were running down her face within moments. “Why would he leave?? Is something wrong???”
Bulma wasn’t sure anything she said could make Ellery feel better. She quickly took the gel off of her stomach. If there was one person that may know where Goku was, it was Whis. “I don’t know right now, But you’re staying here until we get it figured out okay? Let’s go upstairs, I have some calls to make.”
Now that the Null Realm is prepared for the Tournament, how in the Cosmos are we going to build a tournament stage to withstand all of that damage? The Grand Minister contemplated as he sat at his desk. Planning stages of the Tournament were taking longer than anticipated. Unfortunately, it’s also made the Omni Kings even more demanding than before. The rebuilding time alone could take hours, which only lengthens the time of the Tournament.
A knock at his door startled him. “Come in!”
Zeni and Zeno burst through the double doors of his office. “Grand Minister!!”
“Yes sires?” The Deity sighed, rubbing his temples.
“We wanted to know when the Tournament was going to be ready?” Zeni asked.
“Yes! We want to watch battles now!” Zeno cheered.
Taking a deep breath, the Grand Minister looked at the King’s of Everything with a strained smile. “We are still ironing out the details of the Tournament Sires. Is there another game you can play to pass the time?”
“That’s the thing.” Zeno began.
“We kinda already got bored of all the other games in the room.” Zeni finished his partner’s sentence.
“Is there any way we can speed up the process?” The Omni Kings begged in unison.
Looking at the little Deities with wide eyes, the Grand Minister wasn’t sure what to say. “Well, you could always invite your friend Goku here? I’m sure he would love to battle here in the Palace for your entertainment.”
“That’s a great idea!!” The two say before running out of the room as quickly as they came.
Zeni and Zeno ran immediately to their playroom. One went to retrieve the button, while the other started to build a makeshift platform for their friend to spar on. As Zeni found the button, he yelled in excitement.
“Awesome! But who’s gonna fight Goku?”
Zeno thought his friend’s question over. “Is it possible to bring Goku and Vegeta here with the button?”
“I don’t think so.” Zeni’s brow furrowed. “But, we could get one of the guards! They’re pretty strong.”
“You’re right!” Zeno nodded. “I’m almost done here. Go ahead and summon our friend!”
Zeni pushed the blue and purple button. Within moments the Saiyan appeared out of thin air. The Omni Kings noted his orange gi top was missing.
“What the-!!” Goku yelled as he looked around at his new environment. “Zeni?? Zeno???”
“GOKU!!!” The Omni Kings screamed their delight as they ran to their friend. Their hands went up to greet him in a handshake.
“How did I get here??” The warrior looked around worriedly.
“We brought you here, silly!” Zeni explained.
“We wanted to watch you spar!!” Zeno clapped happily.
Goku’s eyes widened. “Oh, uhm…” Rubbing the back of his head, the warrior began to feel a coldness enter his body. He didn’t want to be away from his mate for an extended period of time. However, the Saiyan never wanted to refuse the Omni Kings wishes, knowing what could happen if their orders are disobeyed.
“You look worried, Goku.” Zeni mentioned as they got a good look at the Saiyan’s features.
“Did we take you away from something important?”
Unsure of what to say, the warrior attempted to laugh it off. “I was at a doctor's appointment with my partner. We’re having a baby.”
The Omni Kings gasp. “She’s having it right now?”
“No, no. She’s just at a check up-”
“Then you can stay for a little bit, Goku?” Zeni asked.
“Pleeeease. We wanted to watch you battle!”
“Uh…” Goku looked down at the Kings of Everything. I’m sure one little battle won’t take too long. What could it hurt? “Sure, guys! Let’s make it quick.”
“Awesome!” The two Deities yell in excitement together.
“This is definitely going to help our boredom! Guards, could you come here please?” Zeni pumped his fists into the air.
“And make us more excited for the Tournament!!” Zeno jumped up and down, his tiny body unable to hold that much excitement.
“Tournament??” Goku raised his brow skeptically. “What are you guys talking about??”
“Whis didn’t tell you?” The Omni Kings asked curiously.
“Tell me what??” The warrior was on his toes trying to get the information out of Zeni and Zeno.
“We were getting bored, and asked the Grand Minister to create another Tournament.”
“Only this time, it’s going to be even more awesome than the last!!”
Goku stood next to the Kings of Everything in disbelief. This new information explained the Attendant’s odd behavior over these last few months. Standing there with a look of awe, Goku was unsure of what to say.. “Are the Universes on the line this time?”
The blue Deities shook their heads. “We even want all Universes to compete this time!” Zeni and Zeno informed Goku of every detail they knew about the tournament. There would be a preliminary battle royale, followed by several one on one battles to see who is the strongest being in the Cosmos!
The Saiyan nodded, soaking in all of the information. It looks like I'm going to have a chat with Whis. It’s not like him to keep things like this from us.
“Are you ready to battle, Goku?” The Omni King’s asked, looking at their friend with mild concern.
Putting a smile on his face, the warrior quickly changed his demeanor. “Of course I am! Let’s get to it!”
Chapter 13: Goku Brings Home a Surprise!
Chapter Text
“That was amazing Goku!!!” The battle between Goku and the Omni King’s many guards would be one they’d never forget. The deities were afraid their guards would win a few times, but their Saiyan friend always managed to get the upper hand, even in the very end.
“Please stay for another round!!’ Zeno pleaded with the warrior.
“Yes! Please, Please, Please!” Zeni was near a pout as he ran towards Goku.
The Saiyan panted as he stood wobbly from the battleground. “Guys, I really should be getting home. I’m starving and Ellery is probably worried about me.”
“Do you really have to go?” Zeno pouted.
Sighing, Goku heard his stomach begin to growl. “I would love to stay, but I’m really hungry. Unfortunately Saiyans need to eat regularly.”
“Oh…” The Omni Kings were sad their friend had to leave. They didn’t want this fun to end.
“Could we go with you??” Zeni asked curiously.
Eyes widening in shock, Goku rubbed the back of his head. It’s probably not a good idea to bring them to Earth. But, what’s the harm it could do? If it’s just the four of us in my home, everything should be perfect!
“ Are you sure the Grand Minister would be okay with you leaving?” The warrior was skeptical about taking them away from the Palace.
“We just want to see your home!”
“Yeah! You’ve seen ours tons of times!”
Looking down at the small deities, Goku couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t see why not. Let’s take a field trip to Earth!”
“Hooray!!” The Omni Kings giggled before they ran to Goku. “Do you want to go back from where you were when we took you?”
“Actually, if I could get some help we could do this really fast! You guys can sense out any energy in the Cosmos. Take my hand, and I’ll get us where we need to go.”
“Okay!” Zeni and Zeno each took a hold of Goku’s left hand, allowing him to use his right to IT out of the game room.
The trio appeared around a group of people. Bulma, Vegeta, Ellery, Trunks, Lord Beerus, Whis, even Gohan, Pan, Videl, Goten, Chi-Chi and Jean were gathered on the Balcony of Capsule Corp.
Goku quickly stood in front of the Omni Kings, waving to the group. “Hey guys!” The warrior’s veins turned to ice the moment he stepped foot on the balcony. The raw amount of anger and rage coming from his mate was palatable.
Everyone yelled, being completely taken aback by the sudden appearance.
“KAKAROT!!” A Super Saiyan erupted from the crowd. Ellery was absolutely furious as she charged at her mate.
“Hey Princess!!!” Goku held his hands out to catch his partner if she decided to swing. “I brought company!”
“HI!” The Omni Kings stepped out from behind the Saiyan. Their presence immediately caused Lord Beerus to silently scream, running to the front of the crowd, bowing respectfully on the ground in front of Zeni and Zeno.
“Goku, is this your life partner?” Zeni asked, pointing at Ellery with a smile on their face.
“She’s a Saiyan, just like you!” Zeni clapped happily.
Ellery wasn’t sure what to say, let alone think of the two little blue men next to her partner. Seeing the way Lord Beerus acted out of the corner of her eye, made her think these beings were to be respected. Quickly losing her golden aura, the young woman beamed at Zeni and Zeno. “It’s very nice to meet any friend of my partner’s. My name’s Ellery.” She said, extending her hand.
This doesn’t excuse your sudden disappearance, Kakarot. You've got a lot of explaining to do. I can’t believe you would just leave me at Bulma’s like that… Anger was simmering underneath the young woman’s surface. The only person that was able to sense it was her mate, who was being shielded by two little men. His fearful expression was what Ellery wanted to see. The Saiyan woman’s emotions were beginning to overflow, fueling her anger towards her partner.
Sweetheart, please understand I didn’t mean to leave-
We’re not having this conversation right now. The young woman’s eyes were brimming with tears. I will not make a scene with family and others present. I’m too angry to even speak to you!
Zeni and Zeno gasp in excitement. The God of Destruction could be heard screaming and nearly fainting in the background. The two Omni Kings took Ellery’s hand, allowing her to swing them up and down just like Goku. They were gently let down. It was Zeno that noticed the protruding stomach, causing them to gasp.
“There’s another aura coming from your stomach!” Zeno exclaimed.
“Yes.” Ellery held her stomach tenderly. “I am going to have Kakarot’s child.” The young woman excused herself, quickly stepping inside.
The group watched in curiosity as Ellery went into the home. Goku felt a chill come over his entire body. He felt terrible for causing his mate to be so angry. Wanting to go after her, the Saiyan took a step towards the door, but his hand was pulled in the other direction. This caught his attention. Looking down, he noticed Zeno holding onto him.
Zeni clapped in excitement before looking at the rest of the people in front of them. “Goku, is this your family??”
“Sure is, Zeni.” Goku smiled. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce my two friends Zeni and Zeno. Together, they rule the entire cosmos. All twelve Universes Destroyer’s, Kai’s and Angels are under his command.”
“Hello everyone!” The two wave in unison to the group. Zeni looks towards the God of Destruction and Attendant, curious as to why they were there.
“Are you two here to let everyone know the news of the tournament?” Zeno questioned.
“You should’ve told them when we asked.” Zeni stated flatly.
“Yes, it’s bad that you didn’t listen to what we said.”
The color drained from Lord Beerus’ face. The Destroyer looked at Whis. “Well sire’s, we were only waiting to tell the Earthlings because we knew they’d already want to join the Tournament. Besides, it’s still only in the planning stages. We were reaching out to all other planets because this one was going to be a guarantee.”
The Omni Kings seemed satisfied with the answer, nodding to the Attendant before turning to his friend. “Are all of your friends going to compete this time, Goku?”
“I know they’d love to!” Goku beamed at the little Deities. “I bet Ellery would like to join too! But we’d have to make sure the tournament is after she has the baby.”
The Omni King’s turn to the Saiyan woman with a hopeful look. Zeni was the first to speak. “Will you please compete in the tournament?”
“I bet you’re really strong!!” Zeno praised her as they smiled.
Ellery wasn’t sure what to say. She looked at her partner in disbelief before returning her gaze to the Kings of Everything. “As long as I’m healed, I would love to compete in your tournament.” The young woman beamed.
“Hooray!” The two cheer in unison.
“Well, Goku. This was fun. I think we should get back to the Palace.” Zeni mentioned with a smile before taking Zeno’s hand.
“Yes. Thank you for playing with us! We had so much fun!”
“We’ll see you at the Tournament!!”
Disappearing into thin air, Zeni and Zeno went in a flash of light. Everyone shielded their eyes. Once the brightness dissipated, the group was left to look at the Saiyan in front of them. Many of the beings looked displeased with him. Rubbing the back of his head, Goku took a deep breath. “So, what’s everyone doing at Bulma’s? Are we having a party?”
“You idiot!!!” Vegeta lunged at the warrior. “How could you be so dense?!?!”
“Hey!!!” Goku put his hands up to protect himself, but he wasn’t able to save himself from the onslaught. “What the hell?!”
“We’ve been looking for hours, Goku!” Bulma had her arms crossed behind Vegeta. “You just disappeared without telling anyone where you went!”
“I didn’t have a choice!” The warrior attempted to defend himself. “I was the one that was transported, without knowing I was going to be. If Zeni and Zeno want to see you, they’re going to do it no matter what you’re up to.”
The bluenette sighed, placing a hand on her husband’s back. This effectively stopped his swinging at her childhood friend. “Whether or not that’s the case, you leaving without a word or way to reach you caused Ellery to panic. She’s been worried sick about where you’ve been. Since she couldn’t feel your energy, it put her into emergency mode, Goku. Whis and Lord Beerus didn’t come here to tell us about some Tournament. They did so because we called them looking for you. Ellery only assumed the worst from there. She’s an absolute mess.”
“I… I should go talk to her.” Goku’s voice was nearly a whisper. He took a deep breath and looked at everyone. “Thank you for being here. I really appreciate all of the support that came out for my partner. Even my old partner is here with hers.” The warrior smiled at his ex-wife.
Chi-Chi crossed her arms. “Oh please, I was only here because Gohan and Goten were worried sick. I’m used to you leaving without notice. This didn’t come as a surprise to me. I just thought you’d be better for your next partner.”
Eyes wide, the warrior was taken aback by her words. Goku wasn’t sure if the right ones would ever come to him. “I’ve been trying really hard. Been there for her at every appointment, taken care of her and the baby, all while occasionally training. Everything was perfect. This thing that happened today shouldn’t happen again until this Tournament’s over!”
“When exactly is this Tournament, Kakarot?” Vegeta prodded.
“The Omni Kings and the Council haven’t decided on a date as of yet.” Whis interjected. “We had a meeting a few months ago, somewhere around the time Goku’s partner found out she was pregnant. Last I knew, they were deciding the final rules. The arena is nearly built for the preliminary rounds.”
While the group continued to discuss details, Goku managed to slip away into Capsule Corp. He could feel his partner’s aura in the kitchen. The warrior tip toed as quietly as he could towards Ellery. Seeing the beautiful woman seated at the counter, Goku took a deep breath. He tried his best to remain calm, but all he could feel was anxiety creeping into his body.
“I’d like to think you wouldn’t be anxious about talking to me.” Ellery mentioned quietly from her seat.
“You were pretty mad out there.” Rubbing the back of his head, Goku sat in a seat across from his partner at the counter. “You said you were too mad to speak to me. I wanted to give you space, but I also really need to explain myself.”
“You’re right, Kakarot. Please explain why today of all days you decided to leave for hours without telling me.” The young woman’s eyes rolled. The frustration was seeping from her pores.
Sighing, the warrior took Ellery’s hand in his own. “I was transported against my will. Not that it’s an excuse for how long I was gone, but I just want to start by saying that.” Goku began, pulling a blue and purple button out of his gi pocket. “Some time ago, Zeni and Zeno gave me this button so I could play with them when I wanted. When they’ve summoned me before, it’s been through the Grand Minister and Whis. It’d take some time to get there and I always had a warning. It wasn’t until today I realized they also have a similar button that does the same to me. When I was transported, I couldn’t feel your energy anymore, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to reach you.”
“What is it they wanted you for?” The Saiyan woman’s brow perked up.
Rubbing the back of his head, Goku took a deep breath. “They wanted me to battle their guards. They were bored before the tournament. I told them I was at an appointment with you, but they kind of brushed it off. They begged me to stay and fight for one round. I agreed since I didn’t think it’d take that long. Before I knew what happened, hours had passed and I wasn’t making any ground on the battle.”
Inhaling slowly, Ellery closed her eyes. She rubbed her stomach as he felt the baby squirming around. “Do you know how worried I was??”
The warrior was taken aback by her question. “I-”
Before Goku could say anymore, his partner grabbed the warrior’s hand. Suddenly, he was transported into Ellery’s mind. There he watched the entire scene play out in front of him. It began from the moment the young woman realized Goku was missing. Bulma called Whis, the duo called every friend and family member possible in the search for the Saiyan. and the devastation Goku’s mate felt when she didn’t know where else to look.
Eyes wide as he came back to reality, Goku stood quickly from his chair. He walked around the table, kneeling in front of his partner and child. The Saiyan looked Ellery in the eye, his own glistening with moisture. “I never wanted you to worry about me. The stress isn’t good for our little one here.” The warrior kissed her stomach before continuing. “The moment I know I’m going to be pulled away, I’m taking you with me. Unfortunately with Zeni and Zeno, I don’t get an invitation or a warning anymore.”
“You could just be pulled out of thin air without notice?” The Saiyan woman was skeptical.
“With the Tournament being planned, I don’t think it’ll happen for a long time. But, with Zeni and Zeno, there aren't any guarantees.” Looking down at his partner’s abdomen, Goku began to stroke her stomach once again. “Keeping you and our baby safe is my number one priority. If that means I have to disappear for a few hours, I don’t think it’s a bad trade.”
“You’re missing the most important part of this, Kakarot.” His partner pointed out blunty.
“Of all people on this earth, you know I'm the most understanding person here. The only thing I don’t tolerate is you disappearing without warning. You could be gone for an entire year and I wouldn’t worry because you told me about the trip. If you leave without notice, I can’t guarantee something bad didn’t happen to you.``
“I know you weren’t in any danger this time. But, up until you came home, I didn’t know if you’d gone to save the world or if a villain had managed to snatch you when you’re most vulnerable. I’ve been hearing enough stories over these last three years that I know someone could come take you from us at any time. More than likely, you’d come back.” Voice cracking, Ellery used her hands to wipe the beads of moisture leaving her eyes. “However, there’s always that possibility you might not come back.”
The warrior could hear the tremors in his partner’s voice. His own heart wretched at the feeling that he let Ellery down. Looking up at his mate, Goku saw the tears falling down her face. The Saiyan reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “I will always find my way back to you. It took almost fifty years of my life to find the Saiyan of my dreams. I’m not going to let you go that easily.”
Goku leaned up, getting off his knees to plant his lips on Ellery’s. Hands caressed up the young woman’s body to her cheeks, stroking them softly. Once he pulled away, Goku smiled brightly. “Nothing will take me away from you, Princess.”
The Saiyan woman pressed her forehead against her partner’s. Closing her eyes, she slowly began to nuzzle Goku’s nose. “So those two rule the entire Cosmos? They look like children.” Ellery smiled softly.
“Sometimes I wonder if they are.” Goku chuckled, pulling the young woman off her chair. “Their powers aren’t something to be messed with! I’ve seen them in action a time or two.”
The sound of stomachs rumbling caused Goku and Ellery to jump. The young woman laughed as she placed her hand on her partner’s chest. “Sounds like someone needs to eat.”
“More than one person.” The warrior pointed out as he rubbed his mate's abdomen. “Let’s go home, I’ll cook dinner.”
Ellery nodded to her partner, kissing his cheek. “Sounds-
“Hey Dad!” Goten yelled from the outside door, startling the two in the kitchen. “Bulma’s got a feast out here! Come and eat!”
Chapter 14: Family Yoga Time!
Chapter Text
“Chi, are you coming with us?” Jean hollered from the entrance of their home. She and Pan were on their way to The Harmony Center for their day of relaxation. It had been several weeks since the grandmother found out her partner was visiting the yoga studio. In the time since, Chi-Chi has really turned over a new leaf. Jean was extremely surprised when her partner came to the call to find her ex-husband last week.
Jean, Chi-Chi, and Goten were watching a movie together. Her youngest was mesmerized by the action film they chose. Dinner had been put away for some time. As Chi-Chi looked out the window, she noticed the sun beginning to set. Even though everything seemed calm and relaxed, the woman couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
“Goten..” Chi-Chi spoke softly, continuing to look outside.
“Yeah, Mom?” Goten looked back, seeing his mom looking out the window. Staring in the same direction, the young half-Saiyan attempted to see what she was.
“When was the last time you saw your father?” The mother asked curiously.
“I went to his house last weekend.” Goten raised a brow. “Why?”
Jean looked at her partner with an intrigued gaze. “Is everything alright Chi-Chi?”
“I just can’t shake this feeling that something’s not right…” The woman mentioned before she picked up the phone, calling her oldest son.
“Hey, mom! Uh, right now isn’t really a good time. Can I call you back?” Gohan mentioned quickly.
“Does this have to do with your father??”
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few moments. “How did you know??”
“Sweetie, I was with the man for thirty-five years. I know when he’s left the planet. I just got this strange feeling.”
“Well, Bulma just called me to see if I’d seen him. You think he went off-world?”
“I’d imagine he’s training with Whis and Lord Beerus.” Chi-Chi mentioned matter of factly.
“You see, Bulma got a hold of Lord Beerus before calling me. They haven’t seen Dad in a week or so.”
“Hmmm…” The woman stood from the couch. She grabbed the remote and turned off the television. “We’ll meet you at Bulma’s.”
“Really? Okay. I’ll see you soon.” The two say their goodbyes before the mother quickly hangs up, grabbing her purse and looking at the surprised faces of her loved ones.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Goten asked worriedly.
“I’m not too sure.” Chi-Chi said as she walked towards the door. “But your father has gone missing. I’m going over to Bulma’s to see if there’s some way I can help.”
“I’m coming too!” The half- Saiyan all but flew out the door.
“I’ll tag along too!” Jean smiled at her partner, grabbing her own things before the trio sped to Capsule Corp. When they reached the home, several cars were already outside. “Looks like everyone showed up to find Goku.”
“I’m not surprised.” Chi-Chi muttered. “It was like that while we were together too. Everyone flocked to Bulma’s the moment there was an issue, Goku related or not”
The three quickly make their way inside, finding Bulma at the head of this investigation. Scanning the room, Ellery was found behind the rest of the crowd. As Chi-Chi got a look at Goku’s new partner, she noticed the woman was a complete wreck. Her hair was matted, face puffy and red from the tears. From the looks of it, this was the first time the Saiyan had disappeared without notice.
The older woman remembered feeling the exact same way. Chi-Chi could sense her fantic aura from all the way across the room.
Jean noticed the way her partner was looking at Ellery. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” The older woman smiled. “Just seeing her looking that way kind of reminds me of the old days. I should go talk to her.”
Taking a deep breath while burying her pride inside her, Chi-Chi walked around the crowd nearly unseen. Within moments, the woman was behind Ellery, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You look like you could use something to drink.” Pulling a flavored electrolyte drink out of her bag, Chi-Chi handed it to the young woman. “It’ll help you get back all those tears you’ve lost.”
Not sure what to say, Ellery gladly took the drink from her. Taking a few sips, the Saiyan cautiously thanked Chi-Chi.
“I know I haven’t been the most pleasant in this whole situation…” The older woman began. “I want to apologize for that.”
“This is a little sudden.” Ellery admitted to her. “What’s made you change your mind?”
“Honestly? Seeing you here, right now.” Chi-Chi answered truthfully. “I had a feeling while I was at home that something wasn’t right. I called Gohan and he was on his way here to try and find Goku.”
“Did he ever leave without notice?”
“Countless times.” The older woman chuckled softly, taking a seat next to Ellery. “Whether it was for training, or fighting some bad guy, it was rare that I got any heads up. The only times I did were when Gohan was involved. I fought so hard to change the way Goku was, I think it’s what ended up driving us farther apart.” Chi-Chi looked down at the ground. “I guess I’d like to think he’d change for his new partner.”
“He’s a completely different Saiyan from when I first met him.” Ellery gleamed as she looked at Goku’s ex-wife. “That’s what has me so worried. Since I’ve gotten pregnant, Kakarot hasn’t left without asking. Before, he would tell me how long he would be gone and come back right on time. Him leaving unannounced is out of character for him, which is why the search party got called.”
“Did you immediately call Bulma?” Chi-Chi inquired.
“We were here already.” Ellery began stroking her abdomen, a smirk crossing her face. “Here for a check-up. I had to get some blood work done, so Kakarot left the room.”
“Naturally.” Chi-Chi laughed.
Joining in, the Saiyan woman giggled as well. “His fear of needles always has made me smile. Anyway, he wasn’t out in the hall for two minutes before I felt his aura disappear out of thin air. It was like he used his Instant Transmission.”
“Hmm..” The older woman began to ponder on the situation. As she did, she began to rifle through her bag. Once she found what she was looking for, Chi-Chi grabbed several granola bars, offering them to Ellery. “You’re looking like you could use something to snack on.”
“Thanks…” Ellery smiled kindly before taking a couple from the older woman. “I know we got off on the wrong foot when we first met, but I don’t want it to stay that way.” The Saiyan woman admitted. “I want us to be a family, that includes you and Jean as well. You’re part of what shaped Kakarot into the man I met, along with all his friends here. I don’t want him to lose that part of his life just because he’s joined with me. Family is what makes us so strong.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Chi-Chi patted Ellery’s leg with a smile. “I’m sure Goku’s fine! After all, there’s not many beings out there that can just take him without a fight.”
Jean’s partner really showed her true colors. She was a person that loved to nurture others. After being constantly needed for so many years, it’s been hard for her to take a step back and focus on herself. Helping Ellery in her time of need really showed Chi-Chi’s caring nature.
“Where’s Goten? The older woman asked as she came out of her bedroom.
“Trunks stopped by some time ago and asked him to play. I told them to go have fun.” Jean smiled.
“Please Gramma! Come with us!” Pan jumped up and down excitedly.
How could I say no to those two smiles? Chi-Chi happily nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you guys this time. Do I need to bring anything?”
“Just your smile and a great attitude.” Jean hugged her partner, kissing her cheek softly before the trio headed to the car.
It only took a couple of minutes to reach the Harmony Center. Chi-Chi could feel her heart beginning to pound as her mind raced. Is this place truly a safe space for my family?
The second the car was parked, Pan had her seat belt off and was already running inside.
The grandmother’s eyes widened, seeing the building first hand was completely different than hearing about how large it was. The craftsmanship had her ex-husband’s name written all over it. At first, Chi-Chi thought she would be angry. After they got inside however, and seeing how much work he put into the place reminded the older woman of their first home together. Chi-Chi felt silly for overreacting moments ago. Maybe this will be good for me. Give me a chance to center myself, relax, and find balance, right?
“You look like you’re thinking pretty hard over there.” Jean glanced at her partner. “What’s on your mind?”
“I just can’t believe how great this place looks. Although I shouldn’t be surprised if Goku was the one behind it.” Chi-Chi smiled as she got out of the car, slowly walking towards her partner and taking their hand. The two make their way inside, with an impatient Pan trying to get them to hurry from the front door.
Once they were checked in, Jean led them to a room on the left. Inside were several yoga mats, spaced evenly across the floor. Pan walked quickly to the front corner of the room, picking her spot and sitting criss-crossed. Her small head bobbed happily as she waited patiently.
“Wow Jean, that was so relaxing!” Chi-Chi beamed as the trio left the room. The yoga session left the older woman feeling rejuvenated and energized. Years of stress melted away with each pose. Chi-Chi knew they were going to make this part of their regular routine.
As they were exiting the hall into the main lobby, the older woman spotted the owner. She looked fatigued as she slowly waddled around. She must be due at any minute. The older woman thought to herself. The closer it comes to the due date, the more painful those kicks and nudges start to become. With how strong Goku is, she must be in agony.
“Elly!!” Pan yelled happily as she ran up to her, hugging her side.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Ellery smiled as she wrapped an arm around the little Saiyan. Looking up, the young woman noticed Pan’s grandmother and partner headed her way. Waving at them happily, she greeted them. “Hey guys! It’s good to see you.”
“You look like you need to sit down.” Jean said worriedly.
“I’ll be fine.” The Saiyan woman rubbed her abdomen slowly. “Someone’s just being a wiggle worm today. I was just finishing up the last of some paperwork that needed done in the office.”
“When are you gonna have the baby Elly?” Pan asked as she tugged on her shirt.
“I’m hoping they’ll wait until after the baby shower.” The young woman smiled before looking at the two older ladies. “Speaking of which, you two are invited! It’s this Saturday at Bulma’s.”
Chi-Chi’s brows raised in shock. “Really?”
“Of course!” Ellery beamed as she took a seat on the couch, Pan coming to sit right next to her.
“What time?” Jean asked excitedly.
“Bulma said the games will start at four I believe. I want you guys to be there. We decided to reveal the gender at the shower. The Godparents have to be there after all.”
Jean couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Godparents?! Oh! I’m honored!!” the older woman could feel tears coming to her eyes. Not having any children of her own, having Chi-Chi in her life has given her the joy of experiencing what a large family is like. Although they arent’ her own, Jean considers each one a member of her own family.
“Why us?” Chi-Chi asked curiously.
Looking down at her abdomen, the expecting mother lets out a deep sigh. “Kakarot and I decided to make the two of you Godparents because we know you would raise our child the best way possible. Chi-Chi, you’re raising two half-Saiyan boys. Although one is an adult, he still looks to you for guidance and all of you are as close as a family could be.
“If anything were to happen to us, we want to know our child will be well taken care of. We know the two of you would allow them to grow in a loving home, surrounded by their family.”
Tears brimmed the older woman’s eyes as she leaned down to hug Ellery. “Thank you, so much.”
“Does this mean you’ll accept my offer?” The expecting mother sniffled as she embraced Chi-Chi.
“Of course! I’d be crazy not to.” The older woman smiled before she let go of Ellery. Looking at her partner, Chi-Chi took a hold of her hand. “How about we all go out for Ice Cream to celebrate?”
“That sounds great!” Ellery commented as she slowly stood up, taking Pan’s hand into her own.
Chapter 15: Saiyan Baby Shower!
Notes:
It's time for Ellery's baby shower! The Saiyan woman is five months into her pregnancy, and they're going to find out the gender of the baby today!
Enjoy!
Chapter Text
Today’s the day, little one. Ellery thought as she stroked her abdomen. It was finally the day of her baby shower. Knowing Bulma, no expense would be spared in the making of this party, which only served to make the Saiyan woman even more nervous. Hating to be in the spotlight, Ellery nearly told Bulma she couldn’t throw her a baby shower. Being the center of attention wasn’t the expecting mother’s favorite thing.
It actually caused a great deal of anxiety in the young woman. Mommy and Daddy have been waiting to find out more about you. You’re about to come into this world, and we couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to watch you grow, becoming your own person as you walk this path we call life.
Ellery watched her abdomen move, feeling the baby squirm around inside her. The last week or so, certain movements the little Saiyan would make caused Ellery great discomfort. Being as strong as they were, it felt like they were ripping apart her insides. She tried her best to keep this to herself, not wanting to worry anyone. The young woman suspected her partner knew, but never said anything.
With her time being pregnant coming to a close, Ellery was beginning to notice changes in her behavior. The Saiyan woman wanted to be at home more and more every day, spending time in the babies room along with their backyard. Sitting close to the pond and listening to the sounds of nature around her always helped the little Saiyan fall asleep when they were getting too rowdy. You’re going to grow up nice and strong, just like your father. Daddy is the strongest warrior in the Universe.
The little Saiyan delivered a mighty kick to her stomach and other organs, making Ellery gasp. She covered her mouth immediately as a wave of nausea hit her. Doing her best to keep her food in her stomach, Ellery took deep breaths in order to make the feeling subside.
Maybe after today we can give them a name! Goku excitedly rounded the corner into their bedroom, seeing his mate in her stunning purple dress. In their sixth month, Ellery’s abdomen had stretched a great deal to accommodate the tiny Saiyan inside her. Her chair had to be scooted back extra far to allow her to fit her growing stomach. The warrior comes up behind his partner who was giving herself a final look over at her vanity. Goku noticed the pained look on his mate’s features. This wasn’t the first time he’d observed that look on her face over the last week. Carrying their child was definitely taking a toll on her.
Hands massaged her shoulders slowly, causing Ellery to close her eyes at the soothing touch. The nausea subsided, but the pain was still there. “I don’t think I’m ready to be the main event at Bulma’s party.”
Goku began to send waves of calm to his partner. “You deserve to be the center of attention.” Smiling bright, the Saiyan kissed her cheek. “My beautiful partner is going to have my child, and everyone’s excited to celebrate it.”
“I know.” The mother’s breathing deepened to try and deal with the pain. “Little one is very active today is all. I don’t know how much fun I’ll be at the party.”
“You’re a strong woman.” Goku reminded her as he leaned closer to his partner. Hands began to massage her abdomen, giving energy to his partner. “I’ll be here every step of the way too. You won’t have to raise a single finger.”
The warrior closed his eyes as he honed in on his child’s aura, sending them calming waves as well. Goku hoped more than anything it would at least still their movements a little.
“You know, I think part of the problem is our child is receiving energy from the strongest man in the Universe.” Ellery mentioned with a laugh. “Their kicks are only getting stronger with every bit of energy you give me. I appreciate the help, immensely, but our little one is going to end up busting out themselves if they get any stronger.”
“That just means they're going to be a warrior!” The Saiyan beamed as he picked his mate up from the chair, causing her to gasp. Closing his eyes, Goku transported the duo to Capsule Corp. They arrived on the outskirts of the party, no one even noticed their entrance.
“You’re getting a lot better with that Instant Transmission.” Ellery mentioned with a laugh. “Normally, you just drop us right in front of everyone, sometimes on top of them!”
“I know I have to be careful these days.” Goku smiled at his partner. “I have extra precious cargo.”
“Aren’t you sweet.” Ellery giggled while her mate allowed her feet to touch the ground. The expecting mother held onto her partner tightly, letting him support her as they walked toward the crowd.
As they came up, the young woman could see how much detail her best friend put into this party. Her backyard was plastered with the colors orange and purple. Signs and balloons that read ‘Welcome little blessing!’ were all over the place. Caterers had been set up, along with several different tables for games.
Overall, Ellery was blown away with the party that was being thrown for her. The expecting mother even saw her teachers from the studio in the group, along with some of her frequent goers.
“Hey guys!!” Bulma cheered from the center of the crowd. They all parted to see who the bluenette was talking to. “Glad to see you finally made it! There are snacks on the table over to your right. We are having dinner after the games are finished!”
Ellery sat back against the cushoned chair, looking at her nearly empty plate of food. Her appetite had finally been satiated. Little one in her stomach seemed to be happy as well. They were motionless after they’d been fed. It was great news to the mother. For most of the party, the little Saiyan had been restless, causing her immense discomfort. She hated to be such a downer in front of all the guests, especially when it was her party.
“You know, I gotta hand it to Bulma.” Goku wrapped an arm around his partner. “She threw you a great baby shower. Those games were pretty fun!”
“I don’t know about the toilet paper mummy, but yeah, the rest of them were a lot of fun.” Ellery beamed as she looked at Goku. “Thank you for being here. I know these girly parties aren’t really your style. If you’d like, I’m sure Vegeta is training around here somewhere.”
“Don’t be too sure about that, Princess.” The warrior gestures towards the house. Ellery’s brother was near the door, arms crossed in his usual stance. “He came out here a little bit ago. Proabaly for the food, but I heard the cake is gonna tell us what the baby is!”
“That’s such a cute idea.” Ellery grinned as she looked at the white frosted cake in the center of all the presents. “It must be orange, for your gi colors, and purple for mine. Now the color theme makes sense.”
“Bulma did an amazing job! This is the first time I’ve been to one of her baby shower’s.” Goku mentioned. “I’m sure she’s thrown a couple in her lifetime, but I’ve never been one for these kinds of things. Since it’s my child this time, I wanted to be here.”
“Baby showers have been a girl’s thing in the first place.” Ellery chuckled. “Men are always welcome. It’d make the party games a lot more interesting.”
Goku laughed, squeezing his partner’s shoulder as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Alright everyone!” Bulma stood from her seat. “I hope everyone saved room for dessert, because it’s time to cut the cake!!” The bluenette walked over to her friend, smiling brightly. “Would you like to do the honors?”
The Saiyan woman extended her hand out. “If you’ll help me up.” She mentioned with a soft laugh. Ellery used the chair and leverage from her friend’s grip to get her out of the chair. As they walked over to the white cake, the young mother began filling with anxiety. So, what are you little one?
They’re a happy healthy baby that’s going to be loved by their parents.
The young woman noticed her friend handing her the cake knife, but her own hands were shaking. Bulma smiled and took Ellery’s hand in hers, the both of them cutting into the cake to reveal a bright orange center.
“IT’S A BOY!!” The two ladies yelled together.
The crowd at the baby shower cheered happily, all of them coming up to congratulate the mother and grab a slice of the delicious treat. Towards the end of the line, Ellery noticed Chi-Chi and Jean waiting for a piece of cake. Once they got to the front of the line, the young woman thanked them for coming.
“We’re glad you invited us. It was a wonderful time!” Chi-Chi smiled at Bulma and Ellery. “Looks like boys run in the family.”
“I’m elated to be carrying a little warrior.” The young mother beamed. “In my heart, I think I knew. His movements and kicks have been getting especially strong lately. If he’s not careful, he might break something.” Ellery mentioned with a laugh.
“Well if you ever need a babysitter, don’t hesitate to give us a ring.” Jean smiled brightly. “Goten would love to see his little brother, and I’m sure Chi-Chi’s had plenty of experience in raising little boys.”
“That’s definitely true. While it’s never been a full-blooded Saiyan, I did raise Goku for years.” The older woman laughed, causing the group to as well.
“I really appreciate it, you guys.” Ellery nodded to the couple as they walked back to their seats. Once everyone was served, the Saiyan woman felt a presence behind her.
“Take your seat back at the table, Princess. I’ll grab our slice of cake.” Goku was grabbing plates of cake, a bright smile on his face as he watched his partner walk back to their table. He quickly set the plates down before helping Ellery get comfortable once again. The two sat in silence as they enjoyed their orange cake. Feelings of happiness and joy were radiating from the couple.
As she gazed to her right, the young woman noticed her partner looking at her with the same look she’d been giving the food before dinner. Eyes widening, she looks at her mate. Why on Earth are you looking at me like that??
Because I could just eat you up, you look so delicious. Even got some extra sweetness on ya. Goku gave his partner a hungry look as he leaned in, kissing next to her lips. He was able to get the extra bit of icing with his lips. The warrior stifled his groan as he licked his own lips clean.
What’s gotten into you??? Ellery couldn’t hide the blush that painted her cheeks the moment the words left her partner’s mind. Looking towards the sky, the young woman noticed a nearly Full Moon hanging low in the sky. The Full Moon might have something to do with it..
You look gorgeous under the moonlight, Princess. Goku leaned in once again, his nose ran from her cheek to nuzzle deep into her hair. The warrior hid his groans from the crowd, but Ellery was able to hear them loud and clear. Your skin is so soft..
Kakarot, you can’t be doing this right now! The young woman reprimanded her partner in her thoughts. We’re at your child’s baby shower!
And in the blink of an eye, I can have you back home, all to myself once again. A soft purr could be heard coming from the warrior’s chest.
Ellery’s legs began to tremble. It was a good thing she was sitting down, because she may have lost her balance if not. It’s a very tempting offer, but we can’t just leave. It’s our baby they’re throwing a shower for.
The party’s almost over. I don’t think they’d miss us if we dipped out. Goku’s lips were at his partner’s ear, taking her lobe into his mouth and tugging on it gently.
A sudden kick took the mood in a completely different direction. Unable to stifle her pain, Ellery cried out as he clutched her abdomen. All the guests at the party began looking at her worriedly. The little Saiyan in her stomach wasn’t finished maneuvering. He continued to kick and wiggle until he was in a completely new spot. The sudden movement brought black and white dots to Ellery’s vision.
Sweetheart, is everything alright????
Unable to speak, Ellery turned as she tried her best to catch her breath. She noticed her best friend quickly walking towards them. “The baby’s just-” Another wave of pain flooded the Saiyan woman’s senses. “Moving around a lot.” Panting heavily, Ellery closed her eyes. She could feel her energy fluctuating once again to accommodate the massive amounts of pain. The black and white dots were becoming more prominent. “It’s getting hard to-”
Before she could finish, Ellery’s power supply completely bottomed out. The dots overtook her vision as she watched herself falling.
“BULMA!!” Was the last thing the young woman’s ears heard before the world went dark.
Chapter 16: The Baby's Coming!
Chapter Text
“Come on Saiyan! You’re going to have to do better than that if you plan on advancing in this tournament!” Lord Beerus shouted at Vegeta. Ever since the whole incident regarding Goku’s disappearance, Vegeta has been on the Destroyer’s planet training for the upcoming Tournament.
“The Omni Kings and the Council haven’t decided on a date as of yet.” Whis interjected. “We had a meeting a few months ago, somewhere around the time Goku’s partner found out she pregnant. Last I knew, they were deciding the final rules. The arena is nearly built for the preliminary rounds.”
“How many people are going to be on each team?” Piccolo asked from the outskirts of the crowd.
“Interesting detail number one.” The Attendant began, a smile on his face. “The Omni Kings specifically stated they wanted as many people as possible to join the preliminary rounds. Each Universe will have their own battle royale to determine the strongest players. Whoever is left standing after the time has elapsed will move on to the next round.”
“What does the next round entail?” Vegeta emerged from the crowd.
“Before the next round can begin, each opponent will be submitted to a ‘strength test.’ They haven’t given me details as to what will be part of that test, but it will determine your standing before the one on one battles commence.” Whis looked around, seeing all of the warriors present very intrigued by the Zeno’s Tournament. “From the sounds of it, the matches will be similiar to the World Martial Arts Tournaments here on Earth.”
“Interesting fact number two:” The Attendant continued. “All twelve Universes will be competing in this event. Unlike last time, where only eight of the twelve were entered.
“Wait… Why were the other Universes spared??” Krillin piped up.
“They weren’t a part of the Tournament of Power because those Universes had adequate mortal levels. Universes with Mortal Levels higher than seven were taken out of the running for the Tournament.”
“What was our Mortal Level??” The bald police officer continued.
“I believe the Grand Minister said it was… 3.5? We were second from the bottom during the Tournament of Power. I don’t see why this should bother you now.” The Attendant observed.
“Wait, you’re saying there’s stronger beings than Jiren out there???” Vegeta’s eyes were wide, feeling the weight of his own failure crushing him.
“Much stronger.” Whis chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry about that now, Vegeta. You still have to get through the preliminary rounds first! Who knows, since the entire Universe is being canvassed, maybe you won’t even make the cut.”
The Prince could feel anger bubbling deep inside him. He quickly walked up to Lord Beerus’ Attendant. “Please… Push me harder than you ever have with our training. I need to be the Strongest being in the Cosmos!”
After two weeks of training, the Prince felt himself getting stronger. However, it didn’t mean Lord Beerus was taking it any easier on him. Vegeta felt part of the reason he was being pushed so forcefully was because his sparring companion wasn’t here.
The Saiyan closed his eyes, sensing Lord Beerus’ energy. The moment he found him, the warrior charged into the treeline. He must have taken the Destroyer by surprise, because Beerus began flying away. The two chased each other for what seemed like an eternity, frustrating Vegeta.
“Haaaaa!!!!” Tapping into his reserves of energy, the Prince quickly caught up with the Destroyer. Beerus turned, charging towards Vegeta instead of running away, making him smirk.
“Let’s go, Saiyan! Give me all you’ve got!”
“Vegeta, I’ve got an urgent message from Bulma.” Whis flew in out of nowhere. “It sounds like it’s an emergency.”
“Emergency?” The Prince immediately stopped what he was doing and flew to the Attendant.
“Oh, come on!! There’s always an ‘Emergency’. Why the hell can’t Goku take care of it??? Stupid Saiyans…” Lord Beerus could be heard ranting in the background as he walked off.
Whis laughed softly as his head shook. “Bulma didn’t tell me what was going on. Only that you needed to get a hold of her as soon as possible.” Waving his staff, the Deity called his companion back once again. Bulma’s frantic face came up on the screen.
“Vegeta???”
“What on Earth is going on, woman!” Vegeta looked at her worriedly. It’d been some time since the Prince had seen such a look on her features.
“Do you know anything at all about the end of Saiyan pregnancies??”
Taken aback by the question, Vegeta tried his best to think. “I was a child when the planet was blown up, Bulma. I don’t remember everything about my home planet.”
“I know! But you’re the only hope we have!”
“Why didn’t you ask me, Bulma?” Whis questioned. “I have extensive knowledge on every species in this Universe.”
“I-” The bluenette paused for a moment. “Wow… I guess I didn’t think about that. I’m sorry Whis.”
“Is there something wrong with Goku’s partner?” the Attendant questioned.
“She passed out at the baby shower we were throwing for her.” Bulma admitted. “We haven’t been able to bring her energy back up since. The baby is kicking and writhing around, causing immense damage to her body. I’ve never seen anything like this before.
“It makes sense.” Vegeta admitted as he continued to think. “Within the first year of life, Saiyan children are ready to conquer small planets on their own. It’d probably be best to remove the child from her and put them both in a healing tank. This way they can get as much energy as they need without draining it from Ellery.”
“Wait-” Vegeta looked at the staff with a glare. “Wasn’t the baby shower three days ago?? You’re just now telling us this has happened!!”
“I thought we had it under control!!” Bulma yelled, clearly exhausted. She sighed. “But at the rate he’s growing, he’s going to break her bones before he’s born.”
“You know Vegeta, that’s not a bad idea. Good work.” Whis smiled, surprising both of them. “In the last trimester, Saiyan’s will grow and strengthen enough to leave the womb. Just because they’re small, doesn’t mean they’re not deadly. With how strong the child’s parents are, I’m not surprised this is happening. There weren’t many Saiyan’s on Planet Vegeta that could stand the pain and endure childbirth. Most times, the child would live and the mother would pass on in villages that didn’t have access to healing tanks. Unfortunately that technology remained among the wealthier parts of Planet Vegeta.”
“Should I do this immediately? Or wait for her to wake up? I’ve done a sonogram, and he’s not completely developed yet. Would he still be okay in the tank? I’ve thought of giving her a Senzu for her injuries.”
“It could help her, but I think we need to think of the safety of the mother at this point.” Whis admitted.
“Why don’t you just pop the baby out like you did with Bulma??” Lord Beerus came fuming around a corner. “We need to get that sorry excuse of a Saiyan back to his training!”
“Sir, the only reason I did that was because the Tournament was minutes away!” Whis rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a true emergency where I need to get involved. I’m sure Bulma can handle it herself.”
“I’d like to be there to assist her.” Vegeta interjected. “She could use my help, I know Kakarot won’t be able to handle my wife cutting into his mate. The idiots’ afraid of needles for Kami’s sake!”
The Attendant took a deep breath. “I can take you back, but it’s going to take nearly forty minutes.”
“I can get you here!” Goku’s frantic voice could be heard in the background. “It won’t take me long at all.”
Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep
The Saiyan woman awoke in a seemingly unfamiliar room. As her eyes opened, she noticed that her vision was blurred and her mind was very foggy. Slowly, her sight came back to her. The room had been darkened, but light was still coming through the curtains. Looking at her arms, Ellery noted she had several tubes coming out of them, each hooked to a machine or bag of fluid above her. She could barely feel energy in her own body. There was severe pain in her lower back and chest area. However, with all of the tubes in her arms, it felt as though someone was sitting on her again.
As Ellery became more aware of her surroundings, the young woman recognized the room as one in her own home. She felt more comfortable being surrounded by her own environment. Ellery looked around to notice several machines. It was like Bulma took her lab and brought it into their home. There were three couches on the other side of the room, two of them were occupied by Bulma and Vegeta. Her partner wasn’t anywhere to be found. Too weak and out of it to search for his energy, Ellery just closed her eyes once again.
Kakarot, where are you? The young woman’s voice rang softly through her mind.
You’re awake!! I’m on my way back. I was getting nervous about your energy, so I went downstairs to make some food. I’m just about done!
A soft chuckle came from Ellery’s lips. I’m starving… What exactly happened?
The Saiyan appeared seconds later with two arm fulls of scrumptious goodies. Looking at his partner, his smile brightened. We can talk about that later, right now you need to eat.
The young woman’s eyes fluttered open once again at the feeling of her mate’s energy returning. Ellery looked down at her stomach, noticing there wasn’t a baby inside of her anymore. Panic began to set in quickly. Her breath hitched and she began to hyperventilate. Where’s my baby?? Where’s my baby boy?????
Goku noticed his partner’s frantic look. Bags of food in his hands were dropped as he ran to her. Don’t panic, sweetheart. The warrior’s forehead met hers and his fingers went to each side of her face. There was a little bit of an emergency. We had to deliver the baby while you were out. But don’t worry! Our little boy is in a healing chamber, getting stronger as we speak.
Why? Why did this happen??? Ellery attempted to move, but gasped in pain the moment she did.
Hey, hey. The warrior said calmly, sending her waves of calm as he continued to take deep breaths. It was what we had to do to save the both of you. Everything’s going to be alright, there’s nothing to worry about right now except making sure you eat.
The warrior went to pick up the dropped food. I wasn’t sure what you’d be hungry for, so I just started making all of your favorites.
It smells amazing, Kakarot. The mother situated herself with her partner’s help. She sat up before picking up a tupperware container and fork, digging into the food in front of her.
The scent of breakfast woke up the other two in the room. Vegeta stretched, looking towards his sister to assess the situation. Bulma quickly sat up, looking over at the bed, she saw her friend awake. “You’re up!! Oh thank goodness!” The scientist walked to the monitors, taking a look at them. “You gave us quite a scare, El.”
“What happened?” The mother asked, continuing to eat.
“Well, that’s the thing.” Bulma rubbed the back of her head. “After you passed out at your baby shower, it was almost impossible to get your life energy back up to a normal level. It was dropping to almost nothing! Your blood pressure was plummeting and your life was in danger. We called Vegeta and Whis for answers. Unfortunately, this was the only solution everyone thought would work. It was what we had to do to save you and your baby boy.”
“He is a little boy??” Ellery felt tears attempting to escape her eyelids.
“Healthy and strong.” Bulma gleamed happily. “We’ll let you go see him in a minute. I want you to eat first and then I’ll take a good look at your injuries again.”
“How long have I been out??” Ellery’s eyes widened. “It sounds like it’s been days!”
“Over twenty-four hours, but you don’t need to worry about that right now..” Bulma looked down, placing her hand on Ellery’s leg. “I gave you some medication to help you stay asleep. We brought you back home so you would be comfortable. You have several stress fractures on your hips and a few broken ribs. The baby was really doing a number on you. How long has this been going on?”
“The last week has been the worst.” The mother looked down at her abdomen, feeling empty without the extra aura inside of her. “It’s like he couldn’t get comfortable, so he was constantly moving around.”
“I could give you a Senzu Bean for the injuries you’ve sustained. I think there’s some in my lab.”
“I thought Senzu Beans were only good for battle injuries?” Ellery questioned.
“You’re right. The Beans won’t heal you in the case of you being sick or dying of natural causes. In this case however, since this little boy has been kicking and elbowing you repeatedly. I think it could help.”
“It’s worth a shot!!” Goku smiled brightly as he reached into his gi. “I was afraid to give you one before because of the same reason. But, if Bulma says it’s okay, I trust her.” Pulling a small brown pouch out of the belt of his gi, the warrior hands a Senzu Bean to his partner.
Ellery takes it and begins to chew it quickly. While it didn’t taste the best, the mother could feel all of the tiny aches she was experiencing disappear. She felt rejuvenated after eating the magical bean.
“Do I have to keep all these wires in my arm??” The woman asked uncomfortably as she finished eating the food Goku brought. .
“We can take those out in a few moments.” the bluenette smiles happily. “I just want to take a look at everything real quick, then I’ll get those lines out of ya.”
“Have you chosen a name?” Vegeta asked from his position on the couch.
“Yaknow, I haven’t really thought about it.” Goku mentioned as he looked at Ellery. “Have you thought of a name?”
“Well it’s customary to name the first born son Ve-” The Prince was cut off by his younger sister.
“I’d like to see his face first, then we should choose a name.” Ellery beamed.
“Sounds like a perfect plan.” The warrior kissed his partner on the cheek before attempting to steal a bite of her food.”
“Hey!” Ellery smacked Goku’s cheek playfully. The smack however, was much stronger than anyone could anticipate. The warrior was knocked back, nearly hitting the wall behind him. Eyes wide, the young woman put a hand over her gaping mouth. “Kakarot, I’m so sorry!1”
“It’s alright..” Goku chuckled as he rubbed his face, knowing it was probably going to leave a little mark. “I had my guard down. I should know better than to take food from you when you’re hungry.”
The group laughed, easing some of the tension that was in the room. Ellery had given everyone quite a scare when she passed out at her baby shower.
Bulma asked Ellery to lift her gown up after she took the needles out of her arm. Taking a look at the incision, it seemed the Senzu Bean didn’t help much. Luckily for the young mother, there were several creams out there that would help the healing and leave minimal scarring on her abdomen. “Your incision didn’t seem to be affected by the Senzu, which I expected. It just means for the next few weeks, you’re going to need to take it easy until it’s fully healed.”
“I’m gonna let everyone else know you’re awake.” Goku said happily as he took the dishes away. The warrior kissed her forehead. “You’ve got a little village out there.”
“Really?? Who??” The Saiyan woman was surprised. Of course she expected Goku and Bulma to be here, but everyone else had their lives to live. She watched as her partner left the room. The feeling of his aura leaving her side felt strange, especially now.
“Almost everyone from the party, minus a few, but they said they’d stop by after you’d gotten better.” Bulma chuckled.
“I want to see my baby before we alert them I’m awake.” Ellery stated firmly. “I can’t ease this knot in my stomach until I see him with my own eyes.”
Just as the young mother mentions her son, a cry could be heard coming from somewhere in the home. This put Ellery on high alert, searching for her baby boy’s aura. “Where is he?!?!?”
“Relax…” Goku began to rub Ellery's shoulders, feeling them quake with anxiety. “He’s been crying ever since we pulled him out. I think he just misses his mother.” The warrior smiles before he kisses her cheek. “Are you ready to see him?”
“Yes!!”
“I’ll take you.” The warrior mentioned excitedly. “We set up the healing chamber inside his bedroom.” Goku slowly picked up his partner from the bed, placing her in the wheelchair that was next to the door. . Hearing his mate’s heart pounding, Goku slowly wheeled her into their son’s bedroom.
The mother’s eyes widened as she got the first look at her son. A skinny, jet black tail was curled underneath him. Still curled into a ball, the little Saiyan’s face was scrunched, almost as if he were displeased about being outside of his mother’s womb. He was sporting a thick head of hair. It reminded the young woman of her mate’s Super Saiyan form, only the cut was shorter on top.
“He’s had that stink face ever since we put him in there.” Goku chuckled as he put his hand on the tank “We can talk to him. I’m not sure, but I’d like to think he could hear us there.”
Ellery’s hands went to the glass. She looked at her son suspended in the greenish liquid, tears forming in her eyes. “ Hey baby boy.” Ellery whispered, a smile taking over her features. “You are the most handsome little Saiyan mommy’s ever seen.”
The child inside the tank relaxed at the sound of Ellery’s voice. His face changed from grumpy to intrigued. The little man attempted to open his eyes, turning his head towards his mother’s voice.
“I love you so much.” Ellery whispered.
“Have you thought of a name?” The warrior asked from behind his partner.
“Tarro.” The young mother said with a huge smile on her face. “His name is Tarro.”
Chapter 17: A Visit from the Grand Minister / Back to The Harmony Center
Chapter Text
“Yeah baby! Just a little bit farther!! Come on!!!” Elder Kai yelled as his fists began to pump in the air excitedly. He was currently watching over a planet. There was a high stakes game in progress.
“Sir!! What in the Cosmos are you looking at?? Supreme Kai was at a loss for words as he observed his older mentor.
“I’m about to win!!”
“Elder! I’m surprised at you!!” The younger Kai smacked the back of his head. “Taking a peak at some vulnerable person! You’re a Kai! Stick to the dirty magazines!”
“Huh??” The Elder Kai scratched his head, looking back at the two ladybugs that were racing to a dew drop. He pulled the Supreme Kai's noggin in the direction he was facing “I was watching this!”
“Ladybugs?????” The younger Kai was obviously shocked, but relieved to see the innocent game of race they were playing
“Good afternoon gentlemen.” The Grand Minister waved at the deities, appearing out of nowhere. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Supreme and Elder Kai immediately straightened up, looking towards the Deity. Once they recognized his voice, the two Kai’s knelt before the Grand Minister. Each was shaking in the spot they occupied. The Grand Minister was one of the most powerful beings in the cosmos. Every Kai respected him., while many also feared him
“What do we owe this pleasure, sir?” The Supreme Kai asked while looking towards the Grand Minister.”
“I’ve stopped by to see how the preparations of the Tournament were going.”
“Oh!” the young Kai smiled happily. “Things are going fantastic. We’ve gotten influence on every single planet in our Universe. The ones that have sustainable life will bring us anyone who wishes to participate. I believe we were over ten million beings that wanted to join!”
“Really??” The High Priest was taken aback by the large number. Most other Universes were putting up a decent amount of fighters, in the ten to hundred thousand range. Did the Seventh Universe have more worthy adversaries than originally thought? “I’m glad to see everything’s going according to plan. The other reason for my visit was the Omni Kings have decided on a day for the Tournament. Rules and guidelines have also been finalized.”
“Zeno's Second Tournament of Power will commence in exactly three months' time." The Grand Minister began.
"Three months??" The younger Kai questioned.
"It seems like a long time to wait." The Elder Kai observed.
"One of the main reasons was to ensure a big turnout for the Tournament. That and The Omni Kings knew Goku wouldn't compete if he was busy with taking care of his family."
"The Preliminary Stage will take exactly twelve days. Each day at exactly 800 hours, the selected Universe will compete in a battle royale style fight. There will be fifty ticks on the timer. Once the battle has concluded, anyone standing in the ring will move on to the next round. The rules from the first Tournament of Power will still be in effect here. No flying, use of any support aides is forbidden, and so on.”
“The second round will take place two weeks after the preliminary round. This gives warriors extra time to train before the real fun begins.” The Grand Minister smirked. “The Omni Kings expressed their interest in watching one on one battles. The second round will consist of several matches, in which you must defeat your opponent to move on. Opponents can either incapacitate their competitor, or knock him out of the ring to achieve victory.”
“Things will be a little more lax with the rules, as the Omni Kings expressed wanting to see what everyone could do. There won’t be a strict time limit during these battles. However, if a match lasts more than an hour, the Omni Kings will decide a winner to move to the next round. This could take several days to accomplish, so we will be accommodating everyone for the stay. When there is only one person left in the Tournament, they will be awarded the Super Dragon Balls.”
“Lord Beerus mentioned the Great Omni Kings didn’t wish to erase any Universes this time, correct?” Supreme Kai asked curiously. He wanted the Destroyer's information to be true more than anything.
“You would be right.” The Grand Minister smiled. "This Tournament will be about fun. Since the Kings Of Everything love watching battles so much, we want this Tournament to become an annual thing they can look forward to."
“As for the rules in the second round, they’ll be completely revealed in front of all contestants." The High Priest took a deep breath, looking at the Kai's below him. "Do you gentlemen have any questions?”
Both Deities shook their heads, gazing upon the being in front of them. Since the threat of Universal annihilation was off the table, neither the Supreme or Elder Kai care about the outcome. While they hoped Goku or someone from their Universe won, they didn’t need to worry about if their Universe succeeded.
The two noticed the Grand Minister was sticking around. Supreme Kai raised a brow. “Is there something else, sir?”
“The Omni Kings have asked that I ensure their friend, Goku, will be in the Tournament.”
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t be.” Supreme Kai looked at his companion.
“We received news last week that his child was born! He and his partner should both be ready for the Tournament.”
“Really?” The High Priest let out a sigh of relief, smiling happily. “They will be most pleased to hear the news.. I’m sure the Grand Zeno’s will want to see for themselves. They’ve been very intrigued on the progress of Goku’s life partner. They ask about her nearly every week.”
“Anyway, it was a pleasure to see you again gentlemen.” The High Priest waved goodbye. “I must get back to the Palace, there’s still so much that needs to be done for this Tournament!”
Supreme Kai looked at his older companion. “Well that was strange, don’t you think?”
“To think the Omni Kings would be interested in a mortal child,is truly a sight to behold.’ Elder Kai beamed. “Not only that, it shows just how much of an impact Goku has on the King’s of Everything.”
“That is true.” The younger Kai nodded. “It looks like something’s bothering you, sir.”
“A little.” Standing from his patch of soft grass, the old man began to pace. “The strongest fighters from every Universe are coming together. We can’t guarantee they all have good intentions. I’m just afraid of a powerful being coming to other Universes to harm them.”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Elder.” Supreme Kai smiled. “We have some very powerful fighters of our own! I have no doubt they’d be able to take down any threat that comes our way!”
“Excellent work, guys!” Goku clapped as he watched his classmates sparring against each other. “Keep it up!”
In the weeks since the warrior started teaching martial arts, his classmates were showing great improvement. The beginning of the week the group started with a new technique. They learned about it over the next week and began using it in their sparring by the end. Most of Goku’s students were learning quicker than he would’ve imagined. It made him a proud teacher seeing his class was grasping the concepts so well.
With the studio advertising the upcoming Tournament, several patrons were coming to every session. In addition to his repeat clients, Goku noticed his class size getting bigger every session. The Saiyan taught martial arts at The Harmony Center five times a week. While he loved the chance to teach, right now he wanted to spend all of his time training. With the other four Universes competing, there was going to be some stiff competition for the Super Dragon Balls.
If Goku won the Tournament, he wasn’t sure what he would wish for. At the moment, his life was nearly perfect. The only thing it was missing was a good sparring partner. While the Saiyan had his mate, as well as Vegeta, it seemed like the challenge had been taken out of his life. Before this time of peace, there was always a new villain or obstacle he would be forced to accomplish. Goku’s life has been peaceful since the first Tournament of Power. He’s not used to such a long break in the routine.
Was it possible the peace was going to last this time?
“Tighten your stance.” The warrior fixed a young man’s posture. “You’re wide open for an attack if you stand like that!” Standing back, Goku continued to watch this duo as he contemplated.
The Saiyan was thankful for the times of peace he’s been experiencing for the last few years. It’s gotten to the point that he’s almost waiting in anticipation for another villain to show up.
With every single Universe competing for the Super Dragon Balls, it’s possible to make an enemy while I’m there. The Saiyan could feel his blood pumping at the thought of all the tremendous fighters he was about to go up against. This Tournament of Power was going to be so much more exciting. With every single Universe competing, it's possible there's someone out there stronger than Jiren.
I wonder if Jiren would spar with me before the next Tournament?! Goku thought excitedly. That'd really get me into shape! How would I even begin to locate him? I'd probably have to visit Zeni and Zeno to even come close to sensing his energy. Even then it probably wouldn't work.
Feeling slightly defeated, the Saiyan became even more deadset in his plan. I wonder if I could use the Dragon Balls? Is Shenron powerful enough to bring a warrior from another Universe here?
Who’s this Jiren you’re talking about?
Goku nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of his mate’s voice in his head. Uh… How much of that did you hear?
Enough to know someone’s still got the fighting bug left in them. Now who’s Jiren?
He’s a super strong fighter from Universe Eleven! We met during the first Tournament of Power. It was a very close battle at the end, but we won! It took the help of my team to defeat him. I’ve been itching for a re-match ever since! Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!! The Warrior felt a burst of energy, and began sparring with the air. All of his students turned to watch their master in action.
Your daddy better not wreck mommy’s Studio with all of that power he’s using. The Saiyan woman thought as she walked down the lane between their home and The Harmony Center.
This was the first time Ellery had been out of the house without Goku since Tarro had been born. She lazily strolled along the path, the little Saiyan nuzzled to her chest. She had placed him in one of the baby slings initially, However the little man ended up crawling onto Ellery’s chest, his tail flopping lazily against her shoulder.
“We’re gonna go see Daddy while he’s working.” The young mother whispered to her little boy, stroking the tiny strands of hair out of his face. “The ladies have been dying to see you!”
Little Tarro wiggled in his mother’s embrace, happy to hear her voice. His eyes opened and attempted to focus on his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was the fuzziness on his cheek. He hated when his mother put a blanket over his head.
Tarro lifted his head, effectively letting the blanket fall to the side. There was so much to look at, that the little Saiyan’s head began to turn back and forth. Doing his best to hold it up, Tarro observed the beautiful colors in the trees and the sky. The moment the sun touched his face, he felt the heat from it and how bright it was. Whining softly, the little Saiyan nuzzled into his mother’s neck, attempting to hide from the bright light.
Hey! I’m not going to wreck it! The warrior sounded offended. How’s our little man doing this morning?
The last three weeks have been enlightening to Ellery. In that time, she’s been able to heal completely and Tarro was able to come out of the Healing Chamber earlier than expected. At the beginning of this week, the young mother finally had the chance to hold her baby. Adjusting to motherhood was one of the most challenging thing’s Ellery had taken on. However, she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Goku has been an immense help with Tarro as well. From waking up during the night to check on him, to even changing his diapers. Ellery thought for sure the Saiyan would run away at the first smell. Like a true warrior however, Goku has been there through every dirty and tiring step of the way.
He’s in such a good mood after eating, I thought we’d go for a little walk. Ellery covered Tarro’s face once more as the training platforms came into view. The Saiyan woman observed Goku’s class as she walked towards The Harmony Center. Your students are looking good! Ellery beamed as she strolled up behind her partner.
Goku quickly turned around, a bright smile on his face. “There’s two of my favorite people.” He pulled Ellery and Tarro close, embracing the two and giving his partner a kiss on the forehead.
Everyone turned, intrigued on what their master got sidetracked with. The moment everyone saw the tiny baby in Ellery’s arms, they began to crowd around the couple. Everyone at The Harmony Center knew the little one had arrived. They couldn’t wait to meet the newest addition to their family.
“Let’s give him some space guys!” The warrior commanded, standing protectively in front of Ellery and the baby. The intimidating presence he brought caused everyone to step back quickly. “Get back to work!”
“Kakarot, there’s no need to scare everyone. They’re excited to see Tarro.” Ellery chuckled, placing a hand on his shoulder blade. “I’m going to go inside. I know the ladies are dying to get a look at him.” The young mother could feel the little Saiyan peer out from under the blanket once again. Ellery knew it was from the sound of his father’s voice. From the moment his eyes catch the sun however, Tarro is quick to cower back to the shade.
I should probably go with you..
Kakarot, you have a class to teach! Ellery stepped out from behind her partner, a serious look on her face. She could feel the worry beginning to radiate from her mate. She leaned in close, giving him a kiss on the cheek. If I need anything at all, I’m only a thought away. The young mother beamed at her partner.
I guess you’re right…I should get back to work. Goku smiled, kissing his mate before he moved the blanket slowly, giving his son a kiss on the cheek. Don’t let the women sneak off with him! We might never see our handsome man again! The warrior chuckled.
The moment they realize how much he eats, they’ll be throwing him back at us. Ellery laughed aloud, causing several of Goku’s students to turn around.
Kurta looked towards his friend, Dess, with an odd expression. As he watched their master and his partner, he couldn’t help but wonder why the two were looking at each other so intently.
“Something wrong?” Dess questions.
“Do you ever get the feeling those two are talking to each other without speaking?”
Dess chuckles. “All the time, but it doesn’t matter if they are or aren’t. I’m sure we don’t want to know what they’re talking about anyway. Come on! Let’s get back to training.”
Chapter 18: Tarro's First Spar!
Chapter Text
Tiny beams of light snuck through the blackout curtains in Tarro's room. One caught him on his left eye, alerting the little Saiyan it was time to get up. He attempted to get away from the annoying light the best he could. Tarro's tail came around to cover his eyes. However, the little Saiyan couldn't get away from the beams. He began to whine inside his crib. Not only was the light too much, Tarro felt his stomach gurgling.
Only moments later, the little once heard noises outside of his bedroom. The door opened quietly. Tarro's whines turned into small cries, hoping someone was in the room with him.
"Hey little man." A deep voice came from the other side of the space. A pair of warm, large hands picked up the little Saiyan, placing him against his chest. "What's got you in such a fuss?" Tarro immediately recognized the voice as his father's. The little Saiyan wrapped his tail around the man's wrist. He changed his son before the two exited his room.
As the two exit Tarro's bedroom, both of their stomachs begin to growl, causing Goku to laugh.
"Looks like I found the problem! We're gonna get you fed." The warrior mentions as he walks downstairs. After being at The Harmony Center all week, he wanted to take over the morning duties. Ellery's been getting her strength back slowly. Goku was going to do anything he could to help the process along. Goku began warming up Tarro's breakfast as he ransacked the fridge for anything he could munch on with one hand. The Saiyan found a couple fruits that he began to eat, humming softly as he waited for his little one's bottle to warm.
"Here you go, little man. Time for breakfast." Goku beamed at his son, maneuvering him into his arms. The warrior sat down in a rocking chair, moving back and forth gently as he watched Tarro. Still half asleep, the little Saiyan was trying to blink away the tiredness. However, he just ended up closing his eyes once again as he ate.
Goku chuckled softly as he observed Tarro. Just eating breakfast takes everything out of you huh? The warrior felt his son's tail lazily trying to find a spot on Goku's arm to lay.
I see how it is. Ellery's voice rang softly through Goku's mind. You don't even need me here, do you? The Saiyan woman's laugh could be heard coming from the stairs. Walking up behind the rocking chair, the young mother smiled at her partner and little one. "I thought you were going training this morning?"
"I was." The warrior smiled at his mate before gazing at his son once again. "But while I got ready, I heard our little man wake up. I didn't want to leave you with EVERYTHING to do when you got up. I figured I could help out a little before I leave." Goku used one hand to play with Tarro's ebony tail. "Besides, I sensed Vegeta is actually on Earth! I was gonna see if he wanted to go with me."
"Well it's much appreciated that you stayed to help." Ellery kissed Goku's cheek before she sauntered into the kitchen. "Have you eaten?"
"Just some stuff I could get in while I got Tarro set up this morning." The warrior turned the rocking chair around to face his partner in the kitchen. "I was putting my gi on when I heard him start to move around. I wanted to let you get some sleep since you've been waking up with him every morning."
The young woman nodded, pulling a couple of large pans out from the cabinet. "Then you're not leaving until you've had breakfast!" Ellery beamed, walking to the fridge to pick out several things. "I won't let my Kakarot train on an empty stomach."
Goku smiled brightly. "Your mom's the greatest." He whispered to his son as he finished eating. The Saiyan maneuvered him so that his head was on his shoulder. He rubbed and patted Tarro's back as he attempted to burp him. Getting up from the chair, the warrior made his way into the kitchen. "Smells amazing." Goku stated from behind Ellery.
As the two guys reach the stove, Tarro lets out all of the gas that was built up in his little stomach. The little Saiyan caused his parents to jump at the sound of his loud burp. Afterwards, he snuggled into his daddy's shoulder, closing his eyes once again.
"Thank you." The young woman smiled at her partner. "I've got some of the food done on the counter." Ellery pointed to the space across from her. "Tarro usually takes a nap after his morning feeding. You can lay him in the swing Bulma bought for us. He loves that thing."
"I think I'll let our company get some Saiyan baby time." The warrior looked towards the door. "I sense Bulma and her family are headed this way."
"Maybe you won't need to visit Lord Beerus and Whis after all." Ellery mentioned hopefully. "I know Vegeta will never turn down a chance to train."
"Yeah, but I know we'd get more out of our spar if we went to their planet." Goku leaned against the counter, giving his partner a pouty lip.
The young woman rolled her eyes as she chuckled. "You know I'm not going to stop you from going, Kakarot. I just like having you around the house."
"I know, Princess. I love being here with the two of you." Goku kisses her forehead before he goes to the door, opening it as their guests arrive.
"Hey!" Bulma waved happily to her best friend.
"What brings you guys over?" The warrior asked curiously.
"Vegeta won't admit it, but he wants to see his nephew." The bluenette laughed has her husband smacked her arm playfully. "He's been talking about it since he came home two days ago."
"Two whole days?" Goku's eyes widened. "You're not slacking on your training, are 'ya?"
"Look who's talking." Vegeta scoffed, his arms crossing as he looked at his sparring partner. "I can't remember the last time I saw you train, Kakarot."
"Well whaddya say?" The warrior excitedly questioned. "We could spar right here! I'll show you I haven't gotten soft!" Goku felt his blood pumping through his veins quickly, his aura rising in anticipation of the spar with his friend.
The Prince chuckled, rolling his eyes at his sparring partner. "After I do what I came here for." Walking up the steps to their home, a smile crossed Vegeta's features as he looked at the tiny Saiyan in Goku's arms. "We have another full-blooded Saiyan in our ranks. This is something worth celebrating!"
Tarro heard his uncle's voice, and was intrigued by it. The way his father's aura increased around the smaller man was astonishing to him. Never before had the little Saiyan felt his dad's energy spike while being so close to him. When he was still growing, he would remember that same warm aura helping him grow. It got little Tarro's heart pumping, feeling the strong energy around him.
Vegeta gently took the little Saiyan from Goku's arms, holding him close. The Prince noted how much he looked like Ellery. He could see it in the shape of his nose, eyes , and lips. The hair, however, was all his father's. Vegeta smiled down at Tarro, sitting on the couch next to Bulma.
"He's so small." The bluenette mentioned as she leaned against her husband's arm. A dark ebony tail came around to wrap around Bulma's finger, causing her to gasp.
A smile crossed Vegeta's features as he looked at his wife. "He knows you're part of the family. Saiyan's use their tails as infants to establish bonds of trust with other adults. When we first arrived here, it was wrapped around Kakarot's wrist. I'd assume he does the same to Ellery."
"That's so interesting." Bulma whispered as she smiled at the infant in Vegeta's arms.
"No kids today?" Ellery questioned from the kitchen, grabbing her own plate of breakfast. She began eating with her partner, thankful for the company to watch Tarro.
"Mom and Dad wanted to take them to the new theme park that just opened." The Capsule Corp C.E.O mentioned. "They were so excited, I couldn't tell them no. So we took the opportunity to come and check on you guys."
"That sounds like fun!" Goku mentioned between bites of food. "I was going to head to Lord Beerus' planet to do some training. But since you showed up, Vegeta, would you like to spar with me instead?"
The Prince thought about the offer for a moment as he watched his nephew's eyebrows raise. "Sure, Kakarot, I'll spar with you." Vegeta looked down at Tarro, smirking. "Are you ready to watch your Uncle Vegeta kick your father's butt in a spar."
"Hey! Who says you're gonna win?!"
"If you hadn't been slacking on your training, you might stand a chance." The oldest Saiyan laughed. Looking at his wife, Vegeta slowly hands the little one to Bulma before he stands up. "I'll be waiting in the back yard for your ass-kicking." The Prince comments as he shut the door behind him.
Ellery chuckles, shaking her head as she looks at her partner. "Your little warrior is gonna be watching. You'd better give him a good first battle to witness."
"You bet I will." Goku kissed his mate before he ran outside.
Bulma reached into her pocket with her free hand, pulling out a small capsule. She clicked the top before tossing it onto the living room floor. Seconds later, a robot popped out. "What is my duty?" It asked in a monotone voice.
"Keep the house tidy. Please start with cleaning up the kitchen." The bluenette watched the robot speed into the kitchen, beginning with the dishes.
"Wow… I should've asked you for one of those two years ago." Ellery beamed. "Thank you so much!"
"I know it's going to be a lifesaver once this little one starts getting older. I remember when Trunks was growing up, it felt like I could never keep up with all the laundry and cleaning. Thank goodness I had several people to help me. I don't want you to drown in chores." Bulma placed a finger on his nose, watching his eyes cross before Tarro gripped it tightly. Standing from the couch, the bluenette looked at her friend.
"How have things been?"
"It's been hectic to say the least." The young mother mentions as the two make their way onto the back porch. As the two sit down, she watches her friend holding her little one carefully. "It's been nice being at home with him. I'm noticing he's starting to gain a little personality. He'll smile at things he likes, and you can definitely tell when he's not okay with something." Ellery chuckles.
"Watching him grow has been one of the highlights of my time with him."
"He's gotten a little longer since I last saw him." The bluenette mentioned as she noticed the look her friend was giving her. While she knew it was unintentional, every mother got that look on their face at least once. She stood carefully and walked over to Ellery, gently placing him in her arms.
"You grew up around Kakarot." Ellery looked at her best friend with a smile. She positioned the little Saiyan in her lap, allowing him to watch the spar from her arms. "Can you tell me anything about how Saiyan's grow as they get older?"
"Oh, it's been so long." Bulma sat back in her chair, recalling a memory that's nearly forty years old. "I remember the first time I met Goku, I thought he was a small child lost in the woods. If I had a size to compare him to, I'd say Gohan when he was about five years old. Goku tells me he was twelve years old, which at first I thought he was lying. Then, I saw his tail and knew he wasn't a normal boy.
"He stayed that size for a long while." The bluentte continued. "We parted ways and met again at a Martial Arts Tournament a few years later. At that point, he's almost tripled in size! If it weren't for his bright orange training outfit, I may not have known it was him. After I saw Goku that day, he got married to Chi-Chi and had his first son. I saw him again when Gohan was around four. Since then, it's been smaller amounts of growth that I've noticed. His muscles gaining mass because of his training, getting a little taller and broader shoulders. The one thing I'm jealous of, is that neither of them have lost their youthful glow yet, and they're almost in their sixties!"
"Well, Saiyan's do have a longer lifespan than humans." Ellery chuckled. "At least that's what Kakarot tells me. He's not sure how long a Saiyan would live if he stopped fighting. It was possible they could live for hundreds of years. But I don't know how much of that to believe."
"Vegeta's told me the same thing on more than one occasion." The bluenette scoffed. "I just hate seeing myself age while my husband looks just as good as the day I met him!"
"You look amazing, Bulma!" Ellery commented as she looked at her friend. "I'd say the two of you easily look the same age."
"You're just saying that." Blushing, the older woman loved being complimented on her looks. The blunette felt a rush of wind come to the porch, knocking both women back in their seats. As Bulma looked out, she noticed both men had already transformed. "They don't waste any time, do they?"
"Not when they're trying to show off." The young mother laughed as she looked down at her son. Tarro's little fingers had balled into fists and were rising in the air. "They have a future Saiyan warrior watching them. Isn't that right, little man?"
Tarro was unable to keep his eyes off the bright flashing lights in the sky. Normally, something so bright would hinder his vision, and hurt his little retinas. However, as he watched his father and uncle battle right before him, he was mesmerized by it. The way their energies were clashing and getting stronger by the second, made Tarro wonder what his little body was capable of. As he raised his fists in the air, he began to unclench them, reaching up towards the skies.
"You'll be flying before you know it." Ellery whispered to her little man. "Have a little bit of patience. The second your father knows you're wanting to spar, he's gonna start training you. I won't be able to save you after that." The young mother chuckled, kissing her son's cheek.
"You know it." Bulma agreed with a snicker. "Ever since Trunks let Vegeta know he was entering the Tournament, the two haven't stopped training. It was one of the reasons he came back home." Looking into the sky, the bluenette smiled. "I think the two of them are getting a lot closer now that Trunks wants to spar with his dad."
"He's going to have a great time!" The young mother beamed. "Is Goten going to compete as well?"
"I know he's asked Chi-Chi, but I never heard her answer." Bulma admitted. "I don't see her allowing him to. On the other hand, Goku would be over the moon if both of his sons were competing."
Tarro let out a small whine, throwing his fists down. Ellery looked down at the little Saiyan in her arms with wide eyes. "It sounds like all three of his sons want to compete." The young woman laughed as she took Tarro's hands in hers. She began to move his arms as though he were punching someone. "My little man is gonna be a warrior huh?"
The little Saiyan let out a yell, sounding like a miniature battle cry. Both women laughed as they fawned over the adorable infant in Ellery's arms.
Chapter 19: The Next Generation Participating!
Chapter Text
Goten paced back and forth in his bedroom. He was about to embark on one of his scariest tasks ever bestowed upon him. The half-Saiyan could feel the sweat beginning to form on his forehead. It almost wasn't worth asking, since he knew the answer was going to be a resounding no. However, Goten had to try.
The young half-Saiyan wanted nothing more than to join the Tournament with his friends. He already knew Trunks was allowed to go, making him even more excited. Goten knew if he asked his dad, he wouldn't hesitate in saying yes. However, if he kept the truth from his mother, the consequences could be dire. The best way to do it would be to rip off the band-aid.
"Hey, mom?" The young man walked out of his bedroom to find Jean and his mother on the couch together.
"What is it, sweetie?" Chi-Chi asked curiously, turning her attention to her youngest.
"Well, you see…" Goten began to play with his hands, looking down at them. "Trunks asked me if I was going to participate in the Tournament in a couple of months. Would it be okay if I went?"
The older woman was at a loss for words. In all honesty, this was her worst nightmare come true. She wasn't ready for the day her youngest son wanted to join martial arts tournaments like his father and brother. Chi-Chi was hoping she could keep him away from that for a few more years.
"Dad, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and even Trunks are going to enter! Please Mom!" The half-Saiyan got on his knees, begging his mother.
"I don't see the problem with it, Chi '' Jean smiled at Goten. "A little martial arts tournament could be good for him."
"I would agree…" The mother sighed as she looked at her youngest. "If it was a 'little' tournament."
"What do you mean?"
"The kinds of tournament's Goku usually gets into are ones with huge, strong fighters. I believe this is the same Tournament that Lord Beerus and Whis mentioned when we visited Bulma's house. The stakes at these matches are a lot more than just gaining notoriety. I'm sorry, Goten…"
"But Mom!" The young warrior interrupted. "The Grand Zeno's don't want to erase any Universes this time. It's supposed to be a fun tournament where everyone can join!"
"Everyone?" Chi-Chi raised a brow at Goten's comment.
"Yeah." Goten nodded, walking closer to his mom. "I heard Trunks talking to his Dad. Since only people from Universe Seven are allowed in the first round of the tournament, Vegeta thinks it'd be a good training exercise for him. I want to train too!"
"If that's the case, then I'll have to speak with your father. I'm sure he has all the details."
"Really? Awesome!" Jumping up excitedly, Goten cheered. "I can sense his energy at Bulma's. Can we go? I think they're training!"
The mother smiled at her youngest, nodding in agreement. "Get in the car, we'll head to Bulma's."
"What did Goten say about Universes being erased?" Jean felt all the warmth leave her body instantly. Her heart began to pound at the thought of that happening. Her brain couldn't fathom the fact that a whole Universe could poof out of existence. "How does something like that happen?"
Chi-Chi rubbed the back of her head and chuckled nervously. "Jeanie, I don't want you to worry about it, okay?"
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?!"
"Because I have faith in Goku." The older woman kissed her partner's cheek. "He's the strongest man in the Universe. Nothing will be able to stop him. Not only that, Goten said there was no threat of Obliteration again. There's no need to worry." Chi-Chi stood from her seat on the couch, grabbing the keys. "Are you coming? I'm sure the guys can explain it better than me anyways."
"It's like I'm living in a whole different world being with you.."
"You kind of are, now that I think about it." Chi-Chi laughed. "My life has never been what people would call normal. I don't even bat an eye to it anymore."
"Moooom!" Goten yelled from the car.
"We'd better get going." The older mother chuckled, reaching out for Jean's hand.
Four weeks have passed since Tarro witnessed his first spar between his father and uncle Vegeta. Since then, he has been completely absorbed into every fight he was able to witness. Although there weren't many times he was in the vicinity, when he was Tarro would observe and take in every aspect of the spar. The entire concept was fascinating to him, and got his blood pumping.
As he looked around from his oldest brother's arms, the little Saiyan was able to watch as his Uncle Vegeta and his dad sparred with each other in the skies. Below the older Saiyan's, Trunks and Pan were having a little sparring match of their own. Tarro watched as the two half- Saiyan's battled it out. Each of them were a lot smaller than the two in the skies. It gave the little Sayan hope that he could battle soon! He waived his fists into the air, yelling out loud to the warriors.
"It sounds like you're ready to start training, huh?" Gohan chuckled as he looked down at Tarro. "There's a few things you've gotta learn first! Let's focus on becoming mobile before we think about fighting."
"He loves to watch sparring matches." Ellery says from behind the half-Saiyan. She walked up to them with a bright smile. "Kakarot and I set him in the swing at home and he watches us spar for hours."
"How do you know he's paying attention?" Gohan asked curiously.
"I can't be certain he is." The young mother admitted. "But when I look over to check on him, it looks like he tries to turn his whole body just to watch. Sometime's he's even throwing his fists in the air like he just was. He can get pretty noisy when he listens to us power up as well." Ellery chuckled, giving her little man a kiss on the forehead.
The half-Saiyan maneuvered Tarro in his arms, handing him back over to his mother. Gohan smiled as he watched his youngest brother wrap his arms around his mother's neck, dangling from her like a little monkey. It was one of the cutest things to witness.
"Are you excited for the Tournament, Gohan?" Ellery questioned, a smile never leaving her face.
"Yeah,." Looking up at the Saiyan's training in the air, Gohan can't help but chuckle. "Seeing them train like this is starting to get me riled up as well."
"If you'd like, I'll spar with ya." The young woman's brow raised as she looked at the half-Saiyan.
"Really? Are you entering the Tournament?" Gohan asked curiously, completely unaware.
"Of course I am!" Ellery beamed. "It''ll give me a chance to see how I stack up to everyone else. There's nothing more I could ask for." Looking down at the young Saiyan's training, the young woman began thinking of her own son beginning his training. "Do you know if Goten's asked Chi-Chi to enter yet?"
"Goten wants to fight in the Tournament?"
"I was talking to Bulma the other day, and she mentioned to me that Trunks was entering. Vegeta thought it would be a good training exercise for him since it's a friendly battle royale. Apparently he doesn't expect them to move on, but wants them to gain experience."
Gohan's eyes widened, sensing his younger brother's energy approaching along with his mother's. "I don't think we'll have to wait long to find out."
"Why do you say that?" Ellery asked curiously.
"GOOOOKUUUU!"
The older woman's shrill voice could be heard for blocks. Goten flew over the fence, immediately going towards his friend Trunks. Chi-Chi and Jean weren't far behind, taking the door instead. Stomping onto the lawn, the older mother looked to the skies. "Goku! I need to talk to you!"
Ellery could feel her partner's anxiety begin to bubble up in her own body. Kakarot? Are you okay?
She sounds pissed! Goku's mind raced frantically. I don't know what I did wrong!
There's only one way to find out. The young woman chuckled as she watched her partner descend. Ellery jumped from the balcony, holding Tarro close to her, standing next to Goku as he landed softly on the ground. The moment Chi-Chi's eyes spotted the little Saiyan, her features completely brightened.
The older mother's arms were crossed as she walked towards the couple. "I came to talk about this Tournament my youngest son wants to join." As she got a look at Tarro in Ellery's arms, her demeanor changed once again. "And I wanted to see how this little guy was doing!"
Ellery smiled happily as she looked at Tarro, who was looking at his own fingers. The little Saiyan looked mesmerized as he clenched and unclenched his hand into a fist. "He's been watching everyone get ready for this Tournament. I think even he wants to join." The young mother giggled as she made her way over to Chi-Chi. "Would you like to hold him?"
"I was hoping you'd ask!" The older woman stated excitedly as the two of them walked over to where Bulma was sitting. Ellery slowly handed Tarro to Chi-chi, watching the way he reacted as she held him. The little Saiyan looked indifferent to whomever was holding him, still mesmerized by his fingers.
"You sure are a curious little thing." The older woman said with a smile. She could see her ex-husband in many of Tarro's features. The bright grin he showed was all his mother's however. While Chi-Chi knew she was much too old to have children, being around little ones like him always brought her a joy she couldn't explain.
"Uh…" Goku rubbed the back of his head, amazed at how quickly the situation de-escalated. "Chi-chi, about the Tournament?"
"Oh yes!" The older woman perked up, looking at the father of her children. "I just want to make sure this Tournament is going to be safe for our Goten. He tells me Trunks is joining the Tournament, but that doesn't make me feel better about it."
"The second Tournament of Power is meant to be more inclusive." Goku said with a bright grin. "Didn't they discuss this months ago? I thought you were here for the conversation."
"I was." Chi-Chi admitted. "However, since I didn't think my little boy was going to be participating! So I didn't pay much attention."
Ellery chuckled, looking at her partner, who tried not to act surprised at the news. Goku looked at his ex-wife, keeping a smile on his features. "Zeni and Zeno mentioned they wanted to see a ton of fighters during this Tournament. The first round will only consist of fighters of the Seventh. I've heard there are a lot of people joining! The main contestants will be from Earth, so I don't think Goten will have a problem."
"What if he somehow makes it to the second round? What if there's some unknown force from Universe Seven that tries to hurt the participants!"
The Saiyan honestly didn't think about that. "Uh…"
"With all of us competing, Chi-Chi, I think it's safe to say we will make sure this is only a training exercise for the boys." Ellery interjected, seeing that her partner was fumbling over what to say.
"Goten and Trunks will have several people on the battlefield on their side. Not only that, If they were to make it to the second round, several of us will be there to compete against. Kakarot also has a connection to the people running the tournament. I'm sure we could ensure the boys fight one of us in the first round."
"Really?" The older mother asked hopefully.
I wouldn't be making promises you can't keep, Princess… Goku mentioned it to his mate.
"Of course!" Ellery beamed, seeing the hopeful look on Chi-Chi's face.. You and I both know we won't allow Goten and Trunks to go to the next round, so what's a little lie going to hurt? The young mother questioned her mate through their bond. There's a whole group of people there to make sure the boys don't get in over their heads.
I guess you're right…
"Well… If you guys are saying it's going to be safe…" Chi-Chi looked at Jean, still a little unsure.
"REALLY MOM?!" Goten yelled excitedly, flying over to the group of adults. "You're going to let me compete in the Tournament?!"
"Yes." Chi-Chi smiled happily, seeing how ecstatic her youngest looked. "But I want you to make sure you're fully trained! You'd better spar with Trunks every day. Maybe even your brother and father."
"AWESOME! Truuuunks!" Goten flew back to his best friend, letting him know the good news.
"They grow up so fast." Chi-Chi mentions with a teary grin. "It feels like only yesterday, he was first training with me and became a little Super Saiyan."
"You trained with Goten?" Ellery asked curiously.
"Of course!" The older mother nodded. "Goku wasn't around at the time, and the World Martial Arts Tournament was coming up. Goten was so excited about the Tournament that he begged Gohan to train him. At the time, he was busy, so I told him I would do it." Smiling, Chi-Chi looked down at the little Saiyan in her arms. "I bet this one will be a Super Saiyan before he turns one."
"What's a Super Saiyan?" Jean questioned, looking at the group.
"Goku learned a technique a long time ago, it multiplied his energy by almost one hundred time's his normal power." Chi-Chi looked towards her ex-husband. "You never turn down a chance for a demonstration. Would you show Jean?"
"Hell yeah!" Goku said excitedly as he powered up quickly. A golden aura extended from his body as his hair turned the same golden color. The Saiayan's ebony eyes changed to their famous teal color. The older woman was nearly thrown out of her chair with the force his first form exerted.
Jean's eyes were wide as she got a look at the powerful being in front of her. "Holy shit! This is amazing! I've never felt anything like this before! He's like a force of nature!"
Chi-Chi giggled, taking her partner's hand in her own. "He truly is an amazing warrior. This is only the beginning of his power."
"Really?" Jean watched Goku as he ascended the skies once again, going back to the fight he started before the couple arrived.
"Oh yeah." Nodding, Chi-Chi watched Goku and Vegeta sparring. "Those two right there, are probably the strongest beings in the Cosmos."
"Probably?"
"I mean there's never a guarantee." Ellery smiled, looking towards her partner. "Who knows? Maybe I'm stronger than them, and we don't know it yet." The young woman laughed with the other two ladies.
Bulma joined in on the laughter. "It may even be this little one." She mentioned while her hand tickled the little Saiyan's foot. "He's the first full-blooded Saiyan that's been born since Ellery was." The bluenette pondered. "It just makes me wonder how much power this little man is going to have."
"With the way he's already observing us fight, he's going to be training before he takes his first steps." Ellery smiled, sitting next to the ladies as she began to watch the fight in the skies once again.
"That conversation went better than I thought!" Goku mentioned as he continued to spar with Vegeta. He was elated that Chi-Chi was going to allow Goten to participate. "Now all the kids that can fight are going to be competing in the Tournament!"
"Stop distracting yourself and focus on the fight at hand!" The Prince roared as he lunged towards the warrior. However, Vegeta was also excited like his training partner. This gave him a chance to finally begin training his oldest for combat.
Suddenly, Goku noticed a green aura surrounding him, much like the time he disappeared to the Palace. The warrior looked frantically towards his mate. I think it's happening again!
"Kakarot what in the hell is going on?" Vegeta asked, his brow raised in confusion.
Goku flew towards his family at a blinding speed, he scooped up Ellery and Tarro. This caused Chi-Chi to fly backwards out of her chair. Jean yelled and came to her aid the moment she watched her fall.
Before anyone else knew what was going on, the trio had vanished into thin air.
Chapter 20: Pre-Tournament Workout!
Chapter Text
The three Saiyans looked around the room they now occupied. Goku immediately recognized it as the Omni King's game room. Looking at his perplexed mate, the Saiyan placed a hand on her shoulder. Goku sensed Ellery's heart pounding as she clutched onto their son. You can relax, Princess. We're safe
How can you say that?! What in the hell just happened? Where are we? The Saiyan woman noticed her mind starting to race as Tarro began to fuss in her arms. Ellery rubbed the little one's back as she consoled him. This place was unfamiliar. The young woman had never seen anything like this. Several tables were set up on the left, and to the right was a battle arena, with only a couple of spectator seats.
We've been summoned by the Omni Kings. A smile came across the Saiyan's face. We're inside the Palace. Angels and other Deities live here with Zeni and Zeno. The Palace is in the center of the Cosmos, the exact distance from all twelve Universes. Goku was ecstatic to be here. Now that the Omni Kings have summoned him, maybe they could also summon up a certain training partner…
Why on Earth are you getting so excited? Ellery turned to her mate, her eyes almost glaring at him. Why did they decide to bring us here?
"Goku!"
"You brought your family this time!"
The two Deities quickly rounded a corner, coming to greet their new guests. Seeing Goku and his new family brought joy to the Omni Kings. They were happy to see the birth of their child went well, seeing as he was in Ellery's arms. As the Deities stepped closer, they looked at the little Saiyan with wide eyes
"Zeni! Zeno!" Goku said excitedly as he looked at his two friends, waving at them. The warrior extended his arm to the two Omni Kings, allowing them to take his hand. Goku gave them a handshake, causing each of them to laugh joyously.
"We're so happy you're here!" The Omni Kings grin as the Saiyan lets them down.
"What's the occasion?" The warrior asked.
"We wanted to see you and your family." Zeni explained.
"The last time we saw you, you were going to have a baby." Zeno continued.
"After hearing from the Supreme Kai they were born, we wanted to see them!" Zeni clapped as he looked up at Goku's partner, seeing the child in her arms.
Ellery noticed the Omni Kings looking at her and Tarro. She gazed at her partner, who nodded happily. The young woman sat on the ground slowly, crossing her legs. Gazing at Zeni and Zeno, Ellery held the little Saiyan in a way they could see him. "This is our little boy, Tarro." The young woman stated gently as she watched the King's of Everything like a hawk.
The Omni Kings gasp as they watch the little Saiyan wiggle in his mother's arms, mesmerized by him. "He looks like you, Goku!" Zeni mentioned.
"Yes! He does. I wonder if he will be strong like you too." Zeno smiled, reaching out his hand to touch the Saiyan infant.
Tarro noticed the blue hand coming towards him. He grasped onto it tightly, causing Zeno to gasp.
Ellery froze as she watched their interaction. She wanted her little man to let go more than anything. The young woman could feel her hands beginning to shake. However, Tarro's little tail wrapped around his mother's wrist as he let go of Zeno's finger. The Saiyan infant looked up towards his mother's face, seeing the concern evident there.
"His life is going to be full of adventure." The Omni King's smile was bright, but Ellery thought his eyes were telling a different story.
"This is exciting!" Zeno proclaimed!
"Very exciting!" Zeni clapped, smiling happily.
Goku watched the interaction, trying to figure out what it all meant. The warrior rubbed the back of his head, unsure why the Omni Kings were so fascinated by his youngest son. He knew Ellery was a wreck as Zeni and Zeno played with Tarro. While Goku knew they meant no harm, anything was possible when it came to the King's of Everything. In order to ease the burden on his partner, the warrior decided to use this opportunity to his advantage.
"Zeni, Zeno, I have a little favor to ask."
"What is it, Goku?"
"Yes, what is the request?"
The Saiyan thought hard on the wording of his next sentence. "Would the two of you like to witness another match before the Tournament?"
What are you doing? We can't spar in here! Ellery couldn't believe her partner was thinking about allowing the Deities to watch over their child. I don't think we should leave the care of our infant to them…
Trust me on this, okay? Goku sent waves of calm to his mate, ensuring Ellery knew that he wasn't worried. The warrior observed his partner take a couple deep breaths.
Both King's eyes widened in excitement, walking towards Goku quickly. "Really?"
"Who would you spar against? Your partner?"
"I mean, if Ellery would like to, but I had an idea for something a little more exciting!"
"More exciting?!" Zeni gapsed.
"Who could be more exciting?" Zeno questioned.
Goku smiled deviously, looking towards the tournament stage in their game room. "Do you two remember Jiren the Gray? From Universe Eleven?"
"THE GUY YOU BATTLED AT THE FIRST TOURNAMENT?!"
"OH YES THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL!"
Goku chuckled nervously, underestimating how much they would like his proposal. He followed the Omni Kings as they traveled to the left side of their game room. Zeni and Zeno walked to one of the twelve tables, playing with a couple of the planets. Within minutes, a bright light appeared in the middle of the room. Once the brightness dissipated, an extremely shocked Jiren was left behind.
"What in the fu-
"Jiren!" Goku, Zeno, and Zeni cheered.
The warrior was in a state of shock. It wasn't every day you're transported away from a fight against your will. Jiren was sure that Top and the other Pride Troopers could handle the threat, but it wasn't like him to just disappear like that. The man turned to see Goku, along with the Omni Kings heading towards him.
A small grin came to Jiren's lips. "I should've known you had something to do with this, Goku."
"Sorry about the short notice." The warrior rubbed the back of his head. "They graciously invited my family here, and I told them I would spar, in thanks for bringing me here."
"We remembered your fight from the first Tournament of Power!" Zeni excitedly clapped as they approached.
"Yes! It was most exciting! You are so strong, Jiren!" Zeno looked up at the warrior next to them, smiling brightly.
The man from the Eleventh Universe stood there in shock. Looking down at the Omni Kings, he quickly got his act together. Jiren bowed before Zeni and Zeno, looking down at the floor. "Thank you great Omni Kings. It is an honor to be in your presence and fight for your enjoyment."
"No, it is us that should be thanking you!"
"We've been waiting for the Second Tournament for months. Now, we get some excitement while we wait!"
Jiren looked up at the two Deities who were smiling brightly. "I will make it a wonderful fight, just for you." He grinned before standing and stretching. It was then Jiren noticed a young woman and small child standing close to the ring. The infant looked a lot like the warrior standing next to him. "Is this your family, Goku?"
"Part of it." The Saiyan beamed. "I have two older sons with my first partner. Gohan competed in the first Tournament of Power, but I don't think the two of you ran into each other until the end." Goku smiled at his partner, walking towards him as he gestured for Jiren to follow. The two make their way over to Ellery and Tarro.
"My other boys aren't here at the moment, but they'll both be attending the Tournament!"
"I see." The warrior noticed the infant sizing him up the entire walk over. A smirk crossed his lips as he finally reached Goku's little family.
"Ellery, this is a friend of mine, Jiren! He's a strong fighter from the Eleventh Universe!"
"It's an honor to meet you." The man bowed in front of them, causing Ellery's eyes to widen before she smiled.
"The honor is all mine." The young woman beamed. "Kakarot has told me of your strength. It's not every day that he meets a challenge." Ellery chuckled as she looked down at little Tarro in her arms. "I'm sure this little guy won't be able to keep his eyes off this fight."
"Does he enjoy observing battles such as this?" Jiren asked, one of his brows raising in confusion.
"Tarro is always watching his family spar., he's Kakarot's child afterall." Ellery smiled as she kissed Tarro's head. "I'm sure he wishes he could be fighting right now, but the little guy has to be content with learning how to grow first"
Tarro reached towards the warrior with his left hand. Jiren extended his hand towards the little Saiyan, allowing him to grasp onto one of his fingers. In that moment, the gray warrior could see just how much power Goku's youngest son was harboring inside.
Is this the child? Jiren thought to himself, unsure if he was correct. The power lying inside Tarro was enough to cause the warrior some concern. If that amount of power couldn't be contained, entire Universes could be at stake. I must speak with Goku. He'll need to know of the prophecy. If this is the child they're looking for, every surrounding Universe will need to be prepared.
The man's hand began to tremble, pulling away from the embrace with a weak smile. "He's got quite the grip."
"He sure does." Goku laughed as he picked up his youngest son, raising his own arms up high. Tarro's eyes were wide at the fact that he was so high up in the air. Seeing the beaming smile on his father's face however, caused him to giggle.
"I bet he's going to grow up nice and strong." The warrior smiled as he brought his son closer to him. "Who knows what he's capable of."
"Let's let him learn to crawl first, Kakarot." Ellery rolled her eyes, but the smile was bright on her face. She was eager to train her son as well. Not only in martial arts, but in yoga and meditations as well.
"Are you guys ready to fight?" Zeni and Zeno ask curiously from behind the group. Goku turned, looking at the Omni Kings with a grin.
"Of course buddies!" The Saiyan looked at his sparring partner, extending his hand out. "Give it your all, ok?"
"I expect the same from you." Jiren shook Goku's hand, smiling before he took the center of the stage.
"That was amazing you guys!"
"Yes! Thank you so much for entertaining us!"
The battle between Jiren and Goku ended in a finale that many wouldn't forget. Much like their initial fight with each other, neither warrior had any intention of holding back. After all, they were performing in front of the King's of Everything. Jiren stood after their last standoff, looking around the dust covered battlefield for his opponent. The warrior began walking around, finding Goku in a rather large crater.
Chuckling, Jiren offered his hand to the Saiyan helping him out of the hole he created. "That was some battle, Goku."
"Yeah, but you still managed to get one over on me." The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head. "If it came down to a one on one battle, it'd be a challenge to defeat you!"
"I don't go down without a fight, you should know that." the man laughed before his face became serious. "I'm actually glad we got this opportunity to see each other before the Tournament. There's been something I've been wanting to mention."
"What is it?"
Jiren looked towards the Saiyan's family. "I've been hearing rumors of a dangerous group from Universe Twelve. They are searching for what they called 'the Chosen Child'."
"What does this have to do with me?" Goku asked curiously.
"I'm afraid it may be your child they're looking for." Jiren gazed at his opponent. "I've been earing these rumors for almost two and a half years now. At this point, I'm afraid they're going to take action and begin looking."
"What is this 'Chosen Child?' Sounds a little weird if you ask me.."
Jiren raised a brow before shaking his head. "The prophecy told of children with unimaginable strengh. Enough that it could tear entire Universes apart."
"Really?" The Saiyan was intrigued by his story. He took a seat on a nearby piece of the uprooted stage.
"The prophecy tells of children born under the sign of the Full Moon for the first time in over fifty years." The warrior looks at the man in front of him. "Is your son a full blooded Saiyan?"
"Yes." Goku smiled.
Jiren nodded before continuing. "The first has immeasurable strength that would rival even the Gods. The second has the ability to lift anyone's spirits to the heavens, or to leave them with unimaginable grief." Jiren watched his sparring partner, who seemed to be listening. "The twins are the deadliest. I remember hearing something about them being born under unlikely circumstances. At the time I wasn't sure what to make of it. It's said they share a brain, allowing them to hear each other's thoughts, as well as those around them.``
"Wow… that sounds like a pretty scary group of kids." Goku looked at his mate, trying his best to keep his emotions neutral. "How can you be sure it's Tarro? I mean Ellery and I only have one child together. I don't think we plan on having more either, this little man is already keeping our hands full with everything else we have on our plate."
"This is true.." Jiren nodded in agreement. "I was only concerned for your safety. I'll keep an eye out if I hear anything more. Even if I'm wrong, this being is still a threat to your Universe."
"I really appreciate the heads up!" The Saiyan beamed, seeing everyone else walk up behind them.
"What were you guys talking about?"
"We were yelling forever!" Zeno furrowed his brow.
Goku's eyes widened, getting on one knee in front of them. "I'm terribly sorry! We were just talking about the upcoming Tournament!"
"Oh!" The Omni Kings said in unison as they smiled.
Suddenly a figure burst through the double doors of Zeni and Zeno's game room. "Great Omni King's I-" The Grand Minister realized quickly they weren't alone in the room. Gazing at the numerous people around the room, he collected himself. "I'm terribly sorry, am I interrupting?"
"No, they just finished their battle."
"Do you need something, Grand Minister?"
"If you don't mind sires, I need to speak with you in my office."
The little Deities nodded, looking at everyone else in the room, waving at them. "Bye everyone!" They state before each being was sent to their respective Universes.``
Goku and Ellery magically end up back in their own home. The couple looked around in awe before the young woman turned to her partner.
"What is it you two were talking about?" She asked, seeing the wide eyed look on her mate's face. "You were trying too hard to keep your emotions in check to just be talking about a Tournament."
"It was nothing, Princess." Goku tried to brush it off to the best of his ability.
"Kakarot. I'm your mate, you shouldn't keep things from me."
The warrior took a deep breath, looking at his youngest son in Ellery's arms. "Jiren was telling me about a group of villains. He was afraid that they could come after our family."
"Why would he think that?" Ellery clutched the little Saiyan closer to her.
"He said something about a prophecy of four children." Goku tried to remember everything he said,but honestly he was drawing a blank. "I didn't pay much attention, because I knew he couldn't be talking about us!"
"Are you sure?" The young woman questioned, looking at Tarro, who was grinning back at her.
"Yeah!" The warrior assured his partner. "First of all, I don't have four children! Jiren said something about all of the children being full blooded Saiyans, which is impossible unless we have three more!"
"I don't think I could handle three more…" Ellery said with wide eyes.
The Saiyan chuckled. "Anyway, I don't think the prophecy he mentioned was about our family. Even if those guys show up, we have an entire army that would fight with us." Goku smiled as he took a seat next to his partner, pulling her close to him. The warrior kissed his youngest son's head, wrapping his arms around the duo tightly.
"You're right about that." Ellery smiled brightly as she kissed her partner, relaxing into his embrace. However, there was part of her that couldn't shake the feeling that maybe Jiren was right.
Chapter 21: Universe Check-In!
Notes:
The Second Tournament of Power is only days away! I think it's time to check on another Universe to see how they're training is going.
Chapter Text
"Come on! I know you can do better than that!"
Caulifla snickered as she looked at her weak opponent. "If you want to make it to the finals, you're going to have to put out a lot more power."
Cabba panted as he looked at the Saiyan warrior in front of him. Ever since the news of a Second Tournament came about. The three Saiyans have been training nonstop. Each had their own reasons for being excited. Caulifla wanted the chance to challenge Goku once again. Kale, like always, only wishes to fight at her sister's side. Cabba desperately wanted to show his master how much he had improved by making it to the second round of the Tournament.
The young woman in front of him had transformed into a Super Saiyan Three, a level that Cabba could only dream of reaching in his current state. Ever since the initial Tournament of Power, the gap between him and his friends continues to grow wider. While he wasn't one to give up easily, this fight would definitely be more than he bargained for.
"Try again." the blonde haired Saiyan gestured for Cabba to come at her once again.
Taking a deep breath, the warrior let out a mighty war cry, powering up as high as he could in that moment. He takes a look at his opponent and locks onto his target.
Kale sat on the sidelines, sipping on a cold beverage as she watched her sister beat the young man into a pulp.
"Maybe you should be a little nicer, Caulifla." Her sister called out. Looking at Cabba, she could tell that the last blow really did a number on him. While he was a strong warrior. Caulifla often forgets that she's in a league of her own.
"I'll be nicer once this weakling learns how to dodge!"
The young woman stood up from her seat, looking at Cabba and giving him a smile. "Tag me in!"
A bright flash of light interrupted their little brawl, effectively separating Caulifla and Kale. As the light disappeared, the young Saiyan's were taken aback. In front of them was the Attendant and Destroyer of the Sixth Universe. Immediately Cabba and Kale were on their knees, bowing before the powerful Deities.
"Good afternoon, all!" Vados waved happily to the trio. "It looks like you're getting some much needed training in."
"Yeah, and if you don't mind we'd like to get back to it!"
"Caulifla!" Cabba and Kale glared at the attitude-filled Saiyan.
"We are only here as a vehicle." Champa rolled his eyes. He wasn't happy when his brother came to him with this favor.
"Lord Champa!" Vados called from the front of the castle. "You have visitors!"
Visitors? The Destroyer raised a brow. Who in the hell would be stupid enough to come to my planet? Champa began to think of all the people that could be here. Was it possible the Grand Minister was here? Or even the Omni Kings? The Sixth's Destroyer quickly got out of his comfortable chair, rushing towards the front of the palace.
From the moment he saw his purple skinned twin, Lord Champa scoffed. "This is what you interrupted my important business for?"
"Look at that! You actually got out of bed for something!" Lord Beerus chuckled.
"I know you didn't come all this way just to insult me!"
"That's where you're wrong." The skinnier cat laughed. "I came here for two reasons, and now that the first one is out of the way. I also came to cash in the favor you owe me."
Champa's brow raised angrily. "What in the hell are you talking about?"
"You see, dear brother." Beerus chuckled. "When my Universe won the Tournament of Power, the winner granted every Universe their lives back. I figured that since I was able to bring you back, you could do this small thing for me."
"NO WAY!" Lord Champa crossed his arms. "I'm not raising a finger for someone as entitled as you!"
"Come on you lazy couch potato!" Lord Beerus slammed his fist on top of his brother's head. "If it weren't for my Universe, you wouldn't be standing here! You'd never see a dessert again!"
Lord Champa rolled his eyes. As much as he hated his twin brother, the Deity knew he was right. Looking at the Saiyan behind Lord Beerus, Champa nodded to him. "What exactly do you want me to do, Saiyan?"
"I'm merely asking you to take me to the Saiyan Planet Sadala. I made a promise to one of your teammates during our first Tournament, and I intend to keep it."
"Trust me, we don't want to be here." Lord Champa rolled his eyes, looking away from the three young Saiyans. "We just came to drop off Vegeta for his little playdate."
"It's not a playdate!" The oldest Saiyan glared at the Destroyer of the Sixth. "I just came here to fulfill my promise."
Cabba was unable to contain his excitement at seeing his Master on his home planet. It seemed like years had passed since their first initial encounter. Vegeta taught the young man how to transform into a Super Saiyan. Although it didn't save their Universe in the Tournament of Power, who knows how long they would've lasted without it.
"At any rate…" Vados interrupted their bickering. "We will be back at the end of the day to take him back home. We hope you have a great time, but we must be on our way." The Attendant waves her staff, quickly disappearing along with Lord Champa. This left the older Saiyan with the three younglings.
"So, are you just as strong as Goku?" Caulifla asked curiously as she stood up, stretching.
"I'm stronger than Kakarot." The Prince snickered. "It sounds like someone's looking to lose a sparring match."
"In your dreams, old man!" The young woman glared at Vegeta. "Bring it on!"
After several hours of training, all three of the Universe Six Saiyan's were completely worn out. Vegeta of the Seventh depleted them of every bit of their energy. Kale, Caulifla, and Cabba could barely stand after the beating they endured. Vegeta was in a completely different league compared to the younger Saiyans. As he watched the teens brush the dirt from their outfits, the Prince chuckled. "Do you think any of you stand a chance of making it to the second round?"
"Just you wait!" Caulifla snickered. "We're going to make it for sure!"
Cabba smiled at her cockiness. It was likely she would make it, but the rest of the Saiyan's probably didn't stand a chance. Looking at Vegeta, the young Saiyan smiled. "Are you ready to see the Palace?"
The older Saiyan nodded, his lips turned into a grin. "It's been a long time since I've been on the home planet of our race."
"What exactly happened to your planet?" Caulifla asked curiously.
"The man named Frieza happened." Rolling his eyes, Vegeta sighed. "You have a being in your Universe just like him, Frost."
"That guy gives me the creeps." Kale shivered.
Nodding, the older Saiyan continued. "Anyway, Frieza ruled over several of the planets in my Universe, including Planet Vegeta-
"Wait, you named a planet after yourself? That's a little self-centered don't you think?" Caulifla interrupted.
Vegeta sighed. "I was only five years old when the planet blew up, so it wouldn't have been me that came up with the name. Our original planet, Sadala, went through a long period of war and we ended up conquering another planet to call home. Planet Vegeta was a prospering world until Frieza came and enslaved us to do his bidding."
"After some time of our people working for him, Kakarot's father got wind of a plan that Frieza was going to destroy the Planet. Although he warned people, no one believed him. My father sent me off-planet with a group of other Saiyan's a few days before the destruction of our world. That was how I was able to survive. Kakarot was sent off the planet as well. He was sent to Earth."
Caulifla's eyes were wide as she listened to the older Saiyan's tale. The upbringing of their planets was completely different. It could explain the gap in their powers. "Is that how you and Goku got so strong?"
Vegeta chuckled before shrugging. "I'm not really sure. It's completely possible. Every time a Saiyan is beaten, we come back stronger once we've healed. I've battled a lot of people in my day and lost. The three of you are still young fighters, you have a lot of room to lose. Just remember it may hurt your pride, you'll always come out on top in the end!"
"Hell yeah! Come on Kale, let's go home and train!" Grabbing her younger sister's arm, Caulifla drug her away from the two male Saiyans.
Cabba smiled at his teacher, leading him out of the small forest they were training in. After about five minutes of walking, the duo reached the outer limits of the city. A few small houses were scattered across the countryside. The farms outside seemed to be prospering. Looking at Vegeta, the younger Saiyan grinned. "I'm so glad you got the opportunity to visit Planet Sadala."
"I am as well." the Prince smiled. "It's been a long time since I've been around other Saiyans."
"Does it feel strange being here?"
"A little." Vegeta admitted. "A lot of it looks like what I remember of my home planet. It's bringing up a lot of emotions that I wasn't aware I had."
Nodding, Cabba decides to walk the rest of the way in silence. This allowed Vegeta to take everything in, forcing him to feel the emotions he'd been repressing for so long. The Prince never realized how much he missed his home planet until he was standing on its twin. As the duo came closer to the Palace, the older Saiyan noticed the passersby staring at him. His sensitive hearing attempted to pick up on what they were saying, but it sounded like everyone thought they were seeing a ghost.
"Cabba…" Vegeta spoke quietly. "It seems like everyone here recognizes me, but they're afraid of me. What in the world is going on?"
"I'm not really sure…" The younger Saiyan admitted. Cabba had never seen the people of Sadala act in this manner. They were all whispering amongst themselves, while keeping their distance from Vegeta and Cabba. "As far as I know, the King only had one son, and he is much younger than you."
"Hmmm.." The Prince began to contemplate the different possibilities. He watched as several citizens pointed at him before running inside a shop. Other than the strange behavior of the people, Sadala reminded Vegeta of his home planet to a tee.
"Don't let their strange behavior bring you down. We're almost to the Palace!" The younger Saiyan attempted to keep his master's spirits up. Even though he couldn't explain how everyone was acting, he was bound and determined to get to the bottom of it. As the two reach the gates to the castle, Cabba notices a couple of guards standing outside.
Immediately their faces turned stark white upon seeing the widow-peaked Saiyan.
Here we go again. The Prince sighed. They probably won't even let us in, just run and hide like the rest of the people I've encountered today. Looking at Cabba next to him, Vegeta gave him a look of disappointment.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." Cabba stated politely to the guards. "We would like to enter the Castle."
"State your business.." The one of the left asked shakily, not taking his eyes off Vegeta.
"We wish to see the Castle. My friend here is a Saiyan from Universe Seven." Cabba smiled proudly. "His Universe saved everyone from annihilation, and in return I told him I would show him our home Planet."
Both guards weren't sure what to say. Looking at each other, they whisper to themselves for a few moments.
"Alright, we shall let you pass. However, we must know more about this 'Visitor'." Leek glanced at the Prince.
Vegeta walked to stand in front of the two guards. His head held high, he begins to speak. "My name is Vegeta of Planet Earth. While I am a Saiyan, my home planet was destroyed when I was just a young boy. After meeting Cabba at the Tournament, we made a pact that I would come and visit his Saiyan home. It's been forty years since I've touched ground on my home planet. I hope you'll grant me access to your castle."
The way the Prince spoke, reminded the guards of their own King Sadala. His aura was emanating power and authority. Leek and Onio nod to the Saiyan from Universe Seven. Turning back towards the gates, the two men open them, kneeling before Vegeta as the two cross into the property.
"That was weird…" Cabba whispered, unaware that his teacher heard him.
"It's possible I remind them of someone." Vegeta mentioned.
"What do you mean?"
"I've noticed it's only the older Saiyan's that are wary of my presence. It makes me wonder if the me from this timeline passed on at an early age." As the Prince opened the doors to the castle, several of the maids that were cleaning stopped to see who was entering. The first look at Vegeta and Cabba confused them.
"Excuse me." the younger Saiyan mentioned politely. "We're hoping to see his Majesty. Do you happen to know where he is?"
"Who are you?" One of them asked as Leek and Onio follow behind them.
"They're visitors." Leek nods to the woman. "Please let us know where the King is."
"I believe he's in his office. He's been spending a lot of time there lately."
The two guards nod, walking in front of Vegeta and Cabba. "Please follow us, we'll lead you there." Onio gestures for the two Saiyans to follow them. However, the Prince already knew his way. Even though the man from Universe Seven had never stepped foot in this castle, Vegeta knew exactly where that cramped office was. Everything else was exactly like his old home, it stood to reason that the layout of the Palace was as well.
It didn't take long for the group to reach the large door to the King's office. Leek was the first there, knocking. "King Sadala, sir I have two visitors here to see you."
"I'm busy!" The man yelled angrily from the other side of the door. "Leave me be!"
"Sir… It's Cabba from the Tournament of Power. He's brought a Saiyan from the Universe that saved everyone! He wished to see the Palace and even you, sire."
"I SAID I'M BUSY!"
"LISTEN HERE, GRUMPY ASS!" Vegeta stomped towards the door, shoving the two guards out of his way. This utterly silenced everyone on his side of the door. "I've just about had it. I came all this way, I deserve a little bit of your time!" Gripping the door handle, the Prince swung the door open.
Although the Saiyan of Universe Seven thought he was prepared for this moment, he was completely mistaken. In front of him, was an exact replica of his father. His hair gray and his wrinkles deepened from his long life, King Sadala looked as though he hadn't slept in forty years. Vegeta's heart nearly burst, tears escaped his eyes without his permission as he looked at the man in front of him.
"It can't be…" The King put his left hand over his mouth, tears welling up in his eyes as well.
Vegeta kneeled in front of the old man, his head bowing down so no one could see his tears. "Sir, my name is Prince Vegeta. I am a Saiyan from Universe Seven."
Standing from his seat, King Sadala walked to stand in front of the kneeling Saiyan. "Tell me, is there a Planet Sadala in your Universe as well?"
"At one time." A sad smile took over Vegeta's features. "I was only five years old when an evil emperor destroyed our entire planet. Only a handful of Saiyans survived the explosion from being off-planet at the time. I was one of the lucky ones." The Prince felt a large hand touch his right shoulder and squeeze. The tears began to flow harder as Vegeta felt the man shaking above him.
The King was choking back tears as he began to speak. "My son, Sadala was four years old when an evil tyrant came and tried to eliminate our people. He deemed us as a threat because of our strength. The threat was easily dealt with. However, my oldest son was one of the casualties. I never thought I would see him again. Seeing you here today, is like I have my Sadala back."
Vegeta looked up, seeing the King coming unraveled. "If he was anything like me, I know that he died fighting to the very end. Saiyan's are a proud people, and we don't go down without a fight, especially when combat is in our blood." The Prince quickly stood, opening his arms to the older man. King Sadala embraced Vegeta tightly, patting his back.
"I would love to know about your travels… Do you have time to stay?" The King asked curiously.
Cabba stood behind everyone, eyes wide as he watched the events unfold in front of him. He didn't know his King was harboring such a terrible weight like this around. Taking the blame for your son's death is not an easy pill to swallow. However, it seemed that getting to see Vegeta has lifted a lot of that burden off of his shoulders.
"Whaddya say, kid?" Vegeta looked behind him, a smile on his face. "Think we can stick around for a while?"
"Of course!" Cabba beamed, excited to hear about the Prince's adventures as well. "We'll stay here until you can't stay any longer."
"Wonderful!" Sadala roared as the group left his office, heading towards the kitchen. "We'll have a feast, and talk over dinner!"
"That sounds great!" Vegeta's stomach growled at the mention of food, causing everyone in the room to chuckle.
Chapter 22: Today's the Day!
Chapter Text
The day was finally here. The Second Tournament of Power was set to commence later that afternoon. All the warriors of Planet Earth had a specific meeting place. They were to report there at two o’clock sharp. From there, all would be transported to the Null Realm, where they would meet the other competitors in the preliminary rounds. The Z-Warriors that decided to participate were to meet at Bulma’s an hour before the actual meeting, in order to arrive together.
Ellery was packing a bag for Tarro. The young mother was nervous to leave her first born alone for the first time. Even though she was only going to be gone for a few hours at most, it was still nerve wracking. Having reliable babysitters was the only true reason Ellery felt comfortable leaving Tarro for a couple of hours.
She remembered the day the couple went over to Chi-Chi’s to ask for her help. The Saiyan woman was an anxious mess trying to make sure her little man would be cared for.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Princess.” Goku smiled at his partner as the trio landed in front of Goten’s home. “I’m sure Chi-Chi would love to babysit. She raised both of my boys, and I’d trust her to watch Tarro!”
“She’s about the only one I would trust, besides Bulma of course.” Ellery admitted to her mate. “After seeing how much of a handful a little man is at only four months old, the young mother hated to think about what it’d be like when he got older. “I just trust us the most. I’d rather not have him leave my side, but unfortunately that isn't an option.”
The Saiyan couldn’t help but laugh at his partner’s comment. “I know, I couldn’t agree more. But a fighting stage is no place for someone his size. If he was more of a fighter, I’d say absolutely!”
As Goku mentioned his son’s fighting spirit, the little Saiyan began pounding on his father’s chest.
Chuckling at the little man’s attempt, Goku kissed Tarro’s forehead. “One day, you’ll be training alongside us buddy, you just gotta wait until you’re a little bit older.” Before the Saiyan could knock on the door, it was opened by Goten. The young half-Saiyan beamed at his father, excited to see him before the Tournament.
“Hey Dad!” .
“Hey kiddo!” Goku smiled as he pulled Goten in for a side hug. “Is your mom home?”
“Yep, she’s just in the kitchen.” Running back inside, the young Saiyan yelled through the house. “Hey Mom, Dad’s here!’
Chi-Chi looked up from the kitchen table, where she was doing some sort of craft. A bright smile came over her features as she saw the little one in Goku’s arms. “Hey guys! What brings you over?”
“We actually came over to ask a favor of you.” Ellery sat at the table as she watched the older woman reach for her child. It made her happy to see a smile on Tarro’s face as Chi-Chi held him.
“What’s up?” She asked curiously.
“Well you see,” Goku began. “The Second Tournament is coming up in a couple of days..”
“You don’t need to remind me.” Chi-Chi was unable to control her laughter. “Goten hasn’t stopped talking about it since he knew he was joining.”
The Saiyan couldn’t help but laugh, glad to see his son was excited about the Tournament. “Well, since all of us are competing. We were hoping this could open you guys up to the possibility of babysitting?”
“Really??” Chi-Chi was taken aback, but honored nonetheless. “I would love to! Is there some reason Bulma can’t do it?”
“She’s going to have her hands full with the other kids.” Ellery mentioned. “We know Tarro can sometimes be a handful on his own, so we wanted someone that could give him the attention he may require. You raised two half-Saiyans wonderfully. I’d love to have you babysit our little man.”
Holding the child close, the grandmother smiled happily. “I’d be delighted to babysit! This little one and I are going to have a great time!”
“I’m so glad we can count on you!” Ellery beamed at Goku’s previous wife.
“Hey Dad, when are we supposed to meet at Bulma’s?” Goten asked curiously.
“Two o’clock!” The Saiyan looked at his son, a bright grin on his face. “Have you been training hard for the Tournament, Goten?”
“You bet I have! Trunks and I have been sparring every day!”
Chi-Chi turned to Ellery as the two men began talking about the Tournament. “If you like, I could save the two of you a trip. We’ll all meet at Bulma’s and I’ll watch Tarro and keep Bulma company at the same time.”
“Are you sure that won’t be too much?” The young mother asked worriedly.
“If it’ll make you feel better, I can always come back here.” The older woman mentioned, sensing Ellery’s apprehension. She knew exactly how it felt. She remembered when Gohan was a little boy. She was an anxious wreck with every breath he took.
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course!” Chi-Chi smiled. “I was the same way when Gohan was born. Wanting to protect your son isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
“I trust your judgment.” Ellery beamed at the older woman, elated that she understood where she was coming from. “What you think is best, I will be okay with. All I ask is that if Tarro becomes a handful, you’ll be the one to take care of him please.”
“You have my word.” Chi-Chi wrapped one arm around Ellery, giving her a sideways hug. “Now you two need to stop focusing on that baby and start thinking about this Tournament!”
Making sure she had enough supplies was crucial for Ellery. She didn’t want to take him somewhere unprepared.
“You ready to go, Princess?” Her partner’s quiet voice came from behind her, causing the young woman to jolt out of her daydream. Ellery looked around Tarro’s room, making sure she didn’t miss anything. She had originally come in here to wake him from his nap, however the young mother decided to get everything ready first.
“Just about, I was getting the last things packed up for our little man.”
“El, you can’t pack the whole house.” Goku chuckled. While he loved that his partner wanted to make sure Tarro had everything he needed, the couple was only going to be gone a couple of hours at most.
“Sorry.. I just didn’t realize how hard this would be. Being gone for a couple of hours is going to be a lot tougher than I thought.” Ellery admitted, hearing her little man cooing from his crib. She walked over to him, watching as he grinned at her. The young mother smiled and picked Tarro up, kissing his cheeks before holding him close. “Looks like someone is up from their nap.”
“Just in time too.” The Saiyan wrapped his arms around his partner, kissing her head and his sons. “I know it’s going to be difficult leaving him with someone else. But we’ve got the most qualified people for the job, Princess.” Goku smiled. “Chi-Chi is going to do a great job and we’re going to make it to the second round of the Tournament!”
“You’re right, Kakarot.” Ellery smiled happily, taking a deep breath. “I’m going to change him, and then we’ll be ready to go.” The young mother laid Tarro on the changing table.
Goku nodded before letting his partner go, grabbing all of their bags and taking them downstairs. He could still feel the young woman’s jitters about leaving their son for the first time. The Saiyan was anxious as well. However, knowing that Gohan and Goten’s mother would be taking care of his youngest put him at ease. Chi-Chi and Bulma were great at raising their own half-Saiyan children. Tarro was only four months old. Although he could be a handful, two seasoned mothers shouldn’t have a problem!
“Okay! Let’s go to Bulma’s!” Ellery walked down the stairs, their son clinging to her neck and hanging from her front. It had become one of his favorite positions. The young woman took a hold of Goku’s shoulder, watching as he used his free hand to place two fingers on his forehead.
The moment they landed at Capsule Corp, Tarro began to cry. The Instant Transmission was one hell of a way to get around. However, it made the little Saiyan feel extremely uncomfortable for several minutes. Even his mother consoling him and rubbing his back didn’t seem to help. It was only once he felt ‘normal’ again that his crying would stop. Tarro wrapped his tail around his mother’s arm tightly.
“Shhhh..” Ellery kissed his ear as she began to hush him calmly. The young mother began to purr as she rubbed her son’s back. Feeling the soft furrs of his tail calmed her, but also worried the mother. She wished there was something she could do to help. It seemed Tarro always got this way after traveling using Instant Transmission. The couple didn’t use it often. Most times, they fly to where they need to go with ease.
Today, they didn’t have the luxury of time.
“Hey guys!! Glad you’re here!” Bulma waved happily from the balcony of her home. A few of the other Z-warriors were already gathered near them. Piccolo, Gohan, and Tien were chatting amongst themselves. Videl was walking down with Bulma, Pan and Bulla running in front of them.
“Hi Bulma!” Goku waved happily at his friend. The Saiyan kissed Ellery’s head before taking their bags into Capsule Corp.
“Are you guys excited for the Tournament?” Videl questioned. Smiling at the now curious baby in the young mother’s arms.
“I’m super excited! I’m just nervous to leave…” Ellery admitted to her. “It’s my first time being away from him since he’s been born. Even if I have to be at work, he comes with me. Always cool and collected as he watches everyone in the Studio.”
“We’re going to take great care of him, El.” Bulma smiled. “With Chi-Chi, Videl, and I, we’ve got this under control! You’ll just need to focus on winning the Tournament!”
“Thanks ladies.” The Sayian woman beamed at her friends.
Tarro snuggled closer to his mother, his cries had been reduced to small whimpers. Ellery continued to console the little Saiyan, watching as more people began to file into Bulma’s back yard. Some of the warriors Ellery didn’t recognize. However, every single one of them went up to her partner. Goku would smile brightly and begin talking to them as if they were long lost friends.
“Trunks!!” Goten yelled from the edge of Bulma’s property.
“Goten! You’re here!” The purple haired Saiyan ran across the yard to see his best friend. Behind the two boys were Chi-Chi and Jean, who looked like they packed their entire home and brought it with them.
“Chi, what is all this???” Bulma raised a brow.
“You can never be too prepared when watching a little Saiyan!”
The young mother’s eyes widened as she got a look at everything Chi-Chi had with her. Ellery felt her heart swell, knowing that her little man was going to be well taken care of. Looking down at Tarro, she smiled brightly at him, pointing towards him with her finger. “Now you be good for Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Videl. You’re going to have a great time.”
The little Saiyan beamed at his mother, his smile melting her heart. Tarro giggled and took hold of her finger tightly.
“I love you, sweetheart.” Ellery kisses his nose gently before she walks towards Chi-Chi, who has already unpacked her stuff.
“There’s the little one!” The grandmother smiles happily. She takes Tarro from Ellery’s arms, grinning as the baby Saiyan giggled.
“Alright guys!!” Goku’s voice could be heard from across the entire yard. “It’s time to get to the meeting space. If everyone could hold hands, we’ll be on our way!”
Ellery turned and walked towards her partner, the entire way, the young mother occasionally turned back to look at her son. Chi-Chi would wave back towards her with a smile on her face. This put her at ease. The Saiyan woman took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment. Tarro is in safe hands, I need to focus on the fight ahead of me.
That’s the spirit, Princess! Goku smiled, feeling her shoulder touch his back. Once everyone was connected, the entire group disappeared from Capsule Corp.
“Today’s the day!!” Zeni excitedly moved around in his throne chair..
“Universe Seven’s Preliminary Round!!”
The two Omni Kings sat in the Null Realm, waiting rather impatiently for the activities to begin. While the previous rounds have been very exciting, Goku and his friends were competing today. This made the little blue Deities happy.
“They should be arriving any minute, sires.” The Grand Minister said from behind them. “I took the liberty of adding extra seating. Whis of the Seventh mentioned there would be a lot of fighters competing today.
“This is going to be so exciting!!”
“Super exciting!!!”
“Yes.” The High Priest chuckled softly. “This is the battle you’ve been looking forward to all week.”
As he finished his sentence, The Deities felt millions of ki signatures coming into the bleachers. Looking into the bleachers, Zeni and Zeno’s eyes widened as they saw the amount of people. “Uh, we may need more room.” The two say in unison.
The Grand Minister ran to their side, eyes nearly popping out of his head at the millions of beings from Universe Seven. “It’s a good thing Whis advised a second arena. This preliminary may take longer than originally planned.”
Chapter 23: Let the Match Begin!
Chapter Text
Goku looked around the crowded bleachers with wide eyes. He couldn’t believe that so many people came to compete in the Tournament! There had to be millions of people here! Everyone was chatting amongst their own groups. Along with several humans, there were beings from other planets in Universe Seven. The Saiyan couldn’t help but speculate about their different abilities.
After getting to their original meeting spot, Goku saw a lot of people, but not this many! Supreme Kai was there to explain all of the rules to the contestants.
“Good afternoon, everyone!” The Deity grinned at the contestants in today’s Tournament. “I’m very excited to see all of you here for this Tournament. I am going to go over the rules of today’s match before we depart.” Supreme Kai looked around the room, watching everyone’s eager faces. “Are there any questions before I get started?”
A young man in green raised his hand. “Where exactly is this Tournament going to be? I don’t see a stage here?”
“Very good question.” Smiling, Kai answered it to the best of his ability. “As I said, we are going to depart from here and meet the other contestants. Since this Tournament is a very large one, several planets with life in this Universe are going to compete. The stage is set in a place called the Null Realm. It is a perfect place for fighters to use as much of their strength as they please without destroying anything.”
The awes of shock were apparent. The room erupted in mumbles, even some cheers and yells. The deity at the front of the room chuckled, clearing his throat to gain everyone’s attention once again. They motioned towards another person who had a question.
“What is the Null Realm? I’ve never heard of that before.”
“Another great question!” Supreme Kai beamed towards the crowd. “The Null Realm is a place in the middle of the Cosmos. This is where Tournaments of Power have been held since last year. Before that time, there was no purpose for the space, since it was completely void of anything. Like I said before, it’s a place where strong beings can be as strong as they wish. Since there won’t be a threat of blowing something up, everyone can go all out.”
“Who is holding this Tournament?? Why are they getting the entire Universe together?” A man in red asked.
Supreme Kai’s eyes widened, unsure of how to answer this question. “The Tournament was the idea of an Earthling. His love of battle and training was the catalyst for us to begin this festival. I unfortunately wasn’t privileged with that knowledge. They wish to remain private at this time. However, the audience members will be very respected individuals in this Universe. Please give them the same kindness, as they have a direct hand in the Tournament of Power.”
Goku looked up with a raised brow. It wasn’t like the Supreme Kai to lie. However, the Saiyan knew it probably wasn’t wise for every human to know there were deities out there that could wipe out Universes in the blink of an eye.
Once all questions had been answered, Supreme Kai began. "From this location, we will set off to the Null Realm. There, we will meet the other contestants in the Tournament. The preliminary/first round will consist of a Battle Royale. Every warrior will compete against one another at the same time! One on one battles are possible, but they won’t be your main focus until the end of the Tournament.”
“There are a few guidelines that must be followed during the Preliminary round. No flying, however any creature that is born with wings is permitted to utilize them. The use of restoratives are banned from this Tournament. Killing is also forbidden. If it is found out you disobeyed the rules, the consequences will be instantaneous.”
Goku’s eyes widened, knowing exactly what Supreme Kai was talking about. The Omni King’s wouldn’t hesitate to obliterate someone who didn’t follow the rules of their games.
“During the Battle Royale, time passed will be reflected by the center beam on the stage.” The Deity continued. “Each tick of the timer will reflect three minutes of battle passing. A total of fifty ticks will pass during the Preliminary Round. Once the round is over, whomever is left standing on the platform will move on to the second round!”
“Once the Preliminary round is finished, everyone will be taken back to their original meeting places. Contestants that reach the next stage of the Tournament will have two weeks to prepare. When the time is up, the finalists will meet at the same meeting spot, as not to get confused. The rules and stipulations of the second round will be announced at the next meeting.”
Seeing how many contestants were participating made Goku’s blood pump even faster. He could feel his adrenaline adding to the excitement and anxiousness he was feeling. The Saiyan wanted nothing more than to get on that battlefield and show the contestants what he was made of.
Looking around him, Goku noticed his partner’s face. As he focused on her, the warrior could feel her nerves about being away from their son. Not only that, his mate was actually worried that she wasn’t going to do well in the Tournament.
Princess?? Is everything okay? Rubbing her shoulders gently, Goku placed all of his attention on Ellery.
I guess I’m just nervous. The Saiyan woman admitted to her partner. Not only am I nervous about Tarro being watched, I can’t stop shaking the fact that I don’t know how strong I am compared to all of these people. What if I can’t make it to the second round?
Goku’s eyes widened, unaware that his partner had been feeling this way. It had been a long time since feelings of inadequacy bubbled up inside of Ellery. It used to happen a lot in the beginning stages of their relationship. Looking down, the Saiyan noticed his mate’s hands shaking. The Saiyan clapped his hands together outside of hers, causing her to jolt in surprise.
In battle, thinking about those kinds of things will only cause you to lose. Goku stated in a calm voice. When in the middle of a fight, you can’t think about how strong the other competitors are. This causes you to lose focus, and begin wondering how much power they have left. Instead, you should be focusing on your strengths, and finding weak points in their defense.
It’s no different than you and I training back at home, there’s just a lot more people! A light chuckle escaped the warrior’s lips.
That’s easy for you to say, Kakarot. You’ve been training your entire life.
And you are one of the strongest people I know. Goku’s words rang through Ellery’s mind. She gasped as she turned around to see a beaming smile on her partner’s face. The expression radiated happiness. You’ve been training with me since we’ve gotten together. That combined with how centered you are with your own energy makes you a threat to anyone on this battlefield.
Kakarot… Ellery beamed as she turned towards her partner, tears threatening to break free.
“Good Evening everyone!” The High Priest bellowed throughout the Null Realm, silencing all the contestants in the room. “I am very pleased to see the high turnout for the second Tournament of Power. I knew Universe Seven wouldn’t disappoint in bringing many contestants for the Omni King’s enjoyment!”
“Thank you!!” Zeni and Zeno cheer from behind the Grand Minister. Although the beings of Universe Seven were briefed about the “high-profile beings'' that would be observing the Tournament, nothing compared to seeing them in person.
“We look forward to watching these battles!”
“Please, use every ounce of strength and wits today!”
‘You’re going to need them!”
The Omni Kings were much smaller than most people imagined. Even Yamcha was a little perplexed on why Goku and Vegeta were standing at full attention.
“I will make this quick, knowing all of you are eager to begin.” Raising his arms, the High Priest used his powers to bring the two stages into view. “Since there are so many of you, we will have to split you into two seperate groups.”
Murmurs began around the bleachers once again. Goku could hear all of his friends questioning what was going to happen.
“Two stages?” Krillin muttered.
“How will they split up a group this large?” Gohan wondered.
“I wonder if Goku or Vegeta will be on the same stage as me..” Yamcha began trembling.
The Grand Minister waited for the murmurs to quiet down before he continued. “Underneath each of your seats, you will find a colored card. Please pick it up now.”
Reaching under their chairs, Goku and Ellery each pulled out an orange and blue card. Looking around, they noticed everyone else pulling out similar colored cards from their seats. Vegeta was holding a blue card, while Gohan and Piccolo both held Orange cards.
“That color is specific to you. The contestants with the Blue cards will be on Tournament Stage A. While the Orange card holders will battle on Tournament Stage B.” The Grand Minister continued. His hands raised once more, moving each warrior to their designated space.
Goku, Goten, Trunks, Gohan, Android 17, Piccolo, and Tien stand next to one another on Platform A. As the group looks around at the other contestants, they wonder how their friends are going to fare on the other side. There were several large men on Platform A. While they looked intimidating, Trunks and Goten didn’t seem bothered at all. In fact, the two were nearly jumping around with excitement.
As he gazed around the stage, the youngest Saiyan competing began to get excited. “I wonder how strong the guys from other planets are!”
“There’s only one way to find out!” Goku chuckled happily. “This is awesome! Now Vegeta won’t be here to hog all of the fun!”
“It’ll be us taking away your fun, Goku!” Trunks declared as he looked at his best friend. “Goten and I are going to knock most people out of the ring!!”
“Yeah we are!”
The warrior laughed at the two boys, loving their enthusiasm. It was likely that the two would erase a lot of the competition. However, Goku made a promise to his son’s mother that he wouldn’t make it to the second round. Glancing at his son, Goku began to pat his head. “You two are going to do amazing. I wish you the best of luck!”
On Platform B, Android 18, Krillin, Ellery, Vegeta, Master Roshi, and Yamcha eyed the competition. The Saiyan Prince couldn’t help the smirk that erupted on his face. Looking at his younger sister, he pats her on the back. “Looks like I’ll finally get a chance to see what you’re made of.”
“Isn’t the goal to get rid of the rest of the competition??” Yamcha rubbed the back of his head. “You can’t be gunning for your own teammates.”
“It’s every person for themselves out there.” Ellery mentioned with a small smile. She looks at her brother, punching him in the shoulder playfully. “While I hope we don’t cross paths, know that I won’t hold back.”
“It’ll be interesting to see what Kakarot’s been teaching you.” The Prince grinned.
The Grand Minister gazed over the two platforms, satisfied with the division of the candidates. While he didn’t know how several of them fought, enough of the strong fighters were split up between the arenas. It'd be a great spectacle. Looking back at the Omni Kings, he waits for their command. “I believe we’re ready to begin whenever you are, sires.”
“Hooray!!” Zeni clapped.
“Let’s get this Tournament started!” Zeno ran to their seat, watching as their companion followed. The two quickly turn on their GodPads, allowing them to see both stages at once.
Nodding towards the Omni Kings, the Grand Minister turned back to the contestants. “Alright everyone! On my count, the second Tournament of Power will commence.”
The energy in the Null Realm completely changed. As everyone waited in anticipation, the tension could be sliced with a dagger.
The High Priest beamed, raising a hand into the air. “BEGIN!!”
Chapter 24: Brother vs. Sister!
Chapter Text
"I can't believe there are so many people who want to participate!”
“This is fantastic!”
Zeni and Zeno both couldn’t take their eyes away from their GodPads. There was so much action going on, that it was hard to focus on one singular fight. Even though Universe Seven was split into two teams, the numbers still nearly filled the arena. People began dropping like flies in the beginning, just from being too close to the edge.
The Omni Kings quickly made a game of pressing all of the contestants on their board. For about fifteen minutes, it was Zeni and Zeno trying to keep up with all of the people falling from the edge. They had a great time pressing all the buttons. However, it caused their fingers to tire.
The bleachers filled up quickly, leaving room for the true warriors to begin fighting.
“Are you enjoying the turn-out for the Tournament, sires?” The Grand Minister turned from his post for a moment. He did this occasionally to check on the little blue Deities. He stepped from his place on the balcony and walked towards Zeni and Zeno.
“Yes!” Zeni’s feet began to sway. The excitement they felt couldn’t be held in their small body any longer.
“Oh, Yes!” Zeno looked up from his GodPad. “This is one of the best preliminaries yet!”
“There are so many people!”
“You’re quite right about that.” Glancing around the two stages, it was clear most of these fighters were not as skilled as originally thought. It didn’t take much to knock any of them off. However, the true warriors of each arena were beginning to shine through. As the Grand Minister observed everything going on, he began to wonder how their friends from Universe Seven were faring.
The Deity was positive several of Goku’s friends would make it to the second round. During the last six preliminaries, only eight contestants were chosen for the next stage. Universe Six managed to have three of their warriors pass. All other Universes managed to have one finalist.
“Do you see Goku or his friends?”
“Hmm..” Zeni took a good look around the stage on his GodPad, attempting to find any of the Saiyans. “It’s still hard to find him…”
“I see him!” Zeno pointed to his orange gi on his own pad. The warrior was in the middle of a fight with three other competitors.
Goku was blocking shots from all directions. His blood was pumping furiously through his veins as he expertly dodged the attacks. The feeling of his body moving nearly on its own was causing him to smile during his battle.
“Look at the smug grin he’s got on his face!” one man snickered.
“Come on guy! You’re not doing anything but running away from our advances!” Another continues their trash talking.
Goku was the one to have the last laugh. The warrior immediately stopped in his tracks. “Is that how you think this is going?”
“Are you blind?” Dinnem chortled, holding his stomach. “We’ve been pushing you around this arena for minutes! I bet you’d fly if one of our hits could actually land.”
“I’ll take that bet!” The Saiyan replied quickly, surprising the three in front of him. “All three of you, come at me with everything you’ve got!”
Dimsu, one of the other three competitors, chuckled loudly. “If you say so, old man!”
Standing in a completely open position, Goku watched the men come at him with everything they had. One fist connected right in his stomach, the next in the chest, and the final one right in the cheek. However, the Saiyan’s body didn’t move at all, completely astonishing the warriors he was fighting.
“If you’re going to mouth off to someone stronger than you,” Goku began with a smirk. “You’d better have something to back it
Within an instant, the Saiyan’s ki spiked considerably, sending a shockwave of energy to the surrounding area. This effectively took his three competitors and sent them flying, along with several other warriors in the line of fire..
Man… I wish there was someone strong I could fight with. The warrior sighed, feeling around for a more powerful ki signature.
“Gotcha!” Putting two fingers to his forehead, Goku set off to find another opponent. Appearing out of nowhere, the Saiyan took a moment to check his surroundings. A familiar voice was heard behind him.
“Dad! Look out!”
Turning his head once again, Goku managed to duck out of the way just in time. The warrior sighed in disappointment. While the Saiyan knew he’d have to fight his sons eventually. Goku would much rather wait until the end of the Tournament. He knows a lot of what they’re capable of, he needed to find a different challenge. Seeing that Gohan didn’t need any help, the warrior decies to continue his search.
Goku walked around the battlefield, watching the fights going on around him. The Saiyan began to wonder if anyone besides his friends were going to pose a challenge to him. Goku didn’t want to fight his comrades unless he had to.
I guess I could walk around for a while… The warrior took a deep breath, trying to keep his spirits up. It’ll give me a chance to scout out an opponent.
The Saiyan walked the stage for several minutes. He observed several fights, but no one was paying him any mind at this time.
I wonder how Bulma and the ladies are doing with the kids.. Goku’s mind began to wander as he continued to stroll around the tournament stage. His thoughts began to sway from fighting to his youngest son. This was the most involved he’d been in raising one of his children, which made him anxious about being away from him. The warrior did his best to push these feelings aside, just like he told Ellery to do.
“You look like you could use a beating!” A sound from his left startled the Saiyan, causing him to turn.
“Huh? Did you say something about a beating?
“Ha ha ha!” The man chortled. “Are you deaf? Fight me little man!”
Getting a good look at his opponent, Goku noticed the warrior was very tall. His purple skin surprised the Saiyan, alerting him he definitely wasn’t from Earth. “Woah! Where are you from, stranger?”
Shivera glared at the orange shirted man. He didn’t look like a serious competitor in this Tournament. “I am from the Planet Iceba, and I will be the one to defeat you!”
“Oooh! This is exciting!”
“Super exciting!!”
The Omni Kings were on the edge of their seats with excitement. With GodPads in each of their hands, neither of them could take their eyes off of the matches in front of them. Zeni was observin
g a fight between Goku and Shivera. While the two fighters seemed to be neck and neck in the beginning, the Saiyan was managing to pull out on top.
“Look! Goku’s about to win another fight!” The little blue Deity pointed on his GodPad, showing his companion what he was talking about.
“That’s so cool!!” Zeno giggled happily. “He and Vegeta’s sons just used the fusion technique!!” The Omni King mentioned excitedly, pointing at his GodPad also.
“Woah!!! They’re so much stronger now!!”
“Indeed they are.” The Grand Minister smiled at the Omni Kings. “When done correctly, the fusion technique can multiply your power by over one hundred times. It does have its drawbacks. The two boys can only use the technique for so long before it stops working. They’ll have to wait another thirty minutes before trying again. Even if they manage to fuse again, it’s likely they won’t be as strong because of the power they’ve already used up.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Super amazing!”
The High Priest smiled, glad they were happy with his explanation. As the Deity gazed at the stage once again, his eyes became wide with intrigue. “Sires, pay attention to the two men in yellow.”
“Why?”
“I think we’re about to have an interesting spectacle on our hands.” Grinning, The Grand Minister watches as the duo attempts to use the same technique Trunks and Goten did. However, the results were far from what they were hoping for. Since they weren’t in sync, the being that came out of the light was nothing like the Grand Minister would’ve expected.
“It looks like the Fusion Technique can be done incorrectly as well.” The Deity chuckled as he watched the large man all but roll across the tournament stage, attempting to knock off as many opponents as he could.
The Omni Kings erupt in laughter as they witness the botched fusion rolling around. The sight brought tears to their eyes from giggling so much. After their fit of laughter was over, Zeni and Zeno could feel their stomachs aching from all their fun.
“Fusion is fun!”
“Super fun! I wonder if anyone else will try and use it.”
Hearing another tick from the stage, Zeno looked at the Deity in front of them. “Grand Minister, how much time is left?”
“Yes, is there still a lot of time?” Zeni inquired.
"Half the time in this Tournament has passed!" The Grand Minister announced loudly to the remaining warriors, before turning to the Omni Kings with a smile.
“It’s already half way over?!”
“I can’t believe it! Time’s flown in this Tournament.”
I’ve made it halfway through! Ellery thought to herself excitedly. As she walked around the second arena, the young woman couldn’t help but notice many of the fighters were gone from their side. Gazing over to the left, the Saiyan woman observed the other platform. I wonder how Kakarot is doing?
Suddenly, a wave of energy crashed into her, causing Ellery to become more aware of her surroundings. The warrior noticed her opponent roughly ten feet away. Standing up quickly, Ellery began to focus on the person ahead. Lunging at the being that attacked her, the young woman began her assault. This surprised the competitors she was facing.
“Woah! I didn’t expect you to be this strong!” The man cried out. “I was hoping for an easy knock out!”
“That’s what you get for sneaking up on someone!!” Ellery roared angrily, realizing why she got targeted. She made quick work of her opponent, kicking him square in the stomach. This sent her competitor into the air and off the edge.
“You seem like a strong opponent!” Another person came out of the woodwork, pointing at Ellery. “I’ll fight you next!”
“If you say so.” the young woman closed the distance between them within an instant. The two continued to push each other back and forth for some time. As Ellery continued to observe her opponent, she noticed his weak spot.
Quickly, the warrior used her foot to swing into her opponent's hip. This sent the man flying into a rock, crushing it. The pieces fell on top of her competitor, effectively immobilizing him for the time being.
“I’ve gotta say, you’re pretty impressive.” A familiar voice startled Ellery. She quickly turned around to see her older brother standing in front of her.
“I could say the same to you.” The Saiyan woman grinned at Vegeta. “You’ve been holding your own well in this Tournament.”
“This is nothing compared to what’s to come. It’s what’s driving me forward.”
“Excuse me?! We were in the middle of a battle!!” The man yelled as they came out from a pile of rubble. “This isn’t the time to talk to your friends! I will send you off of this stage in an instant!”
Before the being knew what happened, Vegeta was standing right in front of him. A blank stare on his face. “You aren’t a worthy opponent for my sister.”
A bright light encompassed the warrior driving him off of the edge and into the bleachers. Ellery’s eyes were wide at the entire display. She’d never seen this side of her older brother. He was lethal, just like her partner Kakarot.
“Way to just get in the middle of my fight!” Ellery yelled angrily. “Who am I supposed to fight now?
“An opponent worthy of taking you to the next level.” A smirk took over Vegeta’s features. “You’ll fight me!”
Chapter 25: Babysitting a Little Saiyan!
Notes:
We're taking a break from the Tournament this week to check on things back on Earth. Are the women ready to handle watching a full-blooded Saiyan? Read to find out!
Chapter Text
"It's been so long since we have been together!" The bluenette grinned, bringing out iced tea and lemonade for her friends.
"We need to do this more often ladies! Next time, without the kids."
Bulma, Chi-Chi, Jean, and Videl sat in comfortable lawn chairs on the Capsule Corp estate. The ladies were in charge of watching the kids as the Tournament took place. Pan, Bulla, and Marron were playing with toys in the yard. The three girls have gotten along very well as they played House together.
Baby Tarro was on a blanket, several toys around him as he basked in the warm light. The rays of warmth felt good on the little Saiyan's skin. He wiggled around, enjoying the time outside. His mom and dad would take him outside when they wanted to train. Little Tarro would lay on his blanket, trying his hardest to watch as his parents zoomed around at the speed of light.
The youngest mother in the group glances towards her daughter., thinking about her husband in the Tournament. "I hope everyone is doing well. I can't help but wonder how things are going." Videl knew that Gohan had been training extra hard with Piccolo. Goten would even join in on the fun on occasions. However, she didn't know if it would be enough to take him into the second round.
"I'm sure everyone is doing their best!" Bulma mentioned cheerfully. "I know Vegeta has been excited for this Tournament since it was mentioned, as was Trunks. The two of them have been training almost non-stop to prepare."
"Goten has been the same way." the older mother beamed. "He's been spending his time training with Trunks and Vegeta, even with Gohan on some occasions."
"I bet you're right." Videl smiled happily. "I wonder who will come back victorious?"
"Goku and Vegeta for sure!" Chi-Chi laughed. "Unless the two manage to knock each other out."
"I could see the two of them doing that." Bulma chortled as she leaned back in her chair. She began thinking about her friend, wondering how Ellery was doing in the Tournament. "If the boys end up knocking each other out, I bet El will make it to the second round!"
"How do you think Goten and Trunks are doing?" Jean pondered.
"They'll probably be able to knock out most of the competition!" Chi-Chi smiled proudly. "Trunks and Goten are tough boys. However, they're not a match for their fathers." The grandmother took a look around the yard, noticing Tarro was attempting to roll onto his stomach. "I bet that little man will be fighting the moment he starts walking. If his father has anything to say about it anyway." The older woman laughed.
Jean's eyes widened. "Why train a boy so young?"
Chi-Chi leaned back in her chair, taking a long sip of tea as she thought of a good answer. "Saiyan's are wired differently, Jean. Being married to one taught me that easily. Goku's drive for being the best martial artist goes beyond what a human would call 'normal and acceptable'. While Goku and Vegeta have been on Earth for a long time, that part of their genetics is too strong to ignore."
"I remember Vegeta telling me stories of conquering different planets at only four years old." Bulma had a smile on her face as she reminisced. "On their home planet it was normal for toddlers, even infants, to be sent out to battle. After Planet Vegeta was destroyed, the few Saiyan's left became almost domesticated by the lifestyle of Earth. While they still fight, it's not to the lengths it was before."
"Now they fight to protect." Videl smiled happily. "Each one of them has aided in the protection of Earth over the years. Tarro is going to be no different. Being the son of one of the strongest men in the Universe will only enhance his skills."
Little Tarro listened to the three women next to him. While he knew none of them were his mother, he'd been around them with her several times. His mom was always happy and in good spirits when she was with these ladies. Tarro knew to be on his best behavior. The little Saiyan rolled onto his stomach, getting a better look at the yard around him.
The baby on the blanket got a glimpse of the girls playing in the yard. It looked like they were switching games from house to yoga poses. Pan was leading the other two girls in poses that he's watched his mother do. Tarro lifted his tiny upper body off the blanket using his arms.
His legs quickly went into action, giving him balance by adjusting to a crawling stance. The baby Saiyan moved his hands and legs slowly, wanting to be closer to the girls. His tail wrapped around his torso quickly, so as not to get run over. Tarro made his way over to Pan, Bulla and Marron.
Videl's daughter was the first one to notice the baby Saiyan's movements. The little girl smiled and kneeled in the grass. "Do you wanna play with us?"
Bulla and Marron noticed Tarro moving towards them as well. The two girls kneel beside Pan, encouraging the baby Saiyan to crawl towards them.
Bulma couldn't believe her eyes. The older woman couldn't believe Tarro was crawling across the grass! Trunks and Bulla were easily six months old before they perfected the move. It looks as if the little Saiyan had been doing this for weeks! "Guys! Take a look." The bluenette pointed at the girls.
"Ellery never said anything about him crawling.." Chi-Chi couldn't take her eyes off Tarro. None of her children were crawling at such an early age. The little Saiyan in front of them looked like he'd been practicing for weeks. "I wonder if he's been doing it for a while?"
"Looks like it." Bulma giggled as she stood, watching as the girls cooed over the little Saiyan. "I'm gonna get refills, ladies!"
The women thank her, watching as she goes inside. The girls let Tarro watch them in their poses. He'd moved from his hands and knees to a sitting position quickly. Videl and Chi-Chi were stunned at the baby Saiyan's progress.
"Do you remember if Gohan was sitting up and crawling at four months old?" The younger mother asked curiously.
Chi-Chi shook her head. "Neither of the boys were crawling until at least six months." The two were silent for a moment. Deciding to break it, the older mother commented. "I wonder if they're going to allow him to keep his tail as he gets older."
Videl shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "I don't know if it'll matter much. Goku knows the seriousness of keeping his tail. They're going to have to take a lot of precautions. We were lucky enough that Pan wasn't born with one."
"We decided to keep Gohan's tail on." Chi-Chi reminisced. "After taking it off once and having it grow back, I didn't want to put him through that pain again. When he came back from training with Piccolo for the first time, it was gone again." The older mother chuckled. "Whatever their decision, I'm sure the little one will be fine."
"Does their tail hold a special significance?" Jean asked curiously.
"It gives them immense power during the Full Moon." Chi-Chi looked at her partner. "If a Saiyan looks into a Full Moon while their tail is attached, they'll transform into a giant ape."
"WHAT?!" Jean's eyes looked as though they were going to pop out of her skull.
"Don't worry!" The grandmother laughed. "It's been decades since an incident occured."
"Goku and Ellery can handle it." Videl smiled happily. "Each of them knows the consequences of Tarro becoming a Great Ape. The Harmony Center would be in his line of fire."
"Granma, can we go inside and play with the baby?" Pan looked over at the two ladies who were still outside.
"Sure sweetheart." Chi-Chi stands, going to pick Tarro up from the grass. He squirmed at first, wanting to be on the ground. When he realized they were going inside however, his attitude changed completely.
"Head into the living room girls." The grandmother smiled, holding the baby Saiyan close to her as they went into the Capsule Corp. Estate.
After the girls played with Tarro, all four of them were ready for a nap. It didn't take long for the mothers to set the girls up in Bulla's room. The little Saiyan slept in Bulma's room, a crib was set up in her room for the day. A calm breeze was coming from the outside door. It was cracked open, barely noticeable to most people.
However, the baby Saiyan felt the draft coming in from outside. As he woke up in an unfamiliar place, he began to wonder when his mother and father were coming back. Being in such a different environment made Tarro uncomfortable. Mom or Dad were always near him while he was sleeping. At the moment, he didn't feel any distinct auras. This also worried Tarro immensely.
He needed to find a familiar face and fast.
"AAAAAMAAAA" Tarro yelled several times, waiting for someone to come and take him out of the crib. After a few minutes, the little Saiyan began to wonder if anyone was going to come to his aid. Rolling over onto his stomach, Tarro got onto his hands and knees once again.
"Maaaaa!" The baby Saiyan attempted one more time to get the attention of someone in the house. As he looked around Bulma's room, Tarro felt the breeze hit his face. Glancing at the door, he crawls to the edge of the crib. Never before had the little Saiyan gotten out of bed on his own.
Using his arms to pull him up, Tarro stood in the crib. His tail swung back and forth as the little warrior continued to think of what to do next. His foot attempted to hold onto the railings, but they were much too slippery. The baby Saiyan examined the sides, at first he gripped the top and began shaking it, hoping to knock it loose.
Growling in frustration, Tarro continued to look around for a way to get to that door. It took several minutes for him to notice a latch in the right corner of the bed. Keeping his hands on the top rail, the little warrior used his legs to move from one side to the other. Once there, his tail did a lot of the work. Suddenly, the left side of the crib moves down, startling Tarro.
The little Saiyan took it slow, ever so gingerly taking his time to get onto the floor. He excitedly smiled as both hands and feet made it to the plush carpet. Tarro crawled to the balcony door. Thankfully it was open just enough for him to fit though. As the baby warrior crept slowly to the edge of the balcony, noticing how unbelievably high up he was. Immediately he scooted back, his heart pounding inside his small chest.
From his position, Tarro noticed the girls were playing outside again. He attempted to yell, hoping to get their attention from all the way up here. However, it was no use.
The only way down from this position would be to fly.
Tarro had witnessed his mother and father doing so countless times. It was another matter entirely to attempt it without them here. However, the little warrior had gotten this far, he wasn't about to give up now.
Just like mama and daddy…. Tarro thought before he imagined his mother flying, sparring with his dad.
"Hmm." Bulma looked at the clock once again. The crew had been gone for longer than she'd imagined they would. During the last Tournament of Power, the warriors had barely been gone for two hours. The bluenette looked outside, seeing that it was beginning to get dark. "I wonder if everything is going okay."
"I can't imagine it not going fine, Bulma." Chi-Chi assured her. "I remember them saying there was going to be a big turnout this year. Having all of those people would require
"Maybe they had to have two separate rounds to fit everyone in!" Jean mentioned.
"They're only going up against competitors from Universe Seven today." Videl reminded them. "All of them have proven they're more than capable of competing with most Universes, I have no doubt they're going to come home soon."
The ladies had done more than their fair share of waiting for their men to come home. Jean was the only exception to that rule. While she could understand their concern, a lot of this was a little overwhelming for her. She was glad her partner was sitting right next to her. However, it didn't mean she wasn't going to try and cheer these ladies up.
"How about we cook up a feast for the contestants?" Jean watched Chi-Chi perk up, knowing she loved to cook. "I'm sure everyone is going to be hungry when they return."
"That's a fantastic idea, sweetheart!" The older woman beamed at her partner. "It's been so long since I've cooked for a crowd!"
The ladies all begin prepping the food, chatting away as they were doing so. They mostly spoke about their kids, occasionally talking would go back to the battlefield.
Jean thought she was going to feel left out since these women have spent so much time together. However, every single one of them has gone out of their way to make her feel welcome. She'd never really had a family to call her own, Jean's family ostracized her from an early age. Being with Chi-Chi has changed her life in so many ways. She never thought this was what a family would be like. It was crazy and hectic all the time. However, there was no shortage of love and trust between all of these people. That's what made it special.
"I'm going to check on the baby." Jean mentioned to her partner, who nodded with a smile. As she left the kitchen, she heard the girls yell outside excitedly. The brightness only increased on her features.
Chi-Chi's partner walked up the stairs to Bulma's room. From the moment she opened the door, Jean could tell something wasn't right. It only took a second for her to realize that Tarro was nowhere to be found, and the crib's side had been taken down. Immediately the blood ran cold in her veins, completely freezing her in place. He's just a four month old infant, he couldn't have gotten far…
"Girls! Could you come here!?"
Bulma's ears perked up at Jean's distressed voice. "We'd better see what's going on." Putting down the bowl in her hands, the bluenette ran up the stairs. She looked back, seeing Chi-Chi and Videl not far behind her.
"What do you think happened?" Videl questioned.
"I have a bad feeling about this…" Chi-Chi muttered, more to herself than the group. The grandmother had a memory of babysitting Pan flash before her eyes. The one time she went missing for several hours, Goku and Chi-Chi went crazy looking for her. The couple ended up finding her in her room, playing with her toys. However, the older woman couldn't help but think the little girl flew away.
The trio round the corner fast, the door already wide open. From the moment they step foot in there, all three ladies had a shocked look on their face.
"Oh no… Not again.." The grandmother groaned.
"Again?!" Jean and Videl almost scream.
Chi-Chi sighed, looking towards the two of them. "It's never happened with Tarro. But, one time Goku and I were babysitting Pan and she went missing for a while. It took us forever to find her. At one point we honestly considered that she flew out the window.
"He's only four months old, Chi." Bulma interjected as she examined the room, noticing she'd kept the door open from her morning on the balcony. The bluenette immediately ran to the door and threw it open, scanning the balcony for a little Saiyan.
"MOM!" Bulla waved happily. "Look at this!"
"Not now sweetheart, Mommy's bus-" the mother takes a second to look at the ground, noticing Tarro with the girls once again.
"But Bulma!" Pan looked up also, still in shock at what happened, "Tarro can fly!" Giggling, the girls cheered Tarro on, encouraging him to try once again.
The little warrior looked up towards Bulma with a bright face, reaching towards her. Before he knew it, Tarro was in the air again flying in her direction. The baby Saiyan flew right into her arms, giggling and smiling.
"You really are something, little man." Bulma smiled nervously. "We're going to have to keep an extra close eye on you from now on."
Chapter 26: One Tick Left!
Chapter Text
"There's only one tick left!" The Omni King screamed happily, looking at his companion..
"I wonder who's going to move on!"
Zeni and Zeno weren't in their seats with their GodPads anymore. The Omni Kings were on their tip-toes, attempting to see over the railing next to the Grand Minister. The Tournament has been so packed with entertainment, the technology wasn't able to keep up.
Their eyes were able to see much more than the tablets. At the moment, Zeni was occupied with Platform A. There were hardly ten fighters left on the stage. Their friend, Goku was fighting his son Gohan. Piccolo was aiding the half-Saiyan, while Android Seventeen was assisting his father. While the four seemed to be fighting 'together', Goku and Gohan were locked in a fierce battle. The other two were only there to stop any interference.
"Let's go, Goku!" Zeni cheered his friend on. While the half-Saiyan was giving his father a run for his money, the Omni King was positive Goku would be able to pull it off.
"It seems that Gohan is giving his father a decent battle." The Grand Minister observed as well. "I didn't realize how strong he was."
"He's been training a lot recently." Whis said from behind them. The Attendant of the Seventh joined the Omni Kings and High Priest some time ago, being invited to their box. "There was a battle that took place in recent years that gave the young Saiyan quite a power up. The Red Ribbon Army rose to power once again and created a mega monster. Poor Goku and Vegeta both missed that fight, on account of being on my planet training at the time."
"Gohan handled the threat by himself?" Zeni asked curiously.
"With the help of his friend, Piccolo." Whis grinned. "The two were able to defeat him without the two strongest on Earth. They've become quite a team on their own."
"What's going on over there?" The Omni King pointed in the direction of the youngest Saiyan's on the stage.
The Grand Minister and the Seventh's Attendant looked towards Goten and Trunks. "It looks like they're about to fuse!" Whis answered with an excited smile.
"Fuse? Like Caulifla and Kale?"
"Almost sires." The High Priest commented. "I believe that the half-Saiyan's are attempting the fusion dance." Observing the boys, the deity tried his best to make out the stance. With how much the stage was rattling, the Grand Minister was afraid that Trunks and Goten would mess the dance up.
"The problem with fusing this way, is the movements have to be precise. One slip-up, and your power will greatly decrease instead of increase."
Zeni watched carefully, hoping everything turned out for the boys. However, as they continued to watch the Omni King noticed their fingers on the top weren't exactly aligned perfectly. The result was a rather large rendition of the two half-Saiyan's fusion. Zeni gasped, covering his mouth with one hand as he pointed with the other. "Look! He's huge!
"Oh my!.." The Grand Minister's brows raised as he witnessed the cocky new fighter begin his assault. His fighting technique was unlike anything the Deiy had ever seen.
"Dun da da da!" Gotenks yells as he volleys several energy blasts into the air. "I've got you right where I want you!"
Zeno on the other hand, was watching a fierce battle between Vegeta and Goku's partner. While the Omni King had never seen the young woman fight, they couldn't believe she was this strong! "Look over here! Vegeta is fighting Goku's partner!"
"What's her name again?" The Omni King asked curiously.
"I believe her name is Ellery, sires." Whis mentions. "She's also Vegeta's younger sister!"
"Really?" Zeno and the Grand Minister ask in unison.
"Yes." The attendant nodded. "She has been on Earth from my understanding. I never really got the full story of how she came to the planet. I'm sure if you asked Goku, he would tell you everything you need to know, sire."
"So, has Goku been training her? Or Vegeta?"
"I believe it's been Goku that's done most of her training. That's why this fight is so interesting to watch." Whis couldn't take his eyes off of Platform B. The Attendant was more than curious to see how Ellery has been progressing in her training. Would she be joining her partner at Lord Beerus' world soon?
"You know, I've gotta give you credit." Vegeta chuckled as he continued to block his sister's advances. "I didn't realize you were this far along in your training."
"Kakarot and I have spent many nights training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber." Ellery grinned as she looked at the Prince's shocked face. "There's only one way to close the gap between us, and I'm going to do whatever it takes!"
"Like I'd let you surpass me!"
Vegeta and Ellery continue to dart across the battlefield. While the Prince was strong, his sister was much more nimble. The Saiyan woman also had a better control on her energy, at least from what Zeno could tell. However, she wasn't unable to uncap her ceiling like Goku and Vegeta.
"Oh no! Look out!" Zeni yelled as he pointed towards the brawl that was about to interrupt Goku's battle. The little blue Deity watched as Piccolo got in the way of the brawl between Gotenks and his opponent. In his attempt to push Gohan to safety, the Nemekian got caught up in the scuttle between the two warriors. Unfortunately for him, they were headed on a one way ticket off the edge of the arena.
"Damnit!" Gotenks screamed from the bleachers. The half-Saiyan was fuming at the fact that they lost. They were so close to the end, the warrior could almost taste it. "I was so close!"
Piccolo could be heard chuckling from behind them. "Maybe next time, boys. You did a great job. Now you should be focused on cheering everyone else on."
"Time is up!" The Grand Minister announced. Immediately, the two stages converged into one square with five contestants still on the platform. A bright smile came to the High Priest's face, seeing the familiar faces on the stage.
The Null Realm erupted in a sea of roars and cheers. The millions of beings that had previously been on this stage were congratulating the finalists. Krillin couldn't believe the sight in front of him. As he continued to cheer, the warrior chuckled. "I should've known it'd be those guys that moved on to the next round!"
"I wonder how many other Universes have multiple entries." Android 18 commented next to her husband.
"No doubt Universe Eleven." Piccolo mentioned. "Jiren and his group had to have made it to the next round. I would also venture to guess Universe Six has multiple entries as well."
Gohan, Android 17, Goku, Vegeta, and Ellery stood on the platform, looking at each other with bright smiles. The Android and half- Saiyan cheered loudly, high-fiving each other.
"Great work!" Gohan smiled. "We make a pretty good team." Once Piccolo was taken out of the ring, Seventeen decided it would be best to join the side of Goku's son. Knowing the Saiyan loved a challenge, he wanted to give him one.
The Android chuckled as he nodded. "I'd have to agree."
Unable to stop the shock from being too apparent, the Prince looked between his sister and the platform. It was hard for Vegeta to wrap his head around the fact she stayed in the ring with him. It meant she was much stronger than the Saiyan thought. Her progress has been exponential compared to how long she's been training.
Was Ellery going to be stronger than her brother?
The Saiyan in orange ran to his partner, lifting her up as he began spinning around. "YOU MADE IT!" Goku laughed happily before pulling her close. "I'm so proud of you!" Ellery's bright eyes caused the warrior to smile and kiss her as he set her down.
"Congratulations to everyone on the platform!" The Grand Minister interrupted their victory party with his own praise. The crowd in the stands became silent, awaiting to hear what they had to say. "The five of you will be moving on to the next round of the Tournament. Everyone, please give a round of applause to these brave warriors!"
The Null Realm erupted in cheers, screams, and shouts. The finalists waved to their teammates in the bleachers.
The Deity wasn't surprised these were the finalists from Universe Seven. So far, they had the most contestants going into the second round. The High Priest was curious if any other Universes would have multiple entries. "You five will be moving on to the next round!"
"GOKU!" Zeni and Zeno yelled as they approached the couple. The little blue Deities were ecstatic Zeni and Zeno were right beside the High Priest. The two Deities run to their friend as soon as the cheers begin to die away. It was then that Whis and Lord Beerus also appeared on the stage.
"Goku, that was amazing!" Zeni yelled excitedly.
"Everyone did fantastic!" Zeno clapped as he stopped in front of the Saiyan, raising their hands.
With a bright smile, Goku reached out to them. He raised them into the air, shaking Zeni and Zeno's hand. "I'm so glad the two of you had fun."
The Grand Minister turned his attention back to the crowd. "Everyone here did a fantastic job! Although you didn't move on, that doesn't mean you can't watch the fun! In Sixteen days time, the second round will be taking place. If you wish, all contestants can meet at their original meeting place on their planet. There will be a live viewing from there of the fun. Until then, Contestants please get some rest and think of how you're going to come out on top in the second round."
The crowd begins their cheers once again, excited to be able to witness the second round for themselves.
"As for the finalists," The Grand Minister turned to the five behind him. "Each contestant is allowed to bring a certain number of guests to the second round. There will be seating for your family and friends to witness the final round of the Tournament of Power."
"Thank you!" Goku said excitedly, turning to his partner. That means Bulma and everyone else can come too!
I wonder how our little boy will react to all the sparring. Ellery was unable to contain her excitement to her body. The Saiyan woman's hands were shaking. She wanted to continue her spar with Vegeta, needing to know for herself how the fight would've ended.
I'm sure he's going to love every second of it. He's a Saiyan afterall. Goku chuckled, feeling the thrill of the Tournament radiating from his partner. Are you doing okay, Princess? You seem more wound up than usual..
Vegeta and I were the only two left on the second platform. Ellery wasn't sure what to make of how her body was reacting. This happened on a few occasions when she trained with Goku. However it's never been this intense. I can't help but wonder who would've won the exchange. My hands and body are still shaking from the experience.
Sounds like a re-match is in order. We have two weeks until the second round. I think it'd be good for your training to get a different perspective.
Why do you sound like that? Ellery raised a brow. Training with Vegeta can't be that bad, can it?
Instead of answering, Goku chuckled and shook his head. The Saiyan watched as the Omni Kings let go of his hands once again. Zeni and Zeno walk to the High Priest, who takes each of their hands. Within an instant, the trio had disappeared.
"Alright everyone!" Whis announced with a bright smile. "Please find the guide you came to the Null Realm with. It is time to return you back to your homes. We hope to see you at the meeting area in sixteen days!"
Chapter 27: A Feast Awaits!
Chapter Text
Taking the two fingers away from his forehead, Goku and the crew opened their eyes to a true sight to see. There were tables of food as far as the eye could see. Several different people in white were outside helping get things ready. The smells coming from the trays were all too familiar to the orange clad Saiyan.
Chi-Chi decided to cook for the army once again.
“Look who’s back!!!” Jean waved to the new members of the party. She just finished setting out the last of the food. “We’ve been waiting for you guys! Come on and dig in.”
Stomachs growling, the Z-fighters all run to the buffett. Goku was the first in line, nearly shoving everyone else out of the way to get his mountain of food on his plate. Vegeta wasn’t too far behind him, having an equal amount. The two warriors sat close to each other.
Ellery could feel her stomach clench, however she needed to make sure her little one was taken care of. Instead of going to the line, the Saiyan woman looks around for any sign of someone holding a baby. Ellery snuck inside, sensing Tarro’s energy in the kitchen.
The young mother tried to sneak in. However, the little warrior sensed her before she could.
“MAAA!!!!” Tarro yelled, startling her and the other two in the kitchen.
The young mother’s eyes widened, before she smiled brightly. “Were you good for the girls, little man?”
Tarro reached for Ellery from his bouncy seat. She quickly goes to him and picks him up, holding the little one close.
“He’s going to be a handful as he gets older.” A chuckle came from behind the young mother. She turned around to find Bulma and Chi-Chi sitting at the island with some of the food. Each of them were picking at the plates in front of them. Having made most of the food, they tasted everything while it was being cooked. This led to them being full before getting to actually eat.
“Why do you say that? Did something happen?” Ellery looked at Tarro, seeing his eyes closed as he clung to her. The little Saiyan’s tail was tightly wrapped around her wrist. Looking at the two women, the young mother noticed they both had worried looks on their faces. It almost felt like she walked into an intervention.
“We don’t want you to be alarmed.” Bulma reassured her. “He is an angel.”
“However, the fact can’t be ignored that he’s also a little daredevil like his father.” The grandmother chuckled. Chi-Chi looked at Ellery with kind eyes. “Pan was the same when she was younger. The difference is she was a little older, and I never actually witnessed her fly. I only specu-”
“HE CAN WHAT?!” Ellery screamed, startling the baby in her arms.
Bulma could sense her friend beginning to panic. “El, please don’t freak out!”
“How?! He’s not even six months old!!”
“Is everything okay here, ladies???” Goku peaked his head in the door from outside. The Saiyan felt how anxious his partner was, and he thought he heard screaming.
Chi-Chi knew her ex-husband could easily help diffuse this situation. “Goku, can we ask you something?”
“Sure! Is there food in there?”
“Yep.”
“Awesome!” Goku walked into the kitchen to see his anxious partner clinging to their son. The Saiyan looked to the other women in the room, hoping to get this cleared up as quickly as possible. The warrior could feel himself becoming agitated at her state. Ellery didn’t need to be feeling this way. “What’s going on?”
“Do you remember the time we babysat Pan, and she disappeared on us for some time?” Chi-Chi asked calmly.
“Oh boy, do I.” Goku rubbed the back of his head with a sigh. “I was starting to think she flew away!” The Saiyan walked up to the island, beginning to pick at the food that was there.
“Well..” Bulma looked at her life-long friend. “The same incident sort of happened here. Except we actually witnessed Tarro fly. Jean went to check on him during his nap. She alerted us that he was missing, and we looked for a second before realizing he’d crawled onto the balcony and flew to the girls playing in the yard. He was in the grass with the girls, and he flew into my arms after some encouragement from Pan and Bulla.”
“Really???” Goku was shocked to say the least, now understanding his partner’s state. The two ladies nodded with serious looks on their faces. “Wow… I can’t believe it.” Looking at his youngest son, he couldn’t help but smile. “He’s gonna be stronger than I imagined!”
“I don’t think that’s the point, Kakarot..” Ellery stated simply, unable to take her eyes off of her little boy. “Knowing he can fly changes a lot of things. He’s going to be getting around the house a lot easier, and he can get outside with ease. We’re going to have to take so many precautions in order to keep him safe-”
“Princess…” The Saiyan walked towards his partner, keeping his thoughts calm. Goku walks behind Ellery and begins massaging her shoulders. “I know you’re worried about Tarro, but he’s a full-blooded Saiyan. I think it’s only natural that he’s this way, especially considering how strong his parents are.” A bright smile lit up Goku’s face.
“That reminds me!” Chi-Chi interjected. “How did the Tournament go?”
“Yeah! Who made it to the second round?” Bulma questioned.
Goku chuckled. “There were so many people, they had to split it up into two different arenas. Gohan, Seventeen, and I made it off the first. Ellery and Vegeta were the finalists from the second.” The warrior beamed. He was elated that his partner made it through.
“Amazing!” The older women both said in unison.
The sound of Ellery’s stomach filled the kitchen, causing all of them to turn towards her. She smiled as her cheeks began to redden. "I guess I'm a little hungry."
"Let's fix that." Goku mentioned, wrapping an arm around her waist. The warrior led his partner outside where all the delicious food was.
Over the next few days, Bulma's home became a training center for Saiyan's. Even though Trunks and Goten weren't moving on, they wanted to take every chance to train that they could. All of their ruckus was about to drive the bluenette insane. It wouldn’t have been so bad, if Vegeta wasn’t making ten times as much noise in the Gravity Chamber.
“These Saiyan’s are going to be the death of me..” Bulma mentioned with a sigh. As she decided to get Bulla ready to go shopping, there was a knock at her door. Walking to the front door, the bluenette was surprised to see her friend by herself.
“Hey El!” Bulma smiled happily. “Come on in!”
After the young woman entered the home, the bluenette offered her something to drink.
“What brings you over here?” She asked as they headed towards the kitchen.
“I actually came to see Vegeta.” Ellery chuckled at her friend’s shocked expression. Explaining to her the reason for her visit.
With her stomach satiated for the time being, Ellery leaned back against her chair. Goku was holding their son as she ate. After the young mother finished, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, Ellery noticed her brother, Vegeta, standing there next to her. Although she was a little surprised he was there, she still greeted him with a smile.
“It was great getting to spar against you today!”
“You are much stronger than I expected you to be, Ellery.” The Prince had a small grin on his features. “I’d love to see who would win if we battled until the end.”
“Name a time and place.” The Saiyan woman looked at her older brother, the challenge in her eyes. She felt herself becoming very excited about the prospect of fighting Vegeta once again. “I’d love to get some extra training in before the second round. Think you could help me with that?”
“Meet me here whenever you’re ready.” The Prince walked towards Capsule Corp, disappearing into the darkness.
“I figured today would be as good of a time as any.” Ellery smiled. “Kakarot promised to watch Tarro while I was here, so I’m taking advantage of the time.”
“I’m surprised he isn’t trailing right behind you.” Bulma said with a chuckle.
“If I’m gone too long, I’m sure he’ll come over and ‘check on me’.” The young woman laughed.
The two ladies chat for a few minutes, listening to the younger boys outside. The loud noises caused Ellery to smile. Tarro was beginning to get more vocal at home, filling the house with different coos and shouts. The sound was music to her ears. It made the Saiyan woman wish there were more of it around.
“My home used to be so quiet.” The young mother mentioned with a smile. “Now that Tarro’s getting more vocal, it’s not that way anymore..”
“I miss the days when my home was quiet.” Bulma laughed. “I love my Saiyan’s, but they sure do know how to cause a racket. Most of the time I can still hear them in my lab, and it’s supposed to be soundproof. ”
“I don’t know…” Ellery giggled. “I wouldn’t mind maybe one more, you know? It’d give Tarro a chance to be a big brother.”
“I’m sure he would love that.” The bluenette grinned. “What if it was a girl? Another female Saiyan in the world!”
“That would be nice.” The young mother nodded. “I’ve always imagined having a girl that I could dress up in cute outfits.”
A laugh escaped Bulma’s lips, knowing full well that wouldn’t be how it went. “With how her father would be, she’ll be training and trying on gi’s instead of dresses.”
“Mama!!” Bulla ran down the stairs towards the kitchen. “I thought we were going shopping?” She rounded the corner quickly, nearly running into a barstool. Once the tiny bluenette saw Ellery, she smiled and waved. “Hi Elly! Are you going with us?”
“She’s here to see daddy.” Bulma handed the little half-Saiyan a snack. “After your snack, we can go shopping.”
“Yay!”
Bulma looked at her friend once again. “You’re more than welcome to come though? I’d love it if you’d join us!”
“I appreciate the offer.” Ellery nodded. “However, this is something I need to do. With the second round of the Tournament coming up, I need as much training as I can fit in.”
The bluenette nodded in agreement, a smirk coming to her face. “You really are a Saiyan.” As Bulla finished the snack her mother gave her, Bulma looked at her friend. “Looks like we’re off! You have fun with your training!”
“I’ll try..” A shaky laugh escaped the young mother’s lips.
Walking down the hall towards the Gravity Chamber, Ellery's heart began to race. How many varying factors would there be, training with Vegeta versus Goku? Knowing how much their personalities differed, the Saiyan woman could feel herself becoming anxious. Was she making a big mistake?
As she neared the big metal door, the young woman’s hands began to shake. Looking into the small window, Ellery observed her older brother doing pushups. However, these weren’t average exercises. As she watched him, she noticed he was using only one fingertip to push himself up. Vegeta’s other hand was behind his back.
Damn… That’s really impressive… Ellery thought as she tapped on the door, alerting him that she was there. Her brother’s initial look was one of irritation. One he realized who was interrupting his training however, the Prince quickly powered the Gravity Chamber down.
Vegeta opened the door with a smirk. “Did you finally decide your training with Kakarot wasn’t cutting it?”
The young woman couldn’t help but chuckle. “I came to see what my older brother could teach me. During the tournament, we didn’t get to finish our one on one match. I was curious to see how that was going to turn out.”
It was the Prince’s turn to laugh. “It’ll end how it should’ve, with me as the victor.” Vegeta motioned for Ellery to follow him into the Gravity Chamber, shutting the door behind him.
Chapter 28: Sneak Peak/Father and Son Time!
Notes:
This is our first peak at Universe Twelve's finalists! The Grand Minister isn't sure what to think of this character, so he decides to get some questions answered!
Chapter Text
"Time's up, Universe Twelve!" The Grand Minister announced, the stage that was torn to pieces was replaced just like it had with the other Universes. "The first round of the Tournament of Power is finished!"
Looking down at the newly assembled arena, he noticed there was once again only one person standing on the platform. It was no surprise to the High Priest who the finalist was. There had been rumors of this warrior throughout the Cosmos. Honestly, the Deity was surprised he even chose to participate. These types of Tournaments were childsplay for Sinthe.
Universe Twelve had the highest Mortal Rating of all the Cosmos. The High Priest believes a lot of it dwelled within the one creature in front of him. The two have met on a couple of occasions. The Attendant of that Universe likes to keep him around his home. The Grand Minister believed it was something of the same arrangement as Goku and Vegeta on Whis' planet.
The Grand Minister hasn't been keeping close tabs on Sinthe as he did with Universe Seven. Perhaps I need to have a word with Martinu. I must learn more about this being from the Twelfth Universe.
Although he didn't seem malicious in any way, the Deity couldn't help but feel as though something wasn't right here. Normally, the crowd would be cheering for their fellow comrade. Every other Universe erupted into applause once they saw a winner of the battle. With this being on the platform, all eyes were on him and not in a good way. It seemed as though every person in the stands was glaring at him.
The Grand Minister began to wonder who in the Cosmos this being was to all these people.
"Congratulations!" The Deity clapped as he descended to the platform with the Omni Kings. Zeni and Zeno still have yet to say a word this entire time.
"Thank you, Grand Minister." Sinthe bowed respectfully, his voice low and commanding. "When will I be getting my wish on the Super Dragon Balls?"
The High Priest was taken aback at his question. "Well, this was only the first round of the Tournament. You must win the second round of matches in order to receive the wish."
"I see.."
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Abi appeared out of nowhere. "I'm sure you'll win the Tournament!"
"And who might you be?" The Grand Minister's eyes were wide, the woman even took him by surprise. The Deity didn't sense her energy anywhere. Several red flags were showing themselves to the High Priest.
"My name is Abi, I'm Sinthe's partner." The woman had a kind smile. However her eyes were an icy blue, they chilled the Omni Kings. "I didn't mean to intrude, we're very close. I can't stand to be away from him for long."
"Uh…Ok?..." The Grand Minister tried his best to maintain his composure. This unorthodox behavior has only been allowed by one other individual. As the Deity looked to his two companions, they were also frozen in shock. Zeni and Zeno's guards appeared behind them.
"May we leave now?" Sinthe raised a brow.
"Of course. Please meet with Martinu in sixteen days for the second round."
The man nodded before he turned on his heel, taking his partner's hand in his own. The two teleported away instantly.
"Hmm.." The Grand Minister was perplexed at the behavior of these two beings. However, he had other matters to attend to. Looking towards the crowd, who also had shocked expressions, the High Priest waved towards them. The Deity gave them the same speech he gave the other Universes, they were welcome to observe the second round from their meeting place. After the final pleasantries were over, the Kais took all of the contestants back to their home planets.
"Uh oh…" Zeno whispered.
"Goku might be in trouble.." Zeni looked at his companion with a worried look.
Looking at the little blue Deities, the Grand Minister raised a brow. "What makes you say that, sires?"
"Dunno.." Zeno shrugged.
"Just a feeling."
"Hmmm… Interesting." The High Priest teleported Zeni and Zeno back to the Palace. Once they were home, The Deity requested the presence of the Destroyer and Attendant of the Twelfth Universe. The trio waited in the Grand Minister's office. Both Omni Kings sat on the couch next to each other. Their feet began to swing back and forth as they waited impatiently.
Within minutes, there was a knock at the door. "You may enter." The Deity who was sitting at the desk mentioned.
Martinu and Giin both entered the Grand Minister's office. The heavier set woman had a confused look on her face. "What do we owe the pleasure of this visit, father?"
"I'm sorry about the rush, we just had a few questions about the winner of the first round of the Tournament."
"Ah.." the Attendant nodded, a sigh escaping her lips. "He's a little rough around the edges, says exactly what he means. Sinthe can seem very stand-offish, but he's a strong warrior. I believe he will win the Tournament of Power and give the Omni Kings an amazing show!"
"Really?" Zeni said with a smile.
"How amazing?"
"Super amazing." Giin mentioned with a smile as he bowed towards the Omni Kings. "I've witnessed his skills first hand, and he is possibly stronger than some of the other Gods of Destruction. Sinthe is a force to be reckoned with. My great Omni Kings, you will not be disappointed with his performance."
"Ooooohhh." the two little blue Deities sit there in curiosity.
"I assume that's not why you brought us here." Martinu observed her father as she spoke, noticing his interest was piqued.
"What can you tell me about his partner, Abi?" The Grand Minister questioned. If he was honest, the Deity was still shaken by the situation. "I never noticed her until she appeared. It's not every day that I'm taken off guard by someone."
"She's an interesting one.." Martinu said, her smile faltering slightly. "She does seem to appear out of nowhere. The two of them seem rather codependent, but otherwise there's nothing noteworthy to say about their relationship. The girl doesn't train with Sinthe, but she's always around the Palace helping us out, or watching her partner."
"Interesting…Does she catch you off guard as well?"
"Sometimes!" The Attendant laughed. "It's kind of refreshing!"
"It should be alarming Martinu…" The Grand Minister sighed. "You didn't think it was strange she was catching you, an angel who uses Autonomous Ultra Instinct, off guard?"
"At first I did." The angel admitted. "However, she was so nice, and never seemed to pose a threat. At some point I stopped questioning it. Is something the matter, father?" the Attendant noticed the confused and frustrated look on his face.
"I think I need to do my own investigation into these two myself. The way he speaks to Deities is a little strange. However, I know someone else that's the same way." The Grand Minister said with a smile. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Martinu. I don't want you to worry about anything."
"Looks like it's just you and me, little man." Goku looked at his youngest son, who was laying on his blanket in the middle of the living room. The warrior sat on the couch, looking at the baby Saiyan in front of him. "Momma's gone to train with uncle Vegeta, Gohan is training with Piccolo, and I'm here spending time with you."
"Adadada." Tarro's voice was soft as he began holding his own feet, rolling from side to side on the blanket. The little Saiyan's tail was keeping him from going too far.
"Yeah, just you and Daddy." Goku's face lit up at his youngest son's babble. He wasn't sure if Tarro actually said dad, but it sounded close enough that the Saiyan's heart melted. "To be honest, I'm not too sure what a little baby like you does. Your older brother's were raised by their mother… And Piccolo" The warrior rubbed the back of his head with a nervous chuckle.
The warrior began his own introspection. While he kind of remembered Gohan growing up, that was nearly thirty years ago now. Even then, at four years old Goku passed away and wasn't the best role model for his oldest. The Saiyan was glad that even though Gohan knew how to fight, he was still very book smart. He had a great paying job, along with a loving wife and daughter. In Goku's eyes, his oldest son was the person he was striving to be for his youngest.
I want to be there for you every step of the way, Tarro. The father thought to himself. Gohan began training again to protect his family. If he can train and be there for Pan, I can do the same for my little one.
Once he was on his left, Tarro saw how bright it was outside. The baby Saiyan began reaching for the sunlight, wanting to be out in the warm rays once again. He loved days when his mother and father would train outside, allowing him to watch.
The little warrior yearned for the day he could begin sparring with someone. Tarro began to wonder how strong Pan was, and if she started her own training.
"You wanna go outside and play?" Goku scooped the little Saiyan into his arms. Seeing the excited look on Tarro's face brought a smile to the warrior's face. "We're gonna do something special, just don't tell your mom, ok?"
"Dadada!" The baby Saiyan cooed happily.
The duo walked out the door and went into the forest past the clearing. As the two continued to walk, Goku watched his youngest son observing the scene around them. Little Tarro was reaching towards the trees, wishing he was flying. He knew it was the fastest way to get around. Wriggling out of his father's arms, the baby Saiyan began flying around Goku.
The warrior was at a complete loss for words. Hearing about his youngest flying and seeing it first hand were two different things. Until the Saiyan was twelve, he relied on his tail to get around. With the introduction of the flying nimbus from Master Roshi, it became much easier to get around. It wasn't until after the Second World Tournament, that Kami taught Goku to fly using his own power.
Each of his sons learned to fly at a younger age than him, but seeing Tarro buzzing around before he's been born a full year came as a surprise. The warrior watched the baby Saiyan fly into the forest. His pace was fast enough that Goku had to almost jog to keep up with him. If the Saiyan didn't know any better, Tarro knew exactly where he was trying to go.
"Where are we goin', little man?" Goku questioned as he noticed his son getting ahead of him. The warrior began flying himself, catching up with Tarro quickly. The Saiyan never remembered bringing his son this far out into the forest behind their home.
Instead of answering him, the baby Saiyan sped at a faster pace, deeper into the forest. Goku's brow raised, unsure of where he was going. As the trees began to thin, the warrior couldn't believe his own eyes. Goku only came to this spot with Ellery. Of course she was pregnant with their son at the time, but they've never brought him here after he was born. Both parents wanted to wait until he was a little older to bring him swimming/fishing.
"Look at how beautiful this is!" Ellery observed with a bright smile. Goku was flying alongside her and Nimbus who was carrying her. Since the Saiyan woman was five months along, it made it a lot easier to get around via the golden cloud. The couple finally came to a hidden pond with a waterfall attached at the left side. You could hear the different forms of wildlife around them, not a sound from the city could be heard.
"I found this while I was building the house. Didn't know it was here until I started!" Goku smiled happily as he picked up his partner from Nimbus. "There's some fish here if we ever want to get some fresh, and when the baby's older we can bring them here to swim. It'd be a great way to bond together."
"I love the idea." Ellery beamed as she took off the tank top she was wearing to reveal a bathing suit. Her eyes widened as she watched her partner get into his birthday suit. "Uh, Kakarot, where's your bathing suit?"
"Why do I need one? I was made with one!" The Saiyan laughed as he jumped into the pond.
It seems that today is the day.
From the moment Tarro saw the large pond through the clearing. His eyes brightened as he flew quickly towards the body of water. It reminded the baby Saiyan of a gigantic bathtub.
"Wawawawa!"
Tarro dove into the cold pond, making sure to blow air out of his nose as he buzzed through the water.
"TARRO!" Goku screamed anxiously. The Saiyan's heart nearly exploded as he watched his youngest son dive into the water. Not even bothering to remove his clothes, Goku went in. He searched around the icy depths, but was unable to see Tarro.
Coming up for air, the warrior searched the area.
"Dada?"
Hearing Tarro's voice, Goku looked up instantly to see a soaking wet baby Saiyan. A bright smile on his face. He was unable to believe what just happened. The warrior was so afraid that something was going to happen to him, it never occured to Goku that his son was as much a Saiyan as he was. They were bred to conquer planets at very young ages. It made sense to the warrior once he thought of it that way.
"I have a lot to learn when it comes to raising a full-blooded Saiyan." Goku mentioned with a smile as Tarro flew into his arms.
Chapter 29: Back to The Harmony Center!
Chapter Text
The rays of sunlight began to set along the treeline. Ellery loved the way the colors of the sky would change during this time of day. It was the perfect place to stretch. The young mother had been outside for the last couple of hours doing yoga poses. While Goku was on Lord Beerus' planet, Ellery decided to take advantage of the time. Although part of her felt as though she should be training, taking time to relax and get in tune with her energy was more important.
As the sun fell behind the trees, Ellery decided it was time to go inside. She walks to the porch, picking up her little man out of the swing he was napping in. Opening his eyes, Tarro looked around. The baby Saiyan could feel his stomach gurgle.
"Sounds like someone's hungry." the young mother chuckled as she kissed Tarro's forehead. Once inside, the young mother gets dinner ready. Ellery grabbed several containers of leftovers, not really feeling like cooking. She placed the little Saiyan in his high-chair, setting pieces of food on his tray.
"Mmmm!" Tarro said in approval as he ate everything his mother gave him. One of his favorites was the banana. The little Saiyan grabbed his bottle, taking a drink with one hand as he tried to grab more food with another.
Ellery chuckled as she watched her son. While his body was still small, little Tarro was reaching milestones faster than his mother would've thought. Even though he still drank milk, the baby Saiyan was already eating most foods without difficulty. Ellery wished there was a way to gauge his progress. With him being the first full-blooded Saiyan born in a long time, no one knew exactly how he was going to develop.
The young mother knew Saiyan's were bred to fight. Even at young ages, toddler Saiyan's were sent to conquer low level planets. However, it's also been proven the gene can be suppressed. Goku's head injury caused the aggressiveness in him to go away. Ellery had her own childhood traumas that led to her growing up the way she did. Her adopted parents did everything in their power to create a calm world around her.
The thought of Tarro becoming destructive like that was hard to believe.
After the duo was finished eating, the little Saiyan wriggled out of his own highchair. His mother was astonished.
"Where do you think you're going, little man?" Ellery's hands rested on her hips, looking at the small child in front of her.
Tarro pointed towards the door before crawling in that direction. The little one turned his head to make sure his mom was following him. Once he was at the door, he smacked it with his hand. "Aaahhh!"
Ellery couldn't help but giggle as she picked Tarro up from the floor. "We can head back outside, let's go!" Deciding to go for a walk, the young mother puts the little Saiyan on her shoulders, her tail wrapping tightly around his waist. Ellery could feel his hands go into her hair, holding on.
The young mother walks down the trail towards The Harmony Center. She couldn't remember the last time she'd visited. After Tarro was born, Ellery would come up here every once in a while to check on things. Her mind had been so focused on raising her son and competing in the Tournament, she put her business on the back burner.
As the lights of her yoga studio came into view, the young woman smiled seeing all the cars in the lot. Ellery hoped there was a session with an opening. She missed being at The Harmony Center more than she realized. The Saiyan mother walks up the steps, opening the door. The front desk ladies have left for the evening, since it looked like this was the last session of the night.
Even better! I'll get a room all to myself. Mayble the girls will join me! Ellery thought to herself as she made her way to the waiting area. She sits there for a few minutes, playing with Tarro before she sees people beginning to walk towards the exit.
"Ellery!" Raine yelled as she walked towards her, waving frantically with a huge smile on her face. A couple of the other ladies also made their way towards her.
"We're so glad you're back!"
"Did the Tournament go well?"
"We missed you so much!"
Ellery's eyes were wide at how her employees rushed to the Saiyan woman. It startled her, as well as the baby in her arms.
"I guess it's been longer than I thought." Ellery rubbed the back of her head, a habit she picked up from her partner. "Sorry about that, ladies. I'm glad to see you've been running the place just fine without me. I knew you could do it!"
Sophai and Raine beam at their former yoga instructor, now friend and business partner. The original six ladies from Ellery's advanced sessions have become investors/partners in The Harmony Center. They are now the ones that oversee the daily operations of the place. Ellery felt she was somewhat a control freak when it came to certain aspects of her business. Without their help, the Saiyan woman never would've stepped away. Each of the six women knew precisely how she wanted things done, making the transition seamless.
"What brings you in today?" Kimichi is heard from behind Ellery.
"I was hoping we could sit in on a session." The young mother smiled happily. "It's been a while since I've actually gotten a good stretch in. I noticed I was a little late, so now I'm just going to steal one of the rooms for an hour or so."
"If you don't mind, I'd love to join you. It's been so long since I've been instructed by the master." Sophai mentioned with a grin.
"Me too!"
"Can I join as well?"
The young mother was astonished. While Ellery was going to invite them anyway, she was elated that her ladies still wanted to learn things from her. "Sure! The more the merrier."
Jean leads the group towards the back of the yoga studio. They file into the last room at the end of the hall. One of the ladies pulls a capsule out of her purse, tossing it in the corner. After a second, a small play pen burst from it. Inside it was a blanket, along with a few toys for the baby Saiyan.
Ellery looked at the contraption, raising a brow. "Uhm… I don't know if that's going to contain Tarro." A small chuckle escaped her lips.
"Your friend Bulma dropped it off some time ago." Raine mentioned with a smile. "I think it'll do the trick!"
"If it's made by Capsule Corp, it at least stands a chance." The young mother laughed as she walked towards the playpen. Taking the little Saiyan out of his carrier, Ellery placed him in the play pen. Looking at Tarro, the young mother kissed his forehead before she walked to the front of the room. Ellery led the girls in a few basic stretches, then went right into the challenging poses she loved to attempt.
"You're really making us work today!
"Of course!" The instructor chuckled as she moved into a slightly easier pose. "I had to see if you ladies still have it in you!"
"We've never stopped practicing!" Raine mentioned with a laugh. "Us girls get together every once in a while and just go over new moves. This way we have things to teach in class, as well as sharpen our own skills."
"That's great to hear!" Ellery smiled at the six ladies in the room with her.
Observing intently, little Tarro watched his mother practice yoga with the other girls from the studio. While he'd been seeing these kinds of things all his life, he wasn't sure if he could do them himself yet. The baby Saiyan noticed how relaxed his mother seemed to be. Even though her body was contorted in a complex position, her aura was in tune and relaxed. Tarro knew from watching his parents spar, his father's aura was most in sync when he was in battle.
I can do it too! The little Saiyan waited for the right opportunity. When the group went to an easier pose, he attempted to do it as well. As the girls moved into the warrior pose, Tarro seized the chance! Observing the way his mother's feet were positioned, he moved his own while holding onto the railing. Tarro also noticed Ellery was leaning forward, putting her weight on her front leg. Taking one of his hands off the side of the play pen, the little Saiyan sets himself into the warrior pose.
The only thing left to do was take his hand off the railing.
Come on, come on! Giving himself a pep talk, Tarro closed his eyes and relaxed his body. When he was ready he let go of the side, attempting his best to balance himself. His tail did a lot of the heavy lifting in that category.
"Uh… El… You may want to take a look at this." Storme interrupted the silence.
Ellery opened her eyes, seeing all the girls staring at the playpen in the corner of the room. Standing up, the young mother tip-toed closer, watching her son concentrating on the pose they were just doing.
Has this little one been following us the whole time? The Saiyan woman was astonished at her son's progress. Yet again, he's shattering the limits of what she thought a child could do. While his pose was a little off, he was still standing without assistance at only four months old.
"You are a remarkable little boy." Ellery's eyes began to water as she stood in front of the playpen. The moment his eyes locked onto hers, the little Saiyan fell onto his bottom and crawled up the side. Tarro reached for his mother with a bright smile on his face.
"Hey! That was a cheap shot!"
"Looks like you're smarter than I give you credit for." Vegeta chuckled as he continued to assault Goku with punch after punch. The two have been on Lord Beerus' planet for the last week, hoping to get in some last minute training before the Tournament.
With the main event being less than a week away, Goku and Vegeta insisted on spending as much time here as possible. After the spiky haired Saiyan's conversation with Jiren, he had no doubt at least one of the men would be there from Universe Twelve. Goku has contemplated for days whether it was safe to even bring his family. Bulma was more excited than the kids to watch the Tournament. Also knowing that Goten has already convinced Chi-Chi and Jean to go, it would be hard to find someone to watch Tarro back on Earth. The Saiyan wasn't confident any of his other friends would be up to the task of babysitting a little warrior.
After about ten minutes of Goku and Vegeta going back and forth, the Destroyer of the Seventh Universe had about enough of watching their sorry excuse for 'training'.
"If you weren't so distracted, you might be able to land a punch!" Lord Beerus yelled from the sidelines. His arms were crossed in irritation. "You won't have a hope in the world of winning the tournament!" The Destroyer groaned in frustration. "Damn Saiyan's…" Looking towards his Attendant's staff, an idea lit up in the Deities mind.
Beerus took the staff in his hand, throwing it at Goku and Vegeta. Before the two Saiyan's knew what was going on, they were transported to another dimension.
Whis flew towards his Destroyer, looking around for the two warriors that were just training on the grounds. "Beerus, where are Goku and Vegeta?"
"I sent them somewhere.." Arms still crossed, Lord Beerus turned his head. "Those damned Saiyan's weren't taking this seriously."
"Where in the cosmos did you send them?!" Whis gasped as he looked for his staff. "Did you send them to that training dimension? I TOLD YOU THEY WEREN'T READY!"
"What's the problem?" The Destroyer leaned back in his chair, shrugging his shoulders. "You've sent them to places with that staff before. I was just doing the same."
"Did it ever occur to you that I have several dimensions inside my staff?! Who knows where you've sent them! We might not be able to get them back!"
"That'll teach them to slack off!" Now past the point of being angry, the Destroyer stands up and goes on a small rampage. "Those damned punch jockeys better win this damned Tournament! They're the ones that have brought this upon themselves!"
"Let's hope for your sake, we'll still have viable contenders for the Tournament. If we can't get them back, the only hope we'll have of winning is Goku's partner, Ellery! Or Gohan and the Android. All three of them are B-Class fighters compared to those two." Rolling his eyes, the Attendant does his best to remain calm. However, he was almost to the point of seeing red.
"I don't want to think about what the Omni Kings would do if their precious Goku wasn't able to fight in their Tournament." Glaring at the Destroyer, Whis turns on his heel and flies back inside. "You'd better find a way to retrieve them. I don't think I can save you from the wrath of Zeni and Zeno if you don't!"
Oh shit! Goku and Vegeta are trapped! Will they be freed before the Tournament begins? Read next week to find out!
Chapter 30: The Dreaded Phone Call
Notes:
The Tournament begins tomorrow morning!! Have Goku and Vegeta returned from the dimension in Whis’ staff? Does Ellery even know what’s happened to her partner?
Chapter Text
Bulma picked up her wine glass, looking at it for a moment. The kids have just been put to bed after a long day. The bluenette knew she needed a little time to relax before the big day tomorrow. The first Tournament of Power seemed like forever ago. While she wasn’t able to attend, Buima knew each member of Universe Seven fought bravely.
Attending this event reminded her of the old days. The young bluenette would go to World Martial Arts Tournaments with Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, and Master Roshi. That’s also where Bulma met the Saiyan’s first wife, Chi-Chi. The crew seemed to nearly always come out on top. The most recent event Bulma attended was the Universe Six vs. Seven Tournament. Witnessing the powerful fighters from other parts of the cosmos was an awe-inspiring experience.
How many more warriors are out there as strong as Hit or Jiren? The bluenette contemplated.
Would Universe Seven prevail? Or are there beings out there stronger than their group of Saiyan’s? As Bulma swirled the wine around in her glass, she took a deep breath. For the first time, the older woman had a feeling of unease about the upcoming event. Normally, Bulma was just along for the ride, happy to be a part of the adventure.
Why did it feel as though things were about to get serious again, after years of peace?
"Mama!" Bulla opened the door and walked onto the patio. Her mother was looking at the sky. Seeing that she startled her, the little half-Saiyan smiled. “Is Daddy gonna come home before the big fight?”
“Probably not, sweetheart.” Bulma looked over to her youngest, smiling at her brightly. “Is it something Mommy can help with?”
“I just wanted Daddy to read me a bedtime story…” The little one looked disappointed. “Can you do it?”
“Of course I can.” The mother nodded as she stood from her chair. “Do you have one picked out?”
Just as the two were about to head inside, Trunks ran out onto the patio. His fast movements almost knocked over his little sister. Bulma was surprised her son was awake. Looking at him, she raised a brow. “Are you going somewhere this late? You seem to be in a hurry.”
“Uh…” The purple haired Saiyan was unsure of what to say. “Ellery’s here… and-”
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah, I just let her in, she’s in the living room.” Trunks pointed down the hallway. “The baby’s with her, she seems worried about something. Tarro was crying too..”
“Okay sweetie, I'll take care of it.” Smiling at her kids, she walked them back towards their bedrooms. “Trunks, please take your little sister to her room and read her a story. I’m gonna go check on Ellery.”
“Sure!” Ushering his little sister into her room, Trunks allows Bulla to pick out a book to read.
As Bulma walked towards the living room, she began to ponder what Ellery was doing here. The older woman thought she would be training with Goku before the Tournament.
“Hey girly!” Greeting her friend, the bluenette smiled brightly. “What brings you to my neck of the woods?”
One of the first things Bulma observed was how tired Ellery looked. It was almost as though she hadn’t slept in days. Tarro wasn’t in any better shape, crying silently into his mother’s chest.
“Hey Bulma…” The tired mother looked at her friend, attempting to smile. “I’m sorry it’s so late… I-I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Don’t even worry about that.” Quickly walking towards the couch, Bulma sat next to Ellery. “What’s going on?”
“This little one has been inconsolable for the last two days.” Gazing at her son, the Saiyan woman kissed his forehead. Tarro’s cries quieted down to wimpers, but his hands were still balled into fists. Occasionally they would bang on Ellery as the baby Saiyan got worked up again. “I’ve tried everything, all he does is cry for Kakarot. I’m not sure how much more of it I can take.”
Tears began to form in Ellery’s eyes as she held her baby close, “At the same time this started, I got this strange feeling.”
“What kind of feeling?” Bulma questioned.
“Not sure… Just that my partner was in a compromising situation. I’ve tried to contact him through our bond, but most times it’s hard when he’s on Lord Beerus’ planet.” Looking at her friend, Ellery wiped the tears from her eyes. “I can only guess that Tarro can feel the same thing, which is why he hasn’t stopped crying. Neither of us have gotten any sleep since this started.”
Before the bluenette has a chance to do anything, she gets up off the couch. Bulma heads straight to her lab, looking for two things. The first was stashed away in a drawer in the corner. Searching through the filing cabinet, Bulma finally gets a hold of the little blue box she was looking for, along with a stray capsule. Next, she goes to her desk, grabbing a device resembling a phone.
The older woman all but ran to her living room. She sat down on the couch once again, opening the blue box, revealing a small set of what looked like ear plugs.
“What are those?” Ellery questioned.
“The situation isn’t exactly the same, but I thought it can’t hurt to try.” The older mother smiled at her friend. “They worked with Trunks and Bulla when they would become inconsolable. I programmed them to project white noise and other soothing sounds. I’m hoping it’s going to work with this little one as well.”
Bulma placed the headphones gently over Tarro’s ears, adjusting it to fit. At first he was going to resist, but after a few moments, the young child began to calm down. The little Saiyan allowed his eyes to close for just a few seconds, but in those moments he was already snoring.
“Music to my ears.” Ellery closed her eyes as she leaned back on the couch. She rubbed her little boy’s back gently, elated he was finally asleep. Watching as her friend opened up a makeshift crib, she stood to lay her son inside. Tarro’s eyes cracked open for a moment before he was back to snoring like his father.
“Thank you, I knew you’d have something that would help.”
“I brought something else that’s going to help us.” She mentioned as she turned to the end table where she put the phone. Bulma opened the device and placed it to her ear. The other end continued to ring, causing the bluenette to raise a brow. It wasn’t like Whis to not answer her phone call.
“Uh hey Bulma! We’re kinda busy right now…” The attendant quickly says from the other end, almost as if he was trying to get her off the phone.
“What’s going on Whis?”
“What do you mean?” Trying his best to play it off, the Deity assured Bulma everything was fine. Although things were far from it, Whis didn’t want to give Vegeta’s wife the impression that anything was wrong. The Tournament of Power was tomorrow, and the two strongest fighters of Universe Seven were out of commission.
“I mean you’re trying to brush me off, when I have some genuine concerns!”
“I suppose you’re right.” Taking a deep breath, Whis tried a more empathetic approach. “I’m sure you called for a very important reason. I’m sorry, Bulma. What is it you need?”
“We need to speak with Goku.”
“I’m afraid he’s a little tied up at the moment…”
“What could be more important than his partner and child?!”
“The fate of this Universe!!!” Lord Beerus could be heard screaming from the background. “She might be able to help us Whis.”
“Help with what?? What’s going on?!” Bulma was becoming increasingly more irritated.
There was silence for several minutes. The bluenette assumed the two were arguing back and forth. Finally, the Attendant pipes up. “Goku and Vegeta are trapped in an alternate dimension.”
“THEY’RE WHAT???!!!!” Bulma was about to explode. Her loudness startled everyone in the room.``THE TOURNAMENT IS TOMORROW!!”
“Bulma, what’s going on???” Ellery asked from the couch, watching as her friend began to pace.
Instead of answering her friend, the bluenette continues to berate the being on the other side of the phone. “You two get over here right now!!”
“It’ll take about thirty-
“WHIS!!!”
“Okay Bulma!” The Attendant cried. “We’re on our way.”
Slamming the phone in a rage, the scientist paced in her living room. Her fingers were on the bridge of her nose as she muttered under her breath. “Why did I ever let this happen? I could’ve stopped the visits years ago, but nooooo…”
“Uh…. Bulma??” Ellery was nearly shaking in anticipation. “What’s happening?”
The bluenette was unable to look at her friend. She walks over to the large window, looking towards the sky. “Goku and Vegeta are trapped in another dimension.”
“WHAT?!” Ellery nearly screamed as she jumped up again. “How did this happen??”
“We’re going to get all of our questions answered in thirty minutes, El.” Taking a deep breath, Bulma finally turns to look at her distraught friend.
“Wait!” Ellery shot off of the couch. “Don’t the Omni Kings have a button that can summon Kakarot in the blink of an eye?”
“Yeah, it could work.” Bulma thought for a moment. “It wouldn’t guarantee Vegeta went with him though.”
“I’m sure the two would be able to pull both of them out of the dimension. Lord Beerus and Whis would just have to speak to them.”
“Talking to the Omni Kings admits they did something wrong. Who knows what would happen to Lord Beerus if they found out he lost Goku and Vegeta.”
“I guess you’re right...” Feeling deflated, Ellery began to pace around the living room, extending into the hallway.
A lightbulb seemingly went off in the bright minded woman’s head. “Did Goku teach you how to use Instant Transmission?”
The Saiyan woman stopped in her tracks. “Yeah, a while back. Why?”
“I think I have an idea…”
Before she could reveal her plan, there was a loud noise in the backyard. Bulma raised her brow before the two headed towards the balcony. Outside were the two deities, twenty-five minutes early.
“I have an idea, but it’s a long shot…” Bulma walked out onto the balcony.
“We’re willing to try anything at this point..” Lord Beerus was rubbing his temples as the two of them flew up to the balcony. “Without the staff, it’s been impossible to even guess where their location is.
“First, you’re going to tell me exactly how this happened.” Pointing her finger at the two Deities, a very serious look on her face. Both Whis and Beerus gulped as they looked between each other, not sure how to start.
“Well…” The purple cat rubbed the back of his head. “The two were training, and I felt they weren’t taking it seriously…”
“So you threw them into another dimension?!” Ellery glared from behind her friend. She could feel her hands beginning to tremble. Her outburst startled everyone outside. “How irresponsible can you be?! What was your plan for getting them out of there???”
“Uh….” The Destroyer scratched his jaw, not having a plan.
“What do you think the Omni Kings are going to say about this?” Stomping towards them, Ellery felt her temper getting the best of her. She turned Super Saiyan without even realizing. Lord Beerus could be seen sweating profusely, not having thought about the consequences of his actions. That didn’t stop Ellery however, the Saiyan woman continued berating the both of them.
All Bulma could do was sit back and watch her friend tear into the two deities. Never seeing this side of her left the scientist a little frightened. The Saiyan woman channeled her older brother’s anger almost perfectly. She never wanted Ellery to turn that frustration on her, it was a terrifying sight to behold.
“Maybe we should all just take a deep breath…” Bulma stated calmly. “I think my idea is going to work just fine!”
Hearing her friend's words, the young mother began to calm down slightly. Still irritated, she glared at the Deities. “I’m sorry for the outburst… I haven't gotten any sleep since Kakarot disappeared into that dimension.”
“Why’s that?” Whis asked, his brow raised.
“My son has been inconsolable since the incident happened.” Ellery stated tiredly. “I felt Kakarot’s energy leave this Universe, causing me to worry a little bit. Since he was training with the two of you, I thought he was safe.” She continued to glare in Lord Beerus’ direction. “Minutes after feeling that shift, Tarro began crying and hasn’t stopped. I came over here for Bulma’s help.”
The news surprised the Attendant. He’d never known an infant to be so intuitive. “Then we’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Oh Lady Bulma, what is your plan?”
“Well, it’s a long shot.” The scientist admitted. “Ellery can use Instant Transmission just like Goku. Since you created the dimension, I thought maybe you’d have some kind of connection to it. If Ellery were to hold your hand, maybe she could pinpoint the dimension that Goku and Vegeta are in.”
“That sounds a little far fetched…” Beerus began.
“It’s either this or get Zeni and Zeno involved, which will it be?” Ellery saw the tense look the Deity got on his features. Watching him squirm made her more satisfied than she was willing to admit.
“I guess it’s worth a shot.” Whis smiled, extending both of his palms out for the Saiyan woman to hold.
Chapter 31: Into Another Dimension
Chapter Text
Where am I? Why can’t I move??
The Saiyan woman opened her eyes to a white void. Ellery was suspended in the air, unable to move her fingers away from her forehead. She felt an immense pressure on every part of her body. Being in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber was like nothing compared to this. The young woman had to keep her aura just on the outside of her skin, or else her bones would be crushed in an instant. Adding to the uncomfortableness in the room, it was well over one-hundred degrees. This caused Ellery to immediately begin sweating.
Is this the kind of training Kakarot subjects himself to?? How has he been able to survive??
When the Saiyan woman heard her partner’s voice, she expected him to be right next to her when she appeared in this place.
Ellery knew she wasn’t going to last long in these conditions. She already could feel the strain on her body draining every bit of her energy, and she hadn’t even moved a finger!
While she was extremely perplexed by the situation, something she couldn’t overlook was the fact that Goku was nowhere to be found. Instead of the two Saiyan boys Ellery was hoping to find, all that was in front of her was Whis’ staff.
Time passed by, Ellery wasn’t sure how quickly. The young woman felt like she’d been floating in place for weeks, even months. Still, all she’s been able to manage is not being crushed by the intense environment. Her mind was racing. The Saiyan woman could’ve sworn she heard her partner’s voice as she teleported to this place. That’s what drew her to this place in the first place, or so she thought.
If I can just reach the staff… Maybe it’ll help me find Kakarot.
Ellery…?
Kakarot!!! Are you there??
The only thing filling the Saiyan woman’s head was silence, causing her to become increasingly frustrated. Instead of putting all of her focus into her partner, Ellery needed to find out how to move in this realm. Honestly, it was her number one priority. If she couldn’t even move, how was she supposed to find Goku and Vegeta?
Taking a deep breath, the Saiyan woman focused on how her ki was flowing through her muscles. In order to move them, she thought she had to maintain the aura inside her body. While this was helping, it wasn’t exaclty doing the trick.
There had to be something she was missing.
Clear your mind of all thoughts.
A new voice startled Ellery. It nearly sounded like her brother. Who is this?? Vegeta??
Once again, radio silence.
DAMNIT!!! Fine… Rolling her eyes, the Saiyan woman began to meditate. She controlled her breathing and centered her mind around her energy. After training for years to do this, it almost came second nature to her. Ellery had her adopted parents to thank. Without their guidance in meditations and auras, who knows where she would be with her training in martial arts.
It took some time, but eventually Ellery was able to feel her muscles contract. A smile came to her features when she felt her hands ball into fists and then relax. Slowly, the warrior started to figure out how her body worked in this dimension. Maintaining a heightened state of awareness, while projecting her energy against the crushing environment around her was taxing on every part of Ellery.
Reaching the staff, the Saiyan woman grasped it with both hands. She looked towards the blinking orb at the top. After a moment, a projection came out of the orb. In front of her was an image of the two warriors. Neither of them appeared to be conscious.
Oh no… The young mother couldn’t believe her eyes. She expect to see the two sparring. If she wouldn’t have volunteered to do this, who knows if the Attendant of the Seventh would’ve found them.
“Take me there! Now!” Ellery screamed to the staff, unable to take her hands off of it.
At first, nothing happened.
“Come on!!!” The Saiyan woman began to shake the staff, causing the projection to flicker.
Instead of instantaneous results, the staff began vibrating. The force of the initial yank almost took it out of her hands. Holding on for dear life, Ellery clung to the staff as it flew through the air at lightning speeds. The Saiyan woman felt nauseous from the speed she was traveling. Never before had she experienced something like this.
Ellery wasn’t sure how long she flew through the dimension, but when it finally stopped she was thankful. Taking a moment with her eyes closed, the Saiyan woman tried to make the spinning feeling stop before she continued.
After getting her bearings back, Ellery opened her eyes to see her brother about ten meters away. Moving as fast as she could, the young woman made her way over to Vegeta. Checking his vitals, she noticed he was only unconscious. Looking around, she noticed her partner to the west about the same distance away.
This is gonna be fun… Rolling her eyes, Ellery grabbed Vegeta’s shoulder straps to his armor. She attempted to drag him over to her partner. The task was a lot easier said than done. The Saiyan woman was using muscles she didn’t even know she had as he pulled her brother to Goku. How much does this fucking armor weigh?!
Each time Ellery’s mind began to wander, she would stop moving, only adding to her frustration. The Saiyan woman fell several times, but each one she would get back up to continue her journey.
Goku’s eyes flickered open. His body was too weak to move. The warrior could feel the bag of senzu beans in his pocket. There was only one left, but if he could reach it, maybe he could get Vegeta and him out of here.
However, thinking of the plan, and actually executing it were two completely different things.
As he tried to move his body, it was rejecting anything of the sort. Agonizing pain followed. Wincing, the Saiyan stopped and tried to assess his surroundings. He could’ve sworn he heard a noise behind him. Using the last of his strength, Goku turned his head. Blinking to keep his eyes open, he noticed a figure walking awkwardly towards him. His vision began to unfocus, causing the warrior to close his eyes once again.
Instead of the feeling of impending doom he had moments before, waves of calm began washing over Goku. The warrior didn’t understand it. He thought he was going crazy! First he was hearing Ellery’s voice in his head, now this!
The Saiyan couldn’t remember the last time he heard his partner’s sweet thoughts running through his mind. That was a luxury that was reserved for back on Earth. Going to Lord Beerus’ world allowed him to get a reprieve from all the extra chatter in his mind. However, right now he would trade anything just to hear Ellery’s voice, or to see his son’s face one more time.
Eventually, the Saiyan warrior couldn’t remain conscious. He passed out before he was able to find out who the shadowy figure was.
Reaching her partner, Ellery dropped Vegeta before assessing Goku. His energy was almost completely depleated. Searching his pockets and waistband, the Saiyan woman looked for anything that would be able to help. She encounteed a nearly empty bag, used for senzu beans. Ellery rolled her eyes before she continued looking.
At last, she found the round object she was looking for. The young woman takes a hold of both men before pressing the button.
Please work, please work!!
After what seemed like hours, nothing was happening. Instead of panicking, Ellery seemed to become irate. She began slamming her fist down on the button, tears in her eyes.
“Damnit!! I didn’t come this far, just to fail!!” The Saiyan woman screamed. “Just fucking work already!!!”
“I can’t believe the Tournament is already here!”
“It’s going to be amazing watching all these fighters!”
Zeni and Zeno sat in their game room, flicking planets back and forth excitedly. The two were sitting at the edge of their seats. With the Tournament set to begin in just under an hour, the Omni Kings were getting impatient.
After watching all of the preliminary rounds, Zeni was unsure of who was actually going to be victorious. The second round was different than the first. The competitors would have to rely on their wits as well as their strength. Instead of there being several fights going on at once, each match gets its own time in the spotlight.
“Do you think Goku is going to win?” Zeno questioned his companion.
“I’m not sure… There are a lot of strong fighters that will be at the Tournament.” The Omni King took one of the planets in his hand, tossing it into the air. “Jiren has gotten stronger since the last Tournament, and that Synthe guy blew the entire twelfth Universe out of the water. “
“Are you worried he’s going to lose?”
“It’s possible.” Zeni nodded. “I think Goku tends to underestimate his opponent until the last moment. That can prove to be a bad strategy in a fight like this. It’ll make it easy for someone else to get the upper hand.”
“While he may not be the smartest, Goku’s got a battle sense like none I’ve seen.” Zeno assured his companion. “He mastered Ultra Instinct in almost an hour, after feeling how it worked in his body only three times.”
The Grand Minister knocked on the door, startling the two Omni Kings. “Sires, are you ready to head to the Null Realm? The Tournament is supposed to begin in twenty minutes.”
“Yeah.” Zeni hopped from his seat quickly.
“Let’s go!” Zeno was right on his tail, heading towards the High Priest and their guards next to the door.
A small teal and purple button began to flash and vibrate in their pocket, alerting Zeni. He looked down, pulling the button out and looking at it. “Huh… weird…”
“What is it sire?” The High Priest asked.
All of a sudden, a bright light appeared above the Deities. Out of the ceiling came a pile of three Saiyans. Instinctively, the guards protect the Omni Kings by pushing them out of the way. They shield them from a potential blast. However, instead of an explosion like the guards were expecting, it was only three tired warriors. Each of them looked to be holding onto the last of their energy by a thread.
The Grand Minister couldn’t believe his eyes. What were three of Universe Seven’s competitors doing here? Didn’t they know the Tournament was going to begin soon?
“What in the Cosmos is going on here?!” The Deity yelled out. “Where did you three come from??”
Ellery’s head moved as she opened her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her fatigued body. The white void was gone, and in its place was a slightly more familiar room. “I did it… I actually did it..” The Saiyan woman whispered before passing out on top of her partner.
“Oh no!” Zeni ran towards Goku and his friends The Deity assessed them before raising his arms up to the group. A glowing green light began emanating from Zeni’s hands, restoring their energy.
“They have almost no energy…” Zeno noted as he walked up to his companion, lending his ki as well.
“I wonder where they were before they appeared.”
As they finished, both Omni Kings walked closer to the trio. It took several minutes for any of them to gain consciousness. Goku was the first to shoot up to a sitting position. The Saiyan looked around the game room in astonishment.
“Hey… When did I get here?” Goku looked at Ellery on his left, then Vegeta on his right. He was completely dumbfounded as to how he got here. The last thing he remembered was passing out in the alternate dimension Whis built. Both warriors thought they were toast!
“You just got here, Goku.” Zeni mentioned. “You just appeared out of nowhere. I saw the button we shared blinking, then you showed up!”
“Where were you guys? The Tournament’s about to start!”
“Uhhh…” Rubbing the back of his head, Goku looked down to notice two people with him. He could’ve sworn that only Vegeta was with him. The warrior had a dream of someone approaching him slowly from a distance before he passed out. He then woke up in the Omni Kings game room. “We were training, but we got stuck there. Are you sure you didn’t push the button, Zeni?”
“I'm sure!” The Omni King was adamant.
"What the hell… Kakarot, where did you take us!?" Vegeta shot up, looking around in curiosity. The Prince smacked the spikey haired warrior next to him.
"I didn't do it!"
"Then who did, Goku?" Zeno questioned, looking at the only one who hadn'thadn't awakened.
“Sires, we need to get going. The trio can just come with us.” The Grand Minister mentioned from the door.
“Okay!” Both Zeni and Zeno snapped their fingers, teleporting everyone to the Null Realm.
Chapter 32: The Top Ten!
Chapter Text
“This place looks so strange!!”
“I can’t believe something like this even exists…”
Bulma, Chi-Chi, Videl, and Jean were in complete awe. The Null Realm was like nothing any of the human’s had witnessed. The seating was extremely comfortable for the guests. Cushioned seats, along with cup holders and enough room to lean the chair back if one wished.
Looking around the Null Realm, they noticed each Universe had their own separate seating. Universe Seven’s section was by far the largest of all twelve, nearly doubling every one else. Near the arena was a building set up for the fighters. While she couldn’t see inside, Bulma assumed the Omni KIngs spared no expense when it came to this Tournament.
Tarro was in the bluenette’s arms, while Bulla sat next to her. The baby Saiyan has been an angel the entire trip. Since he was tuckered out from the days of restless sleep, he napped soundly in Bulma’s lap.
“Mama, what is this place?” the bluenette half-Saiyan questioned.
“It’s a special place where daddy and Uncle Goku can fight as tough as they want. We are lucky and very privileged to be guests, watching these battles.” Bulma smiled happily at her youngest.
“That sounds like fun!!” Bulla cheered.
Although everyone in the stands was having a great time so far, the adults were trying their best to stay calm. Ellery, Goku, and Vegeta were still not in attendance. All of the other contestants were on the large stage in the middle of the Null Realm. It looked as though every Universe had at least one person in the Tournament.
“Mom, Where’s Dad and Ellery?” Goten poked Chi-Chi’s shoulder. “Why didn’t they come with us?”
“They had to get some extra training in, sweetheart.” The older mother smiled at her youngest. “Who knows? Maybe there’s a warrior stronger than Jiren at this Tournament. We need them to be at the top of their game! Don’t you worry, they’ll be here.”
“Are you sure?” Trunks questioned anxiously. “If they’re late, won’t the Kings just erase the Universe?”
“Trunks, we told you not to worry.” Bulma said, a calm smile on her face. “Chi-Chi’s right. They’re just getting some extra training in.”
Videl looked towards the older mothers. She didn't really believe the three were out training. Last time, Goku and Vegeta came back just in time to leave with the group. She understood the reason they were keeping the kids in the dark. However she wished to be let in on what exactly was going on.
Before leaving Earth, no one was given a very good explanation of where the trio was. The kids weren’t around to hear the conversation.
“Hn…” Piccolo scoffed as he crossed his arms.
“What’s wrong?” Videl asked curiously.
“Something isn’t adding up…” The Namekian commented as his arms crossed in front of his chest. "I would believe the whole training story, if Lord Beerus didn't look like he was about to be exterminated"
"What do you think happened, Piccolo?"
"It's hard to say." He admitted to Videl. "It's possible we're not getting the full story here."
On the Tournament stage, contestants began sizing each other up. Several of the contestants here today were in the previous Tournament. Each Universe seemed to keep to themselves, except for Six and Seven.
“Where are your prized fighters, Beerus?” Champa snickered. “Did they not even make it through the preliminary rounds?!” The Destroyer erupted into laughter. Seeing his brother turn into a hairless ball of anxiety was enough of a reward for him. Lord Champa didn’t even care if his Universe won! However, their odds were a lot higher than if Goku and Vegeta were here.
The sound of their banter piqued the Sixth Universe’s Saiyans interest. Cabba turned towards Universe Seven, as well as Kale and Caulifla.
“Did you hear that???” the male warrior couldn’t believe it. Just why wasn’t his master at this Tournament? Surely he had enough strength to persevere, there must be something else going on here. “From the sounds of it, Goku and Vegeta didn’t arrive at the Tournament today.”
“Really??” Kale looked around worriedly. “That’s strange… I wonder what happened.”
“Well that just gives us a greater chance to win the Super Dragon Balls!!” Caulifla cheered excitedly. “Hell Yeah!!”
“They’re going to show up!” The Seventh’s Destroyer, Beerus yelled. “They just had to get some more training in before the second round. Unlike everyone else, they decided to take this Tournament seriously!”
Although he was trying to maintain his brave face, the purple Deity was beginning to sweat. He put a lot of faith into that Saiyan woman. If she wasn’t able to succeed in her mission, Lord Beerus hated to think of what would happen to him.
“They sure are cutting it close…” Whis sighed as he looked at his staff. “I expect the Omni Kings to arrive at any moment.”
“Come on, guys!” Gohan excitedly looked around. “I’m sure everything will be fine!”
“I’m glad you’re staying optimistic..” Android 17 chuckled.
Others across the platform were beginning to take notice of the missing fighter as well.
“Hmmm…” A gray being observed from afar. Looking around the stage, it looked as though some of the contestants were missing. Of the contestants in Universe Twelve, all six of the pride troopers were the ones to come out on top. Several of the warriors from the first Tournament of Power were nowhere to be found.
“What is it, Jiren?” Top raised a brow.
“Did you notice Goku isn’t here?” The strong warrior continued to look around. “However, it seems all of his family is here, including his youngest son.”
“How do you know that’s Goku’s son?”
“Just look at his hair.” Jiren chuckled. “That, and we had a chance to train together a month or so ago. He introduced me to his partner and his son there.”
“Maybe he didn’t make it through? It’s possible that he’ll be here to cheer on his oldest." Top gestured towards Gohan standing with the rest of Universe Seven.
"Something just doesn't feel right…" The warrior began looking around the tournament stage. Out of the corner of his eye, Jiren noticed the Destroyer of Universe Seven becoming increasingly more anxious. “I get the feeling he’s supposed to be here.”
Suddenly, a bright light appeared in the middle of the arena. Everyone turned their heads to see who arrived. Two large guards in purple suits were standing in front of several people. The Omni Kings were directly behind their guards, the Grand Minister behind them. At the back of the group stood three Saiyans, completely surprising everyone in attendance.
“GOKU?!” Several people from Universe Seven yelled.
“Hey guys!” The orange clad Saiyan grinned as he waved. “Sorry we didn't tag along. Training took a lot longer than planned!” Rubbing the back of his head, the spiky haired warrior chuckled nervously. He did his best to brush off this situation as Vegeta, and Goku’s partner fought the urge to roll their eyes.
“Please make your way to the rest of your team, ladies and gentlemen.” The Grand Minister’s voice was curt.
The trio nodded rapidly. Each of them placed a hand on Goku’s shoulder, letting him do the rest of the work. In an instant, the three Saiyans were surrounded by their friends in Universe Seven.
“My Lord, who is that man in orange?” Sinthe asked with a very confused look on his face. The way the Destroyer of the Twelfth spoke of the Omni King’s, no mortal would dare be caught in their presence. Seeing this man arrive with them raised several red flags in Sinthe’s mind. Who does that mortal think he is? Gods and Deities were to be respected, not used as a bus ticket to the event!
“He’s the warrior I’ve spoken about in the past.” Giin looked at his prized fighter. “His name is Goku. His Universe managed to win the first Tournament of Power, defeating Jiren of Universe Eleven. They used their wish on the Super Dragon Balls to resurrect the Universes that perished during the battle.”
“Single handedly?” The warrior side eyed his Destroyer.
“Oh no!” Giin laughed. “I think it took three of them everything they had. Two knocked him out while the last stayed on the platform to receive the prize.”
“Hn.” Crossing his arms, Sinthe began observing the man named Goku. “What about the others? Were they the finalists?”
“No sir.” The Destroyer shook his head.” “One of them is standing over there, but I don’t see the second creature.I don’t know much about the two next to Goku.” The Destroyer admitted. “What about you, Martinu?”
“The one with the widow’s peak is named Vegeta.” Martinu giggled. “He’s also a Saiyan like Goku. While he didn’t make it to the finals, the warrior did take down Top of Universe Eleven.” The Attendant observed the woman next to Goku, not really knowing much about her. “The woman is a new contender. I’ve never seen her before.”
“Understood…” As the warrior observed the Saiyans, he noticed the spiky haired man and the woman were being more physically intimate towards each other than anyone else. The way Goku was looking into Ellery’s eyes gave it all away. It looked as though they were speaking to each other without moving their lips. So… That must be this man’s life partner…
Back at the Universe Seven group, Lord Beerus emanated a destructive aura as he walked towards the Saiyans. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you guys are in?”
“Hey! It wasn’t our fault!” Goku glared. “You were the one that sent us there.”
“My Lord, we’re lucky to be alive..” Vegeta nearly pleaded with him.
Grumbling under his breath, the Destroyer smacked the back of the Saiyan’s head. “Don’t you dare talk back to me!”
“Now isn’t the time to bicker.” The Attendant of the Seventh whispered harshly. “The High Priest is about to speak.”
“Good Afternoon, everyone!!” The Grand Minister waved towards the beings in attendance, silencing all the beings in the Null Realm. Everyone’s eyes gravitated to the blue Deity standing in the middle of the arena. “I’ll be the first to thank everyone for being here. The great Omni King’s are ecstatic about getting things started. So, let’s get to it, shall we?”
The crowd erupted in cheers, as well as Zeni and Zeno from behind their guards.
“This is going to be amazing!”
“Super duper amazing!!!”
“Indeed it is, sires.” The High Priest smiled. “Before we begin today’s festivities, the rules committee suggested a preliminary strength test.”
“A strength test?” Jired raised a brow.
“Why would they want to do such a thing??” Top crossed his arms in confusion. “We showed our strength in the preliminary round.”
The Null Realm began to hum with the amount of whispers that spread. The Grand Minister raised his hand to silence everyone. “The strength test is going to give us a baseline in everyone's abilities. In doing so, it’ll help us create a roster that will be fitting for the Omni King’s maximum enjoyment.”
“Also, since there are a lot more fighters than expected, this is the quickest way to narrow it down.” A smirk crossed the Deity's face. He was anticipating there to be a lot of commotion in the next few moments.
“The test will be simple.” The Grand minister commented as he motioned behind him. Three devices that looked similar to the machine used at the World Martial Arts Tournament was brought out “Each contestant will get one chance to hit this ‘punching bag’. Once the score is taken, then the highest scoring contestants will be allowed to move on.”
Immediately, Whis and Vados raised their hands in question. This was something that wasn’t discussed in their previous meeting. The Grand Minister gestures towards them, allowing each to speak.
“Sir, exactly how many contestants will be participating in the finals?” Whis began.
His twin sister, Vados picked up where he left off. “Yes, we were under the impression that everyone that was brought here would get a chance at the Super Dragon Balls.”
“Everyone will still get their chance at the prize.” The High Priest couldn’t help but snicker a little to himself. “With this many contestants, I thought it would be the best way to narrow it down. If I’m being honest, I never expected this many people to make it to the second round. Watching all of those matches could take days. If someone wishes to gain the prize, they’ll just have to score within the top ten.”
“Wait… Only ten people are going to fight?!” Goku yelled in complete and utter shock.
Chapter 33: The Bracket is Created!
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Grand Minister waited for everyone to quiet down. Seeing the appalled looks on the contestants faces brought a little joy to him. It wasn't every day they got the chance to surprise the mortals of the Cosmos. The Deity could hear the snickers of the Omni King's behind him.
"I wonder who is going to continue!" Zeno whispered loudly to his companion.
"Yes! I wonder that as well."
"Contestants! Please make a line behind each machine, and we will let today's festivities begin! Once you've taken a turn, please head towards the waiting area." The Grand Minister gestured towards the machines, watching as all of the contestants shuffled into three separate lines. A trio of assistants manifested behind each of the machines. They were carrying clipboards with pens, in order to record the numbers.
While this wasn't their original plan, The Grand Minister came up with this solution on his own. With as many contestants as they have, they'll need to cut down the numbers quickly. This seemed like the easiest way, while it's not exactly full proof. Although the meter tests for strength, it doesn't take anything else into account.
This could prove to make the matches very interesting.
The Grand Minister looked around the tournament stage, curious as to how 'strong' the meter was going to read on the beloved Universe Seven.
"Grand Minister?" Zeni walked up, tugging on his hand gently.
"Yes, sire?"
"How do these things work?" Pointing towards the machines, Zeni looked very confused.
The High Priest smiled and gestured in the direction of the strength testers. "Each contestant is going to hit this machine as hard as they can. The white pads on the outside will absorb the shock of the hit." Just as he was explaining it to the Omni Kings, the warriors began punching the machines. Numbers began popping up above the machine. "Once the machine decides how much force was used, it'll tell us how much force was used by that number."
"So…" Zeno began connecting the dots. "The higher the number, means they're super strong right?"
"Absolutely correct." The Grand Minister smiled brightly.
"Kale.." Caulifla poked her younger sister on the shoulder repeatedly. "Who's that lady standing between Goku and Vegeta?" Unable to take her eyes away from the dark haired woman, the Saiyan girl was becoming frustrated.
"I don't know… But she kind of looks like Vegeta, doesn't she? Kale's head cocked to the side as she continued to look between the three of them. "Maybe Cabba knows?"
The two women from Universe Six ran towards their Saiyan friend. They startled him as they nearly attacked him.
"Hey Cabba!" Caulifla yelled. "Who is that girl?!"
"Huh?" the young Saiyan looked in the direction his friend was pointing. The woman looked similar to his master. "Vegeta did mention a sister the last time we met. Maybe that's her?"
"Really? A female Saiyan?" the ebony haired woman grinned.
"Yeah, he said something about her being Goku's partner."
Hmm… I wonder if that means she's been trained by both of them? Caulifla went silent as she contemplated how strong the woman was. If she sparred with Goku on a regular basis, there was no way she was weak. Maybe I'll get to face her in the Tournament!
As the trio continued to stand in line, the Saiyan woman caught a glimpse of a stern looking man in the line behind Goku and his friends. The moment Caulifla's eyes connected with his, a shiver ran up her spine. For the first time, the spiky haired girl felt a tinge of fear during a Tournament. That was a guy she needed to stay away from at all costs.
Ellery rubbed the back of her head. Ever since they began standing in line, she's felt like she's being watched. There were quite a few people waiting. However, the young woman noticed three in particular that kept looking in their direction.
"Kakarot, who are those three? They're looking over here as if they know you quite well."
Goku raised a brow as he observed the small crowd. Technically, nearly every one of them has met the Saiyan. With the exception of the four Universes that didn't compete in the tournament, he's fought against almost the whole group. However, there were three Saiyans from Universe Six that were blatantly staring at them. Goku chuckled. "Yeah, they're Saiyans just like us! Only they're from Universe Six…." The warrior waved before yelling. "Hey guys!"
"Their homeworld still exists." Vegeta mentioned with a small grin. "It's a sight to behold."
"Really?" Ellery stood in awe.
"Next in line, please!" One of the assistants called out. This alerted the group to move up, unaware that nearly every one in their line had already gone. Ellery was only one person away. Suddenly, she felt her heart begin to race. Watching the person in front of her, she noticed the number above the machine read 800,043. Wow… That's a really big number! The Saiyan woman thought to herself.
"You can do it, Princess." Goku said from behind her, giving her shoulders a quick rub before her turn.
"Thanks.." Ellery took a deep breath as she walked up to the machine.
"Whenever you're ready, ma'am." The attendant stated, not looking up from his clipboard.
The Saiyan woman closed her eyes, taking a couple of moments to focus. Letting out a yell, Ellery punched the white pad as hard as she could. She looked up, waiting for the screen to display her number.
The attendant looked up, gasping as they saw the number. "Two… Million?"
2,461,474… Ellery couldn't believe it.
"Wooo! Yeah! Way to go!" Goku was cheering for his partner happily. "That's my girl!" The arena floor was silent after the Saiyan's outburst, effectively quieting him down. Goku rubbed the back of his head as he laughed nervously.
"It's your turn, you big idiot." Vegeta nudged the taller Saiyan, his eyes rolling as he did so.
The spiky haired Saiyan nodded as he jogged towards the metal contraption. Goku shifted his weight between his feet rapidly as he did a few air jabs. The warrior needed to put everything he had into this attack. Who knows if he will even be in the top ten? The Saiyan needed to give it his all, or else he had no chance.
"Whenever you're ready." The Attendant mentioned next to him.
"HAAAAAAA!" Powering up, Goku used every amount of strength he could put into a single blow. This caused this machine to scoot across the floor at least eighteen inches. The Attendant next to the machine screamed in horror, not knowing what exactly happened. He turned to Goku with wide eyes.
Everyone in the Null realm was stunned into silence. Being the first mortal to move the strength machine caused everyone to stop what they were doing and pay attention. It took several moments for a reading to appear.
Once it did, the Attendant dropped his clipboard.
"Alright!" Goku threw his hands in the air, cheering as he happily walked away.
Ellery couldn't believe her eyes. She knew her partner was a mighty warrior. However, the young woman never would've believed he was nearly one hundred times stronger than her. Another loud noise shook Ellery from her thoughts. Seeing her brother's score nearly identical to Goku's wasn't a surprise. With as much training as they did together, it was no wonder their numbers were so close.
"I hope it'll be enough!" The spiky haired warrior mentioned as he walked into the waiting area.
"What do you mean? That's the highest score we've seen so far!" Ellery looked at her partner as if he grew two heads.
"Well…" Goku looked around the room, seeing a couple of warriors that weren't in here yet. "Jiren has yet to go. I'm pretty sure he's stronger than I am. There's other people who I've never even seen battle before! Who knows how they'll stack up to us!" A glimmer of excitement was showing in his features. Goku couldn't wait to see who he was going up against.
"Don't get too excited." Vegeta warned, taking a spot in the corner of the room. "You know how you get when it comes to these things. Don't let it cloud your judgment!"
"Oh come on!" The Saiyan laughed it off. "It's just a friendly Tournament. Besides, I bet the two of us will at least be in the top five!"
Suddenly, a loud bang erupted on the Tournament stage! Everyone shielded themselves from the debris rather easily. Once the dust settled, the contestants turned their heads towards the source of the bang.
Sinthe was standing next to a pile of rubble, his hand extended into a fist. Once he retracted it, he looked at his palm and began flexing his fingers. The warrior had a confused look on his face as he glanced in the Grand Minister's direction.
"I thought this machine was adequate enough that I could use a decent percentage of my strength. How will you get a recording now?"
The Deity was at a loss for words. "I think the breaking of our materials is sufficient for the recording. Please go with the rest of the competitors in the waiting area."
"Hn." The contestant nodded before doing as he was told. The entire Null Realm was shocked into silence.
The Grand Minister gained his composure quickly. He looked towards the contestants in the third line. "Please, if you will please find a place in the other two lines, we will finish our examination."
"He-He just…" Caulifla's jaw dropped. Her friends from Universe Six had similar looks on their faces. "The whole thing exploded!"
"There's nothing left…" Vegeta whispered.
Ellery felt her heart sink into her abdomen. An overwhelming sense of dread began to cloud her mind. The Saiyan woman looked towards the stage, looking for any sign of a reaction from her partner. However, Goku's face was stone cold as he looked in Sinthe's direction.
"Kakarot?" The Saiyan woman began feeling something from her partner she'd never experienced. Pure fear and uncertainty. "Is everything okay?"
The Saiyan warrior stayed silent as the man walked through the threshold. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Sinthe walked to the farthest corner of the room. The man took a seat on the floor, crossing his arms and his legs as his eyes closed.
Goku felt an icy shiver run down his spine. Looking down at his hands, the warrior could see them shaking. It wasn't like him to get nervous like this before a fight. Sure, there was always a little anxiousness before the fight started. However, Goku's always been able to prevail, even in the toughest of circumstances. Even if he didn't, he would have his friends behind him.
What if this time, his strength wouldn't be enough?
Kakarot, you're scaring me… The Saiyan woman couldn't help being concerned about her partner. This was just a friendly Tournament, would it really matter that much if he lost?
"Kakarot?"
The sound of Ellery's voice in his mind and aloud caused him to jump back to reality. Goku looked around, seeing his friends and family all looking at him with a look of concern. The warrior put a smile on his face as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm fine… Just got in the zone for a minute!" Goku said, causing everyone else to stop worrying. Ellery however, was still glaring at her partner.
Around that same time, Jiren walked into the waiting area. Their gazes met. The Saiyan looked across the room towards the man in the corner. The gray warrior gave a curt nod before finding his own teammates.
Kakarot, What on Earth is going on? Ellery's voice popped into Goku's head, startling him for a moment.
I can't explain it… I've just got a bad feeling about this.
What do you mean?
I'm wondering if that's the warrior Jiren was trying to warn me about during our spar..
The one that made the test machine explode?
Goku nodded, keeping his eyes away from that corner of the room. Seeing the amount of great fighters here eased his anxieties. It was possible the two may not even match up with each other! Who knows, there are ways to win a fight other than brute strength. His oldest son, Gohan, was a perfect example of that!
However, the positive thoughts didn't ease the anxiety building up in the warrior.
Once all of the contestants were examined, their numbers documented, the Grand Minister waved towards the crowd.
"Thank you all for your patience. Now that we have our scores, it will only take us a little longer to create a roster. The contestants that didn't make the cut are welcome to join their families in the bleachers once the new list has been posted."
After several minutes, the Grand Minister returned. Walking onto the Tournament stage, the Deity held a tablet in his left hand. "Thank you for your patience! Now that the contestants have been decided, we can show the Tournament roster!"
Behind the High Priest, a large projection of his tablet was shown. The first round consisted of four fights, two of them being one-on-one battles. Vegeta, Caulifla, and Ellery were the first three to battle in the Tournament! Followed by the two, one on one battles, Goku vs Top and Jiren vs Dyspo . The final match of the round was Sinthe, Hit, and Gohan.
The Deity continued to speak through the murmurs of the crowd. "The contestants are in the waiting area, preparing for the first round! I want to thank everyone for their cooperation. The Omni Kings have also expressed their gratitude for everyone in attendance today. Please, enjoy the Tournament!"
"Wow! That's one hell of a first match!" Bulma grinned as she observed the Tournament roster. "Three Saiyans going at it."
"Ellery going up against Vegeta?" Chi-Chi looked at the roster worriedly. "I was hoping that she would make it past the first round!"
"Damn! Gohan better have a good strategy…" Videl
Do you think he has a chance? I know Gohan has fought before, but I think the other guy has this Tournament in the bag!" Jean said worriedly. "I've never seen a machine just explode like that!"
"We have." Bulma laughed. "My husband managed to do the same thing to an Earth-based model." It was then her demeanor became serious. "However, if that man is breaking one of these machines, I don't even want to imagine how strong he is."
"You're saying Papa and Grandpa could lose?" Pan asked worriedly from her mom's lap.
"They're going to try their best, sweetheart. Goku always does! And your Father won't go down without a fight either." Videl consoled her daughter. "Strength isn't everything when it comes to fighting in a Tournament like this. With the amount of rules, someone could be able to outsmart the tougher opponent.'
"Yes, but will it be enough…" Piccolo contemplated as he leaned back in his chair, an uneasy feeling settling over him. "Gohan is extremely intelligent. However, sometimes there isn't anything that can bridge the gap between two opponents.
Notes:
Before the Second Tournament begins, this work will be taking a momentary hiatus. With the holidays coming up, and work beginning wholesale of my candies, I am taking some time to focus on work and my family. This is by no means the end, this work will continue! I just am not able to keep up with the weekly posting that I strive to do. Once I can find a balance once again, the works will continue!
Happy Reading Everyone!
Chapter 34: Round One Begins!
Chapter Text
I'm in the first round… With Vegeta?! The Saiyan woman let out a deep sigh. Although it came to a 'draw' the last time, Going into a three-warrior battle against him will be insane! Maybe it won't be that bad… Yeah…
You're going to do amazing. Ellery's partner's voice rang in her mind. You can't let the fact that he's stronger than you get in the way. You're strong and have gotten the upper hand on me when we've sparred. One slip up is all it takes to knock someone out of this Tournament.
I appreciate the pep-talk, but I'd rather have something that makes my heart stop racing. Looking out, the young mother could see the crowd. Their family was there, ready to cheer each of them on. A smile crept onto her face, knowing that her little man would be watching.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ellery noticed a girl with long spiky hair approaching the m. Turning towards Caulifla, the Saiyan woman had a grin on her face. "I see we're fighting in the first match together."
"Yeah, yeah… Are you as strong as Goku or what?" The younger Saiyan crossed her arms, not in the mood for small talk.
"Frankly it doesn't matter." Vegeta mentioned with a chuckle. "As long as the two of you are going up against me, you have no chance of winning."
"Is that so, hot shot?" Caulifla raised a brow.
"You're damned right. I'll be the one winning this Tournament today, so you might as well forfeit." Vegeta kept his face neutral as his arms crossed in front of his chest. The tension in the room was palpable after the Prince's statement.
"We'll see about that." Ellery chuckled. "You have a tendency to bite off more than you can chew." This comment made everyone in Universe Seven giggle along with her.
Vegeta rolled his eyes, turning away from his teammates. "I'll show you who's the strongest-"
The Announcer roared over the sound system, gathering the attention of the Null Realm. "Alright folks! Let's get this first match underway! Will Contestants Vegeta, Caulifla, and Ellery please take the stage!"
The Prince had a crooked grin on his features as he exited the waiting area. "Prepare to get knocked out in the first round!"
Ellery and Caulifla followed, each of them having a snide comment for the Saiyan. The Null Realm began to cheer for the three warriors. The noise was almost deafening. As the three walked towards the platform, they each began sizing up their opponent silently.
Vegeta takes the far left corner of the stage, while his younger sister took the one opposite him. Caulifla stood in the middle of the ring, continuing to think of a strategy as she watched the two Saiyans from Universe Seven.
"Would our gracious Omni Kings like to say any words before we begin?" The Announcer looked up towards their seats, a grin on his features. Everyone turned in that direction of the little blue Deities.
"Have a great fight everyone!" Zeni pumped his fists in the air happily.
"Show us everything you've got!" Zeno cheered alongside his companion.
The referee on the stage looked at all three contestants. "Are the fighter's ready?"
Vegeta, Ellery, and Caulifla all nod. The silence was nearly unsettling. Ellery could hear her pounding heartbeat inside her ears, drowning out any other noise. The time seemed to pass in slow motion. Each contestant was waiting in anticipation for the first match to start.
"BEGIN!"
Immediately, the Sixth Universe's Saiyan transformed, snickering as she quickly lunged towards Ellery. "Let's see what you're made of!"
Ready for her attack, The warrior blocked her punches easily. Ellery tried her best to look unamused. "Is that all you've got?"
"UGH!" The rowdy Saiyan woman yelled as she threw her leg towards Ellery's head.
However, it didn't make it there. The Prince caught her ankle midair, a smirk on his face. "Mind if I get in on this?" Vegeta asked before he used his hold to swing Caulifla around, tossing her off the edge of the ring.
If it weren't for the young woman's quick reflexes, she would've been out within the first few moments. Instead, Caulifla used the edge of the stage to bounce into the air. Landing on her feet, the young woman smirked at Vegeta. "Knocking me out of this ring is going to be harder than you think, old man."
"Tch.." The Prince rolled his eyes. "Insulting me won't make your elimination any less humiliating. You're still going to be the first to fall."
"Not if I get to your partner first!" Caulifla lunged towards Ellery once again. Although she didn't know how strong she was, odds were she was weaker than Vegeta. Even if the Saiyan of the Sixth couldn't win this Tournament, she'd be damned if she were the first to be eliminated.
Ellery was able to dodge her initial strikes. However, Caulifla was a very skilled fighter in her own right. The black haired Saiyan mis-stepped, causing her to fall back onto the stage below.
Looking up at the Super Saiyan above her, Ellery was beginning to feel cornered. Instead of quipping back like she normally did in her sparring sessions, the young woman froze. Her mind was cluttered with next moves, but none of them were translating to her muscles, causing her to just lay there, a doe eyed look in her features.
"I was really hoping for more out of you. Your prelim score doesn't reflect your actual battle power… That's pretty disappointing if you ask me." Caulifla snickered, kicking Ellery's left side. This caused her to skid across the rocky surface. The Saiyan woman of the Seventh coughed painfully, blood coming out with her saliva.
The crowd gasped audibly, everyone in awe of the events taking place. Bulma was floored at the fact that Vegeta wasn't helping his sister! "Vegeta! What the hell! Do something!"
"I don't think that's gonna happen, Bulma." Krillin mentioned from behind her.
"And why not?" The bluenette whipped around, a fiery look in her eye.
The shorter man straightened his back, distancing himself slightly from Bulma. "Well, first off. Vegeta knows this is a competition. I think he'd rather have his competition knock his sister out of the ring. That makes the decision easier on him."
"You make a good point, honey." Android 18 agreed with her husband.
"Vegeta wouldn't have a problem knocking Ellery out of the ring." Piccolo shrugged. "If it comes down to it, he wants to be the one to win this Tournament, he'll do whatever it takes."
The Omni Kings were also confused by the behavior of the Prince.
"Do you think Vegeta will help her?" Zeni looked at his companion worriedly.
"Ellery's strong!" Zeno concluded as he watched her get up. "I think she'll be able to knock out Caulifla AND Vegeta!"
"Really? Both of them?" The Omni King asked skeptically. "She's strong, but to knock out Vegeta? He's been training with Goku for years!"
"I believe in her." Zeni giggled, peeking over the railing. "Ellery's been training with Goku too, and she's Vegeta's sister! That has to give her an advantage!"
The Grand Minister chuckled at their cute banter. "Let's hope you're right."
Her sensitive ears could pick up the King's of Everything. Ellery snickered as she took a couple of deep breaths. While it hurt to do so, she knew it wasn't anything too serious. Looking towards her opponent, she noticed Caulifla had gone for the other warrior inside the ring. The Saiyan woman got into her fighting stance once again and began observing the two fighters.. Instead of waiting for Caulifla to strike, Ellery moved quickly towards her. She was able to surprise her with a kick to the knee at just the right moment.
The Prince took full advantage of this, lunging forward and grabbing Caulifla's wrist. Vegeta flung the young warrior over his head towards the edge of the ring, curious to see if she would be able to reorient herself in time.
Caulifla let out a battle cry as she landed on her feet the second time. "I'm really getting tired of you, old man."
"Then show me something worth my time." Vegeta sprinted towards Caulifla. "You haven't even warranted my first transformation!"
"SHUT UP!" The Saiyan from the Sixth yelled, noticing an opening in the Prince's form. Caulifla snickered, her fist making contact with his stomach. She heard him cough, watching as he hunched over. Caulifla took this opportunity to kick Vegeta's legs out from under him.
In the corner of her peripheral vision, the young Saiyan could see Ellery leaping towards her. As she pulled her fist away from Vegeta's stomach, Caulifla swung around just in time to catch the Saiyan woman in the jaw. The Saiyan woman of the Seventh was ready for the strike. By allowing herself to get hit, she noticed Caulifla let up her guard.
Ellery quickly took the back of her foot and locked it around the other warrior's leg. Pulling her own foot towards her, she was able to take Caulifla's balance away. Using her position to her advantage, Ellery quickly takes a hold of her opponent's leg and uses it to swing her around.
"Damnit!" Caulifla screamed as her aura began to spike around her. She hated being flung like a ragdoll. It was something that infuriated her. She felt her competitor release her and decided to use this as an opportunity.. Caulifla wrapped her tail around Ellery's arm. Using her fall as leverage, the blonde Saiyan managed to lift Ellery off the ground and across the ring.
Shit! Ellery thought to herself as she used all of her weight to stop her body from rolling off of the stage. Thankfully, her older brother was behind her to make sure that didn't happen. Looking up at the Prince, he had an irritated expression written all over his face.
"No need to thank me." Vegeta prompted. "Just finish that little brat off."
"Little brat?!" Caulifla roared. "I'm the only one that's turned Super Saiyan so far!"
"Tch." The Prince scoffed. "The only reason you need to use it, is because we're so much stronger than you."
"Prove it! All I've seen you do is run your mouth!"
Gasps and cheers could be heard across the Null Realm. The Destroyer of the Sixth Universe began to get particularly rowdy. The purple cat stood up and did a little dance as he cheered for his teammate. "That's right Caulifla! Show that snarky Saiyan who's boss!"
Kale shook in the stands. She wanted to be down there for her sister. A two-on-one match wasn't fair to Caulifla! "Come on Sister! I know you can do it!"
"Vegeta! Stop toying with them and win this round! I know you're better than this! Why waste your energy on these two?!" Beerus countered with a chant of his own.
Whis chuckled as he continued to watch the banter between his Destroyer and the Deity of the Sixth Universe. However, he also noticed the tides of battle starting to shift. "I don't know, my Lord. It looks like things are about to get interesting."
Ellery stood up, dusting her training gi off in the process. She could feel her ribs bruising as she tried to catch her breath. The Saiyan woman underestimated her opponent, which is the first and only thing she reminds her partner of on a daily basis. Ellery used the palm of her hand to pop her neck, causing it to crack loudly.
"You're going to have to fight me first." Letting out a battlecry, Ellery transformed into a Super Saiyan as well.
"That's more like it!" Caulifla grinned as she rubbed her hands together. "Come on! Gimme all you got! Let's see who the real Saiyan is here."
Ellery and Caulifla began attacking at the same time, resulting in a barrage of sounds. However, since the women were moving so quickly, hardly anyone could see what was actually going on.
"Mama!" Bulla tugged on her mother's shirt. "I can't see what's going on! Why is Daddy just standing there? He could help Elly!"
"Uh…" Bulma wished she could answer her youngest. However, she just didn't have the answers.
"Your Dad knows that Ellery can handle this fight on her own." Piccolo said from behind the duo. "The reason you can't see them is they're moving faster than your eyes can keep up with!"
"Wow! Really?!"
With a loud bang and flash of light, Caulifla reappeared in the stands, next to her sister Kale. Both of them had looks of disbelief on their faces.
"Wow! What an amazing turn of events!" The Announcer roared, quieting the cheering crowd. "Contestant Ellery has eliminated Contestant Caulifla on her own. Will she have enough strength to also defeat the other man in the ring? Or will she suffer the same fate she just dealt to her opponent?"
Still suspended in the air, the Saiyan woman was quick to celebrate her small victory. Ellery panted as she looked towards her next obstacle, who was snickering in her direction. The Saiyan woman observed her competitor uncross his arms, transforming to Super Saiyan Blue.
"It looks like we'll get that rematch after all." The Prince smirked.
Chapter 35: Battle Number Two: Goku vs. Top!
Chapter Text
"That was amazing!" Zeni was standing on his tip-toes, peeking over the railing that was keeping him on the platform. The Omni King was in complete shock that Goku’s partner was actually able to handle herself on the battlefield.
“Super amazing!!” Zeno agreed, standing next to his companion. “Ellery gets to move on!!”
“Goku’s mate is exceptional on the battlefield.” The Grand Minister observed. He watched every moment of the battle with great detail. It appeared that her style mimicked a variation of Goku and Vegeta’s forms. Could that be the reason for her keen battle sense? The woman was a Saiyan, afterall.
“I wanted to see Vegeta make it out on top…” Zeno sighed. “I would love to watch Goku and Vegeta fight against each other! Who knows who would win?!”
"You’re right.” Zeni agreed. “However, If Goku wins this next match, he’ll be facing his own partner!" The little blue Deity mentioned excitedly. “I’m sure that battle’s going to be even better!”
“That’d be a fight I’d love to see!” Zeno’s legs began to swing in excitement, hitting the back of his chair.
From behind the Omni King’s, the Grand Minister chuckled. It’d been a long time since the King’s of Everything had been so giddy about something. The last time the High Priest saw the two beings this excited was the last Tournament of Power. Ever since that day, the Omni King’s have been trying to find that same level of entertainment. The Grand Minister has given them countless ideas to pique their interest. However, nothing got their motors running more than this Second Tournament of Power.
Looking down towards the stage, the High Priest glanced at the warrior who was responsible for the Tournament in the first place. He was about to start his first match of this event.
The Saiyan walked onto the fighting stage, eager for his match to begin. During the Zeno Expo years ago, Goku had a chance to battle with Top one on one for a short while. The fight didn’t have a true conclusion, which left the Saiyan yearning for another go at it.
After witnessing Vegeta’s fight with the warrior from Universe Eleven, Goku knew he would have to keep his guard up if he was going to win. The Saiyan could feel his body start to tingle in excitement! The thought of a good battle caused his heart to race. However, something that was new was the feeling of butterflies in his stomach.
It wasn’t like Goku to get nervous, although it’s happened on the rarest of occasions. The Saiyan knew that he wasn’t exactly in what he would call his ‘peak fighting condition’. The warrior has done a lot of sparring this year, However, with the birth of his son, the Saiyan knew he didn’t train as much as he normally would.
I gotta keep my focus on the fight in front of me. No distractions. Goku told himself as he began to stretch on the arena stage. The warrior noticed his opponent on the opposite side of the platform doing the same.
“Alright Everyone!” The Announcer grinned as she waved towards the crowd to get their attention. “The second round is about to begin!”
The patrons in the bleachers began to cheer loudly. The seventh Universe box was erupting with shouts and screams for Goku. All of them were standing and waving, except for Vegeta, who was sitting in the corner with his arms crossed.
Goku looked towards his opponent, who was snickering in his direction.
“I look forward to this re-match, Goku!” Top cheered from the other side of the ring. “You’d better not hold back on me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it!” The Saiyan chuckled, giving the warrior of the Eleventh a bright smile. .
“DAAA DAAA!!!” Tarro screamed as loud as he could, making sure his father heard him cheering. The little Saiyan pumped his fists into the air excitedly. He began moving around so much that Bulma was having a hard time keeping a hold of Tarro. The spiky haired infant was rising out of her lap quickly.
Goku heard his youngest son, causing him to turn, seeing him attempting to fly towards the stage. The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.
“Is that your child?” Top raised a brow.
“Yeah… He’s my youngest.” Goku smiled. “He’s a pretty feisty one.”
“Hey little man!” The bluenette kept a tight hold of the baby Saiyan. “You can’t be trying to fly off like that.”
“Are our fighter’s ready?” The teal man questioned from the middle of the ring, interrupting their chit chat. The Announcer looked between Goku and Top, waiting for their answers.
“Yeah!” Goku pumped his fist into the air., while Top chuckled and nodded towards the referee. The Null Realm slowly quieted down, leaving a palpable tension in the air. Everyone was looking towards the Announcer, awaiting his word for the battle to commence.
After a few moments of silent tension, the Announcer raises his hand. “BEGIN!!”
In a flash, both warriors completely disappeared. Shockwaves could be felt across the entire Null Realm. This battle was completely different than the one before. The spectators could tell that these warriors were the real deal. Several spectators began to whisper, as though they couldn’t see what was going on.
“WOAH!!!!” Zeni and Zeno yelled in unison. The two of them were almost unable to keep up with the fight. Goku and Top were so quick!
Bulma looked towards her husband, tapping him on the shoulder with the back of her hand “Do you think Goku can win this match? That guy looked huge!!”
While it was true, Top from the Eleventh Universe was rather large. The man stood at nearly seven feet tall. His arms were almost twice the size of his body!
“Hah!” The Prince grinned. “Top was an easy enough opponent for me. Hopefully Kakarot hasn’t gotten too rusty over these last couple of years.”
“Not Goku!” Bulma argued. “Just because he hasn’t been training as much, doesn’t mean he’s any weaker than he was before.”
“I’m afraid Vegeta may be right, Bulma.” Whis mentioned from behind the couple. The Attendant and Destroyer were sitting at the top of their section, above all the other Universe Seven spectators. “While you’re right, Goku may be as strong as he was a year ago. However, the issue lies in the fact that none of these other fighters have taken a break in their training. Even if Goku was stronger than any of them at the last Tournament, it’s anyone’s game today.”
“YOU BETTER NOT GET SLOPPY GOKU!!!” Lord Beerus screamed from his seat. “I’ll have your head if you lose this match!!”
The Saiyan warrior and Pride Trooper appeared once again. Top had Goku pinned on the ground, the arena floor began to crumble at the force the two men were exerting. The warrior coughed hard, spitting up blood during the crash. As soon as he was able, the Saiyan put distance between him and his opponent. Feeling out of breath, the orange glad warrior began to worry.
Goku was doing his best to block out all of the noise in his head. If he was going to win this match, he was going to have to use Ultra Instinct. Only problem is the Saiyan hasn’t tapped into that power since he and Ellery were in the Time Chamber.
There’s gotta be something I can do!!
“I know you’re holding back on me, Goku!” Top yelled from his spot in the ring. A snicker left him as he noted the Saiyan was out of breath. Had Goku been skipping out on his training? “Fight me with the same power you fought Jiren!”
The waiting area was a flutter with gossip. Many of the contestants here knew each other from the previous Tournament of Power. Most contestants were conversing amongst one another, while the rest were enamored with the fight.
Ellery watched the battle from a distance, knowing good and well her partner was going to prevail. This left her thoughts to wander to other places. It seemed as if Goku knew everyone at this Tournament, except the man in the corner. His aura was intimidating, as though it would pierce you just by looking in his direction. Witnessing him obliterate one of the testing machines sent shivers down Ellery’s spine.
“Congrats on winning the first round.” The sound of Goku’s oldest son came from behind Ellery.
The young woman turned and smiled, thanking Gohan. The half-Saiyan took a seat next to his father’s partner. Gohan could feel his legs shaking from the nerves of his first round fight. “All I can hope for is not being thrown out of the ring first. I don’t have a chance of winning.”
“You’re going to do just fine.” Ellery smiled, giving Goku’s oldest son a pat on the shoulder. “I’ve witnessed you spar for a couple of years now. You have every right to be here like the rest of us, Gohan. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“I wish I could believe that.” The half-Saiyan mentioned with a sigh. “I know I’m strong, but I also know when I’m outmatched.”
“Look, I know that one guy is really strong-”
“It’s not just him, El.” Gohan took a deep breath. “Dad battled Hit in a one on one setting, and as far as I’m concerned it came to a draw. However, the assassin from Universe Six could’ve easily gotten the upper hand if Dad’s power up used all his energy.”
Ellery could see that Gohan was clearly bothered by his upcoming match. While she was the underdog in her fight, the Saiyan woman came out on top! The half-Saiyan was convinced it wasn’t going to go in his favor, and Ellery wanted more than anything to comfort him.
“I also know you’re Kakarot’s son. Not only that, you’re a Saiyan! Born to fight! Gohan, although the odds are stacked against you, I know you’ll find a way to persevere!”
The half-Saiyan nodded, a small grin on his features. “Yeah, I guess if you can knock Vegeta out in the first round, there’s hope for me yet.”
Ellery laughed loudly, smacking her knees in the process. The action was so loud that several people turned around to look at her. One of them had piercing emerald green eyes. From the moment Sinthe’s gaze met with the Saiyan woman, she felt a chill run down her spine. The man reminded her of her partner, Goku, albeit a more serious version.
“Do you think Kakarot has a chance?” Ellery looked towards Gohan, asking him quietly. “I mean, if it came down to him and this other fighter in the last round, who would win?”
Goku’s oldest son thought about her question. There were a lot of factors to take into consideration. One of the things on the forefront of Gohan’s mind is the amount of training his father’s had this year. Raising a full blooded Saiyan child more than likely took a lot of his time away. From the sounds of it, Gohan’s dad was home a lot more while Ellery was pregnant with Tarro.
“Dad’s always got a chance, El.” The half-Saiyan grinned. “As long as we’re by his side, cheering him on, Dad’s going to do everything he can to win.”
Ellery nodded, taking a look around the room as she did so. Once again, as she peered into the far left corner, her eyes locked with Sinthe’s. From the moment their gazes connected, the Saiyan woman felt a great sense of unease. Her stomach began to twist and turn. There’s something about that guy… I don’t like the feeling I’m getting. Ellery thought before she decided to take her mind off of it. The young woman stood, walking up to the edge of the waiting area. She began to watch her partner’s fight intently.
“You can do it, Kakarot!!!”
Chapter 36: Chatter in the Peanut Gallery
Chapter Text
"So! Top's going up against Goku! Do you think he stands a chance?" Dyspo questioned from next to Jiren. The Purple warrior took the place of Top once he stood for his match. Now the two Pride Troopers wait in anticipation for their friend's battle to conclude.
"I'm sure he'll give Goku a run for his money." The gray man chuckled, leaning back against the wall behind him.
"Has the Saiyan mastered Ultra Instinct?" Dyspo asked curiously.
Jiren gave a quick nod. "The last time I sparred with him, he was able to tap into it. Although it still seems like a last resort technique." The gray warrior smiled. "Honestly, anything's possible in this Tournament with how the rules are set up. Considering how small that stage is, it could be difficult to gain any actual ground."
Dyspo nodded. "I never thought of it that way… Hey, maybe I'll actually have a chance in my match now." The long eared being chuckled.
Jiren also snickered at his friend's comment. "We'll see about that… I guess anything's possible." The warrior heard his fellow teammate laugh next to him. Ever since the last Tournament of Power, all Pride Troopers have been training almost non-stop.
Dyspo, being one of the weaker members of the group, felt as though he has something to prove. Although he was powerful in his own right, the purple warrior couldn't hold a candle to his friend, Jiren.
As the long eared man glanced around the waiting area, he noticed the pale warrior in the corner looking in their direction. Dyspo had the displeasure of meeting him on an occasion or two. There weren't many reasons for the Pride Troopers to be visiting other Universes. However, when Justice calls, they're the first ones to answer!
In this particular instance, Dyspo, Top, and Jiren were asked to aid in the finding of a tyrant. This man was trafficking planets and selling them to the highest bidder. The people of these worlds were treated as slaves for the cause. If it wouldn't of been Belmod who asked the favor, the trio would've quickly said no. Although it was something that didn't sit well with any of the members of the Pride Troopers, they knew the people of Universe Twelve needed their help!
That was the first day that Jiren, Top, and Dyspo learned about the mighty warrior Sinthe. .
"I think that weird dude is looking at you again, Jiren." Dyspo mentioned without turning his head. The purple warrior didn't want to alert anyone else to this.
"He hasn't taken his eyes off of me since Goku's fight started." The gray man sighed.
"Jiren." Sinthe's voice was deep, it nearly vibrated across the waiting area. He noticed the gray warrior look in his direction. He gestured for the warrior to sit beside him. Sinthe had many questions about the fighters from the other Universe. He needed to know more about each of them.
Gine told Sinthe of this Saiyan warrior from the Tournament of Power who was able to achieve what the Gods call 'Autonomous Ultra Instinct'. Ever since that day, his
After observing Jiren speaking to the orange clad fighter, he thought it would be his best way to get the information he desired.
The gray warrior felt Sinthe's eyes on him before he heard his voice. Jiren sighed, knowing he more than likely wanted to talk about Goku. Standing from his seat next to Top, the warrior made his way over to the pale man in the corner. Jiren sat down close to Sinthe, glancing at him. "Do you need something?"
"Why are you so short with me?" The edges of Sinthe's lips turned up into a smirk. "I only want to ask a few questions."
Although his aura wasn't menacing in any way, Jiren knows how the man can be; willing to cause chaos on a whim, for his own pleasure. Taking a deep breath, the gray warrior leaned back against the cold concrete wall. "Okay, shoot."
"I noticed you speaking to the man in orange-"
"His name is Goku." Jiren answered curtly.
Sinthe's grin only widened. "Okay… I saw you talking to 'Goku' earlier… I just assumed the two of you knew each other."
The gray warrior shrugged. "I don't know him well. I only met him during the last Tournament of Power."
"Did he approach the Omni King's back then as well?" The pale man's brow raised as he turned to look at Jiren. He leaned forward so that his elbows and forearms rested on his thighs.
"I'm not sure." The gray warrior answered honestly. "When we first arrived, the Omni Kings were already seated in their area. They were excited for the whole thing to start. Once we were eliminated from the Tournament, our Universe was obliterated. I'm not sure how much time passes, and I reappear back on my home planet. Almost like the entire thing had been a dream."
Sinthe's eyes widened. "That must've been an experience."
Jiren chuckled as his arms crossed over his chest. "It definitely was. However, before we passed on, Goku said something that stuck with me. 'I hope to see you again someday..'"
"So…. He wished for all of the Universes to be brought back?"
"He fell out of bounds and was in the bleachers with me. Whomever was still on the platform won the Super Dragon Balls. I believe it was an Android of some kind. He must've been the one to wish everyone back. Although, i specifically remember the Android mentioning wanting a vacation for his family with said wish. It could be Goku had an influence on him."
"Do you think he could take you in a one on one fight?"
Jiren thought about the question for a moment. "The thing about Goku is that he may look simple, and even naive at times. But, he's just as unpredictable, filled with a resiviore of power that comes from the trust of his friends and family. I've never seen anything like it."
"Hmm." The pale warrior had a distant look in his eyes, as though he were lost in thought.
"My Lord, you've returned." Abi and Sinthe bowed in front of the Destroyer from the Twelfth Universe. Gine was coming back from the first Tournament of Power. He and Martinu had the pleasure of getting to watch the fight, without having to participate.
Instead of answering, Giin walked down the hallway and passed the duo. Sinthe raised a brow, wondering what that was about.
"Sorry about that, dear." Martinu smiled as she walked up to them. "Did you get all of the chores finished while we were gone?"
Abi nodded with a grin. "Of course!"
"Wonderful. Maybe that'll keep him in a decent mood." The Attendant sighed heavily.
"Did something happen at the Tournament of Power?" Sinthe questioned. "Did someone other than Universe Eleven win?"
The Attendant was silent for a moment, unsure of what to exactly say. "The winner of the Tournament was actually Universe Seven."
"What?" Abi looked towards the Deity with wide eyes.
"Really?" The pale man raised a brow. He was skeptical that any Universe with a low mortal level could defeat the mighty Pride Troopers. Seeing them in action on an occasion or two, Sinthe knew they were a force to be reckoned with. It was unfathomable to the warrior that Jiren could be defeated.
"It's true." Martinu smiled. "Jiren was taken out of the ring by two warriors, after he was given a good beating by a man in orange." The Attendant became lost in thought, unable to get the image of Goku's transformation out of her mind. "He was able to use Autonomous Ultra Instinct, something I've never seen any mortal grasp before."
"From the sounds of it, the Tournament was the first time he's ever tapped into that power. According to Lord Beerus and Whis, they thought the Saiyan was years away from learning the technique." Martinu mentioned.
Sinthe looked at the Attendant with a shocked expression. Did that mean this man was stronger than him? No mortal has ever achieved Ultra Instinct. It's a technique thought to only be achieved by the Deities. This mortal named Goku was able to do it in the span of forty-eight minutes?
"I don't think you have anything to worry about, sweetheart. You're the strongest in the Cosmos!" Abi placed a hand on her partner's shoulder, attempting to soothe him.
"SINTHE! MARTINU! GET IN HERE! WE'RE GOING TO TRAIN!" Giin called from the other room.
"Oh dear… Here we go." The Attendant sighed, gesturing for the pale man to follow her.
"Why do you want to know so much about him?" Jiren questioned, pulling the man next to him out of his daydream.
"Martinu's spoken about the Omni Kings on several occasions. They made the Deities seem like these all powerful beings that should be feared. Someone no mortal should even be near. On the other hand, I witnessed three mortals appear with the Deities today. This tells me that they must know each other quite well."
"I'm not sure exactly what Goku's relationship is with the Omni Kings." The gray warrior shrugged.
"Come on.." Sinthe looked towards Jiren. "You gotta know something."
Shaking his head, the man sighed. "If that's all, I'll be going."
"Always giving people the cold shoulder." The pale warrior shook his head. "At least tell me what his power is like? I heard he used Ultra Instinct during his fight with you."
"That was the only thing that gave him a chance." The gray man chuckled to himself. "Beforehand, his power didn't hold a candle to mine. After he obtained that power, he was nearly unstoppable."
"Nearly?"
"Something happened right before he was about to deliver the final blow." Jiren's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure. It was like something inside of him snapped, and his transformation disappeared. His other two teammates had to pick up the slack until he could gain the strength to stand again. If that wouldn't of happened, he would've finished me with that blow."
"Hmm." Sinthe contemplated. "Who are the people on his team?"
'The man that was eliminated was named Vegeta. The other one in orange is his oldest son, Gohan, I believe."
"And the woman?"
"That is Goku's recent partner." Jiren glanced to his right, looking at Sinthe. "She's the biological mother to his youngest son."
"Hmm.." The pale man nodded. It was possible that this 'Goku' wasn't the man he was looking for. Neither warrior spoke for some time, each lost in their own thoughts.
Jiren was the one to break the few moments of silence. "Since I've been so generous with this information, I have a question of my own."
"I guess it's only fair." Sinthe shrugged his shoulders. "What do you need to know?"
"That Prophecy you mentioned before…" Jiren paused, choosing his words carefully. "What is its significance to you? I don't know you well, but you don't take me for the type to get along with children, especially four of them."
It was quiet between the two of them for a moment. "My partner really wants a child. However, the two of us are unable to bear our own."
Jiren's brow raised in suspicion. "And?"
"Well… If those are supposed to be the strongest children in the Cosmos. I want her to have the best."
The gray warrior couldn't believe what the man was insinuating. "You would just take the children from their parents?"
"Not all of them. What am I, a monster?" Sinthe chuckles. "I would simply take one."
"And you expect them to be okay with that?" Jiren's eyes were wide.
"Of course." The pale warrior shrugged. "Who wouldn't want their child to be with the strongest couple in the Cosmos? It's no different than sending your Flesh and blood to the best boarding school. Parents want what's best for their kids, right"
The gray warrior felt the blood in his veins turn to ice the moment he realized the man's plan. Jiren could never imagine taking someone's partner, let alone their child! The thought alone was asinine. It chilled the gray warrior to the bone that Sinthe thought it would be no big deal. How did he see human life? Did he value it? Or was it something to play with?
"Know anything about the two I'm about to face?" The pale man crossed his arms over his chest.
Jiren shrugged. "I've never battled against Goku's son. The other warrior may give you a run for your money, if he's done any training over the last couple of years."
Suddenly, the crowd outside erupted in cheers and screams. Both warriors stood to get a better view of the stage. Jiren smirked, seeing the orange-clad warrior still on the arena floor. Top could be seen in the crowd with Belmod and Marcarita.
"Looks like I may get my chance to fight him after all." Sinthe chuckled in amusement.
"You'll have to get through me first." Jiren had a smirk on his face, but his tone was serious.
Chapter 37: Short Lived Round
Chapter Text
“Goku won his first match!!” Zeni clapped excitedly.
“Now we’ll get to watch him battle his partner!!”
“This is SO exciting!!”
“Very exciting!!”
The Omni Kings were on the edge of their seats after the last round. They tend to get extra amped up whenever Goku or anyone from Universe Seven is in the throes of battle. In truth, the two Deities had grown rather attached to the orange clad Saiyan.
Whenever he is around, Zeni and Zeno seem to always have a great time, filled with loads of entertainment. Remembering the first day they met, the Omni King of this Universe recalled it was the first time they’d been around mortals in several millennia! The little blue Deity was shocked by Goku’s kind nature. After witnessing the mortal battle with an insane amount of power, Zeni imagined the man to be intolerable.
Instead, the Saiyan was intriguing to Deities all over the Cosmos. While the Omni Kings like their playdates, other Universes are curious about his use of Autonomous Ultra Instinct. Ever since the first Tournament of Power, many of the Destroyers and Attendants have been whispering about it, wondering if it would make a second appearance.
Several were afraid the mortal would master the technique of the Gods.
“Sires.” The Grand Minister turned towards the Omni Kings. “The next round should be starting any minute. Goku’s son will be fighting.”
Zeni gasped, both of his hands going to his cheeks. “I almost forgot!”
“Me too!!!” Zeno smiled excitedly, before his face fell in realization. “Oh no…”
“What??” Their companion asks curiously.
“Goku’s son has to fight two people that are really strong!!” Zeno explained. “He’s going up against the man that blew up the machine!”
The Omni King’s jaw fell slack in shock, nearly forgetting that happened hours before. “I wonder who that guy is…”
“Grand Minister, do you know?”
“I’ve asked Martinu a few questions about our contestant from the Twelfth.” The High Priest confirmed. “He’s been training to be next in line for Destroyer for some time. He doesn’t really speak about his time on his home planet. Sinthe and his partner Abi have been living on the Destroyer’s world for decades now.”
“Winner, please make your way back to the waiting area to rest for your next fight!” The Announcer yelled from the stage. This alerted everyone that the next match was about to begin.
Videl could feel her hands begin to shake. This entire time, she’d been dreading this particular match. She wished more than anything that Gohan would’ve gotten matched up with other opponents. Hit of the Sixth Universe was a Powerhouse on his own. After the mother watched Goku struggle and ‘lose’ in a fight with him, Videl knew that Gohan was going to have a hard time.
On top of that, a third contender was going to also be in the ring.
“Lets make some noise for the third round of battles folks!!” The Announcer mentioned excitedly from the stage. A roar erupted from the stands, occasional spectators would scream and holler.
“He’s going to be okay.” A warm hand squeezed the young woman’s fist. The bluenette smiled at her friend, attempting her best to reassure her. “Gohan is an amazing fighter. Even if he doesn’t win this round. He’s going to gain some valuable knowledge and learn from this experience.
“Like what?”
“Who knows?” Bulma chuckled. “It could be something as simple as a hand motion, to a whole new transformation! Something I’ve learned over the years is to never underestimate a Saiyan!”
“If nothing else, he’ll possibly expose some weak points in his technique.” Vegeta mentions from the other side of Bulma. “One thing that half-Saiyan is good at is finding a flaw and exploiting it. It’ll be helpful to Kakarot, or anyone else who fights this monster.”
“Hn.” Piccolo nodded in agreement, observing the other two contestants on the arena floor.
“Fighters! Make your way to the stage!” The Announcer hollered into his microphone.
The pale warrior glanced up, watching as Goku walked back into the waiting area. It was hard to believe someone like him was able to defeat Jiren the Grey. While Sinthe hasn’t observed him in battle many times, tales of his heroic might have traveled to his Universe.
This mortal was able to harness the power of the Gods? I don’t believe it. The man thought to himself, scoffing as he stood up. As he did, many people in the room looked in his direction before quickly turning away. Sinthe watched as the younger man in orange also got up from his seat. I wonder how much his father taught him in martial arts.. This could be a good practice run.
Out of the corner of his eye, the pale warrior also noticed his other opponent standing. This is the one I need to watch out for. The Assassin from the Sixth Universe. He uses that ‘Time Skip’ technique.
“The next round is about to begin! Can I please have the next round of fighters on the stage!”
Sinthe walked past the rest of the contestants, many of them rushing out of his walking path. As he made his way onto the platform, the pale warrior glanced into the crowd. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he noticed his partner waving at him. Sinthe gave her a nod, acknowledging Abi. He watched as she blew him a few kisses while he took the stage. The other two contestants weren’t far behind him.
The pale warrior could sense the anxiousness radiating from the youngest on the platform. The young man couldn’t be more than thirty years old. Sinthe took a deep breath, sighing. This kid looked too nervous to actually do any damage. Was he going to have to bring the fight out of him?
“Fighters ready?”
All three men nodded towards the Announcer, the Null Realm becoming tense. The beginning of every match has previously had its fair share of tension. However, with two major competitors in the ring, everyone was on the edge of their seats.
Looking between each fighter, the small man raised his hand before bringing it down quickly. “Begin!!”
Sensing a presence next to him, Sinthe quickly moved. The warrior narrowly avoided a strike by the famous Assassin. One of the great things about having a partner that is so quiet, is that the pale warrior was used to feeling for energies, instead of sounds. Even if someone’s coming from a different dimension, the way they re-enter this one left a specific feeling in the air. Sinthe was able to pick up on it at a moment's notice and get out of the way.
As he turned, the pale warrior could see a miniscule opening in Hit’s defenses. Sinthe attempted to exploit it, but was stopped by the third wheel in the group. He quickly smacked Gohan away, effectively putting him into a crater in the ground.
There were several gasps from the crowd, however Sinthe paid it no mind. Looking around him, the pale warrior noticed the Assassin was nowhere to be found.
“Gotcha!” Hit was behind his opponent, a hefty energy blast in his hands.
Sinthe raised a brow as he quickly swatted the opposing orb away, causing it to fly into the sky and burst. The noise and shockwave felt like sticks of dynamite going off. Grinning towards the Assassin of the Sixth, the pale warrior nodded in his direction. “Not bad.”
The purple warrior felt the corner of his mouth turn up into a half-smile. However, it was short lived. The orange clad half-Saiyan began interrupting their brawl once again. This time, Hit was the one to take over the fight. The warrior of the Twelfth observed their little spar for a moment, deciding to take it as an opportunity to learn.
“What is he doing??” Zeni questioned, looking at his companion.
“I think he’s watching the two of them fight!”
“But why? Shouldn’t he be fighting too?”
Zeno wasn’t sure how to answer that question. He glanced in the High Priest’s direction. “Excuse me, Grand Minister, why aren’t they all fighting?”
“I think it’s part of his strategy, Your Majesty.” The Deity grinned. “He wishes to see what his other two competitors are capable of. I don’t think it’ll be much longer before he joins in once again.”
The two Omni Kings excitedly kick their legs back and forth in their chairs. Each of them was ready for the real entertainment to begin. They were aware of the kind of warriors that were in this battle to begin with, nearly every one of them from the top ten contestants in the first Tournament of Power. Gohan and Caulifla were the two ‘underdogs’ coming in to this battle.
“Do you think Goku’s son can win?” Zeno inquired, glancing towards the Grand Minister.
“Anything’s possible in a Tournament like this, sires.” The High Priest smiled. “With the rules set in place, it could be hard to fight within the parameters of the small ring. We’ll just need to watch the battle and see what happens.”
The Kings of the Cosmos quickly turn their attention to the fight at hand, seeing much had changed on the battlefield. Sinthe was once again fighting Hit the Assassin. Gohan was nowhere to be seen at the moment.
“Do you see him?” Zeni asked, concerned for the half-Saiyan.
Zeno shook his head as he glanced carefully around the platform. The little blue Deity carefully observed the entire area. It took several minutes for them to locate him, but finally Zeno was able to see the half-Saiyan climbing out of a pile of rubble.
“He’s over there!” The Omni King pointed out to his companion happily.
Gohan panted as he sat on the piece of rock. While he knew this battle was going to be an uphill battle, it’s clear to the warrior that he is outmatched in this Tournament. However, the half-Saiyan wanted to stay in the fight as long as he could. The more information he can get on their fighting styles will help him in the long run!
“You can do this, Gohan!!!!” A familiar voice came from behind him. The half-Saiyan turned around, seeing his father waving at him with a proud smile on his face. “Show them what you’re made of!”
Taking a few deep breaths, the young warrior centered himself. He was useless if he continued to allow his mind to race with possibilities. There had to be some way to integrate himself into the fight above him.
As if the duo read his mind, they began shooting energy blasts towards the stage floor. This forced Gohan to move around so he didn’t get hit. They never said it was going to be easy… The half-Saiyan easily dodged the ki blasts that were coming at him. However, finding an opening was proving to be more difficult than he imagined.
Got it! The youngest warrior thought as he pushed off the Arena floor, propelling himself into the air. Seeing the perfect opportunity, Gohan shot a few blasts into the fray. This caused Hit and Sinthe to separate for a moment. It was long enough to launch a powerful attack!
“Kamehameha!!!!” The warrior yelled, hitting the pale man center mass.
Instead of damage, Sinthe was completely unscathed once the dust settled. A smirk was on his face as he popped his neck on both sides. “You’re going to have to try a lot harder than that, little man.”
The pale warrior reached out, swatting the half-Saiyan away with the back of his hand. Although Sinthe didn’t mean to hit him that hard, it was enough to knock out the warrior in orange. Gohan flew out of the ring without another movement.
Reappearing in the stands, all of his friends and family immediately rushed to his aid. Thankfully, the team brought Senzu Beans for just this occasion. Videl climbed over the seats with ease, reaching her partner as fast as she could.
“Gohan!!!”HIs wife screamed, waiting frantically for Bulma to get the life saving medicine. Videl took it from her hands and placed it in her mouth, chewing it before he leaned over her husband.
“My baby!!!” Chi-Chi felt tears immediately begin to sting her eyes. It’d been an eternity since the older woman had to worry about any of her kids being in a Tournament where they wouldn’t exceed. Being part Saiyan gave each of them a distinct advantage in battles on Earth.
However, this Tournament was completely different.
“Is he dead?!?!” Jean gasped loudly, her hands shaking in fear.
After a few moments, Gohan coughed and immediately shot up from his seat. Videl, Bulma, and Vegeta had to force him to sit back down.
“You’re in the bleachers, sweetheart.” Videl wrapped her arms tightly around her husband. “I was so worried about you!”
Meanwhile on the stage, an intense battle was still taking place.
Hit the Assassin was struggling against Sinthe from the Twelfth. Although his Time Skip Technique had been improved almost one-hundred times, it wasn’t proving to be effective.
The pale warrior’s face almost looked bored with the entire situation. Sinthe brought the fight down to the stage once again. They began to quickly move around the square at an incredible pace.
This little game went on long enough that Hit was beginning to wonder exactly what was going on. It wasn’t like this man to play games. Before this, it seemed as though they were engaged in a serious battle. The purple warrior glanced up, seeing that the other man had a smirk on his face.
Sinthe was able to catch the Assassin on the edge. His foot side swiped Hit’s, causing his foot to fall off the edge. In an attempt to catch himself, Hit used a blast to propel himself back onto the stage. However, the warrior of the Twelfth was one step ahead of the Assassin. Sinthe quickly used his own energy blast, forcing Hit out of the ring.
“WHAAAAAAAT?!?!” Champa screamed in despair. Both of his hands were on either side of his face, in complete shock that his top fighter was reduced to the bench in mere minutes.
Chapter 38: Let the Semi-Finals Begin: Goku vs. Ellery
Chapter Text
Zeni and Zeno were still in complete shock over the battle with Hit the Assassin and Sinthe from Universe Twelve. So much so, that both Deities hardly paid attention in the next match. During the first Tournament of Power, the only rival Hit seemed to have was Jiren of Universe Eleven.
Each of them in awe with how quickly the third match transpired, they conversed with each other through the entire next battle.
Jiren and Dyspo's fight was a little theatrical to say the least. Each of them playing it up for the Omni Kings, knowing this whole Tournament was for their enjoyment. Since Dyspo already knew the situation, he didn't want to get in the way of Jiren moving on to the next round. Even though the winner was predetermined, the two warriors tried to still make the fight entertaining.
It was too bad the little blue guys didn't witness it.
After a small break, the Announcer hollered for the start of the Semi-finals. This pulled Zeni and Zeno out of their own world.
"Goku's going to be fighting his partner!"
"This fight is going to be exciting!"
"Super exciting!"
The Grand Minister chuckled, glad to see the Omni Kings out of their day dream and back at the Tournament. It'd be a shame if the two of them spent a majority of the battles daydreaming. "Yes, this is one of the matches you've been eager to watch."
"Of course! Goku's awesome."
"Super duper awesome!"
Nodding towards the Deities, the High Priest smiled. "Yes, he's super duper awesome indeed. I wonder just how much Goku taught his partner about martial arts. This should be interesting to watch."
Meanwhile, the two Saiyans were getting ready for their upcoming battle in the waiting area. Being the only two contestants left from Universe Seven made this battle difficult. With each person competing for the Super Dragon Balls, having more contestants on your team could increase your odds for a beneficial wish.
The orange clad Saiyan grinned as he stood up, looking towards his partner. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Ellery chuckled while the two of them started walking along the path leading to the stage. While the young woman knew she had nothing to actually worry about, butterflies still began fluttering in her stomach. Any sort of battle gave her this feeling, especially one in front of other people. The Saiyan woman wasn't much of a crowd person.
"Beings of the Cosmos, please make some noise for the start of the semi-finals! The first battle is between contestant Goku of Universe Seven vs. contestant Ellery, also of Universe Seven."
Everyone began to scream and cheer happily, especially the crowd from Universe Seven. Like Universe Eleven and Six, they had multiple contestants make it to the first round of battles.
This is no different than the two of us sparring at home. Ellery heard the voice of her partner in her mind. His signature goofy chuckle followed his statement. The Saiyan woman chuckled and shook her head as she began to stretch on the platform.
It's quite a bit different, but I appreciate you trying to keep me calm.
How is it different?
Ellery couldn't help but laugh aloud. Sometimes her partner could be so dense. There's hundreds of people here, Kakarot! That's the first thing. Secondly, when we're in the backyard, we don't have all of these rules.
A chuckle could be heard inside the Saiyan's minds. Goku had a lighthearted grin on his face as he walked over to his partner. He began to rub her shoulders soothingly. You're right, there are a lot of rules. But there's one thing that isn't changing. This is just for fun, Princess. Zeni and Zeno want a hell of a fight, and I plan on giving it to them.
When you put it that way, I guess it doesn't sound as bad. Ellery rolled her neck, allowing the bones there to realign. Several popping noises could be heard. The Saiyan woman thanked her partner before she walked towards the opposite end of the stage.
The Announcer walked between the two contestants. "Fighters ready?"
Goku and Ellery nod while maintaining eye contact with each other. The orange clad Saiyan had a crooked grin on his features. "You'd better not hold back on me."
"Same goes for you, Kakarot." The young woman could feel the blood rushing through her veins. The adrenaline mixing with it caused her to feel extra pumped for the upcoming match.
Tarro looked down at the stage, his face looking confused for a moment. As the baby Saiyan glanced around him, he noticed his mother and father were not in the stands. Slowly, more and more of his family were joining them in the bleachers. However, Ellery and Goku still had at least one match to go.
"Mama?" Reaching forward, the little Saiyan attempted to get out of Bulma's grasp once again.
"Hey little man!" The bluenette smiled, making sure to have a good grip on him. "You gotta stay up here. Mommy and Daddy are about to start their battle!"
"Hn" Vegeta piped in from the left side of his wife. "It'll be interesting to see if Ellery's stronger than Kakarot." The Prince chuckled to himself.
"Do you really think she could beat Goku?" Videl questioned. "I was shocked enough that she knocked you out of the ring, Vegeta."
"That's what makes Tournaments like this dangerous." Gohan mentioned from beside her. "Everyone has an advantage with a space that small."
"COME ON ELLERY!" Vegeta began screaming at the top of his lungs. "Show Kakarot how to fight like a true Saiyan!"
The young woman on the platform couldn't help but grin towards her brother in the stands. She would love to watch Vegeta fight her partner more than fight this battle. However, she was also honored to actually beat him in a Tournament setting.
Could she do the same with her mate?
"BEGIN!" The Announcer yelled. For a moment, no one moved on the platform. Goku and Ellery were staring at each other, each having a smirk on their features. The crowd was brought to an uncomfortable silence. Whispers began amongst the patrons in the bleachers.
"Why are they just standing there?" Jean looked at Chi-Chi, a curious look on her face.
"I-I'm not sure." The older woman couldn't take her eyes away from the scene in front of her. "Normally Goku hops right into a fight, especially one against someone he's comfortable with."
"MAMA!" Tarro began yelling once again, throwing his little hands in the air. It looked like the baby Saiyan was cheering for Ellery. After countless times of watching his parents battle from the safety of their home, Tarro was curious to see how this one played out.
"YAAAAAAA MAMA!"
Getting more confused by the second, the little green referee raises his hands in the air and begins to wave. "Hello?! I said, "begin!""
Minutes passed, and still neither Saiyan moved a muscle. Everyone was completely silent, waiting for something, anything to happen. Both contestants had grins spanning from ear to ear.
"What are they doing, Grand Minister?" Zeni questioned.
"I'd say they were communicating with each other." The Deity looked down on the couple in curiosity.
Finally, Ellery decided to bring their conversation out into the open. "How do I know you're going to take this fight seriously? You're still in your base form." the young woman mentioned, gesturing towards her mate's black hair.
Goku gave a half-hearted laugh, looking more like a burst of air coming out of his nostrils. "I could say the same for you. Why don't you show me how serious you want this fight to be."
The Saiyan woman snickered before taking a deep breath. Was her partner going to use Ultra Instinct during their battle? While she hasn't witnessed the form in some time, Ellery knew that power was still inside him.
"Haaaaaaa!" The warrior powered up, her ebony hair turning to a beautiful bluish green color. Her eyes matched her hair in a brilliant fashion. Super Saiyan Blue looked amazing on her.
"Woah!" Zeni gasped.
"Double woah!" Zeno looked at his companion in surprise. "Ellery can transform! Just like Goku!"
The Saiyan with spiked hair nodded, seeming impressed with her transformation. If he was honest, the warrior was a little shocked that his partner decided to use that much power at the beginning of a fight.
However, he was also a man of his word. Powering up to Super Saiyan Blue as well, Goku looked at Ellery with a grin. The warrior leaned back on his left foot, getting into his fighting stance.
The Saiyan woman chuckled, taking her partner's lead. "I'm ready when you are."
"Gimme your best shot." Goku gestured for Ellery to give him everything she had. The warrior needed to see how serious his partner wanted to take this fight.
Within an instant, Ellery is right in the Saiyan's face. The young woman threw several punches, all of which her partner skillfully dodged. Goku caught her fist in his each time. The Saiyan woman became increasingly more frustrated, thinking of ways to outwit the man in front of her.
In the blink of an eye, Goku had disappeared from his position. Ellery quickly looked around, seeing that he'd used his Instant Transmission to move around the stage. Taking a moment to sense her partner's energy, the Saiyan woman quickly took action once she noticed the pattern.
The Saiyan reappeared in a certain spot, and Ellery was ready for him. The young woman shot an energy blast into his abdomen, enough to knock him backwards.
"Woah!" Goku stumbled, even flipping a couple of times to gain his balance back. Once he was standing again, the Saiyan grinned at his partner. She really caught him by surprise!
The Saiyan woman wasn't finished either. Coming in for another assault, the two continued their dance. For several minutes, Goku and Ellery spent their time attempting to find the others weak spots. There was one issue however, with both of them so attuned to each other it was almost impossible.
The orange clad warrior couldn't believe how difficult this was turning out to be. Ellery was keeping him completely occupied with defense. The Saiyan couldn't throw her off without causing himself to get hit. It was becoming increasingly frustrating for Goku. The warrior couldn't remember having this much trouble attempting to land a punch with an opponent. His partner was an exceptional fighter. However, Goku was sure that in terms of brute strength, he was the clear winner.
"MAMA! DADA!" Tarro began cheering from the stands. The baby Saiyan was loud enough that both of his parents heard him yelling. "YAAAAAAA!"
Taking a moment to get some distance from Ellery, the warrior decided to put his plan into action. Goku looked in his partner's direction as he got into his signature stance. "Kamehame-
The Saiyan woman heard her opponent begin his attack. She got into position as she did the same. Ellery wasn't sure what his plan was. However, the young woman also knew she still had some power left. She'd gained back most of her strength that she lost in her first match.
Although, fighting her partner was proving to be harder than she originally thought. When the two spar at home neither of them are thinking about who is getting the upper hand. Instead it becomes about assisting each other in honing their specific techniques.
Ellery has never been against Goku in a setting where there was a winner and loser. This was an entirely new side of him that she was getting to witness. It intrigued her. Ellery wanted to give him a hell of a fight more than anything!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! The warrior yelled, a flash of blue light coming from his palms.
The Saiyan woman retaliated with a blast of her own, a purple light emitting from Ellery.
Minutes passed, and neither contestant seemed to be making any progress.
Each of the Saiyans began using their extra reserves of power. Goku was tapping into his Kaioken Technique, while Ellery tried doing everything she could to sway the odds in her favor. The pure heat and pressure of the energy surrounding her caused the Saiyan woman to step backwards.
This isn't it! I've still got some fight left in me! The young woman thought as she yelled. Her muscles were screaming in pain from the amount of stress she was putting them through. Another step backwards caused Ellery to stumble, feeling the edge of the stage.
That amount of imbalance was enough to cause her to slip off of the platform. Goku's energy blast immediately stopped, causing the Saiyan woman's ki to blow him away into a pile of rubble.
Ellery reappeared in the bleachers. She gasped in surprised while she looked around, seeing her friends and family. Tarro immediately reached for her, practically flying out of Bulma's arms. The young mother smiled happily at her little one, taking him into her arms.
"Mama Mama!" The baby Saiyan giggled.
"How's my little warrior?" Ellery began to tickle his stomach, making him screech and laugh. "Were you good for Aunty Bulma?"
Looking around the arena, the Announcer sees the final contestant standing from the rubble. The green man clapped in congratulations towards the Saiyan. "There you have it, beings of the Cosmos! The first contestant to reach the finals is Universe Seven's Goku!"
The orange clad warrior glanced in the direction of the bleachers, seeing his friends and family all cheering for him. Rubbing the back of his head, Goku chuckled as he waved at everyone in the stands. Although his second battle was finished, the hardest one had yet to begin.
Goku turned on his heel, walking back to the waiting area. The other two contestants were already on their way out. Sinthe and Jiren both give the Saiyan a nod as they walk around him. Their aura gave the warrior a chill, causing his stomach to turn.
I wonder who is going to win their match?... Goku contemplated as he stepped into the waiting area, delving into his own mind for some meditation.
Chapter 39: Alone in the Waiting Area
Notes:
AN: Being alone in your thoughts can be scary. This wasn't something the orange clad Saiyan had a lot of experience with. OOC Goku moment.
Chapter Text
"Everyone put your hands together for the second round of the Semi-Finals!" The Announcer hollered. "We have Sinthe of the Twelfth, versus Jiren of the Eleventh!"
As the two contestants made their way to the platform, they both had their arms crossed, not looking in each other's direction. There were cheers from their respective Universes, but everyone else was fighting the tense vibe that coated the air.
"WOOO! Let's go baby!" Abi screamed from her seat next to the Destroyer and Attendant of the Twelfth. "You can do this!"
Ellery glanced in her direction, getting a chill as the two of them made eye contact. Suddenly, the young mother felt uneasy, her veins filling with ice. The Saiyan woman clung to her son, a need to protect him washed over her.
"Is she giving you the creeps too?" Bulma whispered from next to Ellery.
The Saiyan woman nodded, deciding to keep her eyes on the arena. If she could find a weakness in either of these fighters' abilities, it could help her partner win the final match. "I don't know what it is about her, but I feel uneasy about her presence."
"I think that's the partner of the Universe Twelve guy." Chi-Chi mentioned from behind the two of them. "She's been constantly cheering for him. She seems to be the only one to be doing so."
"Are the fighter's ready?" The Announcer yelled through the microphone.
Each warrior nodded, keeping their arms across their chests. Both contestants had blank looks on their faces, the ultimate poker face. Jiren could see that his opponent was going to take this fight seriously. This concerned the gray warrior, as he's never witnessed Sinthe's full power.
The Announcer allowed the tension in the Null Realm to become almost unbearable. He continued to glance between the two warriors. After what seemed like a lifetime, the man yelled. "BEGIN!"
The two fighters disappeared immediately. The only sight available to the audience were the flashes of their bodies colliding.
"Woah… They're fast.." Bulma stared.
"I can't keep track of their movements." Vegeta was awestruck. He knew that Jiren possessed an unbelievable amount of power. After witnessing Sinthe battle Gohan and Hit, the Prince was nearly convinced he was stronger than most of the Gods' of Destruction. Vegeta was unable to keep up with the battle that was above him. The bright lights and cracking noise were the only indication of activity.
"This is insane…" Ellery didn't know what to think. She'd never witnessed anyone as strong as the two of them. "The two of them are so powerful…"
"So is Kakarot." The Prince affirmed, patting his younger sister's shoulder. "He'll give the winner a run for his money."
The Saiyan woman nodded, smiling at her brother. She was thankful for the kind words, even if she knew he was lying. Goku was strong. However, both of these fighters are on another level. He would have to begin in Ultra Instinct to stand a chance…
"I wonder what the Omni Kings think…" Piccolo commented, his eyes looking towards their personal section of the seats.
"Hn." Lord Beerus grunted, sweat beginning to accumulate on his brow.
Ellery continued to watch the battle as best she could. It was difficult to keep up with. All the while, the young mother continued to worry about her partner. She could sense that he wasn't in the best place.
"WOAH!"
"DOUBLE WOAH!"
Zeni and Zeno were standing on the edge of the balcony, their GodPads thrown to the floor. The technology was once again lacking for the excitement of the actual battle taking place. No matter how much the Omni Kings messed with the settings, they were unable to see the moves.
"They're moving super fast!" Zeni giggled.
"Super duper fast!" Zeno agreed.
The Kings of Everything were enamored with these two fighters. After witnessing Jiren's fight in the Tournament of Power, the two of them thought him to be the strongest in the Universe. This was even confirmed when the gray warrior sparred with Goku in the Palace. Although the Saiyan did his best, he just didn't hold a candle to Jiren yet.
The new contestant from the Twelfth was even better than Jiren and Goku combined! Both Zeni and Zeno were anxious to see which of these men were going to move to the final round.
"Who do you think is gonna win?" Zeno looked at his companion. "I bet it'll be Jiren!"
"I think Sinthe will win!" Zeni grinned. "Goku will have a great time fighting him!"
A loud crack alerted all of the spectators. Each of them looked up to a blinding light, and both warriors landed back on the square platform.
Damn… This is going to be harder than I thought.. Jiren was panting as he wiped the sweat away from his face. Most of his uniform was already tattered. This man's power was unlike anything he'd experienced before. It's as if the gray warrior felt his muscles wanting to give out. Even though they'd been fighting for only minutes at most, Jiren felt as if he'd been through a days-long battle.
"You're not going to be able to stop me." Sinthe crossed his arms. "Just walk off the stage. Save yourself the embarrassment."
The gray warrior's eyes rolled. While he knew he was at a disadvantage, Jiren hated how cocky this man was acting. This is probably what he sounded like to everyone else, and the feeling made him sick to his stomach.
"I'm not done yet." Jiren ripped the tatters of his shirt off, letting it fall to the ground. "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Being the last one in the waiting area, the Saiyan warrior was thankful for the reprieve. With no one around, Goku was hoping to do some meditating. However, all his mind wanted to do was wander.
The cement was cold against Goku's arms. As the warrior laid on the floor of the waiting area, his mind went in several directions. While he knew he should be watching the match outside, the Saiyan couldn't bear to know the outcome. The way Goku saw it, his competitor in the finals didn't matter.. He was going to lose the match. Sinthe possessed a strength that Goku could only dream of achieving.
It took him nearly everything in his power to obtain Ultra Instinct. While the technique has given him a distinct advantage, it still has severe drawbacks. The moment Goku's body stops acting on his instincts, the transition back to his Saiyan power is extremely painful. The warrior thought back to his fight with Jiren. As he was gathering a ball of energy, his body was telling him to destroy him.
However, Goku also knew that would disqualify him. The fight between his instincts and actual thought instantaneously brought him out of the Technique of the Gods. From that moment, he was in agonizing pain. The Saiyan chose to power through the pain, needing the win. Their entire lives depended on it.
After the Tournament of Power, the Saiyan's next goal was to perfect the technique. After years of practice, and the starting of his new family, Goku's unfortunately not much farther than when he started. Each time, a split-second decision takes him out of the transformation. It was extremely frustrating.
His initial fight with Jiren was nothing close to a one on one match. In that Battle Royale, there were so many other people around, energy was spent attempting to survive the Tournament of Power. Goku had his teammates to thank for the win.
Without them, he was unsure that Universe Seven would've made it through. Although the warrior didn't want to admit it, Frieza was an extremely important asset during the Tournament.
A one on one battle with either of the opponent's left could result in a loss for Universe Seven.
The warrior took a deep breath, attempting to relax. Ultra Instinct is still my best bet against beating either of them. I'm just nervous to use it again. Every time I do, the come down gets worse… I don't know how much more my body can take.
On the bright side, this Tournament of Power was just for fun! Zeni and Zeno decided to bring all of the Universes together for a good natured battle. There shouldn't be any reason for anyone to lose their lives today. Although, that wasn't the only worry on Goku's mind.
What if they watch this battle, and don't want to play with me anymore…
The first time Goku met the Omni Kings, they were in the throes of a heated battle between Universe Six and Seven. The Saiyan wasn't exactly sure how long Zeni was observing. Ever since that day, Goku has been in contact with the King of Everything. The warrior knew one of the reasons the Omni King favors him. Goku's friendly and 'fun' demeanor have been the basis of their friendship. Not only that, he's the reason that Zeni has Zeno by his side.
Although Goku brought a lot of joy into the Omni King's life, he believes the little blue Deity could change his mind at any moment. A big part of their relationship grew once Zeni witnessed how strong Goku was. He was the first mortal to entertain him.
Now that they know stronger beings are out there, will Zeni and Zeno leave Goku behind?
The Saiyan warrior cherished the friendships he gained. He didn't want to lose them because he became boring to them.
...Kakarot?
Ellery's voice broke through his frenzy of thoughts. It wasn't like him to be so pessimistic before a match. Goku knew his partner could sense his anxieties, it was only natural with the bond they share. The Saiyan took a few deep breaths, focusing on his lungs filling with air before he exhaled.
Is everything okay?
I can't help but think this Tournament isn't going to go in my favor. Both of the fighters on the stage right now are much stronger than I am. Getting his fears out caused him to feel slightly relieved. The Saiyan hated feeling so helpless, especially to his partner.
How many times have you told me that it's not only strength that wins a match. You have to consider everything.
You're right. But, sometimes there's nothing you can do. When someone is monumentally stronger than you, brains won't be enough to bridge the gap. Gohan's the smartest person I know. If he wasn't able to outsmart him, there's no hope for me.
The room was silent for a few moments. Goku began to wonder if his partner was ever going to respond. Over the course of about thirty seconds, the Saiyan began to feel his anxieties wash away. Knowing it was Ellery's work made him smile. His partner was truly one of a kind.
Goku closed his eyes and began focusing on his breath, a technique the Saiyan woman taught him to do in situations he felt overwhelmed in. Once Goku felt the pace of his heart go back to a normal speed, he finally opened his eyes. The ceiling had a small skylight in it. Enough for the warrior to look into the vastness of the Null Realm.
I've always believed that you could conquer anything. You just ooze confidence. Ellery began, a small chuckle escaping her. It radiated off of you. Anyone around my Kakarot believed they could do whatever they put their minds to. That's why your friends and family trust you so much. They know you believe in them, and will do anything in your power to help them succeed.
The Saiyan woman paused, as if she were reflecting on what she just said. Sometimes we forget that even the strongest need encouragement. I love you, Kakarot. Now I want you to channel that Saiyan warrior energy! You're the first mortal in the Cosmos to use Autonomous Ultra Instinct! I know you have what it takes to persevere through the toughest of obstacles.
His partner's pep-talk rejuvenated the warrior. Goku felt as if he stood a chance in the battle ahead of him. Instead of sulking in the corner, the Saiyan got up from his seat. He walked towards the entrance of the waiting area, observing the fight.
The warrior's eyes popped open, his jaw dropping at the events taking place in front of him. Jiren's offense didn't seem to be enough to push back the pale warrior from the Twelfth. Goku witnessed his acquaintance make a simple mistake. Jiren's foot slipped as he was about to deliver a devastating blow.
However, Sinthe picked up on the man's imbalance. He pushed through the energy blast and knocked the gray warrior off of the platform. The force of the shove was enough to destroy that particular side of the platform. A cloud of dust erupted from the arena, rendering several unable to see.
Once the fog dissipated, Sinthe looked towards the other man on the platform. "I've knocked him off. Aren't you going to declare me the winner?"
"There you have it!" The Announcer screamed, his body trembling from pure fear. "Beings of the Cosmos, give it up for the winner of the Semi-Final round. Sinthe of the Twelfth Universe!"
Everyone in the bleachers were still in shock, barely following what happened.
"Wooo! Let's go baby! Only one more to go!" Abi grinned, clapping for her partner.
Chapter 40: The Final Round: Goku vs. Sinthe
Chapter Text
"Oh my God…" Chi-Chi and Jean commented simultaneously, their jaws slack in shock.
"Did he just…." Bulma couldn't finish her sentence, a shiver of pure horror taking over her.
"Their fight barely lasted five minutes.." Piccolo mentioned in shock.
The gray warrior appeared in front of Top, Dyspo, and Casserale. He looked as if all of the energy was drained from his body.
"Jiren!" The large armed man yelled. The other warriors were extremely concerned. Jiren could normally last through battles that lasted for weeks with minimal rest. What happened in that battle to exhaust him like this?
"Are you alright?" Belmod questioned, his brow raised in slight curiosity.
Jiren sat up slowly, coughing as he did so. His muscles ache worse than they have in years. However, the warrior shrugged it off the best he could, not wanting to appear weak in front of his peers.
"I'll be fine.." The gray warrior took a seat in the bleachers. His eyes never left the platform where Sinthe stood.
The Announcer waved his hands in excitement. "Woah! Beings of the Cosmos, we have the second contestant of the final round! Sinthe of the Twelfth Universe!"
Sparse applause was given for the warrior. Most of the noise came from Abi, the contestant's partner. The other spectators were in shock and awe. None of them have witnessed an invisible battle before.
The short man with a microphone glanced around the arena. He was used to stadiums blowing out his eardrums because they were so loud. The crowd at this event were acting like this was a funeral or something. Looking towards the square floor, the announcer observed that it was torn to shreds after the last battle.
"Uh…." The man glanced around. "We will need to take a short recess..."
The Grand Minister picked up on The Announcer's words, also noticing the arena wasn't fit for a battle. Getting right to action, the Angel lept from his position, falling several stories onto the floor below. The High Priest raised his arms, a greenish blue light emanated from them. Within minutes, the arena was fit for battle once more.
"Here it is everyone!" The announcer hollered across the Null Realm. "The moment we've been waiting for!"
The entire dimension was a buzz for the final round of this Tournament. A tension was in the air that made it extremely uncomfortable. Several of the Universes witnessed the first Tournament of Power. The epic battle between Universe Seven and Jiren was one for the record books. After witnessing the short round between Sinthe and the gray warrior, the audience is trying to wrap their head around just how strong this opponent is.
Now, with Jiren out of the competition, everyone looks to see if Goku will rise up and claim the top prize.
"Contestant Goku, please join us on the platform!" The short man with a microphone yelled. "The Final Round of the Tournament of Power is about to commence!"
The Saiyan in the orange gi slowly stepped out of the waiting area. As he made his way to the platform, the warrior could hear the cheers of his family and friends. Goku smiled, waving in their direction. Everything he did was for them, and the Saiyan wasn't about to let them down.
Once he was on the platform, the warrior began to stretch. This caught the attention of the other contestant on the arena floor.
"So, you're the infamous warrior that I've been hearing so much about." The pale warrior stood with his arms crossed, his guard completely up. "Ever since Giin and Martinu returned from witnessing the first Tournament of Power."
"Huh." The spiky haired warrior chuckled. However, there was no humor to his tone. "It's nice to know that word of my strength is spanning across the Multiverse."
"Hn." Sinthe gave a small nod. "I'm curious to see what your powers are like for myself. I've been waiting for this moment for some time."
"I could say the same thing." Goku continued to stretch. "Jiren's mentioned you… Something about a prophecy." The warrior shrugged, acting nonchalant. "Not the first time someone's came looking for me for that reason." The Saiyan gave a half-smile, reminiscing the first time he met Whis and Lord Beerus. "The Destroyer of our Universe came to my home planet, looking for a fighter he saw in a vision. A Super Saiyan God. I was able to tap into that power and spar with Lord Beerus. We fought so hard that he ended up taking a nap." Goku laughed, thinking back to that moment.
"You're supposed to be fighting him, not making small talk, you idiot!" The Destroyer of the Seventh screamed.
"Uh.." The Announcer rubbed the back of his head. Most of the contestants, if they weren't from the same Universe, just stared at each other and waited for him to yell 'begin!'. This was the first time they chose to converse. However, it didn't seem like a joyous conversation.
"Are the fighter's ready?"
"Heck yeah!" Goku yelled happily, while Sinthe gave a small nod. The pale warrior looked bored.
Immediately, the Saiyan transformed. His hair turned a stunning blue, as did his eyes.
This piqued Sinthe's interest. He raised his brow, even cracked a small half-smile. The pale warrior didn't know the being could transform. Perhaps he would be more formidable than he thought initially. "Hm, that's a neat little trick."
"I've got a few up my sleeve." Goku chuckled as he got into his fighting stance.
"BEGIN!"
Sinthe took the opportunity and made the first move. He was in front of the spiky haired warrior before he knew what hit him. The contestant from Universe Twelve delivered a crushing blow to his side.
The kick sent Goku flying. His body didn't recover like normal. The blow severely drained the warrior's energy. He grunted in pain, doubling over.
His opponent wasn't going to let him off the hook, delivering three more blows while the Saiyan wasn't looking. These sent him across the stone floor. Goku rolled, his body acting like dead weight. He nearly fell off of the platform.
"DADA NOOOO" The little warrior cried out. Tarro screamed as he reached towards the arena.
Ellery had to hold her son back, pulling him close. "He's going to be alright sweetie. Your Daddy is a strong warrior. Don't give up on him just yet."
"YOU CAN DO THIS, KAKAROT!" The Saiyan woman yelled, encouraging her partner.
Goku stood back up, hearing the cries of his family. The warrior spit the blood out of his mouth that began to pool. Looking towards his opponent, he realized that he was already drained. With each of Sinthe's punches, it was like Goku's energy was being thrown out of his body. Was the pale warrior absorbing it?
"I'm surprised you got back up." The pale warrior commented. He was honestly shocked when his first punch didn't knock him out of the ring.
"Man, they weren't joking when they said you were strong." The Saiyan laughed.
"I wish I could say the same." Sinthe raised a brow, not seeing how this competitor got into the competition in the first place. This was the man that dealt with Jiren? This plain mortal was able to befriend the most powerful beings in the Cosmos, the Omni Kings? The pale warrior found all of this very hard to believe.
"Yeah, you kinda caught me off guard." Goku coughed as he continued to chuckle spitting once again. Man… I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. His blows are taking everything out of me. If I have any chance of winning, I'm gonna have to use it… He thought to himself.
"That tends to happen a lot." The Saiyan warrior rubbed the back of his head as he chuckled.
"You're a strange man.." Sinthe glanced at the warrior, confused.
"So I've been told." Goku used his right hand to stretch his neck back and forth, causing it to pop. Closing his eyes, the spiky haired warrior took a deep breath. His mind was cluttered with thoughts, and he needed them to clear out as soon as possible.
"Are you just gonna stand there?" The pale man questioned, getting a little irritated at the competitors's demeanor. "I thought we were supposed to be fighting?"
The Saiyan took a deep breath, his eyes remaining shut. "You wanted to see just how strong I am, right? Well that kind of power up takes time."
Sithe rolled his eyes, growing even more frustrated with the competitor in front of him. The pale warrior has never needed a transformation. His own strength has always been enough. Countless enemies have used this same technique to no avail. However, Sinthe was curious about this specific change. If the warrior was tapping into Ultra Instinct, then perhaps it'd be a decent fight afterall.
It took Goku several moments to clear his head. When it finally happened the Saiyan opened his eyes, revealing his bright silver irises.
"HAAAAAAAAA!" The warrior sceamed as he powered up the rest of the way, his hair turning the same color as his eyes.
The pale contestant's brows raised in surprise. He didn't think the man had it in him after the first couple of hits. Getting into his fighting stance once again, Sinthe went for another attack.
This time, Goku was able to dodge him, but just barely.
The Saiyan quickly turned around, attacking for the first time this entire battle. Sinthe flew back, however, he was able to recover rapidly. The pale warrior darted quickly towards Goku. The spiky haired warrior saw it coming, having a blast already prepared.
"KamehamehAAAA!"
Sinthe flew through the energy blast as if it were nothing, landing his own punch right into Goku's somach. The Saiyan doubled over, coughing heavily before he placed two fingers to his forehead. This helped him narrowly avoid another attack.
After the last blow the pale warrior delivered, Goku's body didn't feel the same. It was hard to breathe, and his vision was going in and out of focus.
"How you were able to gain favor with the strongest beings in the Cosmos is beyond me. I guess you're not the strong warrior I was looking for. You're not even fit to use the power of the Gods."
Sinthe gathered a ball of energy. It was glowing bright orange. It disappeared while flying through the air. Once it reached its target, the entire ring began to shake as an explosion occured.
The devestating blow to the ring caused it to collapse on the west side. Dust and debris were thrown into the air, making it imposible to see the arena. Everyone was standing, looking around for the contestants.
"Goku?!"
"I don't see him!"
As the dust began to settle on the battlefield, everyone was looking around the arena. All the Universes were trying to find the orange clad warrior. Sinthe was on the main chunk of stage, the only real part of it that was left. Goku however, was nowhere to be found near the main stage.
"Do you see him?" Zeni was leaning over the railing, doing his best to look for his Saiyan friend.
"I still can't find him!"
The Grand Minister peered around the stage, extending his search to the bleachers. A look of shock appeared on his features. "I think I found him, sires." The Deity nodded towards Universe Seven's area.
All the spectators from Goku's Universe were speechless, witnessing him at the bottom of the bleachers. His battered body materialized there only moments ago.
"Goku lost?!" Zeni yelled, shocked at the results of the Tournament.
"I can't believe it!" Zeno was unable to look away from the stage, the large man standing there with his arms crossed.
"Kakarot!" Ellery yelled, climbing over the people in front of her to get to her partner. The Saiyan woman could feel his energy was depleted. His gi top and weighted top had been ripped to shreads, nothing was left of it. His normally baggy orange pants had been reduced to shorts, with pieces hanging out of his boots.
Armed with a senzu bean, the Saiyan woman quickly placed it in her own mouth, pre-chewing it for the warrior. As soon as she reached him, Goku's partner leaned down and helped administer the magic bean.
From the moment Goku materialized on the platform, Tarro was attempting to escape Gohan's hold. The baby Saiyan yelled as he reached for his father, calling out for him.
"Hey little guy, Dad's gonna be just fine." His oldest brother attempted to soothe him. However, Tarro wasn't having any of it. The little guy wriggled out of Gohan's grasp quickly, flying towards his father.
"Dada!" Flying towards Goku, Tarro landed on his chest.
It took a few moments for the Saiyan to regain consciousness. The Warrior felt a cold, hard surface below him. Someone was next to him, holding his head in their hands. As he came to, Goku realized it was his partner that was aiding him. He couldn't remember how he got into the bleachers. The last thing the warrior could recollect was their energy blast battle. Did he lose?
Goku winced in pain, his eyes slowly opening. The Saiyan looked around to see his friends and family surrounding him, a worried look on their faces. Seeing his youngest on his chest surprised Goku. The warrior sat up, holding Tarro. He glanced down, noticing both of his weighted gi tops were nowhere to be found. This only happened in cases that Goku used every ounce of his strength in battle. "Man… I can't believe it..."
"You were fantastic out there." Ellery ran her hand along Goku's back, attempting to soothe him. "I've never seen you fight so hard!"
The Saiyan peered over the bleachers, seeing the stage that was now reconstructed. The Grand Minister and Omni Kings were descending towards the champion. However, the warrior's mind continued to swim with thoughts of the fight.
Goku never believed that amount of strength was achievable. The man he just fought was probably stronger than all of the Gods of Destruction, even some angels. His mind was becoming consumed with thoughts of how to obtain that kind of power.
Chapter 41: Returning Home
Chapter Text
“Contestant Goku has been knocked out of the ring!!!” The Announcer screamed from the battlefield. “The winner is, Sinthe of the Twelfth Universe!!!”
Everyone that was able stood and clapped for the winner of the Tournament. Several Universes took this opportunity to teleport away from the Null Realm. There were no joyous shouts and cheers, except for Abi of course.
“Yaaaa!!! Way to go baby!!! I’m so proud of you!” Abi screamed happily.
Her presence caused the entire group of Universe Seven to jump. None of the humans realized she had been sitting a mere ten feet away from them. How long had the woman been sitting there?
This left an ominous energy in the air, making the spiky haired warrior feel strange. He was curious to see what Sinthe was going to wish for. He could feel his hands shaking. The Super Dragon Balls had the power to grant any wish the person desires. What could one of the strongest beings in the universe desire from the Dragon?
“Whis, the exciting part is over. Let’s go.” Lord Beerus demanded, a large yawn taking over his features. “Now that I’ve been disappointed by my two students, I’m ready to go back home and take a nap!”
“Right away, My Lord.” The Attendant chuckled, tapping his staff on the floor three times.
“Take us to my place, Whis!” Bulma declared, a bright smile on her features. “We’re going to celebrate a job well done. Even though we didn’t win. Every one of our warriors fought hard. I think we deserve a feast. I have one waiting for us back at home!”
The Attendant grinned, looking towards the purple cat next to him. “What do you think, My Lord? Would you like some Earth delicacies before your nap?”
Before Beerus could answer, his stomach decided to speak. A roar came from his stomach, along with a couple of others in the group.
“Will there be pudding??” the Destroyer questioned.
“Of course!” The bluenette giggled.
“Let’s get to Earth then, Whis. We can’t have this feast waiting for us!”
Once they landed on the Capsule Corp lawn, the group was met with the amazing smell of different foods. Bulma grinned, gesturing for everyone to the buffet. The kids ran quickly towards the tables. Piccolo and Vegeta assisted Goku, as he was still too weak to walk.
Even after eating one senzu bean, the Saiyan felt as if his energy was completely drained. Did he push his body too far?
“Damn you’re heavy.” Piccolo grumbled.
“If he would help it would make it easier.” The widow-peaked Saiyan rolled his eyes.
Tarro crawled from his father’s arms to Vegeta’s shoulder. The baby Saiyan clung to him, holding on tight. This surprised the Prince. Using one arm to assist Goku, he made sure his other arm was helping his nephew.
The two men carried the spiky haired Saiyan to a table and sat him in a chair. Once they did so, Vegeta and Piccolo made their way towards the food. Goku leaned forward, putting most of his weight on the table. The food smelled delicious. However, his body didn’t want to move.
Within minutes, a large plate that was piled high with goodies landed in front of the warrior. His eyes widened at the amount of food on the table. Goku immediately began to dig in, not bothering to thank the person that brought it to him until he was through the first layer.
“Wow… It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed you put away food like that.”
The familiar voice shocked him. The spiky haired warrior turned around, seeing his previous wife standing there. He assumed Ellery was the one to bring his plate. The Saiyan glanced at the buffet, seeing his partner in line, grabbing food for herself and their son. Tarro was still attached to Vegeta, who was trying to balance his plate along with a small child.
“Thanks for the food Chi-Chi..” Goku rubbed the back of his head. “I guess I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“Anything I can do to help.” The older woman smiled at her ex-husband before going to make her own plate.
The festivities quieted down much sooner than any other party. Without a win to celebrate, most of the patrons left after filling up on the feast. Vegeta and Ellery were chatting with Bulma at their table. Goten and Trunks were in the yard, sparring with each other.
“Well, I think I’m going to turn in early.” The bluenette yawned as she stretched. She noticed there were only a handful of guests left. Any of them that wanted to stay, knew they were more than welcome to do so. Bulma said her goodbyes to the table before she stood and walked into the house.
Ellery glanced towards her older brother. He looked as though he were contemplating something heavy on his mind.
“I’m worried about Kakarot.” The Saiyan woman blurted out.
Vegeta’s eyes shifted to look at his younger sister before they glanced at his old comrade. A sigh escaped him as he nodded. The Prince had so many questions for the spiky haired warrior. After eavesdropping on parts of his conversation with Jiren, Vegeta was more concerned than ever. Was the Saiyan adamant on making sure this ‘prophecy’ isn’t fulfilled? If Goku went on one of his training binges, who knows how long it would last.
“I am too. He’s not going to take this lightly.” The widow-peaked Saiyan took a deep breath. “I’m afraid he’s getting tunnel vision again. This usually happens after a loss. He’ll go training until he reaches a level that surpasses the previous opponent.”
“How long does it last?” Ellery questioned worriedly.
A grim chuckle came from Vegeta. “He’s had blinder’s on since he was born. Dumbass..” The Prince rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen him up and leave in the middle of important meetings for Gohan’s school, getting out of chores that Chi-Chi wanted him to do-”
“He’s changed, Vegeta.” The Saiyan woman said adamantly.
“He’s also a Saiyan, Ellery. You need to remember that. ” Vegeta sighed, looking towards Goku’s table. “I know you may not understand what I mean. However, you’re a Saiyan yourself. Even though you were raised as an Earthling, those warrior genes are in you as well.”
The young mother sighed, taking a moment to look at her son. He was snuggled against her, his eyes closed as he snored lightly. Vegeta had a point, as much as she hated to admit it. She also has a strong desire to obtain a level of power she’s never experienced before. However, Ellery knows that her family has to come first at all costs.
“Could you… Talk to him?” The Saiyan woman quietly mentioned.
Vegeta sighed. Although it was the last thing he wanted to do, the Prince wanted his sister to be happy. Before he could stand, the widow-peaked Saiyan noticed someone else moving in to speak to Goku.
“We may not need to intervene.” Vegeta snickered. “Chi-Chi might just save the day.”
The spiky haired warrior sat back in his chair as he looked around him. Goku hated the thought of letting his friends and family down. Losing the battle to the warrior of the Twelfth Universe has the Saiyan wondering if he can even train to get that strong. He was far from giving up.
How you were able to gain favor with the strongest beings in the Cosmos is beyond me. I guess you’re not the strong warrior I was looking for. You’re not even fit to use the power of the Gods.
Sinthe’s words continued to ring in his head. This wasn’t the first time he’s been told he was too weak to fight. Even Lord Beerus has mentioned it. In the past, he would seclude himself and throw his mind into training mode. However, after doing that for so many years, Goku’s seen the toll it’s put on his family. He doesn’t want to put them through that anymore.
Glancing over to his partner and youngest son, the warrior knew what he had to do. In order to keep them safe, he was going to have to be prepared for whatever threat was going to come their way.
“I know that look.” The older brunette walked up to Goku’s table. “I’d recognize it anywhere.”
Chi-Chi’s voice once again startled the warrior. Turning left, he noticed the mother of his oldest boys standing there. She had a sad smile on her features.
“What are you talking about?” The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head innocently.
“You can’t fool me, Goku.” The older woman tsked. “I can see it in your eyes. The training bug has gotten a hold of you after you’ve lost a fight.”
The spiky haired warrior felt a heat rush to his cheeks, embarrassed that he could be read so easily. “Could you really tell that quick?”
“I’ve known you since we were kids.” Chi-Chi laughed. “You’ve always had a glimmer in your eye when you were ready for your next adventure.”
“I have to protect my family…” Goku’s hands shook as he looked down at them once again. “I felt so weak after being knocked out by that man from Universe Twelve. His power was like nothing I’d seen before.”
The older woman put a hand on Goku’s arm. “Do you know how many times you’ve said those exact words over the years? I think I’ve truly lost count. Powerful people gravitate towards you. It’s what’s kept you on this path of constant training. This time around, you’re with a partner who understands you more than I ever could.”
His old partner’s words had a comforting effect. However, he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he was making the wrong decision. “What should I do, Chi-Chi??”
“I know what you shouldn’t do.” The brunette glared. “Is leaving without notice or a goodbye. You'd better have grown out of that disgusting habit.”
“Uh….” Goku rubbed the back of his head.
“What you need to do is talk to her.” Chi-Chi said reassuringly as she sighed. “I know she’s going to miss you, and probably give you grief when you get home. However, it won’t be anything like disappearing without warning.”
The Saiyan warrior took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. “You’re right.”
“Welcome back, My Lord!!” The Oracle Fish flew through the air in his bowl. “Did you guys have a good time?”
“Some more than others.” Giin rolled his eyes, walking straight into the kitchen.
Martinu chuckled, following the Destroyer. “You only say that because you wanted him to spend the wish on you instead of his partner.”
Following behind the Attendant and Destroyer, Abi and Sinthe entered the home. A large stuffed animal was in between them. The woman had a smile on her face that lit up the entire room.
“You’re so sweet baby!!” Abi giggled as she held onto the stuffed animal. “I’m going ot take it to our room!”
“If it’ll fit..” The Destroyer grumbled.
“Oh stop being a grumpy gills.” The Attendant smiled as she began cooking dinner for everyone. “They’re young and in love.”
Sinthe walked into the kitchen, sitting across from Giin. The warrior hoped to work up an appetite in the Tournament. Instead, he was left wanting a stronger opponent. After sparring with the Destroyer God of the Twelfth Universe, many other beings weren’t up to the challenge anymore.
“What’d you think of that being from Universe Seven?” The Destroyer questioned Sinthe.
The warrior shrugged. “I’m kind of surprised that he gave Jiren that much trouble.”
“A battle royale is much different than a one on one Tournament, dear.” Martinu interrupted. “The first Tournament of Power had much more to do with endurance than strength. If that Jiren fellow would’ve fought Goku in a one on one battle, I don’t think he’d stand a chance.”
“Yes, but now he’s become arrogant, thinking he can just challenge someone out of his league.”
“He’s got a lot of people in his corner that believe in him.” Abi mentioned as she walked into the kitchen as well, taking a seat at the island next to her partner. “Every single member that cheered on Universe Seven believed Goku was the strongest being there today. Even Lord Beerus thought he stood a chance, that is until you caused their machinery to malfunction.”
Sinthe’s demeanor softened the moment his partner was at his side again. He leaned back in the chair, resting a hand on her leg. “Were you able to see the child?”
The scarlet haired woman nodded. “Of course! I could tell he was very young, less than a year old. Even though he was a little fussy at times, actually most of the time, when his parents were sparring all eyes were on them. I’ve never seen a baby concentrate like that before.”
“Well, he is the first Saiyan Child born in nearly fifty years.” Martinu piped in once again, placing the beginnings of dinner onto the island. “The warrior race was all but extinguished, except for three full blooded Saiyan’s. Two men and a woman.”
“So you’re saying this could be the family we’re looking for?” Sinthe’s brow raised curiously.
The Attendant thought for a long moment. “Even if they did become strong. I don’t see what threat they’d pose to the Universe. This Goku person doesn’t seem malicious.”
“The way he speaks to the Omni Kings… Like he’s their equal.” The warrior said through gritted teeth. “It’s deplorable. It’s-
“Nothing to worry about.” Martinu stated blankly, wanting this conversation to end.
Abi placed a hand on her partner’s shoulder, giving him a gentle smile. “Let it go for now, sweetheart.
“Really?” Sinthe was confused. “The reason I sought out this prophecy, was to give you the one thing you truly desire.”
“Wait- That stuffed monstrosity wasn’t the ultimate wish I've been hearing about!?” Giin yelled angrily. “You’re telling me that you used the Super Dragon Balls on a STUPID-
Abi’s fierce red eyes bore into the Destroyer, causing him to instantly go silent.
“We decided it wasn’t the best time for us to raise a child.” the woman gave him a toothy grin. “If this isn’t the strongest child in the Universe, I don’t want to waste our skills on a child that isn’t worthy of our love.”
A chill ran through the room as the words of Abi settled in the air. The scarlet haired woman looked at her partner, walking behind him. She began to massage his shoulders, her lips close to his ear. “In the meantime, we could always keep trying for one of our own.”
Chapter 42: Time for Serious Training!
Chapter Text
After teleporting to their home, Goku was grateful for the quiet. Tarro was fast asleep in his arms. The baby Saiyan clung to his father, even wrapping his tail around Goku’s wrist. The warrior quickly turned on a second light, allowing them to see in their living room.
“Would you like a snack?” The young mother asked curiously. Ellery was unable to get a read on her partner. He looked as if he were lost, like he needed to be somewhere else. His mind was dazed, still thinking about the Tournament.
On top of that, Goku looked exhausted. The Saiyan woman was concerned for him. Even after eating a Senzu bean, and getting more than a full meal, the warrior hasn’t recovered like he did in the past.
It was a slight cause for concern. It wasn’t like Goku to hide his emotions from his partner. The Saiyan woman could hear her mate’s thoughts, but he was otherwise a blank slate. Navigating this conversation alone was taking its toll on her. Ellery was convinced her mate just needed a good night's sleep. Hopefully it would clear his head and allow him to begin training first thing in the morning.
“I’m not hungry. Thank you.” Goku began to teeter on his heels, debating on sitting down. The warrior knew he needed to speak with his partner. However, it was much easier said than done. Having never done this before, the Saiyan wasn't sure how to go about it.
“It’s been a long day.” Ellery commented, a gentle smile on her face. “Why don’t we get some rest?”
“I don’t think I’m quite ready to go to bed.” The warrior glanced towards the stairs. His body yearned for a comfortable place to sleep. However, Goku’s mind wasn’t going to allow him to. With Sinthe’s words running through his mind, it wasn’t likely he was going to sleep any time soon.
“We don’t have to sleep, Kakarot.” Ellery took a hold of her partner’s hand.
The Saiyan took a deep breath. “Princess…-”
Placing a finger on Goku’s lips, the young mother hushed her partner. “You look like you’re going to collapse if you stand any longer. Please come to the bedroom and relax.”
Unable to fight his mate’s persuasive words, the Saiyan agreed and slowly walked up the stairs to their bedroom. Once there, Goku quickly laid down on his back. He felt Ellery crawl into bed next to him, their son still laying peacefully on his chest.
“I know you want to go and train.” The young mother said in a gentle tone. She ran her fingers through her partner’s hair, massaging his scalp. “However, in this condition. I don’t want you to leave until you’ve had a good night’s rest.”
Goku’s brow raised in surprise. “Really?” The warrior thought after watching how quickly the fight ended, his partner would have eliminated the possibility of training.
Ellery chuckled as she nodded, kissing her partner’s forehead. “Of course. I would never stop you from training… It’s just that your body hasn’t fully healed from the previous bout.” The Saiyan woman mentioned worriedly. It was still odd that his energy wasn’t replenishing like normal. However, Ellery was trying her best to keep her emotions in check.
“I don’t want you to go in head first without being at one-hundred percent.”
Looking at her mate, the young mother couldn’t help but voice her concerns. “I-... I’ve never felt your energy like this. Is something wrong?”
“I’ll talk with Whis and Lord Beerus. Maybe they’ll have an answer.” Goku rubbed the back of his head. Honestly, he was just as confused as Ellery was in this situation. The Saiyan warrior has never felt a punch like Sinthe’s. It was like his muscles were leaking his energy instead of using it.
“You’ve never experienced this?” The Saiyan woman questioned.
Goku shook his head, trying not to let his worries be expressed in front of his partner. “I’m sure it’s nothing, Princess. I just need to get stronger is all.”
The Saiyan woman paused, thinking of how to word how she felt. “I also don’t want you to forget about your family on Earth.”
“I could never forget about you guys.” Goku rolled onto his side, pulling Ellery close and sandwiching their little one perfectly in between them. “You, my boys, Chi-Chi and all of our friends. They’re the reason that I become stronger. I want to be able to protect them from anything that comes our way.”
The warrior looked down at his youngest son. “That’s one thing I wish Chi-Chi would’ve understood all those years ago. I didn’t run away, going off to fight any opponent that was strong. I was trying to protect the one thing I truly care about, and that’s my family.”
The Saiyan woman grinned. She felt extremely loved at this moment. “I know. Thankfully she’s with a partner who understands her needs, just like you.” Ellery leaned in, kissing Goku gently on the lips.
Enjoying the feeling of their lips caressing each other, Goku pulled his mate towards him. As he held Ellery and Tarro in his arms, the warrior knew that his partner needed to know what they were up against.
“I spoke with Jiren at the Tournament…” The spiky haired warrior began, his hand going to rub the back of his head. “He’s afraid that Sinthe is going to come after my family. I don’t know if he’s right or not, but I need to be ready for the worst case scenario.”
“Do you think training with Lord Beerus and Whis is going to help?”
Goku nodded. “If I explain to them what’s going on, maybe they’ll decide to help me.”
“I have no doubt in my mind they’ll assist you.” Ellery smiled. “Like everyone in your life, they seem to gravitate towards your energy. I’m sure you could even get help from your friends in Universe Eleven.”
“Do you really think they’d help?” The warrior questioned. Although Goku would consider himself companions with the Pride Troopers, would he be able to ask for such a favor?
“From what I heard, our Universe is responsible for keeping them alive. While it wasn’t you that made the wish, I know how impressionable you are.” The young mother grinned, planting a small kiss on her son’s head.
“I love you, Kakarot.” Ellery whispered after a few moments of silence. She leaned over, planting a gentle kiss on his ear.
“I love you too, Princess.” The warrior held his family close. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. Please forgive me if I go off the grid for a while.”
Ellery chuckled, continuing to peck his face with kisses. “You train as long as you need to. While you’re gone, I’m going to be showing our little warrior how to be a strong Saiyan, just like his father.”
“You’re the most amazing woman in the Universe.” Goku smiled, his eyes closing as his partner continued to give him affection.
“I know.” The young mother chuckled, snuggling closely to her mate before falling asleep. As the family slept, Ellery and Tarro both were giving their energy to Goku. Each of them gave him the strength he was going to need to train.
“Here we are boys.” Whis grinned as they landed. “I think Lord Beerus is napping. If you could keep your noise level to a minimum, it may spare you from having to deal with him. I’ll be inside if you need anything.”
“I thought you were gonna train us?” Goku raised a brow.
“I do intend to train you. But I can’t do so on a ful stomach.” The Attendant stated. “We’ll begin first thing in the morning. Use this time to either spar with Vegeta, or relax and prepare for the new training regiment I have in store.”
“New regiment??” Vegeta questioned.
“Yes.” Whis affirmed. “Ever since the loss at the Tournament of Power, Lord Beerus has demanded that I be more strict with the training. My Lord has been adamant that I’ve just been too soft on you.”
“‘If the Twelfth Universe can produce fighters of that caliber than so can we!’” The Attendant imitated his Destroyer’s voice before laughing. “If you need me, I’ll be inside.” Walking back towards the Palace, the Angel quickly made his way inside.
“Well that’s no fun..” Goku pouted. “I don’t suppose you’ll fight with me, will ya?”
“No way.” The Prince mentioned as he shook his head. Vegeta took a seat on the lawn, closing his eyes and breathing in the fresh air. “I’m going to take this time to meditate. It sounds like we’e going to be in for some intense training.”
“Yeah… If we ever have a chance of beating Sinthe, we’re going to need all the training we can get…” The Saiyan looked towards the sky, his mind somewhere else completely.
“It’s been quite some time since you went down in a fight that quickly..” Vegeta’s arms crossed over his chest. “What happened??”
“I’ve never felt a power like his, Vegeta.” Goku mentioned, his voice trembling slightly. “Each time he punched me, it was like he was sucking the energy right out of my body. I still don’t feel like I’ve fully gotten my power level back to normal.”
“What an effective way to incapacitate your opponent..” The Prince mentioned.
“Do you think it’s because we transform?” Goku questioned.
“What on Earth are you talking about, Kakarot?” Vegeta raised a brow, confused at the Saiyan’s question.
“Well..” The spiky haired warrior tried to word his thoughts in a better way. “Jiren and all of these really strong fighters don’t have a need to transform. They’re already naturally strong on their own. Do you think that’s why they’re better than we are?”
“Hmmmm…” The Prince contemplated the question. “I don’t know. However, none of these warriors have Saiyan blood. We come back stronger every time we’re brought to near death. Fighting is in our nature, Kakarot. Many other races don’t have the thirst for war like ours.”
“Yeah…” Goku agreed partially.
“GAAHHHH!!” Lord Beerus tossed for the final time in his sheets. After attempting for several hours to get some shut eye, the Destroyer was unable to nap. With the Oracle Fish being so on edge, and the uneasy feeling he had, the purple cat wasn’t getting to rest like he wished. Now, there was a racket outside that was becoming unbearable.
The Destroyer threw the covers off of himself as he threw a tantrum while getting out of bed. “This is ridiculous! I can’t believe those Saiyan’s couldn’t pull it together! I’m going to work them to the bone the next time I see them!!”
Making his way into the kitchen, Lord Beerus flopped into a chair. He noted that his Attendant was on the other end, clearly reading something.
“Hmph.” the Destroyer grumbled.
“What is it now, my Lord?” Whis raised a brow, but didn’t look up from his book.
“I’m hungry!” Lord Beerus leaned back. “What do we have to eat?”
“I think there’s still leftovers from my lunch with Bul-”
A purple energy began emanating from the Destroyer. “You went to eat Earth delicacies without me?!?”
“You told me, and I quote. “I’m going to nap, so don’t make any loud noises, don’t bother me, don’t even think about me-”
“Ughhh… I know, I know.” Beerus rolled his eyes as he rubbed his temples. “Don’t remind me. I’m having a bad enough day as it is.”
The Attendant chuckled as his head shook. “If you don’t want the leftovers, I did happen to bring home some punching bags?”
Lord Beerus gave Whis a confused look, waiting for his companion to explain further.
“Goku and Vegeta decided to come back with me. I think they’re ready to get in some training after that beatdown at the Tournament of Power.”
“I’ll give them a beating they won’t soon forget!” The Destroyer screamed as he stormed out of the palace. As Lord Beerus scanned the East Lawn, he quickly spotted his two Saiyan punching bags. The two boys were stretching their muscles, preparing for a light spar with each other.
The widow-peaked Saiyan sensed an angry presence headed towards them. Looking to his right, Vegeta immediately spotted the Destroyer making a beeline for the two of them.
“Hey! Lord Beerus!” Goku waved, spotting him as well. The warrior raised his hand, placing it over his eyes to block the sun. “Man, he’s coming in fast!”
“Look out!” The Prince jumped out of the way as he yelled, getting out of the way in the nick of time. The same could not be said for his sparring partner. Goku was trampled by the purple cat, causing the two of them to tumble down a hill. The duo finished their roll with a thud against a large oak tree. The Saiyan’s head bonked right into it, forming a large knot on the back of his head.
“Ouch! That hurt!!” The spiky haired warrior whined. “You really need to watch where you're going.”
“You’re lucky that’s all I did to you, Saiyan.” The Destroyer spat. “I’m going to work you to the bone until you’re the strongest warrior in the Cosmos!!”
Chapter 43: Time Flies When...
Notes:
Six months have passed since Goku went to Lord Beerus’ Planet. His youngest son is turning One! How’s Ellery’s life been since her partner’s been away? Tarro’s First Birthday is coming up, will his father be attending his party?
Chapter Text
Chi-Chi was the first in the household to wake up. Crawled out of bed before the sun rose that morning. She wanted to get the day started early! Not knowing how today was going to go, she wanted to be as optimistic as possible. She decides to soak in the tub outside, taking the time to get extra hot water to fill it. The older woman loved listening to the sounds of the animals. Chi-Chi never felt so relaxed! It wasn’t every day that she got to witness the sun rise in such a peaceful way.
As she relaxed in the bath, the older woman began to reminisce. She couldn’t believe it’d already been six months since the Second Tournament of Power. Chi-Chi began to wonder if a Third was in the works. With the Omni Kings loving the entertainment, she could see it as a possibility.
Goku seemed more determined than ever to get stronger after losing to the warrior of the Twelfth. Chi-Chi worried for his new family. With his son so young, he was going to be a handful.
“You ready to go, Mom?”
Goten was looking between his mother and her partner, Jean. With most of the guests at the party gone, the younger Saiyan was ready to leave.
“In a minute sweetie.” Chi-Chi commented. “Why don’t you go play with Trunks? In fact, if it’s alright with Bulma, you can stay here tonight.”
“Really??? You’re awesome Mom!” Goten excitedly ran over to the bluenette.
“That was really nice of you.” Jean commented, a smile on her face. “It’s been a while since the house has been empty.”
“I’m doing this because we may not have many more left.” The older woman chuckled. She glanced over at Ellery, who was holding her son. She already had a tired look on her face.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to help Ellery raise Tarro.” Chi-Chi decided. “If she asks, of course.”
“What in the world are you talking about?? Are you crazy???” Jean looked at her partner as if she’d grown a second head. “Why wouldn’t Goku help raise the baby?”
“Let’s just say, I’ve seen that look in his eye before.” The grandmother laughed. “She’s going to need help. It took a village to raise Gohan. Thankfully my father was there to help us while Goku was away. I don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t have anyone to turn to.”
“You’re the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.” Jean mentioned with a gleam in her eye.
“I’m going to talk to her, and then we can enjoy our quiet place.” Chi-Chi kissed her partner’s cheek. Standing from the table, the older woman walked over to Ellery. The mother was sitting there, patiently waiting for her mate to finish talking with Vegeta.
“Hey.” The Saiyan woman gave a slight smile to Chi-Chi as she sat next to her. “I’m surprised you guys haven’t left yet. It seems like everyone else has.”
“We were about to.” The grandmother admitted. “I just wanted to come talk with you.”
“Oh? Is everything okay?” Ellery raised a brow.
“If you ever need anything. Please don’t hesitate to stop by.” Chi-Chi smiled. “I know that raising a Saiyan can be more than a handful at times. It definitely takes a village. I just want you to know that if you guys need anything, Jean and I are here for you.”
The young mother could feel tears stinging her eyes as she fought them back. The words were extremely touching, especially knowing the conversation she was about to have with her mate. “Thank you, Chi-Chi.”
“I mean it, just fly right over whenever. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night!”
Ellery chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you dear.”
Once she was finished, the grandmother decided to go to the kitchen. Taking a look in the refrigerator, Chi-Chi filled her arms with ingredients. She was feeding a small army again, so she had to make sure there was enough food. Today’s a special day! Tarro’s Birthday! She thought with a small grin on her features as she began to prepare breakfast.
For the last two months, Chi-Chi’s had two house guests on several occasions. She was more than happy to assist a young mother. With Goku still training on Lord Beerus’ planet, Ellery has been left to raise their son.
The older woman could still remember the first night the Saiyan woman crashed at their place.
Jean, Chi-Chi and Goten were sitting in the living room, enjoying a movie together as a small family. The spiky haired half-Saiyan picked several movies for them to watch. Surprisingly, they’ve managed to get through two of them already! It was later than either of the women have been up in a long time. However, the look on her son’s face is worth it.
The brunette with a bun couldn’t help but sense something was off. Getting up from her seat on the couch, Chi-Chi went to the kitchen and put on a pot for tea.
“Everything alright, Chi?” Jean questioned her partner. The blonde could see the look of worry on her features. “You don’t normally have tea this late. Who knows what time you’ll go to bed.”
“I just have a funny feeling.” The older woman couldn’t shake the feeling something wasn’t right.
“About what?”
Chi-Chi shrugged, taking a deep breath. “I can’t explain it, Jean. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” Putting on a smile for her partner, the older woman went to the cabinet. “Would you like a cup? I’ve still got your favorite.”
“Sure sweetheart, but you’d better come back so you don’t miss the movie.” The professor grinned.
After several minutes passed, Goten got up from his seat as well, running to the window. “I feel two energies coming our way. I think it’s Ellery and the baby!”
Jean’s brows raised in surprise. “I hope everything’s alright.”
The half-Saiyan opened the door, running outside and waving at their guests. As the duo landed, Goten could see how exhausted Ellery looked. She was clinging to her sleeping child for dear life, as if the mere act of coming into contact with the Earth would wake him up. Eyes going wide, the young man quickly ran up to his father’s partner.
“Would you like me to take him for a spin?” The half-Saiyan questioned.
“Please… I don’t think I have the energy.” Ellery chuckled half-heartedly. She could feel Tarro beginning to squirm in her arms. “For the last week, this is the only thing that will keep him to sleep.”
“I’m on it. Mom and Jean are still up. I think Mom just put on a pot for tea!” Goten smiled as he took to the skies.
The Saiyan woman stumbled into the home, barely making it to the couch before falling over.
“Oh goodness!” Jean’s eyes widened in surprise. She quickly went to the young mother. “Ellery, are you alright??”
“She’s exhausted.” Chi-Chi mentioned as she came from behind the couch with a warm blanket. “Raising a Saiyan newborn will do that to you.” The grandmother smiled. “Gohan and Goten would get in these moods. Thankfully I had Bulma and her science to help me out.”
“I didn’t even think about that.” Ellery mumbled into the couch, her eyes closed.
“We’re glad you came to us.” Chi-Chi smiled. “Stay as long as you need.”
While the duo wasn’t staying every night. Ellery and Tarro would stay two or three nights out of the week. During that time, the young mother would get a chance to rest while Chi-Chi and her family came to the rescue. This has given them opportunities to bond with each other. The grandmother finds that she actually has a lot in common with Ellery. She can see why Goku chose her as a life partner.
It’d been a long time since the older woman has had a chance to use the full capacity of her kitchen. Cooking for Saiyans took a level of strength and endurance most humans didn’t possess. The prep alone could take hours, if not days. Thankfully, Chi-Chi never let those habits leave her. Grabbing her pots and pans, the older woman got to work!
Ellery awoke to the sound of food being prepared. Chi-Chi’s teakettle began to scream as it usually did, alerting the young woman it was morning. Her eyes opened and looked around the room she was sharing with her son. She couldn’t believe today was his first birthday. The last six months have gone so fast, that she’s barely had time to process them.
The Harmony Center is running beautifully with the people she’s hired to run the place. With Bulma’s help, the young mother was able to fully staff the facility. Ellery only needed to be there if she wanted to teach a special class. Raising her son has put her business on the backburner, which is something she never intended.
The last she heard, numbers were down in her and Goku’s absence. While she expected this, it was still disheartening to hear. Ellery knew how many people loved the sparring lessons her partner taught, and her yoga classes were packed to the brim with students.
I need to visit the studio soon. Maybe that’ll help rejuvenate my body. Ellery thought as she stretched her sore and tired muscles. The little man in bed caused her to spend copious amounts of energy, and even reserves she never knew about.
If the young mother would’ve known the true handful her son was going to be, she would’ve begged Goku to stay home. Ellery was extremely thankful for her support system. With Chi-Chi housing her on the nights she’s too tired, and Bulma cooking extra dinners for her to take home, the Saiyan woman relied on her friends to help her get through this difficult time in her life.
Glancing down at the sleeping child, Ellery was amazed at how much the little one looked like his father. Tarro’s hair was spiking in every direction this morning. As he snored, it reminded her of her own partner's loud noises. The Saiyan woman missed her mate every day. It pained Ellery to be away from him for this long.
Oh Kakarot… I wish you were here to see our little man grow up. He misses you so much. The Saiyan woman could feel tears beginning to fill her eyes. I miss you so much…
Although six months isn’t the longest the couple’s been apart, it feels like an eternity. Having a miniature version of her partner by her side, Ellery is constantly thinking about Goku. Tarro is one of the feistiest children the young mother’s ever encountered. When he throws tantrums, the little Saiyan musters up strength that Ellery didn’t think he should be capable of.
The young mother remembered a time that Tarro flew into her chest. The force of the blow caused them to go backwards into a tree. Thankfully, the duo was outside at the time. However, it didn’t relieve Ellery's pain, or stop the tree from falling in one fell swoop. This occurred just two months after Goku’s departure.
“My little warrior is already one year old. I can’t believe it.” Ellery fixed the stray pieces of hair on Tarro’s head before she leaned down to kiss her son’s forehead. The young mother did her best not to move the little Saiyan as she got out of the bed. She wanted to see if Chi-Chi needed any assistance with breakfast.
Ellery was greeted with amazing smells from the kitchen. As she entered the large space, the young mother noticed Jean already sitting at the island with her cup of tea. Chi-Chi was at the stove, whipping up something delicious for breakfast.
“Good morning.” The blonde grinned at their guest.
The Saiyan woman nodded, a small smile on her features. Ellery went to the cabinets and took a glass, filling it with orange juice from the fridge.
“What time did Bulma say to be there?” Chi-Chi questioned. The bluenette graciously took over planning Tarro’s first birthday party. She didn’t want Ellery to worry about a single thing.
“I think eleven? That’s when she wanted the boys to help set-up.”
“I can’t believe it…” Jean grinned. “How does it feel to have a one year old??”
“Like I’ll never get the energy back that I had when I was young.” Ellery gave a sarcastic laugh.
“It gets easier.” The grandmother chuckled from the stove. “It may not feel like it now, but kids are wonderful when they can provide for themselves.”
Turning to place the beginnings of their meal on the table, Chi-Chi noticed there was something heavy weighing on the young woman’s mind. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure if she could give her a comforting answer.
“Penny for your thoughts?” The older woman questioned.
“Do you think Kakarot is going to show up?” Ellery was unable to disguise the true sadness she was feeling. “I’d hate to think he’d miss Tarro’s first birthday.”
Chi-Chi walked around the island, wrapping her arms around the young mother. While she was almost certain Goku was going to continue his training, telling Ellery that at this moment wasn’t going to be helpful. The older woman liked to think her old partner would change for his new one. However, Chi-Chi also knew how stubborn the Saiyan could be when it came to obtaining a certain level of strength.
“Whether he does or not. I’m determined to make this the best day for our little warrior.” The grandmother smiled, looking towards her partner for additional support.
Jean quickly wraps her arms around the duo, enveloping the Saiyan woman in a group hug. “Hell yeah we are!” The blonde grins. “Tarro’s going to have the best party ever! He deserves it, and so do you.”
Chapter 44: ... You Lock Yourself in Another Dimension
Chapter Text
The scent of food woke the tiny Saiyan warrior. As his eyes opened, he noticed once again he was not at home in his bed. While he didn’t mind staying in this new place, he much preferred waking up in his own room. Tarro rolled onto his stomach, glancing around the room. He observed that he was the only one in the room. It wasn’t like his mother to leave him in bed alone.
Everything’s so weird… The baby Saiyan lamented as he stretched. Dad’s been gone forever… I miss him so much. Mom does too, I can see how sad she is when I talk about him.
Tarro could remember the first time he asked about his father. While he was only a mere infant, the little warrior felt as if his mother understood what he was saying.
“Dada!” The baby Saiyan pointed towards the wall. Ellery and Tarro were at home. The young mother was cooking breakfast, while he was playing with his toys in the living room. Glancing at the walls, the little warrior could see photos of their family. He crawled over to the wall, using it to stand. He reached for the picture of his father, getting frustrated that he wasn’t tall enough.
Ellery turned around, seeing what her little man was trying to do. The Saiyan woman made her way over to her son. She picked him up, holding him close as she took the picture off of the wall.
“Yeah… That’s your Daddy.” The young mother had a sad smile on her features. “Daddy’s there, and so is Mommy. You were just a little thing then, growing inside me. All of our family is here. There’s your brother’s Goten and Gohan.” Ellery continued to name everyone in the photo.
Tears were falling down her face slowly. “You remind me of him a lot.” Ellery kissed Tarro’s head. “You have messy hair just like him, and you have Daddy’s eyes.”
Tapping the photo with his hand, the little warrior attempted to grab his father out of the photograph. “Dada!!” Tarro became increasingly more frustrated, crying out.
“I know you miss him, sweetheart.” Ellery set the picture on the end table before she rubbed her son’s back, attempting to soothe him. “I do too.”
Tarro looked up, seeing just how distraught his mother was. Tears were flowing heavily down her face. She was attempting to catch her breath as she sat down. The little warrior clung to his mother, wanting to take her pain away. He could feel her strong arms wrap around him. His mother’s tail soothingly ran across the top of his head. After a few moments like this, both Ellery and Tarro felt more at ease.
“Your dad is a strong warrior.” His Mom whispered, her voice breaking as she spoke. “He’s training to protect the two of us. I know he needs to do this, but I hate that he’s not here to watch you grow. You’re such a wonderful and special little boy, Tarro. Mommy and Daddy love you very much.”
Glancing at the edge of the bed, the little warrior attempted to calculate the distance to the floor. Tarro made his way towards the edge, swinging his legs down first. The baby Saiyan slid out of the bed, feeling his toes come into contact with the cold floor. His little heart pounded from the adrenaline. Looking around the room, Tarro was trying to find the door. He had to take one hand off of the bed he clung to, this gave him more range.
The door looked as if it were miles away. The little warrior grumbled in frustration. Tarro knew his Mom didn’t like him flying around. He was much too young, and could hurt himself if he’s inside. His tail unwrapped from its position around his waist, acting as a balance for the baby Saiyan. Letting go of the bed, Tarro slowly put one foot in front of the other. Even though it took him several steps, he finally made it to the cracked door.
Using his little fingers to open it further, Tarro walked out of the bedroom. He noticed his mother and the two nice ladies. The person he didn’t see was the one he wanted to play with! Continuing down the wall, Tarro used his energy to power his legs through this long journey. The little warrior knew his brother’s room was at the end of this hall. If he could make it there, maybe Goten would play with him!
As he got closer, the baby Saiyan was thankful the door was already open enough for him to enter. Tarro’s eyes brightened seeing his older brother. The little warrior’s legs propelled him faster. “Bubba!”
The half-Saiyan jumped once he heard Tarro’s voice coming towards him. “Well hey little man.” Goten grinned, picking up the birthday boy. “Happy Birthday!”
Excited to see his older brother, the little warrior raised his hand, touching Gotens in a high five.
“Nice!” Goten chuckled as he sat on the edge of the bed. He could smell his mom cooking breakfast.
“Whatcha makin, Mom? Smells good!”
All three ladies turned around, surprised that Goten had Tarro on his hip.
“Mama!!” The baby Saiyan grinned happily.
“Good morning my little warrior.” Ellery smiled at her son. “Happy Birthday!”
“I’m going to kill that idiot!!”
Vegeta paced back and forth, his fingers holding the bridge of his nose. His eyes were closed as he tried to think of a solution. Whis, Lord Beerus, and the Prince have been deflecting Bulma’s calls all morning. The Destroyer was beginning to regret the extra pieces of communication his Attendant got from the bluenette. She’s been using every device to call them, wanting to know if they were going to attend the party. The trio knew she was pissed at them, but none had the heart to tell her the news.
It was Tarro’s Birthday today, and Goku has been unreachable for weeks. The spiky haired warrior took the Attendant’s staff, transporting himself into another dimension. Under normal circumstances, Whis could make it appear in the blink of an eye. However, for some reason it’s not coming back, bringing Goku with it.
“I’m almost positive he’s ran out of food at this point.” Whis said in a flat tone. Not having his staff for this long has left him extremely irritable. It would be an easy thing to fix. However, if they were to do so, the Omni Kings would need to get involved. The angel didn’t want to mention this idea to anyone, wanting to avoid repercussions by his father.
“Gods Dammit!!!” Beerus roared angrily. “If that phone rings one more time, we’re going to have to come up with an answer!”
“We don’t have a fucking answer!!” Vegeta yelled back.
“There’s one…” The Attendant piped up, taking a long and deep breath.
Both the Destroyer and Prince looked at the deity. They were equally confused, but each came to their own conclusion rather quickly. Lord Beerus had a look of pure horror on his features. Vegeta however, held a glimmer of hope.
“The Omni Kings!” The Saiyan mentioned happily.
“The Omni Kings..” Beerus and Whis grumbled simultaneously with Vegeta.
Attracted by their screaming, the Grand Minister appeared behind the group. The Attendant’s father showed up moments before inside the castle. He immediately noticed no one was in the home except for the Oracle Fish. It didn’t take him long to figure out where the group was. The High Priest was sure they could be heard on the next planet.
The Grand Minister chose to observe for the time being, seeing how long it took them to realie he was there. Coincidentally, the High Priest was there for the same reason the group was freaking out. The spiky haired warrior already made his way to the Omni King’s planet. However, he is in such a bad condition that he was left behind to heal. The button gifted to the Saiyan is what saved him.
Zeni and Zeno were in their game room, sitting at one of the several tables. The Omni Kings were essentially playing marbles with the planets, watching them crash into each other.
“Oop!” Zeno giggled as he flicked a planet into three different ones, causing all four of them to explode.
“Yaaaay!!” Zeni laughed, kicking his legs underneath the table.
After a few more turns, the Omni Kings were beginning to get bored of their game. Leaning back in their chairs simultaneously, the Kings of Everything glanced at each other.
“That was fun…. But I wanna do something different now.” The Omni King of this Universe mentioned.
“Maybe we could ask the Grand Minister if he needs help?” Zeno offered. “Sometimes he wants to get away from his work, perhaps he’ll spar with us!”
“That Sounds like a great idea!”
“I think so too!”
The two companions walked out of their game room, heading straight down the hallway. Getting to their destination quickly, Zeni and Zeno both opened the doors of the High Priest’s office. He was sitting at his desk, reviewing some papers it seemed.
Glancing up, the Grand Minister smiled at the surprise guests. “Welcome in sires.” He watched as they both closed the doors of the office behind them. “What brings you by? I thought you were playing a game?”
“We were…” Zeni began.
“... But we got bored.” Zeno finished.
“So we came to see you!” The little blue Deities said in unison.
The High Priest chuckled at their childish demeanor. It was one of the things he loved most about them. “I’ve got quite a bit of work to do. I would love to meet you in the battle room once i’m finished. Do you think you can occupy yourselves until then?”
“Of course!” Zeni grinned.
“This is going to be so fun!’
Just as the two companions were about to leave the Grand Minister’s office, Zeni’s left pocket began to shine. The little blue deity pulled the button out, seeing that it had been activated.
“Goku’s on his way here!”
“Really?!” Zeno exclaimed happily. “That’s amazing!!”
Suddenly, the warrior appeared in a bright flash of light. Whis’ staff flew across the room, nearly breaking a window at the back of the Grand Minister’s office. The Saiyan fell in a heap before them. He was barely breathing, and what was left of his clothing was in tatters.
“OH NO!”
“GOKU!!!” Zeni cried.
“Take him to the infirmary, quickly.” The Grand Minister delegated. “He’s going to need a miracle.”
“We’ll heal him!” Zeni and Zeno each placed a hand on Goku before teleporting out of the room.
The High Priest quickly took hold of the Attendant’s staff. He was going to deliver it to him personally.
As the Angel stood back, listening to the three bicker, he couldn’t help but reminisce on how their lives have changed with Goku in it.
“What are we waiting for??? Let’s get going!” The Prince took a hold of the Attendant, knowing it took a considerable amount of time to reach The Palace. Without the help of Goku or a Supreme Kai, they’re going to be gone for most of the day. The odds of making it in time for the party were getting slim.
“Ugh…” Whis sighed. “I don’t know how we’re going to get there. My Staff is trapped with Goku, and I’m not sure how to get a hold of the Kai’s without it.”
The hairs on the back of Lord Beerus’ neck began to stand. Something didn’t feel right. As the Destroyer glanced around them, he finally noticed the Grand Minister in the background. His face turned stark white, his knees buckling underneath him.
Vegeta’s eyes widened, noticing Beerus’s paleness. Looking in the same direction as the purple cat, the Saiyan’s gaze fell upon the High Priest. He looked as if he were lamenting, but was irritated that he had to be here.
“Y-Your holiness!” Lord Beerus stammered. “To what do we owe this pleasure??”
“Oh I just stopped by to give my son a gift.” The Angel tossed the staff in Whis’ direction, nearly hitting him with it. The Attendant was in complete shock! How on Earth did the Grand Minister obtain his staff.
“Father, I-I can explain..”
“Now’s not the time. Your friend is in trouble.” The High Priest held out his hand. “You need to come with me immediately.
Chapter 45: Tarro's Birthday Party!
Chapter Text
“If these aliens don’t start answering my calls, there’s going to be HELL to pay!”
Bulma was fuming as she continued to pace back and forth in her kitchen. When she awoke this morning, she didn’t think she’d have to deal with the most important party guests going AWOL. Even though Goku’s had his fair share of screwups, to miss Tarro’s first birthday would be a huge step backwards.
Not only could she not get a hold of Goku; Vegeta, Lord Beerus, and Whis were actively ignoring her calls to the staff, and the other communication devices at her disposal. This type of thing happens when something’s gone wrong. The bluenette was determined to find out what they were hiding from her.
“I didn’t plan this entire party for the baby’s father and uncle to NOT show up!!!” The scientist held the bridge of her nose and took several deep breaths. The party guests were due to arrive within the hour. How was she going to explain to Ellery that she couldn’t get Goku to come back!?
Trunks was unsure of what to do. The teen hated seeing his mother so upset. If there was a way the half-Saiyan could get a hold of his father, he would.
“Uh, Mom?”
The bluenette was startled by her son’s voice, thinking she was the only one in the kitchen. “Hey sweetie. Do you need something?”
“Are you okay?” The purple haired teen questioned.
Bulma took a deep breath, doing her best to calm down. “Yes… I’m sorry for the outburst. I’m just afraid that your father isn’t going to be here, or Goku.” Glancing down at her oldest, the mother wanted to be honest with him. “I have this strange feeling…”
Trunks nodded, sighing in disappointment. However, he was more concerned about her ‘strange feeling’. Normally, that means something bad is about to happen. “Ellery’s not going to take this well…Do you think they’re in danger?”
“I’m not sure..” The scientist shrugged, watching as several of the caterers began walking through the house. “I just hope that everything’s alright. Whis not answering my calls just has me on edge.”
“I bet they’re just doing some last minute training!” The purple haired Saiyan tried to reassure her.
“Let’s hope you’re right.” Bulma chuckled, hearing a knock at the door in the distance. The bluenette froze, having the sinking suspicion that it was Ellery.
“Get the door on the way to get your sister ready for the party.”
“Got it!” Trunks ran out of the room, heading to the front door. The purple haired Saiyan smiled at the first guests to arrive. “Goten!!!”
“Trunks!!” The half-Saiyan ran into the Capsule Corp home.
“Good Afternoon.” Chi-Chi smiled at the young teen. “Is your mother out back?”
“Kitchen!” Trunks ran away quickly, taking his best friend with him.
The grandmother raised a brow as the rest of them walked inside. Jean, Ellery, and Tarro follow in behind Chi-Chi. They make their way to the kitchen, finding the stressed bluenette pouring a cup of coffee.
“Bulma?” Ellery looks at her, concerned.
“I know that look…” The brunette sighed, walking over to her friend. Chi-Chi patted her back. “Haven’t been able to get a hold of them?”
“I don’t know what’s going on…” Bulma sighed, clearly distressed.
Jean immediately noticed the tension in the room building. “How about I take the birthday boy to play with the other kids.” Taking the little warrior from his mother, the blonde walked in the direction that Trunks and Goten ran off to.
Ellery took a seat across from Bulma. She felt her legs turn to jelly. All morning, the young mother has had a terrible feeling. Her stomach has been twisting and turning as her mind raced. Thoughts of her partner being in danger came to the forefront of her mind. Ellery had the occasional bout of paranoia during his absence.
However, it didn’t compare to the feeling she had today.
The young mother didn’t mention it to anyone, not wanting to cause a panic. Ellery could feel a strain on her bond with her mate. A very strange feeling came over the Saiyan woman just after breakfast this morning. A dull ache began at the base of her skull, and an overwhelming sense of dread threatened to take her body over.
Since that moment, Ellery’s thoughts have been consumed with her partner’s safety. Knowing her best friend was also worried helped.
“I’ve had this feeling that Kakarot’s in danger… Not being able to get a hold of anyone in an emergency only heightens my suspicion.”
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this..” The bluenette was determined. “However, since I’ve been trying for hours to get a hold of them, I think we should take a break to enjoy the festivities.”
“Since there’s nothing we can do at the moment, I agree.” Chi-Chi nodded.
“There's a little boy that’s going to go crazy over all the presents Auntie Bulma got for him!” The bluenette gushed, an excited gleam on her face.
“Focusing on Tarro has been what’s gotten me this far.” Ellery chuckled, a sad smile on her features. “He’s going to love the party. I can’t thank you enough for planning this.”
“It’s the least I can do for my favorite nephew.” Bulma smiled happily, hearing the doorbell once again. “More guests!” The bluenette cheered as she walked towards the front door.
All of the family and friends of Goku and Ellery were in attendance at Tarro’s Birthday Party. The little warrior was more than happy to be the center of all the commotion. Several people he recognized have hugged him, congratulating him on his birthday. Although the baby Saiyan wasn’t sure of what was going on, he was happy to be surrounded by people that loved him.
After the guests' bellies were full, Bulma decided it was time to move on to the present portion of the festivities! The bluenette walked over to the young mother, a smile on her face. “I’d like Tarro to open some of the presents. I have chairs for us stationed there.”
“Sure thing.” Ellery grinned, picking her son up from his highchair. The Saiyan woman also snagged a napkin, wiping Tarro’s face. “Auntie Bulma wants us to open presents!!”
“Yaaay!!!” The little warrior smiled. Seeing the boxes and bags, Tarro’s cheeks began to hurt from the excessive grinning. The baby Saiyan reached down, falling from his mother’s arms and catching himself on the ground. Once his feet hit the earth, he went into a full-on sprint. Tarro looked behind him, smiling as he watched his Mom chase after him.
The young mother couldn’t help but laugh. She loved seeing her little boy so happy. Ellery did her best to keep up with him. However, he gained on her faster than she’d like to admit.
“Pick the one you’d like to open!” The Saiyan woman hollered at her son.
Seeing the way Bulma arranged the gifts made the young mother smile. She placed each of them on the ground a small but equal distance apart. This made it easy for the birthday boy to run up and pick a gift. The presents that were too large for him were right next to Ellery’s chair.
Tarro stopped in front of the mountain of presents, staring in awe for a moment. There were gifts that were wrapped in every color, as well as different metallic and glittery ones. Each caught the birthday boy’s eye.
“Dis one!!” The little warrior reached for a bright red box.
Once the young mother caught up, she gently moved some boxes to help her son reach the desired one. Ellery set it down on the blanket laid out for him while she sat back. The Saiyan woman noticed her best friend take a seat next to her. Bulma had the biggest smile on her face.
“Psst.” Bulma leaned to her right and whispered. “I might’ve gone a little overboard on the presents.” The bluenette admitted with a giggle.
Ellery chuckled, leaning back and relaxing. After her stomach was full, the feelings of dread began to subside. The Saiyan woman began to wonder if it was just because she was hungry. Tarro was getting through the boxes without needing help. Although the cardboard is a little worse for wear, the things inside were still intact!
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from his favorite aunt.” The young mother chuckled. “He’s going to love them. Thankfully we have a room for just his toys.”
“Good! It’s going to be full after I’m done with it.” Bulma had a gleam in her eye, imagining all the shopping she could do for the little warrior.
After the baby Saiyan got through some of the presents on the ground, he turned around to see the shiny green box next to his mother. Standing up from the mess of cardboard and toys, the little warrior made his way towards the box. “Mommma!!” Tarro patted the box with an open hand.
“Let me help you with that one.” Ellery stood from her seat. She tore a small piece of the paper, allowing her son to rip the outside off, exposing the inside.
Suddenly, a bright light covered the north side of the property. While the light filled the sky, no one knew who appeared, as they teleported to the front of the home.
“What was that?!” Marron pointed, gasping.
“Dad’s here!” Trunks yelled, sensing his father’s energy. .
The moment it appeared, the Saiyan woman was able to feel her partner’s aura once again. Instead of feeling relief, Ellery was only filled with concern as his energy was severely depleted from its normal level.
Did something bad happen to him after all??
Before anyone could stop her, the young mother flew inside the house where she could feel her partner’s energy.
“Ellery!!” Bulma screamed for her to come back, even though it was useless. The bluenette watched as her best friend flew into the house. Tarro began to follow her, but Auntie Bulma was quicker. She scooped the little Saiyan into her arms, attempting to hold him as he struggled.
“Momma!!!! Daddy!!!” Tarro screamed, trying to escape the bluenette’s grasp.
“Sweetheart, we need to make sure your Dad’s okay.” Bulma did her best to console the frustrated child. “When your Mom comes back, we’ll go see your Dad.”
“Nooo!!”
The hallways of Capsule Corp were similar to a labyrinth. The young mother was growing increasingly frustrated trying to find the right way. She felt as if time were standing still as she took forever to find her mate.
Finally, the Saiyan woman felt all four energies behind a set of double doors. If memory serves, this was the same room that she stayed in while Tarro was born. Ellery burst into the room, nearly taking the doors off of their hinges. Lord Beerus jumped, a frightened look on his face. The young mother swore she heard the Attendant squeak as he covered his mouth. Vegeta was the only one to react quickly.
The Prince embraced his younger sister, holding her back from seeing her partner. “Ellery, you shouldn’t be in here right now…”
“Vegeta… Get out of the way!!!” The Saiyan woman fought in Vegeta’s arms, punching him and doing everything she could to escape his grasp. Ellery could see bandages covering up every surface of her mate’s body. His aura was flickering, as if it was on the verge of going out completely.
“He’s not in any condition to-”
The widow peaked Saiyan was knocked back by a brutal punch to the jaw. This caused him to let go of Ellery to make sure it wasn’t broken.
Running to the side of the bed, the young mother fell to her knees. She immediately took her partner’s hand, transferring her own energy to Goku.
“How could you let this happen?!” Rage continued to bubble inside the Saiyan woman. Ellery wanted revenge, and she wanted it now.
After he recovered from the punch, Vegeta paced as he took a few deep breaths. While he expected his sister to come unglued, never in his wildest dreams did he anticipate a suckerpunch. “The fucking idiot did it to himself.” The Prince spat out.
“It’s been an interesting couple of weeks…” The Attendant sighed. “Goku had the wild notion to hold my staff hostage, casting it and himself into another dimension. Since I wasn’t in control of it when it happened, we didn’t know exactly where he ended up.”
“We tried the entire time to get his staff back.” Vegeta continued, having calmed down a little. Until the Grand Minister showed up, we were at a loss. Thankfully Kakarot had enough sense to use that button the Omni Kings gave him.”
“He was teleported there, where they began to heal him. When we got there, they’d barely started their process-.” Whis continued.
“I knew how upset you’d be if he weren’t here for Tarro’s birthday…” The Prince interrupted. “I was hoping to sneak in and heal him before we met the rest of the party. We’ve given him a Senu Bean. However he doesn't seem to be affected by it at all.”
“We don’t know what kind of environment he was exposed to in that dimension.” The Angel pointed out. “That is going to factor into his recovery.”
Glancing back at her mate, the young mother’s eyes filled with tears. “The same thing happened after he fought the man from Universe 12. Then, I thought it was just a strange coincidence. Do you think the battle is still affecting him?”
“It’s possible…” The Attendant mused. “I think it’s time to learn more about this warrior from Universe Twelve… Lord Beerus?”
“Yes, let’s go Whis.” The Destroyer nodded, the two disappearing from the room.
What possessed you to be so reckless… You have so many people that care about you. Are you willing to throw all of that away to obtain power?! What if you’d been killed?!? Ellery’s mind raced, only causing her to become more frustrated.
“Daddy!!”
Everyone turned, seeing the little man flying through the air.
Tarro’s eyes filled with tears as he saw the condition of his father’s body. Immediately he rushed to him, laying by his side. The little warrior’s hand went to Goku’s chest, transferring his energy. The baby Saiyan has felt his mother and father do this to him on several occasions throughout his life. It always helped when he felt too weak.
Chapter 46: Will He Wake Up??
Chapter Text
Several days have passed since Goku came back to Earth. In that time, The Saiyan warrior hasn’t woken. His energy has slowly been going back to normal. However, his eyes still haven’t opened. Goku and his family have been residing at Capsule Corp since Tarro’s birthday. Both Ellery and her son were growing more concerned every day.
The family spent every moment of their time attending to Goku. The baby Saiyan almost never left his father’s side, giving him as much energy as he could. Tarro needed his father to wake up. His mother and he missed him so much. The young warrior has observed how dedicated his mother has been to Goku’s recovery.
Whis and Bulma were beginning to worry that his coma may last longer than anticipated. After the Attendant did some research, he realized the Saiyan warrior went to a dimension that isn’t supposed to support life. It explains why it took so long for his aura to go back to normal, the man was fighting for his life.
The spiky haired warrior had his energy depleted to nothing on a regular basis. Another factor that worried them was the atmosphere in the dimension wasn’t oxygen based like Earth’s. The toxic fumes should’ve turned his insides to a soup. Instead he shows no signs of irreversible damage.
The scientist was looking over the results of the last few tests she performed on her friend. The bluenette had to admit, it was a lot easier doing tests on Goku while he was unconscious, versus awake and screaming at the needles. While everything appeared to be normal by Saiyan standards, the warrior still hasn’t opened his eyes. Bulma hated telling her best friend that everything looked good, but she couldn’t explain why Goku wasn’t waking up.
I need to get them out of the house today. They’ve been cooped up in that tiny room for over a week. It’s not healthy.. The bluenette set the paperwork down on her desk and left her office. She made a beeline for the kitchen, knowing Ellery and Tarro must be starving. After she whipped up a small snack, Bulma went to Goku’s room. The bluenette knocked gently before she entered, smiling at the young mother who was rocking a tired little Saiyan.
“I brought something to eat. Thankfully it’s finger food.” Bulma grinned.
“Thanks a lot.” Ellery smiled tiredly as she gestured for her friend to place the food on the table next to her. The Saiyan woman snuck bites of food as she rocked Tarro. His eyes had closed moments before as he fought his mother to take a nap, and finally lost.
“How are you guys holding up?” Bulma asked quietly, taking a seat next to her friend.
The young mother sighed. “It’s hard seeing him lay here. I’ve never witnessed Kakarot be still for this long, let alone be this quiet.” Ellery chuckled sadly. “I just wish he would wake up.”
“I know sweetie..” The bluenette smiled at her friend. “If you’d like, I can put the little man down for a nap. Vegeta can watch over Goku while you and I take some time to relax.”
Ellery glanced to the left, seeing her partner sound asleep in the bed. The monitors around him were beeping at a consistent rate, drowning out any thoughts the young mother had. Shaking her head, the Saiyan woman looked down at the little boy in her arms. “I can’t leave him. I want to be the first one he sees when he wakes up.”
“El, we don’t know exactly when that’ll be. You need to get out and stretch your body, relax. Maybe we could go to The Harmony-”
“I don’t want to leave Kakarot’s side.” Ellery was adamant about her decision. “He would do the same for me..”
Bulma sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to sway her. “At least let me put him down for a nap?”
“Sure..” The young mother allowed her best friend to put Tarro down in the other room.
“Let me know if you need anything.” The bluenette smiled as she exited.
The Saiyan woman got up from her chair, doing a few stretches and poses. Her aura has been out of whack in the recent week. Giving her mate her energy has depleted a lot of her own. She’s not used to the strain it takes constantly using your power.
Ellery crawled into the bed next to her partner, wrapping her arm around his waist. The young mother has spent a lot of this time reflecting on her relationship, their bond, and her Saiyan heritage.
On day four, the Saiyan woman felt calm enough to find her brother. She had so much that she wanted to talk about; What happened on the day that Goku disappeared, Why her mate is the way he is, and the other questions that continued to plague her during her partner’s coma.
She knew Vegeta would be training in the Gravity Room. Tarro was still asleep, lying between Goku’s side and his arm. The young mother snuck out of the room, walking down the stairs to the main floor of the house. She walked down the North hall, seeing the big metal door at the end of it.
Ellery knocked on the door softly.
“What do you want? I’m in the middle of something.”
“I need to talk, please?”
It took a few moments, but eventually the large door opened. The young mother walked into the Gravity room, seeing her brother sitting in the middle of the tile floor. Ellery rubbed the back of her head, feeling awful for the way she treated him the last time she saw him. “Hey, I just wanna say I’m sorry for-”
“Don’t worry about it.” Vegeta had a small grin on his features. “If someone was keeping me from Bulma, I would’ve reacted in a similar manner. Is that what you came to talk about?”
“That, and…” Ellery’s words trailed away as she thought of how to turn her thoughts into a cohesive sentence. “I’m struggling… And I don’t know if I’m freaking out over nothing.”
“Care to elaborate?” The Prince raised a brow.
The Saiyan woman took a deep breath, sitting down across from her brother. “I was okay with Kakarot training with Whis and Lord Beerus at first.” Ellery admitted. “It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I began feeling this sense of dread that wouldn’t go away. There was nothing I could do to save him….”
“It made you feel helpless.” Vegeta added.
“Yes!” The young mother agreed. “I wanted to help him, but I had no clue how to reach him.” Looking down at the cold tile, Ellery touched it. She hoped it would help calm her. “Ever since he’s been back, there’s a rage bubbling inside me. I’m so angry at him for leaving for so long, I’m angry for his disregard for his own safety and well-being.”
The Prince sighed. “This isn’t going to be an easy conversation, Ellery. Unfortunately Kakarot is just like every Saiyan I remember from Planet Vegeta. While he’s much kinder than they were, his heart was bred to obtain power and battle anyone in the way of their goals.”
“But I thought he spent his life here??”
“While his life has been spent on Earth, the events that have transpired in his life are no different than a Saiyan living on Planet Vegeta. I admire Kakarot for being able to stick to his Saiyan instincts, while remaining compassionate and kind hearted. It’s caused me to rethink how I view a Saiyan warrior.”
“Kakarot is only doing what he feels is right.” Vegeta smiled at his younger sister. “By staying away to train, he can be ready to protect the ones that he loves.”
“At what point…” Ellery thought about her words carefully. “Does the training outweigh your own will to live?”
The Prince raised a brow.. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“What Kakarot did was reckless. I understand training, but to put yourself into an environment that you don’t even know, throw caution to the wind for the sake of getting stronger…”
Vegeta sighed. “It’s happened to the best of us, Ellery. I remember when Kakarot first turned Super Saiyan and I witnessed it. I flew off of this planet and trained on another one for months. I nearly died then, but instead my body transformed into a stronger warrior. Every Saiyan is trying to fill the same void.”
“But, how can I go through life like this?” The Saiyan woman began to panic. “When he’s on Lord Beerus’ planet, I can’t communicate with him. If I am unable to reach him, how can I save him?!”
“Did you ever stop to think you couldn’t reach him because you’re not strong enough?”
Ellery’s head popped up as her brows furrowed in frustration. A rage began to bubble inside of her. “Excuse me??”
“I’m being serious.” The Prince crossed his arms. “There are other kinds of strength that are important, mental strength being one of them. I imagine that raising a child is exhausting on your own. Even though you’ve had Bulma and Chi-Chi’s help, I can tell it’s taken a lot from you. My once bright eyed and bushy tailed sister has seen what true exhaustion is.”
“Yeah, this hasn’t been easy..” Ellery admitted. “Instead of doing my yoga poses and meditation, I’ll find myself just sitting on the couch and staring into the void…”
Vegeta’s eyes widened in shock, not ready for the dark comment. “Those practices are what’s going to continue your training. Piccolo meditates almost daily, and it seems to have a positive effect on him. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even come up with a new technique while you’re doing so, one that’ll help you communicate with your partner no matter how far.”
Ever since her conversation with Vegeta, the young mother has been taking his advice into account. While she didn’t need to be physically strong like her partner, there were other ways she could protect her family.
This entire time, she’s felt a small resentment for her mate. He was off training while she was at home taking care of their son. She felt as if she were tied down by her responsibilities. There were a couple of times she thought of running, just like her partner did. She felt too weak to face her friends and family, she wanted to go somewhere to become stronger.
Ellery knew this was the same feeling her mate would get when he was feeling insecure.
I’m going to become the strongest… I have to be able to protect you and our little one. The young mother thought to herself as she continued to lay with her partner. Her eyes began to flutter closed, choosing to take a nap next to him.
The Saiyan woman slept for a few hours, waking up to the smell of food being brought into the room. Ellery sat up, deciding to get out of the bed. She grinned at Bulma, who was gracious enough to bring her dinner.
“Tarro’s eating with the kiddos. I figured I’d give you dinner up here.” The bluenette smiles.
“Thank you so much.” the young mother went to the small table in the corner of the room. Not realizing how hungry she was, Ellery took a small bite. After the first bit of food hit her tongue, the Saiyan woman began eating as if it were her last meal. “This tastes so good! Is this a new recipe?”
“The new little helpers have been coming up with some keepers lately.” Bulma sat across from her friend. “I’m glad they showed up all those months ago. They’ve been a big help in tutoring the kids, as well as helping me in the lab.
“Well, give my compliments to the chef.” Ellery chuckled. The herbaceous aroma of the noodle bowl began to permeate the room.
Goku’s nose perked up at the delicious smells filling his nostrils. The Saiyan had never smelled something so amazing! His eyes slowly opened as his head turned. Goku saw his partner and Bulma sitting at a table a few feet away.
A loud grumble came from the corner of the room. The noise startled the two ladies at the table.
“Hey, do you think I could get some of that?” Goku’s voice was weak. The warrior slowly reached his hand out, finding it hard to hold up. “Whatever it is smells amazing.”
Ellery stopped her eating immediately. As she looked over and saw her partner’s eyes open, her own filled with tears.
“Kakarot!!” The young mother ran to the bed, embracing her partner.
“Princess…” Goku gave his partner a bright smile. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You made me worried sick!!” The young mother cried into her partner’s chest. Ellery wrapped her arms around the Saiyan’s neck. “We started to think you weren’t going to wake up!!”
“Hey…. Hey…” The warrior held his mate close, his hand rubbing her back up and down. “I’m gonna be alright, El. Please don’t worry.” Goku used his connection to clear his partner’s anxious thoughts, filling them with calm and relaxing ones.
The Saiyan woman was thankful for the reprieve. Having Goku right by her side made Ellery feel whole. She grinned as she snuggled into his chest. “It’s been so long… I felt like I was never going to see you again.”
“I’m always going to find my way back to you, Princess.” The warrior’s voice was soft. His eyes began to flutter, just being awake was exhausting for him.
“Now that you’re awake!” Bulma grinned happily from the foot of the bed. “We need to do a couple of tests, and then you’ll be cleared to go home!!”
“They don’t involve needles do they?” Goku cringed.
“Not this time.” The bluenette smiled. “Just a quick scan, and a test of your abilities. If you pass, you’ll be able to go home before the sun goes down!”
Chapter 47: A Slow Recovery
Chapter Text
After Bulma ran her tests, she allowed Goku to go home as promised. She gave the warrior specific instructions to rest and take it easy for several weeks. The Saiyan wasn’t allowed to go to Lord Beerus’ Planet, or train with Vegeta until the scientist cleared him. Goku didn’t take this news well, as anyone would expect.
“Come on, Bulma!!” The spiky haired warrior groaned, his feet kicking back and forth. “That’s not fair! I need to get stronger!”
“No way, mister!” Bulma shook her finger in front of his face.
“Whyyyyy.” Goku whined.
“Your body still hasn’t completely healed, you dummy!” The bluenette smacked the back of his head, rolling her eyes at him.
“Well that’s not going to help!” The warrior rubbed the back of his head, pouting at his best friend.
Ellery chuckled, enjoying the playful interaction between the two of them. “I hate to agree with her, but she’s right, Kakarot.”
“Can’t we meet in the middle?? Just a little bit of training! I don’t want to go soft.”
“Goku, we don’t know the extent of the damage to your body. While you were in a coma, I talked to Whis several times. The dimension that you were thrown into was extremely volatile. You weren’t even in an oxygen basted environment! You shouldn’t have survived! Neither of us are confident there won’t be long term effects.”
“What does that mean?” The Saiyan warrior coughed heavily. Fluids came up, causing him to expel the phlegm into the nearby trash. The substance had an extremely bitter taste, making Goku cringe.
Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed, clearly irritated by the other Saiyan in the room. “It means that you need to stay at home and not train, you idiot.”
“He’s right, Kakarot.” Ellery agreed with her older brother. “It’s going to take time to get your strength back. Meditation and other daily practices will help this. You can’t get better if you rush yourself into another spar unprepared.”
“But I’m gonna wither away if I don’t do something!” Goku whined.
Bulma looked at her friend, then back towards her patient. “The only kind of training you will be doing is teaching at the Harmony Center. That’s only AFTER you’ve been cleared by me.”
“That’ll be perfect!” The Saiyan woman clapped her hands in excitement. “Your students have been asking about your return! I’m sure they’ll be elated to hear that you’re back to teach.”
The spiky haired warrior felt as if he was withering away. He couldn’t remember the last time he sat around and did nothing for days on end. It took four days for the cough to finally subside. Even after that, Goku found himself short of breath more often than not.
Most of his days were spent trying to keep track of the baby Saiyan. That task was much easier said than done.
“Pssst… Little man???” Goku whispered as he searched the house for what he felt was the millionth time. His heart began to race as he continued to search the upper level of their home. The warrior could sense Tarro’s energy close by. While he could use Instant Transmission, in the haze of missing his child Goku seemed to forget about the technique.
“Come on, Tarro, where are you? Your mom’s gonna go crazy if-”
“If what?” Ellery was leaning against the door frame, a pan in her hand with a dishtowel.
The Saiyan instantly froze. “How long have you been standing there??”
The young mother gave her partner a curious look. “Why? Do you not know where your son is?”
“I mayyyy-”
The look on the young mother’s face was enough to quiet Goku rather quickly. The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as he looked at the ground.
“I’m sorry Princess… I-”
“It’s fine, he’s not missing.” Ellery grinned. “He’s outside.”
“You let him go out there by himself????” The Saiyan looked at his partner as if she grew a head.
“He’s never run off without me. We’ve gone on adventures together in the woods. ” Ellery extended her hand out to Goku. “Come with me.”
The young mother took her mate downstairs. As they walked through the kitchen, she set the pan and towel down before going to the back door. Ellery cracked open the door quietly, trying her best not to make any noise.
On the other side was a baby Saiyan practicing basic martial arts moves. Tarro punched and kicked the air, making sure to move slowly to ensure an accurate technique. Goku was completely stunned by the sight. His attention to detail was surprising for his age. “
“W-who taught? When did-?” Were the only coherent words Goku was able to say.
“It happened from the moment he got the hang of walking.” Ellery giggled. “I started with more complex yoga moves, as he was already doing basic ones before he could walk. We then moved onto martial arts. His big brother Goten helped a lot with that. He was very patient with him.”
The mother grinned, opening the door enough to step outside. “You can tell he wants to be a warrior, just like his daddy.”
“HAAAAA’ Tarro yelled, holding his hands out. He wanted an energy blast to come from his palms terribly. Instead, little sparks flew out. This surprised the baby Saiyan, causing him to fall backwards onto his bottom.
“You did so good!” Goku praised his son, running towards him. The warrior scooped him up, tossing him into the air before catching him.
Tarro screamed as he giggled, happy that his father was proud of his accomplishment.
“Just you wait, I’m gonna teach you everything!!”
All the extra time at home caused Goku to come to a couple of realizations. The main one being how long six months of time actually is. When the Saiyan last saw his youngest son, he was just barely over the side of his forearm. Now, Tarro is double the size. The baby Saiyan was walking, flying, and even communicating with the both of them.
Each morning since his return, the warrior’s been greeted by the sound of little feet coming over to his side of the bed.
“Daddy?” The baby Saiyan reached up, climbing onto the bed. He grinned from ear to ear the moment his father was in sight.
“Hey little man.” Goku smiled, assisting his boy onto the bed. Tarro crawled into bed between the two of them.
“You know he does that to make sure you’re there..” Ellery had a sad smile on her face, moving a couple strands of hair out of her son's face. “Even before he could walk, Tarro would fly in here each morning. First he would look for you, then he’d finally settle in bed next to me.”
“Every morning??” The spiky haired warrior looked down at his youngest son, who gave him a grin.
“He really loves his Dad.” The Saiyan woman sighed happily.
Goku thought his youngest would have forgotten about him in that span of time. However, that was far from the case. The warrior hated that his partner had to go through that kind of pain. Missing a mate was a beast on its own. The Saiyan couldn’t imagine also being constantly asked where they were by an infant.
The spiky haired warrior was, putting it lightly, absent for most of Gohan and Goten’s childhood. As he’s gotten older, Goku’s noticed the toll its taken on their relationship with him. If there is ever a sign of trouble, he’s always the first one they call. However, if it's any other kind of problem, they go to their mother or Bulma for the answers.
Goku wanted to be there for his youngest more. He wanted to be the kind of father his kids could come to with anything.
The next realization came the day his ex-wife came over. Chi-Chi stopped by to drop off homemade meals for the family. She brought Jean and Goten with her each time. While in the home, the brunette made sure both Ellery and Goku had what they needed.
It surprised the Saiyan warrior that his previous partner was going out of her way to help them. Knowing that Chi-Chi and Jean were there for his mate when he couldn’t be was an extremely comforting thought. However, Goku didn’t want Ellery to get used to him not being around like his ex-wife.
How long are you going to internally monologue? The Saiyan woman raised a brow in concern towards her partner. Ellery was standing next to him in the kitchen. You’ve been going on for a few minutes.
Goku immediately pulled himself out of his head. The warrior glanced down to see he was in the middle of cooking something. Thankfully his partner caught it just in time.
“Sorry…” The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head. “I’ve been a little stuck in my head lately.”
“I’m just worried is all.” Ellery mentioned. “We love having you back home. You’re not burdening anyone by healing.”
“You’re right.” Goku smiled at his partner, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s just so weird, ya know? I’m so used to my strength being the only thing I can rely on. Now that I have to take it easy, it’s made me realize how much I use my power as a crutch.”
“You’ve relied on it for many years, Kakarot.” Ellery attempted to soothe her partner. “When you’re unable to use it, it’s natural for you to feel out of place.”
“Really? I feel like my world’s been turned upside down.”
“Kakarot….” The Saiyan woman sighed. “I don’t want you to be so hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job, all things considered.” Ellery began to assist her partner with making breakfast. “It’s going to take time for things to go back to normal. I’m positive that you’ll find your own way to make it work.”
Goku nodded, looking back down at the stove. He began concentrating on cooking. For now, he would have to make himself useful with other attributes. The Saiyan almost forgot how much he liked to cook. Chi-Chi taught him years ago, but he was always too busy training.
“We have a check-up at Bulma’s today.” The young woman mentioned, reminding Goku of their appointment. “Maybe she’ll let you train at The Harmony Center.”
“Dadddy!!!!” Tarro yelled from across the house. The little Saiyan ran into the kitchen, stopping just before he ran into his father’s legs. “Play!!”
“Would you like me to take over?” The young mother grinned. “Someone wants to play.”
“If you would..” The Saiyan turned around, picking his youngest son up. “I’m gonna take him outside for a little bit of fresh air.”
“Yaaa!!” Tarro cheered, a big smile on his features.
“Alright..” Bulma put the stethoscope around her neck once again. She just checked Goku’s lungs and heartbeat. Thankfully there were no irregularities. The fluid sound had completely disappeared! “It seems like you actually listened to my instructions this time.” The bluenette mentioned proudly.
“I didn’t have much of a choice.” Goku chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. “Between Ellery forcing me to sit down, and Chi-Chi cooking meals for us, I officially feel like a couch potato.”
“I’m glad you listened.” Bulma gleamed. “Your hard work has paid off. As far as I can tell, your vitals are back to normal. The fluid buildup has disappeared!” The scientist clapped her hands together with a smile.
“Your Aura still feels shaky, Kakarot.” The Prince advised from the couch. Tarro was on his lap, playing with a toy.
“I don’t think you should begin any sort of intense training until it’s back to normal.” Vegeta mentioned, looking towards his wife. “Don’t you agree?”
Bulma nodded. “While I do agree with Vegeta, I think you’d have no problem teaching humans at the Harmony Center. As long as you keep it to only one or two times a week. I want to revisit your progress in another four weeks.”
“A whole month?!” Goku groaned, leaning his head back. “This sucks!!”
Ellery chuckled. “You’re always so stubborn. Just listen to your friend for once. We only want what’s best for you.”
“Besides, if you’re lucky, I’d say after your next checkup, you’ll be able to start training your youngest.” Bulma grinned.
“Who knows?” Vegeta gave the two parents a devilish smile. “I may decide to train him myself. He is getting to that age.”
“One-year-old???” Ellery raised her brow, thinking it was much too early to start training with the adults. The young mother has been allowing Goten to spar with him, knowing that he wouldn’t do any significant damage. If the Saiyan woman allowed her brother or partner to train her baby boy, who knows what could happen?!
“ ‘Geta!!” Tarro yelled, throwing his fists into the air. He was obviously excited at the thought of his uncle training him.
“Don’t worry he’ll be fine.” The Prince grinned.
Chapter 48: Uncle 'Geta: Training Master
Chapter Text
“What are we gonna do little man?” Bulma questioned the baby Saiyan. The Aunty was on babysitting duty while Ellery and Goku spent time at The Harmony Center. While everyone loves seeing Tarro around, he’s become very rambunctious as he learned to walk. Many humans would be shocked, and possibly deterred by his behavior.
The bluenette didn’t mind in the slightest! Aunty Bulma was always willing to babysit. Having raised half-Saiyans, the little one was similar to Trunks growing up. Tarro got along well with both of her children. It was rare for her oldest to tire out quickly. With the little Saiyan boy in the home, the purple haired warrior has been brought to exhaustion. Each night that Tarro comes over, They end up sneaking away to play in Trunks’ room. Bulma will find them either there, or in the yard. Both of the boys will be snoring, too tired to stay awake after they play together.
“ ‘Geta! ‘Geta!” Tarro chanted. Remembering his Uncle’s words, the little warrior wanted to train with him! His Mom has been allowing his big brother, Goten, to spar. However, the baby Saiyan was looking for more of a challenge. The Prince seemed like the kind of person to not hold back, even on an infant/toddler.
“Uh, I think he’s busy right now…” Bulma glanced towards the hallway. She could hear the buzz of the Gravity Room in the distance. Vegeta hated to be disturbed, especially when his Afternoon workout just started.
“Mom!”
A purple haired teen ran into the living room. He was going to ask his mother a question. But, the second that he noticed the baby Saiyan, his train of thought completely changed. “Hey! When did Tarro get here?”
“Just a few minutes ago. Did you need something?” The bluenette asked.
“Uh… No, but can I play with him?” Trunks smiled happily.
“Tunks!!” Tarro giggled as he flew out of Bulma’s arms.
The Scientist stood from the couch. “You two have fun! I’m going to my lab. If you need anything, please come get me.”
“Sure thing!” Trunks waved goodbye to his Mom. This left the two Saiyan boys alone in the living room.
“I heard you earlier, ya know?” The purple haired warrior mentioned, a sly grin on his face. “Do you really think you’re ready to train with him?”
“YAA!” Tarro punched the air excitedly. “Uncle ‘Geta!!”
“Shhh.. Keep it down.” Trunks gestured for the little one to stay quiet, placing a finger over his lips. “If Mom found out that I was going to let you near the Gravity Room, she’d kill me.” The half-Saiyan looked surprised as the baby warrior nodded, as if he completely understood.
Tarro proceeds to tip-toe across the hardwood floor, doing his best not to make a sound. He went for the hallway, knowing exactly where his uncle was training. Trunks followed the baby Saiyan down the corridor. The purple haired Saiyan was a little anxious about his father’s reaction. However, the half-Saiyan noticed that his dad has a soft spot when it comes to Tarro.
Once they were right next to the metal door, Trunks knocked on it. He could hear the whirring of the machines powering down. Normally, his father would yell ‘GO AWAY’ at the first sign of a disturbance. This time was different. The large door swung open, nearly hitting the two young warriors in its path. Both of them were barely able to dodge it as it crashed into the wall.
“What do you want? This better be good.” The Prince’s arms were crossed over his chest.
The purple haired Saiyan rubbed the back of his head, looking down at the floor. “Well you see…”
“Train!!” Tarro jumped up and down excitedly.
“Hn.” Vegeta chuckled, a smirk appearing on his features. It was rare when the oldest Saiyan smiled in front of anyone. “I see… You’re finally ready to become a true warrior. Let’s get started.”
“Thank you for coming, everyone!” Ellery waved to the group of students. Coming back to her Yoga Studio was just what she needed. She didn’t realize how much all of her friends and students missed her.
The Saiyan woman had people lining up to fill rooms that she was teaching. Instead of cramping the small studios, Ellery decided to follow Bulma’s advice. Goku assisted in building a small platform. It was tall enough that a large group could see her, but only large enough to fit one person comfortably. Now she could have more than fifty students per class.
Each class the instructor taught grew in size. It easily fills the lawn, and begins to encroach on the sparring platforms.
After Goku’s last check-up with Bulma, the couple began teaching at The Harmony Center part-time. One or two days a week, Goku has been able to train with other humans. It has been a humbling experience to say the least. After the strain he put on his body, some of his students were giving him trouble.
The Saiyan warrior came home winded after his first few teaching sessions. It pained Ellery to see her partner distressed like this. There was a specific occasion the Saiyan woman remembered from a week ago.
Ellery closed the door of Tarro’s bedroom. After coming home from aunty Bulma’s, he was sleeping like a rock. The little warrior didn’t even wake up to the smell of food being prepared. After making sure he was comfortable, the young mother walked down the stairs. She glanced around the living area, searching for her partner.
Today was a particularly difficult day at The Harmony Center. One of Goku’s students was able to best him and knock him out of the ring. It was something that no one saw coming. The Saiyan warrior lost his footing and was unable to correct it. This resulted in his loss of the sparring match. Watching the event take place, Ellery was sure that her partner could’ve stopped the fall. If he would’ve tapped into his actual strength, it would’ve been easy-peasy. However, in that moment something stopped him.
“Kakarot?” The Saiyan woman called out, noticing he wasn’t in the kitchen. One of the double doors near the dining room was cracked open. Following her intuition, Ellery walked to the door and opened it slowly. Outside, her partner was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Goku’s head leaned back, as if he were looking at the sky.
“It’s not everyday I see you meditating.” Ellery mentioned as she made her way to her partner.
“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately…” Goku stated quietly, keeping his lids closed.
“Keeping it all to yourself?” The Saiyan woman chuckled. “I’m your partner, Kakarot. We’re supposed to share our struggles with each other.”
“This isn’t something I talk to anyone about.” The Saiyan’s voice wavered. “I don’t like my friends and family to see me so…”
“Vulnerable?” Ellery kneeled next to Goku, her left hand began running up and down his back. “Even the strongest have their breaking point.”
The spiky haired warrior could feel his eyes beginning to sting as he held back tears. The soothing touch of his partner’s hand was helping.
However, Goku couldn’t stop the overwhelming feeling that without his transformations, he’s actually not that strong compared to the Cosmos. The warrior is afraid that he’s been too reliant on his Super Saiyan abilities.
Ellery could sense the emotions her partner was battling with on the inside. She wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I love you, even if you’re not the strongest person in the universe.” The Saiyan woman could tell it was eating at her mate’s thoughts. “You are a loving and devoted partner, as well as a great father. I know you put a lot of pressure on yourself to be the strongest.”
“No I don’-” The Saiyan warrior attempted to interject.
Goku’s partner didn’t stop her train of thought. “Ever since I met you, your goal has been to become stronger than the last opponent you faced. Instead, why don’t you make a commitment to become a stronger you than the day before?”
“Uh…” The Saiyan warrior was actually speechless. He didn’t have a retort for his partner. In the beginning, that’s what Goku’s life consisted of. He was gaining the strength for the fun of it, and for his own personal growth. Somewhere along the way, after defeating Buu, the Saiyan’s life became about defeating the next opponent instead of getting stronger for the sake of growth itself.
Sure, you’re going to have slip-ups. But, if you’re trying your hardest, I know you’ll persevere in the end. You have everyone else backing you up. Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo…Hell, even me.” Ellery chuckled.
“I believe in us as a team, Kakarot. Together, we can accomplish anything.”
“But… Without my transformations..” Goku began.
“What do you mean?” Ellery raised a brow.
“Guys like Jiren and Sinthe don’t rely on transformations. They have raw power and might. Without them, I’m-”
“Still one of the strongest beings on Earth.” Goku’s mate stopped him. “Probably still in the top one-hundred strongest in the Cosmos. You came second to ‘the strongest in the Universe’ in a Tournament that was broadcasted around the entire Multiverse. Billions of people signed up for this Tournament, Kakarot, and you came in second. Is that not enough?” The Saiyan woman questioned.
“If I can’t protect the things I love… Nothing will be enough.”
“Great session today, El!” Sophai grinned as she waved towards her friend. She walked up to the platform, taking the young mother out of her daydream.
Ellery smiled brightly at her. “Thanks Soph. It’s so good to see you.”
“I feel like we never cross paths anymore.” The curly haired woman leaned against the platform. “Everyone misses the heck outta ‘ya.”
“Life’s crazy when you’re married to Kakarot.” Ellery laughed. “He injured himself training recently, so I’ve been taking all of my extra time to make sure he’s got what he needs.”
“Is he okay? Should he be teaching classes?” Sophai was concerned.
“He’s been cleared by the doctor.” Ellery smiled, knowing most humans stop asking questions once a ‘professional’ is involved. “They recommended it as part of his recovery. He just has to take it easy. Compared to the kind of training he’s used to, this is nothing.”
“How did the Tournament go?” Her friend asked.
The Saiyan woman’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
“You mentioned the two of you entered one. I thought that’s why you were gone for so long?” d
“Oh yeah!” Ellery chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. She tried to keep her other life separate from The Harmony Center. A lot of things Goku’s introduced her to, would drive a normal person insane. To know there’s multiple universes, with people in them that could potentially cause harm to us…. It’s a lot to bear.
“We made it through the preliminaries. Unfortunately, we ended up losing. There was a lot of good competition!” The Saiyan woman shrugged.
“Where’s your little tagalong?” Raina walked up to the two ladies. “I haven’t seen him since the two of you have been back.”
“He’s spending time with his Aunty Bulma.” The young mother smiled in relief. “She’s the biggest supporter in our little village. Every night she babysits, Tarro comes home exhausted. I don’t know how she does it. He never seems to run out of energy around us.”
“I know how you feel.” Sophai chuckled. “My three kids run my life.”
“One’s just about done me in.” Ellery laughed with her friend. “I couldn’t imagine three of them.”
“They’ll certainly grow on you.” Raina grinned. “After we had our daughter, we couldn’t wait to have another.”
The Saiyan woman thought of having another child on occasion. Tarro was so young, and a handful on his own. Besides, their family was already bigger than the three of them, including Goku’s two boys. Ellery felt even Chi-Chi, Jean, and Bulma’s clan were a part of her own. All of them were so close, spending several days out of the week together.
Could they add another into their mess?
Suddenly, Ellery’s phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her bag, seeing who it was. “Sorry ladies, I gotta take this. It’s the babysitter.”
“Hey Bulma! We were just wrapping up here. Gonna head your way in a few minutes.” The young woman waved at her friends, bidding them farewell as they walked to their cars.
“That’s actually why I called!” her best friend had a cheerful sound to her voice. “The boys actually tuckered the little Saiyan out. He’s down for the count. If you’d like, we can babysit for the night and you can get him in the morning.”
“Really?” The young mother’s eyes widened. “You’d do that for us?”
“Of course! He’s safe here. Besides, this will give the two of you a little bit of alone time.” Bulma’s voice became sultry, insinuating many things with her tone. The gesture made Ellery giggle as she shook her head.
“I know it’s been a long time since the two of you were able to just have some time to yourselves.” The bluenette continued. Since Tarro’s already asleep, we’ll be able to handle it for one night.``
“You’re the best girly. I’ll have to thank you later.” The ebony haired Saiyan laughed.
“No need. I’ll see you in the morning!” Bulma said her goodbyes as Ellery put her phone back in her pocket. A smile was still plastered on her face.
“Everything okay?” Goku asked as he walked up. His class walked through the lawn, getting to their vehicles.
The Saiyan woman nodded. “Bulma called. She said that Trunks and Vegeta wore out the little man. So they’re going to keep Tarro for the night, and we’re going to pick him up in the morning.”
“Wow” The warrior sounded extremely surprised. It’s been over a year since the two have been in the same place, alone for a few hours. “A night to ourselves?”
“It would appear so.” Ellery smiled. ”It’s been a long time.”
“What should we do?” The Warrior rubbed the back of his head.
“The possibilities are endless, Kakarot.” The Saiyan woman grinned as she took her partner’s hand. “Let’s lock up and head home.”
Chapter 49: First Night Alone
Chapter Text
**WARNING: Lemons at end of chapter! You can skip this if you’re only here for the actual plot! This is a little present to myself ^.^ I hope you enjoy it as well!**
**For everyone’s viewing pleasure, another chapter has been posted as well! Please enjoy Chapter 50!**
The walk back to the Son home was quiet. Leaves could be heard rustling on the ground. Wind gusts caused the air to whistle gently. It’d been so long, Ellery almost forgot what a silent walk was. The Saiyan woman could feel herself becoming anxious, thinking of what the couple was going to do with their alone time.
After Goku’s last check-up, Ellery could tell he wanted to get back to his normal routine. Still not being at one-hundred percent was bothering the Saiyan more than he was letting on. Their relationship seemed to be tense because of this fact. Did Goku only see himself as useful to protect them? The warrior was so much more than that to his family!
Each moment the two have had alone, Goku has done nearly everything in his power to stop that. To the Saiyan woman, it felt as if he didn't want to be alone with his partner. Many times he would use their son, Tarro, as the obstacle for being intimate with each other. When Ellery leans in for a kiss, Goku will gain distance, mentioning that he needed to check on their son.
For the first time in a year, the young mother was allowing someone else to take care of him for the night. It was a strange, yet liberating feeling. Now, the Saiyan wouldn’t have a reason to shy away.
Not only that, Ellery couldn’t remember the last time she and Kakarot had a moment alone together. She didn’t know why, but she could feel her body tensing up. Not knowing what was to come? Or something different entirely?
Their home was just in sight. Before they reached the threshold, each of them stopped.
“Hey.” Goku’s words were soft against her ears. The Saiyan warrior placed his hands on Ellery’s shoulders, rubbing them gently. He could sense his partner’s tension and anxiousness. In fact, he was feeling the same way.
“There’s no need to be nervous. I am too, a little.” the warrior chuckled nervously. “But… I’m more excited that we get this time alone. It’s been so long. You've changed so much..”
A cool breeze moved the hair off of Ellery’s neck. The Saiyan woman closed her eyes, allowing her tension to leave through Goku’s fingertips. She could feel changes in herself as well. Was her partner noticing the same thing? Or something else entirely?
“You’ve changed too, Kakarot.” The young mother commented.
“Yeah… I’ve still got a lot of work to do if I’m going to get stronger…” Goku lowered his head, still ashamed of the fact that he wasn’t recovering as quickly as he would like.
“I was prepared for your physical strength to change, Kakarot.” Ellery looked up, revealing the true sadness in her ebony eyes. The Saiyan woman’s eyes glistened, tears attempting to fall.
“But… I didn’t think our connection would change that much.”
The couple was silent for several moments. Ellery’s words hung in the air. Goku wasn’t sure what to say. Anything he did would probably make the situation worse. So, the warrior did the only thing he could do in this scenario. Tell the truth.
“Your aura… it’s an unwavering source of love and protection.” Goku smiled. The two could see their home in the distance. As they reached the door, The Saiyan stopped in his tracks, causing Ellery to turn around and look at her partner.
“I’m truly impressed that you were able to achieve this in such a short period of time.”
“Is over a year a short period of time?” Ellery questioned, a chuckle coming from her lips.
Goku let out a laugh of his own. “I guess you’re right.” He admitted as he stepped closer to his partner. The warrior’s chest pressed up against her. “But I’ve been shying away from you. Seeing all of the progress you’ve achieved, has made me realize that you’re even stronger than I am. You get to show your strength in a different way Princess.”
Ellery’s eyes widened, unsure of how to respond to his kind words.
“I’m just happy that I get to fall in love with you all over again.” Goku smiled.
The warrior looked at the ground.“Part of what I’ve been so afraid of… Is losing the ones that I love the most.”
“I didn’t realize that by striving to protect them by any means, was pushing them away in the process. After coming back from that other dimension. I don’t know what life is like without my strength. I honestly thought that you would leave.”
The Saiyan woman turned, their chests pressed against each other. Feeling his warm energy envelope her was truly indescribable. Looking up at her mate, Ellery allowed her hand to run through his thick spiky mane.
“Kakarot…”
The warrior closed his eyes, a smile taking over his features. The feeling of her strong fingers toying with his hair caused his body to tingle. Nothing could ruin this wonderful moment.
Suddenly, a loud roar emitted from both Saiyan’s stomachs. After being at The Harmony Center for hours, the duo was extremely hungry. Ellery couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let’s go inside. I’ll make us dinner. Whatever you’d like.” The woman kissed her partner’s nose before heading inside their home.
“Ooh!! Will you cook my favorite?” The warrior excitedly followed his mate inside. “There’s even some leftover meat in the fridge!”
Ellery turned the lights on in the living area and the kitchen, going into the fridge to dig for ingredients. Thankfully she kept a lot of leftover rice and noodles on hand. Although it was simple, fried noodles or rice with any kind of meat was easily one of Goku’s go-to dishes. She could add just about anything to it, and he would scarf it down like a starving man. When the couple couldn’t think of what to eat that night, it was usually this little treat.
The Saiyan took a seat at the island, watching his partner cook their meal. He leaned forward, his head falling into his hand as he looked Ellery over. The woman’s hips swayed to an unknown beat as she cooked. Goku listened closely and noticed that his partner was humming. Grinning happily, the warrior became mesmerized by the sight in front of him.
Feeling the eyes of her mate all over her, Ellery couldn’t help but feel empowered by his gaze. The woman glanced over her shoulder, seeing the deep ebony pools of desire. In his eyes, Goku looked as if he were about to pounce over the counter. You’d never be able to tell by his demeanor. Grinning at the prospect of giving her partner a little show, Ellery walked over to the left. She bent over farther than she needed to in order to reach the wok in the back of the cabinet.
Hearing her partner’s breath hitch was all the confirmation she needed. Goku was indeed watching her every move. Ellery took her time wiggling back out of the cabinet space. As she stood up, the woman stretched, her shirt coming up and revealing the skin of her stomach. Placing the wok on the stove, the mother walked over to the counter. She leaned over, her chest pressing against the cold marble.
“Kakarot.” Ellery purred. “Will you hand me that hair clip?”
“Huh??” The young woman’s voice pulled him out of his trance. He reached over to the right, finding the object easily enough and handing it to her.
She took the clip from his hand and pulled her hair up and out of her face. The Saiyan woman winked at her partner before she went back to cooking their dinner. Moments passed in peaceful silence. The only sounds heard in the Son household was the sizzling of the food on the stovetop, and the whirr of the fans.
Ellery continued to sway her hips, a song was playing in her head that she had to dance out. The woman hummed softly as she sauntered over to the fridge. She opened it to grab a few ingredients before allowing her swinging hips to close it for her.
Goku sat at the counter, completely mesmerized by the Saiyan beauty in front of him. Her body was putting him in a trance. So much so, that the warrior didn’t even hear his partner speak.
“Kakarot???” The Saiyan woman had turned around finally. She’d asked him if he wanted rice or noodles. Her question fell on deaf ears. Once she was facing him, she realized that he was in another world completely. Goku’s jaw was slack, his mouth nearly hanging open as he stared at his partner.
“Hello??? Earth to Kakarot??”
It took several moments for the warrior to realize that he was being spoken to. Goku shook his head, pulling himself out of his daydream. “Huh??”
“I asked if you wanted rice or noodles?” Ellery raised a brow at him suspiciously.
“Chef’s choice.”
“Are you okay, Kakarot?”
“Of course! Never better!” The Saiyan laughed as he rubbed the back of his head, not expecting to get caught
Ellery wasn’t sure how to describe her mate’s behavior, other than strange. The Saiyan woman felt as if she were being stalked by prey. Each time she turned her gaze, she would observe Goku’s eyes peering her over. A look of animalistic desire in his eyes. Shivering from the intense look she was receiving, the mother turned and attempted to ignore it, needing to finish dinner without getting distracted.
Goku’s partner went back to cooking, allowing him to continue with mentally undressing her. The warrior knew his partner often felt self-conscious about their ‘new’ body. He sensed it every time that he’s tried to share a moment with her since he’s been home. Each time Goku tried to make a move, it was eventually blocked either by Ellery herself or Tarro interrupting them.
When the warrior asks his mate about it, she simply replies with how she feels her body’s changed so much in the last year. It wasn’t something the Saiyan could understand unfortunately. Chi-Chi talked about the same dilemma decades ago. Unfortunately, Goku hasn’t learned much in this area over the years. Even though his partner’s changed, the warrior felt as if his connection to her had gotten stronger.
Through their distance, they have more to learn about each other. As the Saiyan continued to glance at his mate, he noticed that she’s gotten curvier in the year he was gone. While her body was still toned in most places, she was starting to gain a little ‘junk in the trunk’ as Bulma’s put it. Goku observed a thickness to her thighs he didn’t notice before. He began to imagine being crushed by them. The warrior bit his lip, stifling a groan.
“Everything okay back there?” Ellery chuckled.
“Just enjoying the view.” The Saiyan grinned before he stood up. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he sauntered over to his mate. “I’m not sure if I can keep my hands to myself though.”
“I’m trying to cook dinner.” The mother looked behind her, eyes widening as soon as she noticed the look on her partner’s face. A devious smirk appeared as he kneeled quickly.
“Not going to stop you.” Goku’s hands began to stroke the sides of Ellery’s thighs. “I just wanna get a closer look, see how much you’ve changed with my own hands..”
The Saiyan woman’s body began to quake as she tried to concentrate on dinner. Just a simple touch was causing her to melt. A heat began to build in her core, causing her to bite her lip. “It’s frustrating… I feel like a stranger in my own body. No one said anything about this when having children.”
“You’re even more beautiful than before, Princess.” Goku emphasized as he got closer. His lips began to press against her hips. “These hips were strong enough to hold our son, allowing him to grow into the little Saiyan warrior he is today..”
His lips continued on a path along her waist, stopping at the small of her back. The warrior’s hands moved to the front of her body, resting on her abdomen. “Sure things have changed. You’re a little different in some areas. But, you’re still my Princess.” Goku’s lips turned into a smile. “Nothing in the world is going to change how much you mean to me and this family.”
“This aura. This amazing temple of a body needs to be worshiped.” The Saiyan began to project his emotions onto the woman in front of him. Using their bond, the warrior was able to allow Ellery to see his raw and unfiltered feelings.
This was something they used to share constantly. Right after their consummation, Ellery remembered feeling overwhelmed at the fact that she could feel her own emotions as well as her partners. Over time, they each learned to control that aspect, fearing that the other partner would resent them for overstimulating them.
However, in this case, it did anything but. The Saiyan woman felt invigorated, knowing that her partner felt so strongly for her, even after all of their time apart. If anything, his emotions have become even more intense. The true pleasure that Goku was feeling in this moment they shared together was euphoric.
“Kakarot…” Ellery felt out of breath, still reeling from the moment they shared.
“Yes?”
“Dinner’s ready.” The woman mentioned as she turned the burners off, “Grab yourself a plate.”
Goku smirked as he stood. The Saiyan’s hands were on Ellery’s hips, pulling her back into his chest. “I can’t wait to eat. It looks delicious.”
The warrior’s voice was raspy, and the woman noted that he wasn’t looking at the food. Biting her lip, Ellery turned her head, leaning forward to leave a small kiss on her mate’s cheek. The feeling of their skin making contact sent a jolt of electricity through the both of them. Her lips barely left his cheek as she spoke. “You’d better dig in before it gets cold.”
Her lips moved across his skin, making their way towards his lips. Ellery gave her partner a slow kiss, allowing their lips to caress. To the Saiyan woman, it felt like pure bliss. As she pulled away, Ellery whispered against his lips.
“Make sure to save room for dessert..”
Goku shuddered as his mate walked over to a cabinet, pulling out two plates. The warrior was frozen in place as the woman handed him the cold ceramic. She fixed her own portion before handing him the serving spoon.
The Saiyan watched as his partner sauntered to the dining room, taking a seat. He nearly dropped everything in his hand, wanting his 'dessert’ first. However, as he continued to glance in Ellery’s direction, the warrior noticed a coy smile tugging at her lips. She was enjoying this little moment they were having.
Piling his plate with food, Goku took his plate over to the table. He sat across from his partner, Ellery. As he looked at his steaming pile of meat and noodles, the Saiyan felt his mate’s intense gaze. He dug in quickly, not wanting to take too long.
“Slow down. I don’t want you to burn yourself.” The female warrior laughed as she watched her partner scarf down his food as quickly as possible. Within minutes, the Saiyan was finished with his dinner. Ellery sat there in shock, never in her life seeing someone eat so much, so fast.
Goku stood from his seat, taking his dish to the sink. As he turned to sit back down, an idea came to him.
(AN: If you still chose to read the chapter, LOOK OUT! Things are about to get steamy!)
The warrior was eager to continue where they left off. Instead of taking a seat at the table, the Saiyan crawled under the table. There, he slowly made his way towards his partner. Kissing her knee gently, Goku nudged her legs apart, continuing his ascent.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Just having a little snack before my dessert.” The Saiyan chuckled deviously as he turned his head, giving attention to Ellery’s other leg. He showered it with kisses, as his hands caressed her thighs.
With each peck at her clothed skin, the Saiyan woman could feel a jolt of electricity run straight to her core. She bit her lip, trying to finish the dinner she was so fixated on moments before. Now, she’d lost her appetite. A new hunger awoke inside of her.
Ellery stood, hearing complaints from the man under the table. As her fingers went to the belt around her waist, the arguments ceased. The Saiyan woman grinned as her bottoms fell to the floor with ease. She stepped out of them and sat back down. Instead of continuing to eat, Ellery leaned back and watched her partner.
His touch was gentle, and yet so powerful. Each grip of her legs, she felt the restraint he was using. On nights of the Full Moon, a beast is awakened inside of Saiyans who decide to consummate their bonds. As the woman looked into her mate’s eyes, she could see the fire that lay within. Ellery watched as Goku continued his ascent. His lips were at the edge of her panties.
The warrior took a deep breath, smelling the essence of his partner. A groan escaped his lips as he bit into her tender flesh, unable to control the urges that he was feeling. His mate smelled divine.
“Oooh…!” Ellery moaned as her legs spread farther apart.
Goku wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction from Ellery. He pulled away for a moment, looking into her gaze. Ellery’s left hand was running through her hair. The woman’s orbs were glossed over in clear pleasure, her bottom lip was in between her two teeth as she looked into the warrior’s eyes.
“Are you finished? Your dessert’s waiting.” The woman’s voice was sultry and smooth like velvet.
Reacting instantly, Goku crawled out from under the table and stood in front of his partner. He effortlessly slid her plate to the other side of the dinner table without causing it to crash to the floor. The warrior then picked his mate up, all but tossing her on the table.
The sting on her back was more pleasurable than Ellery wanted to admit. It wasn’t often that Goku was rough with her like this. However when he was, the Saiyan woman knew she was in for a treat.
Kneeling before his Princess, the Saiyan wrapped his arms around her thighs. Her legs slowly parted for him, allowing him to plant a kiss on her panties. A groan escaped his lips as her scent began assaulting his nostrils. Her moist center was just on the other side of this thin barrier…. All he had to do was.
Rip!
The blue panties were discarded quickly. The tatters could be found in a couple of places in the dining room. Goku licked his lips as he looked at his prize. The warrior leaned in, kissing the area where her leg meets her hip. He decided to take a tortuous path from the inner thigh, across the labia, and to the other side of Ellery’s body.
The Saiyan woman could feel herself pulsating with desire. If she didn’t get some form of relief soon, she was going to take matters into her own hands. As she propped herself onto her elbows, she witnessed her partner’s features. Goku was completely fixated on his task, not allowing a single patch of skin to go untouched. She appreciated partner for being thorough.
“Kaka…” Ellery whined softly.
The noises his partner made were like music to his ears. Going back to his main objective, the warrior parted her labia slowly, noticing just how soaking wet she was. Goku moaned, unable to hold back any longer as he moved in. His tongue began to lick away all of her deliciousness.
“Yes!!” The Saiyan woman moaned, spreading her legs to allow him complete access.
Goku’s tongue moved upwards, coming into contact with the bundle of nerves. He made slow patterns there as his hands massaged Ellery's thighs. His fingers began to descend further down, cupping the Saiyan woman’s rear. Goku’s chest rumbled as he growled possessively over his partner.
“Mmm!” Ellery was unable to form coherent sentences as her mate continued to ravage her. The woman’s hands immediately went for his spiky mane. She used her newfound leverage to grind her hips effectively into her partner’s face. Head falling back, the Saiyan woman let out a primal scream as the pleasure became too much for her to contain.
The warrior made use of his hands. One went straight towards Ellery’s breast, while the other dove into the woman’s warm entrance. Goku groaned as his two fingers pounded into her, feeling his partner clench around them.
Standing up, the Saiyan quickly snapped his gi belt, tearing it. His pants fell to the floor. Quickly, his gi top and weighted top came off as well. Goku took one look at his partner’s face, and grinned. She looked delirious with pleasure. Her hair was a mess, going in front of her face and sicking up everywhere else. Ellery’s mouth was open, panting softly as she met his gaze.
“Please, Kakarot.”
Goku closed the distance between their bodies. As he entered her, the warrior’s hand was running through her thick mane of hair. Massaging the back of her scalp, he kissed her at the perfect moment. Right as she began to moan in pleasure, he captured the sound with his lips.
Taking it painfully slowly, the Saiyan’s thrust was almost agonizing. Ellery could feel every movement of his manhood inside of her, and the sensation was glorious. As their lips continued to caress, Ellery’s arms wrapped around her partner. The Saiyan woman’s nails began to scratch at his exposed skin.
“Mmmmm.” A low hum began emanating from the Saiyan above her. “I’ve missed you so much.” The warrior whispered against her lips before picking her up from the table. Hands planted on her asscheeks, Goku carried his partner to the couch.
He took a seat, grinning at the new position they’ve found themselves in. Ellery’s breasts were dangling in his face. The Saiyan leaned up, kissing and licking at the flesh as he continued his thrusting motions from before.
The Saiyan woman moaned loudly as she picked up the pace, bouncing up and down using her own hips. Thankfully, her partner was preoccupied, only adding to her pleasure. Ellery’s hands moved to Goku’s thick head of spiky hair. She pushed his face into her chest, hearing her partner groan loudly. The warrior’s hands moved to the sides of her breasts, massaging them as his face was smashed between them.
Goku began to kiss her left breast, moving towards the most sensitive portion. His lips grazed over her pebbled nipple slowly, his warm breath ghosting over it.
“Ooohhh….” Ellery whimpered, biting her lip. “Kaka.”
The warrior took her nipple into his mouth, sucking on it gently. His hand attended to the neglected one, twisting it gently between his thumb and middle finger.
“FUCK!!” The Saiyan woman cried out, her walls clenching tightly around her partner. She could feel her climax approaching fast.
“That’s it, Princess. Let it out..” Goku’s hands went to her hips and began slamming her up and down. A loud clap began resounding throughout the house. He let go of her breast, resulting in a popping sound. The cool air around her caused it to instantly harden. The sensation only added to Ellery’s pleasure.
The warrior’s head gravitated towards the neglected nipple, taking it into his mouth. He was nearing his own climax. Picking up the pace, the clapping increased in tempo. Ellery’s cries became screams of ecstasy.
“Ohhhhhhhh….. Yesss!!!!” Ellery’s eyes were closed as her body became overloaded with sensations. The climax hit her like a freight train. The woman’s body shuddered. Her thighs began to convulse uncontrollably. The young woman basked in the aftermath for several moments afterwards.
She didn’t realize her partner’s face was completely submerged into her chest. He was attempting to pull away, losing air fast. Goku put his hands on her sides and began pushing, finally falling back onto the couch. The woman on top of him fell into his chest, snuggling up to him.
“Wow…” Ellery panted with a bright smile on her face.
“You said it.” Goku chuckled, his stomach began to rumble once again.
The Saiyan woman laughed, moving to the side. “It’s a good thing that I made extras. Maybe it’s still warm!”
Chapter 50: One Final Check-Up
Chapter Text
**Five Weeks have passed since Goku and Ellery’s night alone. Today is hopefully the Saiyan’s final Check-Up with Bulma. Will he be able to train at full calibur once again? Or will he continue to ‘take it easy’ for another week?**
Bulma pulled the stethoscope away from Goku’s chest. After fighting with him for over an hour to get blood work, they were nearly finished with the check–up. His lungs had cleared all of that phlegm that he was coughing up. His lung capacity seemed to be the same, if not better than before.
Goku’s aura felt stronger than ever, like an unwavering source of light. Ellery and Vegeta both observed this during their time in Bulma’s lab. Tarro was sitting on his Uncle’s lap, playing with a toy that his Mom brought with them.
“Well..” The scientist paused. “Everything sounds good, Goku. I still think you should wait to train on Lord Beerus’ planet. However, I’m not going to restrict your training in any other way.”
“Really?? Alright!!!” Goku pumped his fist in the air, clearly excited about the wonderful news. He jumped from the doctors table, ripping the white paper that was underneath him. The Saiyan immediately began to stretch, glancing at his comrade.
“So Vegeta, whaddya say we have a little warm up?”
“Are you sure you haven’t gotten too soft? You may need to fight your youngest son before you fight me.” The Prince laughed at his own joke.
“Come on! Please!!” Goku was jumping up and down with anticipation. He wanted more than anything to get his muscles working once again.
“You’re not going to pick a fight with me just yet.” The Prince chuckled darkly. “Work your way up the ladder, maybe then you’ll be able to beat an elite Saiyan such as myself.”
The spiky haired warrior did his best to not roll his eyes. It’s been so long since he’s heard crap like that coming from Vegeta, it took him back to the old days.
“Fine… If you won’t spar with me, I’ll find someone who will!” Goku placed two fingers to his forehead, disappearing from sight.
Ellery groaned as she looked at the Prince. “Look at what you’ve done!”
“What? He’s probably going to go to baldy’s house…” Vegeta shrugged. “None of his friends should pose a threat to him, even in this state.”
“You’re unbelievable.” Bulma rolled her eyes.
As the Saiyan woman glanced around the room, she noticed her brother whispering to her son. Tarro suddenly got a very excited look on his face.
“What are the two of you doing?” The mother raised a brow.
The Prince shrugged, standing from his seat across the room. He carried Tarro with him as he left the room. “We’re gonna go spend some time together.”
“Uncle ‘Geta!!!” Tarro yelled happily.
“You better not be training him!!!” Ellery yelled. “He’s not ready to fight with the adults!”
“What was that? Can’t hear you… So far away…” Vegeta’s voice became even softer as he continued to walk down the hall.
“You’d better bring him back in one piece!”
“Can do!” Vegeta shouted. The little warrior was cheering the entire way down the hall.
Bulma shook her head as she chuckled. “Boys…”
“Right?” Ellery snickered as she leaned back in the chair. The events of the day had already tired her out.
“Honestly? I think it’s adorable he’s got a little buddy.” The bluenette chuckled. “Having Tarro around has been wonderful.” The bluenette mentioned.
“I’m glad.” The mother grinned. “It’s nice for him to have others to play with, even if it is his Uncle.” Ellery mentioned “There are days I wonder if a girl Saiyan is just as hard to raise as a boy one.” She laughed as she looked at her friend. .
“If Bulla is any indication, they’re just as unbearable for different reasons.” The bluenette sighed deeply. “It seems my little girl has developed her mother’s attitude and her fathers, something I wasn’t prepared for.”
Ellery laughed, seeing the distraught look on her friend’s face. “I’m sure it’s not that bad!”
Bulma sighed. “I wish I could tell you it’s not.”
“MAMA!!!” A little girl screamed from the other side of the home. “TRUNKS WON'T GO AWAY!!!!”
As if to prove her point, the bluenette glanced at Ellery, an exasperated look on her face. “It’s been like this for weeks. Recently she’s turned into Vegeta and wants to be left alone.”
“Oh come on… I thought having a girl would be fun.” The Saiyan woman chuckled.
“Speaking of fun….” eyeing her best friend, the older woman grinned deviously. “Did the two of you have a good time while we were babysitting.”
Remembering their night together caused Ellery to shiver. She couldn’t remember the last time the couple took their time with each other. It was a truly magical evening.
“Damn… it must be good if you’re daydreaming about it…” Bulma mentioned, giving her the side eye once again.
“It really was…” The Saiyan woman grinned, feeling her entire body glowing at the thought of that special night with her mate. “I can’t thank you enough for babysitting.”
“Anytime, we all love when he comes over!” The older woman smiled at her friend. Seeing her glow in such a way made her curious. Maybe it was a feeling she had, but something told her a new adventure was just about to begin.
Ellery smiled and nodded. “We’ll have to let you babysit overnight more often.”
“MOMMYYYYYYY” Bulla screamed.
The bluenette took a deep breath. “I should probably take care of that.” She chuckled as she stood from her chair, attempting to prepare herself for whatever she was about to face.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
The Nemakian yelled towards his student. After the two picked up regular training sessions, his pupil has seen a major improvement. Since the first Tournament of Power, Piccolo and Gohan train on a semi-regular basis. Neither of the warriors from Universe Seven could stand being left even farther behind in the race for power.
The half-Saiyan has improved tremendously, tapping into all of that unused potential he had.
“HAAA!” Gohan yelled as a large energy blast flew from his palms. His comrade had a certain look in his eye. Piccolo took a firmer stance in the ground and braced for impact, instead of his usual dodge technique.
The blast hit the Namekian like a freight train. Initially it pushed him back several feet, almost digging his own grave in the dirt. However, Piccolo was able to use his power to thrust the ball of energy into the sky, allowing it to go off with a mighty roar.
After the last Tournament of Power, Piccolo has gotten an uneasy feeling. Knowing there are beings even stronger than Jiren in the Cosmos was unfathomable to think about. To watch Sinthe just brushed every single blow away like it was nothing, was hard to comprehend. The Namekian thought he’d seen the apex of power after encountering Jiren of Universe Eleven.
“Wow… I didn’t think you’d be able to do that.” Gohan rubbed the back of his head, a signature move of his father’s.
“You’re just like your old man, underestimating your opponent and getting over-confident.” Piccolo rolled his eyes. “Let’s get ready to go again.”
“Are you sure?” The half-Saiyan looked at his friend, concerned about his injuries. “We can always take a break.”
“Does the enemy take a break when they invade the Planet, Gohan?”
A deep sigh escaped his lips, understanding what his comrade/sparring partner was trying to say. “Yeah… Let’s go again.”
“Hey guys!!”
The spiky haired Saiyan waved at his oldest son and friend.
“Goku?” Piccolo raised his eyebrows, surprised that he was even out of bed. After he heard about his comrade’s recent escapade, the Namekian was shocked that he wasn’t dead. To see him already smiling and looking fully healed was something else entirely..
“Dad? What are you doing here?”
“I just got done at Bulma’s! She said that I’m allowed to start training again!” The warrior excitedly looked at them. “I see the two of you were already in the middle of a spar.”
“Why didn’t you ask Vegeta to train with you?” Gohan questioned.
“I tried!” Goku whined, even stomping his foot for added effect. “He said I need to ‘work my way up the ladder’. Whatever that means.”
A chuckle escaped the Namekians lips. “Leave it to you, to not notice when you’re being insulted. He basically said you didn’t have what it takes to defeat him.”
“Well..” The warrior rubbed the back of his head. “To be honest, I don’t really know how strong I am right now. The only training I’ve been doing lately is some light stretching and work with my students. I got knocked off balance by one of them a few days ago.”
“In other words, you’ve got a long way to go before you can fight Vegeta again.” Gohan sighed, knowing his father must feel absolutely helpless in moments like these. To be vulnerable and open up about that experience must’ve taken a lot for him. The half-Saiyan wanted to help his father more than anything.
“Can I spar with you guys? Please?”
The two comrades looked at each other, having a silent conversation before they turned to Goku.
“Sure thing!” Gohan smiled.
“I don’t see why not.” Piccolo shrugged.
“AWESOME!” The spiky haired warrior cheered, jumping up and down.
“Piccolo, do you mind going first?” The half-Saiyan questioned his mentor.
The Namekian chuckled, his neck moving from side to side. A loud popping noise could be heard as he did so.. “Not at all. Maybe I’ll actually stand a chance. Should we set rules for this match?”
“Good idea!” The Professor mentioned. “Since we’re unsure of Dad’s fighting state, no aerial attacks. In that same spirit, no flying will be used of any kind.”
“Awe, why not?” Goku pouted.
“If your energy gives out on you mid-air. I don’t want you to get even more injured because we didn’t act quickly enough.” Gohan emphasized. “While we want to help you get stronger, it won’t be at the cost of your life.”
“Fine..” The spiky haired warrior agreed reluctantly. He watched as his green friend moved into his fighting stance. Goku did the same, looking at Piccolo as he gauged his first move. Both warriors stood in waiting, thinking the other was going to attack first.
The Saiyan was the first to make a move, lunging forward to strike his comrade. Piccolo decided to block the movement with his forearm, sending the duo backwards. The Namekian dug his feet into the ground, stopping him only a few inches from where he first stood. While the hit packed a punch, it wasn’t anything near the sting Goku’s used to giving his opponents.
Piccolo chose not to say anything, instead he retaliated with an assault of his own.
The two fighters continue their match in this manner for several minutes. As Gohan watched, he began to pay close attention to his father’s moves. While they were as fluid and natural as ever, the half-Saiyan couldn’t help but notice his body being pushed to it’s limit. At this point in a fight, Goku would’ve easily gone Super Saiyan already. However, he’s chosen to stay in his base form for far too long, and Piccolo was gaining an advantage.
The Namekian watched his opponent and was able to block the last moves easily. However, the Saiyan nearly got caught by the kick to his ribs. Goku placed two fingers to his forehead and transmitted himself behind his sparring partner.
“Kamehameha!” The warrior yelled out as an energy blast emitted from his palms.
“Haaaa!!!” Firing a ki blast of his own, Piccolo stood his ground as he attempted to overpower the Saiyan in front of him.
The two warriors battled it out, each one putting more and more energy into their blasts. The beams went back and forth dominating one another.
“You’re stronger than I remember!” Goku admitted to his old friend.
“I haven’t been sitting around, ya know?” Piccolo couldn’t help but chuckle at the warrior’s comment. “I’ve been training your son, and he’s helped me get a lot stronger.”
Gohan watched his father struggle against his mentor. Why was he not turning Super Saiyan? Was this part of his training? The half-Saiyan didn’t understand why his father was choosing to fight this way. There were several techniques in his arsenal, yet he was choosing to use his most basic of forms.
Suddenly, the bright lights dissipated. Goku and Piccolo were standing across from each other, attempting to catch their breath. Gohan ran up to them, seeing their little match was clearly over.
“Are you guys alright?” The half-Saiyan questioned as he looked at his father.
“Never better!” The warrior grinned as he panted. “This was great! My muscles are on fire!!”
Chapter 51: What Goes Up...
Chapter Text
*Two weeks have passed since Goku was cleared for training by Bulma! The warrior was going to begin his day by sparring once again. Instead, something stopped him in his tracks. *
Rays of sunshine burst through the sides of the curtains in Goku and Ellery’s bedroom. Thankfully the Saiyan woman was shielded from the brightness. However, the blinding light awoke the warrior much too early. Groaning as he covered his eyes and turned in the bed, Goku hoped more than anything to get a few more minutes of sleep.
After his spar with Piccolo and Gohan, the Saiyan knew he had a lot of work to do in order to get back into proper fighting shape. Thankfully, his oldest son was more than willing to help! The half-Saiyan has truly improved a lot since the first Tournament of Power. Using him as a training tool will be paramount to his success.
As the warrior lay in the bed, he sensed three energies in the room. He immediately recognized his own and his partners. Tarro was sleeping in his bedroom, and could be sensed in a different direction. Looking to his right, Goku noted that his mate was sound asleep next to him. Between them however, was the smallest orb of energy, barely the size of a pea.
Immediately, Goku’s blood turned to ice. Instead of wanting to celebrate, his thoughts took a turn for the worse. The words of a fellow comrade began to ring in the back of his head. Four Children born under the Sign of the Moon.
The prophecy….
If it were true, Goku’s life was about to turn upside down. According to Jiren, the second child doesn’t make it… They’re never born.
The Saiyan’s mind was reeling at the possibility of losing one of his own children. Dread began to settle in. The ultimate worry of the unknown began eating the warrior alive. Even if they weren’t born yet, they should be given the chance!
I’m getting myself worked up over nothing!! Goku did his best to reassure himself. Even if Ellery’s pregnant again, what are the chances that this prophecy is actually about our family? There are billions, if not trillions of people in the Cosmos. There’s no way that we’re the ones being sought after.
Although he was doing a good job of convincing himself otherwise, there was a part of the Saiyan warrior that just knew it was more than likely true.
How was he supposed to prepare for this kind of loss? Would it be better to not become attached at all? Ellery would be devastated if Goku acted in such a way. He couldn’t become cold and distant towards their unborn child. What was he, a monster? Tears began to sting Goku’s eyes, causing him to blink rapidly. He got out of bed, pulling an extra blanket over Ellery’s body.
He went downstairs, trying to think. However it was difficult with his stomach growling. A loud rumble rang through the home. Goku sighed and opened the fridge, pulling out the box of eggs. As he was about to crack them into a bowl, there was a knock at the door.
Who on Earth is that? I just woke up… The warrior grumbled as he walked over to the entrance of his home. Opening the door, he was shocked to find his son along with his ex-wife and her new partner.
“Good morning!” Chi-Chi’s voice rang brightly. Her eyes widened as she noticed how disheveled the Saiyan looked. “Oh… We didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Goten??” Tarro walked up behind his father, seeing his favorite playmate.
“Hey little buddy!” Goten grinned as he ran inside the house, picking up the little Saiyan.
“It’s okay… I probably wasn’t going back to sleep anyway.” Goku said with a sigh. “Come on in. I was just about to make breakfast.”
Jean and Chi-Chi follow Goku into the home while Goten and Tarro head straight outside. Goku watched them go through the back door, causing him to laugh softly.
“What’s with all the noise, Kakarot??” Ellery grumbled as she walked down the stairs, not noticing the company just yet. Once she was nearly in the kitchen, she finally noticed Chi-Chi and Jean sitting at the counter while her partner was cooking breakfast. Their son was nowhere to be seen, but from the sounds of it, Big Brother Goten took him outside to play.
“Sorry about that, Princess.” Goku sighed. “Tarro got a little too excited.”
The brunette glanced at the Saiyan woman, immediately noticing something was different about her. Perhaps it was her many years of motherhood, but she knew that Ellery was expecting. Did the couple know already? Chi-Chi wondered.
“I’ve just got a killer headache.” Ellery rubbed her head as she smiled at her guests. “It’s good to see you guys. Sorry, I’m a little under the weather this morning.”
“Not a problem!” Chi-Chi grinned. “We came by unannounced. Goten wanted to see his little brother.”
“You don’t look so good.” Jean commented, a worried look on her face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I probably should’ve stayed in bed.” Ellery chuckled weakly. “I just don’t have the strength to move. The only thing that motivated me was the smell of Kakarot’s food.”
“We should take you to Bulma’s. Make sure everything’s okay.” Goku mentioned. His voice was monotone, which was unusual.
Raising a brow, the Saiyan woman glanced at her partner. “I don’t think it’s that serious.”
“I’d feel better if we went.” Goku reiterated.
“We can stay until you guys come back.” Chi-Chi mentioned with a smile. The Saiyan’s tone surprised her. However, she tried not to think too far into it.
“Tarro and Goten are still playing in the backyard. We’ve got it covered!”
“Thanks Chi!” Ellery and Goku say simultaneously, grins on both of their faces. The spiky haired warrior places two fingers to his forehead and disappears with his partner.
Jean looked at her partner, who stood up and began taking over the pans on the stove. “She had a glow to her.”
“I saw…” Chi-Chi mentioned, still unable to shake the saddened look on Goku’s features.
Cold goo was applied to Ellery’s stomach. If she was honest, it was her least favorite part of the whole appointment. She closed her eyes as she felt the want move around her abdomen. The mother was beginning to get anxious, as her best friend wasn’t saying anything.
Minutes pass, and not a word is uttered by anyone. The tension begins to thicken as the Saiyan woman begins to wonder who will be the first to break it.
“Goku,” Bulma looked up at the spiky haired warrior. “Will you-?”
“On it.” Instantly the warrior was gone, disappearing from the room. Bulma’s eyes widened, as she didn’t even finish her sentence.
“How does he know what I need???” The Scientist mutters to herself, looking where Goku’s body used to stand. Within moments Goku was back with Vegeta, who immediately went to Ellery’s side.
Bulma glanced at her childhood friend, unsure of what just happened. Without vocalizing she needed her husband in the room, Goku left the room and made him appear? It was so out of character for him. Unless it was a battlefield scenario, Goku was usually next to clueless.
“Did you need something, Bulma?” Vegeta questioned.
“Uh… Well I actually just wanted you in here. This is important.” The bluenette turned the computer monitor so that everyone could see it. While none of them knew what they were looking at, Bulma had a pen in hand.
“This here… Is our little one.” Bulma has a small smile on her features as she circles the small lump. “Unfortunately, the baby isn’t growing where we need them to.”
“What on Earth would’ve caused this????” Vegeta’s eyes widened.
At the time, the Saiyan woman didn’t think anything of their intimate night mere days before a Full Moon. It was their first time alone in several months. She thought everything went as normal. Did the two of them do something wrong? “I-I don’t know…”
Goku continued for his mate, hearing her voice break as she tried to speak. “The night you guys babysat for us was the last time anything happened. It was the night of a Full Moon….”
Vegeta smacked the back of Goku’s head, so hard that he flew sideways into the wall. Thankfully the walls had been reinforced years ago. The spiky haired warrior hit the concrete slab with a loud thud, falling to the ground afterwards.
“Ouch!” Goku rubbed the back of his head, groaning as he felt the goose egg already beginning to form. “What the hell was that for, Vegeta??”
“I just feel like this is your fault somehow.” The Prince was fuming, and unable to calm down. He continued to clench and unclench his fists, wanting to punch the idiot some more.
“Vegeta… it’s not only his burden to bear..” Ellery’s voice was small. The Saiyan woman was unable to look at her brother. “I wanted the night together just as much as Kakarot. To be honest, at the moment I wasn’t thinking about what day of the cycle it was. I was only worried about having time with my partner.”
“Tch..” The Prince scoffed as he sighed. “I apologize for my outburst. However, I am only concerned for your safety, nothing else.”
Bulma decided to interject. “Guys let’s calm down…” She mentioned softly, placing her hand on Ellery’s arm. “There’s nothing we can do to stop what’s happened. Beating each other up in my lab and destroying perfectly good equipment is not going to help. All we can do is help Ellery and make sure that she has what she needs. If the night we babysat was truly the last night you two…. Ya know.” Bulma chuckled.
“There shouldn’t have been any reason to worry. It was a Full Moon that night. This is something that even happens to humans during pregnancy. We just have to make sure that you’re extra careful.”
“What are the odds?” The Saiyan woman questioned, her body still experiencing a numb feeling. She felt as if she was on the outside, completely zoned out of the actual conversation.
The room became deafeningly silent. No one wanted to answer Ellery. The machines became almost unbearably loud in the quiet room.
“Please, someone say something.” The Saiyan mother begged.
“Less than five percent.” Bulma uttered after a few more moments. “That’s the chance to carry the child to full term.” The Scientist turned the monitor so that Ellery could see better. She began to explain exactly what she was seeing and why she was so worried. “Normally, when females get pregnant, the embryo will find a home inside of the uterus.” The bluenette gestured to on the screen what she was referring to. “In your case, and the case for many other women, the embryo has decided to attach itself on the outside.”
“This can be dangerous for many reasons. The main one being there’s nothing to protect them.”
“Most women don’t make it out of the first trimester.” Vegeta mentioned softly, his voice cracking as he continued. “Neither one has a good chance of surviving.” .
“Bulma, what about a healing tank?” Goku stood from the floor, trying to be the optimistic one in the room.
“We used one during Tarro’s birth…” The scientist contemplated. “I’m sure it would work, if it came to that.” Bulma smiled, trying to be hopeful for her friends. “However, we’ve never researched the long term effects of being in the chamber. I’d be nervous to introduce the little one to that kind of environment while they’re still growing.”
“Women of warrior groups would often incubate their young in healing tanks such as the one we have.” Vegeta mentioned. “However, I’m not sure what the specifics were. They could’ve been two completely different machines that looked identical for all I knew.”
The bluenette continued after her husband's outburst. “In the future, if something happens, and you’re unable to get here in time, there is a chance we’ll lose the baby.”
Ellery nodded, attempting to remain calm in the face of all of this news.
“I know this will be hard, but I’m going to ask you to refrain from doing any strenuous activity. I don’t want to put you on the bedrest.. But if I have to, I will. Any kind of lifting is off limits, even your little boy.”
The scientist continued her speech. “Unlike with Tarro, I want you to come in for an ultrasound every week. I want to monitor the progress much more closely with this little one..”
Bulma continued to speak. However, the words began to mumble together as the Saiyan warrior lost focus. Goku was quickly lost in his own thoughts, only standing there and nodding to his childhood friend.
Suddenly, the spiky haired warrior was being whisked away by the Prince. Vegeta shut the door behind him quickly, taking the Saiyan outside and out of earshot from anyone important. As soon as he opened the glass door to their lawn, the widow peaked Saiyan threw Goku onto the grass. Vegeta was a little surprised that his comrade just allowed him to toss him around like a ragdoll.
Goku didn’t move from his position on the grass. Instead he just laid on his back, staring into the bright blue sky. “This is all my fault…”
“What in the hell are you talking about, Kakarot?” Vegeta crossed his arms. Seeing how distraught his fellow Saiyan was, caused his anger to fizzle up. “You’d better start explaining. Now.”
The spiky haired warrior took a deep breath, his fingers running through his hair. “Before the second Tournament of Power, I was granted the opportunity to spar with Jiren in front of the Omni Kings.” Goku began.
“While I was there with my little family, Jiren told me about a warrior from Universe Twelve. He was seeking a prophecy child. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. While the prophecy mentioned strong beings, I never imagined having three more children on top of the three I already have.”
“Is there a point to this?”
“Anyway.” Goku rolled his eyes. “I pushed it out of my mind, until I met Sinthe at the Tournament of Power, who asked me about the Prophecy himself.”
“That monster was the one looking for these children?”
“According to the prophecy no one holds a candle to their strength. From the sounds of it, he wants the child to raise as his own with his partner. Jiren mentioned them not being able to have one of their own, which made them seek out this ridiculous legend.”
“What does Ellery’s pregnancy have to do with this?”
The spiky haired warrior was silent for several moments, unable to look at his comrade. “It hints at the child not making it to term.”
“Do you remember exactly what he said???”
“How could I forget…” Goku mumbled before he looked at the Prince. “I only remember what I was told about the children, four in total.”
“The first has immeasurable strength that would rival even the Gods. The second has the ability to lift anyone’s spirits to the heavens, or to leave them with unimaginable grief. The twins are the deadliest… Something about them being born under unlikely circumstances. It’s said they share a brain, allowing them to hear each other’s thoughts, as well as those around them.``
Vegeta’s eyebrows raised in surprise. Amazingly enough, he’d heard the prophecy as well. It was something his father would babble about when he was alive. He was always on the lookout for Saiyan families of more than three children.
“The Tetrad…” The Prince mumbled under his breath. “Could it be?”
Chapter 52: Boys Day Out/A Visit from a Friend
Chapter Text
The little family appeared in their home in a flash. They just returned from another check-up with Bulma. At eight weeks, the scientist put Ellery on bedrest for the remaining twelve. Although Ellery was extremely disappointed with the news, she couldn’t do much to fight it. Both her partner, and brother were adamant that she take this seriously.
Once they were back at the Son Residence, Goku didn’t allow his partner to use a single muscle as he picked her up and carried her.
“Kakarot…I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
Goku couldn’t help but chuckle at his partner’s statement. “I know. But I don’t want you walking around and wasting that precious energy of yours. Now do you want to go to the bed, or the couch?”
“The bed is too far away from the fridge…” Ellery mentioned as her stomach rumbled.
As much as the Saiyan woman didn’t want to admit it, her partner was right. Using any of her extra energy could be harmful to the life inside of her. She was surprised at how different the two pregnancies have felt. With Tarro, she felt a drain to her energy on several occasions. Goku was there with an extra hand any time that she needed it. With their second child, Ellery can’t seem to keep up. Even with her partner giving his energy several hours out of the day, as well as throughout the night, the mother still felt completely drained.
The Saiyan laid his mate on the couch gently. He took the blanket from the back and wrapped it tightly around her. Goku smiled as he saw Ellery’s face light up at the simple gesture. The warrior leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You looked like you could use a nap.”
“Thankfully you read my mind on that one.” The Saiyan woman chuckled.
“I’m gonna get you two something to eat. Are you thirsty?”
Ellery smiled at her partner, maneuvering her arm out of the swaddled blanket to stroke his cheek. “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to get me anything.”
“Snack Time!!” The little Saiyan blurted out. He was clinging to his father’s gi from the back.
“Yep, you’re right buddy.” Goku smiled while walking into the kitchen, his partner's request falling on deaf ears. “It’s snack time, and Mommy’s getting one whether she likes it or not.”
The warrior fumbled around in the refrigerator for a few moments, finding the appropriate food for his partner and child. Goku found Tarro’s favorite snack and handed him the container of various fruits as he continued to search. Finding the perfect food for his mate, Goku walked over to the couch and handed Ellery two containers. One was filled to the brim with her favorite dessert, while the other held the dinner from last night.
“You’re the best!” Ellery smiled as she snatched the two containers quickly. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until food was presented to her.
Goku found the remote to the television, placing it on the arm of the couch. “Here’s this thing, if you want it.”
“What are you going to do for the day?” Ellery questioned. She was a little apprehensive of him going to train. If something were to happen, it wouldn’t be good if they couldn’t reach him.
The Saiyan contemplated. While he wanted to spar with Vegeta, he still didn’t think he was up for the task. After challenging Krillin and Piccolo to a match, Goku noticed that he still had a long way to go. Training would be the best option. However, it would be difficult to do with Tarro there.
Suddenly, an idea popped into the warrior’s mind. It’d been almost a year since the last Tournament of Power. Maybe he should visit his friends at the Palace. He wonders what Zeni and Zeno have been up to in their time apart. They only remember Tarro as an infant. The warrior thought they’d be fascinated by how much he’s grown!
“I think we’re gonna have a boys day out.” Goku grinned as he picked up the little Saiyan, placing the empty container into the sink. The little warrior had the last few pieces in his hands. “We’ll let Mommy get some rest, and spend some time together!”
“That sounds like a great idea.” Ellery smiled. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know…” The warrior pondered, even though he’d solidified the plan in his head.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to take him?” The mother questioned. “Sometimes it’s like you forget that I’m in your head too.”
“Uhh..” Goku rubbed the back of his head. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
“I could think of an infinite number of things, Kakarot.”
“Come on, Princess!” Goku gave his partner a toothy grin. “Everything will be fine!”
Ellery sighed, looking at her partner. Even though she was anxious, she knew in her heart that Goku would do anything to protect his son. Knowing this, she allowed them to go. “Please be back at a decent hour. I don’t want him going on a rampage because he didn’t get a nap.”
“Sure thing!” Goku jumped excitedly. He was surprised that his mate agreed. The warrior reached into his pocket, pulling out the purple and teal button. “You make sure both of you get some rest. Love you!” The Saiyan waved as he disappeared.
“Bye Mommy!!” Tarro said with a mouth full of food as he waved.
Once they appear at the Palace, the little warrior is completely taken aback. It's like nothing he's ever witnessed before. Although he could see the smile on his dad's face, the young Saiyan felt the overwhelming powers that were behind the doors. He kept close to his father, clinging to him as they walk to the double doors.
Within moments, the duo is greeted by two Guards. Tarro’s eyes became wide as his fists clung even tighter to his father’s gi. The little Saiyan watches his father’s reaction, waiting to see what was in store for them.
“Hey guys!” Goku waves at the guards as he smiles. “We came to see Zeni and Zeno. Are they home?”
The two beings look at each other for what seemed like an eternity to the little warrior. Eventually, they nod and turn around, walking in the direction of the Palace.
“It’s been quite some time, Goku.” The Grand Minister met the group at the entrance of the Palace.
“Hello Grand Minister.” The Saiyan took a moment to bow slightly in front of the Deity.
“It’s a pleasure, as always.” The Angel grinned, looking at the small child in Goku’s arms. “Is this your son? He’s grown so much.”
“Yes.” The warrior smiled happily, glancing down at his youngest. “He’s getting stronger every day!” Tarro was unsure of what to think of the men surrounding him. Never seeing his father act so formally caused him to think these people were important. The little Saiyan kept close to his father, holding onto his gi tightly.
“I presume you’re here to see the Omni Kings?”
“Yes, sir.” Goku nodded. “I was hoping they weren’t busy. “
“Not at all. In fact, they’re pretty bored at the moment. They’ll be glad you stopped by.” The High Priest waved the guards away. “Allow me to take him to the Game Room.” He said to them as he turned on his heel, walking down the large corridor.
“This is gonna be so much fun little buddy.” Goku whispered to his son excitedly. He was ready for Tarro to meet his two newest friends for the second time.
“I’m bored…”
“I’m bored too…”
Zeni and Zeno sat in their game room. Each of them had a marble sized planet in their hands. They were just playing with it between their fingers as they contemplated what to do next. Every game they played seemed so monotonous. They wanted to do something exciting! After speaking with The Grand Minister yesterday, the little blue deities waited impatiently for the next Tournament to begin. When asked how long it would take, the High Priests answer was ambiguous. He didn’t want to give the Omni Kings a definitive answer just yet.
“What should we do?” Zeni looked at his companion, tossing the little marble on the ground, watching it shatter and then disappear.
“I dunno…” Zeno shrugged as he copied his friend. The two of them giggled, enjoying the noise that it made. Each one picked up a few more planets, tossing them on the ground. The glass like sound was amusing to them, as well as the glittery finish.
“Well that was pretty fun…”
“I wonder what else we can do.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Zeni and Zeno look at each other before calling out in unison.
“Come in!”
The double doors opened, revealing The Grand Minister as well as someone else they didn’t recognize. It wasn’t until Zeni noticed the bright orange colored gi, that he recognized his friend. “Goku!!!”
“It’s Goku!!” Zeno yelled happily, jumping from his seat at the same time as their companion. The Omni Kings ran towards the Saiyan warrior.
“Hey Zeni, Zeno” The warrior grinned as he waved at his friends. “I wanted to see if you guys wanted to play.”
“Yes!”
“Of course!!”
As they got closer, Zeno was the first to notice something in Goku’s arms. Gasping as they saw the little Saiyan, both little Deities stopped in their tracks.
“Who’s this?” Zeni questioned.
“Yes, Goku. Who did you bring to see us?”
The warrior kneeled, allowing the Omni Kings to get a better look at his son. He could sense Tarro’s apprehension, which was understandable. These two small beings were capable of incredibly powerful things.
“Zeni, Zeno. I would like you to officially meet my son. Tarro.”
“Hi.” The little Saiyan waved.
Both Deities were in awe at how adorable the tiny version of Goku was.
“Goku, he looks just like you!” Zeni cooed at the small child.
“He’s gotten so big since the last time!” Zeno remembered seeing the child before, he was a fraction of the size before. “We haven’t seen you in forever, Goku!” Zeni mentioned with a small pout on his face.
“Yes, forever!” Zeno nodded. “We’re sorry you lost in the last Tournament…”
The warrior shrugged, the Tournament seeming like ages ago now. “Don’t worry about it buddies. I’m still training to get better!”
“So… Do you think we should have another one?”
Goku’s eyes widened. While the idea of another chance to show everyone what he’s made of sounded nice. He knew that his partner would want to be involved as well. Not only that, Goku didn’t want to think about any other Universes for the time being. Having so many complications in his own life has caused his circle of care to shrink dramatically
“Uh…” The spiky haired warrior rubbed the back of his head. “I don’t think right now’s a good time, little buddies.”
“Oh…” Zeno said, his lip jutted into a small pout.
“Why?” Zeni asked.
“Because…. My partner, Ellery. She loves to enter the Tournaments too! The problem is, we just found out we’re going to have another baby.
“You are?!” Zeni gasped.
“Congratulations!!!”
“Thanks.” Goku chuckled.
“If we could wait, she would really appreciate it. I know everyone would fight really hard. It’d be super exciting.” The spiky haired warrior took a seat, cross-legged on the floor. He placed Tarro in his lap, keeping him close. The little Saiyan was thankful, he felt safe in his father’s presence. Even though the beings in front of him seemed fun, he was still wary.
“I’m Zeni” the little blue Deity reached out to shake his hand. Tarro looked at it for a moment, debating on whether he should do so. Looking up at his father, he noticed a bright smile on his face, meaning that he trusted the two in front of him. The little warrior reached out, taking Zeni’s hand and shaking it as he watched his Mom and Dad do.
The Omni King’s reaction was unlike any other. He gasped in amazement while his entire face lit up. Although the being was only a little bit smaller than them, Zeni could see the hidden potential lying dormant within. Glancing at his companion, the little blue deity grinned as he let go of Tarro’s hand. “This is fun! Will you shake Zeno’s hand as well?”
The other Deity’s eyes widened. He’d kept himself reserved as they got closer to the child. After his friend’s reaction however, the Omni King chose to extend his hand to the little Saiyan.
Tarro nodded and shook Zeno’s hand as well. Seeing each of their faces light up finally piqued the little one’s interest. Why were they looking at him in this way? The two of them seemed harmless. Their aura was bright and shiny. Unlike his parent’s, who each had their own hue, the two Deities had an opaque white bubble surrounding them.
“You were right!” Zeno giggled. “This is fun!”
Goku chuckled happily as he watched the three of them interact with each other. He was glad he made the decision to come see The Omni Kings. Zeni and Zeno could always use another friend. If Tarro likes playing with them, perhaps he could help with their boredom on more occasions than once a year. Hopefully, it’d keep the little blue guy’s brains off of the Tournament of Power.
Chapter 53: ... Must Come Down
Chapter Text
**In the last Chapter of Karrots and Cellery, the first work in this series, Ellery has a terrible dream. Unbeknownst to her, that nightmare was about to become a reality.**
What time is it? Ellery groaned as she rolled onto her side. Her partner was not in bed, and it was still dark outside. While it was the wee hours of the morning, the sun was only minutes from showing itself. Goku was teaching a sparring class at The Harmony Center.
Ellery was surprised when the class agreed to do a sunrise session. Most humans don’t like to get up early unless they have to from what she’s witnessed. Although he’s been cleared for his regular training regiment, Goku finds himself wanting to go back to the basics. If he was going to get stronger, ensuring that his technique is flawless on the simple moves was paramount to his success.
The Saiyan woman continued to squirm in the bed. No position was comfortable. She tried for several minutes to find a new way to lay down, hoping to sleep a little longer. However, her body wasn’t having it. After laying in bed for days on end, she was just tired of being there.
Ellery’s stomach growled underneath the blanket she was covered in.
She was taking it easy just as Bulma ordered. The mother wasn’t sure who was having a tougher time, Ellery, or Tarro. The little Saiyan was used to holding onto his mother for comfort. It was a difficult transition from flying into his Mom’s arms, to only being able to snuggle with her if she was sitting or laying down. The Saiyan woman did her best to help with the transition, allowing him as much quality time as the little warrior needed.
After realizing all the extra complications of this pregnancy, Ellery didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the baby. Since her appointment last week, the mother has only been getting out of bed to stretch, and for the necessities.
This left all of the work to her partner, Goku.
Taking his new position in stride, the warrior has been an amazing help to Ellery. He almost never left her side, other than to get necessities. After his ‘playdate’ with The Omni Kings, the Saiyan has taken over as his new role of house husband. Goku didn’t realize how much work it would be, especially with a little Saiyan around.
Thankfully he hasn’t been alone in that endeavor. Bulma and Vegeta, as well as Jean and Chi-Chi have been checking on the family, ensuring they have everything they need. Trunks and Goten are excellent when it comes to babysitting Tarro. Ellery was extremely grateful for all of the extra support in their time of need.
Although she’s happy about the extra hands, it left Ellery feeling completely useless in her own home. She remembered what it was like being on bedrest with Tarro. Although there was a major difference in being eight weeks pregnant vs the full twenty-four, the danger Ellery was in was much greater than before.
Unable to go back to sleep after waking up in the wee hours of the morning, Ellery made the decision to go downstairs. The mother slowly moved her weight, trying her best not to wake the little Saiyan in bed with her. Finally, she got out of the bed, nearly yelping as her toes felt the cold floor. On her way, she stepped over the couple of toys that lay on the floor.
The Saiyan woman walked towards the kitchen, immediately going for the refrigerator. She grabbed two leftover pizza boxes on her way outside.
A cool breeze came from the south, making the hairs on the young woman’s arm stand. Ellery walked towards the hammock, enjoying the morning air.
For the first time in weeks, the mother decided to relax outside of her home. The Saiyan woman was glad she did. Beautiful wildflowers scattered the grass and even into the pond on top of the lily pads. She could feel several different species of animals in the forest around her. Their energies were friendly and peaceful, only adding to her serenity.
The mother closed her eyes once more, feeling the auras around her interacting with her own. Ever since Ellery was able to feel her youngests energy, she’s been more aware of the other ki signatures around her. She would read each of them, observe their behavior from a distance before she would decide to react, or let it go.
After she was settled in the hammock, Ellery opened the pizza box she’d placed on her thighs. She took out a piece and began to eat, loving the taste.
While she watched the sunrise, Ellery could feel the small energy close to her. When it began to move around, the young woman felt a small movement in her stomach. The mother’s hands gravitated towards her lower abdomen. She felt the movement begin there. She loved the sensation of their child growing inside of her.
You’re growing nice and big, little one. I’m so proud of you. The Saiyan woman smiled happily, her thumb stroking her stomach as her hand rested there. Yesterday marked the second week of the Second Trimester. Her abdomen had grown slightly in size, but not as much as she did with her first son.
With a shorter gestation period than humans, Ellery was hoping she could get through the next few weeks with no complications.
“What’s your name going to be, little one?” The Saiyan woman grinned as she started speaking to her youngest. She’s been doing it more often as the pregnancy has progressed. “Maybe…Okara or Onio…. Oliva?” The mother looked down at her abdomen.
“What do you think?” She whispered as she continued to run her fingers across her stomach.
“Mama!” Ellery heard a small voice coming towards her. A little Saiyan boy with spiky hair was attempting to run in her direction.
“Tarro, what are you doing? ” The Saiyan mother glanced towards her home. Her oldest son was running outside towards her, tears running down his cheeks. It was normal for him to wake up early, but not as the sun was peeking over the trees. She began to wonder how long Tarro was looking for her.
“I had bad dream, Mama.” There were tears in young Tarro’s eyes. “A man took Daddy away!”
Since the little Saiyan turned one, his vocabulary has increased exponentially. His playdates with Gohan and Bulma have definitely been helping with this.
Ellery’s features only lightened as she heard her son’s story. She reached out her arms, allowing him to crawl into her lap. The young mother stroked her son’s hair gently while she kissed his head. A light purr emanated from her chest.
“Sweetheart, it was just a dream. If someone came to ‘take your father away’ I have no doubt he would be able to handle it.”
“But Mommy, it felt so real!!” The little Saiyan boy was shaking in his mother’s arms.
“My little Tarro. My sweet, sweet Tarro.” Ellery whispered to her son, holding him tight in her arms. “Your father is one of the strongest men in the Universe. I don’t know a being that can take him against his will. It was just a dream.”
“Okay…” Tarro whispered into his mother’s chest. The little body in Ellery’s arms had stopped trembling. “Can we do the poses?”
“Of course, my little warrior.” The Saiyan woman beamed. Ellery’s son leaped out of the hammock, running to the clearing.
As the young woman stood from the hammock, a sharp pain struck her lower abdomen, bringing her to her knees. Ellery cried out as she felt like her insides were being ripped apart.
“Mom??” Tarro turned the moment he heard the cry. “Mommy!!”
Ellery could barely hear her son yelling for her. His voice sounded farther away with each scream. As the young woman looked down, she noticed a pool of blood on the earth below her. Ellery’s gi was soaked in it. Unable to cry for help, the Saiyan woman fell the rest of the way to the grass. She did her best at not falling on her stomach, instead most of the impact was taken by her shoulder and back.
KAKAROT!!! The mother fell to the ground with a thud.
Immediately, Tarro’s heart began to race. He flew to Ellery, noticing the blood that was soaking her clothing. Panic began to set in. The little boy was unsure of what to do. Seconds felt like hours as he stood there in shock.
His father wasn’t at the house this morning. However, if he stood and concentrated, the little Saiyan could feel his aura nearby. Would he be strong enough to make the journey? He’d never flown that far on his own before…
But he had to save his Mom. Taking to the sky, Tarro elevated quickly. “Daddy!!!” He screamed at the top of his lungs. Hopefully his father would be able to hear him before he saw him.
Within seconds, Goku appeared out of thin air. He scooped Ellery into his arms. The little warrior flew to his father, latching onto his back as fast as he could.
===========
“Great job, guys! Keep it up!”
Goku walked slowly through the lines of students, observing their technique. This morning’s training began with yoga poses for stretching, along with a meditation, and a light spar..
It was something the warrior has started to implement into his own training. He feels that it’s been making a tremendous improvement on his connection with his own body. Moving in and out of the Non-Mastered Ultra Instinct has become easier. His defense has become impeccable.
However, like in the Tournament of Power, it was the offense that was the most difficult to master.
Now, the students were getting into the more ‘rigorous’ aspect of their training. Goku was teaching his students the art of energy manipulation. While he didn’t think they’d be able to produce ki blasts anytime soon, the warrior was more than happy to teach them to fly.
“Okay! Are you guys ready for somethi-”
KAKAROT!!!
Suddenly, Goku felt an immense pain in his abdomen. He immediately went into action, placing two fingers to his forehead. He disappeared out of the sight of his students, reappearing in his backyard. Not having any time to act other than his instincts, the Saiyan immediately transported out of the area to the only person he knew that could help.
The warrior appeared in Bulma’s lab. The scientist was at her desk, working on one of her latest projects. She felt a shift in the air, causing her to turn around. The sight in front of her nearly caused her heart to stop.
“HELP!!!” Goku screamed.
Immediately, the scientist went into action. She helped Goku place Ellery on the bed. As she turned to find a piece of equipment, Bulma noticed little Tarro clinging to his father’s gi. He had a horrified look on his face as tears continued to fall down and soak his shirt.
“Get him out of here, now Goku!” Bulma yelled as she pointed to the door. “Go find Vegeta. I’ve been training him on what to do in this kind of emergency. You don’t need to be in here right now.”
“But-” The Saiyan tried to interject.
“NOW!!! GO!!!!”
Using Instant Transmission, the Saiyan disappeared to the other side of Capsule Corp. He reappeared inside of the gravity chamber, the machine on full power. The baby Saiyan fell from his back onto the cold tile floor. Tarro felt as if his body was being crushed by a large boulder. How could anyone stand to be in this kind of environment?? He immediately started to cry, alerting Vegeta that visitors were in his room.
“Kakarot?!” The warrior ran to the emergency switch and turned it off. “What in the hell is going on?!?”
“Bulma needs you…” The Saiyan panted. “Please…’
It took a few moments for the shock of being intruded on to subside. Once it did, Vegeta noticed that Goku was covered in blood around his stomach and legs. His eyes widened, realizing exactly what was going on.
Going into action, the Prince flew at the speed of light to his wife.
All of the adrenaline pumped out of him, the spiky haired warrior collapsed on the floor. Thankfully, he was able to catch his fall, and sit down on the cold tile. He noticed his son laying on the ground, as if he was afraid to stand up.
“Come here buddy.” Goku quickly reached in front of him and pulled his youngest to his chest.
“Is Mommy otay??” the little Saiyan questioned, tears staining his cheeks and shirt. “What abou- little baby??”
“Aunty Bulma’s gonna do everything she can.” The warrior’s voice cracked as he clung to his youngest. Although he could still feel Ellery’s aura, Goku couldn’t feel the life energy of their second child. He wanted to break down and cry, throw caution to the wind as he cursed the Gods of the Cosmos for tearing his family apart. He wanted revenge, but there was no one to blame in this situation…
Looking down at his son, he knew he had to remain composed.
“Your Mommy’s very strong Tarro. Even stronger than Daddy in a lot of ways.” The warrior couldn’t help but smile, thinking of all the ways Ellery has made his life better. “She’s going to make it.
“Oh my goodness!”
Chi-Chi ran into the Gravity room, looking at the state of Goku’s clothing and assuming the worst. “Can you move? Do I need to call Bulma here??”
“No… Uh.. '' Goku wasn’t sure what to say, his mind was jumbled with everything going on. However, it cleared enough to say this coherent sentence. “What are you doing here?”
“Aunty Chi!” Tarro reached up the moment he saw her.
“We came to drop Goten off for a play date with Trunks. I know he can fly, but I wanted to come and see Bulma.” The older woman took the child into her arms, giving him a once over. She didn’t immediately notice any blood on him.
“Is your Daddy okay?” She asked the little Saiyan.
“Mommy fell!!”
“Fell??” Eyes widening, suddenly all of the blood made sense. She looks at her ex-partner, noticing that he wasn’t going to be able to help enhance the details. Chi-Chi jumps into action.
“I’m going to take Tarro to our place for the night. I’ll be bringing you a change of clothes and something to eat.”
“You don’t nee-”
“Goku.” The woman said sternly. “You’re not budging me on this.” She says as she turns on her heel, walking out of the room quickly.
“TRUNKS! GOTEN!!”
Within seconds the two boys were in front of her, eyes wide at the tone in her voice.
“Mom I’m so-” Goten immediately began.
“I need you two boys to do me a huge favor.” She mentioned as she looked at the little Saiyan in her arms.
The two half-Saiyan’s looked at each other skeptically. Normally, Chi-Chi would never allow this kind of behavior. What was going on?
“Mom, is everything okay?” Goten asked curiously.
Ignoring his question the older mother continued. “I need you to go to your father’s house and get him a change of clothes.”
“What happened? Is Goku okay?” Trunks wondered.
“Now isn’t the time for backtalk!” The mother screamed. “Go! Now!” Chi-Chi was beginning to become impatient and it was showing in her voice.
“Okay! Sorry!” Goten said quickly as he took his friend’s hand, running towards the front door.
Chapter 54: A Hole in Their Hearts
Chapter Text
Ellery woke with a familiar heavy feeling. The sedated feeling reminded her of waking up after Tarro’s birth. As she blinked rapidly, her eyes slowly came into focus. The bright ceiling and walls told the Saiyan woman she wasn’t at home. The light had been dimmed in the room, but it was just bright enough to see across the room. A beeping could be heard to her left. Her head felt too heavy to move. All Ellery could do was lay there in the fog.
Her mind was hazy, and she was unable to recollect her whereabouts for an undetermined amount of time.. The last thing the woman could remember was laying outside in the hammock. Tarro just ran outside and told her about a bad dream he was having.
For some reason it felt as if it were days, if not weeks ago.
There were tubes in her nose, pumping oxygen into her nose to help her breathe. Ellery could feel the needles poking into her arms. The dull pain was part of what awoke her. Laying in bed, the Saiyan woman began to wonder where the rest of her family was.
I can sense Bulma’s aura in the next room . Ellery thought as she continued to search the area. Bulla is in her room, while Trunks and Goten are outside with Tarro. As the woman scanned Capsule Corp, she noticed a few things were amiss.
What are Chi-Chi and Jean doing here? As the mother continued to scan, she couldn’t help but feel like she was missing someone.
YOU’RE AWAKE!!! Goku’s voice began ringing through. The worry was evident in his voice. Had she really been out for that long? What was going on??
“Kakarot?” The woman attempted to open her eyes, however, the lights in the room were far too bright.
The spiky haired Saiyan lept from the couch. He made it across the room in an instant. Goku reached behind the bed and turned off the rest of the lights. He wiggled his way into the bed with her, making sure to watch for her arm hooked up to the machine. The Saiyan rested his forehead on hers.
Ellery could tell her partner was hiding his thoughts from her. It was rare to search Goku’s aura and find NO trace of emotion.
The baby!! Ellery immediately began to search her stomach for her little one’s energy. However, it wasn’t in her abdomen like she was anticipating. The Saiyan woman could hear the speed of her heart rate pick up from the monitor. Searching the property, the little energy was nowhere to be found.
An alarm on the heart monitor began to go off. Within moments, Bulma and Chi-Chi were in the room.
“Hey! You’re awake!” Bulma smiles, a clear look of relief on her features. “I was so worried about you.” The woman with a bun placed her hand on Ellery’s arm.
Unable to think about anything else, the female warrior looked between the three of them. “Where’s my baby? What’s going on? Why am I here??” The questions rushed out before the Saiyan woman could stop them.
Chi-Chi glanced at Bulma, at a loss for words. Her mouth opened several times, however she was unable to find the right thing to say.
“Princess…” Goku began, his voice soft and calm. “You’ve been out for several days..” The warrior’s voice cracked as he tried to speak.
“ Why is no one answering my question!!! .” Ellery’s tone was deadly as she gripped onto the rail. of the bed. The monitor continued to flash and beep, alerting everyone of the mother’s high blood pressure and speedy pulse.
“Sweetie, uh…” Bulma attempted.
“Goku brought you here almost a week ago covered in blood. Bulma did everything she could honey, but…” Chi-Chi continued when the bluenette was at a loss for words.
“Unfortunately, even with Vegeta and Whis’ help, they were only able to save you. Both of your lives were in danger, and unfortunately the little one didn’t make it. After we realized we were unable to save the two of you, we put all of our efforts into keeping you with us.” Bulma finished.
“Do you remember what was going on before you passed out?” Goku begged.
At some point, the Saiyan woman dissociated from the conversation. Everyone’s words turned into a mumble. The weight of the world began to swallow her whole. Tears flowed freely down her face. The agonizing empty feeling was eating away at her.
“Whis was able to remove any of the scarring. You’re as good as new!” Chi-Chi attempted to sound happy in this grim situation.
After Ellery didn’t say anything for several minutes, the tension only continued to build. Immediately, the Saiyan warrior felt the need to protect his mate. He pulled her close, placing her between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her as he enveloped her.
“I think you should leave.” Goku’s voice was monotone.
Bulma’s eyes widened, surprised at the blunt way her old friend was speaking to her. Normally she would feel hurt and angry, probably smack him in the back of the head. However, Chi-Chi wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She nodded to the couple before escorting the bluenette out of the room.
Goku and Ellery sat in the silence. The spiky haired warrior nestled his face into neck. He took a deep breath and allowed her scent to calm him. However, he was feeling exactly as Ellery was, an empty feeling was beginning to overtake him. Tears fell down his face and onto his partner.
“I’m so sorry..” The Saiyan’s voice broke as he whispered against her skin. “I’m supposed to keep you and my family safe… and I failed.”
The mother snapped out of her catatonic state at the sound of her partner’s voice. She used her left hand to run through his thick mane. Ellery could sense the despair and agonizing pain Goku felt.
“Kakarot.” The Saiyan woman whispered. “I don’t blame you for this. It’s not your fault.”
The warrior broke down, the cries no longer being stifled. The dam finally broke in the Saiyan.
“But-” Goku began.
“The fact that I made it this far along is a miracle.” Ellery chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood a little.
The warrior only held his partner closer. “Does this mean it’s real? The Tetrad Prophecy?” Goku’s voice was barely a whisper.
“MOMMY!!” Tarro burst through the door. After fighting through his Aunty Bulma, Chi, big brother and uncle, the little warrior immediately went towards his mother’s awakened aura.
After his father left the first time, Ellery began teaching him everything he knew about energy and wielding it. Although it wasn’t much, and he was only a year old, Tarro learned how to sense the different frequencies in her ki.
For example, when Ellery was asleep, her aura was nice and calm. It reminded the little Saiyan of the pond behind their home. While she was awake, she had a gentle hum to her aura that Tarro was able to hear. In times of distress, the hum changes to an almost screech.
The little Saiyan flew to his mother, clinging to her legs. After several reprimands from Aunty Bulma, he’s learned not to go close to the ‘strings’ by his Mom’s arms.
Ellery’s eyes widened, all of her attention going to the little Saiyan. She pulled him closer, putting him right on her chest. She ignored the irritation from the needles in her arms. The Saiyan woman just wanted Tarro close to her.
“Hey little man.” Goku’s smile was as weak as his voice.
“My little warrior.” The mother whispered against his head as she kissed it.
Bulma and Chi-Chi were a little far behind him, panting as she burst through the door. “Sorry guys, we tried to catch him.”
“He can stay.” Goku snapped, looking at the two women as he clung to his little family. An overwhelming need to protect them came over the Saiyan warrior.
Bulma’s eyes widened before she nodded. “If you guys need anything, let us know.” She exited the room quickly.
“Are you okay, Mommy??” Tarro questioned, tears threatened to fall down his face.
“I’m…” Ellery paused for a moment. Although she felt far from okay. She couldn’t tell her son that. “I’m really glad you’re here. Just seeing your bright little face made me feel a thousand times better.” The mother smiled.
“Yay!” Tarro cheered, a smile on his face as he hugged her tightly. Although he wasn’t able to understand what was going on. The little Saiyan knew his little brother or sister’s energy was no longer here. When he asked why, no one could really answer that question. He could see the torn and devastated looks on their features. Although he was an infant, the little warrior knew something bad must’ve happened.
It became obvious to the little Saiyan when he was visited in his dreams.
The little warrior snuggled close to his mother. The Saiyan woman’s head fell back onto her mate’s chest with a thud, completely drained from that little interaction. She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes once again at the thought of Tarro not understanding what happened to his little brother or sister.
“Mommy?” Tarro’s voice was barely a whisper as he looked up at Ellery. While he was apprehensive, the little warrior needed to tell his Mother about the dream. Keeping it to himself felt wrong.
“Hm?”
“I… I had a dream.”
“Oh?” Ellery’s brow raised. It wasn’t unusual for Tarro to have dreams at a young age. The Saiyan woman could remember the first time it happened. Convinced that his big brother Goten had turned into a giant monkey, Tarro ran into Ellery’s room freaking out one morning.
“What happened, sweetie?”
The first night at Aunty Bulma’s house was strange. After his Dad left, Chi-Chi and his big brother did their best to entertain the little warrior. Gohan, Videl, and Pan even came over for a while. It was always fun when the younger kids got together. A light sparring match commenced.
Although everyone was keeping Tarro distracted, he knew something wasn’t right. His Mom and Dad were nowhere to be found. None of the adults have been able to explain if Ellery was going to be okay, and that was extremely frustrating.
The night commenced after a late dinner. He was put to bed by Aunty Bulma and Chi-Chi, instead of his Mom and Dad. It was strange not having Ellery around. For all of the little Saiyan’s life, she’s been by his side. Sure, he’s stayed the night at other places, but the state he last saw his mother in caused him to worry. What if she didn’t make it?
It took the little warrior several hours to let sleep take over him. Once it did, he was greeted by a figure in his dreams. It scared Tarro because it didn’t look like a real person. Resembling fog, the figure looked like a small blob. It had little detail. However, the little Saiyan could tell it was a familiar energy.
“Who are you??” Tarro asked, walking towards it.
“Big brother??” A tiny voice came from the figure.
The little Saiyan’s eyes widened. “Little Baby? But - you were in mom’s tummy?”
“Uhh…” The spirit was quiet for a moment. “I’m not anymore… I had to go.”
“Why??” Tarro cried.
“It wasn’t my time.” The figure answered simply. “Please tell everyone I’m sorry. I wanted to meet everyone. But now, I have a different purpose.”
“Huh??” The little Saiyan looked at the figure, obviously confused.
“It wasn’t my time, Tarro.” Onio stated simply. “Our sisters need me right now. I need to make sure they’re strong enough.”
“But if you need me, I won’t be far away.” A bright aura began to shine around Onio. He began floating backwards.
“How??” Even more confused than before, Tarro attempted to follow him.
“Just think about your little brother.” The figure had a happy aura. It was as bright as the Sun. “I’ll be with you.”
“I want Mommy and Daddy to know I love them very much.” Onio continued. “Please, let them know I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough…But I’m in a better place.”
“They love you.” Tarro smiled. “They talk to you all the time.”
“It’s time to go.” Onio mentioned, the figure dissipating slowly.
“Wait!! Please!!” The little Saiyan ran after the fog.
“You’re gonna do great things, big brother!”
The little Saiyan looked down. “Onio was there. He wants to say…. He loves you”
Breath hitching in her throat, the mother looked down at her son. No one knew the names she was tossing back and forth for their newest edition, not even Kakarot. She was astonished that Tarro not only knew one of the names, but had said her favorite of her choices.
“Did he say anything else?” Goku asked curiously
“He’s sorry…” Tarro looked down, tears coming to his eyes. “He wants to stay, but he can’t…” The little warrior paused.
“Mommy?”
“Yes baby?” Ellery looked down, wiping the tears from her face.
“If you think about Onio, he’ll be there.” The little warrior reassured his Mom. “He said so. He’s gonna make me and my sisters strong!”
“S-sisters??” Both Parents spoke in unison, their eyes wide.
Tarro nodded with a smile.
Glancing at his youngest son, the spiky haired warrior couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His greatest fears were coming to fruition, and he needed to be prepared.
“Daddy?” The little Saiyan glanced at his father with a look he’d never witnessed. Sheer determination was oozing in Tarro’s aura.
“What is it, little man?”
“Can we train??”
Goku’s eyes widened, unsure of what to think. He wasn’t prepared for his son to ask for training so soon.
“Are you sure that’s what you want, sweetie?” Ellery looked down at her son, watching him nod his head rapidly. The Saiyan woman held Tarro close to her, rubbing his back with the hand that wasn’t tied up. Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she rested her head on the little Saiyan’s.
“I’m so glad you told me about your dream.” She whispered.
Tarro nodded, snuggling close to his mother as he closed his eyes. “I love you, mommy.”
“I love you too sweetie.” The Saiyan woman’s voice was quiet, trying not to convey the true sadness that she was feeling. She closed her eyes, allowing her body to feel the flood of emotions and thoughts that threatened to drown her.
The Tetrad…. Ellery quivered, unable to fathom what this meant for her little family.
Chapter 55: Rational
Chapter Text
*After seeing the strength of Goku at the Tournament of Power, Sinthe was beginning to think he needed to look elsewhere for his prophetic child*
"Are you sure about this? I thought you'd already found the man you were looking for?"
Giin, Martinu, Abi, and Sinthe were flying through Universe Twelve, searching for a new family to research. After witnessing Goku's skills at the Tournament of Power, the warrior wasn't satisfied with how strong he was. If the man's children were supposed to fulfill the prophecy, shouldn't he at least be a little bit of a threat?
The pale warrior has been fixated on the spiky haired Saiyan for years. Ever since Martinu showed him clips from the Tournament of Power, Sinthe has been eager for a chance to fight Goku. After he was able to observe his progress through the battle, the pale warrior was convinced that he'd be the one to give him a challenge.
"Are you sure we can't go?" Sinthe was nearly to the point of begging. After hearing about this supposed Tournament of Power, the pale warrior knew it would be the perfect way to get a glimpse at the strongest warriors from several Universes. In his search for the Prophecy, he's only been able to scour his own Universe, as well as the neighboring one. So far, the warrior hasn't had any luck in locating the Tetrad.
"Why do you want to watch some lower class Universes brawl it out?" Giin rolled his eyes.
"It's a chance to see if there's any worthy competition out there. I've been hearing good things about Universe Eleven."
"The Pride Troopers are quite the bunch!" Martinu chimed in, a bright smile on her face. "Several of their strongest fighters are going to be competing in the Tournament."
"If he can't go, there must be something that can be done?" Abi chimed in, walking into the room.
Giin cringed as the woman came into the room. "Come on Martinu. Let's go!"
As the Destroyer turned to leave, the Attendant whispered to the warrior. "I'll make sure to get some good footage for ya!"
"Enjoy yourselves!" Sinthe waved.
A couple of hours passed, too slowly for the pale warrior. He began pacing in the main hall, thinking about what could be taking them so long to get back. The Tournament of Power was only supposed to last forty-eight minutes. Even with travel time, it shouldn't take more than sixty-three minutes to arrive back at the Palace. What could be taking up their time?
"You're going to dig a trench in that spot if you keep it up." Abi giggled from behind her partner. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're excited for their return. Maybe we can find a way to pass the time."
"They should've returned by now…" Sinthe continued.
"A number of things could've happened." The scarlet haired woman pointed out. "Come on! Let's do something fun to pass the time!"
The double doors opened, Giin and Martinu entered the main hall. They each had looks that were hard to describe. Almost as if they'd seen something they couldn't believe.
"You've returned." Sinthe bowed. He noted the bewildered looks on their features. "I take it there were some interesting events."
"You could say that again!" Martinu nearly squealed in excitement. "I've never seen a mortal reach the level of the Gods!"
"Level of the Gods?" Abbi raised a brow. "You mean they were able to use Ultra Instinct?"
"... He mastered it, to some degree." Giin was still bewildered. He never thought it was possible for a mere mortal to achieve. If this Saiyan from Universe Seven could achieve what they thought was impossible, could Sinthe as well?
"I just want to make sure I'm keeping my options open." Sinthe explained. "There's no use wasting my time on a dead end. I might as well continue to search."
"I think that's a great idea!" Abi agreed with a bright smile.
"This is ridiculous." Gine grumbled from in front of the two beings. The Destroyer had just about had enough. He was tired of being a chauffeur service for these two. Ever since his pupil has been hyper fixated on this prophecy, Sinthe hasn't been training as rigorously as he used to. This caused The Destroyer's skills to become rusty.
Now he was on a wild goose chase? The Twelfth Universe's Destroyer groaned audibly. "We should at least make ourselves useful and get rid of some planets while we're here."
"Do what you wish." The warrior shrugged, not allowing Giin's bad mood to deter him. He was looking for a specific planet. Sinthe wanted to see an old colleague. It was possible he had more information on this Saiyan from the Seventh, and his connection to 'The Prophecy'.
"We're in enemy territory!" The Deity screamed. "We passed into Universe Eleven, hours ago! Destroying anything here could land me in… "
Giin shivered at the thought. "...Purgatory… "
Abi glanced between the two, an idea popping into her head. Her partner's been so distracted by her needs, he's been forgetting his own.
"I have an idea!" The scarlet haired woman grinned. "Instead of looking for this child, we could find the Super Dragon Balls-
"YOU BLEW YOUR CHANCE" The Destroyer exploded. "YOU ALREADY HAD THE SUPER DRAGON BALLS IN YOUR HANDS!" He knew he was causing a scene. The look on Martinu's face was enough to seal the deal.
"Then…." Abi all but ignored the man's outburst. "We could visit the Omni Kings?"
Sinthe perked up at his partner's idea, while Giin audibly gulped. The scarlet haired woman noticed the Destroyer began to sweat. Could he be afraid of these adorable little beings?
"No. Absolutely not." The Destroyer shook his head.
"If there are other mortals from other Universes who can be in the presence of the great Omni Kings, then why can't I?" Sinthe questioned. "I'm the strongest in the Cosmos, according to their little Tournament."
Giin could feel his temples pulsating as he rubbed his head. This was a bad idea, on several levels. How was the pale warrior not afraid of the Kings of Everything? One wave of their hands, and it's goodbye. Why would he want to be in the presence of such power and might?
"Come on! It'll be fun!" Abi clapped in excitement.
Martinu couldn't help but chuckle. "I knew this day would come…" She muttered under her breath. It was only a matter of time.
"This must be how Lord Beerus of the Seventh feels." Giin rubbed his temples as he groaned. "You're lucky that one of the guards owes me a favor, Sinthe."
"How many times have we played this game?"
Zeni sat across from his twin companion. The two of them were in their gameroom, playing their infamous game of 'marbles'. Where each player takes turns flicking the orbs on the table until they ultimately crash into each other.
The 'orbs' on the table represented actual planets in the solar system.
After several hundred play-throughs, the two of them were starting to get bored once again.
"I dunno. We play it every day." Zeno mentioned in a monotone voice. "It's getting kind of boring."
"We could play something else?" The Omni King raised a brow.
Zeni perked up. "Like what?"
"Uh…" The little blue Deity contemplated. To be honest, he'd run out of ideas hours ago. Zeni contemplated using the button to summon their friend Goku. However, according to the Grand Minister, the Saiyan is going through a family emergency. He will not be able to be contacted for a little while.
Unfortunately their first and favorite friend was unavailable.
There was a knock at the door, causing both Deities to look away from each other.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Zeni questioned.
"No… Did you invite Goku to come over?" Zeno asked his companion.
The little blue Deity shook his head, before calling out. "Who is it?"
"Visitors, Great Omni Kings" One of their guards answered. "They're from Universe 12. It's the man that won the most recent Tournament of Power."
"Really?" Zeni and Zeno replied in unison. The two of them became excited. It was rare they got a visitor. Now, the winners of the Tournaments of Power were both making visits.
"Let them in! Please!" Zeno yelled excitedly.
A group of five entered the 'Game Room'. The Omni Kings recognized Giin and Martinu. The pale man beside them was Sinthe, the Tournament victor. There was an unknown female next to their guard.
"We're terribly sorry if we interupted, Grand Zeno's." Giin bowed as soon as he got within distance.
"No problem." Zeni shrugged.
"We were bored anyway." Zeno leaned back in his seat.
"Sires, is that any way to treat your guests?" The Grand Minister entered the room. He had a gentle smile on his features as he waved at the group. "What a surprise Universe 12. What brings you here?"
"Well Uh… You see, sir…" Giin rubbed the back of his head.
"It's my fault." Sinthe bowed his head. "I had so much fun at the last Tournament of Power. I've come to ask the Omni Kings if they will hold another Tournament."
"Really?" The Grand Zeno's once again spoke in unison. The excitement was evident on their faces.
"We love watching battles!"
"We would love to have another Tournament."
Giin's deadpan look caused Martinu to laugh. Even she didn't think it would be that easy to convince the Omni Kings on a third Tournament.
Abi clapped her hands, her smile spanned from ear to ear. "That's wonderful news! How about my wonderful husband showing off more of his abilities." The scarlet haired woman began walking towards the King's of the Cosmos.
"You mentioned being bored? If you could summon up 1,000 soldiers, I'm sure that he could keep you entertained for hours."
Sinthe's eyes widened. He looked back at his partner with a serious glint in his eye. "1,000?"
"I'm sure it'll be fine!" Abi grinned as she looked over her shoulder to Sinthe. "I've seen you wipe out armies before! Planets even!"
"This is a little bit different.." Suddenly, the warrior was nervous. What if the Omni Kings would think he was weak if he lost? Could he wipe out everyone on the Tournament stage?
"That would be so cool!" Zeni yelled, his fists rising into the air.
"Super cool!" Zeno agreed. The little blue Deity stood up and walked over to the south wall. He pushed a panel that revealed a button. Zeno pressed it, causing the wall to open up into the Null Realm. A Tournament Stage already built.
With a snap of Zeni's fingers, hundreds, possibly thousands of training soldiers appeared on the stage.
"Amazing…" Sinthe looked out at the Null Realm, amazed at what the Omni Kings were able to accomplish. The warrior bowed, thanking them for the opportunity to show off his skills. As he stands back up, he gives each of them a smile. Suddenly, all of his nerves disappeared.
"I'll do my best to give you a show. Grand Zeno's. You have my word." Sinthe placed two fingers to his forehead and teleported to the Tournament Stage.
Once he was there, he noted that it looked like an exact replica of the Battle Royale portion of the Tournament of Power. Looking around the stage, Sinthe noticed all of the 'warriors' were masked soldiers in metal armor. As the pale warrior began to size up his opponents, he realized each of them had their own specific power level, as well as skill set. It was a true work of art. The amount of detail the Omni Kings put into the experience was inspiring.
He was going to repay them in kind.
The Grand Minister stood on a platform above the stage. "Contestant, please get into your starting position."
Sinthe got into his signature fighting pose. He looked around him at the soldiers surrounding him, feeling a sense of peace in the silence before the slaughter.
"Let the Tournament Begin!" The High Priest yelled.
As soon as the pillar moved, Sinthe went into action. He let out a war cry that caused the training dummies closest to him to lose their footing and fly away. Sinthe lets out a field of energy that wipes out several feet of soldiers.
"This is going to be fun." Sinthe grinned as he flew at the soldiers. He picked up one closest to him and usd him as a shield to plow a line through the group. The training dummies were flying left and right.
"Woah…." Zeni's eyes widened as they continued to watch in awe.
"He's so fast." Zeno couldn't look away.
"He's already knocked out nearly 10% of the soldiers." Martinu gasped as she continued to watch the massacre that happened before her eyes. These 'training bots' were not average by any means. Their powers varied, but were all at least as strong as the Omni King's bodyguards.
The Attendant was glad that these were not real people. If they were individuals of average po
Chapter 56: It Takes a Village
Chapter Text
*Two weeks have passed. Goku, Ellery, and Tarro have been staying at Capsule Corp. Being close to family was crucial for them at this time.*
The sun began to rise over West City, the C.E.O of Capsule Corp sitting on the balcony of her home. She began to sip from her cup of coffee, enjoying the warm feeling it gave. Bulma took a deep breath, slowly letting out her pent up emotions.
So much has happened in the last year that it’s started to show its wear and tear on their little village.
Goku lost the Second Tournament of Power, and was out of commission for some time. After a few months, things began to return to normal. The two Saiyan men began training together again, along with the children.
Not long after this, tragedy fell on Goku’s family once again. After hoping for a second child, their dreams fell short for the moment. The trio has been staying with Bulma.
Having another little one around the house was refreshing. Not only that, Ellery needed every ounce of support they could offer. The bluenette extended the olive branch for the entire clan to stay in this time. Gohan’s family, Chi-Chi, Jean, and Goten have all been staying at The Capsule Corp. Home for a couple of weeks now.
With the help of everyone here, along with several members of The Harmony Center, Ellery manages to get out of bed most days. The older woman couldn’t imagine losing one of her own children. She didn’t even give birth to the last one. Due to the Tournament of Power being so close at hand, Whis waved his staff and poof, Bulla was born.
Thinking back on that memory causes the bluenette to feel guilty every time. She was granted a special privilege that one time. In any other circumstance, a Deity isn’t supposed to interfere so egregiously with the lives of mortals. With the lives of everyone in the Universe on the line, Whis didn’t have another choice in the matter.
“You’re up early. Again.” A deep voice came from behind her. The bluenette turned around to see her husband joining her on the balcony.
“I’ve had a lot on my mind.” Bulma admitted.
“Honestly, I wake up early for a little bit of peace and quiet. With all of the kids around, and full grown children, the house gets pretty rambunctious.”
The Prince chuckled as he walked to the back of his wife’s chair. He took his hands and began massaging her shoulders gently. “It's strange having all these people in our home. Normally they’re here for an event and then they leave. After this long, it’s almost become a normal routine.”
“They’re family.” Bulma smiles.
Vegeta nodded in agreement. “Besides, not cooking every morning has to feel nice.”
“You make it sound like we don’t have a kitchen staff multiple days a week.” Bulma laughed as she leaned into the relaxing touch of her partner. Although the circumstances surrounding them were bleak to say the least, the way this experience has changed the Prince surprised the bluenette. Vegeta has become more affectionate towards his wife and children. The times that Bulma has tried to address it, her husband tries to shrug it off.
“I’m appreciating my family while they’re in front of me. You never know when it’ll be taken away from you.” He would say when asked.
The Prince chuckled at his wife’s attempt at lightening the mood. “Is it your turn or mine to make sure our house guests wake up?”
“It’s mine.” Bulma smiled as she attempted to stand. However, the widow-peaked Saiyan pushed her back down.
“You enjoy your alone time.” Vegeta kissed his wife’s head. “I’ll do it this morning.” With that, the Prince walked back inside, taking a right hand turn. As he stepped into the living area, could smell the aroma of food being prepared. He made a beeline towards the kitchen, intrigued at who was doing the cooking. On his way there, Vegeta felt something hit his leg.
When the Saiyan looked down he noticed Pan on the floor. She quickly got up and brushed herself off. “‘Geta! We made pancakes!”
“Hope you made enough for me.” The Prince chuckled. “I’m starving.”
The little Saiyan’s eyes lit up. Pan nodded as she ran towards the kitchen. “Daddy! We need all the pancakes!”
“I’m working as fast as I can, sweetheart.” Gohan laughed.
Vegeta chuckled as he made his way towards the spare bedrooms on the third floor. The Prince never would’ve dreamed his life would end up like this. Surrounded by people that want him in their lives. After decades of conquering planets, being a father and family man was the furthest thing from his mind.
All that changed when the blue haired woman entered his life. After several years together and two children, Vegeta couldn’t imagine anything else for himself. He gets to train as much as he wishes, fights strong adversaries once a year or more, and comes home to a beautiful family most nights (If he’s not training with Whis and Lord Beerus.)
Now, he’s opened their home to his sister and family in their time of need. While it’s been hectic, it was something that Vegeta grew fond of. As the Saiyan reached the last room on the left, he knocked on the door softly as he cracked it open.
“You’d better be presentable. I’m coming in.”
“Five more minutes.” Goku mumbled into the pillow.
“Kakarot, wake up! Your granddaughter and son are making pancakes.”
“Ooh! Pampakes!” Tarro sat up, his little fists pumping the air.
“Pancakes??” The spiky haired Saiyan lept from bed and ran to the kitchen. Tarro wasn’t far behind him.
Vegeta chuckled as he shook his head, watching the man zip past him. Looking into the bedroom, the warrior glanced at the other lump in the bed, who wasn’t moving yet.
“Ellery.” Vegeta sat on her side of the bed, placing a hand on her head.
“Go away, ‘Geta.” The Saiyan woman grunted while rolling onto her stomach. She placed a pillow over her head to block out any extra light. “I don’t feel well. I don’t want you getting sick.”
After the Prince found out he had a younger sister, it felt as though his world had been turned upside down. Over time, he’s found himself becoming more and more like Goku. Vegeta has become a man that truly cares for his family, and even members of the extended family.
“Nice try.” The Prince chuckled. “The last time a Saiyan was ‘sick’ on Planet Earth, your husband almost died of heart disease. We Saiyans are immune to most earth-born illnesses.”
“Still doesn’t change the fact that I’m NOT leaving this bed.” The Saiyan woman muttered from under the pillow.
Vegeta sighed, looking down at his younger sibling. He knew there was nothing he could say to get her out of this terrible mood. The Prince has never lost one of his own children.
“Where’s Tarro?” Ellery muttered.
“He ran downstairs with Kakarot.” The Prince snickered. “There’s an army of pancakes that need to be destroyed.”
Ellery laughed, but it seemed hollow and insincere.
Vegeta placed a hand on her shoulder. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I wish there was a magic phrase I could say, as your big brother, and make all of the hurt you’re feeling disappear.” The Saiyan warrior sighed, a deep breath escaping him.
“I can’t bring Onio back Ellery, but I’m going to try every day to put you back together.”
The Prince heard his sister sniffling, even though she wasn’t facing him. “Kakarot’s doing his best. I can see that you don’t want to burden him with your pain, because he’s feeling his own. But Ellery, you need to be able to feel this loss so you can move on. Bottling it up inside will only make it worse.”
“Take it out on your big brother. I can take it.”
The Saiyan woman choked on the sobs she’d been holding in. She flung herself into her brother’s arms and screamed into his neck. Her hands turned to fists and began to beat on his chest. “It’s not fair!!! I wanted to protect him…” Ellery cried.
“We protect our family! Why couldn’t we protect him?!”
Rubbing his sister’s back, Vegeta held her tight. He continued to do so until her cries quieted, and her fists fell to her sides.
“Thanks.” Ellery whispered. “I needed that.”
“Anytime.” Vegeta kissed the top of her head. “Get dressed. Everyone is already downstairs eating breakfast.” The Prince stood up from the bed and walked out of the bedroom.
“I’ll be waiting!!” The widow peaked Saiyan hollered from the other side of the door.
After a couple of minutes, Ellery appeared. The two of them walked down the hall to the kitchen together in silence. As they got to the base of the stairs, the Saiyan woman noticed her toddler had a stack of pancakes that was almost as tall as he was. A smile crept onto the mother’s features. Her son looked as if he were about to conquer his breakfast like it was a supervillain.
“That’s a lot of pancakes, little man.” Ellery kissed the top of Tarro’s head.
“He’s going to need it.” Goku smiled.
“Why?” The Saiyan woman questioned.
“Didn’t you hear?” Vegeta grinned. “Training begins today.”
“Hmph.” Piccolo’s arms were crossed as he looked down at his newest student. Normally, he wouldn’t train someone so young. However, it was a favor to an old friend. The doe eyed look in the student’s eyes reminded him of Gohan when he was young.
Ever since that fateful day, the Namekian has been put in charge of training the next generation. First Gohan, then Trunks and Goten. Recently, even Pan has been asking about training.
However when Goku came to see him last week, the last thing he expected was this favor.
“Goku, have you been hit too many times in the head??” Piccolo raised a brow. “Your son has barely learned to walk. What makes you think training an infant is a good idea? He’s not even two yet!”
“He’s almost two!! I gave him flying lessons yesterday!”
“That’s not the point!”
Goku sighed. He knew the Namekian would fight him on this. The Saiyan was hoping to convince him. In order to do that, he would have to tell him the truth.
“I’m… scared, Piccolo.”
The green warrior was at a loss for words. His eyes widened as he looked at his comrade. Goku seemed genuinely shaken. The Namekian takes a seat on a nearby rock, willing to listen. “It’s rare that I see you like this. What’s going on?”
“I’ve had a lot going on that I’ve been keeping to myself.” Goku admitted. “Do you remember the pale fighter from Universe 12?”
“The man you lost to in the Second Tournament of Power?”
The Saiyan nodded. “He’s on the search for a Prophecy called ‘The Tetrad’. A tale of four siblings that are unrivaled in strength. He believed that my family with Ellery was this prophecy. From the sounds of it, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on one or all of them.”
“How can you be sure that your family is a part of this prophecy?” Piccolo questioned.
“It speaks of four children’s unlikely conception. Parents of the Moon who’s Planet was no more. They’re the last surviving pure couple of the race. The first has immeasurable strength that would rival even the Gods. The second has the ability to lift anyone’s spirits to the heavens, or to leave them with unimaginable grief." Goku could feel himself tearing up thinking of Onio..
"The twins are the deadliest according to the prophecy. Something about them being born under unlikely circumstances. It’s said they share a brain, allowing them to hear each other’s thoughts, as well as those around them.”
“After losing my son, I can’t stop thinking that it’s possible. I don’t want to believe it.” The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head. “But in my heart, I know there’s a connection.”
“Since losing this last Tournament of Power, I’m not sure I have what it takes to stop him..” Goku looks down. “I know Tarro’s only an infant. He’s the one that asked for the training. I’m afraid that I’m too strong to train an infant, even if he is a Saiyan like me.”
“Please, Piccolo. You’re the only person I can trust with this. I can’t train him myself until he’s a little older. ”
“Hn.” The Namekian crossed his arms. “If we weren’t friends, I’d take that as an insult. Give me a few days to think about it.”
“Of course.” Goku nodded.
“Your old man asked me to train you. But I have my doubts… I’m not sure you’re ready.”
“I am!” Tarro put his hands together and shook them. “Please!!”
Piccolo looked down at the Saiyan child. Tarro is half the size Gohan was when he first started training. That event seemed like a lifetime ago.
“I’m not sure it would be wise to spar with you. You’re too small.” The Namekian stated. “That’s why I’ve brought someone to help.”
“Yay!”
Pan flew towards the group, landing right in between Tarro and Piccolo. A cloud of dust surrounded the group as she landed. Tarro was able to remain standing as he put his arms in front of his face to block the dust and debris.
“Did I beat my last time, Piccolo??” The quarter Saiyan jumped up and down in excitement.
“You were close… but just shy.” The green warrior held up two fingers close together, attempting to signify the gap.
“Dang it!” Pan pouted before she turned around with a smile. “I’m gonna be your training partner!”
“Mind if we join in?” A voice came from the clouds. Suddenly two figures appeared.
“Hm.” Piccolo grinned at his former students. “Maybe this could work out after all.”
“Bubba!” Tarro smiled as he flew to his older brother.
“Hey buddy.” Goten grinned as he embraced him. His father mentioned Tarro wanting to learn how to spar. The half-Saiyan couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help teach the next generation. “I heard you wanted to train. Want some help?”
The little Saiyan nodded with clear excitement. “Please!”
“Alright!” Piccolo clapped his hands together. “Let’s get started!”
Chapter 57: Another Battle Royale??
Chapter Text
Six months after Sinthe’s Meeting with the Omni Kings, the Deities of the Cosmos are gathered by the Grand Minister.
“Does anyone know why the Grand Minister called this meeting?”
“No….” Some Deities answered, while several shook their heads. It wasn’t time for their ‘Quarterly Check-In’, as it happened just last month. Several of the Attendants were perplexed as well.
“Something smells fishy..” Lord Beerus glared at the Destroyer from Universe Twelve. “.. And I bet it has something to do with you.”
“Hn.” Giin snickered as he looked across the room at the Destroyer from the Seventh. “And what if it does?” The Destroyer loved annoying his fellow Deities. It was so easy to get under Lord Beerus’ skin.
“Why you…” The purple Deity grumbled, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
“Are you sure your orange clothed fellow didn’t have something to do with this?” The Attendant from Universe 3 questioned Lord Beerus.
“No.” Whis answered. “We haven’t been able to contact Goku in almost seven months. Last we knew, he was dealing with a family emergency and needed privacy. I doubt he has anything to do with this meeting.”
The murmurs continued in the Meeting Room. Everyone had their own idea of what the meeting could be about. After a few minutes, The Grand Minister walked in, a small smile on his features.
“Good evening everyone!” The Deity greeted the room. “I appreciate you being available for this impromptu meeting. The Omni Kings express their gratitude for your attendance as well.”
“May we ask what this meeting is about, sir?” Heles from Universe Two questioned.
“We’re here to discuss putting together a Third Tournament of Power.” The High Priest grinned.
“It seems the Omni Kings have really come to enjoy watching martial arts tournaments. An additional side effect of the Tournament is every Universe’s mortal level has been rising since its creation. We are glad that we’ve found a more innovative way to raise the mortal level, instead of resorting to the barbarity of destroying what we’ve created. In celebration of that, The Omni Kings want this one to be the biggest one we’ve orchestrated.”
Mutters began across the room once again.
“How are we supposed to make it bigger than last year? We allowed the entire Cosmos to compete.” Sidra brought up.
“Since the Tournament of Power, there’s been a lot of buzz in Universe Twelve.” Quitela expressed. “The planets are excited to join in the fun. The thought of having any wish granted has enticed a higher percentage of mortals to come forward. It’s possible we’ll have up to 40 percent more than last Tournament.”
“We’ve even had children talk about competing.” Whis mentioned with a grin. “The Sons of Goku and Vegeta have expressed that they’d love a ‘kid’s version’ of the Tournament.”
“That’s great news!” The Grand Minister clapped his hands together once.
“What about the Super Dragon Balls?” Champa chimed in. “They won’t be ready to use for at least another 10 months.”
“Then comes finding the damned things…” Beerus grumbled.
“Yes… If we’re looking to do this Tournament quickly, should we use another prize?” The Grand Minister questioned.
“Money is always a great motivator.” Whis grinned.
“So is Treasure!” His twin sister continued.
“We could also wait.” Giin mentioned with a stoic look on his features.
“Why???” Lord Beerus questioned, his brows furrowing.
The Destroyer of the Twelfth shrugged his shoulders. “It’s been the prize in the last two Tournaments. I think most people expect it to be the continuing prize.”
“Not only that.” Martinu continues where her Deity left off. “The extra time will give us a chance to recruit more mortals for the Tournament.”
“A cash/treasure prize is just as good.” Lord Beerus continued to argue. “Is this really a good use of the Super Dragon Balls? Granting meaningless wishes to mortals across the Cosmos?”
“Everyone is bringing up good points.” The Grand Minister grinned, wanting to break this up before it became too heated.
This was one of the main reasons he held these meetings. The Destroyers and Angels would talk amongst themselves, giving off great ideas in the process. The High Priest was then able to collect all the best ideas to create the plan of attack.
“Another thing the Omni King’s expressed is their preference for the Battle Royale style of fighting. It was more entertaining to them. How should we tackle this?”
“What about the ‘Power Level Meters’ we used in the last Tournament?” Belmod mentioned. “Using these at the Sign-Ups would allow us to place opponents in the right bracket for their ability.”
“The winners of each bracket will move on to the Final Battle Royale.” The Angel from the Eleventh spoke.
“Excellent idea.” The Grand Minister walked in between the Destroyers and Angels on either side of the room. “If we were to hold a children’s Tournament, what would the parameters be?”
“It should be based on skill. No minimum age limit.” Lord Iwan mentioned. “Give them the same Power Level Meter Test.”
“No toddlers.” Martinu gasped. “They’re much too young!”
“What if a child is strong enough, based on the Power Level Meter, to qualify for the Adult Tournament?” Lord Beerus asked.
The room went silent for a moment.
“Do you really think you have children strong enough to compete in the adult portion of the Tournament?” Martinu’s eyes were wide.
“We did. In the last Tournament of Power, Goku and Vegeta’s sons both competed in the Tournament of Power. While they didn’t make it to the final round, they were able to make it through most of the Tournament.” The Destroyer of the Seventh stated proudly.
“Hmph. If they want to get slaughtered then let them.” Giin shrugged.
“Alright!” The Grand Minister clapped his hands together. “This has been a productive meeting! Thank you all for your input. We will be discussing final touches in the coming weeks. I'll visit each of your Universes when we are ready to officially announce the Tournament."
"Goodbye!" The High Priest waved at the Deities and Angels as they stood, each pair teleporting out of the room.
“Unbelievable!!” Lord Beerus storms into his Castle the moment he arrives home on his Planet. Just who did Giin and Martinu think they were? Why were they trying to get all chummy with the Omni Kings after finding out one of Lord Beerus’ pupils was close to them?!
“I think you’re overreacting a bit, My Lord.” Whis sighed as he closed the door behind them.
“Why don’t we have some dinner. I think there’s still some Earth food in the kitchen!”
The Attendant did his best to cheer up the Destroyer, but it had no effect. “How can you think about eating at a time like this, Whis?”
“You can’t think on an empty stomach.” The Angel mentioned as he walked over to the refrigerator. “Plus this food is even better after it’s been sitting! It allows the flavors to co-mingle even more than the initial taste.”
“That Universe 12 is up to something… I can feel it.” Lord Beerus grumbled.
Whis chuckled. “I’m not sure you have anything to worry about, Lord Beerus. It’s not like these are going to be one vs one battles. Universe excels when they’re allowed to work as a team, not apart. Secondly, if they were up to something, why did they not use the wish to their advantage last Tournament?”
“I don’t know Whis!” The Destroyer fumed. He was not in the right frame of mind. His thoughts were being fueled by blind rage. “All I know is that my prized fighter is out of commission! The eight months he’s been gone have been spent not training. Who knows what shape he’s going to come back to me in!”
“My Lord, please calm down.” The Angel sighed, hating seeing him lose control like this. “I’m sure we’d be able to stop by Earth someday soon. In the meantime, we need to begin getting word to the other Planets in the Universe, and expand our previous reach on fighters.”
“The most important thing is to make sure my initial ten can compete in this Tournament! The ones that won the first Tournament of Power.”
“You’re willing to find Frieza to have him compete in the Tournament?” Whis raised a brow.
“If that’s what it takes to win!”
“Why are you so bothered by this? It’s very unlike you, and unlike a Destroyer.” The Attendant wanted to get to the bottom of this.
“Something’s been gnawing at me ever since the last Tournament of Power.” Lord Beerus admitted. “The way Sinthe looked at Goku and the Omni Kings. He was almost jealous of their relationship. What if he’s using this Tournament to curry favor with the Grand Zeno’s??”
“So what if he is?” Whis questioned. “Do you think that mean’s Goku is going to fall out of favor?”
“It could! What if they only liked him because he was the strongest being in the Tournament?”
“You have to give the Omni Kings more credit than that, My Lord.” The attendant chastised him.
“They were intrigued by Goku long before the Tournament of Power began.” Whis placed a plate of food in front of the Destroyer.
“The Universe isn’t in danger. Why are you acting like it is?” The Attendant wondered.
“Because Giin is up to something!” Lord Beerus fumed. “Or maybe it’s his trainee pulling the strings. He’s hellbent on his own motivations. How do we know that this doesn’t spell disaster?”
The Angel sighed as his head shook. The Destroyer of the Seventh has been up in arms ever since the First Tournament of Power began. Goku interacting with the Omni Kings has permanently caused Lord Beerus’ blood pressure to spike.
The days of Beerus the Destroyer lounging around the Castle were long gone due to the spiky haired warrior.
“They’d better start training immediately.’ The Destroyer mumbled. “I’ll whip those measly mortals into shape!”
Whis raised a brow. “Are you sure? This soon?”
“Goku’s already been out for too long! Who knows how long it’ll take to get him to the level that he needs to perform.”
“The reason Universe Seven is so good in the Tournament of Power is their ability to trust each other.” The Angel tries to remind the Deity. “It’s possible you’re overreacting a little bit?”
“If I get all of the Saiyans in Training by next week…” Lord Beerus wasn’t listening to his Attendant. He was determined to win this Tournament at all costs. “That gives us a minimum of three months worth of Training. If they choose to use the Super Dragon Balls as a prize, it’ll be closer to 10 Months! We could incorporate the rest of the team half way through…”
Whis laughed. “You know as well as I, that Gohan will not take that much time away from his job.”
“What about the children?? Goku’s brats are all old enough to fight.”
“Goten sure.” Whis agreed. “He competed last year. You’re not really suggesting the youngest generation compete? Pan and Tarro are barely ten years old collectively!”
“It’s a great way to introduce them to the world they’ve been born into.” Lord Beerus argued.
“You’ll have to get through Ellery, Videl, and Chi-Chi.” Whis chuckled.
“Have you lost your mind?” Whis’ eyes were about to pop out of his skull. He was utterly shocked.
“I know they’re not going to make it to the final round!” Lord Beerus scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just want to see what they’re capable of when pushed to the limit. Can we count on them if the Universe is at stake after Goku and Vegeta are gone??”
Whis sighed, knowing it was impossible to change the purple Deity’s mind once he was determined. He could only hope that the women of Earth take the news of his plans well. “We have some time before we have to think about that eventuality. In the meantime, Gohan is more than capable of filling in for his Father.”
The Attendant could tell the Destroyer was still agitated. “Why don’t we visit Earth soon? I’m sure we can stop by Bulma’s place for some goodies and gather intel.”
“I like the way you think!” Beerus smiled at Whis. “Let’s go right now!”
Looking into the orb on his staff, the Attendant shook his head. “It’s the middle of the night. No one would be awake. We should wait a day or two; make sure we’re clear on the plan. There’s more planets to think about than Earth, My Lord.”
Lord Beerus’ stomach growled as the food in front of him became too tempting to ignore. The purple Deity sighed, deciding to let it go for now. “Fine. We’ll come up with a strategy in the morning. The moment we’re done, we’re heading to Earth.”
“Their food tasted better the first time. Leftovers don’t do the delicacies justice.” Beerus pouted while playing with his food as he ate it.
Chapter 58: Tarro's Second Birthday!
Chapter Text
Four weeks have passed since Beerus' 'meltdown'. In that time, the Deity reached out across the Universe to find warriors brave enough to show their skills.
Today, the Saiyan's are getting ready to celebrate!
The Sun began to peek through the curtains. It was a bright and sunny morning. A little Saiyan was tucked in bed between his parents. His little eyes opened and his hands came up to his face. Tarro was doing his best to block his face from the sun's rays.
Ever since the family has been staying at Bulma's place, Goku and Ellery have been allowing their son to co-sleep. Tarro is grateful for the quality time. However, he wished his little brother was there to join them. Even though the child was only a toddler, he still knew how upset his mother's been lately. His father has been more determined than ever to turn her mood around, as well as keep him occupied. Tarro couldn't be more thankful to have Goku as a father.
Although Goku wasn't really a part of his life the first year, he's really turned it around since Onio passed away.
The little warrior turned away from the brightness coming in, snuggling closer to his mother. Instead of feeling her warmth, he opened his eyes to see that side of the bed empty. Tarro's head quickly turned to the other side, noticing his father was gone as well.
"Happy Birthday to you…" The little Saiyan heard the words being sung.
As Tarro sat up, he saw Ellery and Goku singing to him. They shut the door behind them as they entered. Both parents had smiles on their faces as they greeted their son first thing in the morning.
The Saiyan woman couldn't believe her son was already two years old, it seemed like only yesterday they were having his First Birthday Party. After they were done singing, Ellery sat on the bed and scooped her son into her lap.
"Good morning Birthday Boy." She said with a smile, kissing the top of his head.
"Hi Momma!" Tarro said excitedly.
"Your big brother Gohan made breakfast. Are you hungry?" Goku asked, standing right next to the duo.
"Yea! Yea!" Tarro pumped his little fists into the air. He loved eating Gohan's cooking, but not as much as Chi's (the little one's nickname for Gohan and Goten's Mother).
"Everyone's downstairs waiting for you." Ellery grinned. She wanted to make today as normal as possible for her little boy. "Let's go get some food."
"Sooo Hungry!" Tarro yelled as she leapt from his mothers lap. He flew to the door, opening it quickly.
Within moments, he was out of the room. Goku chuckled as he looked at his partner. "How are you feeling this morning?" The Saiyan tried not to ask that question too often, knowing the answer wasn't going to be positive.
"Our little man is healthy and strong." Ellery smiled, a light shimmering in her eyes. "I want to make today all about him."
"That's exactly what we're going to do." The Saiyan cupped his partner's cheek, his thumb brushing across it. "I have a couple of surprises for him. It'll keep him out of the house long enough for the party to get set up."
"Wow. You really thought of everything." The woman grinned as she stood. She wrapped her arms around Goku and gave him a peck on the lips.
The spiky haired warrior smiled. "Bulma's been a lifesaver. She helped plan most of it."
"She'll take any excuse to throw a big event." Ellery laughed before she pulled away from Goku. She took his hand and led him out of the bedroom. "She really has been a lifesaver… I don't know how I'm going to repay her for all of the hospitality she's shown us."
"We'll find a way." The Saiyan held his partner's hand, giving it an extra squeeze of assurance.
As the duo walks down the stairs, they begin to hear the family from the kitchen. Another round of 'Happy Birthday' was being sung. This time, it was accompanied by a large stack of syrupy pancakes with candles on top.
Tarro's eyes were as bright as the sun as he beamed at the spread of foods before him.
"... Happy Birthday to You!" The crew finished the song and began to divvy out the food. Bulma, Vegeta, Trunks, Bulla, Gohan, Videl, Pan, and Goten sat around the large table. They were all singing to the little Saiyan at the head of the table.
Ellery and Goku joined them, taking a seat on the right side of Tarro, across from Bulma and Vegeta.
"So, what do you guys have planned for today?" Videl asked once everyone sat down.
Goku could barely contain his excitement. The Saiyan looked at his youngest son. "I've been keeping this a surprise for too long! We're going to teach you how to fly like a professional."
"Really?!" Tarro yelled through his mouth full of food.
"We'll go as soon as you're ready." Goku continued to pile food onto his plate. He was eating it as fast as it was landing there.
"Can we go too?" Goten, Trunks, and Pan asked from the end of the table.
The Saiyan's eyes widened, surprised that everyone wanted to join in. "The more the merrier." He said with a grin. Goku looked across the table to the widow peaked Saiyan. "Do you wanna join us, Vegeta?"
"Hn." The Prince shook his head, finishing his bite before attempting to speak. "I'm going to get some training in. I don't want to look like I've been slacking when I talk to Whis and Lord Beerus."
Goku felt his blood turn to ice. The Destroyer was probably furious with him for skimping on his training for so long.
"Bulma already invited them to the party." Vegeta shrugged. "Might as well hitch a ride back and get a good work-out in."
"It's been a while since you've been to his Planet to train, right Dad?" Trunks questioned.
"Over 8 months." The Prince sighed as he stretched his arms upwards. "I can feel my muscles deteriorating. They haven't had a decent workout in ages."
"It's been so nice having you home." Bulma squeezed Vegeta's forearm. "I love having extra time with you." The sweet gesture caused her husband to blush and look away from her. Although the bluenette knew he didn't like romantic gestures, it was one of the things she loved doing to make him a little less comfortable.
"I'm surprised Lord Beerus hasn't drug us back to his planet." Goku said with a nervous laugh.
Ellery chuckled at the thought of Goku being 'taken against his will'. "I'm glad it hasn't happened yet. We love having you home." The Saiyan woman leaned to the right, resting her head on her partner's arm.
Goku smiled at Ellery, kissing the top of her head. He was also extremely grateful for the time at home. He didn't realize how much energy it took to deal with a Saiyan toddler. When the man saw Chi-Chi next, he was going to apologize profusely.
"Dad! Can we fly 'round the world?" Tarro asked his father, his eyes begging and pleading. "Pan's done it! I'm ready!"
"Sure." Goku smiled. "It'd be a good training exercise! Finish your breakfast, and we'll get ready to go."
"That's everything!" Bulma grinned as she watched the last of the decorations come in. Birthdays were something that the bluenette loved to celebrate. Another year older, wiser. The only thing she wished she could take back was the aging process.
"Let's set up the Bounce House over here." She pointed to the west side of the yard. "Oooh! The Rock climbing wall should go next to it!"
"Wow.." Ellery's eyes widened as she opened the door to the back yard. "You really went all out."
"Of course I did! Anything for my little nephew!" Bulma grinned as she continued to direct people around the estate. She would do anything for her family. Being in her unique position, she wanted to spread happiness around in any way she could.
"You've outdone yourself."
The Saiyan woman felt tears sting her eyes. Her little man was going to be so excited to see this. It made her wish both of her boys could enjoy it. Although it was a bittersweet moment, she was going to make the best out of this day! This was the first time in a while that she's felt like a version of herself that she can recognize.
Bulma turned to the side, noticing Ellery's emotional state. She walks up to her and wraps an arm around her shoulder. "You guys are family." The bluenette stated simply. "We do anything for our family, El."
"Thank you." The Saiyan woman gave a half-hearted smile.
"The guests should be arriving any minute." Bulma let go of her sister in-law, coordinating with the party staff once again.
"Did the boys say when they were going to be back?" The bluenette questioned, turning her head.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Ellery laughed. "Tarro was a little too excited to get flying lessons. I'm sure they'll go until he drops out of the sky."
"Where's the Birthday Boy?" Kimichi asked from behind the duo. The Saiyan woman turned around to find the ladies from the dojo standing in the doorway. Jean, Sophai, Kimichi, Storme, and Raine had presents in tow and huge smiles on their faces.
"It's so good to see you guys!" Ellery ran towards them, embracing the group.
"Everyone misses you at The Harmony Center." Storme mentioned.
Ellery rubbed the back of her head. "My life's been so hectic, that I've barely thought about the place." She felt embarrassed.
"You left the place in amazing hands." Sophai grinned. "The place is doing better than ever. Everyone just misses their favorite duo: Karrots and Cellery!"
"Is that what you call us?" Ellery couldn't help but laugh.
"It's got a nice ring to it." Bulma guffawed, her hand slapping against her leg. A beeping sound could be heard coming from the bluenette's pocket. She pulls out her phone, checking the message.
"Party Planner duty calls." The woman mentioned. "Ladies, please find a seat anywhere, the guests should start arriving soon."
Ellery gestured towards a group of tables. "Let's take a seat and catch up!"
"Where's your partner and son?" Jean questioned.
"Kakarot took him for his Birthday Present." The Saiyan woman grinned. "Little man wanted flying lessons."
As the group fills each other in on life events, a slow trickle of guests began to arrive. As it came closer to party time, Ellery noticed a group of orange-clad Saiyans fly overhead. They landed discreetly at the front door, making their way inside.
"Excuse me ladies." The Saiyan woman grinned at her friends as she stood. "The Birthday Boy has arrived. I want to make sure he's presentable before he comes to greet everyone."
Ellery walked away from the group of ladies, making her way into Capsule Corp. She heard Gohan, Goten, and Trunks conversing as they walked through the home. The Saiyan woman giggled as soon as she caught sight of the group. Pan and Tarro were snuggled in Goku's arms, clearly tuckered out from their escapades today.
"Isn't that a sight to see." Ellery giggled. She walked up to her partner and kissed his cheek.
"The two of them raced until they fell out of the sky." Goku chuckled quietly. "I'm gonna let them lay down while the boring part of the party is going on." The Saiyan took the two children upstairs.
"How did Tarro do?" The woman asked Gohan as her partner walked away.
"He's going to be a handful when he gets older." The half-Saiyan chuckled. "He was able to keep up with Pan today, and she's been flying since she was nearly eight months old."
"I can't wait until he gets older!" Goten and Trunks said simultaneously. "He's going to be fun to train!"
Ellery smiled, her eyes beaming with pride for her son. "You guys are just in time. I think the food is coming out now."
"I'm starving!" Goku mentioned as he appeared in the room with them once again. He removed the two fingers from his forehead as his stomach growled loud enough that everyone in the house turned toward the noise.
"You're going to have to wait until Lord Beerus gets here." Bulma mentioned as she walked through the living area, her phone glued to her ear.
"Oh man…" The spiky haired warrior pouted.
"Come on, all of your friends are outside." Ellery placed a hand on her partner's back. "Let's enjoy the party that Bulma planned."
"You should've been there, sweetie." Goku's eyes beamed. "He's already flying around the world. That's something Pan didn't accomplish until she was Four."
"I think he really wants to impress his strong father." The Saiyan woman grinned as the group walked outside. "Soon enough, you'll be training him yourself."
Goten and Trunks beamed at all of the craft stations and attractions, they ran quickly towards the rock climbing wall.
"Goku!" Krillin yelled from his seat next to his family. He waved at his childhood friend with a smile.
"Hey! Goku's here!" Yamcha yelled as he clapped.
"What's up guys?" The spiky haired warrior smiled at his fellow comrades, friends, and family. He made himself a part of the crowd, leaving Ellery to head back to her group.
"He's tuckered out from his birthday present." The Saiyan woman mentioned as she sat down at the table once again. "I'm sure he'll be out here in a few minutes."
"So…" Raine looked around, slightly fidgeting as if she didn't want to ask the question. "How are you, really?"
Ellery took a slow and deep breath. She's asked that so often, that her first response is either 'fine' or 'making it through the day.'. It had been some time since she actually thought about how she was feeling.
"Honestly…' The young woman felt the tears begin once again, this time with a smile. Ellery talks about the amount of unrelenting support she's had over these months. The mother has had a lot of time to mourn the loss of her child. She was thankfully surrounded by loved ones the entire time, making the process that much easier.
"I wish Onio was here to see his brother turn two. However, I know that I'm grateful for a healthy little boy, and am open to the possibilities life has to offer. Tarro talks about him enough, that it seems like he's real." Ellery laughed.
"Really?" Kimichi raised a brow.
"We talk about him, since Tarro was there to witness the 'accident'. We talk about him being in a better place." The mother began to get teary eyed once again, a memory coming to mind. "There will be times that I'll hear Tarro playing in our room. He'll be babbling like someone's there with him. When I ask him about it, he says he's playing with his little brother."
The group became emotional in that moment. Some awed, while a couple of the girls were actually wiping tears from their eyes.
"You should come to Sunrise, tomorrow." Sophai begged.
"That would be amazing!" Jean gleamed.
"I'll think about it." Ellery smiled. "It means a lot that you're here, right now, and have been checking on me. Now that I'm feeling a little better, I think I can start doing the same."
"Everyone misses you, El." Raine smiled at her friend. "We'd all love to see you again."
"Momma!" Tarro flew towards his mother, his arms outstretched to embrace her.
"Did you have a good nap, little man?" The Saiyan woman caught the child in her arms, placing a kiss on his forehead. Ellery sat Tarro in her lap, facing him towards the group.
The toddler nodded before waving at the ladies around him. "Hii" He remembered them from the dojo they visit.
"Happy Birthday!" the ladies said in unison as they fawned over the little Saiyan.
"Thanks!" Tarro grins.
The air in the atmosphere changed suddenly. It became thick as two figures appeared in the middle of the event. The purple Deity's face perked up the moment he landed. The scent of Earth delicacies infiltrated his nostrils. Immediately, a smile was brought to Lord Beerus' face.
Tarro hopped out of his mother's lap and ran up to the Destroyer of the Seventh. He stopped just a few feet away from him and bowed. "Thank you for coming!"
Ellery and Goku watched from a distance, their hearts brimming with pride and joy for their son. They didn't tell him to thank Beerus for coming to his party. The fact that he did this on his own accord showed just how much their little man was growing.
The Deity's brows raised in surprise. It was a very respectful bow from a boy so young. Lord Beerus got on one knee in front of Tarro, he rubbed the top of his head, ruffling his spiky hair. "I'm honored to be invited." The Destroyer stood, waving to the rest of the crowd.
"Who's ready to eat?!" Lord Beerus shouted, while the rest of the party guests cheered.
"Oh!" Whis nearly moaned in excitement. "I can't wait!"
"Alright everyone!" Bulma grinned as she clapped her hands together to get the attention of the party goers. "You heard them! Get in line!"
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