#YELLOW = SUPER SAIYAN HE MUST BE A SUPER SAIYAN

[tobiasdrake]

What are your opinions on Paikuhan/Pikkon, as well as the Other World Tournament arc more generally?

Could have stood to be longer. Five episodes doesn't seem like nearly enough to get an entire tournament arc over and done with, but it can be enough episodes when there are very few characters to be invested in.

The Anoyoichi Budokai or "Strongest in the Other World Martial Arts Tournament" is an interesting premise held back by a lack of substantively interesting characters to fill a tournament roster. What makes tournament arcs work is getting to see various members of the cast given their moment in the spotlight. However, in the Anoyoichi Budokai, there are only two characters of any interest: Goku and Paikuhan.

Having only two interesting characters creates a problem for a tournament arc. It means the final round is the only match of any interest. The rest of the time is spent waiting for the plot to reach the interesting stuff. At that point, you'd be better off having Goku and Paikuhan slug it out in an exhibition match.

For his part, Paikuhan's introduction is a little janky. They wanted to do the "Meet the new antagonist, he makes the old antagonist look like a joke," bit to puff him up. So we get this?

Every arc has its ups and its downs. This is the weakest point of the Anoyoichi Budokai by far. This is peak "Toei doesn't understand Dragon Ball".

So, despite the fact that you don't keep your body in the afterlife without special dispensation from a sponsoring god, Frieza, Cell, and the Ginyus all have their bodies and are able to use their tremendous power to take over Jigoku.

The Ginyus, at least, were excused in a previous filler episode. Kaio sponsored them, allowing them to keep their bodies so he could use them to train the Earthlings. That episode had its own issues, mind. But at least it's there. No such explanation has been offered for who gave Frieza, Cold, and Cell their bodies back.

Toei just. Really likes this premise of all the old villains still being tremendously powerful and being able to revolt from Hell, even though the metaphysics are designed with built-in explanation for why that can't happen. Toei did it here, they did it in the movie Fusion Reborn, and they did it in GT.

So, Goku and Paikuhan go to put down the Hell revolt and like.

Goku wipes out the Ginyus while powered up in Super Saiyan yellow battle aura and Super Saiyan hair colored black for some reason. Not sure if this is a coloring error or what. Is he supposed to be Super Saiyan here or not? Doesn't seem like he'd need to be.

But then we get this reaction shot from Frieza and Cold.

Staring in slack-jawed amazement. Goku defeated the Ginyus!? That's impossible! It staggers belief that Goku could be so powerful that he could do that to the Ginyu Force! How far must he have advanced since the last time Frieza saw him!?

Y'know. When Goku left Frieza in chunks on the turf of an exploding planet.

Toei.

What the fuck are we doing here. This bit in Jigoku is the absolute nadir of the arc.

Its main purpose is to set the stage for this moment.

Paikuhan works over Cell like he's nothing.

If we're to assume that this is Super Perfect Cell at his full strength, then this is an intimidating yardstick moment for Paikuhan. Goku couldn't even take regular Perfect Cell. He doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hell, pardon the pun, of measuring up to Paikuhan in the ring.

Goku, of course, is thrilled by the opportunity to try. Paikuhan here is presented as a new mountain for Goku to climb. The next peak he can ascend to. Today, he met the new Always Someone Stronger Around the Next Corner.

This, at least, Toei does get. This is classic Goku. He watches Paikuhan make short work of Cell and his takeaway is "Fuck yeah, I want a piece of that." Thankfully, Goku getting a piece of that is what the arc's actually about. Goku's in the afterlife for like an afternoon when the Kaios propose a tournament between their four galaxies.

Like I said before, most of the matches don't feel meaningful because we have no investment in any of the other competitors.

This guy's based on Hercules and he's the closest thing to a third important character, in that he and Goku got to exchange words for a bit in this episode. He's here so we can be sad when Paikuhan kicks his ass.

Oh no, Paikuhan defeated that one guy that was kinda nice and now he's out of the tournament. Sucks.

Goku, meanwhile, fights this caterpillar dude who tickles people.

Who he beats by just kinda blasting him 'cause Goku's tremendously powerful so this ain't shit. It ends on a killer joke, though, as Caterpi enters a chrysalis so he can power up and transform into his ultimate battle form!

Look, these things take a while, okay? Not everyone can just eat a spunky orphan and then POP, perfection. XD Ya got me, Toei, that was fucking gold. Caterpi is a nothing character but the punchline kills.

But other matches are stuff like this.

Cool power bro but. Like. I do not know who these people are. Toei, I don't know who these people are. I legit could not care less what the outcome of this match is. I don't know why you made this a tournament.

What makes a fight interesting is not that the guy punches very hard and his ki blast is super big. We care about the fight because we're invested in the characters participating.

Only once in the history of the Tenkaichi Budokai did Toriyama ever make us sit through a match between two randos: Namu vs. Ranfan in the 21st. That was because he was developing one of those randos to be an emotional core for the arc; That fight was meant to serve as our introduction to Namu for a story that would reach its height when he fought Goku in the semifinal.

This isn't that. Half of the arc's third episode is spent waiting for things that matter to start happening again.

Goku's opponent in the semifinals is really cool, though.

He's fighting a fish man with the power to summon water, forcing Goku into a bad position as he has to try and defend himself from Aqua while trying to avoid drowning. This is a really cool technique, setting up Aqua as an interesting and complicated opponent for Goku to have to navigate.

Who he beats by just kinda blasting him 'cause Goku's tremendously powerful so this ain't shit. Gotta admit, Aqua's fight left me disappointed 'cause that was a perfect setup for some classic Goku analysis and counter-fighting. But nope. Goku just Power Levels through every match.

Goku's third fight is barely worth mentioning. He fights the purple lizard guy from that earlier rando match. Malaiko is just a big strong guy who hits really hard. Goku hits harder. It's mainly notable for this one moment.

Where Goku momentarily loses track of Malaiko, and we see his eyes scanning back and forth as he tries to figure out where his opponent's gone.

Goku. Goku, you can sense ki. Goku, you are probably the universe's #1 master at ki sensing. You physically can't lose track of people like this. What are you doing?

He does find Malaiko and manage to sucker punch him before Malaiko can launch his attack. But I dunno. Goku needing to stop and try and figure out where his opponent vanished to for a couple seconds this late in the series feels wrong to me. This happens during the fight with Paikuhan too.

Paikuhan dodges an attack so fast that he vanishes from sight and Goku has to spend a couple seconds looking for him, before Paikuhan announces himself and surprises Goku. Again: Goku can sense ki. What is this?

In any case, rando hits hard, Goku hits harder, and we get this moment of acknowledgement from Paikuhan.

My dude, what are you talking about? We've been given no reason to believe that guy Goku just beat was supposed to be powerful beyond his abilities, nor has he had any opportunity to improve his skills since you met him like four hours ago. We have seen no meaningful improvement from Goku at any point in this tournament. Paikuhan's just saying words that sound like Dragon Ball things to say.

We move right along to the main event and what we're all actually here for: Goku finally steps into the ring with Paikuhan. From what we've seen of these two, Paikuhan should shitstomp Goku. What he did to Cell puts him leagues outside of Goku's capabilities.

Yep.

Yep.

That's about right. Paikuhan dominates this match, as well he should based on how they set him up. His Hyper Tornado is neat, trapping his opponent in a vortex of razor-sharp air currents that cut him up. Most of the fight is Goku facing some new thing or another that Paikuhan's doing. Goku struggles to even land a hit on Paikuhan, with every exchange either leading to Paikuhan wasting Goku or Goku managing to pull it out and fight evenly before the next exchange wastes him.

Paikuhan is never on the back foot, while Goku always feels like he's at the end of his rope desperately trying to pull this out.

There's also a bit of Playing the Hits to this fight, as Paikuhan pulls the "Goku suddenly reveals he's wearing weighted clothes" bit from the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai while Goku basically looks into the camera and calls him a knock-off Piccolo.

Goku, you're not supposed to point out when the anime's being uncreative. That's my job. There's also one of Toei's favorite bits of anime choreography here.

Toei really likes dramatic Super Saiyan transformations when a character's back is against the wall. In the movies, this gets really obnoxious and can feel like the characters are getting shitstomped on purpose. Like, we'll get prolonged sequences of Goku getting fucking shitstomped and we know he can just transform so it's like. Goku. Goku, why are you letting this happen to you?

This never happens in the manga. Saiyans go Super immediately as they step up to fight the bad guy. They only hold back when they have a reason to hold back, such as Trunks reserving his limit-breaker form because he's concealing it from Vegeta, or everyone agreeing at Gohan's behest to not go Super at the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai. Toei's action is all holding-back all the time, because it lets them drag fights out without having to come up with a valid reason for why the tide would suddenly turn at the critical moment.

But here, in this match, it works. For this first stage of the match, Goku and Paikuhan are both starting out small and testing each other's abilities. When Paikuhan decides to get serious, he takes off his weights. Goku repays him in kind by transforming. Goku was fighting Paikuhan at a level that matched what Paikuhan was giving him; now that Paikuhan is kicking things up a notch, Goku kicks things up to match.

This makes sense and feels true to character. Much moreso than, say, Vegeta letting Android 15 beat the shit out of him for several minutes because he loves the taste of fist in his mouth.

And then, of course, there's Goku's ultimate last resort unveiled here in this arc.

Goku uses the Kaio-ken as a Super Saiyan. As ways to remix old abilities for new and creative attacks go, this is a neat idea. Though it does raise a shitton of questions. Like, if Goku can do this, why didn't he use it against Cell?

Funnily enough, Toei forgot they wrote this in Dragon Ball Super. The Z anime and all of its filler is canon to the Super anime, with Captain Ginyu's continued existence being the most obvious example of their connections.

Toei did this again with Blue Kaio-ken, while also offering a lore explanation that Super Saiyan Blue is the only Super Saiyan form that it's possible to use Kaio-ken with. Never before has Anime Goku ever been able to combine Kaio-ken with Super Saiyan, but he can now do it with Blue.

So I guess this never happened. XD That's just as well; It lasts for all of one punch and then he never does it again. I think it's just there for another Playing the Hits moment. Remember that time Goku hit Kaio-ken and then punched Vegeta really super hard? Good times, moving on.

The climax of this fight comes when Paikuhan unveils his inappropriately named Thunder Flash.

"Thunder" in an attack name can generally mean one of two things: A powerful sonic crash or a fancy word for lightning. That. Um. That's fire. It's fire, Paikuhan. Do you know what thunder is? Because I don't think you do.

This is the best part of the entire tournament. Goku says this because characters are just saying Dragon Ball sounding words in this arc.

Which is a funny thing to say when the climax of the fight is going to feature Goku capitalizing on the technique's clear and obvious vulnerabilities. That's right, Thunder Flash finally gives us a chance to see Counter-Fighter Goku in action again.

Obviously, the technique's vulnerability is a) a super-long chargeup time where he has to do about as much random bullshit with his limbs as Recoome's Ultra FIghting Miracle Attack, followed by b) holding him in place while he fires it. Goku seizes on that second one; If the technique doesn't land, Paikuhan's set himself up for a brutal counterattack.

Goku can teleport. So he makes a brutal counterattack. Honestly, not sure why he didn't teleport out of the way the second time Paikuhan hit him with this. I can understand the first; He didn't know what was coming. But I don't know why it took until the third for him to come up with this. Evasive teleportation is not a new thing he just came up with today; He was doing it in his fight with Cell.

He says it took until the third Thunder Flash for him to first see Paikuhan's movements clearly.

I believe that. What I have trouble with is that he stood there and let the attack hit him without even trying to evade it. Dodging's for suckers, I guess.

But, nitpicks aside, this is a fantastic triumph for Goku. The fight up to this point has clearly asserted Paikuhan's undeniable statblock superiority, which makes it all the more hype when Goku wins anyway by exploiting the holes in Paikuhan's technique. Paikuhan is stronger, but Goku outmaneuvers him at just the right moment, in just the right way to clinch a ring-out and claim victory.

A victory that speaks both to Goku's abilities as a counter-fighter and his general familiarity with the atmosphere of the tournament stage.

So, overall, the arc itself is janky as fuck but its centerpiece, the Paikuhan fight, is mostly solid. It takes too long to get to the good part and there's nagging bits of Toei Choreography here and there once the fight begins but most of the fight itself works.

And it ends in a place that leaves Paikuhan and Goku both with much to learn. It's clear by the end of the match that Paikuhan is a stronger fighter while Goku is a better fighter. There are still mountains for both men to climb. This resolution feels true to the spirit of Dragon Ball and lets the Anoyoichi Budokai go out on a high note.

[livefreeforfun]

Saiyan Duality - A SSG and SS4 Comparison

I don’t think anyone would argue that one of the most recognizable aspects of the Dragon Ball franchise is the transformations the characters tend to undergo. From an old hermit bulking up to an absurd degree to the legendary Super Saiyan, the franchise has its fair share of power ups, but the users of many of these iconic forms usually fall under one category of people - the aforementioned Saiyans.

The Saiyans, across all forms of Dragon Ball media, have over a dozen different transformations, each one becoming more and more powerful than the last. From the simple Great Ape to the lengthily named Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Controlled Berserk (I wish I was making that up), the repertoire of Saiyan forms is immense, but I constantly see two of these forms being compared: Super Saiyan 4 and Super Saiyan God.

Both forms are very iconic, with Super Saiyan 4 being a GT trademark and Super Saiyan God being the first of many new transformations we see in Dragon Ball Super. I’ve seen a multitude of debates online trying to prove that one of these forms is better than the other, so I wanted to throw my hat into the ring and give my take: while I have a personal preference for God, both forms are absolutely incredible at what they attempt to portray in those who use the form, and I’m gonna go a little in depth as to why.

Starting the Super Saiyan 4 section with a little bit of background info, the older of the two forms made its debut in GT during the fight against Baby. To access the form, a Saiyan needs to both have a tail and already be able to transform into a Super Saiyan. They must transform into a Great Ape, turn Super Saiyan on top of that to become a Golden Great Ape, and then control that state to obtain Super Saiyan 4.

Super Saiyan 4 is remarkably different from the previous Super Saiyan forms, sporting no golden hair and instead keeping it back and having it grow far longer and having it cover the user’s shoulders, though it’s worth noting that Super Saiyan 3’s hairstyle is much longer. To make it more visually distinct, the user’s body is also covered in red fur save for parts of their chest, with their tail also turning red and gaining a red trim around their eyes. Curiously, Goku is also turned into an adult when he accesses this transformation, which is explained as a unique property of this form: any user of the transformation has their body reverted (or propelled into) its prime, meaning they will always appear as a young adult. Lastly, different users of SS4 have slightly different looking versions of the form. For instance, Goku’s version of the form has a shade of red fur that has a slight pink hue to it while Vegeta’s fur is crimson, and Goku has yellow eyes while Vegeta has blue eyes.

Now that the backstory and design of SS4 has been talked about, it’s time to talk a little bit about SSG. Super Saiyan God is a legend closely related to the legend of the Super Saiyan that Frieza feared. The legend involves the Saiyan Yamoshi and his five pure hearted allies battling against the evil hearted Saiyans. Yamoshi actually obtains Super Saiyan, but still loses the battle and his life, and now his spirit wanders through Universe 7 trying to find the Super Saiyan God.

There are only a couple ways for a Saiyan to obtain Super Saiyan God. The first method is a ritual, in which five other pure hearted Saiyans give their power to a sixth, transforming the sixth into the Super Saiyan God. As a side note, this ritual only works because of the wandering spirit of Yamoshi, making it a Universe 7 exclusive phenomenon. The other way for a Saiyan to obtain SSG is to train with god ki, which can typically only be done by training with someone who already possesses godly ki, such as Gods of Destruction.

Super Saiyan God, as a transformation, actually looks quite simple compared to other Super Saiyan forms. The user’s hair and eyes turn red, they become slimmer and even look a little younger, and their aura looks like fire. Super Saiyan God, similarly to SS4, also seems to give different users of the forms slightly different shades of red, though it’s not nearly as apparent as it is for SS4.

When putting the two forms next to each other, it can be hard to find similarities between them. Both feature some kind of red hair but outside of that, noticeable similarities are sparse, and I think that’s the point. Both forms have to portray entirely separate ideas: the wild nature of the Saiyans and the calmer demeanor of the Gods, and they portray these ideas incredibly well in my eyes. While I do have more of a preference for SSG like I said earlier, it’s not hard to see why so many fans of Dragon Ball are allured by the primal look of SS4.

Ultimately though, if you ask me, trying to compare the two to try and prove that one is objectively better is just a waste of time. It feels like God was designed to be the other side of the same coin as SS4, the heads to its tails. Both designs have their strengths and their weaknesses, so at the end of the day, whichever form is “superior” will always be up to viewer interpretation and nothing more.

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 013

Yeah, they’re still at it.

Let’s just skip to the best part.  So Goku and Beerus are having a beam-struggle above the Earth, and Whis explains how their combined energies have been compacted together into some ultra-dense energy sphere which may destroy the entire universe no matter what happens.  So yeah, even though this was the plot of the last episode, we’re doing the whole universe-ending bit all over again. 

Mr. Satan asks Whis to intervene, and tries to bribe him with a handwritten voucher, allowing Whis to all he can eat, anywhere in the world.  I’m not sure why Whis needs this when he can just steal all the food he wants, but Whis declines the offer, however reluctantly.

But all I care about is this awesome little doodle Mr. Satan did.  This one image is what makes Super better than GT.  I have spoken.

So they tease the universe ending again, and once more, nothing actually happens. 

As everyone wonders what’s going on, Bee licks Dr. Brief’s face.  Awwww.  Dr. Brief ate some tasty stuff and there’s still some flavor left behind in his mustache.  Bee’s playing a long game here. 

Also, Bee fucking rules.  This is another reason why Super is better than GT, because in GT, Bee is dead.  They were like “Well we can either have Doltaki or a cute dog everyone loves,” and they made their decision.  Fuck Dragon Ball GT forever.

Anyway, it turns out Beerus neutralized the universe-ending whatchamathingy, but he needed to use 100% of his power to do it.  He hadn’t been using his full power up to now, because he thought it would be undignified to go all out against a Saiyan, but now he doesn’t care about his reputation, and he just wants to win.  Also, he’s lying, and he’s still not using his full power. 

So they go at it, and then Goku reverts back into his vanilla Super Saiyan form, and Beerus declares the fight to be over.  Goku doesn’t get it though, because he hasn’t noticed.

Also, Goku is still just as strong as before, so he has no reason to quit.  Beerus speculates that his body must have learned how to sustain the power level of the Super Saiyan God form, so Goku can still tap into it beyond the limitations of the ritual he used earlier.  So with that established, they keep fighting.

And yeah, I am very relieved to see that yellow aura again.  I’ve never hated Super Saiyan God, but my favorite parts of the movie are when Beerus fights Goku on King Kai’s planet, and Vegeta at Bulma’s party, and Goku after his God form wears off.  Funny how that works out.  You can invent a new transformation, but the movie seemed to tacitly admit that it wasn’t going to matter much in the long run, and it’s true purpose was to provide a way to make Classic Super Saiyan relevant again.

[megamattzx]

Preview to Shroud of Memories

Small preview to a later chapter of Dragon Ball: New Frontier: Shroud of Memories.

This is a prequel to a Group Story that is also ongoing.

Shroud of Memories is set 44 years before the events of New Frontier and has Goku Jr and his allies going off to rescue his versions of the Son Family. In order to do so, he must rely on his Memories and past in order to do so.

Preview: Goku Jr continued holding back the blast as Chi-Chi stared in dread. Gritting his teeth, the clone and son of Goku pushed the blast of energy in the air. Chi-Chi was shocked by her son's growth. Whenever she thought she was no longer able to be surprised, she gets proven wrong.

Goku was also shocked by this. He couldn't even believe his eyes. This was his son and yet there was more of himself than he realized. Gohan was also shocked by this power. Hell the entire Son family was. Goten only grinned from seeing this. Goku Jr stared his opponent in the eye.

"Your fight's with me," he told Haruto. A spark in his eyes and a tone fire in his voice. His ki rising as the Earth shook around him. Rocks started levitating around the area around him. Blue, green and yellow electricity wrapped around him as it all happened.

Haruto stared at the saiyan in horror. Fear like never before sent a chill down his spine. "H-how....?" He said shakingly. His voice indicated fear. To say that he was terrified would be an understatement. He was dealing with a monster in his eyes.

Goku Jr saw this and grinned before transforming into a Super Saiyan Blue. The different grades of normal Blue should be more than enough to take him down now. This fight wasn't going to end the same as it did last time. He knew that now.

Chapter 1 is out now: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49703296/chapters/125455921

[carnal-lnstinct]

𝑇𝘩𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑 "𝐼 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑌𝑜𝑢".

Summary: A series of short one-shots inspired by this prompt, 1-35. I am not going to write all the prompts and I will not be writing them in order, but based off inspiration. To fuel my “horny on main” I may focus mainly on writing for Goku but there may be a few with other characters. Not all fics will be suitable for all ages. Minors should not interact with prompts rated mature/18+.

Completed Prompts:  2 / 4 / 7 / 16 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 27 / 34

27. A taunt, with one eyebrow raised and a grin bubbling at your lips

Pairing: Goku (SS4) x Female Reader Rating: M/18+ Warning: ( Canon-Typical Violence, Explicit Language ) A/N: This goes out to  @blue-wristbands​​  for being such a support and fuel to my love of SS4 Goku! ♥

Training with Vegeta had just wrapped up. The two legendary saiyans of Earth devised a plan regarding their newly obtained transformations as a means to master complete focus and control over it. A day in the hyperbolic time chamber gave them a year to train to their delight. For once they could get become stronger without a threat to the livelihood of their home and loved ones. It was like they were the young rival saiyans again, but with the discipline of their wisdom and prolonged life of battle to push them to master the next level in their evolution as saiyan warriors. And it warmed their kinship which had also matured to a degree over time.. But a year was over, both saiyans leaving the room of space and time in their trained super saiyan 4 transformations. 

It was in their best interest to maintain the form the way Goku and Gohan had done with their Super Saiyan forms prior to the battle with Perfect Cell. They had to allow their bodies to settle with such grand power without draining their energy or leaving such a heavy drawback once they release it. Then they would have a great battle as rivals again to finally test their maximized potential against one another. They departed The Lookout, returning to their respective homes for now for a decent meal and to catch up what a day’s time had been without them.

Goku doesn’t think he has ever encountered such a fear for his life with his guard down when he came home. But the way you suddenly let out a frightful battle cry and came at him with a frying pan and floor lamp shook the saiyan deep in his core with terror, acting fast with just enough flight or fight instinct in him to duck and dodge in time. It made sense to just grab your wrists, but he never liked to impose his power over you and the utter fear in your eyes while you’re shrieking “Beast! Burglar! Thief!” at him helped him draw the conclusion your attacks were defensive, a means to protect yourself. From him. The large beast-man who suddenly appeared in your home with Instant Transmission.

“My husband’s a world martial arts champion and he’s gonna kick your ass when h-“

“(Y/N)! It’s me! It’s Goku! I-I’m your husband!” His gravelly voice cried out to you, hands up defensively when he was backed into a corner by you, tail standing on end. “Look, It’s me!” He tried to emphasize, pulling on his own face to stretch his cheeks. You were halted mid-swing, both hands now on the lamp, and arched your brow at him. Between the long mane and bright yellow eyes, the features of your husband did start to show.

“..Goku?” You take a step back and set the lamp down upon further inspection of the burly red form nodding frantically. “What did you do to yourself?! You’re-” Your voice got caught on your tongue when he raised back up to stand at his tallest, much higher than the 5′9″ you’re used to seeing. A quick glance or two at the broad chest resting at your eye level and back up to the relieved yellow stare. “..Huge! And red!”

“This is Super Saiyan 4.” He admitted proudly, though some of his natural modesty shined through when he smiled his big smile and scratched at the back of his head, thinking how strange he must look to you seeing this for the first time. “I know, it’s a bit much from my other Super Saiyan forms.”

“No kidding, look at you.” You step closer with your hands out to catch his face behind the long hair framing it, like an instinctive response he leaned into your hold as you observed his features, lightly hunched forward. It was hard not to be drawn into those eyes accented with red markings. Your hand lifted his bangs from his forehead and found how fairly rougher his hair had become. That may be from training over a year, lord knows he's not keeping up with a brush. It was still very much following his natural pattern, just outgrown. Then the other subtle changes in his face compared to his base form, a more chisel jawline and profound nose accentuating his already handsome features. “..Look at you.” You say again with a lip-biting smile.

“You don’t like it?” He asks slowly, bemused, inspecting his own hair curiously to what may put you off about his Super Saiyan 4 form and misreading your suggestive grin entirely. Being away from you for a year’s time did nothing for him predicting your girlish wiles. “It’s not permanent, but it would be bad for me if I turned it off right now.”

“-Don’t!... I mean... Now that I got a better look at you, it’s not as bad as I thought.” Your eyes lower, the corner of your gaze catching the light flick of his long tail peeking from behind him. “I could get used to this.” You mused in your inspection. Your focus was on the skin protruding right in front of you. This chest, tentatively touched by your fingers across the heated flesh to the warm red fur covering his ribs, then back to flesh tickling the bumps of his abs to their end at the seam of his pants. He didn’t flinch at your wandering hands at all like the way you’re used to him reacting to such intimate touch. He was one to fidget in his bashful arousal at being your fixed interest of affection and temptation. It tempted you to flick his nipples just to get a reaction.

Goku’s nostrils flare lightly with a sniff, and then he presses his nose into your hair taking a deeper inhale of your scent, finding everything you did and places you were since he last saw you. Even small traces of his own scent still lingered. Like a subtle declaration that he was yours and you were his, but it had become masked behind your perfumes and soap.  His senses are all the more sensitive in this elevated state, feeding the tamed inner beast that allowed him to maintain this form. Perhaps it is not as tamed as he thought. “I’m glad to hear that.” He responds with a lowered voice, grinning and settling his head upon yours. Something whispered to him to fix that scent on you, the thought making his tail sway deeply. He himself couldn’t have smelled the best straight out of the Time Chamber, but an innate urge crept into his calm temperament encouraging him to consume you in his musk. The thought made him grin more. Goku leans into your exploring hands like a pacified lap animal. For him, it was certainly a year too long since your hands enticed his body. “Because I did miss you and your cooking, (y/n).” 

“You just had it yester-” Ah right, the Time Chamber, you remember. “..Then I should get started on dinner.” You lift your head lightly to get his attention, yellow eyes looming to meet your gaze from behind his bangs. They’re drawing you in again and you feel a heat wash over your skin. It penetrates your body the longer they watched you. “You should clean up and rest before it’s done. Okay?”

“Okay..” He simply responds, his deep voice carried to your ears.

You don’t move right away. And neither does he, locked in some form of staring contest with just the subtle flick bouncing between each other’s gaze. You can feel your heartbeat start to quicken being watched by him like this, and yet under your hands (once again on his chest), you can feel his is still even. Relaxed. But you feel a subtle vibration behind his chest as well, something just as low and humming within. You’re suddenly feeling overheated from being so close to him, followed with a sense of complaisance.

“..So, I should... go to the kitchen. To start dinner, too.” You spoke softer, almost entranced.

“M’hm.” You see his grin take on a less modest appearance, charming in an unfamiliar, yet alluring manner.

“..Okay.” You lightly nod and drop your gaze from his, gathering up your will with a deep breath. A futile effort to break away from what already has you. You felt as if you had to balance yourself taking a step back from him and you see Goku taking one step forward. You do it again and he’s moved in closer, his large hands finding the small of your back. Like a secret waltz between lovers, your body naturally answered a call and you move your hands to hold onto his arms, letting your eyes drift close with a soft gasp from your lips when he leans his forehead to yours. You could barely wrap your mind around how overwhelmingly enticed you were from practically nothing. Whatever the sensation was, it wrapped you up and pulled you into him. A mirror’s reflection on you reveals a soft, deep red aura winding around both of you, emanating from Goku. With what little grasp you had on your control, you spoke up again. “G-Goten is also out on another o-one of his dates, but he should be home for dinner soon.”

Goku’s hands stop you from moving, a wall just a foot behind you. He lifts one hand to cup your head, tilting your lips up. “That’s great.” He whispers before capturing your mouth for a deep kiss and the vibration in his chest grows. The heat of his kiss intoxicated you when he pulled you closer, bringing you to clench your thighs together at an emerging stir between them. You sink into his hold and caress a hand across his cheek, your other hand smoothing and raking up and down the fur of his large arm. Mesmerized even by the texture of his red coat. You feel him let out a gruff sound and his fingers dug a little rougher in your hair. Goku deepens the kiss before breaking away with a husky breath and closes his hand around yours on his face. His nostrils subtly flare again.

“Did you miss me too, (y/n)...” He moves your hand under his nose, dragging your four fingers underneath his slow, deep inhale and raising a brow in intrigue. “When you touched yourself this morning, did you think of me?” He smirked and you felt your heart jump in your chest to even be asked that by him. Your lips parted to ask how he would even know you did that, but it would feel silly when you’re looking at a transformed version of your own non-human husband. He could be keen to a lot of things in this trained body of his. You only further lose your voice when he dragged your fingers to his lips and licked two in particular, the very two responsible for your self-pleasure. Goku sucks your fingers into his mouth, yellow eyes giving you a ravening stare as he tried to taste the flavor of you long washed away from your hands. A soft, tremulous moan fell from your lips and you felt your core twitch in response to this new frisky behavior of your husband. Whatever this transformation did to him, it was a side of Goku you have never seen before and it was driving you wild. 

“A-Always.” Your voice croaked when you answered, then you swallowed and lifted your eyes back to meet his more boldly. “Always.”

You feel your wet fingers slide out of his mouth, his brow furrowing. “(y/n)...” Goku seemed to mewl your name, pleaded for you in his familiar way. You must have ruined what restraint he had to savor playing with you, once he spoke your name you felt your body bounce against the wall as he pressed into you, claiming your mouth again and holding your arms above your head in some dominant display. Your moan is muffled by his lips, your fingers curling into your palm when you felt him grind his bulge against the seam of your pants and catch your clit in brief contact. You felt like your panties were suddenly soaking. “That’s so naughty.” Goku growls in his chest, leaving one of his larger hands to hold your arms up and the other practically tearing his sash from around his waist. It was cute to notice him wiggle his tail free first before he lower his loosened pants just enough to free his fully hard cock. He’s dirty all over from training but that made it all the more hot to have him so suddenly excited for you. When he effortlessly hikes you up higher you can feel him working his hand at your pants. He purposely pops the button with an abrupt tug, finger forcing the metal zipper down and breaking that as well. You’re quickly stripped of shoes, pants and panties.

You feel two large fingers rub at your clit and you keen at the touch, tilting your head back where Goku attacked your neck with his hungry mouth. An electric jolt of pleasure shoots through your body feeling him drive his cock against your thigh as well. His fingers gloss over your entrance and take up some of the slick. He lifts his fingers from between your legs to taste them, a low hum in his voice with delight for the sweet flavor he sought. The nips at your neck return and you feel his cock fumble against your clit before the head sinks into your hole, full cock moving to spread your warmth open. The whine you let out mixed with a sharp swear, clenching your fingers into your palms again as you tried to widen your legs. That was definitely no longer the girth of your husband, you weren’t kidding yourself when you called him huge. There was only little resistance in his attempt to fully fit himself between your legs, sharper teeth pinching your neck as he growled rolling his hips slowly to work at filling you without hurting you. That overwhelming heating sensation flowed through you again, numbing any pain from his bites and discomfort of his cock inside you. 

 Goku finally releases your arms and lifts both your legs under his forearms, further spreading you open for him and gaining the full stroke he was aiming for. It definitely made your insides flex in delight in adjusting to his new size, further enticed by the way he growled in response. He was already a lot to adjust to before, but now he completely filled you more than you felt you could take. That overheated sensation made you very open to try as it fed on your arousal, if not making you wetter for him. Your mind felt empty of anything that wasn’t his cock pressed into your slick, suckling walls.

Your hands once again gather a handful of red fur and muscles along his back and shoulders as your weight dipped into his hips when he lifted you from the wall to hold you against him. He settled against something deep within that made you drop your head into his shoulder and curl up around him, crying out in shameless pleasure when Goku bounced you up and down with the thrust of his hips alone. It felt like you were already on the edge of coming around him and nothing you could do to stave it off longer in this helpless position. You gather a handful of dark hair and pull his face from your neck, closing your mouth around his in a rough kiss. There’s a small hint of a metallic taste seeping between your lips. His sharp fangs at your neck had broken some skin. It finds your taste buds more when his tongue presses into your mouth and you recognize it as the taste of blood that only made you more enthralled by him. 

 The faint scent of your blood released from your body and taste on his own lips made his thrusts stronger, strokes longer when he readjusted you to hold your thighs in his hands and draw your hips to meet his vigorous movements. The husky manner of which he breathed from being wrapped around by your warm insides made him sound more beastly, his voice also growing louder the closer his orgasm built. Goku felt consumed by his elevated arousal manifesting a compulsion to keep you full of it as well. The energy was bleeding out of his body and into yours making your skin hot and mind a cloud of lust for him. You, who captured his heart and satisfied this urge many times before but never had it hit him so powerfully. A shame on anyone who would find this primal act, for neither of you could stop for anything. Not until you were filled. Overflowing, as he was. You’re already all wrapped up in each other like a mating pair, feeling the coil of his tail wrapped around your ankle. 

It seems there would be more for his Super Saiyan 4 form to adjust to after leaving the Time Chamber, how sensitive he was to you and how easily you faltered to his energy would become a bigger problem for your household before it was safe to release the form. However, how well you tolerated his primal energy infecting your body just made it harder to ignore his desire to come inside you over and over. You’re begging him to with your shaky voice not wanting to leave his lips. You suddenly came around him, legs squeezing and twitching around his waist as he worked you through it to drive his own hitting shortly after.

Goku’s tail clung like a vice and his hands held your shaky hips in place as he filled you with his heavy seed. He ungracefully lowered himself to the floor, legs semi-crossed as he held you in his lap and moans entwined with yours through your wet kiss. “More.” You urged, adrenaline taking over and you plant your feet on the floor beside him and wiggle your hips in his strong hold. At first, Goku resisted letting you go so soon against his sensitive cock but arousal had quickly set back in for him as well and the stimulation of your nestling, greedy inner walls noisily rocking along his hard length on your own loosened his hold. Just enough that you could freely grind yourself into his body. 

You press your hands into his chest with your full strength to get him on his back and rolled your hips across his lap, relishing the pleasure of being filled over and over by him, his hot seed spilling out of you as your ravenous cunt the rougher your movements became. He leans his head back into the floor with a deep mewl, jerking his hips into yours and wrapping his tail around your body.  An alarming sensation strikes through his high but he does nothing to stop you, Goku tilting his head down toward you.

“G-Goten’s coming.” He warned, sensing the approach of his youngest son’s energy. 

“Can’t stop.” You breathlessly moan, now bouncing your body in his lap and pulling at the remainder of your clothing. “M-My body’s hot. I need you, Goku!”

Goku could sense that Goten wasn't too close to home yet. By the speed of his approach, he was not flying by ki but perhaps traveling by vehicle. That may give you the time you both needed to work this energy out of your little reunion. Or at least he hoped. Just enough to get you through the rest of the evening with your son unscarred. Then your his again, freely, deliciously. 

He’ll have imbued you with the scent of him before the sun rises on your beautiful, sweat sheened body.

[shoottomiss]

Don't know why I made this

Vegeta: Stand back, Blair Bitch, let an actual skilled fighter take this one.

Raven: A skilled fighter, eh? Is that why you lose 90 percent of all the important battles?

Vegeta: Oh yeah, that's rich coming from the girl who can't throw a punch to save her life.

Raven: Indeed, why banish someone to a dimension of their worst nightmares when I can just hit them really hard?

Vegeta: Oh yes, why experience the adrenaline rush of battle when I can just annoy them away with the yellow pages?

Raven: You couldn't even read the yellow pages, fist for brains.

Vegeta: Tell me, are your tatas actually literal purple nurples? Cause it would explain why you act like a bitch all the time.

Raven: Can't be any worse than having to fly just to reach the top shelf. I'm sorry, but you must be 'this' tall to beat Goku.

Vegeta: What's that? I couldn't hear you over the army of emos calling for their queen.

Raven: A more illustrious title than being "the prince of all shitty hairstyles", I assure you.

Vegeta: Ooo, your boyfriend must be so proud. Oh, but tell me... how is Malchior?

Raven: ...Just fine. How's your spine?

Vegeta: ...

Raven: ...

Vegeta: (super saiyan) I'M GONNA WRING YOU OUT AND USE YOU TO MAKE HOT TOPIC'S NEXT LINE, TWILIGHT SPARKLE!

Raven: (four red eyes) NOT BEFORE I SEND YOU TO A DIMENSION FULL OF NAPPAS, GOKU LITE!

Beast Boy: That... doesn't look good.

Bulma: Nope. We better talk em down before Vegeta blows her to smithereens.

Beast Boy: Nah, Raven's gonna traumatize him with her nightmare magic before he gets a chance.

Bulma: (scoffs) Oh please, Vegeta could put a hole through her head before she could utter a word.

Beast Boy: (scowls) Raven doesn't need words to use her magic. She'll just stare at him and "poof"! No more little veggie.

Bulma: Can little miss creepy stand a planet blowing up in her face?!

Beast Boy: Can the overgrown troll doll survive the fires of hell?!

Zod:...

Faora:... God, it's like space thanksgiving with my family back before Krypton blew up.

Zod: Agreed. I am uncomfortable. Let's find some different heroes so I can actually tell them how I always win.

[vegetandbulma]

so i am rewatching the cell saga and i must say, this saga is absolutely everything. perfect cell just being perfect cell, bulma only giving a fuck about her son and not her baby daddy, gohan wearing piccolo's uniform, vegeta in that yellow sweatshirt and just randomly taking it off in the living room, trunks and his long hair, vegeta's weird creepy smile he gives piccolo before going into the time chamber, goku and gohan in their super saiyan forms, mr. satan trying to fight cell for a whole episode while the z fighters just watched with dumbfounded looks on their face, the people of earth trying to understand how goku and the z fighters fight when they see them on tv for the first time...the cell saga was EVERYTHING and a gem we should all cherish.

[engineerdz]

Guiltless Chapter one

Just posted my first DBZ fanfic! you can find it on Ao3 here. It kind of aligns with Kakavege Week prompt: hypnotism (kind of?)

Summary: 

“Don’t antagonize him,” Piccolo ordered. “He can’t feel guilt right now, so he will act on all his impulses. It’s up to you to control yourself around him.”

“I was just standing up for myself,” Goku mumbled sullenly. "It's not my fault he got himself stuck Majin."

“I’m not running like some kind of coward,” Vegeta spat.

“Don’t be a fool,” Piccolo argued. “We’ve got nothing.”

“You have nothing,” Vegeta started. “But I’m a Saiyan warrior-”

Goku grit his teeth as he squinted out through the fog, still not able to sense a damn thing out there. He’d probably heard Vegeta’s pride speech a hundred times by now, with all the battles they’d fought together. He’d never really agreed with the concept - Goku would sacrifice his own pride gladly, if necessary - but hey, whatever kept Vegeta up and swinging. Goku had his love of fighting and the ki power to back it up, and those were the things he could never lose.

Well. Until today.

“-his pride,” Vegeta finished behind him. “So feel free to continue hiding in this hole like rabbits. I’m going to go out there and fight the bastard.”

“I’m going too,” Goku announced, turning around from his vigil at the front of their cave to look at his companions. Vegeta smirked in triumph as Piccolo grimaced.

“You can’t use your ki,” Piccolo said. “No Super Saiyan, no energy blasts, no flying, no nothing. You’ll die.”

“Ah, come on, Piccolo,” Goku cajoled. “I’ve got my fists.” He glanced over at Vegeta, and decided it was worth indulging his ego one last time, in case this was the end. “And my pride.”

“Ha!” Vegeta said. “We may make a proper Saiyan out of you yet, Kakarot.”

Piccolo sighed loudly and rubbed his temples. “I hate magic,” he muttered. “Have you guys heard from Gohan? His mystic transformation was magically induced, he might be able to pull some power on these guys.”

“Eh,” Goku said. “I think if he could fight, he would be here by now. That witch Abraca must have done something to distract him.”

“Magic power is a bullshit cop out, anyway,” Vegeta said. “I’m leaving.” He brushed past the both of them to exit their cave, knocking his shoulder into Goku’s arm roughly on his way out.

“Bye Piccolo!” Goku echoed. “Dragon balls should still be working fine, once it’s safe to come out. Wish us back when you’re done!”

“Unbelievable,” he heard Piccolo scoff as he ran out of the cave and hurried to meet Vegeta. Vegeta, despite his big words, was taking the tiniest steps possible. They couldn’t see more than 10 feet in front of their faces with all the magical fog swirling around, and there was no clue as to where their enemies were.

“Which way should we go?” Goku asked, his arms falling into a defensive stance as he inched forward on Vegeta’s right.

Vegeta was flexing his inward hand out in front of him, opening and closing his fingers like he could message a ki-ball into existing. “Damn. Can’t even make a false moon in this thing.”

“Whoa,” Goku said. “Throwback. That was magic?”

“Only magic-adjacent, apparently,” Vegeta huffed.

“I think we should go right.”

Vegeta, predictably, went left. Goku let out a “hey!” just so Vegeta wouldn’t realize he was onto him, and kept at his side.

“Will I ever be rid of you, clown?”

“It’s not like you have a lot of other options, here,” Goku pointed out. “Come on. Who would you rather have on your team?”

“I work best alone,” Vegeta snarled. “You’re going to give away our position, making this much racket-”

“I hope I do, then we’ll get someone to fight,” he said. “And come on, I know you liked working with Trunks from the future, at least . You’d team up with him again."

“Trunks has gone back to the future, and is never coming back.”

“He could come back,” Goku argued. “He went back into his timeline where Bulma’s still alive, they’ve got a time machine.”

“But the gods are onto us now, and he can’t use it,” Vegeta said firmly. “So no, I wouldn’t even team up with Trunks.”

“Baby Trunks,” he suggested.

“No. And don’t call him that, he’s eleven.”

“But he’s the same person!”

“They’re not interchangeable!” Vegeta snapped, and threw a lazy punch out to his side in the general direction of Goku’s face.

Goku leaned backwards to dodge the blow, and that was when his feet were swept out from under him. “Ah!”

“Kakarot!”

Goku spread his arms to absorb the speed of his fall, back landing on the ground hard. He kicked outward immediately, using the momentum to launch himself back to his feet. His kick connected with something that exploded into green light on contact - he pivoted, retreating until he felt his back hit Vegeta’s.

 “It’s the goddamn... holograms, again,” Vegeta panted, dodging as he jerked them both to the right to dodge a burst of energy that exploded at their feet.

It took much more effort than usual to stay together. Goku still couldn’t sense Vegeta’s ki - he couldn’t sense anything - all their coordination had to  be done through aborted gestures and pokes of elbows. “I’ve got 6 greens and a yellow,” he called out over his shoulder. “The greens explode on contact.”

“The yellow is the leader!” Vegeta shouted. “And the blue ones are making more - goddamnit -”

Goku punched a green one, and was forced to leap away to avoid its blast. Another one surged forward, aiming for his gut, and he was only able to take care of it by taking another lunge away from Vegeta. “They’re trying to separate us!”

“Obviously!” Vegeta screamed, sounding pained. Goku glanced away for a precious second - he could still make out Vegeta’s silhouette, but the fog would make him impossible to find if they separated any further. Another energy blast forced Goku to dodge again, but he managed to cartwheel sideways and hook his feet around a blue hologram’s neck, slamming it onto the ground where it fizzled and died.

Vegeta shouted again. Wordless, this time. A cry of pain, it had to be - it was too short to be anything else. “Vegeta!”

“RAAAAAGHHHH!” Vegeta screamed - frustration, this time. “I’m fine!”

Goku had seen Vegeta pushed to the verge of collapse and still insist he was fine almost as many times as Goku had heard the pride speech. He slapped one green hologram into another and took the opportunity to dive closer. “You sure?”

“Of course! The red bastard just got a lucky hit!”

“What red-” Goku started, and then there was a blinding pain at the back of the base of his neck.

And then he fell.

A field of white.

“Kakarot!”

Screaming far away, like it had to echo across caverns and caverns to reach him.

He couldn’t feel his toes.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

He couldn’t feel his tongue.

“Trying hiding behind your magic now, you WITCH!”

He couldn’t feel anything.

He blacked out.

Goku woke with a start, sensation flooding down his limbs in a wave of pins and needles that died down as quickly as it came. There was a hand on his cheek, and a hand on the bottom of his jaw. “Come on, Dad, keep chewing.”

He swallowed down the familiar taste of a sensu bean and opened his eyes. “Gohan?”

Gohan smiled and let go of his face, letting Goku swing up into a sitting position. “Phew. Thought we’d have to use a Dragon Ball wish on you for a second.”

“I’m fine,” Goku said, reaching an arm back behind him to touch the back of his neck, the last place he remembered getting hit. The fabric of his gi back there was sticking to his skin, and when he pulled his fingers back around they had an annoying residue of blood. “Wow, that does look bad.” He looked around at the empty field they were sitting in - it was a clear, sunny day again, and aside from a few scorch marks there was no evidence that a battle had taken place here. “What happened?”

“Good news and bad news,” Gohan said, jumping up to his feet. Goku followed suit, reveling in the fact that his ki seemed to be back and working as good as new. He stretched as Gohan started rambling. “The good news is that we were able to beat Abraca’s ki-blocking spell and all her minions, and that she won’t be bothering us again.”

“Aw, I missed out on the fun,” Goku pouted. “Were you able to do it Mystic?”

Gohan made a face. “It wasn’t me, actually. That’s kind of the bad news.”

Goku took another look around the battlefield. “Where are Piccolo and Vegeta?” he asked suddenly.

“Piccolo’s guarding Vegeta,” Gohan said. “Well. He’s probably keeping tabs, at least.”

Goku stopped fidgeting and stared Gohan directly in the eyes. “What do you mean, guarding? What happened to him?”

“So the good news is that Vegeta was able to pull out some magic to beat Abraca,” Gohan said, and then the corner of his mouth dipped. “The bad news is that Vegeta’s Majin again, and we don’t know how to turn him back.”

[sparklyjojos]

CARNIVAL recaps [2/13]

Today’s recap: Men in Black, not very subtle villains, and the overly dramatic Uno samurai detective who’s trying to figure them out.

--

FIVE

07 Sep 1996 — 13 Sep 1996

BERMUDA TRIANGLE

--

So far, the Billion Killer destroyed the JDC headquarters, the Empire State Building in New York, Stonehenge and Cappadocia. Each time a skull made of orichalcum (as the material that hasn’t been ever discovered on Earth is called) was left on the scene. Witnesses claim that a trio of people in black suits and sunglasses is always hanging around just before disaster strikes.

The first two attacks decimated two detective organizations, JDC as well as NYDT that had its headquarters in Empire State Building. The Billion Killer moved to other targets after that, but each 1 PM on Saturday still saw one of the many detective organizations in the world being blown up by some other criminal.

The Billion Killer, the bombing of detective organizations, the rapidly increasing crime rate, Alive on the loose—the chaos of the Crime Olympics rules the world and claims four million lives daily according to the UN statistics.

--

Let us leave our hardworking detective protagonists and move somewhere else for now.

This gloomy closed space in which it’s hard to tell the time of day is called the Sanctuary. Let’s say, for now, that it’s a giant invisible castle swimming tirelessly through the heavens. Maybe we should say “unseeable” instead; it’s not really invisible, but occupies a convenient blind spot.

There’s a giant round room in the middle of the Sanctuary with a table surrounding a fountain—its name is Lebensborn, the fount of life.

[I don’t know about Japanese readers, but it's really not hard to figure out a certain plot twist (?) after seeing this name.]

Three people in suits and sunglasses stand next to the table, all looking androgynous. These are Dots. The name comes from the fact that they’re nothing more than disposable pawns of RISE—little dots in the grand picture. They talk in calm, unemotional voices in a secret language known as R language or Ra language. [The reader may notice that they always start their dialogue with “...”, because, you know. Dot dot dot.]

Dots are just foot soldiers. RISE is led by a group of so-called Rainbow Sophists, each having a pseudonym symbolizing a color and a chess piece:

Violet Queen

Blue King

Green Bishop

Yellow Bishop

Orange Knight

Red Knight

Black Rook (a.k.a. the Master)

White Rook (a.k.a. the Doctor)

[Insert your Doctor Who joke of choice here.]

They’re all commanded by the leader of RISE, Rudolf Strauss (RS for short).

One of the Dots mentions talking with “the Master” about the book Cosmic that has just been released on September 5 [the real world date of its release.] It seems to pose no threat to RISE, and “mein fuhrer RS” decided they could allow it to be sold.

[If the reader didn’t catch on after Lebensborn, they sure caught on hearing mein fuhrer, huh. Subtle.]

Another Dot says that the Sanctuary is headed for the Bermuda Triangle and that they should get ready to leave the orichalcum skull there. Before that, they go to the Cosmic Room to talk with the Fuhrer. On the way one of the Dots is wondering aloud just what the Sanctuary actually is, but gets shushed by others so that he doesn’t bring “Ra’s wrath” on them; mere Dots are not to know secrets. When the problematic Dot continues to get agitated and speak out of line, suddenly there’s a sound like an explosion and his head is blown off from his shoulders.

The other two don’t seem too concerned and decide to go to “Dragon’s Center” first and inform the Master that a new Dot is needed.

--

(Everyone is wearing a mask. The world is a constant masquerade, a never-ending chaotic carnival.

Nobody, even a hypothetical “other people detective”, could possibly solve other people perfectly—but then again, nobody is even able to understand themselves. Our reasoning about others and even about ourselves is often completely misguided.)

--

The world has seen a lot of secret and dark organizations like the Freemasons and Illuminati, the Neo Nazis and sects. They’re not completely secret, but they don’t have to be; popularity just brings in more curious people who can be introduced to the actual secret parts once they've proven themselves.

RISE is the secret behind the secret, the organization that’s always been hiding behind many others for ages. The common “secret society” sign of the eye in a triangle is a symbol meaning Ra, the one whose eye is always observing the Dots and punishing them.

--

The Sanctuary drops off three Dots in a pontoon in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle before moving far away again, unseen by anyone.

It seems the Billion Killer is going to target a new advanced submarine known simply as “Robo-Ship” with about fifty members of UND on board. UND is a recently created organization of the United Nations gathering talented private detectives from the entire world, who have ironically come here to observe the upcoming Billion Killer’s case. RISE had sent a warning to the White House earlier that the fifth case would happen here.

At 1 PM, the Robo-Ship suddenly disappears. The only thing found near the crime scene is a pontoon with an orichalcum skull and three headless bodies in suits.

--

SIX

14 Sep 1996 — 20 Sep 1996

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

--

Suzukaze Unomaru, the JDC detective looking like a samurai, is investigating a case and is in turn being investigated by his travel companion Marion, secretly one of RISE’s Dots.

Marion started to tail Unomaru a month ago when he came to Cape of Good Hope to investigate a strange incident: a hundred-of-meters-long moving shape was spotted under the ocean’s surface, spawning rumours about a giant sea serpent. Marion told Unomaru that she was a private detective also investigating the rumour and suggested cooperation. (Of course her entire backstory as well as the name Marion are fake. She had another name once, but can’t remember it. Dots aren’t allowed to have individual differences.) The two get on a cruise ship and even witness the giant underwater shadow once, which bonks into the ship from below, briefly rocking it and sending the passengers into a frenzy.

One day, Marion enters Unomaru’s cabin and discovers the floor is covered in piles of anime cards. Unomaru solemnly explains that he’s in the middle of searching for a rare Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta card that he lost, infodumps about how Vegeta never goes SS3 in canon and only in Dragon Ball GT, and dramatically adds that if they don’t find the card, it surely means someone stole it and Marion will have to help him investigate and catch the culprit.

Aside from anime, TCG and other playing cards, Unomaru also collects basically anything you could call a card (credit cards, those shop loyalty thingies…) and can do some neat magic tricks with a normal deck.

They talk about the sea serpent sighting and the chaos that erupted among the passengers. Unomaru is reminded of how in Jaws the shark didn’t even have to be shown fully, as just the triangular fin was enough to make people afraid, or how Duel showed only the arm of the truck driver to similar effect.

Unomaru believes the underwater thing wasn’t a sea monster, but maybe a giant submarine. He thinks that the impact against the ship was intentional so that everyone’s attention would be focused on the sea, creating a convenient blind spot in the sky. He just can’t figure out what would be there in the sky they weren’t meant to see.

Unomaru shows Marion one of his card tricks under the promise that they’ll play some UNO later. He pulls out a deck of fifty-two playing cards, takes a few and spreads them on the ground; they’re all of different colors and values. Unomaru returns the cards to the deck, shuffles it, then gives Marion half of the deck and they shuffle their halves as they like without looking. Finally Unomaru puts the halves together, separates it again into two piles, and has Marion check them. The cards were shuffled so many times, but now they’re neatly separated into one pile of all black cards and one pile of all red. [The illusion isn't named, but it reminds me a bit of Paul Curry's Out Of This World.]

The trick is that Unomaru prepared the deck in the right order long before the illusion was shown, including a few “random” cards that he showed at the start to mislead Marion. The rest just required skillful handling. All those anime cards strewn around helped misdirect Marion’s attention. Since the two halves of the deck had been already sorted by color, it didn’t matter how much Marion would shuffle her single-colored half. The trick to an illusion is always easy in hindsight—just like it is with tricks to mysterious crimes.

Unomaru changes the topic to the three mysterious “men in black” seen before the Billion Killer’s cases, and finally launches the attack: “Say, Marion-dono, wouldn’t you happen to be one of these ‘men in black’?”

He recounts the signs he noticed in her: nervous expressions, lifeless eyes, strangely impersonal androgynous atmosphere, always starting a dialogue with a moment of silence as if she was carefully choosing words. In fact, Unomaru noticed it all the first time they met and intentionally let Marion follow him around. It’s now Saturday and nearing 1 PM, so it must mean the Billion Killer case will start soon.

After a brief hesitation (that even she isn’t sure the reason for) Marion jumps at Unomaru with a garrote, but it catches on the wooden sword strapped to his back. In response, Unomaru booms at her in his own twist on the heroic lines from Momotarō-zamurai, acting so confident (and weird at the same time) that Marion freezes in her tracks.

“Ooo-one! People live to solve mysteries! Twoo-ooo! The strange and mysterious must be solved and make clear! Three-eee! Solve mysteries with the sword of logic!” He dramatically points the wooden sword at Marion. “Suzukaze Unomaru challenges the villain!”

He tells Marion about the first thing that clued him in as to her true identity: that she didn’t look Japanese and claimed to be from another country while speaking flawless native-sounding Japanese. Marion answers that oh, you see, she’s not actually speaking Japanese at all, which confuses Unomaru enough that she’s able to run away from the cabin. She throws him a line about how this ship is going to sink soon and kill him, and that the detectives will never be able to square against the transcendent being that is the Billion Killer. Unomaru yells after her that she should stop what she’s doing or she’s going to die, just like those other men in black did in the Bermuda Triangle.

As Marion changes into her black suit and joins two other Dots on the deck, she finds herself strangely thrown out of rhythm and still thinking about what Unomaru said. He had to be wrong. The Sanctuary is supposed to come pick them up after the job. Surely the Dots from the Bermuda Triangle were safely retrieved?...

Marion realizes with terror just what being a disposable tool means. She screams in fear, drops the orichalcum skull and runs back towards Unomaru who is sprinting towards her, just a few meters more and he will save her somehow, surely—

Marion’s head is suddenly blown up right in front of Unomaru. The same thing happens to the other two scared Dots soon afterwards.

At exactly 1 PM, the ship hits something giant underwater and sinks, taking over a thousand people with it.

--

[>>>NEXT PART>>>]

[sarahw-world]

Okay, first of all, I seriously doubt that Vegeta would have EVER seen someone like Frieza as some sort of a father figure. I mean, surely he must have picked up some negative traits from him, since he was by his side from such a young age, and Frieza was the only “role model” he had, but honestly, it’s pretty clear when we see Vegeta, Raditz and Nappa interacting in front of Frieza, and then talking behind his back, how much Vegeta despised Frieza, and he just couldn’t wait to get strong enough to get rid of him.

Now, about King Vegeta, I hadn’t heard this theory you’re talking about, about Vegeta being a good dad because he knew his father, but I strongly disagree as well.

Firstly, like you mentioned, Vegeta was given away at a really early age, so I don’t think he had much time to truly bond with his father, let alone to actually learn about how a good dad should behave.

And I should also add that, on a personal level, my opinion on King Vegeta has worsened a lot lately, basically due to what we learned from the new manga, and also from seeing him in the new movie.

My main memory of the King was that little flashback from DBZ, where he was explaining to kid Vegeta about how things worked in his culture, about sending away the babies with the lowest power level, etc., so I’d always thought that he would have cared enough for his son to at least spend time with him, preparing him and teaching him for his future role as a King. I’d also even overlooked the fact that he gave away his son to Frieza, because basically, the guy had no real choice, since no one was strong enough to fight Frieza anyway.

But now, seeing Vegeta saying in the manga that he basically had no one training him, and no real mentor of any kind, and now witnessing the small interaction of the King with little baby bean Vegeta in the movie, I must say that the King gave me the creeps:

This moment reminded me of something I wrote in my “Yellow Roses” fic, and I actually explored this idea long before I watched the movie, and I talked about the possibility of Vegeta feeling like an “instrument” ever since he was born, a “tool” for his race to finally be able to destroy Frieza.

And now, seeing the way the King looked at him, I DO get this really strong feeling that he saw his son as this “golden child” who’d avenge his race, but I don’t know how much love we truly see in this guy. And let’s not forget that Saiyans were a warrior race, and they probably had a different concept of love anyway.

I don’t think Trunks was a planned baby, and I believe that Vegeta didn’t actually start to bond with his son until he spent a year training together with Mirai Trunks, and it becomes clear to us that he deeply cares about him when he loses his mind, back when Cell attacked his baby boy.

So yeah, I think that Vegeta did care about Trunks from an early stage, but he wasn’t probably as affectionate as he is these days, but I doubt that he was this really cold guy either, since we see him training with Trunks, and spending time with him. And the love and admiration that his son had towards him was more than evident, so Vegeta must have been a pretty decent guy during that seven-year period.

I think the Vegeta that we see in Super is someone who became a good father because he did the work, he made a lot of mistakes along the way, and he finally understood that his family WAS way more important to him than he ever imagined.

He may not be the most lovey-dovey guy, at least in public, but he shows that he cares through his actions, like sacrificing his training in order to be by his wife’s side when she’s pregnant, etc., so it’s clear that Vegeta is willing to work hard to make it up to Bulma for his past mistakes, and many of us now consider him a good dad because he earned it.

Anyway, sorry about the long post, but this topic is truly interesting to me, so I thought I’d give my own personal opinion on the subject...

[duhragonball]

[FIC] Luffa: The Legendary Super Saiyan (190/?)

Disclaimer: This story features characters and concepts based on Dragon Ball,  which is a trademark of Bird Studio/Shueisha and Toei Animation.   This is an unauthorized work, and no profit is being made  on this work by me. This story is copyright of me. Download if you like, but please don’t archive it without my permission. Don’t be shy.

Continuity Note: This story takes place about 1000 years before  66 years after the events of Dragon Ball Z.

     [20 April, Age 850. Toki Toki City.]  

Inside the Time Vault, Chronoa monitored Luffa's mission with great concern.   The Scroll of Eternity allowed her to view everything that was happening in the affected time period, but there were complications that made it difficult to tell what was happening.  

"We still can't see or hear Demigra in the Scroll," Trunks observed.  He was Chronoa's closest and most trusted aide, and the field leader of the Time Patrol she had formed to assist her in her duties.  Under different circumstances, she would have sent Trunks to handle such a delicate mission, but he was too closely connected to the events and people involved, and his presence ran the risk of upsetting the balance of the affected timestream.  

And so, instead, she had sent Luffa, the Time Patrol's newest recruit.  Luffa was easy to spot in the mystic images displayed by the Scroll.   Her hair glowed bright yellow while she used her Super Saiyan form, and her baggy pants were colored to match.   The trouble was that Luffa wasn't doing very much, and so monitoring her didn't seem particularly helpful.    

"It looked like Lord Beerus was being affected by Demigra's magic," Chronoa said.   "But then he just seemed to snap out of it.   Maybe he attacked Demigra, but there's no way to tell from here, not while he's able to hide his presence from the Scroll like this.  We'll have to wait for Luffa to give us a report."  

"At least Goku survived," Trunks said.  "And the Earth wasn't destroyed.   I never knew about this event.   Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan God?  It's feels so unreal."

Chronoa nodded absently.  From Trunks' perspective, all of it was unreal, because he came from another timeline where Goku died of a heart virus years before he ever had the chance to discover the Super Saiyan God form.   Trunks had traveled back in time to prevent that tragedy, and in doing so, he had violated a cosmic rule against altering the past.  Chronoa had allowed both timelines to continue to exist, in exchange for Trunks' help in running the Time Patrol.   So it was no wonder that he wasn't well-versed in the timeline he had altered.  He had his native timeline to focus on, and his duties in the Time Patrol as well.  

"What I don't understand is why Luffa is just... floating there talking to Lord Beerus," Chronoa said.  I don't like it..."

"Can't you bring her back to the Time Nest?" Trunks asked.  "The mission is over, isn't it?   Whatever Demigra is up to, it must have failed."

"I don't want to risk upsetting Lord Beerus," Chronoa said.   "If I brought Luffa back now, I'd interrupt their conversation, and he can be a bit... touchy about these things.  You saw what he did to your father over a serving of pudding."

"Oh, right," Trunks said.   "It's amazing that there could be anyone that strong.  I'm glad it's over, though."

"Is it?" Chronoa asked.  She looked up from the Scroll and locked eyes with Trunks.   "The situation with Lord Beerus may be resolved, but Demigra's still out there, planning his next move.   He may not have been able to control Beerus the same way he could control Majin Buu, but the fact that he even dared to try is troubling all by itself."

"That's true," Trunks said, "we shouldn't relax just yet.  Still, what else can Demigra do from here?  Luffa and I are powerful enough to deal with Majin Buu if he tries to control him again, and it looks like Demigra's spell won't work on anyone stronger than that.  He's boxed in."

"That's what I'm worried about," Chronoa said as she chewed her lower lip.  "You know what they say about animals being most dangerous when they're cornered.  Demigra's been planning this for a long time.  I don't think he's finished just yet."  

She looked back down at the Scroll to see if Luffa was still speaking with Beerus and Whis, only to find all three of them were gone.   "Where did they go?" she asked.  

"I don't know," Trunks said.  "I wasn't watching."

"Ugh... just when I was about to bring her back to the Time Nest," Chronoa said.   "They must have gone back down to Bulma's birthday party to get another snack!  Well, Lord Beerus is free to do as he pleases, but we need Luffa back here to tell us what the heck is going on..."

She touched the Scroll gently, moving her fingers across its parchment to reverse the images to the moment before they disappeared, but before she could find the exact moment she wanted to view, she sensed something that caused her to forget about the Scroll altogether.

"Someone's in the Time Nest," she said with a gasp.  

"An intruder?" Trunks asked.

"I don't know," Chronoa said, "but it wasn't one of our people coming in from the City, and I didn't bring anyone in from the timestream."

"Then we'd better not take any chances!" Trunks said.  "I'll check it out, but you'd better stay here in case you need to call in reinforcements!"

As he dashed out of the main atrium of the Time Vault, Chronoa looked back at the Scroll.   Even if they were being invaded, it would need to be put in proper storage.   But before she could deal with that, she noticed the images it displayed, and her eyes went wide with terror.  

"Oh no..." she said.   "Anything but that!"

*******

"Oh my, L-lord Beerus!   It has been quite a while, hasn't it?!"

Chronoa emerged from the Time Vault to find exactly what she feared the most.   She almost wished that it had been an intruder.   Even Demigra would have been a sort of relief.  If her ancient enemy had finally decided to make his move on the Time Nest, then at least that would end the tension that had gripped the Time Patrol for the past several weeks.   But instead, she found Luffa, who had returned with Beerus and Whis.  

"You brought them back with you?" Trunks asked Luffa under his breath.    

"I couldn't exactly tell them no..." Luffa said with an uncomfortable smile.  

"Good point," Trunks replied.   Then he addressed Beerus directly.   "It's a great honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Beerus."

Chronoa was over seventy-five million years old, and Beerus was quite ancient himself.  She had nearly forgotten just how long ago it had been since they last met, but there was no forgetting the regal bearing of the God of Destruction.   A lean, rangy felinoid, his hairless skin was purple.   Each of his pointed ears was almost large enough to cover his entire head.   His large, yellow eyeballs seemed to bulge from his skull, and his eyelids stretched taut across them.    Every expression he made bore a hint of menace that underscored his lofty title.    His raiments signified his role as the God of Destruction: Loose-legged blue pants, leather shoes, and an broad usekh collar and a sash, each bearing the pattern that symbolized his divine office.

While they were technically peers in the cosmic design, Chronoa still trembled in the presence of Beerus.   As the God of Destruction, he had the authority to destroy anything he saw fit.  He tended to reserve that power for those things which managed to test his patience.  

All in all, it was best to avoid Beerus altogether.   Failing that, the safest course was to stay on his good side, and do nothing that might annoy him.   Chronoa had never heard of Beerus destroying a Kai, but there were stories of him doling out worse punishments.  

"Yes, it is an honor," Chronoa said.  "Er, allow me to introduce my staff.  You already know Luffa of course, and this is Trunks, the son of Vegeta and Bulma."

"Hmm... I do recall a purple-haired Saiyan child back on Earth.   Then you must be the man he grows up to become," Beerus said as he rubbed his chin and looked Trunks over.

"Well, er, it's a bit more complicated than that, sir," Trunks said, doing his best to hide his anxiety.  

"Yes, well as much as I'd like to exchange pleasantries," Beerus said calmly, "I don't want to interrupt your duties here in the Time Nest.   So I'll come straight to the point.  It's about that Demigra fellow."

"D-demigra?" Chronoa asked.  

"He tried to make a fool of me," Beerus explained.   "Well you must have seen it all from here.   Luffa tells me you normally monitor her activities whenever she goes on these time missions of yours.  So I want to find out where he is."

Chronoa took a deep breath.  Beerus didn't need to explain what he wanted to do with Demigra when he found him.   He had threatened to destroy the Earth over a cup of pudding, after all.   But why would Demigra risk involving the God of Destruction in his conflict with the Time Patrol?   Whatever Demigra's motives, she knew it would be futile to try to withhold information from Beerus.  

"He's imprisoned," Chronoa began.   "Long ago, I banished Demigra into the Crack of Time."

"Indeed?" Beerus said.  "What a dramatic-sounding name.  Luffa mentioned that Demigra uses mystic images of himself to interact with the outside world.   We encountered one of these 'mirages' on Earth.  So I take it that means the real Demigra is still in this 'Crack' you speak of."

"That's right," Chronoa said with a grim nod.   "However, I fear that he may break out soon.  He's already threatened to seize control of the Time Nest."

"Hm, I see," Whis said.   Beerus' attendant was not a deity like Beerus and Chronoa, but neither was he a mortal like Trunks and Luffa.   Tall and thin, Whis loomed over the others like a shroud, although his prim and unassuming demeanor belied his enigmatic nature.   "So Demigra was changing history to create some sort of exit for himself."

Chronoa nodded again.   "That is what I've suspected," she said.   She hadn't shared this with Trunks or Luffa, but there was no point in denying it.  "Another demon named Towa had been experimenting with using temporal distortions to weaken the barriers surrounding the Demon World.   Demigra may be doing the same."

"That suits me fine," Beerus said with a smirk.   "And you believe he'll come here when he escapes.    Okay, then right when he comes out of hiding, I'll destroy him."

"Nice," Luffa said.  "I was hoping to take a crack at Demigra myself, but this could be almost as much fun, Lord Beerus."  She elbowed Trunks' arm.   "You should have seen the look on Demigra's face when he realized his plan had backfired."

"Well, that would solve all of our problems," Trunks said.  "I can't thank you enough for your assistance, Lord Beerus."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, I assure you," Beerus said.  "Then if that's settled, perhaps--"

"No no no, please don't!!" Chronoa screamed.  "Lord Beerus, please.   If you fight in this world, it would completely destroy this dimension of time!"

At last, Luffa and Trunks understood the danger, and their enthusiasm for Beerus' proposal evaporated.  

"Destroy the dimension of time?" Trunks asked quietly.

"The hell--?" Luffa asked, less quietly.

"Yes, I know," Beerus said, indifferent to her outburst.  "I'm the God of Destruction.  I do have expertise in these matters."

Chronoa's first impulse was to try to convince him of the importance of the Time Nest, and of Toki Toki City, which surrounded it.   Both were suspended within a dimension of time separate from the rest of the universe, which made it possible for her to carry out her stewardship of Tokitoki, the Divine Time Bird.   With someone else, she might have been able to explain that destroying the Time Nest would unravel the fabric of creation itself, but Beerus simply didn't care.   The end of the universe was someone else's problem, not his.

And so she fell back on a more mundane strategy.   "Oh, I know!" she said hastily.   "I'll cook delicious meals for you if you promise not to fight here.  Cool?"

This seemed to upset Luffa and Trunks a great deal.

"You can't!" Trunks said.

"No!  What are you thinking?!" Luffa hissed.  

They were more than subordinates to her.   She considered the Time Patrollers to be good friends, but Trunks was especially dear to her, and Luffa had become almost as close in the short time they had worked together.   No doubt they were worried about her making such offers to the God of Destruction.   For she knew her own cooking was brilliant, and if Beerus got a taste for her trademark cuisine, he might demand that she return to his planet with him, and cook for him full-time.   Luffa and Trunks couldn't bear to see that happen, but for the good of the Time Nest, Chronoa was prepared to make the hard choices.  

But Beerus would not be tempted.  "Delicious...?" he began to ask, then shook his head.   "No, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass on that.   It's the principle of the thing, you know?"

Trunks and Luffa were both greatly relieved to hear this, and at last Trunks cleared his throat to speak.  

"With all due respect, Lord Beerus," he said, "please allow us take care of Demigra."

"No, he tried to use me," Beerus said.   "Besides, can you even defeat Demigra?"

"Absolutely," Trunks said.  "We've been preparing for a showdown like this for weeks now, and Luffa here has been fighting his mirages in other missions.   Please, just give us a chance.   The lives of everyone I care about are on the line."

Beerus rubbed one of his large eyes with his hand as he considered it, but Chronoa doubted that Trunks' appeal would add much to her own.   If Beerus was willing to destroy the entire Time Nest dimension to avenge his honor, then Trunks' loved ones would mean even less.   Then Luffa stepped forward.

"My lord," she said, "Demigra isn't worthy of your time.  I can kill him for you, and spare you the hassle of waiting for him to show himself."

She was holding her hands out in a friendly, almost servile gesture that Chronoa found very uncharacteristic for Luffa.  

"Is that so?" Beerus asked, one of his eyes widening with interest.  

"I won't pretend to know the business of a God of Destruction," Luffa continued, "but I'm sure you'd rather be doing something else than chasing after a cowardly nuisance like Demigra.  He should pay dearly for offending your person, but you needn't dirty your hands on the likes of him.   Not when I can carry out the execution in your place."

Chronoa exchanged looks with Trunks, who simply shrugged.  They were both confused by Luffa's approach, but it seemed to be working.

"Ah, that's right," Beerus said.  "Back at Bulma's party, you told me you and your family were mercenaries.   I suppose this is the part of your sales pitch where you casually mention your modest fee."

Luffa smiled.   "On the contrary, Lord Beerus.   It would be a great privilege to serve as the instrument of your divine wrath.  The benefit to my reputation alone would be priceless.    No, I should be presenting some sort of gift to you for even considering my proposal."

Luffa now had Beerus' undivided attention.   "A gift, you say?   What would you have in mind?"

"I gathered that you have a taste for Earthling cuisine," Luffa said.  "There's plenty of that here in Toki Toki City, just outside the Time Nest.  But Earthlings have such... puny appetites.   They don't appreciate the subtle nuances that you get from cooking in bulk quantities.   I'm talking about flavor techniques that only a Saiyan chef would know."

"I've sampled Saiyan dishes before," Beerus said.   "Decades ago, I paid a visit to King Vegeta.   The food was satisfactory, but he was sorely lacking in hospitality."

"Hah! I'm not surprised," Luffa said.   "Sharing a meal is a time-honored tradition of family and community.   What would a royalist know about any of that?  No offense, Trunks, but your grandfather's lackeys probably didn't know sugar from salt."

"Er, okay..." Trunks said.

Luffa stepped toward Beerus and pointed at her chest.   "I'm not from this era, Lord Beerus.   The Time Patrol brought me here from centuries in the past.   My entire era was forgotten a long time ago.  No one even remembers all the battles I fought, which means I'm pretty sure a lot of my cooking techniques were lost to time as well.   So when I roast a dinosaur, it's an experience you can't get anywhere else."

"You're certainly a confident one, aren't you?" Beerus said.   "I must admit, I'm intrigued by your offer, but the question remains as to whether you have the ability to defeat Demigra.   I can't have you acting in my name if you lack the skill to uphold my reputation."

"Lord Beerus, considering everything they've said," Whis suggested, "why not try testing them?"

"A test?   That might be good."   Beerus put his hand over his face and rubbed his jaw as he considered the idea.  "Let's see how well the two of you do against Whis and myself."

"You mean you'd spar with me?" Luffa asked.  "I'm... that's..."

"Er, yes!" Trunks said.   "Thank you very much!"

"Sure," Luffa stammered.   "Yeah, what he said.   Thank you."

"Lord Beerus," Whis asked, "you mean that I have to fight too?"

"This was your idea, Whis," Beerus said.  

"Oh, fine..." Whis sighed.  

"Now then," Beerus said.   "We may as well get started..."

"Hey hey hey!" Chronoa snapped.   "You can't do that here!"

"Oh, what's wrong now?" Beerus groaned.  

Chronoa stamped her feet on the stone pavement of the Time Nest.   "Weren't you listening to what I said before?   If you fight here, you risk destroying the Time Nest! It'd be no different than if you fought Demigra yourself!   Go... I don't know, just go somewhere else!"

"All right, fine," Beerus said.   "You're so selfish... but we'll find some other venue for this test."

"I think I can arrange a suitable location for us, Lord Beerus," Trunks offered.   "We can use the Parallel Quest system to travel to an isolated segment of time..."

"Very good, I'll that up to you, Trunks," Beerus said.   "And while you arrange that, I might as well hang around for a bit.   It's been a while since I visited the Time Nest, and Luffa can fix me that snack she offered..."  

*******

And that seemed to be that.  Beerus was satisfied, at least for the moment, and he had provided a path forward for defeating Demigra without sacrificing the entire Time Nest in the process.  After the others left the Nest to attend to their business in the city, Chronoa tried to relax by tending to the Divine Tokitoki Bird.   She set out fresh food, changed his water, and checked his ears for chroniton mites.    

She wanted to tend to the Scroll of Eternity, and repair the changes caused by Demigra's last incursion, but that couldn't happen until Beerus returned to his own time.  And so, there was nothing to do but wait.  Normally, Chronoa was an adept at the fine art of patience.  But with the God of Destruction at her doorstep, it was difficult to trust Luffa and Trunks to handle things on their own.  

And so, it didn't take long for Chronoa to take her leave of the Time Nest to check on them.   As a god herself, she could sense divine ki and locate Beerus, but this turned out to be unnecessary.  The commotion around the Toki Toki City cafeteria was the first sign of his presence.  

Chronoa found a relatively calm Namekian bystander.    His name was Bebbux, and he was in charge of the city waterworks.    "What's going on?" Chronoa asked.

"Supreme Kai of Time!" he gasped when he saw her.   "Thank goodness you're here.  I must report that the God of Destruction, Beerus, has come to Toki Toki City!"

"Yes, I know," Chronoa said.  "Luffa was supposed to show him around.  Is something wrong?"

"Y-you're allowing Lord Beerus to visit the city?" Bebbux said with great surprise.  

"Well, I don't exactly have much choice," Chronoa said.  "It'll be okay, I think."

"I just... it's just that... This is your domain, and as a goddess yourself..."

"Sorry," Chronoa said.  "The Kaioshin, like me, oversee creation.   The Hakaishin are destroyers.  Beerus and I are peers, but that doesn't give me power over him.   He's authorized to destroy anything he chooses.   All I can do is make sure he doesn't have any reason to destroy us."

"Oh..."  The look on Bebbux's face was that of a man who was about to request a leave of absence.  

"Did they go in the cafeteria?" Chronoa asked.  

"Well, yes," Bebbux said.   "I was there to inspect the water lines. I like to do that around this time of day, after the lunch crowd has thinned out.  But then those three just walked in and she commandeered the kitchen."

"Luffa?" Chronoa asked.  

"Well, Lord Beerus is one thing, but you can do something about her at least, can't you?" Bebbux asked.  "I told her I had a job to do, and she threatened to break my arm if I didn't get out of her way!"  

Chronoa looked again at the Time Patrollers milling about outside.   They were rattled by the presence of Beerus, or Luffa, or both.  None of them seemed very happy about being denied their mealtime, even if it was for their own good.  

"I'll talk to her," Chronoa said.   On her way to the entrance, she met the cafeteria manager, the head chef, and an irate diner, and had very similar conversations with each of them.  At last, she made it inside the now-empty building, and found Beerus and Whis seated at a small table in the kitchen.  

"I thought Luffa was with you," she said as Beerus glanced in her direction.  

"She excused herself to gather supplies," Whis said.   "But I'm sure she'll return shortly."

"She had better," Beerus said.  He held up one of his fingers and examined the point of the claw on the end.  "I'm not fond of all this waiting."

"Yet you were willing to wait for Demigra to show up so you could destroy him personally," Whis reminded him.

"That's different," Beerus said.   "For one thing-- ah, there she is now."

Luffa stormed into the kitchen pushing a cart full of potatoes and crates of other foods.   She wheeled it towards the griddle, then returned to the table with a small box under the crook of her arm.  

"Sorry, that took longer than I expected," she said.   "But I think you'll appreciate it, Lord Beerus.   I found you an appetizer."

She opened the box and withdrew a pair of small cans to Beerus and Whis.   Beerus held up his serving and started at it with great interest.   "This image printed on the label," he said.   "Could this be--?"

"Pudding, my lord," Luffa said.   "I thought about making some myself, but I've never tried that before, so I didn't want ruin your first experience with it.  All you have to do is pry that handle back, then use it to peel off the lid.  Here, I'll show you..."

Chronoa was about to interrupt, but decided against it.  Coming between Beerus and his pudding had proven to be a grave mistake.   As a student of history, the Supreme Kai of Time was not prone to repeat it.

"What a delightful container," Whis said.   He had already opened his and was spooning a sample into his mouth.   "It reminds me of the beryllium-shelled bivalves on Nellis II."

"The ring came off my pudding can," Beerus said with great disappointment.   "What a frustrating design.   Now my pudding is trapped forever."

"Not quite," Luffa said, handing him a butterknife from a nearby tray.   "You can still work the lid off with this.   It takes a little doing, but--"

"Ah, I see," Beerus said.   "You're right, Whis, this is like those little clams.   The struggle of opening them up makes eating them that much more satisfying..."

There was a moment of blissful peace as Beerus finally sampled pudding for the first time, and Chronoa approached Luffa while she began preparing the main course.    

"Don't worry, I've got this under control," Luffa said before Chronoa could speak.    

"I just wanted to see if I could help," Chronoa said.  

"No, I'm the one helping you, remember?" Luffa said.   "You brought me here from the past because Trunks wasn't enough, right?"

"Well, yes," Chronoa said, "but it was Shenron who actually chose--"

"Fine, whatever," Luffa said.  "My point is he made the right call.  Trunks can't handle all this on his own.  And you say Lord Beerus can't fight Demigra without destroying the Time Nest.  So I guess that might hold true for Yamoshi as well, since he was a god once."

She began slicing potatoes on  a cutting board, and picking up speed.

"You forgot to peel those," Chronoa said, but Luffa made a derisive snort.  

"No I didn't.  Like I said before," Luffa told her, "my style has been lost to time.  You can cook however you want, Chronoa, but Lord Beerus can have that experience whenever he wants."

"But he's very particular about his meals..." Chronoa tried to argue, but Luffa was hearing none of it.  She simply set her jaw and increased her ki.   Her yellow hair glowed brighter and there was a flash of her golden aura, which she quickly stifled when it began to disturb some of the items on the countertops.  

"Luffa, you've been in Super Saiyan form ever since you came back from the mission," Chronoa said.   "You told us before that you sometimes have trouble shutting it off.   If you're upset..."

"I'm fine," Luffa said.  She was now chopping vegetables with blinding speed.   When she needed to use a different knife, she would briefly hold it up and stare at it until the blade began to flash with the same aura that surrounded her body.   "I just need the form for this work.  My senses are much sharper this way."  

Suddenly, Luffa swept her left hand over the griddle.  Chronoa gasped, but there was no sign of any injury to Luffa's fingers.  She held them close to her face and inhaled sharply, then made a satisfied snarl and continued her work.  

"Back home... in the past, I mean... I used to use an infrared thermometer," Luffa explained.   "But not everyone uses the same temperature units, or even the same characters for numerals.  So I learned to go by feel and smell of the cooking oil."

"Why?" Chronoa asked.  "You already know the temperature."  She pointed to the dials that controlled the griddle's heating elements.  

"'Medium' is not a temperature," Luffa insisted.   "All that does is tell you how much power is getting sent to the filaments under the surface.  It doesn't take into account the thickness or composition of the griddle, or the temperature of the surrounding environment.  Now let's see..."

She had put all of her cuttings in a large bowl, which she now emptied into an even larger pot of boiling water.   Then she turned her attention to a hunk of ground sausage.  

"Wait, what about your timer?" Chronoa asked urgently.

"For what?" Luffa asked.  

"Uh, hello?  The potatoes?  Your stew is going to turn out all wrong if you don't know how long you kept them in there for!"

"I'm not making a stew, I'm parboiling them," Luffa explained.  "And I'll check them with a fork to see if they're soft enough.   It's under control, Chronoa."

"Parboiling?" Chronoa asked.   She had never heard of this.  Were Luffa's techniques as rare and obscure as she claimed?

"Is there a problem over there, ladies?" Beerus called from the table.   There was a series of pans and utensils hanging from an overhead rack that hid the griddle from the table, and so he could barely see what was going on.  

"Everything's fine, Lord Beerus!" Luffa called back.   "Oh, I should ask.   Do you have any allergies or dietary issues I should know about?"

"No, nothing like that," Beerus replied.  "I must say, it smells very enticing so far."

"Damn straight it does," Luffa said with a confident smirk.  

Minutes later, she laid the potatoes on the griddle, nearly covering the entire surface.   Then she covered the potatoes with shredded cheese, peppers, diced tomatoes, and various seasonings.  Chronoa grew ever more concerned.  

"You're not moving the food enough!" she pleaded to Luffa.   "It'll get all burnt on the bottom!"

"This isn't stir fry," Luffa said.   "I'm trying to make it crispy.  Hrmm..."

"Wh-what's wrong?" Chronoa asked.  

"Nothing.   I'd kill for some bluespice right about now," Luffa muttered.  "Earth has an impressive range of flavors, but I could really go wild if I had a few other ingredients...  Well, no point in worrying about it."

"This is about Keda, isn't it?" Chronoa said.  

Luffa paused and stared at her.   "What did you say?" she asked.    

"You're upset about your friend," Chronoa said.   "You said she somehow ended up on Namek, and we couldn't find any sign of her, and then she turned up on Earth.    It's only natural that you'd be frustrated about that."

"How do you know about her turning up on Earth?" Luffa asked.  "I never told... did Big League Chew report it to you?  I guess he'd have to tell you, wouldn't he?"

The truth was more complicated than that, and so Chronoa didn't bother to correct her assumption.  "The Time Patrollers trust me, Luffa.  We all know this has been difficult for you.   Maybe it's been tougher than we realize, because you've handled it so well."

"It's not that I don't trust you," Luffa said.  "I just didn't know what to say.  Keda vanished back in my era.  We thought she was dead.   Then I find her living out most of her life on Earth in this era.   At first, I wanted you to fix it somehow, but..."

"Yes...?"

"But the more I learn about this business, it seems like you would have already found out about it if it was a problem.   But you had no idea.  Just like you didn't know anything about me when I got yanked out of the past.   This was all supposed to happen, so there's nothing you can do about it."

Chronoa nodded her head.   "That's right," she said.   "I want to investigate this more carefully, of course, though that will have to wait until things have settled down with Demigra.  But if you already understand that I can't change the past, then why...?"

Luffa began flipping the layer of food on the griddle, revealing the potatoes that had once been on the bottom.   The golden brown color, illuminated by the yellow glow of Luffa's hair, reminded Chronoa of a gardener tilling soil.  

"I told you," Luffa said.  "I wasn't sure what to say.   At first I wanted to demand that you send Keda back to her own time, to her friends.   But when I saw her living on Earth as an old woman... at least we think that was her...  Well, I wasn't so sure I should say anything.  Maybe she liked it better the way things turned out."

There was only the sound of vegetables sizzling on the griddle for a time, and then Luffa finally added: "I guess I was worried that you might decide you had to fix it after all, and send Keda back, even if she didn't want to go.   I wasn't sure how I would feel about that, either.   So that's why I didn't bring it up to you before.  Sorry if that's against the rules around here."

"It's all right," Chronoa said.  "It's like we say in Toki Toki City.   'There's time.'  You weren't ready to talk to me about this, and that's okay.  But if you're not upset about Keda, then...?"

"I keep telling you," Luffa said, "I'm all right.   I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about fighting the God of Destruction later, but that didn't stop Kakarot from giving it a try.  If he can take his lumps, then so can I."

"That was different," Chronoa said.   "Goku was a god then."

"Not the first time, he wasn't," Luffa said. "And Vegeta wasn't a god either.   Besides, even when Kakarot had the god form, it wore off in the middle of the fight."  She began to dig out spaces in the layer of hash she had been cooking, and while she worked the spatula with one hand, she pointed at herself with the other.  

"Those two bastards, Kakarot and Vegeta," Luffa said, "they fought Lord Beerus with this form, and they made their ancestors proud.   Well, this ancestor, at least.  I can't just bow out of this, not after seeing what they could do."

"But if you don't impress Lord Beerus," Chronoa warned, "he won't let you fight Demigra!"

"Then I'll just have to impress him, won't I?" Luffa said with an anxious grin.   "Why do you think I offered to cook for him?  I was hoping to put a little polish on this arrangement."  

"Then... then you really are all right," Chronoa said.  "You just seemed so agitated..."

Luffa snorted.   "If we're being honest, I probably haven't been 'all right' since I was nineteen years old.   But I'll manage."

Chronoa pointed at the griddle.  "Then what are you doing right now?"

"I'm making a space for the eggs," Luffa said.  

Chronoa was confused until Luffa began to crack eggs on the edge of the counter, and she dumped the yolks into the spaces she had dug out in the hash.   She continued this process until each hole was filled with white and yellow protein.

"No!" Chronoa gasped.  "You can't just cook those on top of something else!"

Luffa simply smirked at her.  "It'll be fine, just wait."

"But if Lord Beerus is displeased--!"

"Trust me," Luffa said.  "You said the Time Patrollers trust you, right?  Doesn't that go both ways?"  

If Luffa were fighting, it would be an easy matter to stand back and defer to her judgment.   But Chronoa had been cooking meals for millions of years, and all of her experience now screamed out to her that Luffa was making one terrible blunder after another.  The potatoes would be too soft, and the cheese wouldn't burn right, and the eggs wouldn't be rubbery at all.  And Luffa had never once turned the dials on the griddle to their highest setting.   How could she hope to achieve the greatest flavor intensity without using the maximum power available?   And she had only sprinkled a tiny amount of salt into the meal!   But if Chronoa tried to interfere now, there was the chance that this would upset Beerus just as badly as a low-quality meal.  

Luffa glanced away from her work and gave Chronoa a reassuring look.  "Relax," she said.  "I'm your legend too."

"What?"

Chronoa didn't understand what that meant, although she found it comforting nonetheless.   She forced herself to stay calm, and watched as Luffa completed the work and began shoveling the hash off the griddle and into several dishes.    Two of these, she carried to the table, and Chronoa followed her with a carafe of fruit juice.  

"For your consideration, my lord," Luffa said respectfully as she set the plates before her guests.  

Chronoa chewed her lower lip as she watched Beerus and Whis take the first bites of their meal.   They chewed, swallowed, and then...

"Oh, that is good," Beerus exclaimed.   It was more enthusiasm than Chronoa was used to hearing in his voice.   Usually he was so cool and aloof, even when he was enraged.    

"Oh my," Whis added after making a happy squeal.  Once he had regained his composure,  he pointed at his plate and asked.   "Tell me what are these little green pieces?"

Luffa leaned in to see what he was pointing to with his fork.   "Ah, those are an Earth vegetable called 'chives'.  They go very well with the tubers."

"Oh, I quite agree!" Whis said.  

For several more minutes, Chronoa simply stood by and watched them eat while Luffa beamed with pride.  

"I guess you worked up an appetite fighting Kakarot, huh, Lord Beerus?" Luffa asked.  

The God of Destruction was too busy gobbling the rest of his meal to answer right away, but he did make a noise that Luffa interpreted as a 'yes.'

"I made plenty if anyone wants seconds," Luffa said.  "I don't know much about gods, but I had a feeling anyone who fights like the way you do could pack it away like a Saiyan."  

"I must admit," Beerus finally replied, "you've certainly lived up to your claims, Luffa.   King Vegeta had nothing on his board quite as tasty as this.  Hmm, and filling, too."

As they continued to exchange pleasantries, Luffa glanced back at Chronoa and made a 'thumbs up' gesture.  There was still the test that she and Trunks would have to pass, but at least they had made it this far without any trouble.  Chronoa couldn't help but consider what Luffa had said before.  

 'I'm your legend, too.'

Was that how Luffa saw herself?  Chronoa had heard Trunks and other Saiyans refer to the Super Saiyan form as "legendary", but the word had meant little to a Kai like her.   The Super Saiyan seemed very commonplace in the Time Patrol, and the word "legend" seemed to be little more than emphasis.    But Luffa seemed to feel a personal attachment to the word.   For Luffa, it was a point of honor, a sacred thing that she shared with no one, except maybe her ancestors, and perhaps Son Goku and Vegeta.  

But Chronoa had never given much thought to how Luffa defined that role.  It wasn't just a lofty title.  For all her talk of being a simple mercenary, Luffa sought to be an inspiration.  She wanted Trunks to fight harder, and she wanted Goku to live up to his place as her successor, and today she wanted Beerus to know exactly what sort of exceptional being had pleased his taste buds.  

And she had also inspired Chronoa to be at ease.  Chronoa was used to being cheerful and relaxed, but the Demigra crisis had made that feeling seem like a distant memory.  

Chronoa thought of Bubbex and the other Patrollers outside the cafeteria.  They weren't the only ones who had complaints about Luffa.   Many of her critics saw her as an overhyped has-been.   But perhaps there was more to a legend than the reputation.  In the end, she supposed, Luffa was just someone who tried harder.  That persistence could be abrasive at times, but she was definitely the sort of person one wanted on their side.

Maybe that was what Shenron had seen in Luffa when he chose her to be Trunks' partner.   Up to now, Chronoa had accepted it as a matter of hope.  Now, she finally felt like she understood the Eternal Dragon's reasoning.

And maybe that meant Luffa was ready, after all.

Just like the note had said.  

But ready or not, Luffa would have to go through Beerus first...

 NEXT: Beerus' Test.

[lombax-lombardi]

Ponder~

Summary: Now was not the time. Now was the time to forgive and find answers, the group find themselves visited by another.

Genre: Plot.

Direheart stared at the lavender female.

Dream Eater?

She had heard the phrase once before, a long time ago as she peered into the minds of others. But her dear friend....was one?

It was strange. Then again Direheart herself was a strange one.

“..........I’m not mad” she spoke, wincing in slight pain. Terra’s hold on her slightly tightened, she pressed a hand against his chest to tell him she was fine.

Rii blinked. “You aren’t?”

“No” The former spirit shook her head, fingers ghosting over the jewel lodged in her chest. “From where I stand, you were just trying to save someone, who deserved to be saved. Just how like Seven saved us from Blackheart the second time” a faint smile formed on her pale lips.

“You wanted to help someone....h-how could I be mad at that?” The jewel glowed faintly, the former spirited gritted her teeth in slight pain, worry etched on Terra’s face who cradled her close.

He was very worried about her.

Rii would have gone over to hug her but she didn’t want to ruin the moment, hearing Riku dismiss his Keyblade behind her as clanking footsteps filled their hearing.

The door behind them opened up revealing Seven, holding a clipboard in her hands, Sophia turned her head to see the robot doctor.

She was certainly something else.

“H-How is she? The tailed one...?” Sophia spoke softly, the doctor gave a big beaming smile. “She is alright. As is the baby...well babies. She is having twins.”

Direheart blinked. “I-I only sensed one? How can there be two?”

Seven shook her head. “You may be magical my friend but my high quality built in sensors can scan more then you can sense. She’s got two in there, trust me. Hard to find the second one however, half alien children will do that.” She said tilting her head slightly.

“Anyway, she will wake soon but I am also here for Direheart. My scans indicate you are severely weakened, due to your fusion with a super powered alien. This...Super Saiyan as you call it....seems to be a drain on stamina. Combined with your powers, your fusion judging by my calculations should have lasted at least 3 hours, compared to our fusion, Sevenheart. She only lasts an hour.” Stated the robot, Seven tilted her head once more, one finger on her chin as the other still held her clip board, then her face turned into a serious looking frown, brows narrowed.

“I forbid you from using magic and fusing until you regain your strength”

Direheart looked ready to argue however, knowing it was fruitless to argue with herself she gave in. “Doctor’s orders?”

“Yes Doctor’s Orders~” Seven replied with a grin.

It was now much later in the day, Sophia was able to stand once again, moving herself so Direheart would have a place to lay down, Esper watched Rii carefully, now wasn’t the time to ask about her origins.

Not until this whole Ruby ordeal was dealt with.

As for that tailed woman, Seven has been monitoring her condition, alongside Ansem the Wise, once he heard of a pregnant woman in the lab, he decided to keep an eye on her.

“How is she dear Seven?” the old man asked with a smile, Seven turned her head, antenna flashing. “Oh she is fine sire, I’m mostly concerned for the unborn children...” she said turning her head back to the holographic screen before her, the holographic line connecting to her antenna squiggled slightly.

“So much activity for ones who have not yet seen the world. My my. Once we find this ones husband and Madilyn’s, dummy of a boyfriend, the sooner they can get back to their worlds.” She said, furiously typing away on the holo-keyboard when her line became sharp and jagged.

She pressed a hand against one of her grey earpieces, the older man raised a brow. “Are you sensing something my dear?”

“Yes...it’s coming from the other room” Dismissing her screen she stepped back out into the main room. Terra was tending to Direheart with Aqua right next to her, Rii sat beside Ruby alongside Ven, with Esper close-by.

Seven closed her eyes for a moment, opening them back up again. They were not the usual brown, they were a moss green. That meant she was scanning for the new source she heard.

Ansem watched closely, eyes following the scientist robot. The bulbs on her antenna began blinking quicker now, making a somewhat loud noise.

She stopped at Ruby’s beside.

The others in the room felt their hearts swell but a slight fear twinged them, Direheart could feel it. “S-Seven....w-what’s wrong?” she asked her robot alternate, who turned her head to the former spirit.

“I scanned a large power surge. It came from her” She gestured to the unconscious girl. Seven raised her hands in front of her and was going to do another scan when a hand stopped her.

It was Sophia.

“Wait, robot friend. Didn’t Master Yen Sid say Rii, my grandchild had two personalities inside her?” 

The Dream Eater blinked, face turned into one of pondering, recalling what the old wizard. Two.....Shadow and Light....Shadow and.....

“Wait! I remember now! Yes he did say that. The Shadow was the one we were supposed to watch for, but she has a good side inside her somewhere!”

Sophia nods. “Yes my child. Perhaps the Light has managed to wake. Perhaps she has answers....Rii, I would wait before diving into her heart.....I am somewhat familiar with your kind....only from things I have heard. If Light has something to say...then let her speak.” Sophia gestured to Ven.

“Stay close to her, Light may see only you as a friend” The sandy blonde nodded, Sophia giving Seven the nod of approval to try and scan her.

To see if Ruby’s better half was in there somewhere.

The bulbs blinked brighter this time.

“Yes. I am getting another source here! Lady Sophia is right!” Direheart felt a weight lift from her. She feared the good part of Ruby had been swallowed by the Shadow.

That was not the case.

Suddenly Ruby’s eyes opened, they were not red or green, but a soothing sunshine yellow, brighter then gold. She looked around, pulling herself up, trying to familiarise where she was. Sophia gently pushed the others back as to give her space.

“......Where am I? I remember being sealed...and...Oh!” Her eyes met with the charming blue of Ven’s and she gave a small smile. “You are Ruby’s Ven yes?”

The male felt a blush tinge his cheeks. Her Ven huh?

“Y-Yeah I am. You must be the good half of Ruby right?”

She nodded.

“Yes. I am called Light, Brightness whichever you wish to call me.” She placed a hand against her chest. “I am sorry...as it is only me that has surfaced...Ruby is trapped.”

The others gasped.

Trapped? In her own body?

“How did this happen?” Sophia exclaimed, almost looking ready to pass out, only to be held up by Aqua.

“When the Shadow took over, she sealed myself and Ruby deep inside Ruby’s heart. I failed in my duty to keep her safe, which was why I manifested. I was manifest to protect Ruby from her darkness”

Direheart listened intently. She remembered her daughter Deirdre speaking of the Ruby of her world, who had something similar.

So things do tend to repeat themselves.

“How far sealed in is she?” The shapeshifting sorceress asked Light, tears prickled her eyes, like the sun shining against the ocean.

“I only managed to get out, only because she made me. Ruby told me to get help. She’s so far down inside her heart that....that I couldn’t even break her chains.....” The tears flowed quicker now as she buried her face into her hands.

“Please you have to help us. Someone....” she sobbed into her hands, Sophia placed her hands on the little ones shoulders.

“We will. I promise. How long do you have control over Ruby’s body my child?”

Light lifted her head, bright yellow eyes shining slightly.

“Until she is free. Once she is free I will seep back into the depths of her mind, and the Shadow will fade....”

Sophia nods.

“Very well. Ven, you tend to her now. Others, form a circle around Direheart. Friend Seven, stay with the young ones” The robot gave a nod as the others in the room huddled around Direheart.

“From what I can assume, we have limited time to get the answers we need from the Shadow. She sealed Ruby away, she could tell us how deep. I wish to not weaken Rii but if waking is the only way to save my grandchild then I will allow it.”

“Then we need to interrogate that creature” Riku states, Direheart spoke up. “Myself or Kora have to be present...” she tried to sit up but her injuries would not let her.

And if Terra’s glare was any indicator, he wasn’t going to either.

“Then once the young lady wakes up, Riku I would ask you to come with me” Stated Ansem the Wise, the silver haired boy nodded.

“....You don’t have...to wait long...old man...” The raspy sound of the tailed female’s voice called out to them, they turned their heads to see her leaning against the door with a smile on her face.

“You’re supposed to be resting!” Direheart huffed, the tailed female rolled her eyes. 

“Please. You’re telling me to rest? Idiot.”

“Moron”

“Stubborn fool!”

Sophia stood between the two. “Now girls. Since both of you were part and have retained the memories of said fusion, once of you must accompany Riku to talk to the Shadow”

Maddi scoffed, tail flicking back and fourth. “I’m going. That disgusting creature knows where my husband is and I am taking him back to my world with me” Her eyes flashed with slight anger and worry.

Direheart rolled her eyes. “Fine. I won’t stop you. You Saiyans are known for being too robust”

The old man, having gained the approval of Direheart to take her alternate with him, he and Riku along with the tailed female headed down.

Down.

Down.

Until the reached where they needed to be. In front of a container filled with a black mass, glowing red eyes stared at them.

“Can she hear us?” The tailed female asked, the old man shook his head.

“For now she is mute however....” The old man took a step back as a image projected in front of them.

It seems the glowing red eyes were conjuring this image.

Maddi narrowed her own eyes, a slight jade flashed in them, causing the creature to claw inside the container.

“....Tell us. Where are the people you’ve stolen.” Maddi spoke, the image before them rolled its eyes.

“Like I’m gonna tell you-” a flash of gold filled her vision and the creature shrieked loudly.

“Okay....When I had control of Ruby’s body, I sealed your...PITIFUL loved ones inside glass crystals. They are attached to her belt, t-toss them into a magic circle and they will be freed...” This creature was really pathetic.

“And Ruby. You sealed her. How do we unseal her?” Maddi asked, eyes flashing jade once more.

The image before them hissed, as did the large black mass inside the container.

“I ain’t telling you anything, alien!” The image before them vanished and the Sayan felt her blood boil.

“Can I destroy her?” 

he look Ansem and Riku gave her, was all the answer she needed.

“Fine. I guess we have to ponder this one then don’t we?”

[x-fantasy-is-my-reality-x]

Goku Black x Reader: Forbidden Fruit (Chapter 7: The Calvary Arrives)

Black and Zamasu had immediately flown off to meet Trunks, leaving you alone in the cabin. You waited until they were nothing but dots in the horizon before sprinting about the house checking all the windows and doors, but they were all locked. You threw a chair at one of the windows, but it did absolutely nothing, confirming your suspicion that they had discreetly strengthened it with magic before they left. It was agonizing, your freedom was so close yet so far.

You tried all the closed doors, but they too were locked and impenetrable. Eventually, after breaking two chairs and a knife you let them clatter to the floor and sat in the armchair in the living room, with your head in your hands. It just wasn’t fair. Once again, you were engulfed by a crushing sense of helplessness and frustration as the gravity of your situation gradually tightened the noose.

Just as you were about to start crying again, a light tapping sound came from the window near the kitchen. Cautiously, you moved towards the source of the sound and hesitantly looked over the edge of the windowsill, and nearly had an aneurysm. It was Black, with his face pressed so close to the glass that you could every tiny detail of his nose. You screamed shrilly and tripped backwards as he rose up outside, so you could see his very unusual gi. Had he changed his clothes? And then it hit you. That must have been Son Goku, who looked nearly identical to Black as Trunks had once told you. Still, it was unnerving to see someone who looked like Black’s twin. And it was even weird when he smiled sheepishly at you and rubbed the back of his head, mouthing something inaudible to you. You had never really seen Black smile like that, or anyone on this earth since his arrival as a matter of fact. He hovered near the window and placed his hands on it, pushing at it but it still wouldn’t give.

“Uh hi?” You said loudly, hoping he would be able to hear you.

Luckily, he did. “Hi I’m Son Goku! Trunks told me that Black kidnapped you, so he sent me here to rescue you,” he replied, still smiling. “Why can’t I get through the window?”

“I t-think they magically enhanced it or something before they left.”

“Oh okay, that’s no problem, I think I can still get in.”

You had just opened your mouth to ask him how, but you didn’t get the chance before he unexpectedly appeared in front of you just like Black had. You let out an involuntary shriek and kicked him in the shin, your heart leaping into your throat.

“Oh my God you people are absolutely insane!” You panted as you concentrated not losing your mind.

He grinned at you apologetically and reached out a hand, from which you flinched away. “Sorry, I guess most people aren’t used to that.”

Now that he was standing in front of you, you could see subtle differences between him and Black. For one, he dressed the complete opposite of Black and appeared to be a bit more muscular. Goku was also less tan and there was a different glint in his eye, a pleasant shine that said ‘I’ll kill you with ice cream and sunshine’ instead of Black, who gave off a vibe of ‘I’ll kill you by disemboweling you and then feeding you your entrails’. Still, even with the small differences you still couldn’t help but be wary of him. But I guess if Trunks trusts him so should I, you reasoned with yourself.

You suddenly remembered your blue-haired friend. “Oh uh Mr. Goku sir how’s Trunks?” You stuttered nervously. Please let him be okay.

“Please, you can just call me Goku Y/n, and Trunks if fine, he’s with Vegeta.” He beamed at you, all teeth and gums and you found your own lips quirking up a bit. You could see why Trunks liked him so much, his positivity was infectious. It was a pleasant change for once. He seemed to just notice the bands around your ankles and wrists, frowning at them.

“What are those?” He asked, brushing his finger against one, jerking away from it as it let out a sharp zap.

“I’m not really sure Goku,” you replied. “I can’t seem to get them off.”

“Here, let me try.” You gave him your arm, watching as he flared his chi and gripped the bands tightly, and after some straining they cracked and shattered to the ground. Goku did the same to the rest of them, and you rubbed your wrists thanking him.

“It was no problem. Speaking of which, we should probably get you back to Trunks and Vegeta. Grab my arm.” He held it out for you.

“What why?”

“You’ll see, just please don’t scream, we don’t want for Black to know that you’re there,” he answered, giving you a reassuring look. “Trust me.”

You looked into his eyes, and after finding nothing malicious you gave a small nod and touched his arm.

“Okay now w-” The rest of your sentence was cut off as the ground suddenly changed beneath your feet, along with the rest of the scenery. You were back in West City, the familiar scent of dank death and musty decay flooding your nose. Burning embers danced around your face and up above the gray storm clouds rioted and raged, the wind howling like wolves. The fallen city looked the same as always, the buildings rising from the ground like skeletons and the earth all churned up and wounded. Brilliant flashes from the distance caught your eye, streaks of bright yellow, blue, pink, and purple. Distinctly, you were able to recognize Trunks as a blazing Super Saiyan, charging with all his might towards Black, in his regular form who was laughing in glee. Zamasu was battling with a warrior you had never seen before, with tall, flame-shaped blue hair and a tight cobalt-colored spandex suit. Based on Trunks’ description of his father you guess that it was Vegeta, the legendary Saiyan who had turned his back on evil. Lightning split the sky as they clashed, energy balls flying everywhere and destroying everything that they came in contact with. A golden one whizzed over your head and blew up a car ten feet behind you, and the black-haired Saiyan next to you quickly ushered you behind a standing chunk of concrete.

“Stay right here Y/n, we’ll be right back for you after we defeat Black.” And he was off before you could even protest. Goku let out a thunderous war cry as he shot towards the brawl, his hair flaring into scarlet as he rammed into Black, who had the weakened Trunks in a headlock. The teenager flopped to the ground when Black dropped him in favor of Goku, his hair turning back into its normal color. You growled angrily, but there wasn’t much you could do to help other than to get yourself caught again.

Maybe I can go find Mai and the other survivors.

Well, it was better than just sitting there and watching them fight. The cracked dome of Capsule Corp stood a bit further up ahead, close to the place where their hideout was. You began to slowly make your way around the debris, hiding in the shadows of the forlorn buildings as the war raged on. Quite a few times you were almost crushed into a pancake as the vibrations caused by their blows broke off massive pieces of what was left of the surviving structures, or when a rogue Final Flash or Kamehameha came your way. Finally, after dodging the sixth attack you ran into Mai, who was spectating close by.

“Y/n!” Mai nearly screamed, and you quickly covered her mouth with your hand.

“Mai, I’ll explain later it was a long story.” She nodded at you, and both of your attention was drawn back to the battle by Trunk’s frantic cry. You and Mai could only stare up at them, horrified as a magenta blade protruded from the prince’s back, trails of crimson leaking down his white armor as he twitched in agony. The warrior made a raspy choking sound and like Trunks, his hair faded to black. Black’s face was painted with Vegeta’s blood, and he had never looked so terrifying, grinning with shining white teeth as the dark liquid ran down his face, like red tears. You watched as the blood plopped onto the ground and you heard Mai let out a quiet sob. Zamasu had Trunks pinned underfoot, barely able to keep his eyes open, and it appeared that Goku was the only one capable of standing, but even he looked tired and weary, bruises and scratches all over his body.

With a flick of Black’s hand, Vegeta dropped like an anchor into a crater, unconscious and bleeding heavily. You gritted your teeth and struggled against the rage that made your entire body shake like a leaf. Black’s eyes locked on the last standing Saiyan, and he began to power up as Goku splayed his feet ready to fight to the death. Black flew towards him in astonishing speed and crushed him into a building, holding him there as Goku fought valiantly against him.

“Black,” Zamasu said coyly. “Why don’t you tell our dear friend dear how this came to be? He must be so confused.”

His partner smirked, and the entire battlefield went quiet.

“What? What do you mean?” Goku spat.

“Oh I think you know very well what I mean Son Goku,” Black purred. “Why do you think I look like you? Why I am you?”

When Goku didn’t respond, he went on slowly, savoring every syllable. “Because Goku, I stole your body. I used the Super Dragon Balls to switch bodies with you, and you know what I did after that?”

A cold sense of dread solidified in your stomach and you wanted to vomit as you guessed his next words.

“I killed you. And then your wife and that little brat that looked like you. I killed them all.”

[bagofbonesmp3]

Quicksilver’s Outfit Scores

if i forget an outfit you are free to add. he doesnt changes that often bc he’s a filthy bitch but it HAPPENS. so, uh here it goes

#1 The Classic ™

score: 7/10. i only respect it because it was the first but look at those BOOTY SHORTS??? the wide neck was a good choice tho. comes in green and blue, depends on my mood on how i feel about them.

#2 old happy times

score: 1232141/10. THE ONLY OUTFIT HE SHOULD BE WEARING. matching his ex namor. waistline is a SILVER LIGHTNING????? iconic. fight me over this. his thighs are strong and no pant can withhold them.

#3 quicksilver in wundagore mountain

score: 10/10. coloring? check. pose? check. he’s got those thigh lightning thingies, like he could carry a gun there. headset looks nice if u are into the star trek stuff. black and white have never looked better

#4 mistakes

score: -32523523657/10. looks non threatening at first but then you take a closer look and YIKES. ugly ass 70s alien shoulder pads. goblin shoes. lime gloves. i hope this burns in hell. i dont even know where this came from.

#5 chton possesion

score: 100/10. had to get possessed by a hellbeast to show that CHEST. in lightning form. ugh. lovely. also that SCARF IN HIS WAIST????? i thought only women could pull that off. red suits the silver hoe. should return.

#6 post house of m depression

score: 5/10. this is how i look every morning when i get the fuck out of bed. i still love him but BABE.

#7 avengers academy.

score: 8/10. PASSABLE. only time i will ever let him wear those ugly ass lime gloves. and boots. the black atop the chest makes him look kinda cool. i’d still kick his ass in a comic con.

#8 pietro goes see a therapist

score: ankles up? 9.5/10. ankles down? -75/10. some artists dont think things trough. but it WAS the 90s

#9 good old 90s

score: 9.5/10. not like his b&w outfit but like, GOOD. i never know what to think about those neck flaps. i bet his ass must look good on black tights. and he knows it.

#10 serval industries uniform aka variant 1

score: 12/10. good tier. those flashy things along his ribs are lovely. hair looks good. actually manages not to look bad in yellow. eye piece makes him look like a super saiyan, which would turn remy on. that's the whole point, isnt it????

variant 2: the hoodie

score: 10/10. he loved that hoodie. give it back, mavel.

#11 uncanny avengers v2 score: 312/10. he has those air vents. white on grey on futuristic blue. the googles were a weird choice but i DIG IT. i miss it.

#12 current suit

score: 2/10. ugly. that’s the youtube rewind logo. can do better. he looks soft but at what cost?

[the-ash0]

surviving paradise chapter 7

Time

I stare at the sky as I sit, plucking at grass in the Capsule Corp front garden. It is small compared to the back one, so staying here provides me a measure of privacy. Though the Nameks fear me, they need their fresh air too, I suppose. So I have left the back gardens free for them, lest I run into any by mistake. I am trying hard enough as it is not to start trouble.

Today marks the first full week of my stay here on earth, but already my patience is running thin. I have not left Capsule Corp grounds since that first day at the bar. On one hand, I hardly feel like subjecting myself to another degrading episode due to my… inexperience with this world and its customs. On the other, everything I could ever want or need is provided for me right here; right here at my fingertips.

Which is exactly as it should be, of course. I am a prince, after all. And the greatest warrior in the galaxy, now that Frieza and Kakarot have managed to kill each other off. Which is fine; clever, in a way. To get rid of both in this manner. Yep, life is absolutely fucking perfect.

So why do I feel so... tired?  

It must be the routine of this place. The days on this planet are too short to suit me. Though I suppose the schedule I followed in my previous life —a cycle of travel in cryo-sleep for months up to years, a purge mission or two lasting a few days, then back in cryo-sleep for a debriefing and an optional few days to restart the process— doesn't really qualify as a rhythm.

Still, the monotone repetition wears on my nerves. I know I should try and adjust; rise and retire with the sun. Yet I spend more time staring at my bedroom ceiling than dreaming, and the morning light does little to rouse me into action. I feel strange: weak without any damage taken. Exhausted without wanting sleep. Numb...

I reach out for another hand of grass to pull up, but find the semicircle around me cropped to the point that I need to dig up roots. I contemplate moving to another spot to restart the process, though picking myself up seems like so much work for nothing.

Why bother at all? I could pluck the whole field bare or move around and make ugly bare circles in the perfectly cut grass. What would that achieve? Well, maybe someone would take offence. I could use someone to scream at, or have scream at me, or talk to... Anything.

A sound from behind brings me back to my senses. I take it back; I really do not wish any form of interaction, and definitely not with the locals.

The grey-haired professor, apparently the man of the house, appears from the door and makes his way towards me with purpose. I groan. The old dolt had stayed clear of me mostly until now, and I had thought him the smartest of the pack for that. Perhaps I was wrong.

He walks into my periphery and clears his throat, pets the weird black creature perched on his shoulder, then stares down at me as if expecting something.

As soon as I realize what he wants, I deign not to give it. Instead, I focus my attention on the clouds overhead. There’s only a few of them, of course. Even the weather on Earth is perfect. Perfect, constant, monotone and boring. Sadly, my studious inattention is not enough to deter old four-eyes from intruding.

The grey human sighs, fidgeting in his pocket for something before sitting down. A decent distance away, but facing the same direction with an unfounded air of camaraderie. The crunch-creak of metal on a lighting stone finally breaks my resolve. “If you dare light that stinking filth in my breathing air I’ll rip your throat out.”

The man blinks at me and puts his lighter away with an apologetic smile, studying the white twig in his other hand as if unsure what to do with it. “Panchy asked me to fetch you,” he offers as appeasement. “Lunch is served.”

Blasted woman and her blasted food.

“Well, she could have just said so herself, could she not?” I grind out, “besides, do you always run to do your woman’s bidding?”

I turn from his blinking four-eyed stare and recline with a sigh. Pathetic as this planet’s gravity is, I am not up to fighting it. “Besides, I am not hungry.”

“And there it is too,” his old voice turns sure, as if I just proved some point. Opting to leave the unlit cigarette in mouth, he frowns down at me. “In answer to your question, Panchy hardly ever asks for anything. So when she does, I do run, even when I do not understand.”

I take a deep breath. “Your wife is a degenerate airhead whose only purpose would be to exemplify the useless stupidity of this planet and its main species!”

To my surprise the man laughs —laughs!— at my comments.

“She does seem like an airhead doesn’t she? Here on Earth, especially in my generation, too much intelligence in a woman was frowned upon; just as my little girl likes to play the damsel in distress, she likes to play airhead.” The man lowers his voice, and I perk up as I finally hear a threatening undertone: “But I would think that a man such as yourself knows not to take all at face value?”

I, the Prince of all Saiyans, snarl and turn on him. “I do not care for you, your planet, or any of your ridiculous mating customs. In fact, I think I’ll blow this whole planet up, right now! And there’s not a damn thing you or anyone here can do about it.”

The old man stares at me intently, before nodding and adjusting his glasses. “Is that what is bothering you?”

“NO!” Yes? Maybe? I deflate, what little energy I had gone again too soon. This man is supposed to be the richest in the world... Can’t he at least get the military to fight me? Maybe if I just blow him and his precious Capsule Corp to pieces, someone worthy will show. Probably. Possibly.

Kakarot’s idiot friends might provide me some challenge, but the old coot just gives me a goofy grin. Unworried. Whatever. Military or stupid Z-gang, no one on this planet is worth my trouble. I can hardly make myself care if they win or lose. I lay back down, place an arm over my eyes, and repeat: “I’m not hungry.”

The old man sucks in his breath, like I had said I was dying or something, then gets up and leaves.

Finally, some peace.

Or as close as I am able to get to it.

I find myself wondering if death would have brought true peace. I was dead before, right? But all I can remember from that time is my fervent, all encompassing wish that someone— preferably Kakarot— kill that filthy Lizard.

I had not wanted to leave and had clung to that battle with all I had. The memories are garbled after death, but I think I still spoke to my fellow Saiyan. Maybe I might have had peace after that. That would have been nice.

Sadly, peace appears to be the one thing not available in this place. I recognise the crunch-step of feet on gravel, and have to stifle a groan. No torture that Hell could have dreamt up would have been as annoying and maddening as this constant string of visitors. It is the blue-haired young woman this time; the old coot’s spawn. Her voice sounds suspiciously friendly and chipper.

“Vegeta? Vegeta dear, will you come and have a look at what I’m fixing?”

I don't care. “Did your father send you?”

She answers a little too fast: “No!”

I can't help but bark a mirthless laugh. Well, I can teach her a thing or two about lying. “Sorry, I am busy.”

Her unamused drawl suggests she is not that stupid, though. “I think you’ve mowed our lawn enough for a while, don't you?”

I move the arm still covering my eyes slightly so I can squint up at her. She stands over me, hands on hips, all wide open eyes and bare shoulders. Her hair is up in a bun, strands fall past her face as she bends over me. She wears a  thin-strapped top over only marginally more practical pants. Yellow working gloves on her fists, an eyeshield dangling from one like an accessory. If not for the dark smudge by her nose, she’d resemble one of those girls on the square movie frame her mother likes to watch.

I can't decide if I’m more offended that she would approach me with so much bare skin to burn off, or that she can’t even be bothered to clean herself up before addressing royalty. Instead of letting my irritation show, I smirk and roll to my side, away from her. “I don't do manual labor. I’m relaxing. And as I can't manage to care about your silly projects, just run along.”

If I was hoping to bait her, I am disappointed. She stretches her arms over head as she straightens, and hums to herself, putting a gloved hand to her cheek. “That is a shame. I had thought to outdo my father’s machine. You know, the one that made Goku’s transition to Super Saiyan possible. But without a Saiyan to test it, I can hardly prove to father I’ve won our bet. Perhaps I should let Yamcha use it instead. Or Krillin. He’s pretty strong. Perhaps he could be super-human. Who knows…?” She trails off and smiles at me triumphantly.

At some point during her speech, I have sat up to scowl at her, but she sees right through my anger to the awakened hunger beneath.“I don't suppose you could just relax inside the spaceship for a while? I kind of need to test the gravity settings before I call this one safe for use, but poor little me will get squashed by anything beyond the 3 ½ setting…”

“Fah! Weak as you are, you’ll probably die at twice Earth's gravity.” Not to mention what would happen at, say, ten times Earth's gravity. But for me, that would be like coming home. Was this Kakarot’s secret to achieving such power?

Kakarot... As I straighten and cross my legs, I cannot help but think of our first battle. Now, that was a fight. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. Well, at least up to the point where his bloody friends intervened and cut off my tail. They just have no sense of propriety. But before his friends intervened...I grin at my boots. I was winning, right? Our fight is not yet finished; perhaps a rematch is in order.

Yes, a rematch. The third-class may be dead, but here on this magic little mud-ball called Earth that does not seem to be a problem. And before Namek, before his special training, he was weak compared to me, so… if I use the same methods he did, should I not be able to surpass him? After all, I am the one meant to be a Super Saiyan. Everyone always said so. I effortlessly stand, my attention on my fist as I ball it slowly and remember what I am. Who I am..

“No, no.” The woman’s voice pulls me back to the present, turning as she shakes her head. “The science is in on this. I should be able to take up to 6 gees easily, but I won't be able to stand after 3, 3 ½  tops. That’s useless for my tests though. Father’s machine went up to 100 times Earth’s gee. Mine, once tested, should be able to generate 200 gees! Oh dear,” she walks off pensively, “do you think that might be too much?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I have to run after her to catch up. “You couldn’t build something to hurt me if you tried.”

[gochigalore]

Seven Days - A GoChi Fanfic Series for GoChi Week.

Day Two: Pride

A/N: Another form of pride within the seven deadly sins is known as vanity. Which is what is actually meant by pride so this will be the theme of this chapter.

"Hey Cheech...are you okay?"

Goku peered his head into the room to see his wife sitting on the edge of their made up bed. We just caught her wiping a tear from her eye and rests her hands together on her lap of her beautiful red dress she had brought for tonight's occasion. Taking caution the nervous saiyan made his way over to Chichi trying to find the words to say.

"So that was something back there huh? You and me, fighting over food. It's kinda funny when you think about it." Goku put his hand behind his head as a nervous reaction as he gave off a weak laugh ChiChi's shot Goku a glance that immediately stopped the laughter.

"That was so embarrassing!" ChiChi whined. "I was acting like a starving barbarian. We were acting like that. But the strange this is...I couldn't control myself."

"Yeah...same with me. It was like something got control of my body and emotions and I just surrendered to them. Don't get me wrong, I love food but I'd never act like that over it." Goku sighed and sat down on the bed beside her. ChiChi repeated the event over and over again in her mine and covered her face in shame.

"Ugh I can't believe we did that in front of our sons, our daughter-in-law, our granddaughter!" She sighed. "They're probably laughing at us right now as we speak."

"Don't say that." Goku scooted closer to her. "Listen, even though I didn't know what happened back there, I'm sorry for being a part of it. I knew how much tonight meant to you."

ChiChi turned to him and saw the genuine look of sincerity in his eyes. Seeing that made her heart melt that she couldn't help but to give a warm smile and patted his knee playfully.

"Well, what's done is done. I kinda want to move on from tonight. We should hear back to the others."

But as if on que another knock was heard.

"Hello?" It was Gohan who slowly entered his head though the cracked opened door. "Is...everything okay?"

The two lovers looked at each other in a sign of approval towards one another and then both turn their gaze back to Gohan. They needed to think of a lie. "Yes, everything is alright son. Sorry about dinner. Uh...your mom and I had a long day and we went a little crazy. Right, dear?" Goku looked back at ChiChi as she picked up on his notion.

"R-right. I was busy cooking all day and I barely ate. I guess I got a little too tense back there." ChiChi laughed nervously. "We're terribly sorry about that. We've should've acted far more mature then what we were being."

"It's okay really. Beside when has anything normal ever happened around here? It was kinda funny actually." Gohan retuned with a more genuine laugh. "Anyway. I was about to send Goten to bed for you guys and then me and Videl are going to bed ourselves. We're gonna be staying here a couple of days, if you guys don't mind. You guys need anything?”

Goku gave his usual bright smile. "That's great to hear! We'd love to have you guys stay over. And nah, I think we're good for the night. We'll talk tomorrow okay?"

And that was it. Goten was tucked into bed and the two couples drifted off to bed themselves hoping to forget about that chaotic dinner.

The next day.

Goku woke up to the pleasant sound of ChiChi humming as we arose from him bed. He looked around at the position he was in and new instantly that he slept well. He had always been just as a sloppy sleeper as he was a sloppy eater. He rubbed his eyes with his hand to clear his blurred vision to reveal ChiChi in front of the mirror trying on various clothing in her closet. She was holding a long teal dress in front of her, examining how good it would look on her. Her after studying the lovely dress, she cringed.

"Ew, the colors don't look good in me at all! Who the hell have me this crap?" ChiChi scoffed in disgust as she tossed the dress to the side in a haughty sigh. Goku's eyed followed the dress and he discovered the huge pile of close where the dress had landed. He speculated that she must have went trough half her wardrobe while he was asleep. ChiChi noticed her awaking husband and turned him for a second then back to the mirror.

"Oh Good morning, sweetheart!" She spook nonchalantly too busy with her clothing to really pay attention.

"G-good morning ChiChi, Um...what are you doing?"

"Trying to find something to wear. I cannot believe half of the junk that's in my closet." She was now holding a pink and yellow blouse but again she cringed and tossed aside to her ever growing pile of rejected clothing.

"For what? Are we having another dinner?" Goku asked innocently.

"No, I just woke up in the mood to raid my closet and get rid of the hideous shit." She now was holding a very classic looking yellow dress with blue outlines. This time she turned to Goku and asked. "Why the hell do I even own this?"

"But ChiChi, you love that dress. It's was a gift your father gave you for your birthday last year, remember?"

"Oh..." she sneered in boredomas she looked at the dress again before tossing it to the side. She then gave a flustered sigh and walked to the bathroom. "I'm gonna need new clothes. None of these does my body or my looks any favored I'm going to go shopping today. We still have money left over right?"

"Yeah...But you said that was for to help Goten get a better education." Goku protested. ChiChi came back out back in a towel as she was getting ready to take her morning bath.

"Pfft, a couple of hundred of dollars wouldn't hurt." ChiChi snorted obnoxiously "Besides don't you want your wife to look as hot as possible?"

"Uh..." Goku blinked dumbfounded. He never heard his wife talk this way before. To put herself before her own son's studies was something she's never EVER do. It was like she was like a whole other person.

"Then it's settled. I'm going shopping and you're coming with me." ChiChi demanded. Goku looked at her as to say 'Why do I have to go?' and ChiChi read his mind. "You're in more of a desperate need of a new wardrobe then I do. I can't be bothered to be seen with you in that Orange and Blue getup that you wear all the time?"

"You mean my Gi? But you never had an problem with it before-"

Goku stopped when ChiChi interrupted. "My mind is made up, Goku! You're getting new clothes whether you like it not!" ChiChi fave a fake smile and sashayed out of the room leaving Goku unsatisfied with the conversation. He gets up from the bed and walks over the mirror and takes a good long look at himself. While he always thought of himself as kinda food-looking he never really cared too much about appearances let alone his own. But then... the same blue light from before shined in his eyes momentarily And dissolved then he look at himself again the mirror and suddenly got a new perspective of himself. He turned his body around to see every angle he could Of himself. He suddenly began to have a better appreciation or his own physique which was quite impressive to most.

"Gosh, I never knew how...hot I was. I mean...ChiChi tells me all the time how hot I am but I never noticed until now. I don't think anyone is as hot as me. No wonder she's so crazy about me." Goku's eyes traced down every inch of his own body, flexing his muscles, smirking slyly. "Maybe ChiChi was right, I could use some new clothes. After all I could use something to show off my hot body." He chuckled to himself as he flexed in front of the mirror admiring himself.

While in the middle of his flexing, Goten enters the room to see his dad having fun with himself in the mirror. He watched in embarrassment at his father going on and on about how sexy he thought he was. Goten turned around quickly and walked away mouthing "wow" as he did so.

Later at the mall Goku and ChiChi arrived liking around and the number of people buzzing around the store.

"So when do we go shopping for my new stuff?" Goku asked excitedly

"After I finish shopping first. You know it chivalrous to let the ladies go first, and only the fairest of ladies have the right to go first, don't you think?" ChiChi smirked as Goku rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, I'll be over in the men's department if you need me, but I doubt they'll have anything even remotely decent in his hellhole." complained as he walked off.

It was Chichi's turn to roll her eyes as she made her way through the many racks of clothes. Unfortunately, the more she looked through the clothes, then more disgusted she became. She flicked through every clothes degrading every single piece she came across.

"Ew...no...hell no... I won't be caught dead in this crap...disgusting...gross...just...just no...”

ChiChi was so busy with her "shopping" that she didn't see the store clerk approach her. "May I help you ma'am?" He asked her.

ChiChi turned to the clerk with a haughty glare. "Yes. Do you have anything that is...oh you know...actually wearable in h is place? All of these are hideous. Who would wear any of these?"

The clerk was taken aback by her bluntness. "Well...uh...I don't know what you mean. All of the clothing here are in style."

"Ha! If these are "in style" then I'm a super saiyan." ChiChi mocked, quite please herself with the joke.

"A what?"

"Oh outta my way!" ChiChi shoved passed him and continued browsing through the many racks of clothing. Minutes and many dresses later she finally found found something worthy of her attention. It was like a diamond in the clothes rough. It was a cute, clingy, long-sleeved burgundy dress that just by one look at it she knew it was created for her body.

"Eureka!" She shrieked as he ran over the dress, however the minute her hands landed on one sleeve soon. Anotherhand arrives on the other side." ChiChi's eyes immediately looked up as the figure holding the other dress and gave her the same leer woman was giving her. They both lacked on the dress and pull the opposite parts toward them ChiChi became concerned when the dress was at it stretch limit and feared it would tear.

"Let it go, bitch." ChiChi sneered.

"No way! I saw it first!" The woman barked back.

"Bullshit! You was nowhere near it!"

“Says you!”

“This is only good piece of clothing that’s in this store and you’re candy ass is not gonna take it away from me.”

“What are you gonna do? Fight me?” The woman laughed haughtily as before she she react a foot came fly across her face and she was on the floor. She looked up to see Chichi with the dress in her hand. ChiChi smirked innocently

“You asked for it.” She shined as she turned to walk away. Just then she felt something on her ankles that prevented her from leaving and she fell on the ground. The ruthless woman then climbed on top of her to try and get the upper hand in her But ChiChi was much stronger then she was and she was on top of her trying to yank the dress from her. Thy wee starts to draw in a crowd This lasted for a little while before the story manager and security came rushing over to them to break it up. The two security guard held both each of the ladies as the manager got in between them. Then the security guards let them go.

“You two are casing a scene!” The manager shouted “This is a repeatable store! And I won’t stand for this roughhousing. Now if you two don’t behave I’ll be forced to kick you both o-“

A suddenly crash from across the room was heard and everyone’s directions cane toward Goku who was holding a middle aged man by the collar with a murderous look in his eyes because he wanted the same tank top Goku did.

“I’m sorry I’m sorry!" The man pleaded with his life. “It’s big deal you can have it!”

“That’s what I thought.” Goku smirked reeling in his minor victory.

“HEY YOU LET HIM GO THIS INSTANT!” The manager shouted! He turned to ChiChi “is he with you?”

“Yeah? What’s it to ya!” She barked.

“Ok this is out of hand. I was gonna give you a second chance but you and your barbaric husband is tearing up my store! I want you two out at once!

“Fine” ChiChi sneered.

ChiChi saw this as her chance. While the manager had retrieved the dress from them he was too busy looking at what Goku was doing to pay attention to them. ChiChi snatched the dress from the manager and darted off.

“HEY COME BACK HERE YOU THEIF!” The manager called out to her. Waving his hands like a mad man

“GOKU LET’S GO!” ChiChi call out to him as she ran out of the store. At her call Goku grabbed the dark gray tank top and ran after his wife.

“SECURITY! SEIZE THEM!!!”

The manager screamed as security took off after the shoplifting couple. It wast long until they began to catch up with them. “Goku they’re gaining on us!”

“Don’t worry I got an idea! Hop on my back!” Goku commanded as ChiChi jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. Once Goku had her safely on her back. He took off flying into the air leaving the exhausted security guards watching in defeat as they made their getaway.