Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Long ago in a star system far from our own, two planets began a millennia old war, A fearsome battle between good and evil spanning the entire galaxy. The Equestrians, a race of divinity and nobility, born with kindness and valor in their hearts. Their very nature conflicted with their rivals, the Saiyans, bloodthirsty and warmongering creatures bred only for battle.

Though most of the universe is a mystery even to the most exploratory soul, few even in the ever-spanning cosmos are unaware of the grudge between, even to the far reaches of the Galactic Cold Empire. Upon the Emperor's retirement, King Cold had turned over his kingdom to his son, Frieza. A cruel being with a heart so black and vacuous it is comparable to black hole.

He approached both the Equestrians and the Saiyans separately, orchestrating them as a puppet master, and fueling his own economic growth.
Through the Equestrians he had gained a new face of the Empire, one of strict but fair rule, where loyalty and duty are rewarded plentifully.
Through the Saiyans, pretending to act as rebellious space pirates, destroyed any and all rivals. Threats to Frieza's rule, many planets harboring billions of innocents reduced to asteroid fields for the fault of a handful.

Eventually came the day when both had outlived their usefulness as one Saiyan would come to realize the true goals of Frieza...

A squad of Saiyans sit among the remains of an extinct city. Rubble and topple buildings surround the large crater that they had created during their final assault. A lone one eats one of the inhabitants away from the group. His comrades glance over snickering.

"Hey Bardock! You seeing visions yet!? I hear these guys could see the future!"

Another one laughs rubbing his fat gut stuffed with their prey.

"If that's the case, why didn't they put up more of a fight!? Gwahahaha! ~"

A woman picks her teeth with a bone as her tail holds up a skull.

"Maybe we have to look through their eyes? Too bad we didn't get one to test on. Woulda made for a neat trophy!"

A tall one stands proudly sneering with pride.

"I bet they saw their demise and just accepted their fate! Ha! Weaklings!"

His unit celebrated but Bardock alone sat there in thought. This planet was in Equestrian Territory, they should've come as soon as the Saiyans arrived, yet even now there's not a single ship. Not even a Royal Guard. Then there was the matter of their targets in the first place. The Kanassans were such a troubling race to Frieza that he had no choice but to call upon them. Therein lies another nagging issue for Bardock. Though certainly not harmless, he and his team proved to be overkill, even with the precognition. He would see them evade his attacks before he swung, but despite their sight, they could not keep up with the terrifying speed and might of the Saiyans.

His friends called them weak, and though they were, it bothered him to no end. These people did not even have space travel technology. No galactic weapons. No hidden mystical element, save for their future visions. It gave birth to a question in the veteran's mind... Did Frieza have them wipe the Kanassans out because of their ability? Is he afraid of something they would, if not already had, seen? A being such as Frieza who could eliminate these people a hundred times over without breaking a sweat?

"Fasha. You may be right. We should've kept one around."

He stands to his feet before their scouters, eye accessories used to scan life on a planet, all direct them to Bardock. A Kanassan erupts from the beneath the ground, having been buried underneath from the destruction, lunges at the surprised veteran. His hands dig into his head, and his thoughts dig deeper, sending a dying telepathic message.

["Saiyan! For your crimes! I grant you a cruel gift! Our Foresight! See for yourself what we see!"]

"A-Aah...!"

Bardock's eyes widen in sheer terror as he saw his home world, Planet Vegeta, obliterated by Frieza himself. Blinking the vision away, he turns the alien into dusts with an energy blast from his hands. He grabs his head seeing another vision of himself on Planet Equestria before the Royal Family themselves. Both were impossible, he thought, for Frieza needed the Saiyans and he would never make it on the surface of his nemesis alive.

His most trusted comrade, Tora, takes to his side.

"Hey, how could you let that thing surprise you? You've got a keener sense than the rest of us! You alright?"

"I'm fine. We report to King Vegeta. No one lost their pods to their Oozaru Form?"

All eyes look to the fat one, Shugesh. He barks at the group.

"It was a onetime thing! You all get carried away too!"

Tora rolls his eyes at the bulky Saiyan but looks back at Bardock.

"Maybe you ought to take some time off afterwards. That thing has altered your brainwaves, I can see it through the scouted, nothing harmful but it could prove bad later."

Bardock only nods as his party board their vessels. Perfect spheres that float off the ground and fly right into space with no trouble. Within weeks, Bardock wakes up to the all too familiar sound of war. They had just entered their star system, the constant warring between two neighboring planets had become as natural to him as breathing, even with the threat of being blown into a fiery ball of space debris. They land on Planet Vegeta to no welcome party for their work, no matter the scale, is the average life of the Saiyan Army. Where other races only have the single hero or small elite class, even the lowest Saiyan has the power to eliminate an entire planet, and this power has made them the number one target across the galaxy. However, such conflict is what allows them to thrive, but even gods need rest, and these cruel creatures are no exception.

In the Royal Palace, the King of All Saiyans stands in his private chambers, a scowl on as he speaks to the Queen of Equestria through a screen.

"Have you come to tell me of your surrender at last?"

She scoffs rubbing a star shaped scar on the crown of her head.

("That ego of yours cost you an eye and decades of your life, Ghost Eye.")

She glares at him as he sneers pridefully with his lone eye. No eye-patch or prosthetic, merely a pair of closed eyelids hide the vacant space, a trophy in his own mind to boast of his resilience. Though his title is treated as an insult on her planet, the galaxy at large fears the very mention of it, and he has embraced this. He points to his own forehead snickering.

"And you your horn and magic. Next time we meet, I'll take your wings as well! I still remember their soft touch."

Her wings ruffle at the comment but she bites back a remark of her own.

("I have better things to do than enter another shouting contest with you. This is important, Saiyan.")

"Why should I listen to anything you have to say? Even right now our soldiers die by the minute at the hands of the other."

("And I would love to settle the matter personally, but we're too evenly matched for that... We've fought each other countless times...")

Her head and heart aches reminiscing about their first encounter, shortly after her coronation many decades ago, his pod had crashed within her castle halls, and he proclaimed war between them. Their first battle had lasted days with no rest until both were forced to retreat.

King Vegeta smirks looking back at it fondly. Though he never said it aloud, for it was loathsome to admit, he never admired nor respected anyone than his greatest foe. Were it anyone else besides Frieza, he would have hung up by now, and forgotten the conversation. He will always hear his beloved Queen out.

("I called about Frieza. He would have me extend one last olive branch of mercy. I pray you heed his word now if ever.")

"What does that miserable horned imp want?"

("Lay down your superweapon. Destroying the stars will not aid you in your conquest for the galaxy!")

King Vegeta tilts his head in confusion before turning away from her.

"I've nothing that could destroy stars... That would obliterate the planets orbiting them! I can't conquer dust!"

The Queen is taken aback by that answer but scowls at him.

("I won't tolerate your lies! Vegeta! You will dismantle and surrender your weapon! We've all seen the battle power spike on your planet!")

"I've no idea what you're talking about. If I really had a weapon of such grand destruction, wouldn't I tell you personally before you found out?"

("But Frieza said-!")

King Vegeta interrupts her snarling.

"Frieza will have what is coming to him! You really care and love all life in the universe?! Maybe you should investigate your own allies to be sure your goals align!"

He cuts the call and groans. Such miserable accusations are a headache to him. He knows it is Frieza's doing, that he'd be telling more lies, but this is something he wasn't expecting. Especially after the order for all Saiyans to return to their home world.

Regardless, things have been looking up for him, as his true masterpiece, his real weapon has provided promising results. His son has claimed yet another world as a mere toddler. He marches down the halls reveling in the pride of bloodline. He sits upon his throne awaiting a most cathartic session of the day. Hearing the reports of his subject, listening and learning of their accomplishments, and of course eliminating those that fail him.

One such failure storms into his throne room.

"Paragus, you dare enter my court unannounced?"

Paragus, though higher than a low-class warrior, was nowhere near the elite class. Such an act as his is punishable by death on the spot. Despite this, he continues making his way towards his ruler, shaking in terror and rage.

"You had my son... Executed and sent into the trash! Why!? He was just a babe! His power could have aided us in our conquest! He would've been a great help to the Prince! To you! To our planet! He was the ideal Saiyan!"

King Vegeta stands as he too approaches Paragus.

"A freak of nature and a potential threat to us all! There was no other choice you fool! You show great compassion for your boy, and as his father..."

He opens his empty eye, now filled with a bright light only glowing brighter, all who attended but Paragus took to the ground at once. The offensive Saiyan has been frozen in place in absolute shock, unable to move, unable to evade the inevitable as King Vegeta fires a powerful blast from his eye.

"YOU'LL DIE WITH HIM!"

The blast sends Paragus through the doors and past many Saiyans waiting in line to give their reports. His armor easily destroyed by The King who spits to the side as he closes his eye. He thinks back to the Queen's accusation, the weapon She had been accused him of could be this upstart's brat, that mutant that would have surpassed himself and his son were he allowed to live. He looks up to see Bardock and his squad.

"You there! Throw him into the trash as well! Garbage belongs with garbage!"

Bardock defiantly stares him down, but his comrades obey at once, leaving their leader to their monarch. King Vegeta's eye begins to glow under his eyelid.

"I'm in a bad mood, Bardock. I might send your child with those two next if I don't hear what I want to hear!"

Bardock only smiles back without any fear and speaks loudly.

"It was a success. Those fish freaks may have saw us coming but they died without even putting up a decent fight. It was a waste of time."

The King sneers with such pleasing news. The light dims and he takes to his throne, his own attendants and guards all stand at last, relieved that their King has finally calmed down.

"Good... Frieza wants all Saiyans to be here in thirty-"

"I heard over the scouter on the way here. Why tell me this again?"

"Because you tend to have rebellious streak and go off on your own! Were you not such a brilliant warrior I'd have killed you for your insolence! Now go and relay the message to the others! I want everyone to have this order drilled into their skulls!"

Bardock smiles smugly before turning away.

"I'm too tired from wasting my energy..."

He stops and his eyes become glossy for but a split moment. In his eyes, Frieza floats between two planets, Equestria and Vegeta. The tyrant laughs boisterously as he launches an attack that single handedly destroys Vegeta, before turning around, and doing the same to Equestria. King Vegeta barks at Bardock resting casually in his prized seat.

"Is there something else you have to say, bastard? Or are you just testing my patience yet again with your idling?"

Bardock shakes his head refusing to accept these visions as true. It had to be a mental attack, a final attempt at revenge beyond the grave, to drive him mad with these false flashes. He growls and walks away without another word.

Bardock stares down at an incubation pod, a child floating in medicinal fluids floats inside, arms folded as he watches the baby intently.

"You're so weak... Are you really my kid?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

He glances to the side already knowing the origin of the voice.

"He's certainly your brat with that battle power."

A woman wearing a stained apron folds her arms at him frowning.

"That's unfair, Bardock. I haven't even given any other guy the time of day."

"Who else would? You're looking well. Raditz is doing fine too?"

She nods with a gentle smile, something that irritated Bardock, yet it endeared him to her as well.

"He asks about you a lot. You should have seen him before he left for another mission... He's only a boy that misses his father!"

Bardock scoffs and looks back to his youngest child.

"You're being too soft on that runt, Gine. I don't want them growing up to be like Equestrians. We're Saiyans."

"And what if Kakarot here is like me? Too weak, too soft, are you just going to abandon us?"

The veteran gives her a dismissive scoff and a snide tone.

"Are you really relying on me again? Can't you do things on your own for a change?!"

"I feed you and many others on my own! You want to cook your own meals? How's your diet of charred alien going?!"

His stomachs growls betraying his defiant expression. No words to retort with as Gine smiles in her own small victory. She looks over to her son and places a hand on the surface of the glass.

"Kakarot looks so much like you... I was hoping you'd at least be around long enough to see him go on his first mission."

Bardock glances between the two of them. He sighs shaking his head before he places a hand on Gine's shoulder.

"Due to some unforeseen events, I'm taking a short break from work, I'll be on standby for a few days."

Gine looks at him in absolute surprise before hugging him tightly.

"That's great news! I'll whip us all something big to celebrate when Raditz returns!"

On Equestria within the capital of the planet and home to the Royal Family, the Queen looks over two babies softly sleeping within their own pods. One styled after the sun with benevolent flames with other styled after the many moons orbiting the planet. Her two nieces and the future of their kingdom hover above ground. She sighs and gives a silent prayer until her doors open. Two guards salute her with one speaking up.

"Your Highness! Our spies have returned... It seems it's true. The Saiyans have no such weapon developed."

She looks back at them with a pained expression.

"Then it's as I feared... Frieza really has been benefiting from our struggles against the Saiyans. Just how long has he been lying to us? Using us?"

She turns to the last remaining family she has before marching past her guards.

"It seems we're headed to darker times than we thought. For their sake, and the sake of us all, send Luna to Namek and Celestia to Earth. We can't risk them both being lost to the battle in space."

"W-Where will you be headed, Your Highness?!"

She remains silent as she takes flight from a balcony. Flying high in the clouds, her divine sight which allows her to see almost all things scans the land and seas, from the highest mountains to the deepest of caves. She lands outside of one such cave, obstructed by crystals that move out of her way with a gesture, and close behind her. She walks deep into the pitch-black tunnel until she heard the voice. A chaotic voice made up of several familiar voices, old and new, and those completely alien to her.

"aH… you're bAck? hOW MANY Years hAs IT been tHIS tImE, HuH? hhere to FREE mE fInaLly?"

She shakes her head speaking sternly.

"No. I can't do that, you know this already, demon."

The voice snakes around her, wind flowing as if something slithers around her body, but she knows better. Her eyes narrow ahead at the statue of an inconsistent being.

"Then wHY ARE YOU here."

"The Kanassa people have gifted me their power of Foresight... However, I only see the destruction of this planet, of my people in the near future. The Saiyans have forced us to bring all hands-on deck, and then they have all of their forces return to their planet too, yet it is not they that I worry about."

The eyes of the statue glow for a moment as the voice sings in childish delight.

"sounDS lIkE a dREAm TO mE... cOLD'S brAT… FrIEzA, right? YoU rEAllY tHINK sENdIng tttHosE TWO iS A GooD ideA?"

"It's the only option I have until I can save the planet from this... Disaster."

She lowers her head. She isn't even sure why she came here in the first place...

"yOu'vEE beEN strrrOnG fOR SO Long... To sEE YoU Be so VUlneRrRraBLe iS AS much CathARRRRRsis aS it Is sOUL CRuShIng. I'lL LeT YoU iN On A SeCrEt…"

"What knowledge could you have would prove useful to me now?"

The voices laugh and scoff at the same time.

"MY Age HaS mAdE Me a wEaLTh oF SeCREts aND WiSdOm… bELiEVe mE or Not... That's all YOUR ChoIiIicE.

"My ancestors put you here and I maintain the duty of keeping you sealed... So why even bother saying such things to me?"

The many voices chuckle and laugh before growing quiet. After an eternity in the void of silence, a single voice speaks, one she certainly never heard before.

"Before the Sun was Red, Saiyan and Equestrian were one, and the number of enemies were none.  My advice to you is find a Saiyan and do what you can... If this planet is destroyed. So am I!"

"Saiyans and Equestrians... Used to work together? Out of all your ridiculous jokes-!"

She cuts herself off having felt the presence of the sealed entity become dormant. It said what it wanted to say and that was that. However, the message bothers her to no end, that she'd have to ally with a sworn enemy. As she leaves the cave, she closes her eyes to tap into the gift of her Foresight, to look before the destruction of her planet. To her own surprise, a ceasefire occurs, and Frieza is between both worlds. His true colors display themselves as he sends his army to eliminate Planet Vegeta, and only one lone Saiyan faces them all, already wounded from a battle prior to this.

She had to warn the others. Formulate a plan. She could not let Frieza get away with his crimes. Even if she had to rely on her worst enemy.

Bardock eats the last plate of his personal buffet. He belches loudly with Gine rolling her eyes at him.

"Thank you for the compliment... Oh! Look, outside!"

"Huh?"

The two run outside as an alien spacecraft lands just outside of their home. A Frieza Force standard ship. Bardock relaxes until he sees Equestrians leave the ship. A woman far taller than himself with a colorful mane that shines on its own. Though he left his scouter inside, he could feel her power, something that made his hair stand on end with both excitement and in anxiety. The woman eyes Gine as the Saiyan turns to run inside and Bardock readies himself for a battle.

"You're a dead girl walking for coming here alone."

"I'm not here to fight Saiyan. I am here for you... You can see the future, can't you?"

Bardock's eyes widen in shock as he stands there listening to her continue.

"I saw you in a vision... You can see it too? The destruction of a planet. Your planet... Well, I see a vision as well, of Equestria being destroyed. I had only recently learned of Kanassan's destruction due to their distress signal being intercepted, and not by Saiyan origins, but Frieza Force."

Bardock stares at her full of confusion, riddled with questions, but his first instinct is to look back and shout loud as he can at Gine.

"DON'T YOU CALL ANYONE!"

Gine looks back at him mirroring his own stunned expression.

"But she's-!"

"She's not lying. I didn't tell you and there's no time to tell you. Just do as I say and listen to her... This is important."

"This is insane! Bardock, how can you trust a word out of her?!"

He looks to the woman and rubs a scar on his cheek.

"I've met many Equestrians, killed many, got beaten by them too. They don't lie... And she's right. I have been seeing those visions. Frieza is up to something, and it must be big if the Queen of Equestria herself came to me personally."

The Queen leans back caught off-guard. She had dressed as humbly as she could, but Bardock only folds his arms.

"The King has made it clear that you're target number one. We see you; we kill you, but I don't care for that right now. There's no point if we both croak..."

She releases a sigh, but her wings remain stiff. She brings a hand to her chest in the gesture of formal apology.

"My thanks for your understanding... You didn't react to my craft as I thought you would. My theory proves correct then."

Bardock smirks growing incredulous.

"That Frieza has us under his thumb too? That he's been lying to you and an entire galaxy for years?"

She bites her tongue wanting to say that she knew. She always had her suspicions unlike her predecessors, who believed the best in all beings even the Saiyans, but like them she never spoke up about it to anyone. She only nods in response. Her brows furrow as Bardock laughs.

"I was wondering if any of you actually had any brains up there! Can't say I blame you too much when you're all a bunch of do-gooders."

"... I have a plan. We will consult with our forces and join in fighting Frieza!"

That garners a snarl from the rebel Saiyan.

"As if...! Why would the Saiyans ever work with you!? We can kill him ourselves alone! The might of the Saiyan Race is rivaled by none! Not even you, Hornless Queen."

Gine pulls at Bardock's arm murmuring for him to stop. The Queen's mane begins to flicker and lash for a single second. Her patience tested and a nerve struck as she brushes her hair away to reveal the infamous scar.

"Yes... Perhaps it is better this way. The message has been received and that is all I came here to do. Do as you please, apes."

Bardock scoffs pulling himself away from Gine, but the woman speaks up regardless.

"What about Kakarot!? What if he has someone attack us from the inside? You know there are some more loyal to Frieza than they are to Vegeta."

The Queen looks at Gine with bemusement until she sees it herself. An uncharacteristic love and compassion, a blooming flower among an arid desert, the kicker for her were Bardock's next words.

"You're right. He's too vulnerable and weak to send to his brother. We'll have to get him out of his incubation pod too."

The Queen raises a hand to them both.

"Kakarot is your son, am I right? Saiyan Bardock. You must be aware that the Kanassan Foresight is certain... Though I too refuse to sit back and do nothing, let me do this much for you."

She rolls her fingers and brings out the two pods carrying her nieces.

"These are the last of the Royal Line of Equestria. Celestia and Luna. I will be sending one to Planet Namek, as it has gone through an extinction event, only I through my connections know that it is still inhabited by the surviving natives. The other will be sent to Earth. A planet so primitive and so far from our star charts, not even Frieza's most scholarly servants know it exists, and its natives are too weak to harm even our children. You can choose which of my nieces your son can go to."

Gine glares at the Queen full of skepticism. This is her youngest child they're talking about. She half expected Bardock to make the decision for her though, he always does, but this time he looks at her.

"I trust her, but do you? He's your brat as much as he is mine."

She looks back at the Queen. She was raised to hate this woman, to despise her all her life, but at this very moment. She feels at ease, relaxed, almost at peace with just being near her. It conflicts with all she has ever known, leading her to ask a question that will decide her own answer.

"... Is it true? You don't lie, Your Highness?"

The Queen nods and approaches them with one of the pods. She risks a lot being within an arm's length with them, but with so much on the line for each side, she finds it necessary to at least gain as many; or as little, allies as possible.

"This is Celestia. She is the eldest and would have taken my crown were things to go as they should have."

The baby opens her eyes and smiles with a giggle. The Queen opens the pod and lifts her into her arms with a smile of her own.

"In truth I could care less about what she does now... I simply want her to live... Just as I assume you would of your son. So, I offer my escape for him... However, I can only allow him. Three pods fleeing under the fire of war between our worlds would go unnoticed, but your battle powers are too high to go unseen, as is my own."

Gine looks at the baby with hurt in her eyes. She can see herself holding Kakarot, and the mere idea of his death is unbearable, the death of any of her loved ones was. She had come to terms and braced herself for Bardock's death, but not her sons, and so dons a resolute face.

"I'll hide you here best I can until Bardock returns with Kakarot!"

Bardock shakes his head in disbelief.

"Me?! Why am I-!?"

She interrupts him with repeated pokes to the chest, forcing him to step back with each one, showing an assertion he had never seen from her before.

"Because YOU can fly faster than me! YOU also can get in and out of the nursery without being stopped! YOU can't keep still either and she is giving us grace here! So go get our son, NOW!"

The Queen tilts her head at the two curious of their relationship. She knew enough about Saiyans that they only mate for the sake of reproduction, love is a concept nearly foreign to them, and yet before her was a family full of love. Bardock himself could see the truth behind Gine's stern façade, it was hope that her son would make it out of this alive that was keeping her from breaking down, her lips quivering and eyes twitching as she barely holds herself together. He nods and flies off at once.

The three of them part ways with the Queen returning to Equestria with Kakarot in tow.

Bardock, with all his power, spread the word of Frieza's betrayal. From bars, to spaceports, to even the Royal Palace. To his horror, his absolute rage, all reacted in the way King Vegeta had. The one-eyed king laughs in his face with the others in the main hall of his castle.

"Bardock, I thought you were a man of battle and science, not a court jester!

"But King Vegeta...! It's true! It's all true I'm telling you!"

"Your delusional visions are just that! Now get out of my sight! I can't have you raving mad about this when he arrives."

"He's coming here already?!"

"He's managed to get those wild horses across the bow to stop attacking us... Provided that we do too. This is it, the final assault we've waged this war for, we'll be rid of those Equestrians! Then, Frieza next!"

He laughs with the others as Bardock is restrained by the Elite Guard. He forces himself out from their hold and runs outside. Unbeknownst to him, The Queen looks to him on her planet, the two orbiting so close to each other now as it does every year. To their horror, Frieza's personal ship along with a fleet of his most fierce and renowned men, arrive between the planets. She orders a mass evacuation and goes to meet the Galactic Emperor herself. Bardock flies up as well, though Saiyans normally cannot survive space, the atmospheres of both planets would be in congress now and Frieza resided within the outer most limit that is breathable for him. Before he knew it, an army descended upon him, but he had to try. He had to save Planet Vegeta.

Wave after wave, fist after fist, bones would break, and bodies blasted into ash by his energy attacks. However, he was far from the perfect soldier, and suffered wounds of his own. The soldiers rally against him together.

"This Saiyan's gone nuts! What's with him?!"

"The ape is trying to get to Lord Frieza! Stop him!"

"H-He's not even trying to fight us-! M-Make a blockade! Quick!"

An entire unit of officers is blown away from behind, surprising the army and Bardock, the Queen flies from the other side. Frieza's Army had not sent even a single soldier to Equestria, but over half of his forces were flying towards Vegeta, allowing her to beeline straight for the Saiyan's position.

"Are you suicidal!?"

"No one would listen... What about you?! Don't you have an army with ships and turrets!?"

"Our technology came from Frieza, and he has a safety lock on all weapons to keep pirates from using it on civilians. It occurred to us today of all days that our artillery malfunctions the true purpose of the lock... I'm the only one coming to help while the others evacuate."

"That's just great! Out of all the backup I need and I get some idiot of woman!"

He silences himself as The Queen spreads her wings before firing a multitude of energy beams that obliterate the surrounding forces piercing through their chests. Bardock looks around as the bodies descend upon his planet from the gravity.

"I thought you were supposed to be a pacifist, or at least protector of life, right?"

The Queen glares ahead towards Frieza's flagship.

"Frieza is far more dangerous than any Saiyan alive, any demon alive... His evil knows no bounds. He must be destroyed!"

Bardock channels his power, a rare ability in the universe, rising in strength as his blood boils.

"Now that's what I want to hear! You listening to that Frieza!? The Saiyans and the Equestrians are working together now! GET READY TO DIE!"

Though Bardock is a fierce warrior, stubborn and durable with several years of experience, most attention is drawn to the far more powerful Queen. Her spells incapacitate several by summoning chains of light that wrap around hapless soldiers, handing them to Bardock to dispatch as he swings them against their allies. Those few that get close enough are blown back by her superior strength, instantly losing conscious upon impact, the last line of defense cowers at their combined might.

"H-Hey, hey wait a minute! Pegasi aren't that strong, right?! Why is her battle power so high?!"

"You idiot! That's the Queen herself! She's an alicorn…! She lost her horn a while back but found a way to use magic without one! T-This might be it for us!"

Both assailants shout together as the charge towards their goal.

"FRIEZA!"

Just as fast as they were to advance through the army, they stop abruptly as the ship's main doors open, alone before all floats out the Lord of the Stars. The Emperor of Terror. A man who successfully lied to an entire universe until today and will get away with it...

Frieza watched with delight at a Saiyan seeing through his rather simple ploy, but an Equestrian working with him, and the Queen of all of those horse brained peace-keepers. He knew this day would come and their rebellious attitude only proves further that they must be eliminated. He sits in his prized hover chair and meets them outside. His soldiers hail and praise him in fear, but he doesn't hear them. His mood has been soured enough by their pitiful display of being unable to detain a low-class warrior Saiyan.

It's absolutely disgusting just how much they've failed him.

His stoic face hides nothing, absolute apathy towards them all, especially as this worthless monkey begins to spout nonsense towards him.

"Frieza! It's over for you! The Saiyans! The Equestrians! We're done working for you, no more lies, and no more war for you to hide behind! You're done for, you creep!"

He only rolls his eyes at the Queen's speech as well.

"For years we believed you, acted as the face of the Empire in Cold's name, but when you took over, I knew something had changed! Shifted! Your deceit ends here, for just as long as evil is done in darkness, there will always be a light to shine upon it with justice!"

They hold their hands close to each other, sharing in one's energy regardless of the power gap between them, creating a large ball of plasma.

"Take this you bastard!"

"This will change everything!"

They throw it at him, an attack that certainly could destroy a planet, but him? Frieza smirks at this cute display before raising a mere finger. At the tip begins a small flaming ball. In a single second it grows to the size of a moon. The attack sent towards him is destroyed by the mere size of Frieza's own powerful creation. Bardock is speechless at the results as the Queen only looks back shouting.

"Y-You'd sacrifice this many men just to kill us?! There are thousands, hundreds of thousands we left alive, are you that cruel!?"

Frieza responds only laughing at her pathetic pleas before letting the finger fall. Such a simple gesture for a simple act. The dwarf star he created hurdles towards Planet Vegeta at a dreadful speed. Fast enough to see it coming, yet slow enough to think about what comes next, to wait out the inevitable. It was too big to dodge, too powerful to let alone, the rivals now made allies look to each other and nod.

Even if it meant defeat, they would still try.

Bardock fires with all his might, his hate, and even his love towards the gaining star. The Queen's scar glows brightly as her wings slowly fade away. She puts her very life into her attack, defending a world that has wanted her dead before her birth, ironic and yet she feels it fitting. They both gasp as a quick vision strikes them both of an oncoming attack from behind. They cut off their attacks to dodge a giant beam narrowly missing them.

From behind, Every Saiyan on Planet Vegeta had turned into an Oozaru, the Great Ape. King Vegeta leads them, having fired a most powerful blast from his mouth, and the Elite Guard assists him. The dwarf star is pushed back at Frieza. The annoyed tyrant slaps it away to the side to destroy a nearby moon. He assumed that's what they were using to unleash their full power. However, he displayed shock seeing that they remained as giant monkeys. Bardock however saw the true source of their power. Surrounding them were small orbs of light.

"Power balls...! They made use of my research after all, huh?"

King Vegeta points towards Frieza as his offhand holds many of his soldiers.

"Frieza! It's as Bardock there says! We're done doing your dirty work! Exposing your slimy true face to the galaxy is one thing, but killing you too, that's what I was waiting for! Saiyans! Attack!"

With their own sources of energy now by their side, the rampaging monsters fly towards Frieza, a collective battle power far exceeding his own currently. For the first time since he can remember he feels a twinge of fear. Then came the offending bolt to his head. A magical beam strikes him followed by a rain of energy beams. Behind him, Unicorns are carried by Pegasai, as well as armored Equestrians using weapons long retired for several decades.

"We're not running if our Queen isn't! Down with Frieza the Liar!"

Frieza, for one of the few moments in his life, has had to be put on the defensive. His ship would be destroyed, and he had spent a lot of resources customizing to his specifications.

No. There couldn't be any more condescending and dismissive thoughts now. His life truly was in peril. He speaks at last with an irritated smile hiding his utter rage.

"I see... If only you two could get along before now. Hohohoho! ~ At least I can promise you this..."

He shouts abruptly, roaring with a shrill cry, his personal chair destroyed by his power as he begins to lose control over his temper.

"YOU WILL ALL DIE TOGETHER!"

He erupts with a wave of telekinetic power from his body, shielding him from the planetary assault on him, before raising his hands high in the air. He creates another giant ball.

Except it grows bigger. Bigger. Bigger. Finally, it stops at the size of their planets, a third celestial body made of pure evil and destructive energy, made at such a frightening speed that no one from either side could act. Even in the moment that Frieza takes to revel in their shared expression, none dare to move, for the sheer terror in their hearts stop them dead in their tracks. A single moment is all he will allow. He detonates the attack creating a small-scale supernova.

As the two races are evaporated, in their last moments of life as they burn into ash, Bardock and the Queen see a final vision. One that lets them die with peace in their hearts...

Frieza looks around at the empty space around him, the star system which held the mightiest races now made into nothing, how he would have loved to enjoy this... However, he had to destroy everything around him to be rid of the pests, including his own army and ship. Though he knows the stars well enough to travel to the closest spaceport, it is still lightyears away, and to travel physically would be mildly annoying. That is until a ship like his own flies nearby. A familiar entity floats out sitting in a chair much like his own.

"Frieza, you idiot, look at the absolute state of this situation."

"Shut your mouth, Cooler! I don't want to hear lest I destroy you as well!"

"And miss the sideshow circus of your failure of managing your empire? You should be grateful to your brother now... I would love to leave you alone in deep space, but we're needed elsewhere, now get in and we'll get you a new ship."

Begrudgingly, Frieza enters the ship and immediately takes to his own private quarters, but Cooler is approached by one of his henchmen.

"My Lord! Frieza has destroyed all life present... All but three! Just before the Equestrians attacked him, a single ship managed to shoot off-world. It is still in range for us to intercept and destroy-!"

"Delay that order."

"H-Huh...? S-Sir... Two powers were scanned to be at an astronomical level! Are you sure?"

Unbeknownst to the henchman, Cooler’s eyes glow neither with malice nor malcontent, but with an otherworldly shine of chaotic glee.

"I am. You saw how embarrassing my little brother preformed, didn't you? This will provide him a lesson! If he's going to piss and moan to Father about getting his way, then he'll have to accept the responsibility of what he gains, don't you think so?"

The henchman nods repeatedly.

"O-Of course but-! W-What if this comes back, my Lord?"

Cooler simply moves on ahead of his henchman already putting this whole fiasco behind him. Waiting for the fated day he has waited too many lifetimes to count to come.

"If this comes back to bite him then it's his problem. If he can’t handle that much, then he is not worthy of his life."

On Earth, two alien ships were supposed to crash together. However, through chance or fate, they ended up separated upon entering the atmosphere.

A Saiyan boy lands in the wilderness of Mount Paozu. An Equestrian princess lands in the yard of Capsule Corp. Their story begins many years after this fateful day when they meet again...

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Bikini looks over large valley full of towering hills and bamboo forests, she slides down a bamboo shoot with joyful cry, and lands next to an eager Bulma.

"So? Is the place big?"

"It's ginormous! Mount Pazou is huge! Are we really going to find a Dragon Ball here?"

Bulma looks to the radar and sighs.

"I don't see a signal anywhere."

"Did you try to extend the range?"

"Oh, I forgot it could even do that. Here…"

Bulma gasps and shows Bikini the radar. A tiny dot appears near the edge of the radar, a constant beeping signaling that their journey is on to a great start.

"There it is! Our hint was right after all! I can't believe that blockhead was good for something…!

Bulma and Bikini stop shortly still in the confines of West City, as they realized they had no leads, and thus no idea where to even start their journey. The two park in front of a tiny building trying to plan ahead. A loud man then approached.

"Hey! You two here to join the Satan Dojo!?"

Bulma ignored him at first, and turned away from him, but Bikini pointed at herself curious at the man's invitation.

"A dojo? Is that what this building is?"

The man laughed jovially.

"Bwahaha! Absolutely! This school is just starting but it already has a bright future ahead of it! Whaddya say? Why don't you join the school? Membership is free right now!"

Bikini tilted her head.

"But… Isn't anything to for free usually has a catch?"

Bulma scoffed and shot a look towards the man.

"Exactly! This guy didn't even give his name yet."

The man stumbled over himself before he apologized profusely.

"F-Forgive me! I just get really excited about new people! I'm Mark Hercule, proud master of this dojo, and soon-to-be legend! Hyah!"

He stuck the air with a chop. Bikini flinched and hid behind Bulma. Mark looked at her oddly.

"What's wrong, what'd I do?"

Bulma huffed before she took a stand between the two.

"She isn't a fan of violence or fighting, so we're not interested, okay?"

Mark's shoulders dropped with his head hung low, defeated at losing two prime candidate students, if not at least a date. However, a glimmer of hope sparked from within when Bikini spoke up again.

"Would you know anything about Dragon Balls though?"

Bulma rolled her eyes at her sister.

"Why would you even bother with a guy as hokey as this? C'mon, let's get out of here."

Mark however smiled in the face of this challenge. He wagged his finger at Bulma snickering to himself.

"Don't you count me out yet! The least I can do for scaring your friend here is tell you what I know! Any real martial artist knows that a Dragon Ball is treasured item! Gifted only to the most elite of the trade in all the world! The last person to even get one, if I remember right, he lives out in Mount Paozu!"

To him the story was nothing but a croc. A legend to get people like him hyped up and amped for participating in events, maybe even a shot of the World Martial Arts Tournament: The Tenkaichi Budōkai.

Then Bikini took out the Five-Star Ball.

"Did it look like this?"

Mark nearly fell over himself again before he gawked at the item.

"W-?! T-They're real!? No way!"

Bulma gave smug sneer holding up a radar.

"Yeah way! ~ We're going to find them all and get our wish granted. It's nice of you to tell us where to start though. Let's get going Bikini!"

Bulma got in her car and drove off, confident that Bikini would catch up in no time. Her younger sister hesitated to follow, putting the Dragon Ball away, she eyed Mark up and down.

"You're not a bad person."

"Huh? W-What's that supposed to mean!?"

"It means you're not a bad person! Why would you want to learn and teach how to hurt people?"

Mark shook his head.

"Ah, I see! It is easy to look at martial arts as nothing but fisticuffs! Don't get the wrong idea though! My style, my way, it's all about protecting yourself and others from the evils of the world!"

"Like a police officer…?"

"Even better! I have stopped a few robberies myself recently! I'm not afraid of facing danger if it's to save my fellow man!"

"You're… Like a superhero!"

Mark sneered as he basked in some needed glory for once. He didn't lie about helping the police, and he certainly made things easier for them, but people kept seeing him as a nuisance instead of the hero he sought to be. A true living legend! It was nice to have someone recognize his efforts.

"You could come with us and keep us protected! We're going to travel all around the world!"

He came crashing down to Earth after that. This girl was beyond cute, but traveling the world? Not to mention that there's the manner of the Red Ribbon Army terrorizing said world. He hid his hesitance behind a fake boisterous laugh.

"I'm honored by your offer! H-However! I can't let the city go undefended! I-I uh, I also gotta grow my dojo, so that the whole world can have heroes protecting it from dangers!"

Bikini nodded completely unaware of his cowardice, instead impressed by his "devotion" to justice, and helping others.

"Maybe one day, I can learn from you too! I'll see you later, Mark!"

"H-Hehehe! L-Later, huh? I wouldn't mind th-"

He flew back from a powerful gust of wind and sat there gob smacked at what he had just witnessed, a girl that ran faster than any car he's seen on the road.

"W-Was any of that real…?"

Bikini points ahead on the road as the two continue to travel.

"Oh! There's a house! Just over there!"

Bulma squints her eyes.

"W-Where? I don't see anything but trees for a good while…"

"I could get there no problem if you don't mind me going on ahead!"

Bulma looks at Bikini for a moment unsure just how fast she can really go.

"Well… The Dragon Ball is that way. I'll set up a capsule house and meet you there when I'm done!"

"Yes ma'am!"

Bikini leapt forward and transforms into a unicorn before taking off, only faintly hearing Bulma's shocked faint cries.

"WHEN COULD YOU TURN INTO A HORSE…!?"

She doesn't turn around to give her an answer, rather she continues forward until she reaches the house. She trots around looking for any sign of life.

"Hello? Anyone home? W-We're here for a quick visit!"

"Who are you?"

Bikini is quick to turn around and face a small boy with black spiky hair in a blue gi. He pointed a red staff at her standing in a defensive stance. What really snatched her attention though is the monkey tail that idly swishes about.

"I've never seen an animal like you before! You wearing clothes too!"

"Oh! I'm not an animal! Watch!"

Bikini returns to her human form, alerting the boy as he jumps back in exclamation.

"Y-You're a witch! That's witchy magic you just did!"

"Magic? I've never heard my power be called that before…"

The boy thrusts his staff out at her as a warning.

"I'll beat you up if you try to turn me into a toad, or into a rock, or anything at all!"

Bikini takes a step back with her hands in the air. It would be easy to take his staff from him or even send it somewhere else. However, she didn't want to be mean to him and offers him a smile instead.

"But I don't like violence! I'm a good witch, really!"

"You are?"

"I am. I'll have you know I'm an honest girl."

The boy's eyes widen before he pulls the staff back.

"You're a girl? Grandpa said I had to be nice to any girls I meet."

Bikini nods before kneeling to be on eye level with him.

"Your Grandpa is right. Where is he?"

"He's dead. A monster killed him, so all I have left is Grandpa's treasure."

Bikini holds a hand over her mouth gasping.

"You mean you've been living out here by yourself this whole time…?"

"Yeah! I fish for food and train on my own now!"

Bikini couldn't help but pity the poor boy. It must be lonely out here in the mountains with only the wild as your company. A thought then occurs to her as she pulls out the Dragon Ball.

"Well, have you seen one of these before?"

"Ah! T-That's Grandpa's treasure! Why are you holding it?!"

"Your Grandpa left you with a Dragon Ball? H-Hey!"

The boy moves faster than she could properly react, and steals the Dragon Ball from her, holding the staff out again.

"Thief! I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

"B-But I don't want to fight-!"

"Power Pole, Extend!"

The staff stretches and strikes Bikini's head. She stumbles back before falling on rear, disoriented. The boy leaps into the air ready to knock her out. Instead of landing, he finds himself motionless in the air. Bikini's horn glows as she rubs her head trying to calm him.

"I didn't steal that! Please, list-"

"Power Pole, Extend!"

Bikini yelps as the staff strikes her head again. She curls up into a ball as the boy stands triumphantly over her.

"I won! Are you sorry yet!?"

"I-I didn't steal anything…! That's the Five-Star Dragon Ball!"

"Eh? Five stars…?"

The boy looks at the orb and counts them.

"Wow! There really are only five stars! Grandpa's treasure only has four."

He offers the Dragon Ball back with an apologetic frown.

"I'm real sorry I didn't believe you. Here."

Bikini hesitates to reach out but takes her Dragon Ball back. She stands up smiling back despite the ringing in her head.

"It's quite alright… Can I see your treasure?"

"Well… You're not a thief since you were telling the truth. It's not here though, it's at Grandpa's house."

"Then let's go! Oh, I am Bikini. What's your name?"

"Son Goku! I'll be nicer to you from now on!"

Goku takes Bikini down the path she came until they heard a loud shriek. Bulma aims a gun at a monstrous pterodactyl that draws near.

"S-Stay back you freak! I-I'll blow you away with this thing!"

The monster laughs in her face before it whips its tail at her hands, disarming her immediately.

"Gwahahaha! Now what're you gonna do? Shout some more?"

Bulma does exactly that.

"B-BIKINI! HELP!"

The monster goes to snatch her up with his terrible talons, but Bulma vanishes just before he can grab her.

"H-Huh?! GWAH-!"

Goku strikes the beast, breaking off a piece of its horned head, and watched it land dead on the ground. Bulma continues screaming even as Bikini holds her close.

"G-GET AWAY FROM ME YOU SAVAGE!"

"Bulma… It's already beaten…"

"Huh-?! W-What?"

Bulma opens her eyes to see Goku poking the corpse of the monster before turning to the girls.

"Hey! I've had this kind of meat before! It's really yummy!"

Bikini laughs nervously.

"N-No! No thank you, Goku!"

Bulma snaps at her sister confused.

"Goku?! Who's the kid? D-Did he take out that monster?!"

"From the sound of things, he takes care of all the monsters in Mount Paozu."

Goku, who already set up and started a campfire to cook his meal, looks back at them.

"I haven't found the monster that killed Grandpa, but it's no big deal!"

Bikini looks to Bulma speaking in a worried tone.

"He lives all alone out here in the woods. He's pretty strong, but not that bright, I bet he's never seen another person."

"Whoa, really? He's kind of strong too…"

"So, you're thinking what I'm thinking?"

The exchange a look before nodding at each other. Then their attention is taken away by Goku's strange eating habits. He was quick to cook the beast well on the outside, but it was still raw within, yet Goku chewed with large bites and inhaled about half of the entire creature within half a minute.

"Are you sure you two don't want any? It's real good! ~"

Bulma gulps trying to process if such a feat is even humanly possible.

"H-He ate the bones too…! He's as much a monster as that thing…"

Bikini shakes her head but couldn't help but agree internally. Goku finishes his meal within a few minutes, patting his belly happily.

"Hehehe! ~ That was real tasty! Oh, are you a girl too?"

Goku walks up to Bulma before pointing at his own head.

"What happened to your horn? Did it fall off?"

Bulma looks at Bikini realizing just how naïve and oblivious the boy truly was.

"N-No! Not all girls have horns! Only Bikini, and she's the only one that can turn into a horse too!"

"So that's what animal she turned into! I only saw it in a book before… But… You both have big balls on your chest!"

Bikini looked down at herself curiously while Bulma grabs her breasts.

"They're not all that big compared to Bulma's…"

"THESE AREN'T BALLS! THEY'RE BOOBS! DON'T GET THEM TWISTED!"

Goku laughs at Bulma's rage leaning back from her.

"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! You wanted to see the treasure Grandpa keeps, right? This way!"'

Goku leads the two up a large hill in the densest parts of the bamboo forests where a small house sits at the very top. Goku enters it and calls out to a lonesome Four-Star Dragon Ball.

"Grandpa, I'm home! I've brought guests."

Bulma and Bikini walk in with him. Bulma exclaims seeing the Dragon Ball.

"Oh My God! There it is!"

Bikini pulls her sister back shushing her before pointing at Goku. The boy prays silently with his tail drooping low.

"This is all he has of his grandpa. We can't take it from him…!"

Bulma rolls her eyes at Bikini.

"Well, it isn't like we can take it from him by force either… Not like we would have to."

"So, it's official!"

Goku turns around curious as he looks between the two.

"What's official?"

Bikini beams at him with her arms open.

"You're cordially invited to join us on our quest! ~"

Goku mirrors her expression with a cheery tone.

"Oh! Wow! Really? … What's a quest?"

Bulma stumbles over herself from that.

"Y-You're joking right? Look, did your grandpa tell you about the Dragon Balls? Gather all seven and you'll get a wish granted!"

Bikini follows her.

"We're going around the world trying to collect them all, and we want you to come with, this way you get to see the world and keep your Dragon Ball!"

Goku looks between them before looking back at the Four-Star Ball.

"Grandpa did say he wanted me to leave the mountains one day…"

Bikini reminds him then.

"He also said that you should be nice to girls, Goku. ~"

"He did say that! Okay! I'll come with you!"

Chapter Text

On one of their earliest rest stops when Bulma released a small house from her capsule, Bikini did what she could to learn about their newest friend, after reassuring that Bulma's technology isn't witchcraft.

Bulma scrunches her nose in disgust.

"Ugh! You stink! When was the last time you had a bath?!"

Goku tilts his head confused.

"Bath?"

Bulma shrieks in absolute revulsion while Bikini pinches her nose.

"Ew! You country bumpkin! You can't be serious!"

"H-He smells quite serious..."

"Bikini, I'm not touching him! You clean him!"

"R-Right..."

Bulma has always been a demanding girl, but that never bothered Bikini, if anything she almost relied on her older sister's decision making. Almost. Bikini takes Goku to the bathroom and the two bathe. Bulma waits outside spraying the house with an air freshener after throwing their clothes into the laundry.

"I bet she'll finally get him to take that stupid tail off his pants..."

Bikini however finds the tail to be real, although she had assumed as much, but more questions plaguing her mind.

"Goku, was your grandpa a good person?"

"Uh-huh! He was real nice! He always kept me fed and taught me how to fight! He said I couldn't go out during full moons though... I've only ever seen it once!"

"A full moon? You're more of a monkey than a wolf! Just look at this tail!"

She takes hold of it playfully, but Goku grows limp and falls over in the tub, his face displaying discomfort and weakness. Bikini gasps and releases the tail to hold the boy up.

"G-Goku, what happened?!"

He perks up immediately and pouts at her.

"If you grab my tail, I lose all my strength!"

"I-Is that right...?"

"Yeah, but can I ask something? How come your pee pee is gone?"

Bikini huffs at his crass inquiry.

"Girls don't have those. That's how you can tell a boy from a girl."

"But Bulma doesn't have a horn when you do!"

Bikini lightly brushes her horn concerned.

"That's... Well. I'm not sure. Not all boys have tails."

"They don't?! I thought Grandpa lost his. We're different from everyone else, huh!"

Bikini frowns in thought. Dr. Briefs had spent years of his life, as well as her own, researching and studying her horn; her very being. It didn't bother her at first, but as years passed, she never really let it bother her. No one else is like her, and that lead to some people staring, in fact it was a leading cause for her to be home schooled.

She never thought it bothered her, or rather, she always kept smiling past the feeling of worry.

"I guess we are... I wonder if that's okay."

He smiles at her without a hint of worry. Not a hint of insecurity or even weakness in his glowing face.

"That just means you have a horn and I have a tail, so why worry about it?"

She can't help but giggle at such a carefree and childish response. Mirroring his expression, she dries them both off and closes her eyes.

"You have a great point! Come along now, it's bedtime!"

Though the group have no issue sleeping, Bikini always woke up at the start of sunrise; something that would bother Bulma to no end when they had shared rooms. To her surprise, Goku had already woken up, and from what she could see from the window is attempting to lift a boulder just barely larger than himself. Her eyes nearly gouge out her head as the small boy turns the heavy rock into a pile of rubble with his bare hands. She meets with him outside still quite shocked from the display of strength.

"I-I knew you were strong, but not THAT strong!"

Goku chuckles before flexing his muscles.

"I'm very strong! Grandpa was stronger, but I'm young, and no monster is going to beat me!"

Bikini cups her own cheek thinking about strength, the use of it and it's purpose, but Goku pulls her out with his growling stomach.

"Oh... I'm hungry! Better find food!"

She was about to offer him some, but curious to learn more about the boy, Bikini asks him something.

"You hunted all your life, right? Why don't you show me how it's done?"

"Okay! You must have a keen nose, that's what Grandpa said, and I can already smell something nearby!"

"Something salty..."

Bikini sniffs the air a little as Goku nods.

"Yeah! Good nose! You wanna hunt with me?"

Bikini shakes her head.

"I-I don't like hurting other things... I'll come watch over you! So, you don't get lost on the way back."

"But the scent isn't that far. Oh well, I'm not done with my exercises!"

Goku runs over to another boulder and lifts it up, only for it to grow flippers and a head! Goku stumbles back as he drops the creature.

"Wha-?! It's alive! A tortoise!"

"D-Don't crush me...! I'm not a rock, I'm a sea turtle...!"

Bikini walks over alarmed at the reveal herself.

"A turtle? But aren't you from a tropical or marine habitat?"

Turtle nods with a bead of sweat coming down his head.

"A-About that, see... I got lost looking for food... I can't tell my way to the sea from here, so I kept wandering around..."

Goku eyes him cautiously.

"You sound slow and tired even for a tortoise. Did you eat all your food you found and got hungry again?"

"No, no, I'm just running on fumes... Do you have any water I can drink...?"

Bikini takes the turtle back to their house, surprising Bulma who got the talking animal a bucket of water, and the three watch it drinking big gulps before the eldest speaks up.

"I don't know how you managed to get all the way out here. There's a desert we must pass to get you back to the ocean!"

"There is...? Oh... I'm never going to get back home now...!"

Bikini clasps her hands together eager to help someone.

"Not with that attitude! Thankfully, we have a map of the world, and the time to spare!"

She whines as Bulma begins to pull on her hair.

"As if! I have thirty days left of summer before I go back to school!"

"B-But you only go to find a boyfriend, you're already smarter than most the teachers...!"

"I'm not wasting my time with this!"

Goku hoists the turtle on his back.

"I'll just do it myself then and you can keep going. How far is the ocean?"

Bikini takes to Goku's side with a nod.

"I'll come with!"

Bulma, who was eager to let the boy go as she pulls the map out, shakes her head at her sister's decisions.

"Wh-! Bikini, you can't be serious!"

She blinks and the map in her hand is in Bikini's. The younger sister quickly looks it over before nodding.

"Very serious! I'm sure you can manage on your own!"

The three leave before Bulma can get another word in. With her face red with frustration, she yells out at them.

"DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK!"

She huffs and looks around her... It had only just really dawned on her that they were still within the Pazou region, which is a part of the world untouched by time, resembling the Jurassic Era where large dinosaurs still roam. Large, carnivorous, somewhat sapient dinosaurs that could swallow her in one gulp if she was even that luck.

Bulma catches up to the two in her car.

"WAIT FOR ME, DAMMIT!"

Though it took a few hours, the party makes it to a tropical beach, and Turtle gratefully beams at Goku and Bikini.

"Thank you for helping me! Please, wait here, I'll make this trip your while."

Turtle swims out to sea leaving the trio behind. However, it isn't long before he swims back with a short elderly man in a Hawaiian star patterned shirt and the longest beard the children had ever seen! Atop his head sat a long wizard's hat in the same pattern as his shirt. He hops off the back of the turtle patting his shorts of with a sigh.

"Ah, damp with seawater..."'

He looks up at the trio with a gruff huff studying them. He saw them from afar and his eyes grows soft for Bikini. Yet, his gaze remains on Goku with a harsh stare. Goku doesn't notice the innate hostility though and only tilts his head.

"Whoa! The tortoise brought an old geezer! Are you, his friend?"

Bikini chastise the boy.

"Goku, that's no way to talk to someone we just met! I'm sorry sir, my name is Bikini."

The old man doesn't respond. Rather, he ignores them and addresses Turtle.

"Which of them helped you? Was it all of them?"

Turtle shakes his head.

"No, only the boy and the horned girl. Pajama Girl wanted to leave me behind."

Bulma shouts angrily.

"I have a name!"

The old hermit's eyes widen as he mumbles under his breath.

"A Saiyan and an Equestrian working together...? Never heard of such a blasphemous thing... Still..."

He coughs politely and looks to Bikini.

"Alright. I am a friend of Turtle. For your kindness, I'll bestow upon you two a gift. Bikini, was it? Step forward."

She does so with an expectant expression. The old man raises a hand and exclaims loudly.

"Come Forth, Eternal Phoenix!"

Yet nothing happened. Turtle gasps and pulls on the hermit's shirt.

"U-Uh, Sir... The Phoenix died from food poisoning."

"W-What!? When was this!? I thought that perverted buffoon was taking care of them until I got back!"

"The day before actually. We were waiting for the Phoenix to return but they never did..."

The hermit drops his jaw dumbfounded. Then grumpily shakes his head groaning.

"I was going to give you eternal life. But it seems that can't happen."

Bikini eyes light up as she finds something of value.

"Can I have that instead? Around your neck?"

"This little thing?"

He holds up an orange crystal ball with three red stars inside. Bikini nods.

"Yes, please! It would mean a lot!"

"Really? H-Here."

He hands it over confused as the girl brings it to Bulma. The sisters cheer together as the Dragon Radar confirms it as the Three-Star Ball. Goku approaches the old hermit next looking at him oddly.

"Hey old man. Are you okay? You look all stiff and tired."

"I am stiff and tired. Do you want a reward too?"

"Not really."

That catches the hermit off-guard. He knows the true nature of what this boy is, that they are selfish and greedy, yet Goku merely shrugs this off. What he says next confounds the old man further.

"Oh, right. The tortoise had to eat the food he left to get you to make it. So when they were talking, I took this!"

Goku pulls out a food capsule from his go with a friendly smile.

"It's a magic bean that holds a bunch of food!"

Bulma gasps and stomps over correcting him yet again.

"It is not a bean! It's a capsule that holds some of our food! You really want to give that away?"

Goku tosses it to the hermit without a second thought.

"We can always find more food later."

The hermit catches this and pockets it. Saiyans require a massive amount of food, enough to fill even the most gluttonous of aliens, and yet this small Saiyan boy selflessly gives away such a thing without a catch. The hermit hands the capsule to Turtle with a softer sigh.

"Boy... I have another gift I can give you. Would you like it?"

"Huh? Oh, sure!"

"Come, Flying Nimbus!"

The old man calls out and a golden cloud flies down from the heavens. He gestures to it as it floats between him and Goku.

"This is a floating cloud is called, Kintōun, in other parts of the world. I call it the Flying Nimbus, and it will allow any person with a pure heart to soar through the sky, understand?"

Goku nods with a joyful shout.

"Amazing! I wonder how it tastes!"

The hermit shouts at him.

"D-Don't you dare try to eat it! Goodness, I wonder if you can even use it..."

His eyes bug out his head as Goku hops on without any effort.

"Soryah!"

Goku goes flying in loops, high and low, nearly out of sight all around before returning back to the group with a cheerful grin.

"This is awesome! Thanks, old man!"

The hermit huffs stroking his beard.

"Star Swirl... At least call me by my name. Be sure to take care of that cloud and it will take care of you."

Star Swirl smiles under his magnificent beard as he watches Bikini climb on curiously.

"Oh my...! It's so soft, like a bed, or a flying carpet!"

Bulma smirks and tries to hop on herself.

"If Bikini can get on surely I-"

She falls through with her face landing in the sand. Goku laughs rubbing his head.

"I guess your heart isn't pure! Whatever that means!"

"But I am pure! I'm a fair maiden who hasn't even had her first kiss yet!"

The old man shakes his head as he hops on top of Turtle. He is confused, curious, and hopeful for what the future may have in store. He certainly could not expect this in his countless years. He leaves the trio for their own adventure, whatever that strange ball may bring them.

Bulma huffs as she speeds fast as she can after the two, but Goku and Bikini easily keep up with her on the Nimbus, and they even begin to fly ahead.

"Slow down, will you!? I'm the one with the radar!"

Goku laughs as he pilots the cloud.

"I didn't think anything could move this fast!"

Bikini looks to ahead as they approach a village soon.

"At this rate finding the Dragon Balls will be easy as pie! Let's hurry, Bulma, Goku!"

Goku looks around idly floating on Nimbus as Bulma and Bikini look over the radar. Bikini scratches her head.

"This village is pretty empty... Does anyone even live here?"

Bulma pockets the radar with a huff.

"There'd have to be people here! It looks way too nice to have been abandoned. Either way, one of these houses has a Dragon Ball, I'm sure of it."

Bikini looks through one of the many windows.

"No one seems to be inside... Ah! But this house has tea on the stove!"

Goku goes over to the door and knocks on it.

"Grandpa said that's dangerous if left alone. Someone's gotta be in here, right?"

After waiting, he punches through the door, opening the door from the inside. Bulma sighs with a deadpan.

"Brute strength is all you know how to do, huh?"

"Heehee! Anyone home?"

Goku calls out as he steps inside. A shadow comes running at him from inside the house, an axe in hand comes down on Goku's head.

"D-Die you monster!"

"Wh-?"

The axe breaks against Goku's skull, not even splitting his hair, although it leaves a nasty bump on his head. Goku rubs his small injury with a whine.

"Oww! What was that for?!"

A balding man steps back cowering in fear before he drops to his knees.

"D-Don't take my daughter, O Great Oolong!"

Goku only tilts his head as Bikini enters to check his bump.

"Oolong? I'm not Oolong, I'm Goku!"

"Goodness, you're not just strong, you're incredibly durable too?"

Goku giggles at her while the poor man looks between them.

"Y-You're not Oolong...? Oh! I'm so sorry!"

The people of the town gathered at the center, the mayor being the man who attacked Goku lowers his head to the trio, gesturing to a young girl by his side.

"You see, we've been plagued under the cruel rule of a monster named Oolong. He's a shape-shifting demon, who's true form we don't even know! He comes to our village and takes a young girl from a family as his wife. We never see them again, but he comes back for another after some time! I can't take it anymore!"

Bikini gasps in horror.

"What a terrible creature. Something must be done about this-! Ow!"

Bulma interrupts her by pulling on her cheek.

"Not that I like this either, but we're not exactly here to slay monsters, remember?"

The mayor huffs with shoulder slumped.

"As if anything could slay Oolong. He's far too massive for anything pierce his hide, I'm sure of it."

Bikini slaps Bulma's hand away ignoring the older girl sticking her tongue out at her.

"You're sure of it? Has anyone tried to face him?"

The people all shook their heads.

"W-We're too scared to even try to raise a hand against him."

"He takes such horrifying forms..."

"Seriously! He's massive I bet that explosion I heard not too long ago was him! He was probably moving a mountain!"

Bulma rolls her eyes at the village's superstitious beliefs, but then she smiled as she remembered why they were there. taking out one of the Dragon Balls.

"I think we can sort this out, but only if you have something like this!"

Everyone looked at each other confused trying to figure out what the small sphere even is, but one old woman widens her eyes in exclamation.

"Ah! I have something like that! One moment..."

She holds out a Dragon Ball with six stars on it.

"My grandmother had found it when she was a really small girl. If this is all you want to get rid of Oolong though I'll happily depart with it!"

Bulma cheers ready to take it on the spot, but Bikini stops her with a gracious smile to the elder.

"We'll take it after the deed is done, ma'am. Right Bulma, Goku?"

Bulma nods satisfied with finding her goal.

"Of course! We'll have to use our heads for this one. A shapeshifter sounds pretty dangerous!"

She then looks to Goku with a sneer.

"And I have the perfect idea...~ Hey! What are you doing?!"

Goku pats the old woman down getting a blush from the elder.

"Oh! So, you're a girl!"

"My, my, such a bold young man!~"

Bulma pulls Goku away by his hair grumbling.

Bikini watches with Bulma from inside the house.

"Are you sure this will work?"

Bulma snickers as she watches a young girl stand out in the open idly adjusting her head wrap and dress. Heavy stomps sound and the attention is on an arriving giant. A towering ogre in a bridal tuxedo. Oolong bellows in a booming voice.

"THERE YOU ARE MY BRIDE! READY TO LEAVE?"

Goku turns around as he was instructed to from Bulma before speaking in a fake nervous tone.

"N-No, not yet..."

The ogre leans side to side, trying to see his prized bride's face.

"OHO! ~ YOU MUST BE SCARED! IS THAT IT?"

That couldn't be farther from the truth. Goku squirms and fidgets in place due to his full bladder. He turns after hearing a strange poof hoping that the big monster left so he could pee. Instead, a handsome man in similar attire stands there waiting for him.

"Is this much better, young lady?"

"Uh..."

Immediately, Bulma runs out of the house despite Bikini's attempts to call her back.

"What a hunk!"

"B-Bulma wait, he can change his shape!"

Oolong looks to a now entranced Bulma with a raised brow as the girl runs out to him.

"Huh? Who are you? You want to be my bride instead?"

"Of course! I'm Bulma, sixteen years old!"

"Oh yeah, what's your breast size?"

Bulma proudly pushes her breasts together with a huge smile.

"Eighty-five!"

Oolong turns away from her blushing madly. This girl is practically throwing herself at him, even if she's older than him, she's big enough for him to get a puff-puff! His attention is taken away from his lecherous desires as he hears water running. He turns to Goku seeing him lift the hem of his dress to pee.

"W-What!? That was a boy this whole time-?! You Tricked Me!?"

Oolong shouts angrily as he turns into a large boar. Bulma, blinking from surprise, would be pulled back by Bikini by her hair.

"Oh man, what a filthy pig!"

"You're one to talk, Bulma! Handsome men being your weakness is quite problematic!"

Bikini then shouted out to Goku as she and Bulma ran back into the house.

"Goku! Stop him! Try to capture him so we can figure out where those other girls are!"

Goku discards the dress smiling as he holds his Power Pole out.

"Yeah! I bet he'll taste real good after some time in a fire!"

Oolong takes a step back confused as to why this small child would even think of taking him on.

"H-Hey! You're seriously thinking of taking me on?! A-A-Aren't I scary lookin'?!"

Goku stares at the large boar for a moment before grinning.

"No way! You look tasty!"

Oolong grits his teeth at that. This kid is insane! His eyes then move to the town clock which only makes his heart race faster. He's running out of time.

"W-Well... SEE YA AROUND!"

Goku gasps as Oolong flees cowardly. The boar cuts a turn behind a fence just narrowly escaping Goku's sight. In that moment, his form changes in a puffy cloud into a small pig-man in a militant uniform, and casually leans against the fence as Goku runs up to him.

"Hey! Did a huge boar run by here?!"

"Yeah. He went that way."

Goku runs off leaving Oolong to snicker to himself as he makes a plan, only for him to stumble to the side from a rock falling on his head.

"Ow-! Hey! Who threw that at me?!"

Bikini, floating down from above on the Flying Nimbus glares down at Oolong.

"So THAT'S what you look like, isn't it? I got worried for Goku and decided to follow him, but if you were really all that scary and strong, you would've just attacked him in the Town!"

"A-Ahh! W-Well-!"

"And that rock I threw made you shout in pain... You're... Actually, very weak!"

Oolong stammers and quakes as he desperately looks for an escape. That is before he leaps high with a yelp! Goku, having noticed Bikini and heard her, thrusted his Power Pole right into the pig's butt. He grins and places it back on his back.

"Well, I'll be! You're even smaller than I am!"

"Don't shove things in people's asses! What kind of monster are you!?"

The two return with Oolong bound in rope. The village all gather around the trio amazed.

"T-That's his true form...?"

"Look how small he is!"

"I don't even want to punish him when he looks so pathetic."

Bulma shakes her head sighing as she steps up to Bikini.

"And you told me to be careful. You went off on your own recklessly! What if he was a monster?"

Bikini's cheeks flush as she looks to the ground.

"I-I didn't want to stand idle... But there's something more important to talk about!"

Bikini glares at Oolong which sends a shiver down the young pig’s spine. She folds her arms and taps her foot as she makes a demand.

"What did you do with all the other girls? They better not be harmed, or else we'll let Goku will eat you, spit-roasted above a fire!"

Oolong stifles a squeal and grumbles as he reluctantly brings the entire village to an estate deep in the forest. He opens the door with a sigh.

"T-They're in here."

The fathers of the taken girls rush inside, all elated hearing that they were alive, but then feel bewildered as the girls were more than alive. They were pampered! One reclines on a couch in a fancy dress with glass of juice, another does stretches in front of a large television in aerobics tights, and the last swims leisurely in an indoor pool. Oolong looks to the ground trembling with a nervous huff.

"I-I wanted the last girl because I saw she was obedient... These girls costed me a fortune, I'm practically broke, so please take them back..."

Bulma drives a speedboat down a river with Goku and Bikini in tow. She holds their newly obtained Dragon-Ball with a big grin.

"That's three down! four to go!"

Bikini claps her hands with a beaming smile as she cheers in the passenger's seat.

"We'll find all of the Dragon Balls in no time!"

Oolong then shouts in the backseat as Goku stares at him hungrily.

"T-That's great and all but why am I still here?!"

"We're going to make bacon out of you."

"WHAT?! YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?!"

Goku giggles as he leans back in his seat, not answering the porky pervert, which only makes Oolong sweat harder. Bikini looks back at him with a suspicious look.

"We're not going to cook you if you don't try anything silly."

Oolong snickers before turning into a fish leaping into the air for the river.

"Oh yeah? Good luck catching me this time-! Huh?! What gives! I'm a fish not a bird why am I still in the air?!"

Bikini glares at the shapeshifter as she holds him in the air with her magic.

"Try as you might, you won't escape us."

Bulma looks back smugly sneering.

"Plus, that shape-shifting is super useful! Who knows when it'll come in handy! ~"

Oolong is held in the air until he returns to a pig as the group makes for land. Bulma pulls out a map in her jacket squinting.

"I marked where the Dragon Ball should be according to the radar... Here! We just have to pass this desert and we should be good at the base of the mountain!"

She shows the map to the others, and though Bikini and Goku are invested, Oolong exclaims in fear!

"T-That's Fry Pan Mountain! Why in the Hell would you want to go there for?! Count me out-!"

Oolong felt frozen in place before finding himself yet again under the harsh gaze of Bikini.

"We're going. Think of it as proper punishment for your mischief in that village!"

"Hhhnnn... B-But that's where the Great Ox King lives! He's a ferocious bloodthirsty guy who'll make us into porkchops if we run through his turf!"

Bulma snickers as she folds the map up and pockets it as she goes for her capsule case.

"Not to worry, Oolong, because I've got a helicopter capsule right... Er, right... Uh...?"

Bulma begins to pale as she checks all her pockets before looking into the boat. Her head then snaps to Bikini in a panic.

"Hey, sis? Y-You have our capsule case, right?"

Bikini only blinks back before shaking her head.

"Not since we met the Turtle Wizard. I'm sure you had them last."

"Then where are they because I had them around-! Oh no...! D-Did we drop them into the lake?!"

Goku looks to the still frozen Oolong who struggles to break free of the golden aura in futility.

"Can't you search for them, Oolong? You can turn into a fish!"

But the pig shakes his head.

"N-No way! I can't even breathe underwater, I only change my shape, not my anatomy! Besides, the lake is huge, and my shapeshifting only lasts a good five minutes! Then I have to rest, for one, meaning we'd be going back and forth every six minutes!"

Bikini frowns looking up to the clouds above.

"We'd be at it for hours... But I think I have a solution! Goku, summon Nimbus!"

Goku calls out and leaps right onto the golden cloud. Bikini carefully gets on with a beaming smile.

"And now for my master plan!"

Her horn glows radiantly before both Bulma and Oolong are carried into the air by her magic.

"We should be able to travel fine, like this right?"

Oolong however is frantic in the air.

"N-No no way, put me down! I'd rather crawl across the dirt on my own then have someone fly for me!"

Even Bulma pulled her skirt down with a wild snarl.

"And I don't want any perverts like this pig looking up my skirt!"

Chapter Text

Hours later in the desert, Bulma sweats profusely as she uses a stick they found by the lake to support herself while Oolong drags his feet in the sand.

"S-So... So hot..."

"My butt is so full of sand I might cough up a dust devil...!"

Goku raises a brow at them as he walks with them.

"You two are pretty weak. Are you sure you don't want to try Bikini's idea?"

Bulma had changed into a more appropriate outfit for the desert, wearing shorts as opposed to her dress, but as she turns Oolong answered for them both in a shout.

"No Way! We said what we had to say about it and that's final!"

Oh, how Bulma wanted to kill that pig then and now, but she was practically out of energy. Bikini merely blinked at the outburst before she looks to Bulma worried.

"Maybe we should take a break? There's plenty of shade in that rock formation over there."

Bulma sighs in relief and makes her way into an alcove.

"I'm taking a nap... Don't wake me up or else!"

Bikini begins to walk away until Oolong shouts after her.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"

"I've got to go pee. Stay with Goku."

Oolong grumbles kicking the sand before glaring into the distance with squinting eyes.

"Hey, kid... You see that over there?"

"Hm?"

Goku looks in the same direction and finds himself tilting his head in curiosity. On two seat hovercycle making sand billow out from below it rides a handsome young man and a mischievous looking cat. Oolong then yelps and starts to run.

"Holy smokes! T-That bandit's coming right for us! We gotta get outta here!"

Goku only blinks before patting his stomach.

"I'm hungry..."

The bandit stops right in front of Goku while Oolong watches from the safety of the alcove. The pig shivers but then grins, cause if the bandit kills Goku then he's home free, and even if that doesn't happen it looks like he can run away while they're doing their thing anyhow!

The bandit looks down at Goku grinning.

"Hey, you got any food or cash?"

Goku shakes his head. The bandit sighs.

"My name's Yamcha! I rule the desert here and I think you should give me something, brat. You couldn't have gotten here all on your own!"

Goku speaks up with a smile then!

"Oh, I'm not alone! I'm with Oolong! See him over there?"

He points over to the exasperated pig. Oolong starts sweating what little sweat he has left as Yamcha looks over at him. Things only got worse as the cat hops out and shouts.

"Did you say Oolong?! Pervert Oolong!"

The pig couldn't believe it and leapt out of hiding as he recognized the voice.

"You're Crybaby Puar! What're you doing out here!"

Yamcha relaxes with a cool smile as he rests a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"You know each other? You don't exactly sound like friends."

Puar sticks his tongue out at Oolong before replying.

"Not at all! He's a big bully when we went to Shapeshifting Academy! He got kicked out for stealing the teacher's panties!"

Yamcha scoffs as he draws his blade.

"Then I guess we're the good guys taking stuff from these low lives. Stand back Puar, I got this."

Oolong wheezed in fear before hiding in the alcove again.

"H-Hey! Go-Goku, you're strong, get that guy before he kills me!"

Goku looks between them before taking his Power Pole out of its sheath.

"I don't really get it, but you look ready to fight, so I'm ready to fight too!"

Yamcha lunges ahead with a thrust of his sword, but the blade is parried by the staff, with Goku quickly countering as he extends his weapon! Yamcha stumbles back as the rod strikes him between the eyes.

"Augh-! N-Not bad...!"

Yamcha continues to slice away at the young boy but none of his attempts make it. Oolong cheers Goku on while Puar cheers for Yamcha.

"Y-Yeah! Yeah! You're pretty strong after all, kid! C'mon, beat him to a pull!"

"Go! Go Master Yamcha! You can do it!"

After leaping back to gain space, Yamcha puts his sword away smirking with a fold of his arms.

"I'll have to be serious now with you."

Goku grins and puts his Power Pole away in return.

"I'll fight you the same way! I'll show you what my grandpa taught me."

"Grandpa? Can I take a guess, his name was Gohan wasn't it?"

Goku blinks and nods before entering his martial arts stance.

"Yeah! This is his staff, but he's gone now."

Yamcha enters a stance of his own and gives a wolfish grin.

"That's a shame... I respected that man! He was an absolute legend in the martial arts world! I'll have to show you why I rule these sands though, with my Wolf Fang Fist!"

Goke readied himself... However, his vision grows blurry, his stomach growls with nothing to digest and his footing becomes unstable.

Yamcha, noticing the boy's strange inaction, takes advantage of it and goes for the kill! With his hands blurring so fast that his strikes hit as hard as they were sharp, he battered Goku away, before sending him through a few boulders for good measure.

Oolong pulls on his ears while Puar dances happily.

"Oh, crap! He's dead after something like that! H-How could someone be so strong?!"

"Only Master Yamcha could be so amazing!"

Yamcha dusts off his hands with a smug grin to Oolong.

"You're next, bacon strips."

"B-Bacon str-strips...?!"

Oolong turns ghost white until he hears a small explosion not too far away. Goku, though bruised, leaps out of the rubble with a big smile!

"Hee hee! That was rough! But it's my turn now!"

Yamcha grunts having used quite a bit of strength in his signature attack.

"You're... Pretty strong...!"

Goku readies himself for a counterattack.

"I won't lose so easily! Let's go!"

The two are about to meet until Bikini speaks out as she creates a golden wall between them. It vanishes when they turn to her.

"What's going on here?! Stop this fighting at once!"

Goku skids to a stop and pouts looking over to the horned girl.

"But he's a bad guy...! He's trying to hurt us! Oolong said so!"

The pig speaks up from his safety spot.

"That bastard's a bandit! You know a bandit is a thief and a killer, right?!"

However, Paur shouts at Oolong indignantly.

"Don't make things up about Master Yamcha! He doesn't kill, in fact he's saved my life, and that's why he's the best! He does steal though."

Usually, Yamcha would correct Puar even though the cat is right, but his eyes are transfixed on Bikini... His face flushes crimson. Even the strange horn allures him, from her perfect cheeks and jewel-like eyes, flawless of any fault.

He's knocked right out of his trance from Goku punching him in the gut.

"Are you paying attention?"

"Gwah!"

Yamcha stumbles back before he runs away. Puar, shocked yet unsurprised, follows him.

"M-Master Yamcha?! What happened!?"

"T-That girl... I-I can't fight at my best with her around...!"

As he runs away, Bulma wakes up watching Yamcha leave.

"Who was that? Ooh! He's pretty good looking! ~"

Goku just scratches his head confused watching Yamcha leave.

"Why is he running...? I don't get it."

Yamcha stops behind a plateau near a small patch of vegetables growing ripely from the ground panting.

"I can't believe my shyness really made me run away... Good thing there are these tomatoes!"

Paur raises a brow as Yamcha takes on and eats it.

"Master Yamcha... Why is there a vegetable garden here in the desert? Home is a long way away!"

He spits out the tomato with a bewildered look.

"A-Augh! A-And it tastes awful! I mean, I could eat it if I were starving to death, but how could something look so delicious be so... Yuck!?"

Bikini looks over from a hill at a large mountain covered in a blazing inferno. She points ahead curiously as she looks to Bulma, the older sister floating in the air by Bikini's magic.

"Yep! That's the place! I didn't think an entire mountain could be set on fire..."

"Do you think the Dragon Ball is on the top of the mountain?"

Oolong, who also floated in the air, grunts with a grumpy scowl.

"There's no way you're gonna get it through all that fire. We may as well turn around and head somewhere else!"

Goku, who's been piloting the Nimbus in Bikini's lap, lands at the base of the mountain by debris of a once grand building.

"Maybe we could put it out? The ocean is right over there."

Oolong shouts at him as he's let down.

"Don't be a moron! How would we even get all that water to put it out?! This Dragon Ball isn't worth all that trouble, is it?!"

Bikini looks to the ocean and her horn glows... Yet she falls to her knees with a sigh.

"I tried lifting it but it's too heavy..."

Bulma sighs shaking her head as she looks at the radar.

"And it's right in the middle of it all too... This might just be the end."

Just then, a booming voice bellows from behind them.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! ARE YOU THIEVES AFTER MY TREASURE?!"

Oolong, Bikini, and Bulma all shriek as a giant man with armor and horned helmet erupts from seemingly nowhere, a giant axe in hand, and broad intimidating frame. The pig wheezes out in fear as he points at the axe-man.

"T-That's him! That's the Great Ox King! Oh, we're in it now...!"

Goku however, only shakes his head smiling as he approaches the Ox King.

"No! We're here for the Dragon Ball, like this one!"

Goku holds up his own Dragon Ball, which prompts an angered roar from the horned giant, he raises an axe ready to cleave Goku in half.

"THAT BALL! HOW DID YOU GET IT?!"

"It's mine."

"LIAR! DIE!"

The Ox King swings his ax down for Goku, but the small boy dodges nimbly and leaps over the Ox King's head, landing behind him yet leans out of the way of a kick in the nick of time.

"F-Fast! He's that big and fast!"

The Ox King sends a punch after every swing, absolutely destroying any boulder, tree, even the ground shakes as he punches in potholes. However, not one blow lands on Goku, who finallu catches an opening and lunges for the large man between a swing.

"But I'm faster!"

Goku unleashes a flurry of attacks yet finds himself forced to jump back from a counter swing, the Ox King unphased by Goku's assault.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR CRIME OF STEALING THAT BALL!"

"I didn't steal anything! This is my grandpa's treasure and it's all I have left of him."

"Grandpa...?"

"Yeah! My Grandpa Gohan!"

The Ox King lowers his axe tilting the helmet up to reveal a friendly face.

"That tail, that form, and his Power Pole, I've heard of you...! He used to write me letters about a monkey boy he adopted years ago!"

He puts the axe down and bows slightly.

"Sorry for scaring you like that! I have faced many thieves before and even after my mountain caught fire! How is old Gohan doing?"

Goku's shoulders slump with a frown.

"He's dead. A monster crushed him one night and it's just been me ever since. Well, until I met my friends!"

He looks back gesturing to the others. Bulma forces a chuckle out nodding repeatedly.

"Y-Yeah! Yeah, yeah, we're all great friends! Right, Oolong!?"

Oolong follows suit sweating profusely as he hides behind Bulma, who he then tries to grope, only for the blue haired girl to near crack his head open with a punch. Bikini steps out by Goku's side glancing at the flaming mountain.

"How did you know Goku's grandpa...? A-And is there a way to put out the fire?"

The Ox King exclaims happily then.

"We trained under the same master. Master Roshi! There was another guy too, although he wasn't a martial artist, he's a wizard with awesome powers! He's Star Swirl the Bearded!"

Goku perks up with wide eyes.

"That old beardy hermit?! He gave us the Flying Nimbus!"

Goku calls out for the cloud before hopping up in the air and landing on the golden cloud as it flies in. The Ox King points at it in sheer shock!

"T-That belongs to Roshi! Th-Then again, Star Swirl was around first I think..."

He shakes his head and becomes absolutely elated.

"It doesn't matter! With the Nimbus you can fly both of them here to help!"

He then turns to Bikini pointing at her horn.

"Although I'm surprised you use Nimbus at all to get around when you got a Unicorn. Can't you teleport around like Star Swirl can?"

The group all look at each other before looking to Bikini. She stares back wide-eyed.

"T-Teleport...? I can turn into a horse and lift things with my horn, but that's about it! Are you saying, Mr. Star Swirl also has a horn, like me?"

The Ox King nods as he gestures a horn on his own head.

"Yeah! He uses his funny hat to hide it though! He can do practically anything with his magic except fight! But that's why he hangs around Master Roshi, the greatest martial artist on Earth! I'd say he's the strongest man alive! Since you have Nimbus, you can go straight, that way into the ocean. It's a small island with a pink house, you can't miss it!"

That snatches Goku's attention. Immediately, he pulls Bikini up onto the Nimbus.

"I want to meet him! Bikini, you wanted to learn about your horn too, right? That geezer can teach you a lot!"

As the two fly away Bikini stammer and places a hand over her horn.

"I-I never said anything like that before!"

"No, but you always look at it all weird and when you think no one is looking, you try to do stuff with it, like I used to do with my tail and the Power Pole! Grandpa told me being curious is a good step to learning about yourself! So, I figured, if the geezer also has a horn, he can help you learn about yourself!"

Bikini marvels somewhat at Goku's simplistic yet accurate intuition. For most of their journey so far, she and Bulma assumed Goku was a born simpleton, but now she sees he's far smarter than he lets on. That or at the very least, more empathetic.

Chapter Text

It takes a few hours, though they hardly notice as they sang songs to pass the time, Bikini points ahead before Goku can even notice. To him there's but an expansive of blue waves.

"There! I see it! Full speed ahead!"

"You do...? You've got sharp eyes...!"

Sure enough in a few moments, the duo stop shortly above a miniscule island with a single pink house with the words 'Kame House' stamped on it in a cartoon font. They land and are greeted by Turtle! The sea-creature waddles over with a cheerful cry.

"Ah! It's you two again! Thanks again for your help!"

Goku tilts his head looking around.

"Wait... Are you Master Roshi?"

"Oh goodness no!"

Turtle internally had his heart skip in fright. The idea of having to face someone like Goku terrifies him. He lifts a fin to the house.

"Master Roshi is inside. I think he and Master Star Swirl had another argument. It's gotten quiet though, so I think they're done."

Turtle nods before a lightning bolt erupts from inside the building out through a window. Right then, two voices can be heard shouting at each other from inside...

"Damn you! That was my TV! Who do you think you are turning it into an apple!?"

"Apparently your babysitter, you old bastard!"

"You're older than human history you hypocrite! You're more like a nagging wife too!"

"Who'd want to marry a pervert like you that gets off to aerobic movies!? Is that where Phoenix's food money went!?"

"Oh, here we go about the Phoenix, again. I told you I did feed it!"

"Then why hasn't it come back!?"

"Cause it died of food poisoning! I fed it the food YOU got for it anyhow."

"YOU IDIOT! THAT WAS EXPIRED-!"

"QUIT YELLIN' AT ME! UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO, OLD TIMER?!"

"I'll mop the whole island with your beard, you clown!"

Bikini looks to Turtle with a meek expression.

"It sounds rather bad in there... Are they okay?"

Turtle however maintains his genial demeanor and nods.

"They've known each other since I've known them, probably even before then, and they argue a lot but are great friends! In fact, this is one of their tamer arguments!"

A flash of light beams from within the house again followed by a loud boom. Smoke billows out from the house. Two old men walk out with grumpy scowl and smoke-stained beards. Star Swirl walks glaring at another old man shorter than himself. This other man wears a traditional gi with a large turtle shell hanging from his back. Shades hide the gaze of the bald Turtle Hermit as he waves a hand in front of his face.

"Good going, horse face. Now the house smells like rotten apples and farts!"

"You're the fool that thought eating an onion beef bell-pepper burrito for lunch was a good idea. That's your own fart you're complaining about."

Turtle shouts out for them both.

"Masters! Masters, you have visitors!"

Star Swirl looks over grooming the dirt out of his beard before relaxing at the sight of Bikini and Goku.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise. How'd you two find this place?"

Roshi however is glued to Bikini. He leans over to Star Swirl whispering between heavy breaths.

"T-That's...! T-Th-That's the girl you were talking about...?! Y-You didn't say she was so...! So...!"

Star Swirl's eyes begin to glow as he shoots a baleful glare to the hermit.

"If you try anything, I'll turn you into a eunuch."

Roshi waves Star Swirl off as he runs a hand over his smooth bald head.

"Pfft! I can control myself around a mere girl! Watch this."

"Roshi-!"

Star Swirl hisses but Roshi confidently walks up to the two.

"Hee hee hee! Heya sweet cheeks! How'd you like to learn some martial arts from a sexy stallion like mydlefjjfj-"

Roshi is struck on the back of the head so hard his entire head is shoved into the sand by a magical blast from Star Swirl's horn, now on display as his hat rests in his hand.

"Why do I even bother...? Did you two need me for something?"

Goku let's out a chortle of laughter at their antics.

"You two are funny! The Ox King sent us to ask for help! His mountain caught on fire!"

Bikini speaks up next with urgency.

"It's his home and you're his master, er, masters! Right? You should help him!"

Star Swirl only responded with a stoic stare. Roshi pulls his head out of the sand and stumbles back onto his rear.

"What's happening now?"

"Your other student has either set his own house on fire or he's under attack for his wealth. Again. You'll deal with it."

"I'll just give them the Bansho Fan."

"You sold the Bansho Fan to buy that tape you were watching."

Roshi gasps and snaps at Star Swirl.

"What!? Why didn't you stop me?!"

Star Swirl runs over raising his cane to strike Roshi.

"I TRIED TO BUT YOU KEPT SAYING YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE DOING! I thought you'd get it back sometime and then you FORGOT!"

Roshi jumps to his feet and swings his own cane back at Star Swirl, the two elders trading blows like swordsmen in a theatrical battle.

"THEN YOU SHOULDA TAKEN THE INITIATIVE, YOU GOAT FACE!"

"GOAT FACE?! WHY I OUGHT TO-!"

Bikini shouts out as she puts both old men in a bubble of golden light.

"Please! No more arguing! We need your help...!"

Roshi pokes the bubble dispelling it with no effort on his part. Star Swirl turned his bubble blue with his own magic before dispelling it with his horn. Bikini leans back in surprise, never having experienced anyone to resist, let alone outright overcome her powers. Roshi then walks past her and Goku, nodding.

"Alright, alright, I'll help out. I'll go put the fire out myself."

He turns around to face the duo as he holds his hand out.

"Star Swirl will teleport us there! Take my hand!"

Goku points up confused as Roshi's hand gropes Bikini's chest.

"That's not her hand."

Roshi stumbles back with a giggle after being slapped by Bikini. Star Swirl groans walking between the group.

"No need for hand holding. Just put your hand on my shoulder or back and we'll be good to go."

The group huddle around the horned sage before they're taken by a bright light.

When the light dies down, they're right by the Ox King, Bulma, and Oolong. However, there were a few more people there as well, being Yamcha and Paur along with a small girl at his side running to the Ox King.

"Daddy, daddy, I'm back!"

The Ox King scoops her up into a big hug with a relieved sigh.

"There you are, Chi-Chi! I thought I lost you in the fire! Where've you been?"

Yamcha puts on a brave face with his chest puffed out.

"I found her, sir! She said your place caught fire and she got lost looking for a way to put it out! Something about Master Roshi, but I couldn't leave her alone in this dangerous world! ~"

In truth, it was a misunderstanding. Yamcha ended up losing the group and heard Chi-Chi's crying as she was being chased by dinosaur, one she would end up killing by throwing a blade on her helmet and decapitate the beast in one move. Cautious to approach her, he knocked her out after saying hi, not out of malice but out of self-defense as she attempted to take his head off the same way. He would've left her behind had Paur not convinced him to help her for a reward.

Thankfully, she woke up with no memory of Yamcha attacking her, as he knocked her out right as she attacked, and she has a bad habit of fighting with her eyes closed. Yamcha learned just who she was and celebrated with Puar as they knew they'd be in for a reward from the Ox King. That or at the very least be in his good graces.

However, he couldn't believe his eyes when he not only found Oolong, but another beautiful girl, Bulma, by his side. The pig nudges Yamcha with a skeptical look and whispers

"Hey, not to get buddy buddy with ya, but how come you didn't run away or get all bashful with the Ox King's brat?"

"That's easy, bacon strips. I don't have a Lolita Complex."

"I can respect that…!"

Puar rolls his eyes at them both before noticing the new arrivals.

"M-Master Yamcha! It's that monkey boy and the horn girl again! They brought old people with them!"

Star Swirl strokes his beard with a small smirk hidden under the facial hair.

"Hm. Rude kids are far more common these days, don't you think?"

Roshi shakes his head before glancing to Star Swirl.

"You'd know, you're older than dust."

"Shut up and behave yourself."

The Ox King hurries over to his elders in glee! Chi-Chi clinging to him as she hides behind his leg.

"Ooh! Masters! You're here! Are you going to put out the fires?"

Star Swirl nods before he thrusts his cane up near the Ox King's face.

"We'll help but only after you tell us how this happened. If you set your house on fire cooking dinner again, I swear-!"

The Ox King pales shaking his head with hands up.

"N-No sir! I-It was the fire barrier spell you casted!"

"Huh...?"

Star Swirl blinks utterly bewildered by the reveal while the Ox King nods.

"I was checking the area for thieves as usual, but then one of my trees was licked by the flame of the barriers, and it all went downhill from there... I tried what I could and even sent Chi-Chi away hoping she'd be spared if the fire took me with it. Thankfully, I escaped before it got this bad, but I still can't put it out!"

Roshi looks over to the flaming mountain with a huff.

"Hrm... You messed up quite a bit, eh Goat Face? I thought you were a master wizard!"

Star Swirl begins pulling at Roshi by his beard snarling.

"Shut your stupid drooling perverse lips at once or so help me-!"

As the adults talk amongst themselves, Bulma meets up with Bikini and Goku.

"Y-You just showed up out of nowhere...! So, the Ox King is right? That wizard looking guy is like you?"

Bikini nods with a perplexed tone.

"I don't really know how to feel about it. He seems nice enough, and he even gave us the Dragon Ball without a second thought, so I think I should be glad... I don't know about the other one though."

Bulma looks over to Roshi with a face of disgust.

"Gotta give the old wizard this, he's got an air of sagely wisdom, but that other guy...?"

As if on cue or perhaps listening, Roshi practically appears before them both, flexing his arms with a goofy cackle.

"Hey, hey, why don't you two honeybuns help an old man out? Just lift me up onto that there rock, would you?"

The two look to each other displeased before Bikini smiles slyly.

"Yes sir, gladly!"

Roshi begins to giggle perversely until he's surrounded by a golden aura, lifted off ground and placed on the debris of a fallen tower. Star Swirl snickers with the others while Roshi only clears his throat.

"Watch carefully now everyone. Not every day I get to use this bad boy."

The Turtle Hermit takes off his gi to show off an unsurprisingly skinny frame. That is until he flexes with a loud shout, and his body expands, rippling muscles swell with raw might. Veins grow prominent as his now vascular physique begins to glow with unfathomable power. Roshi speaks as he moves slowly, careful and calculated, his comical and sly vulgar manner vanishing completely.

"This is the culmination of years of discipline and dedication! Hard work and growth! This is the greatest technique of the Turtle School, kids! This is the Ka..."

He enters a formal stance with arms wide open, slowly spinning like a clock.

"Me..."

He tenses further as he brings his wrists together, the area beginning to shake around the party.

"Ha..."

He pulls both of his wrists back shuffling his feet to enter a low yet balanced stance.

"Me..."

His hands cupped together as a shimmering ball of white-blue light forms, growing into such a size that it bulges between his fingers like a beast chewing at the bars of its cage! He obliges this ineffable power by throwing his hands out and opening them apart.

"HA!"

A powerful gale near blows the entire party back until Star Swirl creates a barrier, sighing with an unamused expression.

"There he goes showing off again..."

Roshi's technique, the Kamehameha, turns from an immense unstable ball of energy into a focused and perfect streamlined beam of raw power roughly twice the size of the already massive martial artist. It flies without any sign of stopping until it hits the base of the mountain. A deafening boom followed by a blinding light that persists sends the party into a gobsmacked awe. No one can say a word. Not until the light dies away and the sound finally returns to eerie silence. The entire mountain before them is gone, with only a crater in its place, and Roshi shrinking back into the skinny old man without so much a scratch on his shades.

"Whew... There! The fire is out."

The Ox King stumbles over scratching his head with a nervous groan.

"T-Thank you Master Roshi, b-but... You destroyed my mountain too..."

"Oh?"

Roshi turns seemingly not noticing the sheer destruction he wrought. He turns to his student rubbing the back of his head with a bashful cackle.

"O-Oops! I guess I did! I guess I couldn't help myself! Hee hee hee! ~"

The Ox King sighs yet keeps a smile on.

"I'm scared you might have blown up my treasure too... I've got riches elsewhere in a bank but... Where will I build a new home for Chi-Chi now...?"

Star Swirl nudges the gentle giant with his cane.

"Think of this as a lesson for hoarding things like a dragon. I told you before that greed leads to a fall... That aside, I think your wealth is intact, it must've been scattered about though. Look."

Star Swirl holds up the Seven-Star Dragon Ball, along with a decoration of golden accessories on his wrist and arm. He takes them off and hands them to the Ox King.

"These were at my feet when the blast died down. I'm sure the rest around as well. I bet the mountain softened the blow and saved the treasures."

"Ooh! This is great news! Hey, hey kids!"

The Ox King waves to the awestruck party holding out the Dragon Ball.

"You came here for this, right? Here! I've got no real use for this so you can have it!"

Bulma blinks out of her stunned stupor and runs right over to snatch the Dragon Ball with stars in her eyes.

"This is it! We're almost there!"

Bikini looks on with Oolong, the two exclaim in joy.

"We're almost done already! Just one more to go!"

"I thought it'd take longer than this, that's for sure!"

Bikini looks over to Goku, shouting to him.

"Hey, don't wander away too far! What are you even doing over there?"

Goku mimics Roshi's movement verbatim, aiming away from the group, he faces Yamcha's vehicle he unaware it belongs to the bandit.

"Ka... Me... Ha... Me...!"

Roshi takes notice at once before calling out with a mirthful tone.

"Try as you might to look up as someone as cool as me, kid, that technique won't be possible for you until you're as old as me!"

Goku's eyes flash with a light before he thrust his hands out.

"Ha!"

To the absolute shock of all but one, Goku fires a much weaker beam, yet powerful enough to blow the vehicle away and into a boulder where it's smashed into pieces upon impact! Star Swirl grooms his beard looking to Roshi with a condescending tone.

"It would seem to me that he has done the impossible, wouldn't you say?"

Roshi blinks behind his shades before adjusting them as he clears his throat.

"Y-Yes. Well... Beginner's luck! He certainly has some potential though."

The Ox King blurts out abruptly then.

"H-He's Gohan's grandson! If anything, it only makes sense the kid could do it! He's strong enough to go toe to toe with me after all!"

That has Yamcha pale as a ghost. He didn't need to fight the Ox King to know he wasn't a match, yet he and Goku were even when they fought, albeit the boy certainly proved more durable than him. Either he has underestimated the Ox King or there is more to Goku than he thought. One thing is certain though...

"Dammit, you brat! You broke my ride! H-How am I supposed to get around now?!"

Goku tilts his head at him before pointing at the Ox King.

"He's got a lot of stuff, right? Why not ask him?"

Yamcha leans back with his temple near popping.

"W-Why you-! I-I can't ask the Ox King of something like that!"

Chi-Chi however speaks up then.

"Yes, you can! You saved me, right? That means me and Daddy owe you!"

The Ox King stammers and stumbles over his words, but his daughter is right, he'd give up his strength and wealth if it meant Chi-Chi is safe. He gives Yamcha a wave forcing a smile.

"W-Well... It's the least I can do for my savior! If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask!"

Puar's ears perk up at that and whispers to his friend excitedly.

"Master Yamcha, this is the opportunity we've been waiting for! We could live with them instead of robbing people for food in the hot desert!"

Hearing that turned his reluctant mood completely around. He gains a newfound sense of confidence as he sees his luck finally turning around!

"A-Actually, Great Ox King! Could I stay with you? Me and my friend here have been practically homeless for a long time! I-In fact, I could help you with building a new home, that way we're even! S-Sir!"

Bulma looks on with a defeated sigh.

"Darn... We should've taken him along. He's real handsome!"

Oolong rolls his eyes at the narrow-minded girl.

"You're pretty shallow, aren't you? Where's that last Dragon Ball at so I can get away from you freaks!?"

The two start to bicker with each other once more, leaving Bikini to marvel at Goku, the young boy looking down at his hands.

"It was so small compared to the old man... Could Grandpa do that thing too?"

The young Unicorn mumbles to herself.

"I-I've never seen anyone fire beams besides myself before..."

Goku snaps to Bikini, hearing her despite how low her voice had been, a goofy smile beaming from him in excitement.

"Then you can teach me to do it as good as you! I'm not even close to the old man! Bikini, could you show me the ropes?"

"A-Ah-! Sh-Shouldn't you ask Mr. Roshi or Starswirl...?"

Starswirl shakes his head and shouts over to them as he walks over.

"Nonsense! The energy you fire from your horn is similar to that fired from his hands. In fact, I bet you could fire a Kamehameha too. Why don't you try it?"

She steps back shaking her head.

"That kind of power coming from me...?! I-It's too much! Goku's stronger than me so it makes sense he could do it, right?"

Starswirl shakes his head.

"The Kamehameha is not a technique based on physical prowess. If it were, Ox King would be able to use it, but he can barely harness his energy... You however, have been doing it for some time. Go on, give it a try."

Bulma takes notice and steps between the two with a harsh growl for the elder.

"Hey! I don't know what your deal is, but my sister isn't into this kind of thing! She hates violence so that includes your martial arts stuff! Quit trying to make her do things she doesn't want to!"

Star Swirl scratches his cheek leaning back.

"Y-Your sister...? Do forgive my eagerness. I didn't know she found these things, distasteful."

"Of course she does! What kind of young lady wants to learn how to blow up a mountain with her hands?! We have Goku for that!"

Bikini steps from behind Bulma with a reluctant smile.

"A-Actually... I'm not, disinterested. Maybe you could show me what you know about my horn?"

Goku pipes up dragging Oolong over as he had attempted to run off again.

"Oh yeah! That was the other reason we came to find you anyways, geezer! You have a horn so you should know all about it!"

Star Swirl groans at Goku's casual rudeness yet nods.

"Tell you what... When you find all the Dragon Balls, and after you make your wish, why don't you come back to the island you found Roshi and I on?"

Bulma scoffs rolling her eyes, but Bikini responds in surprising delight.

"That works perfectly for us, sir! I promise not to keep you waiting for long!"

Goku snickers with his tail wagging about.

"It's only been a few days anyways! You better be ready for when we show up again! ~"

The bearded sage sighs yet seems mildly content. He watches the party leave and calls out to Roshi.

"Hey! We're headed home now. I'll see you at the house."

Roshi turns to his housemate waddling over with his hand outstretched.

"Ah, it is about time for us to go. Alright, teleport us back alrea-"

There's a flash and Starswirl is gone, leaving Roshi behind several miles away. The balding master grows a vein on his head as he grumbles under his breath.

"I shoulda saw that one coming."

Chapter Text

"Bikini, I'm hungry! We're out of food again!"

Goku pulls at the Unicorn's shirt as he rides on the Nimbus with her.

"Bikini, we need new clothes and a car!"

Bulma shouts as she floats in the air annoyed being handled like a pet, at least in her mind.

"I seriously need to take a piss! I don't care if I gotta do it on a rock or the ground, just let me down, before I piss myself!"

Oolong flails about in a frightened frenzy trying to hold his bladder.

Bikini looks ahead as they fly through a valley! She lets out a sigh of relief as they stop at a small town. Oolong rushes into a store market with Bulma not too far behind him. She turns around at the last second and shouts out to her younger sister.

"We'll meet up here in an hour or so, okay? Try not to get into any trouble!"

Bikini chirps back.

"Try not to get hoodwinked by any handsome men!"

As Bulma leaves rolling her eyes, another voice calls out to Bikini and Goku.

"Hey! Heeeyy! I recognize that face anywhere!"

A man with a strong jaw and victorious grin walks up to them. Bikini immediately recognizes him.

"Mark! Aren't you quite far from West City!"

Mark's big grin grows smug having the prettiest girl he's ever seen remember him. Not that he'll tell her that.

"Glad you remember me! I figured I'd follow your example and go travel the world. So far, been rough, but that's how a martial artist lives!"

Goku speaks up, his curiosity peaked at Mark's self-proclaimed title.

"You're a martial artist too? That's cool! Wanna go a round?"

Mark looks down at Goku and shakes his head.

"Sorry squirt, but I don't do street fights for fun, my fighting style and creed is about serving justice to evildoers!"

He then raises a brow at Goku.

"But uh, who are you? I don't think I ever seen you before."

Bikini gestures to the small boy with a glowing smile.

"This is Goku! He's my bodyguard! He's very strong!"

Mark leans back confused, as the boy before him barely came up to his knee, but now he couldn't help himself but grow curious...

"He's pretty strong, huh? Well maybe he can help me save this town from oppression!"

The two tilted their heads at Mark. The fighter smirks shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah, the town around you seem normal, right? There's a terrible gang that's been terrorizing the poor people here! The horrible Rabbit Gang!"

Goku rubs his belly with a dazed gaze.

"Rabbit sounds pretty tasty right about now."

Mark gives another side glance to the monkey boy.

"These guys are rotten to the core, and they make me sick! They go from town-to-town terrorizing people for a few days before moving on to the next one! I've been fighting against these no-good villains since yesterday! Almost beat them too!"

Bikini narrows her eyes as she grows serious.

"If they're here then we have to stop them! Don't you think so too, Goku? ... Goku...?"

Bikini looks around as Mark rubs his chin flabbergasted. Goku seemingly vanished from thin air.

"I-I didn't even see him move... How did he get away so fast?"

"There he is!"

Goku sits at an open café eating away plate after plate of food. Bikini has gotten a little used to him being able to swallow loads of meals in mere moments. Mark however can't believe that such a small body can practically shovel gallons of protein down his throat as if it were water. Mark, unable to look away, points at the monkey boy as he asks Bikini.

"H-How long has it been since he's eaten...?"

"About four hours ago. He always eats like that, and he always has room to eat more..."

Bikini then goes to sit by him and even gestures for Mark to sit with them. Reluctantly, he does so, even being convinced to order something himself before speaking up again.

"By the way... You and your sister were looking for the Dragon Balls, right? You find anymore?"

Goku swallows a big gulp and beams at the teenager as he holds up his Four Star Ball.

"I keep mine in my shirt! Bulma has the rest!"

Bikini shakes her head holding up the Seven Star Ball.

"I keep the one we got from the Ox King with me. Just in case something happens."

Mark's eyes nearly bug out his head upon hearing the name.

"O-Ox King...?! You guys met with the King of Fire Mountain and lived!? He's a brutal legend in the world of martial arts, and the second of only two men to learn under Muten Roshi, t-the strongest man on Earth!"

Both simply nod with Bikini gesturing to Goku.

"We know. Goku's grandfather was Son Gohan."

"We met Master Roshi too! He blew up a mountain! It was so cool when he showed this off!"

Goku hops out of his chair and aims ahead at the vacant street as he enters the stance for the Kamehameha.

"Kamehameha!"

Goku fires a more powerful beam than he had summoned before, pushing his arms and shoulders back from the force, but in his excitement, he hadn't noticed the oncoming car with rabbit ears on the roof. The Kamehameha sends the car off-road and spinning out of control into a wall. Goku looks at the scene tilting his head.

"Where'd that rabbit come from?"

Mark and Bikini look on horrified. Mark especially caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

"T-T-That was-! That's-! The Kamehameha?! I thought only Muten Roshi could do something like that!"

Bikini runs over to the car using her magic to open the car up and bring out the driver. A rabbit man in a Chinese kempo stumbles out with Bikini helping him out the car.

"Ooh my head... Thank you, lady. I'll reward you for this kindness."

"Please, try not to move too much if it hurts. Look at that big bump on your head...!"

He puts a hand over the large bruise before adjusting his cracked shades with a scoff.

"Oh that? No, that was earlier this morning. Some crazy lunatic attacked me-"

Rabbit looks up with eyes bugging out behind his shades as he sees Mark just across the street. He points at him shouting.

"That lunatic right there! G-Get me away from him, he'll try to kill me!"

"Get back from that freak, he's the guy I told you about!"

Bikini looks between the two caught in conflict. Goku however, takes out his Power Pole and extends it to swing down on the Rabbit's head.

"O-Ow! What the hell!?"

"You're the evil rabbit that's been terrorizing the town, right?"

Rabbit begins to sweat nervously before sighing in disgruntled anger... Then, chuckling, as Bikini turns into a carrot without warning. Mark and Goku both reel back in sheer shock as the Rabbit laughs.

"S-Should've known you'd have annoying back up...! First you hospitalized my men and now you destroy my car! I'll get you for this, Hercule!"

Goku looks to Mark confused as he points his staff at the Rabbit.

"... Oh! So, you're the evil guy causing trouble? You're pretty weak... Turn Bikini back to normal or else I'll turn you into rabbit soup!"

Mark thumbs to himself with a boisterous shout.

"And I'll help boil you alive if you don't comply!"

Rabbit begins to sweat profusely with his back against the wall. Mark did a real number on his men, but he still had the advantage, as long as he had a hostage.

"You two can't do anything to me right now. I'll just snap this carrot in half if you even take one step closer! What'll happen to the poor girl after that? Even if you kill me, she'll stay a carrot forever!"

Mark, and even Goku, both grit their teeth in begrudging silence. Mark has some tricks up his sleeve, but he can't risk Bikini's life. Goku has never had to deal with such a cowardly and conniving figure before. Completely out of options, they are forced to lower their stances as the Rabbit laughs in victory.

That is until Goku extends the Power Pole into the Rabbit's face.

"Ugh-! You little! ...? I warned you-! Aghk?!"

He opens his mouth to bite down on the carrot, but gags as the red wood of the Power Pole is forced into the back of his throat instead. From shock, surprise and disgust, the Rabbit drops the carrot as he falls to his knees. Goku repeatedly swings his staff beating the sly conman.

"As long as I don't touch you, then I can beat you, and I won't stop beating you until you return her back to normal!"

"Ow! Ah! S-Stop! I-I'll-! Ow! Agh! Okay! I'll do it!"

Goku ceases his beating yet keeps the Power Pole raised as the Rabbit stands weakly before doing a strange dance. In a puff, Bikini returns to normal, blinking in surprise before she quickly hops to her feet in a gasp.

"Ah! I-I was! Helping someone before I couldn't see or hear anything! What a terrible feeling..."

Goku raises his staff ready for any more tricks the Rabbit may have had left, but the furry gangsters passes out from exhaustion and stress, prompting Goku to tilt his head in surprise.

"This guy was way weaker than Oolong, and even more annoying. We're not taking him with us, are we?"

Bikini shakes her head as she and Goku start to walk away.

"No way. I was going to scold you about firing beams recklessly, but it turned out for the better. Let's go find Bulma and Oolong."

Mark, left alone with the unconscious criminal, uses his belt to restrain the Rabbit and brings him into the town center for all to see. For the first time in his life he's celebrated as a hero...

Oolong grumbles as he drives the party down a desolate road surrounded by giant mushrooms. Some the size houses, others even as tall as skyscrapers!

"We coulda bought a whole new car instead of using my mobile home..."

Bulma adjusts her clothes with a disgruntled huff.

"Because we're low on funds and you had this on you the entire time! When are you going to stop being so selfish?"

Oolong shouts from the driver’s seat indignantly.

"YOU'RE MORE SELFISH THAN ME!"

Goku gulps a large mound of food down before speaking up. Something he learned from Bikini to do as she'd scold him each time he spoke with his mouth full.

"You're both pretty selfish, really."

Oolong growls looking ahead before a new sight distracts him from his constant suffering.

"Hey... Is there someone in the road? What're they thinking!? They'll get ran over by some nut job!"

"What's a nut job?"

"Shut up, Goku!"

Ahead stands a muscular giant of a man with a broad frame and stoic cold face. Piercing ice blue eyes that contrast the deep scarlet mohawk. He looks off to the side, atop one of the giant mushrooms is a woman in a military coat and rocket launcher in hand, and a dog in a ninja gi. She waits until the giant nods for her fire the rocket! It hits the side of the van sending the party right off the road!

Oolong lays in the driver's seat out cold with Bulma laid out on the window due to the vehicle now being set on its side. Bikini comes to in time to see Goku look around confused.

"What just happened? Did Oolong crash into that person? Does that make him a nut job?"

"Goku, w-why don't you go look outside? I think we're being attacked..."

Goku raises his Power Pole in the air triumphantly.

"On it! I'll beat them up!"

Goku leaps out of the windshield and heads out for the road but is stopped short by the quiet giant. The two stare each other down until Goku readies his staff.

"Did you attack us?"

The man nods.

"Yes. I am Gebo. I will be taking your life now."

"I don't plan on giving it to you! Power Pole, extend!"

The red staff shoots out like a bullet for Gebo. He surprises Goku by not just catching it with his palm, but doing so with no effort, not even leaning back as Goku pushes with all his might. However, unable to move the red head, the Power Pole extends backwards! Pushing Goku away and into a boulder! It crumbles and crashes on top of him upon impact.

Goku pulls himself out of the rubble looking up to see Gebo holding the Power Pole out.

"Extend."

The staff does as its new master commands and fires off once more to attack Goku! Goku narrowly dodges out of the way, leaping forward in a single bound, a fist ready to send this thief flying.

"Take this!"

The fist is parried by Gebo as he swings his off hand to the punch, leaving Goku open for another swing, this time he's sent hurtling down to the ground so hard that he bounces off the ground. Gebo takes this chance to kick the boy back to the wrecked van. He tosses the Power Pole away and folds his arms.

"Please stop. It will hurt less for us both if you let this happen."

Goku stands to his feet grunting before running for Gebo with his fists up once more.

"Like I'll let myself be killed! Rock!"

Goku punches with all his might, which is met with Gebo's own punch. The giant raises his brows feeling a sharp pain run through his fists, but as far as Goku is aware his attack failed, this man is way too tough... But he must keep trying!

"Scissors!"

With Gebo so close now, Goku tries to poke his eyes with two fingers with his own off hand, yet Gebo catches them between his own fingers and grabs Goku's previous offending fist.

"No more."

Gebo goes to headbutt Goku, which the young boy retaliates with his own, the two bashing their skulls against each other repeatedly to the point that blood is drawn from both. Eventually, Goku lifts his leg to kick Gebo in the chin and free himself, a delirious smile on his face as he watches the adult stumble back just as disoriented as himself.

"... You hit harder than anyone I've ever faced... But no one has a harder head than me!"

Gebo frowns, not an angry scowl nor an annoyed glare, but a saddened face.

"So it would seem, Saiyan."

"Huh...? Saiyan? That's not my name!"

"Your name is Goku. I will be sure to write that above your epitaph."

"I-I don't know what that is either but...!"

Goku grits his teeth unable to say more without getting angrier, but his Grandpa's words of wisdom and lessons slowly return to him, if one means of attack doesn't work then try another.

"You won't win this! Get ready to lose!"

He edges towards Gebo with careful steps... The slightest twitch, the most subtle of breathing, Goku looks for any and all tells he can for the next attack.

Gebo simply waits until Goku is close enough before entering his own stance, his right hand blurs in the eyes of Goku, who is grazed on his cheek after tilting his head in the nick of time to avoid a jab to the nose. A few more close calls as Gebo continues to send relentless jabs for the smaller fighter until Gebo's head tilts up from an uppercut.

"Guh!"

Goku snickers until he is winded from a swift kick to the gut. Gebo shot his foot out shortly after falling back from the punch and sent Goku once more flying away. He now lands into the van leaving a Goku-shaped dent into the wreckage. Goku gets up as well, but even slower with harsh breathing, cheeks swollen and a bump growing over his eye. His gi ruined and his arms feel like lead.

Even blocking in their previous exchange hurt badly for the young fighter, and he truly was giving it his all, but nothing was working.

That's when it hit him. One last technique up his sleeve. He cups his hands together and forces himself to gather what little reserve energy he had left.

"K-Ka... Me... Ha... Me...!"

Gebo glares ahead unsure of what Goku could be plotting... Until an old memory surfaces. That night that led him to right here. A power of legend he had never seen before nor after until now.

"When did you learn to-?!"

"HA!"

Goku unleashes the powerful beam ahead right for Gebo. Gebo can barely react in time, unable to move to dodge, he brings his arms up blocking the attack as it sends him hurtling to the base of one the larger mushrooms in the area. A house sized fungus collapses falling to the side and brings up a thick dust cloud. When it dies down, Gebo stands with the sleeves of his uniform burnt away with severe burns on his arms.

"L-Lieutenant Gebo! You're alive after that!? I mean thank goodness, but how!? Th-That was similar power to my missile!"

Gebo looks to the side as his associates, the woman and the dog, approach in their car. He looks ahead to see Goku, beaten and utterly exhausted, passed out from exerting all his energy into a last ditch effort. He can tell the others have either passed out or perhaps even died from the initial crash alone. He sighs shaking his head.

"Mai. Shu. Take any survivors to Emperor Pilaf's Castle. Take the Dragon Balls they have collected too. I shall report back to the Red Ribbon Army."

The ninja dog, Shu, holds up a bag proudly.

"Already done, sir! Er, halfway! Shouldn't you take the Dragon Balls?"

Gebo raises his hands to show the burns much to the squeamish displeasure of the duo.

"I am unable to be trusted with such valuables in this condition. I must receive treatment soon. However, I must be certain of one thing. Mai, hand me your pistol."

The woman blinks at the request before obeying.

"H-Here sir! What would you need a gun to be sure of?"

Gebo, with gun in hand, marches over to Goku's body and turns the body from face down to face up with a gentle kick.

"The safety of this entire world."

He takes aim and fires right for Goku's heart. He returns the pistol to Mai with a solemn tone.

"It is cruel world we live in that to achieve our goal, people must die, even if they are monsters."

He turns to walk away but stops facing the duo.

"Ah yes. One of the girls has strange powers as well. The information on which is vague, so I leave that discretion to you. Take care."

Gebo now leaving Mai and Shu to take the others, the two look at each other confused when they happen upon Bikini and Bulma, unaware of the younger sister's horn as a hat had fallen over it in the crash. After a game of Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, they leave with their hostages except, unaware that Goku continued to breathe even if weakly...

Hours would pass and Goku would wake up to a deep orange sky, and someone calling out to him...

"H-Hey! Monkey Boy! D-Don't go dying on me yet! C'mon kid, wake up!"

Mark helps Goku up by his torn gi pale as a ghost. Goku weakly opens an eye looking to Mark.

"W-Where's...? Bulma? B-Bikini? Oolong?"

"We'll worry about that later! Y-You got beaten to crap and even shot! Good thing that ball saved you by stopping the bullet!"

"Huh?"

Goku looks down at Mark's hand holding the Four-Star Dragon Ball.

"Grandpa's treasure saved me...? He's.. He really is still with me...! I can't give up now...!"

Goku stands on his own forcing himself through the pain and glares towards the wrecked van. He rummages through it while Mark voices his confusion.

"Hey-! Hey! Don't move around all suddenly! Your head is busted, and you can't even see out your left eye!"

"Then I'll cut the bump and get the blood out!"

"H-Huh...!?"

"I don't have time to wait for it to go away. That's what Grandpa taught me to do if I need both eyes in a hurry! I need to save my friends!"

Mark is stunned. He saw how strong this kid is, even clever, yet to be beaten so bad and continue... It was utter insanity. Foolishness. However, it is also admirable, and Mark couldn't find it in himself to abandon Goku.

"Alright, Monkey Boy, we can use my car to get around! What're you looking for?'

Goku holds the Dragon Radar hidden under toppled pillows.

"This! That bad guy that took everyone must have the Dragon Balls, so we can use the radar to find them!"

"Not just the Dragon Balls... But our friends too!"

Goku tilts his head at Mark but smiles as he remembers.

"Oh yeah! You knew Bikini too! Let's get going!"

Bikini wakes up rubbing her eyes groaning.

"Why is the bed so hard...? Ah! Wait a second!"

She jumps to her feet looking around at the stone walls the surround her. Oolong sits in the corner waving at her.

"Yo. We got kidnapped."

Bikini gasps and starts searching the room.

"T-There must be a way out! Help me find it!"

Oolong points above at a vent.

"We got air but, that's about it. Haven't you noticed anything else though? Your sister isn't here with us!"

Bikini stops dead in her tracks before she grows pale.

"N-Neither is Goku...! Did they get away? They might be out getting help!"

Oolong shrugs and lays on his back.

"Then all we gotta do is wait! That Goku, he's hardheaded, but he's also real strong and dependable. I bet there's no one on the planet that could stop him!"

"As much as I'd like to believe you, we wouldn't be here unless Goku... I hope he's okay wherever he is."

She then turns to a wall as her horn begins to glow brightly from under the hat.

"I'll try and get us out of here, Oolong. Keep an eye out for anything weird!"

Oolong jumps to his feet eager as he watches Bikini slowly drill a hole through the stone with her magic.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but Thank God for your freaky magic powers!"

In another room, Bulma wakes up herself behind a glass wall.

"Wh-Where am I?"

"Had a good nap, girl? I am Emperor Pilaf, the ruler of this castle and soon-to-be King of the World! I heard about the Dragon Balls and see you've collected six out of seven... Would you happen to know where the last one is? If you I refuse, I'll have no choice but to force you to cower, to quake beneath my towering power!"

Bikini jumps at the voice as Mai and Shu walk out in front of the other side of the wall, with their leader in front, a tiny man with pointy ears and blue skin. Bulma looks at him and points.

"But I'm twice your size..."

The midget leans back with a clenched jaw before raising his voice.

"SHUT UP! You will address me as Emperor Pilaf! You'll also be a guest at my castle for some time now."

Bulma looks around now able to see most of the room.

"There sure are a lot of consoles and screens... This is more like a laboratory than a castle!"

Pilaf laughs haughtily gesturing to a screen with Oolong and Bulma on it.

"There are many rooms all with a specified purpose and theme! Take for instance this dungeon your friends are in! With one button I could crush them with the walls closing in! And that glass cell should stop you from using your odd powers!"

Bulma tenses up and throws herself to the glass in a vain attempt to stop the blue devil.

"What!? You can't-! Please, don't hurt them!"

Pilaf snickers until he sees Bulma panic turn to a smug sneer.

"That's what you'd like me to say, right pint-size? As if! Look at the screen yourself!"

Pilaf grows red with embarrassment.

"P-Pint-Size...?! Why you...! Who do you think you are!? Nyeeh! ~"

Pilaf sticks his tongue out at her, to which she responds in kind with her own.

"Jokes on you, you blue dimwit! I'm not the one with powers!"

Pilaf steps back in surprise before looking back to the screen. Bikini can be seen creating a hole in the wall with her horn. Pilaf snaps at his henchmen with his face turning red.

"H-How could you dolts make a mistake like this!? This is unacceptable!"

Mai and Shu lower their heads fearfully.

"W-We're sorry, my lord!"

"She had a hat on a-and everything! We didn't see a horn so we just... Guessed?"

Pilaf groans rolling his eyes before looking to another screen in annoyance.

"Oh, now who are these two clowns?!"

Bulma gasps in delightful surprise before snickering smugly. Goku and Mark pull up in front of the castle looking determined.

"That's my bodyguard, Son Goku! You'd be wise to let me and my sister go! And the pig too!"

Pilaf scowls pointing to Goku.

"I heard that our Red Ribbon partner killed him but he's still here...?"

Mai's face becomes snow white upon seeing the boy still alive.

"Lieutenant Gebo shot him...! I saw it myself! He even beat the kid half to death!"

Shu nods repeatedly as his tail tucks between his legs.

"B-Boss that kid may have lost to Mr. Gebo but he's no joke! H-He has crazy powers too!"

Pilaf grins and waddles over to a stool.

"Then it is a good thing that an Emperor like myself has an army for this sort of thing. Thirty men should be more than enough!"

He then stands there for a prolonged moment before coughing loudly. Mai and Shu look at each other, then to Bulma, who only shrugs in confusion. Pilaf then turns around shouting loudly.

"I CAN'T REACH THE MICROPHONE YOU DOLTS, HELP ME UP!"

The henchmen quickly hustle to their emperor's side and hoist him atop the stool. Bulma looks at the screens with worry. She's never seen Goku in such a state, and Bikini looks to have made little progress.

"C'mon you two..."

Goku hops off the Nimbus as Mark gets out of his car staring at the floating cloud in disbelief.

"Geez, to think stuff like that is real...! And get a gander at this castle!"

Goku and Mark eye the large structure before them. The boy holds up the Dragon Radar and nods before pocketing it.

"They're here. If my friends aren't here, then at least the Dragon Balls will be, and I can use them wish for everyone to be safe with them."

Mark rolls his head and arms nodding.

"So either way it's a win! That doesn't sound too bad! Look, they're even opening the door for us!"

A large platoon of masked men run out into the front yard, immediately surrounding the two, and making Mark sweat with fear.

"A-Although I guess we aren't exactly welcomed here, huh...?"

Goku enters his fighting stance looking past the group.

"It doesn't matter how many there are! Never again... I won't lose ever again, not until I find my friends, they're counting on me!"

Mark looks to Goku in sheer shock... And admiration. Unable to stomach the idea of being shown up by a mere child, Mark enters his own stance.

"Then let's get busy! You hear that you punks?! Here we come!"

Chapter Text

"Retreat! Retreat!"

Only three of the masked soldiers have the strength to stand, two helping their comrades that are still awake flee within the castle, only five men successfully get away while twenty-five fully grown and trained man lie on the ground unconscious. Mark, who suffers only minor bruises and dirt stains on his clothes, stands straight with his head held high laughing in an uproar.

"Gyahahaha! ~ That's right! You better run! And give us our friends back too!"

Goku remains in a fighting stance and shouts.

"We'll beat anyone you send our way, so you better just give up now!"

Inside, watching in a mix of fear and fury, Pilaf watches the pitiful display of his men being made into toys of two mere kids.

"They're just a monkey brat with a red stick and a stupid teenager with a head too big for his shoulders! How can my army be so incompetent!"

Pilaf snaps his fingers and is carried by Shu, who lifts the stool the emperor stands on, over to a computer console. Pilaf sneers as he starts typing away.

"If my idiot men cannot handle these intruders then my machines will! Go, Pirate Robot Mark Two!"

Pilaf presses a large button and grins as he looks up at the screen.

Goku and Mark start to make their way inside, but Goku jumps back pulling Mark along by the belt, saving him from being filled with lead as a line of bullets stops them from entering. From above, hanging on the castle towers and walls like gargoyles, large machines with long skulls and weapons for hands zero in on the duo. The front doors of the castle slam shut as the androids all jump from their perch and to the ground.

Mark's eyes nearly bug out of his sockets at the sight of the terrifying contraptions.

"Pirate Robots?! Just one enough to kill an entire army unit! We're out of our league here, kid! I'm not exactly bulletproof!"

Goku takes his Power Pole and begins to spin it as he holds it forward. The Pirate Robots all fire away, yet despite the powerful rounds, not one bullet makes their mark as Goku deflects them all!

"These things look tough... But I'll prove tougher! Power Pole, Extend!"

Goku holds out his staff in one hand and swings with great effort as he bisects quite a few Pirate Robots. Mark can only stare in awe before Goku brings him back to reality, by throwing him right into the locked doors, having made an opening with the initial attack. Mark's tough frame breaks through the sturdy wood, although the martial artist tumbles with a series of grunts and groans, standing to his feet as he shouts at Goku.

"Just whaddya think you're trying to do, you maniac?! You nearly killed me!"

"I'll hold these guys off! You go ahead!"

"Huh...? B-But those things'll tear you to shreds!"

A Pirate Robot slides up to Goku, their feet being able to switch between talons and feet with treads, swings down its sword for the boy only for him to block it. Goku pushes the blade back and swings at it, breaking the weapon and destroying the skull in one fell swoop.

"I said I'll never lose again when my friends are in danger! Bulma is really smart, Oolong always makes me laugh, and Bikini teaches me a lot that isn't fighting! If I lose them..."

Three more surround him, each swing their blades with calculated speed and precision to dice any man into pieces, yet Goku evades them all with ease as he swings his staff to break their limbs off and destroy their skulls with graceless style. Like a monkey fighting for its life.

"It'll be like losing Grandpa all over again! I won't let that happen!"

Unaware to Goku, Bikini and Oolong have escaped and were hiding behind a pillar. Oolong himself looks on in surprise.

"He always seems like he didn't really care and was just along for the ride... I can't tell if I should be flattered or worried for the poor snot."

Bikini brings a hand to her chest with a heavy heart as she watches Goku fight desperately. Though he dominates the robotic foes, they simply come without end from the castle towers, replacing every one that is destroyed. She isn't sure how or why, and frankly she could care less for the reason, for all that matters is that she can feel Goku's exhaustion. He is wounded, he is starving, and he hasn't gotten any proper rest. He's running on fumes.

"We have to help him!"

Oolong stands in her way with his hands out.

"Hey! For once I agree with you, against my better judgement, but seriously!? What can we do?"

"We have to help Goku and Mark at the same time... I know! We can guide Goku and Mark through the castle to find Bulma! We just need to get him out of that crowd!"

Oolong grows a tic mark on his head and gestures to the ever-present robot army.

"Nice of you to come up with a plan, but we'll get skewered trying to free that blockhead! I'm grateful for the brat but I ain't suicidal!"

"It won't be suicide if we transform... I can speed right through and grab Goku and you can turn into something small and unnoticeable... I'll give you an opening!"

The pig sighs pointing to a small hole in the wall they crawled out of.

"No offense, Bikini, but your magic isn't exactly powerful enough to send these guys off their feet! You barely made a hole big enough for yourself to escape!

Bikini sweats a little at the remark. However, she steps from behind the pillar and enters a low stance.

"Then I'll have to try something else! Please body, don't fail me now...!"

Bikini focuses her sight on the Robot Pirates as she focuses her energy through her emotions, as she always has, yet now she struggles trying to send the flow into her hands. Her horn glows brighter and brighter with a different energy, familiar yet unique from the magic she so often used, harsher and far less focused. A bright ball begins to form in her cupped hands that soon grows too big for her fingers to contain the immense energy.

She remembers that Star Swirl said she should be able to use this technique. Mark had taught her that there's nothing wrong with fighting for others. Even with her own distaste for violence, this is no time for pacifism, it truly is do or die.

A Pirate Robot zooms right over to her having scanned a new heat signature rising exponentially. Bulma, watching from her cell having heard Goku's desperate cry, now pounds against the glass wall in vain to get to her sister. Oolong shouts in surprise hoping that Bikini would stop her attempt to dodge the incoming blade. Goku watches in slow motion as Bikini is about to be cut down despite all his efforts.

At the last moment, Bikini thrusts her hands out for the Pirate Robot.

"KAMEHAMEHA!"

A blinding flash of light followed by the entire castle shuddering. All Pilaf can see on his screen is static. He knocks against the screen with his balled fist.

"What the-!? It went out! What's going on out there!?"

Mai stands at another console and realizes something frightening for her.

"T-The cameras sir! They've been destroyed! All but the interior and backyard entrance."

"WHAT?!"

Bulma looks on in hope. Optimism has never been her thing, but she saw it herself, the untapped power of her sister is capable of anything.

Goku couldn't believe his eyes. It was on instinct upon seeing Bikini unleash her own Kamehameha that he used the Power Pole to push himself high into the air. Her energy expanded on a level like Master Roshi himself, utterly vaporizing the Pirate Robots, and shaking the castle so much that its foundation began to crumble upon itself.

Mark miraculously found himself unharmed under the safety of the interior of the castle, yet saw the whole thing, leaving his jaw on the ground in absolute shock.

"Is this a nightmare or a dream...?"

All eyes slowly return to a panting Bikini. The horned girl falls to her knees with a groan.

"T-Too much energy..."

Goku hurries to her side with the biggest smile on his face.

"Bikini! That was so cool! Yours is way bigger than mine!"

He helps her stand on her own and she looks around dizzy.

"Was it...? I had my eyes closed... Are they all gone?"

Oolong waddles over finally calming down from the intense display of power.

"You nearly blew us all to kingdom come! Sheesh, be careful next time, what if you hit the castle!?"

Bikini's eyes shoot open and her head snaps to the castle.

"That's right! Bulma is still in there!"

Goku holds up the Dragon Radar.

"Along with the Dragon Balls!"

Oolong groans taking charge as he walks ahead of the two.

"May as well kill two birds with one stone..."

Goku tilts his head at the pig.

"You're not going to run away?"

Bikini also blinks with wide eyes.

"It isn't like either of us could stop you right now..."

Oolong grits his teeth before shouting back at the two.

"Quit your yapping! You think I haven't tried already?! It's just... Tch! Really hard to leave you guys alone now after all we've been through. I may as well see this through by now!"

Goku snickers pointing at him.

"I knew you liked us!"

Mark then shouted at the group from within the castle entrance.

"There could be more any second, you three! C'mon!"

"Waaahh! My sister could be dead! I can't handle this kind of stress!"

Bulma wails from inside her cell but her cries fall on deaf ears. Pilaf had turned the microphone inside her cell off to spare himself from her sobbing. He looks between his two subordinates angrily.

"Have you two made the call yet?"

Mai nods after swallowing a gulp.

"Yessir! The Red Ribbon Army received and answered our distress call! Lieutenant Gebo is returning shortly within a few hours!"

Pilaf sighs shaking his head.

"Better him then that jerk, Tao or Blue. Bring up the interior cameras! If they made it inside, then we'll trap them!"

Shu points to a screen and exclaims in shock.

"B-But sir, look! They're running past them all...! O-On...!?"

Pilaf himself could feel his eyes practically shoot out of his head, yet Bulma looks on with great relief and glee, as Bikini turned herself into a horse and speeds down the hallways carrying everyone on her back. Although inaudible, Bulma changes her tune on a dime, laughing in jubilation much to the silent ire of the emperor. Pilaf shakes himself out of his stunned stupor and barks his orders.

"Then activate one ahead of time! They're headed for the reinforced microwave trap! We'll stop them dead in their tracks, wait for sunrise, and that glass ceiling above will cook them alive until they turn to bones!"

"Yessir!"

Bikini skids to a stop in a metallic hallway. Goku and the others hop from her back. Ahead of them is a solid steel wall. Goku and Mark attack it, but Goku shakes his head holding the Power Pole, whereas Mark held his now bruised hand.

"Not even my Power Pole can break this..."

"W-Why did I think punching a metal wall was a good idea!?"

Oolong shouts pointing behind them as the way back vanishes.

"Another wall just slid up from the ground! We're trapped... Again!"

Bikini transforms back into her human form and rubs her horn before firing a magical blast to the walls. However, it nary made a dent.

"I-I... I can't use my magic too well either. That Kamehameha took a lot out of me."

She falls to her knees and sits on the ground. Goku sits next to her sighing himself.

"I'm way too hungry to try one myself. It's real bright in here too."

Oolong pats one of the walls down searching for any exit through an opening or even a vent.

"There's that glass window up above. You can see the full moon pretty easily from here."

Mark does the same on another wall.

"Full moon, huh? With how this room looks, we'll be in trouble when the sun rises."

Goku looks up past the window at the full moon. His tail idly dancing about.

"You know... My grandpa died on a full moon. A monster is supposed to show up every time there is one, but I never found it. I always black out every time I looked at the sky. Actually, I never really got to see the moon be full before because grandpa wouldn't let me."

Bikini nods trying to empathize.

"You were alone for a long time but- Wait. W-What was that about you and the moon...?!"

Oolong slowly turns to Goku with sweat starting to pour down his brow.

"H-Hold up, if I'm putting two and two together then...!"

Mark looks between the two still unaware of the approaching danger.

"Hey, piggy! What's with you? You look ghost white! You too, Bikini! We'll find a way out of here, right Monkey Boy!"

Mark tries to laugh the intense tension away but soon finds the source of their shared dread. Goku's tail goes stiff with the fur standing on end, his eyes turn a bright red as his face shows great surprise and discomfort, his heart pounds with such force that it can be heard throughout the room. Bikini shakes him trying to calm him down.

"G-Goku! Son Goku! T-Try to hang in there for us-!"

Mark and Oolong pull her away from him as he begins to grow exponentially in size.

"Why does the weird crap always happen to me...?!"

"So…! He's a monkey werewolf!? And WE JUST FIND THIS OUT?!"

Goku's body ripples in musculature as he increases in size, his clothes tear away with the Four Star Dragon Ball falling onto the ground, even his face stretches out to form a snarling muzzle with fur growing over his body. He breaks through the glass ceiling, and many other walls of the castle, his tail lashes about destroying one of the metal walls keeping the trio in captivity. Bikini, after using her magic to snatch the Dragon Ball, turns back into a horse and carries the two away down the collapsing corridor.

"We still have to find Bulma!"

Oolong points ahead to a hole outside.

"If we stay in here any longer then we'll be pancakes!"

Mark hops off and starts running ahead.

"I'll find her! You two get to safety, NOW!"

Much to her dismay, Bikini relents, and flees with Oolong outside.

Mark continues sprinting down the crumbling hallways with his heart racing madly.

"Oh man, oh God, oh God, oh man how'd I end up in a bad place like this...! Please, if there really is a God up above, get me out of here with that girl-! Huh?"

Unaware to Mark as he ran about randomly, he finds himself following... Something. He can feel himself being moved in the right direction, despite the ever-changing foreign layout that falls apart around him, as if guided by an unknown hand... He finds Bulma abandoned in her cell, the poor girl pounding away helplessly against the glass wall.

"Hiyah!"

Mark strikes the glass himself and breaks it with ease, freeing Bulma as he takes her hand and points to a window.

"No time to explain, we gotta go! Now!"

"Way ahead of you!"

The two leap out of the window and onto the ceiling of a lower floor, the ground around them falling away as Goku rampages through the castle. Bulma hops and clings onto Mark as tight as she can shouting in his ear.

"Waagh! What is going on here!? Get me outta here, RIGHT NOW!"

"I'M WORKING ON IT!"

Mark stumbles and hops between growing gaps, showing great agility, and even greater luck as they miraculously make their way to the ground. The falling towers and falling debris nearly act as stairs for the two as they scream their heads off.

Eventually, a mistake had to be made, but just as they're about to fall they float in a golden bubble safely to the ground. Bikini and Oolong both show great relief. The sisters hug each other tightly.

Bulma wails with tears streaming down her cheeks while Bikini pats her back.

"Bikiniiiiiiiii! I wanna to go home!"

"I'm just glad you're safe! Thank goodness!"

Oolong nudges Mark with a sly smirk.

"No offense, but you really showed us what for! I was sure you'd end up crushed or something!"

Mark, after calming down from the constant near-death experience with every step he had just taken, throws his head back in boisterous laughter.

"When I say I'm gonna do something, I do it! I couldn't let the world be without such a pretty girl anyhow!"

Bulma stops crying at once as her head snaps to Mark in a mix of stunned praise and a slight blush on her face.

"You know exactly what to say to a girl! I might not need those dumb Dragon Balls after all."

Before the group can properly relax, a deafening roar reminds them of Goku's monstrous state, especially as the earthquakes around them with each step he takes to them. Oolong steps back shivering in place.

"Can't believe this is how I'm gonna die..."

Mark has a broken smile on his face as he watches the Giant Ape raise a foot to crush them all.

"T-This was one crazy dream but... I'll wake up soon, yeah...? Y-Yeah! Any second now...!"

Bulma points ahead with lingering hope.

"B-Bikini! You can make a shield to stop that, right!?

Bikini nods holding her hands out. The shimmering golden barrier made from her horn cracks under the weight of Goku's stomping. It holds, but more and more cracks form with each stomp. Bikini lowers herself with each attack blocked.

"Goku...! This isn't you! You worked so hard to find us, to save us... Please, Goku!"

Her horn shines brighter than ever with a desperate power flowing into it. All that she had left, her emotions and power, tears in her eyes as she cried out in a last ditch effort.

"PLEASE REMEMBER WHO WE ARE! WHO YOU ARE!"

Bikini erupts in a pulse of unparalleled power. While the group remained mostly unaffected, they were starstruck to find Goku frozen in place, but more frightening is the scene in the sky. The moon itself set far faster than it had any right to, and the Sun flew right into the sky, turning night into day in an instant! Goku, paralyzed in a golden layer of magic, soon began to shrink in size until he returned to normal. He lays out on the open sandy ground unconscious.

Bulma blinks before falling on her knees with her shoulders slumped.

"I can't believe that worked...! Bikini! Y-You saved us all!"

Mark throws Oolong in the air, to which the pig couldn't be any happier with just being alive, let alone in one piece.

"Ahahaha! W-We made it, we actually made it out alive, porky! Hahahaha!"

"I ain't ever going on another adventure again after this! I'm good and done with the excitement! Forever!"

Bikini pants having spent all she had, yet a smile grows on her face as Goku sits up, her magic unknowingly healing him of his injuries.

"Huh? What happened? Everything went dark again! What happened to the castle? ... And my clothes?"

The group laugh together as Goku remains confused for a good while.

After catching him up on everything, as well as finding some clothes among the rubble, Goku reels back in sheer shock.

"I'm the monster?!"

Oolong nods patting his back.

"Yeah, but don't feel too bad. It ain't like you can really control what you're doing when you're like that."

Bulma rubs her chin leaning against Mark's car.

"You forget everything that happens too. Really, it's more like a curse. Poor Goku..."

Bikini shakes her head.

"No... I think it's something that is a part of Goku. We just have to be prepared for it! Now I know I can stop him if he turns again!"

Bulma sighs in relief at that.

"That's true, and pretty convenient too, because we don't have to waste a wish on that!"

Goku tilts his head at her.

"Waste a wish? Don't we only have one Dragon Ball now...?"

Bulma sneers and gestures ahead to Mark, who continues to dig around in the rubble of the castle, she holds up the Dragon Radar showing all seven Dragon Balls being present.

"Including the Four Star Bikini managed to get from you before you went King Kong, that blue midget was so set on getting away with his life, he left the Dragon Balls behind while running away!"

Mark walks over carrying the remaining six.

"I found them! You really think these things will grant us a wish?"

Bulma snatches them one by one to set on the ground.

"Well even if they don't, I'm somewhat satisfied by our journey! Besides, I don't think I'll even need to make my wish, right Marky Mark?"

Mark blushes and rubs his neck.

"M-Marky Mark...? Well, I guess it isn't a bad nickname if the genius of the group thought of it."

Bulma giggles, leaving Goku confused as he looks between the two.

"You two are weird. What are we going to wish for."

Bikini shrugs.

"I wanted to wish for a lifetime supply of strawberries, but I'm fine giving up the wish for another one since I could just grow my own strawberries."

Bulma taps her chin before she hugs Mark's arm.

"I was going to wish for a boyfriend but... I found him already!"

Mark's cheeks flush even further red.

"I-I wanted to wish to be a famous hero if they were real... Or a million zeni! But honestly, I think I'll be fine for a little while on my own!"

Everyone looks to Goku. The young boy looks to the Dragon Balls, then to his hand, closing it into a fist.

"I don't really have a wish... But I want to get stronger. I lost to someone yesterday and that's why we went through so much. If I can get stronger, then I can keep winning, and I can keep my friends safe."

Bikini offers her pinky to Goku then.

"Then why don't we go to Mr. Star Swirl and Master Roshi's house? I want to get strong as well! That way if you do lose, or if you turn into a Giant Ape again, I'll be able to help!"

Goku grins and wraps his pinky around hers.

"Yeah! Hey, Oolong, what about you?"

The portly porky boy grins as he approaches the Dragon Balls.

"I got a great wish! Hey, how do you get these things to work?"

Bikini stands and looks the orbs over.

"Daddy said that this is what you’re supposed to do. Spread your arms wide and shout: Come Forth, Eternal Dragon!"

Just as she does this, the sky goes pitch black, and the Dragon Balls shine brilliantly before a large emerald dragon flies out of the light of the Dragon Balls. A long body with a green mane and whiskers, crimson eyes that flash with immense power, and a voice that shakes the group to the core.

"I Am The Eternal Dragon: Shenron. I Will Grant Only One Wish."

Oolong abruptly shouts before anyone can even react.

"THE USED PANTIES OF A HOT BABE!"

Everyone, even the mystical legendary dragon himself, is stunned for a moment by the sheer vulgarity yet simplicity of the wish.

"Very Well."

Shenron's eyes flash before a pair of blue and white striped panties fall on Oolong's hands.

"Heh. Nice."

Bulma blinks before she checks herself and becomes incredibly frustrated.

"WHY YOU-! THOSE ARE MINE!"

Shenron starts to rise into the sky.

"Your Wish Has Been Granted. Farewell!"

The Dragon flies into the sky vanishing into the darkness, the Dragon Balls soon following it, before seven bright lights fly across the sky. Oolong turns to face the group with a proud smile on his face.

"Well, whaddya know! The Dragon Balls DO work after all!"

Bulma is quick to start choking Oolong with her bare hands.

"I'M GOING TO END YOU!"

"Agh! Ack! H-Help! H-Huaghck! Help...!"

Bikini and Goku laugh at the sight, the Unicorn calling the Flying Nimbus.

"Bulma! I won't be coming home for some time! Tell Daddy I'll be back a little bit later, okay?"

Bulma stops strangling the pig after retrieving her underwear.

"Are you sure? I would think you'd want to go back to school or come home after everything was said and done."

However, the younger sister shakes her head.

"No way! If anything, there's so much more of the world I want to see! I need to be prepared for the journey is all. Besides, I have my faithful bodyguard by my side! Right, Goku?"

Goku hops onto the Flying Nimbus and holds his Power Pole over his head.

"No one's gonna hurt Bikini while I'm around!"

Bulma then looks to Mark.

"They are headed to that old turtle guy's place. You're a pretty strong martial artist! Don't you want to go with them?"

Mark waves his hands before making his way to his car.

"No thanks! I've had enough action for a good while! I gotta get you home anyhow and West City is pretty far from here."

Bulma hops into his car with a giggle.

"Oh, you're so thoughtful, Marky Mark! ~"

Oolong, with nowhere to go, gets in the backseat rubbing his throat.

"Someone has to be with you around."

With a final punch on the head from Bulma, the party splits up waving farewells to each other, Goku and Bikini fly off towards a new adventure!

Chapter Text

Goku and Bikini fly across the ocean waves as the afternoon sun starts to hang low, the magic Bikini used to bring it back waning after only a few hours. Though usually noisy, Bikini only hums to herself while Goku pilots the Nimbus silently. She tilts her head at this and asks.

"Goku? What's wrong."

Goku doesn't answer.

"Goku? You haven't said anything for some time!"

Still nothing. Bikini stops the flight by grabbing Goku's tail. The boy jerks and falls limp for a moment with an annoyed groan.

"B-Bikini...?! What is it?"

She releases his tail with a frown.

"I was asking you why you were so quiet. You usually are the loudest!"

Goku sits up rubbing his tail, looking at it for a moment as Bikini takes over flying the Nimbus.

"You told me that I turned into a monster when I looked into the moon... That means, I'm the one that killed Grandpa, right?"

Bikini looks to the side trying to find delicate words as opposed to hitting the boy with the harsh truth.

"You weren't in control of yourself. The fact you don't even remember attacking me and the others show this! It isn't your fault!

Goku looks back at her curiously.

"Old Man Beard... Do you think he could help me too?"

Bikini puts a hand on his head ruffling his spiky hair.

"We'll have to see... There's the island!"

They land on the small island, Star Swirl waiting outside with an expectant gaze.

"That's a fancy outfit you have on, boy."

Goku looks himself over, unknowingly wearing the spare clothes of Emperor Pilaf.

"Oh, this? It's a long story!"

Star Swirl snickers and taps his horn.

"I saw that the sky went dark a few hours ago, after the sun suddenly came into the sky, so I imagine that was your doing?"

Goku nods pointing to the sky.

"Yeah! We got into some trouble, but Bikini saved us all by turning night into day, and even before that she fired a huge Kamehameha!"

He closes his eyes nodding.

"I felt the energy from across the planet. I also felt yours, Son Goku. You transformed into what is known as an Oozaru, or a Great Ape."

Goku's eyes widen in surprise. The elder sighs knowing full-well he is about to be bombarded by questions.

"Before you start, I can and have been watching your journey since Fry Pan Mountain. I know just about everything... You two want to control the powers unique to yourselves, yes?"

Both the children nod in synch. Star Swirl grins under his beard before he thumbs to the house on the island.

"Then I'll teach you, but only if you pass the Turtle Hermit's test, otherwise I'll send you home every time you come here."

He then turns and shouts out.

"ROSHI, YOU CRUST COVERED CLOWN! GET OUT HERE! WE HAVE VISITORS!"

Star Swirl then ducks from a thrown plate. Roshi leans out of a window with a growl and veins near popping from his head.

"I'm not talking to you! You'll just leave me in the middle of nowhere again!"

"Oh, quit being such a baby about being left behind. Swimming across the ocean is good training for you."

"I don't want to hear you say that to me when you get tired from doing two laps around the island, you expired fossil!"

"It's Son Gohan's boy and the young miss."

Roshi nearly falls out of the window before hurrying over to the party with rosy cheeks.

"Star Swirl my main man and best friend! ~ Why didn't you say that sooner? It's great to see you two again, hee hee! ~"

The Turtle Hermit ogles Bikini's breasts until he gets struck by Star Swirl's cane.

"Focus on the task on hand, you pig. They came for training so I'm leaving the first part to you."

Roshi rubs his head huffing with an annoyed glance to his fellow elder.

"Fine, fine... Alright you two! Follow me, we'll begin your training on another island."

Roshi makes his way to the beach side before taking out a capsule from his pocket. He tosses it out onto the water, and with puff of smoke, a motorboat is released with a swimsuit model decal on the side.

However, before anyone can board the boat someone lands on it from above, a small boy with six dots on his bald head in monk clothes stands proudly at the party.

"Stop! Muten Roshi! You can't leave yet! My name is Krillin and I too have come to receive your training!"

Roshi stares at the boy blankly for a moment. He looks to Star Swirl thumbing to the newcomer.

"Is this one of yours too?"

The old Unicorn scoffs and shoves a finger in Roshi's face.

"He stated YOUR name specifically! Besides, he looks to be from the Orion School. I wouldn't want anything to do with that farce of a temple."

The boy falters before whipping his backpack out and opening.

"F-Forgive me for intruding! I'm not like those guys at all, honest! I even left them because I wasn't learning anything while I was there!"

He pulls out dirty magazines then.

"So, I came here with tribute! I heard the Turtle Hermit liked this kind of sm- Er... Articulate Literature!"

Roshi's eyes near break through the lenses of his shades at the magazines. The young monk hops off the boat and, on the sand, to hand the stack of "literature" over. Roshi giggles perversely as he skims through them.

"Hoo hoo hoo! ~ Hee hee! Ooh! This one is a rare find, a-and this one's still wrapped in plastic, no stains, nor wrinkles! You've got a good-!"

Bikini clears her throat to let herself be known. Roshi catches himself and tosses the magazines aside.

"You have a good long way to go before I can take you on as my pupil. I already have two students to train."

He put his hands behind his back and signals for Star Swirl, to which the wizard begrudgingly made the magazines vanish, but the monk got onto his knees.

"P-Please, sir! Please! I don't have anything or anywhere left for me!"

Goku then speaks up.

"We should let him join! He's real funny looking! He doesn't even have a nose!"

Goku chuckles with Star Swirl, who nods with the monkey boy.

"You only ever trained two students at a time before, Roshi. Why not challenge yourself with three students? After all, I'll be helping this time."

Bikini tilts her head staring at Krillin intently.

"He certainly seems desperate, but he made it here on a small boat, all on his own too! It wouldn't be fair to turn him away."

Roshi scratches his cheek taking in everyone's words before sighing.

"Very well, I can train you too, but only if you past the test as well. All students must take this test, and any that fail are sent away, forever!"

Turtle arrives waddling around from a corner of the house confused.

"Wait a minute, that's not true at all! What about-?"

Roshi interrupts his life-long companion with a shout as he points to the boat.

"Daylight is passing everyone! Make some room, now! Goku my boy, use the Nimbus I gave you we don't have enough seats for us all!"

Goku and Bikini hop onto the Flying Nimbus, startling Krillin, who boarded the boat with the two masters. Star Swirl takes his hat off to work his magic, shrinking the Kame House to the size of a thumbtack he holds in his hand. Krillin's jaw drops at the sight.

"W-Wait a minute...! I know about Muten Roshi having all kinds of techniques but who are you...?!"

The old Unicorn strokes his beard feeling quite pleased with himself.

"His babysitter, apparently. You'd think after three hundred years this fool would be able to look after himself."

The three kids all turn to Roshi in utter shock, with Goku voicing the big question in their mind.

"You're three hundred!? You really are old! Super old!"

Roshi laughs at the statement with a shake of his head.

"Not as old as Star Swirl here. I at least was young at a point in my life. When I first met this geezer, he was already old as dirt, and hasn't changed a day since!"

Now everyone looks to the irate Unicorn. He merely grumbles under his breath.

"Shut up you big loudmouthed wrinkly perverted baby..."

In a few hours, the party arrives at forest with large boulders all around. Starswirl finds a clearing and brings the house back to normal to sit in the middle of it all. Goku looks to the horizon and finds a village not too far off. He pulls on Roshi's sleeve pointing to it.

"Hey, hey, this island is way bigger! Look! People live here!"

"Of course, around three hundred live all over the island, and those are just a handful. Any who, Star Swirl! Anything to say to our friends?"

The old Unicorn simply turns his back to them.

"Have fun you three."

He went inside surprising the kids, but Roshi reminds them.

"There's no point in him participating right now until you all pass this test. First and foremost, I will gauge your speed."

Roshi drew a line in the ground between a rock and a far away tree before pulling out a timer.

"One by one I'll have you run from each end of this line as fast as you can. Any takers?"

Bikini's eyes sparkle as she thrusts herself ahead with a hand in the air.

"Oh! Oh! I love to run! Let me do this first!"

Roshi nods and Bikini waits at the start. Upon the signal, Bikini makes it to the end in a great speed, impressing all. Goku cheers loudly.

"So, you can run super fast even like that?! You're amazing, Bikini!"

Krillin rubs his neck astonished.

"I never thought a girl could move so fast...!"

Roshi looks between the timer and Bikini numerous timed in disbelief.

"F-Far faster than Star Swirl, that's for sure! Seven point seven seconds...! That's simply incredibly, Bikini!"

Krillin gulps, but feigns confidence, putting his all into his attempt to show his stuff. When he's done, Roshi nods holding up the timer.

"Ten point four seconds! That's super fast all things assured. Alright Goku, show us what you can do!"

Roshi gives the signal and watches Goku run. Krillin does a double take unable to keep his thoughts to himself.

"T-That's way faster...! How come these two are already ahead...?!"

Roshi looks to the timer nodding.

"E-Eight seconds! Well done everyone! Now I'll go. Goku, here's the timer and be sure to click the top when I get to the tree."

"Yessir!"

Goku gets ready with Bikini and Krillin watching on curiously. Bikini mulling over what she's seen of Roshi's power before at Fry Pan Mountain.

"Will he have to grow bigger or...?"

Krillin only stares ahead not expecting much.

"I hope he doesn't break something."

In what feels like a mere moment, a great wind nearly pushes them all over, Roshi already at the tree.

"Alright Goku, what was my time?"

Goku stammers the number out.

"F-Five... Five point six seconds it says!"

Bikini shakes her head at that.

"It really felt more like three seconds...! Utterly incredible!"

Krillin is speechless yet the Turtle Hermit holds a finger up.

"You all move incredibly fast, but you're still at a human level. With my training you'll be able to make the time within five seconds or shorter. The Turtle School is about surpassing the human limits. Do you understand?"

All three nod now eager to learn from him. Any doubts or judgements made before were washed away and replaced with newfound respect. Seeing this gives Roshi a sense of nostalgia, especially Son Goku. Though clearly not biological, the similarities between him and Son Gohan were almost uncanny, and this brought ease to the old man.

"Now onto the last trial."

Roshi picks up a stone, and after drawing on it with a marker, shows it to them.

"Make sure you memorize this rock well. Got it in your heads?"

The trio nods, Bikini asking the question they all have.

"It has the Turtle symbol on it. What does this rock have to do with our training?"

Roshi approaches a steep and precarious cliff. After rolling his arm back, he throws the stone off into a dense jungle in the distance, just one of many parts of Earth untouched or even fused with land of millions if not billions of years ago.

"Alright, go find it. Whoever finds it first and brings it to me can choose who else among you to continue training. The loser is sent away."

That has the students on edge, especially Krillin. As he sees it, this is a two against one when two of out of the three students are clearly friends, it's unfair! That's when Roshi points to the orange evening sky.

"It's getting dark soon, in fact nightfall is within thirty minutes, and that's how long you all have. If no one presents the stone in time, then no one passes."

Immediately after that, all three children run towards the edge, but Krillin stops with a gasp.

"T-This drop will kill us! We gotta find a way around...!"

Goku hops right off headfirst with his hands out. Krillin looks on in horror.

"What's wrong with you!? Are you crazy?!"

"Hee hee! This is way shorter than the mountains at home! Yosh! ~"

Bikini jumps off shortly after him.

"My legs are stronger than yours, Goku! I'm finding that stone first!"

Krillin pales as he watches them vanish past the thick treetops. How can he compete against these two if they can survive such a fall?! His worry soon turns to glee as he devises a cunning plot. He runs down the large hill and finds a similar rock. With a permanent marker he had on himself, he writes the same symbol down on it, and hurries back to Roshi pretending to be tired.

"Huff... Huff... I-I did it, sir! I found the stone!"

Roshi takes it and inspects the rock closely.

"My, my! That certainly was fast... And this is a marked stone..."

"Right?! So, I'd say the girl can stay since she clearly has more potential than that monkey-"

Roshi throws the stone at Krillin hitting him where his nose should be. The young monk stumbles back in shock and pain.

"O-Ow! Ow, ow! What was that for?!"

"That isn't my handwriting, nor did you go anywhere near the direction I threw the stone in! If you try this again, I don't care how many magazines you bring me, I'll never teach you a thing in this life or the next!"

Krillin nods before scampering off into the wild jungle below.

"Y-Ye-Yes sir! What a sharp geezer...!"

Krillin lays low behind the cover a large tree. A triceratops stomps past not yet noticing him.

"Seriously, what is it with this place...?! It's way too dangerous!"

He sneaks past it and enters a clearing.

"Ugh, it's way too dark out here too! I'm already lost! T-This is bad..."

He feels a hand on his shoulder and yelps, but the same hand quickly covers his mouth. Bikini hushes him with a finger over her lips.

"You have to stay quiet or else it will know where we are...!"

Krillin nods but can't help himself from asking when she lowers her hand.

"Whaddya mean, it?"

"There's a monster out here that ate Goku! He found the stone, but it swallowed him whole before he even saw it."

"W-What...?! Then we gotta get out of here!"

Bikini shakes her head growing a resolute expression.

"I can't leave Goku behind! I won't ask you to risk your life for him though. You should get Master Roshi so he can help!"

Krillin is relieved to be given an out, but there is a one little problem.

"... B-But I don't know my way back...!"

Bikini loses all the confidence she had in that instant as she shouts fearfully.

"Y-You're lost too!?"

Krillin shushes her, but it is too late, as two bright lights shine on them from the thick shadows hidden behind large bushes and vines. A grotesque living plant, a giant Venus fly-trap slithers in, a large bulbous base like belly with leaf appendages that let it move around. Its glowing eyes flash brightly onto the two before its neck extends at an alarming speed!

Bikini and Krillin dive out of the way in the nick of time just to see it bite down onto a boulder, turning it into rubble.

Krillin stumbles back as the monster turns to them.

"Watch out! It's firing something red from its mouth!"

"R-Red...? Wait a second thats-!"

The Power Pole extends out of the mouth of the vegetable monster, hitting the ground and pushing it back to slam its head into a tree. Protrusions in the shapes of fists poke out from the bulb leaving bruises behind. Eventually, the creature starts to glow from within, before exploding as Goku shouts having released a Kamehameha. He pants as he steps out of the remains of the monster sticking his tongue out.

"Eyugh! He tasted really nasty! But I killed it finally! It's been chasing us for a long time."

Krillin carefully steps close to Goku while Bikini stands right where she is due to the horrendous smell.

"W-What about the stone...? We only have a few minutes left...!"

Goku grins and holds up an open hand.

"I have right here! I never opened my hand after it swallowed me!"

The monk only blinks in disbelief as Bikini speaks up in a deadpan.

"Goku, the Kamehameha requires two hands to use, doesn't it?"

Goku looks to his empty hand, then both of them, then exclaims loudly in surprise.

"Huh!? Where'd it go!? I just had it with me even inside of the monster!"

Bikini starts searching with him, but Krillin finds it first and hides it in his shirt.

"W-Well we may as well go back while we have time since you lost it! ~"

Reluctantly the duo leaves, leading a mirthful Krillin back to Roshi. The elder looks to the three disappointed.

"I'm positive one of you would've found it. Ah, well..."

Krillin snickers and holds the stone up with pride.

"Actually sir, I have it! And it is real this time! Have a look!"

Roshi takes the stone before nodding. His surprise clear on his face.

"It is! It also smells like rotten cabbage. What did you do to it?"

Goku pipes up as he holds his Power Pole over his head.

"A giant monster came and ate it after I picked it up first!"

Krillin winces but relaxes as Roshi continues.

"I see. Although I'm impressed you killed the Man-Eating Venus, Krillin is the one to get it back to me, which was the main goal."

Goku pales leaning back with fear in his voice.

"D-Does that mean I failed...?!"

Roshi tilts his head in thought. Then, he shrugs.

"Hm, well I don't see why I can't make an exception this one time. You clearly have incredible potential, and a good heart. Besides, that monster is no joke. I can't have someone capable of killing that thing just wander around so carefree."

Goku jumps into the with a cheer much to Krillin's silent ire. However, both the boys are shocked when Roshi points to Bikini.

"But I'm afraid you'll have to go, miss. You have some incredible speed so you could have a career in sports."

Bikini blinks before tearing up in surprise.

"H-Huh...?! I-I... I can't continue the training?"

"Afraid not. I really am sorry, but I made it clear someone was leaving by tonight, and this training may truly prove too much for a girl like you."

"B-But...!"

Goku interrupts abruptly shouting to Bikini's defense.

"But Old Man! Bikini's Kamehameha is way stronger than mine! That has to mean something, right?"

Roshi simply shakes his head.

"No can do. I already made the exception with you, if I take her, then you have to go."

Goku shrinks as he shakes with frustration. Bikini says nothing, not wanting to take Goku away from the one desire he had since they met. Roshi truly wanted to teach all three of them, but failure and consequence is an important lesson, no matter how bitter it can be. He looks to Krillin with great judgement, as the monk had hidden the stone from them both for himself. Such selfishness might be a waste of his time.

Krillin however brings the silence to an end when he tosses the stone to Goku.

"M-Master Roshi. Goku found it first so, really it is him that succeeded. I hid the stone desperate to get into your good graces b-but...!"

He gulps now that everyone's attention is on him. He scoffs and looks away closing his eyes as he attempts to sound cool.

"This just isn’t for me! F-Fighting monsters is way too intense and those two are already used to it! Besides, you said whoever succeeded in this could pick one other to join them in your training! So, there you go, Goku! You and Bikini can train with the old master!"

Krillin turns to walk off forcing a smile on his face. Roshi stops him by putting a hand on the young boy's bald head.

"Hold it. You couldn't get off this island anyway since we left your boat behind... But I'm quite pleased with this. It looks like everyone passes after all!"

All three of the new students exclaim.

"We do!?"

Roshi chuckles at their reaction.

"You see, the true test of the Turtle Stone isn't just stamina and speed, but also a test of character. Krillin, you cheated earlier ready to get by on your own, but after seeing just how much this means to your peers? You passed by giving up your own selfishness for them. We of the Turtle School embody the best that mankind has to offer. Kindness, selflessness, and self-improvement."

He clears his throat and takes a strict authoritative tone.

"From now on, you three are my pupils. You'll refer to me as Master Roshi! The training will start early in the morning, so we'd best get dinner ready now, so we'll get a proper eight hour rest!"

The trio cheer as they follow Roshi back to his home.

That morning, the Turtle Hermit wakes up early in the morning to a heavenly aroma. He knows this smell rather well but rarely gets to smell it so.

Breakfast. A well-cooked breakfast.

He makes his way downstairs where the common room and kitchen are. To his surprise, Bikini and Star Swirl make breakfast together, the elder Unicorn instructing her through each step.

"Now we're finished with the eggs and can move onto adding some flavor to the fish."

"Yes sir!"

Goku and Krillin rest in futons, although the monkey boy's nose twitches upon smelling food. He sits up still asleep, sleepwalking over Krillin and stepping on his gut. Krillin shouts in surprise before throwing Goku off him and accidentally tumbling towards a distracted Bikini. She yelps as Goku slams into her, having her throw a pan of boiling oil onto Star Swirl. The wizened wizard shrieks and starts to run around in pain with Bikini trying cool him down as Goku burns his tongue eating the still cooking food leaving a winded Krillin catching his breath.

Roshi watches the mayhem unfold without uttering a single word. This is going to be his life for the next couple of months...

Chapter Text

The three students stand out in line with Roshi clearing his throat.

"Alright, it is time for your training to begin. Before we take the first step, I want to make one thing very clear! We do not learn martial arts to impress people or to get into big fights! We learn martial arts, so we do not have to fight!"

Krillin and Bikini nod in affirmation as Roshi continues.

"Martial Arts are not just for ourselves, but it is a duty to ourselves as well, a path to self-improvement! When we are faced with everyday life we must act accordingly, but when faced with evil or opposing forces, it is then our duty to eliminate such threats! Do you understand?"

Bikini and Krillin shout eagerly.

"Yes sir!"

Goku however looks between them before staring at Roshi blankly.

"I don't really get it..."

Krillin and Roshi slump their shoulders at him, but Bikini speaks up.

"We don't start fights but finish them, Goku!"

The monkey boy beams nodding.

"Ooh! ~ I get it now!"

Roshi strokes his beard relieved to have Bikini around now for more than eye candy.

"Now for the Early Morning Training! First thing we do to warm up is a mild run. Try to pace yourself and focus not on running fast, but running for as long as you can, got it?"

The three all nod together. For an hour, Roshi leads the trio around the island, eventually scaling a small hill to a lone house with a helicopter sitting next to it. Bikini and Goku hardly break a sweat unlike the winded Krillin. He sees an ox-man wearing a milkman's uniform step out the house with heavy crates of milk.

"Ahoy there! ~ We'll deliver those for you, sonny!"

Roshi calls out with a grin. The milkman smiles back with a wave.

"Muten Roshi! I haven't seen you in a long time, sir! I see you got some new students with you too, huh?"

Roshi nods then addresses his students.

"Alright you three, Mr. Milk here usually delivers the islanders their milk around the island on his helicopter. We'll be using a different method, skipping!"

Krillin gasps at that with a pale face.

"S-Skipping ALL around the island...?!"

The Turtle Hermit nods.

"Since this is the first day we'll only go as far as three miles for now! Now, each of you take a crate, and get follow me!"

Goku and Krillin easily handle their crates but Bikini struggles with holding hers up. She looks to Roshi with a nervous smile.

"I-I could just use magic to carry these, can't I?"

However, the old master frowns at her.

"Then it wouldn't be training! Don't worry, you've got a strong set of legs."

"But my arms are like toothpicks..."

"Wait until we start moving to complain then. C'mon everyone, repeat after me! ~"

Step by step, the Turtle School marches on. Bikini couldn't believe just how long the winding road is. However, she kept her complaints to herself, although Krillin had no issue voicing his own.

"T-This never ends...! How long until we get to a house...?!"

Roshi merely hums as they stroll along.

"No bellyaching! This is all part of the training now! Look, the first town is just ahead."

A small village awaits the group with many inhabitants still asleep. House by house, the trio swapped out empty bottles for full ones. Goku finishes first, with Krillin coming just shy behind him, and Bikini being the last. Roshi nods checking their crates before gesturing to a path lined with tall trees.

"For our next delivery we'll be running in zigzags between each of these trees!"

Krillin groans with wide eyes while Goku looks to Bikini curious.

"Hey, what's a zigzag?"

Bikini huffs looking ahead already feeling quite tired.

"It's when you go forward then left and right in a pattern..."

"Oh! I can do that!"

"My arms are going to turn to soup by the end of today..."

She and Goku follow Roshi as they skip between every tree, but Krillin sneers as he waits for them to move ahead, lightly jogging as he shouts out each skip along with the rest. That is until he hears Roshi's voice next to him.

"If you think this is too hard you can always just quit. It makes no difference to me."

Krillin grows pale before running back to the start and running between the trees as well.

"W-Wah! I won't do it again, Master Roshi!"

Upon arriving to the second town, Goku once again met up with Roshi first, with Bikini making it second and Krillin finishing last this time. Roshi speaks up to both the Monk and Unicorn.

"You two will have to pick up the pace or else the milk will sour! Bikini, I can tell when magic has been used, so don't try to preserve the milk to give yourself time."

She mutters under her breath.

"I can do that...?"

Roshi gestures with his cane to a towering rocky spire.

"That's the last house of this town. We'll be taking these steps one at at time. Come now!"

Roshi has no issue going up step by step and neither does Goku, however Bikini and Krillin look at each other in mutual exhaustion.

"If I die on the way up, please put flowers on my grave..."

"If I die before you don't tell my sister. She'll kill me..."

Roshi waits near the top just under a flight of stairs. He looks to the side to see Goku struggling with each step himself.

"Hm... Even Goku is looking tired from here."

He walks over to Roshi and pouts.

"Hey, Master Roshi! When are we going to learn martial arts?"

Roshi lightly knocks Goku's head with his cane.

"You don't just jump into running before learning to walk! You're just like Gohan."

Goku's eyes light up at remembering his old caretaker.

"Grandpa did this too?!"

"That's right. He and Ox King both delivered milk every day like this. I'm sure you're familiar with how strong he was."

Goku nods repeatedly much to Roshi's delight. This kid is simple, but his heart holds a good nature.

"Then you should know by the time you're done with my training you'll be as strong as him. Maybe, even stronger!"

"What!? Then what am I waiting for?!"

Goku leads going up step by step huffing and puffing away drenched in sweat. Krillin is a flight below him slowly closing the gap between them. Bikini however is a few flights below them. While she could run for miles and miles without end, the burden of carrying the milk crate however drains her stamina considerably.

Goku and Krillin manage to deliver their milk bottles, but Bikini falls to her knees on the last step, dropping the crate in the process. Roshi moves in a blink of an eye to catch it before all the empty glass bottles shattered.

"Hm, you certainly can run all around the island faster and longer than anyone here, even me. However, that upper arm strength of yours is pitiful."

"I-I'm sorry Master Roshi..."

Roshi shakes his head at her, neither disappointed nor frustrated, much to Bikini's relief.

"Mistakes and failure are integral to training. Don't be sorry but be better. Besides, you'll be doing this every morning for the next eight months!"

All three students shout in shock.

"E-Eight Months?!"

Roshi smiles nodding before holding up a finger.

"You may think this is hard, but that too is part of training, we have to push ourselves to our limit to grow! Not to mention, it gets easier the more you do it, but the hard part is the dedication to keep doing it. Do you understand?"

Begrudgingly, everyone agreed, even Goku understands Roshi's words.

"Now then, Bikini! I'll take some of the away, that way your load is lighter, but as punishment the others will have to carry your bottles."

Krillin lowers his head grumbling as he's essentially getting his crate re-filled, but Goku doesn't mind as he offers his crate up first.

"I'm her bodyguard. I'm supposed to do things like carry her stuff anyways."

Bikini mutters an apology smiling to the two. Roshi then leads the trio ahead to their next town, where on the way they travel between canyons using only thin logs, travel in dinosaur territory where they run in terror for their lives, and even through rushing rapids at the edge of waterfalls.

Eventually the group makes it back to the Kame House with the trio of students all on the floor completely out of breath. Roshi smiles with some pride at their results.

"You finished just in time for breakfast! Star Swirl should have it ready for us by now."

Goku hops up with a big grin on his face.

"Breakfast! Finally! I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"

Bikini lifts her head up giggling.

"I hope I'm not on the menu... But I could go for a big meal myself."

Krillin barely pushes himself up.

"Gimme a chicken and I'll eat it raw..."

Star Swirl comes out looking quite pale, especially as all heads turned to him in an instant, he rubs

"Roshi, children! The food! Someone stole it all! I was caught off guard and she was just too fast!"

The students jump to their feet stupefied as well as frustration looking in the direction that Star Swirl points in.

"She went off that way! You can follow the tire tracks! Quick, use the Nimbus!"

Goku hops into the air shouting loudly.

"Nimbus!"

Goku lands on the golden cloud with Bikini climbing on quickly. Krillin tries to jump on as well yet falls through.

"H-Huh?! Hey, what gives?!"

Krillin then lifts into the air flailing wrapped in a golden aura. Bikini's horn glows brightly as Goku flies them all away with the Nimbus.

"Sorry Krillin, I don't really know why we can get on, but no one else can! I'll carry you on the way there!"

She smiles apologetically at the monk who is too airsick to respond. Goku sniffs the air eagerly following a particular scent.

"I remember what was in the fridge, and all the food in there is out here going in the same direction, I can smell it! This way!"

The party soars ahead. Roshi looks to Star Swirl with a critical gaze.

"You of all people being robbed? Successfully?"

The wizard scoffs stroking his beard.

"It happened! Of course, I let it happen, I just want to see how they'll handle this."

"It might end poorly... Ah well, they know their way back."

The students soon find a deep blue haired woman standing by a motorbike with a capsule in her hand. The trio lands near her, Goku leaping off the cloud holding the Power Pole out, drool leaking from his mouth.

"Y-You! That's our food you stole! I can smell it from inside the capsule!"

The woman jumps before looking between the capsule and Goku before holding her hand out.

"Is that so? I'm ever so sorry! Here, you can have it back."

The woman gives an honest smile as Goku takes the capsule back. He returns it with a chipper grin.

"That was nice of you! Thanks!"

Krillin however is skeptical of the woman.

"Hey, what kind of a thief gives back what they stole?"

She brushes her cheek with a hand frowning.

"I don't really remember much of anything aside from a gentleman offering me a ride on his bike. Now here I am with his bike, a capsule full of food, and this gun."

She holds up a dangerous firearm surprising the trio. She puts it on the bike shaking her head.

"I don't even like guns! Oh... If only there was a way to remember..."

Bikini brings Goku and Krillin together in a huddle whispering to them.

"Are we sure this is the lady that stole our breakfast? She looks completely harmless!"

Krillin grimaces.

"But it has to be her! She has a weapon, the food, and a getaway ride! She might be trying to pull a fast one on us!"

Goku perks up with an idea going off in his head!

"Why don't we use the Nimbus? Good people can get on it!"

Bikini beams at Goku.

"That's a wonderful idea! Excuse me, ma'am?"

The woman points at herself peculiarly.

"Yes? Did you need something else?"

"Could you please sit on this cloud for a moment? It’s very soft!"

Goku happily exclaims right after her.

"And friendly!"

The woman smiles and hops on with no issue, surprising Krillin.

"Huh!? S-She's on it! M-Maybe she didn't steal the food... But how'd she end up with it? And how come I can’t get on!"

The woman tilts her head at the group. As she watches them, unaware of a bee idly flying by her until it nears her nose, causing her to sneeze before she falls past the cloud. The trio all step back as the woman's blue hair changes into a bright blonde. Her mild-mannered smile skews into a furious scowl as she stands up spitting on the Nimbus.

"Who th' Hell are you punks!? Tryin' ta make a fool outta Launch here, are ya?! I'll show you!"

From behind she pulls out a hidden firearm and fires it upon the group. Goku and Krillin practically dance about as Bikini summons a shield around herself. Bikini then moves her own shield forward, shifting its shape to wrap around Launch.

"Wha-!? What kinda bullcrap is this?! H-Hey I can't move...!"

Bikini then looks to Goku and shouts.

"You're up next, bodyguard!"

"Gotcha!"

Goku lunges ahead and knocks Launch out with a strike of his Power Pole against her head in one fell swoop. Krillin blinks at the scene looking to his peers stunned.

"Y-You two really work well together...! I've never seen a technique like that before either!"

Bikini hops onto the Nimbus with Goku before using her magic to carry both Krillin and the unconscious criminal.

"Honestly... I've only ever done it once before on Goku. It feels so natural to me now though. I hope Mr. Star Swirl can explain things."

With their return Star Swirl already has their breakfast ready. He laughs at their stunned faces.

"Surprised to see more food? Don't be! I merely handed over a capsule full of rocks. I even went as far as using a spell to make it smell like food!"

Goku drops his jaw looking at the capsule in his hand before opening it. Sure enough, succulent smelling pebbles and stones tumble out, all bound together by rope.

"I-I almost ate this... Wait! If the food was already here, then why did you send us after her?!"

Star Swirl snickers stroking his beard.

"Remember, you three, this is what Roshi means to use your skills only in aiding others. Not everyone is as prepared for trouble as I am. What if she truly had stolen all the food? Now we know you're able to get it back without unnecessary damage... This time."

He sends Goku a strict look which confused the young monkey, but Krillin rubs his head as one thing confuses him.

"That's nice and all but what do we do about this crazy lady?"

Roshi rubs his hands as he stands over Launch's unconscious body.

"Well, she’s in great pain. Therefore, I must use my Healing Hands to-"

Roshi is blasted through the wall by a magical beam from Star Swirl. The destruction wakes Launch up immediately as she jumps to her feet snarling.

"Where am I?! You-! You monkey bastard and horned bitch! I'll get ya for makin' a fool outta me you-!"

Star Swirl rolls his wrist with an ethereal mist puffing out and flying right into Launch's face. The belligerent blonde sneezes and her hair returns to the humble blue once more.

"Oh dear! What happened? Oh my, did I sneeze again? I must have caused so much trouble for all of you...!"

Everyone is speechless at the sudden change, save for the old Unicorn; he clears his throat to speak in a sympathetic tone.

"Oh, think nothing of it, dear. If you'd like, you could repay us by helping make lunch for this afternoon! What do you say to that?"

Launch nods smiling happily.

"Oh, please! It is the very least I could do for you after doing who knows what!"

As she hums to herself preparing breakfast, Star Swirl whispers to the students.

"Ms. Launch here drove up to the house earlier asking for directions before she sneezed into her blonde state. I figured making her sneeze would work again."

Roshi comes back into the house through the door with a cough.

"Yes, yes well. After breakfast we'll start the Mid-Morning Training!"

Krillin leans back from Roshi brushing off what seems like a heavy attack.

"M-Master Roshi! You're alright even after a blast like that?! And there's more...?"

Roshi nods and adjusts his sunglasses.

"Star Swirl may be powerful in magic but I'm no slouch myself. Now get ready everyone! We'll be learning about agriculture after breakfast!"

Goku and Krillin plow fields for one of the many farmers on the islands with their bare hands as Roshi instructed. For hours they would be at this, but Bikini is given another task by Star Swirl, using her magic to plant and grow the crops.

While Goku and Krillin struggles with their task, they succeeded, whereas Bikini would find herself only able to plant seeds and grow them into stalks. The trio all finish within a short time of each other feeling the burn of their training. Bikini rubs her horn.

"That was exhausting... My horn has never been sore before... I didn't even think it had nerves!"

Krillin holds up his dirty swollen hands.

"At least it isn't smothered in grime and worms... I can't even feel my hands..."

Goku hands his peer a clean towel.

"Is this really training? We're just doing chores all around the island!"

Bikini huffs but keeps a stiff upper lip.

"Master Roshi and Mr. Star Swirl are wise men so there has to be a deeper meaning to this... I hope."

Star Swirl alone meets with the trio just outside of Kame House, a chalkboard and futons set in a mock classroom style, he strokes his beard chuckling.

"Roshi is out preparing you all for your Early-Afternoon Training, but it isn't the end of your Morning Training either, for a sharp mind is key to a master of martial arts. Given your young ages, and especially your background Goku, I imagine your education isn't quite high."

Bikini frowns raising her hand.

"But I already know Pythagoras Theorem!"

Goku and Krillin just look at her loss, yet Star Swirl only laughs.

"Is that so? Excuse me for my assumptions! However, your peers aren't as close to that skill level as you can see. Krillin, do you know Algebra?"

Krillin nods with a weak smile.

"I-I know of it...! But I only got as far as basic multiplication at the temple."

Goku only scratches his head.

"I know some Math stuff but what does it have to do with fighting?"

Star Swirl takes off his hat and uses his magic to create a large boulder.

"Goku, you're easily the strongest student here, so strong I bet you could make a tunnel by punching through this rock. Mayhap even break it into pieces, yes?"

Goku nods hopping to his feet ready to do just that.

"Yeah!"

"But how many punches would it take you to do that?"

"Huh? How many punches? Usually it only takes one..."

"Then try to do that in one punch."

Goku nods before he strikes the rock with all his might. He yelps holding his hand without leaving so much as a dent into the mystical stone.

"Ow ow ow! W-What gives!? How come it didn't break?"

Star Swirl clears his throat, fighting back the urge to enter a long lecture about force and how it's implemented, but even he knows Goku would understand very little if told in such a manner.

"You hit it with just one punch. However, it would take many more due to its density. The denser an object is the harder it is to break it, to put it simply. We also now need to know how much stronger you'd need to be to break it, which would be called force, or in this case, kinetic energy. This and all we can determine through Math."

Goku hops back onto the futon with stars in his eyes.

"I think I get it now! C'mon! I need to know how to break that boulder!"

Starswirl lets out a sigh he brings his cane to the chalkboard.

"W-We'll start with the basics but don't forget this lesson. Bikini, you can help me with this."

For the next few hours, the two Unicorns educate Krillin and Goku, but Goku would constantly glance towards the boulder. Eyeing it like an enemy.

The group all has lunch before Roshi splits up the students again. Goku and Krillin would go on to work at a construction site whereas Bikini would remain at Kame House.

"Bikini. Goku said you used a more powerful Kamehameha. I believe him but I still need to see this for myself. Can you remember how you did it?"

Bikini nods and enters the stance she's seen on occasion, only to be stopped at once by Roshi.

"Ack! Wait girl! Don't fire right at me! You gather energy so quickly too...!"

She tilts her head until she finally notices the glaring light besides her. A ball of energy had formed in her hands already, vanishing just as quick as it arrived, she looks to the sea and aims there.

"Kamehameha!"

Roshi is blown back from the results as this novice girl fires a powerful beam. However, while he is figuratively blown away, Bikini literally blows herself away, crashing into Kame House through the same wall Roshi had been blasted through not but a few hours ago. The Turtle Hermit rubs his neck watching the crashing waves before going to help Bikini to her feet.

"Hard to believe it even with my own eyes... You certainly hold more power than Goku, but you lack the physicality and muscle memory to use the technique properly, or any martial arts techniques."

Bikini stands with a stumble disoriented from the crash.

"S-So... What should I do?"

"Obviously my training will get you where you need to be! Not only that but with your case, you'll have to make your body limber to allow your energy to flow better! In my experience, an aerobic dance should-"

From within the house, Star Swirl launches Roshi away with a magical blast. Star Swirl comes out the hole grumbling.

"Old pervert... He wasn't lying about everything before the stupid dance. However, you aren't built similarly to your fellow students, so you must play to your strengths. Magic."

Star Swirl brings up a hand before a book appears in his grasp.

"I have a plethora of spells to teach you before Mid-Morning Training. You already know how to use your horn to levitate yourself and others, summon shields to protect or entrap your targets, but there is so much more..."

For the next few hours, the two Unicorns explored the Mystical Arts. She learned the history of magic on Earth, how beings known as Kami are said to have the greatest of magic, even the title of Kami itself became a high honor in other fields; Roshi being christened as the Kami of Martial Arts. This history lesson and more would soon be cut short as Roshi would return with Goku and Krillin.

"It's time to start the Mid-Afternoon Training! Are you all ready?"

Bikini nods with a reluctant Krillin leaning back in exhausted shock.

"T-There's still more...?"

Roshi nods.

"Of course! The sun is still up, isn't it?"

Goku pouts at the Turtle Hermit almost glaring at the elder.

"Hey, old man. When are you going to teach us some real martial arts?"

Roshi scowls before spitting on the ground and shouting indignantly.

"You lot are nowhere near strong enough for real martial arts! You think you can handle some fancy looking moves already, when the techniques of the Turtle School are far beyond your current understanding, even the Kamehameha you use isn't the complete one!"

Goku blinks tilting his head.

"So, we're doing this stuff to get stronger? But I'm already plenty strong!"

Roshi scoffs before turning to a large boulder roughly the size of Kame House.

"As if! When you can move a boulder of this size then I'll start to teach you some of my techniques!"

Krillin's jaw drops agape at the giant rock with even Bikini shrinking back from feeling intimidated by such standards.

"N-No one could move that boulder on their own...!"

"I couldn't lift it even with my magic... That's way too heavy...!"

The Turtle Hermit grins and places his hands on it.

"You think so? Hee Hee! ~ Watch this!"

With his back turned to his students, Roshi pushes the entire boulder a few meters away with his bare hands. He pants quietly before turning around with a bright smile, fooling his students into thinking he hasn't broken a sweat.

"When you can move heavy objects like these, that is when I'll teach you some techniques."

Bikini and Krillin look at each other unnerved yet determined. However, Goku runs up to the boulder, and then pushes it even farther than Roshi.

"Hey, hey, Master Roshi! I pushed the boulder! You can teach me now, right?"

Bikini cheers for Goku seeing this feat.

"You never cease to amaze, Goku!"

Krillin glances to an equally stupefied Roshi.

"H-He even pushed it farther than you did..."

"So, I see... Hmph!"

Roshi chuckles before pointing to a boulder even larger. Far, far larger than the previous one, and gestures for Goku to push it.

"You've been trained by Gohan so that doesn't count, a beginner trainee can do that much, but this rock is the real deal!"

Goku puffs himself up and pushes with all his might yet can't even shake the mountainous boulder. Goku huffs out a tired breath.

"I... I can't do it! It's just too heavy..."

Roshi nods at this result.

"And that is why I cannot teach you my techniques. Even the Kamehameha, or rather especially the Kamehameha, can do equal harm to the user as it may do to their target. Bikini showed me her skill with it and nearly hurt herself."

Forcing herself to endure the shameful fact, Bikini smiles through a blush.

"I-I may have some issue with managing my power..."

Roshi then points his staff at Goku.

"And you don't have enough power to begin with! What if you used the Kamehameha in a fight and you missed? You would lose considerable amount of stamina and energy."

Goku looks down at his hand and remembered when he lost to the red-haired giant. His hand closes into a fist thinking about the pain of that loss.

"You're the strongest man in the whole world, right? Have you ever met anyone that could survive taking a Kamehameha?"

Roshi raises a brow before stroking his beard.

"Hm? Weird question to ask but... No. Not mine at least. Anyone who has is because I held back. I'm not exactly a murderer nor do I pick too many fights, so I rarely ever have to use it. Why? Did you meet someone that survived yours?"

The monkey boy nods as his face grows serious.

"He was huge and very strong! He beat me and took Bikini away with the rest of our friends! I don't know where he is now... But I need to beat him back one day!"

Roshi could see that Goku didn't hold malicious intent towards this figure, but the fact anyone could beat him and take a Kamehameha worries him, and he makes a mental note to speak with Star Swirl about this.

But for now, training.

"If that's how you feel then I can guarantee your victory if you follow my training to the letter. Whenever you feel doubtful, tired, or even thinking of giving up? Remember your goal... To find defeat that man!"

Goku nods, now refilled with vigor and determination.

"Yes, Master Roshi! What are we doing next?"

Goku would regret this as he, Krillin and Bikini would find themselves swimming in a large lake, a shark-infested lake. Goku and Krillin hang onto Bikini as she transforms into a horse, swiftly swimming out onto land, only to be sent flying into the air by a dinosaur's tail swing. Roshi cheers for them loudly.

"Hey! Hey! ~ Don't stick together, split up, and watch out for those dinosaurs coming to drink! Remember, ten laps around! Ten!"

The group meets in the forest near Kame House as the sky has become orange. Roshi clears his throat as Star Swirl stands by him reading from a tome. The both of them quite far away from the students who stand in a clearing.

"Alright, this is the end, Evening Training will test and enhance your dodging capabilities. Thankfully none of you are allergic so we can work with our partners in full!"

Krillin looks around with a gulp.

"But there are dinosaurs and monsters in this forest, isn't there?"

Star Swirl answers without looking up from his book.

"Not at these hours. They meet up at the lake you swam in earlier. Bikini, you must use your magic to stop the incoming targets one by one. I'll even be using my own magic to make sure you don't cheat. Moving while spellcasting can be difficult but very helpful. Are you all ready?"

Bikini looks around confused yet eager to finally finish this arduous day.

"What are we even dodging if all the animals are gone?"

Star Swirl fires a small bolt in the treetops above. His target is a large hive of now very angry bees fly down in a furious swarm towards the students. Krillin and Goku immediately start running around with Bikini trying to stop the bees with her magic. However, she finds herself unable to focus as clearly, until she reminds herself of their terrifying training regimen.

Bee by bee, she stops them in their tracks with her magic, even as she runs around as frantically as her peers. The two elders shout advice from a safe distance and within a dome of magic.

"Dodge! Don't just run, dodge! Watch them try to land and move or else you'll get stung!"

"Don't focus too hard Bikini, grab and hold, then move on! Be sure to move or else-! No don't release them like that! You'll get stung! Ooh..."

The students of the Turtle School all lay on the ground staring at the sky out of breath, littered in bee stings, and hungrier than ever before. Roshi stands by scratching his cheek.

"We'll have to work on your dodging and upper arm strength... However, you lot have either excelled or met the standard in other regards. Now, we'll be doing this training for the next eight months!"

Star Swirl heals away the bumps, and the students are all on their feet with this new prospect ahead of them. Bikini, Krillin, and Goku all look at each other worried... Then nod. Krillin, despite everything, smiles, and answers

"We can handle that..."

Chapter Text

One month passes and on one morning, Roshi greets his students with Star Swirl, an excited energy about him as the Unicorn hides a grin behind his luxurious beard.

"I am pleased to see the progress you've all been making. That's why you'll be graduating from Beginner Training and moving on to Advance Training!"

Goku and Krillin cheer hopping up and down.

"Yeah! ~ This didn't take long at all!"

"We must be super impressive for him to graduate us!"

However, Bikini looks concerned and speaks her worries.

"What exactly does Advance Training entail, sir? I-Is it more grueling than what we're already doing?"

That stops the two boys from celebrating any longer. All eyes fall on Roshi, who waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.

"Sorta? You'll be wearing these twenty kilo shells on your backs. After I see you mastering that, if there's time, we'll move up to one hundred kilos!"

Bikini and Krillin drop their jaws.

"T-Twenty kilos...?! T-That's almost forty-five pounds!"

"Forget about that, one hundred would crush me, I'm short enough as is!"

Goku rolls his shoulders and his head eager to move on.

"Master Roshi, Master Roshi! This means you'll be teaching us techniques and stuff now, right?"

Roshi scoffs with a sly smirk.

"When you can push that rock or break Star Swirl's magic boulder, sure! Until then, continue to work on building up your strength."

Goku glares to the side at the glowing boulder. For weeks he has tried to break it using every means he could, yet it never moved, nor did it ever so much as suffered a crack.

"Then we should get to training already! I'm gonna bust up that rock for sure!"

Star Swirl rolls his eyes before his horn glows and flashes the area in a blinding light. As it dies down as quick as it came, the students could all feel the difference in their weight as large Turtle Shells appeared on them.

"Say that after you reach the hundred kilo shell. Let's start today like every other day, kids!"

One day of training their minds in the End-Morning Training, Star Swirl gestures to a circle of flowers.

"Instead of racking our minds with numbers, today I want to teach you a new form of training, meditation."

Krillin grumbles at this.

"What? I've done plenty meditation. It's just an excuse to fall asleep!"

Starswirl shakes his head speaking in a patient tone.

"Perhaps at the Orion Temple! However, mediation can unlock the inner power of your bodies and spirits and make those weights you carry feel as but a feather."

Goku tilts his head looking at the elder with skepticism.

"How can sitting around do all that? Grandpa and I would do it, but I never got stronger!"

Star Swirl strokes his beard chuckling.

"That's because you weren't doing it right. Goku, toss your Turtle Shell weight at me for a moment."

The students all look concerned at this request. They've seen Star Swirl struggle to open jars, heard his bones creak when he sat still for too long, and even on stormy days watch him nearly be carried off into the harsh winds. Despite this, Goku unfastens the straps around his shoulders and tosses the weight right at Star Swirl.

"Are you sure about-?"

Goku stops as all eyes fly wide upon Star Swirl effortlessly catching, twirling, and even tossing the weight up and down all with one hand. His eyes closed and breathing steady, he brings things to an end by letting the shell fall, creating a sizeable indent in the ground from all the momentum.

"As you're all aware, I'm very weak physically, but with proper meditation even I can unlock my inner strength without magic. Do you see why Gohan would have you mediate now, Goku? You too Krillin."

The boys both nod with renewed respect for the Unicorn, with Bikini now relieved upon seeing such a weak man easily handle a weight that feels crushing to her, hope fills her heart as they all sit in a meditative form. Star Swirl speaks softly as the students close their eyes.

"Remember, you aren't napping... You are emptying your mind... Deafen the world around you. Think not of the fight Goku, but of the power inside of you, power you know you have but can't yet use."

Goku nods, even though he doesn't quite understand, he thinks hard about himself. He knows he's strong, and he knows he can be stronger, it's why he is training in the first place! The strong desire for the strength and power he knows lies within him, that his grandfather knew was in him, causes his entire being to tingle.

"Fear not the shame or ridicule of your peers, Krillin. You have more talent than any monk of that temple, and you know it, that's why you came here. Roshi accepted you not out of pity. He accepted you because you show immense promise. Put away your insecurity and let your power unleash itself."

Krillin struggles, yet it comes to him in time as the sounds of nature begins to deafen around him, the weight on his shoulders becomes barely noticeable.

"Bikini, even you can rival the largest mountain if you put your mind to it. Do not hide behind others, nor recklessly throw yourself into danger for others, be it out of love or fear... True strength is knowing your limits and accepting that there is something beyond. Strive to better yourself for others and for yourself. Magic isn't your only strength."

Bikini can feel it with each moment as a familiar energy flow through her. A power, not from her horn but from her chest, spreading throughout her entire body. She feels much lighter, far more energized, yet it vanishes as she jumps to her feet.

"I-I felt it! I felt that power! My power-! Why did it go away, Master Star Swirl?!"

He looks up at her gesturing to the ground.

"You lost focus. These two have minor experience with meditation, I bet Goku barely noticed that he got it right since for him, the increase in power was pretty small."

Goku pipes up pouting.

"Small...? Is this all the power I have?"

Star Swirl shakes his head.

"As if! You’re terrible at meditation, monkey boy. That's why you only pulled out such a minor amount. However, the more we all do this, the better the energy flow you will have. The better your energy flow for your ki; the life energy we use for techniques such as the Kamehameha, the more effective and easier it is to use said techniques."

Krillin now hops to his feet with stars in his eyes.

"Ah! T-Then I'll be able to fire a Kamehameha myself if I keep meditating?!"

Starswirl nods smiling brightly at the hope in the young monk.

"You'll be able to maintain that power too if you continue to do this every day... Think of this as replacing our school time."

Goku cheers for this with Krillin and Bikini hiding their shared elation behind smiles.

Three months pass and Roshi replaces their twenty kilo weights with the one hundred weights, and then four months pass. On the eve of the eighth month, Goku runs into Kame House shouting.

"Master Roshi! Master Beardy! Come quick! We did it! We did it!"

Starswirl looks over before wincing from a gunshot sounding off. Launch in her violent form chases Roshi around with a submachine gun. The blonde wet with only a towel around her.

"Tryin' to get a peek!? I'll see ya to yer grave y'old bastard! Raaagh!"

"Ah! No! Hey! I just got lost! My eyes aren't what they used to be! Gah-!"

With little room to run within the small confines of the Kame House, Roshi's hands blur as he catches the bullets in mid-air, smiling in relief when Launch soon ran out of bullets.

"There! Now you can't shoot me. Can we calm down now?"

"I don't gotta shoot ya to kill ya, geezer!"

"HEY WHERE'D YOU GET THAT GRENADE FROM?!"

Launch holds up an unpinned grenade before throwing it at Roshi. It would quickly turn into an apple after Star Swirl blasts it with magic from his horn. Before anyone can react, the same strange powder he would often use flies close to Launch's face, causing her to sneeze and return to her calmer state. Star Swirl grabs Roshi by the ear and yanks him along over to Goku.

"Sorry about that, my boy. What is it you wanted to show us?"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Q-Quit pulling so hard!"

Goku laughs at their antics before gesturing them to follow.

"Adults are pretty silly! C'mon, this way, back at the lake!"

In time, the two elders stand before their beaming students, all three of them giddy in excitement, Goku runs over to a boulder roughly the size of a hill.

"We can finally move the rock now!"

The elders only tilt their heads until Roshi double takes upon seeing Goku push the gargantuan boulder a whole meter. Krillin hops up and down.

"Me too, me too! Watch!"

Roshi grabs his chest as his heart jumps seeing Krillin push the boulder half a meter. Star Swirl only nods with a satisfied grin.

"Well done you two! Excellent performance."

Goku points at a very eager looking Bikini.

"But Master Beardy! You haven't seen what Bikini can do!"

Star Swirl look to his prized pupil raising a brow.

"Oh? Can you lift even this with your magic?"

She nods but rolls her arms rather than prepare her magic.

"Yes sir! But... I can pick it up without magic!"

His face falters as he leans forward.

"You can what...?"

Bikini closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath before she digs her fingers into the stone. She then shouts as she lifts the entire rock over her head. To the absolute shock of even the stoic Star Swirl, she marches over to the edge of the lake and drops the huge boulder into it, sending the shark inside flying out and onto land.

Roshi looks to Star Swirl utterly dumbfounded.

"What did you teach her to do that...?!"

The old Unicorn is speechless for a time. His breath stolen, skin paler than usual, and his eyes bug out of his sockets. Krillin then answers Roshi.

"It was the meditation! She's really good at it! So good, she can pull her inner strength out while moving, that's how she lifted it!"

Roshi nods having more than enough experience to know this.

"Aha... Your mind is certainly sharper than your peers, Bikini! You're young too, and full of potential, but I can already see a critical weakness in-"

Star Swirl interrupts him with an exasperated shout.

"Y-Yo-You... That level of strength! That's!"

He stops himself upon seeing everyone's worried looks. No one has ever seen Star Swirl so befuddled and even, scared, thus he composes himself quick as he can.

"That certainly is beyond my own physical strength I will admit this much. Your magic still leaves much to be desired though... But your body is just as important to condition. I'm very proud of you, Bikini. You too, Krillin, even you Goku."

The three students all smile at each other proudly. Goku then stares right into Roshi's eyes.

"So... You're gonna teach us some real techniques now, right?"

Roshi rubs his head huffing out a breath.

"You kids are something else... Well. I have some news for you... There is no new training or technique I can teach you."

The trio all nearly fall over by the answer, utterly stupefied by Roshi's statement, the Turtle Hermit continues with more confidence.

"Don't think this is the end! Tomorrow we'll be joining the Budōkai Tenkaichi! A most prodigious martial arts tournament that attracts all kinds of warriors worldwide. Only the strongest can truly participate, and only the strongest among them can become champion, understand?"

Although underwhelmed by the reveal of their training, this new opportunity renews Goku's spirits in an instant!

"Heh! Count me in! I'll be winning that for sure!"

Krillin nods along.

"I doubt I can actually go far... But I do want to see just how much stronger I am against others!"

Even Bikini, who surprises Goku with this newfound excitement, holds a finger up in the air.

"Sorry Goku, but I think I'll be winning this one! I didn't like fighting before, really... But that was because I hated pain. Training like this has taught me so much more... Just like you have. I'll show you I can protect you just as well as you've been protecting me! You too Krillin! Think of this as payback for cheating all those months ago!"

Krillin blushes with a scowl rubbing his neck.

"I said I was sorry already, sheesh."

The group laugh mirthfully as they rest for the day. Tomorrow would mark the day of their graduation.

The group meets outside early in the morning, the students now well adapted to their schedule, but Roshi gestures to his own Turtle Shell weight and takes it off.

"Okay everyone. I want you to jump as high as you can after taking your shells off. Don't worry about the results."

The students take off their weights curious as to their master's request, but as they all take one leap together, they find themselves practically soaring far above the clouds. Stunned by this feat, Krillin looks at Goku in shared shock, then they look to Bikini who shrieks in fright first. However, as they fall, her fright turns to sheer delight as they land without any harm. Goku looks down at his body in awe.

"I... N-Never jumped so high before! I bet I could jump past the mountains at home!"

Krillin lands with a stumble before falling on his butt.

"Whoa! I thought I was gonna die, but I could survive a plane crash like this, this is crazy!"

Bikini falls flat on her back laughing away happily.

"That was so fun! ~ Wait! Was this the purpose of our training, Master Roshi?"

Roshi nods feeling quite satisfied himself at their reactions.

"Indeed. Every day, you all built up your bodies to enhance your overall performance, reaching limits beyond human already. This is the secret of the Turtle School. Remember our motto?"

The three students all shout at once.

"Train hard, study well, and eat and sleep plenty!"

Star Swirl huffs before he fires a magical bolt at them. In a bright flash of light, Goku and Krillin change out of their clothes into well-made tuxedos, and Bikini in an elegant sun dress.

"Yes, yes, all well and good but we need to hurry or else we'll be too late to sign you all in! Goku, weapons aren't allowed so I'll hold the Power Pole for you until the tournament is over!"

Bikini frowns confused by the notion.

"We can't just teleport there using magic?"

Star Swirl waves his cane at her speaking candidly.

"Now if we did that what fun would traveling the world be? Not to mention teleporting isn't a magic one should use often! Even at my level you'll tire yourself out if you do it more than three times! I only used it for the Ox King because it was an emergency."

Goku's eyes light up with realization.

"Oh! So that's why you use a car to bail Launch out of jail instead of teleporting to her!"

The old Unicorn nods before turning away. He holds up six tickets.

"Yes, yes, but we don't have any more time for chitchat. We really need to hurry if we're to make it to our flight. It was quite expensive to book one beforehand for all of us, I even had to buy an extra for Ms. Launch when we decided she should stay with us."

With great haste, the party packs up and head for a bustling airport within the largest city on the island, barely making it on time to board their plane.

"Whoa! ~ There’re so many people!"

Goku looks around gawking at the crowd surrounding them. They make their way up to a stand in front of a grand building. A sign-in stand where every fighter will have to approach if they want to participate. Star Swirl strolls up to the stand and gestures to the kids.

"We have three fighters here ready to test themselves!"

The event attendant looks at them with surprise.

"B-But these are just kids...! Are you lot sure about this?"

Goku, Bikini, and Krillin all nod confidently. They sign their names but before they leave for the tournament, Roshi hands them a capsule.

"In this are your fighting clothes. Star Swirl and I worked hard on making these for you three. Wear it with pride as the Turtle School rests with you!"

Star Swirl scratches his cheek looking to the side.

"It would have been easier to use magic, but I wanted these gifts to be special, especially with how hard you worked for all this time. Now hurry along! We'll see when you pass through the elimination rounds."

Roshi walks off with his old friend looking around nervously.

"Have you seen Launch by the way?"

"I gave her the keys to park the car we rented. She knows where we are."

"Okay, but which her?"

"... I'll go look for her."

The Turtle School Students all look ahead at the growing crowd of fighters before them before entering the Budōkai Tenkaichi.

"Wow! Look at these! I feel like a real martial artist now!"

Bikini looks herself over in her new orange and blue gi. Krillin beams at his own brimming with pride.

"I know what you mean! I hope we can get far enough to make our masters proud..."

A boisterous shouting approaches the group.

"Bikini?! Goku! Is that you?! Great to see you two again!"

Mark walks over with a huge smile. Bikini smiles back as Goku beams at an old ally.

"Mark! It's so good to see you again! Is that the Capsule Corp logo on your gi?"

"Look at how blue it is! You look like a big headed blueberry!"

Mark grows a tic mark on his head regarding Goku's remark.

"Shut it you monkey werewolf! I'm here sponsored by Capsule Corp! Bulma's pops took a liking to me and helped me train! I bet I'm stronger than even you now!"

Bikini lights up at the mention of her family.

"Papa and Bulma! Are they here?! Did they bring Mama and Tights!?"

Mark leans back from Bikini's onslaught of questions.

"H-Huh?! Oh right, you two are sisters ... Hey, wait a second... Are you a participant? I thought you hated fighting, Bikini!"

The Unicorn shakes her head.

"I've learned the difference between fighting and violence. I abhor violence... But martial arts aren’t about hurting anyone at all! This is what you told me when we first met!"

Mark blushes but doesn't quite recall. He may have said something of the sort when trying to impress her. He then looks around curiously.

"Hey wasn't Goku just here? I wonder how he keeps vanishing like that... Oh! Who's this?"

Krillin raises a hand greeting the fellow martial artist. However, as they banter, Goku wanders over to one man. Gebo, the Red Headed Giant, stands over Goku with the same stoic gaze from their first encounter.

"You really are still alive. I knew that if you were, you would be here."

Goku nods glaring up at him.

"That's right! And stronger too!"

Gebo narrows his eyes at the boy with his fist clenching.

"I know. I can already tell. Killing is not allowed in this event... But I still will do what must be done by me. Either during or after this tournament."

Goku smiles with determination.

"I don't know why you wanna kill me so much... But I won't back down!"

The tension between the two is palpable... Enough so that everyone in the room can feel it.

"Hey, I've heard of rivals, but who picks on a kid like that?"

"That guy must be really weak to bully some kid. Look at the size difference!"

"Did he say he'd kill him? Idiot. If he really does that he could go to jail."

"They have some history for sure... Gotta give the boy credit for not backing down. That guy is huge!"

Eventually the attendants lead them to a series of large rooms with mats. An elderly announcer then makes himself known with a speaker.

"For five years you have all trained and for this moment-"

Bikini tilts her head looking around before shrinking with Krillin.

"F-Five years...?"

"We only did eight months...!"

The announcer continues.

"To compete for the title of 'The World's Strongest Under The Heavens'! You have come from all corners of the Earth! We have over a hundred masters, one hundred and thirty-seven to be exact, all here for the same goal. Only eight will be allowed to participate in the finals. Due to the number of participants, four blocks have been set up, with the two ultimate winners of each shall be allowed to move on!"

Krillin now pales as he looks around once more.

"S-Some of these guys look absolutely fierce...! There's beastmen! Giants! Even other schools of martial arts!"

Bikini didn't like these odds as it has occurred to her.

"I-I only ever copied you and Goku for form in sparring... I never actually learned to fight! Why did this just hit me now!?"

As the two began to wallow in their shared despair, Mark is torn between cheering them up, or letting them stew. It isn't out of malice, in fact he'd rather not face his friends, but he came here to win and finally be recognized. Regardless, it feels all too dirty to say nothing.

"You went training with Master Muten Roshi, right? I can tell by that gi you're wearing, it has his mark, and these tournaments haven't seen anyone in that school for decades! If the Strongest Man on Earth decided you could win, then he must know you can win, right?"

A part of him wishes he kept his mouth shut as he could already see the dirty leers and dismissive glances their way from fighters all around. Despite this, Bikini does brighten from his words, pumping herself up with renewed vigor. Krillin remains skeptical as they listen on to the announcer.

"Now listen well for I shall explain the rules."

The announcer gestures to one of the mats that he stands on.

"All fights shall occur right here on these mats for exactly one minute. Should you fall out, be thrown out, knocked out, cry or plead for mercy, you shall be eliminated. There is no killing allowed whatsoever, nor any weapons, and if neither fighter is defeated in time, then the judges shall decide. One being myself."

He then points to a station of attendants holding out boxes.

"Now, one by one, please take out a single slip of paper with your number on it and compare it to the chart. From there on proceed to your assigned block and good luck!"

One by one each fighter would get their number. Goku holds his up to show his friends.

"Seventy! That's Block Three!"

Krillin gasps turning pale.

"I-I'm ninety-three...! I have to be in the same block as Goku!?"

Mark shows his off with pride.

"Heh heh! Looks like the Kami above is smiling down on me! Number One! Call it a sign from God above! ~"

Although he meant it as a joke, his loud laughter only attracted the mass ire of those around him, and Mark soon found himself in the kind of attention he didn't want at all.

Bikini holds hers up with mild content.

"I'm sixty-eight... I'm in Block Two! I hope to see you all in the finals!"

The party split up, Goku's match being the first to start, he hops onto the mat where he meets an enormous man in spandex and a fancy moustache.

"A little ant is my opponent? How insulting!"

"I'm ready when you are!"

The judge brings his hand down to start the match, and Goku dives between the wrestler's legs, standing right behind him before playfully poking him from behind.

"Tee Hee! Over here! ~"

The wrestler only saw the boy vanish before suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his back! He stumbles forward and falls right out of the arena with a defeated groan. The other contestants laugh this off, unaware.

"That guy must have been ticklish or something, look how hard he's trying to keep that laugh in!"

"Can he really be a wrestler if he is ticklish...? He must have lost his balance. Either way, it's a win for the kid."

Krillin congratulates Goku when he comes down from the mat.

"Whoa! What happened up there? I thought for sure that guy would've been trouble... Goku?"

"Hey, don't use your full strength, okay?"

Krillin blinks at that ready to ask why, but a familiar voice sends shivers down his body.

"Oh look! It's Krillin! What are you doing here, crybaby?"

A lanky man and stout fatty wearing the same monk outfits Krillin once wore approaches. The lanky one snickering as they continue to berate the small boy.

"I haven't seen you since you ran blubbering from Orion Temple. It must be a fluke that you even got this far in!"

Krillin only stands in silent fear, not having moved on from the unspoken bullying he suffered at his old school, the lanky monk pats Krillin's head.

"Hey, shrimp. Didn't I tell you that you've got no talent? What number you pull anyways?"

"... N-Ninety-three..."

"Ha! I got ninety-four. Get ready to lose, shrimp."

The two walk away laughing at a shivering Krillin, but Goku speaks his mind.

"Hey! Forget those guys! When your match comes up, hit him with all you got!"

"Huh!? B-But you just said-"

"Forget about that! Just get up there and fight!"

Eventually, the fated duel arrives, and Krillin faces off against his bully. Just as his opponent goes for jab, Krillin immediately reacts to it, moving like lighting to leap over the attack and counter with a kick upon landing. A kick with such force that it sends the monk past the wall and into the horizon! Krillin hops off the mat utterly dumbfounded, much like all those watching, yet Goku giggles at the results.

"See? Thanks to the old timers we're both crazy strong!"

"No fooling... Ah! Then that means...!"

Bikini leans out of every attack another female fighter sends. Ranfan stews in anger, a proficient fighter in all regards, but she uses her stellar good looks to lower her opponents. Sometimes even women that envy her can't help but blush looking her way.

Imagine the absolute shock and fury of it all when she finds herself facing another girl. A girl whose natural beauty is an entire league above her own, but not only that, one who can read her moves like a book!

Bikini however is caught in her own conundrum. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, yet she doesn't want to be hurt either, nor can she evade forever with such a strict time limit. Thinking back on the rules as she near dances in a graceful motion like ballet, it dawns on her that her opponent doesn't have to be harmed at all, she merely needs to throw them off the mat!

Bikini nods to herself before catching on of Ranfan's kicks and throwing her away. She covers her mouth in pure awe and terror when seeing a Ranfan shaped hole in the wall followed by a sparkle in the sky.

"I-I... I'm way stronger now! I should be careful from now on... But... I wonder what else I can do."

A street boxer known for making hundreds for weeks tapping into his latent potential would be her next opponent. A man renowned for his unbreakable knuckles, denting through even steel, Bikini catches one of his punches and squeezes his fist.

"AIE! UNCLE! UNCLE! Y-YOU'RE GONNA BREAK MY HAND!"

She is quick to release him and sure enough, his fist suffered dark bruising with one finger even staying stiff, proving to the other contestants just how formidable she is. She looks to the doors leading to the other blocks.

"I know Goku, and Krillin will make it... But I hope Mark is doing okay."

Mark would've been toast, this he knows, had it not been for the Briefs Family. His old training regimen was tough, yet lite. However, when he and Bulma explained Bikini's whereabouts regarding the end of their adventure to Dr. Briefs, the scientist found inspiration in martial arts with Mark being his guinea pig.

For months he suffered experiment after experiment, from testing strange vials, to dodging stun lasers that paralyzed him when they hit, to sparring with robotic A.I. that tested the human limit, and even a prototype project that nearly killed Mark.

With these grueling experiences day in and day out, even with the rising odds of veterans of this most exclusive event, Mark Hercule crushes the competition. Karate masters chop his neck only to hurt their hands, wrestlers out grappled and are suplexed into dreamland, even trained assassins who were willing to give up everything to shut this loud-mouthed fool up failed as Mark would counter them effortlessly.

Eventually, he found himself the second winner of his block, with the first being Gebo.

Gebo had only used one arm for all his fights, and despite his malice towards Goku, he nearly left all his opponents unscathed. Only two times did he ever truly hurt his foes.

Once is against a rotund man of similar height. A shaggy haired cretin who had never washed his hands, his hair, or even himself for his entire life! A foul master of Stink-Fu, Bacterian. He smells so foul, many fighters dropped out before they even started their matches due to his presence, and yet his touch is far worse.

Yet when the time comes for him to fight at last, he had expected Gebo to flee in terror or disgust, maybe even both. Instead, the stalwart giant merely stared at him with brows furrowing.

"Are you going to fight or shall I throw the first punch."

Bacterian has never met anyone willing to touch him, let alone ever been hurt save for his feelings, so he believes this to be a bluff.

"Geh-heh-heh! Try as you might! You may as well give up! Step any closer to me and you might die!"

"No. I do not think I will."

Gebo, seemingly taking one step, appears mere inches from Bacterian with a loud impact sounding throughout the room. Other fighters having their own matches in the block including Mark at the time stopped to see this inhuman display of physique.

Not only is Bacterian as tall as Gebo, but he is also far heavier and is well over three hundred pounds, yet Gebo lifted him up over head with no effort after punching him in the gut. His fist still inside the stomach of the now unconscious germ, he tosses the fat degenerate out of bounds.

"I would like to apologize to the staff for making this mess. I would clean it myself... But I left my sanitizer at home. I highly doubt deodorant will do."

The only other fighter to be struck by Gebo is a monster of the name, Giran. A terrible winged creature just humanoid enough in shape and intelligence to walk and talk like a human. All are terrified of him, quite a few refusing to fight him and handing him an easy victory, but Gebo smiles at him. Giran gleefully returns it baring his fangs in the process.

"You must be lost in the fear and went mad! That why you're grinning over there!?"

"Your species fascinates me. I would like to study you when this is all over. I have heard your kind is actually an endangered one."

Giran raises a fist ready to knock the red head's skull clean off.

"I'll make you extinct in my place then! Study well from Hell, chump!"

Gebo blocks with his right hand yet again, not even bothering to move his left arm at all, he pushes the fist back before backhanding Giran across the beak. Giran's eyes part ways before rolling into the back of his own skull as he falls unconscious.

"I hope we can get along after this."

Mark watched all Gebo's matches with great worry. It then dawns on him then, that time he met a heavily injured Goku, this is the man that did such a thing. Now, victory seems far from certain, not just for him but for all participants.

Outside in the growing audience awaiting the eight contestants, Star Swirl finds a most recognizable face, and a sight for sore eyes.

"Ah, Gero. You look terrible as always... The wheelchair is new."

A man looking rather old for his age turns to glare at the wizard with icy blue eyes. He scoffs at Star Swirl speaking with great contempt.

"Oh my. If it isn't the man who refuses to aid mankind."

Star Swirl lowers his head responding only in sympathy.

"What you asked of me then is something I simply could not do alone. I told you to seek out the Dragon Balls."

"Hogwash and bullcrap! Do you know what happened to me when I found one of those accursed things!? A giant monster did this to me!"

A third voice speaks up in a sagely yet carefree tone.

"Giant monster, eh? If it's you that is saying such a thing then it must have been a real menace."

Gero rolls his eyes as Dr. Briefs walks by with Bulma and Oolong in tow.

"Oh great. Now you're here... Ugh! With your daughter as well."

Bulma scowls back at the paraplegic doctor and whispers to her father.

"You know this old coot, Dad?"

Dr. Briefs chuckles with a nod.

"Have a bit more respect, dear! This is Dr. Gero, a brilliant and passionate man, and an old friend!"

Gero turns his head away from the Briefs, noticing Star Swirl to have vanished, he decides to tolerate their presence.

"Friend, he says... You never checked up on me after my near-death experience! Why are you even here in the first place?"

Dr. Briefs lets out a plume of smoke from his cigarette.

"Well as it turns out one of my daughters is participating. I can't exactly see her getting far, but I do want to show my support. What about you?"

Gero sneers upon this revelation.

"Oho? My own son is here as a fighter as well... The monster that attacked us is here and we used this event to find him. However, the cash reward is also a nice bonus... Either way things go, Gebo is sure to win."

Bulma shouts at him indignantly after that.

"As if! Bikini has magic on her side! She'll just send that poor sucker of yours to the moon without having to touch him!"

Gero merely ignores this until the name hits him... He knows Briefs, he knows Panchy because his late wife was friends with her, he knew Tights and even knew of Bulma through the grapevine before his wife's passing... He turns to face Briefs raising a brow.

"You have a third daughter? One that uses... Magic?"

Dr. Briefs rubs his neck knowing Gero far too well. However, he knows him well enough to trust how much the man of science distaste for the mystical and supernatural.

"Believe it or not... She just landed outside our garage from outer space! A wonderful girl... I do wonder how she'll fare through this all."

Gero merely stares at him before rolling away in his wheelchair.

"I can't say I'm disinterested now. This event has grown more and more interesting by the moment."

Chapter Text

Goku, Krillin, and Bikini rush out into the audience crowd. Their faces bright as the Sun as they find Roshi and Star Swirl. Goku runs right up to them hopping up and down.

"We made it! We made it! No one could even come close to beating us!"

Krillin rubs his neck after catching up.

"Y-Yeah... I've learned a lot while fighting too. Experience really is a good way to learn!"

Roshi nods with a satisfied hum.

"Indeed, but preparation for this very event was the purpose of our training. You still have the road ahead of you regarding your future fights."

Bikini looks around seeking her family out.

"Mark said that Bulma and Papa were here... Ah! There they are!"

She hurries over to Bulma and Dr. Briefs, as well as Panchy and Tights much to her delight, the entire Briefs Family reunited once more! Even Oolong is there waving her and Goku down.

"Hey I found her! She's headed right for us!"

Tights blinks in surprise as she moves her hand to her head then to Bikini's.

"D-Did you get taller again?! Bulma, stand next to her real quick!"

Bulma groans shaking her head with a pout on her face as she stares at Bikini’s chest.

"I don't have to... How come you keep growing so fast? Boys won't want a girl bigger than they are!"

Panchy dotingly looks over Bikini with worry.

"Oh, never mind all that! Are you hurt anywhere? You're not too tired from fighting, are you? How's your horn?"

Oolong rolls his eyes at this having his own experience with the Unicorn.

"As if anyone could touch her with that magic of hers..."

Bikini giggles leaning back from her mother.

"Mama, I'm fine! No one even managed to touch me!"

Dr. Briefs scratches his cheek in thought as he eyes Bikini.

"Did you use your horn to defend yourself?"

She shakes her head and flexes her bicep.

"Not even once! It may not look like much, but I've grown a bit of muscle! I accidentally made a few men cry... But I know how to limit my strength now!"

Star Swirl makes himself known by clearing his throat. He greets the family with polite bow.

"Do excuse me. Bikini, dear. This is your family?"

Bikini gestures to the Briefs full of joy.

"Yes! They're the most wonderful people I've ever known! Oh-! Everyone! This is one of my Master's! He's just like me!"

Star Swirl takes off his wizard hat for a moment to show off his own horn, baffling Tights.

"Huh!? Another unicorn person?! And so old... But he doesn't look ugly at all! What a weird guy...!"

Star Swirl huffs at the young woman's observation.

"Not an ounce of respect from the kids these days, I swear..."

Panchy then leans close with a giggle.

"My, my! This is absolutely incredible! Excuse me, do you poop gold like Bikini does?"

Star Swirl steps back befuddled with cheeks flushed red by the forward question.

"H-Have you no shame, woman!? I won't answer a question like that! Goodness!"

Dr. Briefs then proceeds to guide him away excusing them both.

"You'll have to forgive her! She's very intuitive. However, I do have to ask... Are you an alien as well?"

Star Swirl stares back with a knowing gaze. He tells them of their name, of their goals, and their demise. Dr. Briefs clasps his hands together in exclamation.

"Equestrians... Then! That boy over there-!"

Dr. Briefs looks over to Goku, who has made his way over with Roshi and Krillin as they introduce themselves to the rest of his family with Mark. Star Swirl nods.

"So far it seems neither of them truly know their origins. Saiyans and Equestrians have been sworn enemies for countless millennia. Yet these two... They have such a close bond in a rather short time. Closer than most humans have with each other. I'd like to keep this a secret from them for now... Could you do that for me?"

The good scientist nods with a casual grin.

"I already knew a bit of this beforehand, but I bet telling them now would complicate things, especially Bikini... Or should I call her, Celestia?"

Star Swirl huffs patting the doctor's back.

"I think she likes Bikini. Let's enjoy this tournament, hm? She's trained very hard for this. They all have."

The announcements sound for the eight competitors to make their way for inner halls and the audience for the stands.

The fighters all rest at the lounge made for finalists. A man from the far East dressed in humble robes and topped with a turban, Nam, meditates in the corner. Gebo stands statue still staring to the door leading to the arena deep in thought. Mark does stretches in the middle of the room with Goku and Bikini copying him. Krillin stands by himself until two more fighters enter.

Yamcha, now clad in a gi with the symbol of the Ox stamped on it, and an old man in a Chinese kempo with stiff hair. He is Jackie Chun, an old master of martial arts that has participated in previous tournaments. Krillin gulps, knowing the elder's reputation, but soon finds himself relaxing after he's approached by the master.

"You seem nervous. Don't be! If you can't find confidence in yourself then you will have lost before your first match."

"H-Huh...? Was it that obvious?"

Jackie nods.

"I can see you were taught by the most illustrious and very handsome Muten Roshi. You can make it so long as you remember your training, and have faith in yourself, like he does."

Krillin blinks at this strange advice yet finds comfort in them as he nods.

"R-Right...! Hey, wait a minute! Have you met Master Roshi before?"

"Of course! I have never beaten him once in my many years. That's how I know you can beat almost anyone here... Almost."

Jackie gives a confident wink before walking away leaving behind a stunned Krillin. Yamcha makes his way over to Goku and smirks at the boy with a condescending voice.

"I thought I'd find you here! You were pretty tough to handle my attacks before..."

He thumbs to the symbol on his gi with glowing pride.

"But I've gotten stronger than last time thanks to training with the Great Ox King!"

Goku tilts his head at the ex-bandit blinking as he stares vacantly.

"Do I know you?"

Yamcha nearly falls over. His snarls with a flustered face and voice at Goku.

"Ugh! You forgot about me!? How could you forget the sting of my Wolf Fang Fist!?"

"Oh! ~ You're Yamcha! Weren't you with the Ox King? Why are you here?"

Yamcha composes himself regaining a cool smile and suavely stature.

"I'm here as the Great Ox King's student! I'll be winning the prize money to help with the reconstruction of the castle! It's better to use this money than his treasure. You were strong before, but I've gotten way tougher!"

Bikini looks over to Yamcha. She hadn't seen him fight Goku, only the result of their encounter before interfering, in fact she nearly forgot him as Goku did.

"Oh? You trained as well? You must be strong to get this far!"

"... A-Ah... Uh..."

Yamcha has trained for this specifically. He told the Ox King of his weakness with women. In all his sagely wisdom the Mighty Ox King would collect his most prized dirty magazines to cure Yamcha's shy weakness. He would even take him to towns to meet with girls, much to Chi-Chi’s ire. Along with physical training, as well as staving off thieves and assassins after treasure, Yamcha has grown significantly in power and in truth he really had overcame his weakness...

Until he sees Bikini once again.

Her completely flawless ivory marble skin, lush pink eyelashes that bat whirlwinds out of his lungs with each blink, lips softer than an angel's wing and sparkling amethyst eyes that blind him with their radiant glow. Her face alone rendered months of progress for naught and there was more to behold.

However, Yamcha must win for not just his pride, but for the sake of those that took care of him all this time. He must overcome this with some words...

"H-Hey... G-Girl... If we fight... I-I... Won't hold back!"

"Oh. Okay!"

She turns away from him with a simple smile that near devastates him altogether. Watching this poor display is Jackie Chun. He shakes his head at the poor boy.

"He sure is lucky that's the only girl here... Then again, he won't make it too far. These two however..."

He looks to Gebo and Nam. Using the ancient arts of ki manipulation and mental techniques, he focuses on Nam first, seeing visions of a village suffering from a terrible drought which leads into a correlating famine. Nam promises the starving people to return with food and money from the tournament.

"Seems we won't be getting too many gags from that one. Now, what about you?"

He mutters to himself as he reads Gebo's mind. Visions of small family, a man and a lovely yet sick wife with their son in the forests of Mt. Paozu, seeking the legendary Dragon Balls to cure her deadly disease. However, they find a living nightmare as the Great Ape attacks.

Jackie looks to Goku then with a cold sweat, unable to believe what he has seen, yet knows it to be true.

"I hope these two don't face each other... Or better yet that this tournament ends soon...! During this season of the year, the moon is visible during an evening! This truly will be an intense Budōkai Tenkaichi."

A young man with blonde hair and a tuxedo with shades.

"I'll be the official announcer and referee for the next eight matches! Congratulations for even making it this far! Allow me to tell you of the rules that differ from here. No blows below the belt and no poking the eyes!"

Bikini raises her hand confused.

"No blows below the belt? So, we can't kick or trip our opponent?"

The Announcer clears his throat before smiling shyly.

"T-To put it bluntly, your privates-"

Goku then raises his hand.

"What privates? I thought we weren't allowed weapons!"

Krillin scoffs and speaks for the poor man.

"Your crotch, you two! Sheesh!"

The Announcer nods with a disgruntled tone despite his smile.

"Y-Yes! Moving on! The previous rules still apply as well. No killing! You win by knock outs or ring outs, submission or crying also count as a loss, everyone understand?"

Eventually the time arrives, and matches are decided the same way as the previous matches. One by one each fighter is put in a bracket for the Championship.

Krillin vs Nam

Mark vs Jackie Chun

Yamcha vs Gebo

Goku vs Bikini.

Bikini cheers with a giddy giggle.

"Yay! ~ I get to fight Goku!"

Goku cheers along with her.

"We've both gotten strong together! You got strong real fast too! I always wondered which of us stronger and now we're about to find out!"

Bikini then puts out her pinky finger with a cheeky grin.

"The winner becomes the official bodyguard over the other, deal?"

Goku chuckles before wrapping his pinky around hers. Krillin rubs his head looking over to the stoic Nam.

"That guy is so serious... I wonder if I can really step up to someone like that."

Mark looks at Jackie with a cautious gaze and nervous smile. Ever since he met Goku and Bikini, he's learned from his old mistakes of judging someone by their appearance, that and this man is a martial arts legend. He offers his hand to the veteran martial artist.

"Let's put on a good show for the folks outside, okay?"

"Hohoho... You seem like an entertaining guy. Give it your best shot now."

Jackie shakes the hand cordially easing the younger fighter. Yamcha looks to Gebo sighing in relief.

"A guy like that isn't any issue for me. The Great Ox King is way bigger, and he could move as fast as lightning. This will be cake."

Gebo only stares back at Yamcha. That is until a loud roar sound in the room taking everyone's attention. Goku snickers rubbing his neck.

"I'm pretty hungry actually! Hey! Can I eat lunch now? If I don't eat now, then I'll be too weak to fight."

Everyone, especially the attendants, all nearly fall over from this.

"My, my! ~ Rather rare to see you out and about."

Star Swirl grins to a casually dressed Ox King. The larger man smiles back brightly as Chi-Chi sits on his shoulder with a smiling umbrella to stave off the hot sun.

"Nice to see you too, Master Star Swirl! Didja hear? A student of mine, and future son-in-law, is participating! He made it to the big eight!"

"Yamcha is going to win for sure!"

A third voice squeaks out excitedly.

"Master Yamcha is a true warrior now! There's no way he'll lose!

Bulma finds and makes her way over to the two with her family.

"Oh yeah? Bikini and Goku made it too!"

Oolong looks up with a smug sneer at the umbrella.

"That you, Puar? Don't get upset when you find your 'Master' laid out like laundry!"

The umbrella frowns as he and Chi-Chi shout at the pig.

"Only a fooey pervert like you would doubt Master Yamcha!"

"Yeah! Yamcha is a hero!"

Gero scoffs at the party with a sharp glare ahead.

"No need to rile yourselves up with false hope. Gebo will be victorious in the end."

He sneers at them but soon all eyes are on the arena. The matches are announced, and the first round soon begins... Krillin and Nam.

Nam immediately makes his way for the arena but Krillin lags, intimidated by his serious demeanor, but Goku shouts at him.

"Hey! Don't be scared of that guy! You got this Krillin!"

Krillin certainly feels more confident after that. With a stronger stride, he enters the arena, the Announcer shouting into a microphone.

"We have ourselves the first match of the day folks! Will this be a one move stomp or are we in for a stellar show?!"

Nam enters a strange stance. Krillin could see so many openings, the Eastern man's legs wide with his arms high, yet he could feel something emanating from him.

Star Swirl raises his brows at the display.

"Now that is a rare sight... That man, he's on the precipice of ki manipulation, and without any proper training in spiritual arts! I've only taught Krillin so much...! Krillin! Don't underestimate him! Fight with all you have!"

The Unicorn shouts as Nam makes the first move. Krillin narrowly dodges a kick for his head by jumping in the air.

"I have you now!"

In a blur of movement, Nam sends a palm out to send Krillin out of the ring in one move, to catch him in the air and send him flying! He hadn't expected Krillin to evade his attack by grabbing the wrist of his arm to lift himself over Nam, bringing his whole arm along, Krillin flips Nam over and onto the ground face first! The crowd expecting an easy victory for the adult all cry out in pleasant surprise.

"Whoa! That was so fast! I-I almost missed what just happened!"

"I thought it was ridiculous we were seeing grown men fight children... Turns out the kid can fight!"

"He looks like a bald runt and yet even I felt that slam! Ugh, and against stone too..."

Bulma cheers on with Star Swirl.

"Hey, that's Goku and Bikini's training partner, right? If he can compete with them then he's got this fight!"

"I'd say so if Nam continues to fight like that... However, we're about to see a turning point already."

Dr. Briefs raises a brow at the Unicorn along with Gero.

"A turning point? That looked like an instant knock out to me."

"Yes, that throw had the man land headfirst and at incredible speeds... Are you saying he can continue after that?"

Star Swirl nods ahead gesturing to the fight. Krillin looks to his friends who cheer him on before he stumbles back disoriented, as Nam sent another palm for under the chin, knocking the monk back. Krillin's vision becomes blurry before he doubles over from a foot to the gut.

"I tried to take it easy on you because of your age. However, I must not underestimate you! I must win this!"

Nam goes to finish Krillin with a chop to his neck, but the young boy blocks it with his arm, grunting as the weight of this grown man pushes him closer to the ground.

"I trained not just for eight months, but all my life to get to this point...! After everything, it'd be pointless for me to lose now! Hyah!"

Krillin leans back and strafes to the side, causing Nam to stumble forward and lead him into a trap, capitalizing on this by kicking the adult in the back and sending him to the ground near the edge of the arena.

He tries to finish Nam off as he lunges at him but wheezes out the air in his lungs as Nam lifts his whole body with his arms alone, using his legs to donkey kick Krillin back to the center of the ring. Nam pushes himself high into the air before coming down with his arms crossed.

"Heaven's Cross: Cross Arm Attack!"

Krillin narrowly evades this attack by lifting himself legs first, using his arms to propel him skyward, sending a kick past Nam's arms and straight for his face. The two clashes with each attack landing and both fighters hitting the ground. The Announcer is the first of the stunned audience to snap out of his awed stupor.

"I-It would appear we've got ourselves a cross-counter finish! Will either fighter stand before the end of the count?! Otherwise, this will be a double elimination! And one! Two! Three-!"

He continues to count down as both fighters struggle to make it to their feet. Yet by the count of eight, Nam is the first to properly rise, with Krillin staggering to his feet by nine. The Announcer hops onto the platform to check on them.

"Are you both still able to go on?"

Nam merely nods and enters a more standard stance. Krillin pants rubbing his throat.

"I can... I can go on!"

"Then let the match proceed!"

The Announcer leaps off the stage eager to see the spectacle before him to continue. Much like the audience, he wasn't sure at first of Nam was surprisingly weak or if Krillin was truly super strong, yet now it is clear as day that both surpass what were previously thought to be human limits.

Krillin advances first this time as he sends a flurry of punches and jabs! With each one thrown, even as Nam blocks and parries them, they sound off loudly as if making the power behind them known. Nam breaks the combo with a well-timed counter as he uses an elbow to not just stop an oncoming fist, but damage Krillin's knuckles, forcing the young monk to stop at once.

"Ah-! Ow! What was-!?"

Nam then vanishes while Krillin is distracted, appearing behind him, and sending two palms out for the boy's back, sending paralyzing pain through his body as he's launched to the edge of the arena face down.

The Announcer shouts in his microphone.

"What a stunning comeback! After a series of high-speed exchanges, Nam nearly sent Krillin out of bounds! That attack from behind seems to have knocked him out anyways, let's see if he can beat the count again!"

As he starts counting, Star Swirl narrows his eyes with a discerning gaze.

"I hadn't anticipated a man like that being here... Don't give up now, Krillin!"

Dr. Briefs rubs his chin looking on worried.

"I'm not exactly a martial arts fanatic myself, but that part of the spine that was struck... If it suffered the damage, I believe it has, that poor boy may have to live in a wheelchair from now on."

Gero clears his throat causing Dr. Briefs to sweat slightly.

"Yes, imagine the absolute tragedy of being made a paraplegic."

"Ha ha ha... W-Well it's just an observation!"

Gero rolls his wrist gesturing back to the fight.

"A poor one at that. Look. Star Swirl's brat is getting back up yet again. Even I have heard of the Legendary Muten Roshi's prowess... If our wizardly goat here did help train the boy with him? He won't lose here."

Tights leans over surprised to hear this spiteful old man be on their side.

"You're being pretty nice all of sudden for such a cold guy!"

Gero scoffs as he keeps his eyes on the fight.

"As if! I am only stating the facts, child. Now watch."

Krillin stands at the edge panting heavily as he rubs his back. Looking ahead at Nam with fear in his eyes. His feet stand just before the edge, and it wouldn't take long until he would be sent off of it.

"Is this really as far as I can go...?"

Nam waits as well and even speaks up.

"Boy. Krillin, was it? You've fought well and with great strength! That you even made it this far at your age against over a hundred other foes is a testament to your power... Isn't that enough?"

Krillin's eyes widen at that along with most of the audience. Bulma mulls over this herself.

"He really is strong... It's not like he'd be a loser if he stopped here."

The Ox King himself even comments on this.

"I never made it too far in the Budōkai Tenkaichi either and managed to be well off..."

Panchy shakes her head sighing.

"He's quite too young to be facing all this violence, isn't he? He has a full life ahead of him after all!

More and more the crowd sides with Nam, not out of malice but of concern, it brings Krillin to doubt himself more than ever before. He never really desired to be the perfect warrior, or the most powerful man, rather he wanted strength to just be validated. The people all around him, Nam, The Announcer, the audience all acknowledge him... Isn't that enough?

"Don't y'dare step offa that platform!"

All heads turn to the source of the new voice. Launch in her blonde state snarls loudly as she shouts over the murmuring crowd.

"Ya little shit! I didn't slave away in that crummy crappy house to see y'lose and neither did you! I know y'can get to th' finals and that's exactly what you're gonna do! Prove to that bastard jus' how strong y'really are or so help me Krillin, I'll jump in there 'n kick YOUR ass instead!"

Star Swirl usually would attempt to turn her back to normal, but right now he found that these words are what Krillin needs to hear, and they were. Blinking in surprise, his doubt fades away as a smile takes its place, he reasserts his stance before gesturing for Nam to come for him.

"Thank you, Ms. Launch! Hey, Nam! This will be my last move so come and get it! If I can't beat you with this, then I'll know I'm not good enough and will forfeit!"

Star Swirl glances back at Launch worrisome at her boisterous laughter.

"Now look what you did... When did you even sneeze to change back?!"

"Don't worry about it, besides! There ain't no way Krillin will mess this up now. He's gotten fast enough to dodge my bullets with those stupid shells on!"

She then leans close whispering to him as she thumbs over to an unsavory group mean mugging her with steely glares.

"That and I plan on making a killin' by bettin' on our brats...! Look at how angry those bastards are! They thought Krillin was gonna go down in one blow! As if!"

Star Swirl rolls his eyes but smiles inwardly quite pleased that even in her own vulgar way, even Bad Launch has grown fond of the students over time.

Nam only sighs at Krillin's resolve before lowering himself readying for his finishing move.

"Very well. This isn't personal. I just can't afford to lose."

He sprints ahead almost as fast as lightning towards Krillin. However, as he is about to send the boy out the ring, a bright light blinds him and causes him to stumble.

"Agh-! Wha-? AIE!"

He feels a sharp pain strike his back and send him flying into the stone fence separating the audience from the arena, his stomach slamming into it hard. Krillin hops up with his fist in the air.

"I-! I-I did it! Ahaha! I won!"

The crowd looks on absolutely stunned and confused. All were blinded by the strange flash. Thankfully, the Announcer clears everything up.

"You won't believe this, folks! Krillin used the Sun to his advantage! Reflecting the glaring light of the Sun from his head he blinded the oncoming Nam and rolled under him between his legs! He then sprung forward using his arms and kicked Nam out of bounds and into the fence!"

The Announcer then proudly adjusts his shades.

"I saw all of this thanks to my stylish spectacles! He must have put all his power into that kick! The winner of the first round is, Krillin!"

The crowd erupts in loud cheers, Launch of course taking all the money she won for herself laughing jovially, and Krillin jumping for joy at the praise. Star Swirl makes his way over to Nam, who merely leans on the stone fence with a grim expression, dismal and hopeless as he hangs his head.

"I couldn't do it... I have failed..."

"Is that so? Why did you join the tournament, sir?"

Nam looks to Star Swirl and explains his situation. The elder Unicorn nods understanding Nam's plight.

"I can't exactly give you money, sadly... However, I can give you two things, sir. Firstly, this food capsule. There should be enough for your people to last a few days. It has some seeds to grow new crops as well."

Nam takes the capsule graciously yet finds himself unable to thank Star Swirl.

"Even with this generosity, it won't be enough, and the seeds are worthless with the terrible drought going on..."

"Ah but sir, I said I would grant you two gifts, now behold... Come, Flying Silvers!"

He shouts with his cane raised. A cloud from above, sparkling like a glittery gem with silver radiance, soars on down to Nam's side.

"Wha-What magic is this...?!"

Star Swirl strokes his beard and adopts a scholarly tone.

"A Nimbus Cloud I enchanted with the unique power to rain. When it brushes against other clouds, they too thicken into rain clouds, and I am giving this to you to help your people. Behold!"

He clears his throat and sings happily.

"Rain, rain, come on down! Come on down and rain again! ~"

At once the cloud darkens before rain pours from it.

"And when you wish it to stop? Sing this: Rain, rain, go away! Come and rain another day! ~"

The cloud clears up shining as brilliantly as a diamond. Nam puts his hand on the cloud to catch the water inside, but found it solid, surprising him and the crowd watching him.

"Ah! It's so thick!"

"No. Those of a pure heart alone may ride a Nimbus Cloud. Silvers is not just a floating watering can, but a companion, so do please take care of it would you? It will return in kind the grace you show it and the people of your village."

The stoic and harsh Nam soon finds himself unable to hold back tears. He stands and bows to Star Swirl.

"Thank You, sir! Thank You Very Much...!"

"I only ask in return for these gifts that you train. Train not just your body but also your spirit! Train and reenter the Budōkai Tenkaichi. I want to see just how strong you truly can become. Now go save your people!"

Krillin then shouts out to his opponent.

"Yeah! I'll be training still too, so we can have a rematch! I'll be looking for you, Nam sir!"

Nam looks back seeing Krillin in a new light. He and the Turtle School as a whole. He nods with a proud smile to the young monk before hopping onto Silvers. With a wave to the people watching in awe, he flies off into the sky, the Announcer himself waving back as he speaks into the microphone.

"With an ending taken right out of a fairy tale, Nam ascends to the heavens on a cloud like an angel, off to save his own people no doubt! This tournament is for the title Under Heaven, but it would seem even Heaven Above is coming down to watch these fights, so let's all have ourselves a break to prepare for the next exciting match! Mark Hercule versus Jackie Chun! ~"

The crowd make for the town neighboring the tournament arena, everyone chattering about the fight, even the fighters watching on couldn't help themselves. Mark scratches his cheek as Krillin returns to the lobby with the rest of the fighters.

"Hey, good fight! I thought for sure Nam had you, but you sure showed me!"

Goku and Bikini practically slam into the monk as the happily exclaim.

"You made it to the next round! Nice job!"

"I'm so happy to see you so make it ahead!"

Krillin looks between them with a gulp.

"Y-Yeah but... You two have to fight each other...! Aren't you worried about that?"

Both shake their heads and look at each other brimming with confidence.

"My job is to protect Bikini from anything and everything that wants to hurt her... But after training with her for so long, I can't help but wonder between us who is stronger!"

"I need to prove to myself I don't need to hide behind anyone or anything anymore to feel safe, even my horn. If I can beat Goku... I can beat anyone!"

Krillin only lets out an exasperated sigh as Mark folds his arms at the two.

"At least you're both happy with the outcome..."

Jackie Chun walks by nodding to Krillin.

"A good fight, for sure. When you found yourself cornered, never forget that it is the mind that will save you, just as it did today when that young lady cheered you on."

Krillin nods back at him.

"If I have doubt in myself, I'll have lost before the first match. That's what you told me sir, and you were right! You kind of remind me of Master Roshi..."

Yamcha looks around curious as something plagues his mind.

"Speaking of, where is he? You all trained with him, but I didn't see him in the crowd at all."

Jackie just shrugs yet feels a weight bearing on him suddenly. Out the corner of his eyes he can see Gebo staring directly at them, at Goku. He expected to see those hate-filled eyes fueled by a silent rage... Instead, there is a soft sadness to his face, an even deeper hurt in those cold blue eyes filled with a sense of regret.

The old master can tell from here that this tournament truly won't be like any before.

Chapter Text

The afternoon Sun hangs low over the bustling crowd, everyone eager to see the next fight, especially Bulma.

"Mark's fight is next! He wasted a lot of time training for this, so he better win!"

Dr. Briefs looks on as the fighters take to the arena.

"I have to admit it, Mark is certainly something else, he recovered from the prototype gravity chamber in record time! I swear he might actually be invulnerable, and he doesn't even know it..."

Gero raises a brow at this as his interest is piqued.

"That big headed fool of yours has undergone some unique training regimen?"

Dr. Briefs nods with a smile and sparkle in his eye. An expression the two scientists once shared in their youths when it came to their passion.

"I've never been one for martial arts, but Mark's eccentricity has grown on me. One day he came up with this crazy idea of making an isolated area with heavier gravity. Of course, this has never been achieved before, but with Tights and Bulma helping we managed to create a prototype. However..."

Tights interrupts abruptly.

"He got hurt real bad cause he put the gravity too high! He honestly should still be in a bed after that."

Bulma shoves Tights away as she speaks proudly.

"But as it turns out not even a few weeks later, he was back at it again, going in and out of the chamber for months! His current record is five times Earth's gravity!"

Gero leans forward in astonishment unable to hide even his shock.

"F-Five times...!? Three times gravity alone should make it difficult to walk around for Olympic Weightlifters! If what you say is true, then...!"

Panchy giggles with a hand on her cheek.

"I'm not sure what it really matters, but ever since Marky started his work outs, he's been helping out the good officers of our town fighting crime! He's like a superhero right out of a comic book! Not even the Red Ribbon Army bothers West City anymore thanks to him!"

Ox King looks on, having faced, and lost against Jackie Chun himself. A bead of sweat trickles down his brow.

"Gravity training, huh? That sounds intense... But it probably won't help against Jackie Chun. That man has done similar training... I wonder who'll win now...?"

The Announcer brings his hand up and swings it down with a loud cry.

"BEGIN!"

Jackie leans back dodging a blurred jab. He then ducks slightly from a chop before weaving around a fast hook. In the eyes of most spectators, Mark's arms practically vanish from time to time, a pop in the air like gunshots, and soon a loud crack echoes as Mark lands a solid hit on Jackie's shoulder.

Gero stammers seeing this display.

"H-He's punching like a machine! Those sounds too...! How is he doing that?!"

Dr. Briefs explains with a hint of pride.

"That's his Machine Gun Punch©. Mark has honed more than strength when using the gravity chamber. Speed, endurance, and even durability was all tested to their limits! I daresay Mark Hercule here is the first Superhuman the world has ever seen!"

The Ox King and Star Swirl disagree. The larger man narrows his eyes towards the fight.

"He is fast, no doubt about it, but his movements are too predictable. He's like an open book."

The wizard nods with his former student.

"Not to mention that he's trying to end the fight too quickly by going all out all at once. The boy will tire himself out and lose."

Launch pounds Star Swirl's head snarling.

"As if! I got good money on that damn chump, so he better not lose! If he does, I'll be right back where I started!

"Agh! Then don't gamble your winnings away like an idiot, you foul mouthed harpy!"

While the two bicker, Bikini, Goku, and Krillin all watch with Gebo and Yamcha. Goku's eyes lock onto the two fighters as Jackie begins to exchange blows with Mark, matching the young martial artist's speed.

"That old man is something else..."

Bikini looks between them with her hand to her chest as her heart becomes tight with suspense.

"I can't tell who'll win... They're both so fast too but nothing is landing!"

Krillin rubs his head just sweating from watching.

"If they're doing this well then fighting either of them is going to be a pain..."

Yamcha nudges Gebo with a smirk.

"They're putting on a pretty good show out there. Hope you can keep up with me when it's our turn."

The redheaded giant simply stares ahead speaking stoically.

"I am not an entertainer. Jackie Chun will win. I have no doubts of that."

All the fighters look at him surprised but he continues.

"It is evident that the first blow landed on his shoulder was from him underestimating his opponent. Now that he knows Mark Hercule is putting forth effort at an above human level, so too will Jackie Chun. Mark leaves himself far too open to capitalize on any himself. Watch."

Mark sends a devastating blow right for Jackie's face, but the old man effortlessly dodges with a simple lean of his head, himself advancing forwards to close the gap between them. Before Mark can even pull back, a palm meets his chin sending him off his feet and onto his butt, where Jackie would wait with his hands behind his back.

"A fiercer opponent would kick you or continue to juggle you in the air with a barrage of blows."

"This a match or a lecture!? In case you forgot! We both landed a hit on each other! I'd say this fight is even!"

Mark hops to his feet only to be struck in the chest with what feels like a cannonball. In the eyes of everyone else, Jackie merely jabbed him in the chest, but Goku understands when he sees Mark stumble back looking grim as he grips his chest.

"He's... He's stronger! The old man is way stronger than Mark!"

Bikini looks to Goku in stunned shock.

"What!? But he barely touched him...!"

It dawns on her then. Goku nods as he holds up his own fist.

"Just like us in our fights. We had to hold back a lot or else we'd really hurt someone!"

Krillin looks down at his own hands.

"Hey, that's true... T-Then are you saying Jackie Chun is holding back!?"

Gebo speaks up nodding as well.

"It is precisely as Son Goku says. I could tell from the very beginning that Jackie Chun has held back his true power. Even now... He still has yet to truly try."

Yamcha couldn't believe that his opponent would be so sharp. Goku, he expected as much from what he heard of Son Gohan from the Ox King, but this man caught on before even Goku. His confidence in his match soon began to wane.

Mark stumbles back from another counter from Jackie and nears the edge of the arena. Jackie enters a new stand as he holds a cupped hand.

"You're tough, but the stiff oak breaks before the mighty breeze."

With a swing of his hand, a powerful gale blows forth, sending quite a few in the audience back. Even those behind and around the area could feel the strong wind. However, as it died down, Mark remains in the ring. He is leaning back, almost bent halfway out the ring, but his feet remain firm in the ground.

There's a gasp of disbelief shared with everyone in the crowd, even Jackie is stunned beyond words, and this allows Mark to headbutt him before he can recover. The Announcer shouts the first words as Jackie stumbles back holding his bruised nose.

"You wouldn't believe if I told you, folks! Jackie Chun summoned a powerful wind that could flip over a semi-truck, but Mark managed to stay in by his toes alone! He dug them right into the arena floor and anchored himself! That wind may have been strong enough for a truck but not enough this freighter of a man!"

Mark thumbs to himself with his signature laughter.

"It'll take more than a breeze to blow me over! You'd better get a hurricane ready if you even want a chance at knocking me out!"

Bulma cheers with the now ecstatic crowd.

"That's it, Mark! You got this! That's our champion there!"

Launch cheers along with her.

"Send that old fossil back to th' Stone Age, Big Head!"

Jackie gives his opponent a slight smile as he enters a new stance.

"I must admit I am impressed. You fight with a rugged and rough style, easy to exploit yet devastating when effective, I wonder... You're not actually self-taught, are you?"

Mark's face changes from surprise to serious.

"I had a master... A great guy who taught me the basics when no one else would. He was killed by an assassin, so I had to figure the rest out on my own. One day I'll find that murderer and beat him! If I can't make it here, then there's no way I'll be good enough to face Tao Pai Pai!"

Bulma blinks at that unaware of such a burden on her boyfriend's shoulders.

"How come he never told me that? Oh, Mark..."

Tights frowns upon learning this.

"No wonder he pushed himself so hard..."

Dr. Briefs and Gero watch on silent, the latter having met the infamous mercenary before and understood Mark's feelings, even Jackie hadn't expected such a troublesome tale from someone otherwise so comical.

"Is that why you joined the tournament? To test or to prove something to yourself? To prepare yourself for revenge?"

Mark shakes his head now flustered with the questions.

"Well yeah but... N-Nah... Not really. I just owe Capsule Corporation for taking care of me these past few months! It ain't a lot of money compared to what they have, but it should settle the debt, I think... After that, I'm not gonna seek Tao's death, but bring him in for the police to handle! To face the crimes he’s committed against the world!"

Jackie sighs at that with his heart at ease. Mark comes across as an attention seeking clown, and he mostly is, yet there's an undeniable nobleness inside that's finding its way out.

"That's not a bad goal... You can try again next year. I'll take after the young man from the previous match. If I can't defeat you in this last blow then I shall forfeit."

Mark gulps at that. Something became different about this wizened fighter. As if the very air around him is filled with a foreign energy. Mark ignores his instincts and enters his own stance.

"Then get ready to lose, old timer!"

The Ox King shakes his head.

"That boy has already lost."

Star Swirl nods as he pats Launch's arm sympathetic for her future.

"Indeed. If he were going up against your boy or Nam, then he would have won, talk about luck."

Launch says nothing and only slaps his hand away. Dr. Briefs looks between the two confused whereas Bulma fumes.

"You both seem so sure of his defeat...?"

"Mark won't lose to that geezer! Watch! I bet he'll pull through like that monk kid did!"

Gero however silently agrees with the two adults. From his own experience, when an expert makes a declaration on something they've studied or even mastered, rarely are they wrong.

Mark watches Jackie with his eyes narrowing on him eager to see any twitch, any nudge, the slightest-

"IT'S OVER! Ring Out!"

Mark blinks as he lays on the grass outside before finding himself unable to breathe. He clutches his stomach in a sudden pain finally registering before gasping desperate for air. The Announcer runs over to Mark with sweat beading down his face.

"I-It would appear that... Without touching him... J-Jackie Chun has knocked Mark out of the ring!"

Bulma leans back utterly dumbfounded with Oolong, who had secretly bet his money on Mark along with Launch, all three of them were stunned silent. Then, Gero cackles.

"I see! So that's what he did! Such a simple solution to an already simple problem!"

Dr. Briefs rubs his neck still unaware of what transpired.

"What? You saw what happened?"

Gero nods with his laughter finally dying down.

"That man, Jackie Chun, simply attacked him with a momentary strike of his full-power. However, that is not the reason for my joviality! I can now say without a doubt that Gebo will win!"

Star Swirl raises a brow at him while keeping Launch back from lunging at the paraplegic pessimist.

"H-How can you be so sure?"

Gero merely scoffs.

"A few years ago, we visited a man of the name Son Gohan in search of the Dragon Balls. When we met him, he showed the utmost hospitality and utter kindness, but he also showed interest in Gebo. We would learn then of the power of ki and Gebo learned how to harness that power in a near instant. I could hardly believe it!"

The Ox King gasps learning this along with Bulma.

"Y-You met Old Gohan...?!"

"That's Goku's grandpa, isn't it? How come Goku never mentioned you or your son?"

Gero narrows his eyes as he watches Goku leaning out with the other fighters watching Jackie pose for victory before helping Mark to his feet.

"We only knew Son Gohan for a day. He would teach Gebo the secrets to harnessing ki, and what should have taken a lifetime took my son meager hours to learn, and thus he unlocked strength I have yet to see even in today's very match. However, night soon approached..."

Star Swirl's eyes then widened as he realizes the terrible truth.

"Gero... It was a full moon that night, wasn't it."

Those that knew all grew silent. Tights and Panchy look at each other lost as the Ox King and Chi-Chi wait for the story to continue. Gero nods as his fists tighten.

"Were it not for Son Gohan then neither me nor my son would be alive today."

Dr. Briefs cautiously asks the question lingering on everyone's mind.

"What about your wife?"

Gero doesn't answer. His brows furrow as the rest understands. Puar then calls out as he sees Yamcha stepping out onto the arena with Gebo.

"Huh? Shouldn't we be taking a break first?"

Star Swirl shakes his head as Oolong and Launch go to make their bets in the back.

"The last fight wasn't as long as the first one so they're moving on. The crowd is also anxious to see more after two displays of advance martial arts. Even those that lost are pretty impressive."

Chi-Chi shouts over the crowd.

"Yamcha! You have to win!"

The Ox King shouts just as loud.

"I taught you all I know and more! Do us proud, Yamcha!"

He gives them a confident smile and thumbs up before facing his larger foe.

"Seems I can't exactly hold back after the last two shows. Sorry bud, I'm gonna come at you with all I got!"

Gebo remains silent and gestures for Yamcha to make the first move. With a growl at such impudence, Yamcha glides across the arena closing the gap at once and sends a volley of attacks.

Goku gasps before bouncing in place watching the display.

"Whoa! ~ Is that his Wolf Fang Fist?! That's way faster than before! I can barely see his hands move!"

Bikiki squints her eyes trying to catch up herself.

"They're open too... Is he trying to claw at him?"

Krillin is pale as he points ahead at Gebo.

"Y-Yeah that Yamcha guy is impressive but... None of those attacks are landing...!"

Gebo stands statue still save for his right arm. With one arm alone, Gebo repels the assault. Jackie speaks up then with a nervous bead of sweat.

"Indeed, young man. Yamcha there is simply throwing blow after blow. Against an average fighter this overwhelming assault could work. Unfortunately, that man is a seasoned fighter, and an incredibly gifted one at that. I don't think the Ox King's boy will be moving on sadly."

Mark huffs out rubbing his still aching stomach.

"H-Hey it's still the start of the match...! It ain't like the gap in power between them can be that wide, right?"

Goku grows serious as he reminds the party of just who Gebo is.

"That guy tried to kill me... He beat me bad and only messed up because he didn't know bullets don't break my skin. That and Grandpa's treasure saved me too. Even if he got stronger, I could beat Yamcha before, so I don't really know who will win... But I'm pretty sure Gebo is holding back right now."

Everyone watches on tensely as the furious exchange between the two fighters. Yamcha finds himself stepping back despite being the one attacking, his opponent being a near impenetrable wall, Yamcha sneers as his plan comes to fruition!

"There!"

A small spurt of blood flies in the air... Gebo's eyes widen as his brow is grazed by Yamcha's hand. The Announcer shouts in absolute awestruck by the turnaround.

"F-First Blood! Yamcha is the one to draw first blood! No one saw this coming, folks!"

The Ox King lets out a hearty chortle.

"That's my boy! He led that man around with all those fake attacks for one good shot!"

Gero rolls his eyes.

"A simple cut like that is nothing. That wouldn't even hurt me!"

Chi-Chi sticks her tongue out blowing a raspberry at the old pessimist.

"It isn't meant to, sir! You! Just! Watch!"

Yamcha steps back and strafes to Gebo's side before landing another shot in his side with a fist. Gebo buckles stumbling away as he wipes his eyes. The Announcer notices first what has transpired.

"I see! Yamcha's true intentions were to, blind Gebo using the redhead's own blood! It isn't a direct attack to the eyes so it's good! Is this the end of the match already?!"

Chi-Chi and Puar cheer on gleefully.

"Yamcha! ~ Finish the fight quick!"

"Hurry, Master Yamcha! Don't miss your chance!"

Yamcha doesn't waste a moment. He unleashes the true Wolf Fang Fist, focused blows meant not just to beat on Gebo, but push him to the edge of the arena. Step by step he forces the giant closer to the edge. The crowd goes wild as Yamcha readies his final push.

"I was certain you'd put up more a fight than this! Hyah!"

Yamcha sends both hands out to launch Gebo out of the arena. Instead of hitting him though, Yamcha only strikes the air before everything goes dark, his unconscious body falls face first into the grass. Gebo stands over him with his eyes closed.

"Please do not get upset at me when you wake up. You defeated yourself. Thank you for the match."

The Announcer stumbles and stammers over himself before finding the right words as Gebo gently picks up Yamcha's body. He withdraws into the waiting room with the other fighters as the Announcer shouts out.

"Unbelievable! At the last moment, Gebo moved as if he could see without using his eyes, and smoothly maneuvered behind Yamcha at that last second before giving him a chop to the neck! An instant loss through and through with that ring out!"

Gero nods in approval of the results.

"No need to waste energy on such an opponent."

Jackie could see it as well and looks to both Goku and Bikini.

"Whoever of you two wins... Be careful of that man. He isn't showing off his power, he's trying to hide as much of it as he can, and I daresay he may hold more power than anyone on the island right now..."

Goku abruptly shouts over Jackie.

"Wait a minute! What about Master Roshi?!"

The old martial artist only remains silent. Krillin then interrupts this with a cry.

"Ah! That's right! G-Goku, Bikini, I don't know who to root for...!"

Goku and Bikini look at each other and nod before looking to Krillin with a shared smile.

"Cheer for us both then, Krillin!"

"Even if you do pick a side, we'll all still be friends, won't we?"

Leaving a stunned Krillin behind as they make way for the arena together, the monk huffs out in a mix of annoyance and relief.

"T-Those two always just say stuff and move on like it's nothing...! Still, I wonder who's gonna win...?"

Bulma and Oolong both shout in surprise.

"What!? G-Goku is fighting Bikini!? She'll just blast him away!"

"How is this a fair fight?! He's gonna mop the floor with her!"

They both give each other a vicious leer before they start to verbally butt heads. Bulma shoving a finger in the pig's face.

"Want to run that by me again, porkchop? My sister isn't a weakling, remember?!"

Oolong shoves one right back at her.

"Hey, I was her victim, but did you get hit with amnesia or something?! You AND your all-powerful sis there hid behind Goku when it came to action! There's no way the runt will lose!"

The two begin to bicker in the back while Tights and Panchy go to Dr. Briefs worried.

"Dad, her horn isn't glowing... It looks like she's going to fight for real...!"

"Dear, I really am worried about Bikini's safety..."

Dr. Briefs laughs at their worries which catches them off-guard. He brings a hand up and gestures to the adopted daughter.

"Look at her, ladies. She's showing more confidence here than I've ever seen in my life! She isn't the least bit afraid, and Bikini is the most cautious of us all. I am certain about it, win or lose, she'll be fine."

Chi-Chi looks at her father from his shoulder with Puar.

"A girl fighting? Isn't that wrong?"

"Oho! Not at all, Princess! There are some very strong women out there and one of them was your mother. Although, I thought Unicorns couldn't fight physically..."

The Ox King looks to Star Swirl who is ready to give his own explanation.

"Bikini is something special. It is true, we Unicorns aren't as tough as normal people, or beastmen. Bikini however has shown a unique ability however to go beyond that in physical strength alone without the aid of magic... Perhaps because of how easy it is for her to learn magic, the ability to manipulate her ki comes just as easy, which would put Goku at a disadvantage."

"W-Would, sir?"

All eyes and ears of the party are on Star Swirl now. He nods and looks to Goku.

"Bikini's ki manipulation is remarkable for her age, yes. Her speed as well far exceeds that of Goku's as well. Goku however, is still the superior fighter in skill and strength, as well as his cunning. This is easily the most even fight of the tournament we'll be seeing from here on... I... I truly have no idea who will win..."

Launch then shouts with all her might at the two.

"Yo Bikini! Don't y'dare lose t' that twerp! Goku, give that brat what for! C'mon y'two, I wanna see a real good fight, y'hear me!?"

She grins seeing the children enter their stances facing each other with pure determination. Launch could feel the confuses gazes on her and doesn't even look back, opting to just hold her head high instead.

"What're y'starin' at you lot? I helped trained those three boogers myself, I'll have you know!"

Star Swirl's eyes widen as he remembers near the last few months of training.

"Wait a second, you didn’t teach them to dodge bullets, did you?!"

She shoves a hand in his face to keep him from talking.

"Y'see that brimming confidence just blazing from our horned beaut there? That's my doing along with her own effort! 'N Goku there is already tough enough to be hit with a volley of bullets but not get a scratch! In fact, he 'n Bikini can dodge 'em now! I can't help but cheer for 'em both now so that's what I'll do!"

Annoyed at her antics, Star Swirl himself found it worth celebrating silently over Launch's personal growth. The fondness she had for crime and money is finally rivaled but another, her fondness for the students of the Turtle Hermit School.

Gero says nothing. He watches Goku with seething rage. He only glances to Gebo who watches the fight just outside of the waiting room, both nodding to each other. Either way this fight goes they will be receiving valuable data.

At last, Goku and Bikini settle in their stances, the Announcer having his hand raised speaks the rules, but neither hear him. The pair far too focused on each other to even care.

"Don't go crying when you lose, Bikini."

"I saw you eat plenty before this moment, so no excuses about you being hungry either, okay?"

They share a giggle and wait until they hear the magic word.

"BEGIN!"

Chapter Text

The two friends clash against each other in a deadlock, Goku's arm pushes against Bikini's leg, the former snickering as he knows he has the advantage with both feet on the ground. That is until he sees Bikini's free arms shoot out in a flurry of blows. Goku stumbles back before being sent into the air from a kick to the chin. He recovers by landing on his hands and back flipping a few times for distance.

"I have you now!"

Bikini shouts as she punches through a blurry Goku. Her eyes widen before she leans back from a flying kick to the head from the side, Goku passes by her in the air snickering, as his tail flicks right into her face with tremendous force that sends her on her back. As she lays on the ground, Goku makes for the air to land his knees into her gut, but she recovers quickly to counter his attack with her own. She lifts her lower body skyward and pushes with both arms, shooting her legs out for Goku's stomach, catching him as air is knocked right out of his body.

She grins and lowers her legs, but Goku grabs hold of them as she mistakenly let him down to his feet, herself unaware he was playing pretend until it was too late.

"Now I got ya! Sayonara!"

Goku spins around at a ridiculous speed before launching her over the crowd. He makes a peace sign of victory as the Announcer narrates.

"What a quick match that was, folks! Goku has sent Bikini out of the ring! A-A bit anticlimactic... But that's just how things are in the Budōkai Tenkaichi! Ah! Wait a minute, look there, in the sky!"

The crowd and even Goku look on astonished as Bikini floats in the air glowing with a sparkling gold aura. She flies back to the arena and lands dead center pointing to the sky.

"Don't you count me out yet! This match won't end with my ring out... Because I can fly!"

She then points to Goku.

"Can you say the same without Nimbus?"

Goku gets ready to respond but The Announcer enters the ring between them.

"A-Actually, wait! How did you fly...?"

"Oh, Mister! Don't you see the horn her head? Bikini is a real Unicorn!"

The Announcer and many in the crowd exclaim in surprise at Goku's statement, but Bikini smiles as she shows the base of her horn.

"It's true! Watch! I'll swap your microphone for something else without leaving the ring!"

The horn glows again, aiming for the microphone. With a single beam from her horn and a flash of white, the microphone turns into a hotdog, one Oolong was about to eat until he bit into the microphone.

"Augh! What the Hell-?! Hey! Don't keep using me as your guinea pig, Bikini!"

A few in the crowd giggles with many stunned at the show of magic. Bikini then shows off more as she physically swaps the two items to their rightful owners. The Announcer, after cleaning his beloved partner with a napkin, nods with an amazed expression.

"Unbelievable! We've even got mythical beings ripped right outta fairy tales here! Since it is a natural growth, Bikini is allowed to use her demonstrated power throughout the match!"

He hops out of the arena and calls for the match to continue. Goku grins almost knowingly as he advances towards her.

"You want me to knock you out, Bikini?!"

She responds in kind waiting for him as she lowers herself to the ground.

"I want you to try, Goku! You won't be winning without breaking a sweat, I assure you that!"

Goku lunges for her but his image vanishes as she strikes at him. He reappears behind her with an attack ready.

"You're mine now!"

Bikini falls into a split and allows Goku to fly right past her. This time, she seeks the tail out as he flies by, and snatches it midair before slamming him into the ground on his stomach. There's a gasp from the crowd, especially Gero as he watches Goku writhe in limp agony, the old man utterly confused.

"What-!? What spell is this? Has she paralyzed him somehow!?"

Star Swirl and Dr. Briefs glance at each other knowingly. With the vendetta Gero has for Goku, they silently agree not to speak a word, that is until Bulma blurts out.

"Oh yeah! ~ If you grab his tail he loses his strength and can barely move at all! Great thinking, Bikini!"

The Ox King nods with a finger raised.

"Yeah! The letters Gohan sent me said something similar!"

Launch snorts folding her arms.

"’S true, though he's still bulletproof even like that, but it gets him t' behave. I knew it was good idea bettin’ on Bikini."

Oolong grinds his teeth looking between the others.

"Wait a sec! Bulma, you knew that this whole time?! I knew I should've picked Bikini over Goku..."

Dr. Briefs and Star Swirl stand there in absolute dismay as their friends go on about Goku's singular physical weakness. Gero however is elated inwardly, even as he simply nods to Gebo from across the area. His son notes this vital detail as Krillin looks on in surprise.

"What!? H-He has a weakness after all?!"

Mark rubs his chin as Jackie watches intently.

"That would've been great to know back then..."

"It seems to be source of his power. I wonder what would happen if it were cut off or removed from the base..."

Bikini sighs in relief as she tightens her grip garnering a weak groan from her friend.

"Sorry, Goku. I already held back enough by not using my magic on you. I'll have to throw you out of bounds now!"

She swings him around just as he had done to her and sends him into the air. She then poses for victory as well only to hear the Announcer stammer aghast.

"G-Goku is making his way back to the ring using his tail!"

"Huh?!"

Everyone looks to the sky to see a snickering Goku flying back as his tail spins fast enough to keep him afloat. Star Swirl can't help but let out a chuckle himself.

"His cunning and imaginative solutions are on full display today. There is not one person in my many years I have met that could learn or adapt as fast as Goku can."

Goku lands back on the arena but the Announcer interrupts the fight again.

"Excuse me! B-But that tail isn't fake either, right? We thought it was just part of the beastman fashion craze going around!"

Goku pulls down his pants much to the ire and laughter of everyone around.

"Yeah, it's real. See?"

Bulma shouts angrily along with Oolong.

"GOKU DON'T FLASH US!"

"WHAT THE HELL, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR PRICK!"

Panchy blushes with a hand on her cheek while Dr. Briefs remains focused on the tail.

"Such a bold young man! ~ I can see why the girls are friends with him!"

"That's a real tail alright but I wonder what else is different about his anatomy..."

Launch merely rolls his eyes.

"I've washed the brat more than enough times to get used to this."

The Ox King and Puar shield Chi-Chi’s eyes as Gero and Star Swirl just shake their heads. The Announcer stumbles back before shouting at Goku as well.

"Gah! You didn't need to pull your pants all the way down! P-Please dress yourself and continue the match!"

After doing so, Goku smiles fiercely at Bikini.

"I didn't think you'd try to end the fight like that! That's pretty mean, wouldn't you say?"

She only gives a shrug in response and turns her back to him.

"What can I say? I've gotten to know you well! I can even predict what you'll do next..."

Those watching her from the other side see her close her eyes and murmur amongst themselves confused.

"Is she really gonna predict his next move? W-With her eyes closed?"

"This girl is pretty smug launching that kid around..."

"I mean it might be a form of magic we don't know of!"

"One thing is certain and it's these two are as silly as they are amazing!

Goku wastes no time as he advances on Bikini, jumping overhead with an acrobatic somersault to face her, he throws a punch that she dodges with relative ease. He lands and immediately goes to sweep her feet, but she hops with one leg lifted high, coming down as a heel kick that hits Goku's head. It sends him down onto his chin as the ground beneath his head cracks. The entire arena shakes slightly from the impact, terrifying some, but none more than Mark himself and the Announcer.

"S-She practically killed him if that damaged the arena!"

Jackie looks to Mark with a raised brow.

"Why would you say that? You used your toes to anchor yourself from my attack before."

"That's all I could do at the time! I might make a dent or some holes, but she left small crater there, and that arena ain't like the ones you remember Mr. Chun!"

The Announcer clears his throat as Bikini stands over Goku's body.

"T-This is something else for sure! The material used for the arena is some of the hardest stone imported around the globe! To make such an impact on it is to imply immense power, more power than we've yet to see in this tournament until now, but... It seems Goku is breathing! Let's start the count!"

Everyone who felt the shaking can hardly believe the power Bikini holds, especially her own family, as Panchy's eyes open wide as the count goes on.

"M-My baby marshmallow... I never thought she could be so strong...!"

Bulma and Tights gulp at the sight.

"S-She might actually... Be stronger than Goku...?"

"Is that really the same little girl I know...?"

Launch punches the air cheering loudly.

"That's it girl! Knock 'im dead! You're killin' it out there!"

Oolong wails loudly in fear.

"C'mon Goku, I've seen you get hit by tougher, you can't bow out now!"

The count nears the end, but Goku pushes himself up grinning brightly.

"Fooled ya! ~"

He leaps off the ground from his hands alone and backwards to gain distance. As the two fighters stare each other down, Star Swirl nods sagely.

"I see... He's already figured it out. Can he capitalize on it though?"

Dr. Briefs and Gero look to him for an explanation without asking. The elder wizard answers upon noting their gazes.

"In martial arts, specifically in the realm of spiritual training, manipulating one's ki energy is only the starting point of power. However, it is also the most difficult hurdle to overcome, a hurdle Bikini has yet to surpass."

Gero wants to groan at this nonsense, however he has seen it himself, through Gohan and Gebo he knows that Star Swirl speaks the truth. In fact, it dawns on him then.

"Gebo does the same when he wishes to use his full might... I thought it to be an athletic ritual, something psychological, but now to learn of the truth... Just how much power is the human body hiding. How much is she hiding within herself?!"

Dr. Briefs looks at Goku as Bikini advances onto him this time.

"You implied a weakness that Goku can exploit. If that's true, then there really is no telling who can be the victor here."

Star Swirl narrows his eyes ahead as he can already see the results of the coming exchange.

"Well, yes but there is another flaw in Bikini's strategy."

"Hm? What could that be?"

"That as well as she knows Goku..."

Goku watches Bikini as she closes her eyes. She dodges as she can feel the wind of a whiffed attack past her face, and yet as she dodges with a smirk on her face, she finds herself decked right in the mouth by a stupendously strong punch! Star Swirl gestures ahead as Goku brings Bikini down onto the ground with his fist, leaving a similar indent he had.

"Goku knows her just as well."

The Announcer jumps at the shaking of the ground and shouts into the microphone.

"An unbelievable counter by Goku! He stopped short, just in front of Bikini, and threw a punch to the air! Either feeling the wind or hearing something move, she dodged her head to the side right into Goku's real attack! That hook to her face has sent a small tremor through the area just like her kick did!"

Oolong then blurts out rudely.

"Quit with the jabbering and start that count already!"

Goku hops back but the Announcer has no time to even start since Bikini sits up immediately. Her reaction stuns the audience as she laughs quite happily as she rubs a trickle of blood from under her nose.

"Sheesh Goku! You could've held back just a bit!"

He shakes his head before entering his stance for the first time this match.

"I was! I've trained with you, so I know how strong you really are! I'm gonna go all out now!"

She stands and enters her own stance, a strange copy of his own, her eyes sparkling with determination.

"Then I'll follow your lead... Here I Come!"

Bikini and Goku rush at each other before outright vanishing from sight. A bewildered Dr. Briefs takes his glasses off to clean them.

"A-Am I seeing this right...?!"

Gero himself leans out of his chair looking around.

"What just happened!? Are they in the sky now?!"

Launch and Oolong rub their eyes unable to even process what's going on. That's when they see it. For a split moment, Goku and Bikini reappear as the monkey boy kicks Bikini across the jaw, then they vanish again for several seconds before they reappear elsewhere on the arena. Bikini elbows Goku on the head before they're gone again.

Over and over, a brief momentary glance can be viewed by the audience, however there are those that can see exactly what's going on. Star Swirl's eyes dart about as he follows the two seamlessly.

"Ox King. You're able to follow along, right?"

Though he sweats a little, the Ox King nods as he moves his head up and down.

"They like to jump around lot, huh? I can understand Goku since his opponent is practically two feet taller than him but..."

Krillin watches along with Mark.

"T-This is amazing... I-I can barely keep up! If I even blink, I'll miss five or eight moves in one go!"

Mark groans as his whole head moves about.

"At least you CAN catch up! I've lost them so many times it's ridiculous! Just how can anyone move so fast...?!"

Jackie puffs his chest out a little bit with a sense of pride as he watches.

"This is the speed of real martial artists. It only gets more interesting from here."

Gebo looks over to the old master with wide eyes.

"What? There is more to be seen?"

Jackie smirks glad to see the giant have some emotion.

"Oho? ~ You can follow along too, then? You can see it in both of your young practitioners here. They're beating on each other something fierce, but neither is backing down. For every blow landed, a counter parried, a parry blocked, a block feinted, a feint lands and they repeat. These two have entered a dance of battle even I have rarely participated in. Truly an impressive display."

Yamcha, who had woken up moments prior before the fight, points ahead.

"They're slowing down! Look! T-The girl...!"

Bikini skids across the arena littered in small bruises and her gi slightly torn. She pushes herself up from the ground panting on her knees. Goku then reappears behind her in the air ready to deliver a finishing blow.

"It's over!"

As Goku nears Bikini, a bright light flashes throughout the area, and just then the fight goes from bizarre to otherworldly. Only a select handful few can believe their very eyes. The Announcer barely manages to utter his commentary through his gob smacked face.

"L-La-Lad-Ladies and G-Gent-Gentlemen...! It would appear that-! Bi-Bikini has transformed into a horse and kicked Goku to stop his coming attack!"

Launch leans forward as even she found herself completely speechless. Oolong however pulls on his ears in fear and frustration.

"No! Right in the gut too! Goku you idiot why would you let her bait you like that!?"

Tights does quite a few double takes before grabbing her mother and shaking her.

"What just happened!?"

"I-I don't know dear but...! That is our Bikini, isn't it?"

Bulma had hidden her eyes not wanting to see her sister beaten into the ground, but peeks through her hands upon hearing everything going on, and grows pale.

"Oh y-yeah... I uh, I forgot she could do that...!"

Dr. Briefs and Star Swirl laugh together at the scene.

"I knew that form would be useful someway other than transportation, but I hadn't expected this!"

"Ha! She really is pulling out all the stops on her end! I wonder how Goku will answer this!"

Chi-Chi gasps loudly pointing to Bikini.

"Daddy, Daddy! A real Unicorn is here and she's wearing that girl's gi!"

As the Ox King plays with his daughter's excitement, Gero can only gaze with complete loss, nothing prepared him for this. He looks to Star Swirl with countless questions yet asks but one.

"You can also transform like that, I take it?"

Star Swirl nods.

"I can. I can turn myself into many things, but this isn't about me, watch carefully now."

Goku wheezes with no air in his lungs as he's perched by his gut on both of Bikini's hind hooves. She pushes him into the air and kicks him again, and again, juggling him as if he were a soccer ball. She'd use her front knees, her rear, even her head to keep him into the air. Eventually she would kick him one last time towards the edge of the ring. Now, even Goku looks battered and exhausted, a small cut on his cheek and a bloody lip adorns him along with the many bruises on his body.

He forces himself to his feet, yet even as he is on the back foot of defeat, he can't help but smile as happy as can be. This fight isn't like his fights with bandits or monsters, not like the others in this tournament or even what few sparring matched he did with Roshi. This fight isn't anything like with Pilaf's Machines or men, nor with Gebo...

He feels as if he's back to those precious days with his Grandpa.

Despite the blood in his mouth, the heavy beating of heart pounding in his chest, his lungs feeling on fire and his body aching so. Or rather, because of all these things, Goku feels more alive than any other time in his life right now. Bikini knows this as she not only can see it in his eyes.

She can feel this euphoria in herself.

She finally understood her closest friend in a way she thought impossible. The fear of pain and loss were thrown away and replaced with the challenge to improve, to bond and protect those around her, to grow stronger for not just herself but for those she holds dear.

Bikini lowers her head trying to keep herself from being too emotional. She speaks up, catching several in the audience off-guard that a horse could even do that.

"Thank you, Goku."

Goku tilts his head at that.

"Huh? What I do?"

She returns to normal and enters an all too familiar stance. Bended knees, solid square footing with arms pulled back and cupped hands placed together, her horn beginning to glow softly with an audible rise in power.

"When I first met you... I didn't really know who or what I was... In some ways I still don't know. Still, I admired you as simple as you are, so carefree and strong."

She looks up then, the sparkles in her eyes gone, now replaced with a searing flame of determination. One she so often found in his eyes.

"I used to be scared of many things, things you taught me I could overcome just as you did, and now... Even though I'm your friend-! No!"

Her horn glows furiously as an air of power reverberates around her, enough wind to push Goku's hair back, and even the audience to physically feel.

"As your friend! I must beat you! Otherwise, how else am I supposed to protect everyone around me? I need to surpass the strongest hurdle in my life... And the greatest friend I've ever had! Are you ready, Goku?!"

A ball of pure energy forms in her hands then. Gero nearly jumps out of his wheelchair from his arms alone.

"T-That power! She can use that technique as well!?"

Star Swirl shouts out to her with his cane out!

"Bikini! No! You can't use that here-!"

He found his magic dispelled, his hat glowing a golden hue, and it is then that the truth dawns on him. Her horn isn't going into the energy in her hands, but rather to stop him from interfering.

"Are you so desperate to prove yourself that you'd endanger everyone here, even yourself...?!"

The Ox King's jaw drops seeing this power on display.

"S-She learned Muten Roshi's most powerful technique too...!? Not even I managed to...!"

Goku gives everyone a shocking reply as he enters the stance for his own attack. His eyes closed as he recollects the teachings, he received on manipulating energy, mixed with Bikini's words, strangely enough these things would grant him the very access to his true inner power as the ball forms in his hands.

"I always thought you were smarter than me... You taught me a lot and even cooked for me! It's weird that hearing you wanting to beat me means so much... Because I want to beat you just as badly after everything we've been through! Bikini! This is everything I got so don't you bother holding back or else!"

Jackie sweats profusely seeing this clash coming. In truth, he was ready to intervene in place of Star Swirl, but he can sense it now. With Bikini exhausted of her stamina throughout the fight, and Goku finally unlocking the pathway to his inner strength, their power is utterly even regarding their attacks.

"They'll cancel each other out in the best-case scenario... But they'll push each other away in the process. If that happens..."

Krillin gasps upon realizing.

"Goku will fall out the ring! B-Bikini... Is gonna beat Goku?!"

Mark watches in awe.

"T-To think that meek girl all the way back then could get so strong...! A-And train with the Invincible God of Martial Arts...!"

Yamcha smacks his head thinking about that day. He should've tried to move in with the masters Roshi and Star Swirl when he had the chance. Even so, having fought Goku, he couldn't believe the possibility of him losing to Bikini of all people.

"Dude... Talk about bad luck."

Star Swirl lowers his cane and head grumbling then.

"These two are absolutely insane... Yet I can't get angry with them either. What awful brats!"

Dr. Briefs looks on stupefied as the balls in each fighter's hands grows and grows.

"Mr. Star Swirl... Is that energy they're forming in their hands... What even is that...?"

Gero answers in the wizard's stead as his heart is soon gripped with paralyzing fear.

"That is the true power of all living creatures! Forget electricity, solar energy, nuclear power or even fission! That is within us all and it has the power to wipe away mountains...! If they fire that here...!"

Goku and Bikini lock eyes. An unblinking and now unspoken conversation between them, heard only by them, shared with no one, but them. A question is asked at that moment. They both give their answers in a combined roar.

"KAMEHAMEHA!"

Two enormous beams of raw power from their very souls’ barrel towards each other at unparalleled speeds before letting out a deafening sound similar to a sonic boom. A dome forms between them as the energies clash, each beam trying to overtake and consume the other, mixing with one another as if wrestling for dominance. An incredible gale force whips the trees and flags about, cameras recording this tournament live flicker on and off as the sheer power effects the circuitry, even the sky grows dark as the light of their combined attacks reflect the light of the Sun!

In the eyes of the audience, those that even dared to look on, they could see the past the darkness surrounding them thanks to the light of the Kamehamehas. There were no words to speak for this ineffable show of might and skill. Only one question persists.

Who will win?

Goku can feel his heels nearing the edge, and desperate for the win, pushes himself forward. Step by step, at an agonizing pace as he shoves himself forward, he and his Kamehameha begin to send Bikini to edge herself.

She then responds in kind with her own march. The insurmountable weight they share feels bone crushing, and yet they push on past their limits, past what is even thought possible to themselves as they take each step together. Closer, and closer, they bridge the gap between them and soon meet at the center of the arena. Soon the enter the dome of clashing powers and vanish from the audience's eyes altogether.

Now truly alone, from the world around them and from all distractions, they see only each other as the power they continue to maintain starts to tear away at them. Like old friends that haven't seen each other in years, they share a smile of pure warmth and love beyond that of family or friend, their hands meet in the furious dome clasping together gently.

An explosion goes off that blows just about everyone away. A powerful shockwave that sends shivers throughout the entire island that they stand on. As the light dies down at last and silence lingers in the air, the dust cloud obscures the arena, leaving many to wonder who won...

The Announcer looks around as he tries to get his microphone working again. As he paces around the arena grounds, he shouts into it once it starts up again, barely able to contain his excitement as his voice cracks.

"N-No one could have predicted this...! T-T-Th-The two fighters...! They aren't seen anywhere out of bounds! After such an enormous show of power using a mythical technique thought only to be a legend! Goku and Bikini are nowhere to be found!"

Star Swirl looks on clutching his chest tight. Dr. Briefs grasps the stone fence himself looking on intensely. Bulma and Tights hug each other with their mother as they look on with tears starting to well up in their eyes. Oolong forgets about his money as his face pales with Launch at the possibility. No one dared say it but Gero.

"Hmph... They must have destroyed each other."

The Ox King squints his eyes before shouting, scaring half the crowd as he points ahead.

"LOOK! I-IN THE CLOUD! T-THE ARENA...!"

All eyes zero in on the settling cloud. Two silhouettes soon show until the natural wind blows away the dust cloud. With their hands together face to face, clothes torn, and bodies wounded heavily, Goku and Bikini still stand in a crater at the center of the ring. Bikini's eyes glimmer with life as she smiles at Goku.

"Can you still go on?"

Goku slowly looks up with a delirious but honest smile.

"I can't move my arms or feel my legs... What about you?"

"S-Same here... Are you giving up? Cause I'm not!"

"No way! After all, we still have...

Together they lean back before slamming their skulls together as they both shout.

"Our Heads!"

Again and again, though nowhere near as destructive, the sheer thud of their heads bashing against each other makes the same impact on the audience. The Announcer nearly forgets his job due to the absolute tenacity of these two.

"A-Aah! Goku and Bikini are at their wits end! They're going for a classic brutal war of attrition, everyone! It really is anyone's game now! Despite her delicate looks, Bikini has fought fiercer than any man we've seen in many years, and Goku is just an unending box of surprises! Once more they fight on with not a shred of malice or rage! They continue to push the other on as true friends to the end!"

Bulma cries out with Tights as they watch Bikini continue with what little might she has.

"GO BIKINI! GOOO!"

"C'MON BABY SIS! YOU CAN'T GIVE UP NOW!"

The Ox King and Oolong also give it their all-in cheering Goku on.

"GO GOKU! YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!"

"C'MON SQUIRT! YOU CAN'T LOSE AFTER ALL THAT!"

The crowd torn in half cheer on the other incessantly, no one able to contain themselves at this final stretch as the two fighters smash against each other, again and again.

Krillin puts both his hands together as even he starts to cheer.

"BIKINI! YOU SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS! G-GOKU! DON'T YOU START TO BUCKLE NOW! BOTH OF YOU... DO YOUR BEST!"

Yamcha and Mark both cheer with their fists in the air.

"HELL YEAH, BIKINI! YOU GOT GOKU ON THE ROPES!"

"HANG IN THERE GOKU! SHE'S ALMOST OUT LIKE A LIGHT! JUST A LITTLE FURTHER NOW!"

Gebo can only watch as doubt fills his heart. The smile Goki has on, his behavior, everything about him on this long day contradicts his memory. It is not an act, this even he can tell, and how he won the entire crowd over... Is Goku truly the monster he remembered him to be? Even Gebo finds himself wanting to say something.

"Trust your heart on this, young man."

He looks to Jackie who gives him a glance.

"Goku is many things... One thing he isn't though, is evil. It's been on display for all of us to see today. Those two out there are truly warriors pure of heart."

He can only look on as the entire island watches with bated breath and quaking cries. From the edge of the island to public television on the streets of the town, from their homes to in person, everyone watches this final act with unblinking attention.

Goku and Bikini are deaf to their words though, only the shared laughter between them echoes vaguely around their fading consciousness. The dripping of blood from their busted skulls, the beating of their now weakened hearts, even the panting of their haggard lungs is all they can hear right now. A final exchange between them as Bikini lands one last headbutt.

"Goku..."

He reels back from her blow and his grasp on her hands grows limp as he hangs his head back staring at the now orange sky.

"Yeah...?"

He leans forward and gives her his last headbutt. Bikini's fingers slip out of his grasp as she gives him her final say.

"Remember your promise to me...?"

His smile falters then as she falls on her back. Her eyes closed and breathing steady as she lays their looking to be in the most pleasant dream of her life. Goku stands there looking at her blankly... Then nods resolute as he drops to a knee by her side.

"I'll protect you no matter what. That's what a bodyguard does."

He tears of what remains of his gi and wraps it around her bare chest with her own gi. The world around him soon became audible as he heard the Announcer shout in pure exuberance.

"TEN! THAT'S IT EVERYONE! GOKU! IS! THE WINNER!"

Chapter Text

"There. That should do it."

Star Swirl wipes his brow as he huffs having undone the damage to the arena and even heal both of his students as well as fix their clothes. The Announcer shakes his hand with a grateful yet nervous cadence.

"Y-Your magic is pretty helpful, sir! Thank you very much!"

"Just continue your good work on the microphone and we'll count it even, okay?"

"I can manage that...! Speaking of which."

He clears his throat as the wizard hops off the stage and climb back into crowd. Star Swirl readies himself to watch this next match with interest, but notices something that unnerves him. There were cameramen around, that much has been the case since the device was invented, but there are more here now then the prior matches. Most notably were the dark expression on their faces. Simple yet eerie smiles, calm with an underlying darkness.

He would read the minds of the most troubling looking ones and saw them all in a group just before the Budōkai Tenkaichi started. Together, listening to a radio, they followed orders to record the fights of Gebo and Bikini exclusively. Through their memories he found the Red Ribbon insignia. Unfortunately, they were given only that order, revealing them to be no more than low ranking scouts.

Star Swirl huffs and shakes his head.

"This is most troublesome... Why would they be here? There's nothing else to do for now but watch..."

Launch pokes his cheek repeatedly scowling.

"Hey, why the long face, geezer?"

His tired face turns to a stoic deadpan before pushing her hand away.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. I get it, but something afoul is afoot, and I am certain it will happen here... I just don't know what."

Launch scoffs and shoves a handful of fries she stole from the passing food vendor in his mouth.

"Agh! Shut up with your wise crap and just watch the fights! Speaking of who do y'think is gonna watch this one? Hate to do it to him, but I'm bettin' on old Chun instead of Krillin. This sucks! Never in my life have I wanted to lose money until now...!"

The wizard silently rolls his eyes as he chews on the fries.

Krillin and Jackie Chun meet at the center of the arena with the crowd already loudly cheering. Jackie gestures to them with a hand and smiles.

"Seems they expect a match on par with the last... Think we can show them some spectacle?"

Krillin shakes his head giving an honest grin as he shakes idly, knowing this man to be far more than he could imagine.

"Sorry... I don't know how to fire my own Kamehameha yet."

Jackie chuckles at the answer.

"You've grown a bit more honest, young man. I'm sure your master is proud of you, whether you win this or not, always remember to train not just your body... But your mind and soul. Now then..."

The two enter their stances as the Announcer raises his hand. He brings it down shouting out!

"BEGIN!"

At a place far above Earth, where only the clouds are visible within the blue sky, a pair of eyes watches on with a smirk.

"My, my... I see that things are moving along rather interestingly..."

His fond smile fades then as his gaze moves elsewhere, beyond the mortal confines the Earth, yet still physically connected to it. A giant furnace burns an enormous fire in this otherworldly realm, an old and weakening furnace keeping hold of a terrible evil, an evil that threatens to escape at a moment's notice.

"But can they be ready for what may come... The Hakke-ro can't contain him for much longer... We must prepare."

A cold shiver runs down the spine of the deity as his all-seeing gaze meets the furious eye of evil that is the source of the flames inside the furnace. The two share a silent moment as centuries of history between them speaks all the words they have for each other...

He looks away from this devil and back to the tournament in time for the results of the match.

"It's Over! That's the count! Krillin is down and out!"

Krillin lays on the ground unconscious as an out of breath Jackie Chun makes his way to the fighter's lobby.

Mark runs a hand through his hair as he huffs between his teeth.

"That was a crazy match...! But he ended it almost like he did with me. That Jackie Chun is no joke."

Yamcha scoffs at his fellow fighter.

"That kid lasted longer than you did if we're being honest. He even fought him rather evenly! Certainly, a more impressive match!"

Mark snaps at Yamcha with a snarl.

"Shut up! You got knocked out in one move, wolf chump!"

Yamcha barks back fiercely.

"You wanna go, you walking commercial!?"

The two butt heads until a golden wall forms between them. Bikini scolds them both as she steps in place of the wall.

"No fighting in the lobby! At least take it elsewhere if you have to beat on each other."

Goku carries Krillin back from the arena and hands him off to the tournament attendants. Jackie is there with them.

"He'll live. It'll just be a few hours before he wakes up."

He looks to Goku and nods to the arena.

"You have a match to fight yourself now, don't you?"

Goku looks to the arena eagerly. His opponent is already there waiting for him. He walks out to meet Gebo.

"I've been waiting for this, big guy."

Gebo stares back looking unsure. The Announcer raises his hand readying the fight.

"We've got two impressive fighters here, folks! Gebo the Inhuman Wall and Goku of the Turtle School! Are the two ready to begin?!"

Goku immediately enters his stance, and to the surprise of the fighters watching on, so too does Gebo. The Announcer himself unable to not commentate on an observation.

"A-Ah! Gebo is certainly taking this seriously! He's brought up his left arm in a stance!"

Yamcha scoffs at that with a scowl.

"I thought that thing was broken or something..."

Mark however shakes his head growing pale by the minute.

"Nuh-uh. If anything, I bet he's left-handed. This ain't a jab at you Yamcha, but I saw this guy fight in the preliminaries, and he only used his right arm until now to win."

Goku eyes that arm as he remembers their first fight. His fist had connected with it and the pain was terrible. However, something else is on his mind, as both he and Gebo shoot the Announcer a look.

"Are you gonna let us fight or what?"

"Yes. We cannot start until you call."

The poor blonde chuckles nervously. He had been caught in the whirlwind of their fighting spirits clashing. Never has he ever felt frozen in such a mix of fear and excitement. With a clearing of his throat, the Announcer brings his hand down, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"BEGIN!"

Goku near vanishes from sight like before, only to stumble backwards as blood flies from his nose, Gebo stopping his advancement fast with a jab of his left arm.

"I have gotten stronger same as you."

Goku blinks dazed until he wipes the blood away with his tail.

"Heh...! I can tell! But I won't let you have it as easy as last time."

Gebo narrows his glare at Goku and yet soon finds himself sent to the ground with a sore jaw.

The Ox King gasps upon seeing yet another familiar technique.

"Th-That's not like before! That’s the Afterimage Technique! That boy can move that fast already?!"

Gero sits there stunned as he sees a clone of Goku in the arena before the original fades away.

"A-Afterimage...? Are you saying he is moving so fast that he can leave behind an illusion?!"

The Announcer shouts quite excitedly into his microphone.

"Goku has used his full speed to trick Gebo into lowering his guard and deliver a kick to the jaw! The giant is down but not out! Let me tell you folks, that blow hit so hard I got a headache, but Gebo is already back on his feet!"

The redheaded giant merely rubs his jaw watching Goku carefully. Goku vanishes again but appears as Gebo raises his fist behind him, blocking Goku's next kick, and soon the two begin to exchange blows.

A series of punches, feints, and counters ensue. Within receiving and dodging three blinding strikes from Gebo, Goku grabs his wrist and leaps with the pull to land an elbow on Gebo's nose, the monkey boy snickers as Gebo stumbles back with an audible groan. He can hurt him. All this time thinking back to their last fight Goku had wondered, was this man invincible? Now he has his answer.

They clash yet again. Whenever Gebo aims low, Goku jumps to hit high, and his opponent responds in kind with a counter to send him back below. Time and time again, Goku is knocked down with increasing ferocity, but he smiles all the same. Once more, Gebo sends a fist after Goku dodged a kick, yet Goku not only catches the fist but uses the arm like a platform. His hands on the wrist as he swings his lower body up and over, taking full advantage of the height and range difference, and landing a kick on the redhead yet again!

Now stunned and open for attack, Goku sends a relentless barrage to Gebo's gut and chest, forcing him to double over and send an uppercut to his chin. Goku would leap with this attack and send another combination attack on the giant's face.

The Announcer voices his thrills upon seeing this turn around.

"What looked to be a reality crushing round turns into a retelling of David and Goliath, everyone! Goku is cleaning house with Gebo right now! Is this the end already!?"

Gebo interrupts the assault with a headbutting to push one of Goku's punches away. Distracted and with his rhythm cut off, Goku is struck by an uppercut to his stomach, followed up with another uppercut to chin. Goku is then seized by the same hand that just struck him, the wrist spinning around separately to disorient him. With Goku now in his hold, he holds him high before swinging him down into ground, repeatedly. A loud crash sounds as Goku's body begins to break the arena apart.

Krillin, having awakened early, and Bikini shout out together as they watch eagerly.

"Get out of there! C'mon don't just let him swing you around!"

"Goku! Remember your instincts! Bite him! That's totally within the rules!"

"Wha-!?"

Krillin looks at her slightly disgusted but Goku bites down hard on the hand yet found his teeth grinding against what felt like steel and opts to use his tail to swipe at Gebo's face.

"I have you now!"

Gebo shouts as his right-hand blurs to catch the tail. Goku grows numb as he falls off Gebo's arm and hangs in the air by his tail. Gebo glares down at him with his more powerful fist raised and ready.

"I would like to throw you out the ring now instead of what comes next. Unfortunately, I must be thorough in my execution."

Goku opens his mouth to speak, but Gebo strikes him in the gut with a stupendous amount of speed and strength, the fist bulging out from Goku's back.

Bulma watches with her hands over her mouth in disgust at the sight.

"Was t-that his hand coming out...?!"

Another savage blow is dealt to Goku's head garnering a gasp from Launch.

"D-Dammit...! If only he didn't know about that tail before...! C'mon Goku! Get over that weakness and hit him back already!"

Tights looks on with a pale face as Goku's cries become too much for her to hear.

"That guy mentioned execution... H-He does know killing is against the rules, right?!"

Panchy holds onto her husband dearly.

"T-This competition was all fun and impressive before, but isn't this too much?"

"This is torture... How could he be so calculating and precise in his fight with that young man from before yet so cruel now?!"

Gero is the only one in the crowd smiling as his son pounds Goku into a pulp. Each swing sounds off a crunchy impact, each strike leaves a deeper bruise than the last, and Gebo even starts to swing him against the arena ground again.

The Announcer watches on cringing at each attack Goku endures.

"G-Goku... Goku is... Goku, is unable to overcome his glaring weakness! Gebo is relentless in his resolve to do untold damage to our youngest fighter! No-no... No Mercy here, folks! If Goku were to surrender or start crying now that would be the end of th-"

"SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH!"

Launch bellows at him as both Star Swirl and Oolong try to hold her back from climbing the stone fence.

"Goku ain't gonna do either of those things, y'hear me you brat!? Wake the Hell up and crush this gooner already!"

Even the fighters watching on are tense seeing this frightening power gap. Krillin gulps as Jackie Chun strokes his beard.

"I-Is this the end for Goku...?"

The old veteran mumbles under his breath.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have entered you all. Never could I imagine someone as powerful as that."

Mark and Yamcha wince as Goku shrieks in agony as he is slammed against the ground again.

"T-That ginger giant bastard is just toying with him! I oughta go in there right now-!"

"Hey, I wanna rematch with that chump myself, but we can't interfere until the match is called... Why is he giving Goku all this crap though?"

Bikini looks on quivering as she watches Goku, someone she sees as unyielding, be reduced to a wailing abused child. Her horn flares up time and time again as she holds herself back from aiding him in any way she can. All she can do is shout.

"GOKU! DON'T YOU DARE LOSE! DON'T FORGET YOUR PROMISE!"

Gebo holds Goku up by his tail yet again and sends a final punch to send him out of the ring.

"I will finish you here after you fall out the ring. Farewell-?!"

To his shock, Goku not only blocks the punch, but uses the force behind it to push himself up in a full swing, coming back down and headbutting Gebo hard enough to draw blood from where Yamcha had cut him.

Yamcha gasps seeing this.

"I-I didn't think he'd take advantage of that...! Go get him, Goku!"

Gebo releases him with a groan of his own as he holds his head. Goku however, recovers quickly rolling past him through between his legs, Goku sweeps at Gebo's ankles to send him falling. As he falls backwards unable to catch himself in time, Goku sends a shattering uppercut right for Gebo's back, sending him skyward.

The Announcer shoots a fist in the air with Goku cheering the fight on with renewed hope!

"What an amazing comeback! Goku using his own enemy's momentum against him, not only manages to escape the hold on his tail, but even turn the tables by returning an incredible offense! That uppercut sent Gebo clear into the sky!"

Goku then gathers his power as Gebo starts to fall.

"Kamehameha!"

His eyes widen as he's stricken with fear upon seeing Gebo recover fast in the air. With only one arm, Gebo thrusts his hands out and fires a blazing yellow beam to meet Goku's own blast.

"Devil's Breath!"

The two beams clash and struggle against each other. Gebo is kept suspended in the air as if balancing on his beam, but Goku must carry the weight of both beams above him, both maintaining the struggle with clenched jaws.

Despite all his progress and all his training, the feeling is the same, the feeling of immense danger of when they first met. The feeling of fear. Goku closes his eyes trying to think then, how he can beat this man this time, he has to be able to! Right?!

He thinks back to his lessons yet little to anything comes to mind! That is until he thinks about this feeling more, then about feelings themselves, and what both his masters had to say...

"Emotion? Feelings?"

Goku tilts his head along with Krillin. Bikini raises her hand just as confused.

"I have to also ask, what does that have to do with anything?"

Roshi chuckles as he Star Swirl exchange a glance

"You've been meditating lately, right? I imagine it's a calming sensation that feels great, especially when you're able to bring out your inner power, yes?"

The trio nods. Star Swirl then sits on the soft grass gesturing for them to do the same.

"In this lesson you will learn the struggles of maintaining that focus and the importance of your mentality. Your emotions can influence your thoughts and thus your mental flow. If you are distracted then you cut yourself off from your power, weakening yourself instead of becoming stronger. Please, meditate with me."

The students follow suit and for the moment all is well. That is until Goku feels something sharp slowly pressing against him. He then jumps to his feet sweating as he looks around fearfully.

"N-N-NEEDLE! THERE WAS A NEEDLE HERE!"

Roshi chuckles as he holds up a thumbtack.

"Oho! ~ A fear of needles, hm? Look here, Krillin, Bikini. See that mark on Goku's arm?"

The trio all notice a small bruise on Goku's arm which surprises them greatly. Especially Bikini.

"W-What!? How could a thumbtack hurt Goku? H-He's tough enough to shrug off Ms. Launch's bullets without even trying!"

Roshi nods knowingly.

"We've all seen it when she's in her blonde form, for now Goku can safely approach Launch despite any weapons she may sneak on her, however that very same strength can work against you. As you all witnessed, Goku tried to draw out his inner power, but when he felt fear he actually became weaker than ever before in a split moment."

Star Swirl follows up still meditating himself.

"Even if it is only for a moment, there are enemies that can and will take advantage of this weakness, all due to the emotion of fear. There are other emotions as well, but for now we'll focus on this one. The first step is to steady your breathing, know your fear, and then endure the feeling to gauge it before using your mind to overcome it. Once you overcome your fear you will have eliminated your weakness."

Roshi gestures to a river not too far away.

"Think of it as pushing against the stream. When you are scared, you may slip and get swept away by the current, so you must be firm and stand against your fear to push past the current. To push past your limit."

Goku shuts his eyes tight and relaxes. He steadies his breathing and comes to a rest. Gebo's attack begins to overtake the Kamehameha. Krillin watches with growing anxiety as the blazing beam slowly pushes down on Goku's own attack.

"W-What is Goku doing?! Is he giving up!?"

Jackie shakes his head watching with sparkles in his eyes as he can sense the power rise in Goku.

"No... He is overcoming his fear."

Goku opens his eyes then and with a primal scream, gives his attack everything he has, unleashing the true power within and allowing the Kamehameha to practically burrow through the Devil's Breath. Gebo lets out a scream himself before a near blinding explosion silences him.

Goku pants trying to catch his breath from using all he had then for this attack. The Announcer cheers with the crowd.

"What spectacular display of sheer willpower and strength! No one could ever suspect a technique rivaling the fabled Kamehameha! Despite a startling struggle, Goku comes in clutch with a final push, however if Gebo is dead then that is a disqualification, folks!"

Goku looks up at the cloud slowly gathering his bearings.

"I hope he isn't dead... But I couldn't afford to hold back either! I don't know why he wants to kill me so badly but-"

Goku is cut off as Gebo falls out of the smoke cloud above and slamming his fist into Goku's face as a meteor crashes into the Earth, sending and pinning him down into the arena floor, leaving a deep indent in the ground. Sparks fly as Gebo's left arm, the arm pinning Goku down, is revealed in it's true form. A cybernetic prosthetic that has taken most of the damage for him. Despite this, Gebo still suffers serious wounds from the initial explosion, just as breathless as Goku.

"This match is not over...!"

With both arms, Gebo pounds away at a weak Goku, the monkey boy only able to use his arms to soften the crushing blows hurtling down on him like explosive rockets. The Announcer looks between these two in frightened awe.

"G-Goku... After successfully dealing some heavy damage on Gebo, has been met with a skull-shattering response, and the giant is on one knee pounding away at him! I-I can't even start the count yet since Goku puts up a decent defense! Neither are quite out of this fight yet!"

Goku waits for his real fist to come down to bite down on it.

"AGH!"

Gebo cringes as Goku's teeth sinks into his skin. He pulls his arm back and sends his robotic fist down, but Goku narrowly dodges it with a lean to the side, lifting his lower body to kick Gebo in the torso and send him away.

Gebo finds himself down one leg and forced to rest on his knee with his right arm losing feeling as well. His body was spared the wrath of the Kamehameha, but damage is still done, and his reserves are running low. His only reprieve is seeing Goku unable to sit up.

The young boy tries desperately to push himself from his back and to his feet, but can only lean forward, before falling back moaning. The Announcer brings his hand up.

"T-There it is! Goku is down and it looks like he's out! I can see him still clinging on, but it won't matter if he can't beat the count! And one! Two! T-"

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

Bulma shouts with Launch. The teenager pointing to Gebo with fury in her eyes.

"Are you saying that you're going to allow that guy to get away with a fake arm?!"

Launch herself pulls out a pistol aiming right for the poor Announcer.

"If y'don't disqualify that piece of crap right now for breakin' th' rules then so help me...!"

Star Swirl snatches the gun out of Launch's grasp and turns it into an apple that he hands to Oolong, who stares at it bewildered before taking a satisfying bite out of it.

"Don't threaten his life! Let the man explain himself first!"

Launch snarls pointing at Gebo as she lets out an exasperated shout.

"That redheaded bastard is tryin' to kill our Goku, ya old goat! You want me to jus' sit here and watch!?"

Gero intercepts with a smug smirk.

"Besides, he is following the rules. That is a medical prosthetic from a wound he suffered years ago! It neither enhances nor hinders his fighting performance and was sanctioned before he even signed up! That arm of his is within the guidelines of the Budōkai Tenkaichi, just like that boy's tail!"

The Announcer clears his throat as he does his best to ignore the bickering happening and continues his count from the start. Dr. Briefs looks to Star Swirl with pity in his voice for Goku.

"As much as that poor boy tried, I am glad that this fight will soon end. He took a far worse beating than the fight with Bikini. I certainly wasn't feeling it here..."

Star Swirl nods looking weary. His brow layered in sweat trickling down his face as he notices something frightful just overhead.

"Y-Yes... Hopefully this fight will end soon. I'm frightened of what is in the sky..."

Gero stops his arguing to address the good wizard.

"The sky? What are you on about?"

Star Swirl begins to shake as he dreadfully prays internally that Goku keeps his eyes closed.

"The moon... The full moon... It's out."

Gero merely raises a brow, but Bulma grows pale along with Oolong, both look to the arena when Goku sits up abruptly at the count of nine.

"W-Wait... No! T-The moon shouldn't be out yet! Just what time is it?!"

"You gotta be kidding me! W-Why now!? Why today!? All these stupid fights took too damn long and now...!"

Mark and Bikini both quiver in utter terror as they hear an all too familiar heartbeat echoing from Goku.

"H-Hey! Hey, Bikini, can't you stop him from going King Kong again!?"

"I-I'm trying but it isn't working this time! I-I... I don't even know what I did last time! I just need to focus...!"

The Announcer enters the ring to check on Goku.

"C-Can you continue the match? Hu-Huh...?! What the-!?"

He stumbles back as Goku snarls with elongated canines and blood red eyes. His hair stands on end with his muscles rippling through his damaged gi. Gebo has seen this, so too has Gero, and the old man shouts out for his son.

"GEBO! KILL HIM NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"

Fighting through the pain and exhaustion, brought back to life through a second wind due to severe trauma, Gebo near flies across the arena with one arm sending the Announcer away and his bad leg sending a devastating knee to cave Goku's face in.

Unfortunately, as a terrible sound rings out followed by a painfully wretched scream, Goku punches Gebo's knee backwards. As the giant falls, Goku stands tall, growing as fur grows all over his body. The Announcer sits up from being thrown into the stone fence and stumbles over his words.

"U-Unbelievable! O-Out of the blue...! G-Goku, this s-small boy barely up to our thighs, he's changed entirely! He's transformed into some sort of giant ape!"

The Great Ape releases an ear deafening roar before throwing a fist for the tournament building. Debris flies throughout the area as his tail sends furious winds from lashing about. Every movement threatens all the lives present, and they know this. Gebo, even with one leg down, lunges for the tail and uses his remaining strength to squeeze down on it.

The Great Ape struggles to stand then, only able to flail its arms around violently until it looks back at Gebo, a flash in those crimson eyes are all the warning there is before Gebo is sent into the floor of the arena as the tail whips against the ground.

"DIE YOU FILTHY BEAST! YOU WON'T TAKE MY SON FROM ME TOO!"

Gero bellows as he pounds on his legs. The two limbs hiss and reveal to be also mechanical replacements, lifting by the control of a button layout on his armrest, a conjoined weapon in the shape of a large double barrel laser that fires an intense wave of energy. Enough power to completely cover the upper body of the Great Ape.

The Ox King holds Chi-Chi and Puar in his arms to keep them safe but can't help but watch.

"N-No way! Where did he get all that energy from...?!"

Dr. Briefs can't keep his eyes off either even as he holds his family close.

"Gero... I think I finally understand now... But is that much power necessary!? If he aimed any lower, he could have destroyed part of the city on this island!"

The monster is frozen under the attack, and yet once it dies down all could barely believe their eyes, as the Great Ape's fur isn't even singed from the heat of the attack. Gero watches as all his confidence vanishes.

"I-Impossible... That was supposed to completely eradicate you... I-I did so much research and it didn't even scratch you?!"

The Great Ape only roars in response and holds the maw open towards the crowd. A bright violet light begins to form. Bulma shouts out to the wizard.

"Mr. Star Swirl! Don't you have an answer or some spell, something to fix this, anything at all!?"

Star Swirl grabs his heart as a flood of terrible memories come to the surface of his mind. If that beam fires, everyone here will die, and yet the spell he crafted many centuries ago would kill Goku. He wishes it were an easy decision, for were it any other Saiyan he would gladly end their lives, but Goku.

Goku is far different.

Far better, pure of heart and full of life, even a form of love he has rarely seen amongst his own kind. To kill someone he has essentially raised, even for a such a short time, it's too much to ask of him so abruptly.

"I... I can't... As he is now, he isn't Goku at all, I must do... Something...!"

Time is ticking and the beam is soon ready to fire. That is until the Great Ape is frozen in a golden aura. A battered Gebo falls to the ground barely able to push himself up finds himself at the feet of Bikini, the young Unicorn stands before the Great Ape at the center of the arena holds her arms out, her horn humming with great power.

"G-Goku...! I know you're in there...! Somewhere deep inside! You're still in there, Goku! You're not a mindless monster-!"

She whimpers as the Great Ape thrashes about wildly, barely able to fire out the mouth beam towards a mountain far from town, yet the resulting blast could be seen even from there. The dark sky near turned bright from the light of the explosion that wipes the mountain from the face of the planet. Seeing this, Bikini cast aside her reluctance and forcefully uses her full magical might to bind the Great Ape, reinforcing the aura around it as they take the shape of holy chains.

"GOKU! I WON'T LET YOU HURT ANYONE, NOT EVEN YOURSELF! YOU MAY BE MY BODYGUARD BUT YOU'RE ALSO MY FRIEND... THAT'S WHY, I NEED YOU TO STOP, I NEED YOU TO REMEMBER WHO YOU REALLY ARE!"

Her horn glows brighter and brighter until only Star Swirl can see what happens next. He could feel through his own horn alone what she's done. Her magic took hold of the entire planet and the moon, and spun it around the Sun, accelerating our orbit! There's a sigh of relief that comes from him as he looks on knowing that the Great Ape transformation can't last during the day...

However, he noticed that it is still dark. So dark that it resembles night, and so he looks to the sky once more and moans in hopeless dread. He looks to the winded Bikini that is on her hands and knees, shouting with all his might.

"No... N-No, no, how could this be...!? BIKINI! YOU MAY HAVE TURNED IT INTO DAY AGAIN, BUT YOU MOVED THE MOON IN FRONT OF THE SUN, A SOLAR ECLIPSE HAS THE SAME EFFECT AS A FULL MOON!"

Her head snaps to him full of fear before looking up at the Great Ape struggling still. Link by link it breaks the magical chains binding it down, until it rips itself free with another powerful roar. The wind from its voice bends the palm trees and forces people into each other in the crowd. Bikini can only sit in despair as she watches a tearful Great Ape raise its foot to stomp down on her.

"NGH!"

Instead of being turned to paste, Gebo uses his one good leg and one good arm to hold up the impossible weight of the Great Ape, shouting at her.

"You can use magic to move the moon, can you not...?! Then do it already, please!"

"B-But I'm too weak! I-I can't even lift anything with my horn right now... I... I failed..."

Gebo sweats as the foot slowly lowers over them both.

"I too failed... I failed not just my father and my mother... I failed everyone... To think, this is the end..."

"Not quite yet."

Jackie Chun stands by Bikini's side with a hand on her shoulder.

"Failure is the greatest lesson of the Turtle School. It's through failure that we find improvement... I've given you some of my energy so keep that monkey still!"

Bikini looks up to him with tears in her wide eyes. She can feel herself renewed with power and summons her magic to hold Goku still yet again. Gebo falls back panting as even his mechanical limb shows damage. Bikini then shouts out.

"N-Now what!?"

Star Swirl answers her then as he holds his staff out, two auras wrapping around the Great Ape that barely keep it still.

"Together we can keep him still just long enough for Mr. Chun to enact his plan! Y-You do have a plan, right?!"

Jackie nods as he looks up to the Great Ape and noticing it's tears.

"My, my... I think your words got to him, young lady. He might even be holding back. Good! Keep him nice and still while I prepare this!"

He then flexes with a shout as he removes his gi to reveal an unreal physique. A build that surpasses even Gebo in structure and size, Jackie Chun enters the stance for the Kamehameha, his aim directed to the sky.

"I have heard of a creature like this before! He has no true control over his own mind! It is the power of the light of a full moon, a light granted by the Sun, that forces him to be like this... Therefore, the solution is simple. I Must Destroy the Moon."

Star Swirl snaps at Jackie with a terrified shriek.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU REPROBATE!?"

"KAMEHAMEHA!"

Jackie Chun fires a Full-Power Kamehameha right at the black sphere in the sky. Another blinding explosion occurs with silence being all that remains. When things become visible again, the Great Ape can be seen shrinking in size, Goku reverting to normal... Wounded, yet alive, on the ground. It's only a few seconds as he stands up.

"What... What happened...?"

Bikini lunges at Goku and hugs him tightly.

"You're back to normal! I'm so glad! Y-You transformed into a monster again and I... I really messed up trying to save you."

"But I heard you this time! It was like a nightmare... I couldn't move and all I saw was red, but I heard you calling out to me!"

Gebo limps over holding his side with one eye open. He looks to Goku needing to know one thing.

"Son Goku. Is it true? Is it true that you have no control or recollection of your actions when you are like that?"

Goku gives an earnest nod and looks around with a frown.

"I must have caused a mess... This isn't how things were supposed to go down at all! I honestly never knew I turned into a monster until my friends told me. I wish there was a way to stop me from transforming ever again."

Jackie holds up a peace sign and confidently huffs.

"I took care of that. No one needs to thank me! ~ I-"

The Announcer, along with many other spectators, all shout and boo Jackie Chun.

"H-How are we supposed to enjoy our romantic dinners?!"

"Or full moon night star gazing?!"

"What about people that use the moon for fortune telling?! Now what am I supposed to do!?"

"Am I the only one worried about the tides...?"

Jackie lowers his head in defeat while Star Swirl clears his throat after hopping onto the mostly broken arena.

"I'll bring the moon back. My magic is more fitted for aid and creation than it is destruction or offense. It's why I couldn't do much to stop the Great Ape... Before that though, we have a match to finish, no?"

He fixes Goku's clothes, but not heal him, but before he can leave with the rest; Gebo speaks.

"Son Goku... If I may. I would like to tell you a story before our match reaches its conclusion."

Goku looks him up and down before tilting his head.

"You sure you can go on...? That left leg of yours looks pretty bad."

"It hurts. I can tell though that you aren't faring much better either."

Goku grins reaching to rub his head but it hurts just to move.

"You caught me! Anyways, I'll hear you out."

"Thank you... It starts on Mount Paozu. My mother was sick, and we were searching for the Dragon Balls many years ago out of desperation. In truth, she had accepted her fate, merely wanting to travel the world with my father and I as her last wish. However, both myself and father were adamant to find any cure, and that is when we would meet Son Gohan."

Goku leans forward shocked to hear this.

"You met my grandpa!?"

Gebo nods and continues.

"He saw potential in me, and though I truthfully loathe violence, he and my mother encouraged me to indulge him in some training. It was only for a few hours... But he would change my life forever, as would you. He would give us the Four Star Dragon Ball upon the setting Sun, and grew worried about you, in which we volunteered to search for you... That night, my mother would find you first and shriek, as you were turning into that monster."

A heavy silence fills the air as Goku listens intently, the pieces starting to fit together for him at last, and Gebo himself visibly clenching his robotic fist tight.

"She would die that night... The illness pushed her to her limit. The shock of your transformation on her already fragile condition proved too much. We would try to retrieve her body to save her, and in the process, I would lose my arm, my father his legs... And Son Gohan, his life."

Goku looks down at his feet and for a split moment he could see it. An old man he sees from the audience under one foot, a red-haired woman in one of his hands, and dangling from his left arm is Gebo in his other hand. Before him is his beloved Grandfather readying the Kamehameha.

He blinks and the vision vanishes as he looks up to Gebo.

"Wait! We could use the Dragon Balls to fix everything! I know they work!"

Star Swirl shakes his head quick to correct him.

"They're not only still inert, but his mother would not be able to be returned to the land of the living. The Dragon Balls cannot revive someone from the dead if they have been dead for over a year, died twice, or of natural causes... If the illness is what truly took her life, then there is no returning her to this world."

He looks to a seething Gero who glares right at him trying to hold his own tears back. The wizard can only lower his head.

"Though your limbs could be returned to you... That is all they could do now."

Goku feels a pit in his stomach. He had learned the death of his closest family was at his hand, but the hope of ever seeing his grandfather now were gone. Gebo notices this and finishes his tale.

"Son Gohan would use the last of his power to send you into a mountain, and his last words to ask of our forgiveness for you on his behalf, something that has confused me for several years... Until today. I realize now, despite all that power you hold, you truly are as much a victim of it as we were, and most of all... You are still a child. Therefore-!"

Gebo grabs the shoulder of his prosthetic and with a thunderous roar, rips it right from his body, causing Gero to panic in the audience.

"Gebo! Wha-What do you think you are doing!?"

"I must fight him, Father... But I no longer hold any ill will nor do I wish his death... And I believe Mother would be of the same mind. This arm was made to kill Son Goku and so I cast it away... I will defeat him, on my terms, not for vendetta but as a fellow fighter of this tournament!"

The crowd watches on with a mixed view. Goku himself leans back from the fierce determination Gebo displays. Star Swirl then speaks up.

"Goku... The moon will come back, but there is a way to secure that you will never transform again, at a great cost."

Goku's eyes light up as everyone in the area wishes to hear. Those afraid of Goku, those who support him, and those just engaged in the show playing out before them.

"Huh!? There is?! Why didn't you tell me sooner, Old Beard?!"

"Because the cost of this security is that you will never be strongest on Earth."

"Huh...?"

Goku looks at his mentor blankly as he processes this. Star Swirl sighs and points to his tail.

"The true source of your power is the power inside of you, but most of it comes from your tail as well, and it is in fact your tail that is connected to the transformation. If we remove it, you will never have to worry about being made powerless again, at the cost of half your strength being gone forever. You wished to be the strongest with all your heart and so I hid this from you until now... I-"

He is stopped by grunting and groaning before a pop sounds. Star Swirl steps back as Goku tosses his tail to the ground, having pulled it out himself, he pants with a victorious smile.

"I'll be a little weaker, so what? I've hurt people around me for a long time because of that thing. If I can stop that from happening and still fight, then I don't see anything wrong here!"

Utterly baffled, Star Swirl waves a finger in Goku's face, scolding him quite loudly.

"You idiot! D-Didn't you hear me?! That's half of your strength you'll never get back!"

Keeping his smile, Goku raises his voice, almost laughing as he happily shouts back.

"I don't need it right now anyways! If I need to turn into a monster to get what I want, then I'll just find another way to get it or find something else to want! Either way it's a win for me! ~"

Gebo laughs at Goku's response. The usually silent and emotionless giant gives a mirthful laugh as he enters a one-armed stance.

"You really are a carefree creature, are you not? I find you fascinating more than ever now. We are both on our last legs... So, we shall finish this in one last attack. Does that sound good to you?"

Goku nods entering his stance. Launch drags a stupefied Star Swirl back to the crowd as Bikini and Jackie Chun return to the fighter's lobby. The only ones in the arena now are the two fighters and the Announcer himself.

"You bet! I'll give you all I've got left to give! So, dodge it or take it, either way I'm coming at you! Gebo!"

The Announcer, though he already has started the match, can't help himself and brings his hand up as he watches them.

"Then on my mark you two, we'll see the end of this match together, and what a journey it has been folks! Why don't we all count down together!"

With renewed vigor and everyone now clamoring for their favored fighter, the slate clean and all sides heard, in unison the entire town and those around the world watching from the cameras shout!

"One!"

Dr. Briefs, Bulma, Panchy and Tights throw their hands in the air, with Bulma tossing a reluctant Oolong along as well.

"Two!"

Yamcha and Mark practically become brothers after this near-death experience as they and Krillin shout loud as they can with Bikini.

"THREE!"

The Announcer with all the might in his strained vocal cords brings his hand down in a dramatic fashion.

"BEGIN!"

Goku and Gebo lunge at each other, each having to know the other far more than just weakness or strengths in their fight, but their character. Their minds. They have grown a shared respect that is rare amongst those of close colleagues. Goku actively aims high to avoid Gebo's bad knee, and Gebo puts all his faith in one punch, the two connecting at once! Goku slams his foot in Gebo's face as Gebo swings his fist into Goku's jaw. The both of them fall over on the cracked and rigid arena floor. The Announcer being the last man standing throws his hands in the air caught in the hype.

"WE HAVE A DOUBLE KNOCK OUT! However, both contestants are STILL awake! Whoever can stand first and announce their victory is the winner! Who will it be if either of them at all?!"

Gero, in spite all things, cheers for his son regardless of his feelings for Goku. Though silent for the countdown as he was deep in thought, one thing is certain for him, and that is his love for his family.

"GEBO! STAND UP! YOU ARE NEARLY THERE! GET UP, MY SON!"

Bulma and Tights cheer as hard as they can for Goku.

"YOU STILL GOT BOTH YOUR LEGS, GOKU!"

"C'MON MONKEY BOY! ~"

Star Swirl and Launch cheer him on as well, the latter swinging Oolong around by his ears.

"Goku! Just a little further! You can surpass your limits still!"

"HELL YEAH! ~ GOKU! Y'GOT THIS, KID! NOW STAND UP!"

The Ox King and Chi-Chi even call out together.

"GO GOKU! YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!"

"GOKU! YOU CAN'T GIVE UP NOW! NOT WHEN YOU'RE SO CLOSE!"

As the crowd goes wild, the Announcer starts his count!

"ONE!"

Goku leans his head up smiling deliriously.

"TWO!"

As he looks ahead of him at Gebo, he can see two more people are in the ring with them.

"THREE!"

A red haired woman of great beauty kneels down at Gebo's side with a hand on his head smiling proudly.

"FOUR!"

A familiar old man stand right by Goku's side with his hands behind his back with the same loving smile.

"FIVE!"

Gebo also sees them, and reaches up for his mother's face, only for her to vanish as in a blink.

"SIX!"

He sits up before Goku, who can only move his head, the two stare at each other almost knowingly.

"SEVEN!"

Goku gives Gebo a hopeful smile and the redheaded giant sees it. Her smile on his face.

"EIGHT!"

Goku closes his eyes and falls out of consciousness. Leaving Gebo the lone fighter still awake.

"NINE...!"

Gebo can't help but shake his head... How could such a terrible and unforgiving monster hide within someone so wonderfully pure? How could he let him, and his father fall so low as to desire to kill someone like Goku? As far as this battle went in his mind, Gebo concedes to Goku, to him that boy is the greatest champion he has ever faced.

With that, he too gives himself to his body, and passes out.

"TEN! THAT'S IT! THAT'S THE MATCH EVERYONE! A DOUBLE ELIMINATION FROM THE STARS OF TODAY'S SHOW! THE END OF THIS MATCH MARKS THE END OF THE 22ND WORLD MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT! THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME! ~"

Chapter Text

The Briefs Family, the Ox Family, and friends of both all walk together through town. Tights looks at Goku, who rides on the Ox King's shoulder with Chi-Chi, with a thoughtful gaze. He points at himself after noticing her staring.

"Is there a bug on me or something?"

"No, I just wonder what's going on in that little head of yours."

Launch growls at Goku as she shakes a fist at him smoking a cigarette.

"A bullet is about to be lodged in that skull of his when we get home! Losin' th' match in a draw! I lost all th' money I made bettin' on ya! What rotten luck to be right where I started!"

Goku pats his stomach as the threat merely goes over his head.

"All I can think about is food! I'm starving after all that fighting!"

As if on command, his stomach rumbles loudly enough to startle the oldest sister. Roshi holds up a check with a big grin on his face, though Star Swirl rolls his eyes.

"Well, the winner of the tournament was gracious enough to hand me the money from his victory! ~ Be sure to thank Mr. Chun when you see him at the next tournament."

"Don't let the wind blow it out of your hand again. I won't return it a second time."

Mark smiles with confidence as he pumps a fist and Yamcha raises a hand in a clawing gesture.

"That guy was something else, but I can tell I can keep up with him if I train more!"

"Not to mention that Gebo guy made me look like a chump! I gotta get back at him quick!"

Mark then stumbles back as Bulma pulls on his ear with a huff.

"Don't you even think about it! I let you train all that time and let you ignore your hot girlfriend for far too long! We're eating and then going home for a date and that is final!"

Chi-Chi whines at Yamcha as she hops off the Ox King and onto Yamcha's back.

"You said you would take a break from training too! You made a promise, remember?"

Panchy giggles watching the scene as she walks with Bikini.

"Oh, that's right! Bikini the school year is about to start! You're so confident now, would you like to go back?"

"School is already starting again. I nearly forgot all about it..."

Krillin casually speaks up walking ahead of the group with Oolong.

"But aren't you already pretty smart? You taught me and Goku all kinds of dumb math and science!"

"I knew she was as much of an egghead as the rest of her family."

Dr. Briefs lets out a puff of smoke from his cigarette as he watches the party with a heartfelt smile.

"Why don't we all find a place to eat first? I must say I'm quite famished myself after all the excitement from today."

As everyone agrees, Goku looks up to the sky rubbing where his tail used to be. Star Swirl notices this and points to the clouds above.

"You won't see it now, what with Bikini turning it back to noon, but the moon is back already. No need to gather the Dragon Balls."

Goku doesn't look to his mentor but responds with soft sense of regret.

"Can we really not bring Grandpa back?"

Star Swirl sighs and reveals his horn to display the magical aura.

"Magic of all but one kind comes at a price. When it comes to the Dragon Balls, they have rules instead of prices. The only thing we can do is move on and learn from our experiences."

Goku stares at the sky in silence until the group arrives at a famous restaurant affiliated with the Budōkai Tenkaichi. Though one order is enough for everyone present, Goku swallows’ meal after meal without any breaks in between, surprising those not yet quite accustomed to his diet. Dr. Briefs watches along with Tights who leans back in slight terror.

"Ho ho! Look at him go! It makes sense though considering how much energy he seems to have!"

"D-Does he even taste the food...?"

Bulma and Oolong roll their eyes at his lack of table manners long since accustomed to him.

"Ever the gross slob just pigging out."

"Hey! Don't compare him to me! Even I have my limits!"

Krillin glances his way while mumbling to Bikini.

"You'd think I'd be used to this by now but it always amazes me how much he can eat, right Bikini? ... Bikini?"

Krillin nearly falls out of his chair when he turns to see Bikini eating just as fiercely as Goku. Panchy pats her back gently.

"Try to chew your food, dear. Your food isn't going anywhere! ~"

Mark stares in awe of this with sweat beading down his brow.

"She's just as bad as he is..."

Yamcha and the Ox King look down at their plates with a gulp.

"I-I get that eating healthy is part of building a strong body but they're about to make our wallets weak..."

"Then it's a good thing Master Roshi is paying for us, or else we might've been in trouble. I only brought enough money for the flight back with some souvenirs..."

The Turtle Hermit pales seeing each new order for these two as less money for him to use later for himself. He hangs his head in quiet despair.

"M-Maybe they'll only eat just enough for me to get that magazine I saw earlier...?"

Star Swirl scoffs and takes a sip of his tea, the only thing he ordered this whole meal.

"You and I both know that Goku could eat for hours on end... I do wonder what Bikini is trying to do though. You think she is competing with him again?"

"I don't think my wallet could take something like that... Ugh."

When all are finished, Bikini stuffed after eight meals while Goku emptied the restaurant with room to spare. Roshi stares at the bill with a ghastly gazes hidden behind his shades.

"All my prize money... Gone."

Star Swirl pats his shoulder sighing contently.

"Launch would just hold you hostage for it."

She smiles mischievously leaning into the old man.

“I bet ya spent it all just so I couldn’t, huh?”

Both elders break into a cold sweat with Star Swirl abruptly speaking.

“Ready to go home?"

The Turtle Hermit gives a reluctant nod before paying the food. As the party leave, they're met with Gebo and Gero, the two waiting for them. Gebo makes his way over using a crutch, as his broken leg sits in a cast.

"Are you all leaving now?"

Dr. Briefs nods thumbing to his family.

"Back to West City for us. What about you two?"

Bulma leans forward speaking in an accusing tone.

"You're still after Goku's life, right?"

Gebo shakes his head smirking.

"No. Quite the opposite. We have come with a warning. My father and I were a part of the Red Ribbon Army. As of three hours ago we have resigned from their organization."

Gero huffs rolling his eyes.

"The Red Ribbon Army took interest in this tournament. They'll be after both Goku and Bikini for their unique abilities. Normally I would gladly dissect the boy myself, but things have changed."

Goku points at himself tilting his head.

"What's dissect mean?"

Gero's eye twitches as he scowls at him.

"It means to study closely, you uneducated monkey. This is all the help you'll receive from us so be grateful. Gebo!"

The old scientist and his son nod to the group before they start to make their leave. Star Swirl glances over to his students.

"The time to part ways has come, you three. What will you do?"

Krillin steps forward adjusting his belt.

"I'm gonna stay with you! If that's okay...! I want to train even harder now that I know the results!"

Bikini steps back and looks to her family.

"I... I should go back home. If the Red Ribbon Army is coming after us, I should at least be sure my family is safe, especially if they're after me."

Goku looks between the Turtle School and the Briefs Family. He then makes his way over to the Briefs with a bounce in his step.

"I'm a bodyguard! Protecting Bikini and Bulma is what I'm supposed to do!"

Though heartfelt, Bulma leans close to her younger sister with a whisper.

"Did we ever tell him that was just for the Dragon Balls?"

Bikini whispers back with a knowing pout.

"Are you saying you don't want Goku around when we could be attacked now?"

Bulma mulls it over but shakes her head with a smile.

"We've plenty of room, and hey! In a few months, the Dragon Balls regain their power!"

Goku gives a big grin then and cheers as he starts to hop up and down.

"Then I can find Grandpa's Four Star again!"

Dr. Briefs rubs his neck with a smoky sigh.

"And I thought Mark was an energetic fellow... Ah well. This should lead to some inspiration anyways. Let's go home everyone!"

After fond farewells all around, each group made for their homes, Goku surprising most the Briefs with his Nimbus Cloud. Panchy curiously looks it over before putting her hand through it.

"Oh my! It's so soft that my hand goes right through it. How ever do you stand on that thing, Son?"

Goku shrugs plainly.

"Master Star Swirl said only pure hearts can ride it. Me and Bikini can get on it!"

Bulma pinches his cheek to correct him.

"Bikini and I. Sheesh, we really should put you into school..."

Tights clicks her tongue as puts her hands through it.

"Flying in an aircraft is one thing, but I kinda wanted to fly on a cloud, I bet it beats flying using jet boots."

Dr. Briefs snaps his fingers at that.

"Jet Boots! Of course! Mark, my boy! You'll be free for some testing, yes?"

Mark pales but nods as Oolong snickers at his reaction.

"S-Sure thing, sir...!"

"Try not to fly into any mountains when you're airborne, Mark!"

Bikini hops onto the Nimbus as Goku sits on her lap.

"The Nimbus is pretty fast too! We'll lead the way everyone! ~"

With that, Goku and Bikini lead the party back to their home in West City. Dr. Briefs gasping at the sheer speed as he flies their personal plane home.

"Things are definitely going to be different when we get home..."

An explosion sounds throughout the bustling noise of West City. Smoke billows out from a flaming police car as an officer uses all his strength to drag two of his fellow unconscious officers from the flaming vehicle.

"There's no way out! Surrender now while you still can!"

Another police officer shouts through a speaker before he takes cover from a volley of bullets. Narrowly escaping death, he stews in a mix of panic and anger as he hears the criminals taunting him from cover.

"We're the ones in control here, not you!"

"Just let us walk outta here already! You're outgunned, man!"

"Plus, there's more of us in the back just cleaning house in this bank! Do they pay you enough to die?!"

"We already blew one car to Hell, might as well do the same for yours, huh?!"

The masked miscreants all laugh in a jeering manner before unloading more hot lead upon the police car. However, the bullets freeze right before they can strike the car. Before the bewildered criminals could respond, a red blur strikes them all in one swing, destroying their guns at once.

A caped girl wearing a sharp horned helmet lands in between the two forces, the horn glowing with a golden aura that surrounds the fired bullets, which too soon fall to the ground motionless.

"Evil doers beware! Equestria Girl is here! ~ And I'm not alone!"

Landing next to her holding a red staff from in his hand, a masked boy in a stylized gi fitted with the character of the Turtle on his chest appears, his mouth visible to show a wide grin.

"It's me, Gok- er... The Mighty Saiyaman! Yeah!"

Together, they advance upon the enemy, knocking them out cold faster than the human eye could register! To the officer, these two costumed kids moved at a near instant before the bank robbers suddenly fell to the ground. Stunned by the sheer scene before him, he calls out on his speaker.

"J-Just what was that!? Y-Y-You two! What do you think you're doing?!"

Saiyaman looks back scratching his cheek.

"Stopping bad guys? Are there more?"

"They said there were more but leave it-!"

The officer is cut off by Equestria Girl, who thumbs to herself.

"To us! We'll get things settled in no time! Remember the plan, Saiyaman!"

The boy nods and the two speed off into the bank. Inside, Equestria Girl seemingly vanishes along with the bo staff, as Saiyaman alone is seen standing off against a large group of armed men. A group of hostages all sit with their backs against the wall, cowering in fear for their lives, at least until Saiyaman makes himself known.

"Hey, you bully! Try using your toys on me if you feel like fighting someone!"

The masked thugs all laugh at the sheer size of this miniature hero. One lanky man obliges as he aims at the boy.

"Kids these days are reading too many comic books! I bet those idiots up ahead let you in just to make us -!"

He fires yet his breath is stolen away as the Saiyaman does the unthinkable. His small arms move at unparalleled speeds, catching the bullets with his bare gloved hands, which he drops to the ground snickering.

"L-Laugh...?!"

"I'll be the one laughing here! Now!"

At the center of the room, Equestria Girl uses her horn to disarm the thugs of their weapons and tosses the staff to Saiyaman. Swing by swing from his staff, and punch after punch with her fists, the room is cleared out by the duo in but a few minutes. Equestria Girl makes her way to the hostages when the men are down.

"Is anyone hurt? I can heal minor injuries!"

An old man raises a hand as he gestures to a bleeding woman at his side.

"She was shot in the leg... Oh, thank you both! Their leader is in my office! That door just over there! Please, get rid of him!"

Saiyaman hurries on ahead shouting with an excited breath.

"You help them I wanna fight their leader!"

Equestria Girl sighs as she begins closing the wound.

"I figured you would..."

Saiyaman breaks through the doors with a flying kick. He lands on the desk in front of a smiling large beastman, a scar down his eye and bulging muscles pronounced beyond the thick fur, the wolf picks his teeth with his claws as he remains in his seat.

"You're just a pint-sized rodent... But I heard how you handled my guys."

He stands and towers over the hero raising a hand smash him into pieces.

"Don't think I'm as easy to take on like them!"

He brings it down and breaks the desk in two with such force that each end is sent into the air. Saiyaman snickers having dodged the attack by merely jumping in time, grabbing both ends of the airborne desk, and slamming them together with the wolf man's head in between.

"A-Agh! Wh-What th-?"

He stumbles back as his neck extends to the point of almost flying from his torso, jaw nearly falling out his mouth as his eyes bulge out of his head, all from a hook by the tiny hero. Saiyaman sends an elbow to the chest forcing the beastman back into a wall with little to no air in his lungs.

"What's wrong? I thought you were warming up. Are you tired already?"

Though the wolf man angrily snarls at what he thought to be an insult, the boy speaks in honesty, standing in front of him with his head tilted to the side.

"Oh well. Off to jail with you."

The wolf man lunges forth with a knife pulled from his pocket in one fluid motion!

"Don't get cocky you bastard!"

He is thrown through the bank walls, and lands into the side of a police car outside, scaring many of the officers at the abrupt crash. One gasps as they look on in shock.

"H-Hey, this is Klaw! His gang's been robbing high end banks across the country...! Who could beat a monster like this?!"

Equestria Girl and Saiyaman stand atop a building out of sight. She takes off her helmet and lets out a sigh of content.

"There! And on time for lunch to be over too."

Bikini looks over to Goku, who stares at her expectantly after taking his mask off. She responds with a playful roll of her eyes

"Okay, okay, we'll get something for you to eat! Then you'll sneak out the back!"

"Yahoo!~"

He jumps high into the air cheering loudly. Bikini yelps as she can hear the police down below take notice of them.

"Goku, quiet! Nimbus!"

She summons the golden cloud and is quick to snatch the monkey boy out of the air as they fly off. Her horn flashes and her costume are replaced with school uniform. Goku pats his stomach with drool coming down his mouth.

"School pizza...! We are going to your school, right?"

Bikini rolls her eyes chuckling at his ever-vacuous stomach.

"Yes, we're going to school, but you're headed home right after that!"

Though Bikini is careful to fly at a high altitude, the Flying Nimbus' speed allows them to make it back to Capsule Corporation in mere moments, where a genial Dr. Briefs waits for them on the lawn.

"Seems you were just a bit reckless today! I got a call about your misbehavior, again."

She hops off the Nimbus with Goku frowning at the news.

"M-Misbehavior? What did I do this time? Wait-! Goku! Did you get caught sneaking out again?!"

Goku just rocks back and forth innocently.

"I spun that big guy in the red pants around a bunch of times!"

She groans upon this revelation.

"Now it makes sense why we had a free period; you were the one that got Mr. Ed sick! I wondered what was going on!"

Dr. Briefs chuckles at them both and holds out a device with a capsule on top.

"Well, well, it isn't like we're worried about your behavior. Besides, I already took you out of that school today!"

Goku sniffs the old man's hand looking over his offering. Bikini however is too flabbergasted by his casual reveal.

"What!? Wh-Why? Wasn't it one of the most prestigious schools in the world?"

Dr. Briefs merely shrugs.

"I get calls about how you are excelling in everything from sports to academics, then calls about your tardiness and misconduct by sneaking Goku in constantly, and honestly I would rather not be called at all. Therefore, the simple solution is to just have you stop going at all!"

She gasps before shouting loud enough that the hair on her adoptive father is blown back.

"What kind of a solution is that?!"

He only grins in return as Goku takes the capsule from him.

"A simple one! Not to mention, aren't you going on another adventure soon?"

Before she can respond, Goku opens the capsule only for a large collection of dirty magazines to fly out all over the yard. Dr. Briefs rubs his neck as he starts picking each issue up in a haste.

"O-Oh! Wrong capsule! I meant to hand you both a prototype food capsule that can hold weeks’ worth of food instead of just a few days."

Bikini picks a few up handing a few over to him raising a brow.

"Daddy, how come Mom isn't in any of these? I thought you were only allowed to have pictures of her dressed like this! Did you marry all these girls too?"

Dr. Briefs pales for a moment.

"Of course not! I'm just... Holding these for some busy men that work with me! Why do you think the girls change every month?"

Unaware of the poor lie, Bikini changes her tune from suspicious to admiring her father.

"Oh! You're a nice man! But what is that other thing? It looks like a Dragon Radar!"

He nods and trades the magazines for the device.

"It is! The difference with this one is that it can track the other Radar as well, and it will always show up, that way no matter where you are you can always come home."

Goku looks around then scratching his head.

"Where's Bulma or Mark? Did they go out again?"

Dr. Briefs sighs with a shrug.

"She kicked the poor boy out. Seems he picked training over her, even though he I heard him pleading otherwise, but I'm sure they'll be fine. Teenagers are always quite dramatic."

Bikini's horn glows before a new capsule comes flying out from the building.

"I found the food capsule! You keep it in the same cabinet with your photos of naked ladies!"

Dr. Briefs rubs his neck chuckling.

"Well before you go all over the world again, you should eat something, that way Goku doesn't burn through the entire capsule!"

Panchy giggles as she pulls at Goku's cheeks playfully as he sits at the dining table.

"Oh, you always look so adorable when your full! Would you like me to make you anything else?"

Goku, oblivious to the adult's pampering and teasing, happily chirps as he pat his belly.

"Can I have more of that spicy chicken stuff you make? It's so good!"

She nods with an ecstatic pose.

"For my little hero, of course I can!"

Bikini sits at the table as well with Tights watching the news on TV. Tights pointing at the screen as it shows the bank robbery today.

"I still can hardly believe how strong you've gotten! I still remember when you were just a little baby that had to learn to crawl because you kept floating everywhere... Ah, memories."

Bikini blushes at the statement and replies annoyed.

"That was a long time ago... Hey, do you want to come with us, Tights? Maybe finding the Dragon Balls can help with your books?"

Tights cups her chin as she closes her eyes in thought.

"Usually, I write sci-fi stuff... But I did start with a fantasy novel that put me on the map! After all, raising you was an adventure on its own. Why not?"

Tights grins and flicks her younger sister's nose with a playful sneer.

"Besides, I gotta watch out for my unruly delinquent baby sis! ~"

"Ugh, I am VERY well-behaved!"

Tights then looks over to Goku, the young boy gobbling down another meal placed down by Panchy.

"I also have to keep an eye on her pet monkey! You're way too strong for your own good, you know?"

"I am? I don't think I can blow up the moon, not after you told me how big it actually is!"

Tights rolls her eyes at his statement.

"See, this is why Dad should've put you through school instead of Bikini. I guess I'll have to educate you through this journey."

Goku groans as he swallows down a huge mouthful of rice and chicken.

"Not more book stuff...! Can I at least train first?"

"For a kid strong enough to break entire buildings if he hits it just right, you sure whine like a baby! ~ I won't stop you from training though..."

Goku nods accepting this compromise before everyone's attention is caught by the television as Bikini shouts at it.

"Look! There's Mark! He’s advertising his dojo! How did he get the money to do that…?”

Bulma storms in and turns the television off with the remote.

"He got a job as a bodyguard for some big named hussie he chose over me! The absolute nerve of that... That... Neanderthal!”

Bikini sweats slightly at the accusation raising her hands in a reassuring gesture.

"M-Maybe he just wanted to get a career, and this was his lucky break...? I-I mean he had to get a job sometime, right?"

Tights nods as Panchy only rubs her cheek caught in her own world.

"It isn't like you two made the perfect couple to begin with. Friends? Even I liked the guy a little, but..."

"Oh, I knew he'd run for the hills into the arms of another woman. Bulma is just too fierce for most boys."

The matriarch of the Briefs Family turns to Goku patting his head.

"Oh! You're very brave, Son! Won't you be Bulma's boyfriend?"

Much to the collective shock at their mother's forwardness, Goku's response shocks them further, he responds in the usual casual cadence to such things.

"I'm already her boyfriend, aren't I? I carry stuff for her all the time and have to walk around with her a lot lately."

Bulma near glides across the room just to strike at his skull with a snarling red face.

"That doesn't mean you’re my boyfriend! Boyfriends kiss, and go on dates, and much much more I don't feel like telling you about!"

Goku rubs his noggin with a whine as the other girls laugh. Tights looks out the window to the evening Sun.

"Yeah, an adventure is what I need right now... I'll go get my things! I bet we won't have to pack for much with you two being as powerful as you are."