I now present to you all The Black Star Chronicles. Tales from the Black Star Saga that for one reason or another didn't make the final cut of GT Remastered. Some stories (like this one) will be noncanon, some will be dull side stories/fillers, and others will be other random crap that comes from my head. Our first Black Star Chronicle will be part 1 of the 3 part Black Star Budokai arc. Enjoy.
Life aboard the Starship GT was as boring as it typically was; flying through space, not a single Black Star Dragon Ball for light years, little to do aboard the ship besides spar in the gravity chamber down stairs, and even that got dull after a while. Yes, the crew of Starship GT was beginning to develop a case of cabin fever, which is never a good thing, especially considering the entire crew was at least part saiyan.
But on one particular day, when madness was about to set in for at least one of them, Trunks shouted,
"Guys! We got us a dragon ball!" everyone crowded around the radar, looking at it in excitement. "That's only a star system away!" said Bra.
"And it looks like there's plenty more than one of them." Goku added, climbing over the crowd to see the radar. After a short moment's, silence, Everyone dashed to their rooms to prepare for the possible battle to come, even Trunks, who set the ship for autopilot. There were three rooms aboard Starship GT, one the Bra had all to herself, one shared by Goten and Trunks, and one shared by Goku and Pan.
"Hey, uh, Pan? Are you mad at me?" Goku asked as he and Pan changed into their matching blue and yellow gis.
"What do you mean, grandpa?" Pan asked, tying her white belt with a firm tug.
"Well, I've just done so much to disappoint you." said Goku. "I've disappeared without contacting you and everyone else for over six years, and now I'm only a few inches taller than you. And about two years older. I wouldn't blame you at all if you couldn't find any way to forgive me."
"Grandpa, don't be silly." Pan smiled as she finished pulling on her shoes. "It's true, I was really sad when you left, but now I couldn't be happier that you're back, even if you do look more like my brother than my grandfather." She and Goku laughed together. "And I'm sure that from now on, you'll be there for me."
"Yeah. You got it." Goku nodded determinedly. "Oh, that reminds me. I have something for you." He rummaged through a box of items until he pulled out a wooden tube with a red pole sticking out from the top, a rope tied in a simple yet tight knot near the top, a similar one at the bottom. "This was something my grandfather gave me when I was young. Well, young the first time." He handed it to Pan.
"What is it?" She asked curiously, pulling the red pole from the scabbard.
"It's Nyoibo. It's a staff that can extend to any length you want." said Goku proudly. "And believe me, it can be really handy in a fight. Pan watched in amazement as the staff extended to exactly the length she wanted it to be and back. "Use it well." He said, tying Pan's orange armband to her left arm.
Pan starred at him in shock. For one wild moment, she could have sworn she heard his adult voice say those words. She smiled. "Thanks, grandpa."
There was a small lurch as the ship landed near its destination. The crew piled out to see a small urban area illuminated in artificial light, the sky dark and the stars visible. A large sign over the entrance to a building read "Back Star Budokai".
"Black Star…?" Bra blinked.
"Budokai?" Pan finished, staring blankly at the sign. They entered the building to a tall, muscular security officer, who stated,
"Show me your entrance token." To which he got many raised eyebrows. "The Black-starred ball. Do ya have one or not?" He sighed impatiently. Goku handed the security officer the four-starred ball, and held it closely to his eyes, tapped it with the back of his finger, and tested its durability against a hard black block he drew from his pocket. "Checks out. Move along please." He said at last, passing the dragon ball back to Goku and gestured them into the room beyond.
"Ah! You're just in time! Please, make yourselves comfortable kids!" a loud, important-sounding voice shouted from the other side of a very large room, which was built like a theatre.
"What is all of this?" asked Goku, looking around at the great assortment of different aliens gathered in the room, ranging from a pair of vicious-looking gorilla-like creatures, to a rather cute blue-haired girl with wolf-like ears and tail. One alien, large and bulky with a hunched, elongated head bumped sharply into Pan.
"Out of the way, whelp! This isn't a place for children!" He barked in a sharp, brutish voice. Pan glared at him as he stomped over to a group of sinister-looking aliens with similar traits.
"If everyone is ready, we can begin the first ever Black Star Budokai!" The important voice blared. At the far side of the room, opposite the entrance, an alien with an elaborate gold headdress (or was that part of his actual head?) stood at a small podium, or at least it looked small compared to him, as he stood eight feet tall. "Now, some of you may be curious as to what this tournament is, so I will explain for your sake. This is the Black Star Budokai. You are here because you have found one of the Black-Starred Dragon Balls scattered throughout the galaxy. You objective in this tournament is simple: compete with the other contestants in one-on-one combat. The winner takes the losing team's Dragon Ball. The battle is over if the losing team's fighter surrenders or dies."
"Um, did he just say 'die?'" Pan gulped, looking at the brutish one who bumped her before. He certainly seemed like the type to kill without regret or second thought.
"The battles will be decided depending on the number of stars on each team's dragon ball." The host continued. "Eight teams in all. The last team standing will get the chance to battle with me for the final nine-starred dragon ball."
"Nine-starred ball!" Goten, Trunks, Bra, Pan, and Goku exclaimed in unison.
"But I thought there were only seven." Pan whispered, after their group shout started to turn heads.
"There are. For the earth dragon balls, I guess." Goku shrugged. "I guess it's different with the Black-Stars."
"All that aside, what do we get out of taking all the Black-Starred balls?" One of the many aliens, who Goku recognized as a saiyan asked.
"Do you not know what these dragon balls are or what they do?" The announcer blinked, interestedly.
"Whoever brings together all nine of these dragon balls gets whatever wish they desire granted." The gruff voice of a namekian cut in.
"Correct." said the announcer. "Now, before we begin this contest to determine the strongest in the universe, I would like all eight teams to step up to the stage, identify your main fighter, who or what you are representing, and how many stars you dragon ball has."
"Why don't you tell us who the hell you are first!" a gruff, battle-hardened looking man barked.
"Fair enough." The announcer shrugged. He stepped forward and held out a dark orange sphere with nine black stars in a square-shaped pattern. "I am Vox Shujin, host of the Black Star Budokai, and possessor of the nine-starred dragon ball. Now, let's begin the introductions, shall we?" Vox stepped aside from the podium, and several people dress in heavy, ragged clothing, some of which were covered in unrecognizable jewels.
"We represent the Jual Empire, and I am the main fighter of our crew, Emeraldas." said a woman in a long black coat with light blue skin, green hair, and a stitch-like scar across her face. "And we possess the eight-starred dragon ball." The entire crowd broke into a murmur. They seemed very discomforted by these people, and Trunks saw why. They looked a lot like pirates. Several tall, green men with pointed ears and antennae stepped up to the stage.
"I am Sunairu." One of them stated. "We represent Planet Namek and possess the six-starred ball." The namekians moved off the stage to make room for the next group, which oddly consisted of a single person, with light blue-green skin spotted with dark markings on his oddly-shaped head and chest, wearing dark tights and a red coat with short chains hanging from the ends of the sleeves.
"I do not represent anything or anybody but myself." He said simply. "My name is Ledgic and I own the three-starred dragon ball." He showed the ball to the crowd and left the stage. All was awkwardly quiet until a fourth group stepped up for introductions. This group was much more sinister, wearing roguish armor and carrying many dangerous-looking weapons. One of them was prodding a very out-of-place-looking girl with light blue hair, wolf-like ears and tail, a simple white outfit and a thick black collar around her neck up to the podium.
"Um, I uh… my name is Maya." The girl spoke shakily and nervously. "I represent the Rytarians, who possess the one-star ball." She indicated an orange sphere hanging from her collar.
"She looks like she's some sort of… slave to them." Pan whispered disdainfully.
"She is." Trunks grumbled, a note of irritation in his voice. "A girl like her doesn't look like a fighter, and why those guys are prodding her into doing it, I can only guess."
"I am Cabago, main fighter and representative of the saiyans and Planet Neo Vega." Goku, Trunks, and the others whirled around to stare up at the group who had just been introduced. They were saiyans, the sharp muscle tone, black hair and eyes, and monkey-like tail were a dead giveaway. "And we possess the five-star."
"But I thought dad always told us that the saiyans were wiped out." Bra commented.
"He told me the same." said Goku. "I don't get it either. Looks like we're up." he added, indicating the empty stage and eyes on them.
"We represent earth, and possess the four-starred ball." Goku stated to the room, once they had gotten onto the stage.
"And your main fighter?" Vox prompted. Goten, Trunks, Pan, and Bra took a step back, so Goku continued,
"That's me. I'm Son Goku." He and the others were ushered rudely off the stage by another group, this one comprised of several people dressed in ancient-looking armor with blue eyes glowing through the visors of their helmets. One of them, however was totally unarmored. Pan felt a small surge of anger as she recognized the brutish alien who bumped her earlier.
"We are the Icejin Empire of Planet Arctos. I am their fighter, Koru." The brutish alien barked, his voice full of blood lust. "And we are in possession of the seven-star ball."
A mysterious group stepped up next after Koru's group. These people's faces were all shrouded by dark masks and cloaks. "I…" One of them spoke up, his voice surprisingly deep and reverberating. "Am the leader and representative of the Arcosians, and we are the possessors of the two-star."
"And your name?" Vox prompted.
"You don't need to know that. I am merely the leader and fighting representative of the Arcosians." The mysterious man stated.
"Okay." said Vox uncertainly, an eyebrow raised. "Well, anyway, we have our fighters. Tomorrow, the first half of the preliminary rounds will take place. Please note that thievery will NOT be tolerated." Goten noticed that Vox was saying this more to the pirates who called themselves the Jual Empire when he said this. "If you are caught stealing anything from your opposing teams, especially dragon balls- and make no mistake, you WILL be caught- you will be executed on the spot. As of now, there is no turning back. No forfeiting the tournament, no escaping, no excuses. The first half of the preliminary rounds will begin tomorrow on Planet Meat, so for now, get settled in your quarters, and prepare yourselves. You have a big day tomorrow." And with that, Vox left through a back door.
"Am I the only one who thinks this is all way too weird, even for our standards?" asked Bra. Everyone shook their heads. Trunks turned to see the Rytarians yank Maya away on a leash and gritted his teeth in anger.
"I know how you feel, Trunks," said Goku. "But not yet. Come on, let's go find our quarters." Trunks raised an eyebrow at Goku's back. 'but not yet?' What did he mean by that? Was he thinking the same as him? To help set Maya free from those thugs?
They followed a bizarre-looking woman with the same headdress as Vox to their quarters, where their belongings from Starship GT were already neatly organized.
"Can't say I like the whole fight to the death thing, but you gotta admit, the service here is pretty good." Pan remarked as she plopped onto a very comfortable bed. There were several bedrooms in the small quarters, one for everyone, their respective belongings in each room.
"Don't get too used to it Pan." said Trunks warningly. "We're practically held prisoner here and…" he looked out a window. "Are we in space!" Sure enough, as everyone else peered through the windows, they saw a pitch black sky with a familiar looking blue-green planet slowly inching away.
"Didn't that Vox guy say something about the preliminaries taking place on some other world?" said Goten. "I guess he's really bent on making sure we stay under his thumb."
"Yeah. Tricking us into thinking this was a building instead of a massive spaceship." Bra grunted.
"Well, we better get some sleep." said Goku, yawning. "Like Vox said, we have a big day tomorrow." Only three hours after everyone went to sleep, Vox's ship gave a large shake, waking everyone within.
"Attention contestants! Please exit the Light Eater at once. The first preliminary match will be starting in one hour. Lateness will not be tolerated!" An intercom blared. The message repeated a few times as everyone on board the ship, apparently known as the Light Eater, disembarked onto the desolate Planet Meat. At that moment, several people, Pan included, yelped as they suddenly fell to their knees for unknown reason.
"What's going on!" Pan breathed, trying hard to stand.
"It's the gravity." Goku explained. "The gravity on this planet is probably about ten times that of earth's."
"You're a pretty smart kid." said Vox, who flew overhead the other contestants in a hovering throne-like chair. "And that's precisely what makes this world perfect for an interesting fight. A true test of strength." He cleared his throat, took out a microphone, and spoke into it, "And now at last, the Black Star Budokai can begin! Our first match will be between the enigmatic Arcosian leader, and the cute little pup Maya!"
Maya appeared frightened, but was given a sharp push forward towards the Arcosian leader by one of the Rytarians. "Now the rules are quite simple." Vox continued. "First to surrender or die loses. You're free to use any techniques, powers, and weapons you possess, and the whole planet is free for you to use as you see fit. Are both fighters ready?" The Arcosian gave a simple nod. Maya looked as though she very much wanted to say, to scream no, but after a sharp glance from her 'team', she simply squeaked, "Yes."
"Then without further delay," Vox concluded. "Let the battle….. BEGIN!"
Before Vox even finished saying 'begin', Maya yelped as she floated in the air, struggling as she tried to touch back down to solid ground. She got her wish, in a very terrible way, as she was slammed very hard to the ground repeatedly, then yanked toward the Arcosian, who winded Maya instantly with a single violent punch. Maya tried to stand up, but struggled through the planet's gravity. She was blown back into a large rock by the Arcosian, where she again struggled to stand, very tearful.
"Transform, Maya!" one of the Rytarians shouted. Maya shuddered. Whatever transformation she possessed, she clearly had no liking for it. "Transform, you worthless pup!" Maya still refused as she was engulfed in an energy barrage launched by the Arcosian. Fed up, the Rytarian pulled out a remote control and pressed a button on it. Maya screamed out in unbelievable pain as she grew half a foot, the hair on her head, ears, and tail standing sharply on end, becoming feral, her dark red eyes brightened, her pupils becoming slits, her finger nails grew into razor sharp claws, and many pointed fangs could be seen in her mouth.
"What happened to her!" Goten and Trunks blurted in unison. Maya growled monstrously, hunched over on all fours. She charged towards the Arcosian, dodging every attack he threw at her with precision, slashing him across the chest with her claws. She ripped and slashed at him relentlessly, snarling and growling furiously all the while, blood spilling everywhere. She bit into his chest, ripping something out of it with her fangs that looked frighteningly like his heart.
"The Arcosian fighter has been… eradicated. The victory goes to Maya!" Vox shouted as though commentating for a harmless sporting event. The Arcosians grudgingly handed their dragon ball to the Rytarians. Maya turned back into her normal, cute self, covered in blood and sobbing deeply.
"What the hell did they do to her?" Trunks breathed, eyes transfixed unblinkingly on the distraught Maya.
"And now with that stunningly gruesome fight completed," Vox announced. "We move on to the next match, between elite fighter Ledgic and strangely confident little youngster, Son Goku!"
"I joined this tournament hoping to find a challenge. And yet here I fight a mere child." said Ledgic, disappointed.
"If you're going to let your guard down because I'm little," said Goku, stretching and taking a fighting position. "You're going to get hurt."
"And… BEGIN!" Vox shouted. Ledgic made the first move, striking at Goku's head, but he blocked the attack, much to Ledgic's surprise. Goku then jumped back and as Ledgic tried another attack, he launched a punch of his own, the two attacks cross-countering, both fighters punching each other in the face at the same time. Ledgic brushed his opponent aside and flew into the sky, Goku following him.
"I see you aren't affected by this planet's gravity." said Ledgic, genuinely interested. "You're a saiyan, aren't you?" The saiyans from Neo Vega gasped and murmured amongst each other.
"That's right." Goku smiled. "I told you not to underestimate me."
"I take back my disappointment for this fight. This has gotten quite interesting." Ledgic grinned. "But the battle has just begun." He grasped the chains hanging from the sleeves of his jacket, and in a flash of light, a sword appeared in each hand.
"That's an interesting technique." said Goku, grinning in amazement. "But you'll find I'm full of surprises myself." He held his middle and forefingers to his forehead and concentrated. Just as Ledgic made a sweep with his swords, Goku vanished out of thin air, reappearing in an awkward position on the ground below. He stood, brushed the dirt out of his hair, and rocketed back up to fight Ledgic, who swung at impressive speeds, actually managing to cut Goku in several places, but Goku wasn't finished yet. In a powerful flash, his hair shot straight up, glowing bright gold, his eyes light green. He caught both swords in each hand and snapped them in two. He pounded several more punches into Ledgic, finally sending him crashing to the ground below. Just as Goku landed to deal the finishing blow however, Ledgic held out a hand.
"That's enough. I forfeit." He called audibly. Goku blinked at him, his hair returning to normal.
"Why are you quitting? I was just getting into it." he asked.
"I know I would have lost. I've gotten my satisfying battle, and now I have no further reason to be here." He gave Goku his dragon ball and they shook hands. "I don't know how a child like you, even if you are a saiyan child, can be so strong, but it was an honor fighting you, Son Goku."
"Same to you, Ledgic." Goku smiled. "Let's do this again some time."
"I look forward to it." Ledgic nodded, flying away.
"An interesting turnout! Who would have thought such a little kid could pack such a big punch!" Vox shouted enthusiastically through his microphone. "That's all the time we have for today. This has been the ultimate galactic showdown, the Black Star Budokai, signing out!"
"What is going on here?" Goten asked. "Who is he talking to?" Several of the Rytarians laughed.
"You mean you don't know?" Koru barked. "This tournament is being broadcasted everywhere across the galaxy. Even that cesspool you call a home world."
Meanwhile on earth….
"Isn't that show a little… gory, even by your standards, Vegeta?" said Bulma, who walked in during the tournament broadcast. "Wait, is that Goku? And Trunks? And Br…? What is Bra doing there!"
"Nice, isn't it? It's called "Ultimate Galactic Showdown." Vegeta grinned. "It's a pretty interesting show. Finally, some real fighting, not that cheap, fake 'pro wrestling' crap."
Back on board the Light Eater….
"That fight was pitiful, Maya!" A thin, angry Rytarian growled. "The next time you're told to transform, you do it! No questions asked, no resistance, no avoiding it! Got it!"
"Back off her!" Trunks demanded. "She doesn't deserve to be treated that way!"
"Oh? And who are you to tell me how to treat a piece of my property?" The Rytarian retorted smugly.
"Property!" Trunks growled, teeth clenched furiously, drawing his sword.
"HEY! None of that bull!" Vox intervened. "No fighting outside the matches. If you can't abide by my rules…" he slid a finger across his throat. "Now get back to your quarters." The Rytarians made rude gestures at Trunks and Vox and walked off. Trunks, however remained where he stood.
"Mr. Vox. Can I ask you something?"
"You just did, boy. But yes, you may." said Vox.
"Is the main representative the only one permitted to participate in the matches?" Trunks asked.
"Not at all. Why? You want to fight in your team's next match?" said Vox.
"Yes." Trunks nodded.
"Then have at 'em. Though, of course, they seem unlikely to switch their fighters."
"Just as good." said Trunks. "Thank you, Mr. Vox." He left for his quarters.
"So the next match is between a saiyan and a namekian. Who do you think will win?" asked Bra.
"The namekian, definitely. If that Sunairu guy's anything like Mr. Piccolo, he'd be unbeatable." said Pan enthusiastically.
"I don't know about that." said Goten. "I mean, that Cabago guys is a pure-blooded saiyan, possibly the greatest warrior race in existence."
"I don't know if he's really a saiyan." said Goku thoughtfully. "I mean, it's possible, but if he is a really saiyan, he'll probably win hands down."
"I don't think tomorrow will be a very good day for Emeraldas." said Pan. "That Koru, he gives off such a sinister aura. I don't think she'll stand a chance."
"All I care about is the semifinals." Trunks cut in. "I will save her, no matter what." He thought.
To be continued….
As you've probably noticed, this particular arc/mini-saga is non canon to GT Remastered. The Black Star Budokai was a concept I originally considered to span the whole length of the Remastered Black Star Saga, but that of course left too much restriction on what I could do with the series, so it was dropped. The ideas of there being nine Black Star Dragon Balls, an Icejin enemy, and the saiyans of Neo Vega have always stuck in my head for the series, hence why Cabago, Koru, and the like were moved into GT Remastered. I always kind of liked Ledgic, who was a character Goku fought in the actual GT series, and I was disappointed when, in the end, I couldn't work him into the final cut of the Black Star Saga, so I'm glad to have been able to involve him here.
Special thanks to Myochi-chan from Deviantart for permission to use her OC, Maya, apologies for being so mean to her in this chapter, and assurances that everything will turn around for her when her purple-haired knight comes to rescue her.
Next chapter will be part 2 of 3. See you then!
Also, be sure to visit my Dragon Ball GT Remastered forum. I'm interested to hear what you have to say. Later!