Chapter 3

Krillin

Krillin and Videl got to Capsule Corp. early and helped Bulma, Trunks, and Bra set up. Bra was an energetic eight-year old now, and more than happy to set up frills and set tables, keeping a critical eye on everything like she was a professional home decorator or something. "So, Krillin, what are you getting Marron?" Trunks asked. He now looked just like his Future Counterpart and had gotten a lot more tech savvy, setting up the stage for N-D-Go along with making sure there was enough light, in case the party lasted into the night. That was likely since it was Friday. "Well, Eighteen suggested I teach her some of my techniques, and I think she'd like that," Krillin told the half-Saiyan. "Huh…sounds like Daddy. But Marron does like that kind of stuff," Bra said as she surveyed the yard where the party would be, just as the bus for N-D-Go showed up.

The band members were Nagako, lead singer and guitar, Damon, backup singer and keyboard player, and Goemon, backup singer and drummer. Nagako was a little taller than Eighteen with green eyes and dyed green hair and four piercings per ear, while Damon was a tall, skinny red-head wearing red contacts, and Goemon had natural indigo colored eyes and hair. "Yo, you must be Krillin," Goemon said, "Mrs. Briefs said you were in charge of the show." "Yeah, that's me. Thanks for showing up, Marron really loves you guys, she has all your CD's and three posters in her room of you all," Krillin said. Nagako nodded, "Well, we like to show our fans we appreciate 'em, so, where's the stage?" "Right this way," Krillin said, leading them on. N-D-Go was a nu-metal indie band, kind of famous for how un-stereotypical they were, just making money to go to more shows and make more music, plus pay their bills. All excess cash they made went to charities. Krillin was happy to see they were as nice in person.

He got N-D-Go set up on the stage. Just in time, he sensed Marron flying over with Eighteen. "Alright, remember, this is her," Krillin said, showing them a picture from Marron's sixteenth birthday on his phone. "Got it," Goemon said as Nagako and Damon gave him the thumbs up. He sensed as the rest showed up too, Chi-chi, Gohan, Pan, Goten, Yamcha, Piccolo, and Dende along with Marron's school friends Mya and Kuki. "Alright, get ready!" Krillin said as he ran off the stage and into Capsule Corp. "Dad, you're here, what took ya?" Marron said. She was in her regular clothes of red sneakers and skorts with a purple short-sleeved shirt. She was talking with her friends at the time, Mia was as tall as Marron a brunette with brown eyes and blue glasses wearing a regular blue shirt and skirt with sneakers on, and Kuki, she was about as tall as Gohan with dark black hair in two pigtails, wearing a green dress. Marron always described Kuki as a 'Big Beautiful Woman', and liked to train with her in judo club, while Mya was on the swim team.

"Just making sure everything was just right for you, sweetie," Krillin told her. "Alright, people!" Bulma said, "Let's head out to the yard, that's where the party is!" They all went outside, the lights in Capsule Corp's yard were all off, when all of a sudden, the stage that N-D-Go was on lit up. Everyone was shocked to see the band. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARRON!" N-D-Go said all together, and launched into their first Platinum Single, Love for Life. Marron and her friends all screamed as they ran over to the stage to watch their favorite band sing, singing along with them. "Wow, so that's N-D-Go, they're pretty awesome," Gohan commented as Pan dragged him into a dance with her. Pan was about a head taller than Krillin and liked to wear grey pants with black sneakers and red shirts usually, sometimes with grey gloves like today. "Marron always listens to them when she babysits me," Pan told Gohan, "I told you they were awesome Daddy!" Krillin watched as Goten and Trunks started dancing along with Marron and her friends before heading to Bulma, "Hey, where is Vegeta?"

"I'm here," Vegeta said, leaning on the side of the main Capsule Corp. building watching the younger folks dancing. "Surprised to see you, thought you'd be training," Krillin said. "I'm resting today. As for your brat's present, over the weekend I'm letting her use the Gravity Room. Plus I got her a sweatband," Vegeta said. "Gee, thanks," Krillin sarcastically said, "You're all heart Vegeta." Vegeta snorted and said, "Bra tells me your daughter's well on her way to being stronger than you. I figured I might as well help her, she might be a good sparring partner in a few years." "Yeah, she's real fighter," Krillin said. "So, what did you get your little bundle of joy?" Vegeta asked as N-D-Go started a new song. "I'm going to show her some of my techniques, Eighteen said that's what she'd really want from me," Krillin admitted. Vegeta snorted, "If she's as strong as Bra says without you teaching her your techniques, she might be a half-decent warrior already."

After their second song was over, Nagako said, "Alright, Birthday Girl, come on up." Marron happily jumped onto the stage and said, "Oh my God! I never thought I'd get to be on stage with you guys! I got all your CD's, and and…I LOVE YOU!" "Love you too, Marron," Damon said. "So, you know 'Hope is Gone'?" Nagako asked her. "Yeah! That's my favorite!" Marron said. "Alright, let's see how good at singing you are," Nagako said as Damon and Goemon started up the song. Bra ran over and said, "Daddy, come on!" "Alright, alright," Vegeta said with a smile as he went off to dance with his daughter. Krillin went over and managed to convince Eighteen to dance with him while their daughter sang her favorite song.

For about two hours they were all dancing and listening to N-D-Go play their best hits, while servants set up food tables. Marron got off the stage as did N-D-Go to get some food, not knowing that a big surprise would arrive, two actually. The first surprise dropped from the sky with a forcefield behind him carrying four people. "Looks like I'm fashionably late," Android Seventeen said as he released his forcefield with his family, his wife Cat, and their kids, Leo, Draco, and Arachne. "Uncle Seventeen! Aunt Cat!" Marron yelled as she ran and wrapped them in a hug. Cat was a small woman, just barely taller than Krillin, with blonde hair and brown eyes. She wore a long yellow sundress and sandals and a very motherly smile. "You've really grown up Marron!" Cat said as she hugged her niece back. "Seems like only yesterday you were a little squirt this tall," Seventeen said when she let them go, he held his hand down to his knee to show how small she was. Leo was Seventeen and Cat's only biological child, he looked like a blonde Seventeen, making him look like a male clone of Eighteen, and was almost as tall as his Dad, he was wearing a black denim jacket and white shirt with torn jeans and blue sneakers. Draco and Arachne were adopted by Seventeen and Cat, they were twin siblings like Seventeen and Eighteen, both had dark brown skin and black hair, the main differences were their eyes, Draco's were green while Arachne's were dark blue, they wore smaller versions of Seventeen's own Ranger Suit.

Marron hugged her cousins too and Leo commented, "Sheesh, Marron, when'd you become such a bodybuilder?" "What? I just wanted to be as badass as Mom and Dad, so I trained hard and ate right. You jealous Leo?" Marron asked, flexing a bicep. "…Maybe…Anyway, we brought your birthday presents too," Leo said as he, Draco, and Arachne gave her some boxes in brown wrapping paper. "We'd appreciate it if you'd recycle those," Cat said. "Sure," Marron said. "Your presents are over there," Eighteen pointed the way. Marron put them on the table she pointed at while Krillin and Eighteen greeted their family. "Man, you guys have really grown up!" Krillin said, it had been almost a whole year, and puberty was being kind to Leo. "Thanks, Uncle Krillin, I think you shrunk a little," Leo said with a smirk. "That's not nice, Leo," Cat scolded her son. "Eh, I'm used to it," Krillin admitted, "Still, it's great to see you guys."

For another hour everyone mingled and chatted away, and Krillin lost sight of Marron. "Hey, I think it's time for the cake, and give the Birthday Girl her presents, have you seen Marron?" Bulma said. The cake was huge, as big as Krillin in fact, big enough for everyone, including the Saiyans present, and enough for leftovers. "I'll go get her," Krillin said as he tried to sense for her ki signature. She was in Capsule Corp, and Krillin headed inside to look for her. He found her alright. In the Living Room. Making out with Goten. Krillin's jaw dropped, Marron had her arms wrapped around his best friend's younger son, lips locked tight as he was holding her up. Krillin took a deep breath before saying, "Hey…lovebirds…" "DAD!?" Marron said when they realized he was there. "Uh…Um…Duh…I mean…she asked me to, she sai- Ah Jeeze," Goten said. "Don't be angry Dad," Marron said. "Oh boy…We'll talk about this later, it's time for cake and presents," Krillin said, his mind racing.

On the one hand, in Satan City Prefecture, Marron was now considered of legal age. On the other, the law technically said she was a minor as well, and Goten was four years older than her. "Man…" Krillin didn't know what to think as he led the now scarlet faced Goten and Marron back outside. "Alright you two," Krillin said, "For now, we'll pretend that didn't happen. That being said, we're having a talk, with your Mom, when we're home young lady. And, Goten, try not to get too mushy in public for another year, okay?" "Alright…" Goten said, twiddling his fingers. "Alright, let's go then," Krillin said as he opened the door. "Found her!" he said. Marron hid her blush enough to reach the enormous cake. "Sheesh, Bulma-ba-san!" Marron said as she flew up a little to reach the seventeen candles on top of the cake. "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Marron! Happy Birthday to you!" Everyone sang as Marron blew out the candles.

The second surprise arrived just then, "Hey everybody? You having a party?" Everyone immediately turned and saw none other than Goku! And his apprentice Uub! "GOKU!" everyone yelled in surprise, except for N-D-Go, Mya, and Kuki since they didn't know who he was. "Yep…finally finished Uub's training, so I figured it's time to come home, but Chi-chi wasn't there, I tried Gohan's place too, and he wasn't there either, then I sensed for everyone's energy, and sensed you guys were here, so, here I am," Goku explained. Krillin got a look at Uub. The kid had grown, a lot, in the four years Goku had trained him. He was up to Goku's chin in height, and his once scrawny physique looked like it was all muscle beneath his orange gi, while Goku was wearing a green one like he wore when he left to train Uub. "Goku!" Chi-chi yelled, coming over to him. "Chi-chi! Hold on, I'm sorry it took so long, but I…" Goku's stopped talking when Chi-chi reached him.

"We'll discuss it inside," Chi-chi said and dragged Goku by his shirt into Capsule Corp. "Wow… Didn't think he'd be back now," Yamcha admitted. "Well, that's Goku for you, always showing up when you least expect it," Krillin pointed out. Krillin looked at Uub and Uub looked embarrassed that everyone was looking at him. "Um…Hello. It's very nice to meet you all. Sensei told me a lot about all of you as he trained me," Uub said. "Come on then, make yourself at home," Bulma invited Uub, "We're celebrating Marron's birthday, you showed up just in time for her to open her presents." "Thank you very much," Uub said as Krillin fixed him a plate of food while they stood back to watch Marron open her presents.

Marron had already gotten Piccolo and Dende's present from her in her weighted training clothes, so she opened up Vegeta's first. She saw it was a sweatband and put it on, then Vegeta told her, "You'll need that. For the weekend you can use the Gravity Room, get some real training." "Thank you!" Marron said, and actually gave the scowling Saiyan Prince a hug, then one to Dende and Piccolo too. She opened up Pan's present next, a gorgeous blue dress with matching heels. "I know you'll look real pretty in it, Marron," Pan said as Marron hugged her for the gift. Gohan and Videl's was next, the makeup kit Videl told Krillin about, and she hugged them both saying, "I can't wait to put it on." Trunks and Bra gave her a pair of wireless headsets that Trunks had designed to store up to a thousand songs on its own, in a bright red color Bra had chosen out for her. "My present is the show," Bulma said, and Marron hugged her after hugging her kids. "I know it's not as great as all this," Yamcha admitted, "But…I hope you like it anyway." Yamcha handed Marron the newest N-D-Go CD, feeling embarrassed. Marron hugged him anyway saying, "I'm just glad almost everyone showed up here. What happened to Tien and Chiaotzu?" "There was a small flu epidemic in his dojo," Piccolo told her, then pointed out two boxes, "Tien said he's sorry he couldn't come, but he hopes you like their gifts."

Marron opened up the boxes to behold two hand carved wooden dragon statues, one of Shenron and the other of Porunga, each made with careful attention to detail. "Wow…who knew Tien had it in him…" Videl said in surprise. "We really need to go see him to thank him for these," Eighteen said as she picked up the Porunga statue. "Yeah," Marron said as she looked at the Shenron statue. "Whose presents are left?" Goten asked. "Yours, Kuki's, Mya's, Chi-chi's, Seventeen and his family's, and ours," Eighteen said. "Well, should we go get Mom?" Gohan asked. "I would advise against that," Piccolo said, his face blushing brightly. "Her and Goku are…reconnecting." "Huh?" Pan and Bra asked. "They're just having a long talk about all that's happened is all, it'd be rude to interrupt them after they've been separated for so long!" Bulma quickly explained. Vegeta snorted at that but kept his mouth shut.

"Well, I guess Chi-chi's present can wait," Eighteen said, and gave Marron her present. Marron opened it to reveal a beautiful golden bracelet with lapis lazuli gemstones on it. "Wow, Mom, this is amazing!" Marron said as she put on the bracelet. "Your Father's present is the best, you should save his for last," Eighteen told her, then turned to Seventeen, "You're up." "This is from all of us," Seventeen said as he handed the box to Marron. She opened it to reveal a book. "This is a scrapbook we made of the island Dad works on," Leo explained. Marron quickly looked through the book with a big smile on her face before hugging her cousins, aunt, and uncle, "Thank you guys so much! I gotta come visit over the summer!"

Goten was still blushing when he handed his present over. It was a pair of gold earrings with tear drop lapis lazuli gems. "I hope you like them," Goten said. "I love them!" Marron said as she put on her new earrings. "Man, with all this, you'll look like a model," Videl complimented Marron, pointing out her new jewelry and dress. "Yeah!" Marron said. "Well, this is what I got," Kuki said. Marron opened her present to see it was a new red one-piece bathing suit. "Thanks Kuki, can't wait to hit the beach with it," Marron said as she hugged her friend. "Here's something a little more practical," Mya said. Her gift was a new massager, and batteries for it. "Thanks, I've really been tense," Marron told her other friend before hugging her. "Well then, Dad, you're the last one, until Chi-chi-ba-san and Goku-ji-san come back," Marron said. Krillin swallowed, "Alright…well, I have been teaching you martial arts for a while now, and I've been holding back on the training. Well, you're seventeen years old now. You're turning more and more into a woman, and you're going to be out in the world soon, going on your own adventures. So, I've decided to teach you some of my best techniques."

Marron's eyes shined at that, "Really!?" "Yeah, if we go to the Gravity Room we can do it without worrying about hurting anyone," Krillin said, looking to Vegeta. "Fine, follow me," Vegeta said. Everyone started to follow, but Krillin said, "Uh, guys, do you mind, trying to have a father-daughter thing here…" "AAAWW, I really wanted to see what Marron could do!" Pan complained. "No, this is for her birthday, maybe she'll show you later," Gohan told Pan. "Thanks guys," Krillin said, and Vegeta yelled, "Hurry up! I don't have all day!" "Coming, sheesh, keep your shirt on!" Krillin yelled as he ran after Vegeta and Marron. Vegeta led them into the Gravity Room and let them in. "I'm going too, you don't know how to activate or control the drones," Vegeta said. "Thanks," Krillin sincerely said as Vegeta went to the computer in the wall and pressed a few buttons. The lights came on and a dozen drones flew in from an opening in the ceiling. "Alright, the first technique's the simplest, Solar Flare. It's just a short, extremely powerful burst of light, you use your ki to project it out. You might want these," Krillin pulled a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and tossed them to Marron. Marron put them on and Krillin put his hands to his head. "Alright, this works best with natural sunlight, but electrical light can work in a pinch. Concentrate, focus on the light in front of you, focus your ki between your hands and, SOLAR FLARE!"

Bright light exploded in front of Krillin for a short burst. Vegeta was blinking hard but said nothing. "Alright, think you can try it, or you need me to show you again?" Krillin asked Marron. "I think I got it," Marron said as she handed him back his sunglasses. Krillin put them on as Marron put her hands in front of her forehead. Marron had a look of concentration as she closed her eyes and yelled out, "SOLAR FLARE!" The light was even brighter than what Krillin let out, this time Vegeta yelled, "Damn it! I didn't think it would be this intense!" Marron was smiling, so was Krillin as he asked, "You need to leave, maybe head to the infirmary?" "No, just, give me a minute," Vegeta said, rubbing his eyes. "Remember though, this technique can be rendered useless if your opponent is blind, or wearing sunglasses," Krillin told Marron. "Got it, what's next?" Marron said.

"Alright, time for the Turtle School's signature technique, the Kamehameha Wave," Krillin said, "Come over and watch closely." Marron did as Krillin instructed and watched. "Alright, get into a solid stance, then, cup your hands together. Focus your ki between your hands," Krillin told Marron as power grew between his hands. "Now, you need to concentrate to contain the energy, make sure it goes only in the direction you want it to go, and not go flying everywhere," Krillin explained. "Try not to lose control like Goten did when Trunks beat him," Vegeta said with a smirk. "Exactly," Krillin said, "Build as much as you can, and it helps if you time it by saying the name. Ka-me-ha-meee-HHHHAAAA!" Krillin let lose with his Kamehameha, blasting two of Vegeta's drones, destroying them. "You ready to try?" Krillin asked. "I got it Dad," Marron said. She set her feet into a firm stance and cupped her hands to her side. Ki slowly built up between her hands until they glowed. "Kame-hame-HHHAAA!" Marron yelled as she blasted at a drone and destroyed it like Krillin had.

"Man, you're a natural at this, took me months to really get it down!" Krillin told Marron. Marron smiled, "I had some good teachers." "Alright, this is the last technique I'll teach you, my own technique, Destructo-Disc," Krillin said as he raised his hand. "This one really takes concentration, you need to focus and shape your ki into a disc shape. Then, you need to create a number of claws on the edges, like a buzzsaw. And finally, you gotta make it spin so it can cut through your target. This is my most dangerous skill, sweetie. Only use it, as a last resort, if your life, or the lives of others are in danger, and you're ready to kill your target. Understood?" Krillin had one of the most serious looks on his face Marron had ever seen. Marron nodded and said, "I understand, Dad." "Alright, watch closely," Krillin said as he slowly formed a Destructo-Disc in his upraised hand, going through all the steps so Marron could see them, before throwing it at another drone, slicing it clean in half.

Marron nodded and raised her hand too. She slowly went through all the steps Krillin showed her and spotted her target. "Destructo-Disc!" Marron yelled as she threw the attack, cutting through one of the drones easily. "Keep practicing, and you'll get it done faster," Krillin said, as he raised his hand again, and much more quickly formed and tossed a Destructo-Disc. He tossed it at a drone, then waved his hand, changing the direction of his attack until it cut through all the remaining drones. "Wow…" Marron said. "That'll take years to do that, I promise," Krillin said, "But I know you can do it." "Thank you so much, Dad," Marron said and wrapped Krillin up in a hug. "Let's head out, I'm sure there's still some cake that the Saiyans didn't eat," Krillin said as he, Marron, and Vegeta headed back out to the party.

They all ate and mingled a little more, and N-D-Go played a few more songs for everyone before heading out. "Happy Birthday, Marron," Nagako, Damon, and Goemon said one more time, and handed her a signed t-shirt of their band. Marron's eyes lit up almost as brightly as when Krillin taught her his moves as she took the t-shirt. "Keep on rocking folks, later!" Goemon said, and the band headed out. Goku and Chi-chi finally emerged from Capsule Corp., Chi-chi looked extremely…relaxed. "Oh, did I miss the presents?" Chi-chi said. "Yeah. You two were awfully busy," Android 17 said, "But she didn't open up yours at least." Chi-chi got her present and handed it to Marron. "It's something I think every young lady should have in her wardrobe," she said. Marron opened up the box to see a beautiful blue cheongsam style dress, hand woven, with a green border and long green leggings to go with it. Marron felt the dress and wrapped Chi-chi in a hug, "Thank you so much, Chi-chi-ba-san!" "Your welcome, sweetheart," Chi-chi hugged her back.

"Well…I forgot it was your birthday, Marron," Goku admitted, "I'm sorry. Um…how can I make it up to you?" Marron thought about this, then smiled, "I know! How about next Saturday, you show me how to use Kaioken?" "What!?" Krillin yelled. "Are you sure? That's a really hard technique, and if you're not careful it can really hurt you," Goku warned Marron. "I'm sure," Marron said. "Alright, next Saturday, so that's a week from…" "Tomorrow. A week from tomorrow, Dad," Goten said. "Right, thanks Goten," Goku said, "Alright, a week from tomorrow, I'll come over and show you Kaioken." "Looking forward to it, Goku-ji-san," Marron said and hugged the Saiyan warrior. Goku hugged her back and Gohan said, "Well, it's about time for Pan to go to bed. We gotta head home." "AAAWWW, come on!" Pan groaned. "Sorry Pan-chan," Videl said, "But your Dad's right." "Hey, I'll come by tomorrow, okay? But you gotta go now," Goku told Pan. "Alright," Pan said. She hugged everyone goodbye, and hugged Goku last, and tightest. "I'm happy you're back, Grandpa," Pan told him. "I'm happy to be back, Pan. Really," Goku said. Pan, Videl and Gohan flew home, and everyone else quickly left too.

Videl

As soon as they were home, Videl told Pan to take a bath and get in her pajamas. While she was doing that, Videl turned to Gohan. "Gohan, are you, alright?" "Why wouldn't I be?" Gohan asked her. "Well, your Dad's been gone for almost half our daughter's life for one thing," Videl pointed out. "I know, I admit, part of me is angry about that. But…that's Dad's nature. You can't really change that. Also, I know Dad. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he doesn't abandon anyone. We can talk with him later, let him explain himself at least," Gohan told her. "I guess," Videl said. She wasn't too sure how she felt, but she trusted her husband's judgement. "That's not all I want to talk about. Gohan, starting tomorrow, I want you to start training me again," she told him. "Alright, how do you want to start?" Gohan said. "No, I want you to really train me," Videl told him, looking him in the eyes. She had a look in her eyes that reminded Gohan of when they were in high school, that fireball he fell in love with was back.

"I want to get stronger, I want you to push my limits far beyond what I was in high school. I want to be able to fly faster than a jet, hit harder than a missile, and blast lasers out my eyes is what I'm talking about," Videl told him. Gohan had the most surprised look in his face, but nodded, "I understand. But I'm warning you, it'll be tough. I'm going to train you hard, like Piccolo trained me. The first thing he did was throw me into a mountain." "WHA!?" Videl screamed in surprise. "I'm not going to do that!" Gohan quickly yelled, "But it'll be just as tough. Are you sure you still want to do this?" "Yes I am," Videl firmly told him. Gohan got a serious expression on his face then, like whenever he was ready to fight, "Alright, then we're going to get up early tomorrow. We better go to bed now." "Right," Videl said. She was ready for anything…so she thought.

Author's Note: I had Marron refer to people with honorifics like ji-san and (o)ba-san to show she thinks of them as Honorary Aunts and Uncles, while refer to Seventeen as Uncle Seventeen to show he really is her Uncle. Sorry this took so long, there's gonna be a payoff to all this, I promise. Next chapter, Videl is in for the hardest training of her life up to now.