Author's Note: Hello again lovely readers! Wow, I am so happy/excited about the sweet reviews you all wrote. There was so many with the last chapter! Keep them coming, they really help motivate me! I apologize that this story is unbeta'd. I try to do the best I can under circumstances. I hope you all enjoy this, please heed the warnings-
Disclaimer and Warnings: Mentions Mpreg, Heats, violence, swearing, and Alpha Dominated Society!
Timelines and ages are slightly different. Different world from the original DBZ world.
Since I'm making up a lot of terms here I thought I'd drop some definitions.
Suitors:An Alpha who is courting a Omega. During the courting phase they are Suitors, after the pair has mated they are referred to as Mates.
Ranks of the Saiyan Warriors:
Third Class
Second Class
First Class- Also known as Elites
Captains
High Council:The High Council is a level between Captains and the King. They advise the King on troublesome planets and which troops should go to what planets. There are Six Council members total. Generally the position is passed down from generation to generation, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
In This Chapter: Before the big day Goten is shown what kind of fun the Prince's crew can have. Somewhere along the way, things start to change between him and the Prince.
Alpha Royal
Chapter Six: Drinks and Debauchery
"Tomorrow's the big day!"
The announcement came from Beet. Loud enough that the entire Chow Hall paused eating their dinner's to give him annoyed glares. The saiyan just beamed back at them as Leta dragged him back into his seat. "Get down here you idiot, you're scaring the Trainee."
Goten tried to hide his flushed face behind his hands at the comment. He could hear Trunks' snickering beside him.
Beet just laughed, "Oh he can take it. He is doing the Prince's test." He wiggled his eyebrows knowingly at the entire table.
Leta punched his arm in response as Axal harrumphed. "The test is a great honor," the bodyguard said, "not something that should be made into a joke."
"But it is something that should be celebrated." Beet spoke up, a wicked look lighting his eyes.
The words acted as a reminder to Leta who perked up immediately. She turned her attention to Goten who recognized the look on the two faces. He knew immediately that they were up to something. "Goten, we were thinking… since you've been working so hard this week..."
"…and we've hardly gotten to see you." Beet interrupted.
"…You deserve to relax before the big day. So We're going to go out."
"Out?" Goten repeated, "I… don't know. I mean tomorrow is the test and I was going to train."
Axal nodded in approval as Leta and Beet's faces fell. Beet's set into a hard line of determination, "No. No way, you are not going to do another six hour training session before tomorrow."
"Well it was going to only be four hours," Goten corrected.
"Goten…" Beet started but only managed to shake his head in dismay.
"Even Trunks said he would come out!" Leta insisted, her fist pounding on the table as she gave Goten a firm glare. "He made room in his busy schedule to show you a good time!"
"Don't drag me into this." Trunks said as he concentrated on the strawberry pile that sat on his plate. Apparently the fruits were more interesting than the ongoing conversation. "I remember saying if you managed to get him out, I would try to show up."
Goten gave the Prince a surprised look, he knew Trunks was busy. Over the past four days Trunks was being called away for more and more meetings with the council. He looked stressed, though he tried to hide it with an easy attitude.
"Goten," Leta snapped, bringing him back to the conversation at hand. As if she was reading his mind she reminded him, "You're not the only one who deserves a break."
It was that easy. The female saiyan knew exactly what to say to get him to agree. Goten sighed, sending a longing look to the others at the table. Beet looked just as gleeful as his counterpart, and Axal could probably careless, but Trunks was staring back at him, his brows arched as he awaited for Goten's answer.
"Fine," he said, "fine we'll go out tonight."
The answer got half the table to cheer but it was the smile from their fearless leader that made Goten feel good about his decision.
His room was a disaster. It didn't start off that way, with dirty armor dumped on the ground hazardously and his closet doors swung wide open. No, that was all Beet's doing. Goten could only watch from his bed as older boy pawed at his dirty laundry. "This is it?" Beet asked, his head peeking over his shoulder to give Goten a confused look, "you don't have any normal clothes?"
"All I have is what I came here in," Goten told him for the third time before waving a hand at the faded orange gi that he had worn all those days ago. He hadn't put it on since arriving to the Battle Academy, not once, until Beet told him they wouldn't be wearing their armor out.
"You are not going out in that." Beet sighed, his eyes searching around the room, looking for another option. "Look, I probably have something you can borrow. I'll be right back." He stood to go just as a knock came on the dorm's door.
Leta appeared in the room, dressed in black cargo pants and a dark green tank top. Her uniform boots had been switched out for black combat ones. For the first time Leta's wild mane of hair was out of a ponytail and hanging low against her back. She gave the two a confident smile, which quickly faded as she took in the state of the room.
"What happened here?" she asked, before seeing Goten on the bed, "and why aren't you ready?"
"I was ready," Goten explained, "until dad here told me I couldn't go out in this."
"I'm going to get him something to wear," Beet promised already moving out of the room, "I'll be right back."
Goten knew he meant those words. Beet's dorm was only down the hall from his. He sighed, falling back against the bed. Leta tsked as she carefully stepped into the room. "Well, at least your bruising is gone. Or we might not want to be seen with you." She said
"Hey, tonight is my night. You'd have to stand beside me." Goten smiled, looking at his reflection just to make sure that any signs from his first arrival still marred his face. He looked completely normal; the healing medicine Bulma had given him worked miracles. The same could be said about Leta, who didn't have a single scratch on her from the brawl in the Quad.
"I suppose," Leta crossed her arms and leaned against the nearby wall, "Still wish you were in the gravity chamber?"
Goten nodded, "I'm not nervous or anything, but I just want to make sure I've done everything I could to prepare for tomorrow."
"You'll be fine Goten," Leta said, "Despite what they tell us here our bodies need a break every now and then."
"So where are we going?" Goten asked sitting up and giving the girl a stare of interest.
"Only the hottest club in the entire Capital." Leta's smile grew, she was beaming with excitement. "It's called Club 7, they make special arrangements for Elite warriors -especially ones on the Prince's crew."
Goten laughed when she added a conspicuous wink with the last words. They didn't say anything further before Beet tore back into the room, a few articles of clothing victoriously grasped in his hand. "I found something!"
"Let me see that," Leta sighed snatching one of the fabrics. Her eyes lit up immediately as she took it in, "Oh this is good."
"I told you." Beet grinned, "Here Goten throw these on." Without warning the two tossed the clothes at younger saiyan.
Goten frowned as he inspected the clothing for himself. The shirt looked a little small, dark blue in color with a low neckline that would show off his new muscles. When he picked up the fabric, he could feel how light it was. The shirt would almost be see through if he wore nothing under it. The pants were simple faded jeans with holes ripped into them. He wasn't convinced that the outfit was as good as Leta and Beet were making it seem, until Goten put it on.
Sure enough the thin fabric casted a shadowed illusion over his body. Covering it while allowing others to see every muscle and every battle scar. The jeans fit like a glove as well, if not a little too tight.
It was an outfit he would never wear normally. Some Omegas enjoyed to flaunt their bodies, but Goten had always been raised not to tempt the Alpha's around him.
Looking at the completed look in the mirror Goten was willing to admit he looked good.
"I use to wear that shirt all the time when I first got here," Beet said to Leta, "back when I was tiny like Goten."
"Oh stop," Leta huffed, "We all know how big and buff you are now."
"Goten," Beet said, tearing the teen's attention away from the mirror, "stop gawking at yourself country boy. It's time to see the world!"
Goten had never been anywhere like Club 7 before, hadn't even seen a club in his lifetime. There were lights outside of it, bright and neon as they spelled out the club's name. A line swiveled around the edge of the building, curling into a nearby alley. Leta and Beet didn't even pause as they marched to the front where a large, bald saiyan stood in front of the door.
His mustache wasn't thick but it was long, trickling down to his chin. To say that he was intimidating was a understatement. He was much larger than Axal, taller and bigger, and the frown on his face looked like it was permanently fixed there.
Beet nudged Leta as they got closer, looking less confident as they neared the door. The female saiyan sighed and gave him a hard nudge back. Goten watched with interest to see who would come out the victorious in their game, no doubt the loser's fate would be to talk to the door's bouncer.
Beet's shoulders dropped in defeat. "Hey Nappa, how's the night going?"
"What do you want brat?" Nappa snapped back.
"We need to get into the club, can you help us out?" Beet put on his best pleading voice, cupping his hands in a begging gesture and batting his eyes.
Nappa snorted, hardly amused. "Depends, who that we is?"
Goten didn't know how well Leta and Beet knew Nappa but it was clear he was trying to get some information out of them. Beet huffed, "Well the Prince's entire crew of course."
"The Prince even coming?"
"He's running late. Said he would meet us here."
Nappa's eyes narrowed on them, giving a quiet warning. "If he isn't here in an hour, I'll kick you all out myself."
"Not a problem," Beet laughed, "he'll be here."
Grumbling under his breath, Nappa stepped aside. Leta flashed Goten a wide grin which he returned as he followed the two into the dark entrance. When the door closed behind them, it locked out all the lights from the city. Trapping the three saiyans in a pitch black hallway.
Goten froze as he tried to figure out what to do. Then lights along the wall like up, neon yellow dash lines that pointed down the hall, beckoning them forward. "Wow," he breathed looking around as they made their way forward.
The hallway grew bigger the farther they went, the lights growing with it. Green lights were added to the yellow, then blue, and red. More and more saiyans filled the hallway to. Hugging the walls as they drank and laughed under the lights.
Goten couldn't help but stare. A recognized a few warriors from the Quad, but the other saiyans ranged in all ages. Omega's ran past them, dressed in tight fitting clothes and carrying trays.
"So that bouncer knows the Prince?" he asked, taking in all the sights and sounds. A low rumble of music bounced off the walls, growing louder the farther down they went.
Leta laughed, "Everyone knows the Prince." She said, "But Nappa use to be the King's body guard. So he has a soft spot for any elite fighters wanting to come to the Club, especially the Prince."
"Didn't sound like it," Goten mumbled, remembering Nappa's threat to kick them out.
Beet and Leta both laughed. "Yeah, he can be a tease," Beet shrugged, "but that's Nappa, always a joy to talk to."
Without warning the hallway opened up into a grand room. The ceiling was three stories high with saiyans flying to different levels. The music poured over them, pulsing with a loud beat that match the blood pumping in Goten's ears.
On the main floor, saiyans were dancing. A giant sweaty crowd of bodies pushed so close the best they could do was wiggle with the rhythm of the music. "Come on," Beet said impatiently, "Let's get a drink."
He took to the air, floating up to the floors above them. Goten did the same, watching as the dancers turned to small circles and the music became muffled. The third floor was quieter, lined with tables and had a banquet of food. Goten made a beeline for the food while Beet and Leta veered the other way.
There was hot meat, steaming soap, sandwiches, rice, cookies, cakes… more food than he had ever seen. Goten set to work filling up two complete plates.
Leta and Beet took a table near the bar. A soft looking couch surrounded the outside. There were already had six drinks on top of it when Goten arrived. All ranging in a variety of colors and textures. When Goten approached, Beet grinned and held out a foamy green drink. "For you good sir!"
"What is it?" Goten set down his food and took the drink gingerly between his fingers. He gave it a sniff and grimaced as the odor assaulted his nose. It smelled like rotting eggs and strawberries.
Beet and Leta stared at him in surprise. "You don't know?" Leta asked.
"That's the Namekian Juice Bomb," Beet said, searching Goten's face for any recognition. At the teen's blank stare he frowned, "It's only the most popular drink on the planet right now."
"I wouldn't know," Goten shrugged, "I don't drink."
Beet's jaw dropped. Leta made a noise that sounded like her heart had decided to stop working. Their recovery didn't return with its usual swiftness. Beet shook his head and muttered, "I keep forgetting what a country bumpkin you are."
"Please don't make that my new nickname," Goten joked. It managed to get a smile out of the other boy.
Leta leaned over the table and eagerly began to push the drink towards Goten's mouth. "Well now you have to try it." She urged, "Swallow it as quick as you can. You don't want to smell the stuff any longer then you have to."
"Oh Okay," He did as he was told. The first swallow nearly made him gag, but Leta and Beet started to cheer him on. Yelling out tips and encouragement as he finished the drink with two more giant gulps. When he finished the table cheered and another drink was pushed into his hand.
"To Goten," Beet said raising his own glass high in the air, "May he officially become part of the team tomorrow."
"To Goten!" Leta agreed, clinking their glasses together hard enough to make the alcohol slush over the glass.
They all tipped their heads back and swallowed their drinks. This time, it was a much sweeter drink that slide down Goten's throat. He licked his lips when it was done and felt a thrilling high kick into his heart.
It was a new feeling, enjoying a moment with friends. Feeling a part of something instead of sitting on the sidelines. Omega's always felt like marrying a strong Alpha and serving him made them part of society. But that was the farthest thing from the truth. That was just watching another person live life.
Now, after months and years of dreaming, Goten was actually doing the living.
He sipped on his next drink, feeling happy and light headed as he watched the world around him. It was uncouth for an Omega to get drunk if they weren't mated, but he felt completely at ease around his friends. Even when Leta started picking out the Omega waiters that she fancied.
A half hour into their night a solid hand landed on Goten's shoulder and gave a friendly squeeze. "So this is where you've been hiding..." Trunks' voice purred him behind him. Goten's nerves immediately relaxed when he realized it was the Prince and not a stray Alpha touching him.
He turned around just as the lavender haired boy came and took the seat night to him. Leta and Beet let out slurred cheers at their Captain's arrival. Somehow, while Goten had been nursing his buzz and third drink the other two and downed two more. The teen smiled at their drunkenness before looking at the Prince.
It was the first time he saw the royal saiyan in something besides sparring clothing. Where he usually dressed in loose shirts or the official saiyan armor he was now wearing softer clothing. A warm looking black sweater and jeans. It made him look sharp but at the same time approachable. Goten quietly smothered the idea that he would like to snuggle into the sweater. With the Prince brushed close against him on the bench he practically inhaled the other man's scent. The soap from a fresh shower and spicy cologne, no hint of sweat anywhere.
It was… nice.
Trunks took one look at the remaining food and empty glasses before he laughed. "It seems the party had no problem starting without me."
"It was a setback," Beet chuckled as he threw back the last of his latest drink, "but the show must go on."
"We're getting Goten DRUNK!" Leta added loudly.
Trunks' smile grew, "I can see that." Then his eyes slide over to Goten, taking in the glass in his hand and the clothes he was wearing. "I have to admit Goten, you cleaned up pretty good."
Goten blinked in confusion before he realized what the Prince meant. A hot rush of embarrassment hit him at the compliment; he tried to sound nonchalant and failed miserably. "Beet and Leta helped me out. I don't really own a variety of clothes."
Whatever Trunks was going to say in response was interrupted as a Waitress came over. She was a tall Omega, with silky brown hair that matched her long elegant tail. Like the other waitresses she wore a tight top and even tighter spandex leggings. She gave them a bright smile that only Goten noticed looked a little too forced.
"Can I get anything else for you tonight?" The question was directed at the entire table but her eyes stayed fixed on the Prince.
Trunks didn't look at all bothered by the attention, he smiled and nodded in return. "Yes, I think we'd like a few more drinks. In fact... bring us one of everything on the menu."
Leta whooped in agreement as the waitress nodded. "Of course Prince Trunks," she purred, bowing low in the usual submissive stance. The Prince didn't notice how her back was arched more than usual or how her neck was tilted for exposure, but Goten did.
They had sat for thirty minutes at the table without anyone coming by once and then as soon as the Trunks arrives suddenly a waitress was taking their order. He knew the type of Omega she was, the same kind who clung to Alpha's of status hoping to be their mate. They made themselves vulnerable hoping an Elite warrior would take advantage of their offering and then as soon as that happened they were set for life. If a Warrior drunkenly mates with a Omega, that was it. They were stuck together for life.
Most times the Omega were seen as the victims, the prey, but Goten had seen his kind take the role of the hunter and they did it well. Putting more alcohol in an Alpha's drink and showing off a little extra skin was referred to as "a little push" by some who had found the Alpha they wanted.
He watched the Omega leave. How she purposefully swung her hips in a showy fashion and let her tail wave lightly in the air. Begging for someone to grab it. When he turned back to the table, all eyes were staring back at him. Goten frowned, "What?"
"Dude," Beet laughed, "Could you be any more obvious? You were totally checking that Omega out!"
"You can have her if you want Goten," Trunks snickered, "I didn't mean to steal her attention from you. I'll even put in a good word."
"What?" Goten squawked, "No! That's not… She's...She's not my type."
"Oooh so he has a type!" Trunks announced as he wrapped his arm around Goten's shoulder and laughed.
"She could be my type," Beet commented with a shrug, "I'm not picky."
"Can we please talk about something else?" Pleaded Goten as he playfully shoved Trunks away.
The look on the Prince's face told him that the current topic was much too fun to give up, but Leta managed to come to the rescue as she looked around the club. "Where's Axal? Wasn't he coming with you?"
"He's here!" Trunks said, pointing to the bar behind him. The three other saiyans turned to look and sure enough there was the Axal's large body standing at the bar and gathering his own drink. A dainty woman stood next to him, laughing and touching his arm in an intimate way.
"Who's the woman?" Goten asked.
"Oh I forgot you haven't met Nella yet." Trunks said, almost as an afterthought, "She's Axal's mate."
"His mate?!" The surprise was evident in his voice, but Goten couldn't help it. The woman standing next to Axal looked nothing like he would imagine the body guard's mate to be.
Nella was pretty for an older saiyan, her skin looked smooth and her hair was a soft red color that stood out. She was talking animatedly to her mate as Axal stayed stoic as always, quietly grabbing the two drinks on the bar and handing one to her without a word. She smiled in thanks before continuing the one-sided conversation.
Only one word came to mind at the sight. Strange...
"He doesn't get to see her much, working as my guard and all. So I try to get out so they can have some bonding time." Trunks continued.
"They're absolutely adorable." Leta sighed as they continued to watch the couple.
Axal finally seemed to say something and to Goten's astonishment his mate giggled in response. As if the man had said a joke, but that couldn't be. Nella stole a glance over in their table's direction, her eyes fell on him from across the room and held his gaze before she turned back to Axal and whispered something in his ear.
Goten wasn't sure if it had been his imagination or her simply checking out the newest member of her mate's crew, but the she seemed to be assessing him. Now the two were whispering back and forth, caught up in a deep conversation.
He couldn't tear his eyes away, even when the Omega waitress came back with their drinks. In the background he could hear the Omega apologizing for not bringing all the drinks. "The tray was too heavy, I'll go back and get the rest…"
It was one oldest tricks in the book. Act weak so the Alphas around you feel strong. Stroke their egos. Lesson 101 at the Omega School. Goten couldn't help but roll his eyes at the attempt. They were Saiyans after all, lifting a tray of twenty drinks shouldn't be impossible task.
He turned away from Axal as a cold drink was pressed against his hand. The Omega was already dancing away as Trunks held a soft blue drink towards him. "This is the Iced Cooler," Trunks smiled before holding up his own fuchsia colored drink with frosted glass, "and this is a Freaky Freiza. I think it makes sense to drink a brotherly drink with my new brother."
Goten felt his face fall in surprise, he looked around the table to see Leta and Beet smiling happily, their own drinks raised high in the air. "I don't have any doubts about tomorrow Goten." Trunks added, drawing the teen's attention back towards him.
The neon lights reflected off of Trunks' ice blue eyes, causing them to change in color. He looked completely sincere, even smug. Without warning Goten's heart stuttered. It was a painful little squeeze as if the organ was growing too big for his chest. For a second Goten almost couldn't breathe.
"Come on; don't look at me like that…" Trunks' laughter unleashed him from the spell, allowing his heart to deflate and return to its normal size. The Prince clinked their glasses together and gulped down his drink.
Goten moved quickly to copy him, relieved that he could move again. He didn't know why his body suddenly froze up or why he felt strange, the only logical answer that came to mind was the alcohol, and it only made sense to drink more of it.
"You'll do great tomorrow!" Leta said as she finished her latest drink and grabbed two more off the table.
Goten reached forward and snatched one of the drinks out of her hand. The fact that she let him showed just how drunk she was. "Well now that you've all said that a hundred times in one night I'm convinced it's true."
He moved the glass out for another round of toasts, "To no longer being the new guy!"
Beside him Trunks laughed happily and it was a beautiful sound. He couldn't ever remember hearing the other boy sound so open and free.
"Oh you'll always be the new guy." Beet snorted touching his glass with Goten's.
Trunks did the same, "No escaping it now."
Goten laughed off their teasing and shrugged his shoulders. He wouldn't say it out loud, but really, if it meant being with his friends, he didn't mind always being the new guy.
Half way through the night they lost Leta and then Beet. Axal and his mate disappeared early on. Trunks urged Goten not to worry about it, but still the halfling couldn't help but look around, wondering how they went from a crew of five to only two.
A paper cup shoved against his chest. He looked down at it, then up at the Prince who raised a brow. The liquid in the cup was clear and didn't smell like anything. Water. "You'll thank me in the morning," Trunks said reassuringly, "…it's for the hangover."
"Oh," Goten looked back down at the cup blankly before tossing it back. After swallowing every alcoholic drink that came his way in the past couple hours the water was refreshing. No after taste, no need to drink it as quick as possible. He still drank the whole thing in three gulps.
Trunks shook his head and took the cup back, "I'll get you some more."
"No need," It was nice having the Prince fuss over him, but while the older teen was probably only doing it to ensure Goten was at his peak for the next day's fight- the Omega body was assuming something completely different. In the dark room, Goten was glad Trunks wouldn't be able to make out his blush. "It's about time I went back to the dorms, I'm sure the walk will help sober me up."
Trunks didn't look at convinced, but Goten knew he needed to get at least some sleep before the match. That, and if the Prince offered him another cup of water he might not be able to stop himself from acting like an Omega. The urge to curl up against the other saiyan in thanks was both overwhelming and uncomfortable.
He's your Captain. Goten reminded himself, your friend.
"I'll go with you," Trunks said with a shrug, "Leta and Beet will find their way back… eventually."
"That's putting a lot of trust in them." Goten looked unsure, remembering the last time he had seen the two. How Leta had been dancing with a group of Omega waitresses and Beet had been nearly comatose on a table.
Trunks didn't seem worried, instead he looked oddly cheerful, "They haven't let me down before. Let's go." He grabbed Goten's arm and steered him towards the exit. At first the young teen's feet decided to act out, stumbling and tripping as he struggled with Trunks' pace, but the Prince's grip didn't let go as he pulled Goten down the dark hallway near the entrance.
There was no one leaning against the walls anymore, all the patrons of the club were all happily drunk and dancing. They were completely alone with the soft lights slowly growing dimmer and dimmer as they went down.
When they finally stepped out into the well lit city streets Goten had to squint his eyes. It was a rude awakening from the subdued lights and laughter of the club. Outside the line had disappeared and the streets looked completely different. Drunk Alphas staggered home, leaning on each other for support, talking in gruff voices. Young Omega's leaned against brick walls looking to catch someone's eye.
Goten couldn't help but stare at them.
Trunks took his hand back and inhaled the night's cool air. "Well that was fun," he said. Outside they no longer had the thumping music to compete with when talking. Trunks' voice sounded loud, he was still a little drunk, Goten could tell now under the bright lights where he could clearly see the Prince's flushed cheeks.
They started walked towards the palace, side by side and occasionally bumping into each other. Laughter would erupt between them when one would stumble. Goten nearly tripped over an upturned cobblestone, Trunks managed to steady him before he could fall to the ground. "I told you to drink more water."
"I'm fine!" Goten tried to put forth his most convincing smile, "seriously, I'm not that drunk."
Trunks didn't look convinced, "You tried to match Beet on drinks and tonight was your first night out."
Goten snorted and playfully smacked the Prince in the shoulder the same way he'd seen Leta do to Beet a hundred times. It wasn't until after his hand hit Trunks' firm muscles that he realized he'd just hit the Prince- this time in a public area. His throat closed up and nostrils flared as he prepared for whatever retribution the royal saiyan would dish out.
Trunks merely laughed and hit him back, leaving Goten's shoulder feeling pleasantly sore. "Don't make me beat you up before tomorrow challenge."
"Oh you wouldn't do that," Goten chimed in, relieved at the other boy's good mood. "You already gave that wonderful speech, welcoming me to the crew."
Trunks tossed his head back as he laughed. "You're right, I guess I backed myself into a corner on that one. Now I better be nice to you."
"Only for the next 24 hours and only if I pass your crummy test. I don't want you to be nice out of pity."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Trunks said as he looked up at the night sky.
The lights from the city made it impossible to see any stars but the palace lights were just as good. The massive structure had a few windows pouring out lights while others were left dark. Speckling the Palace in a random pattern. Goten did miss seeing the real starlight out in Tarble Town, but he wouldn't trade them for the sight of the castle for anything.
They eventually came across the outside wall, which ran around the entire palace. The wall had numerous different entry points into the city, Goten recognized the nearest one as the East Side Entrance. His dorms were on the South Side but it would be quicker to get to once inside the wall then circling through the entire city. The guards on duty gave the Prince a low bow as they passed by and then they were back on familiar ground.
Trunks' easy demeanor changed, stiffening up and standing straighter as soon as they crossed under the entry point. He put a little more space between their bodies and let out a long exhausted sigh, effectively killing the light hearted mood. "Well this is where I head to the Royal Quarters," he said pointing towards a large door where two more guards were stationed.
Goten blinked in surprise, he hadn't been expecting to say his good-byes so soon. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"I'll be watching," Trunks assured flashing him thumbs up, "Don't let me down."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Goten smiled watching as the Prince's face softened at the phrase before he turned and retreated towards the Royal Quarters. His heart beat hard against his chest, racing with an unfamiliar anxiety as he watched Trunks disappear. Goten shrugged the feeling off as his own nerves acting out.
As he crawled back to his dorm room, shucked his clothes and collapsed on his bed, the bundle of feelings hadn't subsided. Goten sighed as he drifted to sleep, expecting dreams about the challenge ahead, instead he was haunted by ice blue eyes and a laugh that was too rare.
It was enough to wake him in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and a single word gasping betweening his lips, "Shit…"
A single gravity chamber stood out from all the others. Large in its construction and located in a separate room. It was meant for Elite Presentations, a saiyan trying for promotion or to be gained in a special crew were tested there, in Chamber 0001.
In the early hours of the morning the Chamber was already prepped for the day's activities. Only one lined up, a saiyan trying out for the Prince's crew. The maintenance man looked down at his list, checking the name of the warrior.
Son Goten. Son of Kakorot. Young, inexperienced… new.
He pulled out a scrap piece of paper that had been crushed in his pants pocket and reread the given instructions. Yes, this was the one.
With a grim nod the saiyan stuffed his master's instructions back into his uniform and got to work. He didn't blink twice as he scrambled the code in the Chamber's main computer. He'd worked on 0001 long enough to know that accidents happened all the time, and most of those times, the wannabe warrior involved didn't survive.
One more accident would hardly be unusual.
