"Come on, Dad! We're going to be late to Bulma's party!"
"Twenty more reps, son!"
"Twenty or twenty thousand?" Gohan dropped his head, already feeling the pain of today's workout taking a toll on his neck. He had no clue how his grandfather kept up with it all; a full time job, a family, training. It was all too much! It's been five years since Bardock foresaw the arrival of the God of Destruction, and nothing has come to fruition. All this training was beginning to feel like a waste...
The tugging on his pant leg caused the young hybrid to look down. A little girl, looking more and more like her mother every day, had adjusted the sleeves of her matching orange gi before getting her father's attention. "What's wrong, Papa!? You look tired!"
Those innocent eyes of her always made him forget about his troubles. Giving her his best smile, Gohan knelt down so they were the same height. "Are you kidding me, Pan!?" he laughed, ruffling her thick black hair while doing so. The child began giggling in response. "I've got more energy than you!"
Teasingly, the girl pushed her father's hands away from her head and smiled proudly. "Prove it!"
"...Huh!?" the professor's face dropped, not expecting Pan to be up for a challenge after already running around the Sacred World of the Kais thirty times over. Chi-Chi had warned him about children having too much energy for him to handle, but this was ridiculous! "You want to race now!?"
Sensing her father's mood change, the child pouted and backed away slightly. Gohan felt his heart ache when she looked so sadly down at her boots. "So... you really are tired, Papa?"
"Agh...why do you have to sound like that?" Gohan mumbled under his breath while his brows knitted together momentarily. There was no doubt that his little Videl had taught their daughter this deceptive trick. There was no way getting around it. If there was, he would end up in a more worse position that he was now. After sighing loudly, the father rose to his feet while Pan rose her head up at the same time.
"Alright, kiddo. Let's race."
Letting out a squeal of delight, Pan hugged her father's leg tightly and then began prepping herself in the same manner Goku did before a fight. Sweatdropping at the sight, Gohan cracked his knuckles and waited for his daughter to start the official countdown. Somewhere in the distance, the heroic messy haired Saiyan was training with materialized weights.
"Oooookay!" Pan took a deep breath and threw her head back dramatically. "One...two..."
"STOP EVERYTHING!"
The father-daughter duo's eyes widened when Kibito Kai and Elder Kai appeared before them. Their faces were completely covered in panic sweat. Gohan could even sense their heart rates increasing rapidly like the thrumming wings of a caged bird. He raised an eyebrow, having only seen Supreme Kai look this terrified when Majin Buu was hatched. "...Guys? What's wrong?"
Nervously, Pan took a step backwards so she was protected by her father. She wasn't a fearful child by any means, but the expression of the Kais were beginning to make the small hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Papa...Something really scary must be out there..."
"Shh, it's alright Pan," without looking, Gohan offered her his hand and tightened his grip when their flesh connected. "...Isn't that right?"
Elder Kai placed his hands in front of him and shook his head rapidly. His purple face was beginning to fade to the point he was white. "N-NO! Absolutely not! You, Goku, and your daughter need to leave this place immediately! IMMEDIATELY!"
Gohan wiped the sweat from the old Kai off his face with the back of his hand. He opened his mouth to protest, but quickly closed it when he noticed the Kais continued to shake in their boots. "No worries, we'll leave. But could you at least tell me what's going on?"
The purple beings exchanged anxious looks with each other, and then glanced over their shoulders to make sure Goku wasn't close by. Kibito Kai motioned for Gohan to come closer and began whispering in his ear. "Lord Beerus is on his way here to speak to your father! If those two get into it, this planet and you three will be destroyed!"
"LORD BEERUS IS ACTUALLY COMING!?"
"EEEEEEK!" Elder Kai had fallen over once Goku screamed in his ear. He pointed a wrinkled finger at the mortified Kibito Kai. "DARN IT, I TOLD YOU TO BE QUIET!"
"I WAS!" the long haired Kibito Kai exasperated. A large sweatdrop was forming on the back of his head when he realized Goku didn't look frighten at all. The fool was absolutely giddy, like a kid in a candy store. He slapped his forehead, knowing there was no escape now. "Goku... Please. You have absolutely no idea how powerful Lord Beerus is! You are no match for him! You must flee while you can!"
No hope. Goku was clenching his fists and turning red as if he were struggling to contain the excitement coursing inside him. They even began to wonder if he was going to start frothing at the mouth. "I...can't..." the words coming through clenched teeth, until the hero decided to shout it out. His arms were outstretched, mocking Hercule's infamous stance. "BELIEVE IT! LORD BEERUS IS ACTUALLY COMING! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! GOHAN, ISN'T THIS FANTASTIC!"
Gohan bit his lip and shook his head throughout his father's howl. "Dad... This isn't a good thing..." he closed his eyes tightly, continuing to grasp his daughter's tiny hand in his large one. "Vegeta even told us he's met the guy before. Just look at the Kais! We need to leave Dad, and you know it."
Goku let out a whine, causing Gohan's brows to knit even tighter. "Awh, come on, son! You can't be serious!? After all this training!?"
"I've been training to protect my family. We've known this entire time we're outmatched. Come on," Gohan desperately reached out his free hand to his father, hoping that he would give in. "Besides, Bulma's gonna be pretty ticked off if we don't get there soon."
Scanning the orbs of his son, Goku frowned and let out a long sigh in the process. Maybe he could get away with dropping off Gohan and Pan, and then quickly coming back to have the opportunity to go head to head with the God of Destruction. He liked that idea so much, he began struggling to conceal the smiles he wanted to wreathe himself in. "Alright, alright. I hear ya. Let's get going-"
"Ahem."
A sudden bloom of heat made its way across the bodies of Gohan, Goku, and Pan. The Kais were the only ones capable of sensing their arrival, and yet they found themselves shocked by a sudden arrival. How could twenty six minutes have passed by so quickly? Kibito Kai's elder was the only one on this planet now that has witnessed the strength of the figure he was staring at now. The long haired being glanced over his shoulder at the bewildered Saiyans and felt his face begin to burn more. Beerus wouldn't kill him or his elder due to an unspoken rule. When it came to Earthlings? They should have escaped while they had the chance.
It was too late now.
"So..." Gohan reached a shaky finger out to Kibito Kai and tapped him twice on the shoulder. His eyes were examining the Egyptian clad feline, and then to the right of him at a white-haired humanistic being with a strange cane. He couldn't sense a power from either of them. "Which one is...Beerus?"
"That's Lord Beerus to you!" Elder Kai snapped, and caused Gohan to stumble back a few feet while their guests watched with uninteresting expressions. The fused Kai was waggling a stern finger in front of the hybrid's face while the daughter clung to his pants. "And you three need to leave! Now!"
Like a child, Goku was grinning so widely from ear to ear that he ended up laughing. He remembered it like yesterday, the month that had passed after the defeat of Kid Buu that his father pulled him to the side and told him about the strongest fighting in the entire universe coming to his world for a challenge. The hero even dreamed about the moment it would happen, and thanks to his stalling, they collided with each other at the perfect time!
"How awesome is this!?" Goku raised a fist in the air and cheered, causing the Kais to fall over at the blatant ignorance. Beerus even smiled with a flash of yellow in his orbs while Whis let out a bored yawn. "I've been waiting for you for five years, Beerus! I have to admit you don't look very powerful, but I've heard all the stories and I'm ready!"
Whis blinked at the tanned finger pointed at his chest while Elder Kai struggled to push Goku away from him. Beerus turned his head away to let out a brief snort while his attendant gently directed the pointed finger in the direction of the purple being beside him. "That is Lord Beerus. I'm just the help."
"Ha! I knew it! This guy looks much stronger!" Goku let out a delighted squeal while hopping from foot to foot. Whis clicked his tongue and sighed while Beerus kept his eyes locked on the cheerful Saiyan. Before he could open his mouth to give Beerus his long awaited pre-battle speech, the god appeared directly behind him and began lifting up his arm to inspect it.
"Quick, Kibito Kai!" Gohan spoke in a hushed yet serious tone, pushing a confused Pan in the direction of the long haired lord. "Take Pan back to Earth and warn the others. I'll stay here and make sure things don't get too crazy."
"But I want to stay with you, Papa!" Pan cried out, beginning to run back to her father until Kibito Kai snatched her up by the collar of her gi. She began swinging her arms around wildly, fighting against his hold and continuing to call out for her grandfather and dad. "Lemme go, lemme go!"
"Pan, stop!" Gohan ordered sternly, and the poor girl sniffed at his response. It wasn't very often that he spoke like that. "You're going back home to tell Gramps about what's going on. Tell him we'll be there shortly."
I hope so...
"I'll make sure she gets to Bardock safely, Gohan!" Kibito Kai spoke hurriedly while taking occasional glances at the God of Destruction poking and prodding the confused Goku. "You just keep those two from fighting, and I'll be here as quick as I can!"
With one last protesting wail from Pan, the two faded away from sight. Gohan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in and looked back at his father with an annoyed
"We don't want any trouble!" Elder Kai spoke with the utmost respect with his head held high, but he was concealing his fear. Sure, Beerus doesn't kill any Kais since it's improper. But he sure as hell won't hesitant to seal them inside the most cramped object he could think of. "These buffoons were just on their way out. Isn't that right?"
Gohan tried speaking next, but was quickly elbowed to the side by his eager father once Beerus had finished examining him. The orange wearing Saiyan began bowing before the god, stumbling over his words. "Hello, Lord Beerus sir! My name is Goku! It is very nice for you to meet me!"
"Oh, no..." Gohan had to look away, hoping that Beerus would find his father's ways charming instead of annoying.
To his surprise, Beerus let out a short laugh. "Yes, I know very well who you are. Now that that's out of the way, I have something I'd like to ask you. Tell me what you know about the existence of a Super Saiyan God."
Stumped, Goku stood up straight and began rubbing his chin. "Hm... Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan God... Nope! I know about plan old Super Saiyans. This god stuff isn't ringing any bells, dude."
"DAD!"
"I know not of it, sir!"
Beerus frowned and tilted his head to the side. His yellow orbs were watching his attendant and the Saiyan before him at the same time. The god was taking in everything, from the vulnerable position this man stood in to the way his eyes glimmered strangely. The sphynx huffed through his nostrils and brought himself back upright. "Whis tells me you're the one who defeated Frieza. I can't see how someone like you is possible of that feat... Although," he began pacing through the grass, causing Elder Kai and Gohan to tense up even more. "I understand you can transform into one of those Super Saiyans."
"Y-Yes!" the fused Kai spoke up, but made sure to keep his distance from the god. Last time he tried proving him wrong didn't turn out so well. "It's a miraculous power up... But I've helped Gohan here maintain a mystic form so he doesn't require that transformation. Isn't that right, boy!?"
Gohan straightened up with Elder Kai put him on the spot. Beerus didn't seem to listen to a word Elder Kai said, being too interested in what was going on in his mind while walking back and forth. Whis, however, caused the young man to gulp when his attention turned away from Goku and settled on him instead. "Y-Yeah... That's right..."
Why is he staring at me!? What did I do!?
As if Whis could somehow hear him, the humanoid smiled cheekily as if he knew something Gohan didn't and turned away. "My lord, what are you thinking?"
"Quiet, I'm getting there!" Beerus finally paused where he stood and placed his hands behind his back. He glanced over his shoulder at his attendant. "He can turn into a Super Saiyan but doesn't know a thing about a Super Saiyan God. Tell me, is Prince Vegeta capable of turning into a Super Saiyan as well?"
Before Gohan or Goku could answer for him, Whis beat them to it. "Yes, as well as three other Saiyans on Earth."
Goku's scratched the back of his head and smiled dopey. "Man! You sure did some research, didn't ya!?"
"Four of them have this power... How odd," when Beerus started speaking again, the eyes of the other inhabitants looked at his backside while his long purple tail swished around behind him. "I guess I need to go check out Planet Earth myself and ask them."
When Beerus pivoted around, Elder Kai and Gohan stepped back as he inched closer and closer. "Lord Beerus... Are you sure? I doubt the other Saiyans know more about the god than Goku does..." the Kai had to look down at his feet while speaking, afraid that he might say something that angered him.
"Perhaps, but I won't know if I don't ask myself, will I?" Beerus flashed Gohan a peculiar grin while he passed him, causing the hybrid to sweat. "Whis, how long will it take us to get to Earth from here?"
"Hm," the white-haired being observed the orb on his cane and shrugged. "I'd say about three minutes."
Gohan watched helplessly as the feline went behind Whis and placed his clawed hand on his shoulder. "Hey, wait!"
"Hm?" the two looked at him curiously while Goku frowned at the fact Gohan beat him to the punch.
The son stood up as straight as he could and tried to maintain a voice that matched. "Being the God of Destruction and all... You're not going to destroy my planet or anything... Are you?"
Beerus smiled arrogantly while cracking his neck on both sides. "No, as long as nobody does anything to annoy me."
Gohan's face dropped at the words, immediately thinking of Bardock and the trouble-making kids. He immediately turned to his father and shook him by the shoulders. "Dad! We're doomed! Think of something!"
"NO! DON'T TELL HIM TO THINK!" Elder Kai pleaded, but it was too late. Goku had pushed the two to the side and stood as eagerly as before the almost disappearing duo.
"Your lordship, I have been told many great things about your abilities!" Goku began rambling off the speech prepared inside his mind, trying his best to remember everything he had practiced before. He held his hand out in front of him and made a pinching gesture with his thumb and index finger. "I was kinda wondering if perhaps you could show me just a teensy bit of your power!? Please!?"
Beerus removed himself from Whis and stood before Goku with an inquisitive look in the slits of his eyes. "You want to see some of my power? What have you in mind?"
Goku placed his hands on his sides and raised his voice a little louder. "WE CAN GO TOE TO TOE IN A SPARRING MATCH! EVEN FOR A MINUTE!"
"QUIET, YOU MORON!" Elder Kai screamed in his face so loud that bits of spit were flying from it. "A FIGHT WITH HIM LASTS LESS THAN A MINUTE!"
The God of Destruction raised his hand to silence the Kai while Gohan couldn't shake away the nervous feeling from his stomach. Judging from the look on Beerus' face, he knew he wasn't going to let this one slide. But it was just a sparring match... Not an actual, actual fight. It couldn't get that bad...
Could it?
"I have lived a very long time and nobody has ever issued a challenge like yours," Beerus hooded his eyes and looked down at his shoes, a smirk growing wider with each word. "You seem quite sure of yourself, but perhaps you're just an arrogant fool?"
There sounds of protest coming from both Gohan and the Elder Kai while Goku kept his eyes focused on Beerus. His smirk was just as wide as the god's. "What do you say?"
"Sure," he chuckled and shrugged his scrawny shoulders. "Why not. Come at me with everything you got."
Elder Kai gripped the white hairs of his mohawk and began screaming his defeat, while Gohan tried his best to move him far away from the challengers. "Come on," he sighed loudly. "You and I both know nobody can change my dad's mind about fighting." The father of four years lifted the sobbing Elder Kai into the highest tree. Once the two were settled on their own specific branches, Gohan shook his head at his father's goofy grin.
You are are loving this, huh Dad? Ah well. Nothing left to do but cheer you on.
"GO DAD! GET HIM!"
Goku waved at his son before giving his full attention to Beerus. Whis gently backed away a few inches to give the fighters their space on the grass. "Thank you, Lord Beerus! But are you sure you want to come at you with my full strength right off the bat? I mean, if I piss you off, you can't destroy this planet, alright?"
Beerus closed his eyes in irritation before mouthing, 'Is he telling me what to do?' to his attendant, while Whis rolled his eyes. "You have my word. Let's begin."
In the distance, Elder Kai could be heard screaming from the tree while Goku proudly parted his feet at equidistant. The familiar golden aura shot up from the messy haired male, causing his normally jet black hair to stand up in golden spikes. "Well, you see, first I go Super Saiyan!" Without waiting for a response from Beerus, both the aura and the tips of the hair grew slightly bigger while Goku's body became wreathed in electricity. "Then, I go Super Saiyan 2!"
The God of Destruction placed a hand on his hip while scratching his cheek with the other. He was already beginning to wonder why he ever woke up in the first place. "...Go on."
The ascended Super Saiyan clenched his fists even tighter and let out an ear piercing scream. Gohan grabbed onto Elder Kai's shirt before he could fly away, and the two observed from above as the grass quivered in awe of the power emerging from the Saiyan named Goku. The son nodded in approval when he watched the golden hair ascend downwards to the point it almost touched the ground.
"You've got this one, Dad..."
The no-eyebrowed Goku smirked at the power he felt inside of him, and settled his icy green eyes on the still unamused God. "Now this is the one you've been waiting for. The legendary Super Saiyan 3!"
Beerus placed the hand that was scratching his cheek back on his right hip and clicked his tongue. "My, my. I have to say, this is quite the surprise after all. I guess the Super Saiyan talk wasn't just a bunch of tripe after all."
Goku chuckled and he donned a look of haughty disdain. "If you want, I could lower it back down to 2."
"Nope, that's not necessary. Just try your best and don't hurt yourself."
The now angered Saiyan growled under his breath. He kicked himself up from the ground with one leg and began flying towards the smirking sphynx. "You still wanna doubt me!? FINE!" To trick the god, he pretended like he was going to attack him from the front. At the last minute, he teleported behind and sent his tight fist pummeling downwards in a speed no other fighter could match.
To his horror, Gohan watched as Beerus simply lifted his arm up as if it were nothing and balanced his father's fist on his palm. With a flick of the wrist, he sent the long-haired Super Saiyan 3 across the grass. The hybrid only blinked for a moment, expecting his father to be back on his feet and teaching this guy a lesson on Saiyans. What he saw instead was the scrawny cat flicking his forehead. The son watched helplessly as his father skidded throughout the grass like he was a pebble being skipped across a lake.
"This..." Gohan blinked. "..Can't be happening. Beerus attacked him so effortlessly! It looks like my dad's not even trying!"
"I warned ya!" Elder Kai scolded from the branch above. "Didn't I warn ya!? Your father is history!"
Not down for the count just yet, Goku emerged from the moat he created but not unscathed. He was groaning from pain caused to his face, and the blood on his lips reflected it. The Saiyan glanced down angrily to see Beerus gesturing from him to come down. Goku descending in a golden rage, creating yet another crater on the beautiful sacred planet and rapidly attacking the god.
Gohan still couldn't believe what he was seeing. Beerus was dodging every single plow, once again making his father look so incredible weak. The young male clenched his fists together, reminding himself about the lessons he tried preaching to his father. He who wins the fight knows when not to fight.
During one of his dodging maneuvers, Beerus bounced himself off of Goku's finger and landed behind him. While he was licking the back of his hand to clean it off, Goku pulled his fist back in rage and screamed before his fist connected with the back of the god's head.
The peanut gallery remained silent, amazed and horrified that the Saiyan's mighty attack ripped an entire hole throughout the planet. Elder Kai groaned, praying that it would stop soon and silently vowing to never let these morons come to his home ever again.
Appearing that he had finally landed a hit, Goku scanned the area hastily. His face was scrunched up while doing so, bothered by the fact he couldn't sense Beerus' ki. Then, out of nowhere, the purple being had emerged from the dust and gave his opponent a victorious smile before chopping down on his trapezius muscle with a straight hand. Goku let out a pained, defeat gasp of agony before fainting into the hole he created.
Beerus landed gracefully on his feet while Gohan and Elder Kai made their way to the fallen hero. The hybrid glowered at the god as he placed his hands behind his back and whistled while heading back to the patient Whis.
"Darn it!" he snarled under his breath while lowering himself to his father's side. He placed a hand on his heart just to make sure it was still beating. He was alive, but knocked out cold. "I hope Kibito Kai gave Gramps the message... If Beerus did this to Dad, I can't even begin to imagine what he'd do to the rest of them."
"Don't worry, Gohan!" the aforementioned Kai had suddenly appeared inside the crater with him. He looked stressed out beyond belief, placing his hands over Goku's chest to begin the healing process. "I just can't believe this! I was gone for two minutes!"
Gohan kept his face stern and serious as the Kai began the healing process, yet his mind was urging him to ask the favor that's been bothering him while he had the chance. Although it didn't feel too great seeing his father get beaten, the hero had asked for it and Beerus remained a man of his word. Nobody died, and the planet was still intact. And man, that power of a God! Talk about immense! He just had to ask.
"GOHAN!" Elder Kai scolded as he watched the hybrid jump out of the crater. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?"
"Hey, uh, Lord Beerus, sir?" Gohan called out nervously, shaking where he stood but trying his hardest to sound anything but. He had caught the God of Destruction midway to his journey back to his attendant for the beginning of their earth travel. "I know this is kind of weird to ask, but a long time ago I trained with the Z Sword you created, and I was kinda wondering if you'd maybe possibly make another one?"
Beerus glanced over his shoulder to look at the young man who had just questioned him. The Sacred World of the Kais had as much damage as seen proper, while the fused Kai and Elder Kai he trapped in the Z Sword before were tending to the fallen Goku. Unlike his father, this man had a face of knowledge beyond his years. Perhaps, there was a reason besides respect that the son stayed out of the fight.
He was a bit curious about what Kai had mentioned as well, 'not having to go Super Saiyan'.
The god drew back his lips and revealed his teeth. "Just tell me which Kai you like the least and I'll be happy to do the favor in the near future."
"...Huh?"
Beerus gave the stumped hybrid a wink before disappearing with his attendant.
"See, Master Roshi!? I could be your flying nimbus that you won't fall through!" Goten laughed while the old turtle hermit grumbled under his breath. The trio of Bardock, the kid, and their teacher were making their way to Capsule Corporation for the celebration of the day Bulma Briefs was born.
"You're taking too damn long, kid!" Bardock glanced over his shoulder to see his grandson pouting. "Why don't we try that little trick we've been working on while the pervert's been taking naps?"
Roshi's sunglasses moved while he raised his white eyebrows. "Eh? A trick?"
After the two Saiyans exchange sly smirks, they both began chanting the beginning of the perfectly honed technique of the Kamehameha wave. Roshi shook his head on the first 'haaaaa', snickering behind his sunglasses. "This is your little trick? The move we've been doing for the past five years? Give an old man a break!"
The mighty voice of the rather small Goten caused Roshi to vibrate on his back while he shouted, 'Meeeeeeeeeeeee!"
"HEY! Wait a minute!" Roshi placed his hand on his heart, noticing something strange. "Your hands aren't even in the right place! You're doing it all wrong!"
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Roshi had to grip onto Goten's shoulders as they took off at an outstanding speed. The old man looked over his shoulders and his glasses nearly broke at the sight of the wave coming out of the child's feet. He swiftly looked to the right, seeing that Bardock had done a feet Kamehameha as well. They were speeding past Krillin and his family, zooming by Yamcha and Tien, and avoiding any injuries on their way.
"Did you see Krillin's face!?" Goten laughed and looked over at his grandfather. "He must have never seen something like this before!"
"On the contrary!" Roshi interjected, causing the boy to look over his shoulder at his master. "Your father did this once during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament against Piccolo! Only the most disciplined fighters could do something like this! I'm very proud of you boys!"
Bardock winked, hoping he wouldn't regret what he said. "Eh, I think having a good teacher helps."
The wave had soon died off once the trio approached the front lawn of Capsule Corporations. Roshi hopped off Goten's back before landing, and gave the boy a pat on the back. "Thanks for all the help, son! If you ever need anything like a good magazine or something, I'd be more than happy to assist ya!"
"Ugh! You are impossible!"
Roshi was given a clonk to the head by Chi-Chi before Goten had a chance to respond. The messy-haired child awkwardly waved at the old man as he scurried off as far away from the mother before she had another chance to attack. "Mama, what kind of magazines does Master Roshi read anyway? His nose always bleeds when he looks at 'em!"
"You'll find out when you're older, kid." Bardock managed to grab Chi-Chi's wrist before she could pop him one as well. The woman was turning red in the face, but not from any pain. "Aw, what's the matter daughter? Getting too slow in your old age?"
When he released the grip on her wrist, Chi-Chi scowled beneath him. It was true that everyone was aging, but those damn Saiyans always remained looking the same. Hell, even Gine looked ten years younger than her! "Once a savage, always a savage, huh?" When he threw her a peace sign, the wife of Goku sighed and turned her attention to her young son. "Goten, could you go help the Briefs with organizing the gifts for the bingo tournament? The doctor pulled a muscle."
"Uh, sure Mama... But..." the boy chuckled nervously and held out his leg so she could see the bottom of his boot. "Do you think I could change? I burned holes in my shoe!"
Chi-Chi sweatdropped when she saw Bardock doing the same thing, only with a serious look on his face. "Once again, you guys think I'm some sort of miracle worker! I don't just carry your shoes around with me!"
"I think I could help with that."
"PICCOLO!" Goten cheered when the deep voice of the Namek came from above. They looked up to see him and the guardian of the Earth coming in for landing. Once he touched ground, Piccolo aimed first at Goten's shoe, fixing the hole immediately. The boy gave him a quick thumbs up and went to assist Dr. Brief while Piccolo fixed up Bardock.
"You haven't been to any of these stupid celebrations in years, green man. What gives?"
The Namek shrugged. "Gohan is bringing Pan, so I thought why not."
"Mmhm," Bardock suppressed some laughter after remembering what Videl had told him about the Namek coming to visit every other day to spend time with their daughter. They've even caught him on the rooftop a couple of times. "Anything for Pan, huh?"
When Piccolo started to look more red than green, he looked around frantically for any possible distraction. Luckily for him, his eyes honed in on a small trio in the distance. "Isn't that your wife?"
Bardock rolled his eyes at the obvious attempt to change the subject but looked in the direction he was pointing in anyway. Sure enough, Gine was leading the group of herself, Tarble, and Gure. They were all dressed in their usual attire of Saiyan armor and wherever the hell Gure was from. But that wasn't all.
"Lucy!?" Bardock snarled when he caught sight of the demonic cat in his wife's arms. "You brought Lucy!?"
The female Saiyan frowned as she lowered the feline to the ground. She hissed at Bardock before taking off in another direction, preferably far away from her brutish owner. "What? I couldn't leave her there all by herself! She won't do anything wrong!"
"HEY GUYS!"
The group that was currently there looked over their shoulders to see the birthday girl herself stumbling her way over to them. Bardock rubbed the back of his neck and sighed at the slurred voice. "Is she drunk already?"
Bulma gave the male a threatening glare as she approached. "For your information, I can't drink for a few months! I'm just naturally the life of the party!"
Bardock's eyes narrowed in on her. "What do you mean you can't drink? Every stupid ass party we've had over this past half decade, you've downed those drinks like a thirsty cow."
"Alright," Piccolo cleared his throat louder than Bulma's growl and turned his back on the crude Saiyan. "I'm going to wait somewhere else so I don't get any of your blood on my cape." He gestured for Dende to follow, and the shorter Namek politely bowed to everyone before doing so.
"YOU IDIOT!" she snapped in his face, and Chi-Chi and Gine approved. At this moment, Tarble was becoming frightened by his sister-in-law and moved himself and Gure to a safer distance. "I'M PREGNANT!"
"You're pregnant!?" the women squealed at the same time and crowded the blue-haired woman. Chi-Chi gushed and clasped her hands together in delight, pushing Bardock to the side with her hips.
"Oh! Just wait until Videl gets here! She's going to be so excited!"
Not liking the look on Gine's face while she placed her hand on Bulma's stomach, Bardock awkwardly backed away until he was a good distance away to start running. It was either a time to congratulate the genius on her process of birthing another hybrid, or go make fun of Vegeta for it.
XX
"Hey, kid. You're as tall as your father now!" Bardock laughed at his own joke while greeting Trunks with a short wave. The young male had just gotten out of the shower after a training session with Vegeta, still towel drying his lavender hair.
The boy grinned at the sight of his prodigal grandfather, and placed the damp white rag around his neck. He was wearing a long-sleeved baseball shirt with his family's famous logo, but under the thin material his muscle mass was outlined. Bardock smirked, realizing that the kid had more muscles than poor uncle Tarble.
"My dad's not going to Mom's party," Trunks chuckled nervously out of spite, knowing that his father would most likely be kicked out of the house tonight for his decision. "But if you're looking for him, he's still in the Gravity Room."
"Was that..." Bardock raised an eyebrow, and his cruel yet teasing smirk grew wider when the boy began to blush. "Was that a puberty squeak?"
"Ah, shaddup!" the crimson-faced hybrid gave a straight fist punch to Bardock's stomach, causing the unexpected howling monkey to turn into a wheezing smoker. "Is Goten here?"
Not able to speak at the moment, Bardock pointed a trembling finger behind him to direct Trunks. The boy awkwardly patted Bardock on the shoulder for a half-assed apology, and then left the groaning Saiyan to help himself up.
"Oh, this is priceless!" the infamous cruel laughter of the prince entered Bardock's ears. His eyes soon focused in on the gold tips of his white boots. "Five years later and my son still kicks your ass!"
"Huh," Bardock brought himself upright once the pain ceased. "How the hell did you manage to get your wife pregnant when you spend your entire life training?"
Vegeta continued to gulp down the can of juice he grabbed from the mini firdge outside of the gravity room until there was nothing left. The empty can soon turned into insignificant bits of foil in his fist and landed on the tiles beneath him. He observed his gloved hands to make sure there wasn't any left and shrugged. "It's got the ki of a female."
"Shit," Bardock chuckled darkly and took a step back to look fully at the poor, broken bastard before him. "Your life is over now, you know that?"
"GRAMPS!" a shrill voice was heard coming from the other end of the hallway. Bardock and Vegeta flipped each other off before turning their attention to the small girl running frantically towards them. "GRAMPS!"
The prince looked beyond her. "If Gohan's brat is here, where's Kakarot? Weren't they all on that damn planet together?"
Bardock ignored Vegeta's rant and offered Pan his arms. Instead of falling into a usual embrace, Pan screeched to a halt in front of him and desperately placed her small hands on his broad shoulders. "Gramps!" she was huffing. "Kibito Kai dropped me off but was too worried to stay away from Grandpa and Papa so he left me here but told me to tell you the news and-"
The great grandfather sealed her lips with his index finger and thumb. "You're just like your uncle, kid. Slow it down. Just tell us why you came in here like a maniac."
Once Bardock removed his fingers, Pan took a deep breath to collect her thoughts. Vegeta was tapping his fingers angrily against his biceps, growing more impatient by the minute.
"Oh, get on with it!"
Pan shot a glare up at the prince momentarily before settling her worried eyes on Bardock. "He told me to tell you that Beerus is on their planet right now, and once he's done with Grandpa," she sniffed when she felt her heart drop to her stomach. The poor child didn't want to believe her Grandpa Goku could die having a simple battle with that skinny cat. "He's going to come here."
A dark silence fell around the trio. Through his peripherals, Bardock could see Vegeta's tightened fist begin to tremble. His great granddaughter wasn't a liar. She was never told about Beerus or the seemingly faulty vision he had five years ago. It was very, very real. "Out of all the days," the scarred one shook his head and rose to his feet while looking at the green tips of his boots.
"Pan, I want you to go find your mother, alright?"
Pan bit her lower lip, not expecting her great grandpa to be as frightened as her father was. They were some of the strongest men she knew. Without saying a word, the girl nodded and left the hall as fast as she came through it. Once the tapping of her small feet had ceased to exist, Bardock and Vegeta exchanged wordless concern and walked side by side to the outdoors.
The two continued to remain silent, struggling to come up with words that described everything going on inside of their minds. Bardock's chest was hurting deeply thinking of his son and grandson alone up there to the point his knees were getting weak. He made a few grabbing gestures with his hands until his mouth finally opened. "How are we doing to handle this?"
Vegeta felt the sun rays light begin to warm his skin the moment they entered the outdoors. Instead of going through the front door and seeing all the guests, Vegeta brought him into the backyard so they were away from the others. "He's obviously going to come looking for me. I'm the strongest one here. There's no reason to get the others involved. If I remember..." the prince grew wordless for a second, and then flinched after a distant, painful memory ended. "Beerus... will be tolerable if you don't piss him off. So I suggest you rip off your lips for the time being."
"You know prince, now isn't a good time to be an asshole to me. If Beerus tries to kill you, I'm the only one here that can save your sorry ass."
"Get over yourself!"
Despite the feeling in his chest, Bardock managed to chuckle. He thought it was going to last longer, but it all came to an end when a strange silhouette appeared on the grass. If everything he had learned from Roshi was true, the sun was casting a shadow from a person standing behind him. The two Saiyans had stopped walking to look at the dark figure, taking note of the long ears.
"Lucy?"
"Guess again."
The stronger fighters on the planet as of that moment seemingly turned into nothing more than a couple of toddlers after hearing their mother warn them of the boogeyman. They turned around ever so slowly to find that their version of a boogeyman was none other than the God of Destruction - a catlike being that haunted Bardock's nightmares and was the only person to send fear coursing throughout the prince. Beside the boogeyman was a more humanistic character, with hair as white as snow and superior look on his face.
"Keep...your mouth...shut..." Vegeta warned Bardock through clenched teeth while Beerus took two steps ahead of Whis to close the distance between himself and the Saiyans.
"Ah, Prince Vegeta. It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Beerus flashed his blinding pearly whites at the flame-haired Saiyan, causing him to blink rapidly. "I've come here to ask you a question."
To Bardock's surprise, Vegeta bowed down to the god as if he were his servant. While he mouthed 'what the fuck' to himself, the prince cleared his throat and smiled nervously. "L-Lord Beerus! I'd be happy to answer anything!"
"What a little bitch..."
"Hm?" Beerus' ears perked up when he caught sight of the furry belt wrapped around Bardock's waist. His pupils widened as recollections of the Super Saiyan God in his dream had a tail swishing around behind him. He tilted his head in fascination and studied the messy spikes on his head with a smirk. "Are you the father of Goku?"
Bardock's eyes narrowed at the mention of his son. Protectively, he straightened up and held his fists out by his sides. "What did you do to him!?"
Ignoring the question, Beerus transported himself behind the grouchy Saiyan and began examining his tail. When Bardock felt the clawed fingers of the god touch it, his eyes widened and he swung around defensively.
"I hope you didn't come all this way just to grope me!"
"Oh my," Whis blinked at the reaction coming from the scarred one. "Lord Beerus, he has a temper worse than you!"
Beerus' eye began to twitch slightly at the tone of his voice. "Perhaps he doesn't know the power of destruction. You see, dear Saiyan," the god leaned closely into Bardock's face and observed the newfound fear in his eyes with delight. "It's quite...deadly."
"You fucking moron!" Vegeta growled under his breath quietly when he saw an orb of white light beginning to form on the tip of his index finger. The prince grabbed Bardock's bicep tightly and pulled him away, causing Vegeta to be the one in crossfires. "Please excuse my idiot comrade, we all think he was dropped on his head like his son."
Beerus' vein was pulsating on his forehead as he began contemplating the death of these Saiyans. He grunted under his breath, realizing that he still hadn't asked his question about the Super Saiyan God. The light disappeared much to Vegeta's relief, and Beerus took a step backwards to observe the prince. "Back to what I need to ask you. What do you know about a Super Saiyan-"
"Lord Beerus, look! It's Lucy!"
Beerus whipped around in annoyance to see the calico cat strolling her way through the thick grass of the Capsule Corporation's backyard. Whis was either making a mockery of him, or seriously amazed by the sight of her. Sighing, Beerus waved to the now mewing feline that paused in front of him. "Greetings, Lucy. What is it?"
"Meow!"
"...He what!?"
Bardock and Vegeta stood side by side, their eyes twitching rhythmically while Lucy continued to mew and converse with the God of Destruction. With each noise the cat was making, Beerus' glower grew stronger while the Saiyans' hearts dropped lower.
"Gine, I could kill you for bringing that vermin!" Bardock whispered harshly under his breath, but quickly stood up straight as a ruler when Beerus began clearing his throat. There hadn't been a moment in so, so long - mostly dating back to when he first laid his eyes on Dabura - that the scarred warrior could actually feel his heart beating in his ears. He glanced at Vegeta through his peripherals as Beerus inched closer and closer, noticing that the prince was frozen stiff. Out of everyone on this Earth, he was the only one to have ever dealt with the god.
The look on his face didn't settle well with Bardock at all.
Beerus held his clawed hand in front of his face, and picked at the dirt inside his nails. When tiny pieces of silt were scrapped out, he flung them to the ground. The purple sphynx observed his now clean claws front and back, while Lucy placed herself at his side. The feline that usually occupied the Son home was giving her owner a smug look, as if she had just sealed his fate.
"You know," Beerus spread his fingers apart and smirked at the sun glare bouncing off the tips. It truly was a good day for destruction. "I was already considering doing away with you when you disrespected me. But now, your little Lucy here tells me you're a cat abuser."
"SHE'S A FUCKING LIAR!"
"Meow!"
Whis and Beerus exchanged looks with each other while Bardock made threatening gestures to the small cat curled up beside Beerus' foot. "Well," the attendant nodded. "She most certainly wasn't lying."
"Idiot!" Vegeta snarled, wishing that Bardock was the one that got his ass beaten instead of Kakarot. He's just as moronic, but at least the goon would have that dumbass grin plastered on his face. His father, on the other hand, was just begging to die. It was up to the prince to think of something, anything, to keep Beerus from destroying his home.
Anything at all.
The prince painfully looked back over to Bardock after focusing on a spec on the ground, and sincerely wish he hadn't. The fighter had lifted the cat up, holding it by her neck while she scratched at his face and seethed.
You know, on second thought, maybe he deserves to die.
A/N: Long wait due to classes getting complicated, but I hope it was worth it and some of you are still sticking around. Super is getting really good, isn't it? :-) Ohhh I just WISH that Bardock will make an appearance since the apparent storyline involves traveling to other universes. Sigh, we can only hope, right?
Also, in DBS and BoG, the Super Saiyan God Beerus imagined/Shenron talked about was shown with a tail. Obviously, this doesn't mean that our SSG in this story will be one of three Saiyans with a tail - just like how it was in cannon. I'll also get to messaging/answering your questions to, I'm so very sorry for the slack. I've been all over the place, just like this story.
