Dragon Ball Blackthorned

Arc 3: The Red Ribbon Army Arc

(Sub-Saga 4 – Fortuneteller Baba Saga)

(A/N: The last sub-arc before the end of the major arc. I want to thank all of you for your support so far.)

Chapter 43: The Trek for Baba! Ace Makes a Detour with Violet.

The gang had returned to Roshi's to rest and recuperate, mostly Ace, Goku, and Violet since they did most of the work. Ace had returned downstairs to the living room changed out of his bloody gi to semi-casual clothes. Ace now wore an unzipped, black jacket with a closed pocket flap on each side. On the back of it was the symbol of Turtle School with his family insignia on his right shoulder. A dark green mesh wifebeater was underneath. He had the bottom half of a fresh gi and his usual shoes. His black armbands were still studded (with small weights in each stud). Ace had spawned Goku a fresh gi and the works for him to wear. Violet was still upstairs adjusting her new clothes and her hair. The adrenaline had worn off allowing Violet to think for a bit. She's now in a relationship with the "man" who had a hand in tearing the Red Ribbon Army to pieces. Ace had told her details on his and Goku's scraps with the RRA, and she was speechless. Her new boyfriend basically many dead under his belt and this gave her a bit of assurance. She prided herself on be able to fight and defend herself but having an inhumanly strong lover was not a terrible thing to have.

"At least he's not the pressuring type." Violet said with a sigh. "He's a bit of a prick, rough around the edges, a total poonhound, and a total fight happy loon, but better him then any of the soldiers."

She scowls flashing back to the times of being crudely hit on by her co-workers, spied on by Red, and hated on by Blue. She was glad at the very least that Blue was dead. She looked in the mirror at her new outfit. A simple green windbreaker jacket, black tank top, purple cargo pants, and her usual boots. She came down to her boyfriend chatting with Oolong.

"And so, they surrounded me, and I was all, "Do what you must."" Ace said jokingly.

"Man, you just might be the strongest person I know." Oolong said.

"Yamcha's way stronger!" Pu'ar boasted.

"Pu'ar, as long as I breathe, I will continue to make sure that never happens." Ace said getting a laugh out of Oolong and (Bad) Launch.

"So Bulma, any luck on the radar?" Goku asked.

"That's the screwed-up part. It works just fine, but it can't find the last ball." Bulma remarked. "Maybe it's in hidden or inside something's stomach."

Ace knew the reason why already.

"If it's hidden, it has to be put in a box that could block the radar." Ace mused.

Bulma would have laughed at that but Ace's words sparked worry. They all knew (except for Violet) that Goku and Ace wanted to use the Dragon Balls to revive Bora. Roshi was trimming his nose hairs before explaining about Fortuneteller Baba.

"Ah yes, Baba. I believe she's your older sister." Ace said getting shock out of everyone there.

Ace explained he does a lot of research and that's how he's so sharp.

"That explains so much." Launch said.

"Well, I'll be leaving now." Bulma said handing off the radar to Goku. "My parents are probably worried, and I am missing school. Not that I care much for it."

"Later. Me, Violet, Yamcha, Pu'ar, and Krillin will go see Baba." Ace said.

Roshi said he'd stay with Launch but got a sword to his throat from Ace. A wordless warning not to mess with Launch. Bulma left on her capsule jet bidding goodbye to everyone. Ace and Goku slung their backpacks and Rakurai/Power Pole on them. Ace went outside and got out Kageyama. He got on with Violet getting on behind him. Goku called up his Flying Nimbus as Yamcha, Krillin, and Pu'ar got into a capsule plane.

"Baba's Palace is the North, specifically FS 199644 CC. Goku, Vi, and I need to pick up Upa." Ace said. "We'll meet up at the palace."

"Right!" Yamcha said as everyone took off.

"Hey Ace, I have a favor to ask." Violet asked as she, Ace, and Goku were speeding away from Roshi's. "Think you could stop by Gingertown? I have a few things I need to pick up. Considering I'm in a relationship with you now, I doubt I'll be living anywhere for now considering your martial arts trek."

"Sure thing, Vi-chan." Ace said before turning to Goku. "Yo, Violet needs to visit someplace. Go ahead and get Upa, and we'll meet up."

"Got it!" Goku said as Ace turned westward.

On the way there while we were over the ocean, I learned a few things about Violet. She grew up poor apparently and had a bit of fear of being without money. This was sounding very familiar to a certain character I knew. But any comparisons to Nami ended when she got on about her parents. I made a mental note to kill them in my down time. As we hit land, I spawn a helmet for Violet to wear. Once she slipped it, it was a mere button press to render it invisible to the eye.

"Hang on tight, Violet." I said tightening my grip on the throttles.

I slowly channel ki into the motorcycle as it glowed green through the clear linings. Violet tightened her grip around me as we rocketed off down the road into the main highway. We ended up in West City first as we have come eastward. I managed to get to that lonesome road I had used to get to West City from Gingertown. I cannot believe I'm visiting this place that only becomes important later, again. As we were speeding down the road, the siren of a police car soured my mood. I was not in the mood for being pulled over, but I reluctantly do. Violet warns me about the cops in Gingertown telling me they were complete assholes. I sensed out the cop and I recognized her right away. Akai Tomato. The blue-eyed and blonde cop came out of her police car. She still had her "TOMATO" cap, but her hairdo was one Bulma would have in the future. She still had her dark tank top, red gym shorts, knee socks with two stripes around the top, and tennis shoes. She seemed flushed to encounter me again.

"Oh, it is you, my master." She said to my confusion.

Then I remembered that I hypnotized her a week ago, and I explained that to Violet. Her response was to laugh.

"What? Can you get her to clear my old rap sheet?" Violet asked jokingly.

I shrugged and requested it. She nodded and went to her car. Apparently, the police car had a built-in computer because she came back staying her record was wiped clean.

"Whoa, you really did hypnotize her." Violet said. "I should really stop doubting you."

"I'm surprised it's still in effect. Apparently, it seems to only kick in when I'm around." I said making an astute guess.

I figured I made as well have fun with it.

"What are you going to have her do next?" Violet asked.

"Since she's helping us." I said returning Kageyama to its capsule.

I face Akai.

"Akai, I need you to give me and a Violet a police escort to Violet's place in the suburbs undetected." I said to her.

"As you wish, Master." Akai said opening the door for us.

I take the front seat as Violet takes the backseat. Akai drove off with us tow. As ordered, she did not have the sirens on. I was doing a bit of research on the state of Akai's hypnosis. Seems the version had an effect making her will to serve me stronger while I was away unconsciously. Simply put, Akai was fully willing to do whatever I ask with few question as a humble knight. We arrive at Violet's place. She lived in a pretty shitty apartment building in the worst part of the suburb. The place just seemed deserted. We walk up the stairs of it and the place reeked of cigarettes, piss, and death.

"Ok, I live in 3C. Put that cop to work on arresting the landlord. She peddles drugs all throughout the building." Violet said. "I'll go get my things."

I nodded. Violet gets her key and enters her apartment. I give the nod and Akai leaves to hunt for the landlady. I wait outside, and Violet comes out with a capsule with her things. Violet and I go down to find Akai was reading the landlady her rights. I sent out Kageyama and Violet and I took off bidding Akai goodbye. Leave her to deal with that can of worms.

Ace and Violet made it last to Fournateteller Baba's Palace and the gang had waiting for them. Ace parked and returned his bike to a capsule.

"Ah, so you are all here." Baba said sagely. "I assume you have payment for my services."

Ace pulls out a massive of zeni to Baba's delight only to use ki to light in ablaze. Violet knew he had more, but that was a waste of 20 million zeni! Baba looked mortified.

"Why would you do that?!" Baba asked.

"Because I want to fight your five opponents of legends with my team." Ace said with glee. "It's more fun that way."

Goku agreed and Yamcha really want to deck them both. Baba sighed, but led them the outdoor area. Their first opponent was Fang the Vampire. A rather skinny Muay Thai fighter wearing the traditional Thai fighter getup (the trunks, hand wraps, and foot wraps) who was also a vampire.

"At least he doesn't sparkle." Ace thought.

"Who will take on my first fighter?" Baba said.

Before Krillin could step up, Violet jumped up on the stage surprising everyone, especially Ace. The divergence was upon them and Violet would have a hand in it.

(A/N: While I would be against taking a fight that belonged to Krillin, I considered the fact he gets a lot more later on. Plus, I think it's appropriate that Violet gets a bit more involved.)