Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or Dragon Ball GT. This is a work of fiction; any resemblance of actual persons is of pure coincidence.
Acronyms
FF= fan fiction -or- fanfic
AN= author's note
QAN= quick author's note
Dragon Ball Reborn
Background: After deciding to stay in the past with Bardock, he and Ryanna start a new life on Earth. With knowledge of the past, and friends in the future, Ryanna makes careful steps on making sure everything goes right for Goku and the rest of the Saiyan children. Unfortunately, the change in the time caused a much bigger and more concerning problem than anyone could have ever anticipated.
AGE CHANGE!
Vegeta/Radditz/Bulma/Yamcha-24 years old
Goku- 18 years old
Krillen-19 years old
Mirai- 8 years old (physically 18)
As the story progresses I will state the age change so things don't get confusing.
Chapter 25: Round 1
The festival prelims had begun, plenty of time for browsing, snacking, and strategizing before the preliminary tryouts. Everything had been set in motion and the fighters were fiercely ready to go. Mirai, unable to hold back her childish persona ran around ogling the goodies and the games with bright happy faces.
"Oh Vegeta look at that!" Mirai pointed to the stuffed yellow bear. "Isn't it cute?"
"Whatever you say woman, can we go find some sustenance now? I'd like to eat BEFORE I pound your brother into the stadium floor."
He couldn't hold back his humor when the girl did little more than pout at him. It amazed himself how the tributes that took away her adult form, were the ones he found most endearing on her. Her innocence, her spark, and her plain joy for life around her warmed his heart. Not that he'd ever admit it.
Not too far away Radditz eyed the couple with a disconcerting eye. Why did things have to turn out this way? Couldn't Vegeta see the dangers in rushing his sister's age? The years of training her young body would further her much more than rushing the inevitable. The saiyans hardly aged, they had plenty of time, and yet Vegeta was impatient, moody, and overprotective. Radditz knew Vegeta would care for his baby sister like a precious jewel, and at the same time put her in her place when need be. However, it left him feeling unsettled.
His parents were more adamant about keeping her on Earth rather than her age. He supposed it was a whole letting go scenario that every parent had to face. His father even admitted that it was the stupidest and most potent parental emotion. Even on Planet Vegeta Bardock hated being at the birthing center, because he knew he'd get attached.
Radditz recalled his first return home. He'd barely been ten, and his father was a complete stranger to him. He looked at the man with as much disdain and disinterest as he would any other Saiyan soldier. The two years he stayed with him, Radditz only saw him a handful of times because his father was always in between jobs. His mother was even worse, didn't even bother to look at him. Radditz found himself lost in a pit of loneliness, his voice and demeanor disinterested, but his eyes were screaming for attention.
It was these things that had him become attached to Ryanna in the first place. For the first time in his life Radditz felt what it was like to be cared about, to be worried about, and to be loved. She held him when he cried, she kissed his training scars and although logic didn't apply he could swear he always felt better after. She trained with him and never held back, and together they learned, and grew in strength. His sister was throwing away those feelings of comfort and joy, for the chance to be treated like an adult.
"You will see, Mirai, that this place is home for you, and your true age is what you should be."
Ryanna licked her ice cream with great enthusiasm. She always loved coming to the tournaments. For the past two years her husband has won but this year every member of her family was participating. "You sure you don't want some, bardock?"
"You should enter. She's your daughter as well."
Ryanna stopped eating, she let it melt and slide down the cone as she eyed her husband thoughtfully. "Are you so sure you're going to lose?"
"That's not what I'm in reference to. I want to fight you, I want to see if the woman I fell in love with is still the same spitfire I first met on Planet Vegeta."
"Bardock you do remember I'm not really a Saiyan. Fighting's not in my natural DNA, I have no true passion for it."
"You say that now, but I remember when you fought for the first time… you were timid and scared and bouncing off the walls trying to protect yourself… but then you tasted blood, you entire persona changed your powers rose in a rate I'd never seen before. You have talent angel, and you're wasting it."
Ryanna had all sorts of excuses and explanations on the tip of her tongue, but nothing came out. They all seemed pointless and meaningless, and the more Bardock pushed, the more she saw his reasoning. "Even if you're right it's too late now isn't it? The sign in desk is closed."
Bardock smirked and took her hand heading for the prelim area.
…
"No."
"Yes."
"You're crazy! I'm not wearing that!"
"It's either this or I go threaten the tournament committee." Bardock helped up the costume grinning ear to ear. The woman he had borrowed it from had signed up for the tournament the day before, and easily gave into Bardock's charm, and the bribe of handing over the prize money if he or his wife won the tournament.
"You're just doing this because I laughed at you when Roshi made you become Jet Zee."
"Partially, and it's also the only way you can enter the tournament without anyone knowing. Now come on Li Chan, get into your costume." He tossed the dress over her head and pushed her into the women's dressing area. When Ryanna emerged he was in a tug of war battle with his laughter and his arousal.
She'd never worn anything more revealing, or more ridiculous in her life. The dress was cut with long hip length slits on either side of her legs. The tights were black and shiny like latex that shined and showed off the muscle and strength of her legs, and paired with sexy white boots. The dress itself was tight around the chest, but flexible with easy movement, white corset cinched her waist accenting her hips and bust and had Asian style stitching across the chest and sides. Her hair was pulled into two side buns with white covers and ribbons dangling down, and a matching white lace mask covered her face. "Bardock, I look ridiculous!"
"Actually I think you look pretty good." Bardock stifled his laughter and took her hand placing a kiss to her palm. She blushed as he continued to tease and flirt with his mouth leaving all her complaints out the door.
The tournament was beginning, and everyone participating gathered into the hall ready for action. Ryanna shifted uncomfortably in her suit eying her group with envy. Bardock spared her a glance now and again with a twitching smile, making her frown and growl on occasion. She wanted to snarl at the male attention she was receiving and made a silent vow that if she and Bardock were ever paired off in the semi-finals she'd be sure to rip him to shreds.
She glanced down at her ki shield, the wrist device blending into her costume under the wrist guards. She would hide herself amongst the crowd for as long as she could. Providing that her family stuck to the plan by not overdoing it she could probably hide all the way to the end.
Mirai bounced side-to-side looking around unable to hide her excitement. "I can't wait to get started! I'm so excited! When are we going to draw numbers?"
"Calm down, child," Bardock placed his hands on her shoulders. "They have to explain the rules first."
"It's too bad Ryanna decided not to take part in this." Krillen said standing alongside Goku and Piccolo. "I'd have loved to have finally seen her fight after all these years."
"Trust me," Vegeta spoke up with laughter. "If you were to be paired up with her you'd last no more than a few seconds. When she's in serious battle she's merciless. I'll never forget her battle with Frieza, she was a monster, a true Saiyan warrior on the rampage."
Bardock's hands tensed on Mirai's shoulder. He'd nearly forgotten about that. His son had told him that when ryanna became a super saiyan she was a beast out of control, taking down the tyrant and then making him beg for mercy. She had been anything but the kind computer nerd he had met. He spared Ryanna a glance again and wondered if he'd done the right thing.
Before he could give it another thought the tournament committee approached the warriors and began explaining the rules of the prelims. As people began lining up at the boxes goku felt a tap on his shoulder and he glanced back and smiled. He wondered when she'd show up.
"Chichi!"
"Hello Goku," Chichi smiled big her big brown eyes filled with warmth and admiration for the saiyan boy. "It's been a long time."
"Yeah, mom said you'd' be coming, I almost didn't recognize you!" Goku took her hands. "Are you entered as well?"
"I am, and I can't wait to see how much stronger you've become. If I'd known the whole party was participating I would have just gotten good seats. I don't think I'd stand a chance."
"Nonsense, you'll do fine." Goku placed a kiss on her cheek making her blush and swoon. Goku had always known just the little things to do to make her young heart go pitter-pat.
"Oh it's your turn," Chichi snapped out of her daze and pushed Goku towards the number took his number than Chichi took her own and then thw two of them walked side by side to the chats to see what blocks they landed in. Chiaotsu had done a marvelous job. Everyone except the humans were placed in different blocks across the board. As expected the saiyans won their matches swiftly and mercilessly, but the humans in first and second halves of block 4 had their hands full.
"Who is this woman?" Yamcha was on one knee staring at the gorgeous girl in front of him. She'd barely moved and yet she'd managed to avoid every blow, every hit, and every touch he tried to thrust upon her. The costume had made him believe this would be an easy victory, but his martial artists eyes now knew he was dealing with no amateur. With one last burst of energy he lunged. Li-Chan's eyes snapped open and she grabbed his arm flipping him over her shoulder and outside the ring.
"Number 69 out, Number 70 wins!"
Ryanna bowed to him and to the crowd, playing her part well as she exited the stage.
"Unbelievable!" Krillen couldn't keep his mouth shut. Yamcha had never been defeated in the preliminaries before. Had the man let the female win? "Hey Yamcha are you alright?" Krillen helped his buddy up as he shook off the dizziness.
"Yeah, I'm fine, but wow, who knew? I didn't think there'd ever be a woman other than Bulma who could send me flat on my ass."
Krillen nodded in agreement, his eyes cautiously travelling over the woman known as Number 70. The sounds of cheers erupted in the next ring and Chichi smiled and bowed to the crowd having finished off her opponent in three brief yet furious attacks. "Chichi's doing well too, the women of this world seem to have gained a great feat of strength."
Goku gave Chichi a thumb's up. "Nice job, see I told you."
"That's just one battle Goku, and it wasn't even against anybody strong. Save your praise when I defeat one of your friends."
Goku glanced at Tien, if things went according to plan, he would ne Chichi's next opponent. "Hold that thought!" Goku walked over to Tien talking to him. They seemed to argue and bicker for a moment before Tien walked away waving a hand in his face. Goku came back with a defeated look. "Darn I was hoping Tien would take it easy on you. He's known to be a harsh opponent."
"Don't worry about it Goku, I don't expect him to take it easy on me, and I wouldn't want you to cheat on my behalf. If I lose I'll just watch, no big deal." Chichi leaned in kissing his cheek. "Mwah, but you're sweet to think of me."
As the prelims continued on Ryanna's fierce fights continued all the same. Her normal opponents hadn't stand a chance, and were all taken down in one hit. She fought against Krillen, and Chiaotsu and took her time with them, letting it seem she was having difficulties when in reality she was yawning. She needed a real challenge, but she wouldn't get one until the quarterfinals.
Tien applied some salve onto chiaotsu's bruised head, the boy whimpering in pain. "Are you alright chiaotsu?"
"Yeah, I'm alright Tien," Chiaotsu spared a glance up at his friend. "I had a feeling I was going to lose, but I had to try."
"Yes and you fought well my friend, but it would seem both of those women are in a class of their own." Tien spared a glance at Chichi with a gentle smile. She laughed and conversed with Goku, the two young teenagers barely sparing a moment apart. Though Tien made it appear he wouldn't go easy on Chichi, in the end his soft romantic heart had allowed the girl to move on without so much as a bruise. "We could be the strongest men in the universe but nothing can defeat the strength of a person's heart."
Chiaotsu stood and then floated so his eyes were level with Tien. "Yeah well at least you faked your defeat. I merely got my butt kicked."
"Attention finalists, please regroup to the front for drawing lots!" The announcer spoke to the group his eyes scanning the room as those who were defeated dispersed, and those who were victorious drew in. Some of the faces he recognized, and others were new to him, but deep in his gut, the announcer knew that these were the best of the best and nothing would stop this tournament from being the best they would ever see.
"Congrautlations, you all made it past the first round!"
Woot another chapter done, three more chapters to go. The end is drawing near and even that isn't the end. Look forward to the upcoming end to the Reborn Trilogy…
Z Reborn: 21 years have passed since Ryanna had taken that unscheduled trip into the past that changed her life forever. In doing such she became a saiyan, fell in love, and was now the mother of three beautiful kids who weren't kids anymore. As her chapter ends theirs begin. With Frieza gone, what sort of new dangers await for them?
Sound Exciting? I hope so, but you first better stay tuned to the end of Dragon Ball Reborn…
Next Chapter: A Brother's Concern