Dragon Ball Blackthorned

Arc 3.5: Adventures Anew Saga

Opening Theme: Golden Boy OST - Opening

Chapter 86: Gaiden – What the Others are Up Too

(Current Date: October 6, Age 750)

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z : Buu's Fury – West City]

West City

A groan escaped the lips of a woman in Park Street Apartments as the alarm clock blaring jazzy music rather loudly. Gwen got up with a stretch and turned off the alarm clock. It had been a few months since Gwen left the tribe and was doing better for it. She had gotten a call from Ace just yesterday explaining what he had done to Raven and Vernal and apologized for not calling sooner. She still found it humorous that Raven and Vernal were essentially depowered and dumped into serving some immortal old fart for the rest of their natural lives.

"Serves them right." She thought.

She considering paying a visit to rub it in but shelved that thought again. A quick shower and breakfast, she was dressed and out the door heading to work at Capsule Corporation. She never thought she'd be working on a company like CC or even driving a convertible. Said fancy car was a gift from Bulma's mother after finding out that she walked to work.

"To think I used to be a bandit. Hah. Now, I'm the only one left who's not dead or fucked over. Well except Qrow." Gwen remarked.

As she said that, a crow flew over her car before it transformed into Qrow and landed in her passenger seat!

[Cues: The Boondocks type instrumental - Soul Child - Neo Soul Instrumental]

"You were saying?" Qrow said with raised eyebrow as Gwen nearly swerved off the road.

"What the fuck, Qrow?!" Gwen said panting as she regained control. "And what you want?"

"Well, I heard a rumor that an explosion killed off most of the Branwen Tribe. I would not really be concerned, but I heard that Raven, Vernal, and you were nowhere to be found. Now, Oz did some digging and discovered that you got a pardon thanks to Briefs family." Qrow remarked. "And I see you got yourself a fancy car and home as well."

"When did you find me?" Gwen asked with a glare.

"Just today. Oz managed to get me the address to your new place yesterday." Qrow said as Gwen scowled.

"Note to self: sue that grey-haired asshole." Gwen thought before saying, "So, you want to know what happened to the tribe? Don't you believe an explosion killed them?"

"I wanted to at first, but I had a feeling something was up since you got that pardon…from the Briefs of all people." Qrow said narrowing his eyes. "They don't just do that for anyone."

"Why the hell do you care?" Gwen asked. "I bettered myself."

"Because you know something. Claire had managed to escape the tribe's death because Raven ditched her but was arrested before in another town being shipped over to Bridgetown's jail." Qrow said sharply.

"Wait, Claire's alive?" Gwen said surprised.

She learned that Claire was a spy for Ozpin and Qrow and she realized that was the reason for Claire's attitude. Despite Ozpin pointing out that Claire was a spy for them, the authorities cited she still committed a crime and had to stay in prison for a few years.

"Seeing that she's stuck in jail, while you're free. I want answers." Qrow said glaring at her.

Gwen groaned and turned into the drive thru for a fast food restaurant. She was going to need a milkshake and a breakfast burrito.

"Welcome to Mac Macs, home of the Mega Mac. How can we help this fine morning?" The drive-thru employee said through the speaker.

"I'll have two breakfast burritos with extra cheese and a chocolate milkshake, please." Gwen said dryly.

"I'll take a Mega Breakfast platter with bacon." Qrow said as Gwen glared at him.

"You better be paying for your food." Gwen muttered.

"Depends on the information you give, Gwen." Qrow said as the employee said the total was 13.50 and to drive ahead to get in line.

Gwen did so before turning to Qrow.

"All right, fine. I was robbing a train in the desert with your cunt of a sister and Vernal. She got my name wrong for the umpteenth time, and I tell her off before quitting. I was intending to just up and leave with my life, but Ace Blackthorn got in the mix. We met and became friends. He helped fight off most of Raven's goons in the pyramid we ended up in. To skip most of the details, we made it out alive before it crumbled and so did Raven and Vernal. Ace wound up killing them all later on." Gwen said leaving out a few details.

"And Raven and Vernal?" Qrow asked.

"I'll just say they aren't in prison, but they're no position to do any more trouble. I'd say they've in a position that's worse than prison." Gwen said cryptically.

Gwen drove up to the window and had to pay for Qrow's meal as well.

"Something tells me you're not going to say any more about that." Qrow said. "Either way, Oz wants to offer you a position..."

Gwen drove out of the drive thru with food in tow before tossing Qrow out of her car along with his food.

"Let me stop you right there! You think after I found out Ozpin's been spying on me, I'd join his side. The fuck's wrong with you? Raven and I did not get along, but the one thing I did agree on was not trusting him. Besides, I'm a part of a new team. I'm not willing to fuck that up for him. Lastly, if I see you near my home, my place of work, me, or my friends, I will personally tear your fucking wings off." Gwen said calmly slamming the door shut before driving away.

Qrow was flabbergasted watching Gwen drive away.

"At least, my fo-" Qrow said before a car on wheels ran over his breakfast. "Fuck."

Gwen made it to work finding Bulma practicing with a new dao blade against a training dummy. Ace had used his connections to the Yūgure family to get Bulma a brand new dao sword.

"Morning, Bulma." Gwen said as she took a bite of her breakfast burrito.

"Mornin' to you too. Let me just put Azurewrath away." Bulma said sheathing the blade.

Bulma was getting better with using her sword over the months and getting stronger by the week.

Kame House

Raven swore that she was wishing for a do-over in her life before serving Oolong and Roshi for the few past few months was hell. Bad enough, she had to cook for him, but had to endured being used at their toy. Vernal, as an ally, was useless as she grew enamored with Oolong. Basically, Oolong spoiled Vernal leaving Raven to get the brunt of most of the work. At least, she was on break as Roshi was outside training Krillin, Yamcha, and Violet.

"As much as I hate this. At least, I'm not in jail…or having to deal with Ozpin." Raven muttered.

Outside, Krillin was winded as he watched Lapis and Lazuli head off to school. The twins had been registered to go to school on Training Island due to Opal finally deciding to take the reins of parents. Their mother argued for them back, but ultimately it was argued that they finish the school year. Violet was practicing increasing her speed with weights and was steadily getting faster. Yamcha….was still coming along at the very least. Violet was glad that with Roshi taking his perversions on Raven, he could finish on training her with no issues at all. The tournament was going to quite the event…

(A/N: And there's your ending, everyone. I was thinking of doing "Which Way to Papaya Island?" as the finale. However, I've decided to not do that, and make that the opening for the next arc. The Tien Shihan is definitely going to be short considering the Piccolo storyline practically hijacks the plot. Taking into account everyone, there are going to extra matches in the finals for Ace obviously. However, there's one thing that's unlikely, the crowd. That's right! To celebrate 85+ chapters, I'll be letting you the readers pick who you want to see in the crowd. Your options basically amount to all the minor characters that appeared in this arc. Thank you all for your support and I'll see you next time for Arc 4!)

Ending Theme - Vanilla - Traveller

Extended Author's Commentary: This arc was a blast to do in building on an already well-established world. I had to say that thanks to the video games and the few good fillers, I was able to really go all out for this story. So, next arc will be the coming of Ace's shift from "Kid" Ace to "Teen" Ace. He'll be 18 by then. Speaking of 18, there's Lapis and Lazuli. I sorry feel I made them a bit too young. Even though I calculated that in canon that Lazuli has a pretty big age difference from Krillin by estimation. Essentially, she'll be about 18 years of age by Age 761 where she'll be nabbed by Dr. Gero along with her brother. Still, it feels weird she's crushing on Krillin. Still a good ship, though. Lastly, I'd like to issue a challenge out to you Dragon Ball readers! There are too little Dragon Ball reaction fics, and that should change! Whether it be Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, the movies, Super, or even this fic, write it up and have a ball with it! See you again for Arc 4!

Arc 3.5 Complete

(A/N: Small note in chapters 83-86 were edited and fixed for spelling and grammar errors.)