Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty – Prince Vegeta's Struggles with "Friendship"

Written by: Feraligreater328

Overseen by: StevenBodner and SparkerLightning

Chapter 12: Online Gaming

In a far-off, mythical land...

Android 18, a black-haired mage specializing in fire and explosions, thumbed through her inventory with a analytical look. "Okay. I have 12 boss keys. We need 30 for the end of this dungeon. Bulma?"

Bulma, a blue-haired mage specializing in water spells, opened her inventory and counted. "15~"

They both looked to Krillin, a swordsman with flowing blonde hair and a massive defense stat. "Uh...0. Sorry. When that mimic ate me, I think it ate them from my inventory..."

18 shook her head. "Damn it, Krillin..."

"I have 3!"

18, Bulma, and Krillin all turned to the fourth member of their party. Vegeta, a thief, was standing there with a victorious smirk. He opened his inventory and counted. "Actually, I have 4 keys. Those fools that challenged us in the dueling square had plenty. Now, can we finally get started on this Raid Boss thing?"

18 motioned. "Yep. Come on. We can't fast travel, so we're going to have to walk."

The four adventurers went along their way. As they walked, they ran into all manner of beast. 18 would roast them with her flames. Krillin would slash them with his sword. Bulma would keeping the party healed and stat boosted with her spells and songs. And Vegeta would take everything he could get his hands on with his Steal ability.

Soon enough, the four of them arrived at the Raid Boss door. 18 smirked. "And now-"

A crying baby's wail began to ring out from Bulma. She sighed. "One second. Trunks is awake."

Krillin nodded. "Right. Setting up an AFK room for us to hide out in."

IRL, at Bulma and Vegeta's house...

Vegeta sat back in his chair and called out. "Bulma! Need help?"

Bulma called back. "Nope! We agreed that I'd watch Trunks and you'd watch Bulla this evening. You just keep an eye on her, okay~!"

Vegeta sighed and looked out at the twinkling night sky. He and Bulma had been spending days playing this game since Android 18 and Krillin had introduced them to it. It was two in the morning now, but Vegeta was wide awake. On his headset, 18 spoke up. "So, Vegeta..."

Vegeta grunted. "Hm?"

18 continued. "We've been playing for a couple weeks now. What do you think?"

Vegeta thought for a moment, and then he was brutally honest. "You and the bald one are geeks and this is a waste of time."

Krillin moaned. "Oh, come on Vegeta..."

18 spoke quietly. In spite of herself, she actually sounded a bit hurt. "...jerk."

Vegeta sighed. "Don't pout. I didn't say I wasn't having fun. This is...surprisingly engaging. And a nice way to spend the evening that doesn't involve training or Bulma's more adult interests..."

On the other end of the headset, Vegeta could hear Krillin and 18 pull off their headsets. They were saying something to each other just out of earshot of their mics. Once they put them back on, 18 spoke with something resembling a smile in her voice. "Sorry. Had to ask Krillin something."

Vegeta cocked his head. "That being?"

18 sighed. "Nothing. I just...I'm having fun playing with you too, Vegeta. Thanks for tagging along..."

Vegeta's eyes went a tad wide. He hadn't heard this level of sentimentality in Android 18's voice before. He tried to think of something to say, but luckily Bulma got back on. "Trunks is asleep! Let's go kick that boss' ass!"

Vegeta nodded. "R-Right!"

18 briefly chuckled. "Yeah."

Krillin cracked his knuckles. "Let's do it!"

And then all four were back on their mouse and keyboard, ready for an intense battle.