Two Weeks Later:
These last two weeks have been a major learning experience for Vegeta and Goku:
They both learned so much about their grandchildren and gained some kind of bond with them. Vegeta even got Chaya to start talking again; Paisley's at just giggling.
They both learned what they liked and hated about Halloween for different reasons:
Vegeta thought it was just absolutely delightful—the best thing since buffets. He hated the thought of kids coming to his house for candy and dressing up for Halloween. Oh, and he delighted in scaring the crap out of Goku.
Goku loved the decorations, candies, dressing up, the thought of going trick-or-treating with the children, and the baked goods Chi-Chi and Bulma made. He hated the entire scaring aspect of it and is very jumpy with certain things.
"You can handle fighting the Namek, me, Frieza and his men, Cell, all forms Buu, and whoever else we've fought. Yet plastic skeletons, zombies, carved pumpkins, and a crap ton of other fake things. What is wrong with you?" Vegeta questioned, not taking his eyes off his grandchildren.
"I don't know; I just don't like all this scaring stuff. Don't things that just pop up out of nowhere and make weird noises scare you—even just a little?" Goku replied before questioning.
"No. I find this all fantastic; I love it. This is by far the best damn holiday—next to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the best: family and all the food. It's a shame Halloween only comes once a year." Vegeta replied, watching Knickers and Teddy help Chaya and Paisley onto the playground so they could run to the slides of their choice and go down them.
"What about Christmas, New Years', and Easter? Goku questioned, watching Goki and Chihiro playing with Knickers, Teddy, Chaya, and Paisley.
"The only good thing about those is spending quality time with my family. If it weren't for the kids, I'd try getting out of Christmas and Easter. But I participate for them and Bulma. Christmas is about family and presents—and some fat man who breaks into people's houses to leave presents. Who the hell does that? New Years of for partying, getting drunk, and staying up all night—and some ball that drops. And Easter is about family, candy, and some giant rabbit who breaks into your home to hide baskets full of candy and whatever else. This Easter Rabbit is just as bad as the fat man—just a lot creepier." Vegeta replied, shuddering a little.
"Are you afraid of the Easter Bunny, Vegeta? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Goku questioned, poking Vegeta on the shoulder.
"No, I ain't afraid of no giant rabbit, you damn idiot. I'd take that thing down in a heartbeat—if it weren't for the kids liking it. I just don't like the thought of a fat man and a giant rabbit breaking into someone's house to leave stuff for people." Vegeta growled at Goku, trying to keep the children from hearing him.
"It's ok, Vegeta; everybody is afraid of something. You just happen to be afraid of an oversized rabbit." Goku replied with a smile.
"Damnit, Kakarot… You are so lucky there are other children besides our grandchildren here. I'd beat you into next week otherwise. I ain't afraid of no damn rabbit. I'm not afraid of anything so trivial. Besides, weren't you the one who was scared so bad by your own grandson in a rubber mask that you passed out the other day?" Vegeta retorted, narrowing his eyes.
"That mask was terrifying." Goku retorted.
"It was of something called "Frankenstein's Monster." It was green with black hair and a few fake stitches—with Goki underneath it." Vegeta mumbled, stating a fact.
"Well, I didn't know it was Goki—and it was still scary." Goku responded, causing Vegeta to nearly fall over.
"No. Nope. Not gonna happen. I'm not going to yell." Vegeta calmly spoke, taking a deep breath to keep himself from yelling at Goku's pure stupidity.
"Oh, come on, Vegeta. You have to be afraid of something." Goku complained, watching Vegeta.
"No, I don't, and I'm not." Vegeta replied as Paisley climbed off a slide.
"Mmm! Mmm!" Paisley ran over to Vegeta.
"What is it?" Vegeta questioned, watching his younger grandchild.
"Mmm! Mmm!" Paisley made a noise pointing to a swing.
"She wants to swing." Knickers clarified when he saw Vegeta's confusion.
"And she wants you to push her." Teddy added.
"I wan swing too, Pop-Pop!" Chaya called, running over.
"Me too, Grampa!" Chihiro yelled, running to Goku, not wanting to be left out.
"Come on." Vegeta sighed, lifting Chaya and Paisley by the backs of their shirts, making them giggle.
At the same time, Goku lifted Chihiro into his arms and followed Vegeta to the swings:
Each girl was in one of those swings for babies/toddlers.
Each boy was on a regular swing, swinging.
'My only fear is losing my family in any way, shape, or form. I suppose I fear losing Kakarot and his family as well; they're good enough family friends. But nobody will ever know that's how I feel—especially that idiot and my wife. ' Vegeta thought to himself, watching the children.
Ten Minutes Later:
"Must be nap time." Trunks noted, walking over with Goten, Nashi, Bulma, and Chi-Chi:
Paisley was sleeping, slumped forward.
Chaya was just about asleep, leaning back.
Chihiro was fighting sleep altogether, but everyone could tell she wouldn't last much longer.
"What brings you here?" Goku inquired, watching the group.
"We've come to get you." Chi-Chi happily answered.
"We got everyone's costumes; we have to go home, get changed, and then head to the zoo—which is over an hour away. So, we have to get a move on it. The children have been waiting for this for months now." Bulma excitedly added.
"We dropped Gohan, Videl, and Pan's off for them at their place; they're going to meet us at the zoo." Chi-Chi quickly added with a smile.
"If you couldn't tell, they're super excited for this." Trunks stated, lifting Paisley out of the swing while Vegeta got Chaya.
"But I'm not sure everyone is going to be happy with the costume choices." Goten noted, lifting Chihiro out her swing.
"That is very true." Trunks replied with a smile.
"Why did you say it like that? What are you the kids wearing?" Vegeta questioned as they walked to their house.
"Mom, didn't you tell Dad that for Halloween at the Zoo, everyone, including him, are supposed to be wearing a costume?" Trunks asked Bulma.
"What?" Vegeta questioned, his eye twitching.
"No. Goku was supposed to tell him the other day while they were sparring or whatever. You did tell him, didn't you, Goku?" Bulma replied before questioning Goku.
"Kak-a-rot…" Vegeta growled, watching Goku.
"It may have slipped my mind." Goku sheepishly replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"I hope this doesn't deter you from going to the zoo with everyone." Bulma responded as they all stepped inside.
"No, of course, not." Vegeta grumbled.
"Good. That's all Knickers, Teddy, Chaya, and Paisley have been talking about these past few days; they're excited for Halloween at the Zoo with you. Paisley hasn't been this excited for something in months." Trunks told Vegeta.
"I'm just happy to be home with my family." Vegeta replied.
"Just keep telling yourself that. Come on, boys; we have to get your costumes on." Trunks told Knickers and Teddy, ushering them downstairs.
"And you and Grandpa, too, right?" Knickers asked with a smile. At the same time, Teddy was laughing—despite not knowing anything about the costumes.
"Why did you say it like that? Why did he say it like that?" Vegeta questioned, almost scared.
"Come on, Dear: you'll love it. And if you don't—well, you'll still love it for me." Bulma replied, dragging Vegeta to their room.
"Sorry we're late!" Bulla called, running through the door with Leriac.
"Sorry. There was some issues with mother—again." Leriac apologized, bowing.
"It's no trouble. Just go get changed. I hope you don't mind, but we have a theme for Halloween at the Zoo." Bulma happily responded, handing Bulla two costumes before informing them.
"Oh, no; that's fine. I've always wanted to do something like this, but Mom is kind of—Mom's mom." Leriac replied as Bulla went to her room before heading to the bathroom.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"You are so lucky I love you." Vegeta grumbled, looking at himself in a mirror.
"Oh, quit your complaining; this is for the children. Beside, you looking great." Bulma replied, walking to the door.
"When I find out who's idea this was, there will be hell to pay." Vegeta continued to bitch.
"Ok. Here's your chance." Bulma told Vegeta, meeting Trunks and his children in the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Trunks questioned, holding his daughters.
"Your father isn't sure about the costume he's wearing. Tell me again, who's idea it was to do a Wizard of Oz theme for Halloween at the Zoo." Bulma replied, watching Trunks.
"Chaya wanted to do the Wizard of Oz for Halloween at the Zoo—once she found out that it only for the zoo and that she still gets to be what she wants for trick-or-treating next week. At first Paisley wanted you to be the Cowardly Lion because you're cuddly and he was always afraid of everything just like Paisley. Her words, not mine. But then Chaya and Paisley agreed that they wanted you to be the Tinman because they believe you have a big heart. Knickers wanted you to be one of the flying monkeys. And Teddy—he wanted you to be the Wicked Witch of West—or the Scarecrow." Trunks explained.
Vegeta was staring blankly at Trunks and the girls.
'Damnit.' Vegeta thought to himself.
"Pop-Pop no like his costume?" Chaya questioned, barely awake.
"No, I don't like this costume because I love it!" Vegeta declared, smiling.
Bulma: Glenda, the good witch
Vegeta: The Tinman
Trunks: The Scarecrow
Knickers: Lollipop Guild Munchkin
Teddy: Lollipop Guild Munchkin
Chaya: Lullaby League Munchkin
Paisley: Lullaby League Munchkin
Bulla: Dorthey
Leriac: The Cowardly Lion
"Hi, Daddy. You look great." Bulla happily told Vegeta.
"Thanks. Wait. Which ones were the Wicked Witch of the West and the Scarecrow again?" Vegeta replied before questioning. He had only seen The Wizard of Oz once before.
"You're the Tinman: you're the one who wanted a heart, only to find out he already had one. The Cowardly Lion is the one who was afraid of everything and wanted courage, only to discover how brave he already was. The Scarecrow was the one who didn't have a brain, but discovered he wasn't dumb. The Wicked Witch of the West was the main villain; she wanted Dorthey's ruby slipper. And then the flying monkeys were the witch's pets." Trunks explained, watching Vegeta, causing his eyes to twitch.
"You think you're so funny, don't you?" Vegeta questioned Teddy, who was just smiling at him.
"Yep." Teddy answered with a smile.
"I'll show you funny. Come here." Vegeta lifted Teddy over his shoulder and started stomping around, tickling his feet. Teddy couldn't stop laughing; he was having a blast.
"It's so good to have him back." Bulma noted, watching Vegeta.
"It certainly is. Chaya is talking again and Paisley's happier." Trunks agreed.
Knock. Knock.
"Let's get it, Grandpa!" Teddy excitedly instructed.
"Yeah, yeah." Vegeta replied, walking to the door.
"Hey." Gohan and Videl greeted with smiles while Pan stood there.
"What the hell are you supposed to be?" Vegeta questioned, confused.
"Grandpa, you said a bad word." Teddy scolded Vegeta.
"What are you three doing here? Not that we're not happy to see you, but I thought you were meeting us at the zoo." Chi-Chi happily replied as they walked to the kitchen.
"What the hell are all of you?" Vegeta questioned, even more confused.
"Grandpa, you said the bad word again." Teddy scolded Vegeta.
"Ok Teddy, that's enough; Grandpa is old enough to say those bad words. And that word he said isn't terrible. No, you're still not allowed to say it." Trunks calmly yet firmly told Teddy.
"Still, Grandpa shouldn't be saying those words around any of you." Bulma replied, narrowing her eyes at Vegeta.
"Uncle Goku, Aunt Chi-Chi, and the rest of their family are different fire starter Pokémon." Knickers informed Vegeta.
Chi-Chi: Delphox
Goku: Charizard
Goten: Charmander
Nashi: Fennekin
Goki: Chimchar
Chihiro: Litten
Gohan: Charmeleon
Videl: Braixen
Pan: Torchic
"That show still exists? Wasn't that on when Trunks was a kid?" Vegeta questioned in disbelief.
"Oh, yeah. The show, cards, and video games are still insanely popular. But Gohan, Videl, Pan: what brings you all here?" Trunks answered before asking Gohan and Videl again.
"Uhh, yeah. So, the plan was to meet at the zoo, but I realized I have no clue where it is. We just got lucky we didn't miss you yet. Don't worry; we have our car, so you don't have to worry about us not having transportation." Gohan explained.
"Oh. Ok. Well, let's head out." Chi-Chi replied with a smile.
"Yes, we have to get on the road, so that we're not late. It's a long drive, and then there's parking." Bulma enthusiastically added, leading the way.
"Do I really have to do this?" Pan grumbled.
"Yes: it's family time. Bulla is getting in on this." Videl replied with a smile.
"Oh, hello. Can we help you?" Bulma questioned, opening the door.
"Thank God. Sorry, I'm late. I got lost trying to find your house." A male voice spoke.
"Mushu? What are you doing here?" Pan questioned, walking to the door.
"Your dad invited me to come to Halloween at the Zoo with you. Your grandma dropped off the required costume." Mushu spoke, out of breath.
Mushu: Cyndaquil
"Did you ride your bike all the way here from your house?" Chi-Chi questioned, watching the boy who was out of breath.
"In that costume?" Pan questioned, eyeing Mushu up.
"Yeah. My car died. And of course. I wanted to show up ready to go. I've never been to a zoo before. And to be able to go with you and your family is the best." Mushu replied with a smile.
Mushu is half Saiyan and something else; he doesn't know what. His dad was a Saiyan who was killed in battle when Mushu was just two. His mother died in childbirth. He isn't sure how he ended up on Earth, but he was three and alone when he did. He doesn't remember his birth name, but the family who found and took him in named him Mushu.
"You really invited him?" Pan asked Gohan.
"Yep. Now, let's get going." Gohan replied, heading out.
"Thank you!" Pan happily exclaimed, hugging Gohan, followed by Videl.
An Hour & Twenty Minutes Later:
Gohan, Videl, Pan, and Mushu went in their car.
Bulma, Vegeta, Bulla, and Leriac went in Bulma's car.
Trunks, Knickers, Teddy, Chaya, and Paisley went in their minivan.
Chi-Chi, Goku, Goten, Nashi, Goki, and Chihiro borrowed Bulma's van.
"Here we are." Bulma and Chi-Chi happily announced once everyone was out of their vehicles.
"Great. Do you know where the bathrooms are?" Trunks questioned, watching Bulma.
"Who needs to go?" Bulma inquired.
"Everyone." Everyone answered at once.
"Well, follow me; we'll ask someone when we get in." Bulma instructed, leading the way.
"What's for dinner?" Teddy asked as his stomach growled.
"Well, as long as almost everyone has something else to wear like instructed, we'll be going out to eat somewhere after this." Bulma happily answered.
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!" Paisley fussed.
"I know, Princess. We'll find you a bathroom and get you changed." Trunks gently told Paisley, rubbing her back.
"Daddy, I has to potty." Chaya complained.
"I know, Princess. We're working on it." Trunks replied, lifting her into his arms.
"Welcome to Halloween at the Zoo. How many?" A greeter politely inquired.
"Nineteen. Six adults over thirty, three adults in their twenties, four adult teenagers, and six children under the age of ten." Bulma answered.
"How old are the adult teenagers?" The greeter questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Three nineteen and one eighteen." Bulma answered.
"And the children under ten: how old are all of them?" The greeter questioned, getting stuff around.
"One seven-year-old boy. One six-year-old boy. One five-year-old boy. Two three-year-old girls. And one two-year-old girl. What does that have to do with anything?" Chi-Chi answered before demanding.
"Prices depend on ages, Ma'am." The greeter answered, slightly afraid of Chi-Chi.
"Oh. My sincerest apologies." Chi-Chi apologized, backing off.
"No, I'm sorry. I should've explained that first; it's my first year here. But the age prices are on the board." The greeter apologized before pointing to a board with prices on them.
Children five and under: Free.
Children six through ten: $3.50.
Children/Teenagers eleven through fifteen: $5.50.
Teenagers sixteen through nineteen: $8.00
Adults twenty to forty: $10.00.
Adults forty to fifty-five: $12.50.
Seniors fifty-six and up: $6.50.
Halloween at the Zoo: Prices half off.
"Would you like to donate an extra dollar to help save poached, abused, and tortured animals outside of the zoo to even out your amount?" The greeter questioned after adding everything up.
"Sure, why not?" Bulma replied, waiting
"Ok. Your total comes out to $70.00. Please make sure you all have your wristbands to be able to participate in activities." The greeter informed Bulma and the others.
Bulma, Vegeta, Chi-Chi, and Goku received orange and black wristbands with elephants.
Gohan, Videl, Trunks, Nashi, and Goten received orange and black wristbands with giraffes.
Mushu, Leriac, Pan, and Bulla received orange and black wristbands with monkeys.
Knickers and Goki received orange and black wristbands with wolves on them.
Teddy, Chihiro, Chaya, and Paisley received orange and black wristbands with lions.
"I hope you have a fabulous time. What is this?" The greeter sincerely told everyone before asking, confused when Paisley, Chaya, and Chihiro each placed two crumbled one-dollar bills in front of him. Followed by them, Knickers, Goki, and Teddy each placed a five-dollar bill in front of him as well.
"They would like to donate some money to save poached, abused, and tortured animals outside of the zoo." Trunks spoke for his four.
"So would my two." Goten added with a smile.
"And they're seven and under?" The greeter questioned, shocked.
"Yep. But they love animals." Trunks and Goten replied.
"It's not much but put this towards their donation as well." Leriac and Mushu each gave the greeter ten dollars.
"I only have eight dollars." Pan said, placing eight dollars in front of the greeter.
"I suppose. I probably won't want much here. Put these towards my nieces' and nephews' donations." Bulla insisted, giving the man a twenty-dollar bill.
After that, going towards the children's donations, Chi-Chi and Goku gave the greeter twenty-five dollars.
Gohan and Videl were able to give thirty dollars.
Bulma and Vegeta added fifty dollars just because they were so proud of the children.
Between the three of them, Trunks, Goten, and Nashi gave the greeter twenty-six dollars.
"Are you all sure? This is two-hundred dollars." The greeter questioned, shocked.
"We're sure. And as much as we'd love to stay and chat; the children all need to use the bathroom. Could you direct us to where we need to go?" Trunks replied, rubbing Paisley's back.
"What name am I putting on this donation?" The greeter questioned.
"Briefs and Sons." Bulma and Chi-Chi answered after looking at everyone.
"Thank you. The bathrooms are just to your left. Enjoy your time." The greeter replied before informing them.
"Thank you." Everyone replied before heading to the bathroom.
"Do you want me to take the girls?" Bulma asked Trunks once they made it to the bathrooms:
Guys to the right
Girls to the left
"Yes, thank you. Go with Grandma. We'll meet you right out here when we're all done." Trunks told Chaya and Paisley, handing them to Bulma.
At the same time, Chi-Chi took Chihiro.
Ten Minutes Later:
"All better?" Trunks asked Chaya and Paisley when Bulma brought them out.
"Yes. Can I walk insed of be carried?" Chaya answered and then asked as he took Paisley from Bulma.
"You may walk if you hold onto Grandma or Grandpa's hand. If you don't hold someone's hand; you won't be walking. Understood? That goes for you as well, Teddy." Trunks told Chaya and Teddy.
"What about Knickers?" Teddy questioned.
"As long as he stays in front of me where I can see him, Knickers is fine. If you stay with Knickers hold his hand, you may walk with him. No, Chaya: you stay with Grandma and Grandpa. I'll be right back; I'm going to see how much one of those wagons cost to use." Trunks answered before telling Teddy and Chaya.
"Trunks, wait. I already got a wagon for the younger children." Bulla stopped Trunks, walking over with Leriac and a special Halloween wagon.
"Here we go." Trunks placed Paisley in the wagon, and off they went.
"Can I sit in da wagon?" Chaya questioned, running to Trunks.
"I thought you wanted to walk." Trunks replied.
"I wanna sit in da special wagon." Chaya replied, watching Trunks with that stubborn face.
"In you go." Trunks sighed. Yet, he had a smile as he placed Chaya in the wagon.
"Can I ride with Chaya and Paisley?" Chihiro immediately asked Goten and Nashi.
"That would be up to Uncle Trunks." They replied.
"Umple Trunks? Can I ride with Chaya an Paisley? Mama an Daddy say it up to you." Chihiro asked, running to Trunks.
"That's fine with me." Trunks replied, placing Chihiro in the wagon.
Once again, they were off…