Chapter 2: No improvement?! Goten's frustration!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the DragonBall franchise.

Goten could not feel the bones in his body.

Decimated. He was absolutely decimated. His clothes were tattered and there were injuries here and there. He lay helplessly on the sands of Kame House.

He felt himself almost falling asleep because of the sheer tiredness but the pain kept him up.

"Is that the best you can do kid? Even with super Saiyan, you're pretty pathetic. "

Goten raised his face, grunting in pain. The person berating him was Android 18, Maron's mom and his teacher for the weeks until the tournament.

"Y-you c-could've held b-back a little… you know… "

"Shut up and eat the senzu. Five minutes break and we start again. This time I won't show mercy. "

18 threw a bag of senzu in front of Goten. Goten struggled to reach it.

That… was… holding back…

His body hurt. It hurt so bad. And he felt so humiliated.

Goten knew 18 was stronger than him. But even in super Saiyan… for there to be this big of a gap… and she didn't even train…

Goten heard stories from his brother about how the first time Vegeta faced 18, 18 wiped the floor with him.

He related to Vegeta for the first time in his life.

But this time… he felt there was quite a bit of anger… in her training… if you could it that.

Goten always thought he and 18 were on good terms. She babysat him during his younger years and she was always nice to him… I mean… as nice as 18 can be without sounding completely aloof and disinterested.

Does she have a grudge? Maybe it's because 17 roped her into training me? Something else? God, it hurts. I can't even take out the senzu.

"Here Goten. "

Maron handed Goten a senzu bean.

Goten gave a pained grin. "Could you put… it in my… mouth? I don't think…. I can… move… "

Maron blushed. She started twiddling with the hem of her skirt and nodded.

She plopped the senzu bean into Goten's mouth.

Goten chewed slowly and swallowed it.

My strength… it's returning…. Amazing!

Feeling his strength return, Goten jumped, spun in the year and landed. He flashed his brightest smile at Maron.

"Thanks, Maron! You're a lifesaver! "

The red Maron nodded excitedly.

"Do your best Goten! Mommy's very strong but I know you can take her on! "

Goten was touched by his childhood friend's confidence in him.

He rubbed his back sheepishly.

"Awww shucks… Thanks, Maron. "

Maron smiled back.

Cough. Cough. Goten felt 18's glare at him.

"Maron, honey, stand here. It's dangerous there. "

Maron nodded and quickly ran back to the tree.

"As for you Goten, " She turned to the youngest member of the Son Family.

"We are going to take it up a notch. You want to reach Super Saiyan 2 right? At this rate, not even your Saiyan power boosts are going to help you reach Super Saiyan 2 before the tournament. "

Goten looked firm and determined.

"I have to beat Trunks and win the tournament and to do that I need to become Super Saiyan 2. He is training with Mr Vegeta and getting stronger every day. Unless I become super Saiyan 2, I won't be able to take him on. "

18 raised his eyebrows. She had known Goten all his life and he was a rather happy-go-lucky child much like his father. He also had a very strong friendship with Trunks. Goten would always follow Trunks and do whatever Trunks told him to. Sure, they had their arguments but Goten and Trunks were inseparable.

For the same Goten to be so… obsessed with beating Trunks just didn't make sense to her.

"Aren't you two friends? Did something happen? "

"Nothing. It's just I want to beat him. That's all. "

Goten didn't elaborate on it.

18 shrugged. Not her problem. As long as Goten didn't pick up on Maron's crush on him, 18 didn't care.

"I don't care what beef you have with Trunks anyway. Get ready. I'll start my attack. "

Goten nodded.

He needed to get stronger. So much stronger. More than anyone.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The sun was already setting as Goten lay on the sands of Turtle Island, his gi torn apart just after his first day of training.

He was panting, exhausted after 18 put him through a day-long spar.

Contrary to his appearance, his teacher did not look tired in the slightest. The only sign of battle was the specks of dust on her clothing.

Maron sat next to Goten, looking over him worriedly.

"Are you okay Goten? " She asked with worry.

Slowly forcing his aching body to sit upright, Goten gave her a wry smile.

"I'm fine, Maron. Mrs 18 really doesn't hold back, does she? "

Maron giggled.

"Oi Goten, " 18 called out to him. She really wouldn't let Goten and Maron spend so much time together.

"Yes, Master? "

"Just call me 18. "

Goten nodded.

"I am not much of a martial artist. I am just freakishly strong. So, I don't know any martial arts regiment that could make you improve at the rate you want to. "

Goten looked at her seriously.

"I can only be a powerful sparing partner. I figure it's the same for 17 but he was always the cleverer of the two of us so he might find ways to have you improve outside of sparing. "

Goten shook his head.

"It's fine. I can learn a lot fighting you two. Both of you are strong with lots of experience. In the past, you two even beat my dad, Gohan and Mr Vegeta. Besides, for Saiyans, sparring might just be the best form of training. "

"Krillin told me about it once. A near-death experience lets your Saiyan grow even more powerful from the last time you fought? "

"Yea. That's about it. "

18 went to Maron. She smiled at her.

"Come on, Maron. It's time to go home. Dad's going to be back in a few hours. "

Maron pouted.

"I wanted to play with Goten. "

"I'm sorry, darling. Goten probably won't find much time to play with you before the world tournament. He needs to get stronger if he wants to beat Trunks. "

Maron nodded, understanding what her mother was telling her but it didn't make her any less sad. Goten was her closest friend, after all.

Goten grinned at Maron.

"It's alright, Maron! Once the world tournament is over, we can play as much as we want! "

"For real? "

"Yea! We can go to Satan Land! "

"Satan Land?! "

Maron's eyes sparkled at the thought of all the rides she could ride there.

18 smiled. As pissed as she was at Goten for stealing Maron's heart, she could not deny that Goten was a good kid. Of course, he had to be. She was his babysitter after all.

But she turned serious.

"Goten, I have no interest in your personal life, but for the days until the tournament: I am your teacher. I want to know your reason to become strong and training like this. Trunks are definitely stronger but not someone you cannot beat. If you just upped your regiment a little, you should've been able to beat Trunks. "

Goten didn't reply.

"Answer me, Goten. "

"I just want to be strong. That's all. Beating Trunks is a stepping stone to becoming strong. "

"That doesn't make sense. Strong for what? There has to be a reason. "

"Dad wants to become strong without reason. Is it wrong for me to have a similar goal? "

18's eyes widened.

She understood his dogged obsession with becoming strong.

IT wasn't about Trunks. Beating Trunks was just an excuse.

Goten just wanted to show his father up.

"… No, it's not wrong. Meet me tomorrow here. Same time. "

With that, 18 carried Maron and flew away from Kame House.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Goten sighed. He did some small stretches just to get rid of the pain.

"Wow, you two really wrecked this place. "

Goten saw Master Roshi come out of Kame House, with his stick supporting his old body.

Goten rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry, grandpa Roshi but please bear with us until the tournament… "

Goten apologized.

Roshi placated the boy.

"It's fine. It's fine. Train your heart out boy. "

Goten was grateful.

"Is Goku taking part this year? " Goten flinched. Roshi did not miss his awkwardness at the question.

"No. I don't think so… " Goten looked away.

"Other than Mr Vegeta and maybe my big Brother, none of us could really give dad a proper challenge. Bro is busy and if Mr Vegeta and Dad fought… well you get the picture… "

Roshi nodded. Goku and Vegeta fighting on earth is a no-no. The muscle-brained Goku and the prideful Vegeta might get carried away and destroy the planet.

"Well, tournament or not, it's good to get stronger. You never know when the next great foe will appear. We can't always depend on Goku to solve our problems. "

Goten nodded. "I'll take my leave, Master Roshi. Mom will get angry if I'm too late. I already skipped out on morning studies. "

Goten began to levitate and said his fare well to Roshi.

"Ahaha that sounds like Chichi alright… I won't hold you up anymore… but before you leave… "

Roshi turned to the young boy and smiled at him.

"Do not hold it against your dad. He loves you a lot, it's just it's in his nature to seek the latest challenge. He is a bit different from everyone in that way. "

Roshi's voice was gentle.

Goten nodded. And flew away from the place.

Roshi sighed.

"Well, he's at that age after all… even Goku would get a bit angsty when he was Goten's age… he full-on killed King Piccolo… hehe… "

Roshi stretched.

"Oh ho… it's probably time for my daily erotic soap opera…. Hehe… "

Roshi went inside Kame House.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You're not getting any better. The power boost applies to hybrids too, right? "

Goten didn't reply.

It was his last day of training for the week with 18 and he had lost another spar. Brutalized.

Losing wasn't a problem. 18 was stronger and much more experienced. If he could beat 18, then he wouldn't have needed all the training.

But.

He didn't feel any improvement. Shouldn't the Saiyan's biological power boost make him stronger?

They had run out of senzus within the first three days and Korin was too pissed at them to loan any more.

But he felt the experience should've made him a better fighter.

He didn't understand. It frustrated him.

"… I don't know… I'm doing everything you're saying… and sparring lots… I should've improved right? "

Goten felt quite helpless.

18 sighed.

"You're trying to force improvement. It's working negatively. "

Goten just looked down.

"You're trying too hard. Relax. Put all your thoughts aside. Spar. "

"I am relaxed. "

"You're too tense. You are acting as if you're about to fight Majin Boo or Frieza. You aren't. The earth is not in danger. Now relax. "

The spar began.

And Goten got thrashed faster than usual.

This time 18 was getting pissed.

"I told you to relax, brat! You were too tense. Each blow hit you harder than it should have. "

Goten forced himself to get up.

"I… I..m trying..g.. "

Tch.

"You know what? Training's over today. Go home. "

Goten looked shocked… and then angry.

"What?! It's just noon! "

"The way you are no amount of training will help. "

"Mrs 18 you promised to train me! "

This time 18 shouted back.

"Yea, and now I won't. If you don't go home and take a break, I won't train you anymore. "

Goten gritted his teeth in frustration.

Marron who was there looked worried. She felt the tension between Goten and her mother.

"Fine! You don't have to! " Goten just rage quit and flew at full speed. Away from Kame Island.

18 sighed.

"Seriously… that kid… is catching up to Goku so important? He's acting like Vegeta. "

18 realized that Goten was more of a Saiyan than she might've thought. He clearly has a strong sense of pride.

18 felt her jeans being tugged.

She saw Maron looking up at her with a worried gaze.

"Mommy… is Goten going to be okay… ?"

18 gave a wry smile.

"Goten is just in a bad mood. He'll come around once he calms down a bit. "

Maron nodded. Still sad. Goten was always sweet and smiling. She had never seen him so agitated.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

Is this why his dad never trains with him? Is he not good enough?

His brother told him that before the fight with Cell, dad spent two whole years in the Chamber of Space and Time with him.

And even before the Tournament of Power.

Why not him?

He's always there with Beerus and Vegeta in their world, training to get stronger. He has no time for him.

Trunks also seemed to feel Mai is more important than playing him.

And 18. 18 just doesn't understand. She thinks she's so smart and logical and everyone had to be like her.

Stupid 18. Stupid Trunks. Stupid Dad. Stupid Beerus. Stupid Vegeta. Stupid Gohan. Stupid Mai.

All of them were stupid, stupid, stupid!

Goten raised his power and just smashed through a small hill.

He was frustrated. At everyone. At himself.

"Oi brat, don't cause too much trouble for my sister. "

Goten turned to a voice behind him. It was Android 17.

"Master… " Goten was surprised. He wasn't supposed to meet 17 until tomorrow dawn.

17 stared at him. His expression gave away nothing.

"After you stormed off, sis called me to check up on you. She might try to keep up appearances, but she's a softie. "

Goten didn't answer.

"So, what's up? Why throw a temper tantrum? I thought that was Trunk's niche. "

"… I'm sorry… I lost my cool… Í'll go apologies to Miss 18… "

"Don't worry about her. She didn't take it personally. Well, I think she didn't. She'll still pummel you when you two spar the next time. "

Goten chuckled. But it was without any true humour behind it.

"Kid… improvement takes time. "

"According to Gohan, every time a Saiyan fights, they improve. If it's a near-death experience, the power boost is massive. Especially for hybrids. "

17 didn't say anything he just listened.

Goten clutched his fists.

"Three senzus. Three near-death experience simulations. Not a single power boost. Countless losses. No improvement. "

Goten wanted to cry.

"She's telling me to relax… I can't I really can't. I want to go stronger. As fast as possible… "

"To show Goku up? "

Goten's silence let 17 know everything he wanted to know.

"Kid, Goku trains with the God of Destruction and heavenly beings like Angels. He has achieved powers that even Beerus will have trouble using. Do you really think beating Trunks in a stupid Martial arts tournament will show him up?"

17 shook his head.

"Sure, you might get a Hey Goten, you've grown super strong, last time you couldn't beat trunks but will it mean anything? It's just a father praising his son. If you improve your ki blasts a bit, he'd say the same thing. That's it. You're not showing him up. "

Goten felt his heart breaking.

"Goten. Look at me. "

17 smiled at him.

"Be yourself. Be strong for yourself. Train for yourself. Train to protect things that matter to you. Train to improve your body and harmonize your soul. "

"Master… "

"Goten, if you truly want to show Goku up, do something not even Goku could do… what that thing is… time will tell. For now, just focus on bettering yourself. Alright? "

Goten felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. He was so busy trying to show up his father, he forgot what was most important. Himself. That's what training and martial arts were at the end of the day right? Improving yourself. Protecting those close to you.

He felt lighter.

"… I'm sorry, master. I understand now. Thank you. I mean it. "

17 waved his hand.

"Sheesh, don't make it weird. "

Goten chuckled.

"I wasn't the one being corny. " He teased 17.

17 scoffed.

He then got into a fighting stance.

"Well, I'll make an exception today. I was kind of free and bored. Come at me. Your training with me starts today. Let's see how good a teacher my sister is. "

Goten smirked. And took a fighting stance.

"I won't be holding back. "

"Whew, we got a cocky brat here. "

The two clashed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Sure. "

Cabba did not believe his ears. Lord Champa just agreed to send them to Universe 7.

Just like that.

"Wow, that was easy. "

Even Caulifla was surprised.

Kale bit her lower lip. She had hoped Lord Champa would refuse. Seriously, now Caulifla will be all over Goku!

"Umm… it's not that I'm not grateful Lord Champa… but why are you… letting us… go to universe 7? Doesn't universe travel by mortal forbidden? Isn't that why we had the tournament between universes six and seven in the dimensional gap? "

Vados smiled at Cabba's question.

"It isn't forbidden per se, Mr Cabba. However, for Mortals to travel between universes, you would need permission from the higher-ups- someone like the Grand Priest or the Omni King himself. "

Champa nodded as he clamped down on an apple.

"I already have a permission slip. I asked for one immediately after the Tournament of Power. "

Cabba was amazed at Champa's astuteness. As much as he respected the God of Destruction, he could sometimes be… a bit inept.

"That's our Lord Champa! I am proud of you! " Caulifla was jovial.

Champa shot a dirty look at her.

"Even if you hadn't asked for it yourself, I was planning on sending you lot there either way. "

"Eh?" Caulifla was taken aback.

Both Cabba and Kale were surprised too. Vados continued to smile.

Champa glared at the trio.

"We got erased in the Tournament of Power, remember? We had such a big team but only Hit and Kale were worth anything. Heck, if not for Kale, we would've been eliminated even earlier. "

Champa bowed before Kale, shocking everyone. Even the usually calm Vados was shocked.

"Thank you, Kale. "

Kale blushed. She wasn't used to being complimented like this.

"I-it's… nothing… "

Caulifla put a hand around Kale and smirked.

"Whaddya mean it's nothing? You totally kicked ass Kale! "

Cabba nodded. "You were very strong. "

Kale blushed harder.

"Yes… yes… Kale was amazing… "

Champa then pointed at Caulifla and Cabba.

"But… you two were totally useless… weren't you?!"

"Geh!"

"Hey!"

"Seriously, you two… at least Cabba eliminated a bunch of weaklings… you couldn't defeat any anyone, Caulifla! "

"I beat three! "

"With Kales' help!"

Gulp. He was kind of right.

"Tehee! "

"Don't tehee me! You spent most of your time flirting with Goku! "

"Eww gross man. He's like 50 or something. "

"Yea it IS gross! You spent flirting with a 50-year-old man instead of helping your universe!"

"Well, I learnt Super Saiyan 2! And with more time I'd have mastered 3!"

"Like hell, you would have! What do you brats take training for seriously?! I heard from Beerus that Goku had to die to get that Super Saiyan 3 or whatever! "

Caulifla was taken aback. Die? To achieve a transformation? What the hell?

Cabba and Kale were shocked as well.

Champa tried to calm himself.

"What's done is done. Vados will take you to Universe 7. To earth. Where Goku lives. Go train and learn something. Super Saiyan 3 or whatever. I don't care. Just return stronger. "

Cabba bowed.

"Thank you, Lord Champa. "

Caulifla grinned. Kale bowed as well.

Vados turned to the trio.

"I will be taking you to Earth. As it is an inter-universal journey, it will take almost an entire day. Even at the full speed of an Angel. "

"Wow… it must be far… " Kale muttered.

"The pass is valid for a year. So, I will pick you up from earth after a year. Extensions will not be granted. "

The three nodded.

"Also… I must let you know… that Mr Goku and Mr Vegeta are not on Earth. "

"Ehhhhh?!" Cabba and Caulifla shouted.

"Then why are we going to earth?! " Caulifla asked, flabbergasted.

"They are training with my brother on the God of Destruction's planet. Without the approval of Lord Beerus, you will not be allowed to land on the planet. Therefore, you shall wait for them on earth. Their home world. "

"What If they don't return… in a year… " Cabba asked.

"Well they should… but if they don't, you'd have to return without having met them… "

"Are you serious…. Come on…. Really… "

"Sis… "

"I am sorry. This is all we can do. So… do you still want to go? "

Caulifla sighed.

"Well, something is better than nothing. Besides, Goku's son is there. He is pretty strong. "

"There is also Mr. 17. The one who won the tournament of power. "

Cabba added.

"I… think Ms 18….was strong too… " Kale added.

"Yea. They aren't exactly Goku. But we'll have to do with them. Okay, Vados. Take us there. "

Cabba held Caulifla back.

"Caulifla! We will be gone for a year. At least, let us prepare clothes for the trip! And I need to take leave from the military. Don't you have to say farewell to Mr Renso and your lackeys?´"

"Oh right. Sorta forgot. Renso would be pissed though. "

"I'd be too if I were him. "

"Sheesh, Super Saiyan has really made you sassy, Kale. "

"Good for keeping you in line, Caulifla. "

"I'll kick you in the balls. "

"Sis, language! But yes, I think you should teach Cabba a lesson. "

"…. And after I stood up for you! "

"SHUT UP AND SCRAM BRATS! VADOS TAKE THEM TO UNIVERSE 7. LET BEERUS DEAL WITH THESE PUNKS! "

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And cut.

I like 17. A lot. 18 too.