"This place looks so strange!"
"I can't believe something like this even exists…"
Bulma, Chi-Chi, Videl, and Jean were in complete awe. The Null Realm was like nothing any of the human's had witnessed. The seating was extremely comfortable for the guests. Cushioned seats, along with cup holders and enough room to lean the chair back if one wished.
Looking around the Null Realm, they noticed each Universe had their own separate seating. Universe Seven's section was by far the largest of all twelve, nearly doubling every one else. Near the arena was a building set up for the fighters. While she couldn't see inside, Bulma assumed the Omni KIngs spared no expense when it came to this Tournament.
Tarro was in the bluenette's arms, while Bulla sat next to her. The baby Saiyan has been an angel the entire trip. Since he was tuckered out from the days of restless sleep, he napped soundly in Bulma's lap.
"Mama, what is this place?" the bluenette half-Saiyan questioned.
"It's a special place where daddy and Uncle Goku can fight as tough as they want. We are lucky and very privileged to be guests, watching these battles." Bulma smiled happily at her youngest.
"That sounds like fun!" Bulla cheered.
Although everyone in the stands was having a great time so far, the adults were trying their best to stay calm. Ellery, Goku, and Vegeta were still not in attendance. All of the other contestants were on the large stage in the middle of the Null Realm. It looked as though every Universe had at least one person in the Tournament.
"Mom, Where's Dad and Ellery?" Goten poked Chi-Chi's shoulder. "Why didn't they come with us?"
"They had to get some extra training in, sweetheart." The older mother smiled at her youngest. "Who knows? Maybe there's a warrior stronger than Jiren at this Tournament. We need them to be at the top of their game! Don't you worry, they'll be here."
"Are you sure?" Trunks questioned anxiously. "If they're late, won't the Kings just erase the Universe?"
"Trunks, we told you not to worry." Bulma said, a calm smile on her face. "Chi-Chi's right. They're just getting some extra training in."
Videl looked towards the older mothers. She didn't really believe the three were out training. Last time, Goku and Vegeta came back just in time to leave with the group. She understood the reason they were keeping the kids in the dark. However she wished to be let in on what exactly was going on.
Before leaving Earth, no one was given a very good explanation of where the trio was. The kids weren't around to hear the conversation.
"Hn…" Piccolo scoffed as he crossed his arms.
"What's wrong?" Videl asked curiously.
"Something isn't adding up…" The Namekian commented as his arms crossed in front of his chest. "I would believe the whole training story, if Lord Beerus didn't look like he was about to be exterminated"
"What do you think happened, Piccolo?"
"It's hard to say." He admitted to Videl. "It's possible we're not getting the full story here."
On the Tournament stage, contestants began sizing each other up. Several of the contestants here today were in the previous Tournament. Each Universe seemed to keep to themselves, except for Six and Seven.
"Where are your prized fighters, Beerus?" Champa snickered. "Did they not even make it through the preliminary rounds?!" The Destroyer erupted into laughter. Seeing his brother turn into a hairless ball of anxiety was enough of a reward for him. Lord Champa didn't even care if his Universe won! However, their odds were a lot higher than if Goku and Vegeta were here.
The sound of their banter piqued the Sixth Universe's Saiyans interest. Cabba turned towards Universe Seven, as well as Kale and Caulifla.
"Did you hear that?" the male warrior couldn't believe it. Just why wasn't his master at this Tournament? Surely he had enough strength to persevere, there must be something else going on here. "From the sounds of it, Goku and Vegeta didn't arrive at the Tournament today."
"Really?" Kale looked around worriedly. "That's strange… I wonder what happened."
"Well that just gives us a greater chance to win the Super Dragon Balls!" Caulifla cheered excitedly. "Hell Yeah!"
"They're going to show up!" The Seventh's Destroyer, Beerus yelled. "They just had to get some more training in before the second round. Unlike everyone else, they decided to take this Tournament seriously!"
Although he was trying to maintain his brave face, the purple Deity was beginning to sweat. He put a lot of faith into that Saiyan woman. If she wasn't able to succeed in her mission, Lord Beerus hated to think of what would happen to him.
"They sure are cutting it close…" Whis sighed as he looked at his staff. "I expect the Omni Kings to arrive at any moment."
"Come on, guys!" Gohan excitedly looked around. "I'm sure everything will be fine!"
"I'm glad you're staying optimistic.." Android 17 chuckled.
Others across the platform were beginning to take notice of the missing fighter as well.
"Hmmm…" A gray being observed from afar. Looking around the stage, it looked as though some of the contestants were missing. Of the contestants in Universe Twelve, all six of the pride troopers were the ones to come out on top. Several of the warriors from the first Tournament of Power were nowhere to be found.
"What is it, Jiren?" Top raised a brow.
"Did you notice Goku isn't here?" The strong warrior continued to look around. "However, it seems all of his family is here, including his youngest son."
"How do you know that's Goku's son?"
"Just look at his hair." Jiren chuckled. "That, and we had a chance to train together a month or so ago. He introduced me to his partner and his son there."
"Maybe he didn't make it through? It's possible that he'll be here to cheer on his oldest." Top gestured towards Gohan standing with the rest of Universe Seven.
"Something just doesn't feel right…" The warrior began looking around the tournament stage. Out of the corner of his eye, Jiren noticed the Destroyer of Universe Seven becoming increasingly more anxious. "I get the feeling he's supposed to be here."
Suddenly, a bright light appeared in the middle of the arena. Everyone turned their heads to see who arrived. Two large guards in purple suits were standing in front of several people. The Omni Kings were directly behind their guards, the Grand Minister behind them. At the back of the group stood three Saiyans, completely surprising everyone in attendance.
"GOKU?!" Several people from Universe Seven yelled.
"Hey guys!" The orange clad Saiyan grinned as he waved. "Sorry we didn't tag along. Training took a lot longer than planned!" Rubbing the back of his head, the spiky haired warrior chuckled nervously. He did his best to brush off this situation as Vegeta, and Goku's partner fought the urge to roll their eyes.
"Please make your way to the rest of your team, ladies and gentlemen." The Grand Minister's voice was curt.
The trio nodded rapidly. Each of them placed a hand on Goku's shoulder, letting him do the rest of the work. In an instant, the three Saiyans were surrounded by their friends in Universe Seven.
"My Lord, who is that man in orange?" Sinthe asked with a very confused look on his face. The way the Destroyer of the Twelfth spoke of the Omni King's, no mortal would dare be caught in their presence. Seeing this man arrive with them raised several red flags in Sinthe's mind. Who does that mortal think he is? Gods and Deities were to be respected, not used as a bus ticket to the event!
"He's the warrior I've spoken about in the past." Giin looked at his prized fighter. "His name is Goku. His Universe managed to win the first Tournament of Power, defeating Jiren of Universe Eleven. They used their wish on the Super Dragon Balls to resurrect the Universes that perished during the battle."
"Single handedly?" The warrior side eyed his Destroyer.
"Oh no!" Giin laughed. "I think it took three of them everything they had. Two knocked him out while the last stayed on the platform to receive the prize."
"Hn." Crossing his arms, Sinthe began observing the man named Goku. "What about the others? Were they the finalists?"
"No sir." The Destroyer shook his head." "One of them is standing over there, but I don't see the second creature.I don't know much about the two next to Goku." The Destroyer admitted. "What about you, Martinu?"
"The one with the widow's peak is named Vegeta." Martinu giggled. "He's also a Saiyan like Goku. While he didn't make it to the finals, the warrior did take down Top of Universe Eleven." The Attendant observed the woman next to Goku, not really knowing much about her. "The woman is a new contender. I've never seen her before."
"Understood…" As the warrior observed the Saiyans, he noticed the spiky haired man and the woman were being more physically intimate towards each other than anyone else. The way Goku was looking into Ellery's eyes gave it all away. It looked as though they were speaking to each other without moving their lips. So… That must be this man's life partner…
Back at the Universe Seven group, Lord Beerus emanated a destructive aura as he walked towards the Saiyans. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you guys are in?"
"Hey! It wasn't our fault!" Goku glared. "You were the one that sent us there."
"My Lord, we're lucky to be alive.." Vegeta nearly pleaded with him.
Grumbling under his breath, the Destroyer smacked the back of the Saiyan's head. "Don't you dare talk back to me!"
"Now isn't the time to bicker." The Attendant of the Seventh whispered harshly. "The High Priest is about to speak."
"Good Afternoon, everyone!" The Grand Minister waved towards the beings in attendance, silencing all the beings in the Null Realm. Everyone's eyes gravitated to the blue Deity standing in the middle of the arena. "I'll be the first to thank everyone for being here. The great Omni King's are ecstatic about getting things started. So, let's get to it, shall we?"
The crowd erupted in cheers, as well as Zeni and Zeno from behind their guards.
"This is going to be amazing!"
"Super duper amazing!"
"Indeed it is, sires." The High Priest smiled. "Before we begin today's festivities, the rules committee suggested a preliminary strength test."
"A strength test?" Jired raised a brow.
"Why would they want to do such a thing?" Top crossed his arms in confusion. "We showed our strength in the preliminary round."
The Null Realm began to hum with the amount of whispers that spread. The Grand Minister raised his hand to silence everyone. "The strength test is going to give us a baseline in everyone's abilities. In doing so, it'll help us create a roster that will be fitting for the Omni King's maximum enjoyment."
"Also, since there are a lot more fighters than expected, this is the quickest way to narrow it down." A smirk crossed the Deity's face. He was anticipating there to be a lot of commotion in the next few moments.
"The test will be simple." The Grand minister commented as he motioned behind him. Three devices that looked similar to the machine used at the World Martial Arts Tournament was brought out "Each contestant will get one chance to hit this 'punching bag'. Once the score is taken, then the highest scoring contestants will be allowed to move on."
Immediately, Whis and Vados raised their hands in question. This was something that wasn't discussed in their previous meeting. The Grand Minister gestures towards them, allowing each to speak.
"Sir, exactly how many contestants will be participating in the finals?" Whis began.
His twin sister, Vados picked up where he left off. "Yes, we were under the impression that everyone that was brought here would get a chance at the Super Dragon Balls."
"Everyone will still get their chance at the prize." The High Priest couldn't help but snicker a little to himself. "With this many contestants, I thought it would be the best way to narrow it down. If I'm being honest, I never expected this many people to make it to the second round. Watching all of those matches could take days. If someone wishes to gain the prize, they'll just have to score within the top ten."
"Wait… Only ten people are going to fight?!" Goku yelled in complete and utter shock.