Goten paced back and forth in his bedroom. He was about to embark on one of his scariest tasks ever bestowed upon him. The half-Saiyan could feel the sweat beginning to form on his forehead. It almost wasn't worth asking, since he knew the answer was going to be a resounding no. However, Goten had to try.
The young half-Saiyan wanted nothing more than to join the Tournament with his friends. He already knew Trunks was allowed to go, making him even more excited. Goten knew if he asked his dad, he wouldn't hesitate in saying yes. However, if he kept the truth from his mother, the consequences could be dire. The best way to do it would be to rip off the band-aid.
"Hey, mom?" The young man walked out of his bedroom to find Jean and his mother on the couch together.
"What is it, sweetie?" Chi-Chi asked curiously, turning her attention to her youngest.
"Well, you see…" Goten began to play with his hands, looking down at them. "Trunks asked me if I was going to participate in the Tournament in a couple of months. Would it be okay if I went?"
The older woman was at a loss for words. In all honesty, this was her worst nightmare come true. She wasn't ready for the day her youngest son wanted to join martial arts tournaments like his father and brother. Chi-Chi was hoping she could keep him away from that for a few more years.
"Dad, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and even Trunks are going to enter! Please Mom!" The half-Saiyan got on his knees, begging his mother.
"I don't see the problem with it, Chi '' Jean smiled at Goten. "A little martial arts tournament could be good for him."
"I would agree…" The mother sighed as she looked at her youngest. "If it was a 'little' tournament."
"What do you mean?"
"The kinds of tournament's Goku usually gets into are ones with huge, strong fighters. I believe this is the same Tournament that Lord Beerus and Whis mentioned when we visited Bulma's house. The stakes at these matches are a lot more than just gaining notoriety. I'm sorry, Goten…"
"But Mom!" The young warrior interrupted. "The Grand Zeno's don't want to erase any Universes this time. It's supposed to be a fun tournament where everyone can join!"
"Everyone?" Chi-Chi raised a brow at Goten's comment.
"Yeah." Goten nodded, walking closer to his mom. "I heard Trunks talking to his Dad. Since only people from Universe Seven are allowed in the first round of the tournament, Vegeta thinks it'd be a good training exercise for him. I want to train too!"
"If that's the case, then I'll have to speak with your father. I'm sure he has all the details."
"Really? Awesome!" Jumping up excitedly, Goten cheered. "I can sense his energy at Bulma's. Can we go? I think they're training!"
The mother smiled at her youngest, nodding in agreement. "Get in the car, we'll head to Bulma's."
"What did Goten say about Universes being erased?" Jean felt all the warmth leave her body instantly. Her heart began to pound at the thought of that happening. Her brain couldn't fathom the fact that a whole Universe could poof out of existence. "How does something like that happen?"
Chi-Chi rubbed the back of her head and chuckled nervously. "Jeanie, I don't want you to worry about it, okay?"
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?!"
"Because I have faith in Goku." The older woman kissed her partner's cheek. "He's the strongest man in the Universe. Nothing will be able to stop him. Not only that, Goten said there was no threat of Obliteration again. There's no need to worry." Chi-Chi stood from her seat on the couch, grabbing the keys. "Are you coming? I'm sure the guys can explain it better than me anyways."
"It's like I'm living in a whole different world being with you.."
"You kind of are, now that I think about it." Chi-Chi laughed. "My life has never been what people would call normal. I don't even bat an eye to it anymore."
"Moooom!" Goten yelled from the car.
"We'd better get going." The older mother chuckled, reaching out for Jean's hand.
Four weeks have passed since Tarro witnessed his first spar between his father and uncle Vegeta. Since then, he has been completely absorbed into every fight he was able to witness. Although there weren't many times he was in the vicinity, when he was Tarro would observe and take in every aspect of the spar. The entire concept was fascinating to him, and got his blood pumping.
As he looked around from his oldest brother's arms, the little Saiyan was able to watch as his Uncle Vegeta and his dad sparred with each other in the skies. Below the older Saiyan's, Trunks and Pan were having a little sparring match of their own. Tarro watched as the two half- Saiyan's battled it out. Each of them were a lot smaller than the two in the skies. It gave the little Sayan hope that he could battle soon! He waived his fists into the air, yelling out loud to the warriors.
"It sounds like you're ready to start training, huh?" Gohan chuckled as he looked down at Tarro. "There's a few things you've gotta learn first! Let's focus on becoming mobile before we think about fighting."
"He loves to watch sparring matches." Ellery says from behind the half-Saiyan. She walked up to them with a bright smile. "Kakarot and I set him in the swing at home and he watches us spar for hours."
"How do you know he's paying attention?" Gohan asked curiously.
"I can't be certain he is." The young mother admitted. "But when I look over to check on him, it looks like he tries to turn his whole body just to watch. Sometime's he's even throwing his fists in the air like he just was. He can get pretty noisy when he listens to us power up as well." Ellery chuckled, giving her little man a kiss on the forehead.
The half-Saiyan maneuvered Tarro in his arms, handing him back over to his mother. Gohan smiled as he watched his youngest brother wrap his arms around his mother's neck, dangling from her like a little monkey. It was one of the cutest things to witness.
"Are you excited for the Tournament, Gohan?" Ellery questioned, a smile never leaving her face.
"Yeah,." Looking up at the Saiyan's training in the air, Gohan can't help but chuckle. "Seeing them train like this is starting to get me riled up as well."
"If you'd like, I'll spar with ya." The young woman's brow raised as she looked at the half-Saiyan.
"Really? Are you entering the Tournament?" Gohan asked curiously, completely unaware.
"Of course I am!" Ellery beamed. "It''ll give me a chance to see how I stack up to everyone else. There's nothing more I could ask for." Looking down at the young Saiyan's training, the young woman began thinking of her own son beginning his training. "Do you know if Goten's asked Chi-Chi to enter yet?"
"Goten wants to fight in the Tournament?"
"I was talking to Bulma the other day, and she mentioned to me that Trunks was entering. Vegeta thought it would be a good training exercise for him since it's a friendly battle royale. Apparently he doesn't expect them to move on, but wants them to gain experience."
Gohan's eyes widened, sensing his younger brother's energy approaching along with his mother's. "I don't think we'll have to wait long to find out."
"Why do you say that?" Ellery asked curiously.
"GOOOOKUUUU!"
The older woman's shrill voice could be heard for blocks. Goten flew over the fence, immediately going towards his friend Trunks. Chi-Chi and Jean weren't far behind, taking the door instead. Stomping onto the lawn, the older mother looked to the skies. "Goku! I need to talk to you!"
Ellery could feel her partner's anxiety begin to bubble up in her own body. Kakarot? Are you okay?
She sounds pissed! Goku's mind raced frantically. I don't know what I did wrong!
There's only one way to find out. The young woman chuckled as she watched her partner descend. Ellery jumped from the balcony, holding Tarro close to her, standing next to Goku as he landed softly on the ground. The moment Chi-Chi's eyes spotted the little Saiyan, her features completely brightened.
The older mother's arms were crossed as she walked towards the couple. "I came to talk about this Tournament my youngest son wants to join." As she got a look at Tarro in Ellery's arms, her demeanor changed once again. "And I wanted to see how this little guy was doing!"
Ellery smiled happily as she looked at Tarro, who was looking at his own fingers. The little Saiyan looked mesmerized as he clenched and unclenched his hand into a fist. "He's been watching everyone get ready for this Tournament. I think even he wants to join." The young mother giggled as she made her way over to Chi-Chi. "Would you like to hold him?"
"I was hoping you'd ask!" The older woman stated excitedly as the two of them walked over to where Bulma was sitting. Ellery slowly handed Tarro to Chi-chi, watching the way he reacted as she held him. The little Saiyan looked indifferent to whomever was holding him, still mesmerized by his fingers.
"You sure are a curious little thing." The older woman said with a smile. She could see her ex-husband in many of Tarro's features. The bright grin he showed was all his mother's however. While Chi-Chi knew she was much too old to have children, being around little ones like him always brought her a joy she couldn't explain.
"Uh…" Goku rubbed the back of his head, amazed at how quickly the situation de-escalated. "Chi-chi, about the Tournament?"
"Oh yes!" The older woman perked up, looking at the father of her children. "I just want to make sure this Tournament is going to be safe for our Goten. He tells me Trunks is joining the Tournament, but that doesn't make me feel better about it."
"The second Tournament of Power is meant to be more inclusive." Goku said with a bright grin. "Didn't they discuss this months ago? I thought you were here for the conversation."
"I was." Chi-Chi admitted. "However, since I didn't think my little boy was going to be participating! So I didn't pay much attention."
Ellery chuckled, looking at her partner, who tried not to act surprised at the news. Goku looked at his ex-wife, keeping a smile on his features. "Zeni and Zeno mentioned they wanted to see a ton of fighters during this Tournament. The first round will only consist of fighters of the Seventh. I've heard there are a lot of people joining! The main contestants will be from Earth, so I don't think Goten will have a problem."
"What if he somehow makes it to the second round? What if there's some unknown force from Universe Seven that tries to hurt the participants!"
The Saiyan honestly didn't think about that. "Uh…"
"With all of us competing, Chi-Chi, I think it's safe to say we will make sure this is only a training exercise for the boys." Ellery interjected, seeing that her partner was fumbling over what to say.
"Goten and Trunks will have several people on the battlefield on their side. Not only that, If they were to make it to the second round, several of us will be there to compete against. Kakarot also has a connection to the people running the tournament. I'm sure we could ensure the boys fight one of us in the first round."
"Really?" The older mother asked hopefully.
I wouldn't be making promises you can't keep, Princess… Goku mentioned it to his mate.
"Of course!" Ellery beamed, seeing the hopeful look on Chi-Chi's face.. You and I both know we won't allow Goten and Trunks to go to the next round, so what's a little lie going to hurt? The young mother questioned her mate through their bond. There's a whole group of people there to make sure the boys don't get in over their heads.
I guess you're right…
"Well… If you guys are saying it's going to be safe…" Chi-Chi looked at Jean, still a little unsure.
"REALLY MOM?!" Goten yelled excitedly, flying over to the group of adults. "You're going to let me compete in the Tournament?!"
"Yes." Chi-Chi smiled happily, seeing how ecstatic her youngest looked. "But I want you to make sure you're fully trained! You'd better spar with Trunks every day. Maybe even your brother and father."
"AWESOME! Truuuunks!" Goten flew back to his best friend, letting him know the good news.
"They grow up so fast." Chi-Chi mentions with a teary grin. "It feels like only yesterday, he was first training with me and became a little Super Saiyan."
"You trained with Goten?" Ellery asked curiously.
"Of course!" The older mother nodded. "Goku wasn't around at the time, and the World Martial Arts Tournament was coming up. Goten was so excited about the Tournament that he begged Gohan to train him. At the time, he was busy, so I told him I would do it." Smiling, Chi-Chi looked down at the little Saiyan in her arms. "I bet this one will be a Super Saiyan before he turns one."
"What's a Super Saiyan?" Jean questioned, looking at the group.
"Goku learned a technique a long time ago, it multiplied his energy by almost one hundred time's his normal power." Chi-Chi looked towards her ex-husband. "You never turn down a chance for a demonstration. Would you show Jean?"
"Hell yeah!" Goku said excitedly as he powered up quickly. A golden aura extended from his body as his hair turned the same golden color. The Saiayan's ebony eyes changed to their famous teal color. The older woman was nearly thrown out of her chair with the force his first form exerted.
Jean's eyes were wide as she got a look at the powerful being in front of her. "Holy shit! This is amazing! I've never felt anything like this before! He's like a force of nature!"
Chi-Chi giggled, taking her partner's hand in her own. "He truly is an amazing warrior. This is only the beginning of his power."
"Really?" Jean watched Goku as he ascended the skies once again, going back to the fight he started before the couple arrived.
"Oh yeah." Nodding, Chi-Chi watched Goku and Vegeta sparring. "Those two right there, are probably the strongest beings in the Cosmos."
"Probably?"
"I mean there's never a guarantee." Ellery smiled, looking towards her partner. "Who knows? Maybe I'm stronger than them, and we don't know it yet." The young woman laughed with the other two ladies.
Bulma joined in on the laughter. "It may even be this little one." She mentioned while her hand tickled the little Saiyan's foot. "He's the first full-blooded Saiyan that's been born since Ellery was." The bluenette pondered. "It just makes me wonder how much power this little man is going to have."
"With the way he's already observing us fight, he's going to be training before he takes his first steps." Ellery smiled, sitting next to the ladies as she began to watch the fight in the skies once again.
"That conversation went better than I thought!" Goku mentioned as he continued to spar with Vegeta. He was elated that Chi-Chi was going to allow Goten to participate. "Now all the kids that can fight are going to be competing in the Tournament!"
"Stop distracting yourself and focus on the fight at hand!" The Prince roared as he lunged towards the warrior. However, Vegeta was also excited like his training partner. This gave him a chance to finally begin training his oldest for combat.
Suddenly, Goku noticed a green aura surrounding him, much like the time he disappeared to the Palace. The warrior looked frantically towards his mate. I think it's happening again!
"Kakarot what in the hell is going on?" Vegeta asked, his brow raised in confusion.
Goku flew towards his family at a blinding speed, he scooped up Ellery and Tarro. This caused Chi-Chi to fly backwards out of her chair. Jean yelled and came to her aid the moment she watched her fall.
Before anyone else knew what was going on, the trio had vanished into thin air.