The day was finally here. The Second Tournament of Power was set to commence later that afternoon. All the warriors of Planet Earth had a specific meeting place. They were to report there at two o'clock sharp. From there, all would be transported to the Null Realm, where they would meet the other competitors in the preliminary rounds. The Z-Warriors that decided to participate were to meet at Bulma's an hour before the actual meeting, in order to arrive together.
Ellery was packing a bag for Tarro. The young mother was nervous to leave her first born alone for the first time. Even though she was only going to be gone for a few hours at most, it was still nerve wracking. Having reliable babysitters was the only true reason Ellery felt comfortable leaving Tarro for a couple of hours.
She remembered the day the couple went over to Chi-Chi's to ask for her help. The Saiyan woman was an anxious mess trying to make sure her little man would be cared for.
"There's nothing to worry about, Princess." Goku smiled at his partner as the trio landed in front of Goten's home. "I'm sure Chi-Chi would love to babysit. She raised both of my boys, and I'd trust her to watch Tarro!"
"She's about the only one I would trust, besides Bulma of course." Ellery admitted to her mate. "After seeing how much of a handful a little man is at only four months old, the young mother hated to think about what it'd be like when he got older. "I just trust us the most. I'd rather not have him leave my side, but unfortunately that isn't an option."
The Saiyan couldn't help but laugh at his partner's comment. "I know, I couldn't agree more. But a fighting stage is no place for someone his size. If he was more of a fighter, I'd say absolutely!"
As Goku mentioned his son's fighting spirit, the little Saiyan began pounding on his father's chest.
Chuckling at the little man's attempt, Goku kissed Tarro's forehead. "One day, you'll be training alongside us buddy, you just gotta wait until you're a little bit older." Before the Saiyan could knock on the door, it was opened by Goten. The young half-Saiyan beamed at his father, excited to see him before the Tournament.
"Hey Dad!" .
"Hey kiddo!" Goku smiled as he pulled Goten in for a side hug. "Is your mom home?"
"Yep, she's just in the kitchen." Running back inside, the young Saiyan yelled through the house. "Hey Mom, Dad's here!'
Chi-Chi looked up from the kitchen table, where she was doing some sort of craft. A bright smile came over her features as she saw the little one in Goku's arms. "Hey guys! What brings you over?"
"We actually came over to ask a favor of you." Ellery sat at the table as she watched the older woman reach for her child. It made her happy to see a smile on Tarro's face as Chi-Chi held him.
"What's up?" She asked curiously.
"Well you see," Goku began. "The Second Tournament is coming up in a couple of days.."
"You don't need to remind me." Chi-Chi was unable to control her laughter. "Goten hasn't stopped talking about it since he knew he was joining."
The Saiyan couldn't help but laugh, glad to see his son was excited about the Tournament. "Well, since all of us are competing. We were hoping this could open you guys up to the possibility of babysitting?"
"Really?" Chi-Chi was taken aback, but honored nonetheless. "I would love to! Is there some reason Bulma can't do it?"
"She's going to have her hands full with the other kids." Ellery mentioned. "We know Tarro can sometimes be a handful on his own, so we wanted someone that could give him the attention he may require. You raised two half-Saiyans wonderfully. I'd love to have you babysit our little man."
Holding the child close, the grandmother smiled happily. "I'd be delighted to babysit! This little one and I are going to have a great time!"
"I'm so glad we can count on you!" Ellery beamed at Goku's previous wife.
"Hey Dad, when are we supposed to meet at Bulma's?" Goten asked curiously.
"Two o'clock!" The Saiyan looked at his son, a bright grin on his face. "Have you been training hard for the Tournament, Goten?"
"You bet I have! Trunks and I have been sparring every day!"
Chi-Chi turned to Ellery as the two men began talking about the Tournament. "If you like, I could save the two of you a trip. We'll all meet at Bulma's and I'll watch Tarro and keep Bulma company at the same time."
"Are you sure that won't be too much?" The young mother asked worriedly.
"If it'll make you feel better, I can always come back here." The older woman mentioned, sensing Ellery's apprehension. She knew exactly how it felt. She remembered when Gohan was a little boy. She was an anxious wreck with every breath he took.
"You would do that for me?"
"Of course!" Chi-Chi smiled. "I was the same way when Gohan was born. Wanting to protect your son isn't something to be ashamed of."
"I trust your judgment." Ellery beamed at the older woman, elated that she understood where she was coming from. "What you think is best, I will be okay with. All I ask is that if Tarro becomes a handful, you'll be the one to take care of him please."
"You have my word." Chi-Chi wrapped one arm around Ellery, giving her a sideways hug. "Now you two need to stop focusing on that baby and start thinking about this Tournament!"
Making sure she had enough supplies was crucial for Ellery. She didn't want to take him somewhere unprepared.
"You ready to go, Princess?" Her partner's quiet voice came from behind her, causing the young woman to jolt out of her daydream. Ellery looked around Tarro's room, making sure she didn't miss anything. She had originally come in here to wake him from his nap, however the young mother decided to get everything ready first.
"Just about, I was getting the last things packed up for our little man."
"El, you can't pack the whole house." Goku chuckled. While he loved that his partner wanted to make sure Tarro had everything he needed, the couple was only going to be gone a couple of hours at most.
"Sorry.. I just didn't realize how hard this would be. Being gone for a couple of hours is going to be a lot tougher than I thought." Ellery admitted, hearing her little man cooing from his crib. She walked over to him, watching as he grinned at her. The young mother smiled and picked Tarro up, kissing his cheeks before holding him close. "Looks like someone is up from their nap."
"Just in time too." The Saiyan wrapped his arms around his partner, kissing her head and his sons. "I know it's going to be difficult leaving him with someone else. But we've got the most qualified people for the job, Princess." Goku smiled. "Chi-Chi is going to do a great job and we're going to make it to the second round of the Tournament!"
"You're right, Kakarot." Ellery smiled happily, taking a deep breath. "I'm going to change him, and then we'll be ready to go." The young mother laid Tarro on the changing table.
Goku nodded before letting his partner go, grabbing all of their bags and taking them downstairs. He could still feel the young woman's jitters about leaving their son for the first time. The Saiyan was anxious as well. However, knowing that Gohan and Goten's mother would be taking care of his youngest put him at ease. Chi-Chi and Bulma were great at raising their own half-Saiyan children. Tarro was only four months old. Although he could be a handful, two seasoned mothers shouldn't have a problem!
"Okay! Let's go to Bulma's!" Ellery walked down the stairs, their son clinging to her neck and hanging from her front. It had become one of his favorite positions. The young woman took a hold of Goku's shoulder, watching as he used his free hand to place two fingers on his forehead.
The moment they landed at Capsule Corp, Tarro began to cry. The Instant Transmission was one hell of a way to get around. However, it made the little Saiyan feel extremely uncomfortable for several minutes. Even his mother consoling him and rubbing his back didn't seem to help. It was only once he felt 'normal' again that his crying would stop. Tarro wrapped his tail around his mother's arm tightly.
"Shhhh.." Ellery kissed his ear as she began to hush him calmly. The young mother began to purr as she rubbed her son's back. Feeling the soft furrs of his tail calmed her, but also worried the mother. She wished there was something she could do to help. It seemed Tarro always got this way after traveling using Instant Transmission. The couple didn't use it often. Most times, they fly to where they need to go with ease.
Today, they didn't have the luxury of time.
"Hey guys! Glad you're here!" Bulma waved happily from the balcony of her home. A few of the other Z-warriors were already gathered near them. Piccolo, Gohan, and Tien were chatting amongst themselves. Videl was walking down with Bulma, Pan and Bulla running in front of them.
"Hi Bulma!" Goku waved happily at his friend. The Saiyan kissed Ellery's head before taking their bags into Capsule Corp.
"Are you guys excited for the Tournament?" Videl questioned. Smiling at the now curious baby in the young mother's arms.
"I'm super excited! I'm just nervous to leave…" Ellery admitted to her. "It's my first time being away from him since he's been born. Even if I have to be at work, he comes with me. Always cool and collected as he watches everyone in the Studio."
"We're going to take great care of him, El." Bulma smiled. "With Chi-Chi, Videl, and I, we've got this under control! You'll just need to focus on winning the Tournament!"
"Thanks ladies." The Sayian woman beamed at her friends.
Tarro snuggled closer to his mother, his cries had been reduced to small whimpers. Ellery continued to console the little Saiyan, watching as more people began to file into Bulma's back yard. Some of the warriors Ellery didn't recognize. However, every single one of them went up to her partner. Goku would smile brightly and begin talking to them as if they were long lost friends.
"Trunks!" Goten yelled from the edge of Bulma's property.
"Goten! You're here!" The purple haired Saiyan ran across the yard to see his best friend. Behind the two boys were Chi-Chi and Jean, who looked like they packed their entire home and brought it with them.
"Chi, what is all this?" Bulma raised a brow.
"You can never be too prepared when watching a little Saiyan!"
The young mother's eyes widened as she got a look at everything Chi-Chi had with her. Ellery felt her heart swell, knowing that her little man was going to be well taken care of. Looking down at Tarro, she smiled brightly at him, pointing towards him with her finger. "Now you be good for Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Videl. You're going to have a great time."
The little Saiyan beamed at his mother, his smile melting her heart. Tarro giggled and took hold of her finger tightly.
"I love you, sweetheart." Ellery kisses his nose gently before she walks towards Chi-Chi, who has already unpacked her stuff.
"There's the little one!" The grandmother smiles happily. She takes Tarro from Ellery's arms, grinning as the baby Saiyan giggled.
"Alright guys!" Goku's voice could be heard from across the entire yard. "It's time to get to the meeting space. If everyone could hold hands, we'll be on our way!"
Ellery turned and walked towards her partner, the entire way, the young mother occasionally turned back to look at her son. Chi-Chi would wave back towards her with a smile on her face. This put her at ease. The Saiyan woman took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment. Tarro is in safe hands, I need to focus on the fight ahead of me.
That's the spirit, Princess! Goku smiled, feeling her shoulder touch his back. Once everyone was connected, the entire group disappeared from Capsule Corp.
"Today's the day!" Zeni excitedly moved around in his throne chair..
"Universe Seven's Preliminary Round!"
The two Omni Kings sat in the Null Realm, waiting rather impatiently for the activities to begin. While the previous rounds have been very exciting, Goku and his friends were competing today. This made the little blue Deities happy.
"They should be arriving any minute, sires." The Grand Minister said from behind them. "I took the liberty of adding extra seating. Whis of the Seventh mentioned there would be a lot of fighters competing today.
"This is going to be so exciting!"
"Super exciting!"
"Yes." The High Priest chuckled softly. "This is the battle you've been looking forward to all week."
As he finished his sentence, The Deities felt millions of ki signatures coming into the bleachers. Looking into the bleachers, Zeni and Zeno's eyes widened as they saw the amount of people. "Uh, we may need more room." The two say in unison.
The Grand Minister ran to their side, eyes nearly popping out of his head at the millions of beings from Universe Seven. "It's a good thing Whis advised a second arena. This preliminary may take longer than originally planned."