Dr. Briefs had installed a medical bay and healing bay within Capsule Corp years ago during the time of the Red Ribbon Army. There had been frequent injuries from that war with his daughter and the others, and many more to follow after that with Tien and King Piccolo. All of which didn't include the average person getting injured from some heavy machinery in one of the labs.
Yamcha took Goku to the main healing bay and put him into a healing tank. He then crossed his arms over his chest, internally deliberating something before he brought it out into reality with his words. "These Saiyans are going to be a problem. Fighting them seems like suicide."
"We can grow more than strong enough to combat them. We just need the proper training. We really don't have a choice in the matter." Sho reasoned.
"Sho is right. Have some courage, Yamcha." Bulma quipped.
"These Saiyans might be too strong."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Sounds like you're tapping out early. Do you want to be known as the ten second man?"
Yamcha scowled, clenching his fists. "That is so low!"
"Well, stop bitching." Sho said bluntly.
Yamcha growled. "You guys are nuts."
"This is why you got your leg broken at the tournament."
Yamcha almost turned red. "Really going below the belt."
Bulma smiled easily. "Someone needs to keep you in shape. Don't forget about your ability."
Yamcha on the other hand was still shaking his head, arms crossed over his chest. It was a clear sign he was nervous, something anyone that had known him for even a little while would have picked up on. "I guess it isn't suicide. As long as someone handles the strongest Saiyan, we should be able to handle the other two with strategy and attrition."
Sho just shook his head and left.
"You know...I can't understand that guy."
"He isn't fond of your pessimism."
"Someone needs to let everyone else know they're insane."
Bulma gently set her hand on the glass of the healing tank, ignoring Yamcha. "Goku should be able to handle the strongest Saiyan, hopefully. I wouldn't count out Piccolo or Nia either. Both are ferocious warriors. May and Kurisutofā are quite austere as well."
"I do hope they're all there, if you know what I mean...It would be bad if Goku, Nia, or May were to develop...Something or another after that beating."
"Whoever it was...They were evil, just not strong." Bulma observed matter of factly.
"It's those evil forces May and Kami are always going on about." Yamcha said, looking at the grimly staring Bulma.
"We've doubled security." Bulma tentatively said.
"Not the whole planet."
"Have some courage." Bulma said brusquely.
Right now she was concerned only with her friend in the dark blue healing fluid. Goku's body moved through the brightly colored substance, the fluids healing properties by now taking effect. For a while it appeared as if Goku were trying to resist the relaxing flow of the translucent muck. Then, at last, he gave up his mumbling and relaxed, succumbing to the sedative powers.
A doctor turned away from the man who had been entrusted to his care. He angled his head to gaze at Bulma and Yamcha.
"Goku has been in shock, but he is now responding well to the healing fluids. He is now out of danger. The broken leg should be one of the first injuries to heal besides the severe bruising." The doctor's words immediately wiped away the tension that had seized the duo on the other side of the window.
Bulma sighed in relief, and Yamcha grunted his approval of the treatment.
Goku was floating, weightless, surrounded by darkness and silence. It felt like he was drifting beyond the void of death itself. Consciousness was returning to his mind, but it had yet to reach his body.
He thrashed a moment later in the dark blue fluid of the healing tank, creating a stream of bubbles that rose silently to the surface and around him. His heart began to pound steadier, louder, and he could hear the blood rushing through his veins. His eyes popped open in time to see Yamcha come over to adjust some of the settings on his tank.
Within seconds his heart got quieter, and the involuntary thrashing of his bruised and broken limbs settled. His body was calmed by the tranquilizer, but his mind was fully alert and aware. Memories of motion and pain flickered across his mind's eye. The sights, sounds, and smells of the battle. The smell of blood burning in the air because of ki. He remembered the last blast, maintaining his course and speed with the pirate, his emotions the control mechanism, Nia's, Piccolo's, and May's own blasts joining with his as the fulcrum.
Someone must have made everyone else step to the side when they found him, after he blacked out and kept anyone less than intelligent from handling him while he was unconscious.
At first Goku was a little surprised that they would bother to go so far, and not just put him in one of the regular medical bays located throughout Capsule Corp, or better yet a Senzu Bean.
Then he realized that he was also too wounded to simply allow him to heal slowly.
Since becoming a Martial Artist, he had worked toward one clear goal. All his studying, all his training had been for one single purpose, to understand and command power, to bring peace and harmony, test his skills against worthy opponents and to attain through victory.
Training would bring him power, clarity, focus, strength, and freedom.
This time, however, he only had painful reflection.
He would always be the pariah of the Saiyans.
He did listen in on group lessons, but he preferred to practice his skills in training. Any hope he might have had of getting one on one training with any powerful Master besides Kami and Popo had been crushed in his realization that he didn't know anyone else.
And without that specializing guidance, his potential would never be realized.
He had to get stronger.
They were strong so they always stepped forward.
Goku would not be doomed to become stagnant or complacent. He would not be doomed to a life of defeat and solemn reflection, as he understood all too well the chains of defeat that could bind anyone for their entire lifetime.
Goku had no way of estimating how long he had been delirious. He didn't even know what estimation meant. But now he was in full command of his mind and senses.
He sat up on his bed in the medical center. A medical droid was removing the protective pad from his healing face. His eyes were uncovered and he was beginning to perceive the face of someone standing by his bed. Gradually the smiling image of Bulma came into focus. She gracefully moved toward him and gently brushed his hair out of his eyes.
"You are looking quite well. The scars will be just about gone in two days." She said as she looked at his healing wounds.
Across the room, the door banged open. Yamcha let out a cheerful greeting as he walked toward Goku. "Good to see you looking strong, Goku."
"Thanks, Yamcha."
There was an air of unusual tension in the halls of Capsule Corp. Goku, Nia, Piccolo, and May had scored a resounding victory over the Saiyan menace, and the celebration of the feast Bulma had thrown still hung in the air. During the whole thing, Krillin could be heard whispering between everyone, trying to find details out about the fight as much as he was giving his own.
Raditz had been completely wiped out, according to May.
The mood had little effect on Goku, however. It had taken three hours of being in the healing tank before he fully recovered from the horrific beating Raditz gave him. Raditz had been free with his fists and even more free with his mouth. He, along with May, Nia, and Piccolo suffered more than a few thrashings over the course of that conflict. The conflicts and beatings he took as a child taught Goku how to deal with physical pain, but the trauma inflicted by Raditz went beyond anything he endured even at King Piccolo's hands.
Goku moved down the hallway at a slow walk, though his measured pace was one of choice rather than pure necessity. The lingering discomfort and pain he felt was insignificant. Thanks to the healing tank and a Senzu Bean his broken bones mended, his bruises had vanished completely, and there was no sign of his blood or anyone else's on him.
A pair of laughing scientists approached him, clearly workers for Capsule Corp. They didn't speak about the fight or conflict with rumored accounts, but instead conversed about the spaceship Bulma had brought in. They stopped for a brief second as they approached Goku and Bulma, the only solitary figures besides them in the hallway.
Goku scratched the back of his head, not quite meeting the eyes of the two as they passed. He didn't make any more outward signs of a reaction other than that. He was dealing with the emotional trauma the only way he knew how. He dealt with it the same way he had dealt with it as a child. He withdrew into himself, trying to make himself invisible to the outside world.
His beating-so public-had shaken his reputation. Even before the fight Raditz had told him his power wasn't going to match up, that his power couldn't even amuse him.
Goku knew it was all correct now and if anyone who fought beside him had their doubts, those very suspicions had been confirmed in this last fight.
He had barely begun to turn around a corner when Bulma pulled on his tattered gi.
"Goku, I have some really exciting news."
The statement caught him by surprise. "Really?"
She smiled. "I've made a spread and you're missing out on some delicacies."
Goku brightened up hearing that. "Did you make those steam buns?"
Bulma nodded, glad to see her old friend perked up and grinning. "Don't stuff so much in your mouth that your jaw cramps."
"Is Kurisutofā here?"
"Yes-"
"Awesome! We need him here for this fight and I want to spar him right now!"
Bulma rubbed her head. "He is with Nia and the twins right now. You can't do that even if you wanted to. Mugen doesn't need any help being rambunctious. He was also helping me take apart that spaceship. Thanks to his help and everyone else's help and everyone being so fast about the process, I think I will be able to make sub-light engines and a hyperdrive."
"What is that?" Goku scratched his cheek.
"Sub-light engines will allow us to break through the atmosphere and fly through space at speeds below the speed of light. A hyperdrive will allow us to reach lightspeed and transverse the void between planets and stars."
Goku looked increasingly confused, but despite his stupefied expression Bulma continued.
"We would be traveling in an alternate dimension technically speaking, and that dimension we can call hyperspace. The space above us would be called real-space."
Goku scratched the top of his head, messing up his spikes. "I don't get all of that..."
"Besides all of that, we do have to discuss our next move regarding the Saiyans. I'm in the process of studying the technology and parts of the language."
Goku blinked.
Bulma shot him her own observant look. "You look surprised that they have a language, Goku."
"That man wanted us to kill the entire population. I didn't think he could put a sentence together."
Bulma hardened her gaze, wondering if now was the time they should have the talk. "Even savages have a society, otherwise they would only butcher and eat each other until there were none remaining. Chi Chi is here and you better brace yourself."
"Oh boy, I am not ready for that..."
Bulma smirked a little. "She is quite fierce despite being occupied with Goten. She has been training extremely hard whenever she has the time, so make sure your reflexes are sharp."
"Thanks for the heads up, Bulma."
As he reached the edge of the next hall, the scents of the feast being prepared in the kitchens wafted out, pushing all other distracting and immediate thoughts from his mind. His mouth watered with drool and his stomach began grumbling. He had never been more hungry in his entire life. His whole stomach twisted into a single, giant knot, nearly bringing him down to his knees. He skipped up the stairs, racing for the nearing prospect of food.
A densely muscled man stood in the doorway, blocking out the light from streaming inside of the room.
He was six foot and three inches, brown skinned, and weighed one hundred and sixty eight pounds. His most noticeable features besides his lean physique and intense violet-indigo eyes was his overabundant hair, kept in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His hair was so wild and abundant, that it flared out in bangs around the front and sides of his head, effectively obscuring and framing his face.
"Goku." The man's voice was deep, his hand clenched Goku's like a vise.
"Kurisutofā. Good to see you." Goku smiled, clenching his own hand like a vise.
"That Saiyan didn't knock the fight out of you, did he?"
"No way. I'm ready to get to training, as soon as I'm done eating that is. I'm really hungry."
"I'm with you on that." Kurisutofā said with some eagerness.
Bulma put herself between the two men, separating them before things got out of hand. "Remember you are fighting away from here. You don't have time to be fighting anyways Kurisutofā, Nia and the twins are here. You have Chi Chi to speak with, Goku."
Both of the men looked at Bulma, knowing better than to argue.
Goku's belly felt like it was going to burst. He was in the process of gorging himself, tearing into his food with the manners of someone who had been raised in the mountains. He stuffed himself until his ravenous hunger was sated.
It was only after he finished that he remembered there were others present. He focused a little more on the crowd, finishing off the rest of the onion soup.
Everyone was gathered, even Master Roshi and Oolong were present. Launch had showed up, if only because her love interest was present. Chaozu was at the front of the room caught up in a riveting shooting game played online.
Goku could tell by how fast Chaozu's fingers were moving and his focused expression that it was better not to disturb him. Whatever had his attention was keeping it, and judging from the quicker smile, Chaozu was beginning to have fun tormenting someone.
Goku looked to the side.
Rai was at a table, eating and observing everyone while Tabby decided to mingle with the rest of the gang, easily sticking out with her triangular cat-like ears, bushy light brown fur tail, slight overbite, and thick dark brown hair that was kept shoulder length.
Mugen, Ryoo, and Gohan were a few feet away entertaining themselves with books and crayons.
Chi Chi handed one year old Goten to Nia seeing that Goku was finished. She marched up with her chest out, hands on her hips.
"Hey Chi-"
He was interrupted as her palm plowed forward and forced him to hastily catch her wrist. Chi Chi worked her other wrist forward, turning her one in Goku's grip to the side and under, rolling it. Goku shifted, parrying the first strike and managed to deflect the knee that had been aimed for his stomach. He recovered easily enough, massaging the area she would have struck.
Chi Chi may have been a woman, but she could hit just as hard as any of them.
Chi Chi thrust her chest out, speaking in a relieved tone. "I am glad you're back in one piece and alive, Goku."
Goku clenched his fist, relieved that his wife had seen to the heart of the problem without saying any words.
That strike had almost been the same as the one Raditz sunk into him as a counter.
"We lost bad. That guy ripped off Piccolo's arm and he nearly beat us to a pulp."
"They must not be allowed to have their way. It is time, Goku."
"Time for what?"
"I'm going to be fighting."
"Don't be stupid. You'll get destroyed by these Saiyans." Yamcha said.
"You want to repeat that?"
Yamcha closed his eyes, looking sympathetic. "I get it. You want to help out and be useful, however these Saiyans are going to be brutal."
"We can go out into the yard right now, and I will show you how brutal I can be."
"You know I can't fight a woman seriously."
"Then shut your mouth before I stuff a capsule in it." Chi Chi had always been more emotional than the average human woman.
"I'm only being the voice of reason here." Yamcha explained.
"You're an overgrown ass." Chi Chi retorted.
Goku could see that Chi Chi wanted to keep Gohan and Goten away from the conflict. She had raised and trained Gohan quite well. She was anticipating Goten would follow his older brother's lead in studying.
She was devastated to know that she and Gohan would have to fight. Goku knew a little about how she felt, but he couldn't pretend it bothered him a great deal. He and the gang would be able to train, and their children would grow up to be strong and righteous.
Goku smiled as he took in her image. She was very pretty, a perfectionist in the Martial Arts, a fierce fighter, and he did enjoy her company. She was a great sparring partner and he knew they'd have powerful children.
"Chi Chi, about Gohan..."
"Do you expect me to allow Gohan to fight these three Saiyans with us?"
"Come on Chi Chi. Gohan should learn to defend himself, just in case." Goku reasoned.
"I don't know. All of us should be more than enough. The children shouldn't have to fight. It isn't like when we were children."
May looked at the woman with a frown. "They may not have a choice."
"What do you mean?"
May grunted before looking away, clenching her fist. She replayed the battle over and over, remembered each bone breaking blow drilling her. No matter what she did, the outcome had been the same. There was no way she could get around the stabbing attacks, nor the power gap. They all needed to get more powerful, and her most of all. She had too many responsibilities to fall to the side of weak and complacent.
Arguing with Chi Chi on the matter was pointless. The Saiyans were monsters pure and simple. They had no issue wiping out billions in cold blood. There was no greater motivation for them other than to wreak havoc and carnage.
As much as it may devastate the women, Gohan, Mugen, and Ryoo would have to fight.
They needed everyone and every resource.
Therefore, May just remained silent.
"May, I asked you a question."
"Now isn't the time for this hyperbole, Chi Chi. My patience is very low on a hair fuse." May hissed.
"Now is the time! This is Gohan, Mugen, and Ryoo we are talking about here. They are only children."
May barely kept her flaring anger in check, and glared at Chi Chi. "No harm will come to my nephew! Nobody will touch a hair on Mugen's or Ryoo's head! I am not going to waste anymore time with this asinine conversation."
Chi Chi could sense something was troubling May. She was barely paying any attention as she rejected the idea of not training the children. She didn't know what was bothering her. In truth Chi Chi didn't care, as long as it didn't interfere in her children's studies.
"I don't want them fighting these Saiyans."
Seeing the opportunity to shut Chi Chi up, Rai took the lead before May lost her temper. "We have three coming here in one year. Get over your prissy, pompous prancing attitude already. You sound like a little wimp."
"Yeah. I don't want to die." Krillin commented.
"I don't want to die at all. Why do you guys need me and Puar? Why couldn't you talk to Yajirobe instead? He just sits around Korin's place." Oolong complained.
"We will get to that, Oolong." Bulma told him, remaining reticent.
"I am not fighting."
Bulma only rolled her eyes, feeling the tumult coming on.
"I don't want my little boy fighting all of the time. Then it will be Goten fighting. He may be worse than Gohan when it comes to fighting, at least Gohan likes to study. Goten is already getting some spikes in his hair like his father, next he'll be running off into the woods...I don't want him inheriting his father's tomfoolish traits either." Chi Chi finished her tirade.
Nia smiled softly, ever the voice of reason in the group. "They can train and study or alternate it during certain days. They can also train during the spring and summer."
Chi Chi looked frazzled, her jaw dropping. "You and Kurisutofā have both decided you're going to put your little boy and little girl on a battlefield?"
Nia rolled her eyes while her husband just shook his head.
"Chi Chi we aren't putting them on the battlefield. They may have the chance to watch and observe the fight. Training them will help them stay strong and they should know how to defend themselves." Kurisutofā said.
"Sounds flippant and irresponsible. You should be focusing on their studies, not fighting."
Nia smiled. "He is strong and I am strong. It is only natural our children want to be strong."
Chi Chi only shook her head.
Tabby smiled, slightly amused by the whole scene. "Chi, you're just being over dramatic again. There is no harm in them knowing how to defend themselves and training really hard."
"I've already begun to teach Mugen and Ryoo some of the Turtle Style." Kurisutofā said.
"Yeah, but..." Chi Chi wavered.
Obviously they had different ways of bringing up their children.
"As far as I'm concerned, I am not going to babysit brats and the rest of you idiots who are not up to par because peace times have made you soft. I can handle my own training. I just have to know that I can count on these three brats to pull through if we need them to in this fight against these Saiyans." Rai remarked, tone more than a little abrasive.
Chi Chi scowled, turning so she could look Rai in the eyes. "Fat chance of that happening. I already made it clear I don't want them, especially my little Gohan, fighting these barbarians from space."
"Listen you snob. I am not going to die on account of anyone's lack of skill or ability. Get over yourself."
"You've always been so unreasonable, Rai."
Rai grunted, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not wasting time with this asinine conversation. Shut up so we can move onto a strategy to deal with these Saiyans, then we will be able to leave."
"You're not going to blow me off like that." Chi Chi remained firm.
Tabby put her hands up, groaning as the two women glared at one another. "Come on you two, stop fighting already."
"She shouldn't be so abrasive." Chi Chi remarked.
"You shouldn't be a twat and a half. Go guys, do your best guys-what are you, a cheerleader?" Rai mocked.
"Yard now!" Chi Chi snapped.
Rai snorted. "I'm just going to ignore you. You are not worth the time or effort, and I have more important things to do."
Goku smiled and gently clenched Chi Chi's shoulder, dispelling some of the tension. "They won't be rough housing and training all the time, Chi Chi. Besides, if we ever have a little girl, she'll be the toughest little girl ever."
Chi Chi sighed. She knew there would always be evil, but it shouldn't have to fall on them to handle those evil forces all of the time.
But, she knew she was defeated.
If the world was destroyed, there was no way they'd be able to send their children to one of the best colleges.
She wouldn't be able to lecture Nia and Kurisutofā about their lack of parenting skills if everything was destroyed.
Chi Chi shrugged with a confident grin. "Okay. I will be lenient and agree. The world is in danger, but when we finish these space pirates, it is right back to the books."
"What about you?" Yamcha asked.
Chi Chi smiled wider, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm going to train as well. We need every advantage we can get against these Saiyans."
"I thought you had more sense than that."
Chi Chi glared at him. "Speak for yourself."
Bulma stretched out, moving to the front of the room. Now was as good a time as any to discuss the strategy.
"Now that we have the drama out of the way."
Chi Chi glared at Bulma, not at all surprised to see the older woman just shrug at her. It didn't sit well with her that Bulma was basically blowing her off, but she held her tongue. There were more important things to discuss than bitchy attitudes.
Satisfied with the silence, Bulma began to speak in her assertive tone once more.
Sho got up and handed her a map with the latest data from their reconnaissance drones. She gave him a nod of thanks, unfurled it on the table, and put clips on the ends so everyone could get a closer look.
"Our drones indicate that Raditz landed here. Just west of the East Capital. We can assume that those three Saiyans will make landfall close to that point."
Bulma indicated both points on the map, before her finger went a little further west and stopped in a mountainous area.
"This is where Raditz met Piccolo, and where you guys fought. If he went South that put him in straight trajectory to Kame House...Passing right over Goku's home in the process."
A heavy silence fell across the room. Even Goku was left speechless. He could feel all eyes on him, waiting to see what he would do or say next.
Yamcha scratched at his cheek. "We could flank them."
"Yeah right. That won't work on these Saiyans. They just blow shit up. I would hardly call them Martial Artists or strategists. They are sheer brute force." Tien remarked.
May nodded, bending down to study the map better. "Look at this like a Saiyan would. Destroy the city. Destroy the forest."
Kurisutofā crossed his muscular arms over his chest, looking at Bulma. "We could make a barrier that may prevent them from breaking through the atmosphere."
Bulma rolled her fingers together.
Sho shook his head. "That may do us more harm than good. If they begin to launch attacks from within orbit they could knock us off course."
"You mean knock Earth out of orbit?" Krillin asked.
"Even I know they can't do that, Krillin. It is still a scary theory nonetheless." Oolong remarked, giving Krillin a critical look.
Bulma regarded the statement with a steady nod.
That was something she hadn't considered. If one of the Saiyans got mad enough, they could try to blow the whole plant to dust.
"So, we're going to let them crash land like Raditz did and possibly destroy a city with thousands of people?" Krillin asked, incredulously looking at the group.
There were a few sighs as the more serious people in the group regarded him with annoyance.
Sho, so stern and flinty that he could have been carved from stone, gestured to a seat. "Sit down and be quiet."
Krillin looked to Bulma. "Be the voice of reason here."
Bulma looked back at the map, studying it with narrow eyes. "They'll make their landing at the East Capital. From there they will track us."
Nia tapped her bicep anxiously, feeling her heart beat a little faster. "You think we should contact King Furry? We could avoid a lot of heartache if we have everyone in the East Capital relocate."
"Where would they relocate?" Yamcha asked.
"There's a city slightly southwest from the East Capital called Orange Star City. It shouldn't take too long for them to relocate." Bulma said, gesturing at two locations on the map.
"Who should talk to King Furry about this? It's not like we can just walk in to speak with him, and I'm not so sure if we should be completely honest about the situation." Sho reasoned.
"He has a good point. The military doesn't need to get involved in this battle, they would only be fodder for the Saiyans." Tien seconded.
"I'll talk to him about the situation. King Furry is amicable, so they won't hassle me." Bulma replied.
"With Bulma taking care of the complicated stuff that just leaves us to the training." Goku said, smiling slightly.
Tabby yawned lightly. "I can train myself, you don't have to worry about me."
Chi Chi frowned slightly, looking over the woman carefully. "I don't agree with this flying solo nonsense."
May's face darkened with a haunted shadow. "Some of us require specialized training at this point. I'm not wasting anymore time."
"Who is going to train the brats?" Rai asked, tone severe.
Chi Chi smiled confidently. "Nia and I can handle that. Everyone else can get their specialized training."
"I want to train with dad and Goku!" Mugen protested.
"You'll get hurt."
"Mom-"
"Mugen." Nia said, tone growing firm.
Kurisutofā put his hand on the boy's head, roughing up his hair. "Your mom and Chi Chi will handle your training. It is better if they teach you the basics."
Mugen nodded, but still looked disappointed.
"I'm no slouch, son. I'll whip you into shape yet." Nia said, a warning in her tone.
Gohan and Ryoo looked at each other, exchanging blank expressions before they looked back up at the adults.
"I'm fighting?" Gohan asked, looking a bit shocked.
"Training. It's a little different." Sho said.
"Mommy says I'm not supposed to rough house." Gohan said.
Chi Chi smiled at Gohan. "This is where the exception comes into play."
Ryoo set her head in her hands, looking at the adults with a searching expression. "I no fight. I don't hurt animals."
Gohan looked conflicted. "I don't want to either. I don't want to fight."
"It's okay Gohan and Ryoo. Training isn't about hurting. You learn to protect." Chi Chi said in an understanding tone, putting them at ease.
Ryoo grinned wide, eyes shining. "I help animals."
Chi Chi nodded.
Gohan still looked uncertain.
"Is that done with now?" Rai asked, brows drawing together.
Bulma shot a look towards Chi Chi and Nia, folding her arms over her chest. "Is it just going to be you two handling their training?"
Chi Chi inclined her chin, a sign of pride and dignity. "They'll be just fine with us."
Nia settled on a nod.
Oolong cleared his throat, looking at the group with a small frown. "Before you guys ramp it up to the extreme like you always do...What role am I supposed to play in this?"
Bulma smiled easily, making a cutting motion in the air with her fingers. "If it comes down to it, and if we are unable to move...You will have to cut off their tails."
Oolong's eyes snapped wide open, his mouth dropping. "Have you gone completely crazy!? Are you high?! There is no way I'm going anywhere near those monsters...These Saiyans aren't that idiot Pilaf or even King Piccolo! They'll roast my ass and eat me-they'll probably do the same to all of you as well!"
Bulma's smile grew, and her eyes twinkled sharply. "You are an absolute last resort to be honest, Oolong. The same with Puar. We still need every advantage we can get, regardless."
Oolong put his chin in his hand. "What's the point then?"
"You can both shape-shift. If one of us is getting crushed, you could be right behind the Saiyan doing it, and you will need to take action in order to save one of us, or a lot of us...You don't need to worry too much for the time being. There's still Yajirobe." Bulma explained patiently.
Oolong sighed loudly, body deflating of tension. "I thought you wanted me to fight these Saiyans...One day you guys are going to give me a heart attack."
"You'll live." Rai commented dismissively.
"Look, you all may line up to get your heads driven for ten thousand yards and some more by a nine iron, but I like my head on my shoulders." Oolong said.
Bulma took the statement for what it was worth. "I'm glad we can count on you."
"Yeah, just don't get me killed." Oolong retorted.
"Chaozu, you get all of that?"
Chaozu's fingers were moving with such speed and precision he could have appeared to be threading a thin string through a needle eye. "Not now Tien. I'm so close to leveling up, this idiot doesn't know when to quit."
"Choazu, this is important. Pause the game for thirty seconds." Krillin chided.
"Shut up Krillin, you're breaking my concentration. I am no scoping this whole match! I'm going to pause you if you disturb me again."
Chi Chi cleared her throat. "Now isn't the time for video-"
Chaozu called a cup towards him with his mind, flinging it across the room with his mind. "I said be quiet and leave me alone!"
May tried her best not to look annoyed, crushing the cup with her own mind before it ever got close to Chi Chi. "Moving on..."
"We are going to need some special training. Maybe we can do something with gravity." Sho said, rubbing at his chin.
"The Saiyans will feel lighter here for sure...I will look into making an artificial gravity chamber or some device we can always wear that has artificial gravity. I think it'd be a good to make it go up to fifty times earth's gravity." Bulma agreed.
Yamcha looked wary of the whole thing, his quirk of scratching his cheek whenever he was nervous manifested for all to see.
"Isn't that a bit much?"
"50 times gravity isn't that much." Goku replied.
"It'll be good enough for the warm up and adjustment." Sho replied.
"Sho and Goku are right. These Saiyans aren't the only ones who like a good fight. We can train harder than ever." Tabby remarked mildly.
"That gravity is a good idea. Those Saiyans coming are used to ten times this planet's gravity..." May said.
Kurisutofā rubbed at his chin, looking out the window. "The body can only go where the mind has been. Goku, Nia, May, and Piccolo are the only ones who have fought a Saiyan...I am going to go to the Lookout in that case for better observation. You guys can come if you want."
"I'm with you on that one." Goku agreed readily.
"I'm there." Sho said confidently.
"Count me in, too. I want to bust some Saiyan heads." Tien remarked.
"I'm going too in that case." Launch said.
"What for?" Tien asked.
"I will do whatever it takes to be yours." Launch said sincerely.
May stepped forward, remaining silent.
Rai and Tabby moved over towards the gathering group of warriors.
Chi Chi and Launch both shot them looks.
"I'm curious. It has been a while since I've got to roam around the Lookout." Tabby admitted.
Rai set her hand on her hip while using the other to scratch the back of her head.
"What is your excuse, Rai?" Launch inquired.
"What Kurisutofā said before about the mind...I know Kami is a stickler for formalities, but he will definitely help us with training."
"I guess I'll go too, in that case. I can't let all of you just pass me up. I'd look bad if I'm the only one a step below these Saiyans." Yamcha said, quirking a cocky smirk.
"I'll be here working on getting all of this technology converted and studied. You guys just focus on training, I'll take care of the technicalities."
Bulma allowed a confident smile to grace her face. She always loved the Martial Arts, but whenever she got the chance to use her wits and intelligence, it was always more rewarding.
The implications of interstellar technology was staggering, and the fact that there were three Saiyans coming...It meant everything was coming to a boil, the likes that have not been seen in ages.
Goku smirked. "Let's do this you guys."
Tien regarded his old friend with a stern expression. "Chaozu, it's time to go. We're going to train."
"But, Tien-"
"No buts. If the Saiyans win, no more McDonald's and no more playing video games online."
Chaozu groaned obnoxiously, removing his gaming headphones that were blaring with a voice on the other end. "I have to go. You can stop shouting like an idiot now, loser."
"I am not a loser! You were camping the whole match. If I seen you in person I would give you a taste of my Bomber DX and there's not one thing you could do to stop me from scorching you!"
Chaozu snickered, putting a hand to his lips. "You talk funny. If you fight anything like you played this match or talk, I am not worried about fighting you."
"You're not stronger than me you little runt!"
"I never said I was stronger than you. I am getting higher in my prestige thanks to you, while you are still a level 50."
Chaozu looked at the group and shook his head.
"You were camping the whole match!"
"A win is a win."
Whoever was on the other end must have been beet red with rage with eyes bloodshot from fury. There was nothing but screaming, and garble that couldn't pass as intelligible, and it went on for five minutes.
"I am level 50! You are just an ant compared to me! You low life sniper camping-"
"I'm levels above you. You are not even prestige yet. Stop sounding like a total salty tool."
"That does it I'll destroy everything and I will destroy you you little runt-"
"You may want to learn how to form proper sentences first. No wonder your grenades never got close." Chaozu quipped.
"That's tears it-"
There was static suddenly and a sound of distortion that bellied over the screaming, then a womanly voice snapped with menace.
"What the hell are you doing playing around here still?! We are supposed to be going to Earth to handle our business, or did you forget that sitting on your ass?"
"I was just relaxing and-"
"You call this yelling relaxing?"
"That dirty little shit was camping the whole match!"
"You are an idiot. We've told you that these 'games' do nothing but rot your brain. Look what they did to that shit stain Raditz! Now move your big brawny ass!"
"Just one more match."
"I said move you ton of muscle! Now!"
"What is taking so long?!"
"He is playing that damn confounding crap again!"
"If you're both not out here in the next twenty seconds I am going to blow you and this damn dump into oblivion."
"But-"
"I said now!"
Goku moved closer to the commotion, looking at the TV screen with a raised eyebrow. He found it hard to believe such rage could be caused by a video game.
Nobody else came forward, either too focused or worried about the trials coming their way over the next year.
They had no time to worry about such paltry things.
"He sure sounds mad." Goku remarked.
"He should be. I didn't move from my spot and no scoped him the whole match."
"That's cheating, Chaozu." Tabby looked offended.
"Only if the person is an idiot. He spammed grenades."
Yamcha looked towards the duo, growing curious himself. "What is the moron's gamer tag?"
"Something stupid. Space Gamer Yasei Naut 50. No spaces."
Bulma only shook her head. "That is stupid. Who would call themselves a 50 year old wannabe juggernaut?"
"Can he even spell juggernaut is a better question. He's ten times worse than the kids get when they lose." Chaozu commented.
"Space wild...Hey! You don't think that was the..." Krillin trailed off.
"Saiyans? How do you get Saiyan from Yasei? Do they even have a video game console?" Tien questioned.
"I want to fight the one that was yelling at me if that is the case. He is funny." Chaozu said, smiling wide.
"This isn't a game, little guy. There is too much on the line." Krillin reasoned, trying not to sound outraged.
Chaozu tilted his head, regarding Krillin like he was stupid. "If Mr bomber dx likes to flail around like he throws those grenades and concussion grenades...I say the fight is already won."
Krillin scowled.
"A video game match makes you say that?" Yamcha was bemused, scratching his head.
Chaozu only shrugged. "I bet you fifty thousand zeni that he has no control over his ki. He is just a destructive idiot with about a ton of muscle on his frame and can focus his ki at a mediocre level. Let him strain his body with his ki, then strike the trunk when he exposes himself."
"That is the confidence I've been waiting to hear! Chaozu is right, the simplest way to defeat these Saiyans is to break the backs of these Saiyans. Train hard you guys. I'll keep in touch throughout the year." Bulma regarded them with a smile.
"So...No one is going to comment about that weird gamer tag or the fact some alien woman mentioned Earth?" Krillin asked.
"Why are you still here?" Rai demanded.
"Save it, Rai."
"Save it Rai. Fire a ki blast at the ocean for three months. Boy I sure do train hard. I was doing really good until the fighting started. Man, I hit them full power and nothing happened!" Rai mocked.
Krillin growled.
Tabby looked at the group, feeling tension rolling in waves. "Don't waste too much time, make up your minds. I hope you've made up your mind, don't waste too much time~"
"Don't start singing that song again." Rai snipped.
"I could sing No Cars Go." Tabby suggested.
"That's a good song." Nia admitted.
"No, no damn singing!" Rai snapped.
"Everyone was looking so gloomy and you're especially agitated." Tabby reasoned.
"At least she cares about our group's morale and isn't a bully. You could learn a thing or two from her, Rai." Chi Chi commented.
Rai rolled her eyes.
"Do you have something you want to say?"
Rai regarded Chi Chi with a small scowl. "I don't remember anyone making you leader or commander of our group."
"Well, I am naturally assertive." Chi Chi reasoned.
"I am going to assert you into the ground, you big headed human."
"That...Makes no sense..." Yamcha noted.
"I don't care."
Bulma laughed quietly, appreciating the exchange for what it was. An attempt at levity to bolster the group and get the jitters out.
However, before it could grow too much momentum, Bulma spoke up.
"Before you all leave...Master Roshi and I need to speak with Goku, Nia, and May."
"Come on, Bulma. Everyone else is going to Kami's, and I want to go with them to get special training." Goku whined.
"It'll only take ten minutes." Bulma's tone broke no argument.
The levity, if there had been any for the trio, was completely gone with that statement.