Chapter 17 Dragon Universe

"I can't believe it," Lucy said, "I'm actually up with the stars."

"Too bad we can't see those stars," Natsu complained. "Couldn't that Whis guy place some windows at least?"

"Try not to ruin this moment for me, Natsu." Lucy replied, frowning at her guild member. "As a Celestial Wizard, I never thought that I would ever have a chance to be among the glittering stars of the night sky."

"In case you haven't noticed, we are in a ship," Gajeel stated, "Not exactly among the stars in my eyes." Lucy and the petite girl frowned in response.

"There's a time and a place for talk like that, Gajeel." Said the white cat, still carried by the petite girl.

"Yeah, Gajeel. You should learn to take in a moment instead of ruining it." The girl said.

"Yeah, like I'm not gonna be realistic hear and actually think about our current situation here." Gajeel replied.

"Current situation? What's on your mind, Gajeel?" Grey then asked. Gajeel took a glance at Grey, before standing up from his bed.

"Later. Right now, I've had enough rest." Gajeel simply said. He then headed towards the exit, only to be met, face-to-face with Whis.

"Oh, going somewhere?" Whis casually asks. Gajeel's initial shock keeps him from answering for a split second, but it quickly wears off, as Gajeel then said,

"I'm going to see where those two guys are," Gajeel answered, he then notices Sting and Rogue. "So you two decided to tag along with us, didn't you?"

"That is of none of your concern," Rogue quickly replied. "All you need to know is that we are allies now, despite our backgrounds."

"You don't say." Was Gajeel's response. "Well, if you need anything, I'm gonna go find those two tough guys." Gajeel then walked past the three of them, not even glancing at Whis again.
"You still wish to fight them even after your defeat?" Rogue then asked. Gajeel stopped for a split second, before turning around to face the Shadow Dragon.

"I'm that obvious, am I?" Gajeel asked. "Fine, what gave it away?"

"Fair warning, both Goku and Vegeta are unfathomably powerful. At your current strength, you will be on the floor before landing a single strike."

"Well now, am I sensing a rivalry between these two?" Whis asked, placing his hand on his lips.

"Like I need a reminder on that. It's not like I'm not gonna try and improve myself." Gajeel replied. "I'll try my best, thank you very much." Gajeel then walked off further down the hallway.

"If it's Goku and Vegeta you're looking for, then you're heading the wrong way." Whis stated, causing Gajeel to halt in his tracks. Before long, Gajeel swiftly turned around, and began walking the opposite direction.

"Hey, if you're looking to be in a match with Goku and Vegeta, then I'm coming with you!" Natsu stated. "I'm also done resting."

"You know what, I'm with Natsu on this." Grey said, "Plus, I haven't actually fought Goku and Vegeta yet."

"And if Grey goes, then I follow." Juvia replied, standing up as well.

"Well, I guess there's no use for me to stay here at the moment." Erza then said, as she stood up and headed towards Gajeel's position. Gajeel then let out a faint, frustrated sigh, before glancing back at Lucy, Levy, Wendy, Laxus, Sting, and Rogue.

"What about you guys?" Gajeel asked. "You gonna tag along, or not?" Lucy smiled nervously.

"Uhm, actually, I was planning on staying here a little longer." Lucy answered, waving her arms in a rejecting motion.

"Huh, and you, Levy?" Gajeel then asked.

"I'm with Lucy here, I don't think I'm ready for a fight just yet." Levy replied.

"Alright then," Gajeel said, he then glanced at Whis, "Now where are those two tough guys?"

"Just follow me, and you'll be with them in no time." Was Whis's answer. After that, he then turned around, walking away. Gajeel and the others were quick to follow. But then, Sting then exited the room, and then called out,

"Hey, Natsu!" Natsu then turned around to see Sting, smiling at him with his thumb pointing up. "Good luck." Was all Sting had to say. Natsu smiled in return.

"Thanks. You know, I thought all you Sabertooth guys were all high-and-mighty jerks, but you and your pal, you'll not that bad."

"Hey, Natsu." Grey called out. Natsu turned around, seeing everyone waiting for him. "Come on, you gonna keep us hangin'?" Natsu turned to glance back at Sting again, before returning the thumbs-up gesture.

"See ya later, pal." Natsu said, before heading off with Gajeel and the others.

"Man, this ship is huge." Said Natsu, "How long have we been walking?"

"Not that long, about 2 minutes, give or take." Whis replied.

"You sure about that? Cause it feels a hell of a lot longer than just 2 minutes."

"Well, I definitely know that whining about it will in fact make the time feel even longer. So, do be patient, Natsu." Whis replied. Natsu groaned in annoyance.

"Hey, I think I see them!" Grey then announced, catching everyone's attention.

"Yes, it seems we have arrived and-what in the name of...?" Was all Whis could say at the sight his eyes laid on. The massive room was in complete shambles. The walls were shredded, the floor was littered with craters and jutting landmasses, and the layout of the room resembled more of a mountain range than the inside of a space-faring vessel. And then, Whis noticed Goku and Vegeta brawling in the air. But while Whis could clearly see the whole brawl unfold, everyone else could only see fuzzy afterimages and faint explosions rupturing in the air, and even then, they could barely keep their focus on a single afterimage, and every subsequent explosion went too fast for their eyes to perceive.

"What exactly do you two barbarians think you're doing?" Whis demanded. Instantly, Goku and Vegeta halted their brawl, finally allowing Natsu's friends to get a clear look at the two Saiyans. Both Saiyans were bruised and battered while being covered in dust and scratches. But that didn't seem to bother the Saiyans too much, as they looked down to see Whis starring right at them.

"Oh, hey Whis. I didn't think you'd be coming this soon." Goku exclaimed. He then floated down, touched the floor, and greeted Whis with a simple smile, but not without noticing Whis's frustrated visage. "Hey, you alright, Whis?" Goku then asked, "You're makin' me feel like I've done something." But before Goku received an answer, he quickly shifted his attention towards Natsu and the others. "Oh, hey! You guys are here too? Awesome!" Goku declared, pumping his fists in excitement, before making a beeline for the group. Fortunately for Natsu, Whis had halted Goku's dash by giving him a quick chop on the shoulder.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" Goku yelped as he rubbed his shoulder. "Whis, what was that for!"

"In case you haven't noticed, your brawl has left this room in ruins!" Whis stated, almost coming close to growling. "You do realize the reason we keep these chambers nice and orderly is so no-one has to learn how to become a rock-climber, and so the ship doesn't have holes in its walls!

"But can't your staff do all that stuff for you?" Goku then asked, "Just wave that thing around and fix us up. Please? My back's been killing me!"

"Kakarot, I wouldn't think it wise to pester Whis while he's like this." Vegeta said. "I mean, he has that tick mark on his forehead." Vegeta then pointed at Whis's forehead, and sure enough, there was an anime tick mark right at the edge of said forehead. Once Goku noticed the tick mark, he began backing off, waving his hands in defeat.

"Sorry, my mistake. I'll be over here now, we can wait." Goku said, awkwardly. He then sat on the floor with his legs crossed, giggling. Vegeta soon followed, and sat somewhat adjacent to where Goku was sitting, with both his legs and arms folded.

"Dumbass." Vegeta said.

"He truly lacks any tact whatsoever." Whis said.

"There we go. Good as new and completely spotless." Whis said. It has only been one minute, and not only has Whis managed to completely repair the room, he has also managed to calm down a bit. Goku took notice of this, and wasted no time in dashing straight for Whis.

"Finally, so you think you can heal us now?" Goku excitedly asked. Before being promptly whacked on the noggin by Whis.

"Goku, you have an awful habit of letting your primal Saiyan instinct get the best of you before you rush into action, and it is most displeasing. If you or Vegeta continue to rush in with such reckless abandon, you will be in some serious trouble." Whis said.

"Okay, okay! I get it, can you please heal us now?" Goku asked, while rubbing his head where Whis's staff had struck. Whis then let out one last sigh, before using his staff to create a green circle surrounding both Goku and Vegeta. The circles quickly lifted, and every single wound on the Saiyans' bodies were wiped clean off. Goku and Vegeta let out a deep breath, relieved at the cathartic feeling of a fully invigorated body.

"Whoo! Man that feeling never gets old." Goku stated as he stretched his arms and body. Vegeta simply cracked his knuckles and shoulders, while keeping his grouchy visage. But Goku still had some business to take care of, as he immediately shifted his eyes to look at Natsu and the others. "So, what are you guys doing here? I thought you were all resting." Goku asked.

"It turns out that they are just as reckless with their health as you Saiyans and were just itching for a match between you two." Whis answered.

"I wouldn't exactly say we were itching-" Grey then said, but before he could finish his thoughts, Vegeta had stepped in on the conversation.

"Well that will have to wait." Vegeta stated. "First things first, we'll need to teach you the basics of ki and how to wield it."

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