Saiyans on the Grandline
Jinbe sat quietly, and alone in his cell in Impel Down. Things had not gone the way he or Mina thought they would, if Kaen, the Saiyan who took the lives of three Celestial Dragons, had infiltrated Impel Down, with Ace's little brother.
An' thanks to the ruckus those two caused, when they actually managed to sneak into Impel Down, Magellan had been ordered to send the two Prisoners to Marineford, ahead of schedule.
"I do not know, what will happen if the execution goes through." Jinbe said. "Will the world end at the hands of a Saiyan, or will the world government collapse?"
"Hey, who are you?"
"How did you get down here?"
Jinbe's attention was drawn to the distance, when he heard the commotion, as someone fought their way through the guards, before the sound of an explosion was heard, as it echoed through the level, as Jinbe could see the smoke rising from the distance, until Kaen came flying through the smoke, his bandages heavily damaged, and nearly falling off.
"MINA." Kaen shouted, before stopping right in front of the cell. "Hold on… I'm sensing Mina's Ki, but she's not here."
"I'm sorry." Jinbe said, bringing Kaen's attention to him. "I'm afraid the transport for her and Ace, was moved ahead of schedule. Due to what I'm assuming, you and Straw Hat did, in regards to breaking into the prison. You are Kaen, Mina's husband, correct?"
"Yeah, that's me." Kaen stated. "But… if Mina's not here, how come I'm still feeling her energy?"
Jinbe just looked at Kaen, before recalling something that happened a couple days prior, between him and Mina.
~2Days Ago~
"Jinbe." Mina began. "Can I ask a favor of you?"
"A favor?" Jinbe repeated, raising a brow.
"I'm sure I told you this, but on my home world, 80% of the population have a unique power, called a Quirk. Kaen's sister, gave me one called, Duplication Void, and it allows me to create anything that's been in there, at least once. Ever since we've joined Luffy's crew, I had prepared in case something like this might happen."
"You prepared for your own demise?" Ace asked.
Mina nodded, before she reached into her cleavage, accessing her Duplication Void before pulling out a Duplication Bag, and setting it on the ground at her side.
"I know for a fact, Kaen's gonna come here. One way or another, he's gonna make his way to this cell, whether I'm here or not." Mina stated. "If I'm not here, when he arrives, I want you to give him this bag. It has the Duplication Void, ingrained into its material. An' it has everything he'd need from it, to replace me. Senzu Beans, energy drinks, Primal Rage, his guitar, and even a special present, that I had got for him, when we were on Shiki's flying Archipelago."
~End Flashback~
Jinbe continued to look at Kaen, before he reached behind him, to where he hid the bag, and held it out to him.
"Mina, had asked me to give this too you, in the event that she was taken before you arrived." Jinbe said.
Kaen looked at Jinbe, and then at the bag, before reaching through the bars and taking it.
"She prepared it, just in case something like this might happen." Jinbe said. "She said it has everything you'd ever need in there, to replace her."
Kaen reached into the bag, and pulled out, a sack of Senzu Beans, his body quivering in anger.
"No." Kaen hissed, falling to his knees. "I'm too late."
Jinbe looked at Kaen, as the Saiyan showed such vulnerability, that he couldn't even believe that the teen was part of the same race of beings, who had attacked nearly twenty years ago. However, the Fishman's attention was drawn to what was behind Kaen, as someone quietly, and calmly stepped out of the shadows, leading to the cell.
"Pardon for the interruption, I do know this is a bit of a hard time for you."
Kaen felt a gentle hand touch his shoulder, and he sat up to see, a short woman with pink hair, and Potara Earrings on her earlobes. Her attire told Kaen that she was someone very important, and the way her power felt, told Kaen she was far stronger then she appeared, at just a glance.
"But I need you to come with me." She said softly.
"I can't go, not just yet." Kaen sniffled. "I have to go save Mina."
"I'm afraid this cannot wait."
"Who the hell even are you, to keep me from saving my wife, from execution?" The Saiyan teen questioned, jumping to his feet.
"I get that you're hurting, so allow me to introduce myself." She said, stepping back, and folding her hands together. "I am the Supreme Kai of Time. The Deity of Creation and Light, that watches over the steady flow, and delicate balance of the element of time."
Kaen just looked at the girl, while Jinbe remained silent, and seemed a bit confused about her introduction, and it seemed like she wasn't done yet.
"I know you have no reason to trust me, but listen when I say that you are needed for something, that could result in the destruction, or survival, of all reality. I've frozen the time around us so we can talk freely about this."
"Alright, I'm listening." Kaen said.
Jinbe was quite interested in this as well.
"Right now, by diverging from the Prime Timeline of your history, you have missed the window of departure for what you're meant to do."
"An', just what exactly is it I'm supposed to be doing?" Kaen questioned.
"You, are supposed to be on Planet Vegeta, causing a revolution at this moment. You will inspire the Saiyans, to stand up against the Frieza Force, and fight back." The Supreme Kai of Time explained.
"Hate to break it to ya, but Planet Vegeta's been destroyed for over a decade and a half now." Kaen stated.
"Which is why it was part of Causality Loop." The Supreme Kai of Time stated. "I can take you to the point in time for when Causality Loop starts for this timeline. Despite being a divergent of the Prime Timeline, the events that you've gone through since arriving to this world, were meant to happen. So I am needing you to come with me now, and do your part in the Temporal Causality Loop."
Kaen just stood there, arms crossed over his chest, before he began pacing in front of Jinbe's Cell, as the Fishman wasn't frozen in time.
"You have, complete control over time, correct?" Kaen asked, stopping and turning back to the Supreme Kai of Time.
"It's implied in my…"
"Yes or no." Kaen said sternly.
The Time Kai looked at Kaen, before she took a deep breath in, preparing to answer him.
"Yes. I have complete and utter control over the flow of time. It's how I've managed to keep myself from aging like a prune." She stated.
"Good." Kaen said. "If I do this, I'll expect something in return."
"Name it. If it's within my power, I will do it."
"After I play a part in your Causality Loop, I want you to return me to this timeline, just as the War between Marineford and the Whitebeard Pirates, begins." Kaen stated.
"Deal." The Kai of Time stated.
"Why not travel back in time, and rescue Mina and Ace before they're taken if you could ask for anything." Jinbe asked.
"Messing with the flow of time, could lead to more harm then changing the events, are worth." Kaen stated, eating a Senzu Bean. "If I change the natural course of history, by doing that, I'd create a branched timeline, diverging from this one, which I guess is already a divergence of the one, where I'm still on my home world, or the planet I was raised on."
"What about me? Are you gonna set me free?" Jinbe questioned.
"I'm afraid not. You're not meant to leave that cell until Luffy and the others who follow Ivankov, make their way down here." The Supreme Kai of Time said. "Sorry, but you're just gonna have to tough it out for a few more hours. You'll also have to inform Luffy's group on Kaen's situation, once they arrive."
"That is fine." Jinbe said. "I do not mind."
"Great, now that we understand everything, let's get going Kaen." The Supreme Kai of Time said, grabbing Kaen's hand, before they vanished in a spiral of light, with the feint sound of a clock ticking echoing through the air momentarily, allowing for time to start flowing again, like normal.
"A very strange, yet intriguing young man, that Kaen is." Jinbe said. "Though, he doesn't seem like the type to just follow orders. I feel like, he's more Captain material."
~Planet Vegeta: 16 Years Ago~
"Alright Kaen, that's it just breathe, take it easy." The Supreme Kai of Time said, as Kaen was breathing heavily, and heaving behind a rock. "I know, it's jarring for anyone the first time they travel through space-time. So just let the toxins flow out of you."
"Where are we?" Kaen questioned, after composing himself. "I feel, heavier."
"We're on Planet Vegeta, almost a week before its destruction. The gravity here is stronger then anything you're used to." The Kai of Time explained. "You're gonna make your way through the Capital, and just walk around. Anything you do, won't change the course of history, as it has already happened, in the Causality Loop."
"Alright, so what's gonna happen exactly?"
"You're gonna meet a couple of important beings, who will be the only ones you're allowed to tell about the Causality Loop, and then you're gonna issue a Trial of Combat to King Vegeta when he tries to arrest you, and the rest I'll let you figure out on your own. I've already told you more then I was supposed to." The Supreme Kai of Time said. "But I will be back to return you to the Grandline, just as the War begins, it'll be a few days for you, but it'll be a couple hours since you left, when you return to your timeline. We're just on the outskirts of the city, so get dressed into a fresh Hero Costume, and get going."
"Alright, I'll see you in a few days, I guess." Kaen said, heading to the city.
After pulling out the vest version of his hero costume, Kaen didn't know what to make of the city. He felt as though he was in a dream, and that he'd wake up at any moment, but everything seemed a bit too real, to be a dream. Continuing to walk, Kaen was unaware of where he was going, until he bumped into someone, and knocked them over.
"Oh, my bad I'm sorry about that." Kaen said.
"The hell's your problem kid?" The Saiyan he bumped into questioned angrily, while glaring at Kaen.
"I'm sorry, here let me help you up."
"I don't need your damn pity or help." The Saiyan stated, getting to his feet. "If you got a problem with me, then come out and say it."
"I do not have a problem with you. It was an accident, and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Kaen stated, before noticing the crowd around them had formed a makeshift fight arena. "Shit, we're gonna fight aren't we?"
"You got that right punk. You catch on quick." The Saiyan stated, cracking his knuckles with a smirk as he turned on his Scouter. "With such a puny power level, you should prepare to get your face smashed in."
"Sorry but… my power level is actually higher, I'm just suppressing it." Kaen said, before he had to duck, as a fist was swung at him. "Hey watch it. Me bumping into you was an accident."
"I don't care. This is how we do things on Planet Vegeta, did you forget, or are you just stupid?"
"Neither actually, I'm a Saiyan born off world." Kaen said. 'Why'd I say that? I was born here on Planet Vegeta. An' if he asks me anymore questions, I might end up revealing the Causality Loop.'
"Ah, so you're new to the planet. Well let me greet you with a warm welcome." The Saiyan stated, hitting him in the face with a punch. "The gravity here is ten times stronger then most other planets. So you're not very lucky to have picked a fight with me."
"I told you." Kaen growled. "It was an accident."
The Saiyan didn't seem to listen as he threw another punch at Kaen, but the teen Saiyan had enough and caught the bigger Saiyan's arm, before hitting him with a shoulder throw and slamming him into the ground.
"Lucky… shot." The older Saiyan groaned, not even trying to get up off the ground.
"Damn it… I was really hoping not to draw attention to myself." Kaen sighed.
"Hey you, stop right there."
Kaen turned around, just as two Saiyans, dressed in royal guards uniforms, landed on the ground and aimed energy blasts at him.
"No need for violence. I'll cooperate." Kaen sighed, slowly raising his hands.
~Later~
"Can I at least have a phone call?" Kaen questioned, as the cell doors were shut on him. "This is not good."
"You're telling me kid." A gruff voice said, alerting Kaen to the fact he wasn't alone. "I thought I'd finally have some peace and quiet in here, but I guess that was too much to ask for."
Turning to look at who'd spoken, Kaen's eyes widened when he saw a living legend.
"Bardock?" Kaen asked.
"So you know who I am. That's just great." Bardock grumped. "I get locked up for defying one detail about my mission, and I'm locked up with a fan of mine."
"Sorry, I'm just surprised to see you here." Kaen said.
"Well, I'm surprised to see a Saiyan, not in Frieza Force Armor." Bardock said. "What are you locked up for?"
"Got into a fight out in public. I wasn't even trying to fight, I just accidentally bumped into someone and knocked them over."
"Did you offer to help them up?" Bardock asked.
"Yes."
"There's where the fight was issued. To a Saiyan, being offered a sign of pity, like an offer to be helped up after falling, is a threat to their pride and a challenge to their strength."
"Yeah, well I was born and raised off world, so I'm not all too familiar with the customs of my people." Kaen said.
"Bardock, you're free to go. Your suspension is up." One of the guards said, opening the cell door.
"About time. I've already been in here for a week." Bardock stated.
"You, you're coming with me to face punishment by King Vegeta." The guard stated, pointing to Kaen.
"Alright, I won't resist." Kaen said, before the cuffs were placed on his wrists.
Following the guard, the two Saiyans stopped, when Bardock called for him.
"Hey kid." Bardock said. "Whatever you do, don't piss off the King."
"What happens if I do?"
"Then your only chance for survival, is to call for a challenge, only the strong can survive." Bardock said, before walking away.
As Bardock left, Kaen was confused as to what he was talking about, but when making his way through the palace with the guard, he contemplated and thought back on a few things Gine had told him about Saiyan Trials, and the different kinds there were, and thought about the challenge the Supreme Kai of Time said he was gonna issue to King Vegeta.
'Let's see, there's the trial by fire, the trial by air, resistance, surprisingly dance, and a normal trial, for treason. But why would I choose a Trial by Combat instead of picking from one of the others.' Kaen thought.
Before he could contemplate and bring his thoughts back to the trials, the two Saiyans stopped at the great hall, where a great banquet was set up, and to his surprise, he saw a sight he'd only been told about, and his fears were true, and the story rang in his head.
"About five days before Planet Vegeta was destroyed, the Royal Palace had received a visitor, a being of immense power, no one could hope to stand against." The words rang true, as the beings Gine spoke of, were right in his sights. "Visiting the palace that day, was Lord Beerus, the God of Destruction, and his attendant Whis."
"Can your miserable little brain comprehend why I'm so angry, Saiyan King?" Beerus questioned, sitting at the head of the table, and one foot on the back of King Vegeta's head. "Answer me."
"Because I promised to fulfill your mission in the time you gave us Lord Beerus, but it took longer then I thought." King Vegeta said.
"Wrong." Beerus stated.
"Father's being humiliated." Kaen heard the voice of a child say, before looking over to see a younger, practically carbon copy of King Vegeta just looking on behind a wall of rocks. "How can he take that, just who is this filth?"
'That must be Prince Vegeta. Mom said that he leaves for his mission the day after Lord Beerus's visit, a few hours before the new King takes the title.' Kaen thought, before looking back towards the Destroyer God, and Saiyan King, but to his surprise, Whis had his eyes on him, while Beerus was dealing with King Vegeta.
"I consider myself a rather flexible deity. I know you mortals have your limitations. But there is one thing I cannot tolerate." Beerus said, before stomping King Vegeta's face into the ground harder. "The callus arrogance of those who do not pay the respect a Destroyer is due."
"Not good." Kaen hissed, seeing the expression on the Prince's face.
"I ordered you to find me the most comfortable pillow in all the universe. An' I know for a fact, you obtained it. Your tenacity was impressive, although your methods, a bit severe." Beerus said, removing his foot from the King's head and pulling him up by his hair. "I bet you don't even know how many creatures you killed in that raid. Of course being what I am, I could have accepted all that if you had simply given me the best pillow, instead of keeping it for yourself, and trying to fool me with the second best."
"Damn it." Kaen hissed again, spotting the Prince about to charge at Beerus, before the Saiyan teen broke the chains on his cuffs and went running toward the Destroyer and his attendant.
"Hey wait, get back here." The guard called out to him.
"Lord Beerus, wait." Kaen called out to him, stopping ten feet from the deity and taking a knee, with one fist on the ground.
"My, you're a tenacious one, aren't you?" Beerus questioned, looking right at Kaen. "Speak boy, before I destroy you, and your King."
"I beseech thee Lord Beerus, please understand it was not the King's intention to fool you, nor deprive you of your prize." Kaen stated.
"Hmm? Then what were his intentions." Beerus inquired.
"During the raids to claim the pillow, it got covered in blood splatter, and so we thought that you would be satisfied with the second best pillow, until the blood had been cleaned completely from the pillow, so as to not stain your divine garments Lord Beerus." Kaen said. "Please, I beg you, understand that we only meant for you to have the other pillow until the best could be available to you."
"Is that so?" Beerus questioned.
There was a moment of tense contemplation, before Beerus released Vegeta's head, and stepped up to Kaen, grabbing his cheeks to force the teen to look up at him, and turning his head to both sides, before his eyes spotted the streak of red in his hair.
"Tell me boy, are you a pure blood Saiyan?" Beerus asked, releasing Kaen's face.
"I am my Lord." Kaen said.
"Intriguing. But why is it, you're wearing the remains of shackles, and not the traditional Saiyan garb given by the Frost Demons?" Beerus questioned.
"I… had gotten into a fight in town, and was arrested for causing a disturbance." Kaen said.
"Is that all? That explains the shackles, but what of your clothes?"
"I spent some time off world, on another planet to train and hone my power. These garbs are given to their strongest warriors." Kaen stated.
"Oh, I see. Your power level is rather impressive." Beerus smiled, standing back up. "For a mortal's that is. But it's still rather low and not considered anything legendary. In fact, I'd have to say you're nearly on par with the King himself here."
"Your praise is too kind sir." Kaen said, bowing his head again.
"Come boy, join me for the feast. Anyone who has the gull to stand up to me, but still show the respect I'm due, is worthy to sit by my side for a meal." Beerus said.
"You're too kind Lord Beerus." Kaen said, pulling up a seat next to him.
"King Vegeta." Beerus began. "You should be grateful to this young one. He's just spared your planet a doomed fate, for now. Bring me my requested pillow once the moment the cleaning is complete, and all is forgiven."
"Yes My Lord. I'll have it brought right away." King Vegeta said, picking himself up, before he began to walk away.
"Ah, aren't you forgetting something first?" Beerus questioned. "Boy, hold up your arms."
Kaen did so, realizing Beerus was talking about the broken cuffs around his wrists.
"Right of course." King Vegeta said. "Guards, remove his cuffs at once."
"Uh… keep one on?" Kaen asked. "I'd like to keep it as a memento of my meal with Lord Beerus."
"Very well." King Vegeta said, as only the left cuff was removed from Kaen's arm.
"Thank you King." Beerus smiled before turning to look at Kaen. "Now, let's chat, shall we boy?"
"If you so wish, Lord Beerus." Kaen said, before his stomach growled, and he blushed. "But may we eat first? I'm starved."
"That's what I like to hear." Beerus smiled with a cheerful tone.
Kaen smiled, and laughed with him, before his eyes caught sight of Gine, as she came out and placed a platter on the table, filled with a large red meat based dish.
"Ah, now this looks amazing." Beerus stated. "How about you take the first bite boy?"
"If you don't mind."
"Nonsense. Enjoy, it's not every day a Mortal gets to say he's had dinner with the God of Destruction."
"Thank you Lord Beerus." Kaen smiled, before taking some food and putting it on the plate, before noticing it was familiar somehow. 'Is this mom's Bacon Wrapped Roasted Potato Loaf? I guess this is what it looks like made with ingredients from the Saiyan Home World.'
"What's the matter boy? It smells good, so what's the hold up?" Beerus asked.
"Apologies Lord Beerus, it just reminded me of something similar on the planet I was raised on." Kaen said.
"Ah, made you freeze in nostalgia, did it?" Beerus smiled, taking a chunk of it himself. "If it can do that, it's bound to taste delicious."
"Ooh, save some for me as well." Whis smiled, dishing himself a plate.
"So tell me boy. It was kinda gutsy to straight up lie to a Destroyer God like that." Beerus said, stopping Kaen as he was in the middle of taking a bite. "So why do so in the first place? I mean don't get me wrong, I sensed nothing but respect in your tone and your words, but why risk your life like you did?"
"I knew you weren't stupid, so I thought it was only a matter of time before you figured it out." Kaen said putting his fork down.
"I'm glad to hear you don't think so little of me at least." Beerus smiled. "So what made you lie?"
"Honestly? It was a bit of a spur of the moment kind of thing." Kaen said. "I saw the Prince about to run in, and I have a bit of a soft spot for kids, and my body just sort of moved on its own."
"Ah, so it was an impulsive maternal instinct." Whis said. "I take it that means you've got children of your own?"
"A daughter, and one on the way. My daughter's probably worried sick about me by now." Kaen sighed.
"A moment." Beerus said, as the pillow was brought out. Getting up off his seat, Beerus removed his pillow and replaced it with his requested one, before looking at Kaen. "Stand up."
Kaen did so, before Whis took the pillow from Beerus and put it on the Saiyan's seat. Putting his hands on Kaen's shoulders, Whis pushed Kaen back onto his seat, and the Saiyan was surprised.
"Oh. That is comfy." Kaen said. "An' it's so big it could be a beanbag chair."
"Incredible right?" Beerus smiled. "I don't know why, but I've taken quite a liking to you boy."
"I'm honored sir." Kaen smiled.
"Now, I would like to hear about where, you're actually from, because it's clear to me you have zero clue on Saiyan culture here." Beerus said. "I'd even like to hear more about this family of yours."
"Well, it's a bit complicated, but I was born on Planet Vegeta. However I was raised from a week old, to my current age, on Earth."
"Alpha or Omega?" Beerus asked.
"Alpha."
"Whis, remind me hasn't that planet's population developed some form of super power?" Beerus asked.
"Yes My Lord, I believe the inhabitants of Earth Alpha, have biologically developed abilities, known as Quirks." Whis said.
"About 80% of the population have a Quirk now these days." Kaen said, holding up his hand and allowing for Beerus to see the lightning of One-for-All dancing around his hand. "Even I have one."
"But if you weren't born to a human there, how do you have a Quirk?" Beerus inquired.
"It's complicated. But the Quirk I have, is able to be passed down from one person to another. My Quirk is the crystallization of accumulated power that's been passed down through all who've come before me." Kaen stated.
"I see." Beerus said. "But there's still something you're hiding from us, isn't there?"
"There is… I'm actually here, on a mission." Kaen said. "It was given to me, by the Supreme Kai of Time."
"I see, so you're a Time Patroller then." Beerus stated.
"No, I'm not." Kaen stated. "You two are literally the only ones I'm allowed to tell this to. I'm part of, something she called a Causality Loop. Though, she said that no matter what I do, nothing that happens with my presence here, will alter the flow of history, it'll just continue on the same as it had been before."
"A Causality Loop? Well that is a surprise." Beerus smiled. "An' the fact you're here, right now at the castle, means something great is about to happen with the Saiyans, and you're the cause of it."
"I suppose you could look at it that way." Kaen said. "Though, when I'm done with my role in the Causality Loop, I'll be returning to my timeline. An' at the moment, I'm actually on another planet, with a vast body of water known as the Grandline, and fruits known as Devil Fruits."
"I remember that world actually." Whis smiled. "Around four years ago, the Saiyans sent several of their finest warriors there, but were utterly defeated."
"Yes, I do recall you telling me something like that after I woke up from my most recent nap." Beerus said. "So what's happening in that world boy?"
"Currently, there's a war about to break out. An' the spark to ignite it, is the execution of Portgas D. Ace, and Mina Ashido Yagi, my wife." Kaen said.
"But, she's with child isn't she?" Beerus inquired. "I seriously doubt they'd be willing to risk bad PR for killing a pregnant woman."
"That doesn't matter to the World Government. They're willing to kill anyone to get their way." Kaen said. "Plus, she's not even that far along. The news of this pregnancy was discovered only a couple days ago, so the World Government could leave it out of the execution speech completely if they wanted to."
"What a shame." Whis said.
"Has to be nerve wracking, doesn't it?" Beerus asked. "You're stuck here in the Causality Loop, while your pregnant wife, and your friend are helplessly at the mercy of the enemy."
"The World Government on that planet, is nothing but a tyrannical dictatorship, forcing the world into being all the same. They conquer and enslave the countries that won't fall in line, like they're nothing more then free labor." Kaen stated, clenching his fists. "I saw plenty records of this, first hand, when traveling as a pirate."
"But this anger… it's about more then just how the World Government, on that planet, treats is citizens, isn't it?" Whis asked. "What seems to be troubling you?"
"Mina, my wife, as I said is pregnant." Kaen stated. "An' they still plan on executing her, just because she's both a Saiyan and a Pirate, and the warden of the jail she was being held in, just laughed at how she and my unborn child were gonna die, as if it were the funniest joke he'd ever heard."
"I see." Beerus said. "That must really grind your gears."
"Like you wouldn't believe." Kaen said. "But the Supreme Kai of Time, said she'd return me to that timeline, just as the war's beginning, as soon as I'm done here in the Causality Loop."
"A silver lining to every storm cloud I suppose." Whis smiled.
"Well, as much fun as this has been, I do believe it's time we were on our way." Beerus yawned. "Whis."
"Right away my Lord." Whis said.
"Take care young Saiyan. Keep the second best pillow." Beerus said, taking the first best. "An' be sure to save your wife. Give it to her from me, consider it a gift to congratulate her pregnancy."
"Thank you Lord Beerus." Kaen said.
"Let's go Whis."
"Take care young warrior. I have a feeling you'll do great things." Whis said.
The moment Whis and Beerus were gone, Kaen sighed in relief before he was on guard, as several of the royal guards, surrounded him.
"You've got some nerve making me look like a fool in front of Lord Beerus, like you did." King Vegeta stated, coming towards Kaen. "But I suppose if Lord Beerus of all people finds your company enjoyable, I won't execute you, I'll just keep you locked away in the dungeons, and bring you out whenever he appears."
"You can't be serious. I just saved the planet from total destruction." Kaen said, as he was restrained.
"An' Lord Beerus saw right through your ruse. Yet he still took part and spared us. Which means you have some power over him, that I don't." King Vegeta exclaimed. "I find that rather disheartening, and troublesome."
"Over the years, I've heard a lot of great things about you King Vegeta. But you know, you're nothing more then a petty coward." Kaen growled.
"Hold your tongue, or I will execute you." King Vegeta stated, turning to leave. "Beerus's punishment be damned."
"Trial by Combat." Kaen stated.
"What did you just say?" King Vegeta inquired.
"I demand a Trial by Combat. 1-v-5." Kaen said as he was released.
"Trial by Combat hasn't been issued in decades. I'm surprised someone as young as you knows of such a thing." King Vegeta said. "Very well, I am bound by my Saiyan Pride to accept the issued challenge. I'll have the arena prepared for a fight tonight. An' as a courtesy to you for convincing Lord Beerus to spare our world. I'll allow you to write up the contract, and to choose your opponents."
"Then allow me to declare my final opponent after the others!" Kaen stated. "You King Vegeta."
"You wish to fight me last? Are you sure boy?"
"You know what they say, always save the best, for last." Kaen said.
"Very well. Then if you don't mind, I'll choose the other four opponents you'll be facing."
"So long as Callio, brother of Gine, isn't one of them." Kaen said, surprising the Saiyan woman as she was witnessing this exchange from the entrance to the kitchen.
"If you say so. I'll be sure to send flowers to your funeral." King Vegeta stated rather smugly. "Take him to one of the training rooms. I wanna at least give him a fighting chance at his trial."
Without resisting, Kaen allowed himself to be taken to one of the training rooms, where he was kept under strict watch, and his training would often get interrupted. But there was one thing he knew, he wasn't gonna just lay down and die. He had a family to return to, and save from death. All the while, none of them were aware of the Supreme Kai of Time watching the events unfold, a look of grave concern on her face, as she kept her eye on Kaen, the key player, in the causality loop.
"This is gonna be the biggest trial for him yet. I hope he has the strength to pull through." She said.
~World: Present Day~
All was quiet aboard the prisoner escort ship, Mina and Ace were fully restrained, with the pink haired girls eyes filled with tears.
"Hey, everything's gonna be okay." Ace said. "If even half the stuff you said about Kaen is true, then he'll be sure to rescue you, before the execution."
"That's not the issue." Mina said.
"Then what is?"
"When we were still in our cell, I could feel Kaen's energy, I could feel his passion, his rage." Mina said. "But then, out of nowhere, it just vanished like smoke in the breeze."
"I'm assuming that's a bad thing." Ace sighed.
"It means one of a few things, to name a couple, he hid his power completely, blocking me from being able to sense him." Mina said.
"An' the other?"
Mina was silent for a moment as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"He's dead." Mina said. "Magellan could have killed him. Kaen doesn't have a Quirk that makes him resistant to poisons."
"Well then, I guess it's a good thing he's a tough nut to crack." Ace said. "Have faith Ashido, there's no way Magellan could have taken him down so easily. I believe Kaen's just hidden his power, to give himself a tactical advantage. So keep your chin up, and have faith that he'll come for you."
~Planet Vegeta~
"Alright Kaen, it's now or never." The Saiyan teen huffed, prepared for the battle to come. "If I win this, I'll be able to return to my proper place in time."
"Well, someone seems all riled up."
Kaen jumped, before he turned around and saw Whis standing there.
"Whis? My apologies I didn't know you were there."
"It's all fine." The angel smiled. "I just came to ask you about what planet you currently inhabit? Do you happen to know it's location?"
Kaen just looked at Whis, before he pulled his pocket computer out from his Duplication Bag and opened it up, showing Whis the coordinates and the planet.
"Ah, I see." Whis smiled.
"Why do you wanna know about it?" Kaen asked.
"Just a simple quandary. This world might have some delicious food that could be quite appetizing to Lord Beerus and myself." Whis said.
"Alright." Kaen said.
"So I take it this trial of combat is part of your causality loop?" Whis asked.
"It is. My final opponent will be King Vegeta himself." Kaen said.
"Oh-ho, quite ambitious aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You mean you're unaware?" Whis inquired. "In the Saiyan culture, a trial of combat means the winner takes everything from the loser, including their title and ranking in a hierarchy. An' since your opponent is King Vegeta himself, then that means you're gonna be the next Monarch of the Saiyans."
Kaen was silent for a moment, before he shook his head and snapped out of it.
"Let me see if I understand this right. You're saying if I win, I claim the throne for myself, and become King?" Kaen asked.
"That is exactly right." Whis smiled.
"Would have been nice to know if the Supreme Kai of Time bothered to mention that." Kaen sighed.
"I do feel rather upset about this myself. Your power is nowhere near strong enough to beat King Vegeta and his subordinates." Whis said.
"What do you mean?" Kaen asked.
"While it's true what Lord Beerus said earlier about your power, it's actually diminished greatly since then. I wonder why?" Whis said. "I do sense something in your chest that seems to be the cause of siphoning your power. But I don't know what it could be."
"Would this be it?" Kaen asked, bringing the Wukong Gem forth. "The Wukong Gem that imprisoned Sun Wukong on the Earth I was raised on."
"I suppose that could be it, but it'd only siphon your powers if… Did you happen to die recently?" Whis asked. "In your timeline I mean."
"I did die." Kaen said. "I was poisoned to death, but the Wukong Gem seemed to act like a heart and brought me back. I guess you could compare it to a backup generator for a hospital that looses its power, only it's for me, and not a medical building. It only went dormant, when I had a Senzu Bean, a miracle food product that can heal almost any injury, short of death."
"An' there we have the source of your siphoned power." Whis sighed. "When you were fully restored, the Gem absorbed a large fraction of your power as payment for keeping you alive, and it collected your debt at the worst possible time as well."
"What am I supposed to do that?" Kaen asked.
"Well, there's not much I can do I'm afraid. But not to worry, I'm sure your victory will happen." Whis smiled. "I'll be watching the battle from the stands above."
"What about Lord Beerus?" Kaen asked.
"My Lord is… back on his planet, taking a much needed nap after the feast he had here." Whis smiled. "You know, he sees quite a bit of himself in you Kaen. I'm sure you're not aware of this, but he was once a mortal with a heroic heart himself."
"He was?" Kaen asked.
"Indeed, but don't let him know I told you. Our little secret okay?"
"Alright?" Kaen smiled. "Well, the fight's about to begin."
"I wish you the best of luck young warrior." Whis smiled.
The moment Kaen was further away from the Angel, Whis sighed without taking his gaze off the Saiyan, and held up his staff.
"You knew his power had weakened significantly, didn't you Supreme Kai of Time?" Whis asked, as the Chronological Kai stepped out from the shadows. "Yet you still pitted him against King Vegeta."
"I was hoping the drain on his power would happen later. Guess it was just wishful thinking." She sighed.
"I suppose it was." Whis smiled. "I'll be in contact with a sibling of mine. They happen to call the planet this Kaen lives on, home."
"Will they help Kaen?"
"In a sense." Whis said. "Jen is a fallen angel, so while she retains her abilities from her former glory, though on a much weaker scale mind you, she's forbidden from stepping foot in our fathers domain ever again."
"Then let's hope she'll be able to help Kaen when he needs it." The Supreme Kai of Time said. "Since this timeline is a divergence from the Prime timeline, he's not gonna be able to do what he's done in that one."
"Which is?"
"I can't say, for fear of altering the causality loop."
"I understand." Whis said.
Out at the mouth of the tunnel, Kaen stood still as he prepared his nerves for the battle to come, before stepping out into the torchlight lit arena with the starry night sky above the battle ground. Standing in front of him, were the five Saiyans he would be facing off in this battle to the death, one of them was King Vegeta, with a cloak encasing his entire body, like he was trying to hide something from Kaen; another was the Saiyan he'd bumped into and knocked on his ass earlier, while three of them were Saiyans he didn't recognize. But all five of them, were wearing Frieza Force Scouters. Kaen could only guess what they were thinking of him, but he didn't let that distract him, as his mind was only focused on winning this battle, and returning to his world. Mina and Eri were counting on him to win and return to them, he wasn't about to let them down.
"My people." King Vegeta called. "This lowly outsider, dared to intrude on my meeting with Lord Beerus earlier today. He callously lied to the Destroyers face, and risked the lives of our race on that lie. To face trial for this crime, the outsider has called for a Trial of Combat. Now witness, as we put this lowly worm in his place."
King Vegeta grabbed his cloak and threw it off himself, revealing the black and silver battle armor he wore underneath.
'He's still wearing his royal ring. The crest that show's who is the current King in the Saiyan Royal Bloodline.' Kaen thought. 'He's sure feeling confident if he's wearing it to battle.'
Grabbing at his waistband, Kaen removed the top half of his costume, and unfurling his shield with the blades sticking out, Kaen embedded the weapon into the wall, with the top hanging off it like it was a coat hanger. Turning back to the fighters in the arena, Kaen could see each of them itching for a chance to destroy him.
'I gotta think this through tactfully. My strength has been siphoned, and that puts me at a disadvantage. I should take them on, one at a time. I think I know what I need to do.' Kaen thought. "Shall we get started?"
"Let the Trial by Combat, commence." King Vegeta cried out, launching a Ki blast into the air.
The moment the Ki blast went off with an explosion, King Vegeta smirked as his four men rushed him.
'They're all rushing me at once, not good.' Kaen thought, as he took to the air, narrowly avoiding being dog piled by the four of them.
Turning around quickly, Kaen was met with one of the Saiyans, ready to throw a punch at him.
"I'll be sure to end your suffering here and now brat." The Saiyan said.
Kaen and his opponent threw a punch at one another, both of them missing their targets, before the Saiyan man was sent flying to the side, like Kaen had hit him with a left hook.
"The… hell?" The Saiyan questioned, as he rolled along the ground. "You didn't… even touch me."
"That's where you're wrong." Kaen huffed, the outside of his right hand steaming a bit. "I struck you the moment our blows crossed one another."
Jumping into the air, Kaen landed on the ground behind the rolling Saiyan, and twisting his hips forward, using momentum from both parties, he kicked the Saiyan like a soccer ball, and sent him flying out of the arena.
"That's one down." Kaen said, before ducking down and dodging blows from two of the oncoming Saiyans. "Four to go."
Maneuvering through the punches, Kaen powered up a Ki blast in both his hands, and slammed them into his opponents stomachs, before they exploded, and enveloped the three of them in a cloud of smoke. There was a second of silence in the arena as the smoke was settling, before both the Saiyans came flying out and landed on the ground, unconscious and missing some teeth.
"Three down." Kaen said, as the smoke cloud finished settling, revealing he had a few scrapes on him from the explosion as well.
Before Kaen could get a chance to rest, the teen had to jump to the side to avoid another Ki blast that came from out of nowhere. Looking to where it came from, he saw the Saiyan he'd knocked down earlier, his teeth showing in a wicked grin.
"I still owe you for earlier brat." The Saiyan said, charging at him.
Kaen was out of breath, and disheveled from the other three opponents, but that didn't stop him from raising his hands and blocking most of the punches this opponent was throwing. Each one hit hard and jarred Kaens bones, and the power he felt behind them was more then enough to let the teen know, this man was out for blood. The Saiyan switched up his tactics and used a kick, which destroyed the belt of the Duplication Pack at the teens hip, sending the bag to the ground.
"Damn it, I don't have time for this shit." Kaen cursed, before he grabbed the Saiyans wrists, and hit him with a strong headbutt.
Kaen struck the Saiyan with a second headbutt, forcing the grown man to his knees, before sending him to the ground, while shaking the earth bellow them with the third strike.
"Take a nap." Kaen huffed, before turning to look at the King, as he was giving a slow clap.
"Amusing. You're stronger then you look." King Vegeta said.
"I've been through more battles then you could imagine." Kaen stated, wiping the blood from the side of his mouth. "So… we gonna do this, or what?"
"So impatient, are you really that eager to die?" King Vegeta questioned.
"I don't plan on dying, not today." Kaen growled. "I have a wife and daughter to return to."
"I'll be sure to send them my condolences." King Vegeta stated, as he flew straight at Kaen.
The Saiyan teen took on a fighting stance, before raising his arms to block King Vegeta's strike. The impact of the King's fist against his arms, caused Kaen's eyes to widen as he felt his bones crack, before he was sent flying and crashed into the arena wall, destroying part of it on impact.
"That is how you deal with a little parasite." King Vegeta sneered confidently.
Kaen fell forward from where he was embedded into the arena wall, his arms pinned between stone, making it look as if he were crucified. Blood dripped from his brow and out his mouth, his vision was blurry, as he looked up to see King Vegeta stepping towards him. His eyes widened as he gasped for air, trying to speak upon seeing King Vegeta reaching down and picking up his Duplication Bag.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" The Saiyan monarch inquired.
"Put that… down." Kaen coughed.
"Really? An' why should I?" The King asked.
"It was a gift, from my wife." Kaen stated.
"Oh? Then I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I took a look inside, if this thing is so precious to you." King Vegeta smirked, reaching his hand in.
Kaen's eyes widened in anger, as King Vegeta began emptying out the bag. Dropping item after item, with not a care in the world.
"Damn, this thing is deeper then it looks." The King laughed, before pulling something out from the bag.
Kaen's eyes landed on the latest thing pulled from the bag, and he was shocked to find it was a black leather Indiana Fedora hat with a feather on the side.
"What's this? A note?" King Vegeta questioned, taking a slip of paper out of the band around the base of the fedora. "This doesn't interest me, but this hat does."
King Vegeta tossed the note away, unintentionally making it land in front of Kaen as it opened up, allowing for him to look at the writing inside, and it looked as though the note was written in blood.
"Dear Kaen… I'm sorry, but if you're reading this, then I'm gone. The Marines succeeded in executing me." The note read. "I wanted to give this to you, as a surprise for when we made it into the New World with the rest of the gang. But it looks as though that's not gonna happen. I love you so much Kaen, and I wish I could be by your side. I wish I could have continued to make our family grow, but it seems that fate had other plans. I only regret, that you'll never get to meet the child I carry, nor that I'll be able to bring them into this world. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, I love you, and Eri with all my heart, please be sure to tell her for me. ~Mina!"
Kaen's eyes welled with tears as he read the note. He couldn't stop himself from breaking down, which didn't go unnoticed by King Vegeta.
"Aw, what's the matter, is the little weakling gonna cry because he's losing the battle?" King Vegeta asked as he began to laugh.
Above the arena, Whis and the Supreme Kai of Time were watching the spectacle from afar, and Whis' expression turned into one of concern mixed with irritation.
"I honestly do wish I could have done something to empower Kaen before the fight began." Whis said. "It's disgustingly barbaric how that Vegeta is mocking him like this."
"That note…" The Supreme Kai of time began. "That note is the key to this."
"What do you mean?" Whis inquired.
"Just watch, and you'll see."
Down in the arena bellow, Kaen grit his teeth. The sound of King Vegeta's laughter annoying him to no end, as he spun the fedora around on his finger by the rim.
"Don't you dare…" Kaen growled, as the tears continued to stream down his face. "TOUCH THAT HAT, YOU MOTHER FUCKER." He shouted, before he released a wave of energy, the same wave of energy that had knocked out most of Whitebeards crew when he first made his escape attempt. The power washed over King Vegeta, and throughout the arena, blowing out the torches that lit up the battle stage, and knocking out most of those present within the vicinity, while King Vegeta, with quite a number of Saiyans in the stands remained.
Kaen, ignoring the pain, threw his arms forward, destroying part of the wall that kept him pinned, surprising King Vegeta and the few Saiyans that remained conscious, before he lunged right at the King, and zipped passed him.
(Cue Music… Knuckle Up: WattWhite)
The Saiyan Monarch was confused as to why he remained untouched, before he realized the hat was gone. Looking behind him, he saw Kaen just as he put the hat on, with the Duplication Bag, over his shoulder,and looked back at the King.
"This was from my wife. Hands off." Kaen hissed, his eyes filled with anger.
"It doesn't matter how fast you've become, you're still gonna die here." King Vegeta exclaimed, firing energy blasts at Kaen.
Dodging left and right, Kaen maneuvered through the attacks, before he went lunging back to King Vegeta. Through the volley of attacks, King Vegeta lunged at Kaen and their fists slammed against one another upon impact. This collision resulted in a burst of pressure that destroyed the ground around them, and shook the arena.
Kaen pulled back his other arm and threw a punch at King Vegeta, but the monarch blocked the strike with his knee, and with his free leg, kicked at Kaen. The Saiyan teen, moved back, narrowly dodging the attack, only getting cut under his right eye.
Flipping back, Kaen slammed his hands together, before he generated enough energy to light up the darkened arena, as his Ki took on the shape of a katana.
"This, ends now." Kaen growled.
"I couldn't agree more." King Vegeta sneered.
The Saiyan Monarch jumped back, and dodged to the right as Kaen came lunging at him, with a swing of the energy Katana. The Saiyan teen quickly spun to his left, and swung the blade of his Ki Weapon, slicing King Vegeta through his armor, and leaving a gash in his chest.
"You little…" King Vegeta hissed. "Feel proud of what you've accomplished here. Because you're not gonna land another hit like that on me again."
"You've got that part right at least." Kaen said as his sword vanished. "I'd prefer to let my fists do the talking anyway."
The two Saiyans charged at one another, their powers colliding as Kaen brought his fists down, and King Vegeta grabbed them. The fight continued on, as Kaen brought his knee up and slammed it into King Vegeta's face, knocking him back before the monarch flipped onto his hands, and pushed off the ground, back to his feet. Once he was back to standing, he fired a large energy blast at Kaen, to which the Saiyan teen coursed One-for-All through his body, and used the wind pressure alongside his strike to send the energy blast skyward.
"Impossible." King Vegeta exclaimed. "How could a lowly worm like yourself, be winning against I the great King Vegeta?"
"You seriously don't get it, do you?" Kaen questioned, holding up the folded up note. "You might be strong, and powerful as King. But emotions are connected to ones power. An' you pissed me off, when mocking me about crying for my wife."
"What the hell are you talking about?" King Vegeta questioned.
Kaen tossed the note to King Vegeta, before he caught the folded up parchment and read it. His eyes widened in shock when he read the note, understanding what Kaen was talking about now.
"You'd do anything for your son right?" Kaen asked.
"Of course, I love my son beyond anything in this universe." King Vegeta said.
"Then you'll understand when I say, I only stepped in with Lord Beerus, to stop him from doing something that could get him killed." Kaen said, surprising the King. "I saw he was about to run in, and I acted to protect him."
King Vegeta just looked at Kaen, before he grit his teeth and destroyed the note with an energy blast.
"That doesn't matter. As much as I appreciate what you did for my son, you still humiliated me in front of Lord Beerus, and for that you must die." King Vegeta stated, taking to the air, and taking a familiar stance that Kaen saw Pinach use against Ores. "Try and deflect this." He exclaimed as he charged the attack.
'Not good. That much energy could destroy the planet itself.' Kaen thought.
Widening his stance, Kaen put both his hands at his right hip, and began charging his own attack.
"Kame-hame…"
"Now you die!" King Vegeta declared. "Galick Gun!" He cried out, sending the attack at Kaen.
"HAAAAA!" Kaen shouted, sending his own attack to counter King Vegeta'.
(End Song…)
When the two attacks collided, an immense wave of air pressure was released, knocking most of the Saiyans out of the stands. It seemed like they were in a stalemate for a while, before a throbbing pain irradiated from Kaen's forearms, as he felt the injuries worsen, and King Vegeta's attack drew closer to him, forcing the teen to take a knee.
"You're nothing but an insignificant whelp, who can't even fight back after hurting his arms." King Vegeta stated. "What the hell makes you think you're so special?"
Kaen just glared up at King Vegeta, before he grit his teeth, and pushed harder while struggling to rise against the attack.
"What makes me so special? Nothing. I'm just a Saiyan, who's fighting for more then just his own life." He exclaimed.
Slamming his foot on the ground, a mountain of ice shot up from the ground, and enveloped King Vegeta, forcing the King's attack to stop, while allowing Kaen's to shoot forward, and engulf the Saiyan Monarch, and a portion of the ice.
This sudden change in climate and appearance of the frozen water, shocked the Saiyans watching to their cores. When the attack died down, King Vegeta fell out of the melted portion of the ice, and landed on the ground with a painful thud.
Stepping around the mountain of ice, Kaen stood in front of King Vegeta, and stepped on his chest.
"Yield…"
King Vegeta glared at Kaen, but couldn't move. He was reluctant, and had no choice but to admit defeat to his opponent.
"I… I yield." King Vegeta huffed.
Kaen reached down, and removed the ring from Vegeta's finger, and put it on his own.
"To be honest, I had no idea I'd win the throne if I won, when I chose you as my final opponent." Kaen said. "I just thought I'd earn my freedom, nothing more. But I guess now I could make a change."
"What kind of change is that?" Vegeta asked.
"I'm gonna destroy Frieza." Kaen stated.
~Luffy's Group~
Luffy sat on the bow of the ship, his cheeks stained with the tears of losing Bon a second time. It was bad enough his friend sacrificed his freedom to give Luffy and his crew a chance to escape after the whole Alabasta Fiasco, but now Bon had given up his life to let Luffy, and several dozen other inmates from Impel Down escape on a stolen Navey Warship.
"Dry your eyes Luffy." Jinbe said. "Bon's sacrifice was not in vein. The true battle ahead is yet to come."
"I know, but I've just lost so much as of late. My crew's been scattered everywhere, and now Bon's given himself up again for my sake." Luffy said. "Are you sure Kaen's gonna be at the war?"
"I'm positive. He was adamant about joining in on the fight to save the life of his wife and unborn child." Jinbe stated.
"Right." Luffy sighed, wiping his eyes, a serious expression etched on his face. "Let's get to Marineford, and save my brother and crewmate."
"The battle ahead, will be filled with pain, and hardships." Jinbe nodded in agreement.
~Kaen: Days After the Battle~
"Is this really necessary?" Kaen questioned, sitting in the great hall of the Saiyan Castle, with the former king standing at his side, having appointed himself, minister to the new royal bloodline.
"It is my liege. You must greet any and all subjects with valor and reverence." Vegeta stated. "While at the same time, showing your strength." He said, as another offering was given in earning Kaen' favor as King.
"Thank you for your offering." Kaen said, looking at the long line of Saiyans, who were bringing him gifts, mainly food items, to congratulate him for becoming King. Kaen was dressed in a fresh and full version his hero costume with the vest modification, but he now had the addition of the King's cloak, and the royal ring on his finger, and the circlet upon his head. "Never was much for wearing crowns."
"Nevertheless, you must wear it as a symbol of your position, when addressing the public." Vegeta said.
While Kaen himself was not all too thrilled about his new Kingly duties and responsibilities, he however didn't have room to complain, so he just bit the bullet, and dealt with it while simultaneously accepting Vegeta's help. While waiting for when he was to return to his own place in the natural flow of time. But so far the Supreme Kai of Time showed no sign of coming back and retrieving him for the battle at Marineford.
"Next." Vegeta said.
To Kaen's surprise, the next in line were a Saiyan couple with a young boy, and the woman heavily pregnant, and she looked ready to pop as well. Kaen recognized them, from a photo Gine had of them, on the shrine she prayed to every morning.
"Ah, Callio and Elery. Here to greet the new King?" Vegeta questioned.
"We are. We don't have much, but we offer this humble gift." Callio said, with what Kaen could hear, was a hint of a Nordic accent.
"It won't be needed." Kaen said, holding up his hand.
"My King?" Elery asked. "If it is not to your liking then…"
"That is not the issue." Kaen said. "You are with child, and already have a little one to feed. I cannot in good conscious, take food from the mouths of those who need it more then I." He said. "That goes for all in line. Whoever cannot spare their rations, should not be here, and should keep it for themselves. The thought of your gifts is appreciated, but I do not wish to starve my own people."
The line began to murmur before Saiyans began to leave by the handful. At the end, the line was still pretty long, but had been shortened by a great deal. An' yet still standing in front of him, were his biological parents, though they did not know it yet.
"Please my King. You may not want to take our gift, but we humbly ask that you do, as we wish to pay our respects." Callio said.
"Father, don't waste your time with a sympathetic weakling of a King, let's just go home and eat." The child with them said.
"Hold your tongue child." Vegeta stated.
"Celeron, that is no way to speak to the King." Elery scolded, pulling his ear.
"Please your majesty, have mercy on the boy. He's just a child." Callio said, worriedly.
"My King." Vegeta began. "I suggest a strict punishment for the child. He may be young, but he is still a Saiyan who disrespected his King."
"I'm aware of what I must do." Kaen said, having memories of what Celeron hated the most back in their childhood, he already had a punishment planned out. "Celeron, you shall be on cleaning duty for the next week, and you shall not go on missions. Everyday, you will come to the palace, and clean the floors, walls, windows and ceiling, until you are instructed to go home."
"You can't be serious." Celeron grumbled. "I hate cleaning."
"Be thankful our New King is merciful boy." Callio scolded. "If it were King Vegeta you'd insulted, then the punishment would have been far worse."
"That being said. I do fancy myself in need of a good hunting trip. Callio, you wouldn't happen to know of some good hunting grounds, would you?"
"Uh… I do actually know of some good hunting grounds my King." Callio said.
"Very well." Kaen smiled, removing his cape and crown. "Vegeta, finish up the rest of my meetings for the day. I might be King, but I'm still only sixteen, I can't sit still for too long or I'm gonna go crazy. An' don't have any of the guards tail us, I'll be fine, and I doubt Callio will try anything."
"Very well Sire." Vegeta said, taking the cape and crown.
"Callio, shall we?" Kaen asked as his feet left the ground.
"Of course." Callio said following suit.
"Feel free to take your family home first." Kaen said.
"We'll be fine. Your concern is appreciated though your Highness." Elery said, one hand on her distended middle.
"Alright, lead the way." Kaen smiled.
Leaving through the sky lighting, Kaen and Callio left the palace, and went out hunting for some fresh game.
~Later~
"Oh man, did you see the look that beast gave when it realized you weren't phased at all?" Kaen laughed, sitting around a camp fire with Callio to his right, laughing equally as hard.
"Oh, what about when the other beast bit down on you, but your skin shattered its teeth?" Callio laughed.
"That was pretty funny, the face it gave made it realize, it was fucked." Kaen said. "Oh man. I needed this. The past week it's been nothing but royal duties."
"I take it you're more used to serving a King, then being one then?" Callio asked.
"Something like that." Kaen smiled, leaning back on his log.
"I'm surprised I can be so…"
"Casual with me?"
"Exactly."
"Well to be honest, I'm not really the type who will abuse his power, or demand respect unless needed." Kaen sighed. "An' if I'm being honest, I kinda don't wanna be in this position of power anymore. It's too much of a hassle."
"Yeah I could imagine. But with great power…"
"Comes great responsibility." Kaen smiled. "A hero from a couple hundred years ago, back on the planet I grew up on, had that exact motto he lived by. An' I've taken to heart, all the great motto's that I learned from those that inspired me."
"You mean in your own time period?" Callio asked.
Kaen froze, and looked to Callio to see he had a raised brow, and looked at him like he was expecting an answer.
"I should have known you'd figure it out eventually." Kaen sighed.
"Of course I figured it out. I'm not stupid boy." Callio said. "Now who are you exactly?"
"I'm… your son." Kaen said. "I'm the older version, of the son, mom still carries inside her."
"I don't understand."
"Time travel." Kaen stated.
"Ah fucking hell boy, do you realized the repercussions that this little trip of yours could cause?" Callio questioned sounding annoyed.
"Pretty rude way to speak to your King."
"I'm speaking to my son right now. Not a King." Callio stated.
"Well, yelling at me won't do any good. My presence here won't have any adverse affects on the timeline. I'm in a Temporal Causality Loop, basically my trip here to the past, was required." Kaen explained. "An' everything I do, has already happened. I was brought here by the Supreme Kai of Time herself, since I'm technically a Kaen from a branched off timeline."
"I thought something was up when I got a good look at ya." Callio said. "You're the spitting image of your grandfather."
"Not sure if that's a compliment or an insult." Kaen said. "Aunt Gine told me how abusive a man he was."
"Take it however ya like." Callio said. "So, what happens in the future? An' don't lie to me, as you said anything you do has already happened, so you won't affect the timeline."
"You really wanna know?" Kaen inquired.
"Tell me."
"Well… the day after my sister and I are born, Frieza destroys the planet, and it doesn't help that his ship is up in our atmosphere right now." Kaen said. "The only ones to survive the destruction, that I know of, are Vegeta the Fourth and his entire squad, your nephew Kakarot, as well as me, Celeron, my sister, and Aunt Gine."
"I see." Callio said. "So what about your mother and I?"
"Originally, the plan was for you to join us on Earth Alpha." Kaen said. "But Frieza's men make sure to keep as many Saiyans on the planets surface as they can, which leaves you to fight them off as we're loading onto our escape ship, but mom stays behind to help you, and when we get to Earth Alpha, Aunt Gine raises us, like we were her own."
"At least your mother and I leave you in good hands." Callio said with a sad smile. "But what about Kakarot, wouldn't Gine go to his location?"
"That's what she wanted, but in your rush, you put in the coordinates to Earth Alpha, not Omega." Kaen said. "Though now thinking about it as I tell you this, you probably do it on purpose to keep the flow of the timeline the same."
"Probably." Callio chuckled. "So, any idea when you're to go back to your own time?"
"The Supreme Kai of Time, will send me back when the time's right. But right now, I'm needed here to complete the Causality Loop." Kaen stated.
Callio looks to Kaen, before he notices a hint of anguish in his eye.
"What's got you down boy?"
"It's just… There's something I gotta tell you." Kaen said. "I'm married."
"Got a couple of lovers you've taken boy?" Callio questioned with a smile.
"One actually." Kaen snickered throwing some sticks onto the fire. "I've actually got a wife, and a daughter. But I'm uneasy, because my wife faces certain death, if I don't step in to save her."
"I hope the Supreme Kai of Time will allow you the chance to do so." Callio said.
"She promised me, if I fulfilled the Causality Loop, then she'd return me to my proper place in the timeline, just as the war being waged over her life, and the life of a friends brother is being waged." Kaen explained.
"It must seriously grind your gears son. I can't imagine what you're going through." Callio said.
"Don't be mad, but to add insult to injury to this situation, Mina's pregnant with our second child." Kaen said, causing Callio to spit into the fire.
"Then what the hell are you doing being so calm? Find the Supreme Kai of Time, and make her return you to your place in time." Callio said. "I'd be right pissed if she took me away from my pregnant wife."
"You don't think I am?" Kaen questioned, looking at the flames with an eerily calm expression on his face. "You don't think, I wanna tear down the government that's hell bent on killing my wife, just because she's a Saiyan? The only reason why she's in this mess, is because I took the lives of three nobles, who were put on the same pedestals as Gods. But I didn't care, I don't care. That inbred bastard shot my daughter, and I was not gonna let that slide. Celestial Dragon or not I would take down the entire World Government of that planet, if I had to. Just to keep my family safe."
"Did you say World Government?" Callio questioned.
"Yeah." Kaen said. "The planet I currently live on, due to an incident that happened with one of my sisters inventions, is the same planet that four Saiyans went to conquer, but only one returned alive."
"I was afraid you'd say that boyo." Callio sighed.
"Why?" Kaen asked.
"I was that only survivor." Callio stated. "I was part of that mission we failed, because we underestimated our enemy. A world full of abilities known as Devil Fruits, it's maddening."
"I see." Kaen sighed. "Seems our familys fate is tied to that planet, whether we like it or not."
"So, how old is my granddaughter?" Callio asked.
"She's six, going on seven." Kaen smiled. "I rescued her from a madman who was using her for his insane purposes, to rewind the world back to its former glory. But I wouldn't let that happen, and kicked his ass while keeping her safe."
"Given what I've seen, I'm not surprised you did that." Callio said, holding a skin flask to him. "Take a swig. It's the finest mead, the finest brewers on Vegeta can offer."
"Alcohol?" Kaen asked, taking the skin flask.
"I'd like to at least have one drink, with one of my sons before the planet is destroyed in two days." Callio said. "An' there's no legal drinking age on Planet Vegeta."
"Mom's due tomorrow?" Kaen asked.
"She was due last week, but you and your sister have been stubborn about coming out." Callio laughed.
"I hope she has a healthy delivery then." Kaen said, taking a swig of the mead, before cringing, and forcing himself not to spit it out.
"Aha. Not to your taste boyo?" Callio asked, smiling at his reaction.
"This is my first time drinking alcohol, and I do believe this is an acquired taste." Kaen said, handing the flask back to him.
"You'll get used to it, we've got a whole barrel of the mead to drink before nights end." Callio laughed.
"Callio."
The two Saiyans looked up to see Vegeta flying down, an urgent look on his face.
"What's the matter Vegeta?" Kaen asked, as Callio took a bite of roasting meat.
"What's with the ruckus?" Callio inquired.
"It's Elery. Not long after you left, she went into labor." Vegeta said.
"What?" Callio questioned.
"The royal physicians helped her. She's safely given birth, but I had a hard time finding you due to the lack of a Scouter. I've been searching for hours." Vegeta stated.
Kaen and Callio looked to one another, their expressions saying what they were both thinking.
The Day of Planet Vegeta's destruction, was sooner then either of them thought.
Meanwhile, at the same time, a Saiyan pod with a crying infant inside flew over their heads, heading off into the distance to its destined planet of safety. The war against the Frieza Force, was about to begin.
~Marineford~
All was quiet, yet ill at ease, in the air of Marineford, as the tension continued to rise at the waterfront. The war, if Whitebeard were to show, was about to begin. The Marines all stood, with baited breath as Ace and Mina were forced to their knees, platform of the scaffolding. Eri stood next to Garp, and Sengoku behind the two prisoners, her eyes filled with tears as she wanted to run to her mother, and try to free her. But she knew either of the grown men at her side could stop her without a problem, and she was already sure they'd reached the limit of her antics, when she ran to Mina and hugged her in front of the camera Transponder Snails broadcasting the execution, pleading for her not to die, when Sengoku revealed a secret about Ace's mother, and Ace himself, that shocked Eri.
"Sengoku." Garp said quietly. "Reconsider the girls execution."
"I can't, you know this has to be done." Sengoku said.
"She wasn't even born when that attack happened. Not to mention she's with child. You're condemning a pregnant woman to death." Garp hissed, his words shocking Eri.
'I'm gonna be a big sister?' Eri thought.
"If it has to be done, then so be it." Sengoku sighed heavily, as the air grew unnaturally quiet.
The still air, caused the hearts of the men there to be chilled, as a thick fog began to blanket the water ahead. Out of nowhere the alarm began to sound, with one of the lookouts alerting the rest of the Marines.
"Here they come." The lookout shouted.
"Everyone, battle stations." Sengoku called out.
Without fail, all the warships, and the cannons on the front, had aimed themselves towards the ships making their way into port.
"They appeared suddenly out of nowhere. Where did they come from?" Sengoku questioned.
"It's a vast fleet of Pirate ships." One of the lookouts called out.
"Where's Whitebeard? Search for him." Another lookout said.
"Damn it." Sengoku cursed.
"43 ships in total, and yet neither Whitebeard nor his Commanders, are anywhere to be seen." Garp said. "But all of these pirates are allies of Whitebeard and his crew."
"I didn't expect them to come." Ace said.
"Family doesn't abandon family, Ace." Mina said, causing the condemned man to look at her. "Just like your family came for you, Kaen will come for me."
Garp grabbed Eri, and jumped off the scaffolding to stand next to one of his comrades, just before the surface of the water within the waterfront began to bubble, and ripple with waves.
"I see a shadow in the water." One of the lookouts said.
"No way!"
The water continued to bubble and ripple, before a giant wall of water errupted into the air, and the Moby Dick, coated in a bubble, shot out of the waters surface taking everyone within the Waterfront by surprise as it flew through the air. Landing on the surface of the water, the Moby Dick settled within the rippling waves, as the coating around it dispersed, before three more ships appeared from the water, each of them taking a different position then the Moby Dick, covering all their blind spots.
"The entire Whitebeard Crew, have infiltrated the bay." Sengoku said in shock, as Whitebeard, stepped up to the bow of his ship, standing on the figurehead.
"It's been a while, Sengoku." Whitebeard stated with a bit of a laugh.
"Whitebeard." Sengoku tsked, as if the Pirate's name were poison.
"You'd better tell me, that my beloved children, are unharmed." Whitebeard exclaimed. "Because I have a promise to keep to my newest child, whose wife is kneeling right next to my son on that scaffolding."
"I can't believe that we let them get this close." Sengoku said.
'Did I hear that right?' Mina asked. 'Did Kaen join the Whitebeard Pirates, just so he could save me in this war, if he couldn't reach me at Impel Down?'
"WHITEBEARD!" Eri cried out, having climbed up on the scaffolding. "MAMA AND ACE ARE UNHARMED FOR NOW."
"A sweet child, devoted to her mothers wellbeing." Whitebeard smiled.
"PLEASE SAVE MY MAMA AND BABY SISTER." Eri shouted, before she had to climb up higher as Garp tried grabbing her to bring her down.
"Did I hear that right?" Marco questioned, coming up next to his Captain.
"It would appear, Kaen's expecting his family to grow." Whitebeard said, his grip tightening on his weapon, with his expression growing more angered. "Which means, Sengoku is condemning a pregnant woman to death."
"What should we do Pops?" Marco asked.
"That's enough out of you." Celeron exclaimed, grabbing Eri as she tried climbing through the scaffolding. "Once we return to earth, Chisaki's gonna have to punish you."
"What is that thing?" Marco questioned.
"God only knows." Whitebeard stated. "Prepare for battle men. WE ARE GOING TO WAR."