Chapter 115
She merrily hums to herself looking and waiting at the small screen of a communicator. Upside down on the sofa with her legs playfully kicking about off the headrest Ryoko pesters for Kaia to respond to her message for with her glove's upgrade she can see digital images now. Ryoko wants praise and attention and since Vegeta is training she will not get any there. It pulls on her ear. The weight of the gold she shall have to get used to. Ryo-Ohki nuzzles against and pats her paw against Ryoko's lolling head as her mistress makes funny faces at her and blows air at the cabbit to ruffle its fur and ears. She swats at the shiny thing on her owner's ear which is less than comfortable for Ryoko so she gets picked up by the pirate and placed on her stomach for cuddles whilst still no reply from Kaia comes. It is useful for her that Washu's devices can translate for her since her Juraian is not at a conversational level. She snaps a pic of her cute pet and sends it with a message saying that Ryo-Ohki misses her.
Sat beside her and also upside down in mockery of her childish behaviour is Trunks. After getting used to the constant commotion and noise within the house now that it is just them it almost feels strangely empty. With Ryoko's hair trailing on the floor it is easy for him to see the glimmering gold and Ryoko's mood is not hiding anything. An awkward distance lingers between the two. With her digital conversation proving to be a monologue she chucks the communicator onto the table and looks across to Trunks for a more engaging talk. Small talk in how he is doing gets her nowhere as like his father Trunks gives non-committal shrugs.
"Is someone grumpy that I didn't ask him when I gave Vegey my special ring to him? Sorry, adults only." Ryoko teases as she tries to broach the subject with what could one day be her step-son.
"I don't know, it's another point to Ayeka so things are dicey on your end."
"Yeah well those are your points. And they're stupid, and wrong. Vegey's scoring system, now that's the interesting one."
"What, so are you purposefully keeping it a close match so it's interesting?"
"... You think Ayeka's coming back to stay?" Ryoko gives a sideways look to the kid.
Trunks shrugs. He answers he knows she is coming back but it looks like she had a lot of issues and problems both between her and his dad and with herself to sort out. Trunks says that his dad will try though and Ryoko will hate him for it.
"I know he will. What I care for is if he tries because he's such a damn sore loser or if he's some idiot who's keen on Juraians."
"I thought you liked Kaia?" He queries her contradictory words.
"Yeah, I'm an idiot. And I'm maybe gonna have to stop him being too nice to Ayeka. Like ya said, she's got her own issues to sort out … and I got mine." She half-heartedly chuckles at her jest at herself before sighing deeply at the obstacles barring her way.
"I'm one of them, right? I know you can't like have kids or whatever but you really are awkward as hell about me and avoid me. I'm outta here in a few years so it don't matter."
"You are too dangerous." Ryoko coldly states as she keeps her eyes focused on Ryo-Ohki.
"I haven't attacked you in a long time-"
"You are dangerous. Not as dangerous as you could be as you're some stuck up brat but I don't like it." She hisses between her teeth. Ryoko lolls her head back and eyes the kid. This is personal and she does not like talking about this stuff especially with a child who does not understand. Baring her fangs at him she warns him with a threat. "You ever call me that and I'll sock you in the mouth."
"Trust me, I don't plan to. I don't get why you're scared. I'm not your kid, I don't change you not being able to have them." Shrugging, he does not understand her hostility to him specifically over this unless it has something to do with her strange plan to become a Saiyan and him being part Saiyan.
"... You could change if that's a big fucking problem for me or not. … I hate kids, they're dumb, mean, dirty and they're too young to do any of the fun stuff. You keep being a brat then I don't start liking kids and it's all fine."
"Right, I think I got it. So-"
"No. Don't say it." Ryoko glares at him.
"Chicken. If I make-" Trunks takes the punch with no issue as he goes against Ryoko's wishes. "Dad's scoring system is low for cowards. You think I'll make you become all maternal and want kids, then you'll do a load of stupid things being sad about that and trying to fix it."
"Dick. Dragonballs are the first stupid thing on that list anyway."
"Yeah, stupid alright. The Namekian dragonballs that brought Queen Vegeta back instead of King as they don't have boys and girls. The ones who up-chuck eggs. You want them in charge of your girl crap for kids?" The arrogant child prodigy pokes holes in Ryoko's possible plan. She told him to keep being a brat so by all accounts he will continue.
Ryoko goes quiet and does not offer him a follow-up. She will let that conversation die. For her want to stay clear of Trunks and not involve him she has promised Vegeta to at least try and put some effort in concerning his son. Ryoko would like it if there was an easy answer to this and that she did not have this issue of fertility hanging over her. She pets Ryo-Ohki and fusses her as a distraction. Trunks sees he pushed too far on a delicate subject so does not provoke her further.
" … I … I arranged a date. Not a going-out with Vegey date, but a proper-proper terrifying date that I got to plan everything for. I've said that on his birthday is the wedding day. D'ya- you think that's like enough time for him after the tournament and that?" Ryoko anxiously tells Trunks to keep him in the know. She nudges at Ryo-Ohki so the cabbit hops over to Trunks instead.
"It's not enough time for you guys to make friends to invite anyone to it that's for sure." A jokey insult is what she gets back in response.
"No, but seriously … he looked kinda mostly fine yesterday but I was the mess then. You think Vegey can- … No, will your dad be forcing himself at that time, or will he have healed some by then?" As she questions she sees that not even Vegeta's son can answer this and is not able to predict his father's wavering emotions and mental health. "I guess I should ask if it's too soon for you, right?"
He scoffs at her uncharacteristic and late selfless thought before passing Ryo-Ohki back and rolling off of the sofa. This is not his idea of fun and he feels he has humoured her enough. She watches him and asks if him leaving is a no or not. Like his father he gives a brusque reply that he still favours Ayeka so it does not matter to him at the moment. Ryoko replies that he cannot favour someone if they withdraw from the competition and asks again on his view on this timescale. He avoids it and walks towards the training room. Ryoko calls after him to not be like his dad and take stupidly long to answer questions and keep girls waiting.
Vegeta's tail holds him aloft against high gravity as he meditates and strengthens his area of weakness. He observes his son entering the training room. Vegeta barks at the training console for Washu to open up her door to her laboratory pronto. There is a sizeable delay of half a minute before a voice response comes back of Gohan explaining Washu is currently absent and the door on their side was physically destroyed so from their end they cannot recreate it. The Saiyan Prince confirms with Gohan that the only way in now is through his house, the father then turns to the son and queries if he knows where Gohan lives. Vegeta listens to Ryoko humming to herself in the other room and knows his time is short before she loses out to boredom and with everyone else in the house in the training room he will lose his peace.
Grabbing Ryo-Ohki out of Ryoko's hands he jets off out of his house to an annoyed shout after him. The rogue teleports to him but by the time she does he has already moved on dozens of miles. Eventually she catches up to him when he stops in some strange house in front of a cupboard. Ryoko reprimands him from stealing from her and is loud in demanding her pet back. Vegeta keeps her at bay as he opens the cupboard door to another dimension and holds Ryo-Ohki out, dangling the cabbit before the space. Ryo-Ohki is noisy in protest at being handled like this with her fur badly ruffled from the flight and meows at the one holding her by her scruff and to Ryoko. Reaching across Vegeta Ryoko gets to her spaceship and as she touches Ryo-Ohki she also touches another hand. Looking up at her from the cabbit is a bemused Mihoshi. Vegeta releases his captive and vanishes back to train.
Back at Vegeta's house Ryoko teleports herself, her pet and Mihoshi back into the living room. Ryoko can see what Vegeta was doing for her in a pigheadedly Saiyan fashion. She gently pushes the still confused Mihoshi onto the sofa and grins down at her. There is adult company for her now. Instead of pestering Vegeta's son she has someone else to talk to and bother. The sacrifice has been made as Vegeta sits back aloft on his tail and Mihoshi explains that she was just investigating the strange sound that happened to be Ryo-Ohki. The cabbit is lent to Mihoshi who pets it to smooth her fur and calm her from the aggravation of Vegeta. Ryoko jumps down next to Mihoshi with one gold adorned ear prominently facing towards her. She can gloat and boast now, and get the insight of a woman who has an interest in romance. Mihoshi herself is happy to be back on familiar ground and out of the laboratory when she can as she takes the bait and asks about the new piece of jewellery Ryoko is wearing.
The two catch up with one another. They might not be the strongest of friends nor indeed that close with their opposing choices in career yet for Ryoko Mihoshi is classed as a friend and high enough to earn herself a spot on her greatly limited list of wedding guests. Talk of the date for wedding dresses and forging of engagement rings gets the inner romantic of Mihoshi worked up and pestering Ryoko for the juicy details. Wanting to take pride in her accomplishment, Ryoko is all too eager to divulge. Mihoshi looks at the gleaming gold on Ryoko's ears and likes the personal touches of it to which Ryoko quickly teleports up into their room and brings down what she made for Vegeta that he will not destroy by wearing it in enhanced gravity. She remarks the bronze band is fairly hefty and Mihoshi is left with little else to do with the pirate's handiwork since she has no tail to try it on nor is Ryoko wearing her faux tail.
Ryoko then nuzzles in against Mihoshi's shoulder. Throughout these details of her date the issues have been clear. She leans on her friend and asks. She wants to know why out of all the things she has done in life this trepidation and fear arises with such ferocity over committing to Vegeta. She asks how she should view Ayeka's choice in leaving and what steps she might need to take with Vegeta to get over this hurdle. However limited her personal experiences surrounding long term relationships Mihoshi answers in earnest. In truth with her youth she has never got into that situation and though despite her easy going and carefree attitude she does not go looking around for simple flings – it is just nothing has lasted long enough to get anywhere near a state similar to Ryoko. Mihoshi admits marriage and family and all that baggage seems daunting even to her. If trust over Vegeta is an issue then she needs to be firm in discussion with Vegeta surrounding this and if need be even take a few steps back to objectively view things as Ayeka has done. Though Mihoshi admits what she thinks is the main problem for Ryoko is an issue of identity and self-worth in the way she talked about being unable to see herself wearing a wedding dress and not having them 'work' for her.
Inside his training room with his son he listens. Vegeta has no qualms over eavesdropping within his own house especially when the conversation explicitly concerns him. He has not talked to Ryoko about this today. He is giving her time to think before they discuss it again, she needs to get her thoughts in order, and time can only aid matters for himself. It weighs heavily on him. He had not expected this underlying issue to come from Ryoko, nor does he know much on how to solve the matter. If marriage is something she is averse to then it matters little to him if that is not a step they take for it is not in Saiyan culture to do so. He has – if unknowingly – made the pact with her with his tail already. Vegeta can see his son in thought over this too.
With a beep and no option to decline the call the monitor within the training room flares to life with a damp Washu still in the latter stages of dressing herself. In the background Goku condenses the healing tank into a capsule and looks about to see Vegeta and waves to him and Trunks. Vegeta frowns and raises a concerned eyebrow at the location of the scientist. Washu is at the location of his mother and she was injured. He closes his eyes and senses far off for ki. Washu gives a lacklustre greeting to him and is about to state her reason for calling when Vegeta interrupts her by grimly asking why he cannot sense his mother's ki. The opposing scientist stiffens and sniffs harshly at the air. This is the reason she is calling, this is the overhanging threat besides the despised Queen of all Saiyans – she cannot cross the Prince. Looking at the peaceful Goku the eternal rival knows at least no murder could have come to pass. In brief and with no sugar coating Washu describes what has transpired with Goku corroborating her end of it.
"And so you want my consent or approval for your actions against the Saiyan Queen? I bet this grates at your pride having to make this call to her son out of fear. Why not contact me prior to attacking her?" Vegeta does not take interruptions to his training well.
"Attacking? I came here like Yamcha said to discuss peace with that mon-"
"Mihoshi is in my house currently so do not finish that word. You went fully armed. You went to attack, as she said you shot first, she gave a non-violent option of you forming the Saiyan Empire on her behalf which you shot down." Eyes affix her with deadly intent and his unsheathed threat silences her racism and hatred to his people. He has had people bargaining him for peace and people attacking him and not often is there any overlap in the behaviours of the two.
"So you side with Saiyans on this matter, as if that is unexpected. Just tell me where the line is I cannot cross." Washu spits out in response to the hostage he holds and him calling out her willingness to transgress matters with the Queen into violence.
"Line? Kakarot would stop you before myself. She might have birthed me yet that does not entail her to my care. Do with her as you will, if the Queen is idiotic enough to fall for more of your traps she shall learn. I don't know why you are celebrating either, you have not won her challenge." He shrugs in an aloof and uncaring manner.
"Goku counted her out. She is still helpless and unconscious with a gem sapping her strength in her gut." Tempers begin to rise. Washu will not be invalidated. She corrects him.
"Fantastic if you were in a tournament - the fighting rules that clown abides by. Ridiculously pathetic for your current situation. Saiyans, I thought you knew a bit about us as a genius. She is not dead. She has not capitulated to you. Those are the sole outcomes."
"What part of on the floor drooling and unable to defend herself don't you-"
"You cannot follow through. Try and kill her, Kakarot stops you, try and torture a Saiyan enough so that she will surrender and you'll be there all day. Enough of your senility, woman, how much data does this training room gather?" He will ensure he holds the dominant position here and she remembers that she should be intimidated by the Saiyan might she is trying to challenge. She has her answer now and for that he shall see what he can take from her in terms of upgrading his training room.
"Everything is stored internally within my lab. Kagato has not breached my data stores so he will only know your fighting style in so much as you demonstrated when he was in control or you displayed outside somewhere."
"I do not care for another weak Tuffle's attempts against Saiyans. I want a fitting challenge. Not one that is indomitable power like Buu when he was at his zenith with Gohan within him, I require an opponent built from my data that shall adapt and grow and overcome the weakness I exploit in them and exploit the few I may have."
"Your son is right there, get to it yourself since I am not in my lab I can't do much from here. Or do everyone a favour and train with your best bud Goku so both of you improve and are better protectors of this universe. Are you sure you want me to start designing Saiyan killers right now? Is that what the great and wise Vegeta wants of me, humbly asking me to try and test my intelligence against him. Oh, wait a second, can I not just put your mother's post-natal pheromones on a foe and be done with it?" Washu growls back as she states her authority and her own power, she shall not be underestimated. Saiyans are not as invincible as they think and she knows how to overwhelm them if given the time and resources to build a fighter. She will not be insulted by this spawn of evil.
Between the monitor and the scientist Goku steps in to intervene before these two butt heads further. He makes a calming gesture to Washu to not get riled up by Vegeta's antagonisation of her over her disrespect towards the Saiyans and the Saiyan royal family.
"Calm down you two. Take this seriously Washu, a stinky fighter won't help either me or Vegeta train and improve. I am up for training with Vegeta, but only at my own pace and not his extreme regime." That last point is the main issue facing the two in that they do not train alike at all.
"I shall have no sense of false hope nor false victory in overcoming Kakarot in training. When I best him it shall be for real within our destined match in the tournament." Vegeta's pride shreds that option.
"... If I update Cell to a modern standard, off current data, and being able to incorporate the strengths of the other android models, neither of you will be a match for it. I could have settings for you to tone it down, amount of absorptions, base power level, energy absorptions gems, infinite energy reactors and the like." She coldly lays out the simple idea to give Vegeta his challenge unto which he shall have to admit her genius in how unfathomable its power shall be. Like Vegeta, Dr. Gero shall not outdo her either.
"That'd for sure be a fun fight. A modern Cell huh, I'm getting excited just thinking about that level of strength." Goku tries to lighten up the mood with a friendly pat to Washu's back. She gives him a sideways glance conveying the message of not touching her and Goku's attention is torn from her as he hears shouts from Chichi in the background that he is not allowed ever to fight some 'Super Cell' at all.
"That is nowhere near my limit. Within your training rooms I can simulate the Potara earrings then I estimate you will have many long years before you reach anywhere to be capable of challenging a dual fused Washu-version-Cell. Anyway, to save myself work you two already have an ultimate fighter you cannot beat programmed in. No regeneration, just power and techniques surpassing both of you. The data is in there, until then sit tight and dare to try it if you want there to be more knocked out Saiyans." She lowers her voice into a conspiratorial whisper as she entices both Saiyans with this unbeatable challenge they are guaranteed to lose. Besides her she can see Goku hesitant due to his wife's caution and his less masochistic way of training yet she can see she will be having more revenge on the Vegeta bloodline today.
Like the sleepy grumbles of a titan the monumental trees of Jurai let out slow groans as their upper trunks and boughs sway in the wind. On a wooden bench hung from a sturdy tree in one of the upper palace's gardens sits Ayeka with a pile of books and documents by her side along with a few remote terminals and their screens displaying detailed breakdowns of decade long curriculums. Beneath the shade of the tree Piccolo leans against its trunk continuing his guard duty. The far reaching meadow that is the lawn of the garden has his other wards of Sasami and Misaki frolicking in the distance – he had made plans to train with Misaki for the tournament yet her want to play with her youngest won out. Ayeka hums to herself as she reads. There are many universities in the Juraian Empire yet for her station only those of the highest class and on Jurai itself are within her choice, she could list them on her hand if she wanted, yet that begins only the tip of the iceberg. In her time on Earth she had the opportunity to think on her own future however recent events have put a wrench of uncertainty in those prospects.
Within her close family there are 3 classifications for their education level. Mother Funaho and Grandmother Seto studied leaps and bounds beyond the required expected level for their station and every few decades or so refresh themselves on a module or take up a new course of learning. Azusa and Yosho took more practical approaches of minimising their education into what was essential to them and beyond that taking apprenticeships and jobs within fields they needed to expand their knowledge and experience before both served within the Juraian military. As Ayeka raises her red eyes to the field of flowers and wild grasses she sees the outlier and sole occupant of the third category. Her mother is of limited help. Misaki is not a learned woman. She focused on her physical education, on her health, on playing and on enjoying herself. As an Empress she barely got passing grades when in school though still encourages her children to take their studies seriously unlike herself.
Her own strengths and weakness in terms of subject matters and where her interests lie she knows well. Ayeka also knows what she wants to study is not necessarily what is best for Jurai. Her role is as of yet undecided but will be shaped by her education, and she sees the far too apparent crossroads she dare not turn right or left at. Beyond choosing between her own hobbies and interests in electives and possible doctorates there is one colossal job for her that comes with a cost for either avoiding or taking: Ambassador for Saiyan – Juraian relations. There will be a path to walk down to become qualified to be that woman and become the embodiment of diplomacy between the 2 powerful factions. To choose to do so will be to choose to forgive and accept Vegeta, and to choose otherwise is to forever turn her back on him. Her parents will not make this choice for her and she does not find herself at a position where she is ready to take either plunge.
If she were hypothetically to go back to Vegeta and train and study for the appropriate role to hold after they are wed she sighs at the added confusion of the disparity in timescales. Higher education will take years guaranteed, many of them she will have to spend on Jurai itself for access to the materials, the exams, projects and access to the tutors. Accepting Vegeta will lead to marriage in what she estimates at 2 – 3 years for an average engagement within the Juraian royal family and shortly after or even during that period Trunks will grow into independence from his father. Ayeka shall grow and mature steadily and slowly for a long time, and even if she were to stop at the minimum requirements she will end her education in her late 30's. For a more thorough education she will begin to push her 40's and possibly exceed Vegeta's current age now given complexities that might occur between Vegeta and Jurai and Earth itself. There is no question that by that point Vegeta shall have aged drastically. Saiyans do not have long lives and he has pushed his beyond the natural norm with his training. Once his ki and immense power can no longer be supported and the first creaks of age enter his bones then she has no doubt that he will begin to seek a fitting end to his life as a warrior. That will have to be sorted for Washu faces a similar conundrum with Yamcha's longevity. And all this without considering any external factors within her family; of Yosho's multiple marriages and potential nieces and nephews she shall gain, of Sasami trailing a few years behind her as she grows, or of the Counteractor, or Seto stepping into her shoes on Earth, and of Kagato's actions against them all. Beyond that she will desire her own family at some point. Whether at 500 or 5000 it matters little to her when, yet to Vegeta it will, and she will not want to be viewed by the public as some rash and lust driven princess giving into carnal desires and having children before she is even 50. The difference in time frames is vast. All of this she has to manage if she goes down that path. All of that only concerns her if she wants to forgive Vegeta, and to love Vegeta.
Ayeka opens up Vegeta's email response again on one of her terminals and toils through reading it for the umpteenth time. The mission reports are so cold and detached over rough number estimates he only knows through growth in his criminal record and blasé information given to him by Lord Frieza. She knows it is wrong but she clings to the areas where he recounts several tales of falsified or exaggerated failures that the Frieza force and Frieza himself punished him heavily for as she knows in her heart she wants for him to be this poor tortured soul to relieve him of some blame. Slowly she composes and sends off a questioning email to Ryoko concerning her availability for holding the discussion she wants. Looking for a distraction till she gets a response she turns to the stoic Namek and questions him on how he is finding their planet after a few days upon it.
"This world feels far more alive than any other I have been on, there's a health about it that runs deep in its ki. Though it is still disconcerting for me that there are connections of ki flowing everywhere all around through the foliage it is quite welcoming." Piccolo explains.
"And have you any complaints in how as hosts we are treating you or in your impromptu role here as a guardian against Kagato?" Ayeka questions with a small smile.
"There is little I need or ask for, thankfully my species isn't as resource intensive as Saiyans. No complaints. I don't believe there is anything for me to do here besides meditate. My presence works as a deterrent so the chance of any attack is slim."
The princess thanks him for his kindness in accepting what Vegeta pushed onto him in protecting them. To that he replies that as soon as he got dragged into Kagato's trap in the training room and New Namek was brought into the spotlight he could not sit idle and let this enemy do as they please. She is appreciative of his support and comforted by his power protecting them. Following a brief pause in the conversation she directly asks him about sensing of ki and the issue of the Counteractor and any threat of inheritance both her and Sasami might face. Piccolo frowns.
"Can't say. Even now looking at her and observing at this distance there is nothing there, no underlying trace even of that strange power. Whatever ki it is it lies beyond what I am able to sense. So whether it resides within her children too is also impossible for me to detect. I do not have those answers. I do know however that if I want to seek that power and bring it forth there is an easy method to do so."
"You would hurt myself to achieve that, yes? I was witness to events within Kagato's trap so know of the emotional duress required and how as a mother she has easy weaknesses in both myself and Sasami."
"I'm already filling in this role in Vegeta's stead, no reason to take another from him." Piccolo comments.
She maintains her eyes on him and blinks a few times. It might be apparent that her relationship with Vegeta is strained yet even so that was an impertinent thing to say to a princess. The connotation of being viewed in an abusive relationship by an outsider she does not like. Ayeka quietly clears her throat and looks back at her screens. Taking an authoritative tone she corrects that Piccolo is not privy to her personal life nor is he of a species that has or understands romantic relationships. He casually remarks back that for years now he has viewed the relationships of Goku and Chichi and Gohan and Videl and is not as much a stranger to all this as she claims. Ayeka is quick to fire back that he failed to mention Bulma there or intimate knowledge of herself and Vegeta which would be the pertinent observation.
"You say that as if you expect or hope for some great difference. The woman is in control, always have been with Saiyans. Bulma was no different." He answers.
"Have you had time to meet with my grandmother and discuss matters of New Namek?" Ayeka changes the direction if their conversation.
He nods. As a race the Namekians are mighty and though few in number they are not ones that Jurai can take on lightly. The threat however exists in the growing knowledge of the dragonballs and the power of Porunga over Shenron. Piccolo answers that he holds some worry over the future use of dragonballs with Jurai's wants involved yet he agrees that spending them so that Kagato has no chance for wishes was wise. With a wry smile he comments that Lady Seto was actually despite all the warnings quite adorable in their meeting. Ayeka is confused by that bizarre view of the most feared woman on Jurai.
"I know that you are a proud and powerful warrior that feels no threat from our Empire's might, and are a fusion of both a 'Demon King' and a 'Guardian Deity' of Earth, but I did not take you as someone who would presume the Devil Princess of Jurai in such a light."
Piccolo scoffs to himself and nods his head out to the meadow. He jests that it is hard for Seto, try as she might, to seem any kind of intimidating or terrifying with her loving daughter clinging to her and making her suffer through an arduously long embrace as punishment. Ayeka makes a noise of realisation and nods accepting that and not that he is someone trying to be high and mighty. Her communicator beeps. Checking it she sees the sender is indeed Ryoko. A selfie of Ryoko and Mihoshi close to each other with the gold ear cuff prominently displayed has been sent. Ayeka looks to her side at the prominent ears of Piccolo and excuses herself. He states to her that to be outside his range of hearing she will have to go quite a while. To solve the issue of privacy Ayeka looks down at one of her terminals and queues it to play some classical Juraian music as she walks off to find a secluded room to hold her private conversation with Ryoko – or as private as can be with Mihoshi apparently having been invited too.
"Greetings to you both, I should warn yourselves that this call is most likely being monitored by Washu and Tsunami knows who else so please be careful Mihoshi in what you might say. Is Lord Vegeta within earshot of this call?" Ayeka begins with a warning and a question before all is laid bare. She has secreted herself in a small unused meeting room and set the terminal down on a desk before her as the video call begins and she counts within her head to see how many seconds of latency are going to be present.
"Nice to see you too. Yeah, Vegey can probably hear us, that an issue?"
"Not at all. He should already be aware of most of what I say regardless of whether it is impolite of me to state it behind his back in this manner. Since I have been made aware of your activities has he spoken at all to yourself of his messages to me?"
Ryoko shakes her head. Her own issues have been far too prevalent for her to concern herself with the far away goings on of a princess. The full transcript of the questions and answers is sent to her for both Mihoshi and Ryoko to glance through.
"Um, I think Kiyone still has a stack of books on analysis of a criminal's psychology and classifications of the danger of their mental state with regards to their species if you want some help in this. But, I think you need someone else to do this investigation. It's too personal and biased. Have you heard from Kiyone at all, as Nana Washu said she was going to Jurai about our job?" Mihoshi interjects with what aid she can provide.
"Sorry but I have not run into Kiyone. A non-biased judgement would be as you say more reliable yet to get someone outside of Juraian space is not something within my authority as princess. Lord Vegeta however would not divulge his private life to-"
"Wow, you've gone complete Miss Hoighty-Toighty Twisted-Knickers, ain't ya? 'Lord' Vegeta is it now? Damn, princess is holding some serious grudge here. And here I was thinking of how to nicely stop Vegey getting you to stay here again. You know who Vegey is Ayeka. You know him well, don't lie, and you know how delicately he treats you so don't start this bull of him being a dangerous killer." The rival calls her out on her distant and emotionless manner of speech.
"Miraculous levels of observation there that having left Earth I am dissatisfied with Lord Vegeta and his behaviour and am acting as such. Is there a point you are leading to there Ryoko?" She does not let Ryoko's teasing get to her.
"You're being an idiot, why are you looking at how he can kill and not what really bothers you in how he can enjoy his time with me?" Ryoko pushes.
"It was made crystal clear to me during the simulation Kagato forced upon you that what I thought of Lord Vegeta was wrong and naïve in how brutally he acted towards the Tuffles and the free reign he gave his monstrous mother."
"He always kills in there. He always vents his anger in there and hurts Frieza worse than that. It ain't nothing new."
"Those were Washu's descendants in there, her son and grandchildren-"
"Frieza is King Cold's son. Everyone he kills has always been some poor sap's kid, and if this is just because of Washu being special then that's on you not him. This isn't about whatever upper class snobbery of morality you want to punish him with, you just want a reason to hate him more. I should know, I've been there and gone fishing for them myself. Fess up princess." Ryoko confidently grins at reading Ayeka's behaviour and search for excuses. By her side Mihoshi chirps up that killing is still wrong. Ryoko is not done. She will have Ayeka listen. Vegeta is guilty of many things but she will not hear this as one of his evils. "You hate him because he was loyal, because he was caring and thoughtful in his own way but not to you. He's been to hell, he's died and he was brave enough to not let his fears show whilst he wanted to aid and comfort me how he could. Are you that petty and possessive you could honestly look at an inmate on death's row and throw a tantrum at the lovely food they get for their last meal?"
"Yes. I am. And I do not want to be but that is what I see having reflected upon myself. I am sick of excuses. Whether those reasons be just and honest like you have mentioned I do not want more excuses piling up. If he would- if I were to be betrayed for one reason, then it opens up the possibility for more betrayal for lesser ones. To have one foot upon that path I will not tolerate." She hangs her head and her purple fringe shades her face in shame as Ayeka confesses. Ayeka solemnly nods her head as she admits her personal failings. Her red eyes have a hard time staying on Ryoko. "The debaucherous acts he- he is forced into or commits, acts that will not and cannot occur against myself … they hurt me in ways you do not understand. Even if … if I fell asleep in a compromising position when intoxicated it is not the same as what you consistently do with Lord Vegeta in driving me out with your promiscuous ways. Your opinion would not be dissimilar to mine if our roles were reversed."
"I ain't gonna play by your stupid Juraian rules and not touch him till we're wed in half a year's time. You got that crap over your head, not me."
"My disagreement is less in your pursuit but in h-his willingness."
"What willingness? If I had my way I'd've slept with him first night on Earth. Have you forgotten about Bulma? He's just not Juraian and you don't like it even as you preach tolerance and other crap. We sleep in the same room as I have a fear, not to get frisky."
"Lord Vegeta's son can-"
"Vegey found me getting off solo to him, he ain't about to put me in a room with his kid son now."
"Wh-I- Light fixtures are still a thing, and this gives even more credence to your separation from him come night."
"Duty bound and honourable Saiyan Prince doesn't see it that way. He knows he hurt me and triggered my fears hard, he's taking responsibility for it by being the one to help."
"And what responsibility is he taking towards me?"
Both women growl at the other down their communicators as they get to let loose at each other after days apart. A laugh comes from Ryoko. Arguing with Ayeka is annoying yet cathartic. She nudges against Mihoshi and looks at her to see the cop has no input on the matter or the extremely personal things being disclosed. Playfully tilting her head to the side she looks back across to the princess glowering at her. They know this routine and the lack of ending it has.
"You're a crazy bitch." Ryoko smiles at her friend as she mocks the princess.
"Likewise, you fossilised harpy." Ayeka composes herself and coldly replies back.
"So anyway, what do I do about wedding my Vegey and all my nerves?" The rogue lounges back and brings up the reason for her call with her friend she is confiding in.
"Quite possibly cancel it with those thoughts on your mind."
The pirate falls silent hearing those words. Ayeka sits calmly. No vitriol or venom in her speech. She states this option as fact. Ryoko opens her mouth to respond then closes it in thought. The princess waits for her words to sink in and scratches beneath her royal tiara, the lack of an outburst back at her is welcome and reassuring. She watches as on screen Ryoko steals a glance behind her towards the training room.
"No. I can work this out." The adamant words come from Ryoko planting her flag in the ground. "I'm not running from this like you."
"My past record of fleeing Jurai might paint my actions to yourself as cowardice, yet I am simply following in an act you took when you went within the training room. I need both time and distance from Vegeta. He, likewise, needs to see that his actions have these dire consequences. This is not about me though, this is about you not being overly keen on marriage and on you distrusting Lord Vegeta as I do. What plagues you the most?" She does not let Ryoko rile her and presses on in regards to Ryoko's plea.
"... I can tell you'd rather it'd be me not liking him but that ain't it. Maybe there's big bumps in this relationship but it's the former that is the issue. The big one. Not like you'd understand, all you care about is marriage and engagements as a Juraian. Half the reason me and him are engaged is 'cos your mum got you engaged to him." She does not fully simmer down as she answers defensively, wary of Ayeka's statement of terminating the marriage.
"You asked me for help in this knowing of the limits imposed upon myself as a princess regarding what manner of relations I can hold. You just said you are entering into a marriage to compete with me in some part. That is wrong. Do you think Lord Vegeta honestly cares whether a marriage is had or not if he were to choose yourself?"
"Who are you to say it's wrong when you had no choice and get thrown into arranged marriages by your parents? You should be wanting out then. He was happy when he was married and I want him and me to be that happy again."
"Ryoko, it is far more complex with my standing and how the Juraian Empire opens diplomacy with the Saiyans, too complex for me to simply walk away. Nevermind that the moment I do my grandmother has threatened that she will take my place as your rival – which you would be wise to not want. Marriage is a legal and religious event. Neither the law of man nor the law of any deity are allowed to take effect on the oh-so mighty Prince of all Saiyans. He adapted to marriage existing as a principle in the first place, it is not unheard of for him to adapt again to whatever form of relationship you are comfortable with. All he wants is a woman to love him, and someone to aid him raise his son. You do not need to be married for that. I, on the other hand, do." Ayeka explains.
"But,- but I don't wanna be a woman not good enough to get hitched. I can do it too, I want to be able to achieve that."
"Figuratively you want to proceed with this to spit in the face of those who oppressed you throughout your life, of course myself included. And yes you are petty enough for that to be a reason. The unadopted girl raised in an orphanage wants to be wanted and valued like everyone else, you want to replicate exactly Vegeta's life on Earth to find your own happy ending. Ryoko, you are not me, you are so stupidly free in your choices. Do what you want, you do not have billions watching your every move, a royal family holding you to their rules or even my faith governing my principles. You can and often do as you will with no care for what others think. The simple answer to this is to carry on in that same manner for how you approach this."
"No. I will not be a coward and double-back on-"
"Has Vegeta lost respect for me in my decision to be here on Jurai away from him? Is he thinking that I am a coward for this? If not, you can stop with those excuses right now. That or you can talk to him yourself."
"So why do I not like how I look in a wedding dress then?"
"... I am not of a profession to give an accurate answer here. If you want I could insult you as we always do but that would not be becoming of me. Your issues are of self worth and identity, seemingly Tsunami gave you similar faults to the great Prince himself. Seek help from someone wiser than myself, and by Her Grace I do so despise that hunk of gold on your ear." The princess brings this chat to a close with a snappy insult. There is only so far she will go in talking to Ryoko about marrying Vegeta, and only so much advice she can give when not a therapist.
"No kisses goodbye from my bestie?" Ryoko sighs and jests back as she blows a kiss at the screen.
"Take care Mihoshi, when I see Kiyone next I shall inform her to message you and let you know how she is doing." The actions of Ryoko are ignored as Ayeka says farewell to the mostly silent participant on the call, and then she hangs up.
Ayeka waits a while to ensure Ryoko will not annoy her by pestering and calling a second time and after contemplating on what Ryoko will do she goes off to get some exercise in by swimming. Along the way her mother sees her and so Misaki and Sasami tag along to accompany her.
She chats and lounges on Mihoshi for a while and tries to distract herself with lighter topics. Ryoko is restless. The television gets switched on. Ryoko annoyingly paws at the ribbon tying Mihoshi's hair. Then she gets shouted for. Her elfin ears raise. She looks to the training room. She gets called for again from there. Ryoko is confused for Vegeta does not interrupt his training and if he wanted her would just walk out. It is his voice though and that is where he is so she floats off of Mihoshi and phases into the training room whilst checking its gravity. The room is safe so she lands and makes herself corporeal. Her golden eyes are perturbed. She frowns in confusion. That voice sounded strange. The broad back and muscles are the same, that black hair and hairstyle is his yet Vegeta is looking oddly taller to her and his clothes are not what she saw him enter in. He turns about and smirks at her.
His widow's peak is near non-existent and some prongs of black hair hang down in a fringe. Potara earrings hang from his ears as he stands in a blue training outfit with an orange under-shirt, gloves and boots. That is not the face of Vegeta, even his skin tone is lighter. Ryoko tenses and a shiver runs down her spine as at his feet she spies the unconscious form of Vegeta. Panicking she teleports to Vegeta and goes to teleport both of them from the room. A purple shield blocks her escape as the mystery Saiyan tuts and wags a finger at her. With her back against the wall she lets go of Vegeta and watches as the shield disappears and the man smiles at her.
"The fool thought he could put up a fight against me, tried to contend with my magnificent power that will always surpass him. 4 seconds and he was like that, and all I needed was Kaioken not even Super Saiyan. Disappointing wasn't it Trunks?" The dual voiced Saiyan boasts in a cocky manner as he outlines how vastly outmatched even a Super Saiyan 3 was to him. At the back of the training room Trunks scoffs and trains by himself staying out of this mess and not thinking of contesting that strength even with Gotenks. The ultimate warrior introduces himself. "It's Vegito, not Gogeta – the better of the two. I'm glad you came Ryoko."
He watches as Ryoko's eyes dart to the central console. Vegito informs her he has no ability to interact with it due to being a simulation and she can certainly try to reach it. He is stuck in this room, simulated for a fight that has ended, and so for now he has called Ryoko in to be his entertainment for a while. Ryoko does not trust him and her hackles are raised as she stays far away from him. Feigning hurt at her rejection he coyly teases her that he is not going for Chichi over her like Gogeta did. With her vanity and interest sparked since this fusion contains Vegeta she cautiously asks why he is different.
"Potara fusion to Metamoran, quite a few significant differences in the techniques. One, this is by instruments of the gods themselves, naturally making me the superior of the fusions. Secondly, myself does not require my constituents to lower and match their power boosting my strength higher and I have no such time limit to fear. I am Vegito, the true might of the Saiyans, and the unbeatable warrior with no equal. So, how are you then Ryoko?" The arrogance is never ending as he grins.
"... Vegeta don't do small talk." Ryoko warily growls back.
"Good thing I am better than Vegeta in every possible way then."
"Go on then, you got me, why not Chichi then?"
"It's very simple. I am a simulation and Goku is still very much a thing. I know Chichi and I know against her I will lose, you however … you are not as spoken for." He steps towards her. Vegito backs her up against the walls of the training room.
"Y'see this thing on my ear, I am spoken for lover boy." She argues back.
Vegito gets in closer and watches as she squirms uncomfortably and shies back from his face. He laughs at putting her on the defensive. She snarls back at being mocked and Vegito innocently shrugs saying that since her fusion tried to put the moves on Vegeta he thought it is only fair that he gets a try too. Ryoko is bristling and getting angry at being toyed with. Her anger rises as she is swiftly ignored when Vegito asks Trunks to switch the monitor on for the adjoining training room.
"Now if I am right about this then this is the greatest Saiyan outsmarting the greatest genius." He muses to himself as he looks at the screen. Vegito raises two fingers to his forehead and Instant Transmits.
His form appears on the screen within Goku's training room. Vegito laughs at his victory and gloats that he knew there has to be some exploitable connection linking these two for Kagato to use and him being a construct of the training rooms that can teleport has made use of it. He disparages this gross oversight whilst turning to see Goku halting his training in surprise at this invader. Vegito states the number of seconds that Vegeta lasted as he stretches. Goku declines saying he wants no part in that as he cannot train well if knocked out. Vegito nods in agreement at the sensible decision then darkly grins as he explains that unfortunately for him half of his mind is made up of Vegeta. Vegito's eyes narrow and he charges. Half a second longer is the difference before Goku lays defeated at his feet.
A lone tut of disappointment comes from Vegito. Those were the greatest challenges he could face and he has not broken a sweat. Looking back at the screen he sees he garnered Trunks as an audience to watch his fight. However it appears him going off has given Ryoko her opportunity to make away with Vegeta and leave the training room. The trap worked once so he readies it again. Vegito calls for Chichi with his dual voice and throws in some awkward flattery and want to see her.
It takes over a minute for a flustered Chichi to come out of the house with her sleeves rolled up and an apron on from some cleaning she was doing. Embarrassed at his words she half angrily calls to who she thinks is her husband that they still have Washu over. Then entering a mirror of the scene Ryoko entered moments earlier she sees Goku on the floor and a fusion stood in the training room. Likewise she rushes over to Goku and kneels down at his side to check on him.
"Don't worry, he's fine and he's not the idiot who though he could fight me. Vegeta was arrogant enough to try and challenge me, I thought I might as well fight someone stronger after that. Since you are such a fan of fusion and caused Gogeta I thought you'd be happier to see me?" Vegito explains as he stands over Chichi and Goku.
She remembers all too clearly Gogeta and his actions. Chichi is immediately on guard and hostile towards Vegito as she covers Goku's prone form. She curses Washu's dangerous training rooms under her breath as she thinks of any way out of this. Vegito smiles at her and crouches down before her. Seeing his hand move she viciously swats it away. Chichi is shocked to find a look of hurt on Vegito's face. The most powerful being in existence quietly apologies and lowers his head for scaring her, getting carried away by the unnaturally boosted confidence of fusion, and he asks her if he can feel Chibusa whilst he has the chance. Chichi falters. This is unexpected. Hearing Vegeta and Goku's voice speaking at the same time to ask this is bizarre. That half that is Goku though she cannot deny. Hesitantly Chichi allows this for the part of Vegito that is her husband. Tenderly he reaches out and rests his hand on her stomach.
A proud Saiyan fused from the two greatest of its race humbly feels the faint heartbeat of his half-daughter. The partial father of Chibusa closes his eyes with a warm smile and feels the strong ki of the unborn. Putting his head closer to her abdomen he whispers and speaks gently. The overlaid tone of Vegeta's voice is disconcerting for Chichi as he would never speak this way himself. She lets him have this moment whilst keeping an eye on Goku.
Vegito nods to himself satisfied and stands to look at the entrance to the training room to see the fast approaching Washu. She is not happy to see him – which he finds quite mean since afterall he is a simulation brought about by her in the first place. As she walks up with a face of thunder he explains in a gloating manner how he found the interconnected elements between the two training rooms she did not secure and through Instant Transmission has demonstrated the lack of difficulty in traversing the two. He becomes serious and faces her ordering her that she shall have to wallow in self pity later and will be fixing this security flaw with the upmost priority.