Chapter 130
Outside on the lawn a crowd has gathered waiting. On the table within Vegeta's previously lakeside cabin are capsules labelled for transport, and a single pink ribbon. Ryo-Ohki has taken it upon herself to run around with the pink ribbon in her mouth until Sasami catches her and ties it on her properly. This spaceship is rightly part of the wedding convoy. Flying without vehicles is going to ruin a good few dresses. Until some people get to the location first no-one else can make use of any Instant Transmission. Two long and black limousine like shuttles and a cabbit are provided. Zero asks the question as to who is the best pilot amongst them as she can replicate them and then the drivers for the limousines are sorted. That title goes to Kiyone Makibi, who allows and consents for Zero to take on her form only for this purpose of transit and since she is off duty as a police officer currently.
With a meow, Ryo-Ohki takes on her crystalline form as a ship. The pink bow now on the tip of one of her large brown prongs instead of an ear. She can fly independently but that has never stopped her want for having her own pilot in the form of her mistress Ryoko. The pirate is there ready to board her craft and reaches out for the arm of her accompanying Saiyan Prince. Both band and ring adorn Vegeta. For safety reasons it is better for the Super Saiyan 3 to be aboard Ryo-Ohki than a standard shuttle. His son and Yume and the Briefs come along too – as the puzzle is more who will go on a ship willingly with Vegeta for divvying up the guests.
At the back in the shadow of Capsule Corp HQ stands a 20 year old flower girl. A casual Super Saiyan 3, not even a combat ready and powered up Saiyan, just a man going about his business with such monstrous power beyond her is not a pleasant sight for her. The Queen stays far back. Her eyes have to dart about to constantly check and make sure none are jeering at her, none eyeing her with contempt or pity or making a mockery of her. She has scrubbed her face clean. The make-up became too incriminating, almost as obvious as her reason for having to wash it from herself. Her tail is protectively curled down one of her legs.
Terror prevents her from moving. It is only through necessity she meekly made her return unannounced but everything here is foreign, everyone is a stranger, everyone detests the Saiyans, and her son is the worst among them. Queen Vegeta fears for her death. Not for her physical death, but for the death of herself as a Vegeta. It is too insurmountable. Everything has been seen through. There is no deception left but some hollow and laughable facade that has crumbled.
It all is too much. The burdens of all are too great a weight for her. The document from Washu. This planet. The remnants of her people being so alien to her. Her grand insignificance in it all. Her child not even being the one who cared enough to revive her. The King no longer at her side, the scared child cowering from flames, her uncle's head rolling loose on the ground, the countless dead Saiyans, and the one blurred glimpse of Tarble she got to see before her life failed. What her son said was all true. As a Saiyan she is beneath even the half-bloods, barely above that of an unborn, and she knows that none want her around. Goku was kind to her but she has no place there in his life and she should not be valuing that trait. This is the happiest day of Washu's life and so it is only fair in her eyes that as her opposite this is her lowest. Even if she tried to end her life or cause any destruction she would be powerless in that regard and stopped by her kin. She is no warrior. Today she is but some circus animal to be paraded about by a Tuffle.
Other people start to file towards their respective limousine. Both Lady Seto and Sasami are with their family, the Juraians leave no room for her to be with the other flower girls. She half expects not to be granted a seat and to have to fly herself there.
"Mother, the Saiyans are to ride in this fighter." Vegeta calls to Vegeta, addressing the armed and dangerous Ryo-Ohki aptly to aid in swaying his mother.
Queen Vegeta looks with alarm at first being addressed by her son. She worries that this is some trick where Saiyans are to take Ryo-Ohki and she does not classify to warrant a place. Her head is not easy to hold high as she walks over to her family. What ki she has is raised to what she can without making a visible show. Now cowed enough to follow orders from her son without rebuke, Queen Vegeta stands with the look many a victim has hopelessly given to her son before he killed them. He places a hand on her shoulder. Her body flinches from it expecting a follow up grapple or attack. Nothing comes. The fear from her is clear. Now that they are gathered they are beamed aboard Ryo-Ohki.
The interior of the cabbit is not designed for much of a crew or this amount of passengers. There are a few oblate crystals hanging flat in the air as seats which go to Yume and the elderly Briefs. For the rest it is standing room only as Ryoko mans the helm. The Saiyan warriors can at least agree it is better than going place to place in a small pod. Hairs bristle down Queen Vegeta's tail to its cock-eyed tip. Her son is still holding onto her. She cannot fathom why unless this is some show of possession and dominance that she cannot contend against. No-one is paying much attention though if this is some great public humiliation. Instead, her son is giving a side-eye towards the woman shorter than even his mother and asking Ryoko why they have Yume travelling with them.
"My hairdresser coulda given me worse bangs than Ayeka if I ain't agreeing with her fee. She wants to know more 'bout Saiyans and here she has it." The pirate answers offhand as she runs through pre-flight checks and taps and tuts at a readout showing Ryo-Ohki has gained some weight. A low and reverberating meow sadly responds to this that she is eating a few too many carrots.
"There is lots I want to know. But, there is also co-operation to be had. Queen Vegeta knows that Washu has a limited penchant for war, the Tuffles could have been elevated further, and the Juraians have long since stagnated with their 'blessed' trees. Certain areas of R&D exist that I would like the co-operation of Saiyans with. Namely, Queen Vegeta herself would be the perfect volunteer for a wondrous partnership in furthering both our goals; be the test for my weapons."
Ethics and Washu are a grey area. That grey is murkier and sullied around a scientist who once tried to coup Jurai itself and works with assassins not puppets who only sing praise. There exist many power vacuums in space in the wake of Frieza. Many people do not want to rely upon the GXP or Jurai after their inability to prevent Frieza for so long. More destructive ordinance is in demand to protect against the massive threats of beings of ultimate power. Super Saiyans are too much for Yume to test against currently. She can work up to that hurdle, as Queen Vegeta herself works up to seizing that transformation. In symbiosis they can both grow in power.
The Queen does not trust this. Firing weapons at her is a sure-fire way for an accident to occur and her to be relegated to a side-note within the history books again. All that she hear is the insult that only she exists to be weak enough for others to think they can fight. She is the lowly runt of meagre strength. There has been enough of scientists firing brutal weapons her way instead of engaging in a proper bout of power and fighting prowess. What voice she has for this opinion she does not know. The mother looks up to the son. Will he overrule her, will he discard her to be shot at, or is she not worth that.
"You will have quite the first step to reach. Queen Vegeta holds a power level in excess of 20,000. There are a few combat simulations first I believe she needs to go up against. After that, easily 30 – 40 thousand. Is your arsenal ready for taking on the Queen of Saiyans?"
Vegeta. That word alone brings a surge of power and a well of hope to her. The son who lambasted her and practically tore her false crown from her head is still giving her this name of hers. She is not being called Pranis. Her life as a Vegeta exists. He speaks in her favour. He speaks of her power and her growth. He speaks of her as a true Saiyan counter to when she was being ridiculed. She cannot hear patronisation or sarcasm from his proud statements. There is salvation here. Her tail rises up to go about her son's waist in as much a sign of affection as she can show. The executioner's axe has not fallen on her. There is reprieve for her to survive as a Saiyan and become legend.
"Personal pleasure is fine recompense for myself in trouncing the toys you fling my way, for me. The Saiyan Empire does not act without gain for itself. I am Queen Vegeta of all Saiyans, a-and so there rightfully should be a queen's salary for my services. So far but one amongst our ranks is gifted amongst the sciences, and he is tainted by the Tuffle, so that seat among my council exists free."
"... Working for the Saiyans, building weapons that are the only chance to stop them, selling them with the threat of Saiyan backing. My image might suffer but profits and prestige shall not. What would an advisor for Queen Vegeta be expected to do?" Yume's eyes glimmer at this prospect. If Jurai do not want her then this new up and coming galactic empire is a lovely faction to embed herself within.
"As Saiyans, primary concern is agriculture, food supply, we need the resources to sate ourselves and give us the correct diet and nutrition to aid our conquest. Minor terraforming or habitat zones for us where we reside would be appreciated on this awful world. We can be rid of the technology the Tuffle developed, so new armour, improved training rooms, improved healing tanks. Finally, what we Saiyans need is a dreadnought. We need space transport, and something that will not flounder and get us shot down by Juraians." She proudly proclaims the main technological wants she can off the top of her head.
A few notes are jotted down by Yume, preliminary musings and she nods her head. Once the coast is clear from Washu and her wedding then she can poach these Saiyans out from under her with legal contracts. To surpass Washu in this should garner her the coveted number 1 spot as genius. Dr. Briefs chuckles to himself at this nostalgic talk of Saiyans and inventions. Yume's ears prick up and she goes over to him and smiles. She kindly asks how much for her to have legal rights to incorporate mechanisms from his patent on capsule technology. She knows Washu to cut corners. If she gains legal copyright over her inventions with this alliance with Capsule Corp. then she can have fun watching Washu squirm in an intellectual property dispute.
Queen Vegeta smiles at the pro-activeness of her new minion. She looks up at her son to watch his eyes for any hint of betrayal. This lifeline given to her is naught but a frayed thread. For today it shall hold, barely. Inside her head she hears a telepathic message from him saying they can talk when not in a crowded space. She nods then furrows her brows in concentration as she tries to reply and mimic this secretive conversation. After a few minutes of her making weird faces a strange and garbled sound rings loud in silence within his brain. Vegeta raises an eyebrow at the shorter Vegeta. He sends her another telepathic message that she is going to have the chance to learn only 3 techniques from him, so she should start thinking which ones now. The nonsensical sound answers and then she starts planning. Instant Transmission is a must for her tactically. Super Saiyan 3 is an underhanded way for her to guarantee tutelage up through all prior transformations. The last one wish for technical knowledge she shall deliberate on and wait until more from other warriors are known to her.
Dark skies encroach over them as they fly back through the sun rise and a barren wasteland of sand and rock beckons them onwards. Ryo-Ohki picks up a few other ships on her sensors from others not in their convoy. The destination must be close as they congregate. There is no building nor landmark to aim for. Latitude and longitude co-ordinates are all that are provided. Tights has to raise an eyebrow at this novel choice of location for a wedding. Queen Vegeta is quiet as she looks out and nods in understanding as does Yume. Dunes in the desert become a harsh crimson hue. Large sand drifts of red fill the horizon as they lower in elevation – as best they can tell in this second predawn of the day. Queen Vegeta has to tut that the Tuffle is being sentimental over her planet: Planet Vegeta.
Ships hover instead of touching down. Sand, hills, slopes and large heavy ships do not make the best bed buddies. The limousines provided have ample surface area on their landing gear to have no fear of being swallowed by the sand. Several of the women and a few of the Saiyans have other issues concerning this location. Ryo-Ohki is happy for a job well done and Ryoko disembarks first and her stiletto heels immediately start sinking until she just lifts her legs and hovers. Queen Vegeta and Prince Vegeta equally have dense masses of a body and so cannot stay stood in one place for a long time on the loose and dry sand. Trunks and Dr. Briefs have to act as support for Tights and Mrs. Briefs on this treacherous and uneven ground. Yume faces no issue and Ryo-Ohki transforms back and lands onto Ryoko's shoulders. The pirate floats over to the transformed prince and gives him a prod. He shines out energy and light from his Super Saiyan 3 state.
Jurai and the other guests elect to remain within their vehicles for now as blustery winds whip up the drifts of sand. This harsh landscape is as much an antithesis to the forests of Jurai as can exist, getting sand within their robes and hair is less than preferential. The coolness of a desert at night has Vegeta's transformed state being used not just for light but now also to radiate some heat for the humans and Yume. From the side of Misaki, Gohan calls out towards Vegeta's party that Washu should have left a case of capsules here for shelter and amenities. With his hands full already providing light and warmth he has his son go look around. On a rocky outcrop high enough to not get drowned beneath shifting sands he spies a bolted down and locked box which he can open with his strength to find plenty of capsules within signed with Washu's caricature.
Heavy rugs thud to the ground and as they contact the sand a soft hum blips from them as their underside activates a static force field to stabilise the sand beneath. White and cream gazebos automatically set themselves up and drill their stakes and pegs deep into the ground to protect themselves from wind gusting them away. Trunks kicks a crack in a boulder and slots in a capsule to spawn a doorway to Washu's inter-dimensional bathroom. A couple of windbreaks, shaded awnings and plenty of floating cushions come into being to set up a welcome area for guests to wait. Now that there is some place to go, people start heading there and those circling in shuttles depart them. With Vegeta's presence at the scene, Goku and his family arrive using his ki as an easy beacon to Instant Transmit.
A white spherical pod zips over the horizon and into the midst of the scene with Yamcha leaping out of it in full bride-groom attire with Puar floating down after him in matching smaller garb. He looks about in a bit of a tizz and hurry quickly counting who is and is not here at the moment. Wiping at his face he apologises for how awkward this desert is – knowing Washu also chose this location due to his ties in growing up in a desert wasteland. Obviously stressed, he checks in on people that they are all OK, finds a remote amongst the gazebos to get the rugs heating up and illuminating. Ryoko is interested in watching this first hand to see what a wedding for herself could be like and is tickled at the thought of getting Vegeta this worked up herself. The one here explicitly to learn of marriage is uninterested and standing by her Saiyan son whilst looking off into the distance with predatory eyes for she heard a dinosaur roar some way off over a hill.
"I link a tail, he links a tail. All done, nod heads, out of the way and sorted in a few seconds. Any excuse for excitement I guess within these plebeian lives." Queen Vegeta comments. Like her son, time spent training is now a preference and this wasteful ceremony is not impressing her as she stands here in a silly dress.
"Think of it like the bluster of a good charge of power. Sure we could do it in a controlled way but some lightning, earthquakes, major storms, and blazing aura adds to the prestige and showmanship of it all. A day to show off. I am sure that if you could you would have made the largest scene possible surrounding snagging my father the King as your partner." Prince Vegeta answers in as Saiyan an example as he can give to his mother.
Yamcha flies up into the air and beckons back the guests to clear a large area and waves back a few of the approaching shuttles to leave the near air space. With a zone where no-one will be in the way he pulls a large palm sized capsule from an inner pocket of his suit jacket and clicks it, drops it, and after a soft thud into the sand he flies back to avoid spawning in minarets. A cathedral of grand proportions manifests and quickly begins to drop metres through the sand until its deep foundations hit into bedrock and its doors sit at the exact level the sand of the desert rests at.
Far grander in size and scale than is necessary for the amount invited, the cathedral looms over all. Several thousand years of Washu fine tuning her plans for a wedding culminates in this massive construction. Chiselled metamorphic rocks, titanium-gold alloy structures and diamond-like carbon nanotubes are blended together to make an architectural marvel of a building. Towers rise at each of the four corners over an even more imposing pyramid roof. Stone-work is laced with engraved arabesque patterns that upon closer inspection are written out articles of scientific journals published by Dr. Washu herself. This is a great effigy to ego. Ornate doors of a quasi-state stabilised plasma matter showcase on one side a depiction of Washu and on the other of Yamcha. Modifications to accommodate her partner are noticed on other areas. Wolf heads decorate the minarets as do some depictions of famous matches of baseball that Yamcha starred in. Above the door is a stained glass window bearing the markings of the Turtle Hermit and either side is welded metalwork depicting the techniques of Yamcha: the Spirit Ball and the Wolf Fang fist. Master Roshi is quite touched that his symbol is featured.
The doors remain closed as of now. More preparation is to be had as Krillin, Tien and Chiaotzu go to help Yamcha with more capsules almost spilling from his pockets. Proper outside lighting and more extensive structures and furnishings for an outside reception area, a series of hovering spy drones to film the ceremony, a rack of hangars holding spare jackets for the men in case of rips and tears from the more accident prone, décor for the gazebos and also flowers distributed in baskets to the flower girls. The aura of Vegeta diminishes now it is not needed and his mother sifts a finger through the petals. Mugi has a laugh at how exasperated Yamcha is as he checks over his notes for vows and speeches as Chichi reprimands him that she warned him this morning he was taking things too carefree.
For some this is the first instance that pairings of the guests get to meet. Tien has never been the most forgiving concerning Vegeta and his past actions and so he is altogether not for the presence of another Vegeta. All these ki levels of powerful warriors is putting the Queen of Saiyans on edge. Tien and Krillin are more occupied in congratulating Chichi on her pregnancy and both awed and a bit humbled by what ki it already holds and the fact of Chibusa's estimated physique. Kombu does get to see Piccolo, and indeed he is very similar to the great Demon King. One of the baseball team has his teenage daughter along who was both too young to go anywhere near a hen-do and old enough she could look after herself for an evening not requiring to be sent with the other kids. She is rightfully overwhelmed by the people present.
Late guests from Korin's tower arrive. Yajirobe, Korin, Dende and Mr. Popo, did not show up for the stag-do but for today they will be here. Ryo-Ohki is interested in this other cat-like creature, Master Roshi greets the grower of Senzu beans he has not met in many long years, and Yajirobe stays well away from the Vegetas and their tails and is glad he opted not to bring his sword. In front of Misaki stands the large pink form of Buu. He raises a yellow mitten and points to her dark arm and states that it is bad and scary, with the perception coming from the Kai absorbed within him. Gohan and Mr. Satan explain as best they can to Buu that Misaki is no threat and she is going to deal with this.
Barring King Furry, most of the upper echelons of Earth's power stand under the silk sheets in a desert. Android 17 – a guest of plus 1 from Android 18 – and Mihoshi's family are among the last to arrive. Neither Mihoshi nor Washu are present with her family leaving when all was ready and the bride and her bridesmaid are waiting to be there exactly when they need to be. Yume is boasting to Dr. Clay, with Seto idly eavesdropping. Mugi is giving some advice to Videl over certain advertising brands in their profession to avoid. Ryoko is checking in on Haruna and Yosho to see indeed both are wearing a small sprig from either tree – or in Haruna's case her now adoptive family's tree. A young Fortune-teller Baba is with Dende and Piccolo discussing the matter with Dabura as Kami also held sway in travelling to Otherworld and dealings therein.
Upon a cliff edge overlooking the cathedral and dunes a figure teleports into being. Flashes of brightest gold dazzle the night sky, the ground groans in protest and shards of crystalline melted sand sparkle and crunch in his wake. Upon him, crushing him into the ground with a forearm resting upon his throat, Prince Vegeta blazes as a Super Saiyan 3 over the lavender skinned intruder. No words can come out as his tail arrests the legs of Kibito Kai whilst his other hand charges a foreboding blast inches from the deity's head. The Prince of all Saiyans snarls out the singular question of 'why'. Next to Vegeta both Piccolo and Goku appear, and later Queen Vegeta who just wants to know what is going on with no intention like the others to maybe stop a murder.
Kibito Kai is putting up no defence nor aggression towards his attacker. He remains calm under the grave threat before him. Solemnly he answers that he means no harm and is not here to interfere in the dealings of the mortal realm. Piccolo and Goku sense his ki for any hidden intent and find no want for violence of harm, unlike when Piccolo faced him prior. Queen Vegeta jumps on top of her son to peer down at this stranger and lord over him further and queries who and what this fool is. Piccolo states that this is the Supreme Kai, an easier explanation than it being a fusion of both Supreme Kai and his attendant Kibito. Vegeta dismisses his blast and loosens his tail.
"This is the great being that gets to assume to be the jailer of Vegetas upon death? The one running scared from a Juraian of all things? If he wants to rule death, give it to him, my son." Queen Vegeta leers down. 40 years in a state of damnation where this person thinks to be so high and mighty as to judge her and Saiyans leaves her only want for his death.
"My fate is not entwined with the system in place concerning the fate of the souls of all. No salvation shall be gained by my murder. I am but a steward, not a despot." The Kai explains.
"You impose law as absolute and as some supposed higher law than that of Saiyan. We shall never be thrall to the whims of some would-be master again." Intense pride runs counter to any allowance of a deity. Worship shall be for Saiyan power alone. Her authority cannot be questioned by the realm after she passes.
" … Only through resurrections and breaking of the natural chain do these thoughts come to pass here, among the living. No great tome of laws exist. Morality and ethics is all that the rulers of the checkpoints can judge a soul upon. The goodness of someone's heart and actions. Learning of Otherworld and self service to act to attain the desired end result runs counter to its intention of deciding upon a person's true character." Let good people be good and bad people be bad, the Kais do not have a want to have people act through fear or greed to avoid Hell purely for their own selfish want.
Prince Vegeta stands and reluctantly releases the Kai, with his transformation still active he can eliminate him with a thought if he acts in any way he does not like. His mother hops down from him. Standing up to the chest of the Kai she peers. He does have strength of ki. She peers back around to her son. There is a festering thought in her mind at the sight of this stranger. She grabs at his robe and hoists herself up to his face. Keeping her voice low she seethes out a question.
"Where is Tarble?" Pranis impertinently asks.
In opposition to her want to be intimidating her body language becomes more timid as she shrinks a bit upon herself and has to glance back at her son. She fears any more stones cast her way in the form of Tarble. This has to be known to her. Resurrection exists. Where her dead baby is must be known.
"There are many Saiyan souls within Otherworld and it is not a duty of mine to govern their location. I am not in the knowledge of the details of all." Millions die daily. He does not man the checkpoints of that sector to know where each individual soul went to. Kibito Kai can only shake his head.
"Where did you cast my son, Prince Tarble? Where is he?"
Both Goku and Piccolo stand back from this. This is not their place to interrupt her. They can all clearly sense her ki, its turmoil and read her expression. Pranis freezes as she hears her living son's voice. From behind Prince Vegeta states the age, year and cause of death of his brother but knows what the answer shall be. Kibito Kai nods in understanding.
"Being a young innocent then his soul would not have gone to the same destination as his parents'. He would have have been granted the same permissions as were to Bulma. After this long with the unfortunate case of how little time he spent in the mortal realm it is highly probable his soul has been reborn unto another body years ago. Where and who will not have been tracked. A new life, a cycle begun again." Kibito Kai gives the answer in as clear terms as he can to this mother. There is no chance for a revival of this soul as revival has already taken place in the form of reincarnation.
Silently, Pranis hangs off the front of the robes of the Kai. Defiantly she tries to stare down the Kai but she cannot. Gone forever. Queen Vegeta tries to growl and grumble that she wanted a chance to regain some honour through lessening the shame of birthing a Tarble by having him grow in strength and Saiyan ways. Pranis dejectedly lets go of him and her tail curls down her leg. Kibito Kai is about to apologise when he hears a message in his head from Vegeta to not. Pranis slowly starts walking back to the cathedral feigning disinterest in this now and hopes the lack of sunlight can shroud her weakness. A moment, one short breath at birth, that is all she can ever have to share with Tarble. Aloud her son warns the Kai to not utter his wife's name ever again. In that Pranis feels a shameful kinship to her son.
With an escort of Saiyan and Namekian the Kai is brought to the entourage of wedding guests. He gets a wave from Buu, which is one of the few friendly greetings the Kai finds here oddly enough. Jurai recognises him and is on guard with Azusa and Gohan standing firm before Misaki. The power of a human rises too. In less than civil terms Yamcha warns the Kai that he is not the fondest of wedding crashers. Many of the guests that are not Z-fighters are unfamiliar with this alien face or why tension is in the air over his arrival. Kibito Kai comes to a stop before the second Empress of Jurai.
"I am the Supreme Kai, the one who visited Jurai after your last showing of the Counteractor's power, and I am here to tell you that I mean you no current harm. As of now your allies would be the greater threat to the natural balance of things, and you have a rudimentary plan in place regarding the power you possess. You will be under surveillance from Otherworld regarding progress you make with this training, and unless there is another eruption of the Counteractor then you should not have to fear any further intervention on our part. … This all is a temporary measure however. You must realise that no matter the goals of your training for mental fortitude and discipline you exist as a mortal with a family you cherish dearly. The passage of time shall bring about an inevitable reason for yourself to be taken over by the Counteractor. You have the benefit of the doubt for now. Only for this singular chance."
Sasami holds onto her mother's natural arm whilst she stands up for her. One who does want to defend Misaki feels her silver tongue be silenced. Lady Seto exists as the greatest threat to her daughter with what the Kai has said. She is the eldest and without war or conflict she is the one that will likely fall first to natural causes as time passes. Being the ticking time clock surrounding her daughter's fate is a grave thought that she has no way to out think or scheme her way around.
The Kai then goes on to warn the Saiyans and also Fortune-teller Baba that their actions surrounding Demon King Dabura have caused a stir within the Demon Realm. He is here to lay things out to them. They are not under current threat and so he wants an end to any and all possible rash actions they might take in hopes to save Misaki. They can continue to train Misaki if it produces favourable results and they need not guard her or fear of any assassination attempt. Her death sentence hangs at a generous thousand years give or take her parents' longevity, dying before 2,000 is still relatively young for a Juraian.
Taloned fingers of pitch darkness are outstretched. To make a sign of good faith towards the Kai, Misaki offers her hand towards him. She formally introduces herself to him: as Misaki, and only ever as Misaki. Kibito thanks her for her understanding and the kind gesture. Yet, it would be unwise of him to come into contact with the Counteractor and so cannot take her hand. Behind him the other enemy of the Kais watches. Buu points towards the gold and green earrings on the long ears of the Supreme Kai and then to his belly and says that he can make them 2 people again. He knows the Supreme Kai that fought him when he first awoke, though is unsure what he is fused with, but the knowledge he holds through the absorbed Grand Supreme Kai means he recognises the Potara that had him face Vegito and what undid him. This is another offer Kibito Kai would rather do without. In the current circumstances having the power fusion grants him would be wise.
An arm goes about the fused Kai. Yamcha pulls him in close. Maybe this needed to be aired out between the Kais and Jurai, but not now and not today. He says that in recompense for inviting himself to his and Washu's wedding he could make himself useful and hang around as a special guest for the missus. Kibito Kai did not have a want to stay longer than necessary. Massive powers around him suggest the choice he has surrounding this is limited. Yamcha explains that currently to give Washu away they have Mihoshi's father Nakita Kuramitsu as the 'elder' male of the family she has with her. Beyond that the only being older than Washu to give her away previously is Buu – not trusted for that role – yet here stands a sentient being of greater age than Washu. Kibito Kai is more surprised that the role being offered is not more faith related in regards to heading the ceremony given him being a Kai. Azusa answers that Washu's ceremony is secular. He is the head of state of Jurai and with her being a Juraian citizen he is the greatest power possible with the authority to ordain this marriage. Kibito Kai resigns himself to this position within the ceremony.
There is time to socialise for a while. Queen Vegeta takes Yume over to the Ox-King and says that the look and design of the armour he had made for his daughter was pleasing to her eye and incorporated cool armaments. He can sketch a rough variant of it in the sand with his finger, all it looks like is a bikini with a cape, boots and a bladed helmet. Yume has no clue what she is supposed to do with specifications for battle armour that exposes all the skin practically. Arguing is not something she can do as Queen Vegeta skulks off and far from the others stands with just her son for company. She cannot speak to him. The indomitable presence of Super Saiyan 3 is too much. In silence, Pranis just stands near her sole surviving child.
Beeping comes from an inner pocket of Yamcha's posh jacket which is the alarm for the next stage to begin. Washu is meticulous with everything and he will never hear the end of it if he makes things fall behind schedule. People now can begin to mill into the cathedral. As they pass through the glowing plasma doors a recording of Washu's voice speaks their aisle and seat number. Strict designations are given. Cliques are kept together. The Vegeta family is given the very back to keep Queen Vegeta both out of sight and preferably out of trouble. Lavish pews are sparsely lined up throughout the cathedral giving ample room between each row and to fill out the space so the small number of guests does not make it feel too empty.
Dichotomously ornately regal and cutting edge hi-tech, the interior of the cathedral continues the theme of decoration as started outside. Murals depicting the accomplishments and lives of the bride and groom are a plenty. Not hidden away but off to one side is a shrine. The shrine is not to a deity but in memorial to Washu's son Mikumo. This is distant from Queen Vegeta for good reason. Mihoshi's family pay their respects to one of their great ancestors. Floating orbs of light, animated stained glass, vaulted ceilings and a careful geometry of the walls to control the acoustics, this is a grand labour of love from Washu. The incessant stroking of their egos did embarrass Yamcha when he first saw it but Washu pulled so much rank on him by actually having constructed a cathedral from scratch and secondly for the enormous amount of aeons she has waited for this.
Outside Kibito Kai waits with Mihoshi's father. The bride is yet to arrive. They have little in common to talk over and Nakita would rather not pry too deep onto the subject of life after death. At the altar Azusa stands ready and waiting. It has been many years since he last performed this rite. The Juraian women raise their great static hoods of their robes over their heads now they are within what would normally be a sacred place. Lady Seto and a more eager Sasami after leaving their family go to wait near the entrance and beckon over the other flower girl. Yamcha and his best man Puar are ready, whispering encouragement between each other. Sasami tries to motivate Queen Vegeta viewing this as some important duty they have and goes over the motions of what they have to do to ensure she knows. The Queen of all Saiyans throws a handful in the air as mock practise then picks all the petals back out the air as they drift and puts them back in the basket to show she is indeed capable. Lady Seto is sure to hold onto her granddaughter's hand so people viewing her see her as a loving and caring grandmother doing this for the sake of family and not a show of ritualistic humiliation for bringing back to life the murderer in the same dress as her.
Above the heads of a few individuals a holographic display blares out a warning for them to decrease their power level to prevent a risk of it interfering with any technology. Buu, Piccolo and Vegeta decrease their power with the Saiyan Prince having to revert back to base-form to satisfy the warning. Queen Vegeta sees these and has to raise her power level. She then also gets a warning, and then takes her time decreasing her power in a hollow show.
Sounds of an approaching engine are heard over the otherwise quiet desert outside. Nerves begin to grow. Ryoko herself is getting a bit swept up with emotions around all of this and with her own fantasies surrounding what a wedding for herself could be. Yamcha gives a fist bump to the miniature arms of Puar and then a thumbs up to Emperor Azusa that all should be good to go once those doors open. Kombu has to shush Tchaba as she asks a question about all this without whispering. The craft lands outside and engines disengage. Sasami and Lady Seto stand to attention for they are to precede the bride. Voices and questions arise as both Mihoshi and Washu are not anticipating a Kai to be stood outside waiting for them so he has to explain his presence to them. Evil thoughts almost consume Queen Vegeta at this too good an opportunity – the terror of how her son could destroy her in front of all here keeps her in line.
All floating orbs lighting the hall converge over the flower girls at the entrance. Their cue is here. The trio of flower girls start their procession. The two grown adults do not manage to hide their embarrassment as eyes are on them with a cheery and happy Sasami giving her all. As the petals they throw land they rapidly germinate and sprout small pink flowers. The orbs illuminating above their head follow and one by one stop in their position until they reach the end and the entire aisle is lit. With their job done the flower girls at the altar stand off to one side and the doors to the cathedral of Washu swing open wide.
One sole flute begins to sound clear and pure through the air. Yamcha's nerves buckle and give way as he looks to the entranceway and sees her. The wedding march plays and as she sets her first foot within her building a piano joins the rendition. Ryoko can only think on how paltry her effort of changing her hair style is compared to Washu. A divine being of radiant splendour and light graces them, eclipsing a Kai with ease. She is the belle of the ball with Mihoshi's father on one arm, Kibito Kai the other and behind her careful to avoid the dress' train is Mihoshi carrying the bouquet for the bride.
The veil over her face is so thin it appears as some ethereal wisp dancing about before her stark emerald eyes as it tapers down to a point terminating short just below her lips. It plays through her vivid pink hair with streams of brightest silver and platinum masking her own greyed hairs as if they were additional decoration. Loose hair spills naturally down her back and with an extra foot of length would join her bridal train. Three small green spheres dot in an upside down triangle upon her brow – since this is a Juraian ceremony in some sense and she a Juraian citizen. Her lips form a small but vastly proud and confident smile.
Her collar is a floating halo of gold held up by thin struts that plunge down into a large 'w' shaped chest piece upon her greatly visible cleavage. Twin emerald gems the size of her palms immaculate in their shape adorn her collarbones over a cream and pitch bodice. At her shoulders sleeves puff upwards ornately kept in shape by a gold trim that swiftly morphs and blends with brightest alabaster before they spiral down and wrap about her forearms tightly. Light reflects off her from all over and the main body of her dress appears illuminated itself. White and cream and silver layered robes entwine and dance about her lower half and legs before spilling onto the floor behind her. Shoes of pure diamond laced with an obsidian cut are worn upon her otherwise bare feet. This grand and regal extravagance that dwarfs all including what the Empresses of Jurai mustered for their own weddings is nothing for the crowning jewel of her outfit.
Out from her back spring forth a trio of large and vast wings of purest energy. Washu wears the sacred and beautiful Light Hawk Wings previously only generated from the massive tree-powered battleships of Jurai. Blades of shining white have her appear as some celestial being and grant her the most exquisite of silhouettes as she gracefully step by step makes her way down the aisle and the music swells into a full orchestral accompaniment.
Jurai is speechless. That is not the progress she listed on her last report of this important research on their ultimate weapon and defence. She wears the very symbols of their goddess Tsunami as her crowning jewel for nothing else could embellish her beauty and grandeur better, or exemplify her intellect. Washu walks slow to drag out and prolong this march as much as she can. Giddiness has her smile split apart and her pearly teeth shine through and her pace quickens in eagerness. A deity upon her arm, the manifestation of one adorning her back, and a product of her own bloodline on her other arm, Washu Hakubi reaches the altar.
She is released by her escort. The bouquet of cloned and grown flowers native to Planet Plant and otherwise extinct flora is handed to her by Mihoshi as she goes to stand by her father in her bridesmaid's dress of equal design to Washu's bar the Light Hawk Wings and a few minor decorations. She gives a sly smirk to her beloved and he winks back at her as they turn to face the Emperor of Jurai. He has to give pause as he in wonder has to think on her wearing what amounts to both holy power and a super-weapon and Washu relishes what she can spy of Lady Seto's face.
The ceremony itself is held in the formal Juraian tongue. This alienates a vast majority of the guests from understanding, apart from the holographic subtitles displayed above each speaker's head. A large portion of Juraian marriages has to contend with religion and politics and the merging of two families and estates and the dealings of polygamy. This is all omitted for Washu as none of it holds bearing for her secular and monogamous marriage. Several sentences are spoken by Azusa before the Light Hawk Wings of Washu flicker and then turn off having drained all reserves of power. In a Tuffle tradition both she and Yamcha place a hand upon the nape of the other's neck.
Queen Vegeta does not understand it. She watches the scene. This is some pompous show for a relationship but it does not click for her why. That smile on Washu's face is being caused by this thing all others talk of. Queen Vegeta has watched others that are not Saiyan act upon it against her and can only chalk it up to some lust based drive given to weaker species. Pranis however has to question why she is so dumbfounded by it and why she cannot smile like that when her son talks as if he once found this. She fidgets on the spot and her black eyes come to rest on the shrine across the hall to an image of a man whose virtual doppelgänger she killed.
Grinning from ear to ear Washu speaks her vows loud and clear in an ancient tongue of the Tuffles that would only be known now from forgotten relics. In response to her words Yamcha answers in the short excerpt of this dead language that he was taught for this sole purpose. He then poses back to her his own vows in the only language he knows – the first words the Earthlings attending this wedding can recognise. Washu answers likewise. Without hours of religious sermons and political declarations between houses the affair of Juraian weddings is not that long. Tears begin to flow from several of the guests. Kibito Kai is keen to keep a watchful eye over the emotions of Misaki – who is trying her best but cannot repress her mirth at this scene. Her happiness and joy has no impact on her black arm. In similar fashion Prince Vegeta sends a penetrative stare towards his mother to keep her strictly in line as he watches the hairs on her tail rise and her ki build. Queen Vegeta sees crying and detests the sight, more-so recently for her shame of giving into it herself.
Rings are gifted between bride and groom. Washu makes her intentions clear. Gold is not used. She has lived through too many precious metals wearing away and being destroyed over her life. A simple wedding band would not serve to last the exorbitant amount of time Washu intends to be with Yamcha for. The metal is not known on Earth. If it was to be naturally found many of its constituent elements would be highly radioactive. She has tempered these well and synthesised what should be rings for both of them that can last her personal definition of a lifetime without wear. They are a silvery-blue in tint and are slid onto each partner of the pairing with ease. Yamcha's hands then finally go to her face. Tenderly he lifts up her veil that scatters apart like snowflakes on a gentle breeze. As they bring their faces together to kiss the first rays of Sun burst through the stained glass window behind the altar depicting the very scene it bathes in light.
Cheers of congratulations ring out upon the newly-wed couple of Mrs and Mr Hakubi. Washu nuzzles affectionately against Yamcha and embraces him tight as the kiss ends. She is married now. Her years alone are over with the dawn of this new day. With natural light pooling from the open windows, Yamcha can breathe out in relaxation and the floating orbs of light vanish. For those who could not sense ki they were unaware that he was projecting and controlling over a dozen small Spirit Balls for the duration of the ceremony.
Behind them on the altar Azusa places a large scroll and unravels it. A quill is then placed next to it. This is the Juraian equivalent of the register for a wedding. It shall be recorded down here and then legally this marriage shall be recognised on Jurai. Earth is going to be another matter to deal with later on with Washu forging fake identification for herself to exist on this planet, whereas Jurai has accommodated aliens, other cultures and refugees for many long years. Washu and Yamcha sign their names, with Yamcha steadying her hand, and Yamcha for the first time signing with a surname. Azusa then states that the leading heads of 5 families independent to those involved in the marriage shall be required as witnesses. This excludes Jurai with Azusa officiating and Mihoshi's family due to Washu's heritage.
In a surprise, the first head of a family up there to make her claim that this wedding is valid is Pranis. She silently scrawls her title in the Saiyan language and then leaves to go to her son and grandson. The Son family has the Ox-King represent them, Tien-Shinhan represents himself, Krillin is about to sign for his friend when Android 18 has him take his seat for she counts herself as the one wearing the trousers, and then finally Washu's friend Yume makes the 5th and final signature. Ryoko then stands and shouts out for the bouquet to be thrown – having seen that in Vegeta's wedding and talked enough to learn of its connotations. Azusa reminds her that this is still primarily a Juraian wedding and the haphazard tossing around of plant life is not how things are done. Washu scoffs that she can teleport so that whole exercise is a moot point anyhow. To be fair for the expectations of this planet, the married scientist offers that any unmarried person can come and accept a single bloom from her bouquet. No competition, just blessings.
With the stipulation being unmarried, Ryoko looks to her side at Vegeta whom will not be joining in this and so instead picks up Ryo-Ohki for she could use some help in love too. The pirate is not alone in taking up this offer of a flower. Master Roshi will never turn his nose up at a chance at love. A blonde Launch stands up holding and dragging Tien with her. Mihoshi, her brother, and Kiyone see no harm in taking a bloom. With more and more people joining in this act Buu gets confused and goes along with it though it does eat the flower. Some of the baseball team see it as a bit of fun to try and get some of Yamcha's luck with women to rub off on them, as do Kombu and Sen. Prince Yosho is engaged to Haruna however there is another woman that he might want the aid of plant based superstition on his side. Ryoko wears the flower over her ear next to her ear cuff, and Ryo-Ohki holds her own in her mouth, and looks over to Ayeka who becomes the last to stand and accept this blessing of the bride.
Photographs and film are captured by the swarms of hovering drones as the bride and groom make their way back down the aisle to exit the cathedral. The morning Sun is fresh in the sky so the heat of the desert is a ways off before becoming uncomfortable. There is another Juraian custom to be had now they are outside the building. Even in a secular wedding what amounts to an offering to Tsunami or just the local environment in general should be made. Together they dig a small rut in the loose sand and plant a cacti pup native to this area in the ground.
"Y'know, seeing this I think a small and intimate little wedding'll do me and Vegey better than all this glitz and glamour. All this regality and effort Washu put in and had all her plans and timings and getting it all set and executing it woulda had me bricking it. What 'bout princess?" Ryoko questions Ayeka on the subject of weddings now the main ceremony is over and the guests have left the cathedral.
"I would prefer not to discuss any hypothetical wedding plans with yourself, nor really any topic that you believe would have to be entirely integrally chained to the Prince of all Saiyans."
"You took that flower thinking of any other bloke then?"
"My marriage partners so far have to not fail in the endeavour of seeing other women behind my back whilst acting as my fiance. Not that high a bar, but so far insurmountable. Maybe in 300 years I might see what the houses of Jurai have in terms of acceptable suitors." Ayeka is dismissive and keen to ensure her stance on Vegeta remains unchanged especially with her rival flaunting so heavily. Her flower she entwines about her tiara.
The feline eyes of Ryoko narrow mischievously and she darts forward and steals a kiss from Ayeka with an impish giggle at the flails from the princess. Ryoko taunts that she is perfectly fine with that arrangement that she gets Vegeta all to herself for 300 years and at that time maybe Ayeka can see if Trunks' great-great-grandchildren are fit for her. She hugs Ayeka knowing any physical contact will annoy her. Stronger arms – one of them blacker than the depths of space – then entrap the rogue as Misaki mistakenly believes this to just be some hug celebrating the occasion and the joyous emotions of this wedding, and then so does Utsutsumi.