1 Hour until the Tournament of Time

"All aboard who's going aboard!"

The assembled group of friends and family looked Whis' way in eager anticipation. The moment they had been waiting for was almost upon them and the Tournament of Time was about to begin.

"We are not doing that friendship circle again," shouted Vegeta's voice from the back of the group, his daughter Bulla at his side, doing her best to emulate his firm stance and usual frown.

Quite use to the rather blunt comments, Whis responded with a playful chuckle. The attendant turned to Lord Beerus, who was currently lounging on one of the many deck chairs that littered the Capsule Corp gardens. "Make sure everyone is here, Whis, we're not making multiple trips."

"I should have known instantaneous movement would not be fast enough for your liking, my Lord."

"Whis…"

The angel huffed. "Yes yes, now then let's see." Whis cast his sight over all those who had decided to join them to the Tournament to spectate, comprising quite a large number for him to count. The morning glow of the rising sun cast an orange light over the group, forcing Whis to squint as he counted the attendees.

There was of course Vegeta and his family of three; they were all departing from their home after all so it was only natural they were all here and ready to go first thing. Bulma, Trunks and Bulla were waiting patiently alongside the patriarch of the household.

The residents of Kame House and Dende's Lookout also joined them, including Krillin and his family, Master Roshi and Piccolo. Dende himself declared that he would remain to watch over the Earth as was his duty.

Goku's apprentice Uub had flown in recently, standing off to the side away from the others. Despite how much time had passed he still considered himself more of an acquaintance than a friend of the group, not that anyone felt the same way.

Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Oolong and Puar were also present, wanting to attend to simply observe if nothing else. Despite being more or less independent to the rest of the group, they each nevertheless gladly came when the offer was made for them to accompany.

And lastly there was Gohan, Pan, Videl and Hercule Satan, waiting together at the front of the group and more than ready to go. They had been second to arrive, having stayed with Hercule for the night the day before in the relatively close Satan City. Had Buu not been sleeping, he would have joined them.

There was one obvious absence however.

"Where is the neanderthal, boy?"

"Oh you mean dad? Guess he's running late, probably still having breakfast," Gohan held a hand to the back of his head and gave a nervous laugh.

Bulma shook her head. "Honestly, how could someone who knows a technique literally called Instant Transmission never be anywhere on time?" Bulma snapped gruffly. Despite pushing sixty, she was still as glamorous as ever, if only a bit more self conscious about it.

"As expected…" Beerus murmured drolly. He stretched out and pushed himself up, cracking his neck as he looked Whis' way. "We still have an hour until the Tournament begins but I do not want to keep Grand Zeno waiting. We're classified as Timeline 1 right? In other words were the stars of the show, and the guests of honour should arrive fashionably early."

"Actually I believe the Earth custom is for distinguished guests to arrive fashionably late, my Lord."

Beerus snorted. "Nothing about Goku is fashionable."

While the deities quietly bickered, Videl looked up at her husband at her side, after taking a moment to peer at the rest of him that is. "Speaking of fashionable," Videl whispered to Gohan, who she currently had linked arm in arm. "I can't help but notice you're wearing your father's colors, normally you can never decide between those or Piccolo's."

Gohan smiled, looking down at his orange gi and blue undershirt. He was getting nostalgic just looking at it. "I considered it, but it just felt right you know? Fighting alongside dad again… I needed to wear it."

"Well I can't argue with that logic," Videl then suddenly adopted a smirk, and pulled her husband down to her level. "Although I always preferred you in green."

The private implication between the two was more than enough to make Gohan blush.

"Alright I'm bored, Whis, go get Goku," Beerus' voice cut in, snapping Gohan out of his daze, though Videl continued to giggle at his side.

As if on cue, the final three Son's appeared before the group, composed of Goku, Goten and Chi-Chi. Goku was still getting dressed. "Sorry for making you wait, Whis!" Goku proclaimed as he finished tying his belt. "I kept knocking on Gohan's door so we could all leave together, I forgot nobody was home!"

Everyone collectively rolled their eyes, each were more than used to Goku's antics by now.

Beerus took up position at the head of the group. "Well now that you've finally decided to join us, we can at last be on our way." The god placed his hands behind his back and peered up at Whis with a neutral glare. "What's our destination, Whis?"

The angel cleared his throat. "The Null realm, or World of Void, whichever you prefer. I took a glimpse the other day at the arena being constructed by the Grand Minister; I'm sure it will be quite suitable to accommodate all of you." Taking a quick glance at his staff, Whis nodded to himself. "It appears others have already started to arrive via the other angels. You'll have a choice of seating area either in the stands or by the ringside where the contestants can mingle, though to reduce crowding it has been suggested that we limit those at the ringside to our three participants and three guests once the Tournament begins proper."

Bulla and Pan immediately started to pester their respective fathers to allow them to be by the ringside alongside them, so they could be as close to the action as possible. Both Gohan and Vegeta conceded almost in an instant, much to their wives amusement.

Goku scratched his cheek and looked around, there was such a large number of people present he didn't even know who to ask first if they wanted to join them by the ring. He looked at Goten who simply shrugged and motioned to his mother, with Goku understanding that Chi Chi would be left alone in the stands otherwise if Goten accompanied him. Next he looked at Uub, who was currently twiddling his fingers in contemplation.

"What'd say, Uub? You wanna stand ringside and cheer us on?"

Taking a few moments to collect his thoughts, Uub then shook his head to indicate he did not. "Apologies, Master, but I would prefer to sit back and observe from a distance, you always said getting a feel of other warriors fighting styles was something I needed to keep tabs on, but I appreciate the offer, thank you."

Goku chuckled and slapped Uub on the back. "Hey don't sweat it! If you get bored though we can just tag someone out and give you a turn!" Goku left with a smile and looked at the rest of his friends before his gaze settled on Piccolo.

"I doubt you'd turn down the chance to get up close and personal with these fights?"

Piccolo grunted, but his face twitched into a smile. "Sure, why not. Like you said before, it'll be just like the good old days." His thoughts quickly drifted back to over three decades ago, lingering on the rush he'd felt when observing the matches of the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament.

"Cool," Goku nodded, before turning to Whis with a smirk and a wave. "We're all set, Whis. Ready when you are!"

"About time," Beerus grunted, before nodding to Whis. "On your go, Whis."

"Very good, my Lord." Whis twirled his staff, which alit with a white aura, which he directed at all present. "Please keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times, do not be alarmed of conditions including but not limited to turbulence, spontaneous combustion and seizure inducing flashes of light which are natural and…"

"Whis, you'll frighten the mortals."

"Oh very well, Lord Beerus."

The group disappeared in a blinding flash, searing the earth below and leaving nothing behind but a slight breeze in the dawning sun.

- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -

The group of twenty four materialised in a smooth hallway, with a blinding light at one end and a set of stairs ascending at the other. Those unused to instantaneous movement found themselves unsteady on their feet, while the rest were taking their time to observe their surroundings; they had gone from Capsule Corp to the Null Realm in practically the blink of an eye.

"I will escort everyone to the viewing stands. The six of you should make your way to the ring, it is towards that opening." Whis said, motioning Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, Bulla and Pan towards the blinding light at the end of the hall. "I'll re-join you there shortly, I must make a few more trips throughout the universe to pick up some others eager to watch the Tournament."

Vegeta snickered. "An angelic chauffeur, now I've seen everything."

Whis shrugged. "Unfortunately I'm one of the few able to freely travel between this realm and ours. Now, if you'd all be so kind, I have a schedule to keep."

Partings were made and those who weren't going to watch by the ringside agreed to cheer the others on from their position in the stands. Gohan and Videl shared a hug and a kiss before breaking away.

"You've got this, hun," Videl said in his ear. "I can't wait to watch you."

Gohan averted his gaze in embarrassment. "I won't let you down."

Videl was sharp in her reply. "I know."

Gohan continued to give her a loving gaze as Videl proceeded down the hallway side by side with Hercule. She was giving him a knowing look, one full of confidence and trust, it made Gohan's heart flutter to look at. It was only when Pan started tugging on his arm that he turned the other way.

"Come on, Papa. I wanna see the ring!"

Goku considered it an amusing sight to see his son be dragged down the hallway by someone literally a third his height. He and the rest followed on behind, stepping out into the light and into the familiar landscape of the World of Void.

Short chapter, but the next couple should have a lot to cover.

I should probably say that I am more than aware of Dragon Ball Multiverse, but as unlikely as it seems, beyond the premise it really doesn't have that much influence over this story, it's just the comparisons are pretty much unavoidable. Watching the Tournament of Power arc is really what inspired this, so if you're worried of similar plot beats you should know that beyond the basics nothing is a repeat.