"Truly exceptional. Reincarnation of a divine being notwithstanding," stated Whis, sitting contently with a bag of peanuts daintily held in his hand and a thin smile on his lips. "If the Uub of our universe were to merge with Buu, together they would likely reach similar heights in power."
"Not enough to stand up to Goku however," Beerus replied in a proud tone, before blinking and frowning all of a sudden. "Blast that Saiyan! He should have turned Blue immediately and obliterated that punk! Holding back nearly cost him the match more than once!" His elation at Goku's victory was matched only by his aggravation towards the Saiyan's subdued efforts in achieving it.
"Saiyans do enjoy their bouts, my Lord. I'd have thought you would be more than familiar with that by now," Whis tutted, flicking up a peanut and catching it in his mouth. "They'll hold back or even give themselves a handicap to… 'keep things interesting' as Goku would say." His voice was muffled as he munched.
"Either way, the first match goes to us and more importantly Goku is still on the board!" Shin, still attentive to the movements down in the ring area, spoke with genuine joy. "And Gohan and Vegeta are sure to progress as well, there is no way they cannot at their level of power!"
"That remains to be seen…" Old Kai murmured out in uncertainty which gave Shin pause. "There are many fighters here who have yet to reveal themselves." He unconsciously felt his left eyebrow beginning to twitch. "And I foresee that these battles will not be determined by strength alone…"
- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -
"That was fantastic, Uub! You actually had Goku on the ropes for a bit!"
Limping to the edge of the ring was a haggard Goku and a battered Uub, each supporting the other in their staggered steps. They paid little attention to the cheering crowd above them at this point, instead they were focused on the eyes and smiles of their companions that greeted them in the waiting area ahead of them. They were both more than eager to hop down there to join them and, more pressingly, take some much sought after time to rest and recover from their strenuous duel that had ultimately ended in Goku's triumph.
The Trunks and Goten of Uub's timeline pushed themselves to the front of the small group and greeted the duo as they neared the precipice of the ring; joyous and energised.
"Figuratively on the ropes," Goten retorted bashfully but still grinning. "That match was only ever going one way, but it's not like there's any shame in losing to Dad."
"Sheesh, you could at least cheer for your own Timeline, Goten," Trunks replied with his arms now crossed but his face humored. "Is it even right for you to call this Goku 'Dad'? I mean he's from a different universe essentially."
"Semantics."
"That's a big word for you. I'm impressed."
Ignoring the exchange, Piccolo wandered up and voiced himself with authority to the two exhausted combatants. "You both look worse for wear. You should take a rest whilst we go look for someone to heal you both, we don't have any Senzu beans on hand." He gave Goku a pointed stare. "It may be some time now before your next match, Goku, but you'll need to be in top form all the same."
Goku considered the advice sincerely whilst smiling. After all, his victory in the first round obviously meant he was now progressing into the second, and while he was only lightly injured in comparison to Uub, he still wouldn't mind a pick me up in the form of some divine healing from either Whis or Kibito.
"I hear you, Piccolo," Goku said as he took his arm off of Uub, preparing to hop off of the ring. "I could do with a lay down and maybe some of Chi Chi's-"
As Goku jumped down, his entire body flashed with a fluorescent yellow light as he passed over the edge of the ring's boundary. He grew confused as he felt his fatigue immediately leave him, as did the small cuts and burns that had previously littered him entirely.
All gone in an instant.
"… cooking," he finished dumbstruck, flexing his fingers as he gave himself a once over look. His gi was still frayed at the edges and singed in places, but his actual body was otherwise completely healed upon exiting the ring. It was the best he had felt in quite a long time. "Well ain't that convenient! There's some kind of healing barrier around the ring. I feel good as new!" He looked over his shoulder at the lingering Uub, who was looking at him with wonder. "Hop on down, Uub! You'll probably feel much better afterwards!"
Complying, Uub made the unsteady step down and reacted with the same pleasant surprise as Goku when he suddenly felt relief as his wounds vanished in an instant and his diminished energy returned full force. "Amazing…" he stated dumbly to himself. "And you're right, I feel as if I passed through some kind of barrier, but it's strange, I can't sense anything!"
"It's there, but it's faint," Vegeta 1 replied from afar, clearly having been listening in. "It's God Ki so it's no wonder you can't feel it. Must be some kind of mechanism set up by that Minister floating up there. It may come in handy if a match winner is otherwise too crippled to continue."
Most of the others simply hummed in reply, whilst some involuntarily raised their brows in confusion. "God Ki?" Vegeta 2 whispered quietly to himself, fixing his eyes on his counterpart with a wondrous stare, as he had never heard the term before.
"The first match has now concluded, and the second match will begin shortly," interrupted the projected voice of the Grand Minister above, floating into view once again. He had taken up his position against the wall that showcased the glowing tournament bracket again, with Goku's portrait rising up one row whilst Uub's own stayed in place on the bottom rung.
"That was fast," Gohan 1 spoke aloud, walking up to his father. "Second matchup already? The Gods don't really care for downtime do they."
"You won't get any complaints out of me," Goku replied, patting Gohan once on the back as he turned back towards the now rundown ring with eagerness. "I've had my turn, so now I can just kick back and watch the rest of you guys duke it out! I can't wait to watch how you and Vegeta do. You'll both do great I'm sure of it!"
"And what about me, Grandpa?" Pan 2 pouted up at him, poking up at his side. "I'm fighting too!"
Goku blinked, he wasn't used to being looked at so sternly by someone who wasn't his wife. In truth he had neglected to mention Pan, only because she wasn't actively a part of his Timeline and therefore his 'Team' so to speak. Not that he was going to say that out-loud. He scratched his cheek and leaned down to whisper. "Your Papa and Vegeta need the encouragement, I already know that you'll do great, Pan."
That answer seemed to satisfy her and she turned back to the ring with a sweetly held grin, Goku staying at her side.
He had been genuine; he had no doubts that Pan would perform well, especially if she was anything like his own.
After all, Pan turned into a Super Saiyan a long time ago, she'll do just fine…
- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -
"Oh wow! That was super duper amazing!"
"Yes, I told you, Goku is very strong!"
"Uub was strong too!"
"Not as strong though, he lost."
"Yes he was weak."
"I hope the rest of his Timeline is not as weak as he is."
Far above in the grand palace and seated within seven ornate orange chairs sat the seven identical Grand Zeno's who oversaw the six participating timelines. Within the center of the group sat the duo Zeno's of Timeline 1; the primary facilitators of the Tournament and clearly the most excited amongst them.
"Are all tournaments like this?" The Zeno sat furthest to the right asked to his left.
"I have never seen a Tournament before." The next immediate Zeno replied, who also turned left.
"And I have only heard about the Tournament of Power…" Was the next reply, followed by a left turn.
"The Tournament of Power was very fun. I had lots of fun." The fourth Zeno along stated to the rest.
"Yes, it was very fun. Goku almost won that Tournament you see." The fifth replied, before looking back down to the ring again. "This Tournament is different however; the Tournament of Power involved many fighters all at once, the Tournament of Time has many less all apart."
"Will less fighters not make it less fun?" The sixth asked in earnest.
"I have had fun already, will it be even more fun?" Followed the seventh.
"Oh yes!" The two Zeno's in the center said in unison. "It will be a super amazing tournament!"
"Your highnesses…"
Appearing in front of the collective and interrupting their ponderous conversing was the Grand Minister once again, having zipped up from the centre of the ring to the palace in an instant. "With your leave, sires, the second match can now begin."
All seven clapped eagerly. "Oh yes, begin. Begin!"
With that simple response, the Grand Minister disappeared a further time and now hovered in his place in the arena below. Ever so subtly he frowned at the exertion this caused him. Not even the Grand Minister could be in two places at once.
He looked to the crowd, drew in a breath and spoke from the heart. "I thank you for your patience. I will now announce the participants for the second match!"
In the circular area below, each fighter held their breath. Stunned, silent and waiting for what could be their name.
"Vegeta…"
Three sets of eyes from three almost identical Saiyans shot up in fixation.
"… of the second Timeline!"
Gasps rang out from the waiting area once more, and Vegeta 2 smirked with glee. "Well now, fortune has finally smiled upon me." He looked towards the ring, and then his eyes quickly darted over to his longtime rival who stood attentively at the edge. A silent staring contest began, as both Saiyans quickly realised the implications of this Vegeta having been called for the second match after Goku had already won the first.
If Vegeta won this round and progressed to round two, his next opponent would be Goku himself.
"It seems I might finally get the chance to settle the score, Kakarot," Vegeta 2 declared with vigor. "After it has been denied to me for so long."
"Different Vegeta, but the same old grudge." Goku smirked but was clearly pepped up himself. "You want that chance you'll have have to win this fight then, you hear me?"
"As if there was ever any doubt." Vegeta promptly replied before shooting off into the air with a blazing blue aura and touching down into the centre of the ring, adjusting his fingerless gloves as he watched his portrait appear on the wall above. The match hadn't even begun but he couldn't care less about who his opponent could be given they were now simply an obstacle towards his progress into the second round. Unless of course it happened to be another version of Kakarot perhaps; that would bring him satisfaction.
"Vegeta of Timeline 2 will be up against Vegeta!"
What?
"Of Timeline 4!"
What?!
- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -
"Well now, fortune has finally smiled upon me."
With his Saiyan underlings behind him, King Vegeta of Timeline 4 uncrossed his arms and pulled his white gloves taught. His tail flexing with keenness. He looked across from him into the eyes of his waiting opponent in the ring, who now stood at the ready with a mildly uncomfortable but certainly perplexed look adorning his face.
Perhaps the only fitting opponent for someone of my prestige amongst this rabble of Saiyans and space vermin. He chuckled silently to himself. I may be able to actually get some fun out of this Tournament yet.
In a sudden motion, Vegeta looked over his shoulder and called out firmly to Nappa, who sauntered over in a sluggish stride to his King's posturing side.
Within the ring, Vegeta 2 watched with patience as his second counterpart at this curious event seemed to be prepping himself up for the bout ahead. He was quite frankly as shocked as everyone else when he had heard the second name be announced out loud and realised his opponent was to be himself from another timeline. Quite a flummoxing situation to find one's self in to in to be honest and not one he was ever going to be able to mentally prepared himself for.
That didn't stop his Saiyan blood from simmering however.
King Vegeta felt similarly, and suppressed his urges to quicken his pace and lunge himself at the ring for what he was certain to be a thrill of a fight. He stood firm and composed himself.
He looked downward. His gloved right palm was adorned with a golden band which wrapped around his hand in an ornate display; a prominent green jewel shining brightly upon it. He took great care as he slowly unclamped it and delicately handed it over to the waiting, firm hands of Nappa.
"You know the drill."
"Yeah yeah, mind the dog, I got it."
With that, they exchanged no further pleasantries as King Vegeta shot into the air with a noticeably purplish tint to his aura and took up position opposite his counterpart, with each man standing casually and inquisitively inspecting the other.
"Lost your armor in your timeline I take it?" King Vegeta suddenly began, his tone regal but his eyes brutish. It perhaps wasn't the most elegant way he could have begun this interaction, but it would accomplish his goal nonetheless to strike up a conversation with someone who he could more or less consider an equal in some form or another.
"Armor isn't very customary on the planet I've found myself on," the shorter haired and plainly clothed Vegeta replied nonchalantly, looking his traditional Saiyan armored twin up and down.
"Hmph," King Vegeta tutted. "I was thinking you looked like you'd been domesticated."
"My wife would prefer the term 'house broken.'" Vegeta jeered. The comment was self-deprecating, something he was sure his counterpart wouldn't appreciate nor understand.
"Wife?" Was the unexpectedly soft reply, which caught Vegeta slightly off guard. "Do you mean to say the Saiyan race in your time survived?" King Vegeta's tone was genuinely curious and he crossed his arms in a ponderous motion. "Well well. Who's your lucky Princess?"
Vegeta 2 frowned. He of course had his suspicions, but that question from his counterpart all but confirmed that he had never known the pleasures of Bulma's warmth. And more than likely felt nothing towards the planet called Earth.
This aggrieved him.
"She's sitting right over there, the one with blue hair," Vegeta pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, not even bothering to look at the smartly dressed and supportive figure waving behind him. "A Princess in all but name."
King Vegeta followed his direction, looked to the stands, saw the woman, and bared his teeth immediately. "That's no Saiyan…" he gritted out, his tone evidently furious. "I can appreciate the appeal of lying with the occasional wench or two, but don't tell me you've actually committed yourself to one?"
Vegeta immediately mirrored the frown he was being greeted with, though he allowed his anger to simmer rather than explode as much as he wanted it to. "Call my wife a wench again and I'll rip your tail off and choke you with it!"
"Bah," King Vegeta spat, and clenched his fist. "Enough of this prattling! You may share my name, but the only thing that matters is whether you hold the strength to deserve such an honor! We are both of royal elite status are we not? Show it to me now and prove to me you're still a Saiyan warrior!" His purple aura ignited.
"My pleasure!" Vegeta's blue aura followed as did his rage.
"It seems neither contestant can contain themselves," the Grand Minster proclaimed neutrally from above and held his hand high. "Then let the second match of the Tournament of Time commence!"
- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -
For Reference
Timeline 1: The Three Great Super Saiyans
Timeline 2: The Grand Tour
Timeline 3: The 'Future' Survivors
Timeline 4: The Saiyan Kingdom
Timeline 5: The Frieza Force
Timeline 6: Cell's Reign