A/N:
Truth be told, I generally struggle a lot with 'show, don't tell' in regards to author's notes. But there are just some things I feel like I need to spell out in plain text.
This fic takes place 7 years after Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Pan is her GT age and has her GT design, but it's the Super timeline Pan.
Probably confusing as hell, but I'm sure you understand.
Anyway. A very silly thing, I named the series 'Dragon Ball Delta' because Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek Alphabet - and Pan's the fourth main Son generation. Bardock - Goku - Gohan - Pan.
Also: The art in this fic's cover was comm'd from Kaiella_Jen on Twitter. Their art is lovely! 3
I have big plans for this series, but baby steps. Please, look forward to it.
"Misses Videl Satan. Thank you for joining us today." Flatly stated the Headmaster of Satan City Primary School, whilst bowing his head slightly. He was an elderly gentleman - with shoulders as broad as a barrel, a sharp suit the color of dry vomit, and pale pink skin that made him look constantly sunburnt. "It's always an honor to speak with the daughter of our glorious city's namesake."
Putting on a fake smile and pushing straight through the smoke he was blowing, Videl grabbed a seat next to her daughter. "Really, it's no trouble…I'm sorry my husband couldn't come as well, he's out of the country on a research trip at the moment." Just getting ahead of a question she knew was going to be asked. "But, enough with the pleasantries… What happened?" She spoke with that slightly exasperated tone of voice that said - 'I'm not mad, just…disappointed.' But, as everyone knew - that was far worse.
It was a spacious room, but for Pan, It was downright suffocating. Speaking of the guilty party, she was just a mess of emotions at the minute. Of course, primarily - she felt furious! This whole situation was SO damn unfair. But, also, rather ashamed that it went as far as it did. Tears choked her throat, her face in a sour pout, and arms crossed.
The Headmaster took a deep breath, making sure to choose his words extremely carefully. It felt like he was trying to tip-toe around an armed landmine. "Earlier today, your daughter got into a fight with another student during lunchtime. From what we have been able to gather, he had goaded Pan into a fight - but she threw the first punch."
"He was making fun of Mr. Satan!" Pan had had enough, and sharply cut in. "He's been teasing me for months! I've tried everything else, I've tried asking, I've tried telling an adult, and- I just, I lost control for a second-" Looking up at her mother, hoping for some sort of sympathy - that SOMEONE would understand why she did what she did.
"Silence!" Boomed the Headmaster. Clear frustration in his voice - he'd been dealing with Pan and the issues she'd caused all day. "You punched him with enough force that he went through a wall!" Turning his attention back to Videl. "He's in stable condition, but recovering slowly."
Pan gave up fighting, folding her hands in her lap and sinking into her seat. She just…wanted to shrivel up and disappear.
Videl tried to say something in response, but instead just spluttered for a moment. Before finally letting out a small exhausted sigh and rubbing the bridge of her nose. She knew that her daughter had been having problems recently, getting into further and further trouble… "What's her punishment going to be?"
"Unfortunately, we have no choice but to expel your daughter." The headmaster solemnly stated, lowering his head. "However, I know how famous your family is, and I'm hoping to do this as discreetly as possible."
With that, the meeting was over. Videl just nodded her head, standing up from her chair and giving a polite bow. "On behalf of her and the entire Satan Family, we apologize. I'll follow up soon, and send you a check for the damage she's caused."
The Headmaster nodded. "We'll be in touch as well, and provide a list of next steps, including alternative schools for your family to apply to."
A minute later, mother and daughter had returned to their vehicle and were on their way home. There was an awkward silence in the air that nobody dared to break. But, to take the situation from the feeling like laying on a bed made of pins and needles all the way up to teeth being pulled sans anesthesia, Videl's phone began to ring. It was a call - from her father. She quickly accepted it, put it on speaker phone, and handed the phone to her daughter to hold. "Hello, dad."
"Hey, sweetie, where are 'ya? It's almost time for rehearsal." It was the voice of the one and only - Mr. Satan. Tonight was a very, very big night for him… He was going to step down, retire, and hand off 'world champion' title… to his daughter. The recent winner of the 32nd World Martial Arts Tournament.
Oh, he was so proud of his daughter! No rigging, no parlor tricks, but true strength! He was always somewhat ashamed of how he had to fake his victories, but… If just for a second, he was thankful because he had raised a daughter who could do all that for real.
He was proud of his granddaughter too! One half-Saiyan, with her father being the one who…actually saved the earth a dozen times… Anyway, She was going to have a presence at the ceremony too, of course! Pan had won that tournament's junior division handily, after all.
"I- I'll- be there soon." Videl sighed, putting one hand on the side of her face. Just… Ugh, how was she going to break the news to everyone? "Just picking Pan up from school, I'll be as fast as I can. OK?" She said, hanging up before her father got the chance to say anything else.
Pan immediately spoke up. "But- what about me? I thought I was going too-"
"You were." Videl grumbled. "But now you're not. I just- I don't even know what to do with you right now! But- at the very least, you're grounded for the rest of the night."
"What?! Augh!" Pan spluttered. Just, frozen in shock. She'd calmed down, but now she was all upset again… Not just mad at the situation earlier, but now the one thing she'd been looking forward to for months was ripped out of her hands at the last second…
Eventually, they arrived at Satan Manor. "Alright, go. We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?" Videl flatly said, trying not to lose her temper as well.
But, Pan said nothing in return. Crouching down momentarily, before taking off into the air and flying through the open window leading to her room. Once she was back on her feet, she closed the curtain behind her. It was one effective enough to block out all light.
She needed to find a way to let off a little steam, and now. But- Everything she could think of, she had a bad feeling that it'd just make her more upset. She could watch a little TV, but…everything on was inevitably some kiddy anime. Really, every channel worth its salt was covering the Satan Retirement Ceremony.
Pan eventually settled on the easy option - little bit of training! Nothing else would help her burn off that excess energy. Pounding her punching bag to dust, doing a thousand ab crunches, and finally running full speed on her treadmill. Of course, things that would be difficult for any other person - but for a Saiyan Warrior such as herself? It was easy. She didn't even break a sweat. The only way she could even feel that burn anymore was through marathon sessions.
Really, she couldn't think up any other way to push herself. Not without Mr. Piccolo, but… He'd been busy for a long time with his own training, and his Namekian heritage…Her father had actively refused to train her, and… well, Grandpa wasn't even an option. He was with…Ugh, Uub.
The day eventually turned to night, and she decided to take a small break. Grab a bottle of water, a snack, and have a momentary rest. Well… her mom said she was confined to her room, but… This could be forgiven, right?
Not like they would know. The ceremony was well underway, and the bulk of the staff went home the hour or so previous, so… not like anyone would know.
But as she raided the cabinet for a protein bar, she heard a loud bang come from down the hall…