*Two weeks have passed. Goku, Ellery, and Tarro have been staying at Capsule Corp. Being close to family was crucial for them at this time.*
The sun began to rise over West City, the C.E.O of Capsule Corp sitting on the balcony of her home. She began to sip from her cup of coffee, enjoying the warm feeling it gave. Bulma took a deep breath, slowly letting out her pent up emotions.
So much has happened in the last year that it's started to show its wear and tear on their little village.
Goku lost the Second Tournament of Power, and was out of commission for some time. After a few months, things began to return to normal. The two Saiyan men began training together again, along with the children.
Not long after this, tragedy fell on Goku's family once again. After hoping for a second child, their dreams fell short for the moment. The trio has been staying with Bulma.
Having another little one around the house was refreshing. Not only that, Ellery needed every ounce of support they could offer. The bluenette extended the olive branch for the entire clan to stay in this time. Gohan's family, Chi-Chi, Jean, and Goten have all been staying at The Capsule Corp. Home for a couple of weeks now.
With the help of everyone here, along with several members of The Harmony Center, Ellery manages to get out of bed most days. The older woman couldn't imagine losing one of her own children. She didn't even give birth to the last one. Due to the Tournament of Power being so close at hand, Whis waved his staff and poof, Bulla was born.
Thinking back on that memory causes the bluenette to feel guilty every time. She was granted a special privilege that one time. In any other circumstance, a Deity isn't supposed to interfere so egregiously with the lives of mortals. With the lives of everyone in the Universe on the line, Whis didn't have another choice in the matter.
"You're up early. Again." A deep voice came from behind her. The bluenette turned around to see her husband joining her on the balcony.
"I've had a lot on my mind." Bulma admitted.
"Honestly, I wake up early for a little bit of peace and quiet. With all of the kids around, and full grown children, the house gets pretty rambunctious."
The Prince chuckled as he walked to the back of his wife's chair. He took his hands and began massaging her shoulders gently. "It's strange having all these people in our home. Normally they're here for an event and then they leave. After this long, it's almost become a normal routine."
"They're family." Bulma smiles.
Vegeta nodded in agreement. "Besides, not cooking every morning has to feel nice."
"You make it sound like we don't have a kitchen staff multiple days a week." Bulma laughed as she leaned into the relaxing touch of her partner. Although the circumstances surrounding them were bleak to say the least, the way this experience has changed the Prince surprised the bluenette. Vegeta has become more affectionate towards his wife and children. The times that Bulma has tried to address it, her husband tries to shrug it off.
"I'm appreciating my family while they're in front of me. You never know when it'll be taken away from you." He would say when asked.
The Prince chuckled at his wife's attempt at lightening the mood. "Is it your turn or mine to make sure our house guests wake up?"
"It's mine." Bulma smiled as she attempted to stand. However, the widow-peaked Saiyan pushed her back down.
"You enjoy your alone time." Vegeta kissed his wife's head. "I'll do it this morning." With that, the Prince walked back inside, taking a right hand turn. As he stepped into the living area, could smell the aroma of food being prepared. He made a beeline towards the kitchen, intrigued at who was doing the cooking. On his way there, Vegeta felt something hit his leg.
When the Saiyan looked down he noticed Pan on the floor. She quickly got up and brushed herself off. "'Geta! We made pancakes!"
"Hope you made enough for me." The Prince chuckled. "I'm starving."
The little Saiyan's eyes lit up. Pan nodded as she ran towards the kitchen. "Daddy! We need all the pancakes!"
"I'm working as fast as I can, sweetheart." Gohan laughed.
Vegeta chuckled as he made his way towards the spare bedrooms on the third floor. The Prince never would've dreamed his life would end up like this. Surrounded by people that want him in their lives. After decades of conquering planets, being a father and family man was the furthest thing from his mind.
All that changed when the blue haired woman entered his life. After several years together and two children, Vegeta couldn't imagine anything else for himself. He gets to train as much as he wishes, fights strong adversaries once a year or more, and comes home to a beautiful family most nights (If he's not training with Whis and Lord Beerus.)
Now, he's opened their home to his sister and family in their time of need. While it's been hectic, it was something that Vegeta grew fond of. As the Saiyan reached the last room on the left, he knocked on the door softly as he cracked it open.
"You'd better be presentable. I'm coming in."
"Five more minutes." Goku mumbled into the pillow.
"Kakarot, wake up! Your granddaughter and son are making pancakes."
"Ooh! Pampakes!" Tarro sat up, his little fists pumping the air.
"Pancakes?" The spiky haired Saiyan lept from bed and ran to the kitchen. Tarro wasn't far behind him.
Vegeta chuckled as he shook his head, watching the man zip past him. Looking into the bedroom, the warrior glanced at the other lump in the bed, who wasn't moving yet.
"Ellery." Vegeta sat on her side of the bed, placing a hand on her head.
"Go away, 'Geta." The Saiyan woman grunted while rolling onto her stomach. She placed a pillow over her head to block out any extra light. "I don't feel well. I don't want you getting sick."
After the Prince found out he had a younger sister, it felt as though his world had been turned upside down. Over time, he's found himself becoming more and more like Goku. Vegeta has become a man that truly cares for his family, and even members of the extended family.
"Nice try." The Prince chuckled. "The last time a Saiyan was 'sick' on Planet Earth, your husband almost died of heart disease. We Saiyans are immune to most earth-born illnesses."
"Still doesn't change the fact that I'm NOT leaving this bed." The Saiyan woman muttered from under the pillow.
Vegeta sighed, looking down at his younger sibling. He knew there was nothing he could say to get her out of this terrible mood. The Prince has never lost one of his own children.
"Where's Tarro?" Ellery muttered.
"He ran downstairs with Kakarot." The Prince snickered. "There's an army of pancakes that need to be destroyed."
Ellery laughed, but it seemed hollow and insincere.
Vegeta placed a hand on her shoulder. "I can't imagine what you're going through. I wish there was a magic phrase I could say, as your big brother, and make all of the hurt you're feeling disappear." The Saiyan warrior sighed, a deep breath escaping him.
"I can't bring Onio back Ellery, but I'm going to try every day to put you back together."
The Prince heard his sister sniffling, even though she wasn't facing him. "Kakarot's doing his best. I can see that you don't want to burden him with your pain, because he's feeling his own. But Ellery, you need to be able to feel this loss so you can move on. Bottling it up inside will only make it worse."
"Take it out on your big brother. I can take it."
The Saiyan woman choked on the sobs she'd been holding in. She flung herself into her brother's arms and screamed into his neck. Her hands turned to fists and began to beat on his chest. "It's not fair! I wanted to protect him…" Ellery cried.
"We protect our family! Why couldn't we protect him?!"
Rubbing his sister's back, Vegeta held her tight. He continued to do so until her cries quieted, and her fists fell to her sides.
"Thanks." Ellery whispered. "I needed that."
"Anytime." Vegeta kissed the top of her head. "Get dressed. Everyone is already downstairs eating breakfast." The Prince stood up from the bed and walked out of the bedroom.
"I'll be waiting!" The widow peaked Saiyan hollered from the other side of the door.
After a couple of minutes, Ellery appeared. The two of them walked down the hall to the kitchen together in silence. As they got to the base of the stairs, the Saiyan woman noticed her toddler had a stack of pancakes that was almost as tall as he was. A smile crept onto the mother's features. Her son looked as if he were about to conquer his breakfast like it was a supervillain.
"That's a lot of pancakes, little man." Ellery kissed the top of Tarro's head.
"He's going to need it." Goku smiled.
"Why?" The Saiyan woman questioned.
"Didn't you hear?" Vegeta grinned. "Training begins today."
"Hmph." Piccolo's arms were crossed as he looked down at his newest student. Normally, he wouldn't train someone so young. However, it was a favor to an old friend. The doe eyed look in the student's eyes reminded him of Gohan when he was young.
Ever since that fateful day, the Namekian has been put in charge of training the next generation. First Gohan, then Trunks and Goten. Recently, even Pan has been asking about training.
However when Goku came to see him last week, the last thing he expected was this favor.
"Goku, have you been hit too many times in the head?" Piccolo raised a brow. "Your son has barely learned to walk. What makes you think training an infant is a good idea? He's not even two yet!"
"He's almost two! I gave him flying lessons yesterday!"
"That's not the point!"
Goku sighed. He knew the Namekian would fight him on this. The Saiyan was hoping to convince him. In order to do that, he would have to tell him the truth.
"I'm… scared, Piccolo."
The green warrior was at a loss for words. His eyes widened as he looked at his comrade. Goku seemed genuinely shaken. The Namekian takes a seat on a nearby rock, willing to listen. "It's rare that I see you like this. What's going on?"
"I've had a lot going on that I've been keeping to myself." Goku admitted. "Do you remember the pale fighter from Universe 12?"
"The man you lost to in the Second Tournament of Power?"
The Saiyan nodded. "He's on the search for a Prophecy called 'The Tetrad'. A tale of four siblings that are unrivaled in strength. He believed that my family with Ellery was this prophecy. From the sounds of it, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on one or all of them."
"How can you be sure that your family is a part of this prophecy?" Piccolo questioned.
"It speaks of four children's unlikely conception. Parents of the Moon who's Planet was no more. They're the last surviving pure couple of the race. The first has immeasurable strength that would rival even the Gods. The second has the ability to lift anyone's spirits to the heavens, or to leave them with unimaginable grief." Goku could feel himself tearing up thinking of Onio..
"The twins are the deadliest according to the prophecy. Something about them being born under unlikely circumstances. It's said they share a brain, allowing them to hear each other's thoughts, as well as those around them."
"After losing my son, I can't stop thinking that it's possible. I don't want to believe it." The Saiyan rubbed the back of his head. "But in my heart, I know there's a connection."
"Since losing this last Tournament of Power, I'm not sure I have what it takes to stop him.." Goku looks down. "I know Tarro's only an infant. He's the one that asked for the training. I'm afraid that I'm too strong to train an infant, even if he is a Saiyan like me."
"Please, Piccolo. You're the only person I can trust with this. I can't train him myself until he's a little older. "
"Hn." The Namekian crossed his arms. "If we weren't friends, I'd take that as an insult. Give me a few days to think about it."
"Of course." Goku nodded.
"Your old man asked me to train you. But I have my doubts… I'm not sure you're ready."
"I am!" Tarro put his hands together and shook them. "Please!"
Piccolo looked down at the Saiyan child. Tarro is half the size Gohan was when he first started training. That event seemed like a lifetime ago.
"I'm not sure it would be wise to spar with you. You're too small." The Namekian stated. "That's why I've brought someone to help."
"Yay!"
Pan flew towards the group, landing right in between Tarro and Piccolo. A cloud of dust surrounded the group as she landed. Tarro was able to remain standing as he put his arms in front of his face to block the dust and debris.
"Did I beat my last time, Piccolo?" The quarter Saiyan jumped up and down in excitement.
"You were close… but just shy." The green warrior held up two fingers close together, attempting to signify the gap.
"Dang it!" Pan pouted before she turned around with a smile. "I'm gonna be your training partner!"
"Mind if we join in?" A voice came from the clouds. Suddenly two figures appeared.
"Hm." Piccolo grinned at his former students. "Maybe this could work out after all."
"Bubba!" Tarro smiled as he flew to his older brother.
"Hey buddy." Goten grinned as he embraced him. His father mentioned Tarro wanting to learn how to spar. The half-Saiyan couldn't pass up the opportunity to help teach the next generation. "I heard you wanted to train. Want some help?"
The little Saiyan nodded with clear excitement. "Please!"
"Alright!" Piccolo clapped his hands together. "Let's get started!"