*Sorry for the extended delay on this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it. Chapter 22 won't take as long to finish writing, hopefully.
Back in Universe 7…
Within Capsule Corp's personal Gravity Chamber, fist clashed against fist as Vegeta put a test to Gohan's once limitless strength. The Saiyan Prince didn't bother holding back in the slightest and continuously let loose attack after attack against the young scholar as a Super Saiyan 2. Gohan, sadly, couldn't keep up as much as expected, even in his once-formidable Ultimate Form.
He used to be stronger than his father at full strength, but at this point, there wasn't as clear of a difference. Perhaps this year since Majin Buu's defeat had made Gohan slack off on his training once again. The untimely passing of his mother didn't do him any favors either.
"Big Bang Attack!"
A blue sphere of ki was launched from Vegeta's palm and exploded upon making contact with Gohan's arms. The half-Saiyan winced, just barely managing to block the attack and prevent it from exploding in his face.
Vegeta crossed his arms in disgust. He was not pleased with the evident sloppiness present within Gohan's defensive stance.
"Tch. Even after that immortal old geezer unlocked your full potential, this is all you have to show for it? How embarrassing."
"Cut me some slack, Vegeta. I was busy taking care of Goten." The young warrior replied. Despite the good intentions behind his words, he wasn't exactly pleased with using them as an excuse. "My dad wasn't exactly in the right head space to look after him. What else was I supposed to do?"
"Do anything else, but slack off, obviously. You're supposed to be the strongest of us, Gohan. Even that clown, Kakarot, believes you're better than him." Vegeta declared while narrowing his green eyes. They continued to bore into Gohan's soul with a level of intensity that couldn't be ignored. "And you would continue to be… if it weren't for that scholar bullshit you insist on prioritizing over your dignity as a warrior. Not to mention that irksome Earth woman you're shacking up with…"
Gohan suddenly looked annoyed. He took a deep breath in order to calm himself down.
"I have a life and responsibilities beyond just fighting, Vegeta. You should understand that better than anyone, considering you have a wife and family to take care of too."
"Those other responsibilities of yours won't mean anything if there's no planet left to live on, brat! We defeated Buu by pure chance… so what do you think will happen if a threat far stronger than that pink blob comes along? Because trust me when I say that there are beings out there in this universe that eclipse our power by a large margin. Neither of us can afford to slip up… and that goes double for Kakarot… wherever the hell he is right now."
A cool shiver went down Gohan's spine. Judging by the serious tone in Vegeta's voice, his claim about there being people stronger than Majin Buu was both true and undeniable. It made him wonder if his dad was encountering similar beings in that alternate world he ended up in.
"Have you… met a being like that in the past, Vegeta?"
The look in Vegeta's green eyes was unreadable for a moment. He then closed them, recalling a dark memory from his childhood that was best left forgotten until now.
"Once. I was just a brat no older than Trunks or Goten at the time, but… I'll never forget the utter humiliation my father faced in his presence." Descending from Super Saiyan 2, his hair changed from golden yellow to black mid-speech. "Let's hope you, me, and Kakarot aren't next on that list."
Gohan audibly gulped in understanding. Whoever this person was did not seem like someone they'd want to encounter anytime soon.
"Agreed, but… Dad is in another universe entirely, isn't he? There's no telling what kind of strong opponents he'll be facing there. And if there's no Dragon Balls in that place, he has a chance of dying… and not coming back this time…"
Vegeta stood in silence for a moment to process the Half-Saiyan's concerns. He then snorted aloud and lightly slapped him upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Use that big brain of yours, idiot. This is Kakarot we're talking about. That clown is probably enjoying himself as we speak," The Saiyan Prince said with a smirk. "If anything, getting himself stuck in another universe might do him some good. He'll be able to process your mother's death while reclaiming his Saiyan pride and insatiable hunger for combat. I wouldn't be surprised if he's gotten even stronger since that so-called 'elevator' showed up…"
Gohan softened his expression ever-so-slightly. Knowing his father, he'd definitely jump at the chance to challenge as many new opponents and enemies as possible, especially if they came from a world unfamiliar to him. It's just how he's always been and even Chi-Chi's death wouldn't deter his spirit forever.
"Yeah, that sounds like Dad, alright…" The warrior-turned-scholar chuckled. Taking a deep breath, he then narrowed his eyes determinedly. "Regardless, I still want to find out where he is… for both Goten's sake and my own. It'd help put my mind a bit more at ease…"
Nodding, Vegeta walked over to the Gravity Chamber to turn off its current settings. It was at the highest level of gravitational pressure possible, yet neither him or Gohan had even broken a sweat.
"Bulma should be gathering everyone outside Capsule Corp by now. We'll begin the search for the Earth's Dragon Balls afterwards. And hope that damn dragon knows what he's doing…"
As if right on cue, Bulma knocked on the Gravity Chamber's entrance and poked her head inside to look around. Her blue hair was styled into a short bob while she wore a small pink, collared shirt over her usual red dress. She wore a matching set of pink boots as well, along with a necklace around her neck.
"Hey, perfect timing! Looks like you guys just finished!" The Capsule Corp heiress beamed. She almost looked a tad relieved by the rare brevity of said sparring match. "So… who won this time?"
Vegeta clicked his tongue. "Tch. Is that even a question? I did, of course."
Gohan almost fell over from shock and embarrassment hearing this response.
"Huh?! That's not true! There's no winning or losing in a spar!"
"After your pathetic attempt to block my Big Bang Attack, this is definitely a loss for you." The Saiyan Prince grunted. "Stop slacking off on your training, so this won't happen again."
The Half-Saiyan slumped his shoulders, unable to deny Vegeta's harsh criticism.
"Yes, sir…"
Rolling her eyes in annoyance at Vegeta's blunt response, Bulma held up a copy of the Dragon Radar and jerked a thumb towards the exit.
"Typical. It's always about comparing power levels for you Saiyans," She sighed before displaying a playful smirk on her lips. "You can worry about that macho nonsense later. We have to focus on getting Goku's back asap. And since everyone's waiting for us outside, there's no time to waste."
Gohan looked a bit surprised and slightly impressed.
"Wait… everyone's here already? At this hour?"
"Of course. A woman as beautiful and smart as myself wouldn't just sit idly by while her best friend is in danger, Gohan. I got up bright and early just to make sure everyone was informed about Goku's predicament."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow. This behavior seemed contradictory, given Bulma's whole diatribe about getting her 'beauty sleep' the night before. However, as she said, finding the Dragon Balls was their top priority, so such a small, minute detail didn't matter by comparison.
"Well, I suppose we shouldn't waste any more time then," He said while walking towards the Gravity Chamber's exit. "Let's get a move on, Gohan. You're responsible for contacting the Bug-Man again, so stay focused."
"And you should focus on calling King Kai by his actual name, dear." Bulma said teasingly. The three all filed out of the Gravity Chamber together mid-speech. "He's helping us find Goku, so show some respect."
"Bug-Man isn't an insult. He has antennae on his head, so what else could he be called?"
Gohan lightly shrugged in response.
"Well, Cell was straight up more of a bug in every way and you never called him that."
"Because Cell was an actual fighter worth respecting… and fearing… unlike that blue antennaed, bulbous midget they somehow call a Kai. Who cares if he created the Kaioken and Spirit Bomb? Those techniques may as well belong to Kakarot now. Just like the Kamehameha Wave before them…"
"Fair point, but… I don't think you have the right to call anyone else a midget, dear…" Bulma retorted in amusement. Gohan had to hold himself back from laughing while Vegeta's face turned bright red from sudden embarrassment and anger.
"T-The hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Bulma, to his chagrin, didn't reply. She simply giggled mischievously as the three of them exited Capsule Corp to reconvene with the rest of the Z-Fighters.
Outside the building, pretty much everyone they knew was there in one large group. Videl was currently waiting for Gohan to finish his spar alongside Goten and Trunks. Piccolo leaned against a tree some distance from the other Z-Fighters while Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, and Master Roshi stood nearby. A distraught Krillin, meanwhile, was being comforted by Android 18 and Marron. Given that he was Goku's best friend, his disappearance took a toll on his emotional state; even harder than it did Goten or Gohan in some aspects.
The small martial artists ruffled his hair in discomfort.
"Man, why does this stuff always have to happen to Goku? He doesn't deserve to be trapped in some… whole other universe. This is like him staying in Other World, but even worse. It's not fair."
18 frowned sympathetically. "Goku's always been a warrior at heart, Krillin. If he could survive the Heart Virus, he can survive being transported to an alternate world. You shouldn't worry too much."
"You're probably right, but… but still. I'm supposed to be his best friend, dammit. He shouldn't have to deal with this crap alone."
Marron tugged her dad's pantleg, looking sad as she spared a few small glances at Goten from afar.
"I-Is Uncle Goku going to be okay, daddy?"
Softening his expression in an instant, Krillin weakly smiled and knelt down to stand eye level with his daughter. 18's heart couldn't help, but swell at the sight of her husband being such a caring father, even in an uncertain, troubling situation like this one.
"We'll get Uncle Goku back soon, Marron. That's what we're all here for. As soon as Gohan, Vegeta, and Bulma are here, we'll start figuring out a way to find him."
It was then that the aforementioned trio revealed themselves from within Capsule Corp. Everyone's eyes were now fixed on Bulma and the copy of the Dragon Radar currently being held in her right hand.
"Okay, guys. Let's put our heads together and start looking for the Dragon Balls. It's our only way of figuring out where the hell that elevator took Goku… and what the hell that elevator even was. Is that clear?"
Yamcha shook his head, unable to comprehend the absurdity of such a statement.
"Are you positive it was an elevator, Bulma? Cause an elevator shouldn't work without something being attached to it. Like… doesn't it need to go up and down somehow? Not just… you know, disappearing into a random flash of light with Goku inside it?"
Puar nodded enthusiastically in agreement, his tail switching about from side to side whilst speaking.
"Exactly! Elevators aren't powered by magic. Couldn't it have been some weird teleportation chamber instead?"
Gohan understood their skepticism, but nevertheless, knew it was the wrong time to feel that way. King Kai clearly described it as an elevator in his own words last night.
"We're just going by King Kai's account. He was the one who saw my dad disappear firsthand, so I doubt he would lie about the… well, elevator in question. No matter how bizarre it may seem, Dad touched its doors and vanished without a trace. That's the truth."
Ruminating over this fact still proved hard to swallow for most of Earth's Special Forces. Tien narrowed all three eyes while resting a hand under his chin in thought. Chiaotzu floated closely beside him at the same time.
"I see. If Shenron's the only one that could locate Goku's current whereabouts, wouldn't it be better to cover as much ground as possible and split into different teams to track down each Dragon Ball? And if that's the case, how can we do that with only one copy of the Dragon Radar at our disposal?"
A playful glint twinkled in Bulma's eyes upon hearing this logical, yet misguided question. She chuckled and wagged her finger at Tien in a semi-stern, teasing manner.
"Oh, come now, Tien. Who said I only made one Dragon Radar?"
With a resolute snap of her fingers, Bulma's father, Dr. Brief, exited Capsule Corp with a cart full of seven Dragon Radars in tow. He was a short, elderly scientist with bluish gray hair, a bushy gray mustache, and a pair of large rectangular glasses over his eyes. A recently lit cigarette was seen sticking out of his mouth as he passed Dragon Radar after Dragon Radar to each group.
Perched on his right shoulder was a small black cat with big, unblinking eyes named Scratch. He was one of many pets him and his wife, Panchy, owned within Capsule Corp's walls. This particular animal, in particular, remained Dr. Brief's favorite for years. They've been practically inseparable for that long of a time, at least.
"Welp, that should be enough for each Dragon Ball, dear. All you need to do now is to decide who goes for which ball and whatnot."
"Meow…" Scratch meowed in kind.
"Thanks, Dad," Bulma said. She glanced from side-to-side, assessing each member of the Z-Fighters from a strategic viewpoint. "Okay. Let's see. There's a Dragon Radar for each Dragon Ball, so to speed up the process, we'll split everyone into seven groups."
The bluenette inventor then paused for a moment to count down from one to seven with her fingers.
"Yamcha and Puar will go for the One-Star Ball, Piccolo will go for the Two-Star Ball, Tien and Chiaotzu have the Three-Star Ball, and Gohan and Videl will find the Four-Star Ball." She said with four fingers now raised. "Then, Goten and Trunks will be responsible for the Five-Star Ball, 18 and Krillin for the Six-Star Ball, and finally, Vegeta and myself will find the Seven-Star Dragon Ball. If we all work fast enough, we should be able to find all the Dragon Balls within the hour… and then bingo! We'll summon Shenron, ask where Goku is, and call it a day. Sounds pretty foolproof, doesn't it?"
Master Roshi almost looked offended by the fact that he was excluded from this list. He knew Bulma must have done it intentionally.
"Eh? But what about me?! I'm part of this group too, Bulma! I was the first one to train Goku for Kami's sake."
Oolong grit his teeth in agreement. The smug look his fellow shapeshifter, Puar, was giving him didn't help much either.
"Same here. I may be a pig, but I still care about bringing my pal, Goku, home as much as anyone else. I take this an act of discrimination, toots!"
"You tell her, Oolong. She's ageist and speciest at the same time. It's inexcusable!"
Bulma's eye ever-so-slightly twitched in annoyance. Even in a serious situation like this one, there always had to be someone acting like an idiot or arguing about nothing. She expected no less from the perverted duo themselves.
"You can't fly, Roshi. And Oolong can only stay transformed for around five minutes before he goes back to his short, stumpy-looking self. At least Puar is small enough to latch onto Yamcha's shoulder and add support when needed," She grimaced, pointing the cold-hard truth. "You're both better off staying behind to look after Marron."
Oolong felt put on the spot and blushed in embarrassment. He knew he couldn't really do much compared to everyone else, but being reminded of his inadequacy still hurt a little.
"S-Stumpy?"
"I-I suppose you make a good point, Bulma," Master Roshi adjusted his sunglasses in a calmer, accepting manner. "In this day and age, my skills as a martial artist just aren't needed anymore. And I doubt any of you would be willing to carry an old man like myself. Unless, of course, I'm wrong and—"
"I'll pass." Piccolo grunted from where he was standing.
"Pass."
"No thanks."
"Sorry, Master… but I'll have to decline as well." Tien awkwardly cleared his throat. His third pupil darted away to avoid direct eye contact with the same man, who long ago, helped him cut ties with the corrupt Crane School of Martial Arts.
"Over my dead body. You couldn't even pay me to touch your wrinkly old body, pervert," Android 18 scowled with clear disgust in her tone. Her blue eyes bore daggers into Master Roshi's very soul, still remembering the time he 'accidentally' motorboated and groped her breasts. "Consider yourself lucky that I even trust you around my daughter."
Roshi's skin noticeably paled in fear. If there was one thing he knew for certain, it was never to mess with a woman who was immensely stronger than him in every way. It always ensured a complete ass-kicking or, worse, a one-way ticket to the cemetery. It was a miracle he even survived that one incident on Bulma's ship.
"U-Understood, ma'am. I'll just behave and watch over sweet little Marron while everyone looks for the Dragon Balls. Y-You can count on me. Ehehe…"
"Yay! We're gonna have so much fun, Grampa Roshi!" The young blonde girl beamed, completely oblivious to the tension between her mom and the aforementioned Turtle Hermit. "You too, Uncle Oolong!"
Krillin blew out a sigh and ruffled the back of his black hair.
"Sheesh. Sometimes I wonder how Master Roshi managed to live as long as he has. He's always at death's door when it comes to women…"
Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you the one who bribed him with a large pile of dirty magazines in order to become his student? Doesn't that mean you kinda encouraged that behavior?"
Trunks let out a little snort out of amusement. That was the last thing he expected to hear about Krillin of all people.
"Wait, seriously? Damn. Who knew Krillin was such a little horndog as a kid. Hahaha. That's funny as hell!"
"Dirty magazines?" Goten naively tilted his head to the side. "Like the ones with pretty girls in them that Mom called 'filth' and 'delinquent fuel'?"
Videl quickly blushed up a storm and covered Goten's mouth with her hands. It was almost as if she was actively trying to shield her brother-in-law's innocence from further harm and degradation.
"D-Don't say things like that out loud, Goten!"
Krillin audibly gulped, not expecting that part of his past to be exposed for all to hear. That was supposed to be kept a secret between him and Goku. Cursing himself, he spared a single glance toward Android 18, whom had both arms crossed underneath her breasts and was tapping her foot impatiently.
"Mind telling me how you got your hands on all those magazines, Krillin? I think your loving wife deserves to know."
"Woah, woah, hold on a second there, 18! I was only thirteen back then… and times were a bit rough at the Orin Temple before I sailed over to Kame House, so I… uh… you know… blew off some steam and…"
As if looking for an escape route, Krillin snatched a copy of the Dragon Radar. He pressed the top button a few times until the glowing yellow icon that represented the Six-Star Ball materialized on-screen. He then surrounded his body in an aura of white ki and rocketed into the air with little-to-no delay.
"Welp, no time like the present. Goku's not going to find his way back to Earth himself, so I'll go track down the Six-Star Ball and be back in a flash. Be a good girl while mommy and daddy are gone, Marron!"
Android 18 then quickly kissed Marron on her forehead and flew right behind Krillin at breakneck speeds, determined to finish their conversation at all costs.
"Get the hell back here, coward! We still have to finish our little chat about that Maron bimbo too! Don't think I forgot how similar her name is to our daughter's!"
"I told you! It was a stupid coincidence! One 'r' is different-sounding than two!"
"Tch. A likely story."
The two 'lovebirds' then flew out of view until they were both mere specks in the distant horizon. Marron had no idea what her parents were arguing about, but it somehow had something to do with her name.
"There's a lady that has my name, but with one 'r'? Who could that be? And how does daddy know her?"
Gohan, Bulma, Oolong, Yamcha, Puar, and Master Roshi exchanged awkward, yet knowing glances with one another. Maron – the bimbo in question – was a part of their past they preferred not to talk about. It was news to them how Android 18 even managed to find about her, given the fact that Maron considered marrying Krillin before the whole Androids incident took place.
"She was… uh… a friend of your dad's a long time ago." Gohan replied with some sweat trickling down his brow. Even he, as a boy Goten's age at the time, found Maron fairly beautiful. Her beauty, however, paled in comparison to Videl's from his perspective. "We haven't seen her in years, to be honest."
A drop of fresh blood trickled from Master Roshi's nose as he reminisced about Maron's blue hair and curvaceous figure in his usual perverse way.
"And oh, what a shame that was. She was a beautiful, bombshell goddess of a friend indeed. Yehehe!"
In sudden frustration, Bulma sprang into action and bonked Master Roshi hard on his bald head. She did the same to Oolong for good measure, knowing full well what the dirty-minded pig was capable of when it came to attractive women.
"Hmph! Yeah, right! She was an entitled, superficial brat who threw herself at any man who gave her the slightest bit of attention or gifts. Bimbo is an understatement."
Dr. Brief took a long drag of his cigarette, seemingly listening in on Bulma's rebuke from the sidelines. Either that or he was lost in thought about something else.
"Sounds like my wife…"
He then whistled innocently upon getting the sense that Bulma would smack him too if she heard his response right. Already having enough issues to deal with as is, Bulma pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. She could deal with her dad's antics later.
"Alright, that's enough talking for now. Let's split up and find the remaining Dragon Balls. Goku needs our help more than ever… especially given what he's been through… and all he's done for us."
Vegeta audibly sighed in relief, thankful that his wife was back to focusing on the task at hand.
"Finally! If I heard one more comment about that whorish Earth woman, I was going to turn that pig into a freshly cooked pork roast. And give Kakarot's degenerate of a master an even earlier retirement."
Gohan shivered at the prince's dark tone. "Geez, Vegeta. I know Master Roshi can be a little… eccentric, but don't you think you're being too harsh?"
"Tch. What would I care about some old has-been's feelings? Just shut up and find your assigned Dragon Ball, Gohan. The sooner we decipher your father's location, the sooner we can get back to training and prepare for his return." Vegeta narrowed his eyes into slants at the last part. "And yes, I mean both of us…"
He then abruptly scooped up Bulma into his arms, causing her to let out an audible squeak of surprise and embarrassment.
"Come on. Let's get this nonsense over with."
"W-Wait, Vegeta… I need to tell everyone where to… AIYEEEEEEEEE!"
Bulma's high-pitched screams of distress could now be heard in the distance as Vegeta ascended into the air at incredible speeds. Not long after the couple's departure, everyone else followed suit and split up to locate their own assigned Dragon Ball ranging from one to seven stars.
"Stay close to Trunks, Goten… and uh… don't break anything." Gohan warned as him and Videl flew hand-in-hand into the sky together. They'd most likely be visiting Mt. Paozu to gather the Four-Star Ball, his father's most prized possession.
Upon seeing his older brother, Goten blinked a few times obliviously.
"Break something? Why would I do that?"
"Cause you're a total klutz who'd drop our Dragon Radar the moment you put your hands on it. It's not rocket science." said Trunks as if his best friend's clumsiness was a irrefutable fact.
"I-I'm not a klutz! I can be plenty careful… if I'm focused enough."
"Um… no, man. You're a klutz. Just accept it"
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
"AM NOT!"
The two kids then continued their senseless bickering in midair, leaving Master Roshi, Oolong, Marron, and Dr. Brief back at Capsule Corp. An awkward silence then permeated through the air until it was broken by Dr. Brief audibly clearing his throat.
"So… Krillin really did offer you a collection of dirty magazines back in the day, huh, Roshi?"
"Yes, he most certainly did. It was quite the generous offering indeed. Hehe."
Dr. Brief hummed and nodded his head agreeably, as if the two old men were ruminating over some form of high art, rather than pornographic material.
"I have a stash full of em' in some spare capsules I built. Want to take a look while we wait?"
Master Roshi and Oolong, now perversely grinning from ear-to-ear, nodded their heads in newfound excitement.
"Haha! I knew there was something special about you, doc!" Oolong oinked with a wide, almost too eager grin on his face.
"Well, of course. I may be a genius scientist, but I'm also a man at heart too. My daughters and wife just don't understand that…"
The trio now stood as a united front whilst comical tears fell from their eyes.
"We understand perfectly, my friend. We're all men of many talents… and desires that consume us daily. And we shall explore them together! No matter what cruel, close-minded women like 18 or Bulma may say!" Master Roshi cried, holding out his wooden staff in the direction of Capsule Corp's entrance like a beacon to eternal salvation. "Onward, men!"
"Amen!"
Marron, meanwhile, blankly stared at the three men and had no idea what they were up to. She scrunched up her small face, not sure whether to feel amused by their goofy behavior or somewhat disturbed.
They're acting weird, but their faces do look funny like that. Teehee.
About an hour or so later…
Within record timing, each group came back with all seven Dragon Balls. Krillin and 18 returned to Capsule Corp first with the Six-Star Ball in hand while Piccolo, due to working all on his own, was the last to arrive. It didn't help that he struggled to get the Dragon Radar working at first, due to his relative inexperience with any form of technology. He would never admit such a struggle aloud, though.
Yamcha handed the One-Star Ball to Puar, so the blue cat could hold it in his paws. He then flinched upon seeing an, admittedly, uncomfortable and bizarre sight. Krillin was standing next to 18 with a prominent bruise on his right cheek and lipstick marks all over the other one. The small monk looked rather embarrassed while 18 had a smug glint of satisfaction in her piercing blue eyes. She admired the red lipstick painted on her mouth within the Six-Star Ball's reflective orange sheen.
"Woah! What the hell happened to you, man?!"
"D-Don't ask. We made up. That's all you need to know…" Krillin weakly muttered. He was feeling an immense amount of pain and arousal at the moment that felt hard to describe. "Just don't mention the… M-word again…"
Yamcha sheepishly grinned. Who knew 18 could be this possessive towards Krillin of all people? He figured it'd be the other way around in a marriage like theirs.
"Ahh… gotcha."
Afterwards, the remaining groups got settled in and gathered their Dragon Balls together into one pile. Each ball was organized to form a circular pattern of sorts. They reacted to their close proximity with one another by reverberating with golden light, as they've done many times in the past. A faint hum of power and energy could be heard from the seven balls' reunion as well.
"Good job, guys. Looks like building all those extra Dragon Radars came in handy," Bulma beamed happily. Her expression then soured upon seeing the large crack protruding from the screen of Goten and Trunks' copy. The button on top of the stopwatch-like device was damaged beyond foreseeable repair too. "Wait a sec. Why is yours broken, Trunks? What did you and Goten do?"
"I… erm… kinda dropped it while trying to get the Dragon Ball before Goten did. But it was a freak accident, Mom! I swear!"
Goten leaned close to Trunks' body while displaying a little shit-eating grin. "Who's the klutz now?"
"Shut up! I said I was sorry, alright?!"
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Vegeta shoved the two Half-Saiyans away from each other, so they wouldn't start a meaningless fight as per usual.
"Enough petty squabbling, Trunks. You found the Dragon Ball, so simply leave it at that. You can finish settling things with Goten later."
The two thought it best not to argue with the Saiyan elite and glumly looked down at their feet in silence. This gave Vegeta, Gohan, and Bulma the opportunity to stand in front of all seven Dragon Balls. The rest of the Dragon Team waited patiently to see what Shenron would say to ease their concerns about Goku.
"Mind doing the honors, Gohan?" Bulma offered with small, inviting grin.
Sparing a quick glance at Videl – whom nodded towards him supportively – Gohan gulped down a lump in his throat and took a deep breath. He then narrowed his eyes and outstretched both arms with the utmost conviction.
"Right. Here goes nothing," The eldest son of Goku muttered. "Eternal Shenron! By your name, I summon you forth!"
Upon shouting this command aloud, a massive beam of golden light protruded from the Dragon Balls and darkened the once clear skies above West City into black storm clouds. Bolts of lightning struck in the distance as the golden construct transmogrified itself into a green, serpentine Eternal Dragon with a pale underbelly and two brown antlers that protruded outward from his head. Thin, elongated whiskers were present beneath the divine creature's nostrils, accentuating the dark, bloodred glow of his pupilless eyes.
They had summoned Shenron many times beforehand, but this time, they needed the wish-granting dragon's help more than ever. The dragon narrowed his red eyes, immediately recognizing each of the Z-Fighters from their prior attempts to save Earth and, at times, themselves from destruction. He let out a low, inaudible growl as if anticipating exactly what would be asked of him this time around.
"I am Shenron. I shall grant you any wish that is within my power to manifest," The dragon bellowed in a booming, no-nonsense tone of voice. "How can I be of service to you, Son Gohan? Speak your reason for summoning me."
Gohan felt put on the spot in that moment. He didn't expect Shenron to address him directly by name, even if he was much stronger than the dragon in every conceivable way. The young man then regained his composure and chose his next words with care.
"It's about my dad… Son Goku. Not too long ago, he was sent to another world by accident… and we have no idea where that could be or what it's even like." He clenched his fists in growing frustration and concern. "If you're able to, I wish for you to tell us what universe he ended up in, Shenron! Please… help us find him!"
Shenron paused for a moment to process Gohan's bold request. A small bead of sweat trickled down the dragon's brow, catching Vegeta by surprise.
Is… the damned dragon actually nervous for a change?
"Very well. Your wish shall be granted," Shenron replied. "But be warned. You may not like the response I give you."
Bulma crossed her arms. "Why's that?"
"The information I shall bestow upon you is normally not for mortals' minds to comprehend or learn about. But considering your prior affiliation with the Supreme Kai, Shin, and shared triumph over Majin Buu, I shall make an exception just this once." The Earth's Eternal Dragon continued. "The world Son Goku has ended up in goes by one name that even its own inhabitants are unfamiliar with. And that name… is Universe Ω."
"Universe Ω?" Gohan muttered in disbelief. It was a simple name, yet felt more ominous and foreboding than he expected.
"Yes. Among our universe, the 7th, there exists eleven other universes with worlds, abilities, and people far different from each other. Universe Ω, however, is a thirteenth universe that by, all accounts, should not exist… yet it does, nonetheless. Its very presence is an anomaly that the Kais themselves cannot begin to comprehend either. That is how elusive and mysterious it has become with time." Shenron pressed on, despite the discomfort present in his serpentine form. "Within it, there presides pantheons upon pantheons of immortal deities similar in strength and power to your own. The oldest, most ancient of gods there could put Majin Buu to shame… and also go further beyond the sheer chaos he was capable of producing at that. Depending on the worship of their mortal followers, I presume."
A collective chill went down each of the Z-Fighters' spines. If there were multiple beings far stronger than Majin Buu ever was, then Goku was in far more trouble than they previously assumed. They weren't quite sure if his Super Saiyan 3 form could even stack up against the new, godly individual Shenron was describing.
Vegeta bit down his bottom teeth in sudden discomfort. Dark memories from his childhood were quickly flooding back once again.
Could… these gods be like Beerus the Destroyer? Are they fellow Destroyers themselves? What kind of shitshow did that clown, Kakarot, thrust himself into?!
Bulma bit her lower lip, starting to get frustrated with this predicament more and more by the second. She stomped closer to Shenron and placed both hands on her hips.
"But why Goku? Why would one of these so-called 'gods' send an elevator explicitly to find him of all people?" She asked bluntly. "And what would gods need with an elevator of all things, anyway?!"
Shenron stared down at the blue-haired woman with little change in his facial expression. Not that the dragon had much emotion to show in the first place.
"Son Goku has been thrust into circumstances predetermined by the actions and machinations of others. The elevator in question was transported to our universe… by one goddess who found ways to seep into the past moments of his life and, consequently, grew an intense infatuation with him because of it. But she is the unwilling pawn of another entity… I do not have the current power or authority to discuss. All you need to know is that Goku has been transported to Universe Ω for an unspoken purpose he can no longer control. His destiny and fate is bound to this alternate Earth's now. And that was set in stone the moment he made contact with Olympus' elevator, as he so aptly described it."
Videl furrowed her eyebrows upon hearing such a strange, oddly foreign-sounding name. She exchanged eye contact with Gohan, both of them silently assuming that it must have been these gods' base or home dimension.
"Olympus?"
"Wait. B-Back up. Are you telling me some random goddess got the hots for Goku? And began outright stalking him through viewing memories of the past… like some episodes of a TV show?" Yamcha chuckled at the bizarre nature of such a scenario. The fact that it was the truth made things even weirder.
"Lucky bastard…" Oolong grumbled from the sidelines.
Along with Master Roshi, the pig had tissues stuck into his nostrils after perusing Dr. Brief's wide 'library' of dirty reading material for an hour straight.
"Luck has nothing to do with it. I mean, have you seen the type of body Goku has? It's no wonder some random goddess was swept off her feet upon setting her sights on him." Bulma then blushed up a storm, realizing she said too much. "I-I say that platonically speaking, of course! I'm his oldest friend, after all."
Vegeta rolled his eyes in annoyance. Life was far too short to care about what Bulma said about his fellow Saiyan and rival. She was his wife in the end and would continue to stay that way, regardless of any prior infatuation for Goku she might have had on Namek.
"So what then? Is Kakarot trapped in this Universe Ω hellhole for good?"
"Not exactly. While a Supreme Kai's Kai Kai technique will prove ineffective due to Kais having no jurisdiction within Universe Ω's boundaries, I could locate Son Goku and ask him to return if he wishes. It is within my power to access that universe… as long as one of its gods does not intervene. They are all far stronger than myself or the current Guardian, Dende, is."
"Really?! You can bring my dad back?" asked Gohan in pleasant surprise.
"Yes. If you wish for his return, it shall be granted. And you have two wishes remaining, so use them wisely."
Goten's face lit up into a wide, infectious grin upon hearing this response. He pretty much looked the happiest he's been in months.
"Wow! Shenron's the best! I knew he could do it!"
Trunks gave a small thumbs up for support. "Heh. Cool. Guess you'll get to see your dad again real soon, Goten."
Gohan, despite being older, couldn't contain his excitement either. He was eager to put this entire mess behind them, so him, Goten, and Goku could be a family again. After all, he needed his father just as much Goten did, especially since their mom was no longer around.
That hadn't changed since he was a young boy during the Cell Games and earlier.
"Alright then! I wish for you to transport Dad from Universe Ω to here, Shenron! Bring him home!"
"Very well. I will contact the one known as Son Goku and set forth his return to our universe. This may take a moment."
Seconds later, Shenron's vacant eyes glowed a brilliant crimson. His very subconsciousness reverberated with raw, mystical power; transporting itself from one universe to another with no delay whatsoever. It continued traversing dimensions on a telepathic level until contact was made with Goku's own mind. Although the dragon couldn't communicate with him physically speaking, an astral projection of his form would be visible through the Saiyan's eyes only.
Now, all Shenron and the others could do was wait for Goku's response.
Everything went dead silent. Seconds changed to minutes as the Z-Fighters – namely Gohan and Goten – held their breath out of nervousness. All the while Shenron floated in place and remained completely motionless. Not even his whiskers twitched a single centimeter.
Then, after what seemed like an eternity, Shenron broke the silence and spoke once more.
"He refuses."
Everyone at Capsule Corp's hearts skipped a beat. Their prior excitement was swiftly replaced with confusion and dread. Did Shenron really just say that or were they mishearing him?
"Eh?" Oolong muttered.
"D-Did he just say…"
All hell then proceeded to break lose. Just when the Dragon Team thought their problems couldn't get any worse, a response like this took place.
"WHAAAT?!"
Vegeta stamped his foot hard into the ground, producing a deep, jagged crater where fresh pavement once stood. The livid prince then glared daggers at Shenron, as if contemplating whether to blast the dragon into smithereens to take his anger out on someone other than Goku himself.
"THE HELL DO YOU MEAN KAKAROT REFUSED?! Is he insane?"
"More like in-Saiyan, am I right? Hehe." Oolong immediately regretted his poor attempt at a joke upon feeling Vegeta's murderous intent. "P-Please don't cook me."
Bulma shook her head in frustration, looking equally confused by Goku's refusal to return home to be with his friends and family. Refusing to return from Namek for two years was one thing, but this was an entire separate universe, rather than a planet. The risks and potential consequences were far more extreme this time around.
"My husband's right. This is a completely insane thing for him to do. What was Goku's reason for not wanting to return? What did he say to you, Shenron?"
Shenron recomposed himself and a took moment to devise an adequate response to this bossy, intimidating woman's questions.
"Despite what you may assume, Son Goku's explanation was logical and not a lapse of sanity on his part. He's currently on a mission to rescue a new friend of his and has no intention of abandoning her in their time of need. He wouldn't forgive himself otherwise." Shenron explained in a grave, serious tone. "Furthermore, there exists an ancient Labyrinth that is transporting powerful warriors from alternate universes, worlds, and timelines to the Earth present in Universe Ω. And since these warriors are in an allegiance with the very same deity responsible for Goku's arrival himself, he cannot return until such threats are dealt with. Those were his exact words… albeit stated less articulately. He was in midflight when I sent him my telepathic message, so a response in proper detail could not be gathered."
The others didn't know exactly how to feel. It was definitely in Goku's nature to make new friends entire universes away, but this Labyrinth was a whole other can of worms to unpack. A maze being able to seep into multiple different timelines and worlds sounded quite terrifying in concept. And if this malevolent 'deity' that trapped Goku was taking advantage of its powers, they might have the potential become an enemy even more imposing than Majin Buu ever was.
However, as much as they disliked Goku's decision, his reasoning came from a place of clear nobility and care. Whoever this 'friend' was must have left quite the impression on him in such a short time. It made everyone wonder how she got kidnapped in the first place.
Gohan looked down at his feet, frowning. It seemed as though Goku's disappearance was going to be far less temporary than him and Goten ever anticipated.
"Wow. It seems like Dad's got his hands full again…"
"That's putting it mildly. Goku has the weight of an entire new world on his shoulders! Who knows what other freaking monsters could be waiting for him in that Labyrinth place? This rescue mission or whatever might just be scratching the surface." Krillin grimaced as his worry for Goku's safety began to skyrocket.
Piccolo offered a sympathetic glance towards Gohan and Goten. If his former archnemesis truly had no choice, but to stay in Universe Ω, there wasn't much else they could do. They were powerless to help him if he was indeed somewhere millions upon billions of lightyears away.
The white cape of his tunic flapped in the wind as Piccolo gave his own two cents on the matter.
"Was there anything else that Goku said, Shenron? Any specific parting words or instructions for us?" His black eyes briefly darted to the Son brothers. "Or anything to put his sons' minds at ease?"
"Yes. While he is away, Son Goku wishes for all of you to continue training in his absence. Moreso to continue keeping the Earth safe… and to be prepared if threats originating from Universe Ω… come in contact with our world." Shenron said. His response almost sounded like a warning and threat simultaneously. "As for his children, Son Gohan and Son Goten, he wishes for them to continue looking after each other. He wants Gohan to better balance his talents as a martial artist with his duties as a scholar… and for Goten to work towards surpassing them one day. Such skills will be needed for the battles ahead… and make no mistake, this peace you're experiencing will not last. He hopes both of them are strong enough to understand that… and to make him proud, even if he can't witness your growth at a close distance."
Goten sniffled. He frantically wiped his eyes, trying not to cry, so he could do what Goku asked and remain strong for him. Gohan had dealt with far worse conflicts when he was age, after all. It was about time for him to stop lagging behind and live up to his dad's legacy from one warrior to another; just like Gohan did many years ago.
"O-Okay. Got it. I'll make Dad proud. He won't even… recognize me… when he comes home! I swear it!" The young Half-Saiyan choked out determinedly as tearful eyes morphed into a fierce, battle-ready glare.
"That's the spirit, Goten. I'll be sure to do the same." Gohan smiled encouragingly.
"Count me in too. I may not be Goku's equal anymore, but… I sure as hell won't stop being there to fight alongside him." Tien said with a small, eager grin.
If it weren't for Goku and Master Roshi's influence, he would have remained the same lowly, cold-blooded assassin the Crane School of Martial Arts raised him to become. Getting a little stronger day by day was the least he could do to repay him for that. He knew Chiaotzu felt the same way.
Yamcha chuckled and clapped his triclopian ally on the shoulder.
"Well said, Tien! We'll always be there for Goku no matter what. That's what being one of the Z-Fighters is all about."
Shenron loudly cleared his throat. He wasn't summoned to watch these mortals one-up each other and talk over future plans for improvement. He was there to grant their wishes and then leave. That's how it's always been and the Eternal Dragon didn't like to be kept waiting.
"Well, that was your second wish. Is there a third or shall I take my leave?"
The Z-Fighters couldn't think of anything else to ask. Since Goku was busy rescuing his new friend (who they assumed was another goddess), there wasn't much else they could do, but train, plan, and wait for his return. Hypothetically, they could transport one of them – preferably Vegeta – to Universe Ω as backup, but outright teleporting someone across space and time might drain too much of Shenron's power. He was likely limited to telepathic messages and nothing more complex than that.
After taking a moment to silently process their remaining options as a group, Gohan came up with an answer to Shenron's question.
"I think we should be good for now, Shenron. Thanks for the help."
"Understood. Since only two wishes were granted today, the Dragon Balls will take half as long to recover. Seek me out again if you are in need of anything else… within that set timespan."
Shenron then narrowed his eyes one last time.
"Oh, and one other thing before we part ways. Do keep in mind, Son Gohan, that the Labyrinth does not exclude access to our universe. You may reunite with Son Goku sooner than either of you may think. It is all dependent on the thread that fate weaves between worlds…"
"Sooner than we think? Wait a minute. What do you mean by—"
"Farewell…"
Neglecting to elaborate further, Shenron's serpentine form morphed into a beam of yellow light and vanished without a trace. The seven Dragon Balls then quickly ascended into the air and scattered throughout the various corners of the world.
Goten, however, thought fast and flew upwards, so he could grab the Four-Star Ball with his right hand before it left. He clung the small ball tightly to his chest upon landing, viewing it as something to remember his dad by. It was similar to how Goku attributed the same ball to his last grandfather many years ago.
"Sooner than we think? Did Shenron really just say that?" Krillin inquired skeptically.
"Sounds like it. A labyrinth is a type of maze, so maybe this one's different paths serve as gateways between universes or, even crazier, alternate realities." Bulma rested a hand on her chin in thought. "I wonder if that's how future me's time machine worked. Just to a less… insane degree than what we're dealing with right now."
"Regardless of whether we bump into Kakarot unexpectantly or not, we should still do as he says and continue training. I'll be damned I encounter some all-powerful god and die without telling the tale. The Prince of All Saiyans will not suffer such a disgrace." Vegeta then tightly balled his fists, generating yellow ki into each palm. "And I will not suffer the fate of remaining in Kakarot's shadow any longer. It's about time I go further beyond my past limits as a Super Saiyan… and follow his example."
Vegeta could feel the power coursing through his veins. He was on the cusp of unlocking a powerful, yet limited form Goku once kept a secret from him one year ago. Hopefully, his variation would stand on its own and even, with time, give Gohan some trouble at full power.
"And I'll be there to help you with that Vegeta. I don't want to lag behind Dad either. Especially if he's up against threats that can't be beaten by him alone."
With the two warriors agreeing to monitor their progress together, everyone else spread out to relax or work on their own training. Krillin even noted to shave his head once he had some time away from both Android 18 and Marron. He'd have to talk with Master Roshi about, whom, along with Oolong, was being carried back to Kame House by him.
Afterwards, Gohan, Vegeta, Videl, Bulma, Goten, Trunks, and Dr. Brief were the last ones remaining outside Capsule Corp. Goten and Trunks quickly went inside the building to spar while Bulma continued thinking about the implication behind Shenron's final words. She tapped her chin repetitiously, brainstorming new ideas and plans in that massive brain of hers.
"Looks like I'll have to research more about labyrinths. Decisions, decisions…"
Walking through the entrance with Vegeta and Videl in tow, Gohan was left alone for a moment to process his own emotions and thoughts. He took a deep breath, letting the flow of his own ki wash over him.
His eyes opened after a second or two to glance up the clouds. The skies were now completely clear due to Shenron's presence being gone.
Stay safe, Dad. I hope you rescue your friend… whoever she may be…
The Half-Saiyan then joined the others, making a mental note to talk with King Kai about what their next steps would be soon. Until then, he'd type up some paperwork for his job, talk with Videl, and get straight back to training in the Gravity Chamber. He was serious about keeping up with Vegeta's rigorous training schedule.
And this time, he wouldn't slack off on his training or get weaker than before. It would never happen again. That was his vow as Goku's son and would-be successor.
Back in Universe Ω
Oddly enough, some things that remained consistent between universes were crazy people and bad drivers. Zoë, in this present moment, could be described as an imperfect mix of both. She drove full-throttle from New Jersey down to Maryland without any sign of stopping. It got to the point where Goku could barely see any of what New Jersey was known for since the Hunter just kept driving for hours on end.
He did manage to buy two boxes of donuts for him, Percy, and Blackjack to share, however. It was a risky maneuver since all he could do was speed blitz into the nearest Dunkin Donuts, grab as many donuts as he could find with two hands, and set the money on the encounter without saying a word. That probably made the staff and customers there think the entire place was haunted by an orange donut-craving ghost, but at least it was keeping a low profile in some way.
As they trailed after Camp Half-Blood's van, Percy occasionally deposited donut after donut into Blackjack's mouth. The pegasus would have been near-death from exhaustion by now if they weren't available as a fuel source for him. Goku, meanwhile, helped himself to the rest.
Mm! Much obliged for the yummy donuts, boss-man. I'm gonna promote you to Donut Lord if you keep these services up.
Goku let out a small laugh and swallowed another chocolate donut in one single gulp. Percy stuck out his tongue in semi-disgust at the sight.
"Hehe. It's no problem. With how crazy Zoë's driving, we need somethin' to keep you from passing out."
Yup. Too true. I'm a donut-powered Mustang. Give me some Red Bull on the side and I might even grow an extra pair of wings too.
Percy rolled his eyes hearing that joke.
"That's just a commercial, Blackjack," He said. The demigod squinted his green eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of where Zoë and the others could be heading. "I just want her to stop for a second, so we can catch up. She'll have to run out of gas or get tired, eventually."
Goku took a moment to think. He never recalled Zoë even going to sleep at all, actually… if he didn't count the time he knocked her unconscious, that is.
"I don't know. Does she get tired? Artemis mentioned the Hunters are pretty much immortal as long as they don't fall in battle. Maybe that helps with their stamina too."
"You could be right, but… still. I doubt Thalia, Annabeth, and the others want to sit in a van all day long. They'll need a rest at some point, so what are they waiting for?"
Nodding along, Goku tossed another donut into this mouth and ultimately gave a small, uncertain shrug.
"Guess we should keep flying and see what happens."
Or wait until Hunter girl gets pulled over by the popo. She sure as hell doesn't look old enough to drive if you catch my drift, boss.
"Yeah. My point exactly. There won't be much they can do then since neither of them have a license." Percy then scratched his head, still confused by Zoë dubious at best driving experience. "At least I'd like to hope Zoë doesn't have a license somehow…"
Goku continued flying beside Percy and Blackjack with his arms fully crossed. He then gave them an awkward, naively optimistic grin.
"Hey, you never know. Zoë is older than all of us combined if you think about it. It's kinda weird, but true. Haha."
"Those are the perks of being immortal and not being able to age, I guess."
"Eh, I wouldn't call it a perk. Immortality just doesn't seem all that much fun to me. Heck, back in my world, some bad guys tried to wish for it using the Dragon Balls, so they could—"
Midsentence, Goku froze and went completely still. A familiar presence enveloped Goku's very being as he continued to fly in an out-of-body sort of experience. The clouds above them also darkened into that of ones present in a small thunderstorm.
"Uh… Goku? You good?"
They were going to use some dragon's balls for what now? Gross! That's gonna make me upchuck my grub, boss.
Deep inside Goku's subconscious mind, the Saiyan martial artist found himself face-to-face with an astral projection resembling Shenron. The Eternal Dragon's red eyes glowed with crimson light before speaking in his usual loud, booming voice.
"Greetings, Son Goku. It is I, Shenron. Much time has passed since we've last interacted."
Goku's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't know whether to feel confused or happy to see a mainstay from his own universe again.
"S-Shenron? But how? Why are you here?"
"Your friends used the Dragon Balls to wish you back home. I simply projected myself into your subconscious through telepathic means, so I could travel from our universe to this one. And now that I'm here…" Shenron then brought out of one of his claws for Goku to grab ahold of. "…you'll be able to grab my hand… and go back home to Earth as if none of this ever happened. The choice is yours."
Goku was stunned speechless. If this encounter took place a few days prior, he would have gladly accepted Shenron's offer and went home just like that. However, things were a whole lot more complicated now. So many people were depending on him and his strength than ever before. Not just Percy, but Artemis, the Olympian goddess of the hunt, in particular. She could be scattered or go through worse if he doesn't arrive at Mount Tamalpais in time to rescue her.
Bojack and his group of followers weren't going to defeat themselves either. Their presence left a dark implication that far more powerful opponents would crawl out of the Labyrinth's interdimensional passages one day.
It wouldn't be right to leave this universe and its inhabitants defenseless against that kind of onslaught. They'd need help preparing, even if it mean he wouldn't be able to see Gohan, Goten, Bulma, Vegeta, and the others for a while.
For a moment, he contemplated reaching out to grasp one of Shenron's claws, but stopped himself at the last second. He clenched his fists, steeling himself for what would be next.
"Thanks for the offer, Shenron, but… I refuse to go back home. Not yet, anyway…"
"And why is that so, if I may ask?"
"It's not that I don't want to leave. Far from it. But… my friend, Artemis, is in a lot of danger right now. And I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything bad happened to her. Especially since the people who kidnapped her in the first place… are after me… like most of my past enemies were…" Goku grimaced ever-so-slightly in frustration. This was harder to explain than he expected. "Not to mention that this guy named, Kronos, is trying to steal my body at the same time. And he's using this huge Labyrinth thing to gain more allies from our world and others, so he can do just that. It's made me realize that… defeating Kronos is my goal now. I can't go back to Earth until that monster's gone… if that makes any sense."
Shenron grumbled lowly in understanding. He mentally recorded the information Goku shared with him, so it could be used for his explanation in Universe 7.
"I can see that your intentions are pure, Son Goku… even if such a decision was difficult to make. Is this your final answer?"
Goku nodded without hesitation.
"It is, yeah. Tell everyone… I'm sorry for leaving them all behind like this… and that I want them all to continue training in my absence. There's no telling what kind of range that Labyrinth thingy has, so… they need to be prepared for the worst. I can tell Kronos won't stop with manipulating the people of just one universe. Something tells me he's far more ambitious than that."
The Saiyan of Earth then grew somber imagining the disappointment in Goten and Gohan's eyes. Given what happened to their mother only six months prior, leaving them behind would be far more difficult.
"As for my sons… I want them to look after each other and stay strong. Gohan needs to find a balance between his job with his training… while Goten needs to work towards surpassing his older brother and even myself. He has the most potential in the whole family… and I'm waiting for the day he'll be able to fully unlock it." Goku continued with a bittersweet grin. "Also… let them know they'll both make me proud… that I'm rooting for them from afar. I have nothing else to say after that…"
"Very well. I shall take my leave then."
The psychic projection of Shenron's draconic form then began to vanish with translucent beams of golden light shining along his scales.
"Good luck with your journey, Son Goku. May we meet again someday."
Once the Eternal Dragon's subconscious found its way back to Universe 7, Goku found himself back with Percy and Blackjack as if nothing happened. There was now a somber, haunted look in his eyes as the Saiyan warrior continued flying.
"Thanks, Shenron…"
Shenron? Who's that? Your imaginary friend or something?
Goku then blinked a few times, suddenly remembering where he was. He turned his head to see the look of concern in Percy's sea green eyes. Blackjack, on the other hand, continued munching on another donut and looked more curious than anything else.
"You okay, dude? You spaced out for about five minutes there."
"Uh… sure, don't worry about it. An old friend of mine just contacted me from my universe."
"Wait, really?! Who was it? One of your sons?"
Goku chuckled at Percy's sudden enthusiasm. Both him and Blackjack has the same eager, almost distracted looks on their faces now.
"Hehe. It's a bit hard to explain. I'll tell you guys about it later," He then caught a glimpse of Zoë parking the van at a nearby rest stop. "Looks like Zoë's finally gotten sick of driving. Let's go see what they're up to first."
You're the boss, Donut Lord. After the beatdown you gave the Wine Dude, whatever you say is law in my book.
Percy deadpanned as he held a more firm grip onto Blackjack's mane.
"I really hope you don't make it a habit of calling Goku that."
Too late, boss. It's already stuck in my head!
The trio then flew toward the aforementioned rest stop within Maryland, so they could spy on Zoë, Annabeth, and the rest of the group. As they drew closer, Goku closed his eyes, picturing everyone waiting for him back in Universe 7.
He was sad to waste away their wish on the Dragon Balls, but deep down, he knew they'd understand his decision.
Sorry, guys. Hope I'll see you all again soon. I promise I'll be back someday.
*And that's the end of Chapter 21. As you can tell, most of this chapter was focused on the other Dragon Ball characters in Universe 7. They haven't appeared since Chapter 11, so I thought it'd be a good idea to give a general update on what they've been up to. Here's some important facts I included in the chapter to avoid any confusion later on:
1. Universe Omega (Ω) is considered a 13th universe separate from the existing 12. It does not have any Supreme Kai, Angels, and Gods of Destruction, which is why Shin or King Kai have no way to interact with it. Its origins are a huge plot point throughout the story that I'll elaborate in later parts of the story. Zeno doesn't have interest in it either, so there's a reason it's still around long after its creation. I don't want to spoil my future plans, though.
2. Dende's Dragon Balls on Earth do grant 3 wishes after the end of the Majin Buu Saga. He basically updated them to be like Porunga. So if anyone says it should only be 1 wish, it's not true. I did my research beforehand.
3. Maron (Krillin's ex-girlfriend from the Garlic Jr. Saga) is canon in this story, but not the events of the Garlic Jr. Saga or Dead Zone. I basically wanted to make the Maron/Marron joke since Super kind of already did it in the Tournament of Power Saga, lol.
4. Dr. Brief did actually place dirty magazines in his capsules during OG Dragon Ball. Bulma finds them in the Red Ribbon Army Saga and it was a pretty funny scene.
5. As hinted in the chapter, Vegeta will be unlocking Super Saiyan 3 like in Dragon Ball Daima. Gohan will also be much stronger than he is in Super through training. Same with Goten and Trunks, potentially.
I know there weren't a lot of Goku, Percy, Blackjack, etc. scenes in this chapter, but we'll get a lot more of them next chapter. I'm going to adapt more pages for The Titan's Curse book there.
Anyways, it's good to be writing again. Hope this chapter was worth the wait.