DB FE: Odessen

[Vegetto]

Leiji smiled, bending over a bit and lightly caressing Jaz's right cheek.

"It's good to finally meet you, dear. I know all about you; thank you for taking care of Junior."

Vegetto let out an amused huff through his nose at Jaz's rival comment, while Leiji stifled a small giggle.

"No no, Junior doesn't-"

She glanced up a bit, her expression dropping a bit at Vegetto Jr.'s head turned to the side with an emotionless stare.

"-need a mom anymore. You need to be something more than that."

She paused a bit at Jaz's question on power, her head turning a bit to Panich as she approached. She kept a small smile, her eyes turning down a bit.

"A lot has changed since we last saw you. Just as the others were never truly dead...I was alive for everything. I just...kept my distance."

Theron leaned against the back table, his arms crossed while he spoke with a sarcastic tone.

"So let me get this straight: not only was there someone out there that this dictator actually cared about...but...she's even more powerful than him?"

Vegetto turned his head slightly to Theron and Ale.

"There are seven beings more powerful than any of us here in total. The Dread Masters are the highest authority in this realm of existence: they were the ones that created the multiverse."

Koth blinked, his head turning to Leiji.

"Oh man! Arcann really won't stand a chance with the literal gods on our side!"

Leiji frowned, preparing to speak but Vegetto immediately spoke up next, narrowing his eyes and frowning at Koth.

"No...they are not meant to intervene. It's a long story...but we cannot expect them to fix the problem. This is our fight."

Vegetto Jr. turned his head back up to the pair, his eyes narrowing a bit at his father's explanation. A small scoff escaped his lips, his face holding more of an indifferent expression rather than one of anger or frustration.

"Can we get back to work now?"

Vegetto lifted his head, staring back at his son while Leiji instinctively frowned, glancing down as Junior spoke.

"She's just a traveler: let's leave her alone."

Vegetto narrowed his eyes.

"Hey...that's no way to talk about your mother."

Vegetto Jr. rolled his eyes, turning on his heel and unfolding his arms.

"Nah...she said it herself: I don't need one of those. Don't really want one anymore."

His eyes turned to Jaz, gesturing for her to follow as he strode the opposite way back towards the hanger.

"C'mon Jaz, let's go see if we can find some space for that tree house."

Vegetto blinked with wide eyes, his attention turning to Leiji on protective instinct. Her head had been down slightly the whole time, her frown strong and her stare on the floor as Vegetto gently nudged her shoulders.

"He didn't mean that."

Leiji kept her head down.

"It's ok...it's my fault. I shouldn't have come."

Vegetto frowned immediately, turning his head to Theron.

"How about we go get those drinks now, huh? The work can wait: it's been a long time, we should take a break after all."

Theron coughed audibly, attempting to break the tension in the air and walking towards the elevator.

"Yes, definitely. Let's all get a drink: I'm sure everyone could use a little RnR after today."

He walked forward, leading the group to the elevator that rose up through the Alliance base and to a large canopy carved through the outside of the mountain.

===============

Cheelai turned her head at Mioi's touch. She blinked, shuffling into her coat and pulling out a small scouter.

"Oh dear, of course!"

She quickly scanned over Mioi, gently reaching out and lifting up Mioi's right arm. She pressed two fingers into her wrist, leaning in a bit closer and another hand reaching up and lightly caressing Mioi's right cheek, pressing down on her cheek and studying Mioi's eye closely.

"Just a bit of stress...nothing too life threatening. We can go through a proper examination in my lab, come with me!"

Cheelai huffed a bit, struggling a bit to guide Mioi down the hallway into her lab.

================

Spoiler

Sitting Mioi down onto a cushioned chair next to the bacta tanks near her main console terminal, Cheelai quickly hurried off to the side and dug through a nearby cabinet of supplies.

"This is so exciting! I'm sure you're aware, but carbonite was invented roughly about three hundred millienia ago and has been widely used to preserve precious valuables. No one could ever figure out a formula to prolong actual biological life for no longer than ten weeks, but your group has managed to survive over twenty years! Give me just a moment, I just need a few things here to properly examine your physical faculties."

Across from Mioi, another single tank stood in front of a couple of humming generators. A few scientists gathered in front of the tank, and inside, a lone human looking male floated in an unconscious state. An X shaped scar stood out on his left pectorial muscle, his tan skin dark in the bright liquid while he floated in suspension.

================

Spoiler

The cantina bustled with various types of soldiers, shady merchants, and blue collar workers alike. Leaning against the main counter, Theron waited on his drink while standing next to Gogeta Jr, both of whom stared out and relished in the people watching.

"Whew, what a day huh?"

Gogeta Jr. scoffed lightly.

"Yeah, guess you don't get to pull of the most daring and widely controversial prison break of all time."

Theron lifted his eyes, tilting his head.

"Technically, it was just a robbery."

Gogeta Jr. chuckled lightly.

"True. If you live on Zakuul and don't listen to anything but Arcann's hilarious attempt to cover it up. The whole universe knows what we did."

He nodded to the people bustling by, the various chatter and laughter filling the room.

"But it's different now...doesn't look like a bunch of people just trying to get through the day anymore. They have real hope."

Theron shrugged his shoulders.

"That, or they're really happy to have their alcohol."

 

[Z-Fighter]

Brachi and Xenest both followed, being more concerned about their friends and family.

 

[LoopyPanda]

"The fact we are still ourselves after twenty years makes me wonder if Arcann's brand of carbonite was meant to keep us suffering eternally for that satisfaction alone... it felt like one long dream, floating in an abyss with the heaviest weight on your body. Or maybe he saved us for Vaylin to take her anger out on... ugh." Mioi pondered to Cheelai, fingers on the same cheek she touched earlier. It felt nice to have that kind of physical interaction, even if it was for a check-up, although one could chalk it up to being touch-starved. 

Even though the others seemed fine, they were mostly warriors who faced conditions just as severe, if not worse, than a carbonite freezing. Knowing that, Mioi grew concerned with how it affected her since she lacked any experience like that on top of how her brain might be affected since it's what she depended on for good eyesight. Getting comfortable in the chair and putting down her new rifle against the wall, safety on, she took in the new surroundings and began to relax, though she briefly was startled at the sight of the man in the tank. 

"Oh!... H-he isn't dead, is he?" It didn't look like he was because he seemed to lack decomposition, but it was still an odd sight to someone with little scientific background.

 

[~ Z ~]

"Uhhh, sure," Jaz glanced at Junior before bowing her head towards Leiji and Vegetto. "Sorry but I gotta go for now!"

Jaz trailed after Junior before strolling by his side, her eyes staring at Junior's face directly. She looked concern as she took a hold of his arm and stopped in place, hoping he would stop with her or drag her along. 

"Junior, the treehouse can wait. I think we should spend the time we have with our families. I mean, it's been a super long time since any of us sat down and really talked to each other. Daddy always told me that family should try to get along, kinda weird comin' from him of all people." She laughed awkwardly before tightening her grip on Junior's arm. "We probably won't get another chance like this for a long time so let's enjoy it while we can with our friends and family. Besides, dad expects me to save him a seat. Just think of it like a date between you and me."

---

Kire took several steps back, surprised at Solaris and his magical appearance. He composed himself, straightened his face out, and grumbled at Solaris and his remarks. He took another breath from his cigarette, ignoring all of Solaris' magic-like powers, before blowing the smoke into the air above him. His teeth gritted in annoyance to what Solaris said.

"I left because I ain't 'bout to make fun of a man in front of his wife, even if it's Vegetto of all people. Unlike him, I got more dignity than to bust someone down in front of the person they love. I mean, I can totally mess up the bond between him and his wife, but I won't. That's low, even for me. Besides, Jaz put me in a spot, made things kinda awkward. That's it. Nothin' deeper, nothin' shallow, I just hate bein' put in an awkward situation. One more remark from you and I'll hack your stupid armor and turn you into origami."

Kire put out his cigarette on Solaris's shoulder armor before taking a step back and let out an irritated sigh. He turned his back to Solaris and urged him to follow him to the bar.

"So let's drop this stupid topic and go get a drink, alright? I need to drink away some of this stress..." Kire's voice trailed away slightly and his expression saddened. However, he caught himself before Solaris questioned him. "The stress of bein' stuck in a rock for 25 years! Anyway, let's go outdrink these lightweights out of the park."

Yeah, maybe drinkin' will block everythin' out... I'll be fine.

 

[Grey Star]

Solaris followed behind Kire, the Solar-Saiyan's face in a state of annoyance, brushing the cigarette ashes off his shoulder plate, and more quietly removing the small amount of toxins from the smoke he breathed in out of his lung, air coming out his mouth covered in more blue magic. He half debated putting on his helmet, resting a hand upon the protective mask, before disregarding it and putting his hands at his sides again.

An android general and a genetic super weapon walk into a bar. Like the beginning of a bad joke. Though Solaris's life was a joke, and Kire's was a mean spirited one.

"I haven't really gone drinking in a long while. Granted, with my team it was mostly Atama and Snow making tea and sitting around on the floor, staring into a small fire. Occasionally we'd eat as well. Mostly just swapped stories about the day, our enemies, general discussion." He reminisced, trying to follow Kire's change in subject. "My... Former master, had a very different idea of going drinking and it was never pleasant. I was glad to not have the augmentations he got from his magic."

- - - -

"Hope is something that helped out the Republic during the Great Galactic War. When all seemed lost the Jedi brought it back and turned the tide for awhile." Kira stated, bursting into Gogeta Jr. and Theron's conversation, leaning against the counter in a casual manner. "Despite everything today I don't think I'll be drinking. I need to process some things clearly."

 

[Raditz]

Ale stood firm as the interactions went on. His ears perked up slightly at what Vegetto mentioned.

The creators of all multiverses. I thought that was Zeno-sama. 

Ale’s gaze went over towards Leiji and gave a respectful bow.

“It is an honor then, Leiji-sama.”

The destroyer stood back up and followed the group to the bar.

——————————————

The sounds of a machine whirred in the background of Raditz’s capsule home. The saiyan was inside of a bealing chamber.

Let’s get it together now. I’m sure there are other beings on this planet they’re probably just masking their energy.

 

[Vegetto]

Vegetto Jr. stared back at Jaz, his stare mostly emotionless. He shifted his weight a bit on one leg, his eyes nearly rolling and glancing away at her request. He paused for a moment, sighing lightly before turning his eyes back to Jaz.

"And why are you actually taking advice from him? He talks about what's best for families, but where is his? You...someone he just abandoned for almost her entire life? Me...a guy he only tolerates because of our relationship? He'd drop me in a heart beat if you started to hate me, but he says we need to be close and spend time together? Pfft...ok!"

He turned slightly back towards the hanger exit, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"We don't need them: it's just how its always been. Mom never cared about interfering with lowly mortals: she's got more important things to do than worry about the little people. Can't be bothered to help the little guy when everyone in this damn base has huge plans for the multiverse like her. Trying to grasp at this big picture all the time. But none of them care about us: dad, mom, Kire...none of them. Fuck them, they can go die in a ditch for all I-"

Vegetto Jr. stopped mid sentence, his eyes wide and panting lightly as he noticed the sudden golden glow surging around his body. He stood a bit confused, having begun the conversation in a very mellow and emotionless tone, but now standing fully transformed as a raging Super Saiyan. He shook his head, the aura evaporating into thin air like steam as he regained his composure, rubbing his head.

"Sorry...don't know where that came from."

========

Theron inhaled deeply, glancing down for a moment and fidgetting awkwardly while Gogeta Jr. stifled a small chuckle.

"Well, it's a shame that couldn't follow their own example. You do know that the Jedi are no where to be found in the theater of war today, right?"

========

On the other side of the bar from where Theron, Gogeta Jr., and Kire stood, Vegetto leaned against the counter with his back to the three. His eyes looked to the left, locked intently on Leiji while she sat facing the opposite direction and quietly sipping on her drink, placing the glass back on the counter top and relaxing a bit in her seat. Her eyes trailed up, noticing Vegetto staring down at her, prompting a small stifled giggle from her lips.

"What?"

Vegetto kept his same stare and posture, the amusement clear in his dual voice.

"Oh nothing. Just...still trying to believe you're really here."

Leiji's cheeks turned red, her eyes turning away in embarrassment. The pair sat and stood in silence for a moment, Vegetto speaking up again to continue the conversation.

"How are the other Masters doing?"

Leiji kept her eyes down, the smile fading a bit.

"They're ok. Losing a bit of faith...but they still think you have a good chance to pull through."

Vegetto flashed a small smirk, folding his arms across his chest.

"Of course. They've doubted us before, it'll come back to bite them just like last time."

Leiji scoffed, smiling back up at Vegetto.

"No it won't. It's not their necks on the line if you screw this up, you're the one that put the weight of the multiverse on your shoulders."

Vegetto's smirk vanished instantly, the last portion throwing off his concentration. His eyes wondered around, his dual voice fluctuating in pitch a bit.

"Yeah...I know...I can handle it."

The voices in the cantina began to morph a bit, the happy chatter transforming slowly morphing into pained screaming in his ears. Vegetto's breath quickened lightly, the strange change occuring for only a second before he quickly shook his head, regaining his composure within an instant. He glanced down, noticing small goosebumps on his arms before turning his attention to Leiji, who stared back up at him with a frown.

"It's bothering you...isn't it?"

Vegetto narrowed his eyes a bit, glancing away with a defensive tone.

"No! Of course not!"

Leiji stared up, studying his body for a moment.

"I could feel it, hun. In your entire life...that's the first time you've ever had an anxiety attack."

Vegetto snapped his head, his tone raising not in anger but in a desperate attempt to dissuade her.

"That was not an anxiety attack!!"

He scoffed lightly, glancing to the side for a bit before lightly rolling his shoulders.

"I'm...I mean, I can't be afraid. I've saved the world hundreds of times...and every single one of those victories was a fun adventure. We got to see new worlds, bring peace to whole civilizations...and best of all, fought against the toughest opponents this existence have to offer! It's just good fun...like it's always been!"

Vegetto's words were betrayed by his rattled expression and dual voice, his right eyebrow raising.

"How can this not be anything but exciting to me?"

Leiji kept her frown, staring back up at Vegetto.

"Because you've changed."

Vegetto stared back with wide eyes, the statement having somehow caught him off guard. The words were subconsciously hanging in his mind already, but to hear them completely within his head shook him emotionally as he stood with a blank stare. His head slowly started to shake, his eyes turned down to her.

"No...no I haven't. I've always been me, I'll beat them just like everyone else. You'll see...in fact-"

Leiji raised an eyebrow, watching on as Vegetto leaned forward, his right pointer finger extended to her.

"I'll prove it. I'll go fight them right now."

Leiji sighed.

"Don't be stupid, hun."

Vegetto snapped his arm back, his eyes still wide.

"What? You don't think I can win? Huh? Go on, say it! You don't think I can beat them, do you?!"

Leiji sighed once more, turning in her seat to face towards Vegetto.

"You're projecting. But that's not important right now...I just think there's a better way to make that point."

She smiled lightly.

"How many times have you beaten me in a fight?"

Vegetto blinked, the confusion clear in his expression.

"Huh?"

Leiji raised her right hand up, forming a small circle with her fingers and thumb.

"Zero. If you can't even beat me in a fight when I'm holding back, how do you expect to take down someone like Vaylin?"

Vegetto scoffed.

"That's different. I was holding back too; you only won because we were training. We only fought once, and it ended in a draw."

Leiji nodded.

"So if you fought all out against me, do you think you can win now?"

Vegetto took no time to consider the question, his response almost automatic.

"Of course."

Leiji giggled lightly, shaking her head.

"Oh honey...you wouldn't stand a chance."

Vegetto raised his right eyebrow, turning his head down as Leiji stood up from her seat.

"Your confidence is wonderful...but it's reliant on so many external factors that you can't possibly sustain it, even if you put your personal love of fighting as the source of it all. Fighting makes you happy, but you're the same as everyone in having fear of defeat and losing. That's why you're so sure of yourself in beating me, but not against them: you've never really lost against someone until you met those two."

Vegetto scoffed once more.

"I didn't lose to them."

Leiji nodded.

"Maybe not directly...but a part of you has."

She shrugged her shoulders lightly.

"Both metaphorically and literally."

Vegetto grunted.

"What's your point?"

Leiji nodded to the exit of the cantina.

"Let's go spar. If you can beat me in a fight without holding back, then you'll prove you have the strength to take down Arcann and Vaylin. If you have that, then I'll let you go off and fight them like you said you would."

Vegetto raised his right eyebrow.

"And if I lose?"

Leiji kept a small smile.

"The Vegetto I knew that fought against the supreme power of the Dread Masters didn't even consider losing. That's not fear I smell, is it?"

Vegetto scoffed, unfolding his arms and walking past Leiji towards the exit.

"Fine, then let's get this over with. Just know that I'm adding more rewards to the list once I beat you."

Leiji stifled a small chuckle, following after him and departing the cantina.

=============

Cheelai soon returned to Mioi's side, and without warning, lightly pricked the middle of her forearm with a thin, small needle. The metal rod connected to a small wire that fed into a medium sized, black rectangle shaped box that Cheelai held in her opposite hand, and after a few moments, she pulled the needle out from Mioi's arm. No blood flowed out from the small entrypoint the needle had entered, and Cheelai tucked the pieces back into her lab coat.

"It certainly doesn't seem to be traditional carbonite. Subjects that enter stasis through carbonite freezing don't even dream: all bodily functions are suspended as if you were dead. It's rather strange that you felt even floating...but the sample I just took from your blood should hopefully shed more light on this."

Her eyes turned at Mioi's shocked reaction, her smile widening at the sight and her voice raising.

"Oh! You mean my special project?! Well...it's hard to explain, but I suppose the simple answer to your question is...yes. He is...but I hope to someday change that."

Cheelai turned her head.

"Around the time Arcann took over, I was serving Zakuul's military division as a scientist. Most of the generals only cared about the schematics and designs I planned for their super weapons, but keeping them happy meant I could travel across the universe to strange, unknown worlds I've never seen before! So...one day...our battalion was dispatched to this little world called Earth: a real hotspot for galactic conflict for some strange reason."

She pointed to the tank, her smile strong as ever.

"But then one night, while searching with the recon team to uncover technology, I find this body decaying out in the middle of some war torn street. I initially thought it was just some poor local, but given the lack of blaster fire and no other damage really surrounding the corpse other than the impact it made into the surface, I took a closer look. My tests brought back positive matches on Saiyan DNA, but the cells were unlike anything I've ever seen before in Saiyan biology. I reported my findings back to HQ, and it generated so much buzz that even Arcann himself had called ahead to let us know he was returning to the planet to destroy what remained of the body."

Cheelai sighed lightly, before perking up and resuming her cheery tone.

"So, being the dedicated scientist I am and having conflicted feelings about letting such a specimen go to waste, I pulled out my blaster, gunned down my superiors, took the body, and fled to unknown space!  It wasn't long until I was picked up by the Alliance, and they let me continue my experiments at the price of helping design their tech and weapons every now and again."

She turned her eyes back to the floating figure in the tank.

"He's my life's work. Most of my life was wasted on Zakuul, all of it going to weapons. I was only 16 at the time, but after just a few years working for the army, I decided I had enough of destroying things. Thanks to the Juniors for their own cells and the Alliance, I have a real shot at finally building something for once. He's not alive yet...but now that the old Outlanders are free, I have even more Saiyans to gather samples from to figure out the missing links in their biology that so far elude me. If I can do that, there's nothing stopping me from actually bringing him back to life."

 

[Freak]

"You know, I'm not sure if it's a smart idea for me to be entering what appears to be an alien bar, but you know, it's another universe. I guess it's fine, right?" Oriko thought to himself as he entered the bar with the others, he took in the details as he wandered around the cantina before stumbling upon Solaris and Kire. The boy sat down, taking a deep breath.

"Man, I can't believe this is the first time in 25 years we've been able to relax, right?" He looked up at the ceiling for a moment before sighing. "I just wonder how things are going back home. You know, on my own Earth. The folks back home have to had been freaking out that I've been gone this long." Oriko let out a very suppressed chuckle. "I really do miss home, I suppose."

 

[Z-Fighter]

Brachi was getting slightly agitated at the whole scene, but retained her composure. She had to find a way to turn back the clock somehow.

 

[~ Z ~]

Jaz released Junion and took a step back upon watching him transform. Her gaze lowered to the floor, his words hitting her harder than anything else he said. For once, she held back her emotions as much as she could, refusing to lash out at him. Her mind raced about everything Junior's been through and tried to understand why he said these things.

"Well, I thought my dad really liked you, regardless of what I said," Jaz spoke very softly, trying not to spark any other emotions and awkwardly dug her shoe on the floor. "He sure looked like he wanted to help you more than your dad ever did; all he wants is grandkids for his legacy. At least daddy's trying to make up for the time he lost and wants us to be happy. He just... He just..." 

Jaz's cheeks turned puffy and her voice began to tremble slightly. It was obvious how hard she was holding back her emotions, fighting back every urge to burst and remain as calm as Junior did. She wasn't as good at hiding her emotions as her father was, but she was close. When she felt tears swell up, Jaz immediately shook her head and quickly swiped her hand across her face, laughing. 

"B-But you're right! Why spend time together when we can use it for trainin' and more important stuff! I mean, the whole universe is in danger! What's bonding and dates gonna do to help us out? We just gotta overpower Arcann and fix this whole mess! Someone's gotta do it, right? That someone is gonna be me! Jaz Rebbel! ...Yeah." Jaz didn't sound as confident as she usually did. "Let's leave them to waste their time on silly things while you and I actually do something to protect their sorry asses and save this stupid universe!"

The shortie walked to Junior and placed a hand on his shoulder but couldn't look him in the eye, mostly because her eyes always told what she felt. 

"Let's forget about that stupid tree house and get to training." Jaz walked to the hanger, turning her back to Junior. "I can't beat Arcann in my current state, so hurry up."

---

Kire glanced around the area before taking a seat a table across from Theron and Gogeta Jr. He turned his head to the man serving drinks and snapped his fingers.

"I want you to fuck me up, barista. Keep it coming until I black out." 

He turned to face Solaris and urged him to sit down. The air around Kire was awkward, to say the least, nothing like how he usually acts. He occasionally glanced at Theron and Gogeta, fiddling his thumbs before the first set of drinks arrived. He caught Vegetto and Leiji bonding, and immediately, he took a glass and chugged it down in one go, the same followed for the second. His hand began to crush the glass he held, his entire body shaking as he held something back.

I can't wait to see all the wonderful things we'll do together! I know you have what it takes to fix this city--no, the world! You'll finally have a home... a family. I promise to stick by your side! You'll never be alone again! It'll be great, Kire! You've already been through so much. What's the worst that can happen?

His attention turned to Oriko, completely distracting him from the thoughts in his head and breaking the glass in his hand.

"Oh, uhmm, yeah." Kire took a sharp breath. "Heh, got family back on your Earth? Y'know, you should cherish every moment you got with 'em. Never know when things hit the fan. Anywho, the name's Kire, Kire Rebbel, master inventor, mechanic, and hacker. I got a daughter that kinda looks 'bout your age. She's my pride and joy, Jaz. The dude in the armor over here is Solgaris, well, that's what I call 'im. He does some magic shit, i'unno, but he's a good kid. He's weird but really dependable, you get used to him. Anyway, you got a name, kiddo?"