Chapter Text
~Late April, Age 784~
Ten years had passed since Majin Buu's defeat.The Earth and it's people enjoyed peace since then.
The cool spring air blew in from an open window of Orange Star High School.
Son Goten, now seventeen, was lost in thought as the lecture droned on from in front of him. He couldn't hear what the teacher was saying. Rather, he didn't care. His mind was elsewhere.
The World Martial Arts Tournament was only one week away.
The special day came every three years. On the seventh of May, the World Tournament took place to find out who would be crowned 'The Strongest Under the Heavens.'
It was a special day for Goten not only for the Tournament itself, but it was the day he reunited with his father, after Goku died when he was just a baby. Even though the reunion all fell apart because of Majin Buu being unleashed, Goten would be forever grateful that it led to his father coming back to them. He'd understood why Goku decided to stay dead and made piece with it long ago, but as a young boy, growing up without a dad while his two closest friends had theirs around was not easy.
Goten tapped his fingers in a rhythmic pattern on his desk. He could already hear the sounds of the Tournament crowd, smell the various delicious foods, and most of all, the excitement of a good fight.
The last time he entered he was just a kid, and came up just short of the championship of the junior division.
This time though would be different. He made his goal to win the whole Tournament.
Not only that, but to beat his dad in an all out and reach Super Saiyan 3.
A little over a year prior, after he confessed to Marron at one of Bulma’s parties, Goten had rediscovered his love for fighting. And with it, his desire to train came back with a powerful force.
Goten was a fast learner, and good listener when it came to something he cared about, so he had progressed rather quickly, ascending to Super Saiyan 2 and even picking up a few moves along the way.
But level three had proved to be his ultimate challenge. It came easily to him when he and Trunks were fused as Gotenks. And despite Goten and Trunks long surpassing their fused self from ten years ago, Super Saiyan 3 still felt just as out of reach now as it did then.
News had circled across Orange Star High, as both the students and faculty wondered who would be entering- and most of all, who would walk away with the championship belt.
Goten’s name had been brought up more than once already, as Goten had become somewhat known for liking to fight. Other kids challenged him at least three times a week-- he rarely fought back, just let them tire themselves out as he dodged and teased them. Which only made the situation worse, but at least some poor kid wouldn’t accidentally end up in the hospital, he always told himself.
Some people had heard of Son Goku and the others from the old Tournaments, but more as a fable. Nobody made the connection between him and Goku, surprisingly. Most people just wanted to see the champ Mister Satan.
As the teacher kept yapping about some lame point in history, Goten tried paying attention, but honestly, he didn't really care. He wanted to be outside, enjoying the day. Flying around, or enjoying nature, or training, or out on a date. Plus, the excitement of the Tournament was affecting him already.
Ya know, something that was actually fun.
Something, anything, that wasn't being cooped up in a stuffy building all day on such a nice afternoon. His middling grades be damned. If Goten closed his eyes, he could feel himself soaring through the clouds on the Flying Nimbus, the wind in his hair and the whole world below him. Ever since he learned to fly, it's been his absolute favorite thing to do.
"Man, I wanna get outta here! This is why I skip class!" Goten whined to himself and continued daydreaming about the endless possibilities of summer fun when he heard two of his classmates whispering from the back of the classroom.
Super enhanced hearing really came in handy sometimes!
"Did you hear? The champ won't be participating in the World Martial Arts Tournament next week. He announced his retirement yesterday." The first kid said.
Goten's ears perked up. He already heard about the news of Mister Satan’s retirement from Gohan the other day, but it admittedly put a smile on his face. "At least now he can't rig the fights with Buu to make himself win anymore."
"Noooo! He can't retire!" The other replied, slamming his fists down on his desk in despair, geting him a glare from the teacher. "He's my hero! The strongest guy in the whole universe!"
"It's true, man. I saw it on TV." A third chimed in. "He's all bald now too. My man Buu is gonna sweep with him gone. He's unbeatable next to Mister Satan!"
"Awww… Yeah, you're right. Buu is unstoppable! He's never even been touched in a fight once!" The first one said, making a quick air punch to mimic Buu.
Goten snickered to himself. If only they knew the truth. "Speak for yourself. Me and Trunks almost beat him back then!" He wouldn't mind the chance at a rematch with the pudgy Majin, either. As long as the memory of being swallowed by that goo stayed locked in the back of his mind where it belonged.
"Pssst, hey Goten. You're strong, you should enter!" One student, a girl, from behind Goten said.
"I bet Goten can beat Mister Satan!" Another student next to her chimed in, who was more occupied doodling in his notebook than the lecture. Goten could relate.
"What are you on?! Nobody can beat the champ!"
"Says you!"
Goten laughed. He couldn't admit his full reason on why, but the class would find out sooner or later anyway. "I sure am," he whispered. "Gonna ask my mom if I can take a few days off to prepare."
As the kids started arguing back and forth about who could beat who in a fight, the teacher shushed them all loudly. A few extra snickers from the class could be heard as Goten went back to daydreaming about the Tournament.
Ever since he was a kid. Goten always loved the World Martial Arts Tournament. Growing up, hearing stories from his dad, Yamcha and Krillin about their fights from the old days was the absolute best! He had all types of merchandise too, including figures of every finalist leading back to the very first Tournament. The premium edition figurine of his father as a teenager during the 23rd Tournament was his most prized possession. He had to send in like one hundred postcards to a sweepstakes to win that. The day he got the letter in the mail saying that he won, he almost flipped.
The more Goten thought about it, the more excited he became.
He couldn't wait to see Marron later and talk to her about it!
The final bell rang as class was let out for the day.
Goten stretched his arms out wide upon walking out the front doors of Orange Star High with an extra pip in his step.
It was finally the weekend!
As the other students all milled about, some going to clubs or chatting about weekend plans, he saw Marron at their usual spot. She leaned against one of the pillars at the front gate, sporting her signature long twin-tails. She was waiting for him! He grinned and picked up his pace a little bit.
Marron twirled a strand of hair in her fingers as she watched a capsule-plane go by from above, until she noticed Goten approach. Her whole expression changed into her usual sunshine smile and hugged him, sighing happily as Goten’s large arms wrapped around her petite figure.
“Hey, Mar! I missed ya today. How was class?”
"I missed you too, I was thinking about you all day today. Class was boring, though. I’m starting to see why you like to skip.” Marron huffed, and then playfully poked his chest. “I guess being a delinquent like you has its perks!”
"See? I told ya." He puffed out his chest in triumph.
Marron giggled while rolling her eyes. "Oh by the way, I also got some good ideas for my next story! I've being hearing alot of news about the Tournament next week, I think I can whip something up!" As a sophmore, Marron was on the cheer squad and wrote for the school newspaper.
Writing was her passion. It all started when she used to read fantasy books and write in her diary as a little girl. She hoped to work for a big magazine as a writer when she got older!
“Oh that's great! I actually have news too. Wanna tell me about it and go grab a bite to eat?"
Marron smiled and grabbed his hand, entwining her fingers in his. A date was just what she needed right now. "Sure! Where are we going?”
"There's an ice cream stand near the park about three blocks that way." He replied, gesturing over his shoulder with this thumb. "I'm friends with the guy who runs it!"
"Sounds great! And I don't have to be home anytime soon anyway, so we have the whole afternoon to ourselves!" Marron chirped and playfully pulled him along.
”So tell me about your next article, babe! I wanna hear all about it.”
Marron perked up. “Ohmygosh, get this! So, it’s all about past fighters, but like a ‘where are they now’ type of thing! Plus, since Videl and your bother are alumni from the school so I can talk all about them! And you in the junior division too!”
When Marron spoke about a story or article she was writing, she became so animated and lively, Goten found it so cute and fascinating to watch. She'd talk and talk without coming up for air. Her eyes would light up and she'd wave her arms around with such enthusiasm it was infectious.
“Leave out the part where I lost,” Goten joked and Marron laughed, hugging his arm a little tighter.
“We’ll see! A good writer never leaves out the facts!”
After a bit of walking, they reached their destination. It was one of the more popular spots, so there wasn't a surprise when there was a line.
"If I don't get something in my stomach soon, I might just eat my own hand!" Goten whined, his stomach growled almost as if it was agreeing.
"I'd pay to see that," Marron giggled. "When are you not hungry?"
"When I'm full, duh."
Marron shok her head with a smile. Right now, it took all to not plant a kiss on his big, cute face in front of everyone.
Soon enough, it was their turn.
"Well well, look who it is! My number one customer!" The man at the stand said. He was an older man, about Goku's height. He had a kind face with short grayish hair. "Welcome back, Goten!"
"Hey, Mr. Sherbert!"
"On a hot date?!" Mr. Sherbert said as he winked at the two teens. "You'd better treat her right, you hear?"
"Yeah! I'd never do anything bad. Right Mar?" Goten grinned.
Blushing, Marron nodded. "He's a perfect gentleman. When he's not driving me crazy with his stupid little comments, that is."
Goten laughed bashfully, putting a hand behind his head. Teasing her was just too much fun not to!
"So what can I get for you two kids today?"
Goten already knew what he wanted; he had thought about it on the way over. "You first."
"Hmm..." Marron scanned the options until she found just the right one. I'll take a medium sized scoop of mint on a waffle cone, please." Marron said, eyeing the green-colored ice cream in the picture.
"Comin right up, miss! And how 'bout for you, big guy? The usual?"
"You bet!"
The older man laughed out loud. "I'd expect no less! A triple deluxe cone of vanilla, strawberry and chocolate with rainbow sprinkles, comin' right up!"
"How much do I owe ya?" Goten said, digging into his pocket for his wallet.
"This one's on the house, kid." Mr. Sherbert said, waving off Goten's attempt to hand him money.
"What, really? Are ya sure?" Goten gawked. He felt bad getting it for free, especially because Mr. Sherbert was so nice.
"Yep. Don't worry 'bout it."
"Wow! Thanks a lot!"
"Just make sure you show this nice young lady a fun time on your date, okay?" Mr. Sherbert said with a kind smile, as he and Goten shared a laugh.
"I promise!" Goten saluted him and Marron giggled.
After they got their cones, the young couple took a seat at the picnic table in the park across the street, and happily ate their ice cream together.
"So, tell me. What's the big news?" Marron asked as she finished off her food, feeding off his anticipation. She could tell it was something big- whatever it was. "You've been antsy all afternoon!"
He finished his cone in record time. Somehow didn't get brain freeze either. With a light sigh, he fell backwards onto the grass and put his hands behind his head. "Well, I heard something interesting in class today!"
"You mean you actually paid attention to the lesson?"
"Nope!" Goten declared without hesitating one bit.
Marron rolled her eyes again, a smile tugging at her lips. She expected that response.
"It's about the World Martial Arts Tournament. I'm sure you heard the news."
"Oh yeah!!” Marron exclaimed. “That’s next week, right? Are you gonna enter?"
"You bet I am. I’m sure Trunks and my dad will too." Goten said, already finishing off his ice cream cone.
Gasping, the blonde clasped her hands together as her pretty smile went wide. “Oh my God, Goten, yes! You totally should, it would be so cool! Plus, it'll be like a little vacation for us! And I can talk about your fights in my article!" She could write a whole essay just about him if she was being honest, but her Goten gushing would probably just get her fired from the paper.
"You really think so?" As much as Goten wanted to enter, he did have his doubts. Well, more so concerns. The last thing he wanted was to end up losing early on in front of the whole world. "I mean, I want to, but do ya think I really have a chance? My dad's way stronger than me. Vegeta too."
Now finished with her own snack, Marron gently took his large hand in her smaller ones and stared deep into his eyes. "You've been training so hard lately. I know that better than anyone. You said you wanted to surpass Goku someday, right? I know if anyone can, it's you. You're amazing, Goten. I’ll be your cheerleader the whole way,” Marron declared that as if it were a love declaration. "But it didn’t matter what place you come in. To me, you're already number one."
And like that, his worries washed away. Reassurance from his favorite girl is all he needed. And he definitely liked the idea of Marron cheering him on in her cheerleader outfit too. He leaned over the table and stole a quick kiss from Marron's lips when she wasn't paying attention. He pulled back and saw that the blonde was staring down at her dress, a scarlet-red hue covering her cheeks from ear-to-ear, totally caught off guard.
“You're the best, Mar. Thank you so much. And you're right. I'll do my best!"
"W-W-Warn me before you do that! I-I-I wasn't ready!" She stammered out, fixing her hair to distract herself from the sudden smooch.
A sly grin made it's way onto the half-Saiyan's lips. "Okay then. I'm warning you now."
“H-Huh?!” Marron didn't have time to react as he leaned over and kissed her again, deeper this time as she happily reciprocated.
When they parted, Marron's head was spinning and a loss for words. But she did swear revenge. She'd get him back one way or another!
It was almost dusk when Goten and Marron parted ways for the night.
As the young Saiyan approached his home in the mountains from above, the sky had become a brilliant orange and red hue. It was like a wild flame slowly dying out into the calm darkness of the night.
Sunsets were always soothing for him. When he was still a small child, Goten used to watch the sunset until the last bit of light remained and think of his dad, wondering if he saw the same sunset from Other World.
Goten dropped down onto the grass in front of his house; smoke coming from the chimney. Goten smiled widely. He could smell dinner from there! "Oh boy! My favorite! Nothing beats Mom's cooking!"
“I’m home!” Goten called upon walking in. He put his bag on the living room sofa. "Smells great, Mom!"
“Hey, son! Grab a seat!” Goku waved, already seated at the table.
Chi-Chi placed the last plate on the table and then sat down herself. “Welcome home, honey!”
Goten sat down and together the family of three started eating. Chi-Chi paced herself while the boys ate in typical Son fashion-- as if it were their last meal ever (and seemingly never even came up to breathe). Chi-Chi sighed with a smile. She was used to it by now.
"So, how was school?"
Goten stopped inhaling his food for a moment to speak. "The Tournament's next week. Everyone's talking about the news of Mr. Satan retiring."
"Yeah, I'm gonna enter, I'm excited!" Goku exclaimed with a smile as he continued chowing down without even coming up for air. “Man, Chi-Chi, you outdid yourself! This is really great!! Your food is the best in the whole world!”
Chi-Chi touched her cheeks, bashfully smiling. She was even blushing a bit. “Oh, stop teasing, Goku. You're embarrassing me!”
“I’m serious!” Goku continued. He went back for a fourth helping and inhaled that too.
“Um, Mom…” Goten started hesitantly. He scratched the side of his cheek, thinking how to word his next question. “I'm gonna enter too. So, um, sorry to ask this so suddenly, but… can I take a week off from school?” He said and then braced himself for the ‘no.’
Without flinching, Chi-Chi put down the tea she was sipping and smiled. “Planning a romantic getaway with your girlfriend? I don’t mind, but if something happens are you prepared to take responsibility? A girl’s virginity is a special thing, Goten!”
Goten instantly did a spit take. He hacked and coughed relentlessly as Goku patted him on the back.
Once the teen caught his breath, he went pure red from embarrassment. Or was it from shock that his mother just casually blurted that out? Probably both.
“What I do with Mar is none of---wait! There’s no romantic getaway!” Goten practically shouted. He almost slipped up there! If his mother had a clue about what they did, he'd probably get killed. And if Eighteen knew? He'd definitely get killed, then revived by Shenron, then killed again!
Talking about that type of thing with Trunks was one thing, but it was the absolute LAST topic of conversation Son Goten ever in a million years wanted to have with his mother.
“Oh honey, stop being so dramatic. I’m no fool. I know how much you two love each other, it’s only natural!”
“Mom! Enough! I’m not talking about this with you!” With every word Goten felt his very soul twist and flinch. Was it some kind of rule that parents had to embarrass their children? Goten sure thought so. Meanwhile his dad was just eating like he'd never seen food before, not helping him at all!
Chi-Chi only giggled and went back to her food, but continued to watch her son as he grumbled while he ate.
In the years since Buu, most things didn’t bother the Son matriarch anymore. Chi-Chi let things slide. She even started wearing her hair down or in a ponytail more often than not. And became brazen with her teasing than she was with Gohan and Videl. Too brazen for Goten’s own good. First with Gohan, now Goten.
Goku almost felt bad for them. Almost. He found it amusing.
"Now, honey, if you want to go see Marron, you don't have to lie."
Goten slapped his cheeks and quickly shook off the image before his mind could wander any further to any thoughts that might make him not able to ride the Flying Nimbus anymore. "I'm serious! It's really important, I really need to take a week off!"
"Oh? And what's so important you need to skip class for a week?" Chi-Chi may have become lax over the years, but that didn't mean she stopped caring about her boy's education.
“If I’m enter the World Tournament, so I need to prepare! I know, it's a lot to ask, but I've been trainin’ real hard, and Mar said I should, and I promise I won't fall behind in school, and-" Goten started rambling, which he usually did when he was nervous.
Chi-Chi paused for a moment, and then nodded with a light smile. "Well, okay. As long as you keep up with your classwork, young man." She knew that if she said no, Goten would probably just fly off to train with his father anyway. Two peas in a pod, those two. Goten didn't think she knew, but she did. Chi-Chi was smarter than she looked- she had to be when dealing with Super Saiyans.
"I'll get Mar to bring it for me! Promise!"
“Ya know," Goku sat up from the empty plate, "there’s this guy I’ve been keepin’ an eye on lately. He’s got some insane power within him, more than he realizes. I have a hunch he’ll be entering the Tournament next week too, I wanna check 'em out.”
“A hunch?” Chi-Chi asked, somewhat worried. She had gotten used to the peace again. They all had. The last thing she wanted was another creep with an inflated ego dragging her boys into another universal death battle. Chi-Chi had enough of those for a lifetime. “Sounds like bad news to me.”
“No need to worry, hun. This guy’s totally pure of heart.” Goku replied. He put his free hand on his wife's lap, easing his wife’s fears.
"Wait, are you talkin' about me?" Goten pointed to himself with his mouth full.
Goku shook his head. "Nope! You're far better than he is right now, but this is something that's been in the back of my mind for a long time now." Though he didn’t say this aloud, Goku had another reason he wanted to enter the Tournament. A lesson that his own master had taught him long ago, and wanted to pass on to his son.
“So who is he then?” Goten asked. “Do we know him?”
Goku flashed his signature wide grin. “Sorry! Not telling. You’ll have to wait and see for yourself!”
Goten slouched back in his seat and frowned. “That’s lame. You’re no fun.”
In record time, the two Son boys finished the meal, plates stacked up all in a row.
As Chi-Chi finished, the boys helped her clean up from dinner and put the dishes away.
Chi-Chi sighed. It was tough for her seeing her baby boy growing up into a man. Goten was almost done high school, in a loving committed relationship, and now following in his father’s footsteps as a fighter. Soon he’d be out of the house and out on his own. The thought almost made her tear up, but she supported him nonetheless.
"Well, I guess now is the best time to give you this." Chi-Chi excused herself from the dining room to hurry into the hall closet and pulled out a large white box with a bow on it.
"Give me what?"
Upon returning, Chi-Chi glanced to Goku for a moment, who winked back at her, and then handed her son the box. “Your eighteenth birthday isn't for a while, but I… we wanted you to have this before your big day. I made it myself.”
Goten raised an eyebrow at the box, shaking it slightly. It didn’t sound like a game or anything like that was inside. Now he was really curious. He carefully lifted the lid off of the box and his jaw dropped.
“Whoa! This is…”
It was an orange gi, much like his father had worn for decades. But instead of blue, this one had a black undershirt, and matching black obi, wristbands and boots.
Goku happily put a hand on his son's shoulder. "You deserve it, son. Besides, someone's gotta carry on my old colors!" Nowadays, Goku wore a light blue gi top, green pants, white belt with orange wristbands. Seeing his old orange felt a little nostalgia.
Goten smiled as wide as could be as he lifted the gi out of the box to get a better look at it. “This is great! Thank you so much! I’m gonna go try it on!!” He said and ran to his bedroom to change.
Goku and Chi-Chi idled about in the meantime, finishing the clean up from dinner. Goten returned shortly after, all suited up in the new gi.
Chi-Chi’s eyes lit up like stars while Goku proudly beamed from beside her.
“Oh, look at you! You look so handsome!” Chi-Chi gushed, fussing all over her son despite his protests. “You look just like your father did at your age! Ahh, those were the days~!” She gushed, fondly remembering the days of the 23rd Tournament when she and Goku reunited and got married.
“Yup! Lookin’ just like his old man!” Goku gave a thumbs up. "Just as handsome too!"
Except for the hair, Goten was the splitting image of Goku. Something he did take pride in, but changing his haircut made him feel like his own person. It still shot out in most directions, but was now much longer and shaggier, reaching the back of his neck. He liked it a lot more. Even better, Marron said it made him look 'super cute'. So he decided to stick with it!
Goku stretched. "Get some rest, Goten, training begins bright and early tomorrow!” The basics from Roshi's training stuck with him and he planned to pass it down to his son, and Pan too, once she was a little older.
"I'm ready!" Goten pumped his fists.
"Good luck, boys! Goten, listen to your father's instructions, okay?" Chi-Chi recalled the days where she sparred with Goten to teach him the basics, bringing back memories to the days where her baby boy was still basically a baby. And now he was grown up... She dabbed her eyes to stop the tears before they came.
Goten smirked. He could feel the adrenaline already.
He couldn’t wait!
The next day, Goku came into Goten’s room bright and early, ready to start. He found the teen was curled up in a ball, clutching his pillow for dear life.
“Rise and shine, Goten!” Goku swung open the curtains, bringing the hot bright rays of sunlight right onto Goten’s face. "Trainin' time!"
Goten winced and half-opened one eye. Even though he wanted to train, he didn't agree to being woken up before most of the animals on the mountain were even awake!
He glanced to his Super Sentai alarm clock on the table next to his bed. “...Dad? It’s ...7 AM! On a Saturday. Come back in like two hours. We can train then, I swear...” Goten grimaced and then pulled the covers over his head, hoping his father would just go away. He really did want to train, but it was too early for this! He was in the middle of an awesome dream too!
“No way," Goku laughed, "we’ve only got six days till the tournament! We’re gonna train for three days, and then rest for three days. You can sleep all you want then!” Goku yanked the covers off the bed entirely. “We’re getting breakfast out on the road, so get up or you’ll miss it!”
Goten groaned even louder than before, finally sitting up. "Okay, okay, I'm up..." He yawned and had to fight the urge to fall right back onto the bed.
The teen rubbed his eyes and yawned loudly. His hair shot out in every direction even more so than normal, and slowly made his way to the bathroom.
After brushing his teeth and splashing some water on his face, Goten threw on his favorite t-shirt with a big ‘10’ on the front and old sweatpants. Knowing how their sparring sessions usually went, he just hoped it wouldn’t get ruined. He definitely didn't want his new gi getting ripped up before the real fights even started either.
Goten felt a bit more awake now, but yawned one last time as he waved goodbye to his mother, and went outside. Once he got some food in his stomach, he'd be fine, he was sure of it.
Goten squinted at the sunlight and his vision soon focused to see his father talking with Gohan as little Pan ran around at their feet. Goku was already dressed in his new gi as well.
“Hey, Goten.” Gohan said, with a wave, chuckling when he saw Goten dragging his feet. “I see Dad’s puttin’ you through the ringer, huh?” Gohan chuckled when he saw his brother drag his feet out onto the grass. “I was down that road plenty of times in my day."
"Wanna come with us? Another sparring partner would be great!"
"I'd love to, but work calls. Teaching a class in an hour." Gohan replied. He felt bad turning his little brother down, they hadn't sparred even just for fun in a long time. "Raincheck for later?"
"You got it!"
Pan stopped circling her dad and grandpa when she saw her uncle. “Uncle Goten!!” The toddler wore a little red gi, a present she got from Goku and Chi-Chi for Christmas the previous winter. Pan jumped into the air and came flying at him like a football player trying to take down the quarterback.
Goten braced himself for the hug just as Pan slammed into him, laughing. “Hey, squirt!”
“I’m not a squirt, I grew two inches!” Pan waved her arms in the air to show her height increase. The four year old was a fireball, fearless with a heart for adventure and her favorite show, Penenko!
Pan giggled. She loved her uncle so much. He was like a big kid, but also an adult! Pan didn’t really get how that was possible, but she just wanted to be just like him. He showed her all the funnest games, and always knew all the coolest places to go! Plus whenever he visited, he always snuck her candy when Videl wasn’t looking.
“Guess what Uncle Goten? Papa says I can enter the Toonament!”
Goten couldn’t help but laugh at her pronunciation of the word tournament. “He did?" Goten looked up to his brother, surprised. You’re sure it’s okay if she enters, Gohan?”
Gohan nodded. “When she heard Mister Satan used to be the champ, it’s all she wanted to do since. There’s no Junior Division this time, but she’s a lot stronger than she looks. Plus, we’ll all be there anyway. So no harm in letting her try, right?”
"Fair point. I think she'll do great."
Pan tugged on Goten’s pant leg. “Is it true you’re comin’ fishin’ with us?”
“Sure is, Pan! Come on! You can ride on my shoulders!” Goten said and picked the little one up. She felt so tall!
“Alright, we’re heading off! See ya soon, Gohan!” Goku said. Pan cheered while Goten smirked and pumped his fists. Now that he was fully awake, he was ready for action.
Gohan trusted his father more than anyone else in the world. He went over to affectionately pat his daughter’s head. “Bye, Panny! Be good for Grandpa and Uncle Goten, okay?”
“Okay! Bye, Papa!”
And with that, the three were off. Gohan watched them go and then went back inside for his morning coffee.
The three followed the dirt path to a pretty meadow nearby.
Dew glistened on the blades of grass, as the sun continued making its way over the mountain horizon. A river gently flowed into a waterfall that spilled into a sprawling crystal clear lake. Birds flew from above as the sounds of the animals meant the rest of Mount Paozu was waking up as well.
It brought back a wave of nostalgia for Goku, he recalled the countless times he went here to fish with Grandpa Gohan growing up.
Goten placed Pan down and stretched, while the toddler immediately ran over to the river’s edge and stared in awe.
"Alright before we start training, whaddya say we get some breakfast? I’m starving!" Goku said.
"Sure! I got it covered! I’ll get us some fish!” Goten replied.
"My favorite!” No matter how many times Goku ate Paozu tuna, it didn’t get old. He'd been eating it as long as he could remember.
Goku gathered firewood and then fired a tiny ki blast to start a fire, while Pan helped by throwing sticks to make the fire bigger. With the fire started, Goku made three large wooden stakes from tree branches and stuck them over the fire, one for each of them to roast their breakfast on.
Meanwhile, Goten got down to his boxers and dove into the river.
It was cold.
Really cold.
Yet refreshing once his body adjusted. If he wasn't fully awake yet, he was now. The teen swam around a bit until some huge fish caught his eye. Common for this area, the Paozu fish were at least five times his size, and normally blue and white in color (though there were other colorations as well). Four of them spotted Goten at once and rushed towards their prey, each with the intent to swallow him whole.
He floated there, waiting for the right moment. As the first approached, he dodged its bite and kicked it in the side, killing it instantly. Goten then disposed of the other three aquatic attackers in a similar fashion.
Goten swam around and gathered his food. One for each of them and one extra! They could split the last one.
With their breakfast caught, the three generations of Sons sat around the fire, enjoying the morning together. Something about Paozu tuna on an open fire just hit the spot!
Goku burped and rubbed his stomach upon finishing. “Man, that hit the spot! Now it’s time for training!”
“I wanna train too, Grandpa!” Pan exclaimed and burped too, food crumbs all over hr face.
Goku hummed. He ruffled Pan’s hair, making her giggle. “You like flying, right?” He asked, knowing the answer already.
“Mhmm!” The four-year old gleefully said, raising her little hands into fists.
“Alright, well how about this? I want you to fly around the world as fast as you can!" Goku made a circle motion with his finger, and then pointed east.
Pan’s little eyes lit up. “Really? Okay! Can Uncle Goten come with me??!”
Goten laughed and knelt down to be on eye level with the toddler. "I gotta stay here, but next time I’ll go with you! And I’ll show you something real cool!”
“Pinky promise?” She said, holding up her little finger.
“Of course.” Goten grinned and they shook on it.
“Alright, bye Grandpa! Bye Uncle Goten! I’ll be back soon!!” Pan waved. A white aura surged over the young one's body as she floated into the air and took off in the direction Goku pointed.
Once Pan was out of sight, the Son boys could truly focus on their training.
“So, what’s the plan?” Goten said, hands on his hips now. Would they fight to exhuastion? Meditiate? Learn something new entirely? His mind raced with ideas.
"Okay, Goten," Goku folds his arms and smiled, "first, I want you to transform and power up to your maximum. As high as you can possibly go. It's been a little while since I've seen you go all out, I wanna see the progress you've made." Goku had full faith in his son. Though Goten was suppressing his energy, Goku could feel the sheer amount of power he had within him.
In his fight with Buu, even as a child, Goten showed glimpses having more potential than even Gohan. At only seven years old, he became a Super Saiyan just by sparring for fun. And when fused together, Gotenks was one of the strongest fighters in the entire universe. He could only imagine that power now.
"...Alright, then. Here goes!" Goten smirked. He then took a deep breath and let out a mighty roar as his power skyrocketed. "HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
A wild golden aura erupted around the teenager's body while lighting violently sparked around him.
Goten's muscles bulged while his hair stood completely upright, becoming sharp and jagged. First, Goten's eyes turned to an emerald green. Then, his dark black hair became the signature golden-yellow. The lightning increased in intensity as Goten didn't stop there and kept powering up until a burst of light shot from the teens body.
Goku had to shield his eyes from the sheer brightness of the burst of energy.
There stood Goten in a fully-powered Super Saiyan 2 state, his wild golden hair whipping in the wind of his aura. His facial features were relaxed and he was in complete control of his energy, not unlike how Goku and Gohan were during the wait before the Cell Games.
"How's this?" Goten asked, smirking slightly, his voice now a little more gruff. “At first, it took a lot of rage to transform, like I had to picture Majin Buu hurting Mar or Mom again. But it’s easy now!” Goten said, quietly leaving out one little thing. That was a surprise for later.
"Amazing, Goten! I'm so proud of you! You're even further along than I thought!" And if Goku was being honest, he could sense that there was even more power in his son, Goten just couldn't bring it out just yet. Goku could feel it, Goten really was the edge of unlocking Super Saiyan 3! He knew how much it meant to Goten to get there, and it was only a matter of time now.
"Me and Trunks are just about equals. I think."
Equals?! They were equals? If that really was the case, Goku could truly put his worries about leaving the earth to the next generation to rest. "No wonder you got so strong so fast!"
"How would you compare us to Majin Buu? The evil one, the form that me and Trunks fought in the Time Chamber back then. Like a ballpark." There was so many Buu versions that it became hard to keep track of, but If he knew how he fared against a foe like that, it would help figure out where he ended up against Goku or Vegeta.
Goku crossed his arms, furrowing his brow to think. "Hard to say exactly. Buu's a crafty one. But I think you could take him. If you get matched up against the good one, be careful. Even though he's a good guy now, you can't afford many mistakes against a guy like that.”
Goten couldn't belieev his ears. His father was a bad liar, so he would have known if Goku was embellishing for his own sake. But as far as he knew, Goku was serious. Was he really that powerful? He had no idea. That was insane to even think about! Could he really become stronger than his dad someday? "So, what's next? We gonna fight?"
"Yeah! But first, power down to normal. Goku said and slipped into a fighting stance. "Let's have a quick spar. This time, no transforming.”
"Huh? Are you sure? But you'll kick my ass!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I'm gettin' old, ya know! Now come on.” Goku slipped into a fighting stance.
Goten nodded and after a deep breath, his hair and eyes returned to their normal black color. Smirking, he slipped into his own fighting stance.
"I’ll let you have the first move.” Goku goaded.
“Fine by me!!” Goten instantly burst forward, appearing as only a blur. He swung a volley of powerful kicks directly at his father's face.
Goku dodged every blow with ease but Goten was relentless. Kick after kick he didn't stop. A few kicks just narrowly missed him!
Finally, Goku saw an opening and grabbed Goten by the leg, prepared to counter. "Got ya!"
"Not so fast!" With his other leg, Goten swung but that too was caught. Goten squirmed and fought to break loose, but Goku’s grip only tightened.
Growling, Goten spread his arms wide, unleashing a complete kiai at point blank range.
Goku was hit dead on and lost his grip, staggering back somewhat as Goten landed. "OWW! Good one! That actually hurt! But I'm not even getting started yet!"
Goku vanished from sight and reappeared behind his son. Goten swerved around just in time to see his father pulling his fist back, ready to strike.
However the blow went right through his son as if it were an illusion.
“An afterimage...” Goku said, smirking.
Two copies of Goten reappeared to Goku’s side. Then, the real Goten appeared from above and swung a ferocious kick at Goku, but that too was nothing but an illusion.
“W-What?!” Goten exclaimed and jumped backwards, searching around for his father’s energy.
"Over here!" Goku said from a few yards away, smiling mischievously with his arms crossed. “I invented that trick, Goten! Ya gotta be better than that!!”
Goten ran towards Goku again, but this time Goku vanished completely. The teen flipped backwards just as Goku came into sight, narrowly dodging the counter. Goten burst forward and immediately slammed Goku in the back of the head, this time hitting finally it’s mark.
Goku was sent careening down towards the ground, but he caught himself and safely landed on his own two feet. He winced, rubbing his head where Goten hit him.
Goten continued his assault, flying down towards his father and firing multiple energy waves at Goku.
Goku deflected the blasts away from himself, sending the blasts far away from the fight to explode in the distance. Goten charged a bigger blast in his left hand, firing it directly forward. Goku stayed absolutely still, waiting for Goten's blast.
At the last moment, Goten curved the blast up and it exploded into multiple blasts that shot in every direction, wildly zig-zagging around without any sense of direction or course.
Goku watched each blast intensely, waiting for the right moment.
“He’s distracted!” Goten blasted forwards, head first, into his father’s back. Pulling his arms back into the signature pose, Goten his hands together. “KAAAAA… MEEEEE…” The blue energy began to build as Goten’s ki spiked. “HAAAAA… MEEEEE…”
Goku recovered and came to a sliding halt on the grassy terrain. He hadn't felt excited like this in a long time. Each time they sparred, Goten improved more and more. Goku smirked and raised his power level to match Goten’s.
Just then, Goten vanished.
Goku’s eyes widened and crossed his arms over his face, realizing what his son was doing, right when Goten appeared in front of him.
“HAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”
The blast was a direct hit, creating an explosion that could be felt all the way at the Son house from far away.
Goten jumped backwards to gain distance. The teen hovered there, his senses on full awareness, waiting for his father to emerge from the smoke.
A palm-tree hairstyle and bluish-green gi appeared through the smoke soon enough, completely unharmed. He was smiling!
“I see you’ve truly mastered the Instant Transmission. Great work!” Goku grinned, folding his arms. He had to admit, the maneuver surprised him. An Instant Transmission Kamehameha executed so masterfully could have defeated even the most capable fighter if they weren't careful.
“Yeah! Thanks again! It's a great move!” Goten said, grateful that he learned it. It was the first technique he learned after started his training again, and in his happiness he teleported right over to Marron's house when she was in nothing but a towel. He blushed at the memory, how he babbled an incoherent apology and how Marron didn't even mind nor want him to leave.
“You won’t fool me twice with that though. Come on, let’s keep going!”
“You bet.”
They rushed each other at the same time and collided. A powerful yet invisible tremor shook the area as their fists met. The father and son duo crashed blow for blow as they rose higher in the air. Sparks shot from their knees and fists each time they collided. Their attacks grew more intense the higher they went.
Eventually they disappeared enitrely, and could only be seen by the tremors echoing throughout the grassy training grounds.
At first, Goten traded blows evenly with his dad, countering each blow with little issue.
But as their struggle continued, Goku slowly raised his power and started overwhelming his son.
During the clash, Goten landed a crushing blow to the gut, making Goten falter.
Goku went to follow up but Goten phased out of the way, reappearing some significant distance away and hid his energy signal.
“Now’s my chance!” Goten got into position and powered up. In an instant he pulled his hands back, charged two blue blasts of ki in his hands and fired. The beam exploded in a marvelous blue light as it seemingly collided full force with its target.
Goten's excitement was short lived however as Goku had dodged the attack, standing behind him with arms at his sides and laughin!
To Goku’s own surprise, he was just a bit out of breath. ”If I’m not careful, he actually may get the advantage. He's good, I'm enjoying this!” He smirked and then raised his hands close to the center of his face with his fingers spread out toward his eyes. “This was fun, Goten, but you’re not winning this fight."
Goten braced himself and shut his eyes. “ Oh crap!”
“SOLAR FLARE!”
A blinding white light exploded from Goku as if a second sun was right there on the battlefield with them, covering everything in sight.
Despite being temporarily blind, Goten’s other senses kicked into high gear. He felt where Goku was going to appear and attempted to counter, but missed every attack. Goku simply side-stepped or caught everything Goten threw at him.
Goku smirked, reappearing right behind his son. "Come on! Focus! You're better than that, Goten!" Goku flipped behind Goten and kneed his son right in the back.
Goten was flown forward as he grunted from the impact of the hard hit, trying to regain control of his body while his sight finally began returning to him.
Goku pursued his son, pounding him into the ground causing cracks and the ground itself to rise up from the impact. Goku then grabbed his son by the legs, spinning him around and around and finally threw him high into the sky.
The Dragonthrow!
Goku flew after him, and with a flare of his energy, unleashed a monstrous kick that had Goten shooting down towards the earth, unable to recover.
“Try and stop this one!!” Finally, Goku built up one last, super-large energy ball for the final attack.
Goten had just enough time to land on his feet and catch the ball of ki. He grunted as he felt himself being pushed back, bit by bit. With a flare of his aura--almost turning Super Saiyan until he remembered the rule, managed to send it flying upwards, harmlessly exploding high in the sky.
Goku floated above him with his hands on his hips, smiling proudly.
Goten heaved and huffed, as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Neither of them were fighting seriously, but it was still a great match. Goten really could have kept going, but decided against it and shook his head. “I’m done for now. You win....” He said and plopped down on the grass.
The fight was over. Goku grinned and flashed dual victory signs. “You did amazing, Goten. Really had me there!”
“One of these days, I swear, the shoe is gonna be on the other foot!” Goten declared, still huffing and puffing.
“And I think that day will be sooner rather than later.” Goku smiled and sat down next to Goten on the grass.
Only six days remained until the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament!
The countdown to find the strongest was underway!