Present Time - Kame House

"Oh yeah~!"

Master Roshi grabbed his kleenex and wiped away the anemia running down his nose. His view was two large breasts swaying back and forth; a woman running with her dog at the park on one of his favorite soap opera reruns.

He sank back on his blue pillow in the floor and slapped his knee. "Boy, if I had me two of those babies!"

*ring*

*ring*

Master Roshi slowly got up from the floor, growling about interruptions and made his way to the red corded phone mounted into the wall in the kitchen. He yanked the base off in a hurry and turned, trying not to miss the best part. "Don't want any!"

Krillin: "Hey Master Roshi! It's me!"

Roshi eyed the television, seeing that his viewpoint from the kitchen wasn't too well. "Krillin! You're interrupting my special training!"

Krillin: "Come on! I haven't talk to you in forever and you're blowing me off?"

Master Roshi sighed, seeing that he needed to actually pay attention to what Krillin said and turned off his TV. He stroked his white beard, "Well what is it? I know you're not calling just to check in."

Krillin: "Caught me, heh. There's a Tournament today! It's called the Universal Tournament, and Goku and Vegeta are both in it!"

"Really? You don't say? Eh, I hope you're not trying to recruit ME for it. That last one was enough to do me a life time."

Krillin: "Actually....I just wanted to watch it. But it's pretty far away, and I'm not sure how to do that. Then I remembered your sister. Do you think Baba could use her crystal ball?"

Master Roshi stroked his chin again. "...I'm not even sure where that old mop is at. You're better off calling Bulma for that!"

Krillin: "I tried. She's not answering her phone. Man...I really wanted to see it."

"Too bad. I might have been interested if there would be some hot young blood worth watching." Roshi asked.

Krillin: "Uhh...well, there's uh, there is this girl who'll be fighting. Goku took her in! You uh, you should see her. Yep! Right up your alley! A total knock-out!"

Master Roshi's glasses sparkled. A perverted grin spread on his face. "Well now, why didn't you say so? I'm sure that old coot will come around if I hang the right bait."

Krillin: "Awesome! I'll give the fellas a call!"

*

*

Gohans Home - Orange City

Gohan heard Kolard wail suddenly and hopped up from his desk, looking at the crib he'd rolled into his office right after Rhuda had left. The tiny infant was swinging his fists and crying, but didn't appear hungry.

"What's up, little guy?"

He picked Kolard up and held him and the saiyan baby calmed down. "Huh. Guess you just wanted your Dad."

The phone in his pocket then rang and Gohan answered it, "Krillin! Heya, buddy! How's work treating ya?"

Krillin: "It's good. Busy as usual. Criminals don't sleep, ya know? Say, do you know about that Tournament Goku and Vegeta flew off to earlier?"

"Yeah...I would go watch but I'm kinda...stuck here..." Gohan sighed.

Krillin: "Stuck? What, Videl isn't letting you out of the house now?"

"Not exactly. It's uh, a little complicated."

Krillin: "Hmm....Well, I was going to see if you wanted to swing over to Kame House and hang out with the crew. Have a few beers, you know. Master Roshi is going to borrow Fortune Teller Baba's crystal ball that way we can see it!"

Gohan sighed again. "...I'd like to. But there's no way, Krillin. Sorry."

Krillin: "That's okay! We can bring the party to you!"

"You mean come here?"

Krillin: "Well yeah! Wake up, bud! Don't worry, we won't get too crazy. It'll be the usual suspects. Sound good?"

"Thanks. I'd like that. See you guys in a bit, then."

*

*

*

??? ---- Arena Center

Rhuda swallowed down her fear and kept her face trained just ahead as Vegeta instructed, staring into the bleakness of the starry sky that whizzed by faster than she could comprehend. Her heart, which was pounding already, gave a triple beat as Grand Priest took both of his hands and parted them wide.

As he did so the darkness of space spread, and that spreading became a white, blinding light. She and everyone there covered their eyes momentarily until it passed.

"Wow! Look, Chisato!" Goku said, shaking her shoulder.

She opened her eyes and saw multiple planets. Everything was white aside from the twelve planets orbiting around nothing at all. It was confusing for her, not to see something like a Sun near to them to congregate near. It became even more mysterious when Grand Priest turned from his forward position and smiled at everyone. "Welcome to the Arena!"

Vegeta, Goku, Broly and Rhuda all shared a shocked expression.

"...It's just planets." Vegeta said.

"Yeah. I wonder if we'll have to fight on them by ourselves," Goku said.

Broly then jut his lower lip a little and grabbed Rhudas' arm, tugging her to his side. "Stay close."

'Brother...always thinking about me.'

"Mhm." Rhuda watched Grand Priest lower his hands, and their transport box of clear design also lowered. The gravity which should have weighed them down didn't do anything at all, and the further they were lowered, the higher each person lifted from their standing position, floating upwards.

Gokus' head smacked the top of the box first. "Ow!"

Rhuda pressed into the ceiling, looking like Spiderman, and Broly did an upside down headstand. Vegeta had managed to flip, so he alone looked upright in comparison.

"This is kinda fun," Goku said. He kicked the air upside down, giggling. Then, with a 'whoosh', everyone fell to the bottom and let out a groan.

They'd arrived.

The box vanished and everyone gasped, looking around. Before them was a clear flooring; one could see the Planets from all angles, without so much as a speck of attaching space. To either side several feet apart were rows and rows of benches lined the square transparent area, and up above, Rhuda spotted twelve huge monitors blinking, their flat screens displaying the Planets one through twelve.

"...This is...odd," she said.

"Yeah I'll say." Goku said, also looking around in wonder.

Grand Priest hovered above them and bowed his head. "Welcome to the Arena Stadium. From here you'll all be able to watch each match from the comfort and safety of these benches."

Whis, whom had just arrived with Beerus, Shin and Elder Kai, floated his box to the top most row and popped it open. Shin landed a little skewed while the others regained their footing quite easily. Whis smiled, "These will be our special seats~!"

Rhuda eyed Grand Priest. His gaze found hers and one side of his mouth curled up, as if smirking, before saying, "All participants, please locate the bulletin board for your listed names."

'He...he looked at me! What did that mean?'

Her gulp was audible.

Goku elbowed her and tugged, "C'mon! Let's go see what's over there!"

He jogged off ahead, and they all followed to form a line. When it got to Rhuda she saw her and Vegetas' names side by side, the corresponding Planet that of 04.

"..04." She mumbled with a confused frown.

"Hn. I hope that doesn't mean we're starting fourth place!" Vegeta said.

Their conversation was interrupted by a great number of fresh faces, all wearing similiar clothing. It was none other than the remaining Gods of Destruction and their matching Angel attendants. Rhuda found herself gawking at them for a moment, feeling somehow she were a gnat in the presence of a giant, and couldn't help but tremble with awed insight.

The next to arrive were two large and golden looking rods--no, some alien type of creatures with an X on their chests. They parted, making way for two tinier twins with football shaped heads, large beady eyes, and an overall childlike appearance. They gave a smile down to everyone and waved to Goku, whom waved back. "Heya Zeno's! Glad you could make it!" He shouted, causing all eyes to turn his direction.

Both Zeno's giggled and perched at the top row of seats, which were only two and made to resemble a throne chair. From there they had a perfect view of everything, and their matching rod companions loomed on either side as protection.

Grand Priest smiled at them all and waved his hand. "Please fly to your destined Planet when your numbers are called. In the meantime, find a seat on the rows and do make yourself at home. We graciously look forward to the results of this Tournament, and hope that our Universes have advanced since the last took place. With that being said I'll begin to go over the rules. Any fighting technique and skill are all allowed. We only ask that each participant take note not to worry about their chosen planet expiring; I've created a barrier that will protect against any type of attack."

Rhuda grabbed her brothers hand and clenched it tightly. It was nearing time for their final fight--and with each new second that passed, her anxiety climbed higher and higher.

"Planet 01, please come forward and begin the journey to your planet. The square shaped pad below will transport you there in just a moments time. Try not to die, but if you do, we'll revive you and place you here among the other viewers." Grand Priest said.

His seeing gaze sought of Rhuda, and she alone understood at that moment that if 'she' were to die, there wouldn't be a rivival. Whatever happened during her fight was the final showdown. Whether it would be Fu or someone else who collected her corpse she didn't know, but hoped Trunks could offset that possibility in time.

When nobody moved Whis clapped his hands. "Come now! Everyone~!"

The watchers and participants began to clamor to the rows and find their seat.

Goku turned to Rhuda, his daughter. He gripped her into a tight hug. "It's our turn first. Wish me luck."

He pecked her forehead and waved, hopping up and away towards the screens, which now had loaded to show the Planet and a corresponding number below them. Broly gave her an even tighter hug and swung her round and round, saying that he'd be back very soon.

"Do well, Brother, Dad. I'll be cheering for you both!" She shouted to their backs.

The big screen shifted to Planet 01 as she found a seat beside Vegeta, near Whis and Beerus.

Her death had been postponed, but for how long?

 

*

*

Real World - Tokyo

Trunks and his team hovered just above the gaming tower in the middle of Tokyo. Down below them, cars and people alike moved along at their own pace, oblivious that several game characters had just emerged into reality itself.

"...Can they see us?" Pan asked, scratching her short dark head.

"They can. It just seems they have more important things to do than look at the sky," Trunks said.

'Chisato...I hope you're okay!' He immediately thought.

He had a large knot of anxiety within his stomach that bordered on painful already. The edges of his eyes were tight, trying to shift through the many different Ki to find one who's evil stuck out.

"Too many negative energies here," Xeno Gohan said.

It was true. Like trying to find a needle in a haystack, that's what it was for them all. Fu could be anywhere, and it was up to them to figure that out and fast.

At the beginning of their mission Trunks had thought about going back in time, as Shallot had done to save Chisato from dying, but he would run the risk of there being two Chisatos instead of one, and that would make it even easier for Fu to find his girlfriend. Thus, Trunks' best option was to find the Dark Demon's hideout before the Tournament was over.

He refused to think about the consequences if he should fail.

"...Well, what are we waiting for?" Xeno Goku asked, crossing his arms. He had yet to transform into a SS4.

"Sorry. Just thinking," Trunks said to them, still shifting through all the negative energy. "...Shallot went to the school to search there for any clue, and we're here, but I can't help but feel like I'm missing something important."

"We're wasting time." X. Gohan said. "Let's just go into the tower and go from there. Maybe there's a hidden basement below it or something."

"Yeah. Good idea." Trunks hadn't though about that.

When his girlfriend Chisato had been alive, it was that particular gaming tower she went to and used their arcade machines. There was a chance that it was somehow connected to one of their systems. The more he thought about it the more sense it made. "You may be on to something Gohan," he said, "They knew Chisato would have to use a gaming tower. She didn't have any console at home. It's possible...that Roshi, or who used his body, suggested it on purpose."

"Let's go then!" Pan shouted, pumping her hand into the sky. "Don't forget to pose!"

"Err....right."

Slowly they dropped to the gaming tower roof, when X. Gohan suggested that they 'blend' in, otherwise risk exposing themselves to the wrong people too soon. "Good thinking," X. Goku said.

One by one they jumped from the roof, landing at the back of the gaming tower in the parking lot. Luckily for them, it appeared to be mostly vacant. The first to enter was Trunks, hand on his sword hilt just in case.

"..."

His eyes widened.

As the others walked in, their eyes, too, widened. "Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?" Pan asked, pointing ahead. They nodded.

"...It's Grandpa. And hey--there's you, Dad!" Pan said, looking at posters.

'Xenoverse 3' was there on display for everyone to see. Trunks looked at himself, seeing through the eyes of reality that he looked completely different, and the effect made the knot in his stomach tighten so hard he grabbed his chest for a second. 'I'm...just a character.' He couldn't help but remember.

"Talk about freaky!" Goku said. He walked over and touched himself, a different version of course, and pulled away as if it would come alive.

Trunks gulped. 'Chisato was right...we are famous here. This...could be tricky.'

Thinking that he said, "We need to pretend we're in costume. If anyone asks, just...say we're here for a convention."

Afterwards the group slowly tread through the entrance and saw a woman there standing. A door greeter. She had her hair smoothed and straight, and wore a light amount of makeup. At the sight of them her eyes widened and she grabbed her chest, looking quite heavily at Goku in particular. "Oh...my!" She bowed, "Wonderful cosplay! Sugoi!"

"Thanks..." Trunks smiled, "Could you help us find the arcade machines?"

"Yes! Of course! Please follow me!"

The further they went into the gaming tower the further Trunks thoughts spiraled. 'I shouldn't be here. I'm--a game character! What would happen if we messed something up here?' His mind kept coming up with bad scenarios until a the top floor came into view. As his boots hit the top of the steps, Trunks looked around, seeing all the multiple machines in use by mainly teenagers.

"Full of nerds," Pan said.

Her words had some do a double take. When it became apparent a whole group of expert cosplayers had entered, most of them stood up and began to swarm them.

Just like that Trunks found himself trapped and looking for a way out.

*

*

Gohans Home - Orange City

"Wow! This place sure is nice!" Yamcha said, looking around. "I didn't think being a biologist paid so much."

Krillin chuckled, hands loaded down with bags of beer and chips and other snacks. Gohan greeted them at the door, also letting in Tien, Chaotzu, Puar, and Android 18, who wasn't with Marron.

"Come in," Gohan said nervously. His ear was pricked to the sounds of Kolard but his son was sleeping at present in Rhudas' room upstairs, which is where Gohan had taken him for the Tournament. It would be hard for him to answer questions about his sudden son, and his long time friends could probably tell right away that it was Gohans' baby, and that would be bad.

Krillin glanced up to the ceiling. "You uh, get a large dog or something?"

"No..." Gohan swallowed. "W-Why don't we get seated? And where's Master Roshi?"

"He's coming," Yamcha said. "Had to find Baba first."

"Oh..I see.."

They all sat down in Gohans living room and waited for Master Roshi. Finally the old man popped his head in the door, "Eh heh! I made it, boys!"

Another voice, sounding older and grumpy said, "Move it already!"

Roshi careened into the wall of Gohans foyer with a loud 'crack', and as the dust settled, Gohan and the others saw Fortuneteller Baba sitting atop her magical crystal ball. She looked quite small in comparison, and strangely Halloween themed with her peaked witch hat and black dress. She hopped from the ball, which continued to float on it's own, and eyed them.

"Who's going to pay me? You?" She pointed to Gohan, whom gulped and waved his hands, "Uhhh--- him!"

Krillin jumped. "Me? I--I can't afford her kind of payment! Yamcha's the baseball star! I say let HIM pay!"

The grumpy faced Baba looked even more grumpy. "No payment, no ball!" She turned to leave when Roshi snagged her dress. "Wait! I need to see that hot young babe!"

Baba kicked him away and stuck her nose in the air. "Ten million Zeni or nothing!"

Roshi grumbled for a time and began pilfering through his Hawaiian shirt, orange with scattered palm trees, and pulled out his sad looking wallet. He stared at it longingly. "It's the last of my life savings..I was saving it for my sugar baby...."

"I-I'll help a little," Gohan said. He pulled out his wallet and handed over a large wad to Baba, who took it greedily and quickly began counting it, licking her lips. She nodded. "It's close...need fifty million more!"

Krillin, Yamcha, and the rest all gaped at Gohan.

He scratched his head, "I uh, don't like banks you see. They're always being robbed, so I...keep my cash handy?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

He received looks of jealously.

Gohan gulped. "W-What? I--I think it's safer on me! It's not like anyone can mug me!"

Androud 18 smirked and rolled up her sleeves. "Krillin, look away for a few seconds."

"Now 18, as a policeman of the law I can't turn away from any crime in progress..." Krillin mumbled, "Even though I want to right about now..."

Everyone laughed.

Baba got the remainder of her payment and began to chant and hover over her crystal ball. "Oh hoi, hoi, hoi, poi..." she said over and over. All gathered round with beers in hand, watching with interest as Baba's crystal ball crackled and sparked. Finally, after an ominous waiting period, an image came forth.

*

*

*

["Look Game Master...it's starting."

"Yes...haha, Fu is playing his role well. I hope he can keep them busy for us."

"As long as Trunks Briefs doesn't know where we are, our plans won't fail."

Game Master pushed his glasses up. "...The Vessel is right there, and in a space time rift already. I couldn't have asked for a better situation. All we need to do is swipe her...and I know just who we should put her against."

"If you say so..."]