~*****~

Vegeta Jr. hums contentedly against my chest, absently grasping at my shirt as we lounge in one of my loungers in my simulation room. The sun is warming my legs, but I'm not going to put him in so much sun just yet. It astounds me how great I feel. This one-on-one time is really giving me energy. I peer down at my son and hum curiously. "Wonder if we could start scheduling some yoga classes for more alone time. Your brother and sisters are going to want more time soon."

Vegeta Jr. sighs happily, his fuzzy little head rubbing against my neck. I chuckle to myself and peer over at my phone as it begins to buzz. I hum curiously and pick it up. "Hey, Mara?" Mr. Satan calls out frantically. "Could you tell the others that Buu can't make it to the Tournament of Power?"

"Tournament of Power, what the what?" I ask.

"He fell asleep and won't wake up, I think he's hibernating, so just say I'm sorry, okay?" Mr. Satan pleaded with a brief explanation of his theory as to why Buu won't wake up.

"Okay, okay, whatever. I was getting a little too warm, anyway," I sigh. I get up with a sigh and readjust Vegeta Jr. so his head doesn't wobble to the side. I find the others in a lounge talking amongst each other. "Hey, two things; I got off the phone with Mr. Satan and he said Buu won't be able to enter your Tournament of Power. Also, what the hell is a Tournament of Power?"

"What?" Goku gasped.

"Yeah, apparently he fell asleep and won't wake up." I shrug. "Mr. Satan thinks he might've went into some sort of hibernation or something. Ya know, a deep sleep for another two months."

Gohan sighed. "Now what?" Gohan asked. "This puts us in a tricky spot, Dad."

"I'll go over to Buu's place and see what I can do." Goku stated as he stood up.

"Well, it's worth a shot," Gohan shrugged.

"Wait, I'll come with you-" Beerus exclaimed. Goku stares at me before shrugging and disappearing using Instant Transmission. "I'll make sure that pink puffball wakes up, even if I have to knock him senseless! Hey, Whis. Am I remembering it wrong, or did that lazy slob fall sleep and leave us down a man at that little tournament we had with Champa?"

"Yes. It was just as you've described it, my lord." Whis hummed.

"How dare he embarrass me again by pulling that same nonsense a second time!" Beerus snapped. "I will not let him get away with that! Besides, that ill-mannered glutton's been on my bad side ever since the pudding incident!"

"You're still on that?" I complain.

"You bet I am! Let's go, Goku!" Beerus snaps as he turns around to nothing but air.

"Yeah, he left at the beginning of your tantrum." I mention. Vegeta Jr. yawns tiredly and starts shuffling his face into my skin to sleep. "So, does anyone want to tell me what this tournament is about and what the punishment is if we lose?"

"Wh-What makes you assume we'd be punished?!" Gohan suddenly yelps nervously.

"This is a tournament hosted by the big daddy of the universe- and not just one, but two- and with what I've heard from Whis, they just might have a punishment for those who don't make any fights entertaining." I retort.

"Nothing gets past you," Beerus snorts as he picks at his teeth. "As observant as you are.... You're wrong. It's just for fun. The winning universe gets the Super Dragon Balls, that's it."

I hum for a moment, staring at him skeptically before shrugging. "If you say so. I was hoping Goku didn't put us in another stupid position with his hard head. So, I don't have to yell at him, then?"

Beerus perked up. "Yell at him anyway, it's quite funny." Beerus hummed.

Whis sighs and palms his head in annoyance. "I'm going to put my baby down for his rest. Let me know if you want more food, I'll all my chef to start cooking something good." I mention before walking out.

~*****~

It's near dawn when most of the fighters arrive. Marron is cooing in awe over Vegeta Jr. when she arrives, so I take the opportunity to let the kids play while I go listen in on the other adults. "He's so sweet, Auntie Mara~" Marron chirps. I smile affectionately at her before standing up.

"If he starts crying, come and get me. But other than that, don't make too much noise, okay?" I urge the kids as they peer into his crib.

Mars salutes me like a little soldier before going back to staring at his brother with an amazed look on his face. I enter the patio and immediately catch wind of an argument of some prize of ten million zeni.

"You guys are getting zeni?" I ask curiously. "I thought it was a wish from Super Shenron?"

That immediately caused an uproar, which resulted in Gohan explaining everything. "Well... I got some bad news, fellas!" Goku chirped as he returned from Mr. Satan's. "I tried everything, and still couldn't wake him up."

"You wanna explain your lying, Goku?" I snap angrily as I advance on him.

"Huh? But I'm not! Buu's really out cold!" Goku cried.

"We're not talking about Buu sleeping!" Krillen snaps.

"Well... then what?" Goku hums.

"You lied about the ten million zeni!" Krillen exclaims.

Goku immediately begins to laugh nervously.

"Krillen and Eighteen have decided they're leaving your tournament team!" I explain irritably.

"What?! No, don't!" Goku cries. "If you want that ten million, I'll pay you myself! My. Satan gave me a whole bunch a while back!"

"We all know your woman runs your house, and she'd never allow that!" Vegeta's voice rang out.

Goku cried out in shock. "Vegeta?! O-Okay, then-- Mara! I'll borrow it from her!"

"What in that tiny little brain expects me to hand over my hard-earned money?" I ask angrily.

"O-Oh, come on! You've lost like ten million zeni in the couch cushions!" Goku stammered. "Giving it to me is like peeing in the ocean, it makes no difference."

"Tell us the truth, Goku. What is it about this tournament that makes you desperate for a team?" I order. "You know, I think everyone here would've been open to joining your team if you had just been open with them!"

"O-Open about what?" Goku asks.

"That if we lose, the whole universe gets wiped out!" I bark. "We understand Gohan was afraid of causing a panic, but everyone here has had each other's backs for years. We're supposed to be best friends."

"How could you not tell me something as important as the stakes of this battle!" Krillen snaps. "Did you honestly believe that if you'd told me the truth, I would've freaked out and refused to fight in this tournament?"

"So you're not freaking out?" Goku asks curiously.

"Of course I am!" Krillen snaps. "That's why I'm not entering."

We all sigh. "After a touching speech like that, he drops out?" Elder Kai asks. "Didn't see that coming."

"Aw, I'm beggin' you, Krillen!" Goku whines. "No team's winning the Tournament of Power on their strength alone. We need a crafty, quick-witted fighter on our side and that's you! So come on, please, come back!"

"Too late." Krillen huffed. "Shoulda said that before."

"All right, I see what's going on here." Beerus immediately interjects. "Guess what, Curly." Krillen tries to correct him, but Beerus snaps. "You are going to fight! And you're gonna use whatever tricks are rattling around that melon of yours to survive till the end! The final word is mine! If you disobey me, I'll destroy you myself."

"No-no-no! Don't! I'm in! I'm staying!" Krillen folded.

"All right, awesome! Thanks, Krillen!" Goku cheered.

"Yeah, sure, like he gave me a choice," Krillen murmured. "I mean, you can 't win an argument with a god. But don't forget, Eighteen's not coming back in the fold until there's some real prize money."

I threw my hands up irritably. "Seriously, you all need to get better paying jobs if you're so damn pressed about money!" I snap. "I'll pay the stupid ten mil to anyone who wants it."

"Are you sure?" Goku asked.

"In return, you better win. Otherwise, there will be hell to pay." I order.

"You got it!" Goku cheered. "We won't let you down!"

"Mara's prize doesn't change the fact that we're still down a man." Shin hummed.

"Yes, and we're almost out of time!" Beerus shouted. "There must be someone else! This universe is enormous! And yet all the decent fighters seem to be on or from this teeny booger of a planet! We wouldn't have such an issue filling that tenth spot if you goody-two-shoes hadn't wiped out the Frieze Force!"

"Actually, Frieza wiped out his own forces," I comment. "Besides, is it explicitly written that all fighters must be alive?" I ask.

Everyone stares at me before Goku gasps and plops his fist into his hand. "Lord Beerus! I know who to ask!" We all stare again. "It's Frieza! That's who we should get! He can be the tenth fighter on our team."

"I was gonna suggest some strong dude from the other side of the spectrum. Why go for him?" I ask irritably, nose scrunched in distaste.

"Cause he's strong~" Goku chirped. I roll my eyes.

"Whatever, just make sure he stays dead after this." I express irritably as I stomp into the building to check on the kids.

~*****~

Vegeta appears in the nursery with an irritated expression on his face. I peer at him as I relax in my armchair, rocking gingerly as Vegeta Jr. feeds contently. I raise a brow as he remains silent while leaned against the door frame. He growls out after a moment and stomps over, hand grasping at my face to press an aggressive kiss to my mouth. "What the hell is up with you?" I complain as my face flushes.

"The nerve of Kakarot bringing that monster into all this," Vegeta growls out. "If he so much as looks at you or the kids, you tell me and I'll destroy his pitiful existence!" Despite his growing anger and the rapid spikes of energy bursting from his body, it warms my heart to hear him defend us to passionately. Vegeta Jr. begins to whimper, his little arms waving irritably. I eye Vegeta sternly, causing his throat to lock up in frustration, but he swallows it down and relaxes just a bit.

"I get your frustration, hell, even I'm pissed. And I'm the one who suggested it. But this is the fate of the universe at hand." I sigh out. "Leave it to Goku to mess things up again." I comment dryly. Vegeta Jr. gives a yawn as he detaches from my breast and starts rubbing at his face with his little hands. "Are you full, sweetness?" I chirp adoringly, pressing little kisses over his dark hair. He gives a contented coo before dozing off. "Come on, let's get some fresh air. You'll sleep a lot better with it." I hum as I stand up and fix my shirt.

Vegeta takes the baby and lays him over his chest, leading me outside. It's not long before Goku arrives back and starts eating from the spread I'd put out for the others. "Man, I'm starving!" Goku groans through his full mouth.

"Eat quieter," Vegeta ordered irritably, ungloved palm resting on Vegeta Jr.'s back. "Or I'll break your legs."

Goku choked on his food before hastily swallowing it down and covering his mouth to stop the gasping. "So? How'd things go with the homicidal maniac?" I ask curiously.

"Oh, yeah! He's on board," Goku hummed.

"I'm surprised that power-mad villain actually agreed to your twenty-four-hour parole idea." Vegeta grunted.

Goku chuckled nervously. "Oh, yeah, me too." Goku stammered. "Well, I figured even Frieza wants a change of pace. Better to get one day off than be stuck there forever, right?"

I grasp at the back of Goku's chair and tilt him back, getting in his face with a scowl. "What did you promise him?" I ask through my teeth.

"Goku, we know when you're lying," Shin reminds him.

"Out with it. Give us the truth, right now!" Vegeta ordered with a fist to the table. The baby grunted irritably and squirmed a bit before Vegeta resettled his hand on his back.

Goku chuckled nervously again. "Okay. Don't be mad, but I promised Frieza that if our universe survives the Tournament of Power, I'll gather up the Dragon Balls and wish him back permanently." Goku explains shakily.

Krillen spits out water, the baby starts to wail, and Vegeta shouts out in anger. "You moron! Are you nuts?!" Vegeta exclaims angrily as I pluck the baby off his chest and start rocking him.

"Yeah! You know he's just gonna go right back to his old evil ways!" Krillen exclaims.

"What is your issue lately?!" I snap at Goku. "Is that bump on your head getting bigger?!"

"You don't have to get so angry..." Goku murmurs dejectedly.

"It's the best move he could make," Whis hummed.

"Um, thank you!" Goku chirps.

"So what if Frieza returns to your realm?" Whis continues. "Compared to Grand Zeno destroying our entire universe, I'd say one more villain on the loose is a small price to pay."

"Yeah, I guess he's got a point," Krillen sighs.

"Look, if Frieza does anything bad... he'll pay." Goku states. "We'll take him down like we always do."

"Well, if you're certain he's our best option." Krillen sighs again. "Frieza it is."

~*****~

Vegeta retrieves the baby from me once again, absently patting at his back as he sleeps against his chest. "It's kind of heartwarming to see Vegeta be such a doting father," Whis suddenly chirps. "It makes me wonder, was he this much of a softie with the other children as well?"

I chuckle as Vegeta grumbles at the comments being thrown at him. "The others wanted nothing more than to hit him as soon as they were born," I explain. "Little Marble cold clocked him at two months." I mention. "But that's just the thing with Saiyan children, I suppose." Beerus snorts at my comment.

We all turn our attention to the jet approaching the building. I vaguely wonder who it is until I remember Krillen, Eighteen, Marron, Mars, Marble, Goten, and the twins went to get Seventeen in exchange that they'll protect the animals on his island from poachers. "Everyone, I know some here haven't always been allies. But to win this Tournament, we'll have to fight as a team! So let's rally and do this thing!" Gohan expressed.

"Would you give up on this teamwork garbage?" Vegeta asks irritably. "I'd rather crush the other universes by myself!"

"Don't be so dramatic and just work with the others for gods sake." I comment dryly.

Piccolo leaps over the edge of the railing to meet Seventeen. "I hope you've spent these years getting stronger, Android." Piccolo snapped.

"I was going to say the same thing." Seventeen hummed.

Piccolo removes his wrap and holds out his hand to Seventeen. "The truth is, I'm glad you agreed to join our team." Piccolo hums. "We need you."

Seventeen smiles at the comment and shakes his hand. "I look forward to this."

"Good. And so do I." Piccolo nods.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Piccolo." Gohan hums. Roshi arrives a moment later on Turtle's back. "Master Roshi. We've been waiting for you."

"Sorry I'm a little late getting here." Roshi hums before chuckling. "You sound ready to lead, Gohan."

"So now we're just waiting on You-Know-Who." Vegeta snorts irritably.

"Seems like it." I hum softly. "And I am not looking forward to it. I hope he's not giving Goku too much trouble. Oh, who am I kidding, of course he is."