The Next Generation
The battle was won… The king of the saiya-jins smirked triumphantly as he dropped the now dead emperor of Pheria-sei to the ground. He cast a glance over his army, who were celebrating their victory. Vegeta smiled. He noticed the crowd parting and a few young female saiya-jins get all giggly and stupid. He smiled again as a familiar teenager walked into view followed by a tall, black haired warrior. The young teenager was considerably handsome, incredibly cute to the young girls… He was tall and lean, yet muscular at the same time. He had large, emerald-green eyes that were unusual to his family- probably a recessive gene somewhere along the line… He had an untamed mane of spiky, blue hair, that jutted out at all angles in a fan across the front of his face. Vegeta frowned. Didn't that annoy him? Vegeta looked over to the other, older saiya-jin male. He was much taller than Vegeta, and more muscular with a more bulky frame, yet still slim in an attractive way. He has a mass of black hair than fanned out across the top of his head. Neither of the men wore armour, simply their training suits. Vegeta stood up straight as the two men approached and bowed before him.
"The battle is over, your highness… Shall we withdraw from the planet?"
"At once… tell all the saiya-jins to leave as soon as they can and return home. You two meet me back here once your task has been completed…" Vegeta added. The two men bowed again before leaving to do as he has ordered. By the time they had returned, a good dozen or so space pods had already taken off on the journey back to Vegeta-sei. Vegeta breathed a sigh of relief as he sat down on a nearby rock. Another planet taken over and now void of life… That made three this week…. And it was only Wednesday…
"Vegeta-sama, we have returned…" The tall warrior spoke. Vegeta looked up at the two and smiled.
"Oh, quit it! The others have left, Kakarotto…" Vegeta laughed. Kakarotto, the tallest of the three, laughed with him.
"Not bad, eh Vegeta? I think they're getting better… especially this one…" Kakarotto grinned as he gave the teenager a mock punch to the shoulder. The young male smiled and blushed.
"It wasn't that difficult…" he said with a shrug. Vegeta laughed as he stood up and patted the teen on the back.
"You're too modest!"
"You certainly don't take after your father!" Kakarotto commented with a laugh. Vegeta rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Oh quiet! It's not my fault… Velvet taught Phoenix too many manners…"
"It's only fitting for a prince…"
"Not a saiya-jin prince!" Vegeta joked. Phoenix smiled sheepishly.
"Maybe we should get back, father… You know mother will be angry if we're late…"
"That woman has taken over…" Vegeta groaned. "If we're not back with the others, we get flamed for it…"
"Hahah! I know how you feel!" Kakarotto chuckled. "Ikra hates it when I get to out on a mission without her…"
"Well, let's not keep the girls waiting…" Vegeta smirked. They three hurried to their space pods and took off.
"They're always hanging around on those deserted planets… Almost makes you think we scare them!" Velvet laughed. Ikra laughed too.
"I know! Still… we definitely wear the pants around here…"
"And that's the way it should be!" Velvet smirked. Midnight looked up at her mother.
"You're too harsh on dad…" She smiled. Shadow nodded in agreement.
"Both of you are evil to your mates…" She added. Ikra and Velvet laughed.
"You'll understand when you get your own mates…" Velvet smiled as she continued to plait her daughter's long, blue hair. Midnight was sixteen now, she had turned that age last month. She was much like her brother with large, green eyes and blue hair. Shadow, Ikra daughter, resembled her mother so much it was frightening. The only difference was the black hair she had inherited from her father. She had red eyes like her mother and was nineteen years old. The four girls were sitting out on a balcony in the castle, since on of the planet's many suns was shining brightly and providing warmth. They all paused as there was a series of loud crashes. Velvet looked over at Ikra.
"That'll be the guys…" Ikra smiled. Midnight looked up at her mother.
"Why is it that Phoenix is free to go with dad? I'm not even allowed out of the castle much!"
"Don't worry… You'll be able to after the gathering…"
"That's next month!" Midnight smiled happily. Velvet nodded with a smile before it turned to a grin.
"That means your brother has to battle his mate-to be…"
"Already?" Ikra exclaimed. "Surely you aren't handing over the kingdom already…"
"He's twenty years old next week!" Velvet said matter-of-factly. "I've been queen for longer than any other queen of Vegeta-sei… Even Aphrodite… The usual amount of time is eighteen years, whereas I've been on this throne for twenty-one years! I think that's enough time… besides, it mean you and I get to go out on missions like we used to!"
"About time!" Ikra cheered happily. "I thought that by the time you had that freedom again, you'd be too old and wrinkly to fight!"
"Oh please!" Velvet snorted. Midnight and Shadow giggled at their mothers. Ikra looked down at her daughter.
"That reminds me, have you found a mate yet?"
"Nah… I just can't seem to find anyone… There's never enough time on missions…" Shadow sighed. Ikra smiled as she stood up.
"Don't worry, you'll find someone soon… It won't be hard with looks like yours…"
"Mom!" Shadow groaned as she blushed. Ikra laughed at her daughter.
"Finished!" Velvet smiled as she tied a black ribbon in her daughter's hair to hold the braid together. "Now, let's go find you're father…" Velvet trailed off as another three crashes echoed through the air. Ikra laughed.
"That'll be them for real!"
The space pod opened with a hiss. Vegeta grabbed the side and pulled himself out. Not far off, Kakarotto and Phoenix had also pulled themselves out and had floated out of their craters. As soon as Vegeta landed on the ground, he was tackled to the ground by his daughter. Vegeta choked for air as she hugged his neck tightly.
"Daddy!"
"Hey… Midnight…" He gasped. "Can you do daddy a favour and let him breathe?"
"Of course!" She giggled, letting go of his neck and hugging his chest.. Vegeta smiled down at his daughter. He stood up and dusted himself off as Midnight let go of him. Phoenix walked up beside him as a figure in a dress landed before them. Vegeta looked up and smiled.
"Well, hello…" He grinned as he walked over to his mate and took her into his arms. Velvet smiled and nuzzled into his chest.
"How did it go?" She asked with a smile as she closed her eyes. Vegeta grinned proudly.
"Just fine… It turns out that our son is becoming quite a fighter…"
"Is that so?" Velvet asked, pulling back to look him in the eye. Vegeta smiled and gave her a quick kiss.
"Ask Kakarotto if you don't believe me…"
"It's true…" Kakarotto smiled as he pulled Ikra into his arms, his daughter still clinging to him from behind. Velvet looked over at her son, who blushed and shuffled his feet. She smiled and pulled out of Vegeta's arms before walking over to him.
"Do you enjoy the fighting?"
"Heck, yeah!" Phoenix grinned. Velvet laughed.
"Good… Because you have to start training for the gathering… and to improve your Super Saiya-jin skills…"
"Yes mother…" Phoenix smiled.
"Well, let's get back to the castle…"
Vegeta flopped down on a large, puffy chair with a sigh. Velvet sat on the arm of it. Phoenix and Midnight had gone off to get something to eat. Velvet reached down and stroked her mate's hair.
"I wonder who he has picked as his mate…" Velvet said softly as Vegeta closed his eyes with another sigh.
"I don't know.. but he'll have to tell us soon…"
"Do you think it's Himika?"
"I have no idea…" Vegeta said softly as Velvet slid into the space between him and the chair and began rubbing his shoulders. He leaned back into her touch. "Perhaps… she's a very pretty young woman with great strength…"
"I agree…"
"For once…" Vegeta added with a smile. Velvet smirked and slid her hands down his back before nipping his sides. Vegeta jumped with a yelp of surprise, causing Velvet to laugh. He turned his head to look at her. "Hey!"
"Well, serves you right…" Velvet smiled as she turned his head back to face the front before massaging his shoulders and neck again. "You're always so tense after a battle…" She said quietly. Vegeta smiled before closing his eyes again.
"Where did the kids go?"
"Looking for food… and they're not kids anymore…" Velvet said with a sigh. Vegeta sighed too.
"I know… They're both in their later teens; Phoenix is almost twenty!"
"Feeling old, eh?" Velvet teased. Vegeta bowed his head a little and frowned as he opened his eyes. Velvet stopped rubbing his shoulder and leant over to see his face. "I was only kidding…"
"But I do feel kinda old…" Vegeta said quietly. Velvet smiled fondly at her mate. He didn't look a day over twenty!
"Oh, come now… You're not old at al!" She smiled, hugging his neck. "You're being silly!"
"I suppose…" Vegeta reached up and clasped his mate's hands with his own. Velvet smiled before kissing his neck.
"Come upstairs and we'll see just how old you are…" She purred into his ear. Vegeta laughed before getting out of the chair and helping his mate up. He kissed her softly before lifting her into his arms…
"You'd think being royalty we'd get a decent meal whenever we wanted!" Phoenix complained as he flopped down onto a chair. Midnight sat on the chair at the other end of the long dining table with a sigh.
"I know… It sucks!"
"Hey guys!" Shadow greeted as she walked into the dining room. Both saiya-jins greeted her.
"We're just complaining about food…" Midnight explained as Shadow sat on another one of the chairs around the middle area of the table.
"Why, what's wrong with it?"
"It's not here!" Phoenix wailed, his stomach growling loudly. It shut up as a few servants came in, carrying platters of food. Phoenix's mouth hung open and he wiped his chin. "Food… Food… Food…" He chanted happily as the platters were placed on the table.
"If you want anything else, just ask…" One servant told them. Phoenix nodded. He began tucking in instantly. Both girls grabbed their own food in fear of Phoenix devouring it before they even managed to get a hold of it. The three teens ate in silence, except for the sound of chewing. Phoenix slammed his plate down on the table with a smile once he'd finished.
"I feel much better now!" He smiled, sitting back against his chair and patting his now content stomach. He sat back up and leant against the table. "So, Shadow… why we're you with us on Pheria-sei today?"
"I decided not to bother…" Shadow said simply. Phoenix gave a nod of acknowledgement. Midnight smiled.
"We were talking all about the gathering…"
"Oh yeah! That's next month, isn't it?" Phoenix asked. Both girls nodded.
"Have you picked a mate?" Shadow asked. Phoenix grinned knowingly and nodded, folding his arms behind his head and swinging back on his chair.
"Naturally… She's one of the most beautiful saiya-jins I've ever seen… Oh, along with you two of course…" Phoenix joked, taking a mock bow. Shadow and Midnight laughed.
"Of course!" Both giggled in unison. Phoenix laughed.
"You two are unreal!"
"Well…" Midnight smiled. "Are you gonna tell us who it is?"
"Who?"
"You're mate-to-be, of course!"
"Not a chance!" Phoenix snorted. Midnight frowned.
"Why not?!"
"Because not even mom and dad know… What makes you think I'm gonna tell you two?"
"Because we might know her and be able to give you tips on beating her!" Shadow chipped in. Phoenix folded his arms and smirked in a way that would have made Vegeta proud.
"Hah! What makes you think I need your help to defeat a puny female? She may be strong but she's not a patch on me... Besides, she probably can't manage Super Saiya-jin stage one, let alone two!" Phoenix smirked. Midnight and Shadow growled.
"You're such a big-headed jerk sometimes…" Midnight snapped. Phoenix shrugged.
"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone who cares…"
"That's it!" Midnight snarled as she stood up quickly, knocking her chair back. Phoenix lifted an eyebrow as his sister stomped over to him. "What's with you acting like such an arrogant bastard?!"
"Language, child… And you're the one acting like a bitch…"
"Wanna say that again?!" Midnight fumed, drawing back her fist. Phoenix leapt out of the chair as she struck at him, smashing the chair into pieces. Phoenix landed gracefully on the top of the chair next to it, balancing perfectly on the back.
"That was my chair you just smashed!"
"Do I care?"
"Little bitch!" Phoenix snarled as he leapt off the chair and onto his sister, knocking her to the ground before pinning her down. Midnight growled.
"Get off me!"
"Make me, smart-ass!"
"Watch me!" She yelled, blasting into Super Saiya-jin. Phoenix did the same but a level higher. Shadow rolled her eyes before getting up and calmly wandering over to the two, turning Super Saiya-jin stage two as she did. She reached down and grabbed them both by the ears. Phoenix and Midnight yelled out in pain as they were hauled to their feet, powering down as they did so.
"Will you two stop being immature?" Shadow asked kindly. Both nodded quickly and Shadow let them both go.
"What was that for?" Phoenix whined. Shadow smirked.
"You two don't know when to stop sometimes…"
Ikra stood on the balcony of her room, scanning the area before her. Most of the saiya-jins lived around the castle, in case of an attack. As she was watching, she saw someone approaching. That one dot turned to two and as they got closer, Ikra could make out two saiya-jin males. She smiled when she recognised them.
"Yo! Zephyr! Navet! What's up?!" She yelled, waving to the two. They flew over and landed on her balcony.
"Yo Ikra!" Zephyr grinned. "How's life?"
"Just great! How about you two?"
"Pretty damn good!" Zephyr smiled. Navet folded his arms and grinned. Neither of the males had changed much; Zephyr was still a slender, brown-haired Vegeta look-a-like and Navet was still just as compact with a wild mohawk of purple hair. Zephyr still had a scar running down one cheek from the battle with the yggdrasians a while back before Vegeta and Velvet were king and queen.
"Same here…"
"So how are the kids?" Ikra smiled. Zephyr and Sakai had a little boy, around ten years old, and Navet and his mate, Rei, had one girl and one boy, both about eight years old at Ikra's guess. Navet and Rei had moved out back to Navet's old house after their first child had been born… Still, the two males remained best friends and were almost inseparable.
"They're okay…" Navet nodded. Zephyr smiled.
"Same here… So, where's Velvet?"
"Hmm… Vegeta just got back from another planet and it's been quarter of an hour so… in bed together is my guess…" Ikra laughed. Zephyr wrinkled his nose and frowned.
"You could just say she was busy… I didn't need to know that… So where Kakarotto and the teens?"
"Kakarotto is… somewhere and the kids are in the dining room…"
"Great! We'll go join them!" Navet grinned as he made a bee-line for the door. Zephyr laughed nervously.
"We haven't eaten yet…"
"Heh, well… go hurry… although I doubt there'll be anything left… Phoenix has been with his father out fighting and he was pretty hungry…"
"Ah, crap!" Navet moaned. Zephyr rushed to the door.
"Come on! Hurry and we might make it!" He called as he zipped past Navet. Navet waved to Ikra before bolting out of the door. Ikra laughed and went back to gazing outside.
"Me? You're the one who started this!" Phoenix yelled as he dodged a ki blast. As he did, Shadow leapt on him and pinned him to the ground. Midnight scrambled over the pile of rubble that used to be the dining room table and knelt beside her brother and her friend. She grinned before cackling evilly.
"Mwahahaha! We have you now!"
"Now you shan't escape!" Shadow added with her own evil cackle. Phoenix struggled but Shadow straddled his waist, using her weight to keep him down. She leant down so her face was inches from his and smiled. "Trying to get away?" She purred. Phoenix tried to scramble away but she had him. Shadow took hold of his face and forced him to look her in the eyes. She smiled seductively, turning him to jelly. Shadow was a truly seductive saiya-jin, much like her mother, and used her attractiveness to weaken Phoenix when she wanted something- he was such a sucker for gorgeous girls…
"Nuh, wha?" Phoenix managed to mumble two words. Midnight watched with a grin as her brother turned to putty. Shadow leaned even closer so he could feel her breath on his lips. A violent shiver raced up his spine. Phoenix took a deep breath and held it as he felt a hand on his side. He let the breath out quickly and burst out laughing as Shadow began to tickle him. Midnight joined in and it wasn't long before Phoenix was in tears, flailing his arms wildly. Zephyr and Navet walked in, both raising an eyebrow at the scene. The girls stopped torturing the poor guy and smiled.
"Hiya Uncle Zephyr!" Midnight waved as she got up and ran ver, hugging him tightly. Zephyr laughed and hugged her back.
"Hiya Midnight! It's been quite a while, eh?"
"Too long a time!" Midnight giggled. Zephyr let her go and she was quick to hug Navet too. Zephyr folded his arms and smirked at his nephew, who had turned bright red. Shadow still sat on his stomach, holding his sides.
"Getting comfortable, eh Phoenix?" He teased. Both teens looked at each other before going even more crimson. Shadow got up and helped Phoenix to his feet. He dusted himself off before laughing nervously, a hand behind his head.
"Uh, Uncle Zephyr… We can explain all this…"
"Save it, Phoenix…" Zephyr laughed. "Save it for when you have to explain to Velvet why the room has been wrecked because of your flirtation!"
"What flirtation?!" Phoenix and Shadow blurted out at once. Zephyr, Navet and Midnight all burst out laughing at the two embarrassed teens.
"Well, we're as well finding somewhere else to sit down and chat… This place is kinda wrecked…" Navet said as he looked around. Zephyr sighed.
"Yet again…"
Velvet wandered down to the guest-lounge after fixing her gown. Vegeta still slept soundly and she didn't plan on disturbing him. When she walked in, she saw everyone, save for Kakarotto, chatting about something or other. They all greeted her. Velvet smiled with surprise as Zephyr stood up and walked over to her with a grin.
"Hey sis! We thought you'd never show!"
"Zephyr! What are you doing here?" Velvet laughed happily as she hugged her brother tightly. He laughed and hugged back.
"Just felt like a visit… Navet suggested we come down…"
"Oh, Navet!" Velvet let her brother go as she glanced over to the purple-haired saiya-jin. "Hiya!"
"Well, hi Velvet!" Navet smiled happily, blushing slightly. He had always had a thing for Velvet, and the fact that she was wearing a thin gown didn't help him any. She wandered over and sat down on the couch beside him before hugging him.
"It's been even longer since I seen you last! I heard you have two kids now?"
"Yep! A boy and a girl!" Navet grinned proudly. Velvet laughed and ruffled his hair playfully.
"You little so and so! You out-done my brother!" She joked. Navet blushed again. Zephyr sat down on the other side of his sister.
"So where's Vegeta?"
"Upstairs, I think…"
"Still exhausted, eh?" Ikra smiled with a wink. Zephyr, Midnight and Phoenix all made faces. Ikra, Shadow and Navet just laughed.
"Oh quiet you! Where's Kakarotto anyways?"
"I have no idea, actually…" Ikra said quietly. The door opened and Kakarotto walked in.
"Speak of the devil…"
"What devil?" Kakarotto asked in a confused manner. Ikra laughed and beckoned him over.
"Never mind, silly…" she giggled as he mate sat down beside her. Kakarotto gave her a goofy smile that, when not in battle, was his usual friendly expression.
"Taking about me again, eh?"
"Yep! And we have visitors…"
"Who are- Zephyr! Navet!"
The saiya-jins all talked for a while about how their lives had been going. Velvet hadn't seen her brother for over five years and was happy to catch up. They all discussed the gathering and scared Phoenix and Shadow with stories of past gatherings.
"But you're not allowed to go Oozaru…" Velvet added. Phoenix's jaw fell open.
"What?! But… why not?" He exclaimed. Velvet smiled.
"It just means that the battle is fought fairly… And you're not allowed to go Super Saiya-jin unless she can!"
"Ah damn! This isn't fair!" Phoenix whined as he slid down on his chair. Velvet laughed. Her laughter was interrupted as Vegeta entered the room. He looked around at the group of seven or saiya-jins and blinked a few times.
"Where'd you two come from"? He asked sleepily. Zephyr and Navet rolled their eyes.
"We've been here for the past hour or so, Vegeta…" Zephyr told him with amusement. Vegeta yawned and sat down beside Velvet, leaning back in the chair and closing his eyes.
"All this chatting woke me up…" He grumbled. "I haven't had any sleep in two days since we've been out on other planets so much…"
"Aw… poor Veggie-chan…" Velvet pouted as she leant back against him and snuggled into him. He yawned again before smiling.
"Phoenix, I'll help you to train later on… We have to make sure you do well next month…"
"I will, father…" Phoenix smiled.
"Shadow and I are training too… Why don't we all have a little sparring match?" Ikra suggested. Vegeta grinned and nodded, his drowsiness disintegrating.
"You're on, Ikra! We haven't had a good match in a long time…"
"Be warned, I can reach stage three now…" Ikra smirked proudly. Midnight pouted.
"How come you all get to train together when I have to train alone? I can reach stage one now!"
"Why don't you come with us then?" Vegeta asked. Midnight's eyes lit up.
"Really, daddy?"
"Sure… But you have to be ready…" He warned. Midnight went over to the back of the chair and hugged his neck tightly from behind.
"Thank you soooo much!" She grinned. Velvet frowned.
"I can't wait until Phoenix and his mate take this throne so I can join you…"
"Oh just come and train!" Vegeta told her. "No one can exactly tell you you're not allowed! Besides, the more enemies you have to face, the more you'll improve; it will help Phoenix to improve…"
"I suppose…" Velvet trailed off with a smiled. Vegeta hugged her tightly.
"C'mon, say yes.. you know you want to…" He teased. Velvet laughed.
"Alright…"
After some more discussion about the gathering, Zephyr and Navet left to return to their mates. The remaining saiya-jins made their way to the huge training area. Shadow gave Midnight one of her training suits since they were easier to move in. Once everyone had changed, they met in the training hall. Ikra walked over to Velvet.
"Why don't we have a little warm up… Just to see if you've gotten rusty…"
"Bring it on…" Velvet smirked, her arrogance taking over as she prepared herself for battle. The others all sat at the side, watching as Ikra and Velvet took their places opposite each other. Both dropped down into a stance, tails flicking out behind them with excitement.
"It's about time this happened again…" Ikra smirked. "You've refusing to train with us for over a year now! I've waited for you to change your mind… The old Velvet would never turn down my challenges…"
"Well, that's all going to change… You won't be able to keep me out of battle!" Velvet sneered. Ikra's foot shifted a little and Velvet leapt at her. The two blurred out of vision as they began battle. Midnight and Phoenix gasped. They hadn't seen their mother in battle for five years and were surprised to see her speed. As a teenager, Velvet had been the fastest saiya-jin on the entire planet, as well as the strongest female… Even now, she still kept those qualities, although Ikra was just behind her and no more. The two females danced across the hall, both trying to avoid being hit whilst trying to do at least some damage. Vegeta smirked as did Kakarotto. They always enjoyed watching their mates fight as they had no problem taking it to the extreme. If it got out of hand, they would always step in. the two females parted and stood where they had began, both panting slightly. Ikra wiped her lips and grinned.
"I underestimated you, Velvet! You haven't lost your touch at all! But there's one thing you don't know about me…"
"Oh? Care to share it with us?"
"Gladly…" Ikra smirked as she stood upright. Velvet watched with curiosity as Ikra began powering up. She clenched her fists as she burst straight into Super Saiya-jin stage two. Velvet grinned as Ikra kept going. Ikra smirked before closing her eyes and letting out a cry, exploding into the next Super Saiya-jin stage. Her eyebrows seemed to disappear and her hair became more spiky, the full length of it reached down her back. a furious, golden tail lashed dangerously behind her. Ikra smirked as she opened her eyes. "Not bad, eh?"
"Nice.. When'd you learn that?"
"Not long ago…"
"Ah… oh well…" Velvet shrugged. Ikra gritted her teeth and snarled.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" She roared. Velvet simply sniggered.
"Watch…" She smirked, her aura blazing brightly. A huge burst of energy blinded the spectators for a moment When it faded, another Super Saiya-jin Stage 3 stood in the middle of the arena. Ikra gasped.
"When did you…?"
"Oh, ages ago! Vegeta taught me almost as soon as he could manage…"
"That was a year ago…" Ikra said in disbelief. Velvet smirked.
"Well? Shall we begin?"
Phoenix looked over at his father.
"How long until one of them runs out of energy… You told me that stage three is very tiring…"
"I'm glad you remembered…" Vegeta grinned. "It is… but Ikra has the less experience… so she should be aching quite a bit… You should go against your mother next…" He suggested. Phoenix gulped.
"Really? Hmm… well, Ikra-san should tire out soon since they've been battling for half an hour in that stage already… But even mom looks pretty exhausted…" Phoenix said quietly. Vegeta nodded. The two females that were battling stopped as Ikra powered down from Super saiya-jin. She dropped to her hands and knees, panting heavily. Velvet also powered down and sunk to her knees. Both girls were exhausted.
"Man… SSJ3… really.. takes it… outta you…"
"No kidding…" Ikra agreed as she flopped onto her back, her chest and shoulders heaving painfully. "That was… quite a… work-out…"
"I agree there…" Velvet smiled weakly. "But… I think I've lost… a bit of my energy… since last time… I trained…"
"Serves your right…" Ikra chuckled. She sat up and took a deep breath. Velvet looked over at the spectators. Vegeta and Kakarotto stood up and applauded.
"Very nice! You two have still got it!" Vegeta laughed. Kakarotto nodded with a smile.
"Great! You really gave us quite a show!"
"And Velvet gave me quite a few broken ribs!" Ikra joked weakly. Velvet laughed feebly.
"Hey, my arm paid the price… and now my back is aching…"
"Yeah, we both got some pretty good hits in… Ah crap, Kakarotto, can you help me here?!" Ikra called over to her mate in a whiny voice. Kakarotto smiled and walked over. Vegeta went to his mate too. Kakarotto picked Ikra up gently and nuzzled his head into hers.
"Aw…. My little Ikra got too good a training session and feels all achy…" He pouted. Ikra laughed a little and ruffled his hair.
"Oh, quiet you!" She smiled. Kakarotto lifted over to where the others were and sat down with Ikra on his lap. Vegeta helped Velvet to her feet and partially carried her to the others. She smiled as she sat down.
"That felt great! Painful, but great!" Velvet smiled happily. She turned to her son. "Okay, I want to see how good you've gotten… take Shadow on…"
"What?!" Phoenix and Shadow cried out in surprise. Velvet grinned.
"Oh come on… Except for your fathers, you two are the only ones fit to fight right now… I want to see a good show and I know Shadow doesn’t hold back much…" Velvet grinned. Shadow smirked as she stood up.
"So be it, Velvet-san…"
The two teenagers got up from where they were sitting and walked over the middle of the arena without a word. Phoenix walked a little bit away from Shadow and turned to face her. They both stared at each other for a few moments, unmoving. Velvet and Ikra got comfortable as they prepared to see their children face each other in battle; it would give them time to get their breath back… Shadow and Phoenix continued to stare at each other with unblinking eyes. Velvet coughed quietly and the two rushed at each other, both delivering a powerful blow to the face, both hitting their target… Phoenix pulled back, reeling from the punch, before punching wildly at Shadow, who dodged and blocked easily as if it was as natural as breathing to her. Shadow ducked under a punch and struck out, implanting her fist into Phoenix's stomach. He took the blow well, doubling over her arm. Shadow smirked and brought her knee up hard and fast, cracking Phoenix's jaw loudly. He scowled as pain rang through him before slamming his fist into Shadow's face. Her head snapped to the side and Phoenix lifted both hands, clasping them together before slamming them down on her shoulder. Shadow's legs buckled and she fell to one knee. Phoenix punched her down and pinned her. He smirked.
"You're going easy on me…"
"Naturally… I wouldn't want to hurt this face…" she purred, freeing her hands and grabbing his face before slamming her other fist straight into Phoenix's face. Phoenix drew back with a curse, clinging to his nose.
"Bitch!" He scowled as he took his hands away, a steady flow of blood running out of his nose. Shadow smirked as she leapt on him, pinning him down on his stomach and wrapping her arms around his neck before choking him.
"Give up!"
"No way!" Phoenix snarled as he struggled for breath. Shadow tightened her grip. Phoenix managed to twist his arm free from under her knee and ram his elbow hard into her stomach. Shadow gasped in pain as the wind was forced out of her lungs. She snarled and yanked back on Phoenix's neck. He elbowed her again. Both were in great pain but then again, both were too stubborn to quit so quickly and easily. After the fifth hit, Shadow had to let go. Her bottom ribs were bruised if not broken and there was great deal of blood in her mouth. She fell back onto the ground and clutched her stomach, gasping for breath. Velvet and Ikra looked at each other as Shadow spat a mixture of blood and saliva to the side. Phoenix crawled over to her and straddled her waist, pining her arms by her sides. She scowled up at him as he pulled back his fist.
"Okay, stop you two! That was pathetic! You only lasted a few minutes!" Ikra yelled. Phoenix looked over and let his fist drop. He smiled as he looked back to Shadow.
"Let's just say it's a draw…" he said huskily, rubbing his neck. Shadow nodded with a smile, wiping the blood from her mouth.
"You're so rough sometimes…"
"Uh, sorry…" He said sheepishly as he got up, offering her his hand. Shadow took it and he pulled her to her feet. She spat the remaining blood in her mouth to the side and grinned.
"No problem… We didn't keep that one going for long, did we?"
"I know… I don't know what happened all of a sudden… I… I felt like I had to go all out and refuse to let you defeat me…"
"You too?" Shadow gasped. The two looked at each other warily before walking over to their parents.
"Next time, try it at Super Saiya-jin stage one… and no choking…" Ikra warned with a smile. Shadow smiled and looked up at the ceiling, whistling innocently. Velvet turned to her son with a smirk.
"Well, Phoenix… Let's see how good you are…" She said as she stood up. Phoenix looked up at Velvet.
"What? I haven't caught my breath yet…"
"Oh, don't be a coward! You weren't even fighting for ten minutes! Or is there some other reason you don't want to fight?" Velvet mocked. Phoenix scowled before getting up.
"Fine, let's begin…" Velvet smirked.
"That's more like it…" She walked over to the middle of the arena and powered up to Stage one. Phoenix walked over and stood a few metres in front of her, also transforming to Super Saiya-jin stage one. Velvet smirked and folded her arms. Phoenix dropped into a stance before leaping at her and striking for her shoulder. Velvet took the blow without even flinching. Phoenix growled and began punching rapidly at her face. Velvet kept the same, amused smirk as she twisted her head from side to side, dodging so the blows only just missed her head. Phoenix carried on for a few moments before driving his fist out at her stomach. Velvet leaned over and took the blow, smirked as she unfolded her arms. As Phoenix was still a bit ducked over, Velvet lifted her arm and drove her elbow down into his back. Phoenix hit the ground like a rock, gasping in pain. Velvet folded her arms again and scowled. "Get up!"
"I… can't…" He gasped, his back felt like it had been smashed open. Velvet's scowl turned to a glare.
"Get up, now! Don't be so weak!" She yelled. Phoenix got to his hands and knees shakily. Velvet rolled her eyes. "If you can't beat me, what chance do you have of getting a mate at the gathering?"
"I will get a mate…" Phoenix snarled, jumping to his feet and punching Velvet right across the face, snapping her head to the side. He didn't waste anytime in attacking, punching her as much as he could before bringing his elbow up and slamming it into her chin. Velvet was knocked flying backwards. She hit the wall and fell to a crumpled heap on the ground. Sitting up, she held her head, still reeling from the attacks. She smirked.
"Much better!" She laughed. Phoenix was surprised to see her laughing after all that. Velvet stood up and dusted herself off. "Now, let's take it a step higher…"
Phoenix was quick to power up to stage 2 as Velvet did, desperate to even his chances of winning. Velvet smirked.
"Alright, let's begin again…" She dropped down into a stance as Phoenix finished powering up. With a loud yell, Phoenix lunged at her, fist drawn back and ready to strike. Velvet smirked and made a quick side-step as Phoenix struck out, causing him to drive his fist right into the wall. He yanked it out and turned quickly, swinging his other fist round to hit Velvet. Velvet grabbed his fist and punched with her free hand, which Phoenix grabbed by the wrist. The two struggled to break each other's grip. "You're… not bad…" Velvet grinned. Phoenix grinned back.
"I'm a product of my environment…" He smirked before sweeping Velvet's legs out from under her with a kick. Velvet turned the fall into a flip, landing crouched down on her tip-toes with the tips of her finger balancing her. She jumped to the side and landed on her feet as Phoenix struck out, his fist embedding at the spot she had just been crouching. Velvet leapt at him and struck him across the face before delivering hundred of other punches and kicks, all lightening fast. Phoenix tried to avoid them but Velvet was too fast and she eventually had literally pounded him to the ground, still striking him. Phoenix gritted his teeth as Velvet continued to strike his stomach, pushing him down and crushing him against the floor. The ground beneath him began to crack as the pressure became too much. Velvet raised her fist and slammed it as hard as she could into Phoenix's chest, breaking a few ribs and driving him right through the ground for a few feet. Velvet leapt into the air and landed a little way back, folding her arms and smirked as she did. She and the spectators watched the crater curiously. Suddenly, the ground began shaking and crack shot along the ground. The crater burst into a larger one as Phoenix's power shot through the roof. He was growling at her, his eyes turning red with rage. Velvet unfolded her arms and braced herself; an angry Super Saiya-jin was not always a good thing... especially for it's opponent… Phoenix glared at Velvet before walking out of the crater calmly. Velvet gasped. When fighting the yggdrasians, she, Vegeta and the others had learned a special technique to read power levels without the use of a scouter. The yggdrasians could manage this with ease and after studying them during battle, the saiya-jins could too. Velvet took a step back and clenched her fists. Phoenix's power was way beyond that of hers, even in Super Saiya-jin stage 3…
Vegeta and Kakarotto looked at each other worriedly.
"I'm not the only one who notices, am I?" Kakarotto asked. Vegeta shook his head.
"No, you're not… We have to be ready to jump in if he gets out of control…"
"Okay…" Kakarotto nodded. They both turned back to Velvet, who was still backing up as Phoenix walked closer at a frighteningly slow rate. He had a scowl on his face and his eyes were cold and emotionless. Velvet yelped in surprise as her back hit the wall. She looked around frantically. Last time this had happened to Vegeta, he had almost killed her himself. If Kakarotto and Ikra hadn't chose to watch that day, she wouldn't even be alive… She had to spend a whole month in a rejuvenation tank, and usually, one week was the limit… but now, Phoenix was more powerful that Vegeta had been back then and Velvet quickly powered up t just below stage 3. Phoenix stopped, his tail flicking about viciously behind him. Velvet crouched into a stance. Phoenix smirked cruelly before lunging at her. His speed had increased so much, that even Velvet herself didn't see it until it hit her. She went flying across the room and hit the wall across the room with a loud thud. Velvet held her head, trying to calm the searing pain that was running through her. She let out a cry of pain as Phoenix kicked her hard in the stomach, smashing against the wall again. She could see straight as he kicked her again and again before grabbing her by the neck and lifting her above his head before smashing her against the wall. Velvet gathered her strength and kicking him hard in the chest, causing him to drop her. Unfortunately, it only seemed to make Phoenix even madder. He let out a roar of anger as he struck down at Velvet, smashing her shoulder painfully. Velvet cried out in pain again as her arm twisted upwards before falling limp. She clutched her shoulder, trying to keep herself from passing out from pain. Her eyes were slowly shutting though. Phoenix snarled and punched her again and again, ignoring Velvet's pleas for him to stop. At the sidelines, Vegeta wasted no time in powering up to stage 3 and rushing over, desperate to help his mate. Phoenix was quick to turn on him, hitting him hard in the face and knocking him back against the wall. Kakarotto jumped in too, and when Vegeta got up again, the two worked to try and calm the enraged Super Saiya-jin down…
Vegeta and Kakarotto couldn't even get near Phoenix, he was completely out of control.
"Phoenix! What the hell are you trying to do?!" Vegeta roared as he avoided a ki blast. Phoenix snarled and flung more blasts Vegeta's way.
"Come on, Phoenix! Calm down!" Kakarotto yelled. The two Super Saiya-jins tried to restrain him. Kakarotto gasped as a blur shot past him and into Phoenix. He looked over at the saiya-jin, who had toppled back in surprise. Phoenix lay on the ground on his back with Shadow sitting on his stomach and holding his arms down. She looked down at Phoenix, who snarled at her. Shadow moved her face closer to his.
"Phoenix, please calm down… You've hurt Velvet-san… Is that what you want?"
"Get off me!" He roared, his power surging through him and throwing Shadow off. He was quick to jump on her, pinning her down so she was unable to move. He smirked cruelly.
"No! Shadow!" Kakarotto leapt over to help but Phoenix backhanded him across the room. He turned back to Shadow, who looked up at him with an emotionless expression.
"Would you really hurt me? Would you stoop so low as to kill me whilst I'm not a Super Saiya-jin?" She asked with slight sadness in her voice. Phoenix seemed to flinch as he raised his fist. He snarled.
"Shut up!"
"I don't believe that you'll go through with it… Even in your rage, you don't want to hurt me… would you, Phoenix?"
"Ugh…… Shut UP! Stop talking!" Phoenix yelled. Shadow smiled a little and reached up, touching his cheek softly.
"Come on, Phoenix… pull yourself together… You don't want to hurt anyone, do you?"
"S-Shadow…" Phoenix trembled as he struggled to control himself. Shadow held his face in her hands and smiled.
"There you go… calmer now?"
"Uh.. yeah…" Phoenix powered down, his cheeks flushing with colour. Shadow giggled and ruffled his hair before hugging him tightly, causing him to blush even more. Vegeta and Kakarotto looked at each other before smiling, both powering down. Vegeta was quickly on his feet and by Velvet's side. He helped her to sit up. She was still awake but she was still clinging to her broken arm. Vegeta hugged her close and smiled.
"Vegeta?" She looked up at him. Vegeta smiled down at her.
"It's okay, Velvet-chan… he's okay and so will you be…"
"Man, I can't believe I did that to her…" Phoenix said sadly as he bowed his head. Shadow rubbed his shoulders comfortingly.
"It wasn't your fault… You didn't even know what was happening… You didn’t even recognise your father!"
"Then how come you had such an effect on me?" He said softly, smiling. Shadow made sure she stayed behind him to hide her blush. She let go of his shoulders and he turned to look at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" She blurted out quickly, turning even redder. A faint smiled tinted Phoenix's lips. Shadow turned him back round and began rubbing his shoulders again. Phoenix closed his eyes and sighed. The two turned to look at the door as it swung open and Vegeta walked in. Phoenix was standing up in a flash, head bowed.
"Father…"
"She's fine…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"Oh, stop being so pathetic!" Vegeta spat coldly. Phoenix dared not look up as Vegeta walked closer.
"Father?"
"Velvet can take anything you can throw at her, I assure you… Stop being such a child and worrying because you hurt a little! It's pitiful!" Vegeta said harshly. Phoenix looked up.
"But it wasn't my fault anyway…" Phoenix said softly, wishing the word hadn't left his mouth as soon as they did. Surprisingly, Vegeta's scowl turned to a slight smile.
"Phoenix, you defeated your mother fair and square… She's as proud of you as I am…"
"What?!"
"You beat the strongest female on this entire planet… Your were only at stage one when your mother was at stage three! I'm well and truly impressed, Phoenix… You will defeat your mate-to-be on the night of the gathering…" Vegeta smile widened a little more and Phoenix smiled back before bowing his head.
"Thank you, father…"
"Now stop worrying about Velvet… she's survived a LOT worse than this…" Vegeta laughed as he turned and exited from the door he had entered through. Phoenix looked back at Shadow, who smiled and gave him a wink.
"Told ya everything would be okay!"