55.0

Real World

"Are we there yet?"

Shallot grit his teeth and held back his barking comment. Bra was quite annoying, and even more since they'd arrived in the real world. Peppering him with questions like some kind of tourist. He didn't have time to mess around. Their entire existence could be at stake, and she was wondering why everything looked too detailed.

'Chisato...hope you're doing alright.'

He shook his dark head and saw the school he had attended come into view, "down there."

It was empty except for necessary faculty staff and over achieving students. The weekend, then. It was surreal seeing it from the height of one hundred feet below him and put into perspective the sheer magnitude of his new life as a saiyan.

"That's the school?" X. Vegeta asked, unimpressed.

"Let's just go." Shallot said before descending down to the entrance door. Easily he could have just blown a hole through the rooftop, but that would probably be noticed by people. 'Not like a group of cosplayers falling from the sky is any better.' He chuckled to himself.

The ridiculousness of their situation didn't deter him from storming up and stomping through the glass door, rattling the frame. He led his group inside and didn't take his shoes off like a student would have done, instead powering right through. "The files were through here," he said over his shoulder.

As they rounded the corner to the fork of both sides of the high school, a boy was in the hallway, dressed in summer uniform and matching tie. He looked up from gathering his things from his locker and yelled. "Whaa!"

Shallot grabbed his shirt up and pushed him into the locker none too softly. "Pretend you saw nothing," he hissed.

"W-W-What's going on?"

Bra sighed and tapped Shallots shoulder. "Let ME handle this."

She leaned and lifted the boys chin, smiling devilishly. "Be a good boy and don't tell anyone you saw us. Won't you?"

The teen nodded his head quickly. "Y-Yes ma'am! I-I'd never tell, ever!"

"You're too sweet." Bra pat his head and giggled, saying, "Come along boys."

Shallot sighed up at the ceiling. It was going to be a long ass day.

*

*

Real World - Tokyo - Gaming Tower

"W-we have to go now," Trunks said. He pulled free from the girls grip on his gloved hand, wanting to turn tail and run. She pouted. "Just one more picture? Please! You're my favorite character, ever!"

"S-Sorry. One photo per person," he said.

"Can I touch your sword?" She hiked up and grabbed the hilt; Trunks snatched her wrist and shook his short lilac hair. "No. It's off limits."

"..."

He let go and turned around. "Let's go. Nothing up here."

'Where is Fu hiding? He can't be too far! Dammit!'

Trunks grit his teeth and walked down the steps, only to see several security guards there. It was obvious what they were due to their dark clothing, glasses and badge. "Excuse me," Trunks said, trying to wedge past.

"Hold up. We didn't authorize any convention gathering." The taller, light colored officer said. He smirked. "You're going to need to come down to the station."

"W-What?" Pan pushed past Trunks and poked the man in the chest. "No way! We're not going anywhere! We know who you work for--"

Trunks clamped his hand over her mouth. 'Shhh!' He whisper hissed. "Sorry about that. She's my little niece. Now, why do we need to follow you? Is there a rule against cosplaying?"

"In fact, there is. Not to mention that sword on your back. Doesn't look fake to me." The man held his hand out, and Trunks reluctantly unsheathed his very real, very large blade, nearly putting it into the mans burly hand. At the last second however, Trunks shoved the hilt into his chin and followed up with a punch that KO'd both officers on the spot.

They fell back into the stair wall, unconscious.

"T-Trunks!" Pan shouted.

"Bad energy from both of them," X. Goku said, stepping over ones legs. "Probably working for Fu. Which means..."

Trunks nodded his head. "We're close. They're getting desperate. Let's split up; you guys search above and Gohan and I will look for a basement. If you run into trouble, raise your power level."

*

*

*

Planet 01

Goku nimbly turned and leaned away from Jirens punch; the fist aiming for his head slid across his cheek. Goku dipped his head and twirled around Jirens form, meeting his backside to crunch his elbow against the unprotected spine.

'Did I hit him?'

Jiren fell forward into a lunge, and the two began quick melee attacks. Each attack flowed into the next, like a dance form, both opponents at seemingly equal terms.

That changed, however, when Goku noticed a large spike in energy coming from Broly. He recognized it right away; that untamed, raw destructive power emanating up towards the blue sky.

'Broly! What's he thinking?'

Jiren landed a hit to Gokus chest, whom fell back so hard he crashed miles away, splitting all the rocks and mountains in the process. He coughed dirt and got up, wondering just what Broly was planning.

It dawned on him.

'Hit keeps his saved time skips in another dimension. Unless Broly can figure that out, and fast, Hit will win the battle. But...there is one way to beat him. Broly can use that crazy power of his and break into that place.'

Goku was referring to the Dimension of Strange Swirling Lights, which Gogeta and Broly had entered during their first fierce battle. At the time, both had no clue what had happened, but Whis explained that their combined energies had generated too much power to contain in one area of time and thus, had broken over into that swirling realm.

It had been both Gogeta and Broly, though, not Broly alone.

Which meant that Broly wouldn't be able to do it during his fight with Hit.

Unless.

Goku smirked. He leapt up from his crash site and sought out Jiren, whom stood waiting. "Hey Jiren!" Goku yelled, tapping down.

"?"

"What say you and me both go at each other full force. Don't hold back, and raise your energy as much as you can!" Goku suggested.

Jirens dark eyes widened. He tilted his head, "Why? You wish to end the match in one blow?"

"No, not at all! I want to help Broly over there get a little advantage on Hit. You see, there's this place we can get to if we try real hard, and if Broly is there, I don't think Hit will stand a chance. Brolys never fought anyone like Hit before, well actually, he's only really fought me and Vegeta, eh heh he!"

Jiren pinched his mouth in a tight line. "You're fighting me but want to help your friend in battle."

"Pretty much. Yup."

Jiren shut his eyes a moment. It was still surprising to him that Goku thought of his team mates so highly, relying on them even when they weren't his level of strength or capability. Because of that, Jiren had been pushed from the edge, and saw for himself the power of those connections. It wouldn't hurt him, Jiren supposed, to do this for Goku. If anything, maybe they'd learn who was truly stronger.

Goku waited, sensing Brolys' rage beginning to spill over. They had to be quick.

Slowly Jiren smiled. "I suppose...I will do this."

"Great!"

*

Arena Stadium

"Kakarot's going to help him," Vegeta said.

Rhuda nodded. Her pulse was racing, watching her powerful brother be brought to his knees time and time again, not able to understand just how Hit was winning. "I hope he can. Brother..."

"But CAN they do it?" Shin asked. His slanted eyes narrowed a little at the screen. "If it fails, well, they might just blow each other to pieces instead."

"Hah! This is Goku we're talking about." Beerus said. He propped his legs up on the back of the chair in front of him, smirking. "His energy control is second to none. Unlike someone I know."

"Hn! I've come a long way." Vegeta said.

"I was referring to Broly." Beerus replied. "Broly doesn't understand that unless Hit can summon a matching energy to his, his effort will be in vain."

"Those two, along with Broly, will surely have enough power." Whis told them. His blue eyes grew misty before he wiped away his happy and proud tear with a napkin. "It's so beautiful watching how they've grown. Even Broly realizes what he must do."

"Let's hope Hit lets him power up...." Rhuda said, biting her lower lip. She gazed at the screen, furrowing her brows deeply. It Hit didn't, well, it would be all over for her Brother in one single attack.

'Please...let this work!'

*

*

*

Gohans Home - Orange City

"What the heck is Broly doing?" Krillin asked, leaning to the crystal ball.

"I have no idea..." Gohan said.

At that moment, a distant energy rose his attention to the second floor. Kolard was no doubt awake and getting hungry. "I'll be right back guys. Those beers just go right through me."

He left the living room and hit the steps, going up them two at a time, rounded the corner and dashed into Rhudas' bedroom. The wail was louder and growing even more so. Gohan turned the knob and peered in, shocked to see his son floating outside the crib and without his swaddling.

"Kolard!"

Gohan grabbed Kolard to him, and the baby burrowed into his chest, rooting around for an imaginary breast. "Sorry....mommy is gone right now. Saving the world..."

"Wahh! Wahh!"

"I-it's okay! I've got formula..." Gohan set him into the crib and went to Rhudas chest, where the newly purchased formula and bottles sat. He poured distilled water, measuring it, and added formula to the correct ratio. He gave the bottle a shake and took Kolard, sitting with him on the bed. "Here you go."

Kolard puckered his fat face at the nipple, used to a soft and flexible breast, but eventually latched onto it after a few drops spilled to his lips. He drank it, pulled away and whined; Gohan calmed him and the process was repeated until Kolard eventually drank all of his bottle.

"Wah! Wah!"

"Shhh, there, there--" Gohan pat his back, rubbing it in circles.

'Is he missing his mom? Or still hungry? I don't know!'

Gohan gave up on consoling his son and made him more milk. Kolard drank it too, and still rooted around for more. "I think I get it. You drink wayyy more of mommies milk, don't you?"

'That must be why she was so filled. Her fattier milk came in before Kolard was ready for it. He's pretty raring to go for it now, but she'll be gone for--'

His thoughts dropped off. Just how long would Rhuda be gone?

An unknown fear gripped his chest. 'She's...coming back...right?'

As Kolard drank another bottle reluctantly and finally drifted back off to sleep, Gohan stared at his son sadly. 'Chisato...you can't...leave us. You hear me? You have to make it home!'

Sudden panic set in, and Gohan couldn't lay Kolard down for some time. Instead he held him to his chest, smelling Rhuda on the baby, the bed, the room. Somewhere along the line of events, Gohan had grew a great attachment to Rhuda, and couldn't think of not seeing her again. It was unthinkable. She was his family now, in more ways than one, and they were supposed to raise Kolard together.

Gohan shut his eyes and lay down on the bed, tucking Kolard to his side as Rhuda would have done. He imagined her there, cuddling the baby and smiling, happy to be a mother, never a regret or grudge entering her mind. 'She's just like that. Always trying to please others...she wasn't even going to ask me for help earlier.'

As Kolard shifted in his sleep, Gohan pet his dark hair, looking at the black lock in front and thinking on the woman who'd birthed him. Just what kind of life they'd have when she married Trunks, Gohan had no idea, but he wasn't going to let Trunks just take her away. 'They can both live here. That way...I...'

His face flushed. An image of lapping her breast milk had violated his mind, and he shoved it aside. "I-It's not like that!" He told himself.

'Trunks will help her if she needs it. I shouldn't be this way. Those two love each other,' he thought, sighing at the ceiling. It was hopeless though. Gohan couldn't control the jealousy at imaging Rhuda getting 'help' from Trunks. Kolard was HIS son. Not Trunks'. And Rhuda had relied on Gohan--not anyone else-- for Kolards safe birth. Especially not Trunks Briefs, who had treated her as stupid, too stupid to understand her own feelings, and instead tricked her, even breaking her heart for even just a moment all to let her 'learn' on her own.

Trunks could have sat her down and talked to her about everything. Gohan would have done that, if it had been him. 'He knew she'd go to the Time Chamber and let her do it all alone, too,' Gohan thought angrily. Of course, because he'd bitten her, Gohan knew exactly the hardships she had faced there. The weakness, the food aversion, the morning sickness that lasted too long to be normal, and the mind numbing pain every time Kolard had decided to stretch his legs and practice kicking and punching. Beneath the weight of heavy gravity, Rhuda had ran out of healing items a few times in, and thus dealt with her injuries as best she could. Even sometimes wondering if she'd make it out of there alive, for bleeding internally with no help was difficult. Luckily she was a saiyan and could withstand it, thanks to their Dad's earlier training, but to do it all...by herself?

'All for Kolard,' he thought, moving aside the baby's one lock, which immediately fell back into place.

Then there were the panic attacks she'd had. He knew that's what they were, for her impending sense of doom wasn't normal, and a reaction to the stress she'd endured, and of the unknown future, where she thought Trunks might make her choose between both sons. There were other worries as well, such as if she was even ready to be a mother, but the more pressing of Rhudas fears lay with Trunks Briefs.

'If he'd told her beforehand that she wouldn't need to pick, Chisato wouldn't have worried about how he'd react.'

Gohan growled a little and sat up, taking the sleeping Kolard back to his crib. Trunks Briefs had some growing up to do before he could treat Rhuda the way she needed. In the meantime, Gohan would be there.

*

*

*

Planet 01

"RAAAHHHHH!"

Brolys body was surging and coursing with intense energy, pushing and pulling at the air itself as he let go of his conscious state, slipping into his rage with both feet at once.

Hit stood silently. He must have sensed Brolys last stand, for the assassin was patient and allowing the Legendary Super Saiyan to do what he could to avert his Time Skip technique.

All it would take was one more time, and Brolys vital points would be done for. Hit knew that, of course, and really didn't want the fight to be over so soon, even before Broly had a chance to counter him as Goku had done in the Tournament. Thus Hit smirked a little, wondering just what Broly had planned.

But, as Goku and Jiren both began also powering up, Hits attentions went to them, seeing two large Ki's bursting and radiating. One blue and white, the other a deep red.

'So...they're going to put it all in one attack?'

How unlike Goku. He was the type to drag a fight out, if nothing else, than to help his opponent understand his own lack of strength, slowly and deliberately, and even forming a bond with his enemy and teaching him along the way. That's how it was for Hit. Hit was amazed at the saiyan called Goku and his ability to overcome any obstacle. Why was it, then, that Goku would hurry the match against a foe like Jiren?

"RUAAHHH!" Broly continued to shout out, his thundering voice echoing across the barren Earth. By now, Brolys energy was radiating to the sky itself and drawing the clouds together as his light green energy continued to manifest and transform the weather. Darkness clouded the sky as the clouds began rolling with thunder. Lightning zapped down around their battlefield.

It wasn't just Brolys energy which was changing the atmosphere. Goku and Jiren were also charging their power to devastating heights. It was a good thing their Arena couldn't be damaged, as it surely wouldn't last under such conditions normally. Perhaps Grand Priest had foresaw what each fighter would need to do to win, then, and carefully planned their planets for those situations.

Finally it seemed Brolys' energy had risen as much as possible. His body had grown substantially in bulk, muscles and veins appearing all over his form. His normal dark eyes had transformed as well as his hair, a shade not quite green or yellow but somewhere in between the two.

As Hit took in Brolys new strength, his hand itched. He clenched the fist in his purple trench coat and swallowed.

"I applaud your power," Hit told him.

If Broly heard he didn't answer. Only a thunderous roar, like that of a beast came out. As that roar echoed, a energy burst from his mouth and began spewing the area with damaging Ki. Hit moved around the arcing blast, nearly getting roasted.

'I see. While his power is tremendous, he doesn't have control over his mind in this form.'

Hit faced Broly. It was time to end it.