Chapter 15
7 months worth of training flew by still preparing for the following life changing tournament as the team was slowly growing as they still needed 1 more members as they already had 11 players involving some of the previous fighters from the tournament of power however some dropped out allowing Nova, Riaura, Davina and Zorion to participate. The other remaining 7 are Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, Goten, Trunks and 17 as only the strongest could take part due to the warning Whis gave them of the team Xzander had put together with the beings from his Universe. 12 participants in total are needed in order to take part in the tournament that would possibly involve other dimensional Universes linked to the Unknown Universe and this who looked odd as their faces were hidden underneath hooded cloaks and bandanas thy refused to reveal their identity to anyone they come across which was cheating In Xzander's favour as he was desperate to win the Dragon Balls he collected in order to get his wish, but how is it going to take for them to gather the last remaining person needed in order to participate? Are they also aware of the other Dimensional Universes that are also taking part in this? No one's prepared for what these Unknown fighters are fully capable of.
"Why can't we ask Uncle Jiren to join us?" Nova asked looking up at Goku who was thinking intensely about the options and several strong opponents he once faced to join in his cause and fight as only the one with the most eliminations in the victorious Universe can get the wishes.
"Well.. I am unsure if he could despite being busy with Rosalie an all, so he'll most likely say no and the same will go for Hit too. Ugh! What are we going to do?! We'll be wiped out if we don't get enough players to help us!" Goku complained understanding the risks of being low on numbers as it came make the fight even more difficult and extremely dangerous when less allies are fighting on the same platform as him.
"This is just a thought really, but can't we just do what Xzander did since he is cheating" Nova asked again unaware that she was beginning to get on her father's nerves only trying to help through a tough decision like this.
"Enough, Nova! Why don't you go back to training! We need you to be at your very best for the tournament that's coming in less than 3 months!" Goku yelled glaring at Nova making her jump startling since he had never raised his voice like that towards her before surprising himself too in the process stopping for a moment to think of the idiotic move he had just made while she stood there silently staring down at him for a moment before coldly walking off ignoring Goku as she slammed the door behind her making him flinch revealing that she was most definitely mad at the fool. "Oh crap.. I've really messed up this time, but it's true we do need her to be on her A-game if we were to have any chances of winning this tournament!" He thought gulping nervously in response aware of what will happen if she isn't at her best refusing to let everything he swore to protect die over one single mistake a last chance opportunity of making it out of this tournament alive. "Death shall not follow in our footsteps! It isn't the way" He thought again knowing the rules that have been given so far by Whis, but the thought of any of his friends or family dying in that ring scared him wondering if had made a mistake by dragging them into such a dangerous situation, one that shouldn't be taken lightly as these beings are far stronger from what they have faced before. What will Goku do?
"Stupid idiot! Why would be yell at me? I was only making a suggestion, Hmph!" Nova mumbled to herself while walking through the forest on her lonesome even though she wanted to train her mind was saying 'no' as an odd technique came to mind when Uncle Jiren popped up. "Maybe I should train! But this time imma try and do what Uncle taught me.. I wonder if I can still do it?" Nova asked herself scratching her index finger on the side of her cheek heading off to a private place that only she knows and will train their mentally for the past following months until it's time to come out from hiding. "Sorry, father. I must do this for the sake of our home, family and the entire multiverse to control my inner demons in a rather odd way that only I can fight them on my own and obtain the power we need to win this tournament! Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, but I will write you a letter just incase" Nova cautiously thought thinking about her family and friends knowing that she was the last string of hope they had left putting pressure on the young Toura-jin's shoulders without realising it and in order to keep in control she must isolate and be one with herself until this unawakened power has been controlled.
Several hours have passed and there was no signs of Nova to be seen as she had walked out of the house after accidentally being scolded by Goku and who was frantically looking for her as he has been unsuccessful on locating her with his instant transmission. "Have any of you seen, Nova?" Goku worriedly asked finding Riaura standing outside minding her own business beside Vegeta who listened in on the situation.
"No, why? Has she randomly disappeared again?" Riaura guessed correctly not looking shocked whatsoever as it was expected of her to go up and vanish out of the blue so suddenly and yet something still had Riaura's attention drawn on Goku's worried demeanour.
"Well, yeah she had, but... I accidentally yelled at her and I can't find or sense her Ki anywhere! Can you please help me?!" He begged slapping his hands together in desperate need of her help surprising both Riaura and Vegeta at the confession he had made by the fact for the first time in ever, Goku had actually yelled at Nova which is something no ones saw coming.
"You what?! Since when in hell did you have the guts to yell at her? She's your only daughter for crying out loud Kakarot! It's your job to make her happy not the other way around?!" Vegeta scolded the Saiyan while Riaura grew confused thinking of what an angry Nova would be other than a cute grumpy expression when told not to do anything by her own mother let alone Goku.
"I said it was an accident! She stormed out before I could even apologise, Vegeta! That's why I need her help to find Nova, please? If Chi-chi finds out she'll kill me!" He was lying that woman was dangerous and extremely protective over Nova just like everyone in the family was due to her innocence and never ending kindness for others making her a target for anyone who mistake her kindness for weakness.
"Fine! I'll help you, old man" Riaura yelled back being incredibly serious with her decision even though she lied on telling Chi-chi as it was more of an empty threat than anything. Goku thanked the princess for her consideration and will do just as she said in order to keep his head intact with the rest of his body.
"Oh that won't be necessary" Whis voice was heard interrupting their heated conversation with a smile on his face fully aware of what was happening with Nova at the moment. "Nova wishes to not be disturbed as she plans to train on her own until the time of the up coming tournament arrives, you don't want to make her mad do you?" He added giving the three the information they needed making it clear that no one was to go after her at all costs or it would interfere with some pretty intense training that maybe look like child's play, but if you were to die there you'll die for real and for good as in the place Nova had sent herself to, it is practically impossible to escape until the training is fully complete, a place that greatly surpasses Jiren's meditation as what makes these two training techniques different from one another is the risk that comes with it. One that Nova should never come across.
"Who have you brought along this time?" Riaura asked sensing another presence along side Whis as a tall muscular man walked out behind him revealing himself shocking all as his tail twitched in response.
"Hello again, your highness" Kane greeted her politely bowing before them with a grin obviously aware of what was to come.
"Wow, Kane. Don't tell me, are you participating in the tournament too?!" Goku exclaimed excited to seeing the Saiyan as he scoffed cockily standing proudly like one should.
"Of course I am, why would I not? Besides I needed a new challenge in order to push myself to greater heights so why not tag along with your guys" He replied stating his intentions to help the Universe than abandon it even though he was mostly a loner Kane knew what he was getting himself into.
"Yes!" Goku cheered to himself finally having all 12 members gathered together making the team complete as to make training ever more interesting with another powerful Saiyan on board even though Zorion too was doing his own training for personal reasons like Nova and improve on their own just incase things do go badly for them and the team. However Nova was mysteriously teleported into a different realm a place that was unlike any other cutting out all contact from the real world and those who tries to connect to her Ki giving her completely privacy.
"Hm, this place is very odd. Where exactly am I?" Nova thought looking around the place that her mind had brought her seeing how strangely similar it was to a tournament fighting platform that her father once fought in a few years ago against some very strong opponents.
"Welcome fellow Toura-jin. *unknown being emerges from the shadows revealing a white haired mysterious Saiyan like appearance* It has been a very long time since I've met one quite like you, could you perhaps be related to Neoma by any chance?" He curiously said allowing Nova to fully see his face one that she isn't familiar with and yet he knew the one she was once stuck with, Neoma. However his appearance was very similar to the form she transformed in before revealing a white tiger like striped tail despite it being way shorter than her own as he too had two stripes on both sides of his cheeks resembling, but his eyes were contracted and yellow which remained normally diluted just like one's eyes should be. His clothes were odd wearing white silk pants with a black sash tied around his waist, black boots and a sleeveless black shirt with shoulder armour padding.
"How did you..?" Nova was speechless and confused on how such a being like himself was already aware of her presence as if he had been waiting for this moment to happen.
"I am Torao the keeper of this realm, a place where I punish and contain evil and yet you're here a peaceful, kind soul. What brings you here of all places?" He curiously asked being oddly calm and polite on her random arrival in order to help her as quick as possible.
"I was hoping to train here and know more about my Toura-Jin bloodline, also to contain and overtake the demon that is trapped within my soul" Nova replied as he suddenly vanished and reappeared 2 metres away startling the Toura-Jin as her tail puffed up in response. Even though his appearance caught his attention to a huge amount reminding her of the time she had her first transformation. Toreo oddly welcomed her in as a friend and as a training buddy like she reminded him of someone.
"Training you say? Hm, I guess I can mentor you, but it may take some time so don't expect me to go easy on you" Torao replied with a smirk agreeing to tutor this young Toura-Jin with everything he knew feeling the slight of adrenaline build up within in even though training was highly recommended.
"Umm, can I ask about your transformation? I'm just curious that's all" Nova curiously asked as she couldn't stop looking at his long, white spiky hair and tail, Torao didn't seem to mind the young Toura-Jin's curious nature as he knew she wasn't aware of what her own kind was fully capable of.
"My transformation? Sure, it's rather similar to Ultra Instinct, but it's power is overwhelming to the body and uses up a lot of your Ki in the process, you might be able to turn back into your base form if lucky enough. In my case however I'm not so lucky, I evolved continuously time and time again raising my strength as high as I could... though I have reached the point where I can no longer change back. You might end up like me.." Torao explained not exactly giving her the full intel even though Neoma seemed to do it with ease, who and what exactly is this woman made of?
"Stuck?.. forever? Well, I am already white furred so it wouldn't really matter in my case as I only need to become stronger in order to protect my home, my family and my friends from Xzander at all costs and if it means being stuck in that form like you then.. I am ready to push myself?!" Clenching her fists as she yelled feeling even more motivated than before to go through with this training along side this gate keeper as he crossed his arms intrigued to train this newly discovered Toura-Jin under his own wing. He knew the name particularly well keeping in his anger to keep a calm, friendly and professional look during training his new pupil.
"Alright, but first you need to over come your inner demons in order to move forward. So let's begin the first step of your training" His smirk was wiped replaced with a stone cold serious expression showing no mercy as Nova knew that the toughest challenge was yet to begin.
Zorion on the other hand was sat on the couch in his own home meditating for the time being before beginning his imaginary training experience as he would use his mind similar to what Goku would do if he is unable to train with Whis or Vegeta. Imaging a strong and worthy opponent as if they were there and use that experience to better your instincts far better than they used to be. "Clear mind, stay focused" He muttered reminding himself of the two key factors in order to maintain and retrain his strict Saiyan instincts before the tournament begins erasing everything that could distract him from focusing despite Nova being his new motive to keep getting stronger mentally and physically from the dangers in the galaxy including Xzander in general a current threat that must be eliminated before more harm can be done to the Multiverse. And yet something warm and loving keeps relapsing through his mind as the future with her repeated itself distracting him forcing his eyes to open and sighed. "This is bad.. she has my mind in a complete muddle and no matter what I do it won't stop bugging me" Thinking seriously about this as a hand was placed over his mouth as his entire face blushed bright red in embarrassment by his own lucid thoughts trying to remain in control of his primal instincts for now knowing that Nova didn't want to be interrupted during her solo training. "Fuck.. this is your fault for being so cute?! Now I'm battling against my own primal instincts.." mumbling to himself as his tail twitched hitting the couch repeatedly leaving him no other option, but to deal with this himself and go solo for now.
Davina was currently training with 17 in order to activate and lower down her shield at will which worked 50% of the time. A blast was currently being charged up soon to be released towards a unsure young adult who was trying to bring out her force field at will if lucky enough. "Try and at least feel threatened by this blast, Davina." 17 said trying to at least get her to think that he was currently trying to harm her even though he wasn't, but anything was up for grabs at this point.
"Um.. okay" She quietly replied preparing for the blast using anything to picture a dangerous situation as she closed her eyes slowly inhaling and then out open them again replacing 17 with Ilon with a sinister smirk making her nervously sweat while Agolos watched from a safe distance sitting on a tree branch a hood few feet off from the ground curiously waiting for something good to happen.
"This is gonna be interesting.. I wonder if he's watching" Agolos curiously thought as the blast flew towards Davina startling her by how fast it was travelling not reacting fast enough hitting her full on instead and had sent her flying backwards.
"Davina!" 17 yelled as Agolos quickly rushed to the rescue catching Davina just before she could hit anything rubbing her head in response of the impact as she was brought back down to the ground against in the same place she was stood before the blast hit her. 17 headed over checking if she was alright other than having a couple of scratches and ruined some of her clothes, but other than that she looked completely fine.
"Sorry.. I didn't mean to space out again" Davina apologised as 17 softly smiled ruffling her hair in response not caring if she messed up or not as they have 3 months to practice before the tournament and until then only lucky can pick for them.
"Don't worry about it.. let keep practicing, I know you'll get it at some point" 17 replied proud of the huge improvement she had made in the last couple of months as Davina can somehow keep up with not just her brother, but 17 and Vegeta which is surely something no beginner could do in such a short amount of time. What will they do if she fails? Will Nova ever be able to control her unlimited power? And can it really help the group in one of the toughest tournaments yet?