The Days Before the Tournament

*crunch crunch crunch*

Orange and brown leaves crunched underfoot and a crisp chill filled the air as a group walked through a similarly colored forest.

One of them was a young teen with Crimson red hair, roughly similar in age as the other young man with black hair, and a monkey tail extending from his backside. His matched the tails of the other three people, a young boy who excitedly ran ahead of the others with darker skin, the only full grown man of the group that was covered in bright red fur, and the youngest boy of the lot with fiery orange and gold hair that was happily riding his shoulders.

Alex led the boys, Millicas, Gohan, Alec, and Regal, along the woodsy path as they wandered aimlessly amongst the fallen leaves.

While usually he took them fishing when he wanted to spend time with them, Alex decided to try something different this time by taking them into the woods to admire the fall time atmosphere, though Alec seemed to be more interested in kicking leaves.

Alex had long since gained proper control over the seasons of Asora so they weren't dependent on the world they currently occupied. Thankfully this meant they also had much shorter and milder seasons instead of an entire year of burning summer heat, or freezing winter cold.

Currently they were in the cusp of autumn, the favorite season of the Youkai, Devils and Fallen Angels due to the excess of supernatural energies in the air.

It was also the favorite season of Alex's most recent wife to carry his child, Artemis, as it was the prime season to hunt dear and elk as they entered their rut. With her fresh into her pregnancy, the goddess of the hunt had still been excitedly bringing them plenty of venison to eat before she would be forced to rest for the remainder of her term.

Alex meanwhile, was simply enjoying the serene fall atmosphere with his sons and the two older boys as they walked, until he suddenly asked Gohan,

"So how's school going?" The young Saiyan adopted an awkward look at that, before he answered,

"It's ok I guess. I've been getting challenged a lot lately though..." Alex smiled wryly when he heard that, while also directing a look upwards at the planet that now hovered above Asora, planet Sadala.

Almost immediately after they killed the space pirate captain Francis, Sala and Caulifla led the charge as they each attacked the other of the two captains in an effort to outdo the other, ending the war within a few days. After that Alex did as he promised, and moved the entirety of planet Sadala to the space above Asora, allowing the Saiyans to be closer to better serve him.

"Ever since those other Saiyans started attending the Academy, they began challenging me almost every day... The guys keep calling me Aniki(big bro) even if they're older, and the girls keep trying to flirt with me, though Brunch seems to be taking care of that."

Alex's smile only grew wryer as he 'peeked' at said girls, only to see Brunch educating them on who reigned at the top of the hierarchy of Gohan's apparent harem. Though harems were a complete unknown to the Saiyans of earth, it appeared Brunch took a page from Yukari's book and decided that the more women Gohan was with, the better his status.....so long as she was the main wife. The guys on the other hand would simply keep bugging Gohan due to the vast gap in strength, as he was the only Saiyan his age that had attained the SSJ2, which they all aspired for.

It wasn't as if Alex was completely without his own problems after moving the Saiyans to Asora though, as more or less the same thing was continuously happening to him as well, especially after everyone saw the difference in Sala and Caulifla's strength after only a week with him. The Saiyan men wanted to become his direct subordinates or students, while Alex had received what amounted to a proposal from several hundred Saiyan women in the short time since they became settled.

Alex of course had turned them all down, as the seven Saiyan women he currently had were enough for him, though Sala intended to form her own female squadron to compete with Caulifla's clan. On top of that, Kale's desire to join his harem hadn't waned in the slightest since she began her training and started attending the Academy. In fact, her desire seemed to be increasing by the day as she worked harder and harder to master her powers as quickly as possible.

So, knowing perfectly well what Gohan was going through, Alex ruffled his hair and said,

"I know exactly how you feel, and all I can say is that I know you can handle it!" Gohan laughed dryly at that, while Millicas got a far off look in his eyes as he recalled the problems he was experiencing with his own Peerage/harem. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, the young Gremory said,

"Oh yeah! Miss Sona also offered Gohan his own Peerage recently too!" That caught Alex's attention, as he raised his brows and looked at the younger Saiyan pointedly. Gohan however flinched lightly, and said,

"Yeah..... But I'm not sure if I want a Peerage..." Having spent his entire life being made to study by his mother to become a civil servant, or training with his father to protect the planet, Gohan had never put much thought into what he wanted to do in the future until Alex asked him before. But even after all this time, he still didn't know.

Surprisingly though, Alex ruffled Gohan's hair again, messing it up as he did so, and said,

"That's alright. You're still young enough that you can take your time deciding what you want to do. Take this time while you're in school to explore what you like to do, and start from there. The only real wrong answer is one that makes you unhappy." Gohan was silent as he contemplated Alex advice, and for a while no one else said anything until Alec cried out,

"Dad, look!" Alex looked up and smiled as he sighted one of the very animals Artemis loved to hunt most, a truly massive bull elk.

The bull stood at the crest of a small hill in the clearing ahead, staring at their group as if studying them. He stood nearly seven feet tall at the top of his head, with an extra five feet just from his antlers alone.

*HUFF*

The bull breathed out heavily as it stared at their group, exhaling a cloud of steam in the chilled air and kicking one of its forward hooves as it did so. The body of the bull was covered in a light brown/tan fur, while the shoulders and head were darker in color, and thicker in length.

The bull then threw back its head, and released a deep yet high pitched bugle that echoed everywhere around them for miles. Then, as if answering its call as the bull turned to walk away, well over a hundred smaller cow and calf elk flooded out from the tree line as they made to follow the bull.

The boys were wide eyed as they gazed upon the herd of elk, while Alex then lifted Alec up alongside his brother so both of them could get a good look.

For several minutes the air was filled with the sound of the herd's thundering hooves as they followed the lead of their bull, with several of them turning back to look at the guys curiously before continuing on their way. Even as Artemis made the most of the rutting season, the vast majority of elk and other game animals have had minimal to no contact with people in Asora for their entire lives, so there was no fear in them whatsoever as they watched Alex and the boys.

When the last calf disappeared within the tree line, trotting along playfully behind its mother, Alex looked at the boys as he quietly asked,

"So, what did you think?" Regal was still stunned since he had never seen such a thing before, while Alec slowly uttered,

"That....was....AWSOME!"

Though Alex wanted to reprimand his son for being too loud, as he'd scare away any of the more skittish animals they might encounter, he decided to do so later so as not to ruin his excitement. Millicas and Gohan meanwhile were both still silent, as neither had ever seen such a sight themselves either.

While Millicas had grown up the heir of the Gremory family, and hadn't gone on many trips like this before in the past, Gohan actually lived in the mountains away from civilization all his life. Despite this though, he had never seen such a thing before since dinosaurs tended to rule the wilds, making it hard to find the smaller game like deer and elk.

Setting Alec on his shoulder alongside Regal, Alex placed a hand on the other two's shoulders as he began to silently lead them to their next destination.

***

"Good job out there today Kiwi, Apricot." A certain beautiful girl with long green hair said as she caressed the beaks of two Chocobos, who happily squawked back at her.

""KWEEE!""

The girl, Run Elsie Jewelria, smiled at their excitement as she fed them some of their favorite Gyshal Greens. She was the princess of the planet Memorze, and the 'childhood friend'(rival) of the despicable Lala after being subject to numerous troubles by the other princess when they were growing up.

Now however she was an idol of Asora, working under Ingvild while also not being a part of her peerage due to the fact that she wasn't truly good at combat. Someone who did however join Ingvild's peerage, was Run's best and closest friend who was currently in their shared dressing room, Kirisake Kyoko.

Kyoko was a Flamian/human hybrid that was born and raised on earth, who eventually went on to star in her own television show, Magical Kyouko. After the idol Run guest starred on her show as a new villain, they quickly became friends with Kyoko also appearing on stage with her numerous times to sing, just like she had tonight.

Now Kyoko once again had her own show under Serafall's network, and she even guest starred on Serafall's own show, Magical Girl Levia-tan, numerous times and vice versa.

Returning to her dressing room, Run found said Kyoko as she finished undressing and said,

"Thank you for joining me tonight, it was a lot of fun!" Run said excitedly, to which Kyoko replied with a smile,

"No problem. It's nice to get back on stage occasionally, and Kiwi and Apricot were both really cool, you did good work with them." Run puffed out her chest proudly at the praise, as she did work hard training the two Chocobos to appear with her during her performances, which they both also loved.

Even tonight, the duo had danced and used their abilities to create a spectacular show for her audience, like using the ability Meteor to create a star shower overhead. Meanwhile Kyoko had also used her fire powers from being half Flamian to also add numerous special effects to the show.

Run was humming happily as she stripped out of the dress she'd worn in the show, earning her a look from Kyoko as she made her way to the shower to wash off the makeup, glitter, and hair products. She was glad that her fiend seemed so happy now, which seemed almost like a dream compared to when they first arrived to Asora.

While everyone was depressed and horrified at first from the treatment they had received at 'his' hands, Run had been the worst due to the death of her brother, Ren, which she had been forced to do with her own hands.

As an adaption for the harsh environment they were born into, the people of Memorze were all born twins with both male and female counterparts, who would alternate between each other for control over their shared body. When they matured though, the twins would eventually split to become two separate entities.

So, Run had been forced to kill the one person who had constantly been with her since birth, which impacted her far more than those who had been forced to kill their boyfriends or husbands, or even just simply watched them die. And while Kyoko would still find her friend crying sometimes as she lamented her brother and first love, Rito, she was grateful to the man who had been helping them both recover from their trauma from day one.

As Run finished stripping and joined her in the shower, so too did someone that neither of them noticed arriving, as he wrapped his large hands and thick arms around them and said,

"Your show was amazing Run, Kyoko." The two girls smiled warmly as they leaned into the embrace of the similarly naked man, though a good portion of his body was covered in fur, Alex.

"You could have told us you were coming darling." Run cooed as she twirled her finger through Alex's fur, making him chuckle as he said,

"And ruin the surprise?" Run just mock pouted in response, even as she nuzzled closer to him, while Kyoko closed her eyes and relaxed herself in Alex's arms.

In her entire life, there had only been one man who managed to move her heart and make her feel protected like Alex did, and of course that same man had been the one that Kyoko's best friend had fallen for, Yuuki Rito. While she had once had to battle the feelings of betrayal that filled her from her own budding feelings, no such problems plagued Kyoko now since it was hard to betray your friend when the man in question 'collected' women like trading cards.

Neither her nor Run minded though, as what they both sought was comfort and support, which they received endlessly through either Alex himself, or his numerous wives and even children.

Even then, though he could and neither one would argue against it, Alex didn't take advantage of the two women as he merely washed their bodies for them after a tiring performance. Yes, they reacted slightly when he washed the more 'sensitive' areas, and yes, Alex's fingers did perhaps get a bit naughty when he washed these areas.

But in the end nothing happened this time as they finished their shower, and all three collapsed onto the large sofa that was also present in the dressing room, not at all for situations like this. Nope, not at all.

Hours passed as Alex alternated between kissing the two lovely women in his arms, his fingers tracing gently over their porcelain smooth skin while they played with her fur.

"This is nice." Run uttered quietly, while both Alex and Kyoko silently agreed with her.

And like that, the trio relaxed for as long as they wanted with time within the dressing room moving at a different pace than time outside, letting Alex spend as much time as the girls wanted with him to cuddle and snuggle.

***

The night before the tournament finally started, the otherwise serene atmosphere was disrupted by the continuous beat and rhythm of techno based music, which originated from the same source as the numerous lights that kept that area of Asora lit, the nightclub Pandora's Box.

While normally such a name would seem intimidating to those who knew the legend of Pandora's box, the fact that the club was owned and operated entirely by the Pandora that called Asora home reassured those who visited it.

At that moment, the owner of said club was on one of the elevated platforms and looked down at the main dance floor below her with a smile as she watched everyone having fun. Among her many visitors were Youkai, Devils, Fallen Angels, humans, Demigods, and she was even sure she saw Dionysus in the corner surrounded by women and wine glasses.

"If even the God of parties himself is here, then I must be doing something right." Chiffon Fairchild muttered with a pleased expression, making her even more grateful that she managed to convince Grayfia to let her have a few days off a week to run her club.

It had become the number one hangout for nightlife in Asora after just a few days, much to Heaven's frustration since they disapproved of such establishments. With Alex's laws though, while they could protest all they wanted, they couldn't directly harass Chiffon or her visitors without restraint.

And as the beat dropped and got even louder, even Chiffon couldn't resist swaying her hips in time to it as she too began to dance. At that time though, a pair of rough and large hands found themselves on her waist, as the man they belonged to whispered in her ear,

"You're looking a little lonely here miss. Mind if I keep you company?" Chiffon smiled playfully as she leaned back and rubbed her butt on him sensually, and replied,

"I don't know, I have a pretty 'scary' boyfriend you know~." The man chuckled in her ear, his hands slowly moving up her sides until her was groping her breasts over her dress as he said to her,

"I think I'll take my chances." Chiffon didn't say anything as she simply continued moving her body with the music, even as the man also danced while groping and pawing her.

Eventually the 'mystery' man turned her around to face him, putting his face incredibly close to her own as their lips nearly touched. Meanwhile his hands transitioned from her breasts to her hips, and then down to her butt, cupping it and pulling her closer so that their bodies were pressed up against one another.

"Mm... What would the people think if they saw their beloved emperor now?" She asked playfully, earning a smirk from Alex as he replied,

"You mean the same emperor who has a collection of hundreds of women at his beck and call? And will shamelessly shirk his duties to participate in orgies with them?" Chiffon was silent for a moment as she processed this, before acknowledging Alex's point as she went back to dancing.

They didn't get long to enjoy each other's company though, as a sudden commotion on the dance floor below them drew both of their attention.

*CRASH!*

A man went flying as she crashed hard onto a table, smashing it to pieces in the process. No one rushed to help him up though, especially when they saw that the one who sent him flying was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, and a bladed weapon in her hands.

There was a cold look in Stella's eyes as she approached the man, who had shamelessly tried to grope her after she rejected his offer to dance. With her prided weapon Nova Blood pointed at his neck, she stated with an icy chill in her voice,

"This establishment does not tolerate such crass and disrespectful behavior, especially to its employees. Now get out! And if I ever see you here again I'll take both your hands so you can never lay them on a woman again!" Though anyone in their right mind would back off at such a threat, the man only seemed to grow emboldened due to drugs and alcohol in his system as he snarled,

"Do you know who I am?!" Even though he intended to present himself as someone powerful and to be respected from Universe Seven, the people around him snorted as they began muttering,

"Poor guy, he thinks his life means something to us."

"Doesn't he know not to lay hands on the 'Untouchable Queen'?"

"If she doesn't kill you then her 'master' will."

These and more comments flew around them even as more women began to surround the guy menacingly, Rana, and a few others that were employed by Chiffon to keep the peace in her club.

Growing angrier by the minute, the man leapt to his feet with the intention of teaching Stella and the others to respect the warriors of Universe Seven, but before he could a new voice asked behind him,

"Can't you be more original?" The man whirled around to snap at the man who appeared behind him, but when he realized who the speaker was he sobered up instantly as a single thought went through his mind,

'What is the bloody Dragon Emperor doing in a nightclub?'

Even as he became engulfed in fear though, Alex had a smile on his face as he clapped the man on the shoulder and said,

"Hey, I'm not going to bite. But I am going to have to ask you to leave, especially since the women you assaulted belongs to me." Paling with each word Alex said, the man quickly nodded as he said,

"O-o-of course! I-I-I-I'll be on my way!"the man then tried to leave, but Alex's grip on his shoulder didn't lessen in the slightest. Instead, it seemed to get even stronger as the Dragon Emperor said,

"Well don't let me slow you down. In fact I'll personally see you out!" Though he wanted to say that wasn't necessary, the man never got the chance as he became enveloped in mist, and found himself free falling above the ocean.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo-"

His screaming voice was then cut off as the mist vanished, leaving the nightclub in silence for the first time that night. Alex looked around at this, before saying,

"Hey! Isn't it supposed to be a party in here!"

Everyone cheered at his declaration as the music started back up, and people began dancing with the same energy as before. Meanwhile a certain blonde approached Alex, and asked,

"Did you kill him?" Alex shook his head though as he told her,

"Not directly, but if he wants to live then he'd have to at least be able to swim the hundred or so miles to shore. It should be fairly easy for him to do if he's half as good as he thinks he is though." Stella hummed slightly in acknowledgement, not really caring if the man lived or died, but she was distracted suddenly when Alex grabbed her waist and pulled her in close.

"!!!"

The people around them wisely looked away as the 'Untouchable Queen' suddenly became a meek maiden the moment Alex touched her, looking away bashfully before he lightly used a finger to make her look at him once more, and sealed her lips with his own.

Stella melted in the kiss as Alex began to guide her body to move in tune with the music, and the two began to dance. This was something that those from West Genetics, the biggest institution for training Pandora and their Limiters, would never have imagined possible before they ended up in Asora.

The duo ignored all of the looks and stares though as they steadily danced together, until another certain Pandora jumped in as she declared,

"Hey! You can't be monopolizing Alex like this Stella!" Rana made herself known as she tried to insert herself into Alex and Stella's dance, angering the Untouchable Queen as she pouted cutely,

"Why are you always bugging us Rana?!" The other Pandora shrugged as she replied,

"I don't know, but it feels right to do so!"

As the duo began bickering Alex issued a wry smile before pulling both of them close in each arm, and saying,

"Alright ladies that enough. Let's save the drama for later and just enjoy ourselves now." Though Stella still pouted at how her time with Alex was interrupted, she didn't say anything as they slowly danced as a trio while Rana had a smug smirk on her face.

Alex however looked up towards the catwalk where he knew a certain Pandora was watching them, and mouthed an apology to Chiffon for their time together being cut short. Chiffon nodded slowly in acceptance of his apology, but when Alex looked away her closed eyes sharpened.

"Tomorrow, will be interesting." She muttered to herself in a quiet voice, one that no one would have heard over the booming music.

Though they had recovered quite a bit from what 'he' had done to them, Chiffon intended to remind the Pandora of Asora WHO they were and where they came from. And she intended to show everyone why she had been known, as the 'Unmatched Smiling Monster'.

***

The next day, a collective cheer exploded out from the colosseum as millions of people flooded in, all of who were able to sit comfortably within due to the application of Spatial magic.

In the actual arena of the colosseum itself was tens of thousands of fighters from all across the universe, Asora, Earthland, DXD, and as well as two fighters from Universe Six, Sala and Caulifla.

Standing upon a platform that floated up above the contestants was a man dressed in a suit, wore sunglasses, and had blonde hair that was slicked up and back. The man excitedly raised the microphone in his hand, and cried out,

"ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLE?!?!?!"