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Dende's Lookout - Present Day Earth

Goku and Rhuda arrived at Dende's Lookout. The saiyan warrior from earth grabbed the girl and took off running into the base floor of the open rooms of the Lookout, where he yelled loudly for Dende. From the inside came Dende. He was a Namekian, short, and had a youthful face and kind smile. Dende wore a red and white robe with wooden sandals.

"Oh! Hey Goku!" Dende greeted. He looked behind Goku, seeing Rhuda, and added, "Is that who I think it is?"

She bowed. "N-Nice to meet you!"

Goku ruffled her head and said, "Yep. She's the one with that crazy power. I bet you felt it all the way up here!"

Dende nodded. "I did. At first I thought it was Gohans new form, but..."

"Dafuq? Gohan has a new form?" Goku blinked. "When did that happen?"

"About three months ago. It's a long story. You can come inside and I'll tell you about it." Dende smiled.

"I'd love to but I'm short of time. I'll check him out later." Goku said. "Is the HTC up and going again yet?"

Dende nodded. "Yeah. After Freeza came and blew it up, well, it took awhile to fix..." He sighed like it was upsetting and added, "Are you interested in going in there?"

"Yup! Sure am! Oh, and I'll be taking my little student. Her name is Rhuda! Well, actually its Chisato, but Rhuda is her saiyan name. Right, Chisato?"

"Mhm."

"Remember I only extended the amount of time by one day, Goku." Dende said. His face grew serious as he added, "...I'd hate for you to get stuck in there."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't! Eh he he. I haven't been in there in forever." Goku looked excited, a huge grin on his face, "It'll be like old times!"

Rhuda, not understanding what she'd just gotten herself into, blinked at her mentor in wonder. Shallot had told her about the HTC in Conton, but the time limit there had been two days. Yet Goku had brought her here, knowing that Dende had extended the time allowed by one day.

Dende, seeing the curious Rhuda, explained: "You're wondering how that happened, right? I used the Dragon Balls a few months ago after Freeza came back stronger than ever. He fought with Gohan, and after it was over and he'd been defeated, Gohan asked to use the HTC again...only, Freeza had destroyed it. Well, to make a long story short, Shenron can only do what is within his power. That meant I could only extend the days by one to use the Time Chamber."

Rhuda nodded. She still didn't get it but figured it was enough to know that Goku wouldn't be stuck inside. What an eerie place it had to be.

Goku took her hand in his large one and beamed down at her. "I can't wait to see how strong you'll get! Are you up for it, Chisato?"

"I...I think so. Ano...that is, with Goku there." She bowed.

"Eh he he! Isn't she adorable, Dende?"

Dende smiled and nodded. "Yes. She reminds me a lot of Gohan, when he was younger."

"See? I knew it wasn't just me." Goku went on to describe the Universe Tournament coming up, and told Dende to let Gohan know about it, so he could come watch and learn about the new fighters. Dende agreed to do so, and thus Goku and Rhuda set off for the Time Chamber....

***

***

A year passed inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Nobody knew just what kind of training Goku used on Chisato. The two had both grown stronger and more prepared for the tournament by the time it was over, and when they stepped out from the Time Chamber, Dende was speechless.

Rhuda had her Primal Form on, and Gokus' hair was black, yet there was a calmness and sense of power emanating from him that was intimidating, like he'd become one with peace itself.

"Feels good to be out." Goku said. His Gi was torn to shreds but he didn't seem to mind, and began doing stretches and pushups, as though working away soreness.

Rhuda copied him, her own clothing needing replaced and badly damaged. She stretched her arms and did a few punches and kicks to the air, smiling.

"Alright!" Goku snapped his head up. "Now, are you ready for the next big lesson, piggy?"

Rhuda nodded. "Yes! I'm ready!"

And speaking about her pig tails, they were gone, in its place two braids. She'd changed her hairstyle after seeing how the long pig tails could be a hindrance in battle, per her mentors instructions. And also the fact that he'd used those pig tails against her, swinging her around by them a time or two. It had driven the point across.

"Heh hehhh! C'mon!" Goku said, taking her shoulder. He put two fingers to his head, waved to Dende whom waved back in wonder, and the two vanished.

***

***

***

Earth - Mount Paozu

"Ah. Home at last! I can't wait to get some of Chichi's cooking!" Goku said, patting his belly. He looked back at Rhuda, who hadn't moved. She was standing there a little lost, as though out of place. He turned and gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey. I've got a big surprise for you. Don't go anywhere, mmk?"

"Oh! Alright. I won't."

Goku disappeared into the home for approximately ten minutes and came back out. He was holding a pole in one arm. "Here! Catch!"

She caught the red pole and blinked at it. Goku said, "That's the power pole. Go on, try it! All ya gotta say is 'power pole extend'!"

Rhuda held it out in front of her. "Power...pole..extend!"

The red pole grew in size and Rhuda was taken for a high jump, where she balanced on the pole, wobbling, and yelled down, "Ano! How do you get it to go down?"

"Just will it to shrink down! Its easy!" Goku said, cupping his hand over his mouth to be heard.

Within a few seconds Rhuda landed back down on the grass outside his home, where she stood there staring at the pole in wonder. "Well, what do you think? I used it a lot when I was younger, and it's just been collecting dust ever since." Goku said, walking to her. She rose her head from the given pole and beamed at him. Then, with a wagging aquamarine tail, Rhuda hugged him tightly and giggled. "It's amazing! Thank you so much!"

He patted her back affectionately before leaning away, kneeling to her eye level. "Chisato. I've already talked with Chichi about it, but I want to make sure you're on board."

"Eh? What is it, master?"

Goku took her tiny shoulders and gazed at his student, whom had become a special friend and ally. "...I'm not exactly getting any younger. For awhile now, both me and Vegeta have been kinda..well, looking for someone to pass our skills to. I've already given you most of what I know. Not only that, but...one day the Universe will be in your hands. Until that day comes, or when you marry Trunks and stuff, I was hoping you'd let me and Chichi watch over you."

"..."

The girl was speechless. She'd not been expecting to hear that at all, and cocked her head to the side cutely, wondering why it was so that Goku had taken a shine to her. "Y-You...want me to stay here, master?" She asked.

He nodded. "Yep. Well, I know you're not really as old as your body is. You said you're eighteen now, right?"

"Mhm."

"And even from before coming to this game, you didn't have a true family." He added, furrowing his brows sympathetically. Again she nodded. Goku took her hand in his and squeezed it. "Well, the thing is, I kinda see you as a daughter I never had. What I'm saying is, I want to be your family. Not just me, but Chichi and Gohan and Goten, too."

As his words sank in the girls eyes grew blurry. So blurry she couldn't see her master Goku anymore, and she sniffed a little. Her lower lip trembled and after a moment of trying to hold back, Rhuda burst into tears. Goku pulled her to his chest and smiled, "Plus...I always did want a daughter. He he!"

"M-Master...I'm not...w-worth that." Her words were muffled by his hug, and Goku squished her tighter. "You totally are, Chisato! I know your dad was a real piece of work, but I wanna be your new Dad. And I'll never treat you like he did. I promise!"

Rhuda couldn't believe Goku wanted to adopt her. She'd always longed for a family, a loving one, and didn't think that would ever happen. Yet here she stood, as a saiyan in a game, being asked by the most strong of characters and of heart, to be their daughter. It didn't matter anymore to the girl that she was also a character as it had became her life.

A new one.

"I...I think master is the best. I-I'm just so happy...ano...I'm sorry!"

"No, no don't be. It's okay to cry, ya know? But hey. That food is gettin' cold in there."

After she had cleaned her face of happy tears, they rose. Goku took his blue sweatband and dabbed at his own eyes, grinning. "See? Even I cry every now and then. Let's go eat!"

"Mhm!"

***

***

***

Capsule Industries - LAB

His father came in the LAB, seeing his son and heir hard at work repairing the simulator. "Trunks."

"Hm? Oh, hey Father." Trunks stood and dusted his lab coat and walked over, pushing his glasses up. "Did you need me for something?"

"You mean you didn't feel that?" Vegeta asked. He flicked his dark eyes to the side, adding, "Kakarot and Rhuda are back."

Trunks had been so focused on his task and thinking deeply that he'd missed their return. He took time to sense their energies, and judging by the distance, they were at Gokus' home in the mountains of Paozu. "Yeah, you're right. Wow...they must have trained a lot in there."

"Hn. While you've been toying away on those gadgets, your girlfriend has surpassed you in power."

Ah. So that's why he came.

"...Well, with all due respect, Father, I've not had time to train here lately."

"There's always time to train!" Vegeta snapped. He scowled at his son and added, "It's OUR turn next. I'm not letting you waste away trying to 'please' everyone. You're going to get stronger, and surpass Kakarot and Rhuda!"

Trunks reluctantly nodded. It would put him behind on the PQ simulator, as well as delay the blueprints he needed to finish for the Nest, in order to keep Fu out. Both of those things were important, but so was his fathers' pride. "Alright. I'll meet you tonight, then."

"No. We're going to pay them a little visit first. I want to see for myself just how strong they've become." Vegeta turned, saying over his shoulder, "You're the heir to my throne. If anything were to...happen to me, it's up to you to take my place. Do you understand, Trunks?"

"...Father..."

Vegeta had never spoken like that before. Where had that came from? Trunks didn't know, but he bowed. "Yeah. I'll do my best."

"Let's get going. We're wasting time here."

***

***

Goku's Home - Mount Paozu

Trunks landed beside his father just outside the tiny home belonging to Goku. He could sense his girlfriends' power within, and said, "I think they're eating right now."

"Of course they're eating. Don't worry, they'll come out when it's over."

While they waited, Trunks sat down on the grass crossed legged and thought on what to do about Fu. He would no doubt try and do something else, but what? Even after reading through his notes, it didn't help, because Trunks had changed the present by preventing Shallot and Chisatos death in the real world. It meant that the current game he was playing had to be different, based on those changes. It also meant that Trunks had to think even harder, be even smarter than he already was, in order to outwit the creators.

Shallot had went back to the real world, and Trunks had told him to investigate the whereabouts of Matsuri, who had been part of the team of researchers and programmers that made Xenoverse 3. When Shallot came back, it would hopefully help them defeat their common enemy, but as to what to do from there, Trunks was still at a loss.

Trunks' thoughts broke off as soon as Rhuda stepped out from Gokus' home. As he'd thought, her new form was there, and the sight of it made his pulse race. Her hair was braided in two braids going down, front bangs spiked backwards, and sunset eyes glowing. Her tail matched, popping out from the new orange Gi she sported with Gokus' Kanji. To put it simply, Trunks couldn't help but be both intimidated and attracted to that power. His tiny girlfriend didn't look so tiny, having grown two inches, and she saw him and ran over. "Ah! I thought it was you."

"So you can sense energy now?" He asked.

"Y-Yes!" She grinned, and he could see cute fangs inside her mouth.

Goku yawned and popped his head out. "Heya! Stop by to see little ole me, Vegeta?"

"Hn. Of course."

Vegeta took in Gokus' new Ki. It had changed, transforming even his base form into that of Mastered Ultra Instinct. The prince smirked. "You finally did it. Took you long enough."

"Yeah, I'll say! A whole year." Goku grinned, then said of Rhuda, "It helped that my daughter was there pushing me to my limits. You'd be surprised what she can do when she puts her mind to it."

"What, so you're saying you---her--" Vegeta pointed to them, before growling, "--You can't just ADOPT her like THAT!"

"Why not? I don't see the problem." Goku shrugged. "It's not like she's got any other family here, well, other than Broly. But I don't really see him as a son. He can be her Uncle. Yeah."

Vegeta smacked his forehead and drug his hand down his face. He released a sigh and pinched his nose. "I-It doesn't matter! She's going to marry Trunks, and then I'LL be her father!"

At that Goku smirked. He tutted Vegeta, "Not without getting MY blessing! Eh he heh!"

Trunks, who had been listening, grew red in the face. He stared at Rhuda, who apparently had gotten quite close to Goku in the year they'd spent, and smiled a little. "...Yeah. I uh, I do huh."

Rhuda giggled, beaming at her boyfriend sitting on the grass. She'd missed him terribly, and wanted nothing more than to spend time with him. He must have sensed it, for his blue eyes softened.

He held out his brown gloved hand. "A whole year in there. Looks like you've grown a lot."

"Y-Yes! I'm taller, see?" She pointed to her head, holding his hand tightly.

Trunks hadn't been referring to her height, or her new power level. There was happiness inside the girl, one he could feel. A sense of belonging. Then it dawned on him that she was a year older, too. "Your...birthday came and went." He said, slightly miffed.

In truth he'd wanted to throw her a party. He knew that she'd never had one before, and treated her birth day as just any other day, and hadn't received any gifts for it since her mother had left. Trunks couldn't help but crinkle his nose, having missed it.

"I-It did. Dad gave me a present, though."

Dad? Oh yeah. Goku. Right.

Rhuda ran inside and came back out with the power pole. "See?"

"The power pole..." Trunks smiled. "It uh, it fits you."

Goku nodded in agreement. "The power pole has a life of its own, kinda. But it accepted Chisato right away. I think it wanted a new owner."

Vegeta listened to them and broke in, "Trunks and I are going in there, too. You won't be leaving us behind."

"Really? You, too, Trunks?" Goku asked.

"Yeah. I uh, well...I need to keep sharp."

Chichi walked out. She was carrying a load of laundry, and saw them all talking. Goten, too, exited the home. "Trunks! Vegeta!" Goten said, walking to them. "I see you've met my new sister."

Goten, being fifteen in age, hiked his thumb to Rhuda. He smirked triumphantly. "She's 'Son Rhuda' now. And she agreed to train me."

Trunks smiled. "Yeah. I'm sure she'll be a great teacher."

They watched Chichi walk over to Rhuda, and she took the basket of laundry. Together mother and daughter left to hang them up to dry.

Trunks couldn't help that his eyes burned. His girlfriend, whom had wanted nothing more than a loving family, had finally found one. Her happiness was his, and he quickly stood up before he truly did shed a tear. "...C-Chisato," he called.

"Hm?" She looked over her shoulder at him, seeing the dewiness within his eyes.

Trunks grinned. "I'll pick you up in a few hours. Before I, ya know, go train."

Chichi crossed her arms and glared. "Oh no you don't mister! You've got to ask her Dad first! Right, Goku?"

Goku rubbed his neck, giving Trunks a pleading look, and said, "Uh...yeah! Sure! Go ahead, you two. Just uh, have her back before...dark?"

Everyone, including Vegeta, couldn't help but laugh. It would seem even Goku had a new adventure ahead, one involving a tiny little saiyan girl from earth called Rhuda.