About a month had passed after the events that happened previously. The world was still largely at peace after Pepkorn's attack. The Grand Battlers were all alive, Taro and Jimaka lived with Baezel and his family, and Phoenix was living with Radichio and Draft. Taro and Baezel were sparring in the backyard, with Taro dominating the battle for the most part. He kicked Baezel into a fence, but before hurtling through the fence and breaking it, Baezel used Teleportation to appear behind Taro and attack him. Unfortunately, it didn't really do anything to Taro, as he then grabbed Baezel's leg and spun him around, throwing him headfirst into the fence. And in the end, it broke anyway. "You win, buddy!" Baezel shouted. He ripped his head out of the fence and shook the wood chips out of his hair, before getting up. "I can feel myself getting stronger every day while training with you, Baezel," Taro said. "But I can sense that you're getting diminishing returns with your training." Baezel looked at him funny, only to realize that he was right. He was still training and getting stronger, yes, but his gains from training were getting smaller and smaller by the day. It was still fun, but Baezel felt that perhaps he needed a break. The world needed a break from planet-ending threats. A break from genocidal paragons of vengeance like Pepkorn, Artificial Saiyan menaces like Nori and Baezel Yami, or conquest-loving immortal demon queens like Zendoria. The Grand Battlers as a whole needed a LONG break from Earth, just so that they wouldn't go insane from stress.
"You ever feel like...well, you've barely been on this planet, but personally, I feel like I need a break. From Earth," Baezel said. "This planet is my home, but God...being a bunch of unpaid superheroes for the past 30 years of your life is exhausting as hell." He let out a sigh that signified a heavy weight had been lifted off of his chest. He walked back inside his house, and began to operate the kettle. He waited for the water to boil, while eating a pepperoni stick. Okara was playing a mobile game on her phone, as she then looked back up at her dad. "Hold on. Did I hear you correctly back there, dad?" Okara said in a confused manner. "Since when does the strongest person in the universe wanna take a break from fighting? You love fighting!" Turning the kettle off, he told his daughter, "I know. But come on, sometimes we need a break! Don't you think it's exhausting, having to constantly worry about the next time your friends and family are gonna get violently murdered again because some genocidal asshole wants revenge on me or some shit?" He grabbed his mug from the cupboard and put a peppermint teabag into it, before pouring the hot water inside and sipping his peppermint tea.
The house was calm and quiet, yet was filled with an aura of exhaustion being emitted by Baezel. Okara continued to play her mobile game, Baezel continued drinking his tea, and Dana continued to file their taxes. It stayed this way for a couple of calm minutes. Suddenly, right as Baezel was about to take another sip, he heard a knock at the door. "Honey, can you get that for me?" Baezel asked. "I don't wanna bother teleporting to the door." Dana sighed slightly, as she got up from the couch and opened the door. Turns out, it was Phoenix and Radichio! "Oh, what a pleasant surprise! Baezel, it's Phoenix and Radichio!" Dana shouted. "Come in, come in." Baezel got up from his seat, motioning for Okara to do so as well. The two of them walked over into the living room, as the five of them sat down together around a table. "So what's the occasion?" Baezel asked, confused. Phoenix smirked, as she turned her gaze from Radichio to Baezel. "Well, this was originally gonna be a me and Raddy thing only, but I figured that I might invite the entire team."
Now Baezel was intrigued. He sat closer on the couch to listen better. Clearing her throat, she announced, "I'm taking y'all on an trans-planetary trip! To Planet Stoicheio, my homeworld." Baezel's eyebrow raised with intrigue. "This sounds interesting...but why should I come along?" Walking up to him, she whispered, "You'll be able to fight my friends. They're really strong." With joy, he shouted out, "You had me at 'really strong!' Come on, guys, let's go inform everyone else! Dana, Okara, you two wanna come?" The mother-daughter duo was a little surprised. They haven't seen Baezel this happy in a hot minute.
Dana glanced at Okara, their faces mirroring a mix of surprise and amusement. Baezel's usual stoicism had been replaced with an almost childlike glee at the prospect of facing worthy opponents. "Hold your space horses, Baezel," Dana chuckled, wiping her hands on her apron. "Let's hear Phoenix out before we start packing our space bags." Phoenix, ever the diplomat, gave a warm smile. "It's not a requirement, of course. Stoicheio is a beautiful planet, with incredible landscapes and a rich culture. I thought it would be a nice change of scenery after everything you've all been through." She gestured towards Baezel. "And for some friendly competition, of course."
"Competition, huh?" Radichio chimed in, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Sounds like our Saiyan here isn't the only one itching for a good fight." Baezel's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. He remembered Taro and Jimaka discussing their intention to stay on Earth and find work. "Actually," he began, scratching the back of his head. "There are a few things we need to discuss before we get ahead of ourselves. Taro and Jimaka mentioned staying on Earth to get settled, and..." The door creaked open before Baezel could finish. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, was Lemogras. "Heard there was talk of a trip?" he inquired, his voice gruff as always. Parakess followed close behind, a neutral expression on his face. The arrival of the two Saiyans completed the Grand Battlers' reunion.
"Well, this is convenient," Dana remarked, her eyebrows raised. "Phoenix here is offering to take us all on a vacation to her homeworld, Planet Stoicheio." A collective murmur of curiosity filled the room. Lemogras stroked his chin thoughtfully. "A vacation, you say? Interesting proposition, Mom." Parakess remained silent, his gaze flickering between Phoenix and the rest of the team. Baezel cleared his throat, gesturing towards Dana and Okara. "Now, the thing is, some of us might have to stay behind to keep an eye on Earth. Phoenix, would it be alright if only a few of us came?"
Phoenix shook her head reassuringly. "Of course! Stoicheio is large enough to accommodate all of us comfortably. The more the merrier, as they say." A slow grin spread across Okara's face. "So, we're actually going to another planet? That's so cool!" Dana, ever the responsible one, raised a finger. "Hold on, sweetie. There are still logistics to consider. Work, school..."
"Mom, come on!" Okara pleaded, her eyes wide with excitement. "What are the chances of getting to visit another planet in your lifetime?"
"Probably about the same as you not dying again," Lemogras whispered under his breath. Okara rolled her eyes at her older brother's sarcastic remark.
The tension in the living room hung thick in the air. Okara's wide-eyed excitement clashed with Dana's practical concerns, while the newly arrived Saiyans added a layer of stoic curiosity. Even Radichio, usually eager for a fight, seemed to be waiting for the bigger picture to unfold.
Baezel, still buzzing from Phoenix's offer, realized he needed to take charge. "Alright everyone, settle down," he boomed, his voice regaining a hint of its usual leadership. "Let's hear Phoenix out completely before we dive into logistics." He gestured to her, "Tell us more about Planet Stoicheio, Phoenix. What kind of challenges could we expect?"
Phoenix, ever the diplomat, smiled brightly. "The planet is diverse, with breathtaking landscapes – geothermal hot springs, crystal caves, and even floating islands! But the real treasure of Stoicheio is its people. They're skilled martial artists, known for their mastery of a fighting style that emphasizes fluidity and precision. I thought you all might enjoy some friendly sparring."
Her eyes darted towards Radichio, who winked in response, a competitive glint in his eyes. Lemogras, however, remained unconvinced. He scoffed, "Friendly sparring, huh? Sounds more like an opportunity to get our asses handed to us by some fancy alien fighters."
Parakess, ever the silent observer, simply raised an eyebrow at Lemogras' bluntness. Phoenix, unfazed, countered with a playful smile, "Let's just say you won't be disappointed."
The conversation flowed back and forth, a mix of excitement and apprehension. Okara squealed with delight at the prospect of visiting another planet, while Dana listed all the reasons why it was probably a terrible idea (school, work, houseplants). Jimaka, who had just entered the living room from the bathroom, exchanged a knowing glance.
Finally, Taro stepped forward, a sheepish grin on his face. "Hey guys, sorry we're late. We were just..." He trailed off, catching the drift of the conversation. "Wait, another planet? You're all going to...?"
Baezel chuckled, "Yeah, buddy. Seems Phoenix here is offering to take us all on a vacation to her homeworld."
Taro and Jimaka exchanged another glance, this one filled with disappointment. Jimaka cleared his throat. "Listen, that sounds amazing, truly," he said, his voice gruff but sincere. "But we, uh, we were actually planning on staying on Earth for a while. You know, find somewhere else to stay, get settled in on Earth..." A wave of understanding washed over the room. Everyone knew Earth still needed protectors, even with things being peaceful for now. Baezel nodded, placing a hand on Jimaka's shoulder. "Completely understandable, my friend. Earth needs strong warriors like you two to stay behind."
Dana, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "Exactly. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on these clowns while they're off gallivanting across the galaxy." She shot a playful glare at her husband and daughter, who both sheepishly grinned. Phoenix, sensing the shift in mood, spoke up. "Of course, that's perfectly fine! Stoicheio has plenty of room, but staying on Earth is noble too. It all depends on what everyone wants."
The next few minutes were filled with discussion. Lemogras, surprisingly, seemed intrigued by the idea of a vacation, while Parakess remained enigmatic, offering no clear answer. As the conversation continued, one thing became clear – the Grand Battlers, for the first time in a long time, had a chance for a break, a chance to relax, explore, and maybe even find some friendly competition on another world. But the decision of who would stay and who would go remained… to be decided.
But someone else wasn't happy. Within the depths of Hell, a low growl rumbled through the saccharine landscape of fluffy pink clouds and chirping birds. Here, amidst the torment of eternal rainbows and glitter showers, a certain tyrant simmered with unholy rage. Freeza, the former emperor of the universe, had been spending his fifteen years not in fire and brimstone, but in a torture far worse: Happy Fun Land.He was surrounded by a gaggle of giggling imps, forced to wear a garish pink tutu and a flower crown that reeked of sunshine and cotton candy. Fairies flitted around him, sprinkling glitter and singing sickeningly cheerful songs about friendship and sharing. Teddy bears materialized at his feet, their beady eyes staring up at him with an unnerving innocence. Every fiber of his being screamed with rage."This... This is UNACCEPTABLE!" Freeza roared, his voice echoing through the sickeningly cheerful landscape. His white reptilian body, once coiled in rage, was now bundled up in a ratty cocoon woven from the endless supply of itchy yarn the imps kept providing. The only escape from the incessant torment was a small opening at the top, where his head poked out, a crown of wilted daisies perched precariously on his head."Taro..." he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. The name echoed in the strange, pastel prison. It had been Taro, the low-class Saiyan backwater trash, who had thwarted him on Namek with that Legendary Super Saiyan power of his. It was Taro who had stood in his way of ultimate power, of immortality. This humiliation, this Happy Fun land, was all thanks to him.A cruel smile twisted Freeza's lips. But unlike the helpless rage that had consumed him before, this was a cold, calculating fury. He spent those fifteen years not just fuming, but strategizing. His physical training was limited in this ridiculous cocoon, but his mind? His mind was a steel trap, focused solely on one objective: escape, and revenge. He had dissected every detail of his defeat, every weakness he'd foolishly exposed. He had envisioned every way he would torture the life out of Taro before finally ending him.News, it seemed, even trickled down to this infernal daycare. Whispers of the Demon Queen Zendoria's demise had reached him, a spark of hope amidst the sugary torment. If the strongest demon in the universe could be usurped, then escape from this ridiculous prison was surely within his grasp. "No... I will not be broken," Freeza vowed, his voice hardening with resolve. "This is just a temporary setback. I, Freeza, will escape this pathetic excuse for an afterlife. And when I do, Taro... you will pay dearly. I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A SPIKE, YOU ABHORRENT MACAQUE!"His single eye gleamed with a cold, malevolent light. He didn't need his father, King Cold. He didn't need Zarbon and Dodoria. He didn't even need the Ginyu Force. All he needed was his own raw power, honed to a razor's edge by fifteen years of simmering rage and strategic planning. Freeza, the vengeful emperor, would rise again, and the saccharine torture of Happy Fun Land would be the least of Taro's worries.