Morning sunlight glinted off the spacecraft's polished hull.
Technicians scurried around the launch pad, performing final checks while Vegito stood at the boarding ramp, reviewing mission data on a tablet.
His imperial armor - midnight blue with gold trim - marked him as both warrior and ruler.
"The navigation system's been updated with the latest star charts," Bulma said, scrolling through technical specifications.
"And I've installed that quantum communication array you wanted. Real-time contact with all outposts, no matter the distance."
"Excellent," Vegito replied. "Improved communication will streamline administration considerably."
Bulma's lips curved into a knowing smile. "For someone about to spend two weeks alone with a beautiful, brilliant woman who understands you better than anyone else in existence, you're remarkably focused on administrative efficiency."
Vegito's expression remained neutral, though his tail twitched against his waist. "The mission's success depends on proper preparation."
"Of course," Bulma agreed, eyes twinkling. "Though I notice you packed your formal imperial regalia. For administrative functions, naturally."
Movement at the compound entrance caught Vegito's attention. Chima walked toward them, talking with Chi-Chi. His gaze lingered.
She wore a tailored sapphire blue travel suit with subtle gold embroidery that complemented his armor without seeming deliberately matched.
Her black hair, with blue strands framed her face in soft waves, as she moved with a grace.
Vegito quickly returned his attention to the tablet, though not before Bulma noticed.
"Purely professional interest, I'm sure," she murmured.
"Her educational systems will benefit the empire's rehabilitation efforts," he stated flatly.
"Mmhmm," Bulma hummed. "That's definitely what caught your attention just now."
"Good morning," Chima greeted them as she approached. "All systems ready for departure?"
"Everything's perfect," Bulma confirmed. "Just finishing the final checks with our Emperor here."
"Excellent." Chima turned to Vegito. "I've completed the educational tablet prototypes. Twenty units loaded with adaptive learning programs, ready for field testing at Traden Prime."
"Your efficiency is commendable," Vegito replied, genuinely impressed. "The local administrators will be eager to implement them."
Chi-Chi joined them, carrying a large container. "I've prepared some proper food for your journey," she announced, handing it to Chima. "Nothing beats home cooking."
"How thoughtful," Chima said, accepting it with a smile. "Though I suspect your motivation wasn't entirely culinary."
Chi-Chi's innocent expression fooled no one. "I'm simply ensuring you both have nourishing meals during your important mission."
"Of course," Chima replied dryly. "The fact that you've included your special five-spice dumplings - which you once mentioned were particularly effective at 'creating a romantic atmosphere' - is purely coincidental."
Chi-Chi blushed slightly, but her smile remained unrepentant.
Goku, Vegeta, and the boys arrived for the send-off. Goten and Trunks immediately surrounded Vegito, bombarding him with requests.
"Bring back something cool!" Trunks demanded. "Like alien technology or weird space rocks!"
"Or space food!" Goten added. "Do they have space candy?"
Vegito's stern features softened slightly. "I'll find something appropriate," he promised, resting a hand on each of their heads.
Final goodbyes began. Bulma hugged Chima tightly. "Remember everything I told you," she whispered, just loud enough for Vegito's Saiyan hearing to catch.
"I remember everything," Chima replied evenly, "including the many suggestions I plan to completely ignore."
Chi-Chi embraced her next. "Just be yourself," she advised softly. "That's more than enough."
Goku approached Vegito with his characteristic directness. "Have fun!" he said, clapping him on the shoulder. "And remember what we talked about. Sometimes the strongest move is just being honest."
Vegeta merely nodded at Vegito, their communication requiring fewer words. "The empire will benefit from her perspective," he stated, though the slight quirk of his mouth suggested additional meaning.
The pair boarded the spacecraft. Inside, everything gleamed with Bulma's technological brilliance - command center forward, living quarters amidships, research facilities aft.
"Initiating launch sequence," Vegito announced, taking the pilot's seat with fluid precision. His fingers danced across the controls, the ship responding instantly.
Chima settled into the co-pilot's chair. "All systems optimal," she confirmed, immediately engaging with the technology.
The engines hummed to life. Outside, their family and friends stepped back, waving goodbye.
"Launch in three... two... one..." The ship rose smoothly, hovering momentarily before accelerating upward with surprising grace for something so powerful.
Earth's blue atmosphere darkened to black. Stars appeared in increasing numbers as they ascended. Below them, the planet became a shrinking blue marble.
"Setting course for Traden Prime," Vegito stated, programming coordinates. "Hyperspace entry in three minutes."
Chima nodded, monitoring engine output readings with professional focus.
Yet beneath this technical exchange lay awareness of their new reality - two weeks alone together, away from everyone.
Once the ship stabilized, Vegito engaged the autopilot and turned toward Chima. "The journey to Traden Prime will take approximately eighteen hours in hyperspace.
Perhaps you'd like to familiarize yourself with the ship's facilities."
"That would be sensible," she agreed, unbuckling her harness. "I should also check the educational tablets to ensure they weren't affected by launch vibrations."
Awkward silence fell between them.
"I've had quarters prepared for you," Vegito said finally. "Second cabin on the right. It should have everything you need."
"Thank you," Chima replied, equally measured. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness."
Another pause stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Well," Chima said finally, "we have eighteen hours before we reach Traden Prime. Perhaps after I've settled in, we could review the mission parameters together? I'd like to understand exactly what we'll be facing when we arrive."
Vegito nodded. "A sensible approach. The ship's conference room would be suitable. Say, in one hour?"
"Perfect," Chima agreed, gathering her personal items. "That will give me time to organize my research materials as well."
As she turned to leave, Vegito's voice stopped her. "Chima."
She paused, looking back questioningly.
For a moment, something unguarded flickered across his face - not quite vulnerability, but perhaps its closest approximation in someone of his extraordinary power.
"I'm... pleased you decided to accompany me. Your perspective will be valuable."
The simple statement carried weight beyond its words - an acknowledgment of her worth beyond mere professional courtesy.
Chima's expression softened, a genuine smile warming her features. "As am I, Vegito. I believe this journey will be beneficial for both of us... and for your empire."
Vegito remained in the command center after Chima departed, his fingers moving automatically across the control panels as his thoughts drifted.
The ship's systems required minimal supervision during this phase of flight, leaving his mind free to wander in ways he rarely permitted himself.
He was not accustomed to uncertainty.
As the fusion of the two most powerful Saiyan warriors in existence and his foreknowledge of this world and what to expect certainty had been his birthright.
In combat, his superiority was absolute. In strategy, his mind combined Vegeta's tactical brilliance with Goku's instinctive genius.
Even as Emperor of the fledgling Paradis Empire, his decisions came with the confidence of one who knew his vision was clear and his power sufficient to enforce it.
Yet Chima... Chima created uncertainty.
The way her smile had warmed when he admitted he was pleased by her presence. The efficiency with which she organized her research.
The subtle scent that was neither Bulma's expensive perfume nor Chi-Chi's clean, practical soap, but something uniquely her own.
These details registered in his warrior's mind with the same precision he would apply to an opponent's fighting style, yet they served no tactical purpose.
Or did they?
Vegito frowned slightly, adjusting the ship's trajectory by a fraction of a degree. Perhaps this was simply another form of strategy - understanding a valuable ally's patterns and preferences to optimize their working relationship.
That would explain his heightened awareness of her movements, his instinctive cataloging of her habits.
It did not, however, explain the way his pulse had quickened when she smiled at him.
"Ridiculous," he muttered to the empty command center, his deep voice echoing slightly against the metallic surfaces.
He was the Ultimate Warrior, the Emperor of Paradis, a being of unparalleled power. Such... reactions... were beneath his dignity.
And yet.
His tail unwrapped from his waist, swishing behind him in agitation before he consciously stilled it.
This was Vegeta's influence, surely - that stubborn pride that resisted acknowledging anything that might be perceived as weakness.
Or perhaps it was Goku's emotional simplicity, unable to properly categorize these complex reactions.
For he could not possibly be in...
He couldn't even think about it. He had no personal experience with these feelings.
In his previous life he fell into this situation before anything could develop with anyone there, but when he truly looks through his memories and remembers how Goku and Vegeta feel towards Chi-Chi and Bulma respectively...
Vegito shook his head, 'No, such thoughts are useless. Unproductive. What's important right now is that I focus on future survival.
Especially when the time comes when I have to fight that damn hairless space cat.'
For Vegito knew he had the potential to surpass the mightiest of the Destroyers.
Hell, in the manga his Super Saiyan Blue counterpart was stated to be equal to Beerus.
He may not be the product of the Goku Black Saga Saiyan rivals, but his talent surpasses that of possibly all.
His talent is that of Goku's and Vegeta's multiplied against each other.
The Ultimate Warrior - one who is capable of eventually harnessing the form of angels and destroyers.
He now as well had his potential unlocked by the Elder Kai - who a younger Beerus - by 75 million years approximately - was feared to create warriors surpassing him.
Gohan in Dragon Ball Super after his potential was unlocked gained strength far faster than ever before - a contrast to his Future timeline counterpart.
It is the only logical explanation as to why Present Timeline Gohan was able to in around a year of on and off training be able to rival Super Saiyan Blue Goku,
and aid Golden Frieza against an opponent like Dyspo who the Evil Emperor had trouble against - while his Future counterpart remained weaker than the Androids.
He could feel it himself in his training. He was growing exponentially. And this all barring the adaptive capabilities of the Super Saiyan Four form - akin to a lesser form of Ultra Instinct,
lesser only in the sense that it does not change your body's Ki flow to the absolute peak usage, that causes base Goku to be able to surpass Jiren who even SSBK X20 was incapable of doing much against.
'I can do it. I know I can. I just need enough time and the right training. I have no idea what Frieza did in those four months to be able to gain proper training for that much growth -
that much potential or not, one still needs the training that can break the body enough for it to repair itself to reach that level.
Our bodies after every training are inherently strengthened the durability of by Ki for it to withstand our might.
There is only so much I can suppress it for my muscles to be able to break and repair stronger than before.' Vegito thought to himself slightly frustrated.
Gravity training was useful, but eventually limited.
He needed real battle, real warriors who could force him to reach new heights - like Goku and Vegeta always did for each other.
But he was the perfect warrior, who was there that could -
"Frieza..." Vegito muttered in wonder.
How could he have possibly forgotten that he himself had access to that abominable cockroach?
He with instant transmission could easily go to the afterlife. He could pummel that freak and use him as his punching bag, slowly making him gain strength till he drives him to become stronger also.
It would be fitting vengeance for the Saiyans - for the slave master to become the slave. For the self-proclaimed emperor to become the pet.
With Kaioken as well as divine Ki in his reservoir he never has to worry about the Evil Emperor to rival him - for he can always erase him from existence.
After all, as Goku told Vegeta when they were against Buu - if a dead dies again, they cease to be.
The after life as well has restrictive capabilities that in Super were able to even restrict Frieza after completing his Golden Form.
A small, satisfied smile crossed Vegito's face. The plan had merit. That gaudy ornament masquerading as an emperor would serve a purpose after all - as a decorative punching bag for the true Emperor of Paradis.
"Well Frieza, it seems first my son killed you, then I stole your Empire, and now I'm coming for your after life too.
You really will never stop being the butt of the joke.
A fitting end for a true piece of trash." Vegito stated to himself until he suddenly burst into laughter.
Chima from her place heard him and raised an eyebrow confused and interested, having never heard Vegito truly laugh before,
"What is up with him?" She questioned to herself. Eventually she shrugged a smile forming on her face.
'Doesn't matter. I hope he laughs like that more often. I like the sound of it.' She thought to herself as she continued her work.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it.
And yeah, Frieza is going to make an appearance again - worry not, Vegito is too smart to be used.
Also, Vegito is a menace. Can't let a guy even rest in the after life - he truly has learned from the leader of the round table - his victim, Kid Buu.
So yeah, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)