(Author note: Okay, I got like really mixed signals when it came to the lemon chapter thing, so I'm gonna let that stew for a couple days, see what people want. For now, a 5k words chapter of Goku and Vegeta training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for a year.
Enjoy!)
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Whiteness.
That was Goku's first impression as he stepped through the heavy wooden door into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Endless, boundless whiteness stretching in all directions, with no horizon to separate sky from ground.
The air felt thin in his lungs, each breath requiring more effort than the last. The temperature, pleasantly cool near the entrance, already promised extremes beyond.
"So this is it," Vegeta remarked beside him, his voice carrying a hint of awe despite his attempt to sound unimpressed. "The Room of Spirit and Time."
Before them stood a simple building - the only structure in this infinite void. Two beds, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a food storage area were visible through the open doorway.
"Yep!" Goku confirmed cheerfully, stretching his arms above his head. "I was here once before as a kid, but I couldn't handle it. The gravity, the temperature changes... it was too much back then."
Vegeta scoffed, moving toward the living quarters. "I'm not surprised. You were a low-class warrior with no proper training." He surveyed the simple accommodations with a critical eye. "This will do, I suppose."
Goku followed, setting down the capsules Bulma had provided on a small table. "So, how do you want to do this, Vegeta? Should we set up our spaces first or jump right into training?"
The Saiyan prince turned to face him, his expression deadly serious. "We have one year in here, Kakarot. One year to prepare for a being whose power dwarfs anything we've ever faced. We don't have time for pleasantries."
Without warning, Vegeta lunged forward, his fist connecting solidly with Goku's jaw. The impact sent the younger Saiyan flying backward, crashing through the doorway into the white void beyond.
"What the-" Goku sputtered, wiping blood from his lip as he scrambled to his feet. The gravity outside the building was noticeably stronger, making his movements slightly sluggish for a moment till he adjusted.
Vegeta emerged from the building, his aura flaring around him. "Our mission is clear, Kakarot. We fight until we're near death, heal with the Senzu beans, and repeat. The Zenkai boosts will increase our power exponentially."
Goku's initial surprise gave way to understanding. He settled into his fighting stance, a small smile playing at his lips. "Alright, Vegeta. If that's how you want to play it."
"This isn't play," Vegeta snarled, charging forward. "This is survival!"
Their fists collided with thunderous force, creating shockwaves that would have flattened mountains had they been on Earth. The battle began in earnest - no holding back, no restraint.
Vegeta fought with fury, each strike aimed at vital points. Goku countered with his adaptive style, constantly shifting between offense and defense.
Hours passed as they tested each other's limits, the endless white void bearing silent witness to their struggle.
Finally, after a particularly vicious exchange that left both warriors bloodied and panting, Vegeta raised his hand. "Enough for now. We need to establish parameters."
Goku nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "What did you have in mind?"
"We need to be strategic with the Senzu beans," Vegeta explained, moving back toward the building. "We have 34 beans between us. That's 17 Zenkai boosts each if we use them optimally."
Inside, they sat at the small table, both still catching their breath.
"First rule," Vegeta continued, "we fight until one of us is critically injured - not just tired or beaten, but truly near death- as in the Reaper's Scythe is around our necks, only inches more till It rips us from this mortal coil. That's when the Zenkai boost will be most effective."
Goku frowned slightly. "That's pretty extreme, Vegeta."
"Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures," Vegeta replied coldly. "Cooler won't show us mercy. We can't afford to be soft."
After a moment's consideration, Goku nodded. "Alright. But we should take turns. One day you push me to the brink, the next day I do the same to you. That way, we both get stronger at a steady pace."
Vegeta seemed surprised by the suggestion, having expected more resistance. "...Acceptable."
"And," Goku added, his expression unusually serious, "we should save some time for technique training. Raw power isn't everything."
"Says the man who's never had enough of it," Vegeta muttered, but he didn't disagree. "Fine. Power training first, techniques later when we've reached higher plateaus."
They ate a quick meal from the supplies Bulma had provided, then returned to the void.
This time, their battle's purpose was clear - Vegeta was to push Goku to the edge of death.
The prince didn't hold back. His attacks grew increasingly brutal, targeting joints, vital organs, and pressure points.
Goku defended admirably, but Vegeta's single-minded determination eventually overwhelmed him- Goku also not fighting his absolute hardest to injure Vegeta, since currently it was his own turn to be near death, not Vegeta's.
A devastating knee to the solar plexus, followed by a hammer blow to the back of the neck, left Goku crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
Vegeta stood over him, breathing heavily. After a long moment, waiting for Goku to bleed out more, "Senzu," he commanded, holding out his hand.
Goku, barely conscious, fumbled with the pouch at his waist. With trembling fingers, he extracted a bean and handed it to Vegeta.
The prince knelt beside his fallen opponent, roughly shoving the bean into Goku's mouth. "Chew," he ordered.
Goku complied, the healing properties of the Senzu bean taking effect immediately. His wounds closed, broken bones knitted themselves back together, and vitality returned to his body.
He sat up, rolling his shoulders experimentally. "Wow," he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "I can feel it already. The power increase is crazy."
Vegeta nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. "Your power level has increased by at least 15%. Now it's your turn."
Goku's grin faded, replaced by determination. "Right. Get ready, Vegeta. I won't hold back either."
True to his word, Goku unleashed his full might against the Saiyan prince. The battle raged for hours, neither warrior yielding an inch.
But Goku had been watching Vegeta's style carefully during their previous sparring sessions. He knew the prince's tendencies, his favorite combinations, his defensive habits.
With a perfectly timed feint, Goku created an opening in Vegeta's guard.
The follow-up attack - activating Kaioken x3 for an instant and bestowing a devastating combination of strikes culminating in a point-blank Kamehameha - left Vegeta broken, bleeding, every bone in his body near shattered, and barely breathing.
Goku also waited for a long moment for Vegeta's vitals to drop, his heart to slow down.
True to his promise of breaking every bone in Vegeta's body at least once.
"Here," Goku said softly, placing a Senzu bean against Vegeta's lips.
The prince swallowed it with difficulty, his body healing rapidly. As he regained his strength, Vegeta's eyes burned with a mixture of rage and respect.
"Not bad," he admitted grudgingly, standing up. "Your power has truly increased- I felt it in your blows."
"Now, so has yours," Goku observed. "This is working better than I expected."
Day one in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber ended with both warriors exhausted but significantly stronger than when they had entered.
As they retreated to their separate beds, neither spoke of the tough day they had endured or the 364 more that awaited them.
But both understood what was at stake and that this wasn't even close to enough.
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The routine established itself quickly over the first two weeks.
Each day began with a brief warm-up, followed by intensive combat that invariably ended with one of them very injured- not completely near death, left to heal, and continue training with a near broken body, until finally after days upon days, the Senzu was used.
This way they could make do with 17 powerful Zenkais over the span of the entire year, and not use all their Senzu Beams too soon.
Between these brutal sessions, they ate, rested, and occasionally spoke - though conversation was sparse at first, limited primarily to critiques of fighting techniques or observations about their increasing strength.
On the fifteenth day, as they sat eating a simple meal after another spar, Goku broke their usual silence with an unexpected question.
"What was it like?" he asked, setting down his bowl. "Planet Vegeta, I mean."
Vegeta looked up sharply, his expression guarded. "Why do you care?"
Goku shrugged. "I was born there, but I don't remember any of it. Seems like something I should know about."
For a long moment, Vegeta said nothing, seemingly debating whether to indulge this line of conversation. Finally, he spoke, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.
"It was... red. The sky, the soil, even the vegetation had reddish tints. The gravity was ten times that of Earth, which is why we Saiyans are naturally stronger than most species."
Goku listened intently, his food temporarily forgotten.
"The cities were built for function, not beauty," Vegeta continued, his gaze distant as if seeing it all again. "Training facilities, barracks, launch pads for attack pods. Everything served the purpose of creating better warriors."
"What about families?" Goku asked. "Did Saiyans live together like humans do?"
Vegeta scoffed. "Not like humans, no. Saiyan children were evaluated at birth. The strong remained with their families for basic training. The weak were sent to conquer low-level planets."
He paused, giving Goku a pointed look. "Like you were."
Goku absorbed this information without a visible reaction. "And the food? What did Saiyans eat on Planet Vegeta?"
This question seemed to catch Vegeta off guard. "Food? We ate meat primarily. Large beasts that roamed the plains. Some root vegetables that could survive the harsh conditions." A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "Nothing as varied as Earth cuisine, but hearty. Filling."
"I bet I would've liked it," Goku said cheerfully. "I love meat!"
Vegeta stared at him for a moment, then shook his head in disbelief. "Only you would focus on the food, Kakarot."
"Hey, food's important!" Goku protested with a laugh.
The conversation ended there, but something had changed - a small crack was formed in the wall that is Vegeta's perpetual hostility.
The next day, as they prepared for another brutal training session, Goku noticed Vegeta watching him.
"What?" Goku asked, stretching his arms above his head.
"You fight like no Saiyan I've ever seen," Vegeta remarked. "Your technique... it's unorthodox."
Goku grinned. "I've had a lot of different teachers over the years. Master Roshi, Korin, Kami, King Kai... I took something from each of them."
Vegeta considered this. "Perhaps... there is some value in that approach. Traditional Saiyan combat training was effective but predictable."
"I could show you some of what I've learned," Goku offered. "Might give you some new ideas."
The prince's pride warred visibly with his practical nature. Finally, pragmatism won out. "Very well. But don't expect me to adopt your clownish style completely."
Goku's face lit up. "Great! Let's start with some of Master Roshi's fundamentals. They're simple but really effective..."
The day's training session changed - still intense, still pushing their limits, but with moments of instruction interspersed between the brutally beating each other to near death.
By the end of the first month, their power levels had nearly doubled from their starting points. Goku had reached approximately 200,000, while Vegeta had surpassed 400,000.
More importantly, though neither would acknowledge it, they had begun to develop something resembling a working relationship - not friendship, hell no, too soon, but a... recognition of value that... transcended their previous antagonism.
"KAIO-KEN TIMES THREE!"
The crimson aura erupted around Goku, his power level tripling instantly as he charged at Vegeta.
The prince barely had time to cross his arms in defense before Goku's fist connected.
The impact sent Vegeta flying backward, his body carving a trench in the endless white floor of the Chamber. He recovered quickly, flipping to his feet with a snarl.
"Is that the best you can do, Kakarot?" he taunted, though blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. "I thought the Kaio-ken could go higher than that!"
Goku maintained the red aura, sweat beading on his forehead from the strain. "It can, but I'm still working on controlling it. King Kai warned me that pushing it too far could tear my body apart."
Vegeta launched himself forward, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts. "Then what good is it? A technique that destroys its user is worthless!"
Dodging the blasts with enhanced speed, Goku appeared behind Vegeta, landing a solid kick to his back. "It's not worthless if used correctly. It's all about knowing your limits and pushing just to the edge of them!"
Their battle continued, Goku maintaining the Kaio-ken strain while he Vegeta fought who became more intense as the fight went on.
They were three months into their year in the Chamber, and the prince had begun to notice a disturbing trend.
Despite starting with a significant power advantage, Vegeta found the gap between them narrowing with each Zenkai boost.
Kakarot, a low-class warrior by birth, was growing in power at the rate of a Super Elite- no faster.
It defied everything Vegeta had believed about Saiyan hierarchy.
It challenged who he literally was.
As they fought, these thoughts distracted him just enough for Goku to find an opening. A combination - elbow strike to the temple, knee to the solar plexus, finishing with an overhead smash - left Vegeta crumpled on the ground, consciousness fading, nearing death.
"Senzu," Goku said, dropping his Kaio-ken aura and holding out the healing bean.
Vegeta took it with shaking fingers, the familiar warmth of healing spreading through his broken body. As strength returned, so did his clarity of thought.
Rising to his feet, he stared at Goku.
The class system that had defined Saiyan society - the very system that had placed him at the pinnacle and Kakarot at the bottom - was meaningless here.
Their Zenkai boosts weren't constrained by birth status. Their potential wasn't predetermined by the circumstances of their hatching.
What, then, made a Saiyan great?
What made him great?
If not birth, then what?
"Your form needs work," Vegeta said abruptly, breaking his uncharacteristic silence. "When you use the Kaio-ken, you waste energy on unnecessary movements- probably because of the pain. You don't normally do it when not using that blasted technique."
Goku blinked in surprise. "Really? I hadn't noticed."
"Of course you hadn't," Vegeta scoffed, but the usual venom was missing from his tone. "Watch."
The prince adopted a stance similar to Goku's Kaio-ken posture, then made subtle adjustments. "When using it, remember that you need to keep your core tighter, your movements more economical."
Goku's face lit up with understanding. "Oh! Yeah, I was taught the same by Master Roshi- the whole, eliminating wasted motion!"
"I don't know what your Earth teacher said," Vegeta replied dismissively, "but yes, that. Saiyan elite warriors also learn to maximize power output while minimizing energy expenditure. That is what bestowed me notice.".
When night came, as they ate their evening meal, Goku broke the silence.
"Hey, Vegeta... thanks for the help today. I was able to fix the issue."
Vegeta grunted noncommittally, focusing on his food.
"You know," Goku continued, undeterred by the prince's lack of response, "you're a really good teacher when you want to be."
This drew Vegeta's attention. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"I'm serious! You explained things clearly, demonstrated the proper form... that's good teaching."
Vegeta stared at him for a long moment, then shook his head. "If I'm going to die fighting Cooler, I'd prefer not to do it because my only ally was too incompetent to use his techniques properly."
Goku grinned, recognizing the backhanded compliment hidden within the insult. "Fair enough. By the way, I've been meaning to ask - what were Saiyan meals like? You mentioned meat and root vegetables before, but what about special occasions? Did Saiyans celebrate anything?"
The abrupt change of subject caught Vegeta off guard. He set down his utensils, expression distant as memories surfaced.
"The Festival of the Full Moon," he said finally. "Once a year, when Planet Vegeta's three moons aligned, all Saiyans would gather. We'd transform into our Great Ape forms together, hunt massive beasts that normally would be too dangerous to approach for the lower class I was still only a child when I was still there, so I only experienced it twice."
His voice took on an unusual quality - almost wistful. "Afterward, there would be feasting. Entire animals roasted over fire pits, their blood mixed with fermented beverages. Warriors would tell tales of conquest, middle-class children would listen and dream of their own future battles."
Goku listened, fascinated. "That sounds... intense."
"It was," Vegeta agreed. "The only time social distinctions blurred somewhat. In Great Ape form, with our primal instincts heightened, class mattered less than strength and hunting skill."
He fell silent, perhaps realizing he'd shared more than intended.
"I... I may hate what the Saiyans were doing- I don't want to be connected to any of it, It's why I don't like being called one, but I... I kind wish I could remember some of it, you know," Goku said softly. "Even just a little."
Vegeta studied him for a long moment. "You're more Saiyan than I initially gave you credit for, Kakarot. Your instincts in battle... they're pure Saiyan, even if your technique is influenced by your Earth training."
Coming from Vegeta, this was high praise indeed. Goku smiled, but said nothing.
By the six-month mark, their progress was undeniable.
Vegeta's power level had reached approximately 10 million, while Goku wasn't far behind at 7 million.
Their bodies had adapted to the harsh conditions of the Chamber - the fluctuating gravity, the extreme temperature shifts, the thin air, they didn't even need to use the Gravity Chamber Bulma gave, since the deeper they went in the Chamber, the higher the gravity became anyway- but to Goku the thought of course counted.
Bulma was one of his best friends- a sister really, that's what Krillin once described her as to him.
He didn't really know how true that was, since he never had one, and Raditz wasn't really a brother one could speak of.
But their supply of Senzu beans was running dangerously low. Of the original 34, only 12 remained.
"We need to change our approach," Goku suggested as they sat reviewing their remaining resources. "At this rate, we'll run out of beans with months to spare."
Vegeta nodded reluctantly. "What do you propose?"
"Let's focus more on technique than raw power for a while. We're already many times stronger than we were when we entered. Now we need to learn to use that power efficiently."
The prince considered this, fingers drumming against the table. "There's merit in your suggestion. Cooler will possibly have experience that we lack- who knows how his training really was. If we can't overpower him, we'll need to outsmart him."
"Exactly!" Goku agreed enthusiastically. "Plus, if we develop better techniques, we might be able to hurt him more with the same amount of power. You know, how some techniques are more powerful than us, like my Kamehameha and your Galick Gun."
Vegeta's lips curled into a predatory smile. "I may have some ideas in that regard. There are Saiyan combat techniques that I never bothered to master before - they seemed unnecessary when raw power was sufficient."
"And I can teach you some of the techniques I learned from King Kai," Goku offered. "Not the Kaio-ken, but other stuff."
Their training shifted focus.
Instead of brutal battles ending in states approaching near-death, they engaged in more controlled sparring sessions designed to refine their techniques and develop new ones.
Vegeta proved to be a quick study, adapting the Kaio-ken principles (though not taught how to do it, but was told what the essence of it was) to create his a inferior variation - one that sacrificed the technique's raw multiplier for better sustainability.
He couldn't match Goku's power boost, but he enhanced himself somewhat and could maintain it for much longer periods.
Goku, meanwhile, absorbed Vegeta's own experience with Ki usage, and the creation of ones own Ki attacks- his Galick Gun, though needing longer charge, was one with a mightier multiplier than the Kamehameha's 2.2x.
They also began developing combination attacks, recognizing that they might need to work together against Cooler.
"If I create an opening with the Solar Flare," Goku demonstrated, temporarily blinding Vegeta with the technique, "you could follow up with your Galick Gun before he can recover."
Vegeta, blinking away the spots in his vision, nodded thoughtfully. "And if I distract him with multiple energy attacks from different angles, you could use the Kaioken at a higher multiplier for an instant to get behind him and apply a full-power strike."
These theoretical scenarios gradually evolved into practiced routines, their movements and the working together becoming better as time went on.
One evening, after a particularly productive day of training, they sat outside the living quarters, gazing into the endless white void.
The Chamber's artificial day/night cycle had entered its "night" phase, dimming the omnipresent light to a soft glow.
"Hey," Goku asked eventually. "If Frieza hadn't destroyed Planet Vegeta, what would your life have been like? Would you have been the same? I know Toji said you would, but well, you know you best."
Vegeta's expression darkened. After a long moment of silence he spoke. "I would have eventually challenged my father for the throne. It is the Saiyan way - the son must surpass and replace the father to prove the strength of the bloodline."
"Would you have been a good king?" Goku wondered aloud.
"I would have been a strong king," Vegeta replied immediately. "Under my rule, the Saiyan empire would have expanded beyond even Frieza's territories. We would have been the dominant force in the universe, feared by all."
"But would your people have been happy?"
The question caught Vegeta off guard. "Happy?" he repeated, as if the concept was foreign to him. "Saiyans don't concern themselves with happiness. We seek battle, conquest, the thrill of overcoming powerful opponents. In providing those opportunities, I would have given my people all they needed."
Goku nodded, accepting this answer without judgment. "I guess that makes sense for Saiyans. Earth people are different, though. They want peace, safety, time with their families."
"Weak priorities," Vegeta scoffed, but there was less conviction in his tone than usual.
"I don't know about that," Goku replied thoughtfully. "It takes different kinds of strength to build things than to destroy them. My grandpa Gohan wasn't a warrior like us, but he was the strongest person I knew in many ways."
Vegeta made a dismissive sound, but he appeared to be considering Goku's words. After a long silence, he spoke again, his voice uncharacteristically reflective.
"Do you think we can win, Kakarot? Against Cooler?"
The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. It was the first time Vegeta had expressed any doubt about their chances.
"I don't know," Goku answered honestly. "But I do know we'll give everything we have. And sometimes, that's enough to change the odds."
Vegeta nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the distance. "We are not like them," he said quietly.
"Like who?"
"Toji," Vegeta clarified, his expression complex. "Or Frieza. Those two... they're freaks of nature. Born with power beyond comprehension, beyond any natural limit."
Goku tilted his head, considering this. "Yeah, they're definitely in a league of their own. But does that matter? We're still getting stronger every day."
"It matters," Vegeta insisted, "because it defines what's possible for us. I used to believe..." He paused, seeming to struggle with the admission. "I used to believe that with enough training, enough battles, I could become the Legendary Super Saiyan. That I could achieve that mythical transformation through sheer will and determination."
He laughed bitterly. "But seeing Toji, seeing what true abnormal power looks like... I understand now. The Legendary Super Saiyan isn't just a powerful Saiyan. It's a being like him - someone born with power that defies all natural laws."
"You don't know that," Goku argued. "I may not know much about besides that one time you talked about it, but the legend could mean something else entirely."
Vegeta shook his head. "The legend speaks of a warrior whose power is without limit, ever growing, terrifying, invincible, a true god, a Messiah who appears once every thousand years to reshape the destiny of our people were it to ever be weak to guide us once more towards strength."
"That's not us, Kakarot. We have limits. We can push them, expand them, but they exist."
Goku frowned, unused to seeing Vegeta so fatalistic. "Maybe. But we can still make a difference. We can still fight."
"Yes," Vegeta agreed, a spark returning to his eyes. "We can still fight. And if we die, we die as warriors should - facing an enemy that requires our absolute best to defeat."
The conversation ended there, but it lingered.
Both Saiyans returned to their training the next day with renewed determination, pushing themselves harder than ever before.
The final three months in the Chamber saw their power levels rise to heights neither had believed possible when they first entered.
Their remaining Senzu beans were used strategically, each near-death experience carefully calculated to maximize their Zenkai boosts.
Between these power-increasing sessions, they continued refining their techniques and combination attacks.
Goku mastered the Kaio-ken to new levels, achieving a stable times-twenty multiplier that he could maintain for several minutes without damaging his body.
Vegeta, meanwhile, developed variations of his Galick Gun that could be fired rapidly in succession or charged for devastating single strikes.
Together, they created a repertoire of combination attacks designed specifically to overwhelm a superior opponent - feints, distractions, and synchronized strikes that could potentially catch even Cooler off guard.
As their final day in the Chamber approached, they used their last Senzu beans for one final power boost. The results were beyond what either had imagined possible.
Vegeta's power level had reached approximately 79 million - above half of Frieza's original maximum in her final form.
Goku wasn't far behind at 49 million, and his mastery of the Kaio-ken could potentially multiply that twenty times over for.
On their last morning in the Chamber, they stood before the door that would return them to the outside world, where only a day had passed.
Both had changed dramatically from the warriors who had entered a year ago.
Their bodies were larger, more defined, bearing the scars of countless battles.
Their ki signatures had transformed, becoming deeper and more refined.
But the most significant changes were less visible. A mutual respect had developed between them - not friendship in the conventional sense, but something at least like it.
They had seen each other at their weakest and their strongest, had pushed each other beyond what either thought possible.
"We should change again," Goku suggested, gesturing to their tattered training clothes. "We've used these ones for the past week."
Bulma had packed various replacements for them, her father having even replicated the material Vegeta's armour was made of.
Vegeta nodded in agreement. They retrieved the capsules, finding not only Earth clothes but replicas of Vegeta's Saiyan armor as well.
"I may not have said this before, but your woman is really is thorough," Vegeta remarked as he put on the armor, which was identical to his original.
"Bulma's not my woman," Goku corrected with a laugh. "She's just a really good friend- almost like a sister. And yeah, she thinks of everything."
They changed in silence, Vegeta donning his familiar blue bodysuit and white armor, Goku opting for a fresh orange gi with King Kai's symbol on the back.
As they prepared to exit, Vegeta suddenly spoke. "Kakarot."
Goku turned, eyebrows raised in question.
"Whatever happens out there," Vegeta said, his expression solemn, "you've proven yourself a worthy Saiyan warrior."
Coming from Vegeta, this was the highest praise imaginable. Goku smiled.
"Thanks, Vegeta. That means a lot coming from you."
The prince nodded once, "Let's go. We have a demon to kill."
Goku laughed his charactertisic laugh, "Hehehe! Let's hope this one is easier than the last demon I killed when I was a kid!"
"You, killed a demon?" Vegeta questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, and it wasn't just any demon, but a Demon King! He was really huge compared to me as a kid, he was Piccolo's dad!" Goku said as he spread his arms wide, as if to signify how tall and big King Piccolo was.
Vegeta scoffed as they went to the door. "Please, that Namek is no demon. He's just green. Cooler is a whole other ballpark- he's a real demon."
"Maybe, but we'll kill him too! We trained a whole year for that after all!"
With that, they stepped through the door, returning to a world where only 24 hours had passed - but where they had experienced a lifetime of growth together.
The light from the Lookout's exterior momentarily blinded them after a year in the Chamber's artificial illumination- causing them to raise their hands to cover their eyes.
As their eyes eventually adjusted, they saw the familiar figures of their friends and allies gathered before them.
Piccolo, Gohan, Krillin, Nappa, Bulma - all staring in shock at the transformed warriors who emerged from the Chamber.
"Dad?" Gohan whispered, barely recognizing the hardened fighter before him.
Krillin's jaw had dropped open. "Their power... it's unbelievable!"
Even Piccolo seemed stunned, his normally stoic expression giving way to wide-eyed disbelief.
Vegeta smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Close your mouths. You look like gaping fish."
"It worked," Bulma breathed, seeing their changes, "The Hyperbolic Time Chamber actually worked! I know you all said it would, but a year in a day was still kinda crazy to think about!"
Goku smiled, ruffling his son's hair affectionately. "Yep! We're a lot stronger now. But more importantly..." He glanced at Vegeta, a silent understanding passing between them. "We're ready."
Nappa approached cautiously, his scouter beeping frantically as it tried to measure their power levels. "Prince Vegeta... your power... it's beyond anything I've ever sensed!"
Vegeta knew that, that wasn't true, Toji, Frieza and Cooler existed, but he chalked it up to Nappa not counting them- as he should, those three are simply abominations.
"Of course it is," Vegeta replied, but the usual arrogance in his tone was tempered by something else - a quiet confidence that needed no boasting to affirm itself.
"What's the situation?" Goku asked, his expression turning serious. "How long until Cooler arrives?"
"Less than two days now," Piccolo answered, recovering from his initial shock. "We've been preparing as best we can, but..." He gestured helplessly. Their efforts paled in comparison to what Goku and Vegeta had achieved.
"Two days," Vegeta repeated, his eyes narrowing. "Good. Just enough time to rest and prepare our strategy."
As the group moved toward the main building of the Lookout to discuss their plans, Bulma fell into step beside Goku.
"You've changed," she observed quietly. "Both of you have. And I don't just mean your power levels."
Goku glanced at Vegeta, who was walking ahead with Nappa, giving curt instructions to his former subordinate.
"Yeah," Goku agreed with a small smile. "I guess we have."
And so the countdown began. In two days the mightiest demon - save the slumbering and the chained Devils - in the universe will arrive, and the true challenge will begin.
All they could do was hope.
For that is what is left when all is lost...
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it.
I hope I wrote Goku and Vegeta well this chapter and in character.
Well, I hope to see you all later, I'm tired now after writing for so long.
Bye!)