Chapter 2: Manipulation
Tien and Launch were walking next to each other, neither of them said anything to start a conversation.
Launch was too nervous to speak. She'd always liked Tien, but never expected he'll see her in such an embarrassing situation.
Tien, on the other hand, was waiting for her to say something. He can't properly conquer her, unless he knows her personality and thought process.
Normally Tien wouldn't have given a damn about Launch, but he was no longer the original Tien. The real Tien was already dead; Tien's body now had a new soul.
This soul came from another world, and he knew Launch loved Tien. Getting her loyalty was a simple thing; he wouldn't pass up this opportunity.
'Launch still isn't talking.'
Tien observed her with his third eye.
'If she doesn't start talking soon, her emotions will calm down.'
'We don't want that.'
He had taken the time to embarrass Launch, just to make her emotional. People speak their mind when they are emotional.
He wanted Launch to follow her heart. It was the best time to strike; that's when people are most vulnerable.
He didn't want her to regain her composure. So Tien decided to start the conversation himself.
"Are you okay, Launch? You don't usually stay silent for so long."
Tien asked with a gentle smile. His smile made Launch's heartbeat soar and her ears feel hot.
A few seconds ago, she had managed to calm down a bit, but her emotions once again became a mess.
She couldn't help herself any longer. Turning towards Tien, she clenched her fist and looked at him in the eye.
"Tien, why did you leave me?"
Launch asked the burning question in her mind.
"When Goku and Chichi married two years ago, I asked you out on a date."
"But you left the next morning. Since then, I have been searching for you everywhere."
Tien seemed surprised, as if he didn't know Launch did something like that. But he didn't speak and let her continue.
Launch's emotions were still high; she didn't wait for Tien to respond. She took out her gun and showed it to Tien excitedly.
"Were you avoiding me because I am too violent? I am telling you, I have stopped using guns."
"I haven't fired a gun in the last two years. I promise you I won't start shooting people like I used to."
"Can you please stop avoiding me?"
Launch promised Tien, she was hoping her changed nature was enough for Tien to like her.
But Tien wasn't moved by her excitement. He folded his hands with a thoughtful look on his face.
'So that's why she didn't shoot the barmaid. She was trying to change.'
He thought internally. Then he smiled and put his hands on Launch's shoulder.
"I was not avoiding you."
"It is annoying when you shoot people, but it doesn't bother me that much."
"I am bulletproof, remember? Your bullets are like mosquito bites to me."
Launch's brain crashed; her eyes went wide with confusion. So, she stopped using guns for a misunderstanding? She staggered back while holding her forehead.
For two whole years, she believed that Tien didn't like her because of her violent outbursts. She tried so hard to change.
But Tien was saying it didn't bother him that much. If that's true, then what was the real reason Tien avoided her?
"Then why did you ditch me?"
Launch muttered in confusion. Whispering to herself, Launch suddenly thought of something and looked around cautiously.
She swallowed timidly, then whispered something in Tien's ear. Like she was talking about top secret information.
"Did you find out my secret? Are you avoiding me because I have a split personality?"
"I transform into another girl when I sneeze. She looks like me, but has blue hair."
Tien raised his eyebrows; he was genuinely surprised Launch knew about her second personality.
It seems like she found out about blue-haired Launch, in these two years.
"You have seen blue-haired launch?"
Tien had a nostalgic smile, as if he were remembering old days.
"I have met your second personality before; she is an amazing girl. Both you and your sister are great people."
"Your sister, Blue-haired Launch, is a gentle soul who can sit on the nimbus; her heart is pure and kind."
Pointing towards Launch, Tien continued.
"You, on the other hand, are willful and strong."
"You have so much fight in you; you once kicked earth's god. I appreciate your courage."
Giving her a thumbs up, Tien explained wholeheartedly.
"You don't have split personality but an ability to transform. This is a strength, not a weakness."
"If your sister's existence bothers you, get your transformation under control."
Launch had never seen it that way, Tien's encouragement made her feel cheerful. She nodded happily, he cared about her so much.
She was excited and wanted to control her powers right away. But she had no idea how to start.
"I want to control myself, but I'm not sure how. I instinctively change when I sneeze."
"I'm not a martial artist like you. I don't have any experience with this. Can you show me how to do it?"
Launch scratched her cheek and asked for help awkwardly; she was hoping Tien agreed.
Tien understood her thoughts right away; this was a good opportunity. The more he helps her now, the more she will owe him later.
"Sure. I can help you with your transformation. I happen to excel in this area."
Tien didn't seem to mind and agreed warmly. Narrowing his third eye, he spoke.
"I have the power to control my body. It's my special ability—I can manipulate every cell in it."
"I can tell you from experience, you and your sister are sharing a body."
"If I use my ability on you, I might be able to separate you guys."
Tien promised to help her, and after getting his promise, Launch finally felt relieved. She was now sure, that he wasn't avoiding her.
In her mind, she made excuses for him. She thought he must be busy with training and forgot about her.
Tien quietly watched her emotionally jump to conclusions and couldn't help but chuckle. His job was done.
He had fixed the original Tien's mess, and got back Launch's loyalty.
'Tien cares about me.'
Launch thought to herself.
'He just doesn't know how to show it.'
Looking up, she met Tien's gaze. After convincing herself Tien wasn't ignoring her on purpose, her confidence surged.
She felt the atmosphere tonight was perfect. This might be her chance to spend some quality time with Tien—she might not get another opportunity like this.
"We shouldn't waste any time—let's start my training now."
"I want to control myself as quickly as possible."
Launch fiddled with her hair.
"Do you want to come with me? I know the perfect spot. Tonight we can train together all we want."
Launch grabbed Tien's arm with a flushed face. Tien shot her a side-eye, knowing exactly what she was up to, but decided to go along with it anyway.
Meanwhile, Chiaotzu was biting his nails while sitting on a rooftop.
"Tien got himself a girlfriend, but I am still alone."
Chiaotzu nearly pulled out his last remaining hair in frustration. He never thought Tien was so good at this; he succeeded so fast.
With his only friend gone, Chiaotzu had nothing else to do. He sat on the terrace, waiting for Tien to return.
The wait lasted 6 hours. When the sun began to rise, the red-eyed Chiaotzu saw Tien fly back.
"Tien! What took you so long? It's been 6 hours. Did you fall asleep?"
Chiaotzu grabbed Tien's collar and shook him angrily.
"Sorry, Chiaotzu, it took longer than I realized. We can leave now; let's go."
Tien apologized and floated upwards; Chiaotzu grumbled but followed behind him.
Then he suddenly stopped.
"Wait, what about Launch? Where did she go?"
Shaking his head with a smile, Tien started flying away.
"I let her go back to Kame House. We don't have any money or a place to stay, remember?"
Chiaotzu's eyes bulged when he heard this.
"She's not coming with you? Isn't she your girlfriend?"
Tien nodded as he sped through the skies.
"She wanted to come, but I told her not to. Let's wait until I make some money first."
Chiaotzu pursed his lips. Staying in Kame House does sound better than being homeless.
He and Tien didn't mind living like that, but Lauch might have a hard time. Launch was Tien's girlfriend, so let him decide.
Chiaotzu stopped thinking about it.
"What are we going to do next Tien?"
Hearing this, Tien frowned thoughtfully. He hadn't decided what he wanted to do. Ever since he was reborn, he's been focused on Launch.
Now that her situation was under control, Tien decided to focus on himself. He soon thought of something he wanted to do.
Touching the third eye on his forehead, Tien said.
"I am going to train."
He paused for a moment, carefully recalling his past.
"When I was younger, my mother told me she was an alien. Our race was called Triclops."
"Triclops have many special abilities—genetic powers unique to our species."
Tien rubbed his chin, thinking about the abilities Triclops had.
"I've lost most of my powers because Master Shen raised me with evil intentions."
"But there's still one Triclops ability I have left, and it's extremely powerful if used correctly."
Tien's shoulder swelled, and within a second, two extra arms grew on his back.
"This is the only Triclops ability, that I can use, the ability to control my body on a cellular level."
"I'm going to train this ability to It's limit, then try to unlock my dormant ones."
Tien's gaze was sharp. After dealing with Launch his attention had shifted to himself.
Tien was actively remembering what the original author of this world had said about Triclops.
It was going to help him tremendously with training.
Advanced chapters ahead on patréon
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