"To think, I'd be risking my life along this clown to save what I once tried to destroy". Vegeta stood side-by-side with Goku at full-power, eyeing Jiren down and watching for any sudden movements.

"My friends, my… family. This could very well be the last time I see any of them, and any of them see me. This freak in front of me hasn't even gone all out yet, and Kakarot and I have been giving 110% from the start. I don't know if there's any way we can win this, but I don't care. This is my last stand." Vegeta moved forward carefully with Goku, with the Spartan intent of going home with his metaphorical shield or on it. He yelled out to him

"Kakarot!"

"What's up, Vegeta?" Judging from Kakarot's tone of voice, Vegeta surmised that even he was taking this situation entirely serious. He let out a small cackle, there were very few times he'd seen or heard of Kakarot being serious. He had even spared his life when they first met, as humiliating as it was, in the hopes of being able to spar again. He would've killed him had the chance arisen a few years ago, but now, there was no need for the anger in their rivalry. He spoke in earnest.

"I will be the one to take you down ultimately. Never forget that, you log-headed fool." The burning desire to be better than Kakarot never left Vegeta, even now in this multiversal catastrophe. It's just taken on a more docile form.

"You might have to settle for second if this guy is as strong as he looks." Goku jested partially, knowing that if they were to be defeated, all hope was lost. "This guy's stronger than either of us, maybe both of us combined even."

"Hmph!" Vegeta scoffed, and turned his attention to Jiren, who was as stone-faced as ever.

"Speak, warrior" was all the pride trooper said in response to Vegeta's glare.

Vegeta, ever the proud Saiyan prince and having reflected on his existence, as well as reconciled things with his rival, spoke loud and proud.

"This is all I have, Jiren. We know very well that you're strong, and it would be foolish to keep betting against the odds", Vegeta's voice grew louder seemingly with every syllable.

"But there's a power even greater than you at work here that doesn't allow me to back down!" He was almost full-on yelling now.

"IT'S THE ONE THING A SAIYAN ALWAYS KEEPS, WHAT I ALWAYS KEEP, MY-" Vegeta's blue aura burst forth, wildly lashing out and enveloping the entire void in waves of blue. He remembered all the faces he'd want to see, all the promises he had to keep, especially to his pupil, who's face flashed through his mind. His voice, in contrast to his ever-rising aura, tumbled down to no more than a whisper on his very last word.

"… Pride." With that, he and Goku took off, in what was for all intents and purposes, the beginning of the end, but for whom nobody could really predict.