A/N: This got a bit more angsty than expected for what was supposed to be a pwp.
Together For Justice
Zamasu stopped in his tracks as he took in the scene before him: Gowasu was on the floor, a man standing over him. A mortal? What was a mortal doing here? The blade of energy extending from his hand propelled Zamasu into action.
"Gowasu!" His feet carried him to his master who hadn't moved, and as he got closer he saw the slash across his chest. Just as he knelt down to assess the situation, Gowasu disappeared in a burst of light. He could only stare at the space where his master had been, aware that he was now crouched right before the assailant. Slowly he looked up at the dark-haired man, ready to fight for his life.
"I know your heart," the man said, his energy blade disappearing. "I know you wanted to do that yourself."
Zamasu's eyes widened at the accusation. How could anyone know that? He had barely seriously considered the idea, let alone said anything aloud to another soul. Before he could gather his thoughts into something verbal a hand was extended towards him, a green potara dangling from it.
"You're free. I've just made you Supreme Kai."
Zamasu eyed the potara, clearly having been taken from Gowasu in the last few minutes. Could it really be? Could he finally become God of this universe? Slowly he reached out, hand trembling ever so slightly. Just as he was about to lay hands on it, he retracted a few inches. Was this a trick? Who was this stranger? Why would he do this?
Trying to mask his indecision, he took the potara, but didn't yet put it on, not having located the other one. "Who are you?" he asked as he stood up to face this murderer.
The man was smirking as he watched Zamasu, and then he caught sight of it – this mortal-looking man was wearing the other potara. He slipped the one he'd been given into his pocket – now was not the time to be tricked into a fusion, especially not with someone potentially dangerous.
"I'm the you you always wished to be," he said.
It was difficult not to laugh at that. Certainly he would never have chosen such a visage for himself. The man before him didn't resemble a god in anyway save for that stolen potara, so why would he want to look like that? Yet here this man was, having acted on a desire to kill Gowasu, and handing him the mantle of Supreme Kai. Perhaps they were not as different inside. Still, it made no sense.
"What…? How?"
"I came from a different past in pursuit of justice." Zamasu's eyes flicked to the man's hand, and sure enough there was a time ring on his finger. "Now we'll destroy evil together. I need you for this crusade." He extended a hand.
Something seemed to click in the back of Zamasu's mind and he found himself taking hold and shaking the mortal's hand, mirroring his smirk.
"Together, for justice," they said in unison.
The man pulled him in for a hug, and Zamasu let him. Why? He wasn't sure, but he smiled, knowing that someone very interesting had just entered his life. This energy he could feel was surprisingly familiar, and the more he focused on it, the more at ease he became.
"This talk of justice has me hanging on your every word," Zamasu said, "but who are you?"
"I told you, I'm you."
Zamasu broke their embrace and took a seat at the table in the courtyard. "You're going to have to explain that one to me. I can't see how someone who looks like that is me."
"A fair point." The man leant on the table and stroked Zamasu's cheek. "I'm not sporting that beautiful face anymore. Quite a shame."
Zamasu grabbed the man's wrist and removed his hand. "Don't touch me so freely. I'm still not convinced you're who you say you are. What is your name?"
"Zamasu," he said as he took the seat opposite his future counterpart. "I have no other name."
"I'm not going to call you that. That's my name, not yours."
"Fine by me. I cast off my divine body, so I should do the same with my name. Perhaps you'd like to christen me with a new one."
Zamasu cocked a brow as he considered something fitting. "Black."
"Well, I had expected something more elegant…" He confessed himself disappointed in his own naming choice.
"It's no more than you deserve," Zamasu said. "Firstly your black hair caught my attention first. It screamed out mortal to me, not being as white as a kai's. And secondly, I must presume your soul to be black too, considering the way you would murder a god on his own planet."
Black nodded. "I'll accept your choice. But Gowasu was a necessary sacrifice for my plans."
"Yes, your plans… Tell me more. Perhaps you'd like to make some tea for me to enjoy while I listen."
For a moment there was silence. Black certainly did not want to make tea for anyone ever again, but he recognised this was a test. Just as Gowasu had often tested him, so was his future counterpart now. He got up and retrieved the tea trolley from where Zamasu had left it, and then very carefully made the tea in front of him, showing Zamasu that they had received the same training in the art.
"My plan is to become the sole god of the twelve universes, in a world unsullied by mortals."
Zamasu brought the cup to his lips and inhaled the tea's aroma before sipping it. It was the perfect cup, made exactly to his tastes. He looked up at Black, scrutinising him once more; the way he sat, the way he held himself, the gestures he used, and the language he chose.
"First we will make you immortal, and then we will go as sword and shield into the universes and cleanse them of filth. It is with some regret that we will have to kill the other Supreme Kais, but they sit by and watch as mortals war and rage, and that is a sin I cannot tolerate."
Zamasu was torn over this – did he agree? Yes, he agreed that the other kais were clearly a part of this problem, but to kill them? "Is that necessary?" Could they not get the others on-side? Show them the error of their ways?
"Perhaps you are not seeing the bigger picture, dear Zamasu. I know what you're thinking, but not only do you have to convince the other 11 kais, but also their destroyers. My biggest weakness at this very moment is them."
"Surely they would be easier to convince?"
"I would not be so sure. Even if they were, destroyers tend to be a lot more selfish, cunning, and competitive. It would not surprise me if some time down the line we were disposed of so that one of them could rule our beautiful world."
Zamasu hadn't had much to do with Rumsshi, but he had seemed fair enough. He wondered if Black had seen another side of him, or which other destroyers he'd come across.
"The only way to secure our divine rule is by killing all the gods, and unfortunately that means going after our own kind first. Besides, destroyers are not fit to remain in our world; they were once mortal after all."
Zamasu drank the last of his tea and set his cup down. "So you cannot accept any mortals? Not even the ones perceived to be blessed enough to deserve godhood?"
"No. I abhor them all. We have it within us to create the balance the universe needs. If anything, I will be your 'destroyer.' This body is no longer fit to create anything other than a world without mortals. Let me tell you about a mortal you never met: Son Goku."
As Zamasu listened to the tale of the mortal who dared lay a hand on a god, he found that he believed more and more that the man in front of him really was a past version of himself. From specific word choices, to the way his expression changed, there was something very familiar. He supposed this is what it's like to watch yourself on GodTube, except this was a living, moving version who said unpredictable things, but things that he could listen to all day.
"That's why I need you," Black said. "When the world is ours, you will be the god at the centre of it. I am not worthy, but you are."
Yes, he certainly could listen to this all day. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the potara Black had given him. "I've heard enough for now. I think it's time to start putting your plan into action." He removed his orange potara, exchanging it for the green one.
"Unfortunately I don't have the super dragon balls collected. I couldn't stand the anticipation of meeting you."
Zamasu smirked. "I'm flattered. It'll be faster with two of us anyway."
Ooo
Zamasu clenched his fist, trying to figure out if he felt any different. Suddenly a blade of energy burst through his chest. Immediately his breath caught and panic began to set in as he stared down at it; the same kind of blade he himself used.
"How do you feel?" Black asked, close to his ear.
"I…" He felt fine. There was a slight tingling in his chest, but there was no pain; it was all in his mind. His panicked reaction had been purely psychological, he realised. "Take it out."
Black retracted his hand and watched as Zamasu's body healed instantly, not a drop of blood spilt. "Perfection."
Zamasu touched his chest. "Yes, it is. I am." He turned to face Black. "Now let us proceed."
"We'll start with Universe 1."
"You have no objections to me being your sword and carrying out justice?" Black asked as they approached Anat's temple.
"Since you mentioned it I have thought about it a lot," Zamasu said with a sigh. "I see it as a sin for a mortal to kill a god. But I also see it as a sin for me to lay hands on another kai."
"What did you conclude?"
"You should bear this sin. You've already defiled yourself this much, what is one more disgrace?"
Black bowed his head. "It is as you say. I don't even expect you to watch."
"No, I will. I cannot rest easy in our utopia at the end if I do not endure this burden with you."
Black held out his hand, and Zamasu took it. "Together for justice."
They walked in on the unsuspecting Anat, and he was dead before he realised the danger he was in.
"We'll do this in pairs; Universe 12 next," Black said. "…Are you alright?"
Zamasu stood there, hand over his mouth, watching as Anat disappeared into light like Gowasu did. "Yes, I'm just fine…" It wasn't that he hadn't believed Black, but to watch as he took life so easily… Could anything stand in their way? Could it really be this easy to make their dreams a reality? "I don't feel a thing." He let out a loud laugh at his own disposition. He had expected to feel some sort of remorse for his fellow kai, but he barely even flinched as he watched Black cut him down. If someone else had admitted that to him, he would have said they were broken, but now this lack of feeling made him feel closer to godhood than ever. This was the kind of detachment one needed to ascend to the highest heights. "Let's go."
ooo
"How perfect," Black said as they touched down on the Sacred World of Universe 7. "I had intended to leave this one for last, and it just so happened to turn out that way."
"Why is that?"
"Son Goku was from this universe. So I'll cleanse this one first." He spotted their target up ahead, enjoying a spot of lunch with his attendant. "Last chance; do you want to kill one?"
"I wouldn't want to take this one from you. I feel it holds a special place in your heart. Besides, if he recognises this mortal it will be even more satisfying to watch the fear in his face."
"I'm glad you haven't been tempted to fall from your path."
This was better than Universe 6. That attendant hadn't noticed until after the fact, but these two were together.
"Who are you?" Kibito asked, sensing that these two were not friends.
"He looks like a saiyan," Shin said, coming forward with great interest.
Oh it was too easy, Black thought as he cut down Kibito, watching the fear manifest in Shin's eyes.
The kai jumped back, adopting a defensive stance. "What do you want?"
Zamasu clapped. "Oh, this is much more interesting. We really missed a trick with the others. I'd rather have watched them fight for their lives."
Shin looked between them, not sure what was going on, but quite concerned this kai seemed to be against him.
"This will be no fight. Sorry to disappoint." Black launched forward and cut through the kai with ease. "None of them were a match for this body and its power. You were always the most gifted kai; none of the actual Supreme Kais could match you."
Zamasu stepped over Kibito on his way to Black. "Now what? We're the supreme rulers of the 12 universes now, right?"
"Now, we will become justice incarnate."
"Where to first? What was that planet called…Earth?"
Black shook his head. "Let's not be hasty. I want to do a few test-runs before I have my fun there. I want it to be perfect when he rip the life from that planet. First we have to practice. Why, you've never killed a soul, have you?"
"No, but I've sanctioned you to do it for me."
"Oh, Zamasu…" Black took his hand. "There's nothing quite like doing it with your own hands. Come, I want to watch you erase a filthy mortal. I want to see that innocence wiped from your face."
"Is it not enough to have you do it while I am hailed as a divine being, above such dirty jobs?"
Black smirked. "If that's what you truly desire, but I know that you crave it deep down. You're itching to get involved."
"Sometimes I wonder how I ever thought you weren't me," he said. "Although I am still apprehensive, I trust you'll guide me."
Ooo
Zamasu stared down at the blood on his hands, mainly the colour of rust, but with flecks of orange too. The people here came in a glorious rainbow of colours, their blood too. Once he'd killed the first one it had been like a frenzy – he couldn't stop. These people didn't deserve to live in this world. They didn't deserve to gaze upon him in their last moments. He took pleasure ridding the world of their existence.
Black caressed Zamasu's cheek, drawing his attention to his counterpart. "How was that?"
"I've never felt more alive. This is why I was born into the universe." He wiped his hands on Black's chest. "They're so filthy!"
"Come, we're done here."
Zamasu looked around at the dead – they didn't disappear like the kais, instead bleeding out on the floor, some piled on top of one another. Now they would return their matter to the universe and become part of his utopia.
Black took him to a place in a forest. A logwood cabin in the middle of nowhere. "I still have some power to create left in me. I figure we could use a home during our crusade rather than relying on what mortals leave in their wake."
It was not the kind of place Zamasu had expected of himself; this cabin was nowhere near as grand or luxurious as the place he would create, but he guessed that Black had limits now.
"Come." He took Zamasu by the hand, leading him through the cosy-looking living room to the bathroom. He hadn't expected the interior to look like this; he had expectations about Black he hadn't recognised until now. This man from the past who had gone to such extremes to be here…yet still able to create something as warm and comforting as this. Was the mortal he'd stolen the body from having an effect on him? Or was he really more at peace than Zamasu gave him credit for? Perhaps he was closer to godhood than Zamasu himself.
Black began to run the bath while Zamasu pondered him. He didn't snap out of his musings until Black approached him, towel in hand. Once again Black surprised him, using the gentlest touch to wipe away the excess dirt from his hands and face before slowly relieving him of his soiled clothes.
"This is a beautiful piece," Black said as he held up the once-blue sash, now stained with a variety of blood colours. "Maybe we should frame it as a reminder of your first cleansing."
"As poetic as that sounds, I'd rather destroy these clothes that have been tainted by mortals. In my utopia there is no trace of them save for the distant memories in my mind."
Black noted that Zamasu didn't seem to include him in that utopia. Not to worry, he still had plans to make sure Zamasu didn't dispose of him at the end. Yet, he must accept him as himself for he didn't object to being undressed like this. Why, he certainly would have said something if he still had his old body – no one other than another god was fit to look upon his perfect form in all its glory.
Zamasu slipped into the water, cupping some in his hand and pouring it over his face. This was a more than welcome feeling. It felt like they hadn't stopped; travelling from universe to universe, killing in their wake. It had been more physically and emotionally draining than he gave it credit for. As he relaxed against the side of the tub he let out a sigh.
Black used a jug to pour water over Zamasu's head, running a hand through his hair as he did.
"Aren't you getting in?" Zamasu asked. The tub was quite sizable – Black seemed to have priorities when designing his humble home. "Were you waiting for an invite?"
"If you insist." He wasn't sure Zamasu wanted to see his mortal body bare and wasn't going to force the less than pleasant sight on him. His body was laced with scars from fights Goku had been in, some better healed than others. At first he hadn't been a fan of the excessive muscle mass he'd acquired, but it had slowly been decreasing – perhaps because he didn't stuff his face like the saiyans did. Yet now he found this leaner version to be quite to his liking. Certainly it had nothing on his original form, but it wasn't as abhorrent as he'd first thought.
"What do you think?" he asked, interested in his own opinion from another viewpoint.
"It could be worse," Zamasu said. "At least his species was made in the image of the gods. You could have had three fingers and a tail. Although you could have picked a better preserved one. This one looks a bit beaten."
"I guess that's what makes it such a strong vessel."
"I've been quite impressed with it so far," Zamasu admitted. "But you have yet to prove why it was a necessary trade. It appears that I've been keeping up with you in terms of power and stamina. Why, to me it looks like you're tired from today."
Black frowned. He had already figured out that his mortal body needed more attention than expected. It certainly wouldn't be serving him well if he tried to live off tea and an hour of sleep. "I could say the same for you."
"Inter-universe travel wearies one as I'm sure you know. I think we should both take a few hours to recharge."
Black nodded, submerging himself in the water. "Maybe tomorrow I'll show you the power this body is capable of."
Zamasu got out and began to dry off. "I look forward to it."
Ooo
The mortals weren't challenging enough. They were child's play to both Zamasus. Black was disappointed he hadn't been able to showcase a higher level of power, but he knew he would soon enough. He was going to suggest they went to Earth next, and there he would surely come across a saiyan or two who would give him an opportunity to flex his muscles.
"You looked enchanting out there today," Black said as he sat next to his counterpart, resting an arm on the back of the sofa.
Zamasu sipped his tea as he reflected on what a strange contrast their days and nights were. By days they were surrounded by carnage; screaming, death, and destruction. Yet at night they returned to their humble cabin, the world as quiet as can be, washing away the day's work, and ending it with a cup of tea.
Black tilted Zamasu's chin towards him. "What's up?" He worried more about his counterpart than anything else.
"Nothing, I was just thinking."
Black hummed. "Yes, you do that a lot. I want to hear your thoughts more often."
"I'm sure I'll become more talkative in time. I've only just been given free rein to air my thoughts after keeping them locked away for so many years."
"I could listen to you all day."
"I'm the only one you listen to. For the rest of time. What a lonely existence it is for the sole ruler of the universes." Zamasu sighed for effect. "But I'm glad to have you."
Black noted the use of the singular, but at least it sounded like he wasn't going to be disposed of any time soon. Not that Zamasu would be able to do it. Once he fought a few higher level mortals he would be the one who was on top with no competition. How he dreamed of the day when Zamasu wouldn't be able to hold a candle to him. Then he would have the respect he deserved.
He took the cup from Zamasu's hands and set it on the table. Zamasu watched without a word, not moving as Black straddled his lap, cupping his face. He caught the moment where Black hesitated before trying to go in for the kiss. A hand came up and pushed Black's face away before he could succeed.
"What's all this about then?" Zamasu asked.
"I want you." He couldn't help it; it was driving him insane. He'd managed to keep his urges under control at first when he thought Zamasu was still wary of him, but now they seemed to be on the same page.
Zamasu was at a loss for words. He could see what was going on of course – he would be enamoured by himself too. What a shame it was that Black looked like he did, otherwise the feeling might have been mutual.
"I thought that our recent activities would have got you as hot under the collar as it did for me to watch you."
"The euphoria I experience when I'm administering our justice doesn't manifest in any physical sense."
Black clutched his chest. "That's so…godly. Could you be any more perfect?"
"Are you sure that mortal isn't having an effect on you?"
"It seems this body had more needs than just food and sleep." It didn't seem a good time to recount how fantastic he'd felt the night after they cleansed their first planet. "But still, don't you love yourself as much as I do?"
"Oh, I do." He was the most perfect god in this universe, even if competition was non-existent.
"Then you still don't consider me the same." He was disappointed; he was sure he had proved himself.
Zamasu reached up, but instead of going for the cheek caress as planned, he settled for patting Black on the shoulder. "I do. I just cannot consent to…" He wasn't sure how to say it nicely. Better to just be blunt, he supposed. "I don't want to touch a mortal like that."
"I see." He couldn't argue; he would have said the same.
"Nor do I want to be touched by a mortal," Zamasu added just to make sure he halted all advances.
Black nodded and removed himself from Zamasu. He didn't know why he had expected to get anywhere with this endeavour; he had already known this was the most likely outcome. "See you tomorrow." Despite knowing exactly what Zamasu was thinking, the rejection was still hard to swallow.
ooo
"Did you want some?" Black asked
"No, thank you." He watched as Black ate far more food than he had ever consumed in one sitting.
"Why are you staring at me then?"
"I was just thinking about the ways this mortal affects you." Zamasu sipped his tea; he was at least kind enough to partake in something while Black ate. "No matter what you say, this body is affecting your mind. You can pretend it doesn't change your actions, but eventually you submit to its demands – be that sleep, nutrition, or otherwise."
Black chewed his mouthful slowly as he tried not to grind his teeth with anger. It sounded very much to him as if he was losing Zamasu's respect by the day; the kai still didn't agree with his decision to switch bodies.
"I just wonder how much more you'll lose to it. Perhaps it is a slow process by which you become more mortal the longer you inhabit that vessel. Will you eventually resemble Son Goku more than me?"
"So you at least think I am closer to you than the filth I have stolen this body from?"
"Certainly. Even if your decision is unfathomable to me at present, I know we're one. I can only wonder what happened to you in the other timeline."
"One day I hope you can meet Goku and understand."
"Yes, I hoped so too, but alas that's not to be."
"What?"
Zamasu cocked a brow, surprised his counterpart hadn't done his research. "That mortal is dead in this timeline, and has been for several decades. In fact, when I looked into this Earth you spoke of, I found that the average power level was disappointingly low."
Black gripped his chopsticks hard enough to snap them, forgetting how much strength he had. How could this be? His revenge was ruined before it had even begun. "Let's go to Earth tomorrow then. No point saving it if there's nothing of value there." He would just have to find a better planet on which to flaunt his powers.