Chapter 4: The final trial.
Arriving on the arena platform, Shougen tossed his swords up to Kaseaen who loyally caught them "what are you doing?" Goku asked, confused as Shougen rubbed his right shoulder, cracking his neck "it would dishonor everything my mother taught me to fight with my swords when you don't have any." He stated, smiling.
Laughing, Goku began to stretch "you know, I think you and Vegeta would get along great." Laughing, Shougen cracked his knuckles "is that so?" he asked as the Grand priest raised his hand "now, the final trial of power. Universe seven's; Goku and Universe thirteen's; Shougen. Begin!"
Both fighters stood completely still, waiting for the other to make the first move. Their gaze unwavering as they stared at each other intently. The stadium growing eerily quiet as everyone, including the Zeno's watched in silence, awaiting the first strike "what are you waiting for Goku? Do something!" Berrus yelled impatiently at the still stone faced Goku.
Looking down at the fight, Vegeta gasped when he saw Goku's eyes twitching "he can't read his movements." Vegeta stuttered, causing the others to look up at him "what does that mean?" Tink asked, poking his hair "Kakarot fights by reading the movements of his opponents, using the opening's they create to deal damage. In all the years I've known that man… This is the first time I've seen him struggle so much. Just what is he?" Vegeta asked, his eye's glued onto Goku "I will admit, my brother is an enigma all his own. Many have tried to pick him apart, but as you can see; none have succeeded. He once fought the entire fifteen thousand strong; Caledonian army at once." Hearing his statement, Vegeta looked back at Gazu in stunned astonishment "an entire army? Of fifteen thousand?" "Yeah, and when Xerrath tried to kill us, he even lifted both of Vitania's moons at once." "what!?" Vegeta yelled in complete disbelief, picking Tink up by her hair "to say that he lifted them would be false. He simply stopped them from impacting our planet by… Holding them... Above his head." Gazu stuttered "so he lifted them." Tink stated once more, booping Vegeta on the nose.
Wincing when Vegeta dropped her, he grasped the sides of his head "what is going on? That's impossible, no one is that strong... Kakarot get him!" Vegeta yelled, frantically shaking his fist.
Hearing Vegeta's frantic cries, Goku yelled; becoming Super Saiyan Blue, Kaioken. Looking at Shougen with a smile, he swiftly fired a powerful Kamehameha. Grinning, Shougen crossed his arms in front of his face, taking the blast head on.
Goku's eyes widened in shock as gasps escaped the watchers above; seeing Shougen casually walking through his attack "Kaioken times one thousand!" Goku roared, causing Shougen to pause his advance "Kaio what?" he asked as Goku's aura grew, the Kamehameha becoming both larger and more powerful, causing dust and debris to be sent flying, obscuring the battlefield "ha, well that's the end of him. Your friend was to cocky." Berrus mocked, laughing and pointing at Tink who was hanging off of the platform; using her tail to hold herself up with the hilt of Shougen's massive blade "it's not over until the fat lady sings, and she hasn't said anything yet." Tink quickly replied, pointing at Monna of Universe four.
The stadium once again grew quiet as the debris began to dissipate "what happened?" " I can't see, I can't see." The Zeno's stated, hopping out of their seats to peer over the edge of the platform; trying to get a better view. Gasps were all that could escape the mouths of the spectators when the dust settled completely; seeing Shougen standing on a single square tile of the arena that had been blown out of place, his red shirt; now shredded from Goku's attack, resting at his waist.
Laughing, Goku scratched his head "you're still here, Huh?" Smiling, Shougen nodded at his question "not bad, that was definitely something. I guess I can't take it easy around you… I'll admit it, your strength is not something to laugh at. But, neither is mine!" Shougen grunted as Goku lost his balance.
Everyone's mouth's dropped wide open as Shougen began to lift the rest of the arena into the air, with Goku still on it. The Zeno's jumping up and down happily as Shougen lifted the arena "look, look!" "he's so strong, Goku's in serious trouble!" they cheered, retaking their seats.
Grunting, Shougen sighed as he held the fighting arena completely vertical with Goku still holding on to the other side; now nearly two hundred feet in the air "wow, you sure are strong Shougen!" Goku admitted, yelling so that he could hear him.
Vegeta stared wide eyed at Shougen, aghast by how someone could have this much strength "what the hell?" he asked, his left eye twitching "looks like dad's in trouble this time, Vegeta." Vegeta and the others continued to stare at the fight as Fleur turned to see Gohan landing next to her "who might you be?" Fleur politely asked, looking up at him.
Looking around, Gohan scratched his head in confusion before looking down at Fleur and smiling "my name is Gohan, Goku is my Dad. Nice to meet you." Gohan answered, politely introducing himself as he reached his hand towards her for a handshake.
Taking his waiting hand, she smiled "my name is Fleur, I'm sure you know that from my fight earlier, but it's always good to reintroduce yourself. I'm Watanuki's wife by the way." She stated, pointing down at Shougen "A pleasure to meet you Gohan." Gohan blinked and shook his head at Fleur's words, causing her to tilt her head to the side "what?" she asked, letting go of Gohan's hand.
Fixing his glasses, he bowed "sorry, I Just wasn't expecting that. To be honest, I thought you were his daughter." Giggling, Fleur shook her head "don't worry, that's what most people assume at first glance. Not many people believe that I'm actually a year older than him." Fleur explained as Gohan tilted his head "Watanuki?" he asked, half way laughing "it's what I've called him ever since we were children. I'd tell you the reason why, but…" smiling, Gohan shook his head "no need, you don't have to explain yourself." He replied as Piccolo landed next to her "hello, how are you? I'm Fleur." Fleur greeted, smiling when he looked down at her.
Nodding, he inspected her for a moment before looking back to Vegeta "I'm Piccolo, I've heard everything that has been said over here since the beginning. Gohan is right Vegeta, Goku's in serious trouble." Piccolo quickly introduced himself before turning his attention to Vegeta and Gohan; completely ignoring her "I'm aware of that, just shut up and watch!" Vegeta snapped, not moving his gaze "sorry about Piccolo. He's a little up tight, but he's nice once you get to know him. That guy over there is 17 by the way. He's an android." Nodding at Gohan's words, she looked over at him and tilted her head "an android, huh? That's what Aoia is." Looking down at her, Gohan scratched his chin "your Universe has android's as well?" nodding in response, Fleur continued to look at 17 "yup, Aoia is the only one though. She was made by one of our friends; named Sturan." "shut it, both of you!" Vegeta snapped, causing Fleur to back away toward Gazu "pay attention, you're a Sayian. Act like one!" Walking up to Vegeta and Piccolo, Gohan sighed as Fleur returned to watching the fight.
Roaring, Shougen slammed his head into the arena; causing Goku to lose his grip. Watching him fall, Shougen smiled, releasing a mighty roar as he swung the stage like a bat towards Goku; hitting him with it so hard that the rest of the arena shattered, sending debris flying as Goku crashed into the arch that covered the Zeno's platform. Their guards, protecting them as the debris fell.
Landing amongst the debris, Goku laughed, waving at the Zeno's "heya, little Zeni's. How ya doing?" The Zeno's did not answer Goku, but instead; gazed upward at the destroyed arch, their eyes and mouths wide in amazement.
Looking up, Goku saw Shougen falling from the sky, laughing as he watched in both shock and horror. Wondering how Shougen had managed to ascend to such a height without being able to fly. Watching him intently, Goku remained still until Shougen drove him through the platform and back towards the fighting stage.
As they descended towards the ground, Goku grabbed Shougen's leg, twisting a circle mid air before throwing him toward the ground; insuring that he would land first.
Everyone leaned closer to the edge when they both crashed into the ground, a plume of dust covering them from view "contender Shougen; of the thirteenth is victorious." Hearing the Grand Priest's announcement, Berrus leapt to his feet "what, how?" he yelled, shaking his fist furiously "how did he know?" Piccolo and Vegeta asked at the same time, looking at each other in shock.
Laughing, Goku sat down on the ground, returning to his base form. Joining him, Shougen sat on the single tile of the arena; one of many that had been blown out by Goku's attack at the beginning of the fight "how did you know where I would throw you?" Goku asked as they arrived back on Universe thirteen's platform "never underestimate a Spargan warrior, my friend." Chuckling at Shougen's answer, he shook his head "I'm gonna need a rematch, you know." Goku stated, reaching his hand towards him "anytime, I'd like that a lot." Shougen agreed, clasping Goku's hand; showing his friendship "a little excessive though, don't you think?" a small cat asked, appearing from Shougen's chest. Yawning as it floated up, taking a seat on his head "aww! Who are you? You're so cute." Goku gushed over her, floating upward to be on her level.
Giggling as Goku poked her cheek, the small cat patted his finger "I'm Tippi; a forest sprite. Someone's got to look after this big lug, and since our souls are bound, that task falls to me." Tippi answered, shaking one of Goku's fingers with her tiny paws. Goku gasped when Shougen picked up his swords from the ground, lifting Tink along with them "wow! You know, I didn't notice before but your swords are huge." Goku stated, inspecting them "there a family air broom." "heirloom." Tippi quickly corrected, patting Shougen's cheek lovingly "they belonged to my grand father, here." Shougen explained, holding one of them towards him.
Taking the large black sword in hand, Goku shrieked when it dragged him to the ground. Standing up, he tried to lift it to no avail "Vegeta, a little help?" Goku asked, looking at Vegeta who sighed "not this again." Vegeta groaned, walking over to him while pulling his glove.
Gasping, Vegeta glared up at him "what are your weapons made of?" Vegeta asked, straining as he tried to lift it "I'm not sure, to be honest; I kind of lied when I said that they were family air brooms." "heirlooms." Tippi corrected once again, causing Shougen to groan "the originals were destroyed a long time ago, Sturan built these for me. They look the same as my old ones, but there a lot heavier; I think Sturan said that they weighed one hundred thousand tons." "no darling, they weigh one hundred thousand tons each; that means that they weigh two hundred thousand tons. Before you ask, Fleur's bow weighs twenty thousand tons, but when it becomes the axe it becomes sixty thousand tons." Tippi explained, shaking her head.
Nodding, Shougen patted her head "what she said." He admitted, picking up the sword from the ground, lifting both Goku and Vegeta with it "my old ones had a demon named Yokk'Karosh sealed inside it. When they broke, he escaped… He killed a lot of people and almost destroyed our world." Shougen explained as Goku and Vegeta stared at him in complete shock "we couldn't even lift one of them together, and he lifts both of them at the same time." Goku thought, staring at Shougen in shock of his strength "one hundred thousand tons each!? This guys a monster." Vegeta muttered to himself, his mouth wide in shock as Piccolo and Gohan looked at each other.
Everyone stood at attention as the Grand Priest lowered himself to their level "with that, I believe that this trial of power is complete. Even if we wished to hold another match, I believe that it would be impossible now." He explained, motioning at the destroyed arena below him "gather your strongest warrior's; fore in a full seven days from sun rise tomorrow, a second Universal fighting tournament shall be held. Now, to not to cause any future confusion, let us call this one… The tournament of survival. Since Lord Zeno enjoyed the last one so much; we have decided to hold another. This time, with a little twist... Universe's one through twelve shall team up against Universe thirteen in a no holds barred; single elimination style match. The only rule, of course; is that murder is strictly prohibited. Weapons of all typing's are permitted, as is flying and any other means of combat, and just to reiterate my point once again; the use of murder is strictly prohibited, as is interfering with the tournament combatants after your elimination. The outcomes, are simple. If all fighters from Universe thirteen are eliminated; the remaining fighters from the other twelve Universe's shall all be granted a wish from the super dragon balls. If all of the fighters from the twelve Universe's are eliminated; the remaining fighters of Universe thirteen shall be granted a wish. Sixteen fighters from each Universe is required for participation. So please, gather your strongest, and steel yourselves. Of course, just like the last tournament; the loosing Universes shall be destroyed. Consider it a way to test not only the strength of the combined might of all twelve Universe's, but also; your teamwork and trust in the allies that you fight beside. Though, I suppose that I should explain this clearly now, as to not cause any further confusion… Any Universe that is destroyed during the duration of this tournament shall remain so. With thirteen Universe's; Lord Zeno has decided that there are simply too many fighters, and many of them are far too weak; by using the rules that have been created for this tournament, we can ensure that only the Universe's with the strongest fighter's remains. We hope that you look forward to the tournament, and please, have a pleasant week." Hearing his words, all thirteen Universe's fell silent, processing what they had just been told.