Chapter 5: An unexpected event.
Finishing his speech, the Grand Priest raised his hands into the air. Just as several God's rose to their feet "you're insane!" Giin roared; Martinu and Agu wincing when the Grand Priest glared at him "is there a problem, Lord Giin?" The Grand Priest asked, raising an eyebrow at him "we were exempt from the last tournament, but now that Universe thirteen has returned; we have to participate?" Giin asked, crossing his arms as Agu began to sweat, nervously rubbing his hands "I assume that the answer to your question is quite obvious." The Grand Priest replied, shaking his head "It is unfair that we have to participate, simply to save the other Universe's. If the other eight Universe's are too weak to protect themselves from their fate; then I propose we erase them right now." Iwan stated, brushing his beard; Awamo and Anato looking at him with concern.
Hearing his opinion, the Grand Priest hummed, tapping his chin in thought; looking up at the Zeno's when they jumped from their seats "is there not going to be a tournament? I wanted to see Goku fight again." "Yes! I wanted to see Shougen fight too!" The Zeno's complained, looking down at the Grand Priest, on the brink of tears "please, Lord Iwan, Lord Giin; can't you see that your words are wounding Lord Zeno. I beg the two of you to please choose your words more carefully next time; as not to sadden Lord Zeno any further." The Grand Priest begged, his face drooping at Zeno's sadness "Is it not hypocritical of you to tell us to watch what we say when you allow a mere mortal from the third weakest Universe to say what he liked. It's completely disrespectful for him to act so nonchalantly with Grand Zeno?" Arak asked, pointing at Goku as Ogma began to chuckle nervously "what's so special about the thirteenth anyway? You're treating them like celebrities. They don't look very special to me; not worthy of this much praise, I assure you." Liquiir added, his three tails swiping through the air as he spoke. Hearing his words, Korn shook his head as Iru's eyes grew wide in fear "hey, come over here and say that to my face! I'll show you what I'm made of you overgrown mutt!" Shougen roared, shaking his fist at him. Liquiir opened his mouth to speak but stopped when the Zeno's laughed "look, look. He's so cool!" "Yes, the way he talks with so much anger." "Come over here and say that!" One of the Zeno's ordered, pointing at Liquiir, copying Shougen's stance "I'll show you what I'm made of you overgrown mutt!" The second Zeno added, pointing at Liquiir, laughing.
Hearing their laughter the Grand Priest's wide smile returned "maybe we should get eye patches like that." "Would that make us look cool? What do you think Goku!?" The Zeno's wondered, asking Goku who scratched his head and laughed "Lord Arak." The Grand Priest stated, looking down at him "Lord Liquiir." He followed up, looking at him while shaking his head "please refrain from saying such things in their presence." The Grand Priest stated, crossing his arms "you see! This is what we're taking about!" Liquiir cried, pointing at the Zeno's; who promptly stopped their laughter "we have to watch what we say, but those two can say what they want to us! Their just mortals, we're Gods; we stand above them, yet still; we have to watch our words and actions so that we do not enrage Grand Zeno. Yet, they can say what they want. Just because he's from the thirteenth doesn't mean he should be granted immunity!" Liquiir yelled, pointing at Shougen; who clenched his fist in anger "and him! Why do the rules not apply to him!? He is just a pathetic piece of garbage from a worthless Univer-!" Before Liquiir was able to finish his sentence he vanished, along with the Kai and the fighters that he had gathered "it seems that before the tournament even begins; one Universe has already been eliminated." The Grand Priest stated. Looking up at the Zeno's as they stood silent, their clenched fists held high above their heads.
Scowling, Shougen shook his head "you stand above us? Who the hell decided that?" he asked, crossing his arms sternly as he glared at the other God's that were standing against Zeno "what did you do that for!?" Giin asked, shaking his fist at Zeno; flinching when they glared at him, their eyes full of rage "Goku's our friend! He's not garbage!" One of them ordered, teleporting in front of him; lifting his hand into the air "you are saying very mean things." The other stated, teleporting in front of Arak; lifting his hand into the air as well "Lord Zeno?" The Grand Priest asked, floating down to them "will you fight in the tournament?" "Yes, will you?" The Zeno's asked, looking at the God's with rage "not if it means acting as bodyguards for Universe's that aren't strong enough to protect themselves." Giin stated "exactly, it's not our place, if they are not strong enough to face the thirteenth on their own; we shouldn't be expected to do it for them." Arak agreed, shaking his head.
Before their eyes; the other Universe's watched in horror as the Zeno's closed their raised fists. Erasing Universe's twelve and five in the blink of an eye "Lord Zeno, I do not understand. You erase them for speaking the truth. Even though Berrus slept for fifty years during the hide and seek tournament that you created. If you can remember; you were furious when it had to be cancelled. We God's of the other eleven Universe's had to calm you down; saving not just ourselves, but his Universe from erasure. Now here we are; doing the same thing once again, I think it's only fair to the rest of us if you erase Universe seven. Then, I think everyone will be fine participating in your tournam-." Before Iwan was able to finish, he vanished along with his Universe "well, isn't this a turn of events? Before it even begins; four Universe's have already been erased. Perhaps the fact that they held such a high power ranking had gone to their heads?" The Grand Priest wondered, as the Zeno's returned to their seats.
Everyone watched silently, not wanting to be on the receiving end of the Zeno's wrath. Looking up at the Grand Priest when he cleared his throat; the remaining eight Universe's froze; terrified by what he might say "on behalf of Grand Zeno I must apologize for what has just transpired. Those with too much power seem to view themselves as higher than those they outrank... I hope that what you have all just witnessed has not soured your view of Grand Zeno. With that; we bid you farewell." The Grand Priest stated, bowing "goodbye!" " I hope you all come back to play with us!" The Zeno's called, waving at them.
Laughing, Goku waved back at them as Piccolo and Vegeta sighed, relieved that the destruction had ended. Smiling; Shougen shook his head and waved up at them as well; quickly joined by Tink, hopping up on his shoulders.
Seeing this; every God, Kai and fighter joined them; resulting in the Zeno's child like, ecstatic laughter, bringing a smile to everyone's face. Seeing this, the Grand Priest smiled once more; overjoyed to see his master's so happy.
Before they knew it; the Universe's began to be teleported away one by one. Clenching his fist tightly, Shougen stopped waving and looked at his friends "see you later Shougen!" Goku cried, waving as they were teleported away "you better be ready, we won't take it easy on you next time." Shougen stated, his stoic demeanor returning as they vanished.
Arriving back on Kame island, Vegeta glared at Berrus "what are you looking at?" he asked, glaring back "we want answers." Vegeta stated, stepping towards him "about what? I didn't know anything about what just happened, I'm just as confused as you." Berrus replied, crossing his arms "I mean about Universe thirteen, you two told us before that Zeno destroyed six Universe's, leaving twelve. If that's true then how does Universe thirteen still exist? And why didn't they participate in the tournament of power? Or at the very least, why wasn't their God present?" Vegeta asked, smiling when Goku, 17, Piccolo and Gohan nodded in agreement.
Sighing, both Whis and Berrus slouched "why should we tell you anything? I'm the God of Destruction here." Berrus stated, pointing at him "because if you don't, we won't fight in the tournament." Vegeta quickly replied, smirking when Berrus grit his teeth "fine, but pay attention because we're only going to tell you once." He agreed, shaking his head in defeat.
Sighing, Berrus glared at Vegeta "I suppose it would be better to start from the beginning my lord." Whis admitted, causing Berrus to nod "first off, Universe thirteen was never destroyed. One day, long ago; Grand Zeno grew bored and created the first tournament of power. When the rules were explained Universe's fourteen through eighteen chose to rise up, deciding that the rules of the tournament were disgraceful. The God's of those five Universe's tried to attack Grand Zeno; they never stood a chance. Within a mere second they ceased to exist; with a single snap of his fingers they were destroyed and completely forgotten to time. Only to be spoken of on the tongues of the people who witnessed it." He explained, closing his eye's.
Shaking his head, Elder Kai walked forward "you children know nothing, you left out the part where Xerrath was the one that got them to try and attack Grand Zeno in the first place." He stated, shaking his head at Berrus "who's Xerrath?" Goku asked, tilting his head "the weird one mentioned something about Xerrath, didn't she." Vegeta stated, looking over at Goku "yeah, she said that when this Xerrath person tried to kill them; Shougen stopped the moon's from destroying their planet." Goku agreed, nodding his head "if she can make the moon crash into the planet, she must be really strong." Goku added, crossing his arms "Xerrath was Universe Thirteen's God of Destruction. She was once very kind and compassionate but one day she suddenly became the exact opposite. Many believe that she was driven insane by the power she held since she stood far above the other God's. Lord Zeno knew this and chose to spare her Universe. You see, Universe thirteen wields the greatest mortal level of any Universe. Grand Zeno wished to see if the mortals of Universe thirteen could defeat her." Everyone looked at Elder Kai as he explained Universe thirteen before walking back to Shin and sighing.
Nodding, Goku stepped next to Vegeta "yeah, the Angel of Universe thirteen said that Shougen was their God." At his statement, Berrus gasped "you mean they actually did it?" he asked, his eye twitching "what do you mean?" Gohan asked, crossing his arms "I thought that Grand Zeno had simply grown tired of Xerrath and gotten rid of her, but if they have a new God… That means that they actually killed her." He explained, staring into the distance "was Xerrath really that strong?" Piccolo asked, squinting at Berrus; who had begun to sweat "you have no idea. The only God that stood a chance against Xerrath was Lord Berrus himself, although even he was not able to match her power." Shin explained as everyone stared at him in shock "once, before the destruction of the four Universe's. All of the God's teamed up against her. We didn't stand a chance. The only one who walked away without having to be healed by their Angel; was Belmond." Berrus admitted, crossing his arms "does that mean Belmond is stronger then you; Lord Berrus?" Goku asked, scratching his head "of course not! That clown's only power is his tricks. The only reason he was able to walk away was because Xerrath took it easy on him." Berrus groaned, glaring at Goku for his rash assumption "why would she do that?" 17 asked, shaking his head in confusion "because she was Belmond's older sister." Berrus replied, sighing.
Tilting his head, Goku closed his eyes in thought "why weren't they at the last tournament then?" he asked, looking to Whis when Berrus walked away "they were absent for the last tournament because when it took place nine years ago; Xerrath was still the God of Destruction, and although Grand Zeno could have easily destroyed her if they wanted to. They wished see what the mortals of Universe thirteen were capable of. You see, If Xerrath and Universe thirteen had participated in the previous tournament; Grand Zeno feared that she would have attempted to enslave those from the other Universe's who were weaker of mind; turning them against their Universe's. Adding to her growing army, but now that Universe thirteen has freed themselves from Xerrath's tyrannical grasp, they have returned to our Multiversal family. And before you ask Goku; no, it is not just the fighters at the Expo that are strong. Every being of Universe thirteen is exponentially strong. Even the human's of Universe thirteen are many times more powerful then our own, although most of Universe thirteen lacks flight or energy manipulation, their power far exceeds our own. There are many factors to take into consideration when calculating battle power. To make it simple; if Shougen and his friends. Zagraeus included, had participated in the previous tournament; I have no repose in saying that every participant would have been eliminated within mere seconds. Even you and Jiren, Goku." Whis explained, leaving everyone aghast by the supposed power of Universe thirteen.
Shaking his head in shock, Goku looked at Whis "do you know Zagraeus?" He asked, excitedly clenching his hands "no, not personally. I do know of his existence though; as do the other Angel's." hearing this, Piccolo glared at him "is he that important?" he asked, staring at Whis intently "he is. He is far more powerful than anything you have faced before. Far stronger then you can possibly imagine, but that is a matter for a later date. I am forbidden to tell you anything more." Berrus, shook his head "what aren't you telling us?" he asked, glaring at Whis "all I can tell you is that he is nothing like we have experienced before. His power is unexplainable. From the information that I have managed to collect, he is something to be feared. Honestly when the Grand Priest told us about him; he himself seemed rattled."
Hearing his words, everyone; Shin and Elder Kai included, froze, staring at Whis in shock "even the Grand Priest is afraid of him?" Gohan asked, taking his glasses of "I wouldn't say that the Grand Priest fears him, but that he is simply aware of the power that Zagraeus holds, and knows that he is not something to be taken lightly. I must warn you; if Zagraeus does indeed join his Universe's team; which I don't see why he wouldn't. You must all promise me to never let your guard down, against any member; no matter how weak they may seem. Universe thirteen is not something to be taken lightly, if you underestimate them… You may not live long enough to regret it. That goes double for Zagraeus. Am I understood?" Whis stated, his face stern and emotionless, a serious glint in his eyes "well then, I propose that we choose our team quickly. That way we may spend the greatest of time preparing. Because if what you say is true; we are in for a very one sided fight." Shin stated, stepping forward, everyone nodding in agreement. Still silent as they thought about what Whis had shared.