The entire null realm gasped when A loud roar resounded as the dragons that had attacked Vegeta earlier returned. "What!? How!?" Berrus asked as Rei; the black serpent like dragon, grabbed Zagraeus in her claws. Seeing this, Shogen cheered and tossed Fleur, Kaseaen, Kukei and Tink into the air in glee.
The other Universe's shared a collective gasp when Nyx's song quickly changed into an upbeat tune as Nina landed on the platform with Cody on her back.
Seeing this, Drago began to laugh as the other Universe's fell eerily silent as the massive dog grabbed Goku by the hair with P perched atop his head; blue sparks flying from her small body. "Impossible! Where did he come from!" Champa yelled as he pulled on his ears.
Before anyone could ask anything else, Cody's mother's surrounded Zagraeus. "Lady Rei?" Zagraeus asked as she placed him onto a small platform. A small chuckle escaped the black serpents mouth as Tamao used her sturdy body to gently lift Zagraeus from the ground.
Using her great antlers, Eva held him upright. Everyone watched in confusion and awe as all five dragons released their breaths; covering Zagraeus just as it had to Vegeta earlier.
As the flames covered him, Zagraeus began to scream; raising into the air as a massive explosion of energy escaped from him, a bright light enveloping him once more; revealing the large white monkey. The Angel's of every Universe stood with smiles on their faces as they stared at it. "Whis?" Berrus asked as he watched him stand. "Yes?" He asked, glancing down at his God, an ecstatic smile spread across his face. "What is he?" "Do you remember the book that Grand Zeno and the Grand Priest gifted you when you took the mantle of God?" He asked as Berrus scratched the inside of his ear. "You mean that big leather tomb?" Berrus asked closing his eyes in thought. "Yes, the one that you tossed into the pond in rage after I advised that it would be beneficial for you to read it." Whis explained as Berrus sighed. "Just my luck." He admitted as Belmond sniffed, tears running down his face.
The entire Null realm quaked as the monkey released a roar unlike anything, any of the warriors present had ever experienced, drastically different than the one it released before.
As it vanished, Zagraeus appeared on the ground in front of Vegeta. Looking up, Zagraeus smiled when Rei caressed his cheek with her claw. "Together." as the great spirit mother's vanished, Zagraeus looked back down to Vegeta. "Goku of the 7th and Cody of the 13th have been eliminated, three fighters remain." The Grand Priest announced as Frieza gasped in fright when Goku fell on his lap. "Get off of me you filthy monkey!" Goku laughed at Frieza's reaction as he pushed the Saiyan warrior to the ground. "Oh, come on; don't be like that Frieza, were all friends here." Goku replied, causing Frieza to scoff, looking into the sky. "I would rather die than acknowledge a monkey as my friend." his words, simply caused Goku to laugh again. "You alright kid?" Ronin asked as he helped Cody to his feet, being cautious not to touch his broken arm, still hanging limply to his side. "I'm fine, just happy I could help." He admitted as Drago looked skeptically at him. "Do you care to explain how exactly you vanished? And, where you have been hiding this whole time?" Cody smiled as he turned to face Drago. "When Shougen saved me from Vegeta, he used Vegeta's attack as a distraction so Zagraeus could take me up on a floating rock; high above everything else. "Say here and wait for my signal. Whatever happens, don't reveal yourself. I have created a barrier around you. Just like I used to conceal my survival. As long as you don't reveal yourself, no one will see you here." That's what he said, I agreed and he left me up there." Cody explained as he pointed to a rock, high above the stage. "I know he told me to wait for his signal, but I couldn't just sit their and watch him be eliminated. I mean, come-on; it's not like I would've been able to beat them." He explained, pointing at Vegeta and Jiren who had pulled himself from the remnants of the central pillar.
Laughing, Drago crossed his arms. "It seems as though, this tournament has reached it's finale." He stated, looking down at the battlefield.
Looking down at Vegeta, Zagraeus sighed as he tried his hardest to raise himself from the ground. Completely unfazed when he heard rubble from behind him shift. "Don't fret Vegeta, nothing lasts forever." A shiver ran up the collective spines of the multiverse as Zagraeus spoke. An unholy union of the Destroyer's voice, along with his own.
Hearing Zagraeus speak, Drago shook his head. "What in Talos's name?" Drago asked, leaning forward. "They are one." Shougen explained with tightly gritted teeth.
Clenching his fist, Shougen began to laugh. "He's finally pushed past his hatred towards himself for not being able to save his mother, he's no longer shackled by his past. He's become everything that he always could have been… Perfect." Shougen explained as Vegeta continued to struggle, unwilling to admit defeat.
Zagraeus closed his eyes and chuckled when Vegeta gasped; a look of pure joy filling his face. "Do you think I didn't notice you there?" Zagraeus asked as he waved his hand next to his head, sending Bula flying from the stage. "Bulla of the 7th has been eliminated, now, only three fighters remain." The Grand Priest explained, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Vegeta continued to stare at where Bula was; shaking in anger. Rising to his feet, his eyes turned white as he stared at Zagraeus intently, the aura around him changing by the second. "What's this now?" Zagraeus asked, crossing his arms, interested by Vegeta's new found strength. "Don't you ever touch my baby girl!" The null realm quaked once more as Vegeta roared, the energy he emitted caused the sky around them to become a bright purple color.
Becoming enveloped in a golden light, Vegeta continued to roar as his body twitched; his muscles beginning to grow; his hair taking on a deep purple hue. "It's finally happening, Vegeta has finally gotten that push that he has always needed." Whis stated, looking down at Berrus as he clenched his fist tightly, his eyes twitching as he watched Vegeta. "It seems that your training has paid off, my Lord." Everyone looked at them in confusion as Vegeta roared once again.
A bright purple light resonated from Vegeta's chest as three diamonds appeared, identical to the ones on Whis and Berrus's outfits. Falling silent, Vegeta rose his head towards Zagraeus and opened his eyes, revealing them to be a dark purple color. Every God standing in recognition of Vegeta's official ascension. "This tournament just keeps getting better." "Yes, I know. First Zagraeus and now this." "Look at Vegeta, he's awesome." "Yes I agree, but I still like Zagraeus better." The Zeno's cheered from their seats as they continued to stare at each other.
Those watching from the stands marveled at Vegeta's new form. "Incredible. First, the appearance of the Destroyer, and now the birth of a new God of destruction." Belmond stated, falling backward into his seat as a huge wave of energy surged past them.
Looking down at the stage, everyone gasped when Jiren stood silently, his fists clenched as tears rolled from his eyes. "Jiren?" Belmond asked, leaning forward once again. "Hey! What's wrong with him?" Zagraeus asked, motioning behind him as Vegeta stared him down.
Looking down at his hands, Jiren growled. "I have always believed that my strength was absolute… That trusting those that walk beside you made you weak. But now, I see that the opposite is true." He stated, everyone watching in interest as the ground began to quake. "Jiren, what is wrong!?" Toppo asked as he leapt to his feat. "Toppo, I have always treated you and the others like tools and never as a friend… Even though you all saw me as one… I know see that this is what has made me weak. Goku, Zagraeus, Vegeta… All of you have pushed beyond your limits for the ones that you fight for." Both Zagraeus and Vegeta looked over at Jiren as the ground began to quake beneath their feet. "After all of these years, it is strange. After trusting no one but myself until my loss against Goku… Why, why does my heart ache when the thought of loosing the pride troopers enters my mind?" Jiren asked as he began to shake. "What's happening to him?" Berrus asked, closing his eye as he glanced at Jiren. "Friends… It seems so foreign to call them that… But, that is what they have become… No, I don't have friends." Jiren stated, seemingly struggling with himself. "I don't have friends, I have a family, and now…. I fight for my family!" He roared, tossing his head into the sky as his red aura was accompanied by a cosmic one, the air around him changing as a calming warmth blanketed the realm. "What is this?" "I don't know, this is strange." The Zeno's stated as Jiren continued to yell.
Without warning, the Angel's off the multiverse, Merus included stood as a pale, cosmic lime hue covered Jiren's body. "What's happening?" Toppo asked, touching Marcarita's shoulder. "We are witnessing a unique moment in history. We have seen three mortals ascend to the ranks of the God's, but as of yet, we have only seen one mortal ascend to the ranks of the Angel's." She explained, looking at Goku as Jiren's roars faded into silence. "Are you saying that Jiren has…?" Toppo began to ask as massive and rapid explosions began to rock the stage.
Everyone gasped as piece after piece of what remained of the arena shattered. Leaving less and less of the stage as Vegeta and Jiren continued to assault Zagraeus.
Completely bewildered by the strength that the three warrior's had achieved with little to no effort at all, the spectators watched in awe as they continued to fight with no end in sight as the stage continued to be completely obliterated.
Catching one of Vegeta's punches, Zagraeus groaned in pain when Jiren's punch sent him smashing into the ground. "You never cease to amaze me." Zagraeus admitted as he stood once more, blood dripping from his nose as Jiren and Vegeta landed next to each other on a rock above them.
Everyone gasped when they saw that Jiren possessed a faint, transparent, golden halo above his head. "Is Jiren dead?" Goku asked, tilting his head in confusion. "No, the faint golden glow that the halo emits is a sign that Jiren has transcended. He has become the next in line to take over the job of Angel of Universe 11. "Marcarita explained, a wide smile stretched across her face.
Before anyone could ask another question, Zagraeus laughed. "This is great, this is the most interesting tournament I've ever been involved in. But don't think that makes you special though." Zagraeus stated as he formed a halo identical to Jiren's above his head. "I can do that too." He admitted as Vegeta grunted in reply. "Shut up!" Vegeta roared as he appeared infront of Zagraeus. Smiling when Zagraeus caught another punch, sending quakes through the entire arena, turning most of it to dust.
Laughing, Vegeta took a deep breath. "Hakai." He stated, forming a destruction attack within his clenched fist. Quickly releasing Vegeta's hand, Zagraeus roared out in pain when Jiren's fist slammed into his stomach, causing him to recoil in pain.
Before Zagraeus could react, Vegeta drop kicked Zagraeus, sending him flying.
Without a word, both warrior's charged at Zagraeus assaulting him with rapid attacks until Jiren caught two of his punches, allowing Vegeta slam his feet into his face. "Your power was to much to handle when we attempted to surmount it on our own. But now your power is nothing without the ability to tear our teamwork apart." Jiren explained as Zagraeus smirked. "That may be true. But, I also fight for my family and friends. They are always with me. And I will not fail them. I am the final obstacle between then and death. I will defeat any foe, even those that call themselves… God's." Zagraeus stated, punching Jiren in the face.
Vegeta's face contorted in anger at Zagraeus's comment. "Shut up!" He yelled as he head butted Zagraeus, causing him to recoil.
Vegeta took this rare opportunity to release a barrage of punches to his stomach, allowing Jiren to follow up with a swift kick to his back; sending Zagraeus careening toward a broken section of the arena. The null void quaking as Zagraeus impacted the surface.
Vegeta growled as Zagraeus stood, a smile on his face as Jiren began to assault him again. "Who does he think he is? He's beneath me. I am Vegeta; the prince of all Saiyan's" Vegeta grumbled to himself as Zagraeus and Jiren continued to trade punches, scowling when he saw the ecstatic smile on Zagraeus's face.
Looking up at Vegeta, Zagraeus created a clone of himself. "Anytime now. Clocks ticking." Zagraeus's clone mocked as he tapped on his wrist before vanishing. "Cocky bastard!" Vegeta spit as his eye twitched in rage. "I'll show him, I'll show them all. Are you ready Zagraeus!? I'll reduce you to ashes. Hakai Galick Gun!" Vegeta yelled as he released his iconic purple attack towards Zagraeus, the power of the destruction coursing through it. Looking up at the attack, Jiren dashed away as Zagraeus smiled. "I hope you don't mind me copying you, but like I said. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery." Goku simply continued to stare down at Zagraeus as his words echoed within his mind.
Throwing his hands up towards Vegeta's incoming attack, Zagraeus continued to smile as he twisted his arms, cupping his hands behind his back. "Ka… Me..." "There's no way." Berrus gasped when he realized what Zagraeus intended to do. "Zagraeus sure is amazing, I really don't think there's a way to beat him." Goku replied as he watched Zagraeus intently with a strange sense of pride. "Ha... Me…" "Can Zagraeus really use the Kamehameha wave?" Yamcha asked as he watched the blue energy form in his hands. "Ha!" The spectators gasped when the legendary Kamehameha wave flew from Zagraeus hands and impacted Vegeta's Galick Gun.
The arena was quickly flooded by a bright light when the two attacks met, both warriors began to scream as they tried to overpower the other until Jiren appeared next to Vegeta, releasing his own attack; adding a bright red hue to the Galick Gun, adding more power to it as they continued to scream.
In a strange unison, they began to inch there way towards the other; the two attacks becoming more unstable the closer the three warrior's came, until they came in mere inches of the other.
The spectators covered their eyes when the two energy beams collapsed on themselves and exploded; releasing a bright white light. "Wow, look at that." "I know, it's so bright!" The Zeno's admired, laughing as the light blinded them.
As the light faded, Jiren, Vegeta and Zagraeus floated high above the arena, smoke flying from them, a reaction from their previous encounter.
Looking around, the entire multiverse gasped when they realized that the explosion from their attack's had completely evaporated what remained of the arena, including the remains of the central pillar.
Starring at each other, the three warrior's quickly charged at each other once more and began to assault the other with punches and kicks.
The three of them gasped slightly when an unseen force blew them apart. "Enough!" The Grand Priest's voice boomed throughout the null Realm, causing Jiren, Vegeta and Zagraeus to freeze in their tracks. "As it stands now, there is no arena left. So technically speaking; there are no longer any physical boundaries. Meaning that the three of you are out of bounds." Everyone stared at the Grand Priest silently, the Zeno's included as confusion covered them. "Meaning what exactly?" Zagraeus asked as he looked at the Grand Priest slyly. "Meaning that the three remaining fighters are no longer within the boundary's set at the beginning of our tournament. There is no winner. But at the same time, there is no looser. Because of this, I am very sorry to announce that because of the strange situation we find ourselves in; all of the Universe's present shall be destroyed."
A thick cloud of fear and terror covered everyone as the Grand Priest's words were cemented in their minds. "Wait.. why!? We didn't loose!" Zagraeus yelled, pointing his finger at the Grand Priest. "True, but there is also no winner, we have ourselves a draw. No looser, true. But there is no winner either. May I remind you that my word is law here, all Universe's from 2 to 13 shall now be destroyed." The Grand Priest explained as he rose his clenched fist into the air.
Everyone on the stands stared silently speechless, completely thrown off by the Grand Priests new disposition as Zagraeus, Jiren and Vegeta starred at him; their anger reaching a new level.