Nevrrest twittered as her fellow justiciars departed, her gaze shifting back to her foe. "So, Kakarot…I know it's cliché, but considering your substantial reputation, I must ask…any last words?"

"No thanks," Goku answered, suddenly smirking ever so slightly, "But since we're on the subject, I do have a request."

"Oh?"

"Call it a final request if you want," he continued, "See, I've had a theory for a while now. Back when you fought Vegeta on Earth…you didn't actually need the Quantum Fusion Core, did you?"

Nevrrest folded her arms gently and lifted the corners of her mouth.

"I have a feeling you could have fought him just fine without it. But I learned you don't like taking risks in battle. You don't take fights you aren't one hundred percent certain you'll win. It's not enough for you to just win a battle, is it? You have to completely crush your opponent so that there's no chance you'll lose."

"Guilty as charged," Nevrrest shrugged, "I like to avoid risks whenever possible. And I don't like to drag my battles out." Her thick tail rippled. "And I exploit all potential resources without hesitation."

"That's what I thought." He smiled a little again, a gentle, intense fire in his eyes. "Which means I've yet to have a chance to see your true power. So, that's my request. Before you use that collar you're wearing, I want you to come at me with your own, true strength!"

"A most flattering request." She shut her eyes and growled. "I really should refuse…I gain nothing by revealing my power to you."

"Come on," Goku encouraged, putting forth his best salesmanship, "Don't tell me you aren't curious. Wouldn't you like to experience how we match up? Besides, think of it this way!" He held up a finger. "You'll be able to feel me out better, which will allow you to defeat me faster in the long run!"

Nevrrest tried to contain her amusement, her plume slowly rising, until she finally burst out laughing. "Cheeky," she declared and then leaned forward with emphasis, "You're cheeky!" She spread her stance. "Very well, then, I will grant your final request. Let us begin this way, shall we? I will raise the bar one mark at a time. Match me if you can…"

Goku's face lit as the white plume came from Nevrrest. Despite himself, his eyes sparkled in that light. Smiling, he answered with his own ki aura, letting the white and blue blaze whip around him. Her eyes glimmered back, and suddenly he felt terribly sorry it all had to be like this. He could feel the excitement radiating off her, just as strong as his own. Even though they were enemies – even though their rage was great – he knew they would both be loving every moment of this battle.

Nevrrest's feet spread, shockwaves rippling out from under her as the white plume expanded and intensified, her eyes locked with Goku's. He did the same, his own stance spread. Vegeta watched them perched squatting atop of a crate, a ways from where he had nearly died, his brow slightly raised. Though he had just a moment before been urging Kakarot to hurry up and finish the matter with Nevrrest once and for all, he wasn't about to complain about this current play. After all, as an equally full-blooded saiyan, he too was curious to see what Nevrrest could do without the aid of the Core.

"Well, would you look at that!" Nevrrest brightly remarked, energy swirling intensely around them both, "As far as raw power goes, at our base we're an equal match."

"I agree," Goku answered, watching her with intense fascination, "Not only that, you can control your energy just as well too. Just like on Earth – I noticed you could damage your opponent with little damage to the battlefield."

Nevrrest chuckled. "And I see you are capable of the same. Of course, this is just the beginning." Her plume feathers spread. "What do you say, Kakarot? Would you like to go first this time?"

"Alright then." Goku transformed effortlessly, his hair shooting upright with golden light, his black eyes changing to emerald. "This is Super Saiyan," he announced.

"And super it is," Nevrrest agreed, her tail weaving in long loops behind her. She chuckled. "I have to say, it looks far better on you than it did on Vegeta." She laughed and Vegeta snarled, his tail coming off his waist and sticking up.

"Your turn now," Goku reminded.

"Easily done." She drew a short breath and red exploded around her, her plume feathers sticking up, the feathers on her arms extending in length, her colors turning scarlet, and her eyes glowing bright yellow. "I suppose you could call it 'super blecha' but I prefer the name I gave it – Crimson Fury!"

"So I was right," Goku stated with vigor, stepping a little closer, "It is just like Super Saiyan. It's a little different, but maybe that's because you're not a Saiyan."

Nevrrest tipped her head to the side. "So you actually credit me? I didn't think you had any respect."

"Don't get me wrong," Goku sharply assured, "I don't respect what you do. But as a warrior? You have my complete respect."

Her feathers actually fluffed a little. "Well…the feeling is mutual, if I must be honest."

"Oh what are they, flirting?" Vegeta scowled, his tail giving a flap as he gripped his knees.

Her expression darkened again. "But…that won't stop me from killing you. You threw your lot in with my most hated and I won't forgive you for that."

"And I'm not ready to forgive you either." He put a fist in front of him. "Not until you've answered for what you've done!"

"Don't fluster, it makes you look like a fool." A spider-web started to crack under her feet. "Besides, I'm not done yet. We're taking this to the maximum, yes? And I know you have a form beyond what you are now. Oh yes…I was observing you as you fought Monster and the Hammer's defenses." Her tail whipped. "Again…try to keep up."

Her body clenched and Vegeta's temper reeled. He knew in that moment just how badly he had been played back on Earth – how easily he had allowed himself to be lulled into a false sense of security. And he could tell by Kakarot's face that he had not – that he had seen this coming all along. Red flashes of lightning exploded around Nevrrest as she gave out a tremendous bird-cry, her feathers sticking straight out as though she wore a crown and making her arms almost look like wings.

"Ha…" she purred, "I haven't had much occasion to unleash this one. This is the power that allowed me to destroy the avatar of Misado. This…this is Crimson Fury Full Mark!"

In other words, Super Saiyan Two, Vegeta concluded, the power coming off the two warriors passing through his hair like a breeze, A power she neglected to reveal on Earth. His teeth clenched. She showed me just enough power to catch my interest, but not to concern me. And then she went straight to flaunting her machine, knowing I would easily dismiss any power that wasn't her own. His brow lowered with begrudging admittance. Even using my tail to render me powerless was objectively meaningless outside of toying with my mind. She's played me from the very beginning.

Goku smiled at her. "Glad to give you a reason to show it off." His muscles briefly tensed and his energy flashed, sparking with power and his hair turning completely stiff. "This is what we call an Ascended Super Saiyan or Super Saiyan Two. You saw Vegeta use this transformation on Earth."

"Yes, and its power is remarkable," she stated with interest, "Far greater than any power I have witnessed save a quantum fusion. But still not enough to frighten me."

"Yeah, I remember you took that revelation from Vegeta surprisingly well," Goku commented, "Considering as far as you knew there was only one Super Saiyan."

Nevrrest's chin lifted, eyeing him with her glowing yellow eyes. "If you had watched him age into a man as I did, it wouldn't have surprised you either. Super Saiyan was Vegeta's one true dream. And though he is my most hated, I admire him as well. I am a woman who gives everyone their just dues."

"Or at least your twisted version of it," Goku shot back, frowning once again. He paused, ki auras lapping around them both. "Right now, I sense we're again about equally matched. What do you say – shall we push this even further?"

"Oh don't worry, Kakarot Son Goku." She reached a hand forward, palm up and talons extended. "I don't intend to short sheet you in the least."

The speed of her aura increased, shooting upward as her body tensed. She growled and screeched, her power shooting through the roof. Goku matched her, casting his arms out to the sides and heaving his chest forward and he let loose a battle cry, his golden aura burning against her red. Their power rose higher and higher, the crate Vegeta perched upon starting to wobble as the entire Hammer shook.

(**Scene Break**)

Juri-dur held onto his bedframe for support as unpacked items toppled off his shelves. He couldn't believe his senses. The Legendary Super Saiyan and the Crimson Fighter…were rearing for a battle! Their power was beyond comprehension, so great that the ship's stabilizers failed to compensate for their might. But what really got him was not the power of these titans, but the tiny energy signature he had been feeling near them – a signature that no one was ever supposed to sense again.

"Prince Vegeta's alive…" he again murmured to himself, staring off through his wall, "But how and why…is he alive?!"

An executed man back from the grave and two of the galaxy's most renowned heroes preparing to battle on the capital ship of the Justice…what in the universe was going on out there…?

(**Scene Break**)

It was glorious being near beings putting out so much energy. Finally, even with the cursed shackle, Vegeta didn't feel blind anymore. He even had to admit he was starting to gain a begrudging respect for Nevrrest. Unlike Kakarot, he hadn't suspected just how powerful she really was. She could have ripped Cell in half. She could have survived an onslaught from Majin Buu. And she was perfectly capable of standing her ground again the Prince of All Saiyans without the aid of any machine.

However…

Vegeta felt his warrior's heart thunder like a charging beast as Goku's hair started to tremble and slowly grow in length. It inched down his neck in thick, golden strands. But no more than a few seconds after it started to grow, it stopped. The hair returned to its normal length and Goku allowed his power to plateau. Nevrrest kept screeching as her muscles throbbed.

Vegeta's eyes snapped wide with excitement and anger. What…what is he doing? Why did he stop the transformation?!

Nevrrest's power exploded as she reached her peak, taking a deep breath and standing strong. "Ha…hahaha…seems I finally managed to run you to your limit."

"Gotta admit, I'm impressed," Goku replied, energy flashing around him, "I've spent years training in my ascended form, but you've still managed to take it further than I have."

"Not by much," she smiled, "But yes, so it seems."

Vegeta's expression flattened. If he's holding back to catch her off-guard, then I can see the point. But if he's planning on showing her mercy… Memories of his fight with Kakarot as a majin flashed through his mind and his hands tightened into fists.

"But then again, the proof is in the pudding, isn't it?" Nevrrest grinned and stooped, her talons extending. "Ready to begin?"

"Not just yet," Goku answered, remaining upright, "There's something I'd like to know first."

"And that is?"

Goku's brow rose. "Is it really true you were never trained by anyone?"

"You sound like you find that hard to believe."

"It is a little hard to wrap my head around," Goku admitted, glancing to the side, "I've done plenty of training on my own, but I've never heard of a fighter who wasn't taught by someone else at some point."

"Neither have I," Nevrrest stated, straightening and folding her arms again. Her tail flicked, her feathers fanned. "Even Oom'Bagu got his first lessons from a fellow slave. But I assure you, I never had a teacher. I learned all my skills purely through observation. A keen talent, but not entirely unbelievable. I once told you I was much like a saiyan in many ways. Saiyans also have the ability to learn through mimicry." She put a palm forward. "And just to prove my statement, I'll open our battle like this—BIG BANG ATTACK!"

Goku's eyes snapped wide as he leapt out of the way of the attack, all the nearby shelves either shredding or toppling over, the floor sparking and scorched. No way! he thought, She could have only seen Vegeta do that once! Goku felt his blood roaring in his ears, every inch of his skin tingling like the touch of a thousand feathers.

He smiled as his arms and legs automatically moved. "This is going to be great battle! I can feel it already!"

Nevrrest bent and pressed a hand to the floor, her tail weaving high over her as the red hurricane swirled around her, her feet digging into and gripping the paneling. Her glowing yellow eyes flashed and she exploded forward with such speed that Goku nearly lost his balance, his mouth open wide as he bent back to avoid the swipe of her claws.

Incredible!

She got in three more swipes before he could regain his footing, testing her guard with a punch that she dodged with equal finesse. He retracted the fist, barely evading her seizing his wrist, her talons leaving pinpricks of blood as his skin whipped pass her grip. His eyes narrowed and he pivoted back, twisting and flipping from foot to palm as she swept out with a leg, back talons again flashing in his vision. He was forced at last to leap back from her, pushing into the air to put some distance between them.

So that's how it is, he considered as he moved, She really doesn't waste an opportunity to attack!

Just as he feared, she didn't give him the space he'd been hoping to create. She swung her tail and an enormous stack of boxes toppled over, forcing Goku to redirect his retreat. Before he knew it, she'd intercepted him again. She appeared in the air in front of him and struck out with her beak, wildly pecking from either side so rapidly it was like being attacked from both directions at once. Goku dodged every single one of them, but that was all he could do. By the time he had his leg ready for a kick, she thrust an energy blast into his face. His palm deflected it, burning a hole straight up into the ceiling. Finally, he let out a cry, pushing out his energy around him and knocking her back.

"I get it now," he panted, "So that's your secret." Another energy beam shot pass his ear and he danced backward as she came at him again. "Everyone's…so…focused on your power…they don't…notice…your speed!" He winced as Nevrrest caught both his arms. "Isn't that right?" he couldn't help but smile, "You're really strong, but that's only because you've worked so hard. Your natural gift is your speed."

Nevrrest laughed, her grip tightening as Goku struggled. "You figured that out from watching me for less than a minute? Color me impressed." She spread her toes wide and lashed out with both feet, but was forced to release him as he attempted a head butt.

Finally, Goku was able to gain some distance as Nevrrest recovered from the failed attack. "It makes sense. Looking at your body, I can tell it's made to break the air really well. You're also extremely flexible, which also increases your speed. So anyone who fights you is going to have a hell of a time landing an attack." He briefly inspected the scratch on his arm. "Or not taking a hit themselves."

Vegeta's jaw set. I'm ashamed to admit even I didn't notice that before. Now I see how she used that against me on Earth. I was so intent on landing a blow that I wasted all the strength I might have used to evade her attacks. He sweated a little. Damn you, Kakarot…you know you have her outclassed and still you give her the respect as a warrior she deserves. Even after all that has happened…that's not a mistake I can afford to make twice.

"Ah, but knowing is only half the battle," Nevrrest purred, her body whipping into another attack stance, "The real question is how you will counter it?!" She moved, zigzagging through the air. "And don't think…I haven't made observations of my own!"

Oh yes, she thought as she weaved, poking at his defenses, I have noticed something very interesting about you, Goku. Your movements are entirely natural. You are so skilled a fighter, you don't even have to think before you act. Your abilities are based entirely on your warrior's instinct. Her teeth showed as she subtly grinned. Which means…!

There was a sonic boom as Nevrrest's hands snapped forward and clapped right in front of Goku's nose. Just as she had predicted, he reared back. But she could also see in his eyes he knew he'd made a horrible mistake. For in that half a second, her tail reached out from behind her and pressed to his chest, unleashing a giant, red explosion. Goku screamed as the bottom half of his green prison shirt was blown away, his body hurling and ripping through several colossal crates before impacting the far wall. A crater formed around him, sparks of energy flying out as the shielding absorbed the impact.

Nevrrest floated over the crates and landed up on a shelf, her tail weaving as she studied the fresh, red and blue wound on Goku's abs. "I believe I have just granted that final request of yours," she mildly stated, "Even with just my own power, it would not be an easy battle for you. That is not to say you'd necessarily lose. In fact, it stands to say there's a strong possibility I'd be the one that falls." Goku's eyes at last squinted open. "The fact that you riddled me out that quickly suggests that, given time, you could figure out a way to counter my speed. But as per usual…I won't give you that chance."

Goku grunted, forcing his left shoulder free of the metal. He paused, however, when he suddenly found Nevrrest floating in front of him, an open hand upstretched.

"But you won't face it with fear, will you?" she asked quietly, continuing to hold out her hand to him as she gently smiled, "I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Everyone fears me. Only Sepis is the exception. But you…" Her large bird eyes squinted softly. "Finally…after all this time…I think I might have met my equal. Despite all you've done…despite what you must die for…thank you, Son Goku. Thank you…for that…"

Vegeta watched this with frustration and confusion, a light entering Kakarot's eyes. The other saiyan reached out with his freed arm and accepted her offered hand, allowing her to pull the rest of him from the wall.

"You sure you want to do this, Nevrrest?" Goku asked, still holding her hand in a firm grip.

"We both know it's too late for anything else," she replied. Her muscles tensed and she heaved, throwing him across the massive storage chamber. Goku broke the flight and watched with a readied and frustrated expression as Nevrrest deftly twisted the gem of her fusion band. Her arms spread like wings as her muscles started to pulsate, the darkness returning to her eyes. "Bear witness, Kakarot Son Goku! This is what it looks like when you have Justice itself at your back!"

(**Scene Break**)

Somewhere between his final rebuke of Nevrrest and being carried off, Laswe had passed out. When he woke up, much of his face was wrapped in bandages. Dr. Leaton's narrow, orange face passed into his field of vision. He shined a bright light into his eyes – making Laswe wince – and moved out of sight again. Laswe squeaked irritably and sat up, spotting Horkion sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. Laswe blinked at the Minarite as the room's walls abruptly vibrated.

"Well," Laswe remarked, "Don't you look like a goddamn lost puppy."

"You're alright?" Horkion pressed, trying to smile, "If she'd hit you any harder, she would have killed you."

"It's a little hard to see," Laswe admitted, "My vision's blurry." He grunted, massaging his swollen and bandaged temples, looking about until he saw Oom'Bagu. His head was also bandaged and he frankly looked worse than Laswe felt.

"Dr. Leaton said that he'll recover after an hour of treatment," Horkion stated, "But you're a lot better off. The force of the attack went through your entire body, so you've got a whole lot more injuries, but a lot less severe."

Laswe was about to grumble about why Horkion wasn't just letting the doctor tell him himself. That was, until he saw Dr. Leaton's face. The man's entire visage was covered in sweat and he was shaking so badly it was all he could do just to keep his hands steady as he worked.

Horkion looked at him sympathetically. "I told him what happened to Tottle. They weren't friends or anything, but I guess he took Nevrrest murdering a coworker pretty hard. He didn't take finding out that Nevrrest used him to condemn an innocent man very well either." Horkion's hard lips spread slightly. "Innocent. That's an odd term to apply to Vegeta, huh?"

Laswe continued to study Dr. Leaton, Oom'Bagu completely motionless in the other bed. "You probably shouldn't have told him."

Horkion's expression tightened. "I thought we were done with the lies."

"I didn't say lie to him. But I don't think it was time for him to know."

Horkion watched Laswe sit up, his paper-thin wings fluttering off his back. "Then when will it be time, Laswe?" He spread one hand like the other was still there. "What good has it done?"

Laswe grumbled, rubbed his head, and buzzed his wings, lifting into the air. "I don't know," he muttered, "Maybe you're right."

Horkion grabbed his arm. "Hey, what are you doing? You shouldn't get up yet."

"I gotta get back there and make sure Nevrrest doesn't kill any more people." He hissed with pain and gripped his side. "Or that Goku doesn't punch a hole in the side of the ship."

"Goku said he could handle it."

"Goku's an even bigger shovel head than you are."

"Laswe, you gotta trust him!" Horkion suddenly shouted.

Laswe froze and his balled up tail twitched.

"I know Goku can be careless, but I'm tired of doubting everything." His grip on Laswe's wrist tightened. "I'm so tired Laswe…"

"We don't have the luxury of believing in something anymore," Laswe stiffly stated, "Nevrrest proved that to us."

Horkion's black, pebble eyes shifted down. "…Laswe, do you know how I was born?"

"Why the hell would I care about that?!" Laswe burst out, his lower face turning red.

"Just listen," Horkion insisted. He drew a slow breath. "Minarites don't create others of our kind very often. We live long, slow, unchanging lives. But when one does, they have to sacrifice a piece of their body." Laswe tensed, looking with pain at Horkion's stub. "They give up a part of themselves and plant it in soil that is rich with minerals – trusting that it will grow into a child who is good and worthy of the sacrifice." He paused and blinked once. "In my case, I am the child of all the greatest of our people. The strongest, the wisest, the fastest. They all gave up a piece of themselves, knowing they were creating a child who would be more powerful than any of our kind before. They didn't know if I'd be a good person. I could very well have grown into someone who would destroy them all and they couldn't have done a thing to stop me." His hand moved up to Laswe's shoulder and gripped it tightly. "I know belief is dangerous, Laswe, but it's how good things are born! So please, trust Goku."

Laswe was silent for a moment and then flicked Horkion's hand off. "Alright. You win, sandbrain." He hovered to the door.

"Hey wait," Horkion fumbled after him, "But you just said—"

"I said I'd trust Goku not to kill you all. After all, it's not you who's me – no, no, start over – it's not like I'm in any danger of dying in space. So you want to risk it, fine, go ahead." The amusement left his expression and he narrowed his eyes, looking onward. "But that doesn't mean I'm just gonna sit by and do nothing. I promised I'd turned the chessboard around, didn't I?"

Horkion's pebble-eyes glinted. "Yeah, if Vegeta was alive!"

"Well the royal monkey is very alive." He flew up to one of the medical cabinets, inspecting his reflection in the glass. "But I can't make my move looking like this. It gives off an image of desperation."

"What now?" Horkion stated dumbly.

"Just come with me, you uncultured piece of granite," Laswe snarked, buzzing ahead while Horkion jogged behind.

Horkion was amazed by how briskly his friend moved despite his injuries. It could only mean that Laswe once again was driven by purpose. Nevrrest had nearly destroyed him, but now he was back. Horkion couldn't be happier. Though, he still didn't know what Laswe meant about his 'image' and was surprised when they arrived at the door to Laswe's quarters.

"You're making your move from your bedroom?" Horkion asked as they headed inside.

"No!" Laswe cried, giving him a look as they crossed the kitchen, "Good grief, I really do wonder what's inside your head sometimes." Laswe buzzed over his bed and opened a gleaming chest next to it. "Honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever touch these again…but the time is right!"

A brilliant flash hit Horkion's face so that for a moment he thought Laswe was charging an attack. But it wasn't. To his shock, it was a brilliant, glimmering golden cape that Laswe had thrown over his shoulders, draping just below his wings. Every single fiber shone like a star – like it was spun from pure gold – and yet it was light and soft. Horkion felt his jaw hanging and it continued to hang as Laswe further adorned himself. He put cuffs that looked as though they were carved from a single diamond on his biceps and draped about his waist and chest strings of beads – each bead made of some colorful, precious stone. Lastly, Laswe opened a small box and took out a brush, outlining his eyes with what seemed liquid diamond and gold, tracing shapes over his cheekbones and jawline with it as well.

"Wow!" Horkion stooped as Laswe closed the chest, "I can't believe my eyes, Laswe! You look completely different! Like…" He shone with amazement and admiration. "You look like a prince or something!"

"Cause I am a prince, dumbass!" Laswe blurted, shaking a fist at him as he turned red again.

"Oh. Right." He looked the magnificently adorned Ponachi up and down. "I mean…it's just…I've never seen you wear any more than a bracelet or a string of waist-beads before. And nothing like this…"

Laswe fingered the bandages on his face and then put his hands on his hips, his many legs balancing him on his fat, jiggly tail. "Would you believe it was because I wanted to feel special? When you're a spare prince – hatched late from a batch of eggs that was meant to be princesses – the garb almost doesn't suit you." He tightened a fist. "But I think I'm passed that now. The Justiciars are still meant to be symbols and I need to stand proud if I'm going to turn this around!"

Horkion dared to touch the hem of his cape. "But…this stuff…just how rich are your people?"

Laswe cracked a smile. "Enough that Frieza and his PTO considered us potential customers." Horkion gasped. "Right up until they decided to slaughter us." He looked at his friend. "Don't worry. My father never had any interest in doing business with those bastards."

"I'm glad," said Horkion somberly, "The thought of you ever buying a planet…like Minara…"

Laswe laughed heartily, putting his hands behind his head and turning aside. "What the hell would I ever do with a spare planet? Possessions are just a pain anyways." He bounced on his tail and pointed at him. "Anyhow, you better get ready, Horkion, we're gonna—"

The room started to violently shake. "Quantum Fusion Core charging. Quantum Fusion Core changing," chimed the computer, "All personnel assume the safety position and prepare for energy share."

"Damn it," Laswe hissed. His wings buzzed, his shimmering cape rippling as he zipped through his quarters and out the door. Horkion ran behind. "Come on, gravel gut!"

"But Laswe!" Horkion shouted after him, "You still haven't told me what we're going to do!"

Laswe's translucent flesh rippled, his eyes narrowed over his luminescent body paint. "Let's just say, Horkion, there's more than one way to pluck a bird."

AUTHOR NOTE

I really wish there was some kind of blog/newsletter system on this website so I could inform you all sooner about stuff like this…

So, this update should have been ready two weeks ago. However, around the time I was supposed to be finishing the chapter, I ended up breaking up with my boyfriend – the first man I ever fell in love with. As with such things, it hit me really hard. I missed assignments at college, struggled at work, and wasn't able to finish the chapter until now. I told my readers on my other social media what was going on and received a lot of love and support. Still, I wish I could have healed faster and gotten this to you on time. And again, I would have told you all what was going on if I knew a reasonable way how.

Anyhow, now you know. I love you all so much! Hope you enjoyed the chapter.