Damn… Goku thought, watching Nevrrest as she spoke, I was hoping to break her so she'd give up. But somehow, her resolve has only gotten stronger! She really is an amazing fighter…

"There have been some who dared to compare me to Frieza," she continued, her stance shifting as she caught her breath, "I always despised the thought. But now I know they were not entirely wrong. I am Frieza's replacement. And I will be yours as well."

"Like Frieza, huh?" Goku answered, his giant locks flapping on the waves of his golden energy, "That's funny. Because I don't think you're anything like him." Nevrrest froze, not expecting to hear this. From him least of all. "Frieza was a monster and a coward who hurt people just because he could. He never cared about anyone but himself. Even though I only met him once, I knew that about him right away. But you're different. If you ever acted like him, it was only because you were trying to prove something. As for replacing me so you can control the universe, I don't have any idea what you mean. But I do know one thing for sure…" He eyed her with those fierce, green eyes. "I wouldn't be any more comfortable with the fate of the universe being in your hands than it was in Frieza's."

Nevrrest's expression flattened with hate. "You shouldn't have said that." She appeared in front of him, her palm outstretched towards his face. "Shatter Sense…!"

Goku was in awe as he detected microscopic threads of energy shooting from the tips of her talons, entering into his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose and knocking out four of his six senses at once. He stumbled back from the stun, holding his face while Nevrrest dove even deeper into the bowels of the mechanical, her tail and plume whipping as she moved.

I can't believe I had to resort to that technique, she thought as she ran, I haven't used Shatter Sense in twenty years. But this situation definitely calls for a tactical retreat. I'll use the time he needs to recover to consider and come up with a new strategy. Her eyes narrowed. Even if he is rightfully my better, I will not allow him to survive. And once he's dead, I must learn from his example and obtain that level of strength. But for now, I'll have to rely on something else…

"Gah, idiot, Kakarot!" Vegeta cried, rearing up at the hole the two warriors had disappeared through, "You're letting her get away!"

"Damn," Goku remarked, rubbing his wrist against his eyelids as his sense reeled, "That attack was so precise it got right past my defenses. She really is something else." He stumbled a little, feeling at the tubing in front of him. He turned his head about, sensing with his ki. "She's managed to conceal her energy too. That can't be easy with all the energy her band is sending her. I doubt it's something she'll be able to keep up more than a couple minutes at best." He frowned. "What are you planning, Nevrrest?"

The talons of her feet ripped through metal like sand as she scurried through the narrow maintenance tunnel. Rama…I'm sorry. I know you wanted me to never look back, but that's just what I've done. I'd forgotten you. I confused the memory of you and Mena with the memory of my own people. But it was never the voice of the Blechans that's haunted me all these years. I swear, I won't displease you again. I'll ensure I remain the strongest so I can create a universe where monsters like Vegeta and Frieza won't even be able to exist.

She winced as her muscles shuddered from the strain of keeping the power of quantum bottled up inside her body, without Crimson Fury, barely able to withstand it. It makes sense now. Even after all I've accomplished, the universe still didn't feel right. But I never did hold the position of the strongest. It's been in the hands of that fool…of that hero all this time. If I don't rip him from his pedestal, he'll create a universe where the monsters can simply crawl away to fight another day. Never! I won't allow it!

At last, she stopped running, having put enough distance between herself and Goku and not having any more time to spare. She curled up in a ball in the dark, her body trembling with strain and pain as she touched her fusion band. "Computer, contact Sepis."

(**Scene Break**)

Not knowing what else to do, Sepis had gone to sleep. He hadn't meant to, but the hum of his Quantum Fusion Core calmed him into curling up next to the computer bank and the nearly impenetrable walls of the Chamber lulled him enough to slip unconscious. However, his dreams were restless and full of nightmares – none of which he cared to remember. So he was frankly grateful when the beeping of his fusion wristband woke him up.

His bulgy, red eyes slipped open and he tapped the gem anxiously. "Nevrrest?"

"Sepis. First, where are you? Have you kept yourself safe?"

He rubbed at an eyelid. "Yes. I'm locked in the Core Chamber, so I couldn't be safer." His antennae stiffened. "How are…you?"

She paused. "Not well, I'm afraid. I've…I've made a mistake, Sepis."

"Are you hurt?!"

"A couple fractures."

Sepis's digits pressed together and he bowed his head. "Oh Nevrrest…"

"Sepis, it's alright. I didn't call to make you worry. I don't have much time. He'll find me soon."

Sepis blinked twice. "Nevrrest…are you saying he's winning? I've never seen you lose a fight before."

"I never have," she agreed, "I've never taken on an opponent I wasn't certain I could beat since my first battle. But I misjudged him. It seems…" Anger entered her voice. "He is my better."

Sepis's mind flashed with Goku's gentle smile just before he'd zipped away. "I…what are you going to do? I…I could talk to him for you…"

"Hush, Sepis. There's no need for theatrics." She growled. "I hate myself right now. Despite my damndest, I've kept you involved all this time. And I don't even know what I'm asking you to do…but you're a genius, Sepis. And I need at least a fifty percent power increase."

Sepis leapt to his feet, a red energy haze at his mouthpiece as an unexpected rage passed through him. "Nevrrest, you know…you know damn well that you're already at the maximum your body can handle! You're already at twenty-five percent! If I flood your cells any more than they already are, you could literally explode!"

"Just do whatever you have to. I'll take care of the rest."

Sepis slammed his hands down on the computer board. "You can't just willpower your way through science, you blockhead!"

Nevrrest cackled. "Did you just insult me?" she asked with amazement.

"You're asking me to do something impossible and I won't do it! So…why don't you just talk it over with Goku and figure this out?!"

Nevrrest was silent for a long moment. And on her end of the line, she smiled with painful love. "Cheeky little monkey really stole your heart, didn't he, my Sepis?"

Sepis swallowed.

"I'm sorry, Sepis…I'm so sorry for the way I am. Forget I asked for your help. You've…done so much for me. More than you'll ever realize. It's my fault things turned out this way." She looked off where she could sense Goku searching for her. "But I can't grant your wish. I'm too far gone at this point. I…I accidentally murdered a man, Sepis. One of our own. And I have wounded my foe in ways he will not simply forgive – deep, personal ways. And he has taken things from me that I cannot allow to slip through my fingers. So no matter what, I will see this fight to the end. But please, think nothing more of it, Sepis. You've done more than enough already. You don't have to—"

"SHUT UP!" Sepis screamed, she doing just that, "Just shut up, you stupid girl!" He whistled in a breath, tears falling from his eyes. "It was my choice to stand by your side. You didn't make me do anything! I made you a promise! Didn't I?"

Nevrrest was silent, her head bent as she listened.

"So what if you've messed up? I don't care. I've chosen to stand by your side no matter what…hero, monster, good, evil – I don't care!" He drew a stiff breath. "So if you're going to keep fighting…then I'll fight with you! I'll get you the strength you need…somehow. Just…don't you treat me like I'm not responsible for whatever happens! Because this is my doing and…" He looked at his hand and saw how badly he was shaking. "I'm…I'm going to see it through. And accept the consequences. Isn't that the least…a selfish bastard like me can do?"

"Nonsense, Sepis," she firmly encouraged, "You aren't selfish. It's the universe that's without pity. That's why it has to be governed by force. I've always known it would someday come to that. It's a waste of time to try to dissect one's actions. The big picture – the grand scheme of one's life – that's what we must focus on. I know winning this battle is what must be done. That is my must. And whatever actions you take – that is your must."

"I'll figure something out. Just…please, Nevrrest…please do the same…"

Her voice tightened. "Sepis, I promise you…if I win this fight, all this won't even be a memory."

He leaned back with confusion, but nodded. "Then I'll make sure you win." He ended the conversation with a hidden truth in his heart. Nevrrest…Goku…I trust you both. I will grant your every single wish because I believe one of you will make this right. Goku…if a moment comes where you need something from me as well…I will grant it. No matter what.

He reached into his cloak and got out a tool. He held it deftly to the side as he gazed up at the Quantum Fusion Core. "Well girl…" he spoke to the machine, "It's time to see if there's any more miracles hidden in you."

(**Scene Break**)

Nevrrest's long, index talon tapped the floor as Goku approached, the tangled interior of the Hammer's bowels lit by red and golden light. Nevrrest clicked her beak and gave a low rumble. "You hurt him, you know…"

Goku stopped, gazing down at her with a flat expression. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Her head swung around, her irises blazing yellow with hate. "You put your nonsense in my Sepis's head and you're hurting him…!" She stood up, her talons raking across the tubing next to her and throwing sparks. "I suppose it's fair. How deeply the wounds run between us, Son Goku…I am no ignorant fool. But still—!" The tight passage around them collapsed in a flash of energy, leaving them both floating in the space. "Damn it all, I will make you pay for what you've done!"

The two collided like an exploding sun, creating a cavern around them. Both parties bared their teeth, slamming their foreheads together. "I am done with your games, Nevrrest!" Goku roared at her, his mane flapping against her plume, "You're telling me your best friend is hurting and the only thing you can think to do is attack someone else?! I've heard better excuses from children!"

"Big talk from the man who spared Frieza's life!" Goku's expression hardened and she sneered. "So it's true! I had a feeling in my gut you were that much of a jellyfish!" She turned her hands into spears and jabbed at him, each one he neatly dodged. "What, did your wife have to finish him off for you?! You're such a pathetic excuse for the top of the food chain, it makes me sick!"

Nevrrest grimaced and snarled as she was forced to guard against his return strikes, the saiyan pivoting between punches and kicks. "Maybe I am!" he cried, "But I'd rather be pathetic than someone who puts herself before everyone else!"

She moved back with the impact, her forearms bruising. "I have to put myself first! So that I can have the ability to protect them!" She charged energy around her hands and sent slashing beams at him from her talons. "I don't…expect…a carefree chump…like you…to understand!"

Goku redirected the attacks with a flip of his hands, destroying more of the machinery around them. He pushed a palm inside her guard, lit with energy. "You're right, I don't understand!"

"Kyaa!" Nevrrest cried as the immense force sent her body crashing through metal again.

Goku panted angrily and then reared, pumping his fists out to the sides. "Rrrr—DAMN YOU, NEVRREST!"

(**Scene Break**)

Horkion waited with nervous confusion as Laswe spoke to the projection from his neckband.

"Uh-huh…I see…thank you, that will be all, Guardian." Laswe turned to his companion with a smile that seemed a little too big, the signal leaving his band. "We got 'em."

"Huh?" asked Horkion.

"We got—waaaah!" Laswe squawked as the ship shook violently once again, bouncing him off Horkion's chest. "Damn. Yeah. What I mean is I just confirmed that Central Command has been destroyed."

"Oh no!" gasped Horkion.

"You mean 'oh yes!'" Laswe laughed, pushing off Horkion's chest and folding his arms. "It means that Sepis won't be able to stop my plan. Now we just move onto the first step." He bounced twice on his balled up tail and buzzed into the air. "Come on!"

Horkion jogged after him. "But Laswe!" he whimpered, "You still haven't told me what your plan is."

"You're too slow," Laswe grunted, "It'd be faster just to let you see once we get there."

A squeak came from Horkion, like metal grating together. "I'm not that slow!" he complained, "I'm actually the fastest of my race!"

"In the brains department? Ha! I doubt that."

"It's true!"

Another ship-wide vibration knocked their temples together, shutting the prince up for the time being. Horkion had to wonder how Laswe's body paint wasn't smudged from the amount of bouncing around he kept doing. Maybe it was even more expensive than its glamour told. Horkion decided not to ask any more questions for the time being. However, once they left the elevator, he was immediately confused again.

"The Judicial Deck?" Horkion looked around as he ran after Laswe, "What could be here that could help us?"

"That's the first good question you've asked!" Laswe chuckled, his wings buzzing with intensity over his fluttering gold cape, "But again, you'll see."

Horkion followed Laswe through a large doorway and stopped, blinking his stony lids. "Okay…I'm seeing, but I have no idea what I'm looking at."

Laswe cackled, spreading his arms out and twirling through the air amidst the galaxy they were suddenly somehow standing in. "I guess you never looked at it after it was activated! You really have no clue?" He snickered and put his hands on his midsection. "This, my friend, is the Ghost System."

"The Ghost System?" Horkion wondered, walking through the sea of miniature stars, "You mean the device used to collect the ghost vote?"

"Uh-huh!" Laswe confirmed, "Though, Nettelish once told me it was more mystical in nature." He eyed Horkion's saddened face. "It was a very long time ago, mind you. So I'm pretty sure she was the real one." He tipped his head up, watching an arm of the Milky Way pass over. "And I can't see the fake one having a reason to mess with it. Plus, I know Misado was using it for certain. I doubt the fake one ever did. She probably just made up the results to whatever suited her plans."

"But…aren't Misado and Nettelish the only ones who can operate it?" Horkion rubbed a finger against his temple.

"Uh-huh," Laswe nodded again. He paused for a moment, but drew himself up. "But if I know Nettelish – and I refuse to believe we never really did know her– she would have left something here to tell us how to use it in case something ever happened to her and Misado. She was clever like that."

"Left something? Like what? A note or something?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted, "But my gut tells me we'll know it when we see it."

They both began to shuffle around the fantastical room, searching through the stars and planets for what they didn't know.

"So Laswe," Horkion called, "I've figured out we're going to use the Ghost System in your plan…but isn't all it does is read people's opinions on our decisions?"

"That's kinda true." Laswe paused in his search, hovering in the air on his wings. "We do use the Ghost System to determine what the people believe should be the outcome of trials and other important decisions. But Nettelish always called it 'the perfect system'. And if…wait, what's that over there?"

The star enlarged as they both drew closer to it, seeming to fill the room. "Is that…?" began Horkion.

"Yeah. That's the star Planet Vegeta used to orbit." He pointed. "Doesn't it look like there's something floating inside it?"

Horkion hesitated and reached his arm inside the star. "Hur!" he remarked, "Feels like hot jelly." He pulled his hand out, revealing the object clutched in his thick fingers. "A bell?"

"Hey—watch it!" Laswe yapped as Horkion suddenly lurched forward, the bell yanking itself free of his grasp and floating into to air. They both watched it, its silver tones echoing through the air as it rang and shattered into dust. The shimmering particles fell and collected into a shape that became a person.

"NETTELISH!" they both cried.

The monk opened her glowing, violet eyes and gazed at them solemnly. "If you are witnessing this," she spoke, "And the death-toll bell has revealed itself to you, then it means that the battlefield has finally taken me. And that Misado's avatar is no longer with you."

"It's…a recording?" gaped Horkion, "But it looks like she's standing right there!"

"Yeah, I swear I could touch her…" Laswe reached out. And did. "Yipe!" He leapt back from her shoulder like it was a hot iron. "Freaky stuff."

"You no doubt have discovered my true identity at this point," Nettelish continued, "Assuming my body wasn't obliterated in combat. And even if that is the case…" She squared herself powerfully and looked seriously into their eyes. "Now that I have passed and can do you no harm, I want you to know the truth." She turned away from them and pulled back her hood. A massive black mane exploded forth and she let the rest of the robe drop to the floor. Her long, brown tail whipped and her long, forked hair swung. She turned back, truth and fire in her eyes as she raised a curled fist. "Yes…I am a Saiyan! The very last one!"

"Oh Nettelish…" Horkion said with pity.

"That is…" She looked down. "Unless Prince Vegeta and his guard are still alive. But I fear they are not." She shook her head, her thick, spiky locks trembling with the motion. "I'm sure you have many questions." She smiled. "But you know what they say. Don't speak ill of the dead. All you need to know is that thirty-some years ago, I decided to fight for something other than myself. Though, I'll admit, the fighting was always partially – and inevitably – for myself." She gestured upward, lifting a hand into the air. "But this…the Ghost System! This is one of my crowning achievements – my gift to the universe."

She turned and started to walk away, her tight, muscular form rhythmically swaying. Stunned, the two Grand Guardians realized that she was leading them and quickly followed. "However," she continued as they walked, "The Ghost System is but a tool. It's useless unless properly utilized. But as you might have guessed, the reason I created this Dummy Vessel of myself was to teach you to use it in my…rather permanent absence."

"Hah," Laswe forcefully chuckled, "Good old…good old Nettelish. She always had such a fun way of putting things."

"It's weird with her being right in front of us," Horkion stated, not trying to hide his sadness, "And as a Saiyan at that. It's almost like she knew what would happen."

"Sandbrain," said Laswe flatly, giving him a sideways glance, "Nobody saw any of this coming. She thought she'd die in battle." He snorted. "Stupid monkey. Of course that's what she'd want."

After some time walking, they realized that the figure of Nettelish was leading them to the center of the galaxy that filled the room. Upon arriving, they discovered that the whole thing was rising from the spout of a pitcher-shaped oil lamp – as though the entire Milky Way was but a cloud of smoke it provided. Nettelish bent and picked it up, turning back to Horkion and Laswe with it in her hands, the galaxy still rising from it.

"This token is the control piece of the Ghost System. If you wish to access the ghost, it's as simple as holding this lamp in your hands." She chuckled, as if picturing their confused expressions. "Of course, actually using it is a bit more complicated than that…but deceptively simple as well. You see, the Ghost System works by reading the ghost of everyone in our galaxy – and by ghost I mean their souls. That is why it is a perfect system. The mouth may lie and the heart may mislead, but the soul always knows the truth about itself. So when the Ghost System collects a verdict, the vote is the reflection of what the person's soul truly believes is right, not what their society may pressure them to believe or what their emotions cloud them into thinking."

Her gloved fingers stroked the edges of the mystical lamp. "However, there is a catch to all this. For the system to operate, the one collecting the vote must empty themselves of all bias and become a clear vessel. Otherwise, these things will block the person's mind and Ghost System will be unable to deliver the vote. Beyond that, using it will be very simple for you." She closed her glowing eyes. "All you have to do is concentrate on a very simple question in your mind – one with clear options such as 'yes' or 'no'. It may take some time for the souls to decide, but an answer will come before long – if you are receptive." She gave a teasing smile and held the lamp up on her right fingertips. "And that's all there is to it. Good luck, my friends. And…" Her tail settled over her hips and her brow tightened. "Please don't hate me too much."

The figure froze like a statue, holding out the lamp to them, no longer blinking, breathing, or moving at all. Horkion rumbled and sighed heavily while Laswe hovered forward. The decorated prince gazed at the saiyan's frozen face for a long while, ruggedly tough yet beautiful at the same time.

He touched her cheek. "I wish you were still with us, my friend," he stated quietly, "I think…I think if you were here, you'd know more than me what to do. Strange to think saiyans could grow to have such a conscience. The real you…I think, in a way, you were the best of us." He lowered his hand and took the lamp from her. The moment he did, the figure shattered back into dust and disappeared. The galaxy moved as Laswe turned the lamp about in his grasp. "Well, that settles it then. Horkion, I need you to be the one to collect the ghost vote."

"Huh?" asked Horkion.

"You heard what Nettelish said," Laswe answered, his gaze injured and heavy, "The one operating the system has to be able to clear themselves of all bias. That…" The lamp rattled as his hands shook. "That is something I absolutely cannot do. I know exactly what the outcome of this vote should be. I won't be able to hear the ghost." He held out the lamp to Horkion. "But you…you're such a honest chump. I know you'll listen to whatever the people decide and accept it. So please make this your part in this."

Horkion took the lamp in his one hand and creaked. "But Laswe…what will I be asking them?"

Laswe landed on his tail, rocking slightly as he balanced with his many legs and folded his hands beneath his papery wings. "Two questions. First, if Prince Vegeta deserves to be absolved of his crimes."

Horkion straightened. "Huh? But everyone thinks he's dead. Not only that…" The glint of his pebble eyes shifted. "They think that he was in league with that monster who attacked us…"

Laswe's grip tightened. "That's all about to change."

Finally, Horkion understood. "And what's the second question?" he quickly asked.

The Ponachi turned, his gaze almost frightening. "Whether Nevrrest deserves to be punished."

(**Scene Break**)

Vegeta gazed at the ceiling of the storage bay until his neck started to hurt, his brow knit with frustration. "Tsk. I thought I could bear being forced to merely watch if he destroyed her quickly. But this…damn you, Kakarot…why must I yet again be forced to wait on the sidelines?!"

Of course, he knew it wasn't Goku's fault. If it weren't for the damn shackle clamped to his tail, his fellow warrior would have surely obliged him to join the battle. Even if Kakarot could be as much of a glory hog as he was a pig at the table, he also understood that Vegeta had an irrevocable stake in the matter. If it were even slightly possible, Goku would have allowed him to join in this fight. No taking turns. No games for competition and glory. Vegeta had no taste for any of that right now. His only concern was to see Nevrrest brought low for the crimes she had committed against his honor and the ill-will she bore towards both his family and the planet that had become his foster home.

The ship shook violently, causing Vegeta to lose his balance and tumble backwards into a pit of rumble. He snarled, pounding his fist into the dust. "Damn it all," he growled, "Can I be any more pathetic…?! If I can't even stand on my own two feet!" His face twitched, gazing up with rage to where Nevrrest's energy radiated. "You vulture! Is there no end to it? Even still, you invent new ways to insult me!" He began to climb the rubble, his fingers clawing up chunks of metal. "You don't even have the decency to crumble when you're clearly outclassed! Trrsk! It's almost an admirable trait, but still…seeing your will unbending against such odds…it makes me sick with rage!"

Just as Vegeta reached the top of the mound, he heard something approach. He remained on his belly, watching cautiously as a port opened near the crack in the wall and several probes activated and whistled out. Vegeta growled, having never been too fond of the things, and observed as they spread out over the wreckage of the storage bay, scanning and recording everything with their lenses. Vegeta remained hidden, not knowing if it was just some kind of maintenance routine or if they were being controlled by one of Nevrrest's pawns.

His curiosity peeked, however, as the probes came across the blood-stained room where he had nearly met his end. All the probes focused in on it, combing over every inch.

"Hmph. Making sure I'm really dead?" Vegeta murmured. His expression deepened with thought. "No…surely that would be obvious by now…"

Deciding that the probes were of no concern to him after all, Vegeta finished climbing over the mound and found a new, studier place to stand. Once more, he gazed upward, begrudgingly sensing the battle taking place elsewhere in the bowels of the Hammer.

(**Scene Break**)

"This is it, Horkion," Laswe said as he vigorously interacted with the three probes in front of him, "This is our one great chance to make things right – and to prevent a galactic civil war in the process."

"So that's it," Horkion remarked happily, "You're going to make a broadcast using the emergency signal override."

"Yep," Laswe cackled.

"You could have just told me," Horkion pouted.

"Eh," Laswe shrugged as he worked, "I enjoy proving my mental superiority over you by leaving you in the dark." Horkion socked him in the shoulder. "Ow!"

"You're a jerk, you know that, Laswe?"

Laswe giggled. "Yeah. I know. Runs in the dynasty. You ready to do your part?"

"Uh-huh." Horkion picked up the magical lamp again. "You really think you can win most of the galaxy over to Goku and Vegeta's side?"

"Don't forget, Goku and Vegeta's side is the same as ours now." Laswe paused in his work and rocked on his tail. "Don't worry. I'm not ever letting you guys down again."

"I know, Laswe," Horkion kindly assured, "I know."

The probes moved back, one lighting up its lens to project a backdrop of the Justice colors – a vivid blue with a white hammer surrounded by a circle of white stars. Laswe cut his arm through the air, spreading his iridescent wings and tossing his gold cape. "Alright! By this act, we declare war against you, Nevrrest!"

(**Scene Break**)

Nevrrest had her defenses at maximum. It was all she could do to keep from being sent flying again. As for Goku, he feared he would soon have to resort to attacks that would risk killing her just to bring her down. One thing was for certain for both of them – it had truly become a mutual fight. Mutual admiration, mutual rage, mutual frustration, mutual need to win. It was as though, at long last, they had reached a place where they could both stand and gaze at the other eye to eye.

But Goku was still winning.

More of the Saiyan's punches broke against the Blecha's guard, each impact making everything around them shake and Nevrrest fall back. "You've stopped attacking," Goku observed, "If you're hoping to outlast me, it won't work. It's true there's a limit to how long I can hold this form. But at this rate, the energy you've borrowed will run out before then." He struck again. "And then it will be over."

Nevrrest smiled, whistled, and chuckled. "Kyahahaha…wouldn't you like to know?" She ducked and forced him to chase her, barely dodging a small energy blast that whistled past her hip and exploded against the wall. Her tail flicked and curled, using a telekinetic grip to twist and close the tunnel behind her, forcing Goku to repeatedly smash through it to keep up the chase.

"Give it up, Nevrrest!" Goku shouted as he gained on her, his golden mane whipping behind him, "You know you can't WIN!" Nevrrest squawked as he yanked her back by the tail and landed on top of her, riding her down through several layers of engineering deck. The final impact sent up an explosion of dust and debris into the air, settling around them. Goku held Nevrrest down, his forearm braced against her chest, both their bodies tensed. "I'm starting to think you really have realized that," he observed, "So what's your angle then, Nevrrest?"

He's starting to catch on that I'm just buying time, she quickly thought. Her powerful tail curled and then whipped at him. Goku caught it, but her foot curled and raked him with a kick. She slipped out from under him and flipped to her feet, smiling slightly. Ha! He may have me outgunned, but I still got him out-limbed! She curled one hand by her head and the other in front of her as she charged at him. Time to change tactics!

She leapt around him, swiping twice as he easily dodged, and then pushed both hands forward, fingers curled up and pointed at him. "Vice Web!" Even in his long-haired form, Goku wasn't able to avoid the near-instantaneous movements of her energy threads, wrapping and tangling around his body. Goku cried out as her power ripped across him, gritting his teeth and seizing a fistful of the threads before breaking the attack. He struck at her and she caught the fist with both hands, deep grooves dug into the metal they stood on as her feet fought to stay the momentum. Blood crept from her palms. "My angle…" She leapt into the air and blasted a red beam from her palm. "IS THAT I NEVER FOLD!"