Chapter 11: Merciless Determination
Celero, a novice to these competitions stepped out onto the ring as the blonde woman stood waiting to fight him. Her face completely stoic, completely unfeeling.
Before the announcer declared the beginning of the fight, a small voice rang from the stands, a little girl, cheering on her 'Mommy', enough to break the woman's stoic face and a small, yet warm smile gracing her face.
The announcer yelled for the fight to "BEGIN!" as Celero dropped into a defensive stance as he prepared for his first official fight in almost a thousand years.
18 also dropped into a defensive stance, this Saiyan was an unknown element. Dr. Gero had no data on him before the good Doctor's passing. All she knew for sure was that he was a Saiyan. She looked towards the waiting room and smiled as she saw 16 and her husband watching proudly.
Celero followed her gaze and saw that Goku and Vegeta were also watching. "Hey you." Celero returned his gaze to 18, "Are you a Super Saiyan as well?" 18 asked as Celero grit his teeth.
It had been awhile since he has actually transformed. He spent his time on Namek strengthening his basic form. He never thought to train as a Super Saiyan.
"Honestly, I haven't transformed in seven years. I don't know fully know if I can still do that particular transformation." Celero explained as 18 smirked, feeling confident.
She immediately charged at Celero sending a flurry of kicks at his chest. Celero blocked every single kick with ease before grabbing her leg and tossing her across the stage.
18 caught herself with a back handspring and landed on her feet, before charging again sending a couple ki blasts at him as she approached.
Celero deflected them and threw a punch aimed for her face as she approached, only to hit an afterimage. He tried to quickly sense her energy but couldnt find it as a kick landed against his back, sending him flying, she rushed around and kicked him up into the sky, and used her speed to knock him into the ground.
Celero laid in the ground before lifting himself up. He didn't actually want to fight anyone except Vegeta, but this tournament was his only chance. Unfortunately, he was getting his ass mercilessly handed to him. He looked up to see Vegeta smirking.
"I understand you have a beef with the Prince." 18 broke his glare, as he nodded, "Even if you win our fight, if you continue at this pace, I can tell you that you don't stand a chance against him." 18 informed as Celero grit his teeth in anger.
"I know I can beat him if I get past you. I have to beat him." Celero said quietly, balling his fist.
"Then you need to get serious. If you can't beat me, you won't beat him." 18 said curtly as Celero looked at her.
"Youre right. I suppose it won't hurt to try then." Celero said as broken pieces of stage began to float, his power began to skyrocket as his he struggled to transform.
Lightning began striking around, his hair flashing. He looked up and saw the Vegeta he knew, the ancestor of this man. The man who stabbed him in the back and destroyed his brother and his friends after helping him attain a legendary transformation.
His a golden aura exploded around him, knocking 18 back as electricity crackled around him.
He breathed out surprised by the power flowing through him. "He passed Super Saiyan altogether and ascended to the next level with ease!" Gohan said shocked, personally knowing the feeling of that power.
Celero glared at Vegeta whose smirk faded into a scowl. "My my, these Saiyans truly have a variety of transformations." Whis said from his spot in the stands as Beerus was leaned backwards, slowly nodding off.
"That's nice Whis, but I'm only interested in one transformation." Beerus said in a bored tone. "Is there anyway we can get some food? I tire of waiting."
"If you're bored, why didn't you fight with this Super Saiyan God back when he first appeared? We took the time to watch him on Yasai." Whis asked as Beerus crossed his arms.
"I was an apprentice back then. Lord Wodan(Vo-dahn) specifically instructed me not to get involved in the fight but to observe." Beerus scoffed, "Besides, I wasn't a fully-fledged God, he could've beaten me easily back then."
Celero stood still as 18 attempted to hit him from every angle. He didn't have much practice with this form, but he was keeping a cool head as he blocked. 18 jumped back and glared at her opponent. Celero noticed she wasn't breathing heavily at all, like a normal fighter who put their all into a high-endurance attack stream like she just had. "I'm curious." Celero said calmly, "Just how strong are you if you're not even remotely winded?"
18 smiled, "Compared to your current form, I'd say Fifty percent of your base power in that form." 18 answered honestly as Celero furrowed his brow. "I take it nobody has filled you in on what I am exactly. I'm a cyborg built by a madman with a purpose. That's why I don't get winded so easily." 18 explained as Celero nodded in understanding.
"Now I have a question for you. Why didn't Doctor Gero have any data on you? Youre a Saiyan after all." 18 asked as Celero shrugged.
"If I had to guess, it's probably because I was trapped in a stasis prison for about a millennium." Celero said as 18 glared.
"Well you look great for a thousand year old." 18 said skeptically as Celero's face returned to a neutral, calm expression.
"Thanks, but I think it's time I end this fight. I need to take on the royal brat over there." Celero declared as he fazed out of view. Before 18 could move to look for him, she felt a punch to her gut, knocking the wind out of her and sending her flying out of the ring.
Celero dropped out of Super Saiyan 2 and rushed to her side. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard. I haven't had much practice with that form!" He apologized profusely as 18 stood up and coughed out a little bit of blood.
"It's fine." She said in a slightly raspy voice, clearing her voice, "I didn't expect to win the tournament when I was put in the same bracket as Goku. I also figured i'd get a little roughed up." She said kindly but her voice still slightly raspy.
Celero looked at her with worry, "Are you sure? I wanted to win, but I didn't want to hurt you." Celero insisted before hearing Krillin's voice.
"It's fine big guy! My wife is one of the toughest warriors on this planet. Besides, I've got a senzu bean specifically for her." Krillin smiled as he held it out to her. She smiled as she took it out of his hand, placed it in her mouth and pulled her husband in for a kiss, before they walked back to the waiting room together.
Celero smiled lightly as he watched the couple walk away. Before his eyes darkened, his scowl returning to Vegeta. His memory returning to someone he dared not to remember. "Blumen." he whispered to himself as his hair flashed red, glaring at Vegeta.
Vegeta and Goku were shocked to see the flash of red as Celero began walking slowly back to the waiting area. "What do you think that was Vegeta?" Goku asked, curious and exhilarated by the prospect of a new transformation.
"While he was on New Namek for several years, we inspected his old ship. On it we found books, some of the text faded, but there was a crudely drawn picture in the book of a Saiyan with bright red hair and red eyes, surrounded by what appeared to be Super Saiyans. The dialect in the book was ancient, but I recognized the caption from other legends, the caption called it a Super Saiyan God." Vegeta explained as he kept his eyes locked with Celero. "He must have used those books to attain such a transformation." Vegeta's trademark smirk returned, just as excited as Goku by the challenge presented to them.
Celero brushed past Goku and bumped into Vegeta as he passed by the two Saiyan warriors. Vegeta knew now was not the time to push any buttons. Goku on the other hand followed Celero like an excitable puppy.
The God of Destruction took notice of the glare and the slight hair flash. "So he has retained some small part of that form. Very interesting." he said to himself as he heard a chomp down on something next to him. He looked over to Whis who had a stick with some sort of colored cloud attached to it.
"Now where exactly did you get that Whis!?" He demanded as he glared at his companion.
"This planet is filled with delicacies. They call this, Cotton Candy. And yes Lord Beerus, I got one for you." Whis said as he pulled another stick from behind his back.
Beerus took a single bite of the cloud of candy. "MMM, you were right Whis! And this is just a treat? Makes me wonder what else they have!" Beerus exclaimed as Whis smiled.
"Well they have many more little restaurants in the city. I think we have some time to get some more of their food." Whis suggested as Beerus thought about it for a second.
"I am interested in seeing the two pure-bloods fight as well. I suppose we won't miss much if we hurry." Beerus said as the two made their way to the fair surrounding the ring, almost unnoticed as Piccolo followed the two odd figures from the shadows.
Mighty Mask nervously entered the ring with 16, the giant man in a green tunic having a kind smile on his face. "You have no reason to fear Mighty Mask. I truly look forward to a fair fight." 16's robotic voice said kindly as Might Mask barely reached the bottom of 16's chest in height.
"Not much of a fair fight. You're twice my size man!" Mighty Mask exasperated, "Also, you sound like a robot."
"I am designated Android 16." 16 responded as Mighty Mask rubbed his neck nervously.
"Only one choice then." Mighty Mask said disappointed, he turned to the announcer just as the man was about to declare the beginning of the fight. "Hey, I forfeit!" Mighty Mask declared as he bound towards the waiting area. The announcer was confused but 16 just watched silently before walking toward the waiting area.
"Well if that is the case, then we'll just move along to the very next fight. Former Champion Son Goku going toe-to-toe with the mysterious newcomer, Vegeta. Not much is known about Vegeta, but Son Goku participated in the 21st, 22nd and 23rd World Martial Arts Tournaments, getting to the finals in all three. The last tournament he participated in, he became the champ with an explosive climax, completely decimating the old stage! As to why he did not participate in the 24th, up against Mr. Satan, is a mystery, but given his tenacious tendency, I know this man will give his all!" The announcer introduced Goku as if they were close personal friends.
Vegeta and Goku each stepped onto the ring. Vegeta dropped into a stance as he observed Goku looking around at the ring around them. "I don't know Vegeta, I don't think this ring is big enough for us to go all out." Goku said as Vegeta chuckled.
"You're not wrong Kakarot. I'm disappointed by the size as well. But it doesn't mean we can't have some fun. Tell me, how strong have you gotten in Otherworld? You've had seven years to train, just as I have." Vegeta responded as Goku dropped into his own stance.
"Hmph, I'm sorry Vegeta. But I cannot use my full power. I have a limited time on Earth, remember. The more power I use, the less time I have on Earth." Goku informed before smirking, "All I can promise is that I'll try not to show you up." Goku informed, Vegeta smirked in response.
"We'll see about that Kakarot!"
"Look at the intense stare these two rivals are sharing! This fight will be one for the ages ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer said excited as he threw microphone high into the air, and did a back flip, landing on his feet and catching the mic. "YOU MAY BEGIN!"
Goku and Vegeta instantly powered up to Super Saiyan 2 and lunged at each other with extreme speed. Wind and dust kicked up from the ring as the two Saiyans fought intensely.
Celero watched intently, making sure to study all of Vegeta's moves. "This is amazing. I knew their battle would be intense, but I never couldve imagined this!" Krillon said nervously as they traded hits blow-for-blow, neither Saiyan giving an inch.
"How many times have they actually fought?" Celero asked, "Vegeta seems to have a grudge against Kakarot, seems like he wins every time."
Krillin rubbed the back of his neck, "Well the thing is..." Krillin started as Gohan interrupted.
"They've only fought once, and Dad barely won. We only count it as a win because Vegeta retreated." Gohan stated as he watched his dad get flung into the ground. Goku quickly dodged as Vegeta brought his foot down to stomp Goku's chest, leaving a small crater in the ring.
Celero looked confused, "Retreated? Does that mean that Vegeta wasn't always your ally?" He asked as Gohan smiled at him.
"You've probably wondered why we have faith in Vegeta, despite his many flaws and abrasive nature. It's because despite his disdain for us, he's still put his life on the line for Earth and us." Gohan said as Vegeta received a beating himself, as Goku used a Kamehameha wave to push Vegeta high into the sky.
"But he wasn't your ally in the beginning?" Celero asked for confirmation, Vegeta appeared behind Goku as he tried to take a quick breather. Vegeta kicked him in the ribs, knocking the taller Saiyan forward enough for Vegeta plant his foot firmly in his rival's back, sending Goku flying.
As Goku flew towards the edge of the ring he put two fingers to his forehead and disappeared, reappearing with the same momentum behind Vegeta, his foot extended and aimed at the back of Vegeta's head. Vegeta barely dodged, receiving a cut to his cheek.
"Vegeta came to Earth to search for the Dragon Balls to wish for immortality." Gohan stated simply, "And he would've killed any and all of us to achieve that goal."
Celero was shocked to hear this considering how friendly Vegeta and Goku's rivalry seemed. "They've fought once and they have that kind of rivalry? What's Vegeta's problem?" Celero asked incredulously.
"Simple. He came to Earth a prideful warrior. Strongest of the Saiyans, then he was brought to his knees by a low-class Saiyan and a band of Earthlings. Simply put, Dad humiliated him. Wounded his pride. Since then, Vegeta's life revolved around healing his pride and reclaiming his title as the strongest Saiyan. The only way he feels he can do that, is defeating my father." Gohan explained as he watched his dad spinning Vegeta around by his arms and slamming him into the ground.
Celero watched Gohan who observed the fight with a soft smile, "You think differently, don't you? You admire Vegeta somehow." Celero asked, slightly irate.
"I think Vegeta has already healed his pride in the form of his son. While he hasn't acknowledged it consciously, he trains to protect the Earth and his family, not to beat my father. If he wins, it'll be bittersweet. He might even go into denial about whether he truly won or not. No matter what happens, I think Vegeta is the most honorable warrior in the universe. I suggest you remember that if and when you get a chance to fight him." Gohan said as a gust of wind kicked up nearby.
They both looked up to see Goku catching himself right in front of the door. Goku floated forward slowly and landed on the ring. "I'm impressed Vegeta. You've gotten much stronger in the past seven years. Kinda makes me wish we weren't fighting in a tournament." Goku said as he spat out some blood.
Vegeta crossed his arms, spitting out some blood himself, "I agree Kakarot. But I still have one reservation about this fight." Vegeta said, a scowl spreading across his face.
"Yeah, and what's that?" Goku asked as Vegeta's power began shooting upward.
"You're not going at your full power Kakarot! I want to see it! You learned a new transformation in Otherworld, didn't you? Show it to me now!" Vegeta demanded angrily as Goku's face went emotionless.
"No. I came back for one day, I was looking forward to a fight with you, but I wanted to see my family as well. If I transform, it'll take time from me, and I won't have enough time to spend with them." Goku declared as he refused to transform.
Vegeta scowled, "You will lose this fight if you don't transform Kakarot! Do not rob me of this!" Vegeta exclaimed angrily as he continued powering up.
"I'm not robbing you of anything Vegeta. There is more to life than fighting. I just learned that I have a second son, Gohan has grown into a man. I have missed so much in the past seven years, and I didn't even know it until today. If I lose, then that just means I get to go spend time with my family, and potentially watch a fight between you and the Super Saiyan God. I think I'll be satisfied with my day on Earth if I get to witness that." Goku explained straight faced as Vegeta scoffed. "Don't get me wrong Vegeta, I'm not giving up here. I'm just not going to transform to satisfy your ego."
"Very well then, if that's the case, then I'm ending this fight." Vegeta said annoyed as he began screaming, his power shifting the clouds around him as his brow became distended and his hair grew. Electricity crackling around him as the ground around him floated upwards, as if stuck in a gravitational pull.
Goku stood there aghast at the sight, "Unreal! He's done it." Goku said as his blood began to pump and a smirk spread across his face. The thought of fighting at their full power exhilarating the taller Saiyan. He did his best to restrain himself, but this fight was slowly becoming a once in a lifetime event.
Whis smiled from the stands, he pulled his staff out of thin air and tapped the ground once, seemingly freezing everyone but himself and Goku. "Very noble of you Saiyan. Going against your nature for a good fight so that you might spend it with your family instead." Whis said as he appeared in front of Goku.
Goku looked at the tall man confused, "Who are you!" Goku exclaimed as Whis smiled softly.
"That will be revealed in time. You hesitate to fight at your full power because you only have a limited amount of time in the mortal world, correct?" Whis asked as Goku nodded hesitantly.
"I have other priorities on Earth aside fighting. But Vegeta is tempting me to go all out. My blood is boiling at the chance to fight him in my Super Saiyan 3 state!" Goku explained.
"Well, Lord Beerus wishes to see a fight between he two of you. He will be disappointed if you don't go all out. So I offer you a gift. Please use it wisely." Whis said happily as Goku's Halo began to fade away.
Goku could feel the fatigue of a mortal body and the heart beating as it could only beat when he was alive. He looked up and saw his Halo was gone.
He felt Vegeta's power plateau as the Prince finished his transformation. A sad smirk adorned his face as he prepared to an attack. Only to stop when he felt Goku's own power rising. "So you took the bait Kakarot, decided to fight me uninhibited?" Vegeta asked aloud. As he spoke, he noticed that the Halo that once graced Goku's head was now gone.
Goku's hair mimicked Vegeta's as it grew, his forehead extended to cover his eyebrows and electricity, almost fierce as the electricity crackling around Vegeta. "You asked for it Vegeta." Goku's voice turned serious as he dropped into his stance. "Time for round Two."
"This is bad. They both have more power than the stage can handle!" Krillin exclaimed as Gohan looked at his father who seemed like a shiny golden god. But noticed something that Celero had also noticed.
"They're about equal in terms of power. But my dad is at a disadvantage." Gohan stated as Celero nodded in agreement.
Videl stepped between Gohan and Celero and felt out their power. "I don't get it, how is your dad at a disadvantage?" She asked as she watched the two Super Saiyan 3 warriors clashing.
"Dil, take notice of Goku's ki. It's fluctuating wildly, as if he's having trouble maintaining the ascended state." Celero explained. She took notice of this.
"Why is he having trouble with it? I mean, he must have practiced using it in Otherworld." Videl asked as Gohan nodded.
"Knowing my dad, I don't doubt that. But that's just it. Dad has been dead for the past seven years. If he practiced in Otherworld, he didn't achieve this form in his living body. Only in his spirit body." Gohan pointed out as Krillin took notice of Goku not having the Halo anymore.
"And Vegeta achieved this form while living. He had time to let his body acclimate to the strain the power causes his body." Krillin deduced as Gohan nodded in agreement.
Despite the obvious disadvantage, Goku was still giving it his all, keeping Vegeta on his toes despite his punches not hitting as hard as they normally would. "Seems like you wasted time giving the Saiyan his life back. He is on the ropes." Beerus observed as Whis smiled politely.
"Well Lord Beerus, I was simply offering you a chance to see them at their full power." Whis explained, "Although, that was a bit much to ask for, I didn't think Goku would be unable to control this form."
"Well, I am still impressed by these Super Saiyans. If they all attained the power of Super Saiyan God, perhaps they'd give me a good challenge." Beerus pointed out, curiously rubbing his chin.
"They'd all certainly make decent disciples for you my lord." Whis offers as Beerus glares.
"You're not wrong, they are exceptionally skilled. But I want to fight the Super Saiyan God before I take any of them as students." Beerus declared as Whis nodded in agreement.
Goku, quickly began losing energy, his body no longer able to take the strain of Super Saiyan 3. Vegeta not giving an inch began beating Goku mercilessly as Goku dropped back down to Super Saiyan 2 and slowly fell to Earth.
Before he could, Vegeta grabbed him by the collar of his nearly destroyed gi and lifted him up, "I win Kakarot. I finally win!" Vegeta said as Goku smiled through his pain.
"Yeah buddy, it looks like you do. But not for long Vegeta, because I'm coming for you now." Goku said as Vegeta smiled genuinely for the first time at his rival.
"I'm looking forward to it Goku." Vegeta stated as he lifted Goku up, let go of his gi and flipped around, sending Goku into the ground. Winning by ringout, as Goku chuckled tiredly from his position embedded in the ground.
The announcer looked down at Goku, whose hair had returned to normal and his eye stuck shut, a little blood coming from it as he chuckled, "Well Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems as though the former champion has lost in the first round. The first time it has ever happened in his career fighting in this tournament! Let's give both warriors a huge round of applause for such an explosive battle!"
The crowd blew up as they cheered loudly from the stands, deafening to those with sensitive hearing. Vegeta landed next to the small crater he embedded Kakarot in, and in a shocking move to Celero as well as Gohan and Krillin, Vegeta extended his hand, offering to help Goku up. "NOW THAT IS SPORTSMANSHIP! THEY BEAT EACH OTHER HALF TO DEATH AND NOW HEAR THEY ARE WALKING SIDE-BY-SIDE!" The announcer screamed into his mic as the two Saiyans limped to the waiting area. Vegeta set his comrade down on a bench by the door.
"Bald Man, how many senzus do you have?" Vegeta asked as Krillin glared, handing Vegeta a couple of senzus.
"Don't worry, we have plenty." Krillin stated as both Saiyans consumed one.
Celero stared at Vegeta, not sure what to make of this man, the descendant of the man he swore he would kill. The descendant of the man who was personally responsible for the destruction of Yasai and his own friends, his brother! The descendant of the man who killed his pregnant mate in cold blood!
He grit his teeth at that last part. "This changes nothing." Celero said quietly to himself as Videl glared at him before walking away, not having any desire in involving herself in his mission of revenge, especially after what she witnessed between Goku and Vegeta.
Celero scoffed at her, he knows that she won't understand his mission for vengeance, she was raised around these people. But he has no reason to give it up. He promised Vegeta the First that he would destroy all in his lineage, for reasons only he could comprehend. If it's the last thing he does, he will hold the lifeless corpse of Vegeta by the neck.
"I understand your desire for revenge." A robotic voice said from behind him. Celero looked up to see Android 16 standing there with a soft smile. "I was created for the sole purpose of killing Son Goku. Father wanted revenge." 16 explained as he stared at Goku, "But life is a blessing, coinciding with nature. Revenge is short-sighted and often unnecessary."
"Don't lecture me tin can." Celero spat venomously, blinded by anger, "His ancestor killed my mate, pregnant with my child, and my brother and his mate, all of my friends. Everyone I loved and cared about, dead because of his lineage."
"That happened about a thousand years ago. You all would be dead either way." 16 said curtly before walking away. He stopped and without turning around, "Perhaps you can consider your revenge fulfilled. Vegeta is a peaceful man, who fights with honor as opposed to ego."
Without pause, Celero responded, "This ends with him dead at my feet. I have the best chance to do that in just a couple rounds."
"Hmm, I hope you reconsider." 16 said as he walked outside, leaving Celero alone with his thoughts, doing his best to sort them out.
End Chapter
A/N: I have trouble ending chapters sometimes. Because I don't know where to end them. I originally thought I would end this chapter after Goku turned Super Saiyan 3, but then I continued the fight. I wanted to give Vegeta and Goku's fight it's own chapter, which considering more than half of this chapter is Goku and Vegeta fighting, while people talk over it, I suppose it's kind of its own chapter.
Probably good that I didn't give them their own chapter, because I'm not great with fight scenes. You might have noticed some of the fights seemed repetitive, I'm not good at fight scenes, and I would love to practice. I think I'm better than I was a couple years ago.
A lot going on in this chapter. I believe last chapter I put Beerus and Whis in the audience, this chapter I wanted to expand more into why they are there. Basically, looking for Celero, for a fight with the Super Saiyan God, but also wants a student/disciple. Beerus likes his job, but who knows, maybe he will want to pass it onto someone else. I had Beerus name a "Lord Wodan" which the inspiration is Germanic God of War, which eventually became a Norse God by the name of Odin. But for the purpose of this story, Wodan was Beerus' master and teacher, aside from Whis and the previous God of Destruction. I want the pronunciation as German as possible, so pronounce it as Vo-dahn. Anyway, he passed the title of Destructor onto Beerus after his passing.
My main thing in this chapter is that I want to sow the seeds of doubt in Celero's mind. Give him an internal conflict about Vegeta and his revenge against the lineage. Because Celero and Vegeta will eventually face off against each other. It's almost inevitable and I want to make this conflict in his mind so that when he gets his opportunity to kill Vegeta, it'll be a "Will he, won't he" type moment.
Anyway, read and Review. I'm a little worried that this chapter was all over the place and that I blew through two fights between Killa/Tao and Mighty Mask/16, but they would not doubt have gotten decimated against Tao and 16 respectively.