Chapter 9 Dragon Universe

Sting was still very much awake, but his body just wouldn't let itself stand. And even if his body could move, his mind was too focused on what happened. Him, a third-generation Dragon Slayer was defeated... No, absolutely stomped, by this random person that talked like he was from the hills. But still, what the hell is with the power he holds Sting thought, There's no doubt about it, he's not from this world! Sting was starting to regain control of his head. Good, I can at least see what's going on, Sting thought, I just hope Rogue is doing better than my sorry- But then, Sting's thoughts were cut off, as something suddenly flew past his body.

What the hell? Sting internally shouted, as dust kicked up, covering the area, and Sting. Damn it! I can't see anything now! So much for at least being able to see! Sting thought, as he coughed. But then, the dust suddenly cleared, much to Sting's comfort. He then tries to look behind him, and sees that it was Natsu that was thrown near him.

"Ah, damn." Natsu said, "What's it take to beat this guy?"

"I don't know, but then, Rogue and I were holding back." Sting said. Natsu turned to see Sting on the ground, bruised and beaten.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Natsu blurts out. "Jeez, don't scare me like that, I could've stepped on you!" Natsu said, with what sounded like concern? No matter now, Sting needed to get up and get to Rogue. But his body was still too injured to do anything drastic. "Whoa, hey man. Just stay down for now." Natsu said. "We'll take these guys, you just stay put for now." And with those words, Natsu then jumped high and far. Right next to Goku.

"Hmm? Oh it's you." Goku said, smiling an actually rather innocent smile. Natsu returned the smile as he then clenched his fists before they caught fire.

"Goku, let me just say, thanks for putting up a great fight," Natsu started, before swinging his fist back, reading it for an attack. "But now I'm really fired UP!"

"Damn, just what the hell are you? And who the hell do you think you are?" Rogue demanded, "Gajeel was mine to take!" Vegeta's expression didn't seemed to change, he simply closed his eyes as he then started to breath, deeply. Erza decided that she's had enough of this, and out of nowhere, changed her garments. From a Japanese style clothing, to a red and orange breastplate with a bit of black placed around. The orange bits were stylized like flames and several parts were shaped like dragon limbs. Erza then jumped up high, before a large, dark red sword, appeared from her hands. The sword then burst into flames, as Erza swung the large sword down on Vegeta. Vegeta easily dodged the attack, but the ensuing dust storm nearly hit his eyes. Then, Erza jumped up again, before sending her sword crashing down at the ground again. But this time, it wasn't dust that was kicked up by the attack. Instead, smoke, caused by the explosion that followed, formed like a smoke-bomb.

Dammit, if this keeps up the entire arena will be covered in this! Vegeta internally analyzed. But unfortunately for Vegeta, his mind was too slow for him this instant, and soon the entire arena was coated by a massive cloud of smoke. And before Goku and Vegeta could do anything, they all felt their bodies suddenly being hit by quick attacks. The attacks were coming from all directions. Goku tried to put his hands up in defense, and Vegeta did the same.

"Damn, a smokescreen, a dirty trick, but effective as hell." Sting commented. "Too bad I can't see the beat down that's about to happen." Back inside the smokescreen, the two Saiyans still felt several different barrages of attacks, coming from all directions. Goku was hit with a combination fire and lightning attacks, while Vegeta was struck by a multitude of bladed weaponry and dark slashes.

"Erza, move to your left." Rogue quietly ordered, "Gajeel, hit him near the gut." All at once, Erza, Gajeel and Rogue dashed in different directions. Erza struck first, striking Vegeta's arm with a spear, while Gajeel struck Vegeta just right of his stomach. "There's no way you can see our attacks with this smoke." Rogue stated, his voice seemingly multiplied. "You should just lay down your guard and submit!" Rogue yelled as he then dashed from behind Vegeta, with a shadow claw at the ready. He then slashed... only to find his wrist grabbed by Vegeta, glaring into his eyes.

"And who said I needed sight?" Vegeta said, trademark smirk on his face. Rogue could express nothing but shock at this moment.

"WHAT?!" Rogue blurted out. Then, from behind, Erza and Gajeel burst from the smoke, both ready to strike. But Vegeta knew well enough what to do himself. He then swung around, still grabbing on to Rogue, and literally smack both attackers away from him, using Rogue's body. Not only did Vegeta counter the attack, he also managed to make a clearing in the smoke. Back with Goku, he was managing to block all of Natsu's and Laxus's punches, much to the shock of the two Dragon Slayers.

"Dammit, even with the element of surprise, we still can't do anything to put this guy down!" Laxus said, breathing heavily.

"Are you kidding me?" Natsu yelled out, clasping his fist and pounding the ground in anger. "Who is this guy?"

"You know, you guys may not use Ki, but I can still sense that you guys have it." Goku stated. He then let out a small amount of Ki, clearing away all the smoke away. "If you could mask your Ki, that smokescreen tactic could've worked."

"What the hell do you mean, what the hell even is Ki?!" Natsu shouted before running straight at Goku with a flaming fist aimed straight for his face. But of course, Goku knew what to do in the situation. Goku sidestepped, before grabbing Natsu's arm before throwing Natsu to the side. Not too far, but not right next to Goku either.

"Come on, I know you can do better than that." Goku said, smirking. Natsu got up, but didn't turn to face Goku. Instead, he smiled. He then made a sound that was rather perplexing to Goku. Natsu started to chuckle.

"You're right, Goku. I understand that you know I've been holding back. But trust me, when I'm at full power, you will be in for a hell of a fight!" Natsu proudly said, clenching his fist in excitement.

""Finally." Goku said, "Alright, you give it your all, and I'll do the same." Goku then let out an impressive amount of Ki, blowing away small bits of dust and debris around him. Natsu smiled, as he then felt his body grow hotter, and hotter. Before Natsu could do anything, Goku came, flying in, with a fist aimed straight for Natsu. But Natsu didn't flinch. He set both his fists aflame, before pulling on of them back, readying himself.

"FIRE DRAGON..." Natsu started, as Goku flew even closer. "IRON-" But then, something happened. It happened so fast, Natsu couldn't see what happened. But he felt a searing pain near his chest. When he looked down, he saw that there was small hole where his lung would be. Natsu then started to feel his breath grow more labored. His mouth started to grow wet and sticky, and it had a taste like copper. Natsu then collapsed as he felt himself losing consciousness, before collapsing completely. Goku couldn't help but make a startled noise, turning everyone's focus on him and Natsu. And everyone was looking, even Vegeta had stopped his fighting to see that Goku's opponent had fallen. Sting was dumbfounded, he was watching the whole thing but he couldn't tell what happened. Sting's body could finally move more freely now, he still couldn't run yet he still made his way forward towards the fallen Dragon Slayer. Goku didn't say a thing, instead he rushed towards Natsu, lay him down on his back, and similar to that of a defibrillator, jump started Natsu's heart with a Ki blast to the chest. Natsu violently regained consciousness, hacking up blood in his wake.

"Calm down, Natsu. Just lay down for a moment." Goku ordered. This is bad, if he can't heal this wound, than this could be a serious problem. What even happened, I only saw a flash of red before... His thoughts stopped cold, as Goku felt chills run through his body. The distinct sound of something sticky stomping on the hard ground. And the chilling, yet soft laughter.

Those footsteps, that voice. It's unmistakable, but how? He should be dead! Vegeta thought. The laughing continued, growing more intense.

"So this is what you have been doing all this time." A cold voice, oozing with unsettling terror filled the ears of everyone, but it was clear who the message was for. "It's a shame, really. You've travelled far for your efforts, Goku. But soon those efforts will be nothing but a disgusting, red paste. As will you, Saiyan." The voice growled at the word 'Saiyan'. Goku and Vegeta all turned to see a face they remember all too well. A small framed body, pale white skin, and eyes red as the blood he spilled. The evil emperor, Frieza has returned.

4