Author's Note: If you're following along with my Xenoverse 2 story, this takes place between the point when Charri kills Mira and the party we see in full 2D animation. This will be the first of many one shots for the Xenoverse 2 post game storyline, following Peparia's perspective.

Peparia floated above the Patroller Academy, looking down on the trainers available. She was glad that fame had passed her by; fame nearly got her killed. It was her fame she gained for killing Mira and Demigra that made Peparia such an appetizing target for Towa that she wanted Peparia for her own. And it was her own weakness that allowed her to fall under Towa's spell.

Peparia knew that she had to do something. She'd been slacking off in her training, both in her body and her mind. She's thought that Super Saiyan 4 would be enough, since it had been enough to kill a Demon God. But Mira had overpowered her with the aid of a super powered Broly, Janemba and Bardock. Super Saiyan 4 was not enough to lead her into the future.

But what would be her path for the future? She had no desire for Super Saiyan Godhood, nor the power of Super Saiyan Blue, which was just Super Saiyan stacked upon Super Saiyan God. No, that power came from Yamoshi, and she refused to follow Yamoshi's path. Not with how he wanted to destroy her people's way of life.

But what did that leave her with? Ultra Instinct? No, that didn't fit her. Her style was too analytical, too dependent on reading her enemies. She was a thinker in battle, not a reaction fighter. Everything was planned, prepared, accounted for. Her fighting style wasn't suited for her body to react on its own the way Ultra Instinct did.

She looked down at Lord Beerus. She didn't like him as a person, but she saw what he'd done for Vegeta. The power of destruction, the Hakai, required great mental fortitude, mastery of the self. And through the power of destruction came Vegeta's unique ability; Ultra Ego.

Peparia floated down to Lord Beerus as she thought about what Ultra Ego would grant her; it drew severe level of self-indulgence in battle, built upon a Saiyan's innate level of savagery. Ultra Ego would grant her more and more power as she took damage, but it would require her to always maintain her lust for battle. It would require her to dive deeper into her Saiyan instincts, bring them to the surface and hold on to them. She'd need to endure and even enjoy the pain inflicted by enemy attacks, to hold her ground and counterattack through openings in an attacking opponent's guard with even greater power.

But Peparia couldn't let her battle lust take complete control, as though it may raise her strength to astounding levels, she could get stupid. She could take unnecessary damage while lost in her battle fervor. She'd need to walk the line between sanity and insanity while in this state, but that suited her just fine.

"Well, it's been a long time," Lord Beerus said as Peparia landed. "Good to see you well after Towa enslaved you."

"I'm glad you think so," Peparia said, not appreciating the reminder.

But Beerus simply grinned. "That Charri girl's come a long way. To defeat you in battle was quite the feat."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Peparia said, sighing. She knew the dance she'd have to perform to get Beerus to help her, but she didn't like it. "I can't allow myself to fall under the spell of a sorcerer again."

"And you think I'd be willing to give you that?" Beerus said, smugly. "That's a rather bold request."

"You've trained me before," Peparia said. "And think about it; a destroyer among the Time Patrol, trained by the destroyer of Universe 7? Think of the prestige you'd get from that."

Peparia removed her communicator and continued. "Besides, Charri is training under Whis. She wants to learn the path of the angels."

"And you think that you can play on the rivalry between me and Whis over Goku and Vegeta? An audacious thought," Lord Beerus said.

"Well, why not? Charri is the great granddaughter of Kakarot, and I'm the ancestor of Vegeta," Peparia said, smiling.

Beerus gleefully laughed. "Alright, Saiyan, you've convinced me," he said. "I'll teach you the power of destruction, and we'll see how you handle it."

Peparia grinned as she bowed before the God of Destruction. This would be the path she'd need to take to advance.