Dark Motivations
"The pursuit of your own self-interest is not a matter of greed, but of rationality and self-respect." ~Ayn Rand
Universe 16
Hearts, along with Zamasu, Kamin, Oren, and their base appeared high in the heavens above the mountains where Peppa and Lagss where sitting down looking at the rising sun. Peppa and Lagss look at each other then nod their heads. Peppa gets to his feet as they fly up to their floating base to regroup with the rest of The Area Core warriors.
"How was it?" Hearts inquired with an amused interest to see they were on a far away planet from where he had sent them.
"The Android and the Getty Star were not only defeated by Peppa, but the Android and the planet were destroyed by Peppa." Lagss reported in a loving tone to Hearts.
"I see, well done." Hearts said, looking over at the exhausted Peppa reading his mind.
"So you did it? You drew out your real power. The silver aura is now on our side. Incredible mortal. Well done." Hearts said in a congratulating tone.
"Silver Aura?" Zamasu inquired with a perked eyebrow.
"Show the team what you, a mortal, has accomplished by sheer will." Hearts ordered.
"I'll try, but I have only done it once and it's a hard form to maintain. It really drains your stamina and you have to keep your mind calm and clear." Peppa explained putting distance between himself and the team.
Peppa bent his knees, clenched his fists, let out a yell and began to power-up. The Area Core Warriors watched the clouds distort around him and their base shook. A fierce golden aura appeared around Peppa as his hair, eyebrows, and tail turned red, his eyes turned silver and for a moment they saw the fluid sliver-white aura around Peppa before it exploded into a fiery aura as Peppa turned into a Super Saiyan God.
Peppa stood there breathing hard with a fiery aura around him looking at The Area Core Warriors with his blood red eyes and sweat running down his face. Peppa saw Zamasu give him a disgusted look. Kamin and Oren gave skeptical looks to one another and then back at Peppa. Hearts just frowned at Peppa.
"I was only able to hold it for a few seconds. The Silver aura with the silver eyes, that's Ultra Instinct. " Peppa explained.
"Ultra Instinct, the art of selfish fighting, the fighting style of the angels." Hearts explained. Zamasu started to laugh, clapping his hands glaring at Peppa. Everyone turns their head to Zamasu.
"I saw it. A most brilliant display: A Saiyan body enveloped in divine energy is beautiful even if it's wrong." Zamasu said in a dark and nasty tone lowering his hands to his side. Peppa just glares at him.
"While you have trained to an incredible degree, remember you remain nothing more than a mere mortal being." Zamasu said in a dark tone appearing before Peppa could react and pointing his pointer and middle finger at Peppa's throat. Peppa just narrows his eyes darkly at Zamasu.
"For a lowly animal you've come quite far. It's egregious! Your kind is what's wrong with the multiverse and the fact that other gods allow mortals like yourself to exist angers me." Zamasu said in a righteous tone glaring at Peppa who glared back.
"Is that right?" Peppa replied back in a dark tone.
"I'll reward you with a little insight of divine wisdom." Zamasu said in a condescending tone lowering his hand.
"In Universe 7, Planet Vegeta was the result of a genocide. The original home planet of the Saiyans was called Planet Sadala." Zamasu educated them.
"We had a planet Sadala in my Universe 2 but it was destroyed by our God of Destruction Heles who deemed the Saiyan race a violent and ugly people. We wandered the galaxy homeless until the Tuffles took us in. However, their hand of friendship quickly turned to war. With their superior technology we were nearly wiped out and were forced to flee to the stars until a remnant found a home on Planet SoHo." Peppa explained.
"In our Universe 6, we shared our planet with the Saiyans as well, but for the most part we got along even intermixed with them. But the past never dies and old hatred and animosity would rise again." Kamin explained glaring at Peppa.
"The Saiyans of Universe 7 brainlessly caused the destruction of their planet during their civil war. They had to find a new home. In Universe 7, much like your Universe 2, the Saiyans started a war." Zamasu told them.
"In my Universe 2 the Tuffles drew first blood. My ancestors were weak and tired. My people at the time wanted peace and coexistence. They paid for it with their lives." Peppa said in a dark and hateful tone looking at Kamin and Oren.
"Then you will be happy to know the Saiyans of Universe 7 tore down their entire race. Until no one was left alive anymore and as the greatest act of arrogance they renamed the Planet to Planet Vegeta." Zamasu told them. Everyone stared at Peppa who just glared at them back.
"What's your point Zamasu?" Peppa demanded to know.
"From the very beginning you mortals have caused nothing but destruction. Wherever you went you brought it with you. You don't deny it, you don't even distance yourself from your heritage of destruction." Zamasu said with a righteous smile pointing his right finger at Peppa.
"But you're just like them! You're ready to step on everyone to achieve greater power. If it means getting a new hair color you're in, but the moment I want to save this multiverse it becomes a problem. The only villain here is you!" Zamasu declared in his divine wisdom lowering his hand to his side. Peppa just stares at him saying nothing.
"You see I look down on existence from a much higher perspective than you do. I have witnessed the multiverse, these worlds, and the truth of all things that yields to a deeper understanding. Wisdom, the realization that all mortals should be destroyed!" Zamasu stated in a righteous tone as Hearts, Lagss, Kamin, and Oren glared at Zamasu.
"The one and only mistake among all divine creation! That is what mortals are! And this mistake is egregious! To shape existence into the beautiful utopia it was always meant to be, the mistake must be corrected! Once we remove the Omni-King I will purge all mortals from existence in place of the gods who refuse to admit failure!" Zamasu stated in a beautiful and righteous tone.
"So is there no room for the wishes of your comrades who are the very mortals you look down upon? And yet, are the very mortals who are helping you achieve your goal of removing the Omni-King?" Peppa demanded, giving a dark look at Zamasu clenching his fists tightly.
"What wishes would those be?" Zamasu gave an amused look to Peppa.
"Just as you hate all mortals I hate all divine beings and I will kill them all with the exception of you." Peppa answered him. Zamasu gave a curious look to Peppa.
"Once we defeat the Omni-King, I want to hunt down all the gods and kill them while you hunt down all the mortals and kill them. With the five exempted Universes plus the five that were brought back by Jiren's wish that makes 10 Universes. Surely as your comrades you can leave one universe for them to live their dream of being free of the yoke of the divine." Peppa gestured to Hearts, Lagss, Kamin, and Oren. Zamasu just glances at them then back at Peppa.
"Like you said, we're only mortals. We will grow old and die, but you will go on and on. Once I kill all the Gods, you will be the only god left in this multiverse and with 9 universes to purge of mortal kind surely you can allow one universe to remain for our comrades to live out their life afterwards you can purge the last universe of mortal life and then you will be the only God, in a beautiful and vacant multiverse." Peppa explained to the horror of Hearts, Lagss, Kamin, and Oren.
"Hmmm…how do I know you wont betray me or try to stop me? You mortals have shown time and again you are untrustworthy." Zamasu said as he stared at Peppa deep in thought.
"Then trust our intentions. The Omni-King snapped my entire Universe 2 from existence! The Gods, The Angels, The Grand Priest, Zeno, they took EVERYTHING from ME! I don't care what happens to the other universes and I only care about freeing mortal kind from the twisted yoke of Zeno in order to ensure my OWN SURVIVAL! Then with him gone I'll be free to kill the gods for what has been done and what's been allowed." Peppa declared.
"I hate to say it but we are in agreement with Peppa. The Omni-King snapped Universe 6 from existence after they, along with Universe 2, lost in the Tournament of Power. We just want to avenge our Universe 6, our home, our people, he took EVERYTHING FROM US!" Kamin and Oren spoke as one.
"Zamasu, In your timeline, you had killed the gods, and purged nearly all of mortal kind yet because of Goku and Omni-King your entire timeline was snapped out of existence. Then he was brought here and snapped his younger self out of existence forever trapped by his equal power in the void of nothing all alone in Universe Zero. Where there is no escape and nothing but him can exist. Forever trapped forever alone. The Omni-King from your timeline is the Omni-King ruling here!" Hearts explained to Zamasu.
"We are not your enemies. We have a common enemy in the Omni-King, for us to have a future, for us to exist, and fulfill our dreams he must be removed!" Lagss reminded Zamasu in a cold annoyed tone.
"Last time you fought alone getting ganged up on and lost. This time you have us and we have already proved how strong we are by defeating the strongest warriors of the universes we have invaded. So you know we can hold our own." Oren pointed out to Zamasu. Zamasu just smirked.
"You all make valid points for lowly animals and there is wisdom in what you say." Zamasu said with a righteous smile looking at them then over at Peppa.
"Yes." Zamasu said, staring at Peppa.
"Yes?" Peppa tilted his head giving Zamasu a questioning look.
"There is room for the wishes of my comrades. You're right Mortal, I can wait to finish up my zero mortal plan in one universe for you all to die naturally or in the heat of battle. While I purge all of mortal kind from existence in the other universes Your mortal where I am immortal. Your lives are here now and gone tomorrow where I will go on and on forever." Zamasu explained.
"How kind of you." Hearts said in a disgusted tone.
"Rest assured my comrades you will be the only mortals worth remembering. My memories of you will be proof there ever was mortal kind. When I'm the only intelligent being left in the beautiful and vacant multiverse you will be the only mortals remembered. In that way you will forever be immortalized throughout creation for what we have accomplished through me. You will be remembered by me for saving this Multiverse and restoring its beauty." Zamasu explained.
"Now is there anything else or is that it Mortal?" Zamasu said glaring at Peppa who glared back then smirked.
"Yeah I got something. Something that may give you a better perspective on mortal kind or at the very least on us." Peppa said in a dark voice.
"Oh? Let's hear it." Zamasu said in a mocking condescending tone. Amused at the fact that Peppa in his arrogance thinks he could say something that could change the way Zamasu perceives mortal kind or them.
"I stand before you all not as a warrior unparalleled in my drive for excellence but as a testament to the power of relentless pursuit of self-improvement in every facet of one's existence. The journey of growth and ascending beyond our limits is not one for the faint of heart. It is a path fought with challenges, with defeats, and with moments that will test you the very core of who you are. Yet, it is in this crucible of relentless pursuit that the essence of being truly better is forged…" Peppa explained.
Zamasu thinks back to when he met Goku, and saw the power this mortal had to rival a god and continue to grow limitlessly as well as all members of his race could. Zamasu remembers using the Super Dragon Balls to wish himself in Goku's body then killing his family becoming Goku Black terrorizing his timeline, killing all the Supreme Kai's of each universe and by their life-link their respective Gods of Destruction. Then moved on to killing all mortals across that Timelines multiverse.
"Understand this, the quest for self-improvement, for being better is not merely physical endeavor, it is a multifaceted and complex struggle that consumes the mind, the heart, and the soul. It is a journey That demands more then mere strength of body, to make our dreams and goals a reality. It's about our strength of character. It demands our perseverance to get better at anything you desire…" Peppa continued.
Zamasu remembers as Goku Black how he used the time ring to jump to another timeline to meet himself then used the Super Dragon Balls for that Zamasu to wish for Immortality. Then the two teamed up to carry out the Zero Mortal plan in that timeline as well. All the while Black was growing stronger as he mastered being a Saiyan.
"One must first embrace a fundamental truth that there is no pinnacle too high for us to reach. No limit that cannot be transcended. In my journey of life from being a lowly Saiyan warrior of a ruined race, to a prolific killer capable of challenging gods…" Peppa continued. Zamasu remembers fighting the remnant of humanity, Goku, Vegeta, and Trunks.
"I learned that the first step toward greatness is shattering the shackles of complaceny. We must never settle. We must never allow our current achievements to be the ceiling of your potential…" Peppa told them looking right at Zamasu. Zamasu remembers fusing with Goku Black into the Fused Zamasu being a Kaioshin/Saiyan hybrid God of limitless power and potential. Zamasu remembers he thought he had reached the pinnacle of divine power till he was defeated by Vegito then Trunks, then ultimately erased from existence by the Omni-King taking out the entire timeline from the whole of creation.
"Always strive for more! Always push to surpass not just others but the person you were yesterday…" Peppa continued looking at Zamasu who remembers who and where he was then to who and what he is now.
"Embrace the Saiyan spirit within you. The insatiable hunger to challenge the impossible and emerge victorious. That spirit does not recognize the concept of not enough; it only knows the relentless pursuit of becoming stronger. It is this spirit that has driven me to face gods, to shatter my limits over and over again. It is this spirit that YOU must cultivate within yourself…" Peppa paused, letting it sink in to Zamasu who just stared at Peppa with a horrified look and realization of where Peppa was going with this..
"The path of self-improvement is laden with failure. We have fallen, we have failed, even I have tasted the bitterness and humiliation of defeat more times then I care to count…" Peppa pauses for a moment thinking about his major losses in his life. To Saltz, then Korn in their younger years, to Good King Winter and some of his elite soldiers, Prince Blizzard, The Saiyan of Legend Garlick, the Tuffles, Meij Zuu, Jiren, and Goku in the Tournament of Power, Korn and Saltz again…
"However, it is in these moments of defeat that our true character is tested. Do not fear failure, embrace it, learn from it, allow it to fuel your fire! Sharpen your resolve! Every defeat is a step toward your next victory…" Peppa continued.
Zamasu remembers how after Goku and Vegeta beat him, he fused with Black to become fused Zamasu, then when he defeated them they fused into Vegito and defeated him only for him to come back stronger and defeat them, only to be defeated by Trunks only to come back stronger that they had to get aid from the Omni-King who snapped the entire timeline out of existence, because Zamasu had grown too powerful for them to deal with. Each time Zamasu was defeated he kept coming back stronger and from each of his losses led him to other victories.
"Remember a true Saiyan always rises stronger then before." Peppa said. Those words hit Zamasu hard as he thought about his victories and defeats. How he got stronger and kept rising up to meet the next challenge.
With the realization as much as he hated the Saiyans and mortal kind a part of him is mortal, a part of him is a Saiyan, but more then anything Zamasu embodied the main traits and characteristics of a Saiyan and their unyielding spirit that Peppa described.
Zamasu may have been born a Kaioshin, but once he fused with Goku Black, when he a god took on the form and sins of mortal kind he became something more. He was not just a Kaioshin but he was also a Saiyan. A Kaioshin-Saiyan God. A true god and not a mortal with the power of a god, or could rival the power of a god, but a true god.
"Discipline is the foundation upon which the tower of greatness is built. Without discipline talent is nothing more then wasted potential." Peppa echoes Supreme Kai of The West Nishi's words she told him so long ago when Peppa was slacking off in his training and pointed out he was raw potential to which Nishi smiled and told him no matter how talented you are if you don't put in the hard work, and keep yourself disciplined then your nothing but wasted potential. Peppa finally understood what she was trying to tell him.
"It is a discipline, the application of effort day in and day out that forges the path of excellence. Do not make my mistakes and seek shortcuts. There are none. The path to becoming better is through consistent disciplined effort. It is a daily commitment to push yourself beyond what you thought possible but do not mistake this journey as a solitary endeavor. Even the strongest mortals and gods need allies." Peppa paused, letting that sink in for everyone to hear.
"Zamasu you lost because you only relied on yourself while Goku and Vegeta had allies. You may be a god but you're not beyond growing stronger. Learn from those around you, engage in battles that push you to your limits, for it is in the heat of combat that you will discover the true extent of your abilities. Look at what the likes of Goku, Jiren, and myself have accomplished in the short time we have been alive. Now imagine what you can accomplish! You who are immortal! Who will never grow old or die! If I can attain the power of Ultra Instinct and rival gods in a mere 40 year time frame imagen what you could do in 500, no in a 1,000 years!" Peppa yelled out seeing the shock and realization on Zamasu's face.
"Surround yourself with those who challenge you! Who push you to grow! Let their strength inspire you! Let their achievements fuel your desire to purge all mortal kinds from existence! In your pursuit of divine beauty for the universe free of mortal kind do not lose sight of why you embarked on this journey. The pursuit of self-improvement is not solely for power, it is for the purpose of the fulfillment of your dreams and goals. To destroy those in your way. For the purpose of upheaving the natural order of things, against righteousness and justice!" Peppa said, consumed by his fiery zeal.
"Use your strength, your skills, your knowledge, not just for personal gain and glory, but for the greater evil of the multiverse! Understand no matter how righteous our cause is, no matter how right we are, to the rest of the multiverse we are villains! Outlaws! Extremist! Terrorist! Something that shouldn't be allowed to exist!" Peppa reminded them.
"Yet, here we stand unbroken, unruly, unyielding, striving to accomplish our dreams. Let our individual journeys and failures be a testament to each other to what is possible when we refuse to accept failure, to accept defeat. We will be the BEST or we will be NOTHING! It is Us vs the Multiverse!" Peppa roared, his eyes turning Silver, his hair black, as a silver and white aura appeared around him. The Core Area Warriors just stand there with shocked expressions as Peppa stood before them in his Ultra Instinct state.
"Are you with me?" Peppa asked, looking over at the Tuffles.
"Oren and I still don't like you but we agree with you. We are with you Saiy--No, Peppa." Kamin said with Oren nodding his head.
"What about you?" Peppa looked to Lagss.
"If it's to accomplish Hearts dreams I'll stand with you as the last of the Glass Tribe." Lagss said in a cold tone. Peppa looked at Hearts.
"I adore you mortal, you don't even have to ask. I want to see you keep going beyond your limits and be free!" Hearts said in an excited tone then everyone looked over to Zamasu who had a stunned face then quickly masked it behind a righteous smile.
"You're beautiful for a primitive and lowly animal with wisdom fit for a god, even if everything about you is what's wrong with the multiverse. Your accomplishments and what you said are true. I heard everything you said. As a reward mortal, when we win and accomplish our dreams I'll be there at the end of your life to kill you in a glorious battle with an overwhelming power. I'll be the final opponent that will put an end to your life." Zamasu declared.
"Can't wait." Peppa smiled evilly, reverting back to his base form covered in sweat with steam coming off his body.
"So what now Hearts?" Peppa inquired as everyone looked at him.
"Now we take Universe 15 and complete the Universe Seed!" Hearts orders. Kamin and Oren had wicked grins. Lagss had a loving smile toward Hearts. Peppa had an evil smile, while Zamasu had a righteous smirk, and Hearts smiled happily as he raised his left hand and snapped his finger teleporting them along with their base to Universe 15…