The Three Legendary Saiyans
Chapter 27: Battle of Blades
Crimson flames licked off his body; the radiant blaze of God Ki shining off his Super Saiyan 4 Body emanating the full control Raijin finally had over his newfound powers, "I ought to thank you Zamasu".
Zamasu felt nothing but contempt for Raijin; insulting him with the beastly form of Super Saiyan 4 and adding the divine gift of God Ki to an already sacrilegious form merely added fuel to his burning anger, "And for what reason do you need to thank me?".
Raijin smirked as he looked down at his hands; closing his hands into fists and feeling the serene heat that God Ki gave as it coursed through his body, "I would have never managed to reach this level if not for these battles against you".
Zamasu's eyes narrowed; a vein popping angrily in his forehead, "So I helped you disgrace and insult the Gods?".
Raijin smirked upon seeing how angry he was making Zamasu; choosing to dig into his nerves a little deeper before testing his new abilities in a mastered and perfected Super Saiyan 4 Form.
Before Zamasu could respond his head was flung back by some kind of sudden impact; the sound of a shotgun firing filling the skies, Raijin quickly turned around only to find Future-Mai having left her cover and a pump-action shotgun cocked in his hands.
"Get down Sir Raijin!" Future-Mai shouted, firing off another round of buckshot in close range of Zamasu; the scattering pellets striking at Zamasu though he only laughed at her attempts to kill him.
Raijin grit his teeth once he spotted Zamasu's Energy Blade igniting around his right hand once again; primed to execute Future-Mai, rushing to her side and lifting her up in his arms only to flee the rooftop but feeling like he forgot someone.
"Let me down! I will gun down that devil myself!" Future-Mai protested, cocking her pump-action shotgun at Raijin's chest in her moment of anger towards him.
"You're right; he is a devil but a gun will not have any effect of an immortal body" Raijin spoke slowly; eyeing the shotgun as if he was planning for the weapon to be used at a later date.
"He's immortal? Damn why didn't I figure that out after watching you fight him" Future-Mai admitted to herself, cursing her lack of foresight under her breath.
"It's alright; but you need to stay safe… not for me but for Future-Trunks… the man you love" Raijin spoke through a knowing look in his smile as well as his eyes.
Future-Mai gasped at Raijin's words; her feelings for her closest friend known to someone other than herself, "How did you figure it out?".
"The way you look at each other, look out for each other when times are at their darkest the care and compassion you have for the people hiding in that subway" Raijin recounted what moments he'd been witness to; a soft smile crossing his face while they flew through the ruined city and landing in a safe spot but were still able to hear Future-Trunks fight Black, "And how he leapt to save you when you were being held by Black; only somebody who truly loves you would leap into action like that".
"How do you know for sure?" Future-Mai questioned; a rosy pink blush filling her cheeks.
"Because I would have done the exact same thing if it was Bulma in your position" Raijin smiled lovingly; speaking the truth to Future-Mai moments before he kicked off the ground and flew in a crimson flamed arc towards the battle of Future-Trunks and Black.
Future-Mai watched as Raijin flew away in the direction of Future-Trunks' battle; a sense of relief, love and courage filled her mind and heart, "I'll be there if you need me Sir Raijin… and I'll stay somewhere safe".
Future-Trunks felt as if his entire body was on fire; blue and golden flames burnt off his body and radiated off the steel blade of his sword, the sword itself casting a reflection of Black's murderous grin as Future-Trunks turned the blade over in his hands.
"You stand alone at the precipice of death… any last words" Black spoke in the same high-and-mighty yet condescending tone that Zamasu spoke in; taking advantage of the moment to admire the curved scimitar-like shape of his Energy Sword.
"Shut up! This blade will silence you once and for all!" Future-Trunks yelled at the top of his lungs; lighting the skies with a burst of gold and blue flames upon charging for Black, his sword raised high above his head.
Black and Future-Trunks rushed to meet each other in battle; the clash of steel against pure energy ringing across the skies so much that the vibrations created by the initial clash tore a rift in the murky clouds, Black grinned murderously upon lashing out with a flurry of cuts and thrusts with his Energy Sword while Future-Trunks parried and countered each and every strike; the new gold/blue power he'd awakened fuelled his body and allowed Future-Trunks to move fast, react quicker and strike harder when slashing through Black's sword and guard; the edge of the blade easily cutting through the black robes Black wore, Future-Trunks taking advantage of Black's momentary stun to spot that Raijin was running away with Goku and Vegeta in tow, with a ever-so slight grin; Future-Trunks took the opportunity to land a decisive strike and finally put an end to Black.
Black merely kept grinning as Future-Trunks rushed to face him; holding his Energy Sword aloft only to strike down across the flat of Future-Trunks' own blade, Black's smirked even wider as he began to dance with his Energy Sword; the curved blade of pink energy slashing away at Future-Trunks' guard with hammering blows while the heat of Black's sheer violent-intent radiating off his blade, Future-Trunks quickly dashing backwards before his guard could be broken.
Future-Trunks quickly examined Black's weapon; the Energy Sword humming like a chainsaw whenever Black slashed through the air and severed the oxygen itself.
"Why do you back away? Are you scared? No matter… I can kill you without my divine sword" Black sneered; his Sword vanishing from his right hand and his fists raised to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
Future-Trunks felt as if he'd heard enough; the radiance of gold and blue blazing around his body with such harsh flames that his blue jacket was blown open and revealing the black tank-top he wore underneath, roaring at the top of his lungs just as Future-Trunks rushed into Black and began battering Black with both his fists as well as ki blasts.
Black kept grinning as Future-Trunks struck at and blasted him; the blows and burning blasts only inviting a new boost in his powers, Black finally flinched at Future-Trunks punched him squarely in the cut he'd dealt earlier; a slight smear of red blood staining Future-Trunks' left fist.
A distinct humming sound forced Future-Trunks to duck down as another blade slashed directly where his head had been only a second ago; Zamasu grimaced as Future-Trunks had somehow dodged his blade and watched at the Saiyan in question came to a landing atop the same ruined car park that Zamasu himself had been crushed under.
"Good to see you again Zamasu; did you deal with our other pests?" Black grinned at the sight of his brother-in-arms; the blazing pink flames fading away though he stayed in his Super Saiyan Rose Form.
"No; they escaped in that accursed Time Machine though one did stay behind… no matter; they are still no real threat" Zamasu spoke slowly but a hint of his anger slipping through in the tone of his already-sinister voice.
"What was that about my Time Machine?" Future-Trunks questioned; a glimmer of hope burnt within his being for Bulma, Goku, Vegeta and Raijin though hearing that one stayed behind made the next battle in this war of attrition look grim.
"Oh yes; there is still you to deal with…" Zamasu looked down at Future-Trunks; the contempt in his grey eyes radiated his hatred for Future-Trunks and him in particular.
"Answer my question!" Future-Trunks shouted, anger resonating in his tone.
Black and Zamasu briefly nodded to each other before looking down at Future-Trunks with pure contempt in their piercing eyes, "Oh yes; The Time Machine… the very device used to tear reality itself into pieces".
Zamasu and Black spoke together in one horrifically cold voice, "We pondered it for some time since you are one of the reasons we are eradicating all mortals; Your trips back and forth throughout Time created this very same Time Ring!".
Black made a point of raising his right hand; showing Future-Trunks the ornate silver ring he wore on his index finger.
"We know everything you've done with that Time Machine; changing history to suit your selfish needs and desires for a peaceful world, however your peaceful world shall only see the light of dawn when all mortals have been eradicated and the universes wiped clean of their pestilence" Zamasu and Black continued to talk; their shared godly tone of voice echoing in the desolate ruins.
Future-Trunks stood transfixed as Zamasu and Black spoke; the tip of his sword slightly dipped down at his resolve to fight began to waver.
"It is because of your actions; the actions of a lowly mortal had committed such despicable crimes and violated taboos that even God dare not commit, you personally handed Son Goku a cure for a heart virus and split the Timelines; setting him on a path to me just so that I would take his body for my own! You are the reason that two Zamasu's from differing Timelines are united in this very moment!" Zamasu and Black continued to talk down to Future-Trunks; grinning as his resolve weakened and left himself open to a killing blow.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" shouted a bellowing voice that snapped Future-Trunks out from his weakening resolve.
A bolt of crimson God Ki dropped out from the murky skies like a bolt of thunder as Super Saiyan 4 Raijin descended onto the ground right beside Future-Trunks; his right hand immediately grasped at Future-Trunks left shoulder, gripping the shoulder tightly and whispering that Future-Mai was safe and that Bulma, Goku and Vegeta escaped in The Time Machine, all facts that reignited Future-Trunks' fighting spirit.
Black and Zamasu jointly scowled at the sight of Raijin's Super Saiyan 4 Form joined by the crimson cloak of God Ki that burnt in radiant flames across Raijin's whole body.
"Don't listen to their nonsense; it is merely adding fuel to our fires! Fires that will burn their ridiculous utopia to the ground" Raijin spoke solemnly; his words steeling Future-Trunks instead of weakening him, Future-Trunks' blade rising up once again to meet the threat Zamasu and Black posed.
"Ridiculous is it? you lit the flame of our justice! Project Zero Mortals!" Zamasu shouted; his scowl contorting into absolute rage aimed entirely towards Raijin and Future-Trunks, their continued defiance and unrelenting resistance to the Project had finally cause his anger to burst free.
"So the next time you mourn your dead; know that their blood is also on your hands!" Black felt the exact same anger that Zamasu felt towards the pair; the two-tone black and pink flames of his aura igniting and burning at the air.
Raijin and Future-Trunks both dropped down, bending their knees as Future-Trunks raised his own sword; his gold/blue aura tempering the steel to a razor edge while another blade's appearance surprised him, Raijin held an all-too-familiar katana in his left hand; the blade looked chipped and old but would endure one last battle.
"Raijin… is that?" Future-Trunks couldn't help but stutter at the sight of the katana.
"Yeah; I took it from Future-Yajirobe on the condition that I use it to pierce an false god's heart or two" Raijin smirked; spinning the katana in his left hand.
"So you have a sword too; it won't make a single difference!" Zamasu shouted at the top of his lungs; dropping down on top of Raijin alongside Black.
Raijin instantly gripped the katana at the same moment as clashing with Zamasu while Future-Trunks intercepted Black; his sword meeting Black's Energy Sword caused a shockwave that pushed Raijin and Zamasu backwards out of sheer force.
"Not bad Future-Trunks" Raijin allowed himself a small smirk out of pride for the young man.
"Keep your eyes on me blasphemer!" Zamasu screeched; his eyes widening even further in his moment of rage.
Raijin backed up; slashing away at Zamasu's Energy Blade only for Zamasu to effortlessly block and parry every one of Raijin's attacks with the katana, "You've never used a sword before… you have no idea how to fight with it!".
"No; I don't… but Bulma makes me watch a lot of movies" Raijin shot back; opting to crouch low and use both hands to grip the katana before thrusting the sword upwards and slashing downward onto Zamasu's head only for Zamasu to grab the blade with his un-bladed hand.
"As I said, a rank amateur with a blade" Zamasu sneered before flinching from the heat of Raijin's God Ki flames; the flames reaching up and coating the blade itself into a form of a Fire Katana.
Raijin and Zamasu kept fighting; exchanging slashes from the katana as well as the Energy Blade, a look of furious and murderous intent filled Zamasu's eyes; while Raijin's eyes stared at Zamasu with a look of defiant rebelliousness towards the false god, Zamasu once again tried to take off Raijin's head.
"Your getting predictable Zamasu!" Raijin whispered before planting a blood-soaked knee into Zamasu's stomach.
Zamasu gasped; a wide grin cracking on his face at being struck once again by a mortal, Raijin failed to suppress a victorious smile upon drawing back his Fire Katana for another thrusting attack.
Future-Trunks and Black fought viciously; their sword clashing and sending slashing shockwaves that cut through the empty shells of once-bustling office complexes, Black sneered down at his opponent while Future-Trunks kept his line of sight purely focussed on Black; his sword primed for piercing Black's black heart.
"You continue to fight even though you are responsible for causing all this bloodshed! How can you live with yourself when you see their faces" Black continued to berate Future-Trunks; their swords clashing once again while shockwaves rippled through the murky clouds.
"Shut the hell up! I live so that my people can live to see another day! A day without you!" Future-Trunks shouted back; his anger reminiscing of Vegeta's own explosive temper.
Black and Future-Trunks both desiring to impale the other with their respective blades kept locking blades with each other; exchanging looks of fury while struggling against each other's sheer strength of will, sparks of electricity shot off their swords during the brief clash; the intensity of the electricity forcing the two apart.
Just as Black and Future-Trunks separated from their electrifying clash; Raijin and Zamasu flew in-between the two, Raijin's katana buried deep in Zamasu's chest cavity while Zamasu's expression expressed a near-orgasmic joy at being so severely injured.
"God; he really is a masochist" Raijin muttered to himself; drawing the katana out from Zamasu's chest and watching as he fell into the side of what-once might have been a library judging by the crumbling statue of a robed woman with a book in hand.
Black's eyes widened in shock as Zamasu was seemingly bested yet again by Raijin and being pinned down for a second time; the Energy Sword growing larger in his anger, and with a mighty yell from the top of his lungs; Black lunged into a descent toward Raijin with his elongated Energy Sword held aloft.
Lunging down in a fit of rage just as Raijin stood over a pinned down Zamasu; Black forced his Energy Sword down into the rubble just as Raijin sidestepped the attack, two fists colliding with Black's head at the exact same moment; the fist of Future-Trunks and Raijin simultaneously knocking Black to the ground in a hard-won victory.
"We've won" Future-Trunks gasped; his limit reached as his gold/blue aura faded away from his body, even his golden hair gradually began to change back to its normal blue.
"For now yes; but it won't take long for them to recover" Raijin spoke calmly; his own limit reached as he noted that his wound was still leaking blood; the adrenaline having made him forget about the injury and his entire right pant-leg had been soaked in dirt, sweat and blood.
"Then we leave and rest? We should take Black's head now!" Future-Trunks protested; lifting his own sword with one hand and taking up Future-Yajirobe's katana with the other hand, Raijin felt impressed at how intimidating Future-Trunks looked with two swords.
"No; we run with the knowledge that we can win" Raijin gasped his words; his own form reverting to normal, Super Saiyan 4 Full Power having drained him and needed time to recover; even a Senzu Bean wouldn't be enough.
Future-Trunks couldn't bear to witness Raijin looking so weakened; quickly noticing the blood staining his once-white gi, opting to nod in agreement; sheathing the two swords and taking Raijin's left arm and slinging it over his shoulder before flying away towards one of the safehouses.
Raijin and Future-Trunks both felt the sweet taste of victory after hearing a furious shout of their names in the distance even though they'd already reached a safe distance from the villainous pair.
Author's Note: I'd like to say that in light of TeamFourStar's recent announcement that DragonBall Z Abridged has officially ended; that their tremendous work and heartfelt passion as well as how the Dragon Ball Franchise helped me through a very difficult time in my life inspired me to create Raijin and craft his story, each and every one of the readers brings me great happiness.