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DRAGON BALL HARDCORE
THE BEERUS SAGA, part 5
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Beerus was pleasantly surprised. These mortals are truly something else, completely out of pocket. He gave them just 8 hours to fight the warriors of hell, and somehow through that time, the weakest girl they had on the team came back as the strongest. For Videl it was weird; she started beating Beerus but that only made him more happy. It didn't take long for their battle to become too destructive. The mountain range eventually ended as one flat plain of crumbling rocks. Videl tried to create weapons and other gigantic things to throw at Beerus, but his strength defied reality. There was nothing in this universe that could damage him other than the fists of the strongest warrior. Her final attempt was trapping Beerus somewhere that he couldn't leave. Videl once again created that material ten times stronger than Katchin, around a thousand blocks of that material. She commanded them to start squashing Beerus together; flying towards him like he's a magnet. He tried to fight it off but eventually they surrounded him from every side. More and more cubes started crashing into the pile until Videl couldn't see or hear Beerus anymore. She molded the metal cubes and squeezed them until it turned into one giant ball of pitch-black metal. It dropped to the ground, causing an Earthquake in the area. For the next seconds she stared at that thing in complete silence.
"Perhaps I underestimated you." Beerus said from within.
Videl witnessed as the ball began to crack from the inside out, and from the crevasses it emanated that terrifyingly purple energy. Beerus became even stronger, and with an explosion he was able to free himself. Not even the strongest prison created by the power of a god could contain him. He started walking forward really slowly.
"You and that old man surprised me. It looks like you finally learned how to use its full strength. That's pretty impressive for a young mortal like you… In the end, it seems like 50% wasn't enough. Congrats, you beat the universal record, forcing me to use 60%." Beerus said.
"This… this is not over!" Videl said.
"Oh, but it is…" Beerus replied.
Instantly he reappeared in front of her with a punch. That last attempt took too much energy and she started losing pace. Beerus is stronger than ever and he wasn't holding back; he saw Videl as an enemy worth his respect after all. It was a thorough beatdown from then on, the girl could barely throw a punch back. But that wasn't even the worst part.
At its essence, the power given to her was a surplus. Not limited by time, but rather how much of that power she used. After all that, Beerus regretfully states that this power will run out soon. Videl could feel it as she looked in her hands; the glow in her blue eyes disappeared. But even so, she didn't feel like running.
"How do you plan to escape now?" Beerus asked, but that comment made her giggle.
"Why would I? I said that I would beat you no matter what!" Videl said.
"I see."
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Gohan was going at full speed towards the fight. He was still really banged up from his fight with Yamoshi, but still he could let Videl fight Beerus alone. But as he was soaring through the skies, he felt a familiar presence from the past as well as a voice in his head.
"It seems like judgment day is upon you, young warrior."
That voice was from Tapion. Gohan looked up towards the energy and there he saw; the sword faded from the sky and was flying straight at him. He managed to catch it despite its immense speed, and he could now feel the sword's energy entering his body and healing his wounds. "I do not wish to see the mortal realm destroyed while I stand still eternally. Worthy warrior, I hope this power helps you the least it can."
Gohan thanks Tapion as his voice disappears. At that moment he feels Videl's energy suddenly loses all that power; now she is back to square one. No time to waste; with his energy back he was able to use Instant Transmission. He appeared in the battle right on time to save Videl from Beerus' next killing strike. It seems like the sword is durable enough to tank Beerus's attacks. He slashed at him, forcing the god to back away.
"Videl, why do we have to keep meeting like this?" Gohan asked.
"You know… I like a little danger." she replied.
Beerus took a better look at Gohan now. He didn't get that much stronger, but then he looked at his weapon. He saw its design and appearance, and it finally rang a bell inside his head. "Tapion! Man, it has been fifteen million years, buddy! I guess they didn't manage to take you out of that sword yet. If you cool off I might help you out."
Gohan shook his head. "You know him?"
"We used to be best friends when we first met, but then I started erasing the universe and he got all mad. He wouldn't stop attacking me every day, I couldn't kill him either, so in the end I was forced to seal him in that sword." Beerus said.
"… I'm impressed by how much you suck." Gohan said. And so their battle began.
Gohan has become stronger since the last struggle, but he also has the sword. Despite that, Beerus still held absolute advantage over him. At 60% he was now stronger than anyone they've ever faced except for Super Buu at his peak. The sword couldn't keep him safe for long, soon Beerus's bigger power overwhelmed him. But at the last possible moment, when Beerus least expected, Gohan was willing to throw away many years of his life span in order to get one final good shot. And so he activated Kaioken 20x for the first time.
The red energy scared Beerus, and for that short time Gohan managed to put him in the backfoot. He wasn't going to risk it with a Kamehameha; he used the sword. Once it was time to deliver the final blow, he swung it towards Beerus's head. But in the last possible instant, the god shouted, "NO WAY!" and he managed to dodge in the last second. Gohan did manage to cut off half of his right ear with that slash.
Beerus just had to back away for a second so then the pain from the Kaioken can defeat Gohan in his place. Soon the boy was on his knees, and Beerus was nervously giggling. "Oh boy, you cheeky bastard… To think I almost lost without even the chance to go 100%. You mortals and your clever tricks…"
Gohan knew that was the last he could possibly do. Now he'll die. He shouted at Videl at the back, "Just get out of here! RUN!"
Beerus started hitting the weakened Gohan until even his feet touched the ground causing him strain. He hoped to be the only casualty in this battle. Unfortunately for him, Videl never listens. She rushed ahead trying to protect Gohan. She couldn't do much before she was tossed out, and that shook Gohan awake. It seemed to Beerus that the desire to protect one another is giving these two an infinite amount of second winds. If it were to stop them, he was forced to start breaking their bones. The fight turned brutal and bloody, Videl and Gohan eventually lost all the energy and strength to lift themselves up. Beerus left them side by side on the ground full of sharp rocks; broken, bleeding and with their gi torn apart. They could only look up and see the gray sky.
"Well… I gave you the benefit of the doubt, but it seems that you still couldn't find enough power to defeat me. This universe has failed once again…" Beerus said. He flew up into the air and began charging up an attack to blow this planet along with its strongest warriors. It seems like judgment day will proceed as normal…
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"Hey…"
Beerus suddenly turned his eyes as he saw the face of the man he heard so much about. The guy who started all of this nonsense, Goku. His gut reaction was to smile in excitement. He undid his Hakai Bomb and turned to him. For Beerus it was like a dream coming true. In all honesty he became a very big fan of Goku after hearing his tale.
"I'm honored that you know me so much, but… I didn't come here to talk." Goku said.
Naturally, Beerus gladly welcomed Goku's attempt at killing him. He gave the chance to the hell warriors, so he might as well give the ones from heaven the same opportunity. But it seemed like Goku wouldn't be fighting alone.
Piccolo also arrived at the battle right after; he and Goku stood against Beerus at opposite sides. "Today the other world will lose another god." Piccolo said.
Beerus was so giddy. "YES! Oh, I can't believe I'll actually have the chance to fight Earth's strongest duo… Or should I say, the universe's strongest duo! You guys make me so happy that I could kiss you."
"Just cut the crap, you purple freak. It won't save you." Piccolo replied.
"I know… Well… shall we begin?!"
Goku instantly turned Super Saiyan as he and Piccolo jumped in. The two unleashed powerful punches that Beerus was forced to block, as well as the barrage of strikes following after. He was being pressed into a corner. It looks like for the first time, he will be forced into 70% just to survive. Goku and Piccolo managed to drag him away from Gohan and Videl; they can't move but at least they will survive. Soon their battle was elsewhere, and those two were left laying side by side. It even hurts to speak.
"Are you… alright?" Gohan asked.
"I… I almost forgot to tell you after all this." Videl replied.
"You have-ugh!… Do you have something to tell me?… now?"
"Remember last week… when I helped you move in, and… we spent the night, and… I said it was safe, so you could… you know… if you wanted…"
"Why are we talking about that here?…"
"Well… I just wanted to say that… the day wasn't as safe… as I thought it was."
Gohan was heavily concussed so it took a while for him to realize. He slowly and painfully turned his head to Videl and she was softly smiling.
"Do you mean-"
"Yeah…" Videl replied.
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"Are you… I mean… with me?" Gohan said.
"Of course… I told you already… I freaking love you…" Videl replied.
"… Once this is done… do you… wanna get married?"
"Maybe we should try to survive first…" Videl replied.
"BUU CAN HELP!"
Suddenly Buu appeared, scaring them both with his intrusion. He has been sleeping for the last few hours to regain his strength, and now he's back to action. First and before he uses magic to instantly heal Gohan and Videl by touching them. They were able to get up from the ground and accompany Buu to watch the fight.
Piccolo and Goku fighting together was the ultimate conclusion of an eternal cycle. The two most unlikely beings fighting together at the absolute most of their strength. Their combined power impressed the god of destruction. It didn't take long for them to start getting some hits in; also getting hit in the process. At that level of power, reality started breaking around them as they fought. The other Z-warriors from Earth had already won their battles by that point. All of them came to watch the ultimate fight happen. Tien, Chiaotzu and Yamcha, along with Boku and Dina. Korin and Yajirobe. Dende and Popo. Krillin and Roshi, not long after, 17 and 18. Buu appeared with Gohan and Videl. And though he chose to stay behind and protect them, Goten couldn't stop the rest of the dragon team from leaving the hideout to come and see.
The broken families saw their deceased loved ones from across the battlefield, and soon they came to embrace again. Yamcha wondered if Bulma had even aged a single day since they last met. Bulma began crying on his chest. Seeing all her old friends again overcame her with emotion, saying that this was the best birthday gift she could possibly have. A beautiful moment born midst the battle to save the universe. In the end Goku and Piccolo realized that this was not enough. They can't die, so they might as well risk it all. For one final rush, Goku uses Kaioken along with Super Saiyan while Piccolo uses his father's technique to consume his lifespan for power. Beerus' eyes were wide open as they jumped in. He could barely follow their movements, and before he knew they were hitting him all over the body. Just like Videl, they managed to make him feel pain. Goku and Piccolo's bodies hurt like hell, but knowing they can't die again motivated every cell in their being to keep pushing on and fight to save everyone. Beerus was tired of getting beaten, so he focused his energy and released 75% of his full power in order to survive, and managed to fight them off. Goku and Piccolo saw this, and realized that they had one final shot.
"GOKU! It's now or never, let's use that final trick!" Piccolo shouted.
"OKAY!" Goku shouted.
Beerus witnessed from afar as Piccolo grabbed Goku by the legs and started spinning him around. It was so fast that it just looked like a ball of energy. The power building up within was insane; all the power and speed of both warriors combined into one. Piccolo extended his arms to make the spin force even greater, while Goku focused all he had into a single fist. It might look simple, but this is the only technique Goku invented himself. A desperate tackle with all your life behind it. "FINISH HIM OFF, GOKU!"
Piccolo let go, throwing Goku towards Beerus like a rocket. All they could see is one flash of golden light flying towards Beerus. The god stood still, promising to take on their attack. Before they actually hit, Beerus swore that he saw the image of a great golden dragon within Goku's extended fist…
Goku hit Beerus square in the stomach, and the impact of their bodies shook the entire planet, if not the whole solar system. Beerus wasn't able to contain Goku's final charge with his body; the yellow and purple energies flew off into space. The warriors of Earth watched them go off like two shooting stars.
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Everything was quiet for a minute; it felt like an eternity. Goku and Beerus' energy had gone too far for them to see. They kept looking to the sky until the winner was announced. And so… they felt Beerus' energy reappear. In one second to the next he was back on Earth, carrying the unconscious Goku by the scruff of his destroyed gi.
"I can't believe that… you forced me into 100% in order to survive. Despite my hopes, I never thought this day would come so soon… I guess I wasn't wrong about being so lenient with you. You people are truly special." Beerus said.
He threw Goku on the floor, and he immediately woke up by breathing again. All the warriors watched in fear as finally they had witnessed Beerus at his full power; something beyond that their six senses can even identify as real. But surprising the god, none of them back down. In fact, they all stepped up. Though they are wounded and some have no energy whatsoever to spare, they still wanted to keep on fighting. The fifteen strongest warriors in the universe are gathered there, and it seems like they will all fight at the same time. Beerus smiled.
"You still have fire left in you?… Truly, you are the best mortals I ever had the pleasure to meet. Well now… LET US BEGIN-"
"STOP!"
Suddenly, Kibito teleported to Earth. He stood between the Z-warriors and Beerus. With the biggest threats to the planet being put back in hell, he can finally deliver the ultimate advantage for the mortals. Beerus, "you're the new guy, aren't you? Listen, I don't want to fight you and you know you can't beat me, so how about we skip that?"
"I'm not the one who will be fighting you, but if you allow me the chance to reconvene with Earth's warriors for a few minutes… then I'll be able to offer you the greatest warrior in this universe's history." Kibito said.
"… I like the confidence in your voice, almost as if that's actually possible." Beerus crossed his arms and descended to the ground. "You know, the funny thing is, I feel like you're playing me, and this will likely lead to my demise…
But doesn't that sound perfect? Very well Kibito, don't disappoint me." Beerus said.
Just then Whis teleported there. "Apologies for running late, lord Beerus. The pudding was just exquisite. I see that they caused you trouble." he said, pointing to Beerus's missing ear.
"Right? Cheeky bastard almost got my head off! Give me a fix, will you?" Beerus asked, and so Whis touched him with his staff. All of Beerus's wounds were gone, and his clothes were all brand new. He and Whis sat around and waited for the warriors of Earth to answer his call.
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Kibito gathered everyone in a circle as he began explaining. Though they are many and their combined powers are insane, Beerus true power is still unknown to this reality. They will never defeat him, unless Kibito shifts the odds equally. To fight a god, they will need another. He said, "There is a way to create a certain deity, or should I say, incarnate it. The Seishin, a god of warriors.
It was done only once before. They used that power to fight off and seal the demon realm away forever… I feel this is the only thing that has even a remote chance to bring down this monster. First we'll need to choose who to give those powers to. Someone preferably alive."
It didn't take long before all their eyes were straight to Gohan. He scratched his nose, saying, "It always ends on me, doesn't it?"
"Gohan, I once said that you had more potential than all of us combined… And that hasn't changed at all in the last ten years." Goku said. "I'm sorry, but it's up to you again."
"Come on Gohan, I already got shot with super magic powers today, don't expect me to do it twice." Videl said. "I hope you're not scared to fight this time!"
"Not at all, it's just… a bit tragic. But I guess it's fair. After all… I really do want to wipe that smile off his face." Gohan said, getting mean and ready. "How do we do this, Kibito?"
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Kibito organized all of the Earth's warriors into a formation. It didn't involve much; it was as simple as having everyone holding each other's hand while Goku, Piccolo and Videl placed their hands on Gohan's back. This way they were all connected. They were told to raise their energy, and soon everyone was surrounded by flames of ki. Kibito suddenly started to recite a speech with his arms held forward, and so the weird stuff began. They could feel the essence of their power leaving their bodies and passing on to the next person; all ending on Gohan. All the power they accumulated longingly through their lives was gone in a blink, and yet, Gohan felt no change. The ritual was not completed yet.
And so, Kibito stepped forward and said, "Again and again, all of you proved to me that I was wrong about mortals. You do wield the power and the determination to change your fate. Above all else you fought for a universe that doesn't know your name, to help people who you'll never meet. And not only that… but you have done it several times, and will likely continue to do so, in your ever-lasting quest for new limits.
This universe may not be the most prosperous that we ever created, in fact it might be the worst… but through it, you continued to hold onto hope. So much beauty was done in its name. I must protect it with all I have as a Supreme Kai… even my godhood."
He pressed his hand against Gohan's chest, and so his essence was also added into the ritual. Kibito's appearance seemed to change slightly; his skin got lighter in tone and he lost a bit of height, looking younger in the process. Finally, the two earrings on his ears fell off on the ground. For a god to arise, another one needs to go. He tells Gohan to give it back once he's victorious. Finally, all the requirements were met. Suddenly, a red energy began surrounding Gohan's body. Its glow was impossibly huge; growing so far as to look like a red star was born in the North Galaxy.
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To become a god is to incarnate the meaning of something. Your existence gains a clearly defined purpose. So in the end, what would a Saiyan god look like? What would they represent? Perhaps violence, conquest, and the glory of war. But Son Gohan is not fully a Saiyan; he's also an Earthling. By their standards, a god is supposed to be caring, just and helpful. Can all those virtues reside within a single being?
We will find out.
When the Z-warriors opened their eyes, they no longer felt any power within them; they were just like any other human. But despite that, they looked ahead and saw their friend's new form. He was like a symbol of victory. Videl immediately recoiled as she didn't even recognize him anymore; he had changed completely.
Gohan's arms and back were covered in red fur. For some reason his tail grew back after fifteen years. His black hair had grown past his shoulders. His eyes turned yellow, with red circles underneath. By all accounts he looked terrifying, and also cool. His expression and aura emitted a cold feeling. There were no cheers or sighs of relief. Beerus was with his mouth wide open and a shocked expression; then a subtle smile.
The true final battle for the universe began.