The Three Legendary Saiyans

Chapter 9: The Challenge

Raijin and Bulma had been sitting together ever since getting home from the battle with Frieza; their hands linked and their fingers laced around each-others, they both remembered having witnessed Earth's Destruction though Whis said that the memory would fade within a few hours.

Raijin knew that Goku had gone home to spend time with Chichi and his sons after months of being on Beerus' World training to harness Super Saiyan Blue, and Vegeta as always had chosen to occupy The Gravity Chamber and continue training alone.

"Do you still remember Earth's destruction?" Bulma asked; her voice holding a tone of melancholy.

"Yeah; I do… it reminded me of losing Planet Namek all over again" Raijin spoke with a sigh; a far away look in his eyes upon mentioning Planet Namek.

Bulma often forgot that Raijin wasn't raised on Earth like she or Goku was; her soft yet warm hands gripping his own hands tightly as she cuddled up next to her husband, "I think I now know how you felt… losing the place you called home; but The Namekians are on a new planet and thriving, and you live here on Earth; with a loving wife and a son".

Raijin turned to face Bulma; leaning into her and giving her a soft kiss, "Thank you Bulma".

Those three words were all Bulma needed to hear; Bulma pulled back her hands and wrapped her arms around Raijin's shoulders, pushing Raijin down onto his back and climbing up on top of him; staying there until the night had fallen and longer still until the dawn had come and passed.

The following morning; Raijin had joined Vegeta inside The Gravity Room; Raijin wore his usual blue shorts with a red vest, while Vegeta wore a blue bodysuit that he often wore under his armour.

"Its about time you came to train; I'd been waiting all night!" Vegeta shouted; a vein popping in his forehead.

"Sorry; Bulma wanted me by her side all night" Raijin spoke; crossing over to the control panels and selecting a training mode.

"What for? We're Saiyans! We must prepare ourselves for the next battle!" Vegeta proclaimed; dismissing Raijin's night with Bulma as nothing more than an un-necessary nuisance.

"You killed Frieza; I highly doubt there is anyone stronger than Golden Frieza out in The Universe… other than Beerus or Whis" Raijin felt he had to state the obvious; shrugging off Vegeta's word about preparing for the next battle.

Vegeta opened his mouth to speak; as if he knew something but wasn't willing to divulge the information, "Never mind; if you hadn't held back whatever new powers you think you have… you still would have been killed by Golden Frieza because you're not a shining god such as myself".

Raijin knew Vegeta was right; he'd held back too much and would have to reveal his New Form quite soon, "Ok Vegeta; what do you know? I demand that you tell me".

Vegeta let out a sigh; deciding to reveal what had happened to delay his and Goku's return to Earth, "Kakarot and I met The God of Destruction from The Sixth Universe; Beerus' Brother: Champa".

"Wait… Beerus has a brother?" Raijin spluttered; stunned by the revelation.

"Yes; Kakarot and I are to find two more fighters for a Five-on-Five Tournament against The Sixth Universe to decide whether Earth shall stay here in The Seventh or be moved to The Sixth" Vegeta explained; knowing that Goku was already planning on recruiting Piccolo or Gohan to the team and Beerus had somebody in mind for the teams fifth member.

"Hold on; back up… how the hell does a Planet move from one Universe to another?" Raijin wore a confused look in his expression.

"Something called The Super Dragon Balls; I don't really care as long as we win" Vegeta's veins popped in his forehead and temples; indicating that he hated this subject.

"I demand to be let on the team! I want to be there to fight The Sixth Universe" Raijin suddenly moved across the room with animalistic speed; his tail waving with excitement when the tail was usually so docile.

Raijin then thought on how Bulma had left with Jaco to go to The Galactic Patrol Headquarters; only telling him that she was going to gain information on something big and unbelievable, Raijin concluding that she'd heard about The Super Dragon Balls from somebody else.

"Why should I? you've done nothing to show that you are capable of fighting on the same level that Kakarot and I have ascended to! Show me what you are hiding!" Vegeta shouted; his body becoming enveloped in a harsh blue light as he transformed back into a Super Saiyan Blue.

Raijin bit his lip so hard that he drew blood; he'd succeeded in holding off Frieza long enough for Goku and Vegeta to arrive, he'd also stopped Frieza from destroying The Earth after Whis reversed time and allowed Vegeta to kill Frieza himself, "You have no idea what I put aside for You and Goku".

Vegeta's eyes narrowed at Raijin; a foul taste entering his mouth, "Fine; pass this training module with a perfect score and I'll let you on the Team… and do it without transforming!".

Raijin knew exactly which training module Vegeta was thinking of; he'd never passed it with or without a Super Saiyan Form… let alone get anywhere near a perfect score, in fact the first time he'd attempted it he'd nearly been killed.

"Fine; I accept your challenge" Raijin spoke; steeling himself for the hellish so-called game.

Vegeta retreated into The Observation Room; programming in the hellish game he'd set before Raijin as a trial, Goku teleporting into The Observation Room via his Instant Transmission.

"Hey Vegeta; what's going on? recruited Raijin as planned?" Goku spoke in his overly-cheery tone of voice.

"I'm going to test him; to see if he's really as capable as you and Whis think he is" Vegeta spoke just under his voice; looking out through the sound/blast-proof glass at Raijin just as Vegeta's hit the key for beginning the game.

Raijin took in a deep breath as the floor and walls of The Gravity Room suddenly dyed a deep red upon the artificial gravity rising to the highest possible level of nine hundred and ninety-nine times multiplier.

Dozens of training robots that were immune to the absurdly high gravity due to their gravity-multiplier-negater built into their design by Bulma herself emerged from numerous storage spaces within the walls and floor, all chanting a single word; "Defeat".

Goku looked to Vegeta; letting him test Raijin though they'd already agreed on having Raijin on the team.

Raijin's arms and legs felt as if they could barely move in the high gravity; he always needed at least Super Saiyan Full Power just to move normally in this absurdly high gravity, desperately dropping to his knees to avoid a double energy pulse from the robots and rising back to fire two ki blasts and destroyed the two robots.

Raijin slowly threw a pair of one-two combo fists and miraculously destroying another two robots as they approached toward Raijin directly from the front.

Despite needing to destroy exactly one hundred robots in this hellish game; Raijin was sure he'd be able to do it if he only focussed on one at a time.

Vegeta and Goku watched though the shielded window as Raijin slowly tore down robot after robot; as an hour passed and Raijin had just destroyed his ninetieth robot though his body dripped with over-exertion, sweat and fatigue.

"He's doing well; considering the difficulty" Goku spoke; smiling with impressed eyes as he watched Raijin take down Robot number ninety-one with a flawless elbow strike when it lunched toward Raijin's back with an electrical charge in its claw.

"He is" Vegeta muttered; standing with his arms crossed and thinking cursing thoughts for Raijin having not revealed what his new powers were when they'd revealed their own new powers.

Raijin struck down the ninety-third robot with a ki blast; though he was so tired now he could barely even move his legs, the remaining seven robots rushing Raijin all at once in an all-or-nothing assault on their target.

Raijin glared up at the shielding observation room; silently mouthing a few words before a red shimmer ran over his body; pouncing like an animal and swiping both arms; both legs and his tail whipping around with unreal energy to destroy five robots all at once, leaving only two remaining.

"What was that? He was totally drained!" Goku spoke in shock; having never seen Raijin attack or move like that ever before in all the years they'd known each other.

Vegeta's eyes had widened with shock at how animalistic Raijin's movements had been; watching as Raijin laid face-down on the floor with nothing left in him to take out the remaining two robots.

"Its over; end the game" Goku suggested; moving to hit the cancel session order on the panel.

"NO!" Raijin shouted as if he knew what Goku was going to do; rising to his feet while taking hits from the robot's energy pulse waves, every muscle in Raijin's body cried out in agony as he raised both arms in a single motion and fired two ki blasts at once; tearing down to last two robots before collapsing to the floor.

Vegeta and Goku both stood stunned by Raijin's completion of the trial set before him; the gravity lifting and the red lights dimming.

"I'll get him a Senzu Bean!" Goku yelled; vanishing on the spot with Instant Transmission.

Vegeta walked out into The Gravity Chamber; looking down at Raijin's worn-out and sweat-soaked body, being alone and Raijin being out-cold allowed Vegeta a moment of pure honesty that he would never show to anyone, "Well done Raijin; you exceeded my expectations and showed that you truly are a mighty Saiyan".

Goku teleported back in within moments after Vegeta's moment of honesty; crouching down and feeding the green bean to Raijin and rubbing his throat so Raijin would swallow the bean.

Raijin's body took several seconds before the Senzu Bean would work its magic and instantly heal his body and replenish his energy, sitting up with gasping breath; the first thing Raijin saw was Goku and Vegeta wearing impressed smiles and a display screen reading Raijin's successful completion of Hell's Gauntlet.

"I did it… am I on the team?" Raijin muttered; despite consuming a Senzu Bean; he was still worn out and in need of a good rest.

"Yeah; you are… and you earned it" Goku smiled; lifting Raijin up onto his back and carrying him up to His and Bulma's Bedroom.

Raijin rested in his and Bulma's bed for several hours; Bulma eventually returning with an entirely new Dragon Rader she called The Super Dragon Radar, choosing to lay with Raijin until the hour of departure for the Tournament with Universe Six.

Raijin, Bulma and Trunks; along with Pilaf, Mai and Shu exited through Capsule Corp's Main Entrance, being greeted by Beerus and Whis was a rare treat; as was the huge crystal clear cube Whis stood atop of.

Raijin wore his white Namekian Gi; his tail swishing about in excitement for the unknown new foe's waiting on The Nameless Planet.

Vegeta and Goku both stood in wait; both dressing in the same outfits they wore during the battle against Golden Frieza, Piccolo stood by Goku's side; having chosen to leave his cape and turban behind and only wore his purple Namekian Gi.

"You ready? We're going to be in for a difficult fight" Goku spoke with a smile; his same excited smile and happy tone of voice appearing whenever there was an upcoming battle.

"Yeah; I'm ready, but who's our fifth fighter?" Raijin nodded; taking a sweeping look over the four of them that had gathered near the Cube.

"Lord Beerus has gone to recruit Monaka personally; for Monaka is the single strongest fighter in The Seventh Universe" Whis sung with an amused voice; that same enigmatic look in his eyes.

Raijin felt a little stunned that Beerus would personally go to retrieve somebody; Vegeta and Piccolo both merely wondered who Monaka could possibly be having never heard of such a powerful fighter, though Goku showed nothing but excitement at the idea of meeting the mysterious Monaka.

"Ok; I've already transported all of your friends and family to the arena agreed upon by Lord's Beerus and Champa, and Lord Beerus will arrive on The Nameless Planet more-or-less the same time what we do" Whis spoke; tapping his staff of the crystal clear cube, "All inside!".

Raijin, Piccolo, Goku and Vegeta all stepped through the seemingly solid wall as easily as the wall wasn't there at all; as soon as the four fighters were inside The Cube shot off into the reaches of Space without any sign of warning.

Only Piccolo and Vegeta remained on their feet as The Cube travelled; Goku and Raijin had fallen onto their backsides by the sudden launch, Raijin giving an irate glare to Whis for giving no warning.

Within minutes; they'd arrived, a dull lifeless purple rock of a planet with only a small light-blue dome encompassing one of the many craters; but that was not what caught the fighter's attention, hovering suspended in Space were six planet-sized Dragon Balls; each bearing a number of stars identical to that of The Dragon Balls on Namek or Earth; though only The Four Star Super Dragon Ball was missing.

"It's always the Four Star" Goku lamented upon noticing that one Dragon Ball was absent; recalling how he used to own the ball after Grandpa Gohan had passed away when Goku was but a child.

"Its about time you arrived; Sir Monaka and I have been waiting!" Beerus spoke; picking at his big cat-ears in wait, though a short pink-skinned humanoid being wearing a lime-green spandex suit stood beside Lord Beerus.

"I'm sorry My Lord; we got here as fast as we could" Whis apologised though they all knew Beerus was just being as snide as he always was when in company.

Raijin and Piccolo both looked to Monaka; his tiny and skinny body with little to no muscle mass at all, questioning was Monaka really The Universe's most powerful fighter.

"Are you really Monaka The Great? What does that title mean on your home world and culture" Raijin asked; kneeling down and shaking Monaka's hand.

Monaka stood silent; just staring blankly at his allies; Beerus cutting in to speak for Monaka, "Do not bother Monaka; he must mentally prepare himself for the challenging battles that await you all".

Goku on the other-hand; shot in with such speed and threw a single punch directly into Monaka's face and knocking him down flat, Monaka sat on the floor after taking such an unexpected and unprovoked attack began to cry.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Beerus shouted in Goku's face; drops of saliva and spit hitting Goku's cheeks and forehead while Beerus shouted.

"I'm sorry Lord Beerus; I just wanted to see how strong Monaka was… but I see now that his appearance hides the true strength within!" Goku spoke his apology; then speaking his own view of Monaka's strength despite the trio of Raijin, Piccolo and Vegeta burying their faces in the palms.

"Don't you ever think about so much as laying another finger on Monaka! Think yourself lucky I don't destroy you right now Goku" Beerus threatened; shaking a shimmering black and purple auraed fist in Goku's face.

Raijin and Piccolo both looked to each other; an understanding of the truth regarding Monaka mentally passing between them.

"I don't think there'll be any need for that Lord Beerus" spoke a familiar old voice; along with the sounds of three sets of footsteps.

Raijin turned his attention away from Goku and Beerus to witness the arrival of The Elder Kai, but also Supreme Kai: Shin and Kibito, "Shin! Kibito! I thought you two were fused together forever".

"We were; but The Namekians allowed us to use a wish to separate our bodies after discovering that it was possible from Sir Whis" Kibito explained; his bright pink smiling face lighting up the moment when the man used to be so stern and stoic.

"Pardon my intrusion; but we are going to be late for the Written Exam" Whis interjected; tapping his left index finger on his staff to check the current time.

Goku snapped back around to attention; sweat beading along his forehead, "Wait… a written exam?".

"Yes; it was Vegeta's idea, anyone who gets less than a 50% will not be competing in the tournament" Whis spoke; guiding the five fighters to the site of the arena, a huge square shaped tiled ring stood in the centre with multiple floating platforms surrounding the ring.

"Please; go up these stairs to take the exam, you'll also find your opponents waiting up above too" Whis spoke; waving a hand as a staircase of glass steps materialised out of thin air.

Upon reaching the apex of the stairs and witnessing the ten desks set in place for the written exam; but it was the five fighters from The Sixth Universe that shocked Raijin, Goku, Vegeta and Piccolo to their very core.

Sitting at the furthest desks were a large yellow bear wearing a pair of red boots and gloves along with a red t-shirt, and a large steel-clad humanoid creature; the valves on his chest and eyes radiated with the extreme heat that could only be generated by molten lava.

Sitting at the next two desks along sat a young black-haired boy dressed in a blue t-shirt and shorts under armour, a purple-skinned man dressed in a thick armoured trench-coat; though his face was calm and reserved; he coldly ignored the group from The Seventh Universe while the young Saiyan rose up from his seat to greet the fighters.

Though the fighter which caught all of their attention was sitting at the desk furthest at the front; bearing a striking resemblance to Frieza only his natural armour plating and horns were pure white, while his skin bore a blueish shade The Frieza-lookalike calmly waving his right hand before rising to his feet and following the Saiyan.

"You must be the fighters from The Seventh; I am Cabba, a pleasure to meet you all" Cabba introduced himself with little to no hostility; extending a hand in introduction.

"I'm sorry if my appearance surprised you all; My name is Frost" Frost also introduced himself; extending his own hand in greeting just as Cabba had done.

Raijin felt stunned by Frost's friendly introduction; happily extending his hand and shaking Frost's, "It's good to meet you; I hope we can all enjoy this tournament together".

Goku and Piccolo both shook Frost's and Cabba's hands; though Vegeta maintained a look of fierce resentment of Frost's uncanny resemblance to Frieza.

Raijin, Goku and Piccolo then turned over to Cabba; each shaking hands with the young Saiyan.

"Am I correct in assuming that you are also a Saiyan?" Piccolo directly asked Cabba the question that dwelled on everyone's mind.

"Yes; I am Cabba of Planet Sadala" Cabba announced; smilingly proudly of his race and heritage.

"Are you serious? Planet Sadala still exists within your Universe?" Vegeta shouted; shoving past Piccolo and Raijin to face Cabba.

Cabba stood in awe of Vegeta's towering and raw aura of strength that radiated off Vegeta's body, "Yes; are you saying that Sadala does not exist within The Seventh?".

Raijin smirked as Vegeta spoke with Cabba; turning back to Frost and his friendly smiling face, "I didn't think there was anyone in Frieza's Race that is morally good; I'm happy I could meet you today".

Frost tilted his head at Raijin's statement, "I'm sorry; but I do not understand your words".

Raijin waved his hand; dismissing his words, "I'm sorry… it doesn't matter; but I hope we get the chance to face each other".

Frost smiled a wide happy smile, "I would like that too; I'm sure our battle would be a fair yet challenging one".

"Forgive me; but it was time to begin the exam" spoke a woman with a clear resemblance to Whis; only wearing green robes and her white hair was tied back into a ponytail.

Whis stepped beside the woman; facing the fighters from The Seventh Universe, "My sister Vados and I will be presiding over this exam; and neither of us shall tolerate any cheating".

Cabba and Frost returned to their seats; still smiling after such friendly introductions with their opponents with the exception of Vegeta's manner of questioning Cabba.

Raijin and Vegeta took the seat at the very back; while Goku and Monaka took the centre seats and Piccolo took the front seat, in front of each one of the fighters gathered was a sheet of paper along with all the writing utensils necessary for the exam.

Whis took a sweeping glance over the five warriors that made up Team Universe Seven, "You may now begin; the time limit is ten minutes".

Raijin immediately noticed that Goku would struggle to get the necessary 50% to compete; it would be no problem for himself, Vegeta or Piccolo, and most likely Monaka; but Goku would surely struggle.

The ten minutes passed before anyone noticed; Whis and Vados walking by with such speeds that the exam papers flew off the desks and into the hands of Whis and Vados respectively.

Both teams of fighters walked up a freshly created set of glass stairwells leading up to two other floating platforms overlooking The Ring; Raijin felt worried for Goku after witnessing his initial struggle with the exam, reaching the apex of the steps only to meet a perfect observation point overlooking the whole Ring below.

"Its about time" Beerus spoke; The God of Destruction reclined on a vast couch fit for all the members of the team.

Raijin, Monaka and Piccolo took seats while Goku and Vegeta stood; looking out over to the other floating platform where Champa, Frost and Cabba; as well as the unnamed bear, robot and withdrawn man all sitting together while waiting for the results to be called.

A deafening cheer came from the other side of The Ring; Raijin and Goku looking over to see all their friends and families gathered on a third platform; The Kai's of both Universe's gathered together while Bulma, Chichi, Goten, Gohan and Trunks along with his own friends Pilaf, Mai and Shu were all in attendance and cheering for their Universe's representatives.

"How long is this going to take!" Vegeta demanded mere seconds after glaring over at Team Universe Six; though Raijin knew he was staring at Cabba.

"Vegeta, if you want to fight Cabba so badly; I'm sure any one of us will let you fight him in our place" Raijin spoke; shrugging his shoulders though he was thinking that only himself would let Vegeta take over that particular round.

Goku kept smiling while shifting his lines of sight from The Sixth Universe's fighters and The Ring.

Piccolo and Monaka just sat quietly; neither wishing to answer Raijin or Vegeta.

"You better; or there'll be hell to pay" Vegeta threatened Raijin; a blue shimmer running down Vegeta's body as he spoke.

Raijin smirked with confidence as a green-faced man in red and black bodysuit arrived in the centre of The Ring, "I; The Referee wish a warm welcome to the teams of fighters hailing from both The Sixth and The Seventh Universes; as well as their respective Gods of Destruction and Supreme Kai's".

Beerus and Champa both roared at The Referee at once, "Hey"! why'd you welcome the fighters first!".

Both Whis and Vados calming their Gods of Destruction; Vados sneakily giving Champa a strawberry protein shake, while Whis produced a mint/chocolate chip ice cream for Beerus.

"The participants of both teams have been chosen in no particular order; please direct your attention to the portrait for the round-robin tournament format" continued The Referee after finishing his cowering from the two Gods.

"So there was no real point to that exam" Piccolo grumbled to himself; crossing his arms while listening to The Referee.

Hanging between the platforms supporting the two teams stood an ornately bordered portrait of Beerus and Champa; along with five spaces beside each God of Destruction displaying the order of fighters.

"For The Sixth Universe! The order shall follow; Botamo, Frost, Auta Magetta, Cabba and lastly Hit!".

"And for The Seventh Universe! Goku, Piccolo, Raijin, Vegeta and lastly Monaka!".

Two flights of glass stairs emerged descending from the team's platforms down into The Ring; the large yellow bear already walking down with a confident look in his beady black eyes, while Goku silently walked down the steps to meet the first opponent.