Chapter 10

The Light to my Darkness

It was a very long time ago, but he could remember it well as if that cold, bitter night was just yesterday. The night when the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds was born.

Vegeta, even as a child, was infamous for being a troublemaker among the Freeza Force. He was a rebellious child who refused to follow direct orders, his Saiyan pride refusing to allow anyone to look down upon him. Despite his incredible strength, high-level battle power, and fighting prowess – qualities that earned him the coveted Super Elite status and garnered respect from both Saiyans and much of the Freeza Force – the high-ranking soldiers and officers of the Emperor of the Universe treated him as a mere, helpless, spoiled little brat.

While Freeza himself would openly congratulate him for his progress, Vegeta saw it as nothing but an insult. He hated that damn lizard with all his heart and mind. The moment his father had introduced him to their tyrannical leader, hatred and bitterness sprouted within his young heart. He inwardly swore that he would kill Freeza one day and overthrow him from the position he held with such arrogant pride.

So, while Vegeta pretended to be obedient to his master's orders, he secretly honed his strength in the countless battles he was sent across the Universe. He trained alongside his remaining subordinates, Nappa, his loyal attendant; Raditz, his battle partner; and two other nameless Saiyans who he barely considered worthy of recognition. It was no secret to their five-man team what Vegeta was expected to do one day. They placed their hopes on him, believing he would one day attain the Legendary Super Saiyan transformation and destroy Freeza for good, finally proving the Saiyans' strength to the Universe.

However, that day, it seemed that the cat was out of the bag. Those two unnamed Saiyan fools, drunk at a bar, boasted to some Freeza Force soldiers about Vegeta's plans. They had revealed his secret, disregarding his specific order to keep this amongst themselves until the time was right. They bragged that Vegeta was the upcoming Legendary Super Saiyan who would end Freeza's reign and that he was using every battle to grow stronger until that day. The soldiers initially laughed, dismissing the stories of the Legendary Super Saiyan as mere myths, but they still reported the insubordination to their superiors. When it reached the ears of Zarbon and Dodoria, Freeza's right-hand men, they saw an opportunity to 'play' with the 'monkey prince,' hoping to instill in him proper discipline, manners, etiquette, and most importantly, fear of Freeza's overwhelming power.

Vegeta, oblivious to what transpired at the bar, was arrested for insubordination. His comrades knew nothing about his capture, as he was alone at the time. He was brought to a secluded cave where he was subjected to brutal punishment by Zarbon and Dodoria. They informed him that they had received word of his plans and that he was about to receive a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. He was mercilessly tortured within that cave for what felt like an eternity. They demanded he swear allegiance to Freeza or die. But Vegeta stubbornly refused, his Saiyan pride refusing to yield, no matter the pain he endured.

Despite his plans of rebellion and attempts to assassinate Freeza, they left him alive. Perhaps, it was because Freeza still favored him, recognizing his value as a fighter and a valuable asset for his forces.

Left alone in that cold, dark, and dirty torture chamber, hurt, bloodied, bruised, and isolated, Vegeta's heart underwent a transformation. Filled with rage, hatred, and bitterness, he vowed not only to kill Freeza but to unleash his wrath on the entire Universe. Everyone who had dared to look down upon him and taint the pride of the Saiyans would pay dearly with their blood and their lives. He would make everyone know the superiority of Saiyan Power, and they would all fear him. The Universe would tremble before his wrath and might.

And Planet Hebi was the first world to know that.

"Do you see where this is all going, Vegeta?"

A familiar voice, his own voice as an adult, echoed in the darkness. He was surrounded by his family and friends, or at least twisted copies of them. They all looked at him with faces filled with disgust, hatred, disappointment, and anger. They repeatedly called him a cold and bloodthirsty monster, an insatiable beast of destruction, a cruel murderer, a merciless destroyer. They judged him for his past, for the crimes he had committed, making him relive the pain of betrayal and loneliness.

Here he was again, in a cold, dark place, alone, helpless, and powerless. And in a small, pathetic child's body nonetheless. He stared at the faces of his family– his wife, Bulma, their son, Trunks, and their daughter, Bulla. All of them leered down at him with icy, darkened gazes. He curled on the ground, clutching at his head and whimpered like a helpless child. The pain in his heart was too much to bear, and he couldn't take it any longer.

"They're all going to betray you in the end. Did you honestly think that they're just going to forgive you and accept you as one of them just like that? What a wishful thinking. You know that you cannot trust anyone in this cruel world. No matter what you do, your past will forever haunt you and you will never escape the darkness that is in your heart. They're just using you and your power so you will fight on their side. What did you think was the reason why that foolish woman forced you to make that promise before you left the Earth? Why did you think that bastard you call your son refused to come along with you in this grand space adventure? It's because they didn't want to see you for what you truly are. They clearly don't accept you. They don't love you at all. They're just afraid of you… Of what you could become. Now you see the price of your foolishness? And you abandoned your true destiny for this?"

"You were destined to become the most powerful warrior in the Universe. To rule over everything and have it all under your control. Yet, you abandoned all of that and allowed the foolishness of this Universe to control you instead. What has become of the once feared and revered Legendary Destroyer of Worlds?"

Vegeta covered his ears, trying to stifle his darker persona's mocking words. His heart and mind filled with doubt and insecurity, he began to crumble.

"Shut up… shut up… Shut up… This isn't true. These are just illusions. I am not that same monster that I was before… I'm different from what I used to be…" he repeated in a hushed, shaky voice, clinging desperately to that hope.

Dark Vegeta chuckled wickedly, "Do you still deny the truth before your eyes? Just give up and accept your fate, Vegeta. You're helpless at this point, and you will never get out of this place alive any longer."

Vegeta shut his eyes and felt himself slipping into unconsciousness as the darkness enveloped him.

But just as the darkness threatened to consume him, two voices pierced through the oppressive blackness like a radiant light.

"Papa!"

"Vegeta-san!"

Vegeta's eyes snapped open. He recognized Bulla and Goten's voices calling out to him from outside this twisted reality. They weren't near him, but he could hear them, loud and clear. There was no mistaking those voices.

"Don't give up, papa! You can do this! Remember how much mama, Onii-chan, and I love you! Fight, papa!"

"Come on, Vegeta-san. This isn't the warrior you showed me to become. You're stronger than this… Please, fight back! Everyone is cheering for you! And I'm sure that they're all waiting for us to return to Earth! So please don't give up! We're all here!"

"Yes, we believe in you. Come back to us, and let's get back to Earth together!"

Those voices. They were real, the voices of his daughter and his rival's son, not the twisted illusions of this damned mirror world.

"Bulla! Goten!" Vegeta called out, ignoring the illusions that surrounded him as he desperately searched for the source of those voices. He turned to see the portal to the outside world, still inaccessible, but there he could see his daughter and Goten, their faces filled with concern. He couldn't hear their words clearly, but he felt their love in his heart.

He reached out towards his daughter with his left hand, but the darkness still held him back. He struggled to move, to break free.

He remembered the conversation he'd had with Bulma before he left Earth and the one he'd had with Bulla on Planet Imecka.

"I've known you from the darkest point of your life, and I loved and cared for you even if you were the most evil and ruthless jerk in the entire Universe. I was aware of your past, what you did, why you did them, and I understood you. I welcomed you and accepted you, even back then. You know why? Because I know that deep within that hardened exterior and ruthless reputation is a lonely man with a soft spot and goodness that awaits to be discovered. I saw you, the better part of you, even before you even realize it yourself. So why would I ever detest you for your past? You may have done those terrible things, but what matters to me is your evolution to the man you are today. My Vegeta who chose to change for me and accepted this part of himself. My Vegeta who chose to love us and protect us with his life. I promise you that I will never ever hate you because I know who and what you are deep within. So don't worry about that and don't be afraid."

"What I've used to be are all in the past now, Bulla. What truly matters now… is the present. Even though my past still haunts me and is coming back to me now after I got turned into this tiny child, the fact that I have changed to become a better person for your sake is the only thing that matters now. My dark past will never take away my desire to love and protect you, your big brother, and your mother– even that tiny planet we call home and the people in it."

"You're right, what matters now is that you've changed and that you're trying to be better. I'm proud of you for doing so. I love you, papa."

"You, Bulla, were the product of that peace and acceptance I made, the part of me who chose to love and protect, who strayed away from my former ruthless and destructive ways. That's why I gave you the name Eschalotte, which means 'light to my darkness' in Saiyan terminology. Now, you understand why I held you dear and very close to me, because you were the result of the better part of me.

"Eschalotte, the light to my darkness…"

He clenched his left hand into a fist, a surge of determination coursing through him. He couldn't give up. He had to fight for the love he had found, the family he had built.

Suddenly, the darkness that surrounded him began to be pierced by the blinding flash of golden light. Vegeta's powerful roar echoed throughout this world.

Vegeta's dark reflection recoiled against the light, shielding his eyes. "Wha–What?!" he gasped.

The darkness around them disintegrated, replaced by the white and golden light of Vegeta's Super Saiyan transformation. The once blackened environment was filled with the radiance of his power, erasing the nightmarish illusions of his family and friends. Now, Vegeta and his evil doppelganger stood in the heart of this new world.

Dark Vegeta's jaw dropped as he stared at Vegeta's Super Saiyan form. The child-sized prince opened his eyes, his jade-green eyes glowing with power, unwavering resolve, and fervent determination as he gazed at his imposter.

"You… You still dare to resist your true dark nature!" hissed the dark, adult Vegeta.

"As I said earlier, you will not control me," he responded, his voice filled with newfound confidence.

"How dare you?! Have you forgotten what it means to become a real Saiyan Warrior?!"

"Of course, I didn't."

"Then why are you abandoning who you are?!"

"I may have been a cold and ruthless monster once, and I could still become one right now if I wanted to, but that isn't who and what I am anymore. I may have done all those terrible things in the past and even now, I never regretted any of it. It wasn't because I don't feel any remorse for all the lives I took, but it was because I found where I am now due to it.

"In the past, my heart was full of hatred and bitterness. It was for that hate and rage that I fought to seek greater strength so I could prove my superiority and fulfill what I thought was my destiny for greatness to the Universe. But I was a foolish child blinded by my anger and selfish ambitions who didn't know any better. Indeed, I was greatly feared by many civilizations for my reputation, wrath, destructive power, and ruthlessness being the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds. The desperate need for me to prove my superiority was a result of me simply wanting to puff up my pride and have the Universe recognize my superiority, to become the Number One greatest warrior ever. I eventually realized that it wasn't what I really wanted all along. The way I lived led me to a life of loneliness. I was so blinded by my pride to the point that I believed I'm far too great to care about anything. The way I saw others as weaklings, trash, and dirt beneath my feet who didn't deserve to be in my presence. The way everyone feared me, hated me, stayed away from me due to their terror or disgust of me due to my ruthless reputation and the merciless crimes I did. Back then, I thought I didn't care about that since my power and pride mean everything to me, but I was wrong.

"When my pride was slashed to ribbons after I suffered my first defeat on Earth, the events on Planet Namek, and Kakarot's death during the Cell Games, I was left with nothing. I had nowhere else to go, no one to welcome me, to care for me, all due to my fearsome reputation and crimes. But there was one person in that tiny planet I initially planned to destroy, one who welcomed me into her home despite knowing who and what I am and what I could do to her, her friends, and her world. She was the one who showed me that there's more to life than being just a dangerous destroyer. It was because of her that I realized that not being alone for once wasn't so bad after all. She gave me a new purpose, a new home, a new reason to fight for, a new hope, and a chance to be redeemed. She has gifted me with a loving family and supportive friends who welcomed me and accepted me for all I've been, directing me to what is right and led me to a more satisfying and meaningful life than what I previously had. My former ruthlessness, hatred, bitterness, and desire for vengeance, and so as my ambition and desires for greatness slowly but surely changed when I found happiness on that tiny world which I eventually accepted as my new home. And for that, you are no longer needed."

For a moment, his dark reflection hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. But that hesitation was short-lived. He quickly found another point to use against the Prince.

"But… but how about surpassing Kakarot? Didn't you wish to prove yourself the superior Saiyan warrior?" Dark Vegeta asked, desperate to regain control over Vegeta.

"It's over. I've long since accepted that Kakarot was a far better warrior than I am. Of course, that doesn't mean I will stop striving to become stronger. Kakarot is nothing more than a moving goal post for me to motivate myself to become stronger. All I need now is the need to surpass my own limits and to grow stronger for the sake of my family and my home on Earth."

The dark Vegeta couldn't find any trace of the deep-seated hatred or the bitterness he once harbored towards Kakarot.

"But how about that nightmare? What would you do if that vision becomes a reality? What will you do if the entire Universe goes against you? Aren't you going to run to me and reawaken the darkness in your heart and use your powers of Destruction as the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds to destroy everything?"

"When the Universe goes against me, then I will fight with everything I got. Even if I have to use this dark power again, if it's to save and protect everyone, I will do it when I am left with no other choice. But for now, that is not an option. I already realized what true strength and what true Saiyan Pride means, and I will do my best to uphold it! I will not just lose to anyone!"

There was nothing left for the dark Vegeta to use. Not even the fear brought by the nightmare. He dropped to his knees, his Super Saiyan form fading as he buckled against the ground, defeated. His earlier wicked face slowly shifted into one that revealed his vulnerability. This part of Vegeta was the result of his cold, bitter, and lonely life. He found grim satisfaction in pouring his misfortune on others weaker than him to prove his own superiority, satisfying his fragile ego. Now, the fear of being left alone, of being abandoned, of being weak, of being helpless, and powerless to control others, came to surface.

"But… what about me?" he asked, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "After all the years that I worked to make you as strong as you could become, so you could be the most feared Saiyan Warrior across the Universe… You're just going to abandon me? I was there, deep in your heart, all along. And now…"

Vegeta stared at his darker self oddly. "Oh… And here I thought he was a representation of my darkest side… I guess he was also as much of a drama queen as I used to be back then. Oh well, I guess he does have a very fragile ego… after all, he had in him the pride that made me who I am," he thought to himself.

"Pfft..! What are you talking about, you fool? Who said that I'm abandoning you? How am I going to do that when you're a part of me, huh? Sheesh…"

"You mean... I'm still you?"

"Of course!" Vegeta huffed with pride. "You were my pride and my strength all those years when I was alone. I was strong because of you and I survived because of you. And despite what I said about how my growing softness towards Bulma was one of the few reasons for my Super Saiyan blood to awaken, you were right that the rage and frustration I felt back then was also a defining factor to that awakening. Even now, you're still a part of my strength. So…"

He opened his arms and pulled his adult, dark self towards him into an embrace. His short arms wrapped around the older Vegeta's neck as the real Saiyan Prince patted his head like he was the child between them.

"Thank you. Thank you for all the times you stayed with me and made me strong. But there's no need for me to hate the world any longer, and I don't have to kill and destroy as indiscriminately as I did all those years ago. I have people to save and a home to protect now and I will do my best to do so. You can now take your rest… Go to sleep peacefully and rest assured that everything will be alright. The time will come when we can work together again. Until then… go to sleep."

The crimson glow that lit up the dark Vegeta's eyes faded to his usual ebony orbs and his earlier fierce expression softened as he slowly closed his eyes to go into a deep slumber. He would patiently await the time when Vegeta decides to wake him up and they would show the Universe the true strength of the Prince of all Saiyans and the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds once more.

Dark Vegeta's body seemed to fade away into the abyss as he was put to rest. The white space began to shatter like broken glass and the surroundings changed to the forest of Planet Kagami.

The shattered remnants of the mirror world faded away, replaced by the lush greenery of Planet Kagami. Vegeta, still in his childlike form, emerged from the portal, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a newfound sense of relief.

"Papa!"

"Vegeta-san!"

Two voices, filled with unbridled joy, pierced through the air. Vegeta turned to see his daughter, Bulla, and Goten, his rival's son, running towards him. Bulla reached him first, her eyes filled with unshed tears. She dropped to the ground, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

"Papa! I thought I was going to lose you there! I'm so glad to have you back!" she cried, her voice trembling with emotion, her head resting against his shoulder.

Vegeta, his heart swelling with warmth, raised a hand to gently pat her head. "Thank you, Bulla, Son Goten," he said, his voice soft and filled with gratitude. "Both of you saved me there. I'm sorry for making both of you worried about me. I'm fine now."

A figure emerged from the mist that had shrouded the clearing, her presence radiating a quiet power. Lady Kagami, the guardian of this planet, stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Vegeta with a mixture of concern and approval. The three Saiyans turned to her in unison, their faces alert.

Lady Kagami smiled gently. "You did well, Vegeta Yonsei," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I honestly thought that you would die there, but you managed to break through the darkness and return here. I'm truly impressed by your change of heart, prince. I can now believe in the miraculous power of love and redemption. Congratulations. Take the Dragon Ball with you. You deserve it."

As she spoke, the three Black Star Dragon Ball materialized in the air before Vegeta, levitating gently. The Saiyan Prince caught the Dragon Ball in his hands, then he turned to Lady Kagami, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and respect. "Thank you, Kagami."

Kagami nodded, her smile widening. "You may leave anytime you want," she said. "Goodbye, Saiyan Prince, and good luck on the rest of your journey. Stay strong, for what's ahead of you is going to be a more tumultuous one. You are aware of what's waiting for you out there, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Vegeta replied, his voice a low murmur, acknowledging the unspoken truth that hung in the air.

Kagami nodded once more, her gaze lingering on Vegeta for a moment before she turned and vanished back into the mist, leaving the clearing silent once again. The fog dissipated, revealing the clear forest they had found themselves lost in earlier.

"Now then, let's go and find our next Dragon Ball," Vegeta said, his voice regaining its usual authoritative tone. He turned to Bulla and Goten, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

They blasted off Planet Kagami, the Takogata Spaceship slicing through the air, leaving the shimmering forest behind them. Vegeta, however, couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. He knew Lady Kagami's words were a warning, a reminder of the dangers that lay ahead but Vegeta, fueled by a newfound purpose, was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Papa," Bulla called out, her voice laced with a hint of worry.

"Hn?" Vegeta replied, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of space before them.

"What does Lady Kagami mean when she said those words to you before she left?" Bulla asked, her voice filled with a growing sense of unease.

Vegeta hesitated. He didn't want to worry his daughter about the "tumultuous journey" that lay ahead, about the enemies they might encounter, about the nightmare that threatened to consume them. He knew, deep down, that Lady Kagami was warning him about those seeking revenge, about the forces aligned against him. But he didn't want to burden her with those anxieties.

"I don't know," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "Maybe she meant we'll be facing greater challenges soon."

He noticed Bulla's expression shift, a look of concern replacing the joy that had previously filled her face. "What's the matter, Bulla?" he asked, his voice softening with concern.

Bulla, lost in her thoughts, struggled to respond. She knew that her father's instinct was to brush aside any concerns, to present a facade of unwavering strength. She remembered how he had reacted to her worries on Planet Kasino, dismissing her fears as a lack of faith. He was always so proud, so stubborn, so driven by his own ambition that he sometimes failed to recognize the anxieties of those he cared about.

She had always admired him for his strength, but today, when she had thought she might lose him forever in that mirror world, her faith had wavered. Now, the thought of losing him again, of facing the dangers that lay ahead, filled her with a gnawing fear.

"Don't worry about it," Vegeta assured her, his voice firm, attempting to quell her anxieties. "Have you forgotten who and what your father is?"

Bulla knew exactly how he would respond. It was a familiar pattern, a way of reassuring her while avoiding the real issues.

"I'm here, Goten too. I have both of you with me. With the three of us, so long as we keep getting stronger, we will always overcome whatever comes in our way. So you don't have to be afraid, okay?"

She knew he didn't truly understand. She knew the dangers they faced were far greater than he realized, but she didn't know how to explain her fears, her growing sense of dread. She had asked about Lady Kagami's words, not for an answer, but for reassurance, for a sliver of shared understanding. But she knew, deep down, that even if she were to tell him her worries, he would simply dismiss them, brushing them aside as nothing more than a child's fear.

She was also aware of how he would react if she expressed her fear of losing him. She had seen the anger in his eyes, the protectiveness that bordered on possessiveness, the desire to shield her from any harm, even at the cost of her own growth and independence.

"Bulla? Hey, I'm talking to you," Vegeta snapped his fingers, his voice sharp. He had noticed her distracted gaze and her troubled expression.

Bulla, startled out of her thoughts, reluctantly nodded back at her father, a forced smile gracing her lips. "Yes, papa," she replied, her voice strained.

Vegeta, his gaze lingering on his daughter, took a deep breath. He unbuckled his seatbelt, slid out of his chair, and turned to her. "Put the ship on autopilot," he said, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. "And then follow me to the Gravity Room."

He knew the path ahead was perilous, a journey filled with threats that even he, the prince of all Saiyans, might not be able to overcome in this tiny, child-like state of his. But he also knew that training and pushing himself to his limits were the only way to ensure their survival. He had to be ready, for his family, for Earth, for the very future of the universe. The burden of protecting his daughter and his rival-slash-best-friend's son was his responsibility now. And it was a weight he carried with a quiet determination, a silent oath to never allow himself to fail them.

He will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Meanwhile… somewhere else…

The sun beat down mercilessly on the vast, desolate plains of Planet Ruhd. A colossal temple, its towering spires casting long, ominous shadows, stood at the heart of this unforgiving landscape. Within its cavernous halls, a chilling scene unfolded, a testament to the dark power of a cult that had seized control of this world.

Thousands of masked figures, their faces hidden beneath red cloth coverings, thronged the temple. They wore tattered brown robes, their bodies bent in a posture of subservient reverence. These were the devotees of Ruhd-sama, a god of destruction, their faith a twisted, fanatical devotion to a being that embodied the very essence of chaos.

The air hung thick with the sound of chanting, an alien tongue echoing through the vast chamber.

"Enyaka yakayaka Ruhdo-sama-sama!" they cried, their voices rising in a chorus of fervent worship. Their hands, raised in supplication, pounded rhythmically against the cold stone floor, a desperate plea for the favor of their god.

At the head of the altar, towering over the chanting throng, stood Cardinal Muchi-mochi. His presence radiated an aura of chilling authority. He wore a maroon-colored robe beneath a midnight blue garment, the mask-like hood concealing the lower half of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Those eyes, cold and devoid of any warmth, held a steely glint, their pale purple hue reflecting the cruelty that dwelled within him. His head was adorned with a towering crown of gold, the crimson gemstone at its peak a stark contrast to the obsidian black of his browless visage.

Muchi-mochi was the heart of the Ruhd Cult, the ruthless leader who wielded the power of a twisted faith to control this world. He watched his followers with disdain, their blind devotion a source of both power and amusement to him. After an eternity of chanting, a seemingly endless repetition of those alien words, he raised a hand, silencing the chorus of worship.

His gaze turned to a lanky figure standing awkwardly by the side of the altar. This was a bounty hunter, a man who had been subdued by Muchi-mochi, his strength and skills now twisted into a tool for the cardinal's twisted ambition.

"So, have you found a Dragon Ball?" Muchi-mochi asked, his voice a low, menacing growl.

The bounty hunter, his face pale with fear, stuttered, "My apologies, Cardinal, but we still haven't found a single Dragon Ball yet—."

"What do you mean you still haven't found one?!" Muchi-mochi roared, his anger a palpable force that seemed to crackle through the air, sending shivers down the spines of his followers. He snatched a whip from his side, its leather thongs coiled tightly in his hand.

The bounty hunter whimpered, "The Universe is vast and it would be hard to find one—."

"I don't want to hear any excuses, you useless fool!" Muchi-mochi bellowed, his voice echoing through the temple.

He whipped the lash towards the bounty hunter, the leather thong coiling around his neck, constricting his windpipe, cutting off his breath. The bounty hunter gasped and struggled, his face turning a sickly shade of purple as he fought for air.

"You have greatly disappointed the great God of Destruction, Ruhd-sama," Muchi-mochi hissed, his words dripping with venom, "and now, you must be punished severely for your uselessness."

Behind him, the giant bronze statue of Ruhd-sama, a towering monstrosity of metal and stone, stirred. Its eyes, crafted from polished ruby, blazed with an infernal red light, its gaze fixed on the bounty hunter. A wave of energy, pulsating with divine power, surged from the statue, engulfing the bounty hunter in a blinding flash. The man screamed, his body twisting and contorting until it shrunk, transformed into a miniature rag doll. The doll fell lifelessly to the stone floor, its once vibrant form now a lifeless, miniature replica of the man it had once been.

Muchi-mochi, his face twisted in a macabre smile, picked up the rag doll. He tossed it towards a giant cauldron that sat before the statue, its surface gleaming with an unsettling, unnatural light. The doll dropped with a thud, landing with a soft impact in the cauldron. The cauldron flashed, its interior a swirling vortex of energy, consuming the doll and transforming it into pure ki. The ki then flowed into a giant hourglass-shaped container that stood next to the statue, its liquid content slowly rising, a chilling reminder of the power being gathered.

"Rejoice, all of you! That man's body and soul have become one with Ruhd-sama!" Muchi-mochi proclaimed, his voice resonating with an air of twisted triumph.

The worshippers, their faces masked and their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror, watched the spectacle unfold before them.

"What are you staring at?! Continue praying!" Muchi-mochi roared, his voice booming through the temple. The chanting resumed, a wave of sound that washed over the cavernous space.

Moments later, three figures, dressed in a unique style of red jumpsuits, orange vests, and red caps, entered the temple. Their skin was a light blue, their movements graceful and precise. They were the Para Brothers, a group known for their acrobatics and their uncanny ability to navigate dangerous situations.

"Hn? And who the hell are you?" Muchi-mochi asked, his voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

"We are the Para Brothers," the largest of the three, Bon Para, announced. "We have one of those balls you were looking for. We heard that you are in search of this and here we came to offer it to you."

He held out his hands, revealing a Black Star Dragon Ball with a single star within it. Its golden surface shimmering with a faint, magical light.

Muchi-mochi, his eyes narrowing in curiosity, stepped forward. He took the Dragon Ball from Bon Para, his fingers tracing the surface of the sphere, his gaze scanning it with a mix of anticipation and suspicion.

"Yes, this is a Dragon Ball, alright," he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Well done."

He turned his back on the Para Brothers, clutching the Dragon Ball in his hand, and began to walk away. The Para Brothers remained stunned, their eyes wide with bewilderment.

"What are you still doing there? Leave!" Muchi-mochi ordered, his voice tinged with a hint of impatience.

"Uh… Sir, we came all the way here hoping we could sell that thing to you," Bon Para said, his voice trembling slightly.

"Sell, you say?" Muchi-mochi replied, his voice laced with mock disappointment. "How disappointing. And here I thought you're here to make offerings to the Great Ruhd-sama."

"Huh?" Bon Para looked at his brothers, confusion evident on his face.

Muchi-mochi's demeanor shifted, the playful amusement that had briefly graced his face vanishing. A cold, cruel smile spread across his lips, hidden behind the mask he wore. The Para Brothers, sensing the shift in the cardinal's energy, felt a chilling dread seep into their hearts. They had been so eager to impress this powerful figure, so oblivious to the true nature of the cult they had stumbled upon.

"Finally, we have one of these Dragon Balls," Muchi-mochi cackled, his voice echoing through the temple. "Yes, it is just as revealed to us by the great Ruhd-sama! Soon, the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds will appear before us, seeking this thing. And when he does, we will destroy him here, where he shall become the ultimate sacrifice to the God of Destruction! His energy shall become one with the God of Destruction, giving Ruhd-sama the mightiest destructive power that could bring the entire Universe to its knees! Hahahahahaha!"

His laughter, a chilling blend of madness and twisted ambition, filled the temple, the sound reverberating off the stone walls, a terrifying testament to the dark power that dwelled within the cult. He had embraced chaos, and his plan was to unleash it upon the universe. The long-awaited and expected arrival of Vegeta, the Legendary Destroyer of Worlds, would soon bring forth a conflict that would shake the very foundations of the cosmos.