“Grandpas, hang in there,” Pan felt helpless as she stared at her half-frozen grandfathers laying in the crater. His right arm had shattered, a good chunk of his shoulder just gone. If Libra’s ice wasn’t stanching the wound, he would have bled out in seconds.

  “I’ll survive,” his weak voice said, barely clinging to life.

  “Summon Porunga, Whelk,” Libra said, her voice imperial. “Wish back everyone killed by the solar system’s destruction.”

  “Hold on—what about Gast?” Pan glared at her aunt in defiance. She gathered ki as she prepared to fight.

  Goku also gave the so-called goddess a firm look, making his opinion known. Libra ignored Pan, focusing on her father’s fusion counterpart instead. In her eyes, he was the bigger threat. She then eyed Mary Sue, her expression impassive.

  “I’d do what Pan says.” Mary Sue exchanged the look, her beautiful eyes flint.

  “Empty promise.” Libra’s smile wasn’t pleasant. “I am a god. I can keep fighting. Are you ready to fulfil your empty challenge to face me if my father lost?”

  “I haven’t forgotten, but you have another challenger first,” Goku replied.

  “Huh? Are you talking about me?” Pan’s floating arm pointed at where her chest should be.

  “Pan’s your opponent first. She’ll be your real challenge,” Goku said, showing amazing confidence in Pan.

  “Yeah, you got this.” Mary Sue said, beaming.

  “But—” Pan said in protest. What could she do against someone who defeated her grandfathers, someone most considered unbreakable?

  Goku kneeled down, getting to Pan’s level. “You’ve gotten this far already, Pan. You can make it to the end.” His confidence in her made a light burn where her heart should be.

  Was that possible? Fight Libra and win? Pan had only gotten this far through blind luck and grit. Yet Goku’s faith made her want to fight, prove he hadn’t misplaced his confidence.

  Pan turned to glare at Libra. “Wish Gast back too. And no wishing to cover your crime. Face your mistakes like a true warrior!”

  “Fine. It’s not worth fighting you, anyway. I won’t hide what I did. People will praise my wisdom,” Even with Libra’s vast power, it was still three to one. “You heard them, Whelk. Wish back everyone who’s died over the last two days, except Buu, of course.”

  “No, him too,” Pan said, glaring.

  “You want that creature to terrorize the multiverse again?” Libra asked, incredulous.

  “Yep, him too,” Goku said, his voice holding a subdued threat.

  Truthfully, Pan didn’t want that annoying troublemaker back, but Libra’s attitude toward who was eligible to be resurrected was intolerable. Besides, Anpan had developed an attachment to him. It seemed sad to kill her only friend.

  Libra clearly wanted to argue, to banish them for disagreeing with her. But she relented. “Very well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Okay,” the Namekian said, his voice barely hiding his terror. He’d seen firsthand Libra’s overwhelming might. It wasn’t long until the sky darkened and the green Namekian Dragon filled the heavens.

  “What is your second wish?” Porunga said with some impatience. He didn’t appreciate the wishes being split like that.

  Whelk uttered the guttural syllables, each word spoken with delicate precision. He took his duties as the Namekian interpreter seriously.

  “It shall be done!”

  Chatter and life suddenly filled the once barren, empty planet. They muttered in confusion, amazed at their fortune. Pan sniffed and broke into a smile as her father, still in Piccolo’s body, beamed when he saw her.

  Gast stared at himself in amazement, like he had entered a dream. He smiled, pleased to be restored to life.

  “Oof!” her father said, laughing as Pan’s head barreled into his broad chest. He was still wearing Piccolo’s body. “Hey, careful. I just got brought back to life.”

  “Oh, Dad. I’m just happy to see you again!” Pan said, tears pricking her eyes. His second death had been torture.

  “Glad to be back,” her father-as-Piccolo said. “I see you somehow survived, though, Dad.”

  “Got lucky, I suppose,” Goku said, rubbing the nap of his neck.

  “I’m back,” Buu said, examining himself in amazement. “I actually died—me!” He seemed more amused than angry.

  “Buu, I…” Anpan said, distracted. She seemed confused, like she’d gotten lost somewhere. “What’s wrong with me? I suddenly don’t want to see you dead. I’m happy to see you again.” Tears pricked her eyes, which only confounded her further.

  “Don’t worry, I’m here,” Buu said, pulling Anpan into a hug. She only stared, baffled by her reaction, though she seemed happy to accept the embrace. “Big Brother Buu isn’t that easy to get rid of. Still, I’m surprised I got wished back after what happened to my handsome, chubby counterpart.

  “We forced Libra to,” Pan said, her smile smug. “With Grandpa Goku with me, Libra wasn’t in the mood to argue.”

  “Then I owe you both one,” Buu said with surprising sincerity. It sounded like a foreign language coming from his villainous, demonic lips.

  “What? So Kakarot somehow survived?” Vegeta said, outraged.

  “That can wait,” Uncle Piccolo said, stopping Vegeta’s outburst and pointing. This caught many of the tournament-goers’ attention, and they gasped, stunned at the sight before them.

  “Vegito?” Universe 13 Vegeta said. “Defeated? It can’t be.”

  “That’s right. I beat him when he foolishly challenged me,” Libra said, her eyes daring anyone to contradict her.

  “Libra defeated Dad?” Trunks said, shocked. He stared at his fallen father’s form, too stunned to react. Others from Universe 16 seemed just as startled. That the great, indomitable Vegito lost was beyond their comprehension.

  Namekians rushed to the fallen Saiyan’s side, doing their best to stanch the bleeding as her grandfather’s hot blood melted the ice keeping him from bleeding to death. Their faces were grim as they fought to keep him alive. They knew no healing magic would easily repair these injuries.

  “Your wish has been granted. What is your third and final wish?” Porunga said.

  In the turmoil, Pan had almost forgotten about him. She considered the question. Should she wish Uncle Piccolo and her father to have their original bodies back? But Pan looked at her grandfathers’ face, his expression tormented. Every second was an extended agony.

  “Whelk, wish for Vegito to be fully healed.” While she craved holding father’s real hand, her grandfathers was suffering terribly. Despite his past behavior, he didn’t deserve this.

  “Hey, you can’t just have wishes!” a Vargas said.

  But her new Namekian friend only smirked. “She’s earned it. Few would stand against a god.”

  “Okay, if it’s only to heal him, I’ll allow it,” the Vargas replied.

  “Porunga,” Whelk muttered, speaking the wish in the guttural Namekian language.

  “It shall be—”

  “Gah!” Pan flinched as dust flew everywhere from the sudden explosion. Others choked, hacking as their lungs filled with dust. “What the heck was that?”

  “No, it can’t be,” Piccolo-as-Cell Jr. said, eyes wide. As the dust cleared, Pan saw what had him so distraught. The Dragon Balls had cracked into pieces, huge fragments broken off like fragile pottery. “You.” He turned to glare at the culprit, but she had no shame.

  “Sorry, but I won’t make it easy for my dad,” Libra said, her smile cruel.

  “You stopped your father’s healing? Why?” Goku asked, aghast.

  “Yeah, Libra,” Trunks said. “He’s on death’s door!”

  “The Dragon Balls!” the Vargas said, feathered hands grasping his head in alarm.

  “Get over it. You have dozens of sets already,” Libra replied. “Besides, my reasons are just.”

  Pan sighed. “This ought to be good. Give us one reason the Vargas shouldn’t send you back. You already destroyed the entire solar system.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Yeah, she did, didn’t she?” Goten said, the realization dawning on him. He’d likely already guessed as much, but was too happy about his own revival to consider it.

  “She did what?” Gast said, staring in shock.

  “Yes. What a naughty girl you’ve been,” Buu said, Anpan still clinging to him like an appendage. “Why shouldn’t we?”

  “You came back. Why are you complaining?” Libra replied. “Two reasons I don’t want Vegito healed. One: My father hasn’t been humbled enough. After lording over everyone his entire life, he deserves to be brought low for a while. And two: if I did, he’d only cause trouble again and try to kill me. He attacked me first, as both Whelk and Pan can attest. So that makes me the innocent party.”

  “Is that true?” the Vargas asked.

  “Well, uh…” Pan hesitated, realizing that had been true. Her grandfathers had attacked Libra unprovoked, even if she’d been acting like a villain. “But she started it! She destroyed the solar system!”

  “If that’s the case, then Universe 16 should be disqualified.” The Vargas scratched his chin. “You were all told to behave yourselves.”

  “What? She destroyed the solar system!” Pan said, mouth agape.

  “Yeah, what?” Trunks said, bewildered. The others nodded in agreement, equally baffled.

  “As she said, she brought us all back. Besides, it was a wicked fight. So what if she destroyed the solar system? That was a prudent move on her part to kill a creature like Buu. Why should we punish her for being smart?” the Vargas said, his tone rather smug.

  “I don’t know; this is supposed to be a martial arts tournament?” Pan couldn’t believe she needed to point this out. “In a normal one, you aren’t even supposed to kill your opponent!”

  “Lesser tournaments, perhaps, but our Multiverse one has a higher standard. Save your quibbles for someone else. I’ve decided—Universe 16 is disqualified. The tournament committee will agree with me,” the Vargas replied.

  “No,” Libra said, her voice hard. Pan stared, flabbergasted.

  “What? But you’ve won!” the Vargas said, unable to believe his own ears. Pan could hardly believe hers either.

  “I still have to finish my match with Pan. I will settle for nothing less. There’s no need to punish the others of Universe 16 for Vegito’s stupidity. His injuries are punishment enough.”

  “But—!”

  Libra cut the Vargas off. “I have spoken. Don’t contradict me again.”

  “I agree with Libra,” the North Supreme Kai said, appearing from nowhere. “Let her have the match. There’s only one fight left, anyway.” While his expression was neutral, Pan detected an edge to it. He clearly wasn’t pleased with Libra’s actions.

  “I agree too,” the East Supreme Kai added. His expression was also tight. “Besides, it would be anticlimactic to end the tournament with a disqualification.”

  “Are you sure, Libra?” the South Supreme Kai asked. He seemed the only god not angry with their rogue compatriot.

  “I am not doing this for your sake, Pan. I just want to prove I’m supreme across the multiverse. Get ready—I will show you no mercy,” Libra replied.

  “Okay.” It amazed Pan Libra hadn’t taken the easy win. Was this her pride talking? Still, it was a surprising act of—not kindness exactly—but softness. Pan supposed Libra didn’t want the rest of Universe 16 punished because of her father.

  “I will win, Libra,” Pan said, her voice full of determination. “You better fight hard, because, god or not, I’m not backing down.”

  But how would she defeat someone who defeated her grandfathers of all people? This was insanity! Yet Pan refused to back down—her own stupid pride, she supposed. She blushed at the smile of approval Goku shot her.

  “Yeah, you’ll show her!” Little Pan said, beaming. “But tomorrow, we’ll make sure you’re ready.”

  “Yeah, but can you even build the body I need in time?” Pan asked. The first cyborg body had taken almost all night.

  “Hmm,” Buu said, scratching his chin.

  Pan cut him off. “Without your help. We don’t need it, Buu.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Buu said, beaming like a proud parent. “That spirit will lead you to victory!”

  “And don’t worry—after yesterday, I think I’ve got a better knack for building cyborgs.” Yamcha said. “This time will be a cinch.”

  “Agreed,” Android 16 said. “My memory banks contain our last attempt. I’ve already calculated how we might improve the design.”

  “We’d better hurry, then. They’re already started the banquet.” The Trunks from the future blushed as his stomach rumbled. “After taking something to go.”

  “Let’s do it,” Pan said, touched by their kindness. It reminded Pan how loved she was. Not everyone treated her like a freak. She turned to ask Mary Sue if she wanted to come, but the dream girl had already vanished.

  “Right. Her presence causes chaos.” Pan thought.

  What a sad existence. She swore she’d win this fight, so her friend could be normal. No one should live like Mary Sue had. Pan supposed that was her greatest weapon against Libra—unlike the god, she had something worth fighting for. Her friends drove her forward, not her own supposed righteousness. Pan only hoped it would be enough.

  “Libra’s super tough.” Little Pan said. “We need a strategy to defeat her!”

  “Yeah, but what?” There wasn’t much time to train, and Pan doubted she’d get significantly stronger in less than a dozen hours.

  “Ha! But what if you ascended to the next level!” Little Pan said, her eyes sparkling. “That settles it! I’m going to train you!”

  “What do you mean?” Pan asked.

  “I’m going to teach you how to become a Super Saiyan 2!” Little Pan said.

  “Is that possible?” Pan hadn’t even considered it. “But doesn’t that mean facing a great deal of trauma?”

  She recalled the stories—how her father had done it by using his grief over Android 16’s death to unlock its power. Little Pan had used the tragedy of her mother’s murder. Libra had done it by channeling her angst about her father. Pan had nothing that serious in her life. Sure, she was a zombie, but it didn’t upset her that much.

  “It’s not a bad idea,” Goku said, scratching his chin. “It might work. You can do it, Pan.”

  “It amazes me how much confidence you have in me.” But Pan was smiling. It was something of a plan.

  “Super Saiyan 2?” a familiar voice said, scoffing. “Is that all you’re settling for?”

  “What is it, Anpan?” Pan said with a deep sigh. What now?

  “You can do better than that.” Her nightmare counterpart practically skipped as she spoke, her smile playful. “You already know what you can do to crush anyone in your sight.”

  “Like?” A chill went through Pan’s nonexistent back. She didn’t like that smile.

  “You’re connected to me, and I to you,” Anpan replied. “But you’ve always held back. Mortal scruples or whatever. But the well is almost bottomless. Drink true darkness.”

  “And why do that?” Pan asked.

  “Because it’s your nature, though you deny it. Use that power and Libra will tremble like a small child, swallowed by an inescapable nightmare.” A thrill of pressure jolted through Anpan as she spoke. “You don’t actually need this hunk of junk body these idiots want to give you. You can make your own.”

  “I can?” Pan’s head swam as darkness seemed to creep into her, its icy touch somehow intoxicating. “Stop that!”

  “Yeah, we can handle this ourselves,” Little Pan said with a growl.

  “And you can really restore Pan’s body?” Piccolo-as-Cell Jr. asked.

  “Uncle Piccolo!” Pan said, scandalized. Was he really considering taking help from this monster?

  “It’d be easy,” Anpan waved a dismissive hand.

  “Don’t be so quick to dismiss it, Pan. Her power isn’t evil—just dark. I believe you have the power not only to channel this darkness, but control it.” Piccolo-as-Cell Jr. wore a confident smile.

  “Huh, it would give you more time to train, Pan,” Goku tilted his head in thought.

  “I don’t like it.” Her Father-as-Piccolo pulled Pan closer to him, like she’d float away if he didn’t hold her. “But it’s your decision, Pan.”

  “You guys can’t be serious.” Take help from Anpan? The same creature that ruined her life by turning her into a literal monster? But Uncle Piccolo was right about one thing. While Anpan’s nature was violent and terrifying, it wasn’t evil. So by that logic, it wouldn’t make her evil? Why was she even considering this?

  “What do you think?” Pan shot Future Trunks, Yamcha, and Android 16 a questioning glance.

  “It would be a logical course of action,” Android 16 said in his flat voice. “It would be more effective than attaching artificial limbs to your body.”

  “Yeah, I say go for it, little sis,” Android 17 said, piping in. “Seems like an excellent opportunity to get stronger.”

  “Why are you part of this conversation?” Pan replied.

  “It’s tough.” Future Trunks rubbed the nap of his neck. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  But Yamcha remained silent, seriously considering his answer. Finally, he spoke. “Pan, you are one of the strongest people I know. It never ceases to amaze me how far you’ve already gotten. You’ve grown up in these last few days, gained an impressive amount of wisdom. Whatever choice you make, I believe you’ll make it work.”

  “The choice is up to you, Pan,” Goku said. “We’ll help, whatever you choose.” Her father gave her an encouraging nod.

  “Guys…” Pan realized the decision was hers and hers alone, and she’d have to deal with the consequences. Despite her anxiety, everyone still wore supportive expressions. Even if she tapped into dark powers, they’d support her without question.

  “I guess, Anpan, I’ll try your idea,” Pan said slowly. “But if something goes awry, we’re kicking your butt.”

  “Good!” Anpan replied, pleased. “You’ll be a blood-soaked, murderous monster in no time!”

  “Why did I agree to this?” Pan said, sighing. What had she gotten into?

  ///

  Agony.

  The creature twisted and turned, howling into the endless nothing of space. Its inky depths screamed with a force that would have made a mortal throat go raw. He’d gotten hurt. Diminished. He knew fear.

  That damn fusion monstrosity had hurt him. Another damn Supreme Kai had gotten in his way. Never in his wildest imagination had he considered one would fuse with a Saiyan. And she continued to grow stronger, a bud that’d bloom into an even more radiant flower. He’d erred in allowing this creature to come into being.

  XXI needed to kill her—now, while she was still weak after fighting Buu. That foolish girl. That accursed girl. She’d ruined everything! With the tournament planet and the Vargas dead, he’d never get the set of Dragon Balls he sought. She’d trapped him in his universe forever. It had food, but never enough to sate his ravenous hunger. Hateful, hateful half-god.

  He crept through the endless night, but searched in vain. There wasn’t a trace of Libra anywhere. For another hour, he scoured the empty solar system ravaged by his enemy’s power, but it came to naught. Where had the hateful half-Kai disappeared?

  “Calm. Think this through.” XXI forced himself to relax, pushing back his ever-consuming fury and hunger. If Libra destroyed the solar system, she must have had a plan to restore it. She had West Supreme Kai memories. That meant she had to know the Dragon Balls’ hiding spot, likely in some pocket universe. She must have gone there.

  “Patience. She’ll return soon enough.” But what then? XXI brooded on that question in silence.

  Then it appeared—the sign he’d been looking for. A light in the distance. XXI cursed. He’d gone farther afield than he’d assumed. Not even halfway there, the tournament planet had returned, untouched by the destruction hurled against it.

  He was too late. Libra would wish everyone back, and he’d lose his chance to destroy her. While mighty, he couldn’t match the tournament fighters’ combined might alone.

  “That power,” XXI said, stunned as he approached the tournament grounds. Two people were fighting? Their power was beyond compare, titans of myth. Was that Vegito fighting his own daughter? This puzzled XXI. Why quarrel? No—kill each other. He sensed the bloodlust behind each blow. XXI wasted no time reentering the tournament planet.

  There he saw the flashes of light from their blows—so quick, even he had trouble following them. XXI fought back a spike of fear and slithered into a space beneath the tournament bleachers to watch the fight.

  On the sidelines, XXI saw Pan, Goku, and Mary Sue watching. What? How had they survived Libra destroying the solar system? His shadowy form trembled as he saw Mary Sue again. No! Why was she back? Hadn’t she returned to her dream dimension? She’d ruin everything. Those damn Vargas. Why had they invited such freaks into their tournament?

  It seemed ridiculous that anyone would fear a silly, inconsequential creature like Mary Sue. But he’d faced her in battle. Her power was literally unquantifiable, like the whim of a childish god. Her very nature seemed to defy definition. Somehow, she’d poisoned XXI’s mind and made him act rashly and get himself disqualified. Him! He wasn’t a mortal creature of flesh. That shouldn’t have been possible.

  But the answer, he supposed, was simple. Mary Sue wasn’t a creature from physical reality, but a construct of dreams. How did someone fight something like that? With her here, XXI didn’t dare move against Libra or Vegito, even if one ended up half dead. She was the only real problem—Goku and Pan were merely minor nuisances.

  Libra proved her frightful reputation as she froze her father and shattered him to pieces, despite being worn out already. It only proved he needed to kill her quickly. XXI howled obscenities. If only Mary Sue weren’t here.

  “Wait.” He remembered that Mary Sue liked to keep hidden from mortals. Sure enough, she vanished as Libra ordered a Namekian to restore everyone to life. People filled the arena once again.

  He needed to act carefully. XXI slithered deeper into the tournament planet. He’d wait for the right opportunity. Wait—if Mary Sue also liked staying hidden, she might not act quickly enough to stop him. The finals were fast approaching. After Libra killed Pan, the Vargas would retrieve the Universe 1 Dragon Ball from its hiding spot. But how would he steal them with so many eyes watching? He needed a distraction. No—a champion.

  “They’re freaks, I tell you,” Nappa said, walking past a patch of shadows across the ceiling. “That Libra actually defeated Vegito. What were we thinking coming here? We never stood a chance.”

  “You might not have. But I’m a different story altogether,” Kakarot said. “I just needed more time.”

  “Hmph. I doubt even your immortality would have helped you,” his brother said with a snort.

  “What?” Kakarot said, nostrils flaring.

  “Enough,” Vegeta said. “It doesn’t matter any longer. We’re leaving. There’s no profit in staying. If there is another tournament, we’ll be ready.”

  “How?” Raditz said skeptically. “You saw what happened. Libra literally destroyed an entire solar system!”

  “Don’t remind me,” Kakarot said with a shudder. “I’m happy to leave. This place has too many bad memories. I’ll be glad to put it behind me.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. There might be some profit in staying.”

  The three Sayians whirled to glare at XXI, who’d returned to his old man disguise. They seemed ready to fight, but XXI only gave them a disarming smile.

  “What do you mean?” Vegeta said finally.

  “We could work together to our mutual benefit,” XXI replied. “I need the Universe 1 Dragon Balls. I only require them for one solitary wish. You may have the remaining two.”

  “How exactly?” Raditz asked. “We’re kind of small fry compared to the others.”

  “Yeah, they’re way too strong!” Nappa added.

  “Speak for yourself,” their leader snapped. “I’m assuming you have a way to make us stronger. Otherwise, don’t bother. We won’t be your cannon fodder.”

  A reasonable point, XXI supposed. Unfortunately, these four were his best options. Most of the other morally pliable fighters had already departed. He could offer a portion of himself to them. But it’d be a pittance—barely a worthy boost. A different strategy then. Raw power was required, something that’d make even Libra pause.

  That fused freak. He’d made a mistake sitting on the sidelines during Babadi’s rebellion. He never considered a Kai would grow desperate enough to fuse with a mortal. Its potential was quite remarkable.

  Wait.

  “Actually, I might have a method.” A cunning smile creased XXI’s wizened lips. “Give me an hour, and I’ll prove it to you.”

  “One hour. No less,” Vegeta said, arms crossed. “Don’t expect us to stick around any longer.”

  “One hour,” XXI inclined his head. He doubted it’d take that long. Yes—finally, things were back on track. Soon enough, the Universe 1 Dragon Balls would be his.

  ---

  Next time!

  A Kai assassinated? His fusion earrings missing? Pan trains with Anpan. Will the power of darkness be enough to overcome Libra? And a new warrior is born!