“I can sense your power. You are weak,” Kakageta said, stepping forward. It made I’k’l take an involuntary step back.

  What was wrong with him? He was the supremely designed being in the cosmos, his DNA engineered for utter perfection after years of gestation. Yet his legs trembled as this monster approached, all strength leaving him. No, it shouldn’t be possible. His breath quickened as the net tightened around him. Was this it? Was this where he died?

  “Shut up, Kakarot! Not yet. I’m not done having fun with him yet!” Kakageta suddenly blurted out, much to I’k’l’s bewilderment.

  “Yes, Vegeta. That’s right. He’s our prey. We should make a show of it,” Kakageta said. “This is my first battle. Why rush it? I still haven’t gotten used to this new body yet.”

  “Huh?” What was going on? I’k’l watched as Kakageta continued to bicker among himself, hearing commentary audible only to him.

  “Of course I’m going after the girl! I haven’t forgotten what she did to me.” Kakageta’s expression darkened.

  “But Vegeta has a point. Vengeance on a child seems rather too petty,” Kakageta continued.

  I’k’l tried to understand what his opponent was talking about, but its meaning was elusive, like smoke. Tentatively, he reached out to touch Kakageta’s fragile mind. It was a mistake. Thousands of conflicting thoughts struck I’k’l at once, almost washing him away like a rushing current.

  “W-what is he?” I’k’l said, shaking his head to clear the painful connection.

  Even XXI seemed taken aback by his creation’s bizarre behavior. Whatever he had intended when fusing Kakarot and Vegeta together, this hadn’t been it. He coughed to catch his new minion’s attention.

  “Yes, retribution for past transgressions will come soon enough. But first, I believe you are already in a battle?” XXI said.

  “Oh, shut up. I don’t take orders from you. Both Vegeta and Kakarot agree on this,” Kakageta replied. “You don’t own me. No one owns me!” The room shook as the fused warrior gathered power, eager to unleash it on his first victim, whoever that might be.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” XXI said smoothly. “A partnership, then, Kakageta? I promised your predecessors wishes from the Dragon Balls in exchange for their services. An offer I extend to you.”

  “At least you know how to beg properly to your betters.” Kakageta considered the offer. “No, Kakarot, Vegeta’s right. We can just take those things. Why squander a wish on something so inconsequential? Besides, we need one worthy of the Grand King of all Saiyans! Besides, it’s more fun to take what belongs to us.”

  Kakageta paced the room like a trapped animal. “No! Vegeta, that’s still too small! Kakarot’s right. That’s stupid, too. Love? Vegeta says you’re being utterly ridiculous. While hot, she doesn’t even fit Vegeta’s type. Yes, he has a type, Kakarot! The other Vegeta is married, remember?”

  And the fusion Saiyan continued to bicker among himself, trapped between two powerful, distinctive voices. While mentally unstable, Vegito at least had unity in his being. This creature was chaos incarnate. XXI sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, a surprisingly human gesture. This clearly wasn’t going as intended. It was clear Kakageta would fight among himself forever if not guided in the right direction. It gave I’k’l much-needed time to consider his next move.

  Should he flee? Gather allies and face XXI and Kakageta later? No, the perfect being doesn’t flee. Besides, Kakageta was more vulnerable than I’k’l had expected. While frighteningly strong, his shattered, incoherent mind left him vulnerable. I’k’l couldn’t count on the fusion warrior staying this broken forever. He might eventually find some harmony amidst the chaos. For justice, I’k’l couldn’t fail. This creature must die.

  “Die.” I’k’l extended two fingers at Kakageta’s heart and fired.

  Kakageta released a satisfying howl of pain as the beam blasted right into his heart. The Saiyan collapsed, his armor smoldering where he’d been shot.

  “That’s that,” I’k’l said, smirking. So much for XXI’s champion. Kakageta hadn’t even raised his defenses until it was too late.

  For his part, XXI’s elderly face remained impassive. But I’k’l knew the shadow monster must be cursing his luck for creating such a defective warrior.

  “Now shall we begin?” I’k’l said, gathering ki into his palm. XXI had him captive in his domain, but no matter. This shadowy prison couldn’t hold him.

  “Are you so sure? You still haven’t finished your match yet,” XXI pointed a wizened finger.

  “Impossible,” I’k’l said, eyes wide.

  “Damn, that hurt!” Kakageta turned to glare at his attacker. “Bastard.”

  “But that should have destroyed your heart!” I’k’l said, flummoxed.

  “Right. What a moron!” Kakageta chuckled, amused by something. “He really didn’t think of that?”

  “What?” I’k’l demanded.

  “Part of me is Kakarot, and he used his universe’s Dragon Balls to make him immortal,” Kakageta replied. “I share that power. I can’t die.”

  “What?!” Immortal? But this Kakageta was a fusion. Wouldn’t that negate it? Make it weaker? Or perhaps the opposite? This fusion was unlike any other. I’k’l bet even XXI didn’t know what he’d created.

  “Yes, and we’re in agreement,” Kakageta said, eyes alighting with menace. “I’m going to kill you.”

  Before I’k’l could even register the movement, an elbow planted into his face. He howled in pain, staggering back a step. Movement registered behind him, and I’k’l swung back in retaliation but struck only empty air. His eyes darted around the shadowed room, but his opponent had vanished from sight. He jumped as someone spoke behind him.

  “You talk big, but you’re nothing but empty air,” Kakageta said, arms crossed.

  “No! I am the perfect being, bred to be the greatest hero! The likes of you won’t beat me!” I’k’l said, ki surging as he gathered his power. Some half-baked Saiyan freak wouldn’t make a fool of him.

  Kakageta’s mane of unruly hair blew around in the rush of power, but he remained completely impassive. “Show me, then. What do say, Kakarot? I doubt he’ll last even five minutes. No, Vegeta. I don’t need to go Super Saiyan yet. Let the fool fight back. It’s fun to watch them squirm.”

  This dismissive comment only stoked I’k’l’s fury. He howled as he sent a barrage of beams into his opponent. Kakageta instinctively threw both arms up to block his face. XXI stood stock-still, his robe swaying from the blast. As the dust cleared, Kakageta only smirked, his uniform only slightly charred by the attack. Stars flashed in I’k’l’s vision as an elbow struck his face, delivered so quickly he’d only seen a blur of motion.

  “No!” I’k’l tried fighting back, but his opponent remained out of reach, just a step ahead. Kakageta toyed with him, laughing as I’k’l inflicted no damage.

  “I refuse to be played with,” I’k’l raged in impotent fury. His opponent was just too powerful. No, he refused to give up. He was the perfect being; his intellect several calibers ahead of his brutish opponent. He’d find a way. And I’k’l knew how he’d do it. A fight he’d watched earlier gave him an idea. With his perfect memory, he recalled every moment in exact detail.

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  His opponent seemed startled as I’k’l’s ki spiked even higher, gathering further power. A red aura shimmered around him as he activated Kaio-ken, and his body bulked three times its usual size. Kakageta howled in satisfying pain as a fist drove into his stomach.

  One advantage of his evolved genes was their malleability. They allowed him to use techniques dangerous to others. He’d seen Uub’s fight with Pan. It wasn’t hard to duplicate the human’s technique and modify it to his own specifications. Time magic wasn’t his only specialty. Another fist drove into Kakageta’s chest before he recovered.

  “So, you’ve got some fight left,” Kakageta said, more amused than hurt.

  “I’m not like Uub,” I’k’l said. “I can boost my power far further.” And it didn’t require tearing his body to pieces. And that wasn’t his only trick.

  “Good. I was getting bored.” Kakageta flared higher, and he engaged his opponent with renewed vigor. Much to I’k’l’s dismay, he continued to match him blow for blow. The room thundered as they fought, but XXI still stood stock-still, watching their exchange with keen interest.

  “You’re right, Vegeta. This is fun!” Kakageta bellowed over the booming of their blows. “He’s almost making this a challenge!”

  This caused a spike of anger, but I’k’l pushed it down. That had been the intended effect. But his opponent refused to die. He’d struck Kakageta’s heart so hard it should have liquefied, only for the Saiyan to laugh it off and keep fighting.

  Despite his brag about improving Uub’s Kaio-ken, it still drained him quickly, burning him out. Unlike his opponent, he couldn’t maintain this much longer. No matter—he already had another technique ready. His foolish opponent had allowed him to calculate it while they fought, his advanced mind capable of solving thousands of problems at once.

  “Thanks, Uub,” I’k’l smiled to himself. “Your training with Buu has paid better dividends than you could have ever imagined.” A fist drove hard into his chest, forcing him back. I’k’l feigned weakness, making a clumsy blow that was easily dodged. He pretended to be losing his strength, waiting for the right moment to deliver the killing blow.

  There! Kakageta got careless, rushing in behind I’k’l and assuming he’d be too slow to react. With a sudden burst of power, I’k’l jerked around and thrust both fists into the Saiyan’s chest.

  With his magic, he delivered millions of volts of electricity into Kakageta’s body, thousands of times higher than anything a Saiyan could survive. But I’k’l didn’t stop there, increasing the voltage even further, making sure he destroyed every living cell in his opponent’s body. His opponent landed with a satisfying thud as he crashed onto the floor, his lifeless body smoking.

  “Half-immortal isn’t full immortal,” I’k’l heaved, his body shaking from exertion. His body deflated like a balloon as he lost Kaio-ken. It hurt. It hurt everywhere. He’d thrown all his ki and magic into that last attack. Even breathing took a Herculean effort.

  “Impressive. I imagine even Vegito would die to that attack,” XXI said, nodding his head in respect.

  I’k’l gave a grim smile, realizing how he’d screwed up. In his efforts to defeat Kakageta, he’d forgotten about his master. This wasn’t good.

  “Uub was soft. He didn’t have what it took to win.” It was all bluster, but I’k’l hoped it would buy him precious seconds to recover. His perfect body possessed remarkable healing properties. He needed to buy only a few minutes.

  “Quite.” XXI’s fake old face broke into an amused smile. “You’re an interesting blend of magic and ki. You’re capable of blending both seamlessly. Not even Buu is that proficient. What is it you desire, I wonder?”

  “What? You’re offering me a deal?”

  “Why not? I am a creature of hunger. I don’t require much beyond food. You are a creature of justice. Consider what you might do with two wishes from the Dragon Balls. You could truly become the hero you’ve been born to become.”

  “Liar.” Creature of hunger, indeed. As if XXI were just an animal searching for food. No, he was a monster who would consume everything if not stopped. I’k’l had seen into his mind, sensed the endless, ravenous hunger. “I see what you really are, XXI.”

  “Do you?” This earned a hard frown from XXI, shadows dancing around him. “It doesn’t matter. I will just take your power then. Your time stop power seemed quite useful.” The elderly face extended into an unnatural smile that spread further than should have been possible, hunger glinting in his dark eye sockets. But then it returned to normal, vanishing as soon as it appeared.

  “Though I suppose he deserves a first crack at you,” XXI said.

  “Damn right.” A furious voice answered, sending ripples of fear through I’k’l. Impossible. Nothing could have survived that.

  Kakageta glared at him, eyes livid. I’k’l’s attack had left his skin charred and blackened. “Yes, I agree, Vegeta. We should. Glad to hear you agree too, Kakarot. We are furious enough.”

  The air rippled as the fused Saiyan gathered power, the atmosphere sparking with electricity. His eyes became pits of white fury. He howled and transformed. Golden light radiated in wild waves, like a current blown by hurricane winds. His power was beyond anything I’k’l had feared.

  “Gah!” I’k’l didn’t even register the movement as a fist drove into his chest. He coughed blood as the blow ruptured internal organs. He toppled over, hacking blood and fluid onto the floor.

  “No kidding, Kakarot. We barely touched him, and he’s already dying?” Kakageta said, laughing. He flexed his fingers, examining his newfound power. “Yes, I will, Kakarot. That girl Pan will pay for how she humiliated you, painfully and slowly. No objections from you, Vegeta? Good. She’ll make a better opponent than this worm.”

  A boot slammed into I’k’l’s ribs, shattering bones on impact. I’k’l collapsed, his body broken.

  “You’re right, Vegeta. This one isn’t even worth our time,” I’k’l’s skull creaked as Kakageta’s talon-like fingers grabbed him. “You talk big, but you’re nothing. Perfect warrior, my ass.”

  Then Kakageta lost interest in his toy, dropping him in a heap. “Eat him if you want. I don’t care. I have better opponents to face. That’s a thought, Vegeta. We should try him next. With luck, he’s recovered enough to fight.”

  As Kakageta turned to leave, XXI spoke up. “It would be unwise to act rashly. The Vargas will only send you home. Then you’ll have no one to fight.”

  “What did you say, old man?” Kakageta said, directing his considerable ire at the person who’d offended him. His golden aura flared, eager for another confrontation.

  “What I mean to say is that patience will reap better rewards,” XXI said, changing his strategy. “You can fight to your heart’s content if you strike at a certain time. I guarantee the Vargas won’t interrupt you then. And consider the Dragon Balls. Don’t you still desire a wish? I’m perfectly willing to offer you two of them.”

  “There is that, Kakarot,” Kakageta said, considering. “Of course you’d think it’s stupid, Vegeta. But he has a point. She is hot. And just imagine the look on Gohan’s face when his wife falls in love with me instead. And Pan’s reaction? It’d be priceless.”

  Kakageta paused. “XXI, you know more about the Dragon Balls. Can they make someone fall in love with someone? If I recall from a certain movie, a genie couldn’t grant that.”

  “I—I believe so,” XXI said, uncertain.

  “Perfect. And Kakarot’s right, Vegeta. He deserves a wish! And what do you want, Vegeta? Immortality is clearly something we need not worry about.”

  As the Saiyan muttered to himself, I’k’l pretended to be unconscious. He pushed his cells into overdrive to repair themselves, burning through every bit of energy he had. Almost maddening levels of hunger begged for attention. Normally, I’k’l needed sustenance once a month. His body’s perfect efficiency required little nutrition. But now his body was eating itself alive to restore him to health. He needed to escape urgently.

  “Maybe, Vegeta. Old fart, can the Dragon Balls give us the ability to travel to different universes? Ours was getting dull anyway. Might as well enjoy the other ones.” Kakageta asked.

  “It can,” XXI said, glad he wasn’t being asked about another stupid, inane wish. “That is the special power of the Universe 1 Dragonballs.”

  “Good! Great idea, Kakarot! That’s exactly what we’re going to do!” Kakageta said, pleased. He laughed to himself. “No, Vegeta, having a harem of Videls is not a stupid idea! It’s not my fault you don’t have proper taste in women.”

  XXI released a deep sigh and shook his head. I’k’l made his move while they were distracted. Thankfully, Kakageta had powered down from Super Saiyan. The split second necessary to transform won’t be quick enough.

  “Now!” I’k’l bolted to life, hurling himself at the wall of shadow. As he’d expected, it wasn’t as solid as it appeared, and he barreled through it and the real wall beneath.

  “Hey!” Kakageta yelled, furious. But I’k’l was already moving, his body bulging as he used Kaio-ken to boost his speed. His body hadn’t nearly recovered enough, allowing only a quick burst before it nearly collapsed.

  “Come on.” I’k’l’s only chance was finding a place to hide before he passed out for real. Thankfully, due to the hideously late hour, the halls were empty. He took another quick turn, his body moving only on instinct. A sudden idea occurred to him. It was likely his only chance. With Goku’s help, he might just survive. The Universe 18 apartments weren’t far. It was pathetic, running to a Saiyan for help, but he needed to warn them. Those two monsters would bring doom to the entire multiverse.

  He took another sudden turn. Almost there. I’k’l’s flight faltered, almost dipping into the floor. Just a little further. One more turn and—

  Pain lanced through his body as a beam shot through I’k’l’s heart. Blood splashed onto the floor as he crashed into the hard stone. His thoughts fogged as death came ready to claim him. He had nothing left. He’d used all his resources for that escape attempt. I’k’l barely managed to raise his head.

  Further down the hall, Kakageta smirked at him, blowing I’k’l a kiss. He vanished, leaving his victim to his doom. Blackness edged into his vision. I’k’l felt his bodily functions failing, his cells dying.

  The perfect being hadn’t been enough. Now, nothing would stop XXI or Kakageta.

  ///

  “Ugh, I need to stop drinking so much water,” Little Pan adjusted her gi’s sash as she exited the bathroom.

  She walked through the empty halls, each step echoing through the corridor. The hour was late. She didn’t even see the Namekians who patrolled the halls. The loneliness was a little scary, but Little Pan bolstered her courage. She was a Super Saiyan 2. She had little to fear.

  “I wonder if Big Sis has mastered her shadow powers yet?” So far, she hadn’t moved from that spot. Little Pan still had her reservations about training with that maniac nightmare creature, Anpan, but she’d support her counterpart regardless of what happened.

  Her musings were interrupted as she sensed a sudden burst of ki, powerful too. Someone howled in pain before the hallway became eerily quiet.

  “Who was that?” Little Pan thought as she transformed and flew in the scream’s direction. Whoever they were, they were powerful from the brief glimpse of energy she’d felt. But they’d vanished as soon as they’d appeared.

  “Are you okay?” Little Pan dropped beside the figure lying in the middle of the hallway.

  The face was one she didn’t recognize. One of the spectators? What were they doing in the fighters’ apartments? They were bleeding badly, shot with a beam straight through the heart. Their ki was vanishing fast. She cursed. The newcomer wouldn’t last long enough to retrieve a healer.

  The stranger stared at her with blurry white orbs, using all their effort just looking at Little Pan.

  “Sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. But I’ll stay until the end,” Little Pan said mournfully. Whoever they were, they didn’t deserve to die alone.

  “You are Pan.” The stranger’s voice was barely a whisper, almost inaudible.

  “Yes, I’m here.” Little Pan grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  “You can fight them. You can continue my holy mission,” the stranger said, his voice growing weaker.

  “Huh?”

  “You have a pure heart. It will be enough. I’ll leave everything to you.”

  “What are you—”

  Then a jolt passed through Little Pan as information flooded her mind so quickly that she lost her balance. A purple aura passed from the stranger and dove into her like a predator feasting on a helpless victim.

  “No!” Little Pan fought against it, but it drove deeper into her, becoming one with her. It was changing her. But into what? “No! No! No!”

  The purple aura combined with her glowing golden one, altering its color to a tarnished bronze.

  She blinked in confusion, overwhelmed by sensation. It was too much, and she collapsed on the cold stone floor next to the dead stranger.

  ///

  Next time!

  Pan confronts her darkness. Can she overcome it? Or will she fall victim and become a monster? Little Pan’s body undergoes odd changes. What did that odd stranger do to her?