"Zzzrrt—!"
The robot let out a harsh screech.
"Doctor, take a look," Ken said.
Dr. Brief adjusted his glasses and leaned in close to examine the bot.
"Not even a scratch?" he blurted, genuinely stunned.
That was a serrated steak knife. A clean blade might fail to mark it, sure—but a serrated edge leaving nothing? That meant this "metal" was out of the ordinary.
Ken sawed the knife back and forth against the plating again.
Dr. Brief peered harder. Still nothing.
"Incredible engineering… What on earth is this made of? It doesn't even feel like metal," he murmured.
"It's a special alloy from Universe 3," Vados said, glancing over. "Ridiculously tough. Even if Lord Champa—our God of Destruction—used Hakai, it wouldn't shatter instantly. But forging it is brutally hard and the materials are rarer still. Universe 3 spent tens of millions of years to finally build Mosco's body. The scraps were used to make this smaller unit."
"What's the core ingredient?" Ken asked.
"Essence of the cosmos," Vados replied.
"Essence of the cosmos?" Ken blinked. "Aren't angels condensed from that stuff?"
"Yes," Vados nodded. "But angels are formed from cosmic essence that has awakened."
"So… essence that's 'become sentient,' basically?" Ken said.
Vados: "…"
Hard to argue with that phrasing.
No wonder this robot was so tough—its alloy revolved around cosmic essence. That would also explain why its pilot could tap God of Destruction-level power. Makes sense now.
"Ken, I don't really get your cosmology talk, and it doesn't matter," Dr. Brief cut in. "Just tell me what you want it turned into, and I'll see if it's doable."
"Into this." Ken lifted his right hand; a projection bloomed—an armored figure clamping piece by piece onto a human frame.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The suit assembled—Iron Man, classic snap-fit style.
"You… are you shooting a movie?" Dr. Brief muttered, pushing up his glasses.
"Can you make it like this?" Ken asked.
He'd already decided—he loved that old-school, mechanical "click-fit" feel. The later nano-swarm suits killed the charm. And since MCU Tony died against Thanos… yeah, time to build a better Iron Man in the Dragon Ball world.
"Concept's fine… The tricky bits are disassembly and—well—how do we smelt an alloy this tough?" the Doctor mused.
"Stop eating and tell us how to melt it," Ken looked at Vados.
Vados: "…"
Expression calm, she lifted a hand. Angelic power shimmered, then threaded into the crystal of her scepter.
Fwoom!
An invisible wave washed over the robot. In an instant, the entire unit slumped into a colorless, clay-like sludge.
"Now you can mold it. Shape the parts, set them in forms, add the smart systems, and matching the projection won't be a problem," Vados said lightly.
Dr. Brief's eyes bulged.
Bulma stiffened.
Panchy actually opened her usually-sleepy eyes wide.
Broly went pale.
So Merus's big sis is this strong? he thought. I always figured Merus was easy to push around… She just turned that bot into 'putty' like it was nothing…
Ken wasn't surprised. Angels are absurd. They just keep a low profile. Remember how Whis can casually knock Beerus out? And if Beerus isn't the strongest God of Destruction, he's at least second.
"Tappa-tap…" Bulma hurried over and poked the putty-bot with a fingertip, leaving a neat dimple.
"But how do we re-harden this stuff?" she asked.
"How long to complete the refit?" Vados asked instead.
"With the other components… give me a week," Dr. Brief said after thinking it through.
"Then I'll stay and help—re-solidifying the alloy," Vados smiled, then glanced at Ken. "In exchange for those dishes you promised. Fair?"
"Deal," Ken grinned. "One more thing—once it's rebuilt, will it still amplify strength fiftyfold?"
"No problem. The fiftyfold boost comes from the cosmic-essence core," Vados assured him.
Ken suddenly looked off toward the horizon. Vados felt it too and turned in the same direction.
"Ah… looks like Merus," she said. "He must've ditched the ship and flew straight here."
"Is he coming for me? I'm over him. I'm more interested in you," Ken admitted. Seeing her true power just now only cemented it. Merus was too hesitant—not Ken's style. And besides… Ken did not prefer men. Ponytailed angel girls? Different story.
"He's not coming to us—he just landed someplace else," Vados said, surprised.
Ken felt it as well—Merus had dropped down in a remote area, far from Capsule Corp.
"What's he doing?" Ken murmured, glancing at Broly.
"I'll go look!" Broly sprang up.
"Go," Ken nodded.
Whoosh! Broly rocketed away.
"Wrong way," Ken winced. "Over there."
He pointed, gathering a mote of angelic power.
Pop—the aura became a live feed: Merus, in a snow-dusted, barren range of mountains. Withered trees, scattered stone… and in front of him, a round, pink egg.
Wait.
Majin Buu's seal?
"What's that guy up to?" Ken muttered. Is he going to eliminate Buu? No way, right? He's a trainee angel. And Buu's still sealed…
Broly studied the image, then nodded like he'd decoded it, blazing away in the correct direction this time.
"I'll just ask," Vados said, raising her scepter.
She shot Ken a look. "You realize I could have called him from the start. Why send Broly running solo?"
"He wanted to go. I respect his choice," Ken said.
"…All right." Vados connected to Merus through the scepter.
Remote Mountain Range (Earth)
Merus stood before Majin Buu's seal, face solemn. All his research said this pink egg was the real deal.
Release him. Take him back. Train him. Make him my God of Destruction.
Look at Broly—one word from Ken and he's ripping foes in half. Merus wanted someone like that—a partner he could deploy while he, as an angel, stayed within his limits.
He lifted his staff; the crystal gleamed. A touch of angelic power would undo the seal easily.
The staff buzzed. Merus paused—Vados was calling.
"Hello, Vados."
"What are you doing, Merus?" she asked plainly.
"I'm on Earth in Universe 7. Planning to cultivate a God of Destruction," he said honestly.
"You're going to turn that egg into your trainee GoD?" Ken's voice slid into frame as he approached.
"Ken? Ah—you figured me out… Yes. Your Broly is an excellent trainee. I thought I should have one of my own. Buu, inside this seal, seems like the best pick."
Ken had no words. So this is because of me, huh?
"When I'm done, we can let our Gods of Destruction spar," Merus smiled. "I don't think mine will lose."
"Work hard then," Ken laughed. Majin Buu was strong, but his ceiling… probably below Broly's. Broly was five and already a monster. Give him time, and—yeah.
Ken considered telling Merus to pick someone else—Vegeta maybe—but… nah. If Merus actually took Vegeta, with Vegeta's personality, his growth might be slower. And then Merus would say Ken sabotaged him with a weak pick. Plus, Vegeta was kind of Ken's "second-choice" anyway—didn't feel right to hand him off.
"Let's both do our best," Merus said.
Vados stayed quiet; Merus's training path was his business. A little ahead of schedule, but fine.
"So Ken ended up with you after all?" Merus asked Vados.
"Of course," Vados giggled.
"Kusu isn't mad?" Merus said.
"She's mad. Not important," Vados replied, sing-song.
"Right… are you two back in Universe 6 yet?" Merus asked.
"No, we're on Earth," said Vados.
Merus: "…"
"Earth? I thought you were returning to U6."
"Earth's food is excellent. We'll eat first," Vados said, then lowered her voice. "Please don't tell Whis."
"Got it… If he doesn't ask, I won't say," Merus nodded. "I'll get busy then. Ken, once I've trained my GoD, I'm coming for you!"
"No need. Broly should be there any second," Ken replied.
"Broly? Already?" Merus looked up. A bright streak cut the sky.
Whoosh—Broly landed beside him.
"…All right. Let's free Buu and test him against Broly," Merus said, eyes gleaming.
"Your GoD's called 'Majin Buu'? Sounds impressive," Ken chuckled.
"Talk later," Merus cut the call and glanced at Broly.
"Dino egg?" Broly circled the pink seal, curious.
Merus: "…"
"Big yolk? Salt it—tasty," Broly said hopefully.
Merus declined to engage.
"Rip it?" Broly paced behind the seal.
Sacred World of the Kais
Shin rubbed his aching neck and woke up, then shook Kibito awake.
"Supreme Kai… that Merus is… strong," Kibito grimaced.
Shin's face twisted with humiliation. A Supreme Kai losing like that?
"No—we underestimated him! We treated him like a regular Galactic Patrolman. He's clearly a powerful warrior of the Demon Realm!"
"Yes, Supreme Kai," Kibito said gravely.
Then both of them stiffened, eyes swinging toward Earth.
What they saw left their minds buzzing.
"T-that's Majin Buu's seal!" Shin's lips trembled; his whole body shook as the color drained from his face.
"This is awful—while we were out, he found the seal!" Kibito moaned. The universe… doomed. Only the Legendary Super Saiyan might stand a chance.
"Wait… that other one—" Shin's eyes focused. Broly stepped into view from behind the egg.
"Broly?" Kibito blinked. "What's he doing there?"
Shin said nothing.
"Could it be… we misjudged Merus?" Kibito said. "Maybe he brought Broly to destroy Buu?"
"How did he get to Earth? We were out for an hour. Without Instant Transmission, his ship needs hours," Shin muttered. "Some kind of teleportation magic?"
"Doesn't matter. We go now and make sure Broly fights Buu," Shin snapped.
"Yes, sir!" Kibito answered.
"Kaikai!"
They vanished.
Earth — Remote Mountains
"Hey!"
Broly thrust his small hands forward and buried them into the pink seal.
The world went quiet.
"Ugh…"
A muffled groan from inside.
Merus: "…"
Broly jammed in his other hand.
"Dino egg! Dino egg!" he mumbled, drooling a little, then pulled.
Crack!
The seal split down the middle.
Shff! Shff! Shff!
Pink vapors spurted out, streaking upward and gathering far above.
Clack, clack—The bisected shell toppled over on the ground. Inside—empty.
Broly: "???"
He scratched his head, baffled.
Where's the yolk?
Why's it empty?
He'd felt warmth inside when he first plunged his hands in.
He glanced at his fingers—yellowish smears, and a rank stench.
Broly sniffed them.
"So stinky!" He flapped his hands, then reached toward Merus's coat to wipe—
Swoosh—Merus dodged.
Broly: "…"
"Egg went bad. Lemme wipe," Broly insisted. "You're my best friend. Just a little."
Merus kept a saintly silence.
At that moment, space warped.
Whoomp!
Shin and Kibito appeared.
Broly lit up and trotted over, hand outstretched amicably.
Shin: "???"
"Uh… hello again, Broly," Shin managed, stunned into shaking hands.
Timing was unfortunate: when Broly tore the shell, Shin was in transit, so he'd missed the gory details.
"Clothes—okay if dirty?" Broly asked.
"Haha! Broly, you've improved—look at you stringing whole sentences together," Shin laughed a little too brightly. Buttering up the one person who could beat Buu seemed wise.
"You. Clothes. Dirty. Okay?" Broly repeated patiently.
"Of course. No problem," Shin said, not quite following.
Broly calmly wiped the yellow gunk all over Shin's robe.
"What is… why does it reek?" Shin sniffed, horrified.
"Supreme Kai! Supreme Kai!" Kibito's voice kept climbing in pitch.
"What now?" Shin turned—and finally looked at the shattered seal.
His heart plunged. Open. It was actually open.
He'd been chatting instead of checking.
"Merus, you fiend! Trying to doom the whole universe?!" Shin shouted.
Merus: "???"
Did I open it? He ignored the accusation and stared at the sky.
"W-wait, Supreme Kai—look! The shell's empty," Kibito said.
"Huh? Empty? Did it drift into space?" Shin frowned. "He should target Earth first! He wouldn't just leave Earth alone!"
"Empty," Broly echoed. "Opened. Like that."
"Really?" Shin's face brightened.
"No yolk," Broly sighed.
Shin: "???"
He decided not to ask.
But empty? That meant—
"Majin Buu sat sealed for ten million years… and died in there!" Shin threw back his head and laughed. Kibito almost burst into song.
Capsule Corporation
"Ah… that's the Supreme Kai. What's he doing there?" Vados murmured.
"Lemme see," Ken leaned very close to her scepter's crystal.
Vados: "…"
No need to be that close.
Ken's cheek was practically brushing hers; if he turned his head, he could have stolen a kiss. He resisted. Too young. For now. But someday…
Vados didn't notice, because—well—he was a child.
"You know him, right?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ken nodded.
Bulma eyed the two of them, sensing a weird vibe.
"Ken, your mouth is basically on Vados's face," Bulma huffed, pouting.
Ken: "…"
Nosy kid.
"It's fine," Vados said breezily.
Bulma froze, eyes wide. Fine?
You're so old—are you stealing my boyfriend? Plus she'd promised to lend her boyfriend to Emi for a day—now she was late on that deal, too!
"Haha! Merus, you failed!" Shin jabbed a finger, laughing. "Bet you didn't expect Buu to die in the seal! Your plan fell apart!"
"You're celebrating too early, Supreme Kai," Merus sighed, still staring upward.
Shin looked up as well.
Broly also lifted his gaze—remembered his stinky fingers—and thoughtfully wiped the rest on Shin's robe.
Shin didn't even notice.
Above them, the pink cloud thickened and shaped itself.
"This is—"
Shin went sheet-white as cold sweat poured down his spine.
"Supreme Kai…" Kibito trembled.
Pop!
The cloud finished molding—into a pudgy figure.
Majin Buu—born.
Swoosh!
He dropped to the ground, landing near the group. He peered around, eyes narrowing as he studied each face.
"Supreme Kai… he's really alive," Kibito whispered.
Shin's face drained again. He glanced at Broly; a tiny spark of hope rekindled. Only the Legendary Super Saiyan had a chance.
"Broly, I'll handle Merus. You handle Buu. How about it?" Shin whispered.
Broly looked at him, thought a moment, then nodded firmly.
Shin felt giddy relief. He'd prepared a whole speech to persuade him—no need.
"Who poked me in the butt?" Buu demanded suddenly, cheeks flushing.
He sniffed, then zeroed in on Shin.
Shin: "???"
…What?" Shin froze in fear.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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