The battlefield was a wasteland of broken stone and shattered earth. The once-green plains were now torn apart by the sheer intensity of the battles that had unfolded. Vegeta's monstrous Oozaru form towered like a nightmare under the glow of the artificial moon. Piccolo, Krillin, and Yamcha fought desperately to keep him occupied, while Rudra sat on the ground, gasping for breath, his body trembling from exhaustion.
And then, a faint voice pierced through the chaos—calm, wise, yet urgent.
"Goku, can you hear me?"
Goku, lying on his side, struggling even to keep his eyes open, blinked. That voice…
"Y-Yes, King Kai. I can hear you. What is it?"
"Why are you lying there doing nothing? You still have one card left—the Spirit Bomb!"
Goku coughed, wincing from the pain in his ribs. "But… I can't even stand… How am I supposed to form something that massive?"
"You don't need to do it alone," King Kai's voice pressed. "Ask your comrades to lend you just a little energy. Just enough to let you rise to your feet. The Spirit Bomb doesn't rely on your strength alone—it's the Earth's strength, the energy of all living things. But you need to hold your ground long enough to form it."
Goku's eyes widened. "I… I see… Then—" He clenched his fists, his heart suddenly ignited with determination.
With whatever strength remained, he turned his head and called out, "Rudra!!"
Rudra, who had been barely conscious, forcing his breathing into a meditative rhythm, opened his eyes at the sound of Goku's voice. His tired form stumbled over the broken rocks until he reached his friend's side.
"What is it, Goku?"
"I… I need a favor," Goku said through labored breaths. His voice trembled, not with weakness, but with urgency. "If you can… give me some of your ki—just enough to stand. I'll take care of the rest."
There wasn't a moment of hesitation in Rudra's eyes. He extended his trembling hand, placing it over Goku's chest. His aura flickered weakly at first, then poured out like a stream of light.
"I don't know what you're planning… but if my strength can help you, even in the smallest way… then take it. Take it all."
Goku's breath hitched as the energy surged into him, his body glowing faintly. He felt his legs respond, strength returning just enough for him to push against the earth. Slowly, shakily, Son Goku rose to his feet.
He looked at Rudra, eyes filled with gratitude and awe. "Rudra… you didn't even ask why. You just trusted me. Thank you. You're truly my savior right now. I swear, I'll repay this debt one day."
Rudra gave a faint smile, though his face was pale. "Just… make sure that day comes soon. Because I won't be standing for much longer."
Goku nodded firmly. Then, despite the pain screaming through his body, he raised both hands high above his head. His voice thundered across the battlefield:
"Everyone… lend me your energy!"
A hush fell across the chaos. Even Vegeta paused for a moment, narrowing his massive Oozaru eyes at Goku's sudden stance.
Rudra stumbled back, collapsing into a seated meditation. He no longer had the strength to fight, but he could at least focus on recovering a shred of his chakra, a last reserve in case things became truly dire. His voice, however, still carried across the battlefield:
"Piccolo!"
The Namekian, who had been relentlessly targeting Vegeta's tail, barely dodged a massive swing of the Oozaru's fist. "What?!" he barked, annoyed but listening.
Rudra didn't shout—he simply spoke in his heart, and Piccolo's mind received the words. Listen carefully! Goku is preparing the Spirit Bomb. He's going to draw ki from the entire Earth. But he needs time. Buy him that time, no matter what!
Piccolo's eyes widened. The Spirit Bomb?! That's his plan?
"Alright," Piccolo muttered under his breath. Then, louder, to his allies: "Krillin! Yamcha! Hold nothing back! Stall him! Whatever it takes—just keep Vegeta busy!"
Krillin, panting heavily, shot Piccolo a doubtful look as he barely avoided a shockwave from Vegeta's roar. "Easy for you to say! That thing's a mountain with teeth!"
"Doesn't matter," Piccolo snapped. "If Goku's doing what I think he is… this fight's about to turn around."
Yamcha, bruised and battered but burning with determination, gritted his teeth. "Fine. Then we'll keep the monster occupied until he's ready."
The three warriors launched themselves at Vegeta with renewed ferocity. They darted in and out, targeting his eyes, his hands, his tail—forcing him to swat, stomp, and roar in rage. Each second they held out felt like an eternity, but it was buying precious time.
Meanwhile, Goku's body shook as he summoned the Spirit Bomb. Blue light began to gather above his palms, swirling, expanding as energy from forests, rivers, animals, and humans all across Earth streamed into him. The bomb grew slowly but steadily, a miniature star in the night sky.
Rudra, his eyes closed in meditation, whispered weakly, "Come on, Goku… just a little more…"
But the cost was heavy. Rudra's body refused to move. His soul power flickered like a candle in the wind. Even flying was no longer possible. Yet he forced himself to focus, not on fighting, but on holding his spirit steady.
Because now, everything depended on Son Goku.
And across the battlefield, Vegeta's furious roars echoed louder than ever, shaking the earth itself.