hiraeth - part fifty-three
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Whis and Vados had spent some time building the tournament arena, which heavily resembled the World Tournament arena back on Earth. There was a large tiled platform, where the battles would be held. There were four different floating surfaces, sorting the fighters from the spectators, on their representative sides. Y/n walked up to the edge, looking over down at the ground. It was quite a drop from there, and she was quite thankful she knew how to fly. Once Whis and Vados finished the final bits of the arena, the referee walked out onto the platform, a microphone in hand.
"Hello, Universes 6 and 7! I will be your referee today, and I will be making sure all rules and regulations are followed! The rules for this tournament are simple; knock your opponent out of the ring or knock him unconscious. However, killing your opponent is strictly forbidden. Cheating will result in an automatic elimination. Everyone, please fight fairly and do your best!" The referee exclaimed with a smile, as if there was nothing on the line.
"Is this necessary? Can't we back out?" Y/n asked, looking back at the others.
"Backing out isn't an option. Everyone will just have to do their very best in each fight." Whis said. Y/n sighed, going to sit on the sofa provided. The referee called out Goku's name to the platform, the man jumping out of his seat with a grin.
"Wish me luck, everyone!" Goku exclaimed, but Beerus's voice stopped him as he looked at the sphinx cat in confusion.
"Goku, you need to take this extremely carefully. We don't know what we're up against." Beerus said, giving Goku a serious look. It almost threw Goku off, and his previous fears and insecurities suddenly started rearing their ugly head. Goku wasn't as strong as he wanted to be, as he needed to be. He had no idea how far his power would take him in this tournament before he'd lose. He knew it was okay to lose. But his pride, as well as some other unidentifiable feeling within him told him he needed to win. He needed to prove to himself that he was strong.
The referee's voice calling out to another opponent, Botamo, pulled Goku back to reality. He nodded, before stepping off the floating platform, flying down to the arena. For once, Goku needed to get serious, and not play around. He couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety though, knowing that he might lose. The thought of having to depend on Y/n suddenly made him sick for some reason. He didn't want to depend on Y/n. He wanted to be strong, he wanted to fight for himself and win.
As soon as the referee signaled the start of the fight, Goku could barely control himself. All of the pent up feelings that he didn't know how to release suddenly drove him to anger, and almost instantly, the opponent Botamo was knocked out of the ring, hardly having given a fight. It was a blur to Goku, before he was standing on the edge of the arena, Botamo beneath him, looking up in surprise.
"What!? How in the world did he manage to knock Botamo out!?" Champa exclaimed, seething as he nearly fell over the edge, trying to get a closer look. "That's cheating, he's cheating! Botamo is supposed to be able to absorb attacks, how could he lose!?"
Botamo, dazed, got up and floated back up to his respective platform. Champa went to chew him out, but was stopped by Vados as she sighed.
"Botamo can only absorb attacks so fast. If his opponent is faster than him, then his ability is rendered null. You can't blame him for losing to someone who is simply too strong for him." Vados said. Champa grit his teeth, before sighing, placing his hands on his hips.
"Fine. Send Frost out next." He demanded. Vados sighed, nodding her head.
Across the way, most of Universe 7 was surprised by Goku's quick work. It was obvious that something was wrong by how fast Goku had eliminated him. Even in some of Goku's hardest fights, he always messed around or made quips. But he said absolutely nothing, he didn't even acknowledge his own win or celebrate, waiting for the next fight and stewing in his own emotions.
"What's up with Kakarot? I've never seen him like this," Vegeta pointed out. Y/n pinched the bridge of her nose, unsure of what to do about the Saiyan and his out of control emotions.
"He's upset with himself. He's hit a wall and can't improve anymore, and is taking it out on himself. I told him not to give up on himself and that there's always room for improvement, but he wouldn't say anything else. I don't know what to do to help him," Y/n said. Whis hummed, furrowing his brows.
"There's no helping that. Goku can only get better and improve if he truly wants it. If he gives up on himself, nothing can be done. We'll just have to watch and see what he does." Whis said. Y/n agreed, but she didn't like it. She wished there was something she could do, but Goku wouldn't accept any help she tries to give. She just hoped he would get past his feelings and get better.
"I-Is that Frieza!?" Vegeta suddenly shot out of his seat as the referee called out a man named Frost, a person looking eerily similar to Frieza stepping down from the platform. He landed gracefully before Goku, a calm and polite smile on his face.
"My name is Frost. I hope we have a fair and enjoyable fight." Frost bowed before Goku, the Saiyan eyeing Frost up and down.
"You're a frost demon?" Goku asked, to which Frost chuckled nervously, as if uncomfortable.
"Y-Yes, but please do not refer to me as such, I do not associate with them. I am not a brute like most frost demons, and I prefer to help those in need. I hope you do not think lowly of me." Frost said. He cleared his throat, shaking the discomfort away. "I take it there are frost demons in your universe as well?"
"There is. I fought a man who looked like you, his name was Frieza. I had to kill him because he was going to destroy my home planet." Goku said, his harsh tone not fazing Frost. Frost chuckled, a small smirk forming on his face.
"Was he strong? Do you think I could possibly match up with him?" Frost asked. Goku furrowed his brows, something within him warning him that something was up with this Frost person. His odd smile, his calm demeanor, it all seemed out of place.
"In your current state, no. Don't expect to win," Goku said. Frost's smile was unwavering as he held his arms at his side, unmoving.
The referee signaled for the next fight to begin, the two staring each other down. Frost suddenly charged Goku, grinning widely, as if he had caught Goku off guard. Goku disappeared, however, Frost's eyes going wide as Goku appeared behind him, kicking him harshly across the arena. Frost huffed, catching himself with his hands, flipping back upright. He whipped around, shooting ki blasts at Goku, all of which he dodged with minimal effort.
Goku leaped over Frost, landing another kick to his back, firing a kamehameha at him. Frost's eyes widened, just barely dodging in time. He skid to a stop at the very edge of the arena, panting with nervousness and exhaustion. He grit his teeth, standing up with a grin.
"Don't think you've won just yet. I'm sure you're aware that as a frost demon, I have multiple forms. This is my weakest, I haven't even been trying." Frost said. He clenched his fists, letting out a yell as he powered up, his body suddenly changing and shifting. He looked completely different from before, with his body contorted and uneven. Frost chuckles, his voice having gotten deeper. "What do you think? Is this power not similar to your "Frieza"?"
"Not even close," Goku said without hesitation, wishing Frost would stop fighting so hard. He was too weak for Goku to even care right now. Goku smirked, clenching his fists and powering up as well. His aura turned a bright yellow, his hair changing into a golden color as it stood up.
Frost didn't even have time to fully process his mistake in not going full power, as Goku was suddenly right in front of him, uppercutting Frost in the gut. Frost felt the air escape his lungs, coughing up blood as his vision blurred. Goku grabbed him by his shoulders, pushing him toward the edge, startling Frost. He couldn't lose. He wouldn't lose.
Frost headbutt Goku as hard as he could, making Goku cry out in pain, holding his throbbing head. Frost wasted no time, slamming a fist into Goku's gut as hard as he could, knocking him across the arena. Goku hissed in pain, growing annoyed all of a sudden. He didn't need to hold back, he was just wasting time like this. He should just knock Frost out and get this over with.
That was Goku's thought process, but that process was cut off as Frost changed into his true final form, looking almost identical to Frieza. Goku had jumped to his feet, his head spinning from the pain. Frost was suddenly in front of Goku, and that was it. Frost punched him as hard as he could in the gut, and that seemed like the final blow. Goku's eyes widened as he looked up from Frost's fist, confused as he felt his mind spinning, his vision blurring. Was he really so weak as to lose to someone as strong as Namek Frieza? Even after all of his improvement? Did it really mean nothing?
Goku could only blame himself for being so weak as his consciousness slipped away from him, falling backwards onto his back. He didn't even notice through his blurry vision Y/n rushing to his side as he was trapped in his own hateful thoughts.
"Goku! Goku, are you okay!?" Y/n exclaimed, trying to shake him awake. His brows furrowed in pain, startling her as she released him. The referee stood at her side, checking him just to make sure he was actually still alive.
"Contestant Goku had been rendered unconscious! Contestant Frost of Universe 6 wins!" The referee announced loudly, annoying Y/n. She scooped the large man up in her arms, flying him back up to their platform.
"Wh-What's wrong with him? Why did he lose so easily?" Y/n asked as she looked up to the others. Vegeta stood over them, glaring down at him in annoyance.
"The bastard better not be sick again," He muttered, worrying Y/n even more as she had no idea what he was referring to. Whis knelt down beside Goku, giving him a once over. As he did so, Goku's eyes peeked open, the young man regaining consciousness.
"Ugh... Wh-What happened?" Goku asked, trying to recall when he had fallen asleep. The last thing he remembered was a contestant named Frost being called. Everything after that was a blur.
"Goku! I'm so glad you're okay!" Y/n wrapped her arms around him, nearly sobbing into his gi. She pulled back, sniffling as she gathered her wits. "You fought a man named Frost, he looked like Frieza, but not nearly as strong. He punched you, and you just suddenly lost consciousness."
"I-I lost that easily..?" Goku muttered, feeling as though his stomach was eating him away with anxiety. He was certain he would get sick at this rate. Y/n immediately noticed his shift in emotion, trying to think of something, anything that would help him. But just as Whis said, there was nothing that could be done for such a thing.
"It appears we'll have to go with plan B," Whis spoke up as he stood up straight. He turned to the tall Namekian with a small smile. "You're up next, do you think you can do this?"
"Not at all," Piccolo answered honestly with a smile. He sighed, pulling his turban and cape off, dropping them to the ground. "If Goku lost, then there's no chance I'll win. But I can exhaust him. Vegeta can finish him off."
"I don't need your help with defeating him," Vegeta glared at Piccolo, who ignored him. Piccolo walked toward the edge as his name was called, looking back to the others with a nod. This would be his one and likely only fight.
Vegeta and Y/n closely spectated the fight between Frost and Piccolo, both feeling something was off. Piccolo was narrowly dodging Frost's attacks, giving the fight his all. But no matter what Piccolo did, he simply wasn't fast enough to land a proper attack. Vegeta scoffed, squeezing his arms as he crossed them.
"Something's not right. Kakarot should've been able to win with just his Super Saiyan form. Frost shouldn't have been able to even hit him, let alone knock him out. That demon is up to something," Vegeta spoke, Y/n staying silent as she closely watched Frost. There must have been some trick to his punch, something that could render a person unconscious with ease. Some sort of technique, or, she didn't want to think so lowly of Frost, but perhaps even cheating.
"M-Maybe I'm just not as strong as we thought..." Goku spoke up softly, staring at the floor beneath his boots as he sat hunched over on the sofa. The others looked at him with bewildered, wide eyes. Goku had divine power, and yet thought he wasn't strong?
"Goku, you know that's not true. You even fought with me, weak people can't keep up with me," Y/n pointed out, but her words didn't reach him. He wanted to believe he was strong, but he was constantly being surpassed. First it was Y/n, then Frieza, now what? He was being beaten by a version of someone he had beaten in his true twenties. That was nearly twenty years ago. Perhaps Goku had just lost his touch.
"Goku, you must stop doubting yourself," Whis said. He sat beside Goku, sighing. "Everyone hits walls, everyone struggles to surpass themselves. It's up to you to believe if you really can. Nobody but yourself can convince you. Only you can push yourself. If you don't do that, then nobody can help you. You will only find the answers to your problems within yourself."
"B-But I haven't changed at all since I fought with Lord Beerus the first time. I haven't improved, even in the three years I trained in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Vegeta even managed to learn Super Saiyan God, but I can't improve. I can't get stronger. How do I even know if there's anything beyond this form?" Goku asked, looking up at Whis, as if pleading the man for all of the answers. Whis chuckled, shaking his head.
"Believe me, Goku, there is far more than just Super Saiyan God. You've barely dipped your toes into divine power. Not only that, but there is more to your Saiyan power than just what you know. You just have to look deep in yourself, in your feelings and mind, and find that spark. I promise you, there is more power out there than what you have." Whis said. Whis's words brought a temporary comfort to Goku, but he was still unsure.
Goku was dragged out of his thoughts by a loud voice though as the referee exclaimed into the microphone, "Contestant Piccolo has been eliminated by contestant Frost! Universe 6 has earned yet another win!"
Champa's screams and cheers were heard in the distant, but everyone could only focus on Piccolo as he floated up to the platform, before collapsing in pain. He hissed as he held his gut, pain streaking throughout his body.
"I-I don't know what happened. He just hit me, and suddenly I could barely stand, I thought I was going to be sick," Piccolo rasped out, struggling to contain himself. Goku's eyes widened as he recalled a similar feeling, his body had grown weak and he could not stand.
"That's what happened to Kakarot too," Vegeta said as he squinted his eyes in suspicion. "That demon is cheating somehow, but we don't have any proof."
"Then it will be up to you to supply evidence," Whis spoke as he treated Piccolo, tapping his staff on the ground. Piccolo was immediately better, gasping for air. Vegeta huffed, crossing his arms as he glanced down at said demon. Frost smirked up at them, listening as the referee called out for contestant Vegeta.
"Leave this to me. I'll find out his slimy scheme," Vegeta raised his nose up at Frost, glaring at him. He flew down to the arena without another word, landing before the frost demon. Frost politely greeted him, questioning Vegeta just as he did Goku and Piccolo, but Vegeta was having none of it. "Save it, demon. I'll have no part of whatever you're scheming. I'm gonna kick your ass and prove you're cheating,"
"Cheating? That's quite rude, how could you accuse me of such a—" Frost was cut off by a loud, nasally voice screaming out.
"He's cheating!" Jaco cried out. All eyes were suddenly on him, making him nervous. Beerus squinted his eyes at Jaco, speaking up.
"Cheating? How do you know?" He asked. Jaco yelped under the stern glare from Lord Beerus, but he cleared his throat, speaking up just barely loud enough for everyone to hear.
"He-He has a poison needle in his right wrist. You can check and see, it's definitely there," Jaco said. Champa was suddenly screaming at Jaco, nearly falling off his platform as he yelled at him.
"You're lying! You just can't handle the fact that your team is losing! Grow up and stop being a baby!" Champa yelled. Vados sighed in annoyance, having to hold Lord Champa back from falling over.
"Shut up, Champa." Beerus spoke as he crossed his arms. Glaring down at the referee, Beerus demanded that he check Frost. Frost gave Beerus a deadly look, of which only annoyed Beerus. But Frost did as he was told, holding up his right arm for the referee to check. Examining his arm, the referee's eyes widened as he did indeed spot a tiny black needle sticking out of his arm, poison still on the tip.
"C-Contestant Frost has cheated! He is hereby eliminated by arena rules!" The referee announced. Vegeta scoffed, crossing his arms and turning away. Seems he wasn't needed after all.
"Look, Goku!" Y/n pointed excitedly, before rushing up to him, hugging him. "I told you that you weren't weak! He was cheating! I told you!"
Goku was nearly floating out of his seat with elation. He couldn't even process how much that made him feel, how many emotions were flowing through him. All he could mutter was a single sentence.
"Can I still fight?"
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// word count - 3110 //