Universe 10, deep space.
Ken's ship was knifing through the stars at high speed.
"About twenty minutes more and we'll reach the God of Destruction's world in Universe 6," Merus said evenly to Ken and Broly.
As he spoke, Merus felt his staff give a faint tremor.
"I—I should take this call," he blurted, and hurried toward his room.
Probably Sister Kusu, he guessed. Better to answer inside. If Ken saw, the jig would be up.
"Call," Broly said, picking up a phone-like communicator and handing it to him.
"…" Merus.
"Thanks," he said, hesitating as he reached out.
"It didn't ring," Broly checked the screen and shook his head.
Merus wiped at an imaginary bead of sweat and had no words left.
When I said "call," did I mean that call?
"You're lying," Broly stared without blinking.
Merus didn't even try to argue. He left the "phone" behind, slipped into his room, and closed the door.
Once inside, he drew his staff and peered into the crystal orb.
Knew it—Kusu. Good call coming in here.
He'd already decided: after this, no more lying. He couldn't even take a staff link in front of Ken anymore. It felt like he was cheating a close friend.
"Kusu," he opened a video link.
"Merus, are you almost here?" Kusu asked.
"Yes, Sister Kusu. If nothing goes wrong, about twenty minutes," he answered honestly.
"You went into your room just to take a video call?" She noticed the closed quarters behind him, curious.
"Yes."
"So the orb rang for a while before you picked up, didn't it?"
"Right," Merus said. "I figured it was you, so I came in here to connect."
"No need to be that cautious," Kusu blinked. "Only us angels can see the crystal's image. Be a little discreet with your voice and that Ken could be standing right next to you and never know."
"No, Sister Kusu—Ken can see inside the crystal."
"…He can see into it?" That actually surprised her.
"He can," Merus nodded.
"My, my… that is something," Kusu murmured, lashes fluttering. "No wonder the Grand Priest wants him trained."
"Yes…" Merus said, then ventured, "Was there something urgent?"
"Oh! Almost forgot the important part," Kusu said.
"The important part?" Merus blinked.
"Vados just dropped by. What a headache," Kusu sighed.
"…Vados? She went to you?" Merus could only give a wry smile.
"That's not the big problem." Kusu sighed again.
Merus stared, helpless.
How is that not the problem?
"I sent her away," Kusu added quickly.
"Oh…" Merus exhaled. "That's good. But… will she come back?"
"No, I redirected her… unfortunately the direction I sent her is, well… almost opposite your current course. There's about an eighty-nine percent chance she'll run into you," Kusu analyzed, lashes batting.
Merus: "…"
Eighty-nine percent was… high.
"That's why I called—if you do run into her, say hello and then move on quickly," Kusu advised, lowering her voice. "She's in a hurry to try some fruit she's never tasted. There's a thirty-five percent chance she won't bother with you."
"Understood, Sister Kusu," Merus said.
At this point, he'd just have to play it by ear.
"Good luck," Kusu said, and the link ended.
—
Outside, Ken lounged in a chair, bored out of his mind. Broly was so antsy he couldn't stop hopping about. A month in a cramped ship would do that to anyone.
All at once, Ken sensed a powerful angelic aura slicing in from afar.
Who—?
His eyes widened and he stood.
Could it be Vados coming to pick me up?
Now that's service.
The aura was closing fast—ten seconds, tops.
Ken stepped to the controls and eased the ship to a stop. "Broly, open the hatch," he said.
"No," Broly refused without a beat.
"???"
Ken stared. Broly always listened to him. It's just a door—why the refusal?
"Easy to be thrown," Broly said, tapping his head.
Right—last time he opened a door, Mosco grabbed him by the skull and pitched him into the Null Realm. Trauma noted.
"Forget it." Ken didn't have time to argue. He popped the hatch and flew out.
Broly waited, saw no danger, and then whooped—finally, fresh air. He darted outside, scanned around, picked a nearby planet, opened his mouth, and gathered energy.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ken called.
Broly swallowed the forming blast, pointed at the planet, and mimed tearing.
"When I become a real angel, I'll find you a suitable universe. You can rip to your heart's content," Ken smiled.
Broly's eyes lit with expectation.
A brilliant streak flared across the starfield.
"Hey! Over here!" Ken waved, gaze fixed on the incoming angel.
Even from far away, he recognized her—the woman he'd dreamed about.
Vados. The beauty with the high ponytail.
Vados swept in on a whisper of scent.
Ken took a deep breath, a little drunk on the clean fragrance. Not the cloying perfume of human women—this was something innate, angelic.
"Little one, do you need something?" Vados asked, puzzled.
"…" Ken.
Who are you calling little?
"Are you looking for your mother?" she added.
Ken was speechless. "You didn't come to pick me up?"
"???"
They were on entirely different channels.
"My, my, I'm off to eat a kind of fruit I've never tried. Let's chat next time," Vados said, about to turn away.
Ken lunged and hugged her before she could dodge.
Vados: "…"
I forgot to move. Maybe because he's a child—my body didn't trigger Ultra Instinct.
"I want some too," Ken said.
"…Very well," Vados thought a moment. A kid couldn't eat much.
"Me too," Broly blurted, worried Ken would ditch him.
"Then come along," Vados nodded.
Just then, Merus shot out of the ship—only to find Ken in Vados's arms, with Vados lightly holding him in return.
This kid!
What a pro at playing the innocent.
"Oh my, who do we have here?" Vados's eyes brightened. "Merus."
"Lady Vados," Merus bowed.
"What brings you here?" she asked, curious.
Merus felt the situation sliding sideways.
Ken glanced at him, saying nothing.
You said you'd given her a heads-up… why does she look like she knows nothing?
"Ah—I'm here to bring Ken for training," Merus said, then leaned in to whisper beside her ear, "On the Grand Priest's orders."
He noticed Ken also leaning in, ears perked.
…Seriously?
"My, my—the Grand Priest's orders? And where is he to train?" Vados asked.
"Isn't it with you? Your father said you'd teach me yourself," Ken cut in.
Vados blinked, looking between them. "Is that true, Merus? Angels shouldn't lie."
Merus scratched his head. "I'm sorry, Ken—I lied to you."
"I figured," Ken sighed, but didn't scold. "So—what's the story?"
"This isn't Universe 6. It's Universe 10. I was taking you to Sister Kusu," Merus confessed, finally relieved to say it out loud.
"And you told this little—" Vados began, then noticed Ken still snug against her, clearly enjoying it. She bit back the rest. If not for the kid factor, she'd have kept him at arm's length.
"So you told him this was Universe 6?" she finished.
"I'm sorry, Ken. Lady Vados," Merus bowed to them both.
"And me," Broly said, poking his own nose, as if demanding an apology too.
Merus ignored him.
Why are you in every scene?
"I didn't think you'd dare go against the Grand Priest's wishes… I'm impressed," Vados said dryly.
"No—His Excellency told me to bring Ken to Universe 10 for Kusu," Merus explained.
Vados paused. "Then… what does that have to do with Universe 6?"
"Ken said six is his lucky number and he wants to learn from Lady Vados," Merus said.
"I just like six. Six, six, six!" Ken hugged Vados tighter, like she might run.
"Learn what?" Vados asked, glancing down.
"This," Ken said, slipping out of her arms to hover a pace away.
Light like a field of stars flared over him—angelic power.
Vados rubbed her eyes. "My, my… was that angelic power?"
"And he learned only the simplified Ultra Instinct," Merus whispered. "A year ago he traded a single starch sausage to Brother Whis for a booklet."
"…".
"That can't be right," she murmured. "The simplified version should only strengthen the body and extend life. It shouldn't produce angelic power. Even true Ultra Instinct—humans have never used it to awaken angelic power."
"Brother Whis said the same," Merus nodded. "So he asked the Grand Priest, and His Excellency wants to cultivate Ken into a real angel."
"I see," Vados said, thoughtful.
"But Ken insisted on six, so… Sister Kusu said since he doesn't know universe numbers, we'd just call Universe 10 'Universe 6' until he'd put down roots." Merus spread his hands.
"…".
"No wonder Kusu seemed a little… off just now," Vados chuckled.
"So… what should we do?" Merus asked, torn. He didn't want to offend either sister.
"Merus, go do your job," Vados smiled. "Leave the rest to me. I'll speak with Sister Kusu."
"Really? Great." Merus happily handed off the hot potato.
"I should get back," Merus turned to Ken. "Train well—and become a true angel soon."
"Better work hard, Merus," Ken grinned. "Don't be shocked if I beat you to it."
"…" Merus. "Unlikely," he said with the tiniest pride. "My starting line is… higher."
"I'll surpass you," Ken clapped his shoulder.
Merus had no comeback.
Wasn't I supposed to be the one encouraging you?
He looked to Broly, flew over, and said earnestly, "Mr. Broly, I hope you become a God of Destruction."
Broly had heard the term from them more than once; he nodded, beaming.
"Let's do our best," Merus offered a hand.
"Do our best," Broly echoed, nodding again.
"Then, Lady Vados, Mr. Ken, Mr. Broly—until next time." Merus waved and boarded the ship.
"Robot," Broly reminded.
"I know," Merus muttered, exasperated.
Way to ruin a farewell.
He shoved the robot out, waved again, and—
FWOOOSH.
The ship streaked away.
Only Ken, Vados, Broly—and a very peculiar robot—remained.
Vados studied the machine. Something about it rang a bell. "This design… it looks a lot like Universe 3's God of Destruction, Mosco."
"Uh, it's the unit his son used," Ken said frankly.
"My, my, no wonder," Vados nodded, ponytail bobbing. "So you and Mosco's son are good friends?"
"No."
"War trophy," Broly said, pointing at the robot.
"…". "And what did you do to him?"
Broly mimed tearing someone in half.
Vados pressed her fingers to her temple. "Right… One more thing: Merus said Mr. Broly is to be a God of Destruction?"
"If I'm going to be a real angel, I'll need a God of Destruction of my own," Ken smiled.
Vados had no quip.
Ambitious little thing, aren't you? Already recruiting your god of destruction?
"So—what will it be, Mr. Ken?" Vados asked. "We're in Universe 10. Will you stay with Sister Kusu, or come with me to Universe 6?"
"My dream girl wears a high ponytail," Ken said solemnly.
Vados's cheeks colored. This child had quite the mouth.
"Then come to Universe 6," she said. "And for the record, my instruction won't be any worse than Sister Kusu's."
"I believe you," Ken nodded hard.
"What a sweet little guy," Vados laughed. "Let's go, then—"
Ken didn't stand on ceremony. He hopped onto her back and hugged her from behind.
"Not shy at all, are we"?
Broly scratched his head, spinning in place.
What about me?
"For now, use this robot," Ken said, nodding at it.
Gratitude flared in Broly's eyes. He thanked Ken and zipped to the machine.
Thunk!
He banged his head on the belly hatch and hissed through his teeth.
Ken flicked a strand of angelic power; it threaded into the robot—
Click.
The belly hatch opened.
Broly rubbed his head and climbed in.
Thunk. The hatch closed.
He tried the controls—and went wild with delight. His power felt multiplied many times over.
"Before we return to Universe 6, I want to stop on a planet for some fruit," Vados said. "We don't have that kind in Universe 6."
"Okay," Ken nodded, hugging her around the waist—his tail looped there too.
Vados let it pass. He was a child.
Starlike radiance unfurled from her.
She split off a sliver of angelic power for Broly-in-the-robot.
Two streaks of light tore across the stars.
"Whoa!" Broly gasped.
So fast.
Within minutes, they'd overtaken Merus's ship.
"Bye, Merus!" Ken waved at the window.
Merus: "…"
He waved back, oddly relieved.
Then he drew his staff again and pinged Kusu.
"Merus, did you meet Vados?" Kusu asked.
"I did."
"And?"
"She knows everything. She's already taken Mr. Ken," he answered.
Silence.
"So you're telling me Vados snatched my trainee in my universe?" Kusu said.
"Ah—I just remembered I have to check in with GP HQ. Sorry, Sister Kusu." Merus killed the link.
Finally, the weight lifted.
Let the big sisters hash it out. None of his business now. He had training to do. He couldn't let a human outpace an angel—what a disgrace that would be.
Wait… should I cultivate a god of destruction too? Who?
In Universe 7… best candidate… Majin Buu!
If I teach him properly, could he be my God of Destruction?
Ken having a god of destruction lackey did look satisfying.
Merus's heart stirred.
Yes. Buu it is.
He glanced at the ship's speed.
So slow. Maybe I should just fly back…
—
Ten minutes later—
Vados landed with Ken and Broly on a purple world.
Most plants were violet; the sky and sea were pale yellow. Along the shore grew strange trees hung with oval fruit. Many had fallen and lay scattered over the amethyst earth.
"Kusu said this fruit is delicious," Vados smacked her lips—like a true foodie.
"…Isn't that just… a recolored coconut?
Universe 6 really doesn't have coconuts?"
Broly hadn't had proper food in ages. Hearing "edible," he hopped out of the robot, grabbed a coconut, and took a bite.
Crunch.
He chewed the husk, frowning deeper and deeper.
Not good.
"Not tasty?" Vados blinked.
"You're supposed to drink the juice," Ken said. He poked a hole with one finger and dipped. He lifted the finger to Vados's lips. "Try."
Vados gave him a look. "I have hands."
She poked a hole in another, touched the juice, and tasted.
"My, my…" her brows danced.
"Let me try yours," Ken said—and popped her fingertip into his mouth.
"Yours is sweeter," he said, then sampled his own. "See?"
He offered his finger.
Vados decided not to dignify that. He was five, after all.
Broly watched, baffled.
Why taste someone else's? Isn't your own good enough?
He mimicked them—poke, sip—and his eyes lit up. He tipped the coconut back and gulped.
Vados did the same, mouth open to catch the stream. A couple drops slid from the corner of her lips onto the front of her clothes.
Ken… drifted for a moment.
"It's so good," Vados smacked her lips, delighted.
"Slow down," Ken said, rising to gently wipe the corner of her mouth with his finger.
What now?
Her skin was soft and springy, like a touch would leave a mark. Ken couldn't help wondering what angels were made of.
Right—Merus had said angels were coalesced from angelic power.
So Vados too…? Amazing.
His thoughts started to drift.
If I press too hard… will she come apart…?
Nope. Don't. Too violent.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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