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Beerus's gaze was cold. "No way."
"You want to be my rival?"
"You're a long way off."
He moved toward Vegeta with slow, measured steps.
Vegeta was a wreck, drenched in cold sweat.
Beerus murmured, "Haven't had a fight like this in a while. Finally using about ten percent of your true power."
Vegeta shut his eyes, resigned. With a casual flick of Beerus's fingertip, Vegeta was sent flying.
In an instant Vegeta reverted to a normal human.
Beerus said, "Still, this is far more entertaining than those Saiyans over at the North Kai's place."
Vegeta crashed onto the yacht.
Beerus floated down and opened his half-lidded eyes. "I've decided to destroy Earth."
Then he shrugged. "No, wait. I changed my mind."
"To destroy it would be a shame. The food on this planet is the best in the universe."
He wiped his mouth.
Bulma hurriedly said, "Yeah, it'd be a waste to destroy Earth. There are so many other delicious things to try."
Beerus blinked, surprised. "There are more?"
Bulma launched into an explanation. "What you tasted was barely a sample. Please don't destroy Earth."
Beerus thought for a moment. "Is that so?"
"All right… I'll give you a chance."
His eyes scanned the group. "Pink pig hiding in the back, come out."
Oolong panicked. "You mean me?"
Yamcha jabbed, "Who else could it be but the pink pig?"
"Why me?" Oolong stammered, as everyone slowly backed away. He grew flustered.
Beerus's voice came again. "You must be of the same breed as that pig who won't share pudding."
Oolong blurted out, "You've got it wrong. We just happen to look similar, that's all!"
Beerus smiled. "If this pink pig beats me, I'll leave Earth right away. If I win, I destroy the planet."
"Come on. I'm generous enough to give you a chance. Before I change my mind, start."
Oolong desperately played scissors three times in a row and wasted the one precious shot.
Beerus's eyes darkened. He shot up into the sky.
Whis returned to Beerus with packed delicacies. "Whis, you're greedy," Beerus said.
Whis smiled. "These won't keep long. We should go back."
A terrifying purple sphere of energy bloomed in Beerus's palm and grew and grew until it covered the sky. Everyone felt despair.
With the sphere raised high, Beerus said, "Farewell, people of Earth."
At that moment a voice called out, "Wait!"
Everyone brightened. "Goku!"
"Kakarot!"
"Dad!"
Piccolo exhaled. "You finally made it."
Beerus frowned. "You again. Have you uncovered the truth about the Super Saiyan God?"
Goku, embarrassed, admitted, "Not yet."
"You shouldn't destroy this planet," Goku said.
Beerus was adamant. "No can do. I won; my rules."
Goku tilted his head. "Lord Beerus, is the fate of Earth really decided over this? You want another match?"
Beerus replied coolly.
Goku scratched his head. "Honestly, I don't think I can beat Lord Beerus."
"But maybe—just maybe—I can find the Super Saiyan God. Give me a little time. Just a bit. Please?"
Beerus paused at the words "Super Saiyan God." He hesitated, then said, "Alright. I'll give you one more chance. But the time won't be long."
Goku thanked him quickly. "Thank you, Lord Beerus!"
Beerus withdrew the purple sphere and the sky cleared.
Vegeta said anxiously, "Kakarot, what's your plan?"
Goku grinned. "I'm going to call on Shenron."
Whis frowned. "Lord Beerus, didn't you give up searching for the Super Saiyan God? You slept for thirty-nine years for this, remember?"
Beerus snapped, "This is my last chance. If it fails next time, I won't stop at Earth. I'll destroy the whole solar system."
Goku set the Dragon Balls together. "Come out, Shenron."
Darkness fell. A golden light flashed and the long green dragon appeared before them. "I can grant any wish. Speak it."
Goku looked up. "Do you know the Super Saiyan God? If you do, could you help us call him forth?"
Shenron replied, "That is a small thing."
Goku beamed. "Great! Then Lord Beerus won't have to destroy Earth."
Shenron suddenly panicked. "You said what?"
"Lord… Lord Beerus!"
He looked over and saw Beerus lounging in a deck chair. "My deepest apologies, Lord Beerus! I didn't expect you to visit Earth."
Beerus waved him off. "Cut the formalities and call forth the Super Saiyan God."
Shenron was flustered. "Um… well… that's difficult."
On Namek, in the real world of the Dragon Balls
Krillin frowned. "Is this Beerus fellow really that powerful? He even scared Shenron like that."
Little Gohan shook his head. "I don't know either."
Piccolo looked puzzled. "I never heard of a god like that. Old Kami should know, right?"
Goku laughed. "Seems like he must be strong. Otherwise the Kai and Shenron wouldn't show fear like that."
Frieza sneered. "What a bunch of ignoramuses. You don't even know the name of Lord Beerus and you think this universe is yours to roam?"
Back on Earth, the screen showed Beerus rising. He looked grim. "What did you say?"
Shenron quivered. "Lord Beerus! The Super Saiyan God…"
"He's a figure from Saiyan myth. He doesn't exist now. But I can tell you how he could be brought to life."
"In the Namekian mythbook it says this: when five Saiyans with righteous hearts join their power and pour it into another righteous Saiyan, that Saiyan will transform into the God of the Saiyans—the Super Saiyan God."
Bulma turned to Vegeta. "You're a Saiyan prince. How do you not know this?"
Vegeta scoffed. "Hmph."
Shenron bowed his head. "I've told you what I know. May I be excused?"
Beerus nodded slightly.
Shenron said, "Then, Lord Beerus, I hope to see you again." The seven Dragon Balls shot into the sky and scattered in different directions. The sky cleared.
Gohan sighed. "Shenron actually ran off."
Beerus lay back down. "Then you'd better get started."
"..."
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