Goku staggered under the crushing weight of the suit William had forged from the pure energy of Resolution. What began as sleek, ethereal armor had transformed into a prison of infinite gravity, its oppressive burden increasing mercilessly with every ounce of strength he summoned. Each step he managed to take carved deep craters into the ground, the planet trembling as though rebelling against his struggle. His breaths were ragged, sweat poured down his face, and every muscle in his body screamed in torment under the impossible strain.
High above, William sat upon a throne of bronze light, his presence radiating dominion over the battlefield like a sovereign whose very will warped reality. The throne floated untouched by the earth, for even the ground was beneath him. His gaze remained fixed on the warrior below, unyielding in its intensity. When he spoke, his voice resounded across the expanse like a roll of thunder.
"You will not use Super Saiyan until I permit it."
The words struck harder than any physical blow. Goku felt the instinctive surge of golden power within him flicker and falter, restrained by sheer force of will. His hair glimmered with a dangerous glow for a fleeting moment before dimming back to black, the radiant energy collapsing inward as he forced his spirit into submission.
William's command was no capricious decision. He vividly recalled the peril of relying on transformation, how warriors in his past life had become dependent on Super Saiyan as a crutch, chasing fleeting power instead of reinforcing the foundation beneath it. To him, strength devoid of discipline was merely fragility masquerading as victory.
Below, torrents of ki exploded from Goku's body in violent surges, each one seized and distorted by the suit's relentless weight. The harder he resisted, the more the suit bore down, turning every movement into a test of precision. A single moment of faltering control would spell collapse; his body crushed into the earth under the immense strain of his own unleashed power.
His teeth gritted, veins bulging across his arms and neck, Goku let out a raw, guttural roar, not of ascension, but of defiance. The suit retaliated with an even more punishing surge, the ground trembling beneath him. His knees wavered. His spirit remained unbroken.
After a few hours of this, Goku would be allowed a single senzu bean and immediately begin training once more with the suit reforming around him like a cocoon before turning into the former suit.
"Hmmm?" Goku moved his body in confusion as the weight of the suit was quite mild to the point of him not even feeling it, but he knew it could take quite a bit of punishment and with a confused look on his face Goku looked up at William to see the man himself holding his hand forward as a familiar being reformed in front of him in a kneeling position.
Vegeta, or rather the construct of Vegeta, had returned in all his glory, standing to his full, albeit rather short, height. His piercing gaze locked onto his rival from another universe, his expression twisting into a sadistic sneer as a distinct M-shaped mark began to appear on his forehead.
FLSH!
Goku suddenly felt an intense, searing pain in his abdomen, his eyes widening in shock. The image of Vegeta in the distance started to dissolve, scattering like dust carried off by the wind. Turning to his right, Goku's gaze fell upon Vegeta, now standing right beside him, his fist buried firmly in Goku's gut.
HYAK!
Goku staggered forward, a mixture of spit and blood dripping from his shocked and agonized expression, as the corrupted Saiyan prince seized him by the back of the head and drove his face into the ground with ruthless force.
BOOOM!
Vegeta propelled himself off the ground, landing effortlessly on a nearby boulder, arms crossed arrogantly as he smirked at Goku struggling back to his feet.
FWOOSH!
With fiery determination blazing in his eyes, Goku launched himself at Vegeta, unleashing a flying kick aimed at the Saiyan prince. Vegeta, with his usual smug confidence, attempted to evade the attack, but he was caught off guard when Goku abruptly halted mid-air. Balancing expertly with his tail, Goku executed a spinning kick, striking Vegeta's side with surprising precision that left the prince unprepared for the clever maneuver.
BAM!
Vegeta was knocked several feet back before catching himself and using his remaining backwards momentum to send a ball of condensed ki towards the already approaching Goku.
"OH... SHi" He had yet to finish his sentence before the orb of ki smashed into his chest and sent him flying backward.
William could not help but chuckle as he observed this. This version of Goku lacked the early training that would have served as the cornerstone of his martial arts foundation. Instead, he was essentially learning from scratch, which led to numerous brutal injuries and a series of embarrassing defeats to several versions of Vegeta.
Goku surged forward, unleashing a rapid series of punches aimed at Majin Vegeta, hoping to gain an advantage. Each strike connected with power, but Vegeta was prepared. He deflected the first blow, redirected the second, and stepped around the third with calculated precision.
"You're predictable," Vegeta taunted, his smirk deepening. "I've battled Saiyans far mightier than you, and you're still stuck on the basics."
Before Goku could recover, Vegeta delivered a sharp elbow strike to his ribs. The force knocked the wind out of him, leaving him reeling. Struggling to retaliate, Goku attempted a spinning kick, but Vegeta caught his leg in mid-motion and hurled him to the ground with devastating strength.
CRASH! A cloud of debris erupted as Goku crashed into the earth, tumbling across the battlefield before managing to roll and mitigate the impact. His combat suit absorbed some of the blow, but Vegeta's precise, relentless attacks left him bruised and weary.
"Again," Vegeta commanded, advancing with deliberate menace, his eyes gleaming with cold determination. He unleashed a barrage of punches, forcing Goku into a frantic rhythm of blocks, dodges, and evasive maneuvers. Each movement required flawless timing as Goku pushed his body to its base-form limits.
Every attempt by Goku to counterattack was thwarted, each feint expertly predicted. Vegeta's supremacy was not rooted in raw power, but in flawless technique. A jab to the torso, a sweeping kick to unbalance, a swift palm strike to the face, each attack was countered with ruthless efficiency. Goku felt his stamina draining rapidly, his breathing ragged as he struggled to keep pace.
Vegeta took a step back, smirking as Goku struggled to stand. "You have strength… but your control is lacking. You need to anticipate rather than simply react. Right now, you're responding to me like an untrained child."
Grinding his teeth, Goku lunged again, only to be met with a spinning kick that hurled him into a nearby boulder. Pain radiated through his torso as he coughed up blood, forcing himself to rise once more.
The training was relentless. Each blow from Vegeta served as a harsh reminder of Goku's limitations. His speed was remarkable, but not sufficient. His strategies were thoughtful, but Vegeta's precision was unmatched. Every advantage Goku thought he had created turned out to be a mere illusion.
Above them, William watched with calm detachment, a faint smile playing across his lips. "Good," he murmured. "Let him endure the discipline. Let him learn that raw determination alone won't suffice. True skill is forged through the fire of defeat, not the comfort of victory."
Goku's chest rose and fell heavily, his sweat mingling with blood, yet his gaze remained unyielding. He had been outmatched, even humiliated, but that was the essence of this training. If he could withstand this ordeal, he would emerge sharper, faster, and far more formidable than before.
Vegeta moved forward again, fists clenched and eyes cold as steel. Goku steadied himself, fully aware that every strike from the Majin construct would drive him closer to his limits. Yet, deep within, he embraced it. Pain, failure, and discipline, these were the building blocks of his growth.
Goku wiped the blood from his lip, forcing himself into a defensive stance as Vegeta closed in. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest from exhaustion, yet the fire in his Saiyan eyes refused to extinguish. Each past failure weighed heavily on his spirit, but he stood firm, unwilling to surrender.
Without warning, Vegeta lunged forward, unleashing a brutal sequence of punches and elbows that struck with pinpoint accuracy. Goku barely managed to block and evade, the sheer force of each blow reverberating through his body and shaking the battlefield beneath them. His suit provided only minimal protection, leaving him to endure the full brunt of Vegeta's calculated assault.
"You're struggling," Vegeta sneered, his voice sharp and taunting. "And you'll keep struggling until you realize this isn't just about raw power. It's about anticipation, control, and domination."
Grinding his teeth, Goku retaliated with a barrage of punches, each one aimed to break through Vegeta's defenses. But Vegeta's reflexes were flawless, effortlessly deflecting, redirecting, and dodging each attack with a fluid precision that turned Goku's aggression against him. A swift knee to the stomach sent Goku sprawling backward, skidding across the jagged terrain.
Coughing, Goku struggled to rise, only to be met by Vegeta's open palm slamming into his chest, sending him crashing down once more. Rocks and dust exploded into the air as Vegeta's relentless precision kept Goku off balance, forcing him to fight just to stay on his feet.
Above them, William's eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "Yes… let him confront the boundaries of his ability. Let him be humbled. Only then will he begin to truly understand."
Gasping for air, Goku rose once more, fists tightened. With renewed determination, he lunged forward, seeking an opening. Vegeta read the move instantly, spinning to deliver a crushing elbow to Goku's side. Agony shot through him, but Goku refused to fall.
A rapid series of kicks followed, each strike landing with unyielding precision. Goku twisted, rolled, and dodged as best he could, but Vegeta's superiority was undeniable, every attack deliberate, every motion perfected.
"You think struggle alone will teach you?" Vegeta sneered. "It will take more than sheer will to surpass me."
Goku's chest heaved, sweat and blood mingling on his face. He had been outmatched, battered, and pushed to his very limits. Yet a spark of defiance burned in his eyes. Pain and discipline were now his instructors. Each blow and every fall became a lesson in control, precision, and mastery.
As Vegeta advanced again, fists poised for another ruthless attack, Goku braced himself, prepared to endure, determined to learn. He understood that surviving this relentless assault, embracing the lesson of defeat, was the true essence of this punishing training.
Vegeta's smirk deepened, his body coiled with barely contained aggression. "Come on, Kakarot. Show me you can handle real pressure."
Before Goku could react, Vegeta charged with blistering speed, faster than Goku could predict. Each strike was precise: elbows driving into ribs, palms slamming into shoulders, knees pounding into thighs. Goku twisted and rolled, struggling to evade, but the relentless assault overwhelmed him, the rhythm of Vegeta's attacks unyielding.
CRACK! A sudden uppercut sent Goku hurtling backward, crashing into a jagged cliffside. Dust and shards of rock rained down as he struggled to his knees, pain radiating through his entire body. Even his battle-worn suit, now offering little more than symbolic protection, seemed useless against Vegeta's onslaught.
"You're slow," Vegeta taunted, circling him like a predator sizing up its prey. "Your reflexes are sloppy. Your punches lack intent. Speed without purpose is meaningless."
Gritting his teeth, Goku rolled forward and threw a desperate punch at Vegeta's jaw. Vegeta leaned back effortlessly, letting the fist skim past. Without hesitation, he retaliated with a devastating sidekick to Goku's ribs, sending him spinning across the battlefield once more.
Breathless and battered, Goku struggled to rise. His body trembled uncontrollably, pain coursing through every joint and muscle fiber. Yet within him, a flicker of determination burned. He clenched his fists, forcing his limbs to respond despite the agony.
"Again," Vegeta commanded, his voice sharp and icy. He lunged forward in a blur, unleashing a barrage of rapid strikes that forced Goku into a desperate defensive stance. Each blow reverberated through Goku's arms and shoulders, the force threatening to shatter his balance. Sweat and blood mixed, streaking his face as he fought to endure.
"That's your resistance?" Vegeta sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
Goku, his chest heaving with labored breaths, forced himself into a low fighting stance. His defiant gaze locked onto Vegeta's, a fiery determination refusing to waver despite the relentless onslaught. "I… won't… stop," he panted. "I'll endure… every strike!"
Vegeta's smirk widened, predatory and sharp. "Good. You'll need that stubbornness."
In a flash, Vegeta's fists blurred into motion, each strike aimed with inhuman precision at Goku's vulnerabilities: a jab to the solar plexus, an elbow to the sternum, a low sweeping kick designed to unbalance him. Goku twisted, dodged, and blocked as best he could, but each defensive maneuver drained his strength further.
BOOM! Vegeta's knee slammed into Goku's abdomen, driving the air from his lungs and folding him over with a guttural grunt. The Saiyan warrior crashed to the ground, skidding through dirt and rock before coming to a halt. Gasping for air, his hands clawed at the earth as every breath burned like fire in his chest.
Vegeta stood tall, arms crossed, regarding him with a tilted head and a cool, assessing stare. "Do you understand now, Kakarot? Strength isn't just about throwing punches. It's about control, foresight, dominance. Right now, you're floundering."
Through gritted teeth, Goku pushed himself upright, his legs trembling under his weight, feeling foreign and unsteady. "I… I get it… Vegeta…" he rasped, his voice strained. "But I'll… surpass… you!"
Vegeta's grin stretched wider, razor-sharp and challenging. "Good. That fire of yours is promising… but far from enough. Let's see if you can withstand the pressure."
Vegeta surged forward once more, a torrent of calculated and relentless strikes. Every punch, kick, and elbow pushed Goku to his limits, each blow a demonstration of precision, timing, and reaction. Goku evaded, blocked, and retaliated when he could, enduring the pain while internalizing the rhythm of Vegeta's impeccable technique.
From above, William's bronze eyes gleamed with quiet approval. "Yes… this is the crucible he requires. Let him falter, let him learn, and let him rise stronger and faster than before."
Through the searing pain, Goku's spirit only blazed brighter with every punishing strike. Each fall, every endured blow, was another step forward in his growth. Vegeta's dominance was undeniable, yet it was molding Goku, sharpening him, and forging order from chaos.
Though battered, bloodied, and gasping for breath, Goku stood firm.
Goku wiped the sweat from his brow, the persistent ache in his muscles a stark reminder that this was no ordinary sparring session. Vegeta's projection floated before him, arms crossed, his sharp eyes filled with that familiar blend of disdain and curiosity. Each strike, feint, and block had been meticulously recorded in Goku's mind, lessons locked away for the crucial moment when instinct would take over.
"Focus," William's voice echoed from above, steady yet firm. "Endurance is meaningless without awareness. Anticipate, don't merely react."
Goku gave a resolute nod, clenching his fists tighter. The projection lunged forward once more, quicker this time, testing his reflexes and searching for vulnerabilities he hadn't realized existed. Each collision reverberated through the training field, the metallic clangs, the crackling energy, and the sharp rush of strikes slicing the air.
He narrowly avoided a kick that could have shattered bones, retaliating with a punch that barely skimmed Vegeta's shoulder. Yet, it was enough to serve as a reminder, the smallest opening could mean the difference between triumph and defeat.
Time seemed to crawl as hours dragged on. Sweat, bruises, and exhaustion told the story of his relentless struggle, but Goku refused to waver. With each attempt, he adjusted, understanding the force behind his own strikes, the tempo of his adversary, and the delicate balance between offense and defense.
Vegeta's projection sneered, urging Goku to move swifter, strike sharper, and predict actions before they occurred. "You're too slow!" the projection jeered. "If you can't see it coming, you won't last in a real battle!"
Goku's determination hardened. He felt himself teetering on the brink of collapse, but he stood firm. Each hit, each dodge, and each mistake became a lesson etched into his body and mind.
The simulated sun began to set, casting elongated shadows across the training ground. But rest was not an option. Wiping the sweat from his face, Goku stretched his weary muscles and prepared for another round. Vegeta's projection smirked, as if anticipating the next move.
The two warriors clashed once more.
[AN - Vegeta may be enjoying the beatdown a bit too much!]