Reaching up with her hand, the woman slowly tiptoed her fingers up his chest and towards his collar bone. "Over the next couple of days, I intend on taking over this universe to become the undisputed ruler and guardian of everything in existence. If you agree to become my personal servant, I will gladly grant you any and all wishes you so desire… so long as it is within my powers to grant." She then playfully wrapped her tail around his neck and pulled herself closer to the boy. It was this action that drew an irritated glare from Videl and had the crime fighter snarl under her breath. This reaction became all the more prominent when the goddess placed a hand on the boy's cheek and pulled his face close to hers so that her nose gently brushed against his. "As the one who liberated me from my retched prison, I'd be more than willing to give you anything you ask."
Unsettled by the closeness of the alluring goddess, Gohan gave a nervous laugh and held his hands up. "Umm… that's very kind of you to offer… but… I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass. Sorry." As tempting as it was, the teen knew the good choices from the bad.
What this person was offering him after everything he'd seen and heard, any decision involving going over to this person's side was bad mojo.
Set pulled away and raised an eyebrow at the handsome Saiyan, "Oh? Are you sure?" She sounded disappointed.
"YES! He's sure!" Videl shouted, having now reached the point where her jealousy could no longer be contained. Stepping forward in defense of the half-Saiyan, she drew the deity's attention to her and jabbed a finger in her direction. "You've got your answer! Now buzz off, you hussy!"
Blinking a few times in surprise, the God of Storms giggled in amusement and slowly removed her tail from the teen's neck. Being sure to give him a playful flick in the chin as she pulled away, she then vanished in another teleportation-like movement and reappeared in front of the entire group once more. When all their eyes landed on her, they saw the red furred woman back away with her hands behind her back and a grin on her face.
"Since I've got an extremely busy week ahead of me, I want to get this trade over with as quickly as possible. So let's cut the useless chatter and get down to business," Set spoke, ears twitching as she raised her head to the Z-warriors. While Whis continued to hang behind her bound by bands of golden energy, his body beaten and bruised all over, the female deity addressed the group of heroes with a clear and direct tone of voice. "As I promised to all of you earlier, the four fighters who emerged victorious from the battle with my subordinates will be given the chance to come stand by my side as my new Minions of Set. After seeing how many of you managed to walk away from that skirmish, I find myself a little bit spoiled for choice." She then raised a finger in their direction. "And therein lies the problem."
Her words putting Paprika, Vegeta and the others on edge, the team of fighters then braced themselves for what the woman had to say next.
When Set suddenly held up four fingers with the hand she'd raised, a very dark shadow cast over her eyes as she slowly panned over the uneasy martial artists. "There can only be four Minions of Set. Like the four corners at the base of the pyramid, they are the points that help elevate the peak above the ground and give the structure its shape. They also represent the four quadrants of the universe and are the primary elements that create balance in this reality. So I'm going to make this nice and simple for you." Returning her hand to her back, she then nodded towards her audience. "You will all fight each other. The last four left standing will be allowed to stand at my side as my minions. Of course…" Her eyes landed on Gohan again, "I'm willing to make an exception for one of you in particular."
A cold chill going down each of their spines at her words, the members of the group didn't even have to think twice before giving the goddess her answer.
After all the trials and tribulations they had to go through over the years, after all the battles and enemies they'd fought together, there was only one thing they could say to this would-be ruler of their universe. It was the same thing they'd said to every other villain that'd made them an offer that would've been impossible to refuse.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Zangya spoke with a frown on her face.
"If you think you can come here to our planet, invade our homes, attack our friends, and tell us what to do, then you've got another thing coming," Piccolo said, his fists clenching tightly as his stance widened. "Don't underestimate us earthlings. We are a lot stronger than you so-called Gods give us credit for!"
Trunks, wearing a similar expression to his father, nodded towards the woman confidently, "Take a hike, lady!"
"Yeah! Buzz off!" Goten shouted as well, backing up his friends words.
Moved by the group's words, Set's tail wagged behind her eagerly, "I strongly urge you all to reconsider." Looking from one determined face to the next, she then raised a hand towards them. "This is the perfect opportunity for you and three of your companions to elevate yourselves above the mortal plains and become something other than the poultry warriors you are today. You will each be granted the titles of Godhood, a piece of creation to do with as you please, and the chance to engrave yourselves into the history of your people… to become truly immortal." Putting her hand behind her once again, the deity tilted her head. "Think about it. In order to make any of this possible, the only sacrifice that you are required to make is the lives of the people standing next to you. There's no need for attachments where you will be going. Once this universe has become mine to command, you can have as many servants and as many friends as you wish. All you have to do is eliminate the ones you have now and server all remaining ties to this world."
Sickened by her words, Videl narrowed her eyes on the goddess. "Go fuck yourself."
"What she said," Vegeta also spoke, agreeing wholeheartedly with what the rest of the group had to say.
Raising an eyebrow at the teen's response, Set then turned to the others, "So… I'll take that as a no then?" When all she received were hard glares in return, the vixen waited for a few moments before a long sigh left her lips and the woman held her hands out in disbelief. "Hmm… what a shame. And here I thought your group had such promise." Cracking open an eye to look back across at the collection of fighters, the goddess then allowed a smile to cross her lips. "When I made this offer to the last group, they didn't waste any time in tearing themselves apart. But… I suppose if that is the choice you've decided to make, then I guess it's about time I showed you mortals how badly this decision is going to cost you."
"We'll see about that!" Gritting his teeth, Gohan clenched his fists tightly and, after bringing his arms above his head, let out a mighty yell as his golden aura exploded around him and his hair spiked up. His body also becoming shrouded in blue electricity as he leapt straight into Super Saiyan 2, the teen growled and fixed his best death glare upon his opponent. "If you want this universe Set, then you're going to have to go through us first!"
Bringing her hands behind her, the woman smirked as she felt the teen's power level jump up a couple of levels, "Is that a challenge?"
"You bet it is!" Gohan shouted back.
Grinning excitedly, the God of Storms allowed a chuckle to escape her lips and lowered her head, "Then I accept." Placing her hands behind her and widening her stance a little, the deity rolled her head once before focusing all of her attention on the warriors before her and their leader. "Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll be sure to have as much fun with you as I can. Come at me with everything you have… and don't hold anything back."
"Gladly!" Zangya also shouted, doing as her sparring partner did and powering up. Hair flashing red as her skin turned green, the Hera's aura jumped around her with the sound of a shockwave as she completed her own transformation.
Her vigor was matched by the likes of Vegeta, Paprika, Piccolo, Goten and Trunks. While the Saiyans jumped into their respective super powered forms, the prince going straight into his Ascended Saiyan state, the Namekian's blue aura sprang up around him and the Makyan's green one appeared as well. Videl and Krillin also followed suit, their white auras blasting up and shrouding them in a protective glow, while Android Eighteen merely set herself into a stance. Once all of them had achieved their maximums, they all assumed their signature fighting forms and prepared to tackle the monumental foe standing before them.
The group's collective transformations and power ups quickly caught the attention of the unconscious Whis, who looked up from his place in the air to stare across at the Z-fighters. Eyes widening when he saw who they were squaring off against, the beaten and broken attendant bit his teeth together and wheezed out the only words he could.
"No… don't…"
What they were intending to do was paramount to suicide.
But they couldn't hear him. All the team was currently focused on was defending their planet and fighting off this monstrous force that threatened to destroy them all.
Set, sensing all of them were ready for the battle of a lifetime, smiled, closed her eyes and, with her hands held firmly behind her waist, wagged her tail happily. "Come."
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