The air around the battlefield rippled with pressure as Goku stepped forward, cracking his neck with a smile that mixed excitement and calm confidence. Dust swirled around his feet.
"Alright, Frieza," he said, sliding into his stance. "Let's see how much stronger you've gotten."
Frieza chuckled, folding his arms. "You Saiyans always rush into battle without thinking. But this time," he raised a finger, "I won't be so foolish as to underestimate you."
With that, his aura exploded. Golden light enveloped his body before receding into the sleek, polished form of his Final Form. His voice was smooth, cold, and proud. "I'll start by matching your power level, Goku. I believe this is... familiar?"
Goku smirked and let out a sharp yell as blue lightning crackled around him. His golden aura surged, hair standing high—Super Saiyan 2. "Heh, let's go!"
They vanished from sight.
The sky split with their first impact. The shockwave tore through the air, flattening mountains and churning the ocean waves nearby. Gohan and the others shielded their eyes as the two warriors blurred in and out of visibility.
Krillin whistled. "Every time I think they can't get any stronger, they prove me wrong."
Piccolo's eyes followed the energy trails. "No… look closely. Frieza's movements—he's reading Goku's attacks."
Indeed, Frieza was pushing Goku back. Blow by blow, his counters grew sharper, his ki tighter and more refined. Goku's punches met his palms, his kicks stopped by Frieza's tail, his own attacks deflected with effortless precision.
"Come now, Son Goku," Frieza taunted as he slammed his knee into Goku's gut, sending him skidding back. "Wasn't this supposed to be fun?"
Goku grinned, wiping the blood from his lip. "Heh. You're stronger than before, I'll give you that."
The air grew tense again. They darted back into combat, shockwaves echoing across the cliffs and sea.
Finally, after a fierce exchange that sent sparks flying, both warriors broke apart. Goku's breathing was heavier now, his aura flickering slightly.
"You're good," he admitted, flexing his fingers. "But I can tell—you're still holding back something, aren't ya?"
Frieza smirked. "The same could be said for you, Saiyan."
Their eyes met—both smiling, both understanding the thrill.
"Then let's stop holding back!" Goku shouted.
"Agreed," Frieza smirked.
Meanwhile, near Bulma's plane, two figures appeared in a shimmer of light.
Bulma sighed in relief. "Finally! About time you two showed up."
Whis smiled pleasantly. "Now, now, Miss Bulma. I was promised a strawberry sundae. Where is it?"
Jaco's jaw dropped as he pointed. "Who are they Bulma!?"
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Beerus and that angel next to him is Whis, well, now believe it, Jaco. They're very real—and very picky about food."
Beerus yawned, stretching his arms as he floated lazily near her. "Mmm. I only came because Whis said there'd be food."
As Whis delicately took strawberry sundea from Bulma's hands, Beerus helped himself, humming with satisfaction. "Earth does make fine delicacies… shame it keeps attracting trouble."
Bulma frowned, glancing at the distant explosions lighting up the horizon. "You're not gonna help, are you?"
Beerus smirked. "No. But if things go badly, I might save you for the sake of dessert."
Bulma groaned. "Gee, thanks."
Back on the battlefield, the ground shook as Goku's aura suddenly vanished—completely.
"Huh? Its that form again." Krillin said, wide-eyed.
Razor's eyes narrowed. "So that's… divine ki."
A fierce roar echoed as Goku's golden aura reignited—only this time, it burned blue. His hair shimmered a brilliant azure, eyes glowing the same shade.
The earth quaked under the power of his Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form.
He grinned sheepishly. "I've been training with Whis, and… I call this Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan!"
He paused. "Man, that's a mouthful."
Krillin facepalmed. "You really need a shorter name, dude."
Frieza watched, intrigued. "So, this is the result of your training…" His grin widened. "Excellent."
Golden light burst from him like a sun igniting. His entire form turned radiant gold—his Golden Frieza state gleamed with terrifying energy.
"I call this my Golden Form," Frieza announced proudly.
The two stared each other down, their auras shaking the planet.
Then, Frieza's eyes flicked toward the sidelines—and widened slightly when he spotted Beerus. "B-Beerus…!"
Beerus tilted his head lazily. "It's Lord Beerus to you Frieza."
Frieza immediately bowed slightly. "O-of course, Lord Beerus! I didn't expect—"
Beerus waved him off. "Relax. I'm just here for the food."
Frieza exhaled in relief—then turned his focus back to Goku, his grin returning. "Now… shall we resume?"
The fight reignited.
Golden light clashed against blue as both warriors blurred into motion. Every collision lit the sky in brilliant flashes. Islands shattered, shockwaves raged across the sea.
For a while, their power seemed equal. Goku's speed matched Frieza's cunning; his strikes, precise and measured.
But then Frieza laughed—a cruel, triumphant laugh. "You didn't think this was my limit, did you?"
His golden aura deepened, turning molten in hue. Purple lightning crackled around him as the ground split open beneath his feet.
"Behold the true power of Golden Frieza, the fruit of my training!"
Before Goku could react, Frieza appeared behind him, his tail smashing him into the ground. Goku barely blocked the next barrage—but each blow drove him further down.
"Damn it!" Goku grunted, parrying a flurry of punches, but Frieza was relentless.
Watching from afar, Vegeta clenched his fists. "Tch. This is getting pathetic."
Rizze looked worried. "Uncle Goku's… losing?"
Piccolo's gaze darkened. "Frieza's power keeps climbing."
Finally, Vegeta growled and stepped forward. "Move aside. I'm not letting Kakarot hog all the fun."
Blue flames erupted around him as his hair turned azure, eyes glowing fierce and sharp. He joined the fight, his kicks forcing Frieza back momentarily.
Goku smirked. "Took you long enough!"
"Shut it," Vegeta snapped, launching another strike.
But even together, their strength couldn't keep up. Frieza parried both effortlessly, his laughter echoing. "Two Saiyans, two failures!"
With one sweeping blast, he sent both crashing into the mountainside.
Bulma's heart pounded. "They're… losing."
"Beerus! Do something!" she yelled.
Beerus popped a strawberry in his mouth. "Hmm. Nope. But don't worry — you'll be safe."
Bulma's face turned red with anger. "You lazy cat!"
The dust settled. Goku and Vegeta lay battered in a massive crater, their auras extinguished.
Frieza floated above them, a glowing sphere of energy forming at his fingertip—bright as a miniature sun.
"Any last words, monkeys?" he said with a cold smile.
Goku barely lifted his head. "Heh… still the same… arrogant… Frieza."
Frieza sneered. "And you're still the same fool."
He raised his hand. "Now—die!"
The Death Ball pulsed, growing brighter, casting its dreadful light over the ruins below as everyone watched in horror.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
And then—
A shadow flashed between the light and the crater.
Someone had moved.