Vegeta steadied his breath, forcing his focus to remain unbroken. Pan was an eleven-year-old child, yet as she stood before him radiating the raw, divine energy of a Super Saiyan God, her power was anything but childish. And if anything, she was only getting stronger as they fought, her aura intensifying with each move.

They had been sparring in the Gravity Chamber for what felt like hours, but instead of tiring, she seemed to be feeding off the energy of the fight. Her movements grew sharper, faster, as if she were adapting in real time, her Saiyan instincts honing her abilities with every clash. No matter how he pressed her, Pan countered with a resilience and force that surprised even him. Each blow she delivered was fiercer than the last, and he was beginning to feel the weight of her godly power.

“Pan!” he barked, attempting to match her strength with his own, but she was relentless. She had learned to channel her godly Ki remarkably well, her control evolving as their battle continued. Vegeta could see the flash in her eyes, that unmistakable Saiyan fire, but now it was tinged with the divine light of her transformation. Her confidence surged, and with it, her energy.

Suddenly, Pan’s tail whipped around, glowing with golden energy, and struck him squarely on the jaw. The impact rattled his senses, sending him flying back. He barely registered his own body hurtling through the chamber wall, the structure shuddering as he broke through, debris scattering around him.

For a moment, silence. The impact had forced the breath from his lungs, leaving him momentarily stunned, the sheer power of her strike reverberating through his body.

Then he heard a small, panicked gasp.

“Vegeta!” Pan’s voice rang out, raw with alarm. In an instant, her aura faded, the brilliant light around her dimming as she powered down. She phase-stepped over to him, moving so fast that he barely saw her approach. Her hands hovered above him, unsure of what to do, her face etched with guilt and worry.

“I’m so sorry!” she blurted, her voice trembling as she looked down at him. She bit her lip, her hands clenching and unclenching as she struggled with the shock of what she had done. “I didn’t mean to— I… I didn’t know I’d hit you that hard!”

Vegeta managed a groan, pushing himself up slightly despite the throbbing pain in his jaw. The strength of her blow had been astounding; he could still feel the residual ache, but as he looked up at her, he saw something even more powerful—a look of genuine remorse, her eyes wide with concern.

“Pan,” he said, his voice firm despite the pain. He could see her wrestling with her emotions, the shame and guilt of overstepping her own strength. He forced himself to sit up, his gaze steady as he looked her in the eye. “This is the power you have. But you must learn to control it, even in the heat of battle.”

She blinked, her face flushed with embarrassment as she nodded. “I know. I… I thought I had it under control, but… but it felt so strong. I didn’t think it would be like this.”

Vegeta’s expression softened, though he kept his tone stern. “The power of a Super Saiyan God isn’t just a transformation,” he reminded her. “It amplifies everything—your instincts, your emotions, even your strength. You have to master each aspect, or it will overwhelm you.”

Pan’s shoulders slumped, her eyes dropping to the floor as she took in his words. “I wanted to show you I could do it,” she whispered. “That I could be strong enough.”

Vegeta let out a slow breath, the pain in his jaw a reminder of her potential. “And you did. But strength alone isn’t enough. It takes restraint, discipline. You have to know when to hold back. Power is a tool, not a weapon to be unleashed without care.”

She looked up at him, her expression conflicted, and he saw the uncertainty in her gaze. This was her first real lesson in the weight of her power, the reality of her potential. He knew that look; he had seen it in himself, in Goku, in every Saiyan who reached a new level and realized the enormity of what it meant.

Pan’s fists tightened, her jaw set as she absorbed his words. “I… I understand,” she said, her voice steadier now. “I didn’t mean to lose control, but… it’s like the more I fight, the stronger I get. It’s hard to stop it.”

“That’s the Saiyan way,” Vegeta replied, nodding. “We get stronger in battle. But if you let the fight control you, you’ll lose yourself to it.”

Pan’s eyes searched his face, a glimmer of resolve breaking through her uncertainty. “Then… then I’ll learn to control it. I’ll keep training until I can, no matter how long it takes.”

Vegeta allowed himself a small, approving smirk. “Good. Just don’t expect it to be easy.” He pushed himself to his feet, brushing off the debris clinging to his armor. “We’ll work on it together. But remember, Pan—this power comes with responsibility. You’re capable of more than most Saiyans ever dream of, but that means you have to be even more careful.”

Pan nodded, her face serious as she took in his words. He could see the determination rekindling in her gaze, the flicker of pride mixed with humility. She was young, but she was beginning to understand. And as Vegeta looked at her, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Guiding her was more than a duty—it was a chance to shape her potential, to ensure she didn’t fall to the same darkness her older self had once warned him about.

“Now, if you’re done apologizing,” he said, rolling his shoulders to loosen the lingering ache from her blow, “we still have training to do. And this time, try not to knock me through a wall.”

A hint of a smile crossed Pan’s face as she nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

As they resumed their training, Vegeta watched her with a cautious pride. She was strong, stronger than he had anticipated, and her future held endless possibilities. And he would be there, every step of the way, guiding her to ensure that she not only wielded her power but respected it, to ensure that her strength became a source of pride rather than regret.

A few days later, Goku arrived at the training grounds, his usual carefree grin in place as he took in the sight of Pan. He seemed to notice immediately how much her energy had grown, his expression shifting from mild curiosity to outright excitement.

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“Wow, Pan!” he said, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “You’ve gotten way stronger, haven’t you? How about a little spar to test that power?”

Pan looked over at Vegeta, her head tilting slightly, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. This wasn’t just an ordinary spar; sparring with Goku meant a test of true strength, of her control. She was capable—he’d seen that firsthand—but Vegeta knew that the weight of her new power was still settling on her.

He gave her a slow, measured nod. “Go on, Pan,” he said, his tone steady yet challenging. “Show him what you’ve learned. But remember,” he added, his gaze sharpening, “control is key. Don’t let the thrill of battle lead you astray.”

Pan’s expression shifted, her uncertainty replaced with a look of determination. She took a steadying breath, her aura sparking faintly around her as she focused. “I won’t let you down, Vegeta,” she replied, her voice filled with quiet resolve.

Goku bounced on his feet, his excitement palpable. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got!” He took a stance, his aura flaring with a familiar golden light as he powered up to Super Saiyan.

Pan squared her shoulders, her eyes focused as she raised her own energy, her Ki spiraling around her in a controlled but powerful wave. Vegeta watched closely, noting the precision in her stance, the careful control of her energy. She was taking his words seriously, tempering her power with a discipline that hadn’t been there before.

“Come on, Pan!” Goku called, his tone playful. “Let’s see if you can keep up!”

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, his fists moving in rapid succession. Pan met him head-on, her movements fluid as she dodged, blocked, and countered with strikes of her own. Vegeta felt a surge of pride as he watched her; her control was impressive, each movement precise and intentional. She wasn’t letting her power overwhelm her instincts—she was using it as a tool, just as he’d taught her.

But as the sparring continued, Vegeta saw Goku’s expression shift from playful excitement to genuine admiration. Pan was holding her own against him, her strength evident in each exchange. Goku powered up further, tapping into Super Saiyan God, his aura burning red around him.

“You’re amazing, Pan!” he exclaimed, his voice full of pride. “I can’t believe how far you’ve come!”

Pan grinned, her confidence building, and Vegeta felt a twinge of caution as her energy spiked in response. She was still learning the balance, still finding her footing between power and restraint. He took a step forward, his gaze narrowing as he called out, “Remember what I said, Pan. Stay focused.”

She glanced his way, giving a small nod, and adjusted her stance. Goku came at her again, his punches faster, his strikes more forceful. Pan matched him, her movements adapting, her aura glowing brighter as she drew from the depths of her power.

As she blocked a powerful strike from Goku, her eyes flashed with a brilliant light, and for a brief moment, Vegeta saw the intense godly energy she wielded flaring in her gaze. She was close to fully releasing her potential, but just as quickly, he noticed her pull back, grounding herself, her energy stabilizing.

“Good,” Vegeta muttered to himself, a small smirk tugging at his lips. She was learning, holding herself back even in the heat of battle.

After a final exchange of blows, Goku stepped back, a wide grin on his face as he lowered his stance. “You’re really something, Pan. I haven’t seen this kind of control in a long time!”

Pan beamed, her aura fading as she relaxed, looking over at Vegeta. “Thank you, Grandpa!” she said, her voice full of pride. But her gaze quickly shifted to Vegeta, seeking his approval.

Vegeta gave a single nod, his expression one of reserved pride. “You did well, Pan,” he acknowledged, his tone firm. “Remember this feeling. Discipline like this will serve you better than raw power alone.”

Pan’s smile softened, a glint of understanding in her eyes. She had proven herself not just to Goku, but to Vegeta as well, and as they stood together, he knew that his guidance was shaping her into a warrior worthy of the Saiyan name.

At sixteen, Pan was powerful beyond her years, her strength and control well beyond what Vegeta had seen in any Saiyan her age. But today, as she trained in the open fields near the Gravity Chamber, he sensed an unusual energy spike—a subtle yet unmistakable signature, one that prickled at his instincts and set him on high alert.

He watched as Pan’s expression changed, her eyes widening as a figure materialized in front of her. She gasped, and the sound reached his sharp Saiyan hearing, cutting through the distance between them. Without a second thought, Vegeta took off toward her, his mind racing as he closed the gap in seconds.

But before he could reach her, he saw it—the unmistakable form of her future self. Other Pan. Her presence radiated a godlike calm mixed with an ominous intensity, her iridescent white hair flowing like water, her tail swaying with an eerie grace. Her eyes, a piercing ocean blue, held a depth that was both haunting and wise, and as she looked down at the younger Pan, Vegeta felt an unsettling tension fill the air.

The older Pan reached out, placing her hands on the younger Pan’s shoulders, her gaze fixed and unyielding. For a split second, Vegeta saw the young Pan look back at him, her face pale with shock, as if she, too, were struggling to comprehend what was happening. He moved to intervene, but before he could even take a step, the two of them vanished, disappearing into thin air as though they had been plucked from reality itself.

“Pan!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the empty field. His heart pounded as he tried to process what had just happened, his instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong. He could still feel the faint remnants of their combined energy, but it was already dissipating, slipping beyond his reach.

Gritting his teeth, Vegeta concentrated, pushing his senses to their limit, trying to trace the residual Ki. But the older Pan’s energy was unlike anything he could fully grasp—a blend of godly Ki laced with a darkness that seemed to absorb and distort the surrounding energy. It was like chasing a shadow, a presence that was always just out of reach.

“Damn it,” he muttered, clenching his fists as he tried to steady his breathing. He had sworn to protect this Pan, to guide her, to ensure she didn’t walk the same dark path as her future self. But now, she was gone, whisked away by the very presence he had hoped to shield her from.

For a moment, memories of the older Pan resurfaced in his mind—the warnings, the dark power, the stories she had told him of her tragic descent. She had come to this universe as a warning, a cautionary figure who was meant to show them what could happen if they failed to control their power. But now, she had reappeared without explanation, taking the young Pan somewhere beyond his reach.

Vegeta’s mind raced as he considered the possibilities. Why had the older Pan returned? What did she intend to show the younger Pan? He could feel his frustration mounting, a mix of anger and helplessness that gnawed at him. This was not how it was supposed to go. He had worked so hard, had guided her so carefully to ensure she didn’t fall into that darkness. And now, in an instant, she was gone, pulled into a dimension or timeline he couldn’t access.

Taking a steadying breath, Vegeta refocused. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment. This was a challenge, one that demanded his full concentration, his full resolve. If the older Pan had come with a purpose, then he would find a way to understand it. He would find a way to bring her back.

Moving swiftly, he returned to the Gravity Chamber, his mind already calculating his next steps. He would reach out to Whis and Beerus—they had connections and abilities that could potentially track the older Pan’s unique energy. And if that failed, he would find another way. Because no matter what it took, he would bring Pan back. He had made a promise, one that he would honor, even if it meant confronting the darkness he had tried so hard to prevent.