Months had passed since the tumultuous events of the Tournament of Destroyers, where the limits of strength and endurance were tested for fighters across the universe. Now, under the high sun over Beerus's planet, long shadows cast over the training grounds where Vegeta and Goku continued to spar. Their training regimen was relentless, each session fueled by the intense rivalry and deep-rooted friendship that defined their relationship. As they exchanged powerful blows, the air thick with the smell of energy and sweat, Vegeta felt the familiar thrill of combat sharpening his senses. Despite their growth, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were only beginning to tap into their potential.

As they paused to catch their breath, a shimmering light caught Vegeta's attention. The air near the training grounds sparkled, reminiscent of stardust, and from it materialized a familiar figure. Pan, her armor reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding environment, approached with a determined stride. Her presence brought a mix of familiarity and an otherworldly aura, drawing Vegeta’s gaze as she bypassed him and Goku to speak directly with Whis.

“Hello, Whis,” Pan's voice carried a smooth urgency as she addressed the angel. “I don’t suppose you can judge a person’s future caliber? I am asking for… my younger self. Who is but a toddler in this universe. Her name is Pan Son, as well. She is Kakarot’s granddaughter.”

Vegeta's interest piqued at her request. The idea of Pan seeking insight into the potential of her younger self spoke volumes about her intentions and the depth of her concern for her lineage.

Whis, always composed, regarded her with a contemplative expression. “Ah, the child you speak of is indeed quite special, given her lineage,” he responded, casting a knowing glance toward Vegeta and Goku. “However, gauging the potential of a young Saiyan can be a delicate matter. Children can evolve in ways we do not anticipate.”

Pan paused, placing a hand thoughtfully on her chin, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions as she processed Whis's words. She then faced Whis again, her voice tinged with a solemnity that drew Vegeta's full attention. “I need to know if I should stop her descent to darkness before she becomes like myself. At age six, I ascended to Super Saiyan. At age fourteen, I ascended to Super Saiyan God. At age twenty, I was imbued with the soul of Shenron; becoming immortal."

Her gaze dropped momentarily, betraying a flicker of sadness before she regained her composure. "At age one hundred and twenty, I killed Shenron by accident while trying to find control; I shattered my soul to a single fragment that day." She then did something unexpected, plunging her fist into her chest and withdrawing a small, glowing gemstone-like fragment. "This," she held it between her fingers, the fragment pulsing like a dying star, "is hardly worth all the power I have. The moment this is gone, I will cease to exist."

Vegeta watched, a complex mix of admiration and unease brewing within him. Pan’s strength was undeniable, but the cost of such power was vividly clear. Her potential was intertwined with a fate that seemed both cursed and incredible. It was a stark reminder of the dual edges of power: the capacity to protect and the potential to destroy.

He exchanged a brief look with Goku, whose expression mirrored his own concern. This was no ordinary sparring session or a simple inquiry about potential—it was a profound moment of reflection on the nature of power and its consequences.

Whis, observing the seriousness of the situation, nodded slowly. “Understanding one’s potential is important, but shaping it is equally critical. We must tread carefully, Pan. The path you suggest for your younger self must be considered with great care to avoid unintended outcomes.”

As Pan absorbed Whis’s advice, Vegeta felt a renewed sense of responsibility. Here, on Beerus's planet, they were not merely training for strength; they were understanding the responsibilities that came with it. And as Pan stood there, holding her fate in her hands, Vegeta realized just how precarious the balance between power and peace could be.

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Pan moved with purpose, her gaze fixed on Beerus as she strode directly into his personal space, undeterred by the god’s imposing presence. Her aura held a quiet intensity, the weight of her past evident in every step. As she approached, Beerus looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly, an amused yet cautious glint flashing within them as he watched her bold approach.

“In my universe,” she began, her voice carrying an unyielding edge, “I trained with another version of you. It was… interesting, to say the least.”

Beerus tilted his head, intrigued yet guarded, as he observed her carefully. He allowed her words to hang in the air, his usual air of nonchalance tempered by an unmistakable curiosity.

Pan’s eyes held a flicker of something darker, a depth that hinted at a history even the Destroyer could sense was complicated. “I ended up… leaving you,” she continued, her voice steady, though tinged with a subtle regret. “Because you kept me under your belt. And for good reason. In the end, I destroyed my own universe.”

Her words hung heavy in the air, the silence thickening as the weight of her confession settled over them. Even Beerus’s usual air of detachment seemed momentarily punctured, a faint crease forming on his brow as he processed what she’d revealed. Destroying one’s own universe—such a fate was almost unthinkable, even to a god of destruction.

“Let us hope the same fate does not befall the young Saiyan,” she added, her voice softer but no less intense. Her gaze flicked momentarily toward the distant horizon, as if seeing something only she could perceive, before settling back on Beerus.

Beerus shifted, his tail flicking thoughtfully as he held her gaze. “Hmph. A Saiyan with the power to destroy a universe… not something I would take lightly,” he said, his tone carrying an uncharacteristic gravity. “It seems even in other universes, there are… surprises.”

“Surprises,” Pan echoed, a hint of irony in her voice. “That’s one way to put it.”

Vegeta watched, his focus unbroken as he took in their exchange. Pan's story stirred something within him—a mix of dread and intrigue. She had confronted unimaginable power, the kind that blurred the lines between creation and destruction. He couldn’t help but wonder if his own path held similar dangers, if the relentless pursuit of power could one day come at a cost too great to bear.

“What was it that pushed you to that point?” Beerus asked, his voice quieter, almost contemplative. It was rare to hear the Destroyer speak without the usual indifference, and the weight of his question wasn’t lost on Vegeta.

Pan’s gaze softened, her expression flickering with something vulnerable, though it was quickly masked. “Control. Or rather, the lack of it. The power I possessed… it grew faster than I could wield it, fueled by my own darkness, my anger. I thought I could tame it, shape it. But I learned that sometimes, power is the one in control, not the wielder.”

A silence fell over them, each of them reflecting on her words. Vegeta felt a pang of recognition—how many times had he danced on the edge of losing himself, of allowing power to consume him? Pan’s story was a warning, a glimpse of what awaited those who ventured too far without the strength to master themselves.

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Beerus finally said, his tone as firm as it was uncharacteristically somber. “This Pan Son may be young, but she has a lineage that cannot be ignored. Perhaps we can guide her without smothering her potential.”

Pan inclined her head, a rare expression of gratitude flickering in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her voice sincere yet tinged with a sadness that only one who had seen too much could carry. “She deserves a chance to choose her own path… something I lost sight of along the way.”

With that, she turned, leaving Beerus and the rest of them to absorb her words. Vegeta’s gaze followed her, his mind racing with questions and realizations. Pan’s past was a cautionary tale, a reminder of what awaited even the strongest Saiyans if they failed to temper their strength with discipline. And as he watched her retreating figure, he found himself silently vowing to protect the younger Pan’s future, to guide her on a path that would steer her away from the abyss her counterpart had once faced.