In an instant, she shifted her stance, drawing from the energy that pulsed around her. Vegeta felt the air grow colder, and as she moved, he saw the deep blue hue of her energy intensify, wrapping around her like a cloak. The markings on her body glowed brighter, pulsating rhythmically, as if responding to the surge of power within her.

With a sudden leap, she launched herself toward him, and he barely had time to brace himself before she struck. Her fist connected with his jaw in a devastating uppercut, and the world spun as he was propelled into the air, pain lancing through him. He quickly regained his composure, flipping in mid-air, but Pan was already on him, her tail lashing out like a whip, coiling around his leg and yanking him down to the ground.

“Enough games,” she declared, her voice a low growl. “Show me what you’re truly made of, Vegeta. Or this fight will end sooner than you think.”

Vegeta hit the ground hard, the impact shaking him to his core. But he refused to stay down. Drawing on every bit of energy he had, he launched himself back up, fueled by the fire of his pride and the determination to protect everything he held dear. This fight was far from over, and he would not allow her to think she could so easily best him. He would rise, stronger than before, ready to show her the true might of a Saiyan prince.

Vegeta felt the impact of the ground beneath him as he regained his footing, adrenaline coursing through him, his heart pounding with determination. But before he could catch his breath, Pan blinked, and in that instant, her entire form changed.

Her aura erupted around her, a radiant, golden light that illuminated the arena, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. The air crackled with energy, vibrating with a divine intensity as she shifted into her Super Saiyan God form. Her hair became a metallic gold, flowing like liquid sunlight, while her eyes transformed into molten orange, filled with an otherworldly depth. The energy around her pulsed like a living entity, warm yet intimidating, and Vegeta felt a shiver run down his spine.

Without missing a beat, she turned to face him, her tail lashing out like a predator. In a blink, it wrapped around his wrist, yanking him toward her with a strength that left him no room to resist. He stumbled forward, caught off guard by her sudden ferocity, and before he could steady himself, her fist shot forward, glowing with golden energy.

“Time to end this,” she declared, her voice ringing with newfound power.

The blow struck him squarely in the chest, and Vegeta felt the force of her punch reverberate through him like an explosion. The impact shattered his armor, the metallic plating disintegrating under the onslaught as if it were made of paper. Pain radiated through his ribs, the sound of cracking bones echoing in his ears, and he staggered back, gasping for air, a mix of shock and fury coursing through him.

“Damn it!” he growled, clutching his chest as he fought to regain his composure. He could feel the sharp, biting pain of broken ribs, a reminder of the brutal reality of their clash. She was stronger, faster, and now, with the power of a god behind her, she was a force to be reckoned with.

Pan’s golden aura enveloped her, swirling around like a tempest, and her expression held an almost serene confidence. “You see, Vegeta?” she taunted, her voice smooth and mocking. “This is the power of a true Saiyan. You can’t rely on pride alone. You need to embrace the strength that comes from the gods.”

Vegeta glared at her, anger boiling in his gut. He wouldn’t let her words get to him, wouldn’t let her taunts unravel his focus. “I am the Prince of all Saiyans!” he roared, channeling the pain and rage into a desperate determination. “You think a transformation will scare me? I’ve fought gods before!”

Gathering himself, he concentrated his energy, allowing his aura to ignite around him in a brilliant blue blaze. He focused on the memories of his training, the lessons learned from battles past, and the strength that came from his lineage. He wouldn’t let her take this fight from him, not now.

“Let’s see what you’ve got!” he challenged, launching himself at her with renewed vigor. He closed the distance, aiming a swift punch at her face, but she dodged effortlessly, spinning out of reach.

“You’ll have to do better than that!” she laughed, the sound echoing with an edge of challenge. She retaliated with a series of rapid punches, each one imbued with the power of her transformation. Vegeta blocked and countered, his movements fueled by a mix of pain and fury, but she was relentless, her strikes landing with precision that tested his limits.

As they exchanged blows, Vegeta felt the intensity of her power, the weight of it pressing down on him, but he was determined not to back down. This wasn’t just a fight; it was a crucible that would forge him anew.

Pan’s tail swung around again, aiming to ensnare him once more, but he anticipated the movement this time. He ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as he prepared to unleash a counterattack of his own.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“You’ve grown strong, but strength alone isn’t enough!” he shouted, determination igniting within him as he powered up, channeling his energy into his fists. “I’ll show you the true power of a Saiyan!”

With a surge of energy, he executed a rapid combination of punches, each infused with his own ki, aiming for her midsection and face. Pan danced out of the way, but he pressed on, relentless, refusing to give her an opening. He could see the surprise in her eyes as she realized he was adapting to her movements, matching her speed and power with his own fury.

But as he fought, the realization struck him—this was more than just about winning; it was about understanding. He needed to dig deeper, to find that core strength within himself that had always defined him as a warrior. And as Pan unleashed her energy, he felt that same energy within him beginning to rise.

“I won’t lose to you!” he roared, launching himself at her with a final, desperate blow, ready to show Pan the true strength of a Saiyan prince.

After an hour of fighting, exhaustion clawed at Vegeta’s limbs, but the thrill of battle coursed through him like fire. He had pushed himself beyond his limits, channeling every ounce of power and determination into each strike. The arena around them was a chaotic tableau of energy blasts, shattered stone, and the aftermath of their fierce clash.

Vegeta could feel Pan's energy fluctuating as they exchanged blows, her confidence waning as he started to find openings in her defenses. He had learned her patterns, adapted to her fighting style, and now he sensed his moment was approaching.

With a fierce shout, he lunged forward, his fist colliding with her chest in a powerful blow. The impact resonated through him, but he didn’t stop there—he pressed through, shattering her ribs as he punched deep into her torso, breaking the barriers of flesh and bone with a surge of energy that shocked even him.

For a brief moment, he felt exhilarated. He had done it; he had pushed past her defenses. But then, he felt a chill as he watched the realization wash over Pan’s face. Her aura flickered, dimming before it faltered completely, and he could see the life draining from her body.

“No…” Vegeta breathed, pulling his arm free from the void he had created. He watched in horror as her body dropped to the ground, lifeless, her ki flatlined. A heavy silence fell over the arena, the crowd settling into a stunned disbelief. Whispers rippled through the spectators as they began to comprehend the magnitude of what had just transpired.

Vegeta felt his heart race, an uneasy mix of triumph and dread swirling within him. He had fought hard, but the finality of her collapse settled like a lead weight in his stomach. He hadn’t just defeated her; he had taken a life—an action that felt alien, even in the heat of battle.

For five long minutes, the arena was still, the tension palpable. Then, just as the gravity of the situation seemed unbearable, Pan jerked awake, gasping for breath as the wound on her chest healed before his very eyes. Vegeta’s breath caught in his throat, disbelief washing over him like a wave.

Beerus, who had been observing the fight with his usual aloofness, now leaned forward, his eyes widening in surprise. “What the…?” he muttered, his expression shifting from disbelief to intrigue.

“Ah… Damn. How… embarrassing,” Pan said, her voice light despite the situation. She looked directly at Vegeta, her expression shifting from the intensity of battle to something more playful, almost mocking. “I shall treat you with the same caliber as the Vegeta of my universe.”

Before he could respond, a soft green light enveloped him, shimmering around his body like a gentle breeze. He felt the warmth of her energy wash over him, and to his astonishment, his wounds began to heal. The fatigue that had settled in his limbs lifted as his ki reserves restored, the ache of battle melting away under her touch. But more than that, he sensed a portion of her power merging with him, an unexpected gift that left him both bewildered and honored.

Internally, Vegeta’s mind raced. He had fought with everything he had, yet here she was, not just returning from the brink of death but enhancing him with her own energy. The implications sent ripples through his thoughts—who was this Pan, and what kind of power did she wield? He hadn’t just faced an opponent; he had encountered a force of nature.

“Thank you for the fight,” Pan said, her tone shifting to something softer, more genuine. She bowed gracefully, her tail wrapping around her waist as she did so. The act was unexpected, a sign of respect that left him momentarily speechless.

After a heartbeat, her appearance shifted again, her white hair, blue eyes, and metallic Saiyan armor returning as if she were shedding the remnants of the battle. She took a few steps back, a serene look in her eyes, and then, without another word, she phase-stepped from the arena, vanishing as suddenly as she had appeared.

Vegeta stood there, still absorbing the shock of the fight, the healing energy coursing through him. The crowd erupted into murmurs and gasps, but his mind was elsewhere, racing to comprehend the encounter he had just experienced. Pan had not only tested his strength but also challenged his very understanding of power, pride, and what it meant to be a Saiyan.

As he looked around, he saw the mixed expressions of the onlookers—surprise, confusion, awe. This fight was not merely a display of strength; it had transcended the arena, shaking the foundations of everything they understood about power and resilience. He felt a strange sense of camaraderie with this alternate version of Pan, a connection forged through their fierce clash, one that would linger long after the echoes of battle had faded.

“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head to clear it. “I’ve got a lot to learn.” And as he stood in the aftermath of their encounter, he realized that this was only the beginning of a much larger journey—one that would take him beyond the confines of pride and strength into the heart of what it truly meant to be a Saiyan warrior.