Ryu: ...

Ryu was in the dining room of Beerus planet, having finished setting the table. However he was much more stoic than usual.

Alright, 10 seconds to guess why.

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Shojo: You miss her don't you?

Ryu blushed, placing bottles of wine on the table.

Ryu: ...-_-... Shut up.

Shojo: What? It's not like this is the longest time you've been without her.

Ryu: That's the thing! Usually I'm the one who goes off and does some stupidly dangerous stuff! When Aero's the one doing it I'm literally on edge every second! At least when I'm out we know I'll probably make the other guys run for the hills first!!

Shojo: Awww, it's okay if you miss someone draining the life out of you.

Ryu: -_- You're here every moment of my existence. If anything the only thing missing is a neck pain. Nothing feels right when she's gone for over 2 weeks.

As he was about to say another word, he quickly turned to a door, seeing Whis, Azure, Erica, and Beerus.

Ryu: O_O ...

Erica: ... Yeah I'm totally telling her you said that.

Ryu: PARTNER DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Erica: Too late for that!

Whis: HOHOHO!! It seems even the mighty Ryu can get lonely from time to time!

Beerus: The person who nearly brought be down can't even handle what would be a wink of sleep for me without his woman?

Ryu had an angry blush on his face, as Super Saiyan threatened to activate from the pure rage.

Ryu: If I wasn't being hunted by Death...! Ugh. Whis, how long exactly should they have been in that place?

Whis: Well, while it is concerning, they're all more than powerful enough to overcome any of the ordinary denizens of the realm.

Ryu: And? What about OUT of the ordinary?

Whis: There aren't many that fit that qualification to my knowledge. However they could quite possibly encounter difficulties. Nothing that they couldn't overcome though.

Azure: Then what about Towa and Fu?

Whis: THOSE TWO I can never be sure of. They could be docile, or they could go on the offensive. I gave them a way to immediately leave.

Ryu: ... That doesn't bode well. How long DID you want them to stay for?

Beerus: Until they found something, or by tomorrow.

Ryu: 20 days is cutting it close, don't you think?

Beerus: I told them about the risk.

DEMON REALM

Karma: Wow this brings back unwanted memories.

Karma was flying around with Ruby by her side.

Ruby: What do you mean?

Karma: I mean how separated I was from my team for 11 whole years.

Ruby: Oh... WOW that just brought back unpleasant memories. Gero really messed us both up.

Karma: -_- I killed both you and Aero, and I quite possibly would've wiped out humanity if Ryu didn't die to stop me. Messed up is an understatement.

Ruby: Karma, I know you still feel bad, but you have to get over this one day. I'm not saying to forget about it, but don't keep letting that guilt eat you.

Karma: I know but... Ugh, sometimes I feel hard pressed to even call myself a Huntress anymore. I don't know what to do with myself lately.

Ruby: Well... Did you ever accomplish what you wanted to do?

Karma: What?

Ruby: As a Huntress.

Karma: ... To be honest, being a Huntress just fell in line with what I wanted. It made things easier at the very least. All I wanted was to stop Faunus discrimination on Remnant. After that... I have no clue.

Ruby: Well then, we're not burdened by aging. Since you technically completed that goal, why not try to enjoy life?

Karma: *Sigh* Maybe once we're out of this place.

Ruby: By the way... How long have we been flying?

Karma: 3 hours.

Ruby: And... How long does it usually take light to fly around a planet?

Karma: ... 7 times in just a second...

Ruby: So if I'm doing my math right... Shouldn't we have been able to circle this place a while ago?

Karma: ... I'm teleporting us to the others.

She created a rock before marking it and dropping it onto the ground, before teleporting to the others with Ruby.

Aero: Did you two find anything?

Ruby: No!! That's the crazy part!! We flew for three hours straight and still saw different terrain!!

Piccolo: What?

Goku: Seriously?! That makes no sense!

Tarble: How large could this place possibly be?

Aero: Wait... That couldn't be the problem could it?

Ruby: Do you have an idea Aero?

Aero: I might, but there's no real grounds for it.

Karma: Anything could help at this point.

Aero: Okay, a while back Ryu told me about his experiences with dimensions. He said some are bigger than others, but others are more than just big.

Tarble: What did he mean?

Aero: The first place he told me about was other world. Even flying at his max speed as Super Saiyan God for 2 straight weeks, he wasn't able to make a round trip. It just kept going and going. So... Maybe we're dealing with a world that does beyond distance.

Piccolo: Are you trying to say that this place might be infinite in size?!

Goku: Hold on, I think once upon a time I did hear King Kai say something like that about Otherworld.

Tarble: So no matter how fast we travel then we won't get around? Unless one of you are faster than the concept of infinity.

Aero: ... It might be a long shot, but Goku. You're better at Instant Transmission than Karma. How far away can you sense Ki?

Goku: Uhhhh... Well I can give it a try, but wouldn't that alarm people?

Aero: -_- We're in a realm full of demons. I don't think we'd avoid a fight either way.

Goku: Fair point. Everyone, grab on.

Karma: Actually...

Karma placed a hand on Goku's back, with a mark appearing.

Karma: You focus on yourself, I'll teleport everyone else.

Goku: Sounds like a plan!

Goku closed his eyes, before sensing around.

Karma: 'Even with my new abilities, we'll have to be careful of Towa and Fu.'

After 2 minutes of searching, Goku opened his eyes.

Goku: Got it!! A large group of energies!

Goku teleported, with Karma soon teleporting herself and the others immediately after. When they reappeared, they overtop a massive civilization, one that seemed to be the size of an island.

Karma: Holy crap this is reminding me of Menagerie.

Piccolo: It's unbelievable. Every signature is here is at great level, even the children.

Tarble: Here I thought the Saiyan's were a race of warriors. These people have natural born power that put most of us to shame.

???: Wow, I didn't think you'd all be stupid enough to come to this place willingly!

The fighters turned, and ended up seeing the one familiar face they had hoped not to.

Fu: WELCOME!!!

Aero: Oh God it was a trap!!

Fu: And you fell for it hook line and sinker!

Goku: Well if you think you're taking all of us out without a fight, you're dead wrong!!

Fu: Oh, I know that! Which is why I'm not gonna be fighting you!!

Ruby: ... Wait wha?

Fu: Yup, you might wanna look down again.

Each of them did so, with each of them seeing a portal appearing, with shadows grabbing them.

Karma: GAH, W-WHAT IS THIS STUFF?!!!

Goku: C-Can't move!! I can't power up either?!

Aero: I've never felt Magic like this...

???: Pardon me!

Aero felt herself being grabbed by the neck, before being violently hoisted away from the shadow, however she now struggled to breathe.

Aero: W-Who's *Choke* doing that...?!

The figure was revealed to be none other than our pink haired Grim Reaper, who smiled looking at Fu.

Fu: GAH!!! DEATH?!!!

Death: I'll have to borrow this one.

Fu: I- But we need them all for-

Death: Don't worry, don't worry. With me being here the energy you'll gain will be plenty! Also...

She gave a smile that chilled almost every individual there to the bone.

Death: I wouldn't test me. The lives of Demon's aren't off limits to me, and you and your mother ESPECIALLY irritate me. Even though you haven't teased me nearly as much, I've been waiting even longer for your Souls than Ryu's, so I can easily switch that target.

Fu: ... You know what? Happy hunting!!

Death: ^_^

Death snapped her fingers, vanishing from the sight of everyone. Karma and Ruby upon seeing this shared a similar thought.

Karma/Ruby: '... Ryu's gonna break.'

BEERUS' PLANET!!

Ryu had gotten a chill up his spine as he meditated, opening his eyes and looking around.

Ryu: ... 21 days are over.

Ceasing his floating, Ryu landed on his feet, and began to walk into the castle. Once he did, he entered the dining hall, finding everyone else.

Ryu: 21 days is up, and no sign of them.

Whis: Yes, but it has only been-

Ryu: An hour after the time they left 3 weeks ago.

Erica and Azure after hearing this stopped eating, realizing this themselves.

Beerus: Ryu, I can understand your concern but an hour after is-

Ryu: Not something Aero or Karma let slide. They're the most punctual Hunters out of all of us, and on top of that Karma has different ways to teleport.

Beerus: ... And you're certain about it?

Ryu: I know those two better than even their own families have. There's no way I could be more certain, even if someone told me themselves-

???: Ah, the loving boyfriend makes the right assumptions again!!

Ryu turned around, shocked hearing the familiar voice, as he began to sweat.

Ryu: It's her.

Erica: Ryu? What's wrong?

Ryu: You mean you all didn't hear that?!

Death: Ah don't bother, you're the only one I'm linked to at the moment. Just a friendly warning, everyone is trapped in the Demon Realm and your friends are getting their energies drained as we speak!

Ryu: What?!!!

Azure: Dude, spit it out!! What's up with you?!!

Ryu: Death is talking in my head!! Everyone is trapped in the Demon Realm and Towa's draining their energy!

Beerus: DRAINING THEIR ENERGY?!!!

Beerus stood up as well.

Whis: Oh my, this does not bode well.

Ryu: WE'VE GOTTA GO GET THEM NOW!!!!

Death: About that~.

Ryu: I don't have time for your antics right now Death!! Get in between me and my friends and I don't care how powerful you are, you'll regret it!!

Death: Ahahaha!! There it is!! There's that disgusting fire I wanted to feel from you!!!

An image popped into Ryu's mind, as one of the worse nightmares he had ever dreamt of had seemingly come true.

Death: Tell me though, you think I called only to be nice? Before you get to your friends, you'll all have to come to me, or your precious little vampire gets it. Tata~!

Death severed the connection, as each of them saw Ryu go blank for a moment.

Erica: P-Partner...?

Ryu: ...

Ryu quickly breathed in, before slowly starting to walk out of the castle, with everyone following, and becoming increasingly worried upon seeing the veins starting to bulge on Ryu's body.

Azure: Uhhhh... I don't like where this is about to go.

Whis: I suggest we all brace ourselves.

Ryu's eyes flashed red, as the air began to vibrate.

Ryu: HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

With a roar that could be heard from likely anywhere, Ryu began to power up, with everything on Beerus' planet beginning to shake.

Azure: INTENSE!!!!

Erica: IS IT POSSIBLE HE'S EVEN STRONGER AFTER THIS SHORT OF A TIME?!!!!

Beerus: IT WON'T MATTER IF EVERYTHING IS BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS FROM HIS-

Before Beerus could finish his statement, something occurred that frightened everyone.

Whis however, had been filled with nothing but pride.

Erica: Wait...

Shonen: This... This...

Beerus: ... Inconceivable.

Azure: It's... Quiet?

Everything around Ryu had quickly become calm, and in fact a dead silence began. The man in question took in a deep breath, before exhaling, with power seeming emanate off of him.

Whis: '... Even though you were more enraged than you ever have been... In just an instant, you tamed every last bit of that power into yourself. A calm body, and a calm spirit. Though there's one thing for certain...'

Ryu seemed to be in Ultra Instinct, however his blue pupils were slitted and glowing deeply.

Whis: 'Ryu has finally begun to tap into his true potential. A raging fire that he can wield as a weapon whenever he sees fit. You'd best watch out Sol.'

Ryu turned around, looking at Whis.

Ryu: Are the portals still on Earth? Death wants me one on one before we can get to the others.

Whis: No need, we can have a safer way.

Whis spun his staff, before stabbing it into the ground, creating a portal.

Whis: Our impatient concept provided a way to her specifically.

Ryu: Azure, Erica, stay out of the fight.

Hearing him speak, both knew this wasn't a simple request, but also an order as the leader of Team RAGE.

Erica: ... Yes sir.

Beerus: You three... Be careful.

They nodded, before each jumping through.

Azure: 'This one is different. There's never really been a lot of times that I remember being afraid of Ryu.'

He looked at Ryu, feeling the calm fury within him. They had finally finished falling through the portal, arriving at a baron wasteland with red skies.

Azure: ... Something isn't right here.

Death: Welcome kids.

The three heard a voice behind them, as Azure and Erica could feel slashes in their backs for a moment, which had made them take knees.

However afterwards, they felt nothing.

Erica: ... What just happened?

They both turned, and saw something they didn't expect. Death was mid swing with her scythe, but behind her was Ryu, holding a space on the long handle.

Ryu: Where is she Death?

Death was surprised, before smiling at the result.

Death: Haha... HAHAHAHAHA!!!

She pulled her scythe out of Ryu's grip, sticking it into the ground.

Death: You actually managed to change it!! I showed you the fate, and despite me giving effort, you actually managed to change it!! I think that deserves a treat!!

She snapped her fingers, before a cross dropped from the sky. Chained to it was a battered and beaten Aero with her hair down.

Azure: Aero?!

Weakly she looked up at the three.

Aero: Y-You three... I'm sorry...

Tears began to fall from her eyes.

Aero: We got caught by a trap, and I got dragged here... We were off guard, and now we're paying for it!

Ryu: Don't say that! We're gonna get out of here and then we can just deal with problems one step at a time like usual!

Death: Ah ah ah. Whis isn't gonna be able to bale you out this time Ry.

Ryu: ... So then I'm just gonna have to deal with it.

Ryu began to walk forward, thinking back to something Whis had spoken of.

FLASHBACK!!

Ryu: Hold on, you said what Whis?

Whis: There is a way that you could gain power that far surpasses that of Angel and Destroyer techniques on their own. You've seen it done more than once.

Ryu: Are you talking about when Beerus mixed the powers together?

Whis: That? Hoho!! Yes, but Lord Beerus could only ever manage to make a crass version of that mix!

Whis slyly looked to the Destroyer.

Whis: I'd be disappointed if you couldn't do better.

Beerus: WHAT WAS THAT WHIS?!!! THE DAY RYU CAN DO THAT ON THE FIRST TRY BETTER THAN ME IS THE DAY I STOP TAKING 50 YEAR NAPS!!!

Whis: Moreover, you have seen someone in a perfect version of that state. Constantly in fact! Not too dissimilar to myself and Ultra Instinct.

Ryu: Seriously? But Beerus is the only one I've ever known to have had those powers.

Whis: Ryu, come now. It shouldn't be hard for YOU of all people to guess.

Ryu: ... DO NOT, say it.

Whis: Of course it was your father!

Ryu: But... But he was always so-

Whis: Neutrality upon perfection and mastery looks different for many people. That was simply Sol's version of it.

Ryu: But... But what if I end up too different?

Whis: Ryu... Weather or not you end up different is up to you. This is only one of many paths you can take to achieve power. The only question is that if you shall walk it.

Ryu: ...

FLASHBACK OVER!!

Ryu walked forward, as the ground began to quake.

Ryu: 'I still do have fear in my heart. I remember her blows... But...'

He stopped dead in his tracks, looking back at Azure and Erica.

Ryu: ... If this goes wrong, thanks for always believing in me, Azure, Erica.

Erica: If what goes wrong?

He looked back forward, seeing the beaten Aero, as a single year slid down his face.

Ryu: Aero... Thank you for being the first person to never look at me like just a crazy idiot. Faster than anyone else in the world, you were able to see me as my true self.

Ryu's hair began to turn a familiar silver color, however unlike before, the aura around him was starting to become purple.

Aero: R-Ryu... Don't do anything crazy...

Azure: HEY, RYU!!!

Shojo: ... You sure about this?

Ryu: 'Gotta be. To become strong enough to protect everyone, I need to face my fear.'

Ryu closed his eyes, as the very air around them began to vibrate, as the skies around them became dark.

Shonen: ... This is different from any other life.

Azure: Huh?

Shonen: This is the only time... Ryu's very presence has truly chilled me to the bone.

Lightning began to shoot out from the divine Saiyan, as even Death seemed surprised at this. That surprise slowly became elation, as the Grim Reaper began to smile with glee.

Death: This is your answer huh? This is gonna be good!

Ryu opened his eyes, before the aura around him pierced through the skies, as Azure, Erica, and Aero were too stunned to speak, as then a bright light flashed through the area.

ELSEWHERE!!

Towa was entering as pod filled with crimson red liquids, as not far away the captured Z Fighters were attached to dark stones, while the crystals collected by Fu were glowing brightly, as she did as well.

Towa: Ahhh, finally it begins. It all falls into place.

She quietly submerged herself, smiling.

Towa: 'You've been such a good boy, Ryu Kaizen. All of this I must thank you for. Including this last push.'

BACK TO THE BATTLE

Azure: I-It's like there's no bottom!! His energy is immeasurable for me right now!!!

Erica: Yeah, I don't think I've ever been more scared of my partner until now!!! ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE FUCKING BLIND AT THE MOMENT!!!

When the light finally began to die down, the ones watching could finally see what had happened to Ryu.

Azure: I... This...

Erica: Is that... Really Ryu?

Death: Ha, looks like you finally made that choice. I'll admit, this look suites you far more than either of those two alone.

Ryu: ...

Ryu was completely silent, as even his clothes became different from the form he had taken.

Death: Powers that few in HISTORY have ever been lucky enough to achieve. However, this looks like a little more than luck.

Ryu's hair was white, however it had become spiked as if he had become a Super Saiyan, while the aura around him was clearly the Aura of Destruction. His eyes had become blood red, markings appeared along his body, with his hands being covered in a black material.

Death: The Power of Calamity.

CALAMITY RYU!!

Erica: R... Ryu?

Death: I'd start getting used to this kiddies. This power has changed many of the strongest God's of other realities. The Ryu Kaizen you all knew before may be gone.

They all looked at the still Ryu, who didn't move whatsoever.

Azure: No...

Ryu simply took a step forward, arriving in front of Death, managing to connect a punch to her face. She stumbled back from this surprised, before actually seeing blood being drawn.

Death: Ohhhhh, I do love a strong prey!

She took out her Scythe, as she began to rapidly swung at Ryu, however demonstrating a level of Ultra Instinct that hadn't been seen before, he dodged calmly, hardly moving far to do so, exciting Death.

Erica: It's amazing...

Azure: That doesn't matter!!

Azure angrily looked towards the battle, seeing the stoic and emotionless Ryu.

Azure: The person fighting there... That's not my rival... Not my best friend... It's not Ryu!!

He dropped to a knee, punching the ground as shocks went through the air. Aero upon seeing this felt the world around her slow.

Aero: Ryu... I can't feel his heart... He sacrificed his own freedom and emotions to gain the power to fight Death and save us...

She began to cry upon the realization.

Aero: He's... He's really gone...!!

Erica: Damnit... Why does he always have to be the hero?!! So what if we live after this?!

Ryu caught Death's Scythe, before kicking upwards, with a have of destruction hitting Death.

Death: *COUGH* AMAZING!!

Erica: Things won't be right without him!!

Death: Ahh, the sweet relief of pain. I thank you Ryu, you're finally starting to give a good time!

Ryu: ...

Death: Huh... Silence... Why does this feel strangely unnatural.

???

In a void that made darkness itself look bright, Ryu was floating aimlessly, completely unconscious.

Shojo: HELL NO, WE ARE NOT DOING THIS AGAIN!!!!

Shojo was also in the void, before rapidly punching Ryu with to force of a sledgehammer, forcing him awake.

Ryu: OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! I'M UP, YOU STUPID WOLF IN MY HEAD!!!!

CHAPTER END!!