Chapter 17: Bad day to be an Immortal

Hey guys, welcome back to this story. I'll still crank out maybe one chapter for this story and my DC story before going on my trip so look forward to that. Enjoy.

"The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you" -Neil deGrasse Tyson

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*In the near future*

The sky was a vast canvas of orange and purple as the sun set over the city, casting long shadows across the broken skyscrapers below. High above, two figures clashed with the force of titans, sending shockwaves that rattled windows and set off car alarms.

The Immortal, with his black hair and weathered face, moved with the fluidity and precision of a warrior who had seen countless battles over millennia. Each punch and counter, each dodge and parry, was executed with near-perfection. His experience was evident, every movement calculated and efficient.

Beerus, on the other hand, fought with a manic glee, his eyes wide and his grin feral. Despite his formidable strength and speed, his lack of experience showed in the initial exchanges. The Immortal anticipated his attacks, sidestepping a powerful punch and delivering a blow to his opponents' ribs. He merely grunted, but the twisted smile never left his face.

"You've got some moves, old man," the young man taunted, his voice dripping with a dangerous mix of admiration and mockery. "But let's see how you handle this."

He surged forward with renewed aggression, but the Immortal was ready. He caught Beerus's wrist mid-strike and twisted, throwing Beerus into a nearby building. The structure shuddered and cracked, chunks of concrete raining down as Beerus emerged from the debris, laughter bubbling from his lips.

"You think you can win with brute strength alone?" the Immortal shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. "I've faced monsters far worse than you."

Beerus wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

The fight resumed with even greater intensity. The Immortal's fists blurred as he launched a relentless barrage of attacks, each strike aimed with deadly precision. Beerus struggled to keep up, his movements less refined but fueled by raw power and a reckless disregard for his own safety. (AN: I'm having him be a little reckless because he's finally cutting loose and having fun)

As the Immortal landed a particularly vicious uppercut, sending Beerus spiraling into the sky, he pressed his advantage, following up with a devastating kick that sent Beerus crashing back down. The ground cratered beneath him, dust and debris filling the air.

For a moment, it seemed as if the Immortal had the upper hand. But as the dust settled, Beerus's laughter echoed once more. His eyes locked onto the Immortal, and the temperature around him seemed to rise.

"Enough playing around," Beerus said, his voice a low growl. "Now, let's see what you're really made of."

Before the elder being could react, twin beams of searing heat shot from Beerus's eyes. The Immortal barely had time to throw up his arms in a defensive stance, the intense heat scorching the air around him. He gritted his teeth, feeling his skin blister under the onslaught.

Beerus advanced, the beams cutting a swath of destruction as the Immortal was forced to retreat. Desperation crept into his movements as he tried to find an opening, but Beerus's heat vision was relentless, burning through defenses and searing flesh.

With a roar, the Immortal lunged forward, pushing through the pain. He managed to land a solid punch to Beerus's jaw, momentarily disrupting the beams. But Beerus was quick to recover, grabbing the Immortal by the throat and lifting him off the ground.

"Impressive," Beerus hissed, his grin widening. "But not enough."

He unleashed another burst of heat vision at point-blank range, the Immortal's screams of agony mingling with the crackling of superheated air. In a final act of defiance, the Immortal summoned all his remaining strength and drove his knee into Beerus's gut, forcing him to release his grip.

Both combatants staggered back, the air thick with the scent of burnt flesh and ozone. The Immortal, breathing heavily, his body covered in burns, fixed Beerus with a steely gaze.

"This isn't over," he growled.

Beerus, his own body showing no signs of the brutal fight, merely chuckled. "Oh, I certainly hope not. You're far too entertaining to kill just yet."

His eyes glowed again with a fierce intensity as twin beams of searing energy shot forth, slicing through the air with precision. The Immortal, with his centuries of combat experience, dodged the initial assault, weaving through the beams with agile grace.

Beerus, however, was relentless. He manipulated the beams, bending them to follow the Immortal's movements. The sky lit up with the deadly chase, the beams cutting through clouds and leaving trails of destruction in their wake.

The Immortal knew he had to think quickly. Despite his vast experience, Beerus's raw power and unpredictable tactics made him a formidable opponent. He couldn't rely on brute strength alone. He needed a strategy.

As he dodged another near-miss, the Immortal's mind raced. He needed to exploit Beerus's inexperience. Though powerful, Beerus lacked the centuries of battle-honed instinct that he possessed. He could use that to his advantage.

Diving sharply, the Immortal led Beerus's beams toward a dense cluster of skyscrapers. The beams followed, tearing through the structures with devastating force. But as the beams weaved through the buildings, their path became more erratic, forced to navigate the obstacles.

The Immortal used the momentary distraction to his advantage. He looped back around, closing the distance between himself and Beerus. With a burst of speed, he aimed a powerful punch at Beerus's midsection, hoping to catch him off guard.

Beerus, momentarily surprised, took the hit, grunting as the force knocked him back. But he recovered quickly, eyes narrowing with a mix of anger and grudging respect.

"Not bad," Beerus grinned. "But you'll need more than tricks to beat me."

The Immortal didn't respond with words. Instead, he pressed his advantage, launching a flurry of blows aimed at exploiting Beerus's openings. The two titans clashed in a brutal exchange, the Immortal's experience pitted against Beerus's raw power.

As the battle raged on, the Immortal knew he had to end it quickly. He couldn't outlast Beerus indefinitely. Spotting a brief opening, he aimed a powerful uppercut at Beerus's jaw, putting all his strength into the blow.

Beerus, saw the punch in slow motion, twisted his body at the last second. The punch grazed him, but he used the momentum to deliver a counterattack, his hands forming a knife. He impaled the weaker being through the .

Struggling to his feet, the Immortal looked up to see Beerus floating above, a fierce determination in his eyes. Despite the odds, he felt a surge of resolve. He wouldn't give up. He couldn't afford to. The fate of the city—and possibly the world—depended on it.

The Immortal struggled to his feet, his body aching from the relentless assault. He looked up at Beerus, who hovered above with an expression of detached curiosity. Despite the overwhelming power he faced, the Immortal knew he had to try a different approach. He took a deep breath, summoning all his strength not just for another round of combat, but for a plea that might turn the tide.

"Beerus," the Immortal called out, his voice echoing through the ruined cityscape. "You're powerful, more powerful than anyone I've faced. But I know you're not like Omni-Man. I can see it in the way you fight. You're not doing this out of pure malice."

Beerus's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for the Immortal to continue.

"Omni-Man is a threat to this world," the Immortal pressed on. "He's here to conquer, to subjugate humanity. But you... You don't have to follow his path. You can help us, help this planet. There's good in you, Beerus. I can see it."

Beerus's expression remained unreadable, a faint hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Good? You think there's good in me? You're making a lot of assumptions, old man. Good and evil? Such human concepts. They mean nothing to me."

The Immortal took a step forward, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not assuming anything. I'm hoping. I've lived a long time, seen countless wars, countless atrocities. But I've also seen acts of incredible kindness, selflessness, and heroism. Humanity isn't perfect, but they're worth saving. They're worth fighting for."

Beerus's eyes flashed with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "You think these people deserve this planet? Look at them. Divided, constantly at war, destroying their own environment. They can't even get along with each other, and you want me to help them? Why?"

The Immortal took another step closer, his voice filled with conviction. "Because they have the potential to change. To be better. Just like you have the potential to be more than a destroyer. You can be a protector, a guardian. Together, we can stop Omni-Man and give humanity a chance to prove themselves."

Beerus's gaze hardened, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "You misunderstand me, Immortal. I have no interest in saving humanity. I find them... fascinating, in their own self-destructive way. But they don't deserve this planet, not as they are now. They squander their resources, fight pointless wars, and fail to realize their potential. If they destroy themselves, perhaps it's what they deserve."

The Immortal's heart sank, but he refused to give up. "And what about innocent lives? The children, the people just trying to live their lives, who want nothing more than to see a better future? Don't they deserve a chance?"

Beerus's eyes flickered with a momentary hesitation, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He scoffed. "Innocent lives? There are always casualties in the grand scheme of things. It's the way of the universe. Survival of the fittest. If humanity wants to survive, they need to prove they deserve it."

The Immortal's gaze didn't waver, determination burning bright. "So help them prove it. Give them that chance. Show them what real strength and responsibility look like. They can change, Beerus. They just need someone to believe in them."

Beerus's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Believe in them? I am not a savior, Immortal. I am a force of nature. If they are to survive, they will have to do so on their own merits."

"Then be that force," the Immortal replied. "But be a force for something greater than destruction. Be a force that inspires change, that shows the way to something better."

For a moment, the two stood in silence, the weight of the Immortal's words hanging in the air. Beerus seemed to consider the plea, his eyes reflecting a hint of contemplation. Finally, he spoke, his tone measured. "I will consider your words, Immortal. But know this: I am not here to save humanity. If I choose to act, it will be on my terms, not yours."

With that, Beerus's eyes glowed, and he launched himself at the Immortal, their fight resuming with renewed intensity. 

Beerus began moving so fast that afterimages of him appeared around the Immortal, and the scarlet glow of his eyes left a red trail in the air. The air seemed to crackle with energy as Beerus's speed created a whirlwind, debris swirling around them. The Immortal, panting and battered, watched in mounting frustration.

'He's moving too fast for me,' the Immortal thought, his mind racing as he desperately tried to find a way to put down this formidable opponent. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the dirt and blood from their battle. He brought a hand to his ear, activating his earpiece. "Cecil, what do you got?" he barked, his voice edged with urgency and desperation.

In the Global Defense Agency's command center, Cecil Stedman watched the battle unfold on multiple monitors. His eyes flickered over the screens, analyzing every move, every strategy. He quickly assessed the situation, his mind a whirlwind of calculations.

"Immortal, listen carefully," Cecil's voice crackled through the earpiece, calm but authoritative. "Beerus's speed and his heat vision are his primary advantages. We need to slow him down, make him vulnerable. We're picking up that he generates significant energy when he uses his heat vision. If you can get him to overuse it, we might be able to overload him, even if just for a moment."

The Immortal's eyes narrowed as he processed Cecil's advice. "Got it," he replied, his voice steely with determination. "But how do I get him to keep using his heat vision?"

Cecil quickly pulled up some data on the screens. "Provocation might work. Keep taunting him, push his buttons. Make him angry enough to rely on his heat vision more. It's a gamble, but it's our best shot."

The Immortal nodded, steeling himself. "Understood. I'll make it happen."

Beerus's afterimages danced around the Immortal, the real Beerus stopping abruptly, his eyes glowing with a menacing red light. "Ready to give up yet?" Beerus taunted, his voice echoing through the ruins.

"Give up?" the Immortal shot back, forcing a cocky grin despite his injuries. "I've faced gods, demons, and everything in between. You're just a spoiled kid with daddy issues. Do you really think you can break me?"

Beerus's expression darkened, his eyes flaring even brighter. "You dare mock me?" he growled, the temperature around them rising as his rage grew.

The Immortal smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "Oh, did I hit a nerve? Maybe you're not as tough as you think. Just another bully who's all talk and no substance."

With a roar of anger, Beerus unleashed his heat vision, beams of searing energy slicing through the air toward the Immortal. The Immortal dodged and weaved, forcing Beerus to keep firing, the red beams carving scorch marks into the ground.

Cecil's voice crackled in his ear again. "It's working, but be careful. He's getting angrier, which means he's more dangerous. Keep moving, and don't let him pin you down."

The Immortal felt the heat of the beams singe his skin, but he kept his focus, baiting Beerus further. "Is this the best you've got?" he shouted, his voice filled with mockery. "I've seen humans put up a better fight!"

That snapped Beerus out of his rage. He began to roar with laughter. "AHAHAHAAH, yes I'm sure weak little humans beat a super powered being to the point of near exhaustion."

Beerus's laughter echoed through the ruined landscape, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the Immortal's spine. Despite his outward mockery, Beerus couldn't help but silently acknowledge the cleverness of Cecil and the Immortal's strategy. They were trying to anger him, to force him to make a mistake. It was a tactic that had worked against many foes before, and it might have even worked on a lesser opponent.

"Nice try," Beerus said, his laughter subsiding, though a smirk still lingered on his lips. "I'll give you credit for the effort. Trying to bait me into losing control? Clever. But it won't work on me."

The Immortal kept his stance, ready for whatever came next. "Are you sure about that? You seem pretty worked up for someone who claims to be in control."

Beerus's eyes narrowed, but his smirk widened. "You're persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence alone won't save you."

The Immortal took a deep breath, focusing on his next move. He had to keep pushing, keep distracting Beerus. "Maybe not, but I've faced worse odds. And I've learned one thing: even the strongest can fall if they're too arrogant."

Beerus's smirk faltered for a split second before he regained his composure. "Arrogant, am I? Perhaps. Or maybe I'm just confident in my superiority."

The Immortal lunged forward, aiming a punch at Beerus, who effortlessly dodged and countered with a swift kick that sent the Immortal flying back. He crashed into the ground, but quickly rolled to his feet, determined not to give up.

Beerus watched him, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "You're tenacious, I'll give you that. But you're fighting a losing battle."

The Immortal stood tall, wiping the dirt from his face. "I've been in many losing battles before. It's not about winning or losing. It's about standing up for what's right, no matter the cost."

Beerus's eyes flickered with a brief moment of curiosity. "And you think humanity is worth that cost? Worth fighting for?"

The Immortal nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Absolutely. They're flawed, yes. But they have the potential to be better. To learn, to grow. They just need a chance."

Beerus's smirk returned, though there was a hint of respect in his gaze. "You're a fool, Immortal. But a noble one. Very well, show me what you've got. Let's see if your conviction is enough to stand against my power."

As the fierce battle between Beerus and the Immortal raged on, the Immortal found himself pushed to his limits. Despite his centuries of combat experience and resilience, Beerus's overwhelming power and relentless onslaught began to take their toll. Blow after blow, beam after beam of searing heat vision, Beerus pressed his advantage, driving the Immortal back with each strike.

The Immortal fought valiantly, his movements becoming slower and more labored with each passing moment. He blocked and dodged as best he could, but Beerus's speed and precision were unmatched. A devastating punch landed squarely on the Immortal's chest, sending him crashing into a nearby building with a thunderous impact.

Gasping for breath, pain coursing through his battered body, the Immortal struggled to rise. Blood dripped from wounds, his vision blurred, but his determination remained unbroken. Beerus floated above him, a dark silhouette against the smoke and debris, his expression unreadable.

"You fought well," Beerus remarked, his voice cold and detached. "But it's over now."

With a flick of his hand, Beerus ripped off each of his opponent's limbs. The Immortal cried out in agony as the pain of his limbs being removed. He collapsed and felt the searing pain of his limbs being cauterized, consciousness slipping away.

Cecil's voice crackled urgently in his earpiece, but the Immortal could barely hear over the ringing in his ears. "Immortal, fall back! We're sending reinforcements!"

But it was too late. The Immortal's strength failed him, and darkness closed in as he fell unconscious, defeated.