Chapter 81 – Knowledge is Power

"Welcome to this plane of reality, Traveler from Beyond the Stars."

Ajax's entire body froze in horror. His mouth opened and closed silently as he stared at Guru, but words refused to come out.

The Grand Elder's ancient eyes crinkled with amusement as he watched Ajax grapple with the revelation.

"To unlock someone's hidden power, I must first find their latent potential," Guru explained gently, addressing the silent inquiry in Ajax's stunned expression. "Regrettably, I will inevitably be exposed to your memories during the process."

Oh. Ajax had completely forgotten about that. He fucked up.

"Y–you–" Ajax stammered, struggling to articulate his thoughts. "I... H–how much–?"

"Almost everything, I'm afraid. It was quite an adjustment for me, discovering the existence of worlds beyond the Universes and that everything I've known is considered, by some, to be the figment of another man's imagination. It was all very shocking, I assure you."

Ajax winced at the word "everything." He looked down at the floor, his mind racing to find a solution. Would this information leak pose a threat to him? Still looking down, Ajax narrowed his eyes.

Could he kill Guru?

Ajax immediately dismissed the thought. Not only did it cross his moral boundaries by a significant margin, but Guru's premature death would also spell the end of their campaign on Namek. Without the Dragon Balls, it was game over.

Alliance then. There was simply no other option.

Guru studied Ajax thoughtfully, sensing the inner conflict within the young warrior before him. "Fear not, young traveler, I am not your adversary. Your aspirations for the future do not concern me and have nothing to do with me. After all, I am merely an old man nearing the end of my days."

Ajax and Guru studied each other for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Ajax nodded, his tense shoulders easing slightly. He'll trust Guru, though it wasn't like he had much of a choice, since there was no stuffing the cat back into the bag.

"So, what now?"

Guru smiled gently at Ajax's question, adjusted his position in the oversized chair, and then began speaking in that unbearably slow cadence.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Haven't you already planned everything, including my death?"

"Ahhh…! Shit– Well, I mean..." Ajax stuttered awkwardly before realizing midway through that there was no need to explain. Guru already knew everything.

"I'm not offended, young one," Guru reassured him. "After all, my imminent demise is no secret among my people, and the potential future you have shown me has given me much to contemplate."

Ajax breathed a sigh of relief, immensely relieved that Guru hadn't taken offense. He knew all too well that without Guru's approval to use the Dragon Balls, his entire plan up to at least Majin Buu would fall apart.

Guru, however, wasn't done speaking. His resonant voice filled the room once more, capturing Ajax's complete attention.

"Although, do not forget this, young Ajax. A story remains just that—a story. This 'canon' of yours is merely a reflection and simplification of reality. It may reveal many truths, but not the full truth. It may portray many powerful individuals, but only one aspect of them. Indeed, much of my firsthand knowledge of our universe directly contradicts your established canon."

Ajax nodded in agreement with Guru's statement. This was no surprise to him; he was already well aware that reality is far more complex and multifaceted than canon. He knew that the people he once viewed as characters might act in ways he could not predict. Events could diverge unexpectedly. That's just reality.

Once upon a time, this realization had unsettled him, as if the solid ground beneath his feet was shifting. But those days were behind him now. It was old character development, you could say.

That being said, if Guru could provide specific information about the current state of the universe, then that would be incredibly fantastic. Knowledge was a form of power that not many in the Dragon Ball universe appreciated.

And Guru might just be a treasure trove of it.

"What kind of contradictions?" Ajax asked, his voice eager. "What relevant differences should I be aware of? Any information would be of immense help!"

Guru nodded sagely and raised a finger as if about to deliver a lecture.

At the gesture, Ajax leaned forward, fully focused on Guru's words. This was the moment he had been waiting for – a chance to gain an edge.

"Consider me, for instance. In this canon, I was depicted as a simple, frail elder, whose only role was to enhance the heroes' strength and ensure the Dragon Balls' functionality. In reality, there is more to me than that. Weak I am in my twilight, but those who underestimated or wronged me have all met their end, with only one exception. In this regard, I suppose I am rather similar to my Abridged self."

Guru suddenly chuckled. "Fascinating depiction of me, by the way."

Ajax chuckled along, amused, but he silently agreed with Guru. In the original timeline, aside from unlocking everyone's potential, Guru had essentially done nothing significant except pass away at an opportune time. This time, however, Guru had been able to create a countermeasure immediately.

"Your canon also vastly understated the reach and influence of the Galactic Patrol. They are not a small organization, and their influence is by no means insignificant compared to the Cold Empire. While they lack members capable of contending against the Cold Family directly, they have eyes and ears across the universe. If you seek information, past or present, they are your best resource. They are in dire need of a member with real power, and you could benefit greatly from their intelligence."

Guru paused to cough. He moved his hands, causing a mug to materialize in midair. A small orb of water appeared above it, pouring itself as a stream into the mug. Guru took a sip, then dismissed the cup with a wave, the item disintegrating into tiny motes of light.

Ajax stared at the entire sequence, amazed. Guru swallowed the water, then resumed speaking.

"And then there's Cold, a bona fide millennia-old monster. His portrayal in your canon was nothing more than slander. Cold's intellect and experience are vast. He has witnessed civilizations rise and fall, many of them at his hands. More importantly, he is far, far more powerful than his sons, so do not underestimate him just because a Super Saiyan managed to defeat him. Listen to me Ajax. Do not be arrogant and challenge him. You will die."

Ajax felt a chill run down his spine. King Cold had always been overshadowed by Frieza and Cooler, and depicted as a non-threat– a mere stepping stone to introduce Future Trunks. But hearing Guru's description of the emperor had completely shifted Ajax's perception of King Cold's threat level.

"Then… how strong is he?"

Guru shrugged. "I cannot say. He hasn't revealed his true strength in a thousand years. Who can say how strong he is now?"

"That's concerning…" Ajax murmured in a subdued tone, his expression growing solemn. The gravity of the threat weighed heavily on him, making it hard to think straight. This was a critical issue that he needed to find a way to resolve. Now it's a question of whether Goku and Future Trunks can even take on King Cold, even together. Fuck!

Guru observed Ajax intently, studying him with his wise, ancient eyes as Ajax pondered deeply. The Grand Elder leaned forward slightly in his oversized chair, his movements slow but deliberate.

"Young one, as for your origins, I shall carry that secret to my grave. You were wise to keep this information private. In the grand scheme, let's just say our resident God of Destruction has destroyed much more for far less."

"Would he really though? I doubt I pose a threat to Universe 7 as a whole," Ajax said skeptically.

Guru made a thoughtful sound.

"Lord Beerus is a temperamental individual, which means it is exceedingly difficult to predict his response. However, in your case, Lord Beerus may not be your only hurdle. Given the secrecy surrounding divine affairs, it's equally uncertain how his angel attendant would react to a phenomenon as unique as yourself."

Ajax froze at Guru's reasoning. He had overlooked that and completely forgot about Whis. While he had been concerned about Beerus, Guru had made an excellent point about Whis as well. Ajax couldn't be certain of Whis's opinion of him. When it came to Angels, they were known for their stubbornness and unwavering adherence to their own cosmic order and neutrality. Ajax thinks that most would agree when he says he would rather be hunted by Beerus than Whis any day.

"However," Guru interjected, causing Ajax to glance at the elder. "I must caution you nonetheless. While secrecy is necessary, it does not mean you should keep everyone in the dark. Having an ally behind you is more crucial than you realize, and trust is forged upon the truth. If you keep this secret from everyone, they may perceive it as a betrayal and betray you in the end. This, young one, is more critical than you may comprehend."

"Yeah, but…" Ajax understood that trust was a precious commodity, but at the same time, some secrets were heavier than others.

Guru motioned with his hand, signaling Ajax to stop speaking. Simultaneously, he gestured for Ajax to come nearer, patiently waiting for him to approach. As Ajax drew closer, Guru leaned in further, establishing direct eye contact and placing a large hand on Ajax's shoulder.

"It may be challenging in the beginning, but learn to trust someone, Ajax, even if it's just one person. I see that you've already begun to understand that we are not mere words or characters on a page. This is progress; you are learning and overcoming your weaknesses. However, you have yet to comprehend that you are now also part of this universe, as one of us. This is your home now, just as much as your previous world was. Learning to trust someone, truly trust them, will be your first step toward learning that you too, belong here."

Ajax sighed heavily, breaking eye contact and gazing down at the ground. Absentmindedly, he traced a crack in the floor with his foot, his jaw clenched tight. Trust was a difficult concept for him. His previous experiences had taught him that trust was worthless– or, rather, that it had a very specific and finite value for each individual. When the benefits from betrayal exceeded that value, even those who swore they would pluck the stars for you would abandon their promises without hesitation.

Everyone knows that trust is hard to earn back once it's broken, but not enough people understand that it can be equally difficult to give. A person could only be hurt so many times before learning to shield themselves from the harsh realities of life.

Trust, Ajax had learned, was something conditional. True unconditional trust is an elusive fairy tale, a beautiful mirage that existed only in bedtime stories.

"I– I don't know if I can ever do that," Ajax admitted honestly. "But I'll try."

"Do or do not. There is no try."

Ajax glanced up in surprise, caught off guard by the unexpected appearance of the iconic quote. Despite the seriousness of their conversation, he snickered. It seemed to him that Guru had deliberately selected that line. While Guru had certainly nailed the age and skin color, he was a bit off in other dimensions.

Ajax's less-than-flattering thoughts seemed to catch Guru's attention. In an instant, Guru's massive hand blurred through the air and came down on Ajax's head with surprising speed and force.

Uh, this seems rather familiar–

Ajax let out a startled yelp as Guru's enormous hand tightened around his skull and effortlessly lifted him off the ground. Ajax's scream of terror went ignored as he instinctively kicked his legs in midair, failing to find any solid ground.

'Don't think I can't sense you comparing my physique to Yoda, brat,' Guru's telepathic voice boomed loudly in Ajax's mind. 'And hold still. Using your world's slang, I will be 'buffing' you with something you sorely need.'

As Guru communicated telepathically, his hand began to emit a brilliant white light. Ajax felt the warmth radiating from Guru's touch as the light enveloped him like a protective cocoon. The sensation was simultaneously comforting and disorienting.

Ajax landed on the ground as Guru released his grip, the residual warmth of the light still lingering within him. He crouched down for balance as the strange sensation of the white glow gradually dissipated. Ajax looked down, his eyes widening as he noticed the fading light converging into the image of a majestic tree encircled by a mystical symbol on his chest.

Ajax silently pointed to the disappearing symbol with his index finger as he shot an inquisitive look at Guru.

"Think of it as a mental seal, a gift symbolizing my trust and guidance. Though I have sensed no intrusions in your mind thus far, telepaths are a dime a dozen in this universe of ours. This seal will shield your thoughts from unwelcome intrusions. With it in place, few will be able to bypass it without your consent."

Ajax's expression twisted in shock and realization at Guru's explanation. Wasn't this essentially occlumency? The idea of defending against telepathic intrusion hadn't occurred to him before, but now it seemed like a glaring vulnerability in hindsight. Ajax felt a wave of relief wash over him, knowing that Guru had not only recognized this vulnerability but had taken proactive steps to protect him.

Let's be honest, this is going to be so fucking useful.

"Thank you," Ajax said sincerely.

Guru nodded in acknowledgment and gestured towards the chamber's exit. "Summon the others. We must discuss Frieza in detail."

Shortly after, Ajax departed, crossing the room and passing through the barrier as though it were a fragile soap bubble. The shimmering field briefly rippled before settling back into place.

Meanwhile, Guru remained seated, his ancient eyes slightly unfocused as he deeply contemplated the future that was revealed to him. A gentle smile graced his lips, radiating tranquility and wisdom. Slowly, he closed his eyes, his expression one of profound peace.

Then the smile slipped away, replaced by an expression of intense fury and horrifying wrath.

"So... I've finally found you, you evil wretch!" Guru's laughter filled the air, but it was not the warm, comforting laugh of a wise elder. Instead, it was a chilling, venomous sound that echoed ominously.

His eyes snapped open, burning with a blistering hatred so hot it could scorch entire civilizations.

"You thought you could erase us? We will carve our vengeance into your very flesh! I may not live to witness your demise, but I will drag you down to Hell with me!"

For a moment, the room trembled with the sheer force of his fury. But then, Guru took a deep, steadying breath. His shoulders relaxed, the fire in his eyes dimmed, and the harsh lines of anger softened into the familiar visage of a kind and wise elder.

Reattaining his calm, Guru dispelled the sound barrier that had isolated him with a gentle wave of his hand, allowing the ambient sounds of the outside world to once again fill the chamber.