43. Dying
Who would have ever thought it would come to this? I honestly never believed I would be staring death in the eye, let alone twice.
The first time it occurred, I was facing the tormentor of the universe. At the time, I had hoped I would overpower him before he had a chance to transform. But, it was not meant to be. Not only did my previous power ups prove to be useless, but I ended up on the receiving end of a perfectly aimed chest shot.
To my discredit, he transformed all the way to his final form and hit me in the heart without immediately killing me. He did that on purpose to watch me suffer to death. But, I half expected this since he was my personal tormentor for decades.
As I lay in the dirt of Namek, I found that I only truly regretted never being able to avenge my people. I never had the ability to reach the plain of legendary so that I could wipe Frieza right out of existence. My life's work flashed before my eyes, and I never could kill him.
I turned my attention to Kakarrot. He was the only one of our people left. He was the only one who could accomplish what I could not. But, I knew Kakarrot would not kill him without understanding why he had to. So, I confessed everything to him. I told him everything Frieza had done not just to our race, but also to me as a person. And as I vanished from the conscious world, I prayed that Kakarrot would avenge us all.
The second time was of my own violation. I deliberately destroyed myself for (if I am totally honest) three people. But, there was more at stake than just my own safety.
To be honest, it was my fault that my second death was necessary. I was the one responsible for the resurrection of the pink monstrosity. Granted, the magic of Babadi holds the most blame, but my energy contributed to its revival so I am just as much to blame as Babadi himself. I willing allowed myself to gain Babadi's power so that I could defeat Kakarrot once and for all. I allowed my own envy and pride to blind me and in the process I endangered the lives of the two most important people to me. I needed to die so that I could not repeat that foolish mistake, and I knew this.
And now, here I stand arms held out at my sides. I face death again for the sake of my family and Kakarrot. I may have failed them in the past, but now as an act of atonement, I will defeat this blob of pink and go quietly to Hell where I more than likely belong.
It crosses my mind that I could be dying in vain. If that is the case, then Kakarrot had best find his way back to Earth and crush this putrid pink slime ball.
I find myself again having a wish concerning that idiot. Should my efforts be for naught, I wish for him to come back and fix my mistake. Should he fail, I sincerely hope he is sent to Hell with me so that I can kick his ass for all eternity.
After all these years, a genuine smile passes my features. My final thoughts rest with my son and my mate. I close my eyes and embrace death for a final time as I lay down my life for them. Only in dying, could I find this peace.