The Ascent

Chapter IV: Super Human

Krillin was cold. It must have been a 120 degree day, but Krillin had never felt more freezing, more empty, or more alone in his entire life than in that moment. He sat beside what was left of Android 18 for what seemed like an eternity. As the hours passed by, the feeling of coldness slowly died away and was replaced by burning hot rage. He had loved 18 from the moment he first saw her, and to have her taken away from him like this was much more than his fragile heart could handle. He had never felt so much bloodlust before in his life, even when Vegeta had been responsible for the slaughtering of Yamcha, Piccolo, Tien and Chiaotzu a few years previously. Krillin could feel power surging through his body as he erupted with golden energy.

Due to the powerful elemental energy within his third eye, Tien was capable of entering a deep state of meditation that not even Piccolo could achieve. He allowed himself to relax into this state the first time that he felt Vegeta's energy surge. It allowed him to tap into the binding force of all living things on Planet Earth and he was aware of Vegeta's mental state. Vegeta had lost everything he cared about and even though they could be brought back to life, they would never accept Vegeta back into their lives, especially not Bulma. Due to all the good that had diluted his evil heart being diminished, Vegeta had returned to his old sadistic self. After the accidental murder of his family, Vegeta fled the scene and lowered his energy to the point where not even Tien could trace him. When Vegeta re-emerged he began to attack someone with a ferocious brutality that he had not demonstrated in years. Tien could sense the hatred and revenge that filled his mind and knew that, due to the lack of energy signal, it had to be Android 18 he was decimating. After spending so much time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Vegeta way outclassed 18. After he had finished with her, he left her to die and went back into low profile. After feeling this, Tien exited his meditated state.

Tien knew that he to find Vegeta before he struck again, and judging by how quickly Vegeta had flown across the entire planet, he didn't have very much time. There was only one person on Earth who could track down someone who had suppressed their power to zero, and that was Chiaotzu, with his telepathic powers. Chiaotzu had told Tien that he was off to collect wood for their fire. Tien blasted off up into the sky, desperately scanning the area for any sign of Chiaotzu, before closing his eyes and trying to feel his best friend's ki. Suddenly, Vegeta's enormous power resurfaced again in the distance. Tien didn't need Chiaotzu anymore. He knew exactly where Vegeta was. Vegeta's energy signal wasn't too far away from the camp, and it only took a few seconds to get there. Vegeta had already fled the scene. Tien noticed Chiaotzu's tiny little body lying on the ground and realised with horror what had happened. Vegeta knew about Chiaotzu's telepathic abilities and he didn't want to be tracked down because, as strong as he was, he knew that Gohan was still stronger. So he had done the only thing that someone with evil intentions would do in his situation, and eliminated the core of his problems, which in this case was Chiaotzu.

There was a small indentation on the back of Chiaotzu's neck. Vegeta had struck the area where his spine and brain connected, completely paralysing him and leaving him trapped inside his body. His heart was still beating. He wasn't dead. Not even the Namekian Dragonballs could bring someone back to life who wasn't dead. Vegeta had decided on a permanent solution. Tien's blood boiled. Seeing his friend in this state and knowing he was still conscious was more than he could bear. Tien exploded with anger, sending out a golden shockwave of energy that levelled the entire forest to a several mile radius. His muscles bulged and lightning surged around his body.

Piccolo had left Yamcha alone with his painful thoughts and had flown back to Kami's Lookout. No sooner had he got back than he felt both Tien and Krillin's energy signals explode with power almost simultaneously. It was unbelievable. Piccolo was dumbstruck. He had felt Vegeta's energy surge for a third time, and although it was definitely suspicious, he decided to think nothing of it, as he knew Vegeta would be going through hell, emotionally. But this new development not only shocked Piccolo, but also made him wonder if there was more to this situation than simply Vegeta blowing off steam. Piccolo decided to meditate to find answers.

Yamcha had also felt the inexplicable rise in power from Tien and Krillin. Yamcha was in awe and furious at the same time. He had nearly killed himself trying to find a new level of power after having an epiphany that made everything so simple. But now nothing made any sense at all. Yamcha was already depressed to the point of wanting to destroy someone else's life just a few hours ago. He thought he was doing himself justice, but now things were a million times worse than they were to begin with. Both Krillin and Tien had far surpassed him in power without lifting so much as a finger and Bulma, the woman he loved, and her entire family were dead. Yamcha's anger had reached its peak. He couldn't take it anymore. Yamcha yelled, louder than he had ever yelled in his life. His voice echoed hundreds of miles. The sky darkened and rain began blasting down. Lightning struck and thunder rumbled. Yamcha surged with power as his skin obtained a golden hue, and the energy that flowed from his body overwhelmed the darkness surrounding him.