Chapter 4: The Ascended Prince
Cooler had just finished transforming into his fifth and final form. Gohan looked on in astonishment because his power level had just surpassed his new found power, however Gohan knew the gap in power wasn't too big to the point where he just couldn't win.
''So, how do you like it?''Cooler asked in expectancy.
''Its impressive, but its nothing I can't beat,'' replied Gohan confidently.
Cooler then narrowed his eyes. ''You've got some nerve kid. So let us see if this so called 'Super Saiyan' form is on par with its legend shall we.'' The famed Arcosian crouched into his signature fighting stance before lunging at the young Super Saiyan.
Gohan evaded a punch meant to crush his jaw, but narrowly. Cooler then vanished from sight. Gohan charged up a ki blast in his right hand then turned around, catching Cooler in surprise nailed him with it.
The blast exploded when it got near a giant cliff on the planet.
Cooler climbed himself out and saw Gohan, arms crossed and smirking. ''Your attacks are so predictable. You can't beat me doing what you're doing right now,'' mocked Gohan. His Saiyan side was showing at an all time high.
''I'll show you predictable, you imbecile.'' Cooler retorted as he fired a death beam at Gohan.
Gohan sidestepped the blast but was backhanded into a mountain top by Cooler.
Cooler shot off at Gohan and Gohan looked up. Gohan bounced off the mountain top walls and charged back at Cooler.
Gohan and Cooler both met fist to fist. The shock wave sent Gohan tumbling into the mountain and Cooler just stood there where he floated. When Gohan climbed himself out of it, his armor was cracked a little, but otherwise he was okay.
Mean While with Vegeta...
''How can this be?'' questioned Vegeta to no one.
Vegeta punched a hole in the ground and yelled as he flared up his fearsome aura. ''I've pushed myself to the maximum and beyond, however not only is blasted Kakarot always ahead of me, but now so is his half breed brat!''
Rocks began to crumble as Vegeta's fury lingered within the air.
''Just why can't I be a Super Saiyan! I was told it was my birth right,''Vegeta yelled as he punched the ground once more. This time, the dent in the ground was much deeper than before. Vegeta then had an involuntary golden aura surround him, but he didn't notice.
''I'm TIRED OF BEING ON THE BACK BURNER DAMMIT! I'M THE PRINCE OF ALL SAIYANS,'' yelled a furious Vegeta at his inability to become a Super Saiyan. Just when it seemed like he was about to become a Super Saiyan the involuntary aura dispersed into the wind.
Vegeta knew that Gohan alone couldn't beat Cooler, so he knew it was hopeless to even try. Just as soon as he thought that, he saw Piccolo charging after Cooler anyway.
''I'm coming Gohan!'' yelled Piccolo as he went to go help his former prodigous student combat Cooler.
''What is that Namek thinking, he should know that fighting him is suicidal.''
Back to Gohan v.s Cooler...
Cooler dashed at Gohan with a kick ready. Gohan saw it coming and flew higher into the sky avoiding the kick. Gohan turned around with golden orbs of Ki in his hand then he fired off the golden blasts in a rapid fire barrage.
Cooler looked up and anticipated the blasts, so he quickly charged up a small Super Nova and fired it off at Gohan. The Super Nova absorbed Gohan's attacks and kept pushing forward annihilating everything in its path.
Gohan dashed to the side outside of the Super Nova's radius but was met with a knee to the stomach from Cooler.
Gohan gasped for air for a brief moment and Cooler took advantage of the opportunity. Cooler vanished behind Gohan and kicked him in the back. Gohan flew face forward downwards and Cooler reappeared in front of him.
He intended to punch Gohan hard in the face, but Gohan blocked the blow with difficulty and returned the blow with a hard punch to Coolers exoskeleton crest. This sent Cooler crashing into a frozen glacier.
Cooler shattered it in all directions and remarked on their fight. ''Kid, I commend you for providing me a chance to test the fruits of my training. You're a good fighter, but we both know you'll die here,'' stated Cooler.
Gohan knew that Cooler was right and if this kept up, Gohan will die. ''If I die so be it, but I'll not go out without a struggle. I'll make you work for it!'' yelled Gohan as he powered up to his maximum.
Piccolo charged into the battle and caught Cooler off guard. Piccolo kicked Cooler hard in the face and dashed after him. Cooler back flipped kicking Piccolo in the jaw sending him upwards.
Gohan was watching as Piccolo was getting the beating of his newly acquired life at the hands of Cooler.
It made Gohan angry to know that he couldn't do anything to help him out.
Back to Vegeta...
Vegeta was shocked as he watched Piccolo of all people run straight into the jaws of death to save Gohan. If Piccolo had enough courage to go out there and fight Cooler again, why couldn't he?
He was cut off from his own thoughts when he heard an ear splitting scream from inside the ship. Vegeta knew it was the blasted woman, but he decided to go check it out anyway. She would be needed for more training facilities in the future.
The remaining foot soldiers alive on the ship were surrounding Bulma preparing to execute her. Bulma was in tears and for some reason, that made Vegeta a little ticked.
''Hey get your dirty paws off of me!'' yelled the blue haired scientist.
''Beat it woman or you'll die in an instant!'' ordered one of the surrounding henchmen. Vegeta walked over there and punched through the one who yelled at Bulma's back.
''Prince Vegeta? How?'' The foot soldiers backed away in fear of the full blooded Saiyan warrior. He dropped in an instant and everyone else in the area pointed their blasters at him. Vegeta smirked, and in three seconds later, all of them were dead corpses on the ground floor.
The ship began to shake however and Vegeta grabbed Bulma and jumped off the ship. ''Hey what's the big idea?!'' yelled Bulma as she began beating on Vegeta's rough exterior. Vegeta sighed in annoyance and thought to himself,''Why am I doing this for this woman in the first place.''
''What does it look like I'm doing, i'm saving your pathetic ass!'' yelled Vegeta as he replied to the question.
''Well you don't have to be a total asshole about it. I'm a delicate lady ya know,'' said Bulma. Vegeta and Bulma continued to fly until they reached the ground. Vegeta put Bulma down on the ground. ''Stay here and don't wander too far off. If you get in trouble again I might not be able to save your ass again.'' The Saiyan headed off back into the fight with Cooler, before Bulma could even say thank you.
''Vegeta's actually not as evil or cold hearted as everyone made him out to be,'' concluded Bulma in her mind.
''Hey Cooler, not expecting me again are you?'' asked Vegeta.
Cooler was holding Piccolo by his gi in his arms. ''Of course I was my dear prince, now if you'll excuse me I'm playing with him at the moment. Wait until its your turned to be played with your honor,'' laughed Cooler as a vein appeared on Vegeta's forehead.
''No we fight now unless you're too much of a coward!''
Gohan flew behind Cooler and kicked him in the back hard, making him drop Piccolo.
''Never turn your back on me!'' slightly yelled Gohan. Cooler flew towards Gohan and punched Gohan hard across the jaw before, Gohan could react. Gohan was knocked into Piccolo who was flying back up.
''See how does it feel to be the only one left my dear Saiyan, hmm...?'' asked and mocked Cooler.
''Shut up! I won't tolerate this any longer, you'll be broken at my feet by the time I'm done with you!'' Vegeta yelled as he fired a golden energy beam at Cooler. Cooler easily deflected the attack and bull rushed Vegeta. Vegeta was nailed in the stomach sending him backwards.
Cooler zipped behind him in super speed and kicked him hard in the back. The blow shattered some of his armor, and sent blood flying out of Vegeta's mouth. Cooler then grabbed Vegeta's leg and threw him into ground making him cave in on the ground.
Piccolo finished charging up his surprise demon wave and fired it at Cooler. Cooler blew the beam back at Piccolo and it detonated on Piccolo. Cooler then went behind him, but was met with a hard blow to the crest from Gohan. Cooler rolled backwards but redoubled and vanished behind Gohan.
Gohan turned around too late as Cooler knocked him into the mountain wall and began pounding him threw the mountain. A minute later and Gohan flew out of the mountain badly damaged and bloody with a broken left arm and sprained ankle.
When Gohan hit the ground, he turned unconscious as well as losing his Super Saiyan form. ''Sorry everyone, I've failed...''
Vegeta flew back up and saw Gohan unconscious and about to be killed, as well as Piccolo down for the count. He was the only one left who could stop him, but he wasn't a Super Saiyan so he would stand no chance. This was it, he was about to be the last Saiyan left in existence.
Then he remembered exactly what Gohan told him earlier.''The power comes when you need it, or by the pain of loss!'' stated Gohan.
''So Vegeta, are you ready to be killed?'' asked Cooler. Just then Cooler saw Bulma trying to scramble away from the area. Vegeta knew he wouldn't stand a chance alone, but he had to try.
''Bring it on!'' Vegeta roared a battle cry as he got angry.
Vegeta and Cooler went toe to toe for a few seconds, but Cooler vanished and punched the Prince very hard in the back of the head. Vegeta fell into the dirt face first. Vegeta tried to get up, but Cooler nailed Vegeta in the stomach with his knee. Vegeta coughed up blood as he fell back to the ground.
During the whole ordeal, Vegeta thought back to his past failures. His first was his battle against Kakkarot. He had failed to kill anyone and then he failed against Recoome in a fight. But the worst failure was when he had fought Frieza and was led to believe he could win.
To make matters worse he thought he was a Super Saiyan, but truly was't. Then having to be killed by Frieza was the final straw. He will not fail ever again! Especially not now, he will prove that Prince Vegeta, is in fact a Super Saiyan! He will not let Goku or Gohan surpass him! But even that wasn't enough to trigger the power at the moment.
''Had enough, Princess,'' mocked Cooler as he was stomping the life out of Vegeta. ''How about I rip your mates head off in front of you before I kill you. I'm going to see it through that I make you suffer.''
''You think I give a damn about her. I could care less,'' Vegeta said as a front. In truth he thought she was attractive, but did he really care about her more than just sexual purposes in the future?
''Enough with the tough exterior, even the most prideful of people have some semblance of care for others. Unless you're a killer like me, now lets put your claim to the test,'' said Cooler.
He zipped in front of Bulma, grabbed her, and zipped back in front of Vegeta in the blink of an eye. ''Vegeta, help me! Somebody, help me!'' Cooler's ears grew sensitive and his hand glew with purple ki.
''If you don't shut up, I'll torture you until you beg for death,'' threatened Cooler. Bulma then looked at him and back to Vegeta, a scared expression imprinted on his face.''I must be going soft, but I can't let the woman die. I need to revive the Saiyan race from the dead,'' whispered Vegeta to himself.
''I'm going to take away your dignity as a Saiyan and everything that hasn't been stripped from you, even your meaningless pride.''
Vegeta slowly pushed himself up from off the ground and crouched wobbily.
''Your kind has taken everything away from me, my dignity, my race, even my life. But there's one thing you'll never take away from me, MY PRIDE!'' A golden aura formed around him as he spoke those words. He was breaking through the barrier he's been bounded by his entire life.
''I am the legendary Super Saiyan, born as a curse to your kind who've enslaved us. I WILL KILL YOU IF ITS THE LAST THING I DO! RAAAAAAAAAGH!'' With that, his aura intensified in light and power. His stone cold eyes went blank with repressed anger, and his roar was that of a sole survivor, one of the last of his kind. The whole planet started glowing with golden light.
Golden lighting pierced the sky all around them as Vegeta pushed himself beyond the maximum. Vegeta's eyes turned teal, his hair remained more spiky and rigged. His muscles expanded and so did his body. His body was surrounded by a golden glow, and his haired remained golden. Vegeta had finally become a Super Saiyan along with the only other full blooded Saiyan alive and his son.
Cooler was shocked at what just happened and panicked.''If that brat wakes up and they both team up on me, i'm done for, so I have to kill him quickly,'' mentally said Cooler. The prince caught the Arcosian off guard with a hard strike to the solar plexus. The blow caused Cooler to release Bulma which was caught by Vegeta.
''So this is what its like to up close with a Super Saiyan. He sure does look handsome from this view,'' thought Bulma. Vegeta set her on the ground and looked at Cooler. ''Thanks Vegeta,'' Bulma said before giving the prince a quick peck on the cheek.
Vegeta turned red for a brief moment but quickly shook it off, remaining in his tough exterior. ''Don't mention this to anyone! Now run along before the bastard can come back a kill you,'' commanded Vegeta.
''Why are you being such a jerk? I just said thanks, have a good time asshole.''
''Woman.''
''Jerk.''
''Whore.''
''Bastard.''
Vegeta was looking on in astonishment and knew that he was still weaker than Cooler. However, if he could manage to stay alive long enough for Gohan and Piccolo to wake up, they could win the day.
Cooler saw Vegeta checking out his new power, so he sent a death beam at Vegeta. Vegeta saw it just in time and deflected it into a mountain, detonating it. Cooler ran towards Vegeta and tried to punch Vegeta.
Vegeta caught the fist and punched Cooler in his armored chest. The blow sent Cooler back in pain and agony. ''That must be his weak point, I've gotta expose it!'' mentally said Vegeta as he walked towards Cooler.
''Vegeta, I'll Kill You For THIS,'' yelled Cooler enraged at the fact that Vegeta made a crack in his chest plate. Vegeta just laughed, until he was caught off guard with Cooler kicking him dead in the face.
Vegeta tumbled over the frozen, rocky landscape. Cooler jumped down and grabbed him by the neck and said,''Time to die, filthy simian trash.''
''Go to hell, Cooler!'' yelled Vegeta as he spit on his face and drove both of his feet into Coolers chest knocking him backwards skidding.
''Say hello to my BIG BANG ATTACK!'' shouted Vegeta whom charged up a large water colored blue ki orb on his right hand. He pulled back and fired it at Cooler. Cooler got up just too late as the Big Bang attack rammed into him full force.
The Big Bang then did its namesake and went out with a large BANG! Cooler was trampled by the explosion and it badly damaged him. Vegeta started panting and said,''How'd... you... like that,'' said Vegeta in between pants as he gave Cooler the finger and then passed out due to energy drain, battle damage taken during the day, and the fact the he put all of his power in the Big Bang.
Cooler stayed on the ground too, and was damaged so badly that he reverted to his fourth form. Cooler got up, beaten and bruised but still going. ''You dirty little monkey, I'll kill you all. Though I know why my brother was killed by the likes of you Saiyans,'' weakly sated Cooler.
Cooler rose up in the air and charged a massive amount of energy onto his finger tip. Gohan regained consciousness and raised an eyebrow. He walked over to Piccolo and woke him up too. They discussed a plan and they moved out into positions.
''Leave Vegeta alone,'' said Gohan. Cooler then stated,''Oh so your back for one more round huh, well I guess it doesn't matter. All of you will be killed when I'm through with you,'' Cooler stated as he prepared to kill Gohan and the rest.
Gohan was too weak to stop him, but remained confident. From behind him where Cooler couldn't see him Piccolo nodded and fired off his charged Special Beam Cannon.
Gohan sidestepped out of the way as Cooler was wondering what was going on. Suddenly, he felt a extremely sharp pain through his chest. Cooler then just realized that he had a decent sized hole in his damaged chest plate, his weakness.
''Gah, the damned Namekian. I forgot about him, aaauggh!''
Cooler screamed out in severe pain and agony. He had blood leaking from his chest not to mention his mouth. Cooler than pointed a finger at Gohan and shot a beam. The beam was so weak that Gohan deflected it and woke Vegeta up.
Vegeta shot up and saw Cooler's condition. He laughed at the Arcosians poor condition.''How does it feel, Cooler,'' said Vegeta in between hysterics.
''Damn you, you filthy simians. I should've killed that Saiyan that I let escape to Earth and the rest of them while I had the chance.''
''Well paybacks a charm isn't it.''
''To think I'll be done in by a burnt out prince, a neanderthal brat, and a green beaned slug...,'' the trio each had veins on their forehead. Cooler knew his fate was sealed the moment he uttered those words and all three blasted Cooler.
''NOOOO!'' screamed Cooler as he was blasted from the planet to the star of this solar system.
Gohan collapsed happily from the victory and commented on the outcome.
''Whew, I thought we were goners, that was a nice plan wasn't it Piccolo,'' said Gohan.
Piccolo then nodded and said,''It was all thanks to you and Vegeta, kid,'' replied Piccolo.
Vegeta was battle torn and his armor was a mess, so he was being treated by Bulma. ''Hey Mister, will you stay still for one second!?''yelled and asked Bulma.
Vegeta scoffed and said,''The prince of Saiyans doesn't need help from a wahh..'',Vegeta trailed off as he tried to get up, but was about to crash to the ground. Bulma caught him. ''Thank you for saving me back there, but stop being a stubborn prick,'' said Bulma.
Vegeta just shrugged his shoulders and the four of them went to get parts to repair the spaceship and go home to Earth at last. Along the way they saw the last of the planets kind in a refugee escape place.
One light green man said,''If your looking for parts for your space ship, your in the right place.''
Bulma looked around in wonder as they had technology far beyond that of Earth's. ''Woah, this is awesome will you give me a tour?'' asked Bulma politely. Gohan raised his hand and requested the same. ''I'd also like a tour.'' Gohan took a capsule which had a load of books for Gohan to study off of during their trip to Namek. The idea was from his mother of course, and Gohan took out a pen and paper. Perhaps he could make his mother proud by returning hom with interesting information about outerspace.
Vegeta requested what he desired at the moment. ''I'd like a place to sit and nap,'' ordered Vegeta. Piccolo just followed Vegeta to a place to rest up. Gohan went with one tour guide and Bulma went with another into the small little building.
Gohan looked around and saw a book that had fighting techniques in it. Gohan seemed intrigued by this new development. ''Hey, can I take a look at this?''asked Gohan.
The tour guide nodded and explained what the book was. ''That is the book of our peoples ancient abilities in combat, and what helped us survive the great extinction. We may not be a very strong race, but we can find any means of escaping danger!'' explained the tour guide.
Gohan looked at the pages in astonishment as those pages had great, advanced fighting techniques. It also had background knowledge on their advanced technology and heritage as a race. ''Can I borrow this book for a while?''asked Gohan.
The tour guide nodded. ''For a person who saved our planet you can keep it, and we'll translate it into your language,'' answered the tour guide.
Gohan smiled and bowed his head in respect. A few minutes later, the tour guide walked in with a book translated in his language and Gohan happily took the book and walked towards the room where Bulma was in.
''Hey Gohan, the ships damage was critcial so they said it would take them three days before we can go back to Earth.''
''Okay Bulma, meanwhile I'm going to study this book!'' exclaimed a happy Gohan. Bulma sighed and smiled,''How could Gohan be so serious and playful like a kid his age at the same time.''
Three days later...
Gohan was in the midst of learning the book's techniques. He had already got warping down. That was a technique that allowed him to go into 5th dimension of black hole dimension which let him pop in that dimension and back to the real world.
He also got down short range teleportation which meant he could teleport anywhere limited by his vision. The farthest he could see is the farthest he could go. Gohan was in the process of learning the last technique which will be shown later.
''The ships ready to fly you guys!'' yelled a happy Bulma. The first time she was happy in a very long time. Gohan was glad as well and Vegeta said in his usual manner. ''Well, its about damn time we get off this rock.''
All four of the got onto the new and improved ship. Gohan and Bulma waved their hands at the friendly aliens. Then they flew at speeds never seen before. They traveled at hyper speed which meant they'll get back to Earth in two days at most.
During the two days of waiting to get home, Bulma and Vegeta had a conversation that led to an argument here and there while Piccolo meditated the whole time. Gohan was reading his book the whole time and learning more and more about the techniques and technology that was implemented into the book.
No one questioned what he was reading, because he said they'll find out eventually anyway. Vegeta has finally accepted Gohan as more of Saiyan than a brat and everyone got along decently, except Bulma and Vegeta.
They were nearing Earth's atmosphere and Bulma called in to tell everyone to be at Capsule Corporation in about 5 minutes.
A few minutes later they landed onto the patio and the hatch opened revealing Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo and Bulma.
''GOHAN!'' cried out Chi Chi as she bear hugged Gohan and complained when she saw his hair. ''What happened to your hair, young man?'' questioned Chi Chi. Gohan sighed as he knew that it would take a lot of explaining to his mother.
''Well you see the gel you put in my hair either evaporated or flew off when I was powering up so my hair is spiky like my fathers and any other Saiyans. I kinda like it this way. And I've learned some really cool things while I was in space.''
''Wow, my little boy is growing up,'' said Chi Chi with tears in her eyes. Gohan was now at 4'2 feet tall and at six years old. Meanwhile, Bulma was giving Vegeta tour around the place and showed him the gravity rooms and all that cool stuff. Piccolo reunited with his people and conversed with them because Nail was still apart of him.
After a while of reunion, everyone went their own separate ways. Gohan and Chi Chi went home to eat and for Gohan, well study so much that the papers alone are as tall as Mount Paozu. Vegeta hit the GR room and blew it up at 300x Earths gravity already and Bulma had to treat Vegeta.
Piccolo went to Mount Paozu as well to train and keep an eye on Gohan.
Gohan was currently studying his book from outer space and learning new things.
Gohan then wondered what his father was doing in heaven. Little did he know that Son Goku was in fact still alive. Gohan was now the protector of the Earth for the time being until his father got back.
Soon, Gohan turned 7 years old and was now 4'4 feet tall and stronger than before. During the period of time, he also worked on his Super Saiyan power control, such as maintaining it and transforming at will. He had a long way to go and he didn't have the smae tenacity as Vegeta, but he was determined to get the job done anyway.
Well that concludes the conflict with Cooler and the mini saga. But don't worry, this will be a baby step compared to how many chapters will be in the next Saga. Stay tuned for the next chapter which will mark the start of something big which you all know what it is! Remember any advice, comment, concern or question will be read in the review section and I'll see you all in the next chapter! Take it easy and DEUCES.
Power levels:
Gohan (Base Form): 3,000,000
Gohan (Super Saiyan): 150,000,000
Gohan (Beaten): 100,000
Cooler (100% Fourth Form): 80,000,000
Cooler (5th form): 160,000,000
Cooler (5th form damaged): 145,000,000
Cooler (4th form damaged severely): 90,000
Cooler (Dying):10,000 and down
Vegeta (Base Full Power): 2,750,000
Vegeta (Super Saiyan): 137,500,000
Vegeta (Beaten Base Form): 500,000
Piccolo (Full Power): 2,200,000
Piccolo (Beaten): 200,000
Bulma: 3
Vyronin Tour guides: 5,000
Chi Chi: 180
Well that's it for the power levels today! Anyways, I hope you liked that bit of Vegeta x Bulma moments for this chapter. Please leave a review as always and I'll see you in the next chapter. Deuces.
Edited as of 2/8/15!