The Bardock Effect

Chapter Seven: Render Unto Frieza

Bardock looked to his left and saw the Frost Daemon he'd waited so long to destroy. Frieza's face was set in a rictus of fury, obviously enraged at his designs for immortality being foiled so handily. A cockier part of the Saiyan Veteran laughed, inside, at the thought...the mighty Frieza, beaten to the punch by a ragtag group of misfits. However, his more rational side quietly chided him. Frieza was incensed, and that made him even more dangerous than normal. Perhaps, though, if Bardock could make him angry enough, he'd start slipping up, and give him the opening he needed to finish the job he'd started so long ago.

"So," Bardock said, a small amount of nervous energy finding its way into his voice. "You're Frieza. We meet at last."

"A Saiyan?" Frieza asked with a growl. "I was foiled by a Saiyan? That armour, though...that's a very old model. Just who are you?"

"You don't remember me?" Bardock asked, laughing a little. "You ordered the death of my squad, sent Dodoria to do the work you were too lazy to do yourself."

"I remember now," Frieza replied slowly. "That dashing rogue, as Zarbon put it...Bardock. I take it you are the one responsible for the deaths of my men?"

"I am," Bardock said, sensing a good time to spread some misinformation. "Dodoria, Zarbon, and the entire Ginyu Force. I killed them all myself." There, Zarbon, Bardock thought to himself. I've paid back the debt I owe you. Even if we all die here, Frieza now thinks you're dead, and won't go looking for you.

"All of them?" Frieza choked out. "By yourself? I find it hard to believe that an impudent monkey like you could take the entire Ginyu Force on by yourself!"

"Believe what you want," Bardock said, straightening. "That doesn't change what's true. You killed my people," he continued in a low growl. "You destroyed everything I held dear. My squad...my wife. They're long dead, now, but I will see that they get the vengeance they deserve!"

"Silence!" Frieza yelled. "You think you have what it takes to bring me down, you ignorant ape? I will grind your bones into powder! Your children will languish as my slaves!"

"Don't let your mouth write checks your ass can't cash," Bardock said firmly.

"I've had enough!" Frieza screamed. "You die here!"

Bardock took the initiative, charging Frieza before the rest of his coterie ended up as collateral damage. A solid blow to the face sent Frieza flying backwards, though he was quickly able to right himself.

"My power level," Frieza growled. "Is 500,000. You don't stand a chance, you worthless peon!"

Frieza sent a powerful ki blast towards Bardock, who deflected it out into space before countering with a ki wave of his own. Frieza dodged just in time, rocketing upward. The Frost Daemon raised his arm and a small mountain lifted itself from the ground. Throwing his arm forward, Frieza sent the massive mound of earth toward Bardock, who braced himself for the impact. Focusing his ki in his hands, Bardock reduced the mountain to rubble the moment he touched it, making sure to send the sharpest shards of stone rocketing toward Frieza. As Frieza deflected the stone shards handily, Bardock charged forward, punching Frieza square in the chest. Bardock then made his way behind the Frost Daemon and grabbed his tail and started to swing him around. However, Frieza managed to chamber a kick that landed square on Bardock's left ear.

His head ringing in pain, the Saiyan Veteran let go of his target, who fired a quick psychic attack, paralyzing him. Bardock looked on as Frieza rocketed towards him, giving his gut and chest a savage beating before the paralysis wore off. Bardock grabbed Frieza's fist as he tried to punch him, and he threw him into the ground. As Frieza flew, Bardock drew his arms behind him...

"Ka..." Bardock began, pouring as much ki as he could into the attack. "Me...ha...me...HA!"

Throwing his arms forward, Bardock unleashed the attack his youngest son had taught him during their training on Earth. Frieza caught the massive ki wave in his hands and moved his arms slowly apart. A moment later, the attack shattered, a multitude of ki shards shooting off in every direction.

"I have to say," Frieza said as he flew in front of his opponent. "You're the best challenge I've gotten in a very, very long time!"

"Yeah," Bardock said, catching his breath. "You're a lot tougher than I'd pegged you as being."

"In honour of your achievement," Frieza said, smiling. "I'm going to show you something only my family has ever seen..."

Bardock watched, shocked, as Frieza's body began to deform. His legs and arms grew massively in length, and his torso soon followed suit. His horns arched upward and became a great deal thicker. Soon a much taller, much more muscular Frost Daemon stood before Bardock. Even more surprising than the transformation in body was the massive increase in ki that came with it. Bardock was a bit stronger than Frieza when he'd been in his first form, but now...Frieza greatly outmatched him.

"Are you ready to face true horror?" Frieza said smugly.

"Let's do this," Bardock said confidently.

Frieza appeared before Bardock in a flash, punching him square in the jaw. As Bardock flew back, Frieza spun around, kicking him in the chest. The force of the blows had Bardock reeling, this massive increase in power had more than bridged the gap between them. This was going to be a hell of a battle, though Bardock's Saiyan nature relished the idea. Bardock sent a quick volley of ki blasts towards Frieza, who easily deflected them, smiling as he did so. Bardock ground his teeth together as Frieza charged him again. An idea came to him, suddenly, and he closed his eyes, putting his hands up in front of his face.

"Taiyoken!" Bardock yelled. Thanks for teaching me that one, Tien, he thought as Frieza cried out in pain and rage.

Bardock flew as fast as he could toward the blinded Frost Daemon, charging the strongest ki blast he could in his hand. He threw his hand forward, right in Frieza's face, and detonated the blast, sending Frieza flying headfirst towards the ground. The Frost Daemon landed on his feet, managing to right himself in time to keep from plowing into the hard earth below head-first. Howling in rage, Frieza sent a large ki blast speeding towards the recalcitrant monkey that had dared challenge his supremacy. Bardock braced himself, placing his arms in front of his face and reinforcing his body as much as he could; he didn't have near enough time to dodge the large ki ball that was hurtling toward him. The attack exploded with a deafening bang, sending Bardock flying backwards. That alone would've been bad enough, but the Saiyan Veteran felt something pierce his stomach. In horror, he saw that Frieza had impaled him on one of his horns. Grinning viciously, Frieza jostled him several times, wracking Bardock's body with pain before the numbness of shock set in. Tossing him into the crowd below, Frieza laughed. Served him right.

"Father!" Raditz yelled, angrily. "Frieza! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE FOR THAT!"

"Wait-!" Goku said before Raditz charged off.

"I'll heal him," Dende said quickly. "Just give me a moment, his wounds are extensive, so I need to be careful."

Before Raditz could reach Frieza, a small form sped past him in a blur. Frieza was sent flying backwards, and Raditz saw what had caused it: Gohan was floating where Frieza had once been, his face set in cold, furious relief as the child's ki skyrocketed. For a moment, Raditz felt, Gohan's power exceeded everyone present...combined. Gohan raised his hand and sent a powerful ki blast down towards where Frieza had landed; it crashed into the Frost Daemon without a moment's hesitation. For a moment, Raditz thought that Gohan, a mere child, had managed to kill Frieza in one attack. However, Raditz's stomach lurched as he felt a ki below rising ominously. As the dust cleared, Raditz saw what had happened: Frieza had a second transformation up his sleeve. The tall, muscular form was replaced with a slightly shorter one. His head had been grotesquely elongated, and his horns were gone, replaced by three pairs of small spikes along his distended cranium.

"Little boy," Frieza said in a cold, furious voice. "You just signed your own death warrant."

"Like hell!" Raditz yelled. "Kaioken!"

As his ki doubled, Raditz flew toward a surprised-looking Frieza, clocking him hard in the jaw. The fact that he'd actually landed a decisive blow against the tyrant soothed Raditz's long-wounded ego. That fool Nappa couldn't have ever even dreamed of doing something like that! Raditz's celebration was short-lived, as a slender ki beam streaked toward him, hitting him hard in the chest. Were his body not bolstered by the Kaioken, he'd have likely been killed by that attack, as it had been aimed right at his heart.

"So," Frieza said coldly. "A turncoat slave? You're going to die slowly."

"I refuse to serve you, Frieza!" Raditz yelled defiantly. "You've abused me long enough! No more! Kaioken...times...FOUR!"

A quick, hard punch sent Frieza rocketing backwards. Raditz was soon behind the Frost Daemon that had enslaved him for most of his life, had taken what few friends he'd made. Rage filling his heart, Raditz kicked Frieza as hard as he possibly could in the chest, enjoying the satisfying crack he heard signifying that he'd broken several of the arrogant Frost Daemon's ribs.

"I..." Frieza said through gritted teeth. "Am going to end you!"

A blindingly bright light shone from Frieza. As Raditz's sight returned he saw that Frieza had again transformed, his ki now easily outclassing him. His horns were gone, and he was much shorter and more slender in build.

"Behold!" Frieza yelled. "My true form! Despair, weaklings!"

"Never," Raditz said angrily. Ignoring King Kai's advice, Raditz turned his Kaioken all the way up to six times. His body already groaning under the stress, Raditz charged Frieza. As he prepared to give Frieza a punch to the stomach, the Frost Daemon swatted him away like a fly. Frieza appeared behind the dumb monkey that had hurt him so, wrapping his tail around his throat. Frieza felt a surge of savage joy as Raditz struggled as he strangled him, his hands desperately clawing his tail. That was when Frieza felt a large ki blast hit him painfully in the back, causing him to let go of his quarry, allowing him to fall to the ground below.

"That," Bardock said angrily, appearing before Frieza. "Is my son, you bastard!"

"How?!" Frieza asked shocked, before he saw the little Namek child running towards the Saiyan he'd nearly killed. Putting two and two together as he witnessed the magic fixing the wounded ape, Frieza sent a death beam straight toward the child's head. Before anyone could react, it connected, killing Dende on the spot.

"You...heartless bastard!" Bardock screamed, grabbing Frieza by his head, placing his hand over his mouth. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Charging a ki blast in the horrified Frost Daemon's mouth, he felt a punch to the gut that had him doubled over, the blast dissipating harmlessly.

Before Frieza could do a follow-up, Bardock grabbed him by the throat, pushing him as hard as he could into the ground below, sending a ki wave after him. It connected without a moment to spare, and Frieza arose from the hole he'd been left in, bleeding and enraged. The feeling is mutual, freak, Bardock thought angrily as he heard Frieza curse angrily. Just then, a Kamehameha plowed into Frieza; a dozen meters away, Goku stood, defiant and incensed. Bardock could feel his son's rage, and his power was climbing quickly, easily reaching his level. Watching, astonished, Bardock witnessed Goku giving Frieza the beating of a lifetime. Goku chambered a quick, vicious volley of kicks towards Frieza's head before punching him in the gut and following up with an elbow to the back of the neck, sending the Frost Daemon into the ground. Goku then leapt into the air, charging a quick, powerful Kamehameha and sending it down towards Frieza, connecting easily.

"I am tired," Frieza said, coughing. "Of you damned Saiyan MONKEYS!"

Before he could react, Frieza sent a blade-like ki attack straight at his youngest son's throat. A moment later, Goku's head was rolling along the ground, a shocked look on its face, as his body slumped to the ground with a wet splash.

"My son..." Bardock said, floating towards the ground. "No..."

"One more dead ape," Frieza said haughtily. "Maybe I'll move on to the others...how about the little one?"

"No." Bardock said, his heart filling with cold, furious rage. He hadn't been able to protect his son, Kakarot had died because he was too slow, too damned weak. "No!" Bardock yelled. His heart ached abominably, feeling as though a fire was raging in his chest. Tears streaked down his face as he saw his son's headless corpse lying, lifeless, on the ground. It would not happen again. "NO!" Bardock screamed as loud as he could. The fire in his chest turned into a raging inferno, and his aura shot outward in large, furious spikes, turning a brilliant shade of gold. Seeing his grandson, Gohan, crying as he cradled his father's severed head had broken Bardock. He felt his ki explode, the ground beneath him caved in, even as debris flew away from him as his ki kicked up gale-force winds.

"What?!" Frieza cried out, seeing the golden-haired Saiyan standing nearby with a look of pure, murderous rage on his face.

Bardock wouldn't let the monster before him escape. He wouldn't grace him with words. Only one thing was on his mind: breaking Frieza, killing him in as painful a manner as he could. Bardock appeared before the awestruck Frieza, who'd tried to punch him. Watching the fist reach him was almost painfully slow. Bardock easily grabbed Frieza's forearm. Grinning with hateful glee, he raised up his free hand and brought it down in a chopping motion, slicing Frieza's arm off at the elbow. Frieza screamed in pain as he grabbed his bleeding stump of an arm, it was music to Bardock's ears. Frieza was grovelling before Bardock, begging for his miserable life. Bardock merely laughed. Grabbing Frieza's head in both his hands, Bardock smiled as the Frost Daemon flailed as he was picked up. He was peripherally aware of the beast's remaining hand clawing furiously at him as he began to squeeze his head like an overripe fruit. Frieza managed a single, hard punch, enough to knock the murderous Saiyan away.

Bardock was now officially bored. This creature was too weak to live. It was so worthless, so small. To think something this tiny had managed to decapitate his son...his son. Thinking on it, the fire returned to Bardock's chest. Rage filled him as a volley of ki blasts hit him in the chest to no effect. He walked up to Frieza calmly. The time to end it was now, before this thing could cause any more damage. He punched Frieza through the chest, ripping out the Frost Daemon's heart and throwing it aside. Frieza could only look down at his chest in mute horror as a hand reached up above his head. Bardock brought his hand down in a diagonal, slicing motion, cleaving off Frieza's head and part of his right shoulder. As the Frost Daemon's body quickly fell to the ground in a pool of blood, his rage subsided. It was done.

Watching the scene telepathically, King Kai was understandably just a bit shocked. Bardock hadn't just become the legendary Super Saiyan, but he'd brutally and efficiently ended Frieza's reign of terror. Thinking on what had to be done next, King Kai raised his antennae, preparing to speak to the man who'd just freed an entire galaxy.

"Bardock?" the Saiyan Veteran heard in his head. "This is King Kai."

"What do you want, King Kai?" Bardock said shortly.

"Now that Frieza is gone," King Kai began. "And great job on that, by the way! Anywho, now that Frieza is where he belongs, I was going to tell you that Kami and I are moving forward with the rest of the plan."

"Rest of the plan?" Bardock asked, having forgotten it completely after he'd transformed.

"We've got the Earth Dragon Balls gathered," King Kai said. "Thanks to Mr. Popo. We can now ask Shenron to undo everything Frieza and his minions have done."

"You mean..." Bardock asked, finally realizing what that statement meant.

"Indeed I do," King Kai said, nodding though only he could see it. "Goku will be brought back, as well as the Namekians that have died during Frieza's assault of their planet."

"Do it," Bardock said simply, he was too tired to do much else.

A few minutes later, Bardock saw his youngest son's body glow with an unearthly radiance. Dende sat up, startled at his new-found life. Goku's body was rebuilt before Bardock's eyes, and he almost cried when his son opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. The inert Dragon Balls pulsed once, but remained as stones. As far as his senses could reach, Bardock felt multiple ki signatures popping up as the villagers were revived. The sound of feet landing nearby startled Bardock, knocking him out of his reverie. His panic, however, subsided as he saw that their visitor was none other than Nail.

"It looks like I'm too late," Nail said, looking at Frieza's corpse. "At least the monster is gone."

"Nail," Dende began, surprised. "Why are you here?"

"The Grand Elder sent me to find and help you before he passed," Nail said. "It looks like my help wasn't needed."

"Guru's been brought back, though," Goku said, standing up. "I felt the Dragon Balls pulse when everyone was being revived."

"Indeed," Nail said, inspecting the large, round stones. "Their power is returned, even if they're inert. Good, I'm glad the Grand Elder is alive. He may wish to thank you personally for your help."

"Let's not keep the man waiting, then," Bardock said with a small smile. "Anything to get away from Frieza's rotting carcass."

The party flew to Guru's home as quickly as they could, wanting to deliver the good news to the Namekian Elder.

"Lord Guru," Nail said, bowing before the large Namek. "These fine people here have defeated the monster that was attacking our planet and have used their world's Dragon Balls to revive our people."

"You have done my people no small favour," Guru said, smiling broadly. "Henceforth, you and the human female that journeyed here with you are to be considered blood-kin to the Namekian people. You may call on us any time you wish, and we will help you to the best of our abilities. There is, however, another matter that needs attending to, however."

"What is that, Grand Elder?" Nail asked, confused.

"The one called Frieza," Guru said with a grimace. "Was not alone in the universe. He has kin, and they will undoubtedly soon learn of his demise on our planet."

"Perhaps if we dispose of the body..." Nail began before Guru put his hand up.

"They will want retribution," Guru said plainly. "They will kill us, one and all and destroy our planet. We cannot stay here."

"But, Elder-"

"This must be done," Guru said firmly. "Gather the village elders. We must prepare to move."

"You can come stay on our planet," Goku offered.

"I believe my people would enjoy that," Guru said gladly. "We, however, wouldn't want to be an imposition. When the Dragon Balls are returned to power, we shall create a new world for ourselves. Nail, gather the Elders."

Nail bowed obediently and sped off. A few hours later, five Namekian elders stood before Guru, their heads bowed deeply, honoured to be in the presence of their leader.

"Nail," Guru began gently. "Where is Elder Theremin?"

"His village was not returned to life," Nail said, kneeling. "I know not why."

"I think I know why," Bardock said. "His might have been the village that was attacked by Vegeta. He wasn't working for Frieza at the time, so the village might not have been included in the wish."

"I understand," Guru said before motioning for Dende. "Dende, come here. I wish to bestow upon you another gift."

"What is it, Grand Elder?" Dende asked, eyes wide.

"Your actions," Guru began, placing his hand on the young Namekian's head. "Have been in keeping with the best of our traditions. For your devotion to your people and your aiding our saviours' quest, I hereby grant you the title and power of a Namekian Elder."

A light surrounded Dende. "Grand Elder..." the young Namekian said, struggling to find his words. "I am...honoured beyond words. I will not dishonour my post, I shall always act with the best interests of my people at heart."

"Now," Guru said, his face screwed up in concentration. "We must begin the ritual."

"What ritual?" Tien asked, curious.

"If the seven Namekian Elders pool their powers," Dende said as he got into position. "They can create an effect similar to the Dragon Balls. We can only do one wish, though, and we can only perform this miracle once every ten years."

The Elders took their places around Guru and began chanting, their magic flooding the area. Bardock watched, impressed, as sparks flew from the centre of the gathering. As the chanting reached a fever pitch, it felt like everything shifted around him. An instant later, Bardock found himself standing in a grassy field. It had worked, everyone was on Earth! Bardock could even see the ship in the distance, and Bulma was running toward them.

"What happened?" she asked when she reached Bardock.

"The Grand Elder decided staying on Namek was too dangerous," Bardock said. "Frieza died, and he knew that his family would be coming to Namek for retribution."

"Makes sense," Bulma said shaking her head slightly. "Just wish you guys would've warned me, first."

"Grand Elder!" Bardock heard one of the Namekians cry. "Don't go, we need you!"

"Before I pass," Guru said, a peaceful look on his face. "I name Elder Mandolin as my successor."

"You will be missed," the Elder Namek said, bowing deeply. "Grand Elder. May your rest be peaceful."

With those words, Grand Elder Guru breathed his last. His hunched body, in gentle repose, faded away. Grand Elder Mandolin had named a new elder to fill in his vacant position. Arrangements were made to have the Namekian people stay at the Briefs residence until their Dragon Balls would be ready to use again; an offer the Namekians accepted with gratitude. During the four months in between, Bardock spent much of his time wondering what he'd do next. His overriding purpose fled with the death of Frieza, ended when that tyrant drew his last breath. Now...it was as if there was a void in him. His family was there for him as much as they could be, but something was just missing in his life. The spirits of the honoured dead were finally at peace, and he could rest. Surprisingly, Bardock found himself in the company of one Bulma Briefs numerous times. There was a certain...vivaciousness about here, a certain joie de vivre. In a way, she reminded him of his wife. She wasn't nearly as strong, but she was definitely just as bullheaded...just as kind. He didn't know if he loved her, and he honestly didn't know if he'd be able to love again for quite some time, but he enjoyed being around her, nonetheless. If nothing else, she became a good friend, and for that, Bardock was quite grateful.

"Are you ready to summon Porunga?" Grand Elder Mandolin asked the other Elders.

"A moment, Grand Elder," Nail said, bowing.

"What is it, Nail?" Mandolin asked kindly.

"With Guru gone," Nail responded. "My purpose has fled. I owed him a great debt, and now that he has passed on of old age, I have decided that my place is here, on Earth."

"Why do you feel so, Nail?"

"Grand Elder," Nail began. "I will always treasure my people and our heritage. However, there are many people here who could help me hone my abilities. I wish to improve myself, under their auspices."

"I understand," Mandolin said, nodding. "If you ever wish to be with us again, Nail, you are always welcome amongst us."

"Thank you, Grand Elder," Nail said, kneeling.

"I will, however, grant you a parting boon," Mandolin said, placing a hand on Nail's head. "Nail, son of Hanma, member of the Dragon Clan. I bestow upon you the title of Guardian of Our Peoples and the power your station entails."

"I thank you, Grand Elder Mandolin," Nail said gratefully.

With that, Porunga was summoned. A new Planet Namek was created, and the Namekian people, minus Nail, bade their Earthling and Saiyan friends farewell. As they vanished, Bardock wondered what they'd end up doing, now that Frieza was gone and the galaxy was safe. He knew that Frieza had a father, King Cold, and a brother, Cooler. Whether or not they'd want to avenge his death was uncertain; Frost Daemons always seemed to be aloof and uncaring, even with regard to their own species. Still, Bardock made a mental note not to slack off. If the unthinkable happened, he didn't want to be caught with his metaphorical pants down.

Author's Notes

The epic showdown with Frieza is done! I really hope you guys liked it, because I loved writing it. The action just kept coming, in my mind, and I could hardly keep up with putting it into words, lol. For the record, Raditz was able to put up a fight against 2nd form Frieza solely due to Kaioken. Without it, I have him at being a bit above half of Bardock's power, due to the fact that he hadn't trained at 100x gravity like Bardock, Goku, and Gohan did, and King Kai's training didn't focus on the Saiyan's unique ability to gain massive power boosts.

Yes, Bardock is a Super Saiyan, and yes, he did nearly crush his skull. Bardock, from what I've seen, has always been something of a brutal fighter. Combine that with a massive power boost and a heaping helping of complete, blind rage, and you've got the formula for some grade-A ass-whooping. Finally, yes, Nail's father's name was "Hammer," just in Japanese...or, at least, that's what Google Translate told me!

Well, that's bout it for now. I'll catch you guys later for Chapter Eight of The Bardock Effect, A Cooler Interlude! Take care!