Chapter 10: A HOME LOST

12:05PM

The disaster that awaited them was imminent now. Vegeta, Bulma and the King needed to know! He needed to get to Chichi! And yet it seemed that he was glued to the ground. He couldn't move. And how did they not feel it?

"Well it seems that I've found myself a monkey boy."

Kakarot slowly turned around to find Zarbon.

"What the hell?"

Zarbon walked to the edge of the crater and looked down, observing his small pod. "You know, I had to drink an energy suppressant." Zarbon glanced at Kakarot, he grinned. "So you won't sense my energy. It was worth it. The expression on your face was priceless." Zarbon chuckled.

Kakarot looked around his surroundings. Zarbon was right. They didn't feel Zarbon's energy when he landed and he couldn't sense at that moment when Zarbon was standing right in front of him. But if Zarbon was on Earth, was Frieza also there?

As Kakarot glanced around, Zarbon answered his thoughts. "Emperor Frieza is not here, yet. But he'll be arriving within the hour."

Kakarot gasped in shock. He took a step back ready to fly to the palace.

"Oh no, don't even think about it. You're not going anywhere." Zarbon took a step forward.

Kakarot took a fighting stance. He smirked. The shock had worn out and he readied himself for a fight. His objective was to reach Vegeta and Zarbon was on his way.

"We'll see about that lizard boy." Kakarot said as he took another step toward Zarbon.

"Yes we will." Captain Ginyu spoke behind Kakarot.

Kakarot turned around. This was impossible! How could this be happening? How many more of Frieza's men would appear?

An ambush was ready to take place. Two of the most powerful henchmen of Emperor Frieza had made it to Earth without calling any attention and Frieza would follow shortly.

Both Zarbon and Captain Ginyu launched themselves at Kakarot ready to tear him to pieces.

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12:30PM

"Where are we in our plan Dodoria?" Frieza asked as he rubbed his temples.

"We'll be entering Earth in 30 minutes sire."

"Has Zarbon made contact?"

"Yes, he's landed and by now, he must have arrived at the palace."

"It is now a matter of time, they will all pay for trying to make me look like a fool." Frieza's wicked smiled flashed across his delicate features.

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12:33PM

Bulma typed ferociously on her personal computer's keyboard. Her fingers traveled through the keys at an impressive rate. She was finishing with the software program and it was almost ready. The software was crucial to the start up and for the detonation.

Her eyes burned, her wrists were sore and her back ached from sitting so many hours. But she was almost there. She should have felt good about finishing the software and yet she felt she had a hole on her stomach. She was anxious and she shook her right leg in an effort to calm her nerves.

"Program 50% Complete." The computer's female voice announced.

Bulma sighed and reclined on her chair. She moved her head around trying to relax her neck. She rubbed her eyes before hitting the keys again.

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12:35PM

Using his left arm, the one that was in better condition, Kakarot swam to the edge of the river. His muscles felt like they had being torn apart. His right arm was useless, he couldn't lift it. He was shirtless and his body was full of bruises. His nose and lip bled and he had this huge black eye.

He reached the edge and lay there. His mind, like his body, was exhausted. Trying to defend himself and at the same time do damage to two expert and powerful fighters was not an easy task. But he managed to survive.

His fight with Zarbon and Captain Ginyu led him to the river. And after distracting them, he jumped in. It was his only way out if he wanted to alert Vegeta. And he needed to, he had to, there was no other way, and running was the way to go, this time.

But how could he reach them now? He could fly but not for long. His energy would only take him so far. He could also run but then again he was sure his energy would run out. And instant transmission was out of the question, his energy was not enough!

Chichi, he thought about Chichi and his eyes filled up with tears. He was going to marry her, he wanted to marry her and his future life with her was going to fall apart before it even started. And what about Vegeta and their planet, what about his people, what about Bulma?

Bulma! Bulma had given him… "Flying Nimbus." Kakarot whispered and stared at the sky. He didn't even have the strength to scream. How would he make the nimbus reach him? His tears escaped his eyes. Why did this have to happen this way? They were so close to executing their plan and now Frieza was on his way ready to destroy them all.

The little golden cloud appeared above Kakarot. Kakarot smiled relieved. "You heard me."

Nimbus came closer to Kakarot and it floated to his side. Kakarot used his left arm to lift himself up and climb Nimbus. He lay there. "To the palace as fast as you can buddy."

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12:40PM

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.

King Briefs pressed the button to answer the outer space call. He was going to change that beeping sound as soon as possible. There was no way he could have taken another beep. It was so annoyingly disturbing.

"Briefs! Where's my son?" A distressed King Vegeta asked as soon as King Briefs appeared in front of him.

"What's wrong Vegeta?" King Briefs asked worriedly. King Vegeta was never this agitated. One of the King's characteristics was his ability to stay calm and never panic.

"Briefs you have to evacuate the planet now! Take as many as you can out!"

"What? What are you talking about?" King Briefs felt his heartbeat quicken.

"Frieza is on his way. He's about to land. You need to get out of the planet now!"

"No that can't be. Are you sure?" King Briefs sat on his chair.

"Yes, we've been able to track his location and he's only miles away from Earth! Briefs get my son and get out!"

"My daughter." Briefs whispered.

"You have to tell Vegeta. He'll get you out of there as fast as possible."

"Okay." King Briefs stood up from his chair and ran to his desk. He searched in the first drawer. He had to find it!

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12:45PM

Vegeta threw punches and kicks into the air. Where the hell was Kakarot? He was supposed to be sparring with him. It was all her fault! It was Bulma's fault for giving him that little toy. But Kakarot was going to get it when he got back. He would show no mercy. He would have to train twice as hard now.

"Vegeta!" King Briefs yelled through dried lips as he reached Vegeta in the backyard. The King was out of breath and sweating. He held his chest.

"What?" Vegeta snapped.

"Frieza is here!"

"WHAT?!" Vegeta zoomed his Saiyan butt in front of the King.

"I just spoke with your father, he says Frieza's ship is minutes away from landing."

Vegeta's eyes filled with horror.

"That's can't be. I can't sense anything." Vegeta said before snapping his head to the skies. What the hell is that?

Nimbus stayed suspended in the air after it brought the bloody Kakarot down. "Kakarot, what the hell happened?" Vegeta spoke.

"Vegeta, Frieza--" Kakarot coughed out blood.

"Damn so it's true?"

"Zarbon and Captain Ginyu, they're here." Kakarot said as he got off Nimbus and landed on the floor, on his knees.

King Briefs knelt before Kakarot and dug in his lab coat's pocket. He took out a single senzu bean. "Here son, take this. It should help you." King Briefs gave it to Kakarot, who swallowed it at once.

In two seconds, Kakarot stood up. "Thank you." Kakarot looked at the King. He glanced at Vegeta. "What do we do now?"

"We can't fight him, not now. We're getting off this planet in five minutes."

"How? It takes time to prep the a big enough ship." King Briefs asked.

"We won't need a ship. Kakarot, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Vegeta smirked at Kakarot. Kakarot nodded.

"You better be able to keep up old man, let's go." Vegeta said to the King.

The King looked at what he held in his hand.

"Kakarot go get your woman!" Vegeta started walking away from them.

"Where are you going?" Kakarot asked as he followed Vegeta.

"I'm going to get mine."

"Vegeta wait!" The King spoke as he still looked at his hand. Vegeta and Kakarot waited for the King. "I need you to do something for me."

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12:50PM

"Program 90% Complete."

The computer announced as Bulma toyed with her capsule box. In her hand she held the bomb she'd being working on for so long. It was capsulated and ready to use as soon as she finished programming the software. She took a deep breath. Her father would be happy and proud.

The door to her bedroom slammed open and she jumped at the sudden violent noise. She glanced at where the noise came from. It was Vegeta! The nerve of this Saiyan!

"Vegeta what is wrong with you?"

"Get up, we're leaving!"

Bulma who reclined on her bed frame set her laptop on the bed. "What do you mean?"

"I don't have time to explain. Frieza's about to land and we need to evacuate from the planet." Vegeta approached her and stood in front of her. Bulma looked to the floor. "That's impossible. We can't evacuate the whole planet."

Vegeta grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. "Bulma, I wasn't talking about evacuating the planet."

Bulma stared at him with wide eyes. "You can't be serious!" Bulma snatched herself from Vegeta's grasp. "I won't abandon my people!"

"Program 100% complete." Bulma pulled the chip from her computer's port. She put it in the pocket of her jeans. She closed her laptop and stuffed it in a backpack.

"Where's my father?" Bulma asked as she put on a pair of sneakers.

"He's waiting for us. He's ready to leave now."

"No! He wouldn't abandon his people, his planet." Bulma said as she walked to the door. "I have to talk to him!"

Vegeta phased in front of Bulma forcing her to halt. "There's no time for that! We have to go or we'll all be dead!" Vegeta yelled as he dragged Bulma by her arm. He was going to get her out of there one way or another.

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12:52PM

"Your majesty." Zarbon stood in front of King Briefs. He'd landed graciously, a habit of his. He waved his long braid back and folded his arms across his chest. Captain Ginyu stood next to him.

King Briefs held his breath. This was going to take all of the strength he had left.

"And you are?" King Briefs asked with a steady voice, which surprised him.

"I am Zarbon, Emperor Frieza's right hand." Zarbon smirked.

King Briefs swallowed hard.

"Where's the Emperor?" The King asked, he stalled.

"On his way. You'll come face to face with him very soon. But I bet you weren't expecting this meeting so soon right?"

"You got that right." King Briefs' breath started to falter but kept his voice steady.

"You could have saved your planet if you would have only accepted what Emperor Frieza offered."

"Never! I would never allow my people to become his slaves!"

"Then you will die knowing that you have condemned your planet and your people to extinction!" Zarbon phased in front of the old King. He held him by his throat and lifted him up. The King swung his feet in the air and struggled for air. With each second, Zarbon tightened with grasp, slowly extinguishing the King's life.

An energy beam cut Zarbon's hand from his wrist. Zarbon looked to where the energy came from. "Vegeta!"

The King fell to the ground. He gasped for air. Bulma ran to his side. "Dad!" She helped her father stand.

The Emperor's ship descended from Earth's blue sky. Everyone looked up. What they all feared had arrived.

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12:53PM

"What the hell is going on?" King Vegeta asked as he paced from side to side. In front of wall sized monitors, the King and other Saiyans watched planet Earth.

The Saiyan King feared the worse. He only hoped his son and the Briefs would be able to escape in time. The Emperor would have no mercy, he was sure of that.

"Should we send back up?" A Saiyan asked.

"No, it would make this worse if we do. We could only wait." The King ordered.

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12:55PM

The ramp of the ship hit the ground announcing the Emperor's arrival. Everyone stood motionless. Vegeta looked at Bulma. Bulma looked at her father. Her father looked at the ship.

"This is it, isn't it?" Bulma asked and then glanced at Vegeta.

Frieza slowly descended followed by Dodoria and the rest of the Ginyu force.

"Where the hell is Kakarot?" Vegeta asked.

The Emperor looked for the one he considered a traitor. "Vegeta!"

Vegeta stood protectively in front of Bulma. His left hand extended to keep her back. Frieza noticed. This would be interesting. Now he knew where to strike.

"Frieza." Vegeta spat with disdain.

"You shall address me with respect."

"Not anymore you asshole! I don't work for you."

"I decide when your service to me concludes!"

"It already has." Vegeta focused his eyes on the Emperor's face. Bulma gripped Vegeta's arm.

"That means war Vegeta."

"Then so be it!"

"Everyone will pay for your audacity of sending me useless blueprints." Frieza smirked and glanced at the King. "Dodoria, seize the King."

"No!" Bulma yelled as Dodoria moved swiftly in front of the King. Dodoria raised his hand. Vegeta appeared in front of Dodoria and landed a punch in his gut. Dodoria folded in pain.

Frieza smiled and fired a blast against Bulma as she watched Vegeta knock out Dodoria's breath. Before Bulma registered the danger, her father intervened. The King received the blast. His right shoulder completely disappeared as it shattered into bloody pieces.

"DAD!" Bulma tried to run to her father's side.

But Captain Ginyu beat her to it. Ginyu grabbed the injured King by the throat. Bulma stopped, she stared.

With his other hand, Ginyu tortured the King's fresh wound. The King yelled in agony.

"Dad, hang on. Please hang on." Bulma's panicked pleas made Frieza laugh. Vegeta stared in horror.

"You're not a hero Vegeta. You can't save everyone." Frieza began to form a bigger attack.

"And she will be next." Frieza pointed to Bulma who still stared at her father.

Bulma couldn't take it anymore. She had to save her father. She had to get to him. She looked at him desperately, like she used to do when she was a child. She was about to take off running to him. She wasn't thinking rationally, the pain and thought of losing the only relative she had left encouraged her to go to her father and to Dodoria.

"No, Bulma don't!" The King pleaded with his daughter as her intentions were becoming apparent.

"Daddy." Bulma whispered.

"Vegeta! Please get her out of here! Forget about me." The King cried out to Vegeta. Vegeta looked at the dying King.

As a miracle, Kakarot arrived just in time. He appeared out of nowhere with ChiChi standing behind him and covering her face with his back. He faced Frieza. He assessed the situation. Everyone was taken by surprise and decided to use it against Frieza.

"Bulma, Vegeta, cover your eyes." Chichi yelled. Vegeta didn't have to ask or to understand. He did what he was told. He ran to Bulma and pulled her into his chest. He shut his eyes closed. He felt Bulma whimper in his chest.

"Solar Beam!" Kakarot yelled as he released the light of his energy instantly and momentarily blinding everyone who stood in front of him.

"Vegeta now is the time!" Kakarot cried out and Vegeta opened his eyes. He released Bulma and she made a run for it. She ran to her father who was now on his knees. Dodoria stood in front of the King rubbing his eyes.

Vegeta grabbed her wrist and pulled her. "Bulma we have to go!"

"Vegeta, my father. I won't leave him!" Bulma's tears were uncontrollable now.

"Let's go Vegeta!" Kakarot yelled as he had Chichi in his arms.

Frieza rubbed his eyes. In frustration, he fired blasts everywhere.

"Leave Bulma, leave now!" The King cried out shedding tears. He couldn't see either. But he heard his daughter's pleas.

"NO! I won't leave you!" Bulma extended her hand to her father's direction.

"He's dead already. We're leaving now!" Vegeta tugged her.

"I'm staying then!"

Bulma's words stopped him. He stared at her in shock. "What?"

"You don't understand. My father, my planet and my people are all I have. If I lose them, I won't have anything."

In the middle of Frieza's rain of attacks, Vegeta stood frozen. He looked deep into her eyes. They were falls of endless tears. Her grief had already eliminated her willingness to keep fighting.

"That's not true."

Bulma's face now reflected confusion. Vegeta continued. "You have me." He held her face. "I'll always be with you. Bulma, I offer you all that I am, my Kingdom, my people, my heart. Rule beside me as my Queen."

Bulma glanced back at her father. Vegeta forced her to look at him again.

"Vegeta! Hurry up!" Kakarot shouted.

"I'll still die if they die. I'll be dead inside." Bulma said.

"Listen to me, I won't let you die, I cannot let you die. I will no lose you, I swear!"

Frieza blinked desperately. He began to see the shadows. He was gaining his eyesight back.

"Vegeta!!!" Kakarot shouted again and placed a hand on Vegeta's shoulder. "Chichi don't let go of me!"

Chichi held onto Kakarot's body. Vegeta pulled Bulma into his chest. He secured her back as she struggled against him. "No please Vegeta, please." Bulma begged.

"Damn! Where do I go?!" Kakarot panicked.

"My father! Locate his energy, NOW!!!" Vegeta yelled as he noticed that Frieza had gained back his eyesight. HE smirked at them.

Frieza aimed a blast at them. And shot.

"GOT IT!" Kakarot shouted as Frieza's attack advanced at them. Vegeta gave Frieza the finger before disappearing into thin air.

"NOOO!!! Destroy this fucking planet immediately!" Frieza yelled as his attack hit a tree. He took to the sky and formed a growing ball of energy in his finger. His guards released energy attacks on the surface destroying trees, plants, animals, and the surrounding villages. The screams of the dying people were music to Frieza's ears.

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1:05PM

Vegeta, Bulma, Kakarot, and Chichi appeared in the same room King Vegeta stood watching over Earth.

Chichi buried her face on Kakarot's chest. She cried silently. Kakarot had his hand on Vegeta's shoulder. Bulma pushed Vegeta away. She took in her surroundings and saw the monitor. She saw her planet. She ran to stand in front of it. "Bulma!" Vegeta yelled behind her.

She placed her hand on the screen. "No please, don't." She silently begged.

King Vegeta sighed in relieve to see his son safe. Like the Briefs, the King and the Prince of Vegetasie only had each other.

But he noticed King Briefs was not there. "Where's Briefs?" King Vegeta asked horrified.

"He didn't make it." Vegeta answered.

"That's not true! We left him behind. You forced me to leave my father behind!" Bulma shouted at the Prince. Her eyes full of rage and pain accused him. He didn't have words to reply. He only stared back at her.

"Son, is that true?"

Vegeta nodded. "He was dead already. There was nothing we could have done for him." Vegeta said softly. While Vegeta was right, Bulma's words made him feel despicable.

"I hate you!" Bulma spat her sorrow.

Vegeta snapped at her. "Hate me all you want! But know this, your father knew he wouldn't make it out alive so he sacrificed himself to save you."

Didn't she see that her father took that hit that was intended for her? Didn't she see that her father wanted her to live, to fight? How could she have thought about staying behind to die?

Bulma shook her head in denial. She held her head.

"Your majesty!" A Saiyan yelled. Everyone looked at the monitors.

The screen lighted up with the fire of the explosion. Planet Earth exploded into pieces. Bulma held her breath. Everyone stared in horror.

Bulma felt her heart sink into oblivion. Her father was dead, her home destroyed, and she was left with nothing, her life was empty. She could almost hear the storm of the screams. Earth had been slaughtered and she was unable to interfere.

Bulma collapsed to the floor on her hands and knees. She sobbed her soul out. Her whimpers made the Saiyans feel sympathy. They understood her lost. They lived the same threat everyday. The destruction of their planet now seemed to be close, very close now that Frieza had taken action against Earth.

The pain was unbearable. Her agony was visible in her eyes, in her beautiful face. Vegeta felt it; somehow he felt it. She was tearing apart from the inside and there was nothing he could do.

He approached her and knelt beside her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

But she slapped it away. She resented him. "Don't touch me!" Bulma yelled between desperate sobs. She recoiled from him. Vegeta stepped away from her. Her rejection hurt.

Chichi ran to Bulma. Both girls held onto each other. They shared the same loss, the same pain and agony. They cried in each other's arms.

They were the only survivors of the Human Race and the most beautiful planet of the galaxy.

Their home was lost.

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Okay, so what do you guys think? Please review!!! I want to know your thoughts about this chapter.