Vegeta vs. Vegeta

Shortly after our saiyan hero prevented Toushiro from turning Oolong into a pork dinner, Cell appeared on the news. The location of the tournament has been revealed and now it was time to prepare. With Cell complete, there was no doubt in Vegeta's mind as to what Rohku was doing. He was trying to recruit powerful enemies of the past to stop his former comrade. The one thing Rohku forgot is that Vegeta has lived through this all before. Somehow... Vegeta had to make that work to his advantage. Back up at the Lookout, our heroes waited for Goku and Gohan with Trunks, Tien, Vegeta and Piccolo. Goku and Gohan still had three hours left in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and the wait was getting to some.

Vegeta: "They'll do anything they can to surpass me."

Piccolo: "They're training to beat Cell, not you, Vegeta and there are nine days left so you can afford to be patient. Why don't you rest, Vegeta, while I go in."

Vegeta: "What a waste of time. You don't actually expect to become-"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Finish that sentence and I will beat you to the ground right here, right now."

The younger prince glared at his older self.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "And before you say anything, sorry but you can't spend the remaining eight days inside. After 48 hours of continuous use by the same person, the entrance will disappear and you can kiss any dream of mending your glorified pride goodbye."

The other Vegeta growled. He has not enjoyed this future version of him one bit since he arrived. He couldn't decide what's worse. The fact that this older Vegeta was beating his younger self up every chance given, or that he was a subordinate to a boy? Or maybe because he seems to have abandon his pride as a saiyan, or that he gladly associates himself with ordinary humans? Or maybe, just maybe, it was because everyone liked this future Vegeta more than theirs? Regardless of the reason, the Vegeta of this time knew for sure that he did not like his future self at all. Just then, everyone felt it. Goku and Gohan were done. After a long minute, the two emerged... and as Super Saiyans. But before they were caught up-

Goku: "Oh before you start talking, I gotta get something into my stomach! Do ya have anything good to eat, Mr. Popo?"

Mr. Popo sighed.

Levi: "Don't worry, I'll help ya."

Mr. Popo: "Oh, thank you."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Same ol' Kakarot. Always hungry."

A little while later and both Goku and Gohan were chowing down. Most of the others just watched them, whereas Eren and Toushiro were practicing swordsmanship skills with wooden swords while Levi watched. As he watched them, their Vegeta was trying to figure out how they were behaving normally while being Super Saiyans.

Vegeta: "What is going on? They appear to be Super Saiyans, but they're acting so... natural! I must learn the full extent of their new powers!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "I can answer that for you: Just stay Super Saiyan for as long as possible, and keep going until it no longer feels different as to being normal."

Vegeta: "Rgrrr... And how would you know?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Simple... I asked... nicely, in fact."

Again the other Vegeta just growled. He really hated this future him. In no time Goku and Gohan were done and had gotten the whole story from Trunks. After changing into old and new clothes, Goku went to check out the new Cell. When he returned, he didn't have good things to say.

Goku: "Well if I were to fight him right now... I'm pretty confident that he'd beat me into the ground."

Everyone shivered at the news. But there was more.

Goku: "Hey, Future Vegeta. This guy you and your friends are chasing... does he kinda look like an ordinary human or saiyan with short black hair and bright yellow eyes?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "... He's with Cell, isn't he?"

Goku: "If that guy is this Rohku, then yeah."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Tsk. I'm not surprised."

Goku: "What's he trying to do anyway?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Oh, I forgot I never told you... Rohku is someone I used to work with back when I was working for Frieza. He's never been very strong, but he's got a tactical mind that can be scary. He can give me one hell of a challenge."

Goku: "So what's he doing?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "He's basically trying to remove me from the picture all together so he can do whatever he wants without threat. I'm the only one who can match him in tactician and strategy, and I've developed quite a reputation for... uh... Let's just say I've started following your footsteps in the hero department, Kakarot."

Toushiro: "See that scar on his chest? He didn't get that from shavin'! Ha-ya! C'mon, Eren!"

Goku: "Wow! No wonder you're chasing him."

Tien: "But if he's helping Cell... What chance do we have?"

Toushiro and Eren heard and stopped sparing to listen.

Piccolo: "I'm afraid Tien's got a point. You know what's going on, Future Vegeta, and what will happen. We don't."

Trunks: "You beat Cell with ease to save Toushiro and yet this Rohku guy knocked you out with one good hit."

Gohan: "And you were able to throw Frieza around like a rag doll."

Tien: "And if this guy is as clever as you say he is..."

Piccolo: "Then we're all done for..."

There was a long silent pause all around. For many, their eyes read of dark despair. These were dark times indeed, there was no doubt about that.

But...

Lieutenant Vegeta: "... Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope."

The others all suddenly looked up from their despair and at the saiyan lieutenant.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "But sometimes fear clouds our vision. Sometimes our strength just... gives out."

Then the saiyan gazed at them all with a fire that seemed inextinguishable within those powerful black eyes.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "And yet sometimes, when all seems lost... a light... shines through the darkness, and we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage... Can turn the tides of war!..."

The others of the past stared with amazement as the words sunk in. Toushiro smiled as he now knew what these words meant. Goku... was probably the most stunned and yet the most proud of them all. Those were words that have been gathered and formed from decades of countless upon countless battles, wars, and life experiences. Words that could not be collected by someone fighting for personal gain or selfish goals... But by someone fighting for the innocent and offering hope for the future.

Tien: "Uh... What does that mean?..."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "It means that for however bleak and hopeless things seem to get, as long as even one person- just ONE person is willing to stand up and fight against the darkness of evil... then the light from their courage will never go out, and hope will never die."

Tien: "Wow... I never would have imagined that Vegeta, of all people, would say something like that."

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Do not give up, Tien. As long as all of you stick together... You'll make it."

And then it happened.

Vegeta: "No wonder you got knocked out by Rohku... You have gotten soft."

Our saiyan lieutenant turned a glaring gaze at his younger self.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "You know, I'm really getting tired of your attitude."

Vegeta: "Hmph! Do I look like I care?"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Considering who you're talking to, you'd better rethink that."

Vegeta: "Ha, as if. At least I wouldn't have made the mistake of taking that weak earthling to the heart of a battlefield just to have him get thrown off and distracting you."

As he had said that, the younger Vegeta pointed straight at Levi. The soldier was obviously upset over the truthful words... Words that pissed off the older Vegeta.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "... Watch your tone and don't you dare bring Levi into this..."

Vegeta: "I didn't, but you did."

The saiyan lieutenant took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. Meanwhile everyone else was staying off to the side, out of the two princes way.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Alright... Two can play at this game."

The older, and bigger, Vegeta stood up on two legs and eyed his counterpart with anger.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "The next time you hear your pride talking to you, do the world a favor... ... Don't listen!"

Vegeta: "What did you just say?!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "You heard me, BOY!"

The Vegeta of this timeline just stared at his future self with shock and anger!

Vegeta: "I dare you to say that again, OLD MAN!"

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Both Vegeta's had finally gotten under each others skin.

Vegeta: "At least I'm a real warrior! Taking orders from a little kid is just disgraceful, prodigy or not!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Get used to it, pal! Cuz I'm what you'll become in a few years!"

Bang! The Vegeta of this timeline punched our Vegeta across the face! Everyone gasped as they watched the future Vegeta stumble back. Now it was on! Lieutenant Vegeta lost all of his self control and cool.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "You... I can't believe that once upon a time I was you, (Wipes the blood from his mouth) you egotistical-"

Vegeta: "You spoiled-"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Disrespectful-"

Vegeta: "Deluded-"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Pretentious, pompous-"

As Lieutenant Vegeta slowly closed the gap between him and Vegeta, he kept swiping his claw-like fingers at him with some hitting their mark.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Self-centered-"

Vegeta: "High-and-mighty-"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "Untrustworthy, ungrateful, impossible, insufferable-"

Goku: "Uh... Toushiro... Should we do something before this gets out of hand?"

Toushiro: "Really? And miss your Vegeta getting taught a lesson about humility?"

Goku: "Huh... Good point."

Eren: "Captain?"

Levi: "No way! I'm staying as far from this as I can! I went through something like this once with Vegeta, and I NEVER want to go through it AGIAN!"

Everyone just watched the show with some delight and some fear. Fear because both Vegeta's were losing their tempers but delighted because the future Vegeta was finally telling his younger self off BIG TIME! Finally, Vegeta got in Lieutenant Vegeta's face and said the magic word.

Vegeta: "Well at least I'M not repressed!"

Lieutenant Vegeta: "REPRESSED?! Oh that does it... I'll show you repressed!"

Lieutenant Vegeta picked up one of the tiles that made up the Lookout's floor and smashed it over his past-self's head! The other Vegeta stumbled back while rubbing his head. He obviously had felt it. The younger Vegeta looked up and saw a punch flying right at his face before a big WHACK! Vegeta was thrown to the ground with a hard thud! When he got up, he returned the favor just as hard and our Vegeta was thrown into the bushes! Everyone gasped and watched, wondering what was going to happen next! With Vegeta, it was never certain. The younger Vegeta prepared for anything as he knew this too. And in a flash, his future self came leaping out of the bushes and charging at him! Like a couple of stags, the two locked heads and started clawing at each other! The sounds they made were frightening and the fighting was fierce! Then a mistake was made! One let the other grab him and was forcefully thrown to the ground again and again! In the end, after so much punishment... No more could be taken. The looser lay on the ground... battered and beaten, submitting to the one standing tall above him. It was clear to Vegeta that he was indeed a weak egotistical, self-centered, arrogant man who only thought about himself. The future Vegeta was a strong, caring and kind guardian who wasn't afraid to give his life for simple things. It was because he had people he wanted to protect and opened his heart up to them that our Vegeta was stronger then his counterpart, and continued to grow stronger every day. Until he learned that... the Vegeta of this timeline would always be weak.

Lieutenant Vegeta: "... Until you accept the truth... you'll NEVER surpass Kakarot... ... Or anyone..."