Next chapter is up. I want to thank the one who reviewed and all those who favored and are following this story. Thank you to all those who took the time to read this. I hope this story continues to catch your interest. Sorry for taking so long to update. I'm currently working on other stories but I'm going to try and update more frequently.
I will be adding more saiyans later on. Maybe even Broly we'll see. After this things should be more focused on their war coming up.
The fight between Kakarot and Prince Vegeta is continuing to escalate to new heights. Both determined to come out victorious at all costs. The fight has become more than just who wins possession of the dragon ball, but also the rivalry between the lower class and elite class of the Saiyan race. Who will win in the end? The lone wolf saiyan Kakarot or the Saiyan Prince Vegeta.
Chapter Ten: A Rivalry Born
Planet Earth- Canyon
The energy within the palm of Kakarot's right hand continued to increase in size. Fierce winds created by the gathering of energy blowing around him causing the spikes in his hair to sway wildly. His dark eyes focused on the older saiyan overhead who too was doing the exact same thing. He was able to keep up with the arrogant Prince so far now it all came down to sheer power. He was fully aware just how strong Prince Vegeta really was, but still it wasn't enough to make him waver. He would give it everything he had to prove to the stuck-up Prince once and for all to never underestimate the power of a lower-class warrior.
"It's over Kakarot!," said Vegeta. "This ends now! Let me show you the true power of a saiyan elite!"
"This fight is far from over! I won't lose to the likes of you!," shot back Kakarot.
The two boys fired their attacks simultaneously. The two ki blasts colliding head on beginning a very strong power struggle. The force from the blasts sending out a wave of energy surging throughout the canyon. The ground shaking like an earthquake forming cracks in the cliffs causing them to crumble and shatter to the ground.
Neither Prince Vegeta nor Kakarot backing down as they continued to try and overpower the other. Just when it seemed like one would be crowned the victor the other would only increase their power and push back until the blast of energy was back in the center between them. Seconds seeming like minutes as the struggle continued to intensify between the two young warriors.
How can this be?!, thought the Prince to himself. How can it be possible that he's able to keep my attack at bay?! He should've been consumed by the blast by now, and yet he's still standing! This doesn't make any sense! He's nothing more than a mere low level! His level of power shouldn't be anywhere near my own!
Just then his scouter begins to go off. Numbers and symbols flashed through the small green screen in the front of his left eye. The small device picking up on Kakarot's power level. The numbers kept rising higher and higher. This shocked him as well as angered him when he realized the kid was a lot stronger than he thought possible. Kakarot's power level…
"This can't be," Vegeta said more to himself. Venom in his tone. "We're even!"
"Time to end this!," shouted Kakarot. Powering up more as he gave his ki blast one final increase in power and unleashed it.
Prince Vegeta snapped out of his train of thoughts as the beeping of his scouter brought him back to the battle at hand. Realizing what was going on he too charged up more energy and fired back even harder.
The energy blasts increased in size as the power grew stronger. Each boy giving it their all to see who would overpower the other. Within seconds the attacks exploded in a blinding light. Consuming both saiyan warriors inside.
West City- Capsule Corporation
Krillin sat at Master Roshi's bedside. Concern displayed on his young face as he waited for his Master to regain consciousness. On the old master's left side laid Gohan who too was in the same condition. They were both covered in bandages from the severe burns and cuts they had endured during their fight against those saiyans. Even if those two saiyans got away he was relieved his two masters were still alive. For who knows what might've happened if they hadn't gone back for them. No, he dare not think of that outcome. They were safe now and out of harm's way. That's all that matter at the moment.
"Hey," he heard a newcomer's voice enter the medium sized room they were put in once Master Roshi and Gohan were out of danger and in the clear.
The blue haired girl he had encountered earlier and helped him save the lives of his masters entered the room with a warm smile on her face. She approached Gohan and stood at the old martial artists left side. Her eyes shifting from Krillin then down to Gohan.
Worry filled her blue irises as she looked down to the unconscious man lying on the bed. She could see as his chest slowly rise and fell as he took steady breaths. He was alive that was all that mattered to her. Her memories from the previous events that took place only moments before things turned to chaos flashed through her mind. Her hunt for the four-star dragon ball leading her to this estrange man's house in the mountains who suddenly has become so important to her. His warning for her to flee the area before it was too late. Sending her as far away as possible from the danger of those saiyan brats that nearly killed him. They nearly succeeded had they not been distracted with their own personal quarrel. It's hard to believe everything happened so fast she was still trying to process it all.
Who were those kids anyway? Where did they come from? She remembered the older one with spiked up hair like fire and strange armor. He took her dragon radar along with the dragon ball he found. No doubt he would try to collect all seven of them and who knows what he would wish for if he succeeded. But that wouldn't happen for she had two of them already in her grasp. Stashed away in her room for safe keeping. He wouldn't be able to make his wish without the other two. Plus, who knows how long it would take him to find the rest. Still a danger lied in that plan if he succeeds in tracking down the others. For if he followed the signal from these two dragon balls would lead him here to West City. Endangering the lives of the citizens within. They could destroy the city if they wanted to. Innocent people could die if that happens. No there had to another way. She just had to, at the moment, hope that those saiyan brats don't succeed on finding the others before then.
"Um… hey," started Krillin a bit nervously. Snapping Bulma out of her train of thoughts. Shifting her gaze up and in the direction of the young boy.
"I uh never got to thank you for helping me out earlier," continued Krillin. "I know I was putting you in harms way and I'm sorry about that, but I appreciate everything you've done for us."
Bulma gave the boy a warm smile. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm happy to help. Besides I love adventure and a little danger here and there. So, no need for apologies there."
"Oh ok."
"I never got your name."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My names Krillin."
"Nice to meet you Krillin. My names Bulma Briefs."
"Nice to meet you too Bulma." The two grew silent for a few seconds then Krillin continued. "Hey uh Bulma I've been meaning to ask you."
"What is it?" In that time Bulma had grabbed a seat from against the wall and brought it next to Gohan where she sat down.
"How do you know my Master Gohan?"
Bulma adjusted the pillow a bit so that the man could rest his head more comfortably. "He saved my life," she replied. "If it wasn't for him I probably would've been lying down on a hospital bed right next to him if not dead."
"What do you mean?"
"I was out searching for the dragon balls when I first met him. My dragon radar lead me straight to his home on the mountain. I think he was out fishing before then. He told me about how much the four-star dragon ball meant to him and that he wouldn't give it away. After that he just looked to the sky then told me to get as far away from there as possible."
"Wait! The four-star ball! They took Master Gohan's dragon ball."
Shock displayed on Bulma's face. "Wait what!"
The image from earlier flashed through Krillin's mind when the two saiyans were arguing. He remembered seeing the four star dragon ball in one of their hands before they took off who knows where. "It must've fallen out of Master Gohan's clothes some time during the battle, and they found it."
"So that means they have two now at their disposal, and I have two which means there's only three left somewhere out there."
"Wait are you telling me they've already found one before Master Gohan's?"
Bulma nodded as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah. I encountered one of them after I left Gohan's. He took my dragon radar from me. Which isn't a problem because I can just rebuild a new one, but he demanded I tell him what the dragon ball's purpose was."
"Did you tell him?"
"Yeah. Sorry. He may be short, but he is intimidating. If what you said is true then I'm relieved I didn't make him mad to the point that he wanted to kill me."
Krillin returned his gaze back to Master Roshi. "This is bad. Those two saiyans are somewhere out there right now doing who knows what kind of damage. I just hope Master Roshi wakes up soon. He'll know what to do."
Canyon
Pain was all he felt at the moment shooting throughout his entire body. The right shoulder part of his armor was gone as well as a few tears in his pants. Blood stained his face as he could feel warm blood trickling down his nose and down either sides of his mouth. Kakarot, fighting against the pain, forced himself up to a sitting position. Clenching his eyes shut tightly as he pushed the shooting pain aside. He's been through worse. This wasn't anything new.
Prince Vegeta was one of the hardest opponents he's ever faced. Out of all the foes he's face in the past when out purging planets never once has he ever had to use this much power. Hell, he never even had to try that much. All the inhabitants weak that never were much of a challenge for him. Now here he was facing the Prince of his fallen race and being able to go toe to toe against him. Sure, he struggled a bit to keep up, but he always managed to hold his own. It actually excited him.
Meanwhile, a short distance away from him. Prince Vegeta was doing the same as he pushed himself up to his hands and knees. Taking a couple of heavy breaths as sweat mixed with blood flowed down his face. The condition of his armor and pants were no different than Kakarot's. The top right part of his armor was gone along with the cape attached to it. The left pant leg torn up to his knee, and a few tears on the right one as well.
They were both caught in the blast when it became too much. No winner being decided as the ki blasts were evenly matched. Never would Vegeta have ever thought a mere low level like Kakarot would be able to reach his level of power. A third class warrior even with that of an elite. How could it be possible? How could Kakarot acquire that kind of power on his own? This didn't make any sense to him. This must be some kind of fluke.
Kakarot stood the rest of the way up using his left arm to grab onto his right shoulder as he breathed heavily. A few seconds later Prince Vegeta stood up as well. Both boys staring each other down once again.
His scouter had a few cracks on the screen but still somewhat functional. Again, he used it to detect Kakarot's power level. After a couple of seconds of scrolling numbers and symbols it stopped. The kid's power had dropped. What?!, he thought to himself as he began to grow frustrated. Grabbing the device with his left hand and he pulled it off. He's weakened. Could it be because of what just happened, or could it be possible it was only a fluke and the kid just got lucky. Yes, that has to be it. Luck. There's no way possible a low level soldier can reach the level of that of an elite.
Silence filled the air around them once again as neither saiyan made a move. Seconds passed as only the sound of the cool afternoon wind blowing around them. This lasting for only a few seconds more until Vegeta broke the silence.
"How?," he started. "How can it be possible that a low level soldier like yourself be able to harness that much power? How did you do it? How were you able to push back my attack?"
Kakarot remained silent for a brief moment as he pondered over for an answer to that question himself. Truthfully he didn't know. The only thing he remembered was being enraged and the power sort of just came out. Strength he didn't know he had. "To be honest I don't know," he finally replied. "I gave it everything I had. I never thought I was actually capable of fighting back your attack. I was just winging it to be honest."
"You were winging it? Seriously?"
"I admit it. You're strong Prince. Everything I've ever heard about you is true. Still… that doesn't necessarily mean you're invincible." Kakarot paused then continued. "Low class can surpass an elite. With the right proper training and perseverance rank means nothing when it comes down to sheer power. I know now I can stand against those who once thought me weak. I may be a Third class warrior, but I know I have the power to match your own."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes in anger. "Are you finished yet?," he demanded.
Kakarot smirked. Knowing he was getting under the Prince's skin. "Yeah I'm done."
"If you haven't already noticed Kakarot your power has dropped drastically. You're not as strong as you were at the beginning of our fight. At this level of power, I can eliminate you easily. Which is fine by me. One less pest to deal with."
Kakarot said nothing as he looked down at his body. The arrogant Prince was right. He has grown weaker he could feel it. He used an extensive amount of energy on that last attack leaving him almost completely drained. At this rate he was vulnerable and if not careful Vegeta would win this fight. For he needed time to recharge his energy and he doubt the arrogant Prince would allow him the time necessary to do so.
The two remained silent for a brief moment. Then Vegeta spoke up. "Give up," he said bluntly.
Kakarot lifted his gaze up to lock with the older saiyan's.
"It's over Kakarot. You know you can't win this. Victory was mine from the start you never had a chance. Though I do commend you for lasting this long for you're not as weak as I thought you were. Still you're no match against me. So just give it up and hand over the dragon ball."
Kakarot looked down at his left pant pocket where he knew he had the strange four star ball he found next to the unconscious old man. What was so important about that orange sphere that Vegeta wanted to get his hands on so badly? What use could it possibly be that the Prince was willing to fight all out for? Was it really worth all this? The only way he would find out would be by winning this fight. Kakarot returned his eyes back up towards the older saiyan. "… No. I won't."
"Fool. Can't you see you're weakened. You don't stand a chance at winning this Kakarot. Just give it up before you force my hand and I kill you right here and now."
Kakarot dropped his left hand from his shoulder and got into a fighter stance. "That's not going to happen."
Prince Vegeta said nothing as he remained silent for a few seconds then took to his own stance and prepared for the second round. There was no turning back now. If the kid refused to listen then he would just have to make him by force. "Very well then low level. If that's the way you want to play it. Just know this I gave you a chance."
Kakarot knew he didn't have a lot of energy left. So, he had to be careful on how much energy he exerts. He might still stand a chance. He had no intentions of surrendering. Especially not to Prince Vegeta.
Silent tension filled the air once again as neither child made a move. They remained this way for about a minute or two then in quick movements the two charged towards each other at high speeds. Both their right hands clenched into fists and pulled back as they prepared to strike. Once neared their fists collided. Narrowed eyes locked as they both clenched their teeth. Pushing back against one another. Vegeta broke the struggle and attacked Kakarot with a combination of punches and kicks. The younger saiyan trying his best to dodge the attacks.
Vegeta finished with a hard right punch aimed for the kid's face. Kakarot bend back to dodge. Feeling the air from the attack barely scathe over his face. He backflipped his right boot connecting with Vegeta's chin at the same time.
Vegeta took a few steps back from the unexpected attack.
Kakarot backflipped three more times to put some distance between them.
Vegeta recovered quickly then charged towards the younger saiyan once again. He prepared to strike like before, but this time used the same technique Kakarot had used on him earlier. As he neared Kakarot he disappeared. Leaving behind an afterimage of himself. This caught the younger off guard as the ghostly image passed through him.
"What the?!," said Kakarot in shock. Fooled by a fake imitation.
Prince Vegeta reappeared charging towards Kakarot. Taking the chance while the kid's guard was down. Vegeta struck with a powerful right punch at Kakarot's stomach. Knocking the air right out of him once again. Taking the opening the Prince continued his assault with a barrage of punches. Each strike hitting the kid's entire upper body. Vegeta then set his hands a few inches away from Kakarot's stomach and began to charge light blue energy into the palms of his hands. Once the energy was the size of a basketball Vegeta released the blast. Sending Kakarot flying back until he crashed through one of the cliffs. Causing it to break and collapse on top of him.
Prince Vegeta took flight then made his way towards the now piles of rocks in its place. He stood in his signature stance with his arms crossed over his chest. His onyx black eyes fixed on the ground below him as he waited. Without his scouter he couldn't tell if the kid was dead or alive for there was no way of detecting his energy. So, he merely waited.
Seconds passed and there was no movement. Was the kid dead he wondered. Just then he began to see streaks of yellow light penetrating from cracks in the pile. Within seconds energy pushed the piles of rocks up and away in all directions. Standing in the center was Kakarot breathing tiredly. Almost all of his armor was completely gone.
"So, you still have some fight left in you after all," said Vegeta with a smirk. "I am impressed. Still it's clear your body can't take much more. Give it up low level. You've reached the end of your rope. Unless you really want to die that badly."
Kakarot said nothing as he watched the older saiyan with angry narrowed eyes.
Prince Vegeta then disappears. Less than a second later reappeared in front of Kakarot while at the same time striking the younger with a hard right knee to his already injured abdomen. The force of the blow sending him flying back. Vegeta vanishing once again. This time reappearing behind Kakarot and attacking with a kick at the kid's back sending him flying upwards towards the sky. Like before he disappeared one last time then reappeared in the sky above Kakarot. He finished with a spin kick at Kakarot's stomach. Sending him flying down at high speeds towards the ground. Vegeta then raised both his arms up and above his head and began to charge energy into both palms of his hands. Once the necessary power was gathered he brings his hands down and fires the blast towards Kakarot.
Kakarot recovered from the hit as he continued to descend down. Shifting his eyes upward he spots the energy blast heading directly towards him. The Prince planned on landing the blast before he hit the ground, but that wasn't going to happen. Kakarot inched closer to the ground with the ki blast close behind. Once in close enough range he brings both of his hands down onto the ground and backflips out of the way with only seconds to spare. The blast connects to the ground causing a big explosion. Kakarot backflips a few more times to put some distance. He knew the Prince was too occupied with his own technique to notice his escape then decided to use it to his advantage while the Prince's guard was down.
Vegeta, breathing tiredly, stood overhead with his hands still held out in front of him from unleashing the attack. His onyx black eyes focused on the ground where he knew Kakarot landed. Smoke began to rise from the aftermath of the blast as he waited for it to clear. Couple of seconds later it cleared, and he was shocked to see that Kakarot was nowhere in sight. Only a large empty crater created by the explosion.
"What?! How did he?! Where did he go?!," he uttered in shock.
"Looking for me!," shot back Kakarot. Taking advantage of the Prince's dropped guard his right hand clenched into a fist he charged towards Vegeta and struck with a hard punch at the older saiyan's stomach. Continuing his assault, he then followed with an upper cut that sends Vegeta flying up. He disappears then reappears overhead above Vegeta and front flips once with the back of his boot slamming onto his stomach sending him flying down towards the ground. Kakarot then followed close behind him. Right hand gripping onto his left wrist he began to gather energy into his left hand. He then clenches it into a fist surrounded by energy. Once close enough to the Prince he slams his fist down onto Vegeta's stomach and pushes him into the ground. An explosion following right after sending a wave of energy through the ground. Causing it to break and shatter.
West City- Capsule Corporation
Gohan began to stir awake as he broke out of unconsciousness. His eyes slowly beginning to open filling his vision with a blur as he blinked several times to clear his sight. This not going unnoticed by Bulma who remained by his side.
"Gohan," she said softly. "Gohan you're finally awake. Thank goodness."
"Master Gohan!," spoke up Krillin as relief swelled over him. Making his way over in between both hospital beds to Gohan's right side. "You're ok!"
As Gohan continued to try and regain his consciousness. Master Roshi began to awaken not long after. Going through the same motions as Gohan as he too tried to make sense of what was going on and where he was.
Krillin noticed this as he looked over his right shoulder. "Master Roshi you're awake too!," he said as he turned to face the older man. Tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
Master Roshi opened his eyes slowly. "Danger approaches," he said in a weakened tone as he was still recovering.
Krillin turned fully around to face his master. "What? Danger? Master Roshi what are you talking about?"
"Are those saiyans coming here already?!," spoke up Bulma with fear in her tone as she too looked over to the old martial artist.
Master Roshi remained silent for a few seconds then shook his head and replied. "N-no. Much worse. I feel even stronger energy arriving on the planet. This one much sinister than those two boys."
Canyon
Kakarot stood with his right hand grabbing onto his now injured left shoulder and breathing tiredly from fatigue as he looked over towards the large crater created by his last attack. The last bit of his energy drained as he gave it everything he had on his last technique to bring down the saiyan Prince. It was a last resort. He knew what he was risking if he unleashed it, but he was running out of energy and he saw no other way out. He just hoped it was enough.
Minutes passed as no sign of movement was made from his opponent inside. Did he do it? Did he succeed on defeating Vegeta? Letting out a heavy exhaled breath Kakarot went down on one knee as his body gave out and he couldn't stand up any longer. It was over.
Just then he hears footsteps hitting the grounds. He shifts his gaze towards the crater and sees a now injured Vegeta coming out of it. His whole armor gone as cuts and burns covered his chest. His right arm wrapped around his stomach as he too was breathing heavily. Anger clearly displayed on his face.
Neither child said a word as they only stared each other down in silence. They both knew they were at the end of their ropes. Weakened as they reached their limits.
Vegeta admit he let his guard down at the last second which infuriated him. Allowing for the low level brat to take the advantage and strike. He felt the power behind the kid's technique. It was strong and nearly killed him, but luckily the kid was in too much of a weakened state to exert enough power to finish him off. Still it angered him to know that the low level had the power almost equal to his own. Just where was his strength coming from? How could it be possible that a low level soldier like Kakarot be able to reach the level of the elite saiyan Prince. It didn't make any sense.
The two remained silent for a few more seconds.
"It's over Kakarot," spoke up Vegeta. "You've reached the end of your rope. I don't need my scouter to know that you've run out of energy. Your body is completely drained. You can barely stand on your own. This victory is mine." He paused as he slowly began to rise into the sky as he took flight. "I gave you a chance to surrender low level and you refused. Persisting on continuing a fight you knew you had no chance of winning. Now you will pay the consequences of your poor decision."
He stopped once he reached the height he wanted. He was exhausted no doubt, but he still had enough energy for one last attack. This would finish the kid off and ensure his victory. It was a new technique he's been working on and still hadn't perfected yet. Still Kakarot was too weak to escape and his body couldn't take much more.
He moves his arms back towards his left with his right hand resting in front of his left hand. Purple energy beginning to gather in his right palm then within seconds surrounded his entire body. Putting everything he had into it. After this he would be drained of energy as well, so he better not miss.
Kakarot remained where he kneeled. His eyes focused on the older saiyan overhead and the attack forming as well. So, this was it. This was how he was going to meet his end. No matter. He gave it everything he had and managed to make it this far. Now all that remained was that he went down with honor. More honorable to die at the hands of one of their own than anyone else.
"It's over," said Vegeta as he reached the power required for the attack. "Galick Gun!" He pushes his arms forward and unleashed the attack towards the younger saiyan below.
Kakarot lowered his head and closes his eyes as he prepared for the end.
"That's enough!" He heard an unknown voice shout out. His eyes shot open as he shifted his gaze forward. A figure appeared in front of him and blocked Vegeta's attack with one hand and cancelled it out.
The battle has reached its end as Vegeta has come out the victor. But who is this mysterious newcomer who has arrived to Kakarot's aid? Is he friend or foe? Does he have a connection to the deadly power Master Roshi is sensing?
That's the end of this chapter. Already working on the next chapter and hope to have it up soon. I know Vegeta is too young to know the Galick Gun attack, but I figured maybe this is a good age when he started to learn it. Since he's young he's still working on perfecting it so it's not as powerful. Plus it fit good with the ending. R&R and tell me what you think. Like always no flames.