The next year passed with nothing but training. Bulma finished a gravity machine, and had a specific room for it at the Capsule Corp building, and therefore they had to move their training sessions there. It took a week to get the fighters used to ten times gravity to where they could fight just as they did normally. But then Neka began to push it, turning it up to thirty times gravity in which even she and Gohan had trouble getting used to it.
Gohan himself kept surprising the other fighters with his skills, able to outpace Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu for the first six months until they began to catch up. By the eight month mark, Piccolo was nearly as strong as Neka, Gohan and the others a little bit behind them. However, Neka herself had gotten stronger too, able to train with others that were slowly catching up to her abilities.
However, even still, she was worried. She knew how much Vegeta had trained. If she had to guess, his power level must be at least twenty thousand. She prayed that Goku was getting stronger, hell, she hoped that he was stronger than her now, because in all honesty, that's what they would need to win.
Gohan had become accustomed to the outside world during their training, and actually preferred to wear human clothing over the Saiyan armor. Neka was the most peeved, however, when he ended up wearing a purple jumper and brown cloth shoes like Piccolo near the time of Vegeta's arrival. It was true, during their training, Gohan had grown close to Piccolo, which was a bit confusing to Neka, but she supposed he was looking for a father figure to fill the void. He had never had his father in his life. Neka felt terrible about having to subject Gohan to being raised in such a way, but she knew that he was going to make a big difference in the battle. He was strong and determined.
But there was a softness to him that Neka had never been able to squash out. Often during their breaks in training, she would find Gohan playing with the animals in the forest. Birds that were usually frightful and skittish would come right to him, land on his fingers. And Neka knew, Gohan wasn't a true fighter, deep down. He wanted peace. But she also knew that he would fight for that peace if he had to. And he wouldn't hold back.
All the same, Neka could not relate to that sort of mentality that he had. Yes, her years of peace here had done her good, but at the same time, Neka found herself itching for a challenge. She just wished that challenge didn't have to be Vegeta.
All too soon, the day came.
After everyone became efficiently accustomed to thirty times gravity, they had returned to the wasteland to train, getting used to the lighter gravity again.
"That was a great kick, Gohan!" laughed Krillin as he picked himself off the ground, walking back to them, "The way you feinted to the right totally threw me off!"
Gohan grinned widely, pride in his eyes, "Thanks, Krillin! I didn't think it was going to work to tell you the truth…"
Everyone had grown fond over Gohan during the past year. It was hard not to like his endearing attitude. Even Piccolo smiled a bit at the boy every now and again.
However, their times of smiles were about to end. Neka froze in place when she felt it. Her head snapped around and she looked across the horizon.
"They're here," she breathed.
Everyone stiffened around her, obviously sensing the same thing.
Such power… Neka had known Vegeta was going to be strong. But… she was not expecting this. Nor was she expecting how… familiar his energy signature was to her. She could easily separate him from Nappa, who was not as strong as Vegeta, but still improved a lot from when she last saw him.
This was it. He was finally here.
And Neka still hadn't told anyone he was her brother.
What was she going to do? She felt panic boiling up inside her.
"Neka, you okay?" Krillin asked, looking over her, "We can do this, don't worry."
"Mom?" Gohan came to her side, looking up.
Neka looked down into his eyes and felt herself find her resolve. That. That little face right there, that was what she was protecting. Her family. Her friends. Her home.
"You used to work with these guys, right?" asked Tien, "You sure you're comfortable fighting them?"
"I have to," said Neka softly, feeling Vegeta get closer.
"Bulma called, telling me that they wished Goku back already," said Yamcha, "He should be here soon."
Not soon enough, thought Neka.
Him of all people, she realized, she should have told him. But how could she? That Vegeta was her brother… he would hold back, she knew he would, just like with Gohan, but Vegeta was surely going to give it away, if the resemblance didn't. That they were twins.
What am I going to do? Neka thought desperately.
And then, before she could really steel herself, they were here.
Neka turned and felt her heart stammer.
Ten long years for her, since she saw her brother.
Vegeta.
He hadn't changed much. His hair, so much like hers but without the bangs, standing straight up, his black eyes, his red-screen Scouter, his shoulder padded armor, the blue jumpsuit, his tail wrapped about his waist. He landed beside Nappa, who was still a giant, bald head gleaming, wearing the same style armor as Raditz had been wearing, thin mustache along his upper lip. Nappa was staring at her, his face in awe.
But Vegeta was scowling.
"Neka…" he spoke slowly, looking her up and down.
She was in her armor, the shoulder-less one Bulma made for her, her fingerless white gloves, her white boots with the yellow tips, her tail lolling out at her side, lashing in her anticipation.
"Whoa…" Krillin breathed, "He… he looks so much like you, Neka! You… you couldn't be…?"
"Shut it," Neka snapped at him before looking back at Vegeta, clenching her fists.
She didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to do. But she locked eyes with her brother and felt her heartbeat in her ears.
"What are you doing here?" Vegeta finally demanded.
Neka looked around her, surrounded by her friends who were all glaring out at the Saiyans defensively. And Gohan. Gohan beside her, looking at them with wide eyes. Neka was glad Vegeta hadn't noticed the boy yet.
"Training," said Neka honestly.
Vegeta folded his arms, "And you couldn't bother to tell me that you were ALIVE?!" he shouted, "Do you know what it's been like?! DO YOU?!"
"And then what, Vegeta?!" Neka bellowed back at him, taking a step forward, "Frieza would have slaughtered all of us! I did what I did to keep you safe! And now you've come out here, you've ruined it! Frieza will want you dead now, all of us dead! I've been keeping our race alive! And you've brought hell to us all!"
"I disconnected our com in the Scouters before we left," said Vegeta harshly, "You think I'm foolish enough to let Frieza know exactly where you are when I know he was the one who killed you? Or should I say failed to kill you?" Vegeta's arms fell to his side and Neka saw him shake a little, "You know what we've been through Neka. We watched our planet be destroyed. We lost our father to that tyrant! And then you let me think I lost you too?!"
Silence greeted his words for a moment.
"Did he say your father?" Tien asked in a low tone, "You mean…"
"Oh, what, Neka, you didn't tell them?" Vegeta snarled, glaring around at all of them, "I do hope you actually mentioned what you really are. I hope you didn't completely lose yourself, and forget that you have a twin brother that was busy being a true Saiyan while you evidently sat on this planet and played nice!"
"You wouldn't understand-" Neka began.
"Oh really?" Vegeta threw his arms to his sides in anger, "Wouldn't I? Oh no, please, Neka, tell me, tell me what was so damned important that you just- just settled down on this pathetic rock with these insolent worms!"
"I didn't have a choice!" Neka screamed, "I was struck with a curse- a curse that fused me to another being. I felt all his pain, and if he died, I would too. So what did you expect me to do? My powers couldn't effect him! I tried to find a way to remove it, but no one could help me. I was stuck. So I decided that I would train, train him and train on this world until I was strong enough to defeat Frieza. I've… I've done ALL of this… for you. To keep you safe, to SAVE you from that BASTARD!"
"A curse…?" Vegeta repeated, "And if he dies so do you? How could you let something like that happen?"
"You think I planned it? That I wanted it?" shouted Neka, "You've no clue what sort of inner battles I've gone through."
"So which one of these bastards is it?" asked Vegeta, looking around all of them.
"He's not here," said Neka defensively.
Vegeta paused and looked back at her, "It's Kakarot? Isn't it?" he asked softly.
Neka looked away from him, "His name is Goku."
She knew what kind of rage that was going to cause in Vegeta. She saw him narrow his eyes at her.
"What are you talking about? Surely Raditz mentioned that his Saiyan name is Kakarot, that he was his brother."
"He did, right before I killed him," said Neka, looking back at Vegeta.
They held each other's gaze for a long moment.
"What?" Vegeta asked at last, furrowing his brow.
"Raditz threatened to kill Goku once he knew that his death meant mine to," said Neka evenly, "So I killed him."
"So let me get this straight, Neka," growled Vegeta, slowly walking forward, "You're telling me that you got fused to this defective Saiyan, and even after you discover his true name you still call him by the name this filthy rock gave him?"
"This planet is called Earth, Vegeta," said Neka, walking forward as well, mainly to keep Vegeta from getting too close to the others.
"Like I give a damn what it's called," snarled Vegeta, "All I know is that it's taken you and- and- changed you. Made you into this… this…" he gestured to her with his hands, "Soft weakling!"
"I can assure you that my experience on this world has done nothing but made me stronger, Vegeta," Neka said in a cold voice, "In ways you can't understand. But I'm hoping one day you will. Because this is how we'll defeat Frieza."
"Don't make me laugh!" cried Vegeta, clenching his fists, "The only way we're going to defeat Frieza is by training without end, like what I've been doing for the past five years! While you sat here on this world and got cozy with all these insects!"
"You have NO IDEA what I've been through here!" screamed Neka, close enough to him now to shove a finger into his chest, "So why don't you consider getting your facts straight before you go making assumptions?!"
Vegeta's hand whipped up and wrapped around her wrist. Neka's eyes widened. Such speed! She barely saw it coming. It wasn't like when she left Vegeta last, when she had won their last spar. When they were on even ground.
"I don't?" he said in a dangerous whisper, "Oh, I'm sorry, was it difficult mingling with these beings? Did some of them hurt you? Is that it?"
"I've gone through so much more than meager battle, Vegeta," said Neka in an equally hushed tone, "To be honest? I don't think you would have had the strength to put up with what I did."
And then she was sent flying. It was so hard and fast she had no opportunity to straighten herself out and regain control before she slammed into one of the nearby spires. She had managed to slow herself just enough so that the entire formation didn't fall apart on her impact. She did however get her body indented into the wall of it, and had to pry herself out, gasping in pain.
She was just in time to see Gohan jump a foot into the air and fly full pelt at Vegeta. He didn't say a word, didn't let out a sound of battle. He swung his tiny fist hard at the back of Vegeta's head. Vegeta's hand snapped up at the last second, and he turned, catching Gohan's hand in his, narrowing his eyes at the boy.
Neka felt panic swell inside her, and she jumped out of the rubble, rushing forward. As she flew she saw Gohan's eyes widen in shock at how easily Vegeta blocked him, and then saw Vegeta's knee rush up and catch her son in his gut, making him bend double and gasp in pain.
"No!" shrieked Neka and twisted, kicking Vegeta hard on the side of his head, sending him to the ground. It wasn't as hard as he flung her, he didn't go flying like she did. But he was still picking himself up off the ground with rage in his eyes.
"On your feet Gohan," snapped Neka.
The boy had landed on all fours, and at his mother's words jumped up, though wincing a little. Neka had to admit she was impressed with him. Even after hearing that this man was his uncle, he still reacted when Vegeta hurt her, just like she taught him.
"Vegeta?" Nappa spoke for the first time, looking down at the Prince.
Vegeta got up, "Shut it, Nappa," he snarled and looked at Neka then down at the boy, "Tell me, Neka. Why does the boy have a tail?"
Gohan's tail had fallen from around his waist when he fell. He gasped a little and wrapped it back around his waist.
"Sorry," he murmured to Neka.
"Because he's a Saiyan Prince, Vegeta," Neka said firmly, though she stood in front of the boy, glaring at her brother.
"You mean to tell me the first thing you did…" Vegeta began to snarl.
"We've been in a room training for five years, Vegeta, however, outside the room, only five days passed. He wasn't born until just after Raditz arrived," said Neka softly.
"Well isn't this world just full of surprises," growled Vegeta, "Not only did you become friends with these worms but you mated with one?!"
"You think that I would bear a child that wasn't full blooded Saiyan?!" cried Neka.
Vegeta's eyes widened, "It… it was Kakarot?"
"Goku," whispered Neka, "His name is Goku."
Vegeta let out a laugh, "I don't know what's worse! I almost think I'd rather that boy be part human than part defective!"
"You don't know anything about Goku!" Neka snapped.
"Oh don't I? Then where is he? Why isn't he here with his woman and child to help them defend against the big bad monsters you said were coming?" Vegeta demanded.
"He's dead," said Neka flatly.
Vegeta blinked, "But you said- that curse!"
"It altered when he was nearly killed five years ago, a week after I landed. However, I wasn't aware that the shared death changed. Not until Raditz killed him," said Neka, "But he'll be back soon."
"What? Back from the dead?" Nappa asked, stepping forward, "How is that even possible?"
"Nice to see you too, Nappa," Neka cast at him, "And yes. Back from the dead."
"How?" demanded Vegeta.
Neka shot him a glare, "You think I'm going to tell you? After how I was greeted by my dear brother?"
"Tch!" Vegeta scoffed, "I think you're bluffing. And even if he did show, if he was killed by Raditz, he'll be no more than a fly to swat."
Neka smirked bitterly at him, "I think you'll be surprised. Goku should never be underestimated."
Vegeta looked around for a moment before shaking his head, "I can't believe what's happened," he muttered, and then looked up at Neka, "You're not my sister. This- this is unacceptable! I will not let any of this stand. Neka, all of this…" he began to shake, and his face twisting in rage, "All of this precious little world of yours! That you seem to value over the memory of our true home world! I'm going to rip it to pieces, it and all your little friends! And… if Kakarot does return… especially him… Understand I'm doing this for you, Neka- or at least, the old you. The one I knew, the one that was my true sister, the one that was a the true Princess of Saiyans!"
Neka had mere seconds.
"Piccolo, with me, the rest of you, topple the giant!" she pointed at Nappa, then launched forward to punch Vegeta hard across the face as he built an orb of energy in his hands.
It vanished when he received the hit, but he recovered swiftly, rushing in a kick at her right side. She was sent crashing into the ground and slid a good ways before managing to get back to her feet and rush back toward her twin. At this point, Piccolo had engaged him, and managed to get one elbow in that only made Vegeta stumble before he was knocked back. Neka swiftly took over, charging an blast in her hands, and throwing up her hand to send it rocketing out at him. Vegeta launched upward to avoid it, however, Neka had anticipated his movements. Five years of training had only increased his power, not change his style.
She darted up and ran her knee into his jaw. He howled in pain and anger as he was tossed back, but flipped once and was facing her again, aiming at her with vicious eyes, hands going together. Neka's eyes widened at the familiar stance.
Time to move.
"Gatlic Gun!" cried Vegeta, and a massive wave of purple ki rushed from his palms. Neka swerved just in time to avoid it head on, but it caught her right leg, sending her spinning out of control through the air. She caught herself before she hit the ground, looking down to see her right knee had been wounded rather harshly, the jumper fabric dissolved and blood seeping from her broken flesh. She narrowed her eyes and ignored the pain, looking up to see Piccolo had returned, and was brawling with Vegeta, his turban and cape gone now. To her surprise, the Namekian seemed to actually be holding his own, but she could also sense that Vegeta was not using the full extent
of his power.
Darting upward to help, Neka managed to get behind Vegeta and with her hands clamped together, slammed them down on top of his head, sending him rocketing down to the ground, having been too distracted by Piccolo to notice her.
They had a moment to breathe.
"He's strong," Piccolo panted.
"I warned you," said Neka.
"You're hurt," Piccolo looked at her knee.
"It's nothing," Neka looked over to see how the others were handling Nappa.
Her old caregiver had grown strong. Neka could tell, however, he was having to use his full power to remain standing against all his assailants. He was probably on par with how Neka was before her time in the Chamber with Gohan. Something she hated to admit to herself. Which definitely meant Vegeta was much stronger. As she watched, Krillin used Solar Flare on him, that blinding technique, and in an instant, Yamcha rushed in and slammed an elbow into his back, pushing him toward Tien who twisted and kicked him down to the ground where Gohan and Chiaotzu were waiting. Gohan held his hands above his head while Chiaotzu pointed a finger.
"DODON!"
"MASENKO!"
Nappa recovered. He twisted in the air, managing to dodge both blasts and rub his eyes profusely for a moment before looking around, rage boiling cross his face.
"You insects! You think you can win against me?!"
He looked down and opened his maw wide, and Neka let out a gasp.
"MOVE!" she cried toward her son and Chiaotzu.
White light exploded out of Nappa's mouth, slamming down into the ground where Gohan and Chiaotzu stood.
"No!" Neka gasped, and made to rush in, but Piccolo grabbed her by the arm.
"Calm down, use your senses, look," he said gruffly.
Neka blinked and looked up, blinking in surprise. There was Gohan, holding Chiaotzu, looking down at Nappa from above him with narrowed eyes. Interesting. It seemed Gohan was actually stronger than Nappa on his own. But when he just fired that blast… it didn't seem that way. He was holding back.
WAM!
Neka wailed as she was sent flying upward from Vegeta's upper cutting fist. She twisted midair, barely managing to recover in time to see that Vegeta was brawling with Piccolo, but there was a new fire in his movements. Her theory was correct. Vegeta had not yet shown them his true potential. Soon, Piccolo was knocked back, and Neka had to intervene as she saw Vegeta aiming a hand toward the fallen Namekian.
She slammed into Vegeta's side just before he could fire the blast, making it rocket off course and miss Piccolo completely. Vegeta snarled in irritation and thrust his knee into her gut. Neka gasped in pain, but recovered swiftly and brought her head up so fast it slammed the back of it against Vegeta's. He howled and fell back and she whirled, kicking him hard across the face with her good leg.
As Vegeta was engulfed into a nearby mountain, Neka landed next to Piccolo and picked him up by the back of his jumper and set him on his feet.
"Ack! That wasn't necessary!" he shouted at her.
Neka wasn't paying attention. She was looking over to check on her son and the others with the fight against Nappa. It seemed to ne going in their favor, but she could tell Nappa was getting more and more angry which made his movements sloppy, but much more powerful. As she watched, Tien leapt back, narrowly avoiding being punched across the face. While he was still staggering from his missed swing, Chiaotzu seemed to take this as an opening. Yet as he charged forward, it was Gohan's voice that called out.
"No, wait!"
Too late. Nappa used the momentum of his missed swing to spin full circle and cracked his fist hard across little Chiaotzu's face. There was a sickening snap, and Chiaotzu fell to the ground like a rock, his neck in an awkward angle, his eyes wide and unseeing.
She heard Gohan let out a strangle gasp of horror, and then she heard Tien wail out in grief.
"Chiaotzu? CHIAOTZU! NO!"
Neka felt something in her twist. Little Chiaotzu had been a good friend to her son over the past year, and she found herself consider him her friend too. And now, thanks to her, he lay motionless. She clenched her fists.
"NAPPA!" she bellowed, and his head snapped around, and she could have sworn she saw a flicker of fear flash in his eyes when he saw her pointing at him, "You just lost your living privileges!"
However before she could even move in for the kill, something slammed hard into her and sent her up against the nearest spire. She let out a choke and realized there was a hand wrapped around her throat, pinning her to the wall.
"Oh no, you don't get to kill that idiot," Vegeta snarled up at her, "And that was just the beginning. One by one, those friends of yours are going to die. And yes, Neka, yes…" he smirked wickedly, "It IS all your fault."
Then there was a flash of green, and Vegeta was sent staggering to the side, Piccolo standing where he was a moment ago, catching Neka before she lost her balance and setting her upright by the shoulder strap of her armor.
"That wasn't necessary," she told him, repeated what he said earlier.
He cast her a smirk, "Let's just get this ass kicking done and over with, then we can get back to fighting with each other again."
Neka looked over at her brother as he straightened himself and looked at her with a snarling face, "We both know how this is going to end, Neka! You know you've gotten soft while I've done nothing but hone my skills! You're not going to win!"
Neka felt anger fill in her gut. She pointed at him, "What you call softness is truly strength, Vegeta," she said firmly, "Please," she let her hand fall and she looked at her brother with narrowed but stinging eyes, "Don't do this. We can start to train together again. We can take down Frieza together, just like we always planned!"
"The way you've fallen," growled Vegeta, "You will never be strong enough to take on Frieza."
Neka felt a pang of hurt at his words, which quickly turned to rage. She jumped up into the air and glared down at him, "Then you leave me no choice. If you won't leave my home in peace, I can't let you be a threat anymore. DEVASTATE!" she aimed down a hand at her brother, and her ultimate signature move built up in her hand, a wild ball of red with electricity spewing out from it in jagged patterns, and fired.
Vegeta didn't have a chance to dodge.
Neka felt grim satisfaction when her attack met its mark and she heard her brother wail in pain as he was sent flying off over the horizon with the blast. She knew it wouldn't kill him. She also knew that was her strongest attack, and that it wasn't going to be enough. But it did buy her time. She turned toward the fight that was going on with Nappa and the others.
Tien was the main one attacking at this point. But Neka could see his anger was making him sloppy. He missed most of his attacks, and was getting beat on pretty heavily, but the others were doing their best to assist, however, Tien wasn't exactly making it easy for them. He refused to back off of Nappa, making intervening without hurting Tien himself next to impossible.
"Tien, you have to let us help! You can't take him solo!" Yamcha called.
"I will avenge Chiaotzu myself!" cried Tien, "I have to!"
Nappa laughed, but he was looking pretty beat up himself, "Should have felt the way his spine snapped, it was like breaking a carrot!"
"YOU BASTARD!" Tien bellowed, swinging wide in his frustration, leaving him open.
Nappa thrust his hand forward, punching Tien hard in the gut, making him gasp and fall back, clutching himself and falling over, face twisted in pain.
However, this gave the others a chance to help.
Yamcha was in there first, crying out, "Wolf-fang-FIST!" and dealt an elaborate amount of punches in on Nappa, leading him straight to Krillin who held his hand up in the air, gathered an orb of energy and slammed it into Nappa's back which knocked him to the ground. Gohan them jumped forward and kicked him high up into the air and tucked back his hands, narrowing his eyes.
"Kaa! Mee! Haa!" he began, the orb building in his hands, his father's signature attack, taught to him by Krillin, "Mee!"
Nappa's eyes opened for an instant, looking down at the boy with fear.
"HAAA!" screamed Gohan, thrusting his hands forward, and the blue white energy rocketing forth and enveloping Nappa and shooting him so far up into the sky he was out of sight.
Neka and Piccolo both joined the others. Yamcha was helping Tien to his feet. Krillin was going over to Gohan.
"Nice one, kid," he said, but there was no smile on his face as he looked over toward Chiaotzu's motionless form.
"We already wished him back once," Tien rasped, "We… we can't do it again."
"What?" Neka demanded, "You can only wish someone back to life once?"
"Yeah," said Krillin softly, "Chiaotzu, Roshi, and myself have already been resurrected once. You can't make the same wish to Shenron twice."
Neka cursed softly under her breath. This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to be protecting these people, she trained them so that no one would… but who was she kidding… she knew the kind of people Vegeta and Nappa were. She knew they were going to be strong… There was no way that they were going to get out of here without a death or more.
"A wish to bring someone back from the dead…?"
Neka whirled to see Vegeta had returned. He looked pretty banged up, his armor broken and cracked in places, his skin had several wounds on it. He was out of breath, and his face was twisted in rage, "I see. So tell me, can this Shenron grant any wish? Or is he purely around to bring you sad sops back from the grave? I suppose I can expect Kakarot to show up after all, eh, Neka?" he laughed, "Not that it will do you much GOOD!" with that he raised his hand and fired a hefty energy blast, not at Neka, however, but the green Namekian beside her.
Neka let out a startled yell and turned to see a hole had appeared in Piccolo's center. He looked down at it with wide eyes, tried to raise his hands to it, but then slumped to the ground.
"Mister Piccolo!" cried Gohan, running forward and crouching beside him, "No!"
Neka stared in horror before turning to face her brother, "You bastard," she breathed, "You've been holding back!"
Vegeta laughed, "So sorry, sister," he sneered, "Did you expect me to play fairly? Don't you get it? You don't stand a CHANCE! Tell you what, Neka," he glared at her viciously, "I'll give you one last chance. Kill these insects right here and now. I'll even let you keep the kid. But the rest die, and we destroy this disgusting rock and go back to training like before. Prove that you're still a warrior, Neka!"
Neka looked around her, saw the slightly apprehensive looks on the others, the wide eyed face of her son, the tears in his eyes for his fallen comrade… She felt her heart twist in anger and grief. How could it have come to this? He was supposed to be her brother. He was supposed to look out for her and she him! They were supposed to be there for one another no matter what ever since their planet was destroyed! Had his hate for Frieza and his hunger for power twisted him so much that he couldn't see that anymore?!
"No," Neka said flatly, looking at him, "That's two of my friend's you've killed… Vegeta, I can't let you do this. I don't care if you're stronger than me now. I will still face you."
Vegeta shook his head, "Then there is truly no hope for you. I gave you a chance, Neka. Just remember
that."
There was a THUD! And Nappa's body was suddenly laying between them, smoldered and broken. Nappa slowly raise up his hand toward Vegeta.
"V-Vegeta…" he breathed, "I… I can't move… my legs… Vegeta…"
Vegeta glared down at him, taking his hand with a cold expression.
"Help me…" Nappa rasped.
Vegeta smirked.
"Move!" Neka cried, grabbing Gohan and leaping into the air.
Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien followed her just in time to avoid the massive blast that came from Vegeta that enveloped Nappa. The five of them stared down in horror as the light slowly faded and all traces of Nappa, Chiaotzu and Piccolo had been evaporated. Vegeta grinned up at them.
"So then. Let's continue, shall we?" he asked with a snarl.
"Neka, we're not going to be able to stop him are we?" breathed Krillin."
Neka was silent, for she didn't want to dash their hopes by saying the truth. As she stared down at her brother's cruel eyes, she felt herself getting a building pit of dread in her gut. But even as it grew, something suddenly bloomed to life in the back of her mind, and Neka felt relief flood her body like a river rushing from a broken dam.
His softness, his determination, his passion… It had been so long since she felt it, and even as she relished in the wake of his presence, she heard his voice speak to her through their rejoined minds.
"I'm coming."
It was Goku.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:::
OKAY! I know, shame on me… again… for waiting for so long to update. This one was tricky. Vegeta's finally here! YAY! But it took several rewrites for me to get this sucker down to where I was satisfied. I wanted to make sure I got Vegeta's reactions right, as well as Neka's, and of course, how the Z Fighters actually are able to defend themselves. Of course, we still had to have Piccolo die because then why else would they go to Namek? I hope this pleases all of you how it's going so far, and WOOT here comes Goku!
As always! Thanks for reading, reviewing, the favorites, and the follows! You guys are awesome sauce for putting up with my slow updating antics! You guys rock all the socks.
-Red.