(I am well aware that Losing My Religion is an REM song, but I am utilizing the feel of the Lacuna Coil cover for this and the coming chapters. You will see why. Maybe.)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Losing My Religion (Part I)

"That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough."
Losing My Religion-Lacuna Coil

DBZ

When Coola's ship exited hyper-space near to a massive red planet, he was standing before the view screen. His eyes narrowed into slits as he regarded the ugly planet. He turned to one of his soldiers sitting at one of the many consoles lining the walls of the bridge.

"You there. What is this pathetic excuse for a planet called?"

The soldier frowned as his fingers flashed across his keyboard. "I do not know, Sire. It doesn't appear to be in the databanks."

Coola frowned and glanced at the planet again. "I would imagine not. I see no green land masses, or any bodies of water. It is a waste of Space."

"It would appear so, Sire."

Coola ignored the soldier as the ship drew closer to the planet. "Pilot! How long until we land?"

"L-less than t-ten minutes, S-sire."

The Ice-jin nodded absently. "You got us here in less than three hours. Land us in five minutes and you will survive this day."

"Y-yes, S-sire." He set to work and the ship's speed increased as it entered the atmosphere and began its descent.

The soldier from before suddenly spoke up. "S-sire, it appears th-that the other side of the p-planet is g-green, and there is a-a l-large b-body of water."

The Ice-jin's cold eyes slid in his direction. "Is that so? Irrelevant."

"Y-yes, S-sire."

Coola was still frowning as the ground drew closer. Just what had happened to his Armored Squadron? He could not fathom a Saiyan generating enough power to kill all three of them, least of all Sauza. He had been hand-picked by Coola himself for his power. All three members of his Squadron had made Major Ginyu's power seem pathetic in comparison. Not even Tettuce the Insane could have stood up against Sauza, let alone all three of them!

His eyes narrowed again. So who, or what, had ended their lives…?

DBZ

Seripa was sitting on the edge of the bed she had just placed Amotto in. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend. She had gone through so much already and had now lost the man she loved before she ever had a chance to have him. Her violet eyes traced down from the girl's face to the scar that stretched from beneath her armor, almost touching her collarbone. She grimaced as she lifted a hand to touch it gently. It was obviously freshly-healed, the outer edges still pink. She looked to the scars on her arms and slowly shook her head as she stood up.

She sighed and grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed. She pulled it up to Amotto's neck and stepped back to regard the green-haired woman with a sympathetic look. She had cried herself to sleep so Seripa had decided to put her up in one of the now-vacant quarters. Berik was currently taking care of Broco's body. He had convinced her and the others that it was only fitting that they give the man a proper funeral.

It sounded odd to Seripa, but she supposed that more compassionate races tended to do such things. Perhaps at one time Saiyans even did the same.

She frowned as she turned and exited the room, pausing outside in the hallway as the door slid shut behind her. Far too much had happened this day.

She sighed and started towards the bridge. She suddenly paused, her frown deepening as she turned her gaze skyward. She narrowed her eyes as she concentrated on pushing her ki out…

A massive power washed over her and her whole body began to tremble. Her eyes were wide as she reached out to the wall to steady herself.

Who the hell was that?!

Her attention was brought back to the ship with the sound of running footsteps. She looked down the hallway as Bardock and Falmer appeared and she swallowed back a lump that had built up in her throat.

"D-do you two feel that?" she asked tremulously. She knew the answer; she was just hoping she was imagining the power.

Bardock came to a stop, a frown twisting his features as his eyes darted to the ceiling. "Yeah, we do."

Falmer paused beside them and glanced towards Amotto's room. "We'll need her for this. That power belongs to Coola." He frowned. "I should have guessed that he would not be far behind his Squadron. He rarely sends them away from him for long periods of time."

Seripa followed Falmer's gaze and frowned. Amotto was in no shape to be fighting someone so powerful so soon. She turned back to the Gylderian and shook her head. "Amotto can't fight him! She's been through too much as it is. We'll have to make a run for it!"

"That will be impossible, Seripa. His gunners will shoot us down before we make it more than one hundred feet from the ground." He sighed as he shook his head. "I understand what you are saying, but we have no choice. Amotto is the only one of us strong enough to face off against him."

Bardock's eyes narrowed. "He's right, Seripa." He growled as his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "As much as I hate to admit it!" He glanced towards the ceiling. "He's gettin' closer. We have to do somethin' and soon."

Falmer started towards Amotto's room, but Seripa stepped in front of him. She glared up at him. "Ain't happenin', Gylderian. She needs rest…" She frowned and looked away. "I'll fight him."

Bardock looked at her sharply with an arched eyebrow. "Are you out of your mind? Can't you feel that power?"

She looked at him and narrowed her eyes. "Are you scared, Bardock?"

He narrowed his eyes at his mate as he regarded her in silence. She knew just how to shut him up.

She suddenly smirked. "Are we, or aren't we, Saiyans?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "We are…"

"Then what's stoppin' us from fightin' Coola?"

He stared at her in silence as Falmer looked back and forth between them. He suddenly smirked and folded his arms. "Nothin' I guess. You do realize that we're gonna get our asses handed to us, right?"

Her smirk split into a grin. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Bardock grinned. "Alright then. Let's go."

"No' s' fas'."

Everyone turned to see Turpin and Seluri standing side by side in the hallway. Turpin's eye was narrowed, his scars making the scowl on his face all the more fearsome.

Bardock frowned. "What do you mean?"

Seluri returned the frown. "Foolish man. There is but one among us with the power to face Coola, and she is not yet up to the task of defeating him."

"What else can we do?" demanded Seripa. "Just wait around for him to blast us into oblivion?"

"No," said Turpin. "Fer now we's r'treat."

Bardock's eyes narrowed. "Are ya kiddin' me? We can't do that! I can't do that. I'm not a coward!"

"And we cannot afford to fly blindly into a battle that we have no chance of winning!" retorted Seluri. "There are far too few of us with the power needed to continue this little war we have going on. Right now you, Seripa, and this Amotto are the only hope that the Saiyan race has left. The universe, even. Do you really desire to jeopardize that all because it would hurt your pride to flee?"

Bardock blinked, frowned and glanced away.

Seripa narrowed her eyes. "We have a score to settle with the Ice-jins…"

"Den set'le it on der terms. Set'le it wit' de powa o' a Supa Saiyan." Turpin turned his glare on Falmer. Diamond had appeared just behind him, glancing between Seluri and Turpin, and Seripa and Bardock. "Ah s'gges' ya's get's us off dis plane' now."

Falmer frowned but nodded. "Right away." He glanced at Diamond and nodded to her.

She hesitated for a moment, but then turned and rushed back to the bridge.

Turpin raised his good hand and pointed at Bardock and Seripa. "Ya two 'ave alo' t' learn." He jerked a thumb at his chest as his scowl became a ferocious grin. "Ah'm 'bou' t' show ya's jus' why Tettuce 'ated me s' much."

DBZ

Turles laid in silence, his hands behind his head as he stared thoughtfully up at his ceiling. He shot a glance at Etapa who was laying beneath covers, her head resting on his battle-scarred chest, one arm draped over him. She was asleep, smiling contentedly. Despite himself a small smile turned his lips as he stared at her. She looked so peaceful, so happy. And not so long ago he had wanted to kill everyone, including her.

A pang of regret grabbed his heart and he looked away, staring at the far wall. He sighed and closed his eyes. What had he been thinking? Hell, what was Etapa thinking? To trust him of all people?

He opened his eyes and looked at her again. She felt something for him while all he had ever felt was hurt pride and seclusion. He had never wanted anyone or anything that did not benefit him.

He frowned. But now, apparently, he had someone. It had been wholly unexpected, but he was finding that he didn't mind. In fact, he rather enjoyed it. And it wasn't due to the fact that they had just had sex.

She saw something in him that he couldn't see and he wanted to know what that was. She called him a good person. Was he really? What was the definition of a good person?

He was still frowning as he returned his gaze to the ceiling. He didn't fall under the definition that he had known. People like Aurah (Surah and Leta, now,) Tettuce, Berik, Broco…they were good people. Turles wasn't. He had had no desire to help anyone but himself. He grew up looking out for number one and that was how he had planned to live his life.

But what had happened?

His mind flashed suddenly back to that day on Jynn-jin 13 and he saw himself standing atop the spaceship as Frieza's ship gave chase.

His frown faded and he looked down at Etapa again. She had been there then and had seen what he did. Was that what had drawn her to him?

He sighed and looked at the ceiling again. In order to be a good person he would have to have remorse for his past actions. But did he? He did regret killing his father. But what about everything else he had done? He didn't regret killing Caul, but Caul had been a worthless Saiyan anyway. He had betrayed everyone far too easily. Did he regret killing innocents? Who was innocent? He did feel an odd emotion any time he thought about killing children. It…just didn't sit well with him. But adults, that didn't really bother him. Maybe it should have, but the way he saw it he was a product of his upbringing. He had been taught to kill first and ask no questions. Emotion wasn't something he had been taught to deal with.

He shifted slightly but paused when Etapa moved. He looked at her to see her arch her back and she rubbed her cheek against his chest, her smile broadening. She remained asleep.

Despite himself, Turles smiled. Maybe he just needed someone to be good for.

His thoughts vanished as he closed his eyes and moved one hand down to caress her bare shoulder. Eventually sleep found him.

DBZ

Ka'bijj's ship hovered just within the atmosphere of an ugly, massive red planet. The hatch was open and he was standing on the door looking down at the mostly dead planet, a sadistic grin twisting his features.

"Coola beat me here, but that is fine by me. The more the merrier, after all." He chuckled to himself as he spread his arms and tipped forward. He dropped like a stone towards the distant ground, his cloak billowing behind him like the black wings of some demonic creature.

He stared unblinking down at the ground waiting for the perfect sign…

And he didn't have to wait long. His grin widened as he spotted a ship rapidly ascending towards the sky.

"Oh, no you do not!" He angled his body so that he was in a perfect dive, his arms flat against his sides. The air before him began to redden against his invisible ki barrier as his speed steadily increased, the distance between him and the ship rapidly shrinking. Clouds were swept away into nothingness as he dropped through them, his speed never ceasing its increase.

"No one escapes this planet today!" he cried as he suddenly flipped around and drove his knees into the roof of the ship, a shockwave erupting outwards and causing the steel surface of the ship to ripple as the roof caved in. The ship wobbled in the air and seemed to drop several feet from the impact.

"Let us settle this on the ground!" He brought his hands above his head and pushed off from the roof with his knees. His grin, having momentarily vanished, reappeared as he thrust his hands down and charged his ki forward in a powerful burst. The roof caved in more, metal plates bending and popping loose and the ship was forced back in the direction from which it had come, falling like a stone to the sand far below.

Ka'bijj watched in satisfaction as it slammed violently into the surface of the planet many miles below him with a violent explosion of sand. He smirked and folded his arms as he dropped down after it.

"Time for a face-to-face reunion, Turpin…Sel…" His eyes narrowed as he drew closer to the ship. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Coola's ship approaching and he glanced at it. He narrowed his eyes in contempt and scowled. "You will not interfere, Coola. Be gone!" He threw his arm around and sent another powerful burst of his ki towards the Ice-jin's ship, immediately sending it tumbling backwards through the air. He grinned as it hit the ground with a tremendous crash and twisted end over end violently, metal and glass flying with each crash into the ground.

"That shall keep you occupied for the moment."

With an approving nod he finally reached the ground, landing lightly just as the hatch of the ship opened…

DBZ

"Ka'bijj…" murmured Turpin as he stepped down to the ground from the ship. He narrowed his eye at the former Cleric, his black cloak flapping in the fierce desert winds. Seluri stepped down beside him. "Ah shoulda kno'ed."

Seluri glared at the grinning man. "How did you find us?!"

Ka'bijj kept his grin in place as he lightly tapped the side of his head. "I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve, Sel."

Turpin smiled slightly. "Ah, so's ya c'n s'nse powa's, eh? Us'ful trick, huh?"

Ka'bijj blinked and his grin faded. "You can, as well?"

Turpin nodded. "Dat's no' all ah c'n do."

The taller Saiyan stared at the scarred man for a moment before grinning again. "I highly doubt that anything you can do will help you against me, Turpin." He chuckled and closed his eyes. "You see…I am a Super Saiyan."

Turpin grinned and a golden aura suddenly exploded to life around his body. His long beard was swept upwards in the surge as his single eye was suddenly green. His salt and pepper beard flashed and was instantly gold.

Ka'bijj's eyes shot open as the power washed over him and he stared wide-eyed at the shorter Saiyan. "Impossible!"

"Only 'n yer dre'ms, Ka'bijj. Ah've be'n a Supa Saiyan fer 'bout ten years n'w." Turpin exhaled slowly as his power leveled out. He folded his arms, his aura raging violently around his body. Occasionally it seemed to pulse unstably, but he paid no attention to that fact.

"I see…" Ka'bijj smiled coldly. "Then this shall be a battle for the history books. Two Super Saiyans going head to head…I am going to enjoy this!" he bellowed as his own golden aura surged to life suddenly and his mohawk was instantly golden. His eyes flashed and were green. He roared at the top of his lungs as his power skyrocketed, shooting past Turpin's easily.

Turpin cringed and glanced at Seluri slowly. Lowering his voice he said, "Lis-ten, Seluri. Dis's it fer me. Ah c'n hol' 'im off fer a bit, bu' yo' n' da othes mus' leave n'w."

Seluri frowned. "What are you saying, Turpin?"

He smiled slightly. "Ah'll die t'day."

"No! We can still escape!" But even as the words left her mouth, she knew that they weren't true.

Turpin returned his gaze to Ka'bijj as the other man started towards them. "Ah kno'ed dis day w's comin'. 'Twas always gonna end wit' me deat'. If'n it'was Frieza, Coola, Cold, 'r 'nyone else. Ah don' 'ave da powa t' s'rvive. Ah'm t' old."

"You're not much older than me, though, Turpin. It does not have to end this way." Seluri grabbed his arm as he started to walk forward, ignoring the heat of his aura as it continued to burn.

He looked at her again and gave her a sad smile. "Sel…it 'as t' b' dis way. Ka'bijj 's no' da man we knew. If'n ah don' face 'im 'ere, 'e'll come aft'r us ag'in." He shook his head with a sigh. "It 'as t' end 'ere."

Seluri stared down at him and then looked at Ka'bijj. He had paused ten feet away from them. She frowned and looked at Turpin again and shook her head. "Then you will not face him alone."

Turpin laughed. "Sel, ya's c'n no' figh' 'im. 'E's a Supa Saiyan. Ah'm s'rry, bu' it 'as t' b' me."

She looked away and closed her eyes. After a moment she shook her head and opened them again to look down at him; they glistened with barely contained tears. "Turpin…I…I am sorry for not telling you about Seripa sooner."

He shook his head. "Don' b. Ah wou'dn' 'ave b'en v'ry good f'r 'er t' 'ave in 'er life. 'Sides, she t'rn'd ou' jus' fine wit'out me. She's a stron' y'ung lady. Ah'm proud o' 'er. As ya's shoul' b'." He smiled again and looked at Ka'bijj, who was beginning to look rather annoyed at the delay.

Seluri smiled, her bottom lip trembling with her withheld emotion. "I am. Very much so."

"Good. Take care of yourself, Seluri," he said quietly, carefully enunciating his words.

"I will."

He nodded and then lunged forward, driving his club fist into Ka'bijj's face before he could react. The taller man was sent flying and Turpin gave chase, his aura flashing and the ground exploding beneath him as he charged forward.

Seluri watched the two men going at it, but honestly all she could see were two golden streaks colliding every other second. She grimaced and turned back to the ship, doing her best to steel herself against the fact that this would be the last time she ever saw Turpin alive. As she lifted her gaze to the ship, a blur of motion shot by her and she spun around to see Seripa and Bardock flying full speed towards Turpin and Ka'bijj.

Her eyes were wide as she exclaimed, "Seripa! No! Come back!"

But she was ignored. She scowled and her violet aura appeared as she shook her head. "That stubborn girl! She is definitely her father's daughter!" She lifted into the air and then shot after them at full speed, leaving the ship behind.

DBZ

The ship shook from shockwaves outside and Amotto slowly turned her head to stare at the far wall. She had awoken when the ship crashed back to the ground, but she had remained in her bed. She had no will to move after the day's events. She knew there was a battle taking place outside, but she just could not will herself to get up.

She stared at the wall as if she could peer through the solid surface and see the events unfolding outside. She knew Seripa and Bardock had just joined the fight, because she had heard them talking about it as they passed by her room. Seripa had looked in on her, but she pretended to still be asleep. She didn't want to talk to anyone or do anything. Broco's death had drained her of everything she had held on to since awakening.

What did she have left now? Her race was all-but destroyed, and the small number of survivors was dwindling more and more every day. Her desire upon waking up to kill Frieza was no longer there. Broco had helped her to rise above that, but then almost immediately he had been taken away.

She was lost. She didn't know what to do anymore. She had held out as long as she could through everything, but now she was at the end of her rope. Having this outrageous power didn't help her mood. If it truly was the mythical Super Saiyan transformation, then she was a warrior of legend. According to most myths those gifted with such awesome power also took on new responsibilities, but she didn't want them. She didn't want the weight of the universe on her shoulders, but she couldn't help but think that was too much to ask anymore.

She sighed and pulled the blanket over her head as the ship shuddered, rattling her bed. She wished she could just close her eyes and find out this was all just a dream. She knew it wasn't, and that made her heart ache. She longed to have Broco alive again, but the gods had apparently passed judgment on the Saiyan race. They were dropping like flies at every turn; it was only a matter of time before the remainders of her people were extinct.

It was hopeless to keep fighting.

She pulled the blanket down and sat up slowly. The ship shuddered again and she twisted around, her bare feet touching the cool floor as she frowned. It was hopeless to keep fighting, but Seripa and Bardock were still hard at it.

She stood up and made her way to the doorway, pausing as she peeked out into the hallway. She listened to Diamond's and Falmer's voices echoing back down the corridor as they discussed getting the ship back up and running. It was damaged, apparently.

She looked down at her boots sitting by the door and swiftly pulled them on. Straightening up, she squared her shoulders as she took in a breath and held it. She exhaled and started down the corridor towards the open hatch.

Her conversation with Broco played through her mind as she stepped outside and looked up to see Bardock and Seripa darting around a gold-enshrouded figure. She looked around slowly until she spotted Turpin standing a good distance away looking up at them. Seluri was beside him looking as if she were angry about something.

Amotto's brow creased as she returned her gaze to the figure in the sky. She had no idea who this guy was, but he was obviously powerful. Every punch and kick thrown his way just seemed to bounce off of him.

"Hopeless or not, I'm sick of being helpless," she said quietly to herself. "I have this power. I can transform. I'm not helpless anymore." The sand at her feet began to billow and rise, slowly spiraling around her ankles. Faint blue sparks of light flashed around her tightly clenched fists and danced around her legs.

"I'm sick of sitting on the sidelines. I'm sick and tired of watching my friends die." She shook her head slowly; her gaze hardened as her hair lifted up and flashed.

The ground cracked beneath her feet as her gold aura billowed to life around her taut frame. Plumes of sand were blown away from her and into the ship, as well. Her eyes flashed and were green, the same time her hair flashed once more and was instantly golden. The hum of power was back as she glared into the sky, her power rising by the second and several heads turning her way.

She suddenly threw her head back and screamed at the top of her lungs. "I'M NOT WEAK ANYMORE!" she cried. "NO LONGER AM I HELPLESS LITTLE AMOTTO! FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, I AM AMOTTO THE SUPER SAIYAN!"

The figure's green eyes watched her curiously as she sprang into the air and rushed at him at top speed, the distance closing between them in an instant. She thrust her fist forward, expecting to impact his jaw. He caught her punch, however, and his fist was flying towards her face. Momentarily stunned, she quickly recovered and her other hand flashed up to catch his punch.

Their golden auras merged and roared around the two of them as their eyes met.

"A female Super Saiyan. How interesting. And here I thought that tremendous power had actually belonged to Turpin." The man smirked as he looked her over.

Amotto narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on his closed fist, her fingers digging into his bare flesh hard enough to draw blood. His bones ground together and he visibly winced, frowning down at her.

"You are more powerful than I anticipated. You could prove to be an issue later on."

"Later on? I'm an issue right now," she seethed as she continued to tighten her grip. "I can feel your bones beginning to crack." She grinned devilishly.

The man smirked again. "My name is Ka'bijj. Who, exactly, are you?"

"Are you deaf? I said my name was Amotto the Super Saiyan." She scowled at him. "You're going to regret attacking us, 'cause I'm about to kill you."

Ka'bijj laughed aloud at that. "You haven't the power, Amotto. I can detect what you are generating. It is impressive, but nowhere near powerful enough to defeat—"

Her fist was like lightning as she released her hold on him and slammed it square in the center of his face, sending him reeling backwards and clutching his nose. "Don't underestimate me just yet! I'm still so full of surprises."

Ka'bijj cursed and rubbed his throbbing noses as blood dripped over his lips and stained his beard. He frowned across the sky at her, his displeasure evident in the glare he was giving her.

"You are going to pay dearly for that, woman!" he cursed again, wiping more blood from his steadily gushing nostrils.

"I've heard that before. Hell, I heard that today. I haven't paid, yet." She smirked and beckoned for him to charge her. "Show me what you've got. You don't have much time before I kill you, after all."

Ka'bijj shook his head. "You actually believe that you stand a chance?"

"God damn it, why are you still talking?!" Amotto scowled and clenched her fists tight as her eyes narrowed again. "I'm sick of this monologue-shit you guys always do! I'm here to fight, not listen to you bore me to death!"

Ka'bijj blinked as he stared at her, surprised by her little outburst. "Very well," he murmured as his eyes narrowed to match hers. "I will just have to beat you to death, then." He grinned, but her fist was suddenly imbedded in his nose again.

"I SAID fight me!" she screeched as he was sent careening down into the ground. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SSSSHHHHUUUTTTT UUUPPPP!" Her hands were brought up and then thrust down, a massive golden wave of energy flashing down to slam into him; it exploded on contact, a massive mushroom-shaped cloud rising into the sky.

Ka'bijj exploded from the rising smoke and shot at her with a roar of outrage, his fist thrusting towards her exposed jaw. She swept her arm around, knocking his strike away at the same she drove her other fist into his cheek.

"That's more like it!" she cried in elation as he was sent sailing backwards again. "Let's do this!" Her aura flashed and she was flying after him, grinning as she brought both hands up, clasped them together, and drove them into his chest.

Ka'bijj plummeted into the smoke from the explosion, and debris flew from the smoke a few seconds later.

"I am Amotto the Super Saiyan!" Her hands were held out, palms facing the ground where Ka'bijj had vanished into the still-swirling smoke and dust. Ki crackled to life and then exploded outwards and lanced down into the rising cloud, sweeping the dust and smoke away as it traveled towards its intended target.

As the smoke was swept away, it revealed Ka'bijj on his feet and prepared for the attack. Both hands swung around as it neared him, connecting with it and sending it careening into the distance. He looked up at her and launched himself skyward as an explosion lit up the horizon.

He was on top of her in an instant, his fists blurs of motion as he struck at her. She shot away from him, her arms blurs of motion as she deflected his blows.

"I told you not to underestimate me!" she crowed as she deflected punch after punch. "I'm not some helpless little girl anymore! If you want to fight me, you need to bring the A-game! I won't settle for anything less!" She caught one of his arms and shot to the side, swinging him around and throwing him to the ground.

Her aura flashed and she shot down after him, driving her knees into his back as his stomach struck the ground; the ground exploded under the force of the strike and she shot back into the air to take in her handy work. Debris rained down all around her as she watched Ka'bijj push himself up slowly, his arms trembling as he shook his head.

DBZ

Seripa watched wide-eyed as Amotto batted Ka'bijj around like a ragdoll. She had to pinch herself, because she could barely believe what she was seeing.

Or trying to see anyway. The fight was going on at a pace that she just couldn't keep up with no matter how hard she tried. All she was able to track were golden streaks.

"I can barely believe that that's Amotto," she whispered in awe as her eyes darted back and forth trying to keep up with the fight.

Bardock frowned as he, too, struggled to watch the fight. "From what you've told me about her, I'm more than a little surprised, too. One thing's for certain, though: I want that power."

Seripa smirked as she looked at her mate. "Of course you do. I do, too. The power of a Super Saiyan against Frieza? The lizard wouldn't stand a chance."

"I'm not so certain," Bardock murmured, his eyes darting back and forth and up and down. "But it would give us an edge against him."

Seluri approached them, frowning as she watched the golden streaks in the air. Turpin was right behind her, no longer transformed and breathing heavily.

"What I do not understand is how she is beating Ka'bijj. His power felt greater than hers at first."

"Ka'bijj's olda den me," said Turpin as he wiped an arm across his perspiring face. "Ah mebe mo' beat up den 'im, bu' he's still feelin' 'is age 'gainst 'er. Sh' 'as da speed n' stam'na t' figh' all ou'. Ka'bijj don'." He grinned and chuckled. "'E w's countin' on figh'in' me. Dat figh' wou'da wen' mo' 'is way."

Seluri rolled her eyes and cast him a stern glance. "So you are just going to let her fight against him?"

He shrugged. "Why no'? She's o'viously go' da uppa han'."

"For now."

"Nah, ah t'ink she's fine."

"I agree," said Seripa as she returned her gaze to the sky. "Amotto has changed drastically, in both attitude and power. I say she has this under control."

"Ka'bijj has experience that she does not, though," said Seluri heatedly. "He will gain the upper hand and he will beat her."

"'Ave fait', Sel," Turpin said with a grin. "If'n sh' looks t' b' 'avin' trubble, ah'll 'elp 'er ou'. Two Supa Saiyans 're betta den one, afta-all." He chuckled as Seluri rolled her eyes.

"You said yourself that you cannot hold the transformation for long. What help will you be?"

"Ah c'n hol' it lon' 'nuff t' 'elp 'er. One big a'tack's all i' will ta'e."

Seluri frowned and opened her mouth to continue the protest but she noticed Bardock looking off into the distance, frowning. "What is it, Bardock?"

"Am I the only one who senses that big power heading our way?"

Turpin jerked his attention in the direction Bardock was staring and his eye went wide. "Coola!"

Seripa's eyes went wide and she, too, looked in the direction of the power. Her senses had barely registered the power when a silver blur streaked across the sky and both Ka'bijj and Amotto were suddenly slamming violently in the ground with twin explosions of sand and debris. She looked up at the hovering Ice-jin as he glowered down at the fallen Super Saiyans.

Cold red eyes bored into each and every one of the Saiyans looking up at him. He raised his hand up, one index finger pointing down at them as it began to glow purple.

"Pathetic Saiyan trash. What happened to my Armored Squadron?"

DBZ

(I like Turpin as a character, but his dialogue drives me absolutely bonkers. It takes too long to write out. Lol I would like to take a moment to apologize for how late this chapter was. I temporarily put it on hold as I spent time working on my book and dealing with an overabundance of hours at work. On the subject of my book, though…I have officially published the first installment through Kindle Direct Publishing. Go me, yay. Lol The first installment is short, but that's by design for the way I intend to write it. It's…complicated. Anyway, if you are curious you should go check it out. The series title is The Immortal Game and the first installment is called Origin. Check it out, give it a read, and spread the word! And as always, thank you all for reading Witness. The next chapter will be up as soon as I can get it posted.)