Chapter Thirty-Five
Frieza staggered upright, staring in furious awe at the golden-haired Saiyajin scowling before him, his face throbbing with pain. His addled mind couldn't remember the last time anyone had landed a blow on him, or had even dared to try. And yet this…this…glowing monkey heathen had come out of nowhere and dared to attack him!
Feeling a wetness at the corner of his mouth, Frieza wiped at it with the back of his mouth and looked at it, eyes widening in disbelief at the smear of blood he found there.
BASTARD.
Frieza growled, clenching his fists tightly as he directed his glare at the Saiyajin before him, his glare slowly descending into a cold smirk, barking a laugh before straightening, a haughty look on his face.
"The fabled son of Bardock I presume? So glad to finally have met you…however short lived this introduction may be" he said, giving a mock bow before straightening, focusing solely on the glowing Saiyajin before him.
Who continued to glare at him and say nothing, yet somehow not even acknowledge Frieza's presence. "Vegeta, can you move?" he asked the fallen Princeling behind him, Frieza clenching his fist at the open slight.
Vegeta seemed to be in just as much shock as anyone, nodding dumbly as he struggled to stand, his gaze never leaving the other Saiyajin's form. "I…I can move…but…Kakarotto…"
Frieza cocked an eyebrow then barked a derogatory laugh. "Kakarotto? So this is the person you last gasped for?! Hah! Seems like a waste of air Princeling". He sneered at Vegeta, who cowed under his glare. "You should've stuck to begging…it seems more fitting".
Ah there we go. The words seemed to affect the Saiyajin Kakarotto, whose frown deepened, taking a step forward so that Vegeta was no longer in Frieza's line of sight. "Say whatever you need to say now Frieza, because soon you won't be able to spew your hateful words anymore".
Frieza's sneer turned to a snarl, moving into an offensive stance. "Say goodbye to your Princeling, Saiyajin Kakarotto, because this is the last time you'll be saying anything that isn't a scream"
Vegeta stumbled up onto his feet, an arm wrapped around his middle, sucking in a breath at the twinge of pain in his ribs.
It didn't help that the sight of Goku before him took his breath away.
A Super Saiyajin.
He'd become a Legendary Super Saiyajin.
Hand shaking, Vegeta reached out and gently laid it against Goku's back, feeling the power wash over him, warm and radiating strength, Goku not even flinching under Vegeta's uninvited touch.
"I can't believe it…. you're a Super Saiyajin" he breathed, taking Goku in from head to toe. His eyes focused on the wounds on his back and his fist clenched unconsciously, a pang of regret in his stomach at the sight of them. "Kakarotto…"
"Vegeta, you need to leave" Goku interrupted, his eyes never leaving Frieza's stance.
"Wuh…what?" Vegeta blinked up at Goku, trying to straighten and wincing at the pull of pain, his worried expression turning into a frown. "Kakarotto I'm not going anywhere! I just got you back!"
"Vegeta please…I can barely hold on to this raging bloodlust inside of me…this fight with Frieza will most likely destroy anything around us…I can't risk you being near when we fight". Goku turned his head minutely and Vegeta knew he was focused on him, despite his gaze still being on Frieza. "You need to get on a pod and head to Earth-sei with the others…if I win, I'll follow you there…if I lose, then at least I'll die knowing you'll be safe".
"Kakarotto I'm not leaving you behind! I already did it once…don't ask me to do it again!"
"Vegeta!" Goku growled, Vegeta blinking as he took a step back, shocked by the ferocity in Goku's voice. It sounded nothing like Goku, the confident, bubbly tone gone completely.
In its place was a monster of devastation. A beast.
"Kakarotto…"
"Vegeta…Raditz and the others are heading for the pods…if you go now, you'll be able to meet up with them and head to Earth-sei together. Tarble and Turles have already made it to the pods" Goku said firmly, his eyes flicking to Piccolo briefly, where he stood stock still a few feet away with Zarbon, flinching and straightening when Goku addressed him directly. "You too Piccolo…don't worry, I can handle these two".
Piccolo glared at him momentarily then nodded, turning and heading for the castle. "Vegeta! Let's go!"
Vegeta grit his teeth, his eyes welling up as he stared at Goku furiously. "NO!"
Goku sighed, closing his eyes. "Vegeta…please…"
The silence stretched on as Vegeta stubbornly glared at Goku's back, before lowering his head dejectedly. "Shit!"
Taking a step forward, he rested his head on Goku's back, revelling in the moment of brief closeness. "…Come back to me" he whispered as he closed his eyes, hating his own weakness. "Promise me…you'll win and come back to me…Kakarotto". His voice broke slightly and he grimaced, clenching his fists.
He felt Goku shift slightly beneath him and somehow knew he had a smile on his face. "I promise".
Vegeta grit his teeth, opening his eyes to stare at the ground beneath them. "Kakarotto I…I…I lo…I…" He closed his eyes, making a noise of frustration. Gods, why was it so hard to say?!
"Vegeta…its ok…" he felt Goku move and looked up to see Goku smiling at him over his shoulder. "Tell me when we meet up on Earth-sei ok?"
Vegeta stared up at him then nodded, quickly looking away and wiping his eyes. Without another word, he turned and followed Piccolo, forcing himself not to look back.
Goku watched as Vegeta disappeared from sight, a small smile on his face as he watched him leave before turning back to Frieza and Zarbon, who had slunk back to his master's side, a wary expression on his face.
"It's time" he said, shifting into a defensive stance as his grin widened into a wicked smirk. "Let's go!"
Turles glared up as he clutched his side, trying to stifle the urge to cough up blood in front of Tarble who was sat behind him, his arms wound tightly around Turles's neck. Blood soaked his side, a puddle of it under his body and Turles cursed himself for lowering his guard.
Zorn laughed as he stood above them, looking down his nose at the two. "It's your own fault Turles…you should've just stayed a traitor to the throne…but turning traitor on the traitors? Well there's no way you or your puppy dog will be allowed to live".
Turles growled at Zorn and tried to sit up, wincing at the pain. "Ahh! Turles!" Tarble whined behind, his grip tightening with worry, Turles cursing his bad fortune once again. He spat blood at Zorn, who growled when it splattered onto his boot. "You even try to touch Tarble and you'll...UNF!"
Turles tumbled back as Zorn kicked him in the face, Tarble yelping as he quickly moved out of the way, Turles' head slamming onto the hard ground, making his vision swim and his head hurt. He tasted blood in his mouth and a soreness in his cheek and wondered dazedly if he'd bitten it, struggling to get up as he saw Zorn grab Tarble's arm tightly, pulling him away from Turles. "Tarble!"
"Don't worry Turles, I'll take good care of him after your gone…I'm sure you've taught the little Princeling some good tricks that'll keep him useful" he said with a lecherous grin at Turles, Tarble struggling against his grip. "I'll try not to ruin him too much".
"Nngh! Tarble!" Turles tried to sit up, trying to reach out to Tarble, to get him away from that disgusting, traitorous man. "Tarble!"
"Turles! No! Let go of me! Let go of me!" Tarble yelled, yanking and straining at the grip Zorn had on his arm, trying to break away as Zorn began to drag him towards one of the escape pods, Zorn growling as he struggled.
"Stop your whining brat! Or do you want to die here with your traitorous love instead?!" Zorn snarled, giving Tarble a shake.
"I said let go of me!" Tarble shouted, stopping dead in his tracks, pulling against Zorn's grip. As Zorn turned back towards him, Tarble balled his hand into a fist and slammed it down hard onto Zorn's elbow, making the older man scream in pain as he let go, cradling his arm to his chest. He then turned swiftly, roundhouse kicking Zorn in the sternum, a sickening crack heard as his foot connected, sending Zorn flying into the wall behind him, hitting it hard before slumping to the floor, wheezing in pain.
Turles looked on in shock as Tarble took a defensive pose, keeping his eyes on Zorn as he shuffled backwards towards Turles, glancing over at him. "Turles?!"
"I... I'm fine Tarble...don't take your eyes off him" he warned, pushing himself up with a groan as Zorn looked up at them, fury etched on his face.
"You'll regret this! The pair of you! Frieza will destroy this planet in the blink of an eye and there is nothing you can do to stop it!" Zorn spat blood, the blood in his mouth turning his teeth pink, his grin ghoulish as he looked at Turles. "Your Princeling will die before your eyes, screaming in agony and it will be your fault!"
Turles growled, opening his mouth to retort when a boot came out of nowhere, pressing firmly against Zorn's throat, making him choke and gasp for breath. "Raditz!"
A dishevelled Raditz looked down at the man under his boot, disgust and fury warring on his face. "Die, traitorous shit" he growled then pressed his boot harder, Zorn's eyes bulging as his trachea snapped, killing him instantly. Blood seeped from his mouth as his eyes glazed over, his body going limp beneath Raditz's boot.
Raditz spat on Zorn's prone form then looked over at Turles and Tarble. "Your Highness, are you ok?"
"Raditz I'm so glad you're ok!" Tarble breathed, moving to Turles. "Here! Help me! He's injured"
Raditz paused then looked over his shoulder and whistled before moving over, picking up Turles with ease and putting him over his shoulder. A group of people quickly entered the port and Tarble's eyes widened to see them. "Princess Chi-Chi!"
"Tarble!" she exclaimed, quickly making her way over to him, hugging him tightly before holding him back and looking him over. "You're ok!"
Tarble looked behind her, Chi-Chi's retinue looking determined despite their torn clothes and blood stained appearance. "And you! All of you made it?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "Yes, were all ok. Thanks to Raditz...he came to get us" she said, looking over at Raditz with something resembling affection in her eyes. Raditz turned to Bulma, trying to stave off the blush he felt building under Chi-Chi's gaze. "What now? There aren't enough pods for everyone"
Bulma smirked, holstering her laser gun. "That's where your wrong buster" she said, pulling Capsule 3 from her pocket and throwing it to the ground.
Vegeta panted as he ran behind Piccolo towards the pod bay, holding his ribs as pain coursed through him. He'd been using his Ki to fly after Piccolo but the energy it took to keep him afloat began to take its toll on his already battered and bruised body and he'd had to stop, opting to run instead despite the pain. Piccolo had graciously stopped flying once he'd realised Vegeta was no longer airborne and ran a few paces in front, glancing back every so often to make sure Vegeta was still running.
Vegeta grimaced, his senses focused solely on Goku and his fight with Frieza. Zarbon had been dispatched of very early on, Vegeta sensing his Ki disappearing minutes after they had left the scene, Goku and Frieza beginning their battle not long after that. The planet shook to its very core with the force of their battle, the ground shaking under their feet every few moments, sounds like thunder clapping and explosions heard in the distance.
He squeezed his eyes shut against another bout of pain, shame creeping over him. He shouldn't have left Goku back there on his own against Frieza. Even if Goku had become a Super Saiyajin, who knew what could happen. No one had seen a Super Saiyajin in over a millennium, what if his power burned out too quickly and he was left defenceless? What if he couldn't control it and it turned against him? He should be there, supporting Goku, helping him defend their planet, their people.
As if he could read thoughts, Piccolo glanced over at him. "There's nothing you could've done Vegeta...you'd have just been in the way. It's better he fights alone, whatever happens".
Vegeta growled, opening his eyes. "I know that green bean! Doesn't mean I have to like it!"
Piccolo opened his mouth to retort when he heard voices up ahead, looking back to see a crowd of people before them. "Up ahead! We made it!"
Vegeta looked up and blinked to see a giant spaceship inside the port, Raditz and Bulma stood outside the drawbridge. His eyes widened at the writing on the side of the ship, his steps slowing as he entered. "Capsule 3? This is Capsule 3!?"
Bulma and Raditz looked over, a mixed look of relief and apprehension on Raditz's face. "Prince Vegeta! You're alive! Thank goodness!" He turned to Vegeta as both he and Piccolo approached. "Princess Chi-Chi and her retinue are all on-board, as is Tarble and Turles"
"They made it? Are they ok?" Vegeta asked, Raditz nodding. "Turles is injured, he found Zorn here trying to flee and engaged him in combat...I managed to dispose of him before he could escape" he said, nodding his head at Zorn's still body a few feet away.
Vegeta glared at it momentarily then turned away, not given it another moment of his time. A fitting end for a traitorous fuck like him as far as Vegeta was concerned. "Tarble?"
"He's fine, no injuries" Raditz replied, eyes darting behind Vegeta, looking past him. "Did...did you see him...Ka...my brother?"
Vegeta opened his mouth to reply then stopped, feeling the earth shudder beneath his feet, pulling his senses away from the fight between Goku and Frieza, despite their massive energies clashing, practically demanding his attention. He strode past Raditz, waving him away when Raditz moved to help him aboard. "We need to leave. Quickly. I'll explain once were airborne".
Raditz looked at him curiously, then looked back out towards the castle worriedly as another thunderous explosion echoed throughout the building, making dust and stones fall from the ceiling. He paused then heaved a sigh, following Vegeta on board, the drawbridge closing with a whirr and click behind him.
Vegeta looked around the ship in awe. The part he was currently stood in was tiled and open, the controls and window over on one side of the ship, still leaving plenty of space despite the fact there was a large group of people on board. He blinked curiously a he spotted a huge pillar in the middle of the ship, disappearing through a hole in the floor, steps seemingly leading downwards to another level disappearing with it. Before he could investigate it further, a small cannonball hit him in the side, making him exhale in pain as it wrapped two steel bands around his middle.
"VEGETA! You made it!" Tarble cried out, burrowing his face into Vegeta's middle, hugging him tightly.
"Nngh! Tarble...you're ok" Vegeta said, grimacing as Tarble's grip tightened, patting his back before pushing him back gently, Tarble looking up at him with tears in his eyes.
"I knew it! I knew you would come! I never doubted it! Did you defeat Frieza?" Tarble asked, his voice hushed as others began to look over.
"Yeah Vegeta what's going on? What's happening out there? And where is Kakarotto?" Raditz asked, his eyes narrowing as Bulma started up the engines, Kuririn beside her in the co-pilot seat as others turned to look at Vegeta, awaiting an explanation.
Vegeta went to reply when Bulma interrupted. "Explanations can wait! We need to get moving otherwise we'll be done for, along with this planet!"
The others went quiet as Bulma started up the engine, the ship vibrating beneath them as it started up, wavering slightly as it began to rise into the air, Vegeta moving up to the control panel next to Bulma to watch the planet as they ascended, his senses strained, trying maintain his focus on Goku's energy.
As they rose higher and higher, Vegeta struggled to maintain his sense of Goku, their connection dwindling as they travelled further and further into the air, before disappearing completely once they entered the atmosphere. He grit his teeth as he watched the city become a dot, the land merging into one grey blur. He put a fist on the window as Raditz came up behind him, concern etched on his face. "Vegeta...what happened? Tell me what's going on!"
Vegeta never took his eyes from the ground below as he spoke, his voice strained with barely concealed frustration. "Kakarotto...he survived the wilderness of Vegeta-sei...he arrived just as Frieza was about to...". He paused, struggling to form the words. "He became a legendary super Saiyajin".
There was a collective gasp behind him and he looked over his shoulder, taking in the shocked faces of the other Saiyajins. Piccolo and the Earthlings looking at them confused. "Erm...what's a super Saiyajin?" Kuririn asked, scratching his bald head, wincing in pain when he raised his arm too high.
"That can't be true!? Kakarotto of all people?!" Turles scoffed, wincing as he struggled to rise from where he was sat on the ground, Tarble looking at him in concern. Raditz just stared at Vegeta, a horrified look on his face.
"It's true...his...his hair had turned golden, his eyes were the clearest blue and his power..." Vegeta turned back to the window, now looking down at his planet, watching the clouds swirl in its atmosphere. "I've never felt such a thing".
"That's what that power was? That was Goku?!" Yamucha asked, astonishment written all over his face. Tenshinhan and Piccolo looked to each other, their expressions unreadable.
Vegeta looked over in surprise, unaware that the other Earthlings were able to read Ki levels then shrugged it off, turning back to look out the window. If Goku had learnt the skill on Earth-sei, it was only reasonable that the fighter companions of the Princess would be able to as well. "Correct. He engaged Frieza and his henchmen in battle, saying he would meet us on Earth-sei". Vegeta squinted his eyes as he looked down at the planet. Raditz came up to stand next to him, moving as if to put a hand on Vegeta's shoulder before thinking better of it and leaving his hands at his sides.
"My baby brother's down there? Fighting that...that...monster?!" he asked quietly, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles went white.
Vegeta scoffed. "If you'd been there Raditz, I'm sure you would've agreed that Frieza wasn't the only monster there".
Raditz and the group went quiet, lost in their own thoughts. It was Bulma who broke the silence first. "Well I've set the co-ordinates for Earth, we should be clear of Planet Vegeta within a few..."
She was interrupted by a huge light that almost blinded them, a huge thundering coming from the planet, making the ship rock even from their distance. Vegeta's mouth opened in shock as a red cloud rose up from the surface of Planet Vegeta, only to turn into a column of white that cut straight through the planet itself. With a mighty crack that hurt his ears, the planet exploded, sending huge shockwaves that hit the ship, making the crew inside cry out in shock, falling over themselves and each other with the impact. Alarms blared and a red light flashed, sounding an emergency as Bulma struggled to keep the ship in flight. "Holy hells! What just happened?!" she screeched, flicking switches here and there, trying to combat the damage that had been done to their ship.
Vegeta scrambled up from the floor, pressing himself against the window in shock as he looked at the floating debris that surrounded them, all that remained of their planet. He began to breath heavily, blinking in shock as Raditz pulled himself back to Vegeta's side, also in shock. "The planet...it...it's gone! Completely destroyed!"
Vegeta threw his senses out frantically, trying to sense something, anything.
Nothing.
He began to breathe more frantically, eyes searching the debris, seeing nothing but floating rocks in every direction. "Ka...Kakarotto...Kakarotto!". He banged on the window with a fist. "He was still down there! We have to go back!"
"Are you crazy?! There's nothing to go back TO Vegeta!" Kuririn said, trying and failing to stand as the ship rocked to and fro, Tenshinhan and Yamucha crouched over Chi-Chi defensively, making sure she was unhurt. Tarble and Turles stared at Vegeta in shock, Turles' skin paling with every second. "It... its destroyed?"
Raditz pressed up against the window, unable to believe his eyes. "It's gone...everything...all those people..." he went quiet, unable to look away from the devastation.
Vegeta banged harder on the glass, ignoring the pain in his chest, eyes wide with distress. "No! No we have to go back! Bulma! Go back! He needs us! We have to save him!"
"Vegeta you're crazy! Goku's gone! The planet is gone! We have to get out of here, or we'll end up the same!" she shouted, angry at Vegeta's panicking as she tried to manoeuvre the ship away from the mess that was Vegeta-sei, switching on the additional thrusters and accelerating away from the floating debris.
Vegeta's panic began to rise as he noticed the ship was moving further and further away and slammed his fists against the window pane. "What're you doing?! We have to go back! Kakarotto needs us! He's alive, I know he is! Turn back!"
He began to slam his fists against the window, howling Goku's name with desperation. "Kakarotto! Kakarotto!". He slammed his fists down, a spider web like crack appearing in the window at the force. "Kakarotto!"
"He's gone mad! He's going to break the window!"
"Someone get him away from the window!"
Vegeta struggled as someone grabbed his arms, trying to pull him away. He fought against them, his grief fuelling his desperation. "No! Let me go LET ME GO!"
"Someone stop him! He's insane!"
"His hair! My God, what's happening to his hair!?"
"FOOLS!"
Vegeta struggled violently, managing to shake one arm free as footsteps came up behind him. He reached out towards the glass, tears streaking his face as he stared at the devastation beyond his reach. "KAKAROTTO!"
He felt a sudden pain in his neck, lancing up to his head, gasping in pain and shock before everything went black.
*whistles* wow.
So yeah, this is Chapter 35, the penultimate "that-was-supposed-to-be-the-final-chapter-but-was-turned-into-two-seperate-chapters" chapter. I'm sorry but I ended up having to split the finale into two chapters, as it felt ridiculously long and tedious as one big chapter and I didn't want you guys to be bored to death right at the end of this fic.
Anyway! I am sincerely sorry for such a long wait in between the last couple of chapters. Parenting is hard! Lol. But in regards to my personal life, the ill relative is doing better, and we've pretty much adjusted to having a new little person in our lives. The only thing were still scrambling for is time for ourselves, however, now that the baby is starting to go to bed at a regular time, it means I'll have more time for writing ^_^ which is always good.
Now! Onto the last ever...
Reviewer Replies!
Erudik – Thank you very much for the compliment ^_^ I hope the ending has been worth your wait!
Leishalovebooks – done
Naru-chan-Lover – Well it wasn't soon but it's been updated ^_^
Lamppost – Well your wish has come true! I hope it was worth the wait for you ^_^ thank you so much for reading and I am *hoping* to get that Turles/Tarble oneshot out and about soon! *crosses fingers*
Quite69Bitter – Wow that is…. what a compliment. Thank you so much, that means so much to me. Thank you thank you, for choosing to read my work and I hope the ending was worth the wait ^_^ X
White Tigers and Dreams - Thank you for your kind words and support, I hope this has been worth your wait! X
MTXIII – Wow! You deserve a sticker for dedication! I'm glad my writing kept you hooked and I hope the ending was worth the wait for you!
Yolandah-da-Hedgehoggu – Thank you very much for your kind words and for your patience! X
Guest – *thumbs up* thanks for your support!
R0ug33 – patience rewarded!
Cara9001 – It does! Thank you for your patience and understanding! Atm everything is doing better so I'm to start fitting in more time for writing, I have over 30 WIP's! *cries*
Lynn – Thank you! And unfortunately these are the last ones!
Animefreak222 – Wow thank you so much for choosing to read my work ^_^ I'm glad you've enjoyed it.
Sfaye-chan – Wow thank you so much for your kind words, and also for your support! I did have a sequel planned but atm its currently not on my priority list, as I have other work I need to finish. I do have a Tarble/Turles oneshot planned though, so stay tuned for that!
The Spaz – Well I hope it was worth the wait!
ShiteruSASU09 – Wow thank you! That is very sweet of you to say! If you're interested in more Vege/Goku stuff, I have another fic Too Good To Be True that is WIP, but will become my main focus after this. I also have a Turles/Tarble oneshot planned for the future due to the popularity of the pairing ^_^ so my work in the DBZ fandom is not over yet!
NyxLied – Aww thank you so much for your ongoing support! As you can see Raditz is dandy, although he never got to see the awesomeness of SSJ! Depending on how people react to the ending of the fic, I may do a smutty, reunion Vege/Goku oneshot after the Turles/Tarble oneshot but only if I get time and requests for it so *fingers crossed*
xxKimxx16 – Ahh very astute of you! I hope the ending was worth the wait for you!
VictoriaLovesSmut – ahh yes, I hated writing Gine's death =( but youre right, not everyone could survive otherwise there'd be no happy reunion on Earth-sei! I hope it's been worth your wait!
Skywalkerlove203 – Noo anything but haunting! I don't have enough alone time as it is! Lol. I'm glad it kept you hooked and hope the ending was worth the wait for you!
Thanks for reading everyone! See you in Chapter 36!