(A/N: Ok, we all know that the fight between Goku and Frieza was epic and extremely long. The fight in my story will be long as well, but nowhere near that long. That fight was, what, 15-20 episodes. They've already been fighting Frieza for the past three chapters anyway. And now we're up to the part where Frieza reaches his true form. So here we go.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 37: Frieza's True Form

Dende was already in the process of healing Piccolo. The larger Namekian's wounds were already healed and his strength was returning quickly. A few seconds longer under Frieza's assault, and he wouldn't have made it. Even after Vegeta had stepped in, the danger of bleeding to death was eminent if it hadn't been for Dende.

With his strength renewed, Piccolo climbed to his feet. Both he and Nail were in agreement, they had greatly underestimated Frieza, with serious consequences. It seemed as if the evil alien was truly unbeatable. Even now, the others were dragging Vegeta over to them for another healing, his injuries were different, but just as life threatening as Piccolo's had been.

"Dende, quick, heal him." Gohan begged.

"Yes." Dende agreed without argument.

"And you better make it fast." Piccolo told him. "Frieza's up to something."

Turning their attention to their nemesis, they saw that the Icejin was glowing. His body was trembling and beginning to shift around. That could mean only one thing, another transformation.

Gure voiced the obvious. "He's changing again."

"Then we'll have to move fast." Said Tarble. "Dende-"

"Right," the young Namekian agreed, "I'm on it."

While Dende set to work on healing Vegeta, Frieza continued with his transformation. Unlike his others, this one consisted of shedding his skin. Cracks began forming over his body as his true form began to come together underneath. It was a bit painful, and rather stressful on his body, but the end results would be more than worth it.

But even as he changed, he was aware of his surroundings, and his gaze shifted to those that dared to stand against him. He saw the Namekian he had fought with on his feet and looking better than ever. He also saw the smaller one kneeling by Vegeta with gold light pouring out of his hands as the others watched. To Frieza's amazement, Vegeta soon got to his feet. The holes in his body were gone, and he looked perfectly all right.

'That green brat has healing powers!' he realized as more and more cracks appeared. 'He's been healing them this whole time!'

A sinister laugh escaped his lips that blending in with his groans as he continued to change.

Unaware that their secret had been discovered, the others watched as Vegeta examined himself.

"I'm sorry," Dende told him, "I wasn't able to regrow your tail."

"All in due time." Vegeta told him. Even if they were cut off, saiyans were known to grow back their tails under certain circumstances, mostly during stressful situations.

"That was a nice try though." Tarble commented.

Vegeta humphed. "Yes, well if you could control yourself when you transform, you could have been of use." He'd considered having his brother and Gohan change as well, but he didn't want to deal with Frieza and have to worry about two raging saiyans. Instead, he turned his attention to Frieza, noticing the change taking place. "What's happening here?"

"It looks like Frieza is changing again." Bulma replied. She gulped nervously. "I wonder what he'll be like."

The color drained from Tarble's face as he pictured an even more hideous creature than Frieza was right now with a massive power level. The others shared similar thoughts, but they were all surprised by what they saw.

With a final wail, Frieza's outer skin exploded off his body, revealing his true form underneath. He looked more humanoid now. He was only a little bit bigger from his first form, and had a much simpler body. He was completely white with several purple jewel-like patches on his body, nothing more. It was very different from the hideous reptile-like form he had just discarded.

"Is that… really Frieza?" Gohan asked.

"I… I guess so." Piccolo muttered.

Bulma scoffed. "He doesn't look so tough now. You can definitely beat him, Vegeta. You're even stronger now that Dende's healed you. And if you do get beat up again, he can just keep healing you."

Almost as if he heard her, Frieza turned toward them. He slowly raised his hand, pointing his finger at one of them.

His voice was more like that of his first form when he spoke a single word. "Bang."

Faster than they could blink, a small bead of energy flew towards them. It flew past Vegeta, followed by Gohan, Tarble, Gure, Bulma, Piccolo, before finally finding it's mark.

There was an explosion behind them and they all turned, astounded by the speed of the attack. When the dust settled, Dende was laying on the ground motionless, his body smoking.

"D-Dende!" Gohan cried, horrified.

"No, not him!" Vegeta snarled.

"I didn't even see him attack." Tarble muttered, unable to take his eyes off his unmoving friend.

"Frieza…" Piccolo growled furiously.

Bulma had tears in her eyes as she looked at the fallen Namekian child. "He… he must have seen… Dende's power. So he… he…"

She didn't need to say it. It was obvious what happened. Frieza saw that Dende had the ability to heal, so he took him out. One down, six to go.

Slowly, Vegeta turned back to Frieza. The evil alien was smirking, actually looking proud about what he'd done.

Vegeta swallowed nervously. "Hey, Bulma, what does the scouter say about his power?"

Bulma had to tear her eyes off Dende. "I'll check." She said emotionlessly. She was still stunned by the way Frieza mercilessly slaughtered a child to be surprised by the reading she received. "His power level is 3,500,000."

Vegeta humphed. "Of course it is." He glanced at the others. "Tarble, Gohan come here. You too, green man." Slowly, they obeyed, even Piccolo. The three of them gathered around Vegeta, wondering what his plan was. "Listen up, at this point we only have one chance left. I may be stronger now, but without the ability to transform into a Great Ape, our chances are very slim at best. I need for you to transfer all your power over to me. It's the only hope we have."

Piccolo growled. "Why should I put my faith in you?"

The saiyan prince just smirked. "Because the alternative is that we all die. Now, do you want to live, or do you want to die?"

The Namekian wasn't happy. He clearly didn't want to give Vegeta his power, but he knew that the saiyan prince was right. He felt the overwhelming amount of energy Frieza was unleashing. There truly was no other option.

One by one, they each placed their hands on the saiyan prince. Auras surrounded each of their bodies as they began the process of sending their energy to him, making his body light up.

Frieza smirked. He knew what the fools were doing, and he wasn't concerned. They had no idea how strong he really was. That custom made scouter the girl had may have been able to give them a reading of his power level, but that was just what was on the surface. Soon they would know the true meaning of despair and utter hopelessness.

Patiently he waited for Vegeta to finish gathering his energy. When he was done, the saiyan prince walked over to meet him. This was to be their final battle, if one could even call it that. A better word to use would be a slaughter.

"So, Vegeta, you've come to your death."

Vegeta glared, but a smirk still found its way up his face. "You may be surprised, Frieza. After all, you thought I would be easy pickings when you were in your first form, and look how far I've pushed you."

Frieza chuckled. "Yes, you've definitely proved your capability, but that all ends now. It's time for you to die." An evil grin crept up his face. "But let's not be too hasty. It's not too often I get to show my true power to someone. So what do you say we make a game out of this? We'll have an official match."

Vegeta shrugged. "If that's what you want."

"All right then, would you rather have it on the ground or in the air."

Vegeta thought about it. Frieza was a better fighter in the air, and he needed all the help he could get. "Very well, lets do this on the ground."

Frieza chuckled, as if he knew what the saiyan prince had been thinking and couldn't resist mocking him further. "You know, I wish I could make this last longer, so I think I'll give you a handicap. I know, I'll fight without using my hands. How does that sound?"

It was a major blow to his pride, and completely infuriating, but whatever advantage Frieza was giving him needed to be taken. So, reluctantly, he set aside his pride and accepted. "Fine, lets just get this over with."

Frieza crossed his arms in front of him so he wouldn't use them. Then, before Vegeta could react, Frieza kicked out at him. He managed to avoid it, but several other kicks began flying passed him, the movements so fast that he could barely think before dodging. He continued backing away, unable to do anything else.

Frieza was impressed by the saiyan prince's speed, though it was nothing compared to his own if he really tried. While Vegeta avoided his kicks, Frieza lashed out with his tail, wrapping it around the saiyan's ankles. His next kick found its mark, striking Vegeta's side and knocking him off his feet.

His tail tugged on Vegeta, slamming him on the ground repeatedly before tossing him aside. Covered in scraps and bruises, Vegeta forced himself to his feet, immediately getting struck in the face by Frieza's tail again.

He swore angrily. He'd made a foolish mistake. Frieza had said that he wouldn't use his hands, not that he'd only use his feet. He would need to keep an eye on that tail. And it was a good thing he did as Frieza lashed out with it again.

Vegeta jumped aside and kicked off the ground, speeding towards the Icejin. Now it was Frieza who was avoiding his attacks, only doing a much better job at it. That's when Frieza head butted him, something else Vegeta had overlooked. While he was dazed, Frieza jumped up and spun around, delivering a kick that sent Vegeta flying.

Quickly moving into the saiyan prince's path, Frieza jumped up again, locking his legs around Vegeta's neck and bringing him down. The saiyan prince struggled, clawing at his neck, but was unable to pry Frieza's legs off.

"Come on, Vegeta, I'm waiting to be dazzled by your awesome power." Frieza taunted. "But if you're not going to fight back, then I'll simply snap your neck. Or maybe I should just prolong your death suffocating you."

With an angry snarl, Vegeta rolled backwards and kicked out, his feet hitting Frieza in the face. It was enough to get the alien to release him, and Vegeta hopped to his feet. Frieza immediately lashed out with his tail, but Vegeta had been prepared and he caught it.

Knowing it would annoy the Icejin, Vegeta laughed. "Look what I just caught."

"Damn you." Frieza seethed. "Let go of my tail."

"As you wish."

Vegeta began spinning him around, going faster and faster. When he released him, Frieza went flying through the air before crashing into a rock formation. Vegeta was instantly upon him, punching and kicking every part of Frieza's body he could reach while keeping him pinned to the wall.

Frieza grunted and groaned as he received blow after blow. Infuriated, he uncrossed his arms and punched Vegeta right in the jaw. The saiyan prince went down,

skidding across the ground. Frieza stood over him, breathing heavily, astounded that Vegeta had suddenly been able to get the jump on him like that. He was angered further as Vegeta got to his feet with a grin plastered on his face.

"So, he taunted, "I guess you had to use your hands after all."

Anger flashed in Frieza's eyes, but then he relaxed and smiled. "All right, from now on the deal is off. From now on, we go all out."

Vegeta smirked and got into a fighting stance. "That's fine by me."

He couldn't help but think that those may be his famous last words.

(A/N: It's a little short, I know, but that's only because we were at a good stopping point in the battle. The next few will be longer. Not as long as the fight in the actual series, but still a few chapters. Maybe three or four. By the way, I know Frieza is a lot stronger than 3,500,000. He's still holding back, so don't worry about that. Question for you though, what's Vegeta going to do without the Spirit Bomb attack. You'll have to wait and see.)