Episode 38
The Terror Remains
"This can't be happening," Vegeta had his eyes fixated on his torn gloves, seeing his flesh covered in new wounds from the result of his opponents' unexpected strength. It was because of their determination, their faith and belief in their hearts that were motivating them to move forward. They were truly defending the Earth for as long as they can even if it meant making such noble sacrifices.
To the Saiyan Prince, this was nothing more but great humiliation to him. For once, he felt he was giving shame to his regal bloodline, to his ancestors, to the entire Saiyan race who had always looked upon themselves with great pride and looked down on those who were weak and worthless, including a few of their own kind who had decided to run away from their destinies of becoming heartless, killer Saiyans.
Krillin and Gohan were still Goku while they kept their eyes on Vegeta. The three just sensed his fighting level rapidly increasing, which made them more anxious.
Even Yajirobe was watching the enemy. He was still hiding, keeping himself concealed from Vegeta. He did not want him to know that he was the one who cut off his tail. "Oh man, he looks pretty annoyed," he said.
Krillin shook his head. "This doesn't look good. We may have cut his tail off, but I don't see any signs of him getting weaker."
Gohan continued to hold his father. "What we did only made him only angrier," even at his current condition, Vegeta was still as dangerous as he had always been.
Vegeta slowly placed his hands to his sides, his expression gradually filling with more rage. As he clenched his hands, gritted his teeth, and his eyes burnt with anger, he heard a faint grunt from a distance. His eyes shifted towards Bardock and Raditz now. They were not unconscious from their transformations, but they were extremely hurt and fatigued.
The Saiyan Prince despised them so much as he had never despised them before. He will hate them for the rest of his life. These low-class soldiers, these weaklings, as he would always see them, had no right to humiliate the prince of a reputable, fierce, and fighting race.
Raditz was slowly getting up as he tried to prop himself with his left arm. His vision was all blurred and he could barely remember anything.
This angered Vegeta more to see his enemies rising up again from these grounds of defeat. "How dare you humiliate me like this!" he yelled at Raditz and Bardock.
The moment he took a step forward towards Raditz and Bardock, Gohan reacted to this. He cannot let the Saiyan Prince lay a finger on his family. He feared for the worst for he may kill another one. "Get away from them! Hyah!" Gohan levitated from the grounds. Without any hesitance, he actually fought him for himself. It was that strange emotion lying quietly inside of him, which veiled another warrior beneath him, that was giving him this strength of mind.
Krillin shook his head, becoming nervous. He may be strong, but he was only a child still. "Huh? Wait a minute! Gohan!" he tried to stop him.
Goku's lower half of his body had lost all feeling except agonizing pain plaguing his broken legs. He wanted to stop his son, but he could not do anything at all. "G-Gohan, please!"
Vegeta, however, immediately sensed the approaching half-Saiyan. The moment he turned around and glared at him, Gohan saw this fierce look and his heart suddenly raced as fear invaded his young mind. The young warrior though kept his courage strong as he attempted to attack the Saiyan elite straight on. He drew his right hand back and then drew it forward, giving his fastest and strongest punch ever yet, but he did not realize that he missed his attack instead.
"W-what?" Gohan was shocked.
"How dare you all humiliate me like this!" Vegeta screamed, hating every single one of his opponents in this ruined war zone. Without any mercy, he gave Gohan a crushing sidekick straight to his stomach.
Gohan was instantly halted from his tracks. "AUGH!" he cried out. He held his stomach and he immediately fell to his knees.
Goku was horrified to hear his son's cries. He helplessly begged for Vegeta to stop. "No! Vegeta, stop it! Leave my son out of this!"
But he completely ignored his pleads. He went ahead to strike Gohan by giving a fist of wrath to his face this time. The young warrior was pulled back, feeling bruises and stinging pain all over his forehead.
"Come on, you half-Saiyan wit," Vegeta told him. "I thought you were going to save your blasted family, huh?! The blood of a Saiyan rushes through your veins. Come on, fight!" he pressured him, but he already knew that this young boy posed no threat. He was only provoking him just so he can beat him down again every time he persisted to stand up.
Vegeta wanted to make it clear to his opponents that he will continue to beat them down until they can no longer get up again. He wanted to prove that he was, indeed, the greatest warrior in the entire universe.
Gohan's mind was telling him that he needed to retaliate, but he could not find the willpower this time to keep on fighting. He realized he had made a huge mistake of taking Vegeta on his own without thinking. He did not want to let anybody down though, but he felt he could just give up. With the immense power-up that Vegeta was carrying at this moment, there was no telling how perilous he could be now.
"Such a worthless child!" Vegeta had enough of provoking Gohan. He thought of landing the final blow on him so that he may focus on his mission and that was to blow up this planet and get his wish for immortality. With no time to delay, he placed a hand in front of Gohan and dark, blinking lights began to form around his palm.
This time, Krillin must step in to save Gohan. "Don't you dare! Kyah!" as quickly as the remaining energy in his body could allow him to, he confronted Vegeta and battled him, but the Saiyan Prince did not have to break a sweat to avoid his almost lightning-speed hit.
Vegeta evaded his move and then, went for a hook kick to Krillin's face, blowing him away and making him collide against a near-by canyon.
"GAH!" Krillin shouted and fell to the floor.
Goku closed his eyes in more fear. He could not believe what was going on. "No, Krillin! Gohan! Vegeta, stop it!" he demanded from him.
"You'll get your turn soon, bald man," Vegeta said to Krillin. He shifted his focus back to Gohan once again. While he was still withering in his own fear and pain, he approached him. "I'm not through with you yet, kid."
Vegeta proudly placed his foot on Gohan's head with his face flat on the ground. He provoked him and intimidated his young, fragile mind; just looking at their faces now made Vegeta hate them more. The fact that they were still carrying some strength left, which was giving the prince an actual hard time to prevail over his opponents, the feeling of his anger was just beyond his imagination.
"Where was all that courage you were displaying before? Did it just leave you and make you the weak fighter you are now?" Vegeta questioned Gohan. Slowly though, a smirk was appearing on his face. He could see that victory was upon him once more. He felt that every time he becomes defeated after each match, he always comes back and becomes stronger, nevertheless. He felt more invisible now and no one could possibly stop him this time. "Such a disappointment. First your father, next your own grandfather and uncle, and now, you. Saiyans like you are such a disgrace!" he stated.
Gohan helplessly cried in pain, but that burning and mysterious emotion still lied inside his chest. He needed to escape from their enemy's gates of wrath. His body was too weak to move, yet this feeling was telling him something.
While Vegeta was busy making Gohan suffer again, Raditz was finally back on his feet. The world was spiraling before him and he felt he could faint after undergoing his Great Ape transformation. He held his aching arm. He tried to take a step forward; however, he fell to his knees again. He breathed heavily, feeling like he could go unconscious in any second.
As for Bardock, he now had his hands against the ground, his chest away from the surface. The moment he finally opened his eyes, he just realized he was back to normal. He could barely remember that memory when he was able to gain some control of himself during his uncontrollable transformation, yet the fact that he and his son had finally changed back to normal was all he cared about. If they were not stopped in the first place, probably Goku, Gohan, and Krillin would have not been here any longer if their mayhem was allowed to continue. He was disappointed to know that he had to lose his tail, but he did not mind about that now.
Suddenly though, he saw someone ahead of him.
He strained to stand up, the pain was binding him down, yet he refused give up at this time. He will not give in until he was certain Vegeta was out of this planet for good.
His visions had showed the cruel fates that had already befallen onto his allies, and because he was not able to prevent the imminent dooms from taking their lives, a tight, wretched feeling made his heart sink. He had the gift of foresight, but he cannot prevent any of these horrible visions from happening.
However, Bardock wanted to avenge the deaths of his fallen allies. They were all watching them from above, cheering them on, and he will not let them down.
He struggled to stand up once more. He had one knee now on the ground, but it was taking him too much time to recover from his extreme exhaustion. He touched his forehead and realized that his bandanna was gone. He gave a grunt of frustration. He must have lost it somewhere when he transformed…
Bardock then noticed the heavy damage he and his eldest son had inflicted upon this place, noticing how almost all of the rocky mountains had vanished and how all parts of the ground contained deep craters and many fractures.
Thinking he had actually forgotten every memory of what he did during his transformation, he did not. In fact, Bardock gasped after he saw Goku lying helplessly, his body severely injured beyond imagination. It was then a memory passed his mind. He remembered that Vegeta was the one who was tormenting his youngest son. It was that merciless Saiyan Prince who had brought upon his wrath to his family and friends.
Bardock's anger wanted to explode. He will never forgive this Saiyan Prince. He had no right to be hurting his own family like that. His anger augmented even more when he saw Vegeta torturing Gohan, his own grandson this time. His grandson struggled to escape from his clutches, but he was too hurt and weak to move.
Vegeta scoffed and yelled at Gohan. "You're a low-class warrior just like your father, boy. You don't deserve to be here!"
Gohan could only groan in pain while Krillin and Goku were too hurt to even save him.
Just before Vegeta had destroyed Goku's only son, he suddenly heard an enraged, battle yell from behind.
Bardock had forced himself to get up despite of the feeling he could faint without warning, but he fought this. He shook his head and he intensely locked his eyes on Vegeta. "You! Get away from him!" he placed a hand in front and released a surprising Full Power Energy Wave.
Vegeta sensed this and he was not at all intimidated. He calmly turned around and just glared at Bardock, using his left hand to easily deflect his blast. The energy wave disintegrated in the background instead.
Vegeta released his foot from Gohan's head. He faced Bardock and told him with a grin, "Well, well, it's a surprise that you and Raditz are still awake after your transformations. Not bad for a low-class soldier, but it looks you could barely even move your feet."
Bardock was trembling all over. He was already losing his stability.
"Face it, Bardock. I always rise whenever I fall. I'm unstoppable! Just give it up now," Vegeta told him. "One by one, you will fade by my hands. All of your family and friends will be destroyed by me!" he abruptly placed a hand in front of Gohan this time, attempting to obliterate him right there.
Bardock gasped and he completely froze to his feet.
Vegeta was prepared to make the move until somebody swooped in and saved Gohan from the enemy's final attack on him. In addition, Vegeta was presented with a strong, forceful sidekick to his face, repelling him back several inches, making dents on the ground.
Surprisingly, Vegeta did not lend out a single grunt of pain as if the surprise attack had no effect on him.
Bardock saw that it was Krillin who saved Gohan, and he had safely placed him back to where Goku was lying. The one who sent that blow to Vegeta was actually Raditz. Even though he could lose his conscious at any moment, Raditz needed to save his nephew and this gave him enough reason to forget his current state and save Gohan just in time.
Raditz though almost lost balance after sending that surprising attack to Vegeta. Krillin was still trying to keep his awareness intact after enduring the Saiyan elite's painful kick to his face earlier ago.
Vegeta became frustrated. He was attacked by another low-class again, this man called Raditz who, including Bardock and Goku, Vegeta believed had betrayed their destinies of always remaining killer Saiyans.
Vegeta moved his head forward while cracking his neck from side to side to show Raditz's assault meant nothing to him though. The prince pointed at him. "Don't think I'm done dealing with you, Raditz."
Raditz felt a sharp prick in his head while his eyes kept looking at Vegeta. He tried to show that he was not intimidated at all by his words. After all, Raditz still felt partly responsible for letting him come to this planet and wreak terror upon it. The least thing he could do at this time was to battle him until the very end, to hold him off from realizing his diabolical deeds and senseless desires, and to also show him not to underestimate a reborn Saiyan.
Gohan slowly sat up while holding his head. He saw Krillin standing beside him, and he was holding his head as well as remnants of the pain were there from Vegeta's full-forced attack. Both he and Gohan began to wonder. If this Saiyan Prince continued to possess this unbelievable amount of power in him, how could they possibly bring him down to defeat this time?
Gohan looked at his father beside him. "Daddy, are you all right?" he asked.
Goku's entire lower body still lost all feeling. He could not fight back at this time at all; however, he remembered something about his own son. Realizing that he used to be a timid, innocent boy who was once afraid of the huge world, who did not believe that he was capable of believing in himself, had completely changed into a whole new person, both strong in and out. Goku needed this change in his son right now and also this strength of his he tried to the best of his abilities to achieve that even Gohan did not know it was within him all along. Too much fear was just holding him back, yet Goku believed in him.
"Gohan," he slightly turned his head to look at him. "Listen to me. You need to help us beat Vegeta."
Krillin was even quite curious by what Goku meant; he had to look at him. If he was giving an already heavy responsibility to his son, it was either Goku was getting desperate, he had no other choice but to put his son in the front lines or maybe, he had a lot of faith in him actually. Krillin began to think that it was very true that Goku's son held much more potential inside of him than anyone else in this battlefield believed.
Gohan, however, felt this responsibility was too much for him. "What? But, Daddy, I'm not sure if I can. Vegeta's too strong."
"You have to keep on fighting, Gohan," Goku encouraged him. He knew that he was more than this doubtful fighter he was seeing now. "Look, Krillin and even your uncle and grandfather are here to help you. You need to find a way to stop Vegeta."
Everyone was counting on him, Gohan thought. Everyone believed in him. He was that warrior today that his friends and family wanted to see; that warrior who can fight with determination and valor. He had made many promises to himself, that he will fight alongside his family and friends and overcome any obstacles along the way. That was what a true warrior should be.
Yet, still, Gohan was just a young boy. He only wanted to be a fighter because he needed to help and protect the people he loved and cared about. That was why he was standing here today in this most perilous battle of their lives. Fighting freely was never in his blood unlike his father.
Goku sensed his son's worries and tried to set his mind at ease. "Don't worry too much, Gohan. You need to have faith in yourself. I know fighting is something you don't favor too much, but look here, Son. I know you came here for a reason."
Gohan bit his lip.
"You want to protect the people here on Earth and that is enough reason why you should fight," Goku told him. "You don't have to make fighting a part of your life, but sometimes, in situations like these, you just have to do it."
His son gazed slowly into his eyes, those eyes that had a lot of trust in him.
"Avenge your friends, Gohan. Remember the sacrifices they made. Don't let them be in vain," he reminded him.
His son quietly gasped as he remembered all the noble sacrifices his friends had made. They were all courageous at heart, not succumbing to the enemies' menace. They all stood their ground, defying all uncertainty and despair that will only make them falter, and they came out shining in the end. They were not fearful at all to fight for what was right even if it meant sacrificing their own lives just to save the ones they cared. Gohan remembered his mentor, Piccolo, who had shielded him from that death-bringing attack of Nappa. Piccolo was a man who changed at heart and who had thanked him for being a special friend of his.
"Help your grandfather and uncle, too. Work together and defeat Vegeta once and for all!" Goku gave him a boost of morale.
Gohan shook his head. He wanted to help, but he had a lot of doubt. Could he really do this? "But-!"
Suddenly, Krillin placed a hand on Gohan's shoulders to calm him down. He believed Goku knew what he was talking about and so, Krillin thought he should count on Goku's son, too. "Don't worry, Gohan. Besides, you got me to help you out. We're in this together, all right?!" he also gave him some confidence.
Gohan looked at Krillin for a moment, his mind still confused. He was really trying his best to make a decision. Then, he suddenly felt a grip on his right hand. He looked back to his father and noticed that he was holding his tiny palm, this tiny hand of his, which had proved to their enemies many times that even a young warrior like him can make a huge difference to this planet.
Goku nodded, believing him with all his heart.
Before long, Gohan was struck with his father's meaningful words and actions. He was enlightened. He began to laugh happily while almost crying tears of joy. He went ahead to softly embrace his father, wrapping his arms around his shoulders while trying not to hurt him. Tensions were high and many doubts may be lingering in every one of them, but one thing he knew for sure, he was the best father he could ever have. "Dad, thanks a lot!"
Goku chuckled softly and gave a small smile.
Krillin placed his hands on his hips and enjoyed this father and son moment between the two…until all of a sudden, the three of them had completely forgotten about someone.
A shadow quickly loomed over them, and the three looked straight up. It was Vegeta and he was standing right before them, his regal appearance itself felt prevailing over them still.
Gohan and Krillin felt dreadfully worried while Goku, by instincts, became defensive of his friends and family. He was still frustrated to know that he cannot move due to all of the bones in his body being fractured. Goku hated to know what could be in the mind of this foe.
"Vegeta-!" Goku growled.
Vegeta slowly grinned. There were shadows casted over his eyes. All of a sudden, in a snap, he landed a shocking knee-strike straight to Goku's abdomen. Goku screamed, forcing to spurt out blood from his throat. Vegeta felt disgusted when he saw the touching father and son moment between Goku and Gohan, he thought he could end it by inflicting them more suffering and pain.
"Hah, hah, hah!" laughed Vegeta.
Raditz and Bardock clearly saw this. "Kakarot!" they both yelled.
"Daddy!" Gohan cried. Rage instantly grew inside his chest; he did not realize that he was shaking all over. This mysterious warrior that was lying dormant inside of him was beginning to emerge.
"Stop that!" Krillin went for the initiative and attempted to attack Vegeta with all his might. He fought him head-on, going for fast-paced punches and kicks. Vegeta let go of Goku and shifted his focus quickly on the monk warrior. To Krillin's frustration, the Saiyan elite was evading his blows without even trying. Just after he went for a sparking punch, Vegeta parried it using his left arm and he countered with a straight fist to his face.
Krillin shouted in pain. He was pushed back and he fell to one knee. "No!" he said under his breath.
The Saiyan Prince shook his head. "Worthless fool. You have no idea what you're up against."
Yajirobe could not do anything at this point. He was too afraid of Vegeta especially with his power now. "This is too much!" his teeth chattered. He then decided to back away and leave, keeping himself some safe distances away from Vegeta. This was all too much for him.
Just before Vegeta continued to inflict more damage his enemies, his senses picked up someone whose aura felt to be strangely different. He quickly turned his head and he saw Gohan standing there, his fists and eyes shaking.
"St-stop it! St-top…hurting…my…DAD!" the young half-Saiyan demanded from him. After seeing his father having to undergo even more suffering, he could not take it any longer. His rage flew out from his chest, and that mysterious, hidden warrior had emerged from its hiding once more and it masked the gentle and innocent Gohan everyone had always come to know of.
Vegeta was alerted to see this, yet he was quite excited, too, to see this unexpected, heightened strength coming from the boy. "Come at me then!" he decided to test this new power of his.
"HYAH!" Gohan gave a roaring, battle yell. In an instant, he delivered rapid punches everywhere. In a way, Gohan's mind was only focused on one goal and that was to stop this fearsome enemy for good. All of his friends especially Piccolo and his father were counting on him. He now understood why his father wanted him to fight against Vegeta.
The Saiyan Prince thought this was too easy, that this young fighter will be no trouble for him; he decided to let his guard down a little. In no later time though, it made him quickly realize that this decision he made was careless. The second Vegeta slowed down a little, Gohan had the opportunity to actually land quite an intensive, raging punch straight to his chest.
Vegeta was surprised to have almost been stopped by this direct attack.
Gohan bit his lip while he quickly leaped and moved backwards. The moment he resurfaced and was a few distances away from the enemy, Gohan opted to give this unforgivable foe a "Masendan." He gathered energy fast for a Masenko, but instead, he converted it into an energy sphere filled with deep power and pure rays of light. Once it was made, Gohan threw it at full force towards Vegeta. Vegeta's eyes widened when he saw this.
Boom!
This power-driven, energy blast exploded and it left haze and fog everywhere.
Krillin, Goku, and even Bardock and Raditz were very surprised to see this display of extraordinary skills coming from Gohan. They all thought that it was his own emotions that were giving Gohan this unusual increase of intensifying strength and full confidence to fight the Saiyan Prince himself.
Gohan kept in that position for a while. He was breathing hard, knowing he had drained all the energy in his body caused by his anger that somehow took control of his mind. He almost could not remember what he just did, but unexpectedly, fear overtook him once more. He was receiving a strange vibe in the silent air.
Gohan's eyes grew big this time.
"RARGH!" Vegeta seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He bellowed and shocked Gohan to the core. He broke through the fog that was blocking his view and he swiftly countered, sending him colliding against the ground.
"Augh!" Gohan cried out in pain as his body and the fractured grounds made a heavy impact against each other, there were rocks and particles flying everywhere.
"Gohan!" Krillin grew very worried.
The astonishing tactic that Gohan did was still of no success. Vegeta continued to stand, and this was troubling the Z-warriors.
Both Bardock and Raditz realized there was no time for them to mind about their current conditions. They needed to step in and somehow halt the Saiyan Prince from spreading more of his terror before it was too late.
Raditz especially became angry. He had to risk pushing to his limits by giving himself a power-up. His aura shone and enclosed him. He shouted to his former comrade, "That is enough! Rargh!" he rushed and headed towards him, hoping that he could end this seemingly unending conflict right here.
Vegeta focused on Raditz now, seeing how he can deal with this former comrade of his this time. The moment Raditz was only an inch away from his opponent, a white and blue flash came into sight, and the two fearless warriors were locked into combat. In the night skies while the full moon was still shining, they exchanged blows of rapid punches and kicks as they strove to overcome one another. Alas, Vegeta found the chance to counter without warning.
"You're useless!" Vegeta shouted, sending a knee-strike followed with a ravaging punch to his face.
"Ngh! Darn you!" Raditz endured his harsh blows as he tried to retaliate by sending a skillful set of various attacks. He first went with knife-hand strikes along with sharp turning hook and axe kicks. When he turned around and gave a clean, direct punch to Vegeta's face, with his left hand, he gathered vibrant energy to release a super-powered version of his Saturday Crush.
"Just die already!" Raditz drew his right hand back while his left arm was in front of him. His right hand charged up with white sparks and it was soon enclosed with his violet, blazing aura as he gave his former comrade his massive, power-driven "Saturday Crash." He formed a glowing, igniting sphere enveloped in rotating shafts of light. He then brought his hands forward and released his vigorous energy sphere in swiftness and at full force.
Vegeta needed to increase his defense to lessen the damage of his Saturday Crash. He almost could sense it was actually filled with great power. Once it touched him, it violently burst and it left behind fog and haze everywhere.
Raditz breathed heavily. His fatigue was escalating more than what he could possibly handle, but he kept breathing and kept his eyes watchful to his surroundings. To his surprise though, after the fog had faded, Vegeta somehow disappeared.
"What the?" Raditz looked from left to right, trying to locate him. Suddenly, he heard a voice from above. "Over here!" it shouted.
Raditz quickly looked up and noticed that Vegeta had his hands clasped together, ready to give him a hard-knuckled strike straight to his head. He proceeded to attack him; however, Raditz was able to block his move, but the force of it was too strong that he was pushed back and he was heading straight towards the ruined battleground. Raditz though landed successfully on his two feet without losing his balance, but he found Vegeta dashing through the winds, approaching him faster than he could anticipate.
Bardock saw this and he became very worried. "Raditz!" he, too, then pushed himself to his limits and tried to take on Vegeta.
Raditz made every effort to concentrate well, and he was prepared to battle this Saiyan elite until Krillin intervened and decided to distract Vegeta. He swiftly went for a flying sidekick, but Vegeta saw him at the corner of his eye and evaded his upcoming attack. Krillin went to the other side; however, he did not give up as he dashed towards him once more and presented him rapid punches this time.
Vegeta went on to evade them all without the slightest effort until he realized that there was another person in the battlefield who intended to confront him. Just after Krillin gave his last punch, he did a back-flip and Bardock came into view at that moment. He was dashing below him as if the monk warrior knew that he will also face up to Vegeta.
Despite of his wounds and too much fatigue, he needed to raise his power and defense. He still had some fight left in him and he will spend every last bit of it defeating the menace that had spread everywhere on Earth and help restore peace.
"Get ready, Prince!" Bardock told him with his flaring aura surrounding him once more. He was about to get serious.
Vegeta only grinned and he engaged him in a serious fight then. He and Bardock had fought in countless rounds since the beginning of this war, but he was determined to make this round his last.
This time, the two Saiyan warriors clashed at each other and exchanged very intensive and rigorous blows simultaneously. Their auras had created shockwaves and force fields throughout the battlefield, which gradually tore down the area even more.
Raditz and Krillin briefly watched them. Soon, Raditz told Krillin, "Come on, let's go help him!"
"Right," Krillin nodded.
The two of them then rushed towards to scene. Just when Raditz and Krillin teamed up with Bardock, Vegeta found himself facing three opponents all at once. Shockingly though, he proved only short work of them, deftly avoiding all their fast and superb moves. At the end, the three fighters went for their own attacks only to be all impeded by their invincible foe. Vegeta grinned as he thrust out a force field from his body, forcing the three to be carried off with the gust of winds. He then raised his strength as he gave each of them a direct attack to their chests and stomachs, making them halt from their tracks.
Vegeta especially gave Bardock a devastating blow to his face using his right arm in which his hand left trails of his blazing aura behind. Bardock cried in pain as he was sent towards the ground, falling to where Gohan was who was still recovering from his injuries on the ruined grounds.
"Bardock!" Krillin exclaimed.
"Father!" Raditz shouted, realizing how he was very hurt. He quickly turned to Vegeta, his face filled with hatred for him. "You will pay!" he advanced towards him and battled against him. He did not care anymore if he was a royal elite who had surpassed his own power tenfold. He just wanted him to be brought down to defeat once and for all.
Vegeta had slowly come to realize this sudden increase of his strength and momentum simply because of his peaking anger inside his chest. He became more wary of the possibility that Raditz might suddenly gain the upper-hand if he let up for even a second. Vegeta thought he needed to end this confrontation quickly. As for Krillin, he turned to Raditz and went on to help him. Teamwork was very essential at this time to somehow keep the bridge of victory intact. Krillin had not lost faith yet, knowing that one way or another, victory will be granted upon them soon. He just wondered when they will finally see it.
"We need to keep on trying then," Krillin clenched his fists together as he raised his strength as much as he can. He flew beside Raditz and helped him overcome their unrelenting foe.
Bardock struggled to get back on his feet again. As he was able to sit up at least, he was greeted by another vision. It almost made him worried from the inside since it had been quite some time he last received a vision and because also he had failed in preventing any of these horrible apparitions from happening. They only reminded him of his fallen allies whose lives were taken away by the hands of this evil Saiyan.
In this vision, he clearly saw Gohan who had somehow recovered from his injuries, but he appeared to be in a terribly fearful state. Something was coming right at him, but it was not an enemy though. He was lost in his own thoughts, thinking nothing but the fear intending to tear him apart. Someone was shouting at him and it was his father, Goku, who seemed to be encouraging his son, but he, too, was afraid that his son may not be able to overcome the fear holding him back.
Bardock held his forehead since that vision gave him a small headache. "Stop it," he said under his breath.
"Ngh!" Gohan was lying beside his grandfather, holding his weak right arm. There were new wounds on his face and body everywhere as the result of the prince's overpowering might inhibiting Gohan.
Bardock stared at his grandson while remembering that vision. He kept it at the back of his mind, making a promise to himself to make its ending not become in vain or tragedy; not at this time.
Bardock softly touched Gohan's shoulder and asked him, "Are you all right?"
Gohan shook his head. "I can't move. It hurts so much," he bit his lips hard. It almost looked like to Bardock that he was trying to fight back his tears of agony in his eyes.
Bardock felt terrible seeing his family and friends slowly suffering and for a long time. He just could not take this anymore. His mind was becoming desperate. What other choice was there left to achieve their desired victory? What else they could do at this point?
He turned his head to see Goku who was lying helplessly on the ground still. He continued to hold his stomach tight while blood streamed down from his lips. He was trying to endure that merciless attack from Vegeta earlier ago, and it was taking a long time for the pain to cease.
Bardock quickly stood up and took Gohan into his arms. He levitated from the grounds as he immediately went to Goku. When he arrived, he gently placed Gohan back to the floor, but with his father this time.
"You guys take your time to recover," Bardock told to the both of them. "There should be a way to beat Vegeta somehow."
He was about to leave to go ahead and help Raditz and Krillin until Goku spoke. "W-wait, Dad!"
"Kakarot?" he turned around again. He knelt on one knee and held his son's arm. He sighed heavily. "That Vegeta has given you too much of a beating. I won't forgive him for this!" he held an angered fist.
Goku coughed more while he slowly released his aching hands from his bruised stomach. "Dad, you have to listen to me. There's only one way to defeat Vegeta for good."
Bardock became curious. "What?" he asked.
Just trying to utter a few words were already difficult for him, Goku needed a little time to get his voice back. He carefully turned his head to look at his only son who was enduring the same amount of terrible pain as he was going through now. He had an idea and hoping that his severe injuries will not impede his ability from doing this, he slowly lifted his right arm. He struggled to move even a tiny muscle, but this was the time that Vegeta's evil deeds needed to be brought to an end. They must to do everything that they can to restore peace and harmony back to Earth.
As he slowly raised his right hand, his palm began to glimmer in pure, subtle gleam with lustrous white rays. He took a little of that faint energy to Gohan by placing gently placing his hand on his forehead. Few seconds later, he released his head and Gohan had actually become slightly better from his injuries.
Goku smiled a little. Bardock noticed this once ore, seeing how his youngest son was still smiling even in moments like these when their lives were clearly at stake.
"Take a bit more rest, Gohan. You've done a good job," Goku told him, praising his son's courage earlier ago. "I've given you a little bit of the Spirit Bomb's energy. Heh, heh," he chuckled. "I was right in thinking it has some healing properties. Unfortunately, I can't use up everything just to heal myself. It'll be a waste."
"Huh?" Bardock raised an eyebrow.
Gohan opened an eye while he continued to hold onto his right arm. He smiled a little. "Thank you, Daddy. I feel a little better, I guess…"
Goku then looked at his father again. His spoke in a weak voice still, but he revealed to him his plan this time. "Dad, I'm gonna need everyone's help especially yours. This'll be the only way to stop Vegeta. I have to give you the Spirit Bomb instead."
Bardock's eyes widened a little. "…Spirit…Bomb?"