The Prince now shone as the solitary force that could now topple Frieza. It had happened in an instant as Vegeta had exploded with power unseen for thousands of years. Goku could feel his Ki. It was fair to say that even the Saiya-jin from Earth could not believe just how much energy that Vegeta was putting out.

"Can you feel that, Piccolo?" gasped Goku as he turned to the Namek.

Piccolo offered no immediate response. The green warrior was awestruck by such a display of power. He knew that seeing such a force give off so much energy was not a good thing even if Frieza was defeated. The question begged - who was the bigger of the two evils?

Vegeta's heart raced as the hate that had been bred inside of him from an early age was released into a golden aura that now transfixed his body. It wasn't over though as he continued to let his rage dominant his actions. The Planet Namek seemed to crumble and break away as Vegeta possessed seemingly no limitations to his power.

Then, he stopped.

The shaking lay dormant for a moment as Vegeta moaned loudly. The Prince fell to his knees.

"Vegeta!" yelled Goku as he began to walk towards the Saiya-jin Prince.

"Goku! Stand back!" exclaimed Piccolo as he prevented his friend from moving any closer. "Something is not right."

Finally, Vegeta stood once more.

"Oh, but it has never been MORE right, Namek!" cackled Vegeta as he gazed on at his hands with a look of fantasy. "My destiny! Everything I've ever lived for! Now, it's here!"

Frieza didn't know what to make of it. He didn't move out of fear but he'd never admit it. How could the most powerful being in the Universe be afraid of a Super Saiy- no, he was just a monkey!

"Frieza! Your time is over! Your defeat at the hands of a Super Saiya-jin is imminent! Your worst nightmare stands but a few feet away from you! Me, Frieza! Me! Me! Me!" proclaimed Vegeta as he seemingly became possessed with his own self importance.

The horrific truth of Vegeta's transformations would never be fully understood by all those that watched on. Some of them would not live to learn the truth. Some of them perhaps wouldn't want to learn the truth. The relevancy of just how Vegeta had become a Super Saiya-jin wouldn't matter for the moment; this was all about power.

Frieza looked down at the golden haired Saiya-jin. A part of him knew already. However, he'd never fully believe that he could be beaten by a Saiya-jin until he was dead. This was everything that had kept Frieza awake at night though. There was simply no way that he could contain his nerves. A look of sheer disbelief was unable to displaced by any other emotion that Frieza tried to fake in his own personal moment of torment.

"Now, Frieza, we recommence!" screamed the Prince.

Vegeta gave no second warning as he shot from the ground at a speed at which Frieza had never encountered before. The cold hearted ruler wasn't even able to think before a punch nestled into his ribs. However, the worst part of it all was not the punch. It was the fact that despite sinking his fist deep into Frieza's abdomen, Vegeta stood toe to toe with him and smiled with intent. The evil smirk was enough to send Frieza crazy.

The monstrous imperial grasped his stomach as the first drop of blood poured from his mouth. The claret coloured liquid flew in Vegeta's direction and soaked his head then slowly dripped down his battered chest. The Prince's facial expression didn't change. He loved the fact that Frieza's blood had just spilled all over him. He wanted to taste more. Indeed, the Dark Prince had performed his own magic. Who needed Babidi when Vegeta was already possessed?

This was a different kind of magic though. It was build of hatred, determination a cast iron pride unlike any other in the Universe.

Frieza found himself being smashed time and time again by Vegeta's wicked blows to the head and upper body as he sped around the sky as the Prince knocked him in every direction. Frieza was too tired from continuous fighting to mount any real defence against the onslaught. Vegeta had been completely rejuvenated by his transformation. However, on the other hand, Frieza's body was very much beginning to feel the effects of fighting his brother, a lesser form of Vegeta and Goku amongst others.

"What's the matter, Frieza?" taunted Vegeta as he whipped another left boot into Frieza's cheek. "This one is for removing my tail, you bastard!"

The Prince joined his hands with a new purpose as he lit the sky with a fabulous blue attack that accelerated towards Frieza. The attack burned like a crystal comet as it raced on towards its victim.

"Shit!" cried out Frieza as the gates of Hell opened up upon impact.

Goku watched on in dismay as Vegeta began dismantling the tyrant that had wrecked his entire life. It was Frieza's fault that the Saiya-jin race had become a mockery. It was Frieza's fault that Vegeta's father was dead. It was Frieza's fault that for several years Prince Vegeta had led a life of a fugitive as Zarbon's failed attempt to execute him had ultimately led to an unofficial banishing.

Vegeta knew that his big bang attack was not enough to kill Frieza. He knew exactly how much to throw at his enemy without finishing the job off. This was much more than a simple killing for the Prince. This was about extracting a lifelong mission of revenge.

Vegeta electrified the sky as he sent off masses of golden energy that spilled everywhere.

Frieza shivered nervously from the floor as he watched the Super Saiya-jin send out of a clear, life shattering message. There was no way that Frieza could compete with this sort of power whilst he was so weakened.

"Damn you!" exclaimed Frieza from the Planet surface as he sent a beam of energy heading towards Vegeta.

The Prince watched the blast intently as it spiralled upwards. There was no doubt in Vegeta's mind as he swiftly struck the blast away with his left arm causing an explosion in a nearby forest. Vegeta was making it look too easy.

"Beg for your life, Frieza!" howled Vegeta from the sky. "I won't spare you but I will promise to feed your little pet Zarbon when I claim command of your Empire for myself!"

Piccolo and Goku winced. Surely he didn't mean that?

"I told you," muttered Piccolo almost silently. "Goku, we have to leave this place before we're the next ones that are killed. Once Frieza is out of the way, if Vegeta truly plans on taking over, he's going to want the strongest fighters out of the way."

Goku's bottom lip wavered. It was more of disgust than anything else. He knew that if Vegeta was to turn on them at this stage - there was nothing he could do. Goku could not contend with a Super Saiya-jin.

"Piccolo, I think you're right," nodded Goku. His face stiffened. "But I have to be sure!"

"What?" exclaimed Piccolo in shock. "What do you mean?"

Goku jumped into the air as he faced Vegeta. The two great rivals. The two great Saiya-jin. The two great friends? No, not friends. Allies? Comrades? Goku wasn't so sure anymore.

"Vegeta!" proclaimed a battle ravaged Goku as he panted heavily. "So, it's true then? This has always been about your own selfish needs and desires! You only wanted Frieza's power didn't you? Tell me I'm wrong, Vegeta! I thought you were a stronger person than that!"

Vegeta snapped again at Kakarotto's taunts.

"Shut the hell up, you idiot!" yelled the Prince. "I do whatever it takes to ensure my own personal survival. If that means using you or anyone else for that matter, I'll do it! My only goal is to kill Frieza! However, since you seem to be offering a nice little warm up before I fire the final blow - how about it?"

Goku scowled.

"If this is the way you want it to be," began Goku. "If you truly will try and destroy me, then I'm ready!"

Goku's thirst for battle was unquenchable even despite his enormous power disadvantage. He'd give it his all if that's what Vegeta wanted. It would only come to this anyway. Goku Versus Vegeta was a fight that destiny had preserved in the alternative Universe. This one would be no different.

"You're forgetting that I'm not DONE yet!" screeched Frieza as he pummelled Vegeta with a wicked punch to the back of the head as finally the Prince's guard dropped.

"Goku!" shrieked Piccolo. "We have to go! Hurry!"

Goku knew that Piccolo was right somehow. Maybe if he'd not banged his head all those years ago - he would have stayed and waited until Frieza and Vegeta had finished. He knew what the outcome would be though. It was plain for all to see. He had responsibilities now. He had to ensure Earth's survival. He couldn't take Vegeta out in his current state.

Goku turned and looked at the ferocious battle that had engulfed Namek for the best part of an hour. Vegeta and Frieza had reconvened once more. The Super Saiya-jin was ready to accept his fate now - as was Frieza. It was a fight to the death.

"Next time we meet," proclaimed Goku, "I'll be ready, Vegeta!"

It was a bold declaration but something in Kakarotto's voice was pure and true. If the Prince had heard his statement then maybe he would have given it a bit more thought. Instead, his mind wondered into a near unconscious state as he battled Frieza effortlessly.

The secret of Vegeta's dark transformation was indeed a baffling one. Goku hadn't figured out exactly why and neither had Piccolo.

But someone else had.