Chapter 12: Facing the Past
The trio of Herans watched from the mouth of the cave as Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan stumbled their way inside, resting up against the rocks next to them.
"Where's everyone else?" Piccolo asked.
"Krillin and 18 said they would take the others up to someplace called the Lookout," Zangya answered, her gaze focused on the fight between Bojack and Bido.
"Probably for the best," Piccolo sighed, "You didn't go with them?"
"We didn't want to leave behind Bojack and Bido," Bujin explained.
Vegeta groaned as he leaned on a wall just inside the cave, Gohan taking a seat just outside the cave's entrance. Kogu and Zangya stayed outside with Piccolo as Bujin went over to talk to the two Saiyans.
"Are you two okay?" He asked, "If you've broken anything, I can give you some basic healing."
"Just winded, that's all," Vegeta responded, "Bojack was stronger than we thought."
Gohan nodded silently as Bujin looked down at the fight between Bojack and Bido, the elder Heran effortlessly blocking Bojack's punches. "Who do you think will win?" He asked the Saiyans.
"Who we think will win doesn't matter," Vegeta stated, "All that matters is that Bojack doesn't win. Personally, though, I think Bido's bit off more than he can chew."
"I don't know, Vegeta," Gohan chimed in, "There's something about Bido we don't know."
"Like, what?" Vegeta asked.
"Haven't you found it odd that we can't sense Bido's energy?" Gohan replied.
Vegeta paused for a second before closing his eyes, trying to focus on Bido's energy. To his surprise, he could make out Bojack's energy clearly, but Bido's was nowhere to be found. He concentrated for a second before Bido's energy popped into existence, only to be flung around by Bojack. He opened his eyes as Piccolo and the Herans shot off towards the fight, instantly powering up to Super Saiyan and racing after them with Gohan in tow.
Piccolo and Vegeta dropped down in front of Bojack and slammed their knees into his gut, catching him off guard and sending him flying back. Piccolo and the two Saiyans raced after Bojack as the three other Herans pulled Bido from the rocks and set him down, trying to wake him up.
"Bido, can you hear me?" Zangya questioned him, the older Heran's eyes slowly closing as his body started to go limp, "Bido? Bido?!"
"He's still alive," Kogu said, quickly checking Bido's pulse, "He's just unconscious."
"We should move him somewhere safe," Bujin chimed in, "Maybe back up to the cave?"
"Moving him could make more problems," Kogu told him, "Pulling him out of the rocks was risky enough. But you may be right." Kogu wrapped his arms beneath Bido's shoulders and motioned for Bujin to grab his legs before taking off for the cave.
Flashes of green and gold filled the air as Piccolo, Bojack, and the two Super Saiyans darted around each other, the three heroes landing potshots on Bojack as they darted around. Gohan ducked under Bojack's arm and landed a kick to his chest while Piccolo extended his arm and swung around to get behind the Heran. In one synchronized move, Piccolo and Vegeta landed a heavy blast of energy to Bojack's back and front, the Heran unfazed as the trio flew away from him.
The trio flew straight for a rock spire with Bojack right behind them and pulled up into the air at the last second. Bojack flipped himself around and landed feet first on the spire, using it to propel himself into the air towards the trio. He easily swatted Piccolo and Gohan towards the ground and went for Vegeta, the Saiyan drawing him in before powering up to Super Saiyan 2. Bojack staggered back from the sudden burst of energy, allowing Vegeta to overwhelm him. With several jabs to the torso and head, Vegeta slammed his elbow onto the top of Bojack's head, sending him plummeting to the ground.
"When did you manage to go Super Saiyan 2?" Gohan asked as he flew up beside Vegeta.
"I haven't been sitting on my hands these past few years," Vegeta replied as he noticed Bojack flying straight at them, "We've got company."
Gohan powered up to Super Saiyan 2 and cupped his hands in front of him as Vegeta pulled his hands above his head, both charging their energies and focusing it in their hands.
"Galick Gun!"
"Kamehameha!"
The two beams merged and barrelled straight through Bojack, the Heran tanking the blast. Vegeta scowled and put more of his energy into the attack, the beam swelling in size as the energy powered through it. As the attack faded away, Bojack's figure popped into view, his skin covered in smoking burn marks.
"Do you honestly think- I'll go down that easily?" He panted, "Especially without taking you down first?" Bojack's eyes widened as he felt a surge of energy behind him, quickly dodging to the left.
"Special Beam Cannon!"
Piccolo's attack flew forward and grazed Bojack's right arm, cutting deep into the flesh. Bojack howled in pain as he grabbed at the wound, blood pouring from beneath his fingers. Bojack went to extend his arm but let out another scream of pain as he let it drop to his side. Anger filled his eyes as he whipped around to face Piccolo, smoke still emanating from the Namekian's fingertips.
"How dare you?!" Bojack bellowed as his energy surged again. His aura exploded around him as his screams echoed through the wastelands, his eyes flashing with energy.
A shockwave rippled through the air as Vegeta kicked Bojack in the jaw, the Heran not budging on inch. Bojack grabbed Vegeta's ankle and threw him towards the ground before charging at Piccolo. Gohan powered up as he shot in between them, his aura turning a pale gold. He knocked Bojack's arms aside and opened him up, allowing him to slam his forehead into the Heran's. Gohan shot like a missile at Bojack, wrapping his arms around the Heran's torso and pushing him back. The duo crashed through multiple rock spires as Bojack struggled against the Saiyan.
Bojack brought his arms above Gohan's head and clasped his hands before slamming them down on the boy's head, causing him to loosen his grip. Bojack broke free of the boy and grabbed him by the head. The Heran's grip on the boy began to strengthen as his energy spiked once again, this time his muscles beginning to swell and bulge from his body. Bojack let out a bellowing scream as energy began to surround his hands. Bojack chucked Gohan into the air before quickly slamming his fists into both the Saiyan's front and back. The Heran slammed the boy into a rock wall and began to cackle maniacally as he pummelled him into the cliff. Bojack grabbed Gohan's collar and ripped him from the wall, throwing him into the open air. The Heran shot a ball of energy at Gohan, the Saiyan screaming in agonizing pain as the ball of energy engulfed him.
The energy dissipated and left Gohan in freefall, the boy losing consciousness as he fell towards the Earth. Everyone froze as they watched the Saiyan fall from the sky before a quick flash of purple swooped in and caught him, followed by joyous whoops. Vegeta watched as Goten and Trunks swerved around Bojack on the back of Icarus, the dragon effortlessly maneuvering around Bojack's attempts to hit it. Vegeta couldn't help but notice Bojack's still swelling body, the Heran's energy continuing to grow along with it, the wound on his arm completely sealed.
"What are you standing around for?" Piccolo called as he flew beside Vegeta, "We have to help the boys before they hurt themselves."
"Hold it," Vegeta said, the Namekian stopping and looking back.
"Your son is risking his life up there, and you aren't even going to try and help him?"
"Trying to save those two by attacking Bojack will only put them in more danger," Vegeta responded, "Take a good look at Bojack."
Piccolo stared up at Bojack for a second before turning back to Vegeta, the Saiyan focused intently on the Heran.
"He's a time bomb," Vegeta explained, "All of the energy building inside of him is trying to escape, pushing on the inside of his skin and muscle trying to find a way out. If we don't find a way to stop him, his body will eventually explode. However, any sort of hit on him has a chance of setting it off."
"Just like with Cell," Piccolo sighed, "Only this time we don't have Goku to use Instant Transmission."
"If he were to explode now, it could wipe out West City from here," Vegeta continued, "If he was to use any more energy, the blast could potentially wipe out the entire continent."
"If only we could lead him far enough away," Piccolo mused, "Or somehow get him to stop using so much energy."
"We could try knocking him out," Vegeta suggested, "But that would require getting close, and we can't take the risk of setting him off."
Piccolo was about to suggest something when a loud explosion roared through the sky, the duo quickly turning to face Bojack and the boys. Icarus was in a nosedive towards the ground, a large plume of smoke billowing from his wing.
"Damn it. Looks like we'll have to risk it anyway," Vegeta growled as he prepared to take off, "Go get the boys, I'll deal with Bojack."
Piccolo nodded before taking off after Icarus, leaving Vegeta alone to deal with the Heran. The Saiyan flew up behind Bojack, the Heran not noticing him approaching.
"I've had quite a few people hell-bent on destroying everything they come in contact with, but you're different," Vegeta said, causing Bojack to turn around, "They all knew what they wanted and had some semblance of a plan. But you don't seem to have anything. No, you just attack anything that moves, swinging wildly around with any real concern. I've only ever seen that level of violence in a Great Ape. So what's got you so worked up?"
Bojack's face twisted in anger. "You know why, you bastard," He growled. With one swing, he slammed Vegeta back down to the ground, a pile of rocks falling on top of him.
Vegeta pushed the debris off of him as Bojack landed a ways away from him and slowly started to approach him. "Don't act as if you've forgotten. Of all the people to backstab his allies, it had to be the little Saiyan prince." Bojack's voice echoed in Vegeta's ears as the Heran lifted him off the ground. "My people would still be alive if it wasn't for you. I would still have a home if it wasn't for you. Three billion people lived on that planet, all of them wiped out in the blink of an eye. Your people lasted longer against Frieza than mine did against you. None of them got to say goodbye to the people they loved."
"I'm sorry," Vegeta groaned.
Bojack narrowed his eyes. "It's too late for that," He growled, "Thirty years too late." The Heran brought his hand to Vegeta's chest, ready to blast the Saiyan to nothing. Before Bojack could act, Vegeta grabbed his wrist and shot a small amount of energy into it, forcing Bojack to drop him.
Vegeta quickly ducked away and got some distance between him and Bojack, energy pouring out of the latter's wrist. "I know when I'm outmatched, Bojack. I can't beat you," The Saiyan declared, "But take a look at yourself. If you keep this up, all of that energy building inside of you is going to burst out. It won't only kill you and me, but everyone on this planet, including your friends. Is that what you want?"
Bojack growled and prepared himself to attack Vegeta. "I don't care what happens to them or anyone else on this planet," He bellowed, "All I care about is avenging my people."
"Even if it means killing the last of your kind?" Vegeta questioned.
"As long as it takes you out," Bojack growled.
Bojack charged at Vegeta, the Saiyan dodging beneath him and keeping distance between them. The two kept eye contact as they circled each other, Vegeta readying himself to dodge Bojack's attacks. The Heran's foot dug into the ground as he rushed towards Vegeta, the Saiyan leaping back and away from Bojack. Vegeta ducked and dodged past Bojack's punches, being careful not to lead the Heran towards anything that could cause him to explode.
Small rips appeared across Bojack's skin as his power continued to spike, allowing wisps of energy to pour from his body. The Heran's flurry of punches grew faster as his eyes began to haze, Vegeta turning Super Saiyan 2 to keep up in speed.
"WHY! WON'T! YOU! JUST! DIE!" Bojack bellowed as he extended an open palm towards Vegeta, the energy pouring out of the hole in his hand enough to send the Saiyan tumbling backward and off of his feet.
Vegeta rose to one knee as Bojack stumbled around grasping his head, the rips in his skin appearing more frequently and allowing more energy to escape. "What is this?!" Bojack screamed as he fell to his knees, energy streaming down his face like tears. He screamed in agony as he began to writhe on the ground, the energy beginning to escape his body in bursts.
"It's your anger, Bojack!" Vegeta called over the whistle of the energy, "All of your anger is fueling that energy within you! If you don't let it go, it'll kill you, as well as all of us! You have to let go!"
Bojack didn't hear Vegeta as he continued to scream in pain, his energy flaring out of his wounds like fire. Vegeta braced himself and trekked over to Bojack, just close enough for him to hear.
"I'm sorry, Bojack," He pleaded, "I understand wanting revenge on the people who've wronged you. I spent my entire life wanting revenge for what happened to my people too. But taking revenge comes at the cost of losing the few people you still have left. I can't undo my life, but I can still make amends."
Bojack's iris flashed for a second as he turned to Vegeta. "Get them as far away from here as possible," He groaned in pain.
"It doesn't matter how far away we get," Vegeta said, "That blast will wipe out the planet. You have to relax and take control of your emotions."
"I can't," Bojack groaned, "I don't know what's wrong. I can't control it."
Bojack's energy began to whip around him furiously, hitting Vegeta square in the chest and knocking him over. The ground began to shake as Bojack's screams of agony echoed through the wastelands, his body beginning to glow with energy. Vegeta braced himself as the light grew brighter and brighter, only to open his eyes in surprise as Bojack's screams stopped. In between the two of them was Bido, the Heran having transformed into a state like Bojack's, though his skin and hair were a darker shade of green and red than Bojack's. Bido stood in front of Bojack with his hands on the younger Heran's temples, the duo frozen in place.
Vegeta collapsed onto his back as Bojack's body began to shrink in size, the energy around the Heran slowly dissipating, Vegeta panted as he stared up at the blue sky, the shadow of Piccolo and the two boys appearing over him before he passed out.