Reformed Saiyans
Chapter Twenty-Two: Sleeping Power
A pause of unsettling silence roamed across the group, making Bulma wonder what exactly was going on, though their faces could say it all. Both sickened looks and angry looks appeared on them, or well the three short ones, Piccolo however was more pissed than sickened.
"That...That energy!" Krillin said. "It's Vegeta! And It's monstrous!"
"Yeah…" Gohan gulped. "And he's killing all those villagers!"
Dende's face was full of fright. He bit his lip and swallowed hard. "H-How could someone do such a terrible thing!" Dende fell to his knees from intense horror.
"That bastard!" Piccolo yelled. "If he gets his hands on a Dragon Ball, we'll all be doomed!"
Bulma quickly assessed what was going on from what they said. "If we can get just one Dragon Ball, then all we have to do is hide it! They can't summon the Dragon without all seven." Bulma pointed out.
"That wouldn't work." Krillin replied. "Even if we did hide it, they would still torture the Namekians until they did find it!" Krillin pounded a fist against the wall. "Damn it! It's like no matter what we do! We're always without a chance when Goku isn't around!"
Piccolo grumbled angrily in his thoughts. He was supposed to be the almighty Demon King, yet he stood without the capabilities to do anything, only if he were stronger! Only if he could do something!
"Even so, we at least have to keep them from summoning Shenron." Bulma said.
Krillin sighed. "Yeah but I doubt we could even find one quick enough." Krillin pointed out.
"There might be someone that can help." Dende said. The others turned their attention to the small Namekian. "The Grand Elder always carries the one-star Dragon Ball above his seat, and I'm sure he might have something that can help us."
"Then there might be a chance." Piccolo said. He turned to Gohan and Krillin. "Change of plans, you two are coming with me."
Gohan and Krillin nodded in response. Piccolo followed after Dende, with Krillin and Gohan following alongside, they had to remain stealthed, so they were much slower than they would be at max speed.
Goku fell against the ground, and laid down as the heavy gravity disappeared.
"Whew!" He huffed. "I'm beat!"
The three fighters had been training vigorously for the last several hours nonstop, at an intense gravity level of 20G. Yamcha panted heavily, placing his hands on his knees while standing.
"Damn...You guys are incredible!" He said. "I can barely keep up with the both of you." Yamcha fell back and eventually laid on the ground as well.
"Saiyans have the ability to naturally adapt to higher forms of gravity over time." Raditz explained. "Albeit to a certain extent, if we reached any higher than 100Gs, I doubt it'll help any."
"Hello, is anyone there?" A voice echoed. It was familiar, and if Goku wasn't mistaken, it was Tien.
Goku sat up swiftly in surprise. "Tien?" He said. Goku darted his eyes around but he couldn't see the Triclops, he was now easily confused. "Where are you?"
"I'm in Otherworld." Tien answered. "I'm here with Chiaotzu, we're back at King Kai's."
"Already?" Yamcha widened his gaze in surprise. "It's only been a month, and your back?! It took us a full six months last time!"
"Well, you guys are much stronger than before, so of course you made it here quicker." King Kai pointed out. "I mean it only took you about a day to get back to Earth."
"Oh right." Yamcha replied.
Goku looked over to Yamcha. "Is this the King Kai you were talking about?" He whispered.
Yamcha nodded. "Yeah." He replied. "What were you guys contacting us for anyways?"
"Well, we're still rivals, so I have to make sure you aren't getting too far ahead of me." Tien said. "And besides, King Kai said he had something important to say. Thought we'd at least say hello."
To which King Kai proceeded to explain the current events of what was happening on Namek. He caught the three fighters up to speed, and once fully informed, Raditz was only merely pleased.
"I had a feeling, I couldn't shake, and after searching the energies on Namek…" King Kai said. He gulped and continued. "There was one that toppled every single energy, combined. The one that I feared it was, and it belonged to Frieza!"
Raditz's pupils shrank. "W-What?! F-Frieza?!" He gulped. "Figures that he'd go after the Dragon Balls!" Raditz slammed his fists harshly. "Damn it!"
"Please tell me none of you plan on going after Frieza?" King Kai said.
"Are you mad?!" Raditz replied. "Only an idiot would be stupid enough to go after Frieza!"
Yamcha looked surprised, he figured Raditz would welcome the challenge. At least that's what he figured after living with Goku all of these years.
"What? Nah, you guys don't think the three of us and the others can't take on Frieza?" Goku tilted his head.
Raditz whipped his head, and stared into Goku. "No! We can't! I'd rather turn this ship around and go home. In fact we probably should!" He yelled. "If Frieza is on Namek...If..If he's there..If he's actually there." Raditz paused, lowering his gaze and biting his lip. "Then...all hope is lost. If you could even somehow manage to take all of the Dragon Balls before he notices and gain your wish. You'd be dead…"
"There's no way someone that strong exists." Goku said.
"I have to agree with Goku. I'm not saying we should recklessly run into a suicide mission but I can't buy someone that strong exists." Yamcha added. "I mean look at how incredibly strong we are now! And our training has just begun."
"No!" King Kai shouted. "Whatever you do! Do not face Frieza!"
Raditz grunted angrily. "Damn it! You guys are making me agree with the sky man!"
"The sky man!? Do you realize who you're talking to! I'm King Kai of the North! The Great Northern Watcher! Do you understand what you just said!" King Kai screamed.
Raditz rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah blah blah North blah blah I'm super important." He mocked. "That's not important right now! What's important is that we drive this ship right around and return to Earth!"
"We can't return to Earth, not without Bulma, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo!" Goku said. "What about them! You're just gonna make us leave them there?"
"Damn it Kakarot! Do you not get it!" Raditz snarled. "Imagine someone as strong as Vegeta. No. Someone MUCH stronger, someone at least 100x stronger! Now imagine that guy has depths of power he's never shown before, and it may as well be over one thousand times stronger! You think we stand a chance against that!"
"Well...no." Goku sighed admittingly. "But that doesn't mean we can't just avoid it. One day, and one day we're gonna have to face him. I mean he's claimed to be so powerful, well-known, and evil, you think he isn't gonna try and invade Earth someday for it's Dragon Balls."
"Agreed." Yamcha nodded. "We can't avoid it forever, and who's to say there won't be someone stronger along the road."
Raditz placed his hands on the control panel, closing his eyes and sighing. "No. We're not fighting Frieza! We just can't." He said. "We'll get the brat and the others, then we'll go. Nothing else! Nothing more!"
"We still need the Dragon Balls. We have to revive Tien and Chiaotzu." Yamcha pointed out.
"If there's one thing I've learned. That ain't worth it." Raditz replied. "You'll all pointlessly get killed, not even having the chance to try and save them. I think it'd be best if we just got the others and went home. It's hopeless."
Goku placed a hand on Raditz's shoulder, which Raditz batted an uncomfortable eye towards. "Sorry but hopelessness isn't something I believe in, and if you're going to be on this trip with us. You're gonna have to do it our way."
Raditz growled angrily, and sighed. "Fine. But I REFUSE to fight Frieza. You guys are on your own from there on out. I'll leave before having to fight, and I won't wait around for you guys if you decide to fight him."
Vegeta slaughtered each Namekian, in the village one by one, as they refused, they protested against giving Vegeta the Dragon Ball he desired. Vegeta grew more and more impatient before eventually finishing them all off in an instant.
After they were all gone and destroyed, with several of their houses, the plants around them, and the Ajisa trees, Vegeta searched around the village for the Dragon Ball. Finally there it laid, on dust which originally was a stone pedestal, with six red stars, and a glorious orange shine, it was a trophy worth beholding.
Vegeta grabbed the Dragon Ball with his hand, and looked at it in all of its glory.
"Finally. A trophy worthy of the Prince of All Saiyans." He said. "However. It is not enough, I must collect all seven and gain my immortality!"
It was rewarding considering all the trials bullshit Vegeta had to go through. They all kept pestering about some worthiness, and seven trials, but Vegeta was too impatient for that. He left the village, walking under the water beneath it.
"I'll leave it here for Safekeeping." Vegeta thought to himself, a wide grin expressed on his face. Ready to find another Dragon Ball, Vegeta flew out of the water and soared away. On the way, he felt a familiar energy and it pleased him to have it nearby.
Vegeta chased it down, and there, as he kicked his foot against the user of the energy. The teal skinned man, revealed to be Zarbon, had crashed into a small piece of land, which cracked and broke apart instantly upon impact.
Zarbon, and several chunks of ground were dunked beneath the water. Zarbon was seething with rage, as he broke free from the tread of the waters. He flew up, and kept a calm yet angry look on his face.
"Vegeta…" Zarbon said. He looked around the area, with still no sign of Dodoria, he had assumed the worst. "I take it you're responsible for Dodoria's absence?"
Vegeta smirked. "Of course. Who else could've possibly killed the fat bastard."
Zarbon scoffed. "I should be thanking you. He's been a pain in my neck lately, yet..now I have to answer to Frieza." He said. "You'll pay dearly for that!"
"Is a pretty boy challenging me to a fight?" Vegeta mocked. He let a short chuckle escape his mouth and Zarbon growled in response.
"I think it's time we put this to end!" Zarbon yelled. Vegeta raised his shoulders then taunted for Zarbon to come after him. Vegeta boosted his speed, flying backwards and Zarbon chased after him.
Zarbon threw several punches and kicks, to which Vegeta either blocked or dodged. Then, Vegeta took the offensive, he swung his leg against Zarbon's face, and hurled his fist into Zarbon's gut.
Zarbon powered through both attacks, and kept him from being moved from his current position. He pulled his leg back and swung his knee at Vegeta's gut, Vegeta vanished, avoiding the attack.
Vegeta reappeared behind Zarbon, with his two fists together, he slammed it against the back of Zarbon's head. Zarbon plummeted towards the ground but stopped himself midway, flying immediately back to Vegeta.
"Damn it!" Zarbon mumbled. He rushed back to Vegeta but was met with a powerful blow against his jaw as he neared the Prince. Vegeta's smug face became smugger, and only irritated Zarbon further.
Zarbon gathered energy in his left fist and rammed it into Vegeta's right cheek. Vegeta plummeted to the ground, stopping himself a foot above. Zarbon unleashed a massive volley of energy blasts at Vegeta, who dashed forward away from the blasts.
Vegeta continued dashing past the massive volley that went on for several miles, purposely letting it tail him, then he slowed down, tricking Zarbon into thinking he was faster and stronger. Vegeta imbued a layer of energy around his body to protect himself, only causing the explosions to harm nothing but the ground beneath and around him.
It created a large amount of smoke and dust. With a wide grin on his face, Zarbon had assumed he won.
"Lousy Filthy Ape! I told you, you were out of line! If you had listened to me, perhaps I would have spared you." Zarbon said. He delivered a loud, wicked and long laugh for a short moment, before being met with a powerful blow to the jaw.
A blow strong enough, to send Zarbon several feet towards the ground, but not enough that Zarbon couldn't stop himself.
He wiped the blood from his lip, then faced the attacker, to his shock, it was Vegeta, yet again unscathed.
"W-What?!" Zarbon yelled. "That's impossible! I blew you to nothing!"
Vegeta rolled his eyes, then let a short chuckle escape his mouth. "Oh Zarbon, you foolish idiot! Whenever you intend to kill, you always assure your opponent's demise! I thought you were supposed to have fabled speeds! And legendary accuracy! What a big joke that was!" Vegeta said. "You didn't even bother to wait for the dust to clear. Frieza would be both angry and ashamed!"
Zarbon growled at the Prince with rage, grinding his teeth. "You bastard! How dare you mock me like that!" Zarbon yelled. He rushed to Vegeta, hurling his fist, but Vegeta caught it, and his wide grin grew wider.
"How dare I mock you like that?" Vegeta said. He proceeded to laugh again. Then his laughing expression changed to an angry stare. "Remind me. Just how many times have you mocked me!" He tightened his grip on Zarbon's fist, the teal-skinned alien tried to resist the pain, yet short and quiet painful groans uttered through his voice.
"How many times! Have you ridiculed me in the past!" Vegeta's grip tightened further, causing Zarbon to struggle to do anything aside from feeling pain. Then Vegeta tightened it hard enough to send pain through Zarbon's whole body. "I am Vegeta! Prince of All Saiyans! A Super Elite Warrior! Unrivaled Skill and Incredible Power!"
Vegeta pulled Zarbon closer, rammed his elbow into Zarbon's face and released his grip at the same time. Zarbon crashed into the water so harshly, it caused for a moment the water to uproar so high, there was no water where Zarbon had landed for a mere five short seconds.
The rough, and sharp edges of the coral reef created a deep cut at the side of Zarbon's right arm. Vegeta prepared to finish it off, placing his two hands diagonally above him.
"Take this! Galick Gun!" He yelled. Vegeta shoved his two hands forward in front of him, emitting a powerful light purplish energy wave that headed towards Zarbon, however, the teal-skinned alien erupted quickly.
In two blinks and a harsh grunt, Zarbon's muscle mass expanded, his arms, his legs, his chest, his stomach, even around his head. Zarbon's skin became rough and tough, the deep cut on his arm looked somewhat healed, and he looked...monstrous.
The teal-skinned alien reacted quickly, stood up, and deflected the blast into space. Vegeta's gaze broadened with surprise and shock.
"W-What the?!" Vegeta yelled. Zarbon...was no longer Zarbon, or at least the one Vegeta knew. Before Vegeta could continue to process what was going on, Zarbon rammed his shoulder against Vegeta's chest as he shot upward.
Vegeta was sent further into the air, before beginning to fall from the sky. Zarbon helped Vegeta to the ground, by taking his two fists together and whacking Vegeta's head. Vegeta plummeted instantly on mass land, causing a small crater beneath him, and a short crack as well.
Zarbon lowered himself to the ground, awaiting for Vegeta to stand back up. As Vegeta stood up, his calm expression turned into seething rage, he spat on the ground, and cracked his knuckles.
"What the hell happened!" Vegeta yelled, demanding answers.
Zarbon smirked. "What? You didn't know I could transform?" He said. Vegeta's gaze widened further, giving Zarbon the exact reaction he was hoping for. "Aha! You didn't! Hilarious. You know what else Vegeta? I'm not the only one capable of transforming!"
"What're you talking about you lying bastard!" Vegeta growled. "Who else could transform? And don't mess with me, I don't want to hear any jokes about how that piece of green slop that Ginyu has tagging around with his team can transform."
"Frieza…" Zarbon said. Vegeta gasped with shock, allowing his jaw to drop, he couldn't believe such a thing to be true. "Yes that's right, Frieza has the ability to transform. Like many races out there, it is possible for some to transform. Like myself, and Frieza of course. You didn't think that was only limited to Saiyans did you? Although it wouldn't matter, after all your ape transformation is inferior to my or Lord Frieza's."
"You think your pathetic transformation is more than enough to beat me!?" Vegeta yelled. Though the Saiyan could feel Zarbon's intense new power, he overestimated himself, assuming he was still capable of killing Zarbon.
"I don't think, I know!" Zarbon replied. Vegeta sent Zarbon an angry gaze, and charged after Zarbon.
Vegeta hurled his fist to Zarbon's face, but Zarbon caught his fist, Vegeta tried to sweep Zarbon's feet, but Zarbon slammed his fist into Vegeta's gut, causing the Prince to cough a bit of saliva out.
"I'll admit, at first I was shocked that you had beat Dodoria. I guess you've gained some power after all." Zarbon said. "It's sad though, despite all that, you're still no match for me."
Vegeta growled, after catching some of his breath while Zarbon attacked, he spoke up. "Bullshit!" He uttered.
Vegeta jumped up and connected his two fists together, attempting to slam against the back of Zarbon's head, but Zarbon vanished. Zarbon reappeared above Vegeta and slammed against the Prince's back.
Vegeta crashed right back into the ground, to which Zarbon lowered himself to the ground again.
"I wasn't done talking." Zarbon said. Vegeta sent him a glare, but the Prince was still trying to recover from the previous blow. "Why do you defy Frieza?"
"I'm the Prince of All Saiyans! I'm not some dog that takes orders!" He yelled as he stood back up.
Zarbon scoffed, and shook his head in disappointment. "You're insane if you think you'll ever have a chance of beating Frieza, let alone me!"
"Wrong! I know Frieza is scared of us Saiyans! Dodoria even admitted to him saying so!" Vegeta replied. A smirk appeared across Vegeta's face. "And after I gain eternal life, I'll be unstoppable!"
"If you could even gain eternal life, it wouldn't matter! Frieza topples your power over ten fold!" Zarbon shouted. "You won't even get the chance for that to happen anyways, I'll kill you here today!"
Zarbon released his energy, and he rushed simultaneously after Vegeta, as Vegeta rushed to him. The two clashed fists, but Zarbon was quicker, and slammed his other elbow against Vegeta's face.
Zarbon then darted to the other side of Vegeta as he fell backwards, and kicked the mighty Prince's back with his lower leg. Vegeta was sent across the landscape, tumbling against the ground. Almost immediately, Vegeta stood back up only to be met with a powerful head bash by Zarbon, causing Vegeta to be knocked against the ground, and slid across it for a foot.
Vegeta growled in frustration, he flipped back up, and wiped the small amount of blood that dripped from his forehead, unleashing a quick volley of energy blasts. Zarbon easily avoided each blast, and flew back to Vegeta, launching his fist into Vegeta's right cheek.
Zarbon bashed his fists against the back of Vegeta's head, sending his head towards Zarbon's knee, and Zarbon launched his knee forward into Vegeta's face. Blood poured from Vegeta's mouth, and his nose. Vegeta's body was covered in deep and strong bruises.
"Once I have you defeated, Lord Frieza will be pleased." Zarbon said. He gripped Vegeta by his throat. "Especially knowing I have taken care of the thorn in his foot, and that I've collected the Dragon Balls for him. Lord Frieza will be possibly happy enough to have given me a small raise!"
Zarbon grabbed Vegeta's left arm and right arm, pulling the two arms back. Then Zarbon wrapped his two arms around Vegeta's chest, despite his struggling, and turned upside down. Zarbon let himself and Vegeta fall quickly to the ground, with his energy Zarbon made himself super heavy allowing them to drop faster and faster.
Within the last few seconds, Zarbon released Vegeta from his grip, and Vegeta broke through a small mass of land, and into the water. After about a couple of minutes, there was no sign of Vegeta anywhere.
"Even if he survives this, there's no way he'll have enough strength to pull himself out of those raging waves now." Zarbon smirked. He let a wicked laugh out of his mouth then continued. "I'm sure he'd drown before then."
Zarbon relaxed himself, and reverted to his normal form, returning to his base of operations. He had hoped one of the other soldiers still had their scouters so he could report back to Frieza.
To be continued…
Powerlevels:
Zarbon: 24,000 | 30,000
Vegeta: 24,000