Chapter 2. Bardock Saga Part 2
Planet Cereal,
Age 733
Monaito often cursed his Namekian hearing in situations like these. It was why, even sealed away in the sacred temple, he could clearly hear the noise of the battle some miles away. The warriors of his tribe were fighting valiantly against the Saiyan invaders and losing. How many of them would die in defense of their Cerealian neighbors this day? How much of their already dwindling number would be left when all was said and done?
He gazed at the pedestal where the two Dragon Balls stood side by side, waiting to be used in the ancient ceremony before the Saiyans landed. He imagined summoning Toronbo and using a wish to end the madness. How steep would the price for such a thing be?
A memory of the last selfish use of the dragon's powers arose in the old Namekian's mind and he involuntarily shuddered. He just couldn't, no matter what happened next. The Elder before him had even once predicted that this was to be his people's fate, hadn't he? Who was Monaito to doubt the gifts bestowed upon his mentor by a Kanassan?
He looked out the temple's sole window and contemplated the mountain range just beyond the temple grounds. There was a town close by there that was home to a young Cerealian named Grahnola. Monaito considered himself quite fond of the boy and couldn't help but remember his mentor's final instruction to him: save who you can, and run.
….
Bardock cursed as a new wave of visions flashed through his mind and broke his concentration, allowing his opponent to land a knee to his stomach. This was happening more and more during missions and though it sometimes lead to strength increasing injuries, hardly any of it seemed worth it. This particular mission was pointless enough as it was.
Planet Cereal had been targeted not by Frieza, but the Heeters, his organization's long time silent partners. They were the ones who decided which cleared planets were sold to others and who got them. They paid less than Frieza and respected the Saiyans just as much. That is to say, not at all.
Adding to Bardock's frustration was the fact that his squad was not in full control of the mission, being forced to take orders from a team of second-class Saiyans that had also been assigned to Cereal as well. He'd felt no small amount of satisfaction when a vision revealed they would be killed shortly after touching down. That was until he and his squad were then forced to deal with the attackers alone.
Despite their clear potential and skill as snipers, the native Cerealians were of little difficulty. The tribe of Namekians that lived alongside them were another matter. They had utterly decimated the second class squad and already knocked out Toteppo and Panbukin in short order. Now all they had to contend with Toma, Celipa, and a distracted Bardock.
The latter next felt his arm be grabbed as he doubled over and was spun around before being hurled through the air. The Namekian Warrior known as Snai proceed to stretch his arm to absurd lengths and catch Bardock by the throat before he struck the ground. The third class Saiyan was then dragged roughly across that same ground and came to a halt at the base of a tree.
"We know why you are here, Saiyan! No matter what your master desires, he will never get his hands upon the Dragon Balls!" Bardock coughed and slowly rose to his feet as Snai's angry words sounded in his ears from above.
Dragon Balls? Is that what those things are called? Bardock thought as he recalled his latest visions. Most of what he'd seen had been various orange spheres with stars on them, varying in size as well as the number of stars on them. He recalled the rumors he'd head since childhood of the Namekian home world and their magical wish orbs. Was that that why they had been sent here?
Snai suddenly landed in front of him with a stern expression. "My brothers and I fight only when needed and strive to avoid bloodshed. We have been forced to violate that oath already in regards to many of your comrades. Do not let it go further. Leave Cereal now and you may go in peace."
Bardock coughed once more and looked up at the sky. He could see Toma struggling against his own Namekian opponent while Celipa more easily contended with a pair of Cerealian snipers. She was now the second strongest in the group and always looking to show off her power.
Seeing all this made Bardock suddenly start laughing. "You slugs don't know much about Saiyans, do you? We never retreat!" He created a ball of ki in his hand and hurled it into the sky before Snai could even react.
"Moon Power Ball, split and mix!" Bardock had long been rumored to be the creator of the technique he now used. He had no idea how it all started or why those same rumors called him a brilliant scientist. All he knew was that thanks to a few visions of King Vegeta's future son and Turles of all people doing it, he had at least been able to memorize the basics. He knew he'd been successful when he looked up at the fake moon and felt his mind be overtaken by the Oozaru's rage.
The now transformed Saiyan let out a triumphant roar and launched a mouth beam at Snai that was just barely dodged. The Namekian then surprised Bardock by growing to match his height and firing off eye beams that struck him square in the chest. They were too weak to actually hurt, but managed to irritate the primitive warrior well enough.
Bardock responded by picking up a large piece of debris and hurling it. Knowing he was now too slow to dodge, Snai obliterated it with a ki blast. This seemed to enrage his Saiyan foe further and he was soon struck by a mighty punch that knocked him to the ground and wounded him badly. The Oozaru looked at his massive fist, now stained with purple blood, and actually grinned.
Bardock continued to grin as he pounded away as his opponent. Each blow reduced Snai in size and brought him closer to death. Forgive me, Elder Monaito, the Namekian's thoughts suddenly sounded in the Oozaru's head, I have failed you. I have failed my brothers, our neighbors, and our people who live among the stars. May my death at least insure that you survive this madness.
Reading people's minds was another aspect of Toolo's curse. Bardock had even less control over it than his visions and it drove him mad, especially in his Oozaru form. Now was no exception as he fired a mouth beam to finally obliterate Snai completely and bring the noise to an end.
But this primitive bout of rage refused to subside and the sudden new vision only made matters worse. Bardock found himself on a rampage and was soon confronted by the equally transformed Celipa and Toma. All three Oozaru retained enough of themselves to know each other, though it was not enough this time. They attacked each other and all went black soon after.
Bardock was the first to awake many hours later in the dead of night, back in humanoid form and surrounded by temple ruins. Celipa and Toma soon followed, but remembered far less than he did. All they knew was that their mission was done and they were free to return home. He sent them on ahead, determined to follow through with his latest vision now that his mind was clear enough to understand it.
The Saiyan dug the two Dragon balls out of the rubble and sat them together before him. He then did his best to properly pronounce the Namekian password he'd glimpsed in Snai's mind. A long moment passed with nothing happening and Bardock began to wonder if he'd failed. That was before light erupted within the temple and a large serpentine shape began to materialize before him.
"I AM TORONBO. ANY WISH YOU HAVE WITHIN MY POWER WILL BE GRANTED, BUT AT A COST. KNOW THIS AS YOU REFLECT UPON YOUR DESIRES."
Bardock thought for a moment, his vision having not shown what he was supposed to wish for. He also hadn't expected any price to be involved. What would it cost to wish the Saiyan race free from slavery?
"I wish… for full control over the Oozaru power." The words came from his mouth almost unbidden, but it was as good a request as any. Toronbo hovered for a moment in seeming contemplation. "IT CAN BE DONE,BUT AT THE COST OF YOUR TAIL AND THOUGH YOU SHALL HAVE THE POWER AT YOUR COMMAND, YOU SHALL NEVER BE A TRUE OOZARU AGAIN. DO YOU ACCEPT THIS?"
Before Bardock could respond, another vision flashed before him. This one made him smirk. "I do." Toronbo's eyes flashed brightly. "THEN YOUR WISH IS GRANTED."
End Part 2 of Bardock Saga
Power Levels:
Bardock: 15,000{Base Form after a year of training and Zenkai} 150,000 {in Oozaru form}
Celipa: 12,000{Base form after a year of training and Zenka} 120,000 {in Oozaru form}
Toma: 13,000{Base form after a year of training and Zenkai}
I30,000 {in OOzaru form}
Snai:16,000 {Base form}
25,600{Great Namekian form}
Monaito: 100{old}
Author's notes:
What ifs used:
"What if Cereal's Dragonballs were used earlier?"
At least, I think that sounds about right. This one was tricky and wasn't originally part of the idea, but I've been thinking recently that the one improvement the original Bardock special needed was at least a small reference to the Dragon balls and most agree he was one of the Saiyans who invaded Cereal anyway. Who knows if it will be proven otherwise?
Next up will conclude the Bardock Saga and kick the real story off. Also, for those whose don't enjoy power levels, I may stop at some point.