Chapter 68

Zarbon rolled as he struck the dirt, absorbing the swat Freeza had given him and getting away without harm. He knew his attacks were hesitant, as were those of Radditz. They had to snap themselves out of it if they were to damage the blasted tyrant. He glanced toward Vegeta, who lay on his back, Piccolo scrambling away from him and Freeza stepping on his arm, laughing the whole while. Gohan and Radditz lay in another heap, the large Saiyan gently untangling the boy. It was Goku, however, who had fared the best. He was still standing and appeared to only have been knocked back, not knocked over.

Goku said sharply, his usually gentle face contorted in a scowl. You, lizard-thing.

Freeza looked over at Goku casually. Ah, the tail-less Earth Saiyan. Nappa told me about you.

Zarbon breathed, suddenly everything coming together in his mind all at once. The surprise attacks on Arlia, Freeza's troops knowing exactly where to find their defenses, Nappa's slinking around, and the odd scouter came immediately to mind. Nappa had betrayed them!

I think Nappa had problems, Goku said with a shake of his head. He seemed to love and hate strongly, but never knew where to put those feelings.

Freeza grinned and looked at the sky. Well, he's probably dead by now, he mused. Hopefully all the others who oppose me are as well.

Goku's scowl deepened. You have hurt enough people, he snarled. You must be stopped!

Zarbon noticed Piccolo had completely extracted himself from Vegeta and was quietly making his way over to Gohan and Radditz. Freeza didn't seem to notice, his maniacal gaze turning slowly to Goku. It's fun to hurt people. There's no greater pleasure than watching hearts shatter before your eyes, especially the hearts of beautiful creatures like Zarbon and Vegeta.
Zarbon felt mild surprise ripple through him. Although he loathed Freeza for what he had done to others, namely Vegeta, he couldn't recall anything Freeza

had ever done to him directly. He had certainly disapproved of some of Freeza's actions, in fact, most of Freeza's actions. The incident with Vejiitasei stood out most clearly in his mind. The horror of that day had stuck with him, watching the people die and that one Saiyan, Bardock, fight so violently to save his people. Freeza had thought the fireworks of the exploding planet were beautiful, but all Zarbon had seen was soaked with blood. He usually hadn't stuck around to see planets die, preferring to leave the scene and direct his men from a position where he wouldn't have to see the culmination of his evil deeds. Still, Freeza had never harmed him. In fact, the tyrant, up until he dispatched him with the Saiyans, had treated him quite well.

Freeza's attention, however, had moved on. He had Vegeta by the wrists, the Saiyan's body shaking with the effort to free himself and making no progress. His face was twisted with rage, his eyes half-mad and his tail lashing back and forth behind him. My poor little marionette, Freeza crooned, yanking one of Vegeta's wrists to where he could see it. His tail curled around Vegeta's forearm, holding it fast even though the Saiyan tried to lunge forward, and took off the glove with his free hand, pushing the fabric of Vegeta's bodysuit up toward the elbow. Why, you still even have the scars from our little experiment! he exclaimed. How lovely!

Vegeta spat, his teeth clenched and every muscle still trying to break free of Freeza's grip.

Oh, come now. It was all in good fun. The first time you were so young that you healed in no time. Tell me, did the chips we implanted in your body itch? Did they burn as the burrowed their way into your tissue?

Shut up! Vegeta bellowed, twisting violently.

They worked so well, Freeza murmured, leaning forward and brushing his cheek against Vegeta. You were like a little doll, so small, cute, and utterly under my control.

Zarbon winced as Vegeta screamed his rage, his chest heaving. So that's what they had done to the little Prince. It was terrible, just terrible, and he felt nausea rise within him.

Leave him alone! Goku shouted, hands balling into fists as he took a step forward, obviously unsure as to how to attack Freeza when Vegeta was in such close proximity.

Freeza cocked his head at Goku and continued to smile. Do you want to know why Vegeta is so power-hungry? Why he needs to be in control?

Stop it, Radditz growled, also advancing on the enemy.

Oh, you're up, too? Freeza chuckled. You should especially want to know, since it stained your honor as a warrior when you were unable to protect the Prince. After all, he was gone for ten years of his life from you, and when you next saw him he was nearly a man, and a broken one at that.

Stop this now! Radditz bellowed, beginning to power up.

We took the little Prince down to my lab, poling and prodding in an attempt to ascertain what made Saiyans so freakishly strong. Of course, since we exterminated most of them, they were no longer a threat, but it also meant we really only had one to study. Little Vegeta here was the strongest of the survivors even then, and only he would have lived through the tests we subjected him to. Finally, though, I decided the boy was too pretty to have locked up all the time. Although his looks are unrefined and savage, he was a striking little pet, and I wished to view him on a regular basis. The boy, however, had an awful disposition, and so we decided on the best way to control him.

He was returned to my labs, and there he was fitted with microchips at nerve bundles and important junctures of tendons all over his body. The largest one we planted at the base of his skull, just above the hairline, and that chip was connected directly to his spinal cord. Using a device we could control the child's movements. He would do anything we wanted him to. Oh, the dances he used to put on for us! Freeza chuckled. They were superb! It wouldn't have been half as much fun if he had just followed orders, but even with the chips in his system he would resist. When he tired of trying to make his body obey him he would still dance and turn, snarling and crying the entire time. I have never seen such a lovely sight.

Vegeta scream was so loud and so full of rage that Zarbon thought the Saiyan's throat would split. You bastard! You will pay for what you did to me!

Zarbon, for his part, was shocked. He had never attended Freeza's little parties, although he had heard that the emperor had a strange new toy. To have one's will so completely taken away for so long sounded like hell to Zarbon, and Vegeta had endured it for ten years?

We tired of him after a while, though, and that's when we decided that it would be more fun to control his actions on the battlefield. We actually didn't have to, since the little one seemed to relish destruction so much. He became such a useful soldier that it was silly not to employ him as such, and besides, as he grew older he lost much of the traits that had made him so adorable to begin with. We removed the chips and that was that.

Zarbon could see insane rage burning in Vegeta's eyes, eyes that were focused far away, remembering. I almost died during that operation, Vegeta hissed, straining his hand toward Freeza's throat and making slow progress. I lost so much blood that they didn't think I would survive. Not even months in the tank could erase the scars you gave me.

You're a monster, Goku breathed, eyes wide and face pinched with disgust. To treat a child like that. . .

Radditz looked like he was going to crack in two. I'm sorry, my Prince, I'm sorry to fail you, he murmured over and over.

It took Zarbon several moments to get over the horror of what had been done to the young Vegeta. He had always known that Freeza was heartless, but he hadn't thought that his employer was evil enough to torture children. Not even King Cold or Cooler had stooped to that level. His eyes slowly met those of Goku's, and an unspoken agreement passed between them. Freeza had to be killed, and they had to do it now.

Without warning the two men closed in on Freeza, one on each side. Zarbon sank and directed a leg sweep at Freeza's ankles while Goku rose into the air, aiming a kick at the black-horned head. Freeza chuckled and tried to swat at both of them, but they had changed position. Zarbon stood and grabbed one of the horns, yanking on Freeza's head and throwing him slightly off balance. Goku delivered the leg sweep and Radditz came to their aid, grabbing Vegeta by the midsection and pulling for all it was worth. Freeza snarled and Goku shouted, punching the tyrant square in the face. The tail unwrapped from Vegeta's arm and the Prince was free, flying backwards with Radditz as backup. Zarbon dodged the swinging tail, the appendage clipping Goku on the shoulder and pushing him back a few steps. Piccolo entered the fray with a cry, doing directly for Freeza's eyes with his pointed nails, breaking to the side at the last moment and revealing a fully powered-up Gohan, who released a ki blast right into the enemy's face.

All the warriors jumped backward to escape the blast's energy, the earth erupting beneath their feet as they fled. Dust billowed from the earth, waves of heat emanating from the explosion. Piccolo patted Gohan's head and smiled, nodding his approval.

Zarbon forced his muscles to relax and be ready for anything. That wouldn't have even scratched him, he hissed. Freeza's more powerful than you can imagine, and this is his weakest form.

He transforms? Radditz groaned, sinking lower into his fighting stance.

We'll just have to get him before he has a chance to, Goku added.

Vegeta joined the small group, movements slow and face drawn. Are you okay? Gohan asked, starting to go toward the man, but Piccolo's hand held him back.

He's fine, Zarbon interjected. All we need to think about is killing Freeza. The faster we can take care of him the sooner we can go back and rescue the Empire.

Killing Freeza is all that matters, Vegeta added, voice pitched low and cold.

Then let's go! Goku shouted as soon as Freeza's form was visible through the dust. He and Radditz moved forward as a unit, Vegeta and Zarbon right behind as Piccolo and Gohan circled around to the sides. Freeza just laughed and fired a ki blast at the approaching attackers, but all four men evaded it. Radditz let loose a yell and formed and enormous ball of ki, sending it towards his former employer, but Freeza just chuckled and batted it out of the way. He stopped laughing, however, when Goku was right behind the deflected ball and punched him square in the face. Radditz quickly closed in as well, delivering a spin-kick to Freeza's head, careful to avoid his horns. Freeza grunted and lurched forward as Gohan kicked him from behind, Zarbon using the momentum to grab his arm and throw the tyrant onto his back. Piccolo vaulted up into the sky and let loose a barrage of ki blasts, Vegeta following them in to land on Freeza's midsection with all his momentum and weight. Knees on either side of Freeza, Vegeta pulled back his fists and began to pound Freeza with all his might, the enemy's head bouncing around as if it were a rubber ball.

Don't exhaust yourself, Zarbon warned, not liking the gleam of insanity in Vegeta's eyes. It was too similar to the one he saw in Freeza's.

I will let myself be tired when this bastard is dead, Vegeta growled, blows only intensifying as Freeza began to laugh.

Zarbon saw Freeza's eyes glaze over and fear raced down his spine. Vegeta, get out of there, now! he shouted, tensing.

Not until he's head!


Goku, oddly enough, was the only other person who seemed to understand what was going on. He glanced once at Zarbon and dashed over to Radditz, grabbing his wrist and towing him over to where Gohan and Piccolo stood. Ki shield, now! he ordered, and Zarbon rushed Vegeta, tackling him and knocking him off of Freeza. Vegeta grunted with surprise as they rolled away, Zarbon gripping Vegeta roughly and rising into the air.

You dare, Vegeta hissed, glaring at him.

Not now, Zarbon snapped. Throw up a shield or you'll not get a second chance at him.

Vegeta did as asked, and they just barely accomplished it before the world was obscured by a gigantic blast of energy, rocks and dust raining down upon them. Beam after beam of ki was shot into the air, and while their shields deflected the diffuse energy, they had to be very careful not to be pierced. Zarbon rolled to the side in the air, narrowly dodging a blast, when he gently bumped up against Vegeta. I'm sorry, he said softly. I had no idea. I'm sorry for what he put you through.

Spare me your pity, Vegeta snapped.

No, I mean it. If I would have known, I would have tried to stop it. To have to endure something like that after your planet had been destroyed.

You couldn't have done anything. Besides, I lived, and that is enough.

I hope you plan to stay alive. Bulma's waiting for you at home. You know she's found a way to win the battle by now.

To his surprise a smile actually touched Vegeta's lips. I know she has. No one in Freeza's army can hold a candle to her brightness, maybe no one in the universe.

Zarbon's heart became fractionally lighter in his chest. Maybe things would turn out all right, after all. He smiled at Vegeta. I'm happy I'm here with you. I'm glad we can beat Freeza together.

Vegeta looked at him, face unreadable. His dark eyes seemed to bore holes in Zarbon, but he didn't mind. Suddenly Vegeta's chiseled features softened slightly, and a somewhat sadistic smile crossed his face. Me, too, although you're still a lot more trouble than you're worth.

Zarbon found the strength to laugh. You're starting to sound like me, he replied.

Suddenly all the emotion drained out of Vegeta's face and he pointed at where the energy beams were originating. he murmured.

Zarbon whipped his head around to see Gohan rushing full-tilt into the cloud of light and dust, a determined expression on his little face. Piccolo set out after him immediately, but could not overtake him before the boy reached his destination. Gohan cried, letting loose his energy, and Zarbon's breath was taken away by the boy's strength. He couldn't believe such a young child could have such power. Perhaps with all of them working together they really could defeat Freeza. A scream resounded from within the cloud and suddenly an arm shot out from the debris, grabbing Gohan around the neck. The boy gasped, but his airway was so cut off that he couldn't even utter a single sound, his eyes going wide and his legs pedaling madly in the air.

No! Gohan!! Piccolo screamed, face painted with agony. he bellowed, letting loose a corkscrew of energy. The ki slammed into the body belonging to the arm that was killing Gohan and there was a sound of pain, then the hand released Gohan. Piccolo rushed in, grabbing the boy's body and turning to run when he was struck from behind, both of them tumbling into the dirt.

Zarbon whispered in horror as the smoke cleared and a transformed Freeza stood before them.

Freeza's face contorted in a snarl and he spat on the ground. he growled. You've hurt me twice now.

Zarbon could see that blood did indeed flow from Freeza's shoulder, the flesh looking charred. Goku and Radditz rushed to Piccolo's side and Zarbon joined Vegeta to hover near them, ready to defend if need be. Piccolo! Gohan! Are you okay? Goku asked, voice cracking in his desperation.

Piccolo groaned, the stink of burning flesh issuing from him, and Zarbon could see that his entire back was covered with bleeding, blistered skin from Freeza's attack. It'll regenerate, but it's going to drain me, Piccolo gasped.

Radditz shook his head. He's not dead, but he needs to be put in a tank.

Piccolo breathed, glancing at Goku.

I only have one left, he said, closing his eyes.

Then don't waste it on the boy, Vegeta snapped. Radditz, cover them while we three attack. When the Namekian recovers, send him and the boy back to the ship. The brat can sleep it off in the tank and the green man can stand watch while getting the ship ready for takeoff. At least some of us are going to need to make a quick getaway.

Radditz said, gently cradling Gohan in his arms.

I know you won't let us down, Zarbon added.

Radditz answered with a grim smile. I know you won't, either.

Let's go, Vegeta barked, and the three of them dashed toward the enemy, who was still panting and clutching his shoulder. They converged upon him, pummeling him in every way they could think of and seeming to make progress. It was only moments, however, before Freeza gathered his ki and sent them all flying backward, landing on their backs in the dirt.

This is impossible, Freeza growled. I can't believe you damn monkeys have forced me to transform again!

Don't let him change! Zarbon cried, scrambling to his feet. He'll not only heal, but get stronger!

Goku immediately launched himself at Freeza, but hit a barrier of glowing ki and bounced back onto the ground, chest heaving.

Too late, Vegeta hissed.

Freeza's body began to glow and a growl rose in his throat. Freeza spat. It can't be. I cannot accept that you weaklings have forced me to do this! I destroyed all of your planets, you cannot hope to beat me!

All of our planets? Zarbon breathed, eyes widening.

We've been lucky so far, Vegeta called out. Freeza's arrogance has made him careless. That's the only reason we haven't been killed so far. If he had been trying we wouldn't have been able to touch him at all.

What do you mean, all of our planets? Zarbon shouted, feeling panic race through his veins.

Freeza chuckled. Honestly, Zarbon, I thought you smarter than that. Do you mean to tell me that for all these decades that you've worked for me, you truly thought it was coincidence that I happened upon you as your planet collapsed around your ears?

Zarbon felt himself pale and Vegeta looked at him, expression hard.

You were half-dead when I found you trying to stay hovering in the atmosphere of your perishing world. I was impressed with your strength, especially when the rest of your people had died so easily, and so I offered you a position. Imagine my pleasure when I found out you were as intelligent and skilled as you were lovely to look at!

My planet was destroyed by natural disaster! Zarbon protested, flashes of his homeworld appearing before his eyes. He could remember the waving green grasses, the blue oceans, the amber color the sky would turn at sunset. Bethsena's delicate features passed before his memory's sight, her lovely eyes resting on his face as she smiled.

Freeza erupted in laugher as light blinded the warriors, rendering them unable to see his transformation. You've become foolish since you defected to Vegeta's side! he chortled. Or have you merely been hiding it all these years?

Vegeta shouted. It couldn't have happened!

What did you do? Zarbon demanded, feeling rage well up inside of him. When he met Vegeta's gaze, he realize the Saiyan seemed oddly sad, his eyes full of something close to regret.

Dear Zarbon, beautiful Zarbon, I was the one who destroyed your homeworld.

Zarbon mouthed, too stunned to even speak.

It wasn't on purpose, of course. I was actually trying to clear a particularly troublesome planet in the same system, but I'm afraid I got carried away. I utterly destroyed the opposing planet, and shockwaves were carried throughout the system. Your world was caught up in the backlash. When I went to investigate the new explosion, I found you there, high above and safe while the rest of your people were swallowed alive by the lava coming through the planet's crust.

Zarbon breathed, tears coming to his eyes. He could have saved her, and yet he had worked for her murderer for nearly half a century.

Vegeta shouted, charging up and attacking.

He's not finished yet! Goku shouted as Zarbon sank to his knees, struck dumb by the information. He was only dimly aware of what was going on around him as Goku helped Vegeta engage the still-transforming Freeza. Then the transformation was finished, the releasing of energy pushing all three of them backward. He heard Vegeta howl and Goku join him, then the sounds of fighting resumed. Remaining there, slumped over in the grass, he stared blankly at the ground. How could he not have realized it? How could he not have seen? Even if it wasn't on purpose, Freeza had still been the instrument of his people's death. He had carried those deaths within him for over forty years, felt guilt over them all this time. Yet Freeza was to blame, the same Freeza he had served for so long. He saw a body fly by him in his peripheral vision and smelled blood, but before he could focus on it they were back into the fray with a yell. The sound brought him back somewhat, and he realized that he had to do something.

My lord! he heard Radditz cry from afar, slowly making his way back to the ship. Setting down the Namekian and child, he made a strange sphere of light in his hand and released it up into the sky. Turning, Zarbon saw Vegeta move to face Radditz, a twisted smile moving over his face. The ball of light sped into the heavens and expanded, radiating an odd, cool light.

Vegeta's chuckles echoed across the grass. You're not the only one who transforms, he cackled, his body suddenly beginning to pulse. Zarbon could only sit back and watch as Vegeta's flesh began to expand and sprout hair.

Freeza gasped, eyes going wide at the sight of the creature.

And there are two, another voice said, made impossibly deep by size, and Zarbon turned to see that Radditz had transformed as well.

Damn monkeys, Freeza spat. You're still no match for me!

Zarbon felt awe and panic rise in his chest as he stared up at the gigantic Saiyans, their fangs gleaming in the sunlight. he shouted. Get out of the way or you'll be crushed!

I wanna fight! the Earth Saiyan responded.

Zarbon resisted the urge to go over to the man and strangle him. Help me get your son to safety, fool! he bellowed, taking off towards Piccolo and Gohan.

But I want to fight Freeza, Goku whined as he appeared by Zarbon's side. They reached the damaged warriors and dragged them behind a hill. Zarbon quickly checked for signs of life, observing that Piccolo seemed to have fallen into some sort of trance.

I'm going back, Zarbon announced. Stay here and protect them.

But I'm stronger than you! I should get to go back!

Zarbon felt his eye twitch. It's because you're stronger than me that you'll do a better job of protecting these two, he spat. Now stay put. Didn't anyone ever tell you to do what your elders tell you?

Goku began, but Zarbon was already returning to the scene of battle, where Radditz and Vegeta, surprisingly agile for their size, were doing well holding off Freeza. He estimated that the two of them combined would be pretty close to Freeza's power level, enhanced as they were by the transformation. Freeza, for his part, was zipping through the air like crazy, trying to avoid large hands and tails. The pasty form of Freeza broke apart from the other two, Vegeta giving chase, when the enemy fired off a beam of energy. Vegeta ducked out of the way and Radditz roared, an answering ki blast coming straight out of his mouth. His beam met Freeza's and the two became locked in a shoving match, Radditz's ki slowly pressing forward against Freeza.

Freeza screeched. You're just flea-ridden monkeys!

Strong monkeys, Vegeta added, letting loose his own ki-breath. His blast took Freeza by surprise, coming as it was from the side, and the tyrant completely disappeared in the beam. Several hundred yards away the earth parted in an explosion, and Zarbon surmised that was where Freeza had hit the earth.

A few moments later the enemy climbed out of the crater he had created, a trickle of blood coming out of his mouth and nostril. You will pay for this, Freeza hissed, coming closer once again. His body was bruised an obviously damaged, but Zarbon didn't like the insane gleam in his ruby-red eyes. No one defeats Freeza, no one.

We apparently do, Vegeta chuckled, voice booming across the land.

Zarbon pursed his lips, silently cursing Vegeta's arrogance. He wanted desperately to join in the fight, but he didn't see how he could do so without getting in the way of the Saiyans. As he thought about it, Vegeta's gigantic hand suddenly reached out and snatched Freeza from the air. Freeza shouted as he disappeared in Vegeta's palm, Zarbon able to see the workings of the Saiyan's knuckles as he attempted to crush his opponent. Radditz cracked his knuckles and moved forward, and suddenly Zarbon was struck by the enormity of their power levels. It was no wonder Freeza wanted these beings destroyed- en masse, they would have been unbeatable.

Suddenly Vegeta cried out and clutched at his wrist, his fingers opening to reveal charred skin. Freeza's body fell to the grass, where Radditz immediately began to stomp on him, roaring like a maddened beast the entire time. Watch out! Zarbon shouted, but it was nearly too late. Radditz stepped back, narrowly avoiding the full consequences of Freeza's ki attack, his fur singed as the gigantic red ball flew past him and into the sky. Freeza was a blur of white as he moved with incredible speed, and suddenly Vegeta was shrieking, his body writing as if he had been taken with a fit. Then, Zarbon noted with horror, he began to shrink. Blood flowed freely down the backs of Vegeta's legs, showering the grass below with red as the hair disappeared from his body. He heard Radditz gasp and then Freeza was in the air, pushing another ki ball into the sky. The light that Radditz had created exploded in a shower of sparks, and Radditz also began to revert to normal.

I ruined your little plan, Freeza hissed, and Zarbon rushed in to help his friends.

It doesn't matter, Radditz spat, but his face was pale. We'll still beat you.

Oh, you decided to come back, Freeza said with a grin. Are you ready to die with these imbeciles?

Zarbon refused to give Freeza the satisfaction of an answer. he cried, putting a hand on the writhing Prince's shoulder. Vegeta's backside was spouting blood, and Zarbon could finally see the reason for it: his tail was gone.

Looking for this? Freeza chortled, holding out his hand. Vegeta's tail, fuzzy and brown, twisted in the pale hand like a snake, still spraying blood.

Zarbon snarled and turned back to Vegeta, whose eyes were blank as he panted rapidly. Clenching his jaw, he placed a hand on the base of what was left of the tail and sliced it off with his ki, heating it at the same time to cauterize the wound. Vegeta began to tremble, raising sightless eyes to Zarbon's face.

Your tail is gone, Vegeta, Zarbon said as calmly as he could.

My. . .tail. . . Vegeta gasped, limp in Zarbon's hands as he set the Saiyan upright.

Yes. But it wasn't your tail that made you the Prince of the Saiyans, Zarbon said, casting a worried glance over his shoulder.

He's doing it again! Radditz shouted, and Zarbon saw that Radditz was right, his horror increasing. Freeza was transforming again, into what Zarbon knew would be his final form. He had never seen it, nor did know of anyone who had lived to tell about it. No one had ever survived fighting Freeza in his final form.

It's his last one, Zarbon cried back, a hand still on Vegeta's shoulder, steadying him. If you can beat this one, it's over!

Radditz said, lowering into a crouch.

Don't try the transforming trick again, Zarbon cautioned. He'll be much, much faster this time, and you wouldn't stand a chance.

I would never presume to do what my Prince could not, Radditz replied sharply. Where's Goku?

Back with the others. Don't worry, he's safe.


The same, but he'll live. Worry about your own neck.

The words were no sooner out of his mouth then the world seemed to explode in light, Zarbon placing his body in front of Vegeta's to shield him. He put an arm over his eyes and squinted, trying to make out what had happened. It only took him a moment to realize that he wasn't going to be able to see what was going on until the light was gone, so he turned back to Vegeta, shaking his head. I can't believe you went to pieces like this, Zarbon muttered. All he did was cut off your tail.

The mark of a Saiyan is his tail.

No, the spirit of a Saiyan is his mark, and you definitely don't lack spirit. Listen to me. You've made it this far, and you're the strongest of all of us. Pull on that strength and beat Freeza. You need to avenge your people, get revenge for what he did to you, and protect Bulma and your Empire. You are the Prince, Vegeta, so get up and act like one!

It's too late, Vegeta murmured. We'll never beat him now.

Zarbon stood and spat to the side, noticing that the light was beginning to fade. Well, it wasn't like he didn't have his own reasons to kill Freeza. He might as well give it his best shot. Radditz! Back me up if I need it!

He barely heard Radditz's affirmative reply, instead marching solemnly toward where Freeza was standing. The light disappeared abruptly, as if someone had turned off a switch, and the final form of the tyrant was before him. How odd, Zarbon thought, that Freeza looked like some sort of doll, with his porcelain-white skin and full, dark lips. Freeza's final form was as small as his first, but Zarbon knew better than to let that fool him. I owe you a death, Zarbon said slowly.

I regret I must take yours, Freeza replied. You were a good soldier.

Now I'm a better one. You see, I have something you don't.

Freeza's eyes narrowed, and Zarbon knew that there was no going back.

These men, as strange and broken as they may seem, have become my friends. I haven't felt closeness with another being since my planet was destroyed, and even though it was difficult, they learned to accept me and I them. For the first time in forever I have felt a true part of something, and I'm fighting for what I love. You can't win against that power, Freeza.

Freeza seemed to consider this, his arms crossed over his chest, black nails drumming on the pasty flesh of his biceps. The only true power in this universe is the ability to dole out death. Force is everything, and the Saiyans knew that. Their power made them strong, which is why they had to be destroyed.

Zarbon replied coldly, feeling oddly calm in the face of such danger. It was as if all his teachings were coming back to him, taking over automatically. The Saiyans were destroyed by their inability to trust one another and their hunger for power. If they had banded together they would have beaten you. Vegeta, although young, is starting to learn that. I hope he someday understands that power comes not from hate, not from brute strength, but from the love one living being has for a friend.

Freeza growled, and moved in.

Zarbon didn't have an incredibly difficult time blocking the first few strikes, but as Freeza picked up speed it became increasingly difficult. He felt his limbs flow effortlessly from once stance to another, and the lack of resistance his body was putting up was the only reason Freeza was unable to land any blows. Watching as Freeza launched a fist towards his face, he sank underneath the blow and executed a leg sweep, knocking Freeza off balance. He caught Freeza's smile out of the corner of his eye and was almost expecting it when the thick, white tail absorbed the fall and kept his enemy upright. His vision exploded in stars as Freeza landed a kick against his head, and he reached out for the nearest thing he could for support, which turned out to be the tail. The flesh was firm and cool beneath his fingers, and he knew immediately what he had in his hands, wasting no time even though he couldn't yet see what he was doing. Drawing back a hand, he fashioned his fingers into a blade-like formation and charged his limb with ki, striking as quickly as he could and rolling away. Freeza screamed and turned, gripping his tail just above where Zarbon had attacked. His vision returned to him and he saw the pasty-white tail thrashing about on the ground. Eye for an eye, tail for a tail, Zarbon breathed, crouching. He hazarded a quick glance at Vegeta, but the Saiyan was still in shock, although Radditz was talking to him quietly in an obvious attempted to get him to rejoin reality.

Damn you! Freeza screeched, and Zarbon moved just quickly enough to avoid getting a ki blast right between the eyes. He smelled singed hair, though, and knew that he almost hadn't been fast enough.

Executing several back flips, he moved away to a more defendable distance and squared off against Freeza, ignoring the glare in the murderous red eyes. Freeza closed in and attempted a few more blows, but Zarbon performed the greatest gymnastics of his life and avoided every single one of them. Freeza kicked upward, apparently trying to clip him beneath the chin, and he arched his back, doing a handspring and bringing the top of his foot in contact with the side of Freeza's face. He glanced at Vegeta again, but the Prince had still not recovered.

You should be paying attention to me, Freeza hissed, and began attacking with ki. Zarbon gasped and swatted the first away, his hair blowing every which way in the wind created by the traveling energy, then dodged a few more. Focusing, he let loose his own ki ball, making sure not to be directly behind it after its release.

Come on, Vegeta, Zarbon whispered to himself. His strength was fading quickly, and while his technique and training were serving him well, Freeza would soon catch him in a mistake. In fact, as he thought, Freeza was coming closer again. Hoping to draw Freeza further away from Vegeta, Zarbon launched into the air. He briefly considered augmenting his strength with his own transformation, but realized the advice he had given to Radditz also applied to himself. He needed to stall Freeza for as long as possible, and for that he needed speed, not strength.

Freeza caught up to him in no time flat and immediately engaged him, blows being launched at him so quickly that he didn't know where to begin. He finally decided on dropping below Freeza and reappearing behind him, quickly putting the smaller fighter in a submission hold. This is for my planet, he growled, powering up his hands with ki and digging them into the back of Freeza's thin, pale neck. Freeza gurgled in discomfort, struggling with his awkward position. Since his tail was already mostly gone, Zarbon didn't have to worry about it, and as such tightened his hold. This is for my wife. He brought a knee up into the wound left by Freeza's tail, feeling satisfaction fill him as Freeza grunted. This is for Vegeta's childhood. Zooming toward the earth headfirst, he held the struggling warrior close until the last possible second, veering away and slamming his opponent into the planet. A huge cloud of dirt and debris rose up in the air, but Zarbon wasted no time. And this is for all the pain you've caused, all throughout the universe! he shouted, bearing down on Freeza with both feet. He hit the pale chest dead-on, feeling the body give beneath him. Freeza cried out and coughed purple blood, Zarbon launching himself up into the air once again. He glanced at Vegeta, smiling slightly as he saw that Radditz had managed to rouse the Prince somewhat. Returning his attention to Freeza, he gathered all his energy, wringing every last bit he could from the cells in his body, leaving nothing behind. While Zarbon didn't approve of his suicide plan, he agreed that Vegeta was right about one thing: it truly was all or nothing. With that thought he released the biggest ki attack of his life, one that was comprised of all the energy he possessed. He watched it sail away from him, glowing a clear blue with streaks of amber in it, and began to fall from the sky. His body felt like a bundle of rags as it plummeted through the air, hitting the ground with a soft thud. A smile crossed his face as he watched his attack hit the crater where Freeza lay, the earth cracking and exploding in every direction. Shockwaves rattled the planet, deep cracks zooming away from the impact site, and he couldn't help but feel a little proud of the strength of his attack. The pounding from the explosion echoed across the grasslands, filling his head with the noise, and he glanced again at Vegeta, who was slowly rising to his feet.

he heard someone hiss, and he turned his head to see Freeza emerging from the center of his attack before the light had even vanished. Despair filled him as he saw that Freeza wasn't even really damaged, although he did look tired. Summoning willpower he hadn't even been aware he possessed, Zarbon rolled over and stood up, swaying on his feet.

You aren't finished yet? he asked Freeza. Are you strong, or just insane?

Freeza growled and began to speed toward him when he suddenly stopped. Silly Zarbon, he said, raising a finger and wagging it at him. I've been wasting my time with you. I suppose your little speech disgusted me so that I lost my focus. Here, I have a lesson for you, one I taught Vegeta a long time ago. You, with your moronic notions of love and friendship, have overlooked one thing: to care for people is a weakness.

I knew Vegeta had to have gotten it somewhere, Zarbon muttered, ignoring the exhaustion and pain running rampant in his body. Only willpower was keeping him upright, and even that was fading quickly. He had spent everything he had in his last attack.

Freeza's face split in a wicked smile. You see, when you care about someone, they can be used against you.

Zarbon slowly backed up as Freeza advanced, wondering what was going on. Freeza's blood-red eyes were trained upon him, making him feel dirty and cold under the tyrant's scrutiny. What was Freeza planning? His head was so tired and fuzzy that it was hard for him to think straight, and yet he knew that he was doomed if he didn't figure it out quickly. Your talk isn't going to save you, he spat back.

Observe and learn your lesson, Freeza said with glee, his smile broadening, pointing a finger at Zarbon and infusing it with ki. Even as damaged as he was, he could feel the jump in Freeza's power, and knew that whatever Freeza was cooking up, it was bad. Suddenly Freeza's arm whipped to the side and Zarbon saw with horror that it was pointed straight at Vegeta. Before he could take another breath the ki beam was released, pencil-thin and deadly. Vegeta raised his head and blinked at the oncoming attack, just coming back to awareness. Zarbon was dimly aware of Radditz uttering a shout, and it suddenly became clear to him what was happening.

Zarbon screamed, watching Vegeta's eyes widen as the ki beam approach. Somewhere deep inside him he found the energy to move, launching himself toward Vegeta as quickly as he could. His aura burst out from him in brilliant blues and golds, trailing behind him as he moved. With a grunt he barreled into Vegeta, shoving him out of harm's way and taking the beam square in the chest.

Freeza growled. You had some energy left in you after all. You made me miss.

Zarbon coughed, feeling warm, sticky fluid on his face and knew it to be his own blood. His vision began to blur and he gasped, feeling as if his lungs were filled with rocks. It was so hard to breathe, so incredibly hard. He turned his head slowly, paying no attention to the burning, screaming agony that ripped through his entire body, and saw Vegeta sitting on his ass in the dirt, staring at him wide-eyed. He could tell that Vegeta was fully aware, and the thought gave him comfort. Vegeta's recovery gave them a chance.

he heard Radditz scream, and the tall Saiyan's face hovered above his own, dark eyes looking down at him in horror.

It's as bad as all that? Zarbon said weakly, Freeza's chuckling serving as background noise.

Good gods, Radditz breathed, his face twisted with emotion.

What happened? Is he okay? he heard Goku scream, voice still far off.

Out of my way, Vegeta spat, shoving Radditz to the side. Zarbon moaned as he was lifted, Vegeta's brawny arm propping him up so that he was semi-reclined instead of flat on his back. Zarbon coughed again, feeling blood run from his mouth down his chin and onto his chest. Don't move, Vegeta ordered. Kakarott's coming with the Senzu.

It's too late for me, Zarbon said with a chuckle. Besides, I accomplished my goal. He struggled to take another breath, feeling his armor shattered above his broken ribs, and he knew from the warmth spreading all over his chest that he was bleeding badly. He was actually grateful for the flow of lifeblood, for the rest of his body was becoming achingly cold.

Vegeta spat. You fool.

You're worth it, Zarbon choked. You can be the legendary Super Saiyan.

That's just a fairy tale.

You have to learn how to believe. Has everything I've taught you been for nothing?

Vegeta growled, moisture forming in the corners of his eyes.

Zarbon felt his resolve harden, although he was having enough trouble forming words in his head, let alone with his mouth. he wheezed.


Don't make a mistake. My wife has been dead over forty years, and I never stopped loving her. I let her go, but I never stopped caring. There has been an empty hole in my life ever since then. I know what you're planning to do, but you can't. If you die fighting Freeza, you'll leave that beautiful woman alone forever with a wound in her heart. It's hell to be left behind.

Vegeta pursed his lips and nodded. Fine, fine. Just don't leave. Hang on, Zarbon.

Zarbon laughed bitterly. That bastard killed my whole race, my whole damn race, he said, breaking into a fit of coughing.

Stop it, Vegeta said, voice oddly soft and pleading.

Zarbon caught sight of Radditz's face bending over Vegeta's shoulders and could hear Goku's footsteps coming closer, Freeza still laughing like crazy in the background. He felt Vegeta's strong hands grip him more tightly and he groaned as Vegeta pulled him tightly into his chest, smearing blood everywhere.

Beat him.

I will, you just hold on. Don't leave me, I don't want to be left again.

Zarbon smiled, feeling darkness close in on him. It was done, and he would go to Hell for his crimes. He deserved it, he knew, but he hoped he had been absolved, at least a little bit, by trying to right the wrongs he committed. The black gates of Hell opened before him, his sentence so complete that he was bypassing the normal judgment process, and above it all were Vegeta's black eyes, burning with feeling. Vegeta cried aloud and Zarbon had the feeling of sinking away from his body, descending into the darkness when he felt a light touch at his wrist, and he turned to see the face he had longed to see for over forty years. He felt his soul lurch at the sight of her as a smile spread across her beautiful face.

I can greet you again at last, she said, her voice music to his ears, and Vegeta's grip on his body disappeared from his awareness altogether. I guess your effort was good enough. Come with me to heaven.

he heard Vegeta say.

We meet at the end, he told his friend with a smile, and died.