Disclaimer: *Is seen wearing Akira Toriyama mask* Hi! I'm the sole
creator of Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and Dragonball GT. *Scooby Doo gang
walks in and takes off mask* Darn, you meddling kids! I'll get you, and
your stupid dog, too! =P
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Chapter 5 Decisions
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Exhausted grunts and yells were heard coming from the two warriors seen sparring out over the grass. The two, consisting of the only two humans in the dearly departed group of fighters, were currently duking it out in a battle of courage, strength, and... deadly halos.
"Whoa, man! Watch where you stick that thing!" exclaimed Yamcha as he narrowly avoided the golden ring. Krillin came to the conclusion that head butts hurt your opponent twice as much when you were dead because of the holy accessory, and was currently using that detail to his advantage. He gave Yamcha a mischievous grin and continued his assault. Piccolo snorted at the ridiculous fools from his position a few feet off the ground as he meditated. No wonder they died so soon into the battle. The morons could never stay serious and focused. Not at all like him, who could keep himself in a trance for days on end.
"Look out, Mr. Piccolo!" One eye shot open as the warning reached his pointed ear. Unfortunately, his bodily reaction wasn't nearly fast enough to avoid the rice cake that was sent directly between the eyes. With a surprised yell, he scraped the offending food off his face and glared at the perpetrator. He sneered at the smiling Saiyan as he made an attempt to slink away. The ground trembled beneath their feet as Piccolo roared out his fury.
"GOKU! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" He paused to think. "AGAIN!"
"Ack!" Goku clutched his arsenal of food ammunition and made a run for it. Ignoring the battle a little further ahead, he ran through Krillin and Yamcha's fight, avoiding the stray ki blasts from the two as well as those from the furious Piccolo just a few yards behind. The whole while Gohan and Kaio-Sama stood by watching and sighing at their misfortune. Dinner always ended up either on everyone's faces or in Goku's stomach. Kaio-Sama groaned loudly and called out to the group.
"Are you slackers actually going to do some work around here? PLAYING TAG WON'T HELP YOU NEXT TIME YOU FIGHT VEGETA!" This particular group was really starting to piss him off. I mean, sure, they were some of the strongest fighters he'd even encountered, all of them having the potential to surpass even him, and some who already had done that. His shoulders slumped as he tried to think of something that might get their attention. He diverted his gaze to the small boy sitting in the seat next to him, currently munching on a beef shish kabob, seemingly deep in thought as he chewed away. "What's up, kid?" he inquired with his high, nasal voice. Gohan snapped out of his little world to acknowledge the god before him.
"Aw, nothing. I was just wondering how Bulma and the others were doing on that planet, looking for the Dragonballs and all." The sullen look never left the child's face as he seemed to ponder over the different possibilities and outcomes of his father's friends' mission. Kaio-Sama's eyebrow rose behind the round sunglasses as a light bulb seemed to go off over his head. He snickered at his own sheer brilliance.
"Goku!" he yelled out to the troublemaking Saiyan. "Come over here! I've got something to show you." He added as an afterthought, "The rest of you guys can come, too!" All heads present turned at his summon and eventually made their way around the catfish deity.
"What's up, Kaio-Sama?" Goku asked. The Lord of the Worlds stopped to clean his glasses before continuing. He looked each individual person in the eye before opening his mouth to address them all.
"There's currently a mission being carried out by your Earthly comrades that will determine whether you ever return to the living world or not. Any of you interested yet?" Indeed the group's interest was piqued after this announcement. Everyone was all ears as the god continued. "Good. I'm glad I have your attention. Now, if one of you puts his hand on my shoulder, you'll be able to look with me." Goku was the first of the eager volunteers, and he immediately stepped up.
With his hand placed gently on Kaio-Sama's shoulder, he looked on and began telling his fellow dead warriors just what it was that he saw...
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Meanwhile, dimensions away on Planet Frieza No. 79, on the eighteenth day after Vegeta left Earth, two guards looked up from their chess-like game to acknowledge the sound coming from the main control panel, signifying that there was a ship nearing the post. Shooting to attention, they checked the signal to determine who their guest was. Surely it wasn't Lord Frieza already, who had recently departed for a distant planet in search of some ancient and supposedly magical artifacts. When they checked the screen, they found they were correct. It definitely wasn't Frieza.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
A pair of clawed hands tapped away at the colored keys, giving the commands for the regeneration tank to empty its contents. The liquid's level gradually lowered until there was none left, except for what clung to the walls and the person within. After the glass door slid open, the doctor's head swerved on his long neck to face his latest patient.
"You're all healed. You may open your eyes now." The man shook his head to free his face of the breathing mask. Dark eyes opened under furrowed eyebrows as Vegeta stepped out of the tank.
"So I take it the rumors are true. Nappa really is dead, isn't he?"
Vegeta gave a grunt of affirmation as he began pulling on a new body suit. The doctor continued.
"You must have had a hard time even with your great strength," he said with a sigh as he examined Vegeta's battered battle outfit. "To think that this super quality rubber armor was destroyed..." Vegeta continued dressing himself as the shorter reptilian spoke, adjusting his gloves. "Honestly, Vegeta. You're going to get yourself killed one of these days. Don't think I don't know about your rebellion. Frieza will have your head for that," he said with a chuckle. Vegeta turned towards the doctor and smirked.
The old lizard was known as one of the best doctors in the army, but he had the habit of doing things his own way. He had defied Frieza a few times in his own day, that being the only reason that he wasn't on the emperor's personal medical team. That gave Vegeta a certain respect for the aged man, and added onto his higher than average intellect, it was probably why he allowed himself casual conversation with him. No, he'd keep this one alive once he disposed of Frieza, that was for sure.
"Is Frieza in?"
The doctor raised a scaly eyebrow. "No, he has gone out." Vegeta sneered.
"Hn. He has gotten tired of this planet already." The prince made his way to the door of the med bay, the gears in this head running rapidly. He would head back to Earth to finish the job once he got himself a ship. No... he should probably go to Namek first to get his wish...
"Oh! One more thing, Vegeta! Lord Kiwi said for you to come to the training room after your treatment, as he had to talk to you." Vegeta ground his teeth in irritation.
"Bah. Tell him I have nothing to say to him." He continued on his way out. As a last minute thought, the doctor grabbed a scouter and tossed it at Vegeta's back. As if on instinct, he spun around and caught it in his gloved hand, eying it with distaste. He didn't really want to use one of these things. After seeing the Earthling's ability to detect ki unaided, he wanted to try out the power himself. After a short debate, he stuck it somewhere under his armor.
"I don't think I'll need it, but just in case." The corner of the doctor's mouth quirked up in a grin, which Vegeta returned with another smirk. Spinning on his heel, he made his way out of the hospital wing. The old man turned back around to continue his work, mumbling under his breath.
"Arrogant little thing," he said fondly.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Vegeta strolled down the ship's corridors, passing the trembling lower class soldiers standing at attention without a second glance. Well, maybe every once in a while just to scare them witless. After putting some thought into it, he decided to return to Earth before going to Namek for the Dragonballs. That planet just left too many disturbing memories for the proud prince. After all, it wasn't too often that he came so close to defeat, and that was a huge blow to his ego. There was no way he was about to let the rest of those disgusting Earthlings live. He would return and finish the job he set out to do. At least it would be a lot easier this time around, what with all of their most powerful warriors already dead. He continued towards the fighter pod hangars.
"Yo, Vegeta!" someone called from the other end of the hallway. The prince turned his head slightly and groaned. "Heard you went through hell." Vegeta's addressor chuckled. "It's a shame Raditz and Nappa died, too. Who could have tormented the supposedly invincible Saiyans, huh?" A hand was placed on Vegeta's shoulder from behind.
"Get the hell out of my face, Kiwi. I don't have time to waste listening to your pathetic blather, so scram," Vegeta told the alien while glancing at the offending hand in distaste. "Now if you don't mind, get your filthy hand off my shoulder," he said, shrugging it off. Kiwi cut him off, however.
"Good thing for you, Frieza is a very forgiving ruler. You went off to Earth without permission, didn't you?" Vegeta's eyes widened slightly. "Well, I hear he's willing to let you off the hook after discovering something so useful for him. He's very excited that you found him a way to achieve eternal youth and life, you know." Kiwi grinned sardonically. Vegeta's pupils dilated and his tail tightened noticeably around his waist as he absorbed this information. His teeth bared, he let out a ferocious, animalistic snarl. "Now, now, Vegeta," Kiwi continued. "There's nothing you can do about it. They said he plans on eradicating the planet after he gets his wish."
"That BASTARD!" Vegeta disregarded Kiwi and shot down the corridor, his mind finally made up. He was going to Namek, and he was getting those Dragonballs before Frieza could even think about getting his filthy little hands on them!
"Give it up!" Kiwi yelled out to the frantic Saiyan. "It looks like your freedom's not any closer than it was twenty years ago, monkey!"
Vegeta's fists clenched as his scowl deepened. No. There was no possible way in Hell that he would allow this to continue. Frieza's empire ended here and now, and the Prince of the Saiyans would rise once again as the most powerful being in the universe, the absolute ruler of all. He continued his race down the hallways, the hangar in his sights. Skidding around the corner and into the room, he immediately ran up to the dispatcher, grabbing his armor and hauling him up.
"Get me a combatant's pod! Now!" he barked. The small foot soldier trembled under his grasp.
"S-sir! Lord Vege-geta... I have to have your purging orders or a file for leave b-before I can do that..." Vegeta didn't wait for the fool to finish before he blasted him into oblivion. Tossing what was left of his uniform aside, he hurried over to the control panel of a readied pod and set in the directions for Namek. The door hissed open and Vegeta squeezed in, shutting it again before it had a chance to finish. The ship prepared for takeoff as soldiers ran around the hangar in disarray. It was complete chaos, so much so that no one noticed the shadow lurking in the corners, watching the ship take off with a smirk on his face.
"Soon, Vegeta. You'll never even make it to Frieza before I get to you." Kiwi walked out of the darkness and up to one of the soldiers. "Prepare a ship for me to the same location as Vegeta's." His eyes narrowed. "And don't question me." The soldier gulped and nodded, not daring to make the same mistake as his fellow.
Destination: Namek.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Ooh, looks like Vegeta finally found out about Freiza's plan, and he sure is peeved!! ^_^ Sorry that these are taking so long to come out, guys. It's just that every time I sit down to write this thing, I get distracted by such trivial things as homework! I mean, the NERVE of that school board! *Grumbles* Giving me endless projects when I have more IMPORTANT things to do like write fanfiction... *Grumbles* Anyway, I don't think I'll EVER be able to update this thing once a week like I had hoped, but I'll be sure to keep new chapters coming at a reasonable pace. Don't give up on me! Lol, I'll keep at it as long as you guys enjoy my story. =D And what better way to show me you do than by leaving me reviews?? Lol. 0 = )
BTW, thanks to Stef-chan and Chunkymunky241 for the recommendation. ^_^ You're both authors I respect a lot, and I loved your idea!
Random shout-out: ishi ban!!! Lol, here's your chapter. ^_^ I'm so glad you enjoy the story, and I hope you like this new chapter. Thanks for your reviews!
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Chapter 5 Decisions
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Exhausted grunts and yells were heard coming from the two warriors seen sparring out over the grass. The two, consisting of the only two humans in the dearly departed group of fighters, were currently duking it out in a battle of courage, strength, and... deadly halos.
"Whoa, man! Watch where you stick that thing!" exclaimed Yamcha as he narrowly avoided the golden ring. Krillin came to the conclusion that head butts hurt your opponent twice as much when you were dead because of the holy accessory, and was currently using that detail to his advantage. He gave Yamcha a mischievous grin and continued his assault. Piccolo snorted at the ridiculous fools from his position a few feet off the ground as he meditated. No wonder they died so soon into the battle. The morons could never stay serious and focused. Not at all like him, who could keep himself in a trance for days on end.
"Look out, Mr. Piccolo!" One eye shot open as the warning reached his pointed ear. Unfortunately, his bodily reaction wasn't nearly fast enough to avoid the rice cake that was sent directly between the eyes. With a surprised yell, he scraped the offending food off his face and glared at the perpetrator. He sneered at the smiling Saiyan as he made an attempt to slink away. The ground trembled beneath their feet as Piccolo roared out his fury.
"GOKU! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" He paused to think. "AGAIN!"
"Ack!" Goku clutched his arsenal of food ammunition and made a run for it. Ignoring the battle a little further ahead, he ran through Krillin and Yamcha's fight, avoiding the stray ki blasts from the two as well as those from the furious Piccolo just a few yards behind. The whole while Gohan and Kaio-Sama stood by watching and sighing at their misfortune. Dinner always ended up either on everyone's faces or in Goku's stomach. Kaio-Sama groaned loudly and called out to the group.
"Are you slackers actually going to do some work around here? PLAYING TAG WON'T HELP YOU NEXT TIME YOU FIGHT VEGETA!" This particular group was really starting to piss him off. I mean, sure, they were some of the strongest fighters he'd even encountered, all of them having the potential to surpass even him, and some who already had done that. His shoulders slumped as he tried to think of something that might get their attention. He diverted his gaze to the small boy sitting in the seat next to him, currently munching on a beef shish kabob, seemingly deep in thought as he chewed away. "What's up, kid?" he inquired with his high, nasal voice. Gohan snapped out of his little world to acknowledge the god before him.
"Aw, nothing. I was just wondering how Bulma and the others were doing on that planet, looking for the Dragonballs and all." The sullen look never left the child's face as he seemed to ponder over the different possibilities and outcomes of his father's friends' mission. Kaio-Sama's eyebrow rose behind the round sunglasses as a light bulb seemed to go off over his head. He snickered at his own sheer brilliance.
"Goku!" he yelled out to the troublemaking Saiyan. "Come over here! I've got something to show you." He added as an afterthought, "The rest of you guys can come, too!" All heads present turned at his summon and eventually made their way around the catfish deity.
"What's up, Kaio-Sama?" Goku asked. The Lord of the Worlds stopped to clean his glasses before continuing. He looked each individual person in the eye before opening his mouth to address them all.
"There's currently a mission being carried out by your Earthly comrades that will determine whether you ever return to the living world or not. Any of you interested yet?" Indeed the group's interest was piqued after this announcement. Everyone was all ears as the god continued. "Good. I'm glad I have your attention. Now, if one of you puts his hand on my shoulder, you'll be able to look with me." Goku was the first of the eager volunteers, and he immediately stepped up.
With his hand placed gently on Kaio-Sama's shoulder, he looked on and began telling his fellow dead warriors just what it was that he saw...
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Meanwhile, dimensions away on Planet Frieza No. 79, on the eighteenth day after Vegeta left Earth, two guards looked up from their chess-like game to acknowledge the sound coming from the main control panel, signifying that there was a ship nearing the post. Shooting to attention, they checked the signal to determine who their guest was. Surely it wasn't Lord Frieza already, who had recently departed for a distant planet in search of some ancient and supposedly magical artifacts. When they checked the screen, they found they were correct. It definitely wasn't Frieza.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
A pair of clawed hands tapped away at the colored keys, giving the commands for the regeneration tank to empty its contents. The liquid's level gradually lowered until there was none left, except for what clung to the walls and the person within. After the glass door slid open, the doctor's head swerved on his long neck to face his latest patient.
"You're all healed. You may open your eyes now." The man shook his head to free his face of the breathing mask. Dark eyes opened under furrowed eyebrows as Vegeta stepped out of the tank.
"So I take it the rumors are true. Nappa really is dead, isn't he?"
Vegeta gave a grunt of affirmation as he began pulling on a new body suit. The doctor continued.
"You must have had a hard time even with your great strength," he said with a sigh as he examined Vegeta's battered battle outfit. "To think that this super quality rubber armor was destroyed..." Vegeta continued dressing himself as the shorter reptilian spoke, adjusting his gloves. "Honestly, Vegeta. You're going to get yourself killed one of these days. Don't think I don't know about your rebellion. Frieza will have your head for that," he said with a chuckle. Vegeta turned towards the doctor and smirked.
The old lizard was known as one of the best doctors in the army, but he had the habit of doing things his own way. He had defied Frieza a few times in his own day, that being the only reason that he wasn't on the emperor's personal medical team. That gave Vegeta a certain respect for the aged man, and added onto his higher than average intellect, it was probably why he allowed himself casual conversation with him. No, he'd keep this one alive once he disposed of Frieza, that was for sure.
"Is Frieza in?"
The doctor raised a scaly eyebrow. "No, he has gone out." Vegeta sneered.
"Hn. He has gotten tired of this planet already." The prince made his way to the door of the med bay, the gears in this head running rapidly. He would head back to Earth to finish the job once he got himself a ship. No... he should probably go to Namek first to get his wish...
"Oh! One more thing, Vegeta! Lord Kiwi said for you to come to the training room after your treatment, as he had to talk to you." Vegeta ground his teeth in irritation.
"Bah. Tell him I have nothing to say to him." He continued on his way out. As a last minute thought, the doctor grabbed a scouter and tossed it at Vegeta's back. As if on instinct, he spun around and caught it in his gloved hand, eying it with distaste. He didn't really want to use one of these things. After seeing the Earthling's ability to detect ki unaided, he wanted to try out the power himself. After a short debate, he stuck it somewhere under his armor.
"I don't think I'll need it, but just in case." The corner of the doctor's mouth quirked up in a grin, which Vegeta returned with another smirk. Spinning on his heel, he made his way out of the hospital wing. The old man turned back around to continue his work, mumbling under his breath.
"Arrogant little thing," he said fondly.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Vegeta strolled down the ship's corridors, passing the trembling lower class soldiers standing at attention without a second glance. Well, maybe every once in a while just to scare them witless. After putting some thought into it, he decided to return to Earth before going to Namek for the Dragonballs. That planet just left too many disturbing memories for the proud prince. After all, it wasn't too often that he came so close to defeat, and that was a huge blow to his ego. There was no way he was about to let the rest of those disgusting Earthlings live. He would return and finish the job he set out to do. At least it would be a lot easier this time around, what with all of their most powerful warriors already dead. He continued towards the fighter pod hangars.
"Yo, Vegeta!" someone called from the other end of the hallway. The prince turned his head slightly and groaned. "Heard you went through hell." Vegeta's addressor chuckled. "It's a shame Raditz and Nappa died, too. Who could have tormented the supposedly invincible Saiyans, huh?" A hand was placed on Vegeta's shoulder from behind.
"Get the hell out of my face, Kiwi. I don't have time to waste listening to your pathetic blather, so scram," Vegeta told the alien while glancing at the offending hand in distaste. "Now if you don't mind, get your filthy hand off my shoulder," he said, shrugging it off. Kiwi cut him off, however.
"Good thing for you, Frieza is a very forgiving ruler. You went off to Earth without permission, didn't you?" Vegeta's eyes widened slightly. "Well, I hear he's willing to let you off the hook after discovering something so useful for him. He's very excited that you found him a way to achieve eternal youth and life, you know." Kiwi grinned sardonically. Vegeta's pupils dilated and his tail tightened noticeably around his waist as he absorbed this information. His teeth bared, he let out a ferocious, animalistic snarl. "Now, now, Vegeta," Kiwi continued. "There's nothing you can do about it. They said he plans on eradicating the planet after he gets his wish."
"That BASTARD!" Vegeta disregarded Kiwi and shot down the corridor, his mind finally made up. He was going to Namek, and he was getting those Dragonballs before Frieza could even think about getting his filthy little hands on them!
"Give it up!" Kiwi yelled out to the frantic Saiyan. "It looks like your freedom's not any closer than it was twenty years ago, monkey!"
Vegeta's fists clenched as his scowl deepened. No. There was no possible way in Hell that he would allow this to continue. Frieza's empire ended here and now, and the Prince of the Saiyans would rise once again as the most powerful being in the universe, the absolute ruler of all. He continued his race down the hallways, the hangar in his sights. Skidding around the corner and into the room, he immediately ran up to the dispatcher, grabbing his armor and hauling him up.
"Get me a combatant's pod! Now!" he barked. The small foot soldier trembled under his grasp.
"S-sir! Lord Vege-geta... I have to have your purging orders or a file for leave b-before I can do that..." Vegeta didn't wait for the fool to finish before he blasted him into oblivion. Tossing what was left of his uniform aside, he hurried over to the control panel of a readied pod and set in the directions for Namek. The door hissed open and Vegeta squeezed in, shutting it again before it had a chance to finish. The ship prepared for takeoff as soldiers ran around the hangar in disarray. It was complete chaos, so much so that no one noticed the shadow lurking in the corners, watching the ship take off with a smirk on his face.
"Soon, Vegeta. You'll never even make it to Frieza before I get to you." Kiwi walked out of the darkness and up to one of the soldiers. "Prepare a ship for me to the same location as Vegeta's." His eyes narrowed. "And don't question me." The soldier gulped and nodded, not daring to make the same mistake as his fellow.
Destination: Namek.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Ooh, looks like Vegeta finally found out about Freiza's plan, and he sure is peeved!! ^_^ Sorry that these are taking so long to come out, guys. It's just that every time I sit down to write this thing, I get distracted by such trivial things as homework! I mean, the NERVE of that school board! *Grumbles* Giving me endless projects when I have more IMPORTANT things to do like write fanfiction... *Grumbles* Anyway, I don't think I'll EVER be able to update this thing once a week like I had hoped, but I'll be sure to keep new chapters coming at a reasonable pace. Don't give up on me! Lol, I'll keep at it as long as you guys enjoy my story. =D And what better way to show me you do than by leaving me reviews?? Lol. 0 = )
BTW, thanks to Stef-chan and Chunkymunky241 for the recommendation. ^_^ You're both authors I respect a lot, and I loved your idea!
Random shout-out: ishi ban!!! Lol, here's your chapter. ^_^ I'm so glad you enjoy the story, and I hope you like this new chapter. Thanks for your reviews!