Self-Righteous Suicide
Krillin opened his eyes and saw Piccolo glaring down at him. His head hurt and several joints of his were sore, but the majority of his injuries had been healed for the most part. The realization of what he had been forced to do flooded his brain, causing him to try and stand. His muscles rebelled but Piccolo offered his hand, which he took.
"Where are the others? Where's 18?"
They're in the fortress. The Grand Kai and Gotenks went on ahead to help Vegeta and Videl while Dende and I stayed behind to make sure the poison was driven from your system."
"They're being held in the detention center," Krillin exclaimed, "C'mon guys! We're gonna need to hurry if we want to catch the others; they're headed for a trap!"
"Lead the way," Piccolo responded.
Dende hopped on Piccolo's back and they flew off toward the mountain fortress, readying themselves for the battle that was to come…
Videl was consumed with conflicting emotions. Gohan, her true love, had finally returned to her. Because of her actions he was fighting on the side of Light once again, and he was able to bring his father back from the darkness when they performed the fusion technique. She was elated, warm and ecstatic but at the same time fearful. The violent aura that radiated from the winged man was at such a fever pitch that it felt like another physical presence in the ruins of the large chamber. She was surprised to feel Goku's aura giving off the same high levels of violence and rage. Gohan's aura was more subdued, and she couldn't read anything from Vegeta who made it clear that he was masking his emotions. The three of them stood at one end of a large crater that was created when Goku and Gohan had going super saiyan in their fused form. The massive creature Leviathan fell to their surprise attack; his head was severed, then the body was atomized by a powerful ki attack. The large doors that held their friends were still intact, and a soft blue light glowed from the doors proper, telling her that the safeguards were still intact. They still had no way of reaching the others.
The trio of saiyans and Videl were directly opposite the winged man who was the cause of all her sorrow and despair for the past year and more. He wielded a wickedly curved sword and by all appearances, knew how to use it. What little light remained in the large chamber reflected off the feathers of his outstretched wings, making him look more ominous than he already was. His defensive stance was unfamiliar to her and her analytical mind told her of the improbability of his stance because he held the sword out at arms length, making himself appear wide open for attack. Her training with Vegeta in the Room of Spirit and Time taught her that appearances could be deceiving, and Vegeta was the harshest sensei that she could think of. Every time she underestimated him he made his displeasure known and she was stuck healing for days for her errors. She wouldn't fall into that trap again.
The tension in the chamber was so thick it could have been cut with a knife. Goku looked like he was ready to explode into action at any moment, as did Gohan. Vegeta and the winged man were the only ones maintaining calm exteriors, if they were true or false fronts she had no way of knowing. Goku finally broke the silence.
"The innocent lives of those you have killed cry out for justice! This ends HERE!"
"Oh, are you to lecture me on what is justice, saiyan," Dalron asked darkly through clenched teeth, "My entire race and scores of others like it were subjugated and summarily executed by your kind on a daily basis! You prattle and moan about justice! The blood of their dead has cried out for far longer than you! Are they to be denied?"
"ENOUGH!" Goku screamed as his super saiyan aura flared to life around him. "You used the same tactics that Freeza did and made us your puppets! You're no better than he was!"
Dalron slowly brought his blade up (Highlander style!) and regarded the enraged saiyan, "Perhaps. I would never expect a monkey to grasp even a hint of my plans, but the goal remains the same; the total and utter extermination of your damned race!"
Goku had heard enough; he was beyond caring. Dalron had used him, violated him in a way that he never thought was possible! He was just about to leap at him and rip him limb from limb but an arm blocked his way.
"Get out of my way, Vegeta," Goku growled.
"No," came the strangely soft, but firm reply. "There is another way to do this without any further bloodshed."
"Vegeta," Goku warned.
"Listen to me," he admonished in a harsher tone, "I'm taking a page out of your book here, Kakarot. Stand down."
Tense seconds passed. Videl glanced at the three saiyans. Gohan stood back barely keeping his anger in check, but he was doing a better job than his father was. Vegeta and Goku's eyes were locked on the other in a stare-down contest of wills. More agonizing seconds passed and Videl was sure that Goku was going to strike out against Vegeta, the violence in his super saiyan form was that strong! However he backed down, but he didn't revert to normal form. Vegeta turned to face Dalron.
"You speak of justice, Dalron," he explained in a solemn tone, "when it is vengeance that you truly seek."
Dalron's frown darkened, "Speak your piece and be done with it, murderer!"
Vegeta spread his arms in an effort to be non-threatening and his eyes stared off into the far distance of the past. "The people on this planet are not stained with the blood of the Nistans, mine are. They have done nothing to you. They are a backward race, not even worthy of being considered for conquest. Their weapons and defenses are inferior, of which you have undoubtedly seen."
"Get to the point," Dalron said menacingly.
"Why the show of force then? You obviously have the power to claim the vengeance that you so desperately seek. Why bother getting the humans involved?"
"I would not expect you of all people of all of the races to speak such ironic words when you know the truth: 'find your enemy's weakness and exploit it ', that's how your race was able to thrive doing what they did. Don't insult my intelligence!"
"Very well," Vegeta said nodding, "then on behalf of the humans of this world and my friends, I propose a treaty for peace."
Dalron's hateful glare turned quizzical, "What do you have in your possession that would make me remotely consider such a ludicrous request in light of the events that have occurred here in the past few minutes?"
Goku and Gohan looked at each other in confusion; they too were just as confused as Dalron. Videl looked from father to son also not understanding what Vegeta was up to.
"What do you want more than anything else? If vengeance is what you truly seek then I will gladly give it to you under the conditions that my family and friends be left out of it."
"No, Vegeta! Don't do this," Goku cried in anger, realizing what he was trying to do.
"Nothing good can come from that decision," Gohan declared, trying to reason with Vegeta.
Dalron paused, considering the saiyan prince's words. Vegeta turned back to his friends. "Kakarot," he began with a smile, "do you remember when we were on the Kai's planet fighting Buu?"
"Of course," he replied angrily, "how could I ever forget!"
"Do you remember when I asked you how many times you have saved the world?"
Goku nodded. "Vegeta, don't…"
Vegeta's raised arm cut him off in mid-sentence, "It's my turn now Kakarot. My time on this planet and among its people has opened my eyes to wonders that I dared to never believe was possible. Kakarot," he said smiling, "you never had to live with the choices that I had to make, consider yourself fortunate." He put his hand on Goku's arm and squeezed it affectionately. "The world will still need you Kakarot. It's not your time yet. Live life as you always have, to the fullest of your ability." The anger in his face plainly showed his disapproval with Vegeta's choice, but he nodded. Vegeta turned to Gohan.
"Gohan, you are strong in spirit as well as lucky to be gifted with other things," he said as he looked at Videl who blushed at hearing his words. "Your children will be strong, just be sure to teach them where their heritage comes from."
Gohan blushed and nodded, "I will Vegeta."
Vegeta turned to Videl; she fought back the tears, rather unsuccessfully. "Videl."
"Yes…yes, Vegeta," she sniffed.
"You are strong, the strongest human I have ever met. It was an honor to train you, and in that time we spent together I began to think of you as another daughter. I would have been proud to have called you one of my own."
She couldn't meet his stare; she was so overcome with emotion. Not realizing what she was doing she threw her arms around him and hugged him for several moments. He returned the hug grudgingly. They parted, tears streaming down her face.
"Sorry," she apologized.
He gave her a half smile and turned around to face Dalron. "Well? Have you considered my request?"
Dalron rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I have. But what assurances do I have that this isn't a trick?"
"You have my word as a warrior," he replied. "Will you honor the request?"
Tense moments passed as Vegeta waited for Dalron's answer.
Gotenks and The Grand Kai faced off against scores of robots the moment they entered the fortress. The warriors were able to dispatch the robots with ease, but for every one they destroyed two more were ready to take their place. The Grand Kai and Gotenks measured their progress into the fortress by feet, and then by inches as more robots poured into the entry chamber. Gotenks switched tactics and sent wave after wave of ki blasts directly into the heart of the robot lines. The resulting explosions caused the robots to scatter, sending debris and robot parts flying. The grand Kai sped through the debris, firing rays of energy into any robot that dared to get in his way. It was still slow going for the warriors as the robots changed tactics and morphed their arms into blaster guns of their own and soon the chamber was filling up with smoke and more debris as each side attempted to blast the hell out of the other.
"I'm pinned down," The Grand Kai yelled behind cover as he returned fire with ki blasts. "How're you holdin' up, kid?"
"Fine," he yelled back, ducking from the blasts, "I wonder how Piccolo and Krillin are doing! I hope they're having a better time than we are!"
Piccolo, Dende, and Krillin flew around the mountain and found another entrance at a higher elevation. The plan was simple: divide and conquer. The first to reach the others won. The entrance was guarded by sentries, and living ones at that. Piccolo and Krillin knocked them out without so much as a whisper and the trio entered the fortress. The trio was greeted by vicious looking robots and several creatures wearing armor and brandishing large energy rifles. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, Piccolo thought to himself as he joined Krillin in battle.
Dalron mulled over Vegeta's request for a long time. He stretched out his senses, attempting to read his hated enemies' feelings. He didn't detect any hint of subversion from him, however the saiyan known as Goku was barely keeping his anger in check. Uncontrollable anger was a weakness to exploit, and Dalron learned well from the masters of such tactics.
Dalron lowered his sword slowly. "I accept."
Vegeta nodded, "You made the right choice." He levitated himself and began to move over to where Dalron was.
Goku couldn't believe it! I can't let it end like this, he thought. We've fought so hard to get where we are. I can't accept it!
Gohan held Videl in his arms. Her face was buried in his chest and she was crying. He knew Vegeta's decision was the right one, but he didn't have to agree with it, and he didn't. Gohan held Videl tightly to his chest as he watched Vegeta's slow ascent to his fate.
Gotenks and The Grand Kai blasted through the robots and the living forces that composed the army arrayed against them. Every room was full of combatant's eager to cause their destruction. Their living foes attacked with a ferocity that nearly matched Gotenks. Every foot they advanced was won over by the blood and fallen metal of their foes. Gotenks was surprised by the sheer power of them all and was as careful as he dared to be. He needed to conserve as much energy as he could if he was to find the one responsible for all this misery.
The Grand Kai fired an energy blast that tore through the wall and cleanly through the next room. The explosion threw shards of red-hot metal out in all directions. Those living warriors took positions behind cover and fired their blaster rifles, creating waves of suppressing fire, which kept The Grand Kai pinned down. A volley of energy attacks from Gotenks cleared away the opposition enough for the old Kai to move on into the next room. Gotenks quickly followed behind him, sending suppressing fire of his own.
The next room looked depressingly like the last and was full of robots and armed warriors. After a short-lived but intense battle, Gotenks and The Grand Kai moved deeper into the fortress.
Krillin's Destructo-Discs cleaved through the lines of robots without much effort. Piccolo was at his back hurling beams of destructive energy at their enemies. Dende stayed in the background, hiding from danger as best as he could. The robots understood battlefield tactics well, and used that to their advantage. They knew the ground better than the z fighters and every inch that was gained by Piccolo and Krillin was hard-fought. The living warriors that were mixed in with the robots posed problems as well. They had the knowledge of their opponents' attacks and their energy shields were able to dampen most, if not all, of their attacks. As one, Piccolo and Krillin switched tactics. They combined their energy into a massive wave of destruction, but instead of targeting their enemies they aimed at the floor. The massive wave sailed forth and disintegrated its intended target and several floors below as well as a multitude of robots. Piccolo quickly grabbed Dende and they jumped down the massive hole, Krillin jumping after them while covering their flight with blasts of his energy.
Vegeta hovered over to Dalron's position when all hell broke loose! The ceiling exploded, debris rained down on the occupants and dust masked the visions of everyone. Vegeta tensed as he heard Dalron's angry cry.
"What is the meaning of this? I knew you were not to be trusted, saiyan!"
The dust cleared away enough for Vegeta to see Piccolo's silhouette hovering in front of him. Before he had a chance to speak, Piccolo's form blurred to super speed to where Dalron stood. There was a loud crack of noise, and Vegeta winced, as he knew Piccolo struck his target.
"It's over," Piccolo growled as he sent fists into Dalron's face.
Dalron screamed and a shockwave issued forth from his body. It expanded as it hit Piccolo, and the force knocked him back to where Goku, Gohan and Videl were.
"It's not over! It will never be over as long as you live!"
Goku and Gohan appeared next to Vegeta, each hovering in a defensive stance.
"It seems that the fight was decided for us," Goku remarked rather enthusiastically. "Let's go!"
"No," Vegeta replied.
Goku looked at him questioningly, but came to the realization of his friend. "I understand Vegeta," he said. "Gohan, let's go!"
Gohan nodded and the father/son team launched themselves at Dalron. Dalron flared his wings out, creating an obscuring cloud of dust around him as he crouched in a defensive position. He closed his eyes to protect them from the dust and debris and used his hearing to detect his attacking enemies. He brought his sword up and dodged to the right as Goku's kick went wide. He ducked under Gohan's kick as well and sent a vicious kick of his own that connected right across the young half-saiyan's face. Gohan was sent reeling and Dalron pivoted as his foot landed from the attack to meet Goku head-on. The mighty super saiyan sent out a flurry of punches and kicks but Dalron was easily able to dodge them. Dalron was always impressed with the fighting ability of the saiyan warrior known as Goku and even now he did not disappoint. His balance was perfect, and he was able to shift it in mid-air as if gravity was a secondary consideration to the warrior. Dalron used his outstretched wings for better balance and balanced himself on one leg as he dodged Goku's attack. He pivoted on the heel of his foot and sent a wicked roundhouse kick across Goku's face, sending him flying.
Krillin and Dende landed next to Videl who glanced fearfully at Gohan's fallen position. Gohan was slow to get up and everything inside her screamed for her to rush to his aid, but her mind held her in check. She was dimly aware that Krillin was talking to her, but she didn't hear him.
"…Others?" he asked frantically.
"What?" she asked as she shook her head clear and focused on Krillin.
"I said, where are the others?" he asked more urgently.
She pointed toward the sealed doors and answered, "They're behind those doors, but it's locked and protected from our attacks. We can't get through it!"
"Damn," he cursed as he looked over to where she pointed. He saw Goku sail out of the dust cloud that surrounded Dalron and watched Goku slam against the wall harshly.
By this time they saw Piccolo and Gohan get up and charge into the dust cloud. Vegeta hovered back to where they stood. "Why aren't you helping them," Krillin asked incredulously.
"My reasons are my own," he snapped angrily, "the stupid Namek screwed up everything! He deserves what he gets!"
"How can you just stand there," asked Dende. "They are your friends!"
Videl felt the ire rise within the proud saiyan prince. He was quite angry, and that anger was reflected by the look in his face. "If you want to join them then be my guest," he said darkly.
Krillin's eyes landed on Goku who stood and joined the others in combat then he looked at Vegeta. "Well, I'm not going to take this just standing around!" With that, he powered up and leapt to join his friends.
Videl powered up as well. She held the same view as the others and was about to leap into the fray but Vegeta's outstretched hand stopped her.
"What are you doing? Let me go help them!"
"You'll die," he answered matter-of-factly. "Dalron is way out of your league. Hell, he's probably out of all of our leagues."
Videl bristled at his words. She reflexively clenched her fists in anger. "I can't stand around and not do anything while…" Her voice trailed off as she looked back at the battle and saw Gohan fly out from the cloud of dust and land with a sickening thud yards away.
"Gohan can take care of himself," Vegeta said soothingly. "Besides, he wound never forgive himself if you were lost to him again."
She turned toward Vegeta in anger, "Then how can I let this happen? I feel the same!" Tears of anger began to slide down her cheeks. "Can't you see what he's done? He's tried to destroy everything you and I care about! He's used our own loved ones against us, even your own son!"
Vegeta's face was impassive as ever and he regarded her coolly, "I know," he muttered, barely above a whisper, "but it's my fault all this is happening. You have no idea what it feels like to be the destroyer of millions of beings throughout the galaxy. I used to revel in it, but that time is gone."
"Then do something about it," she pleaded. "Fight with us to end those wrongs! I know your hold your pride above all else, but we need you; we need your strength!"
Vegeta felt the rush of battle nearly overtake him, but he finally suppressed it, "I…I cannot."
"Then let me go and face the bastard face to face. If I'm going to die, at least I'll be by Gohan's side!"
Vegeta's look took a harder tone. "Gohan would never allow it, you know that."
Videl's silver aura flared around her as she pushed her power beyond her limits, surpassing everything she had gone before. "If you don't care enough to protect those you love, who will?"
Vegeta understood what she was going to do, but her power made her faster than him. She kicked him directly between the legs, sending the saiyan prince to the floor in a world of pain! He coughed in agony as she stared down at him.
"If you can't face your fears you will never conquer them! You can stay on your knees like a cowardly dog if you want, but that's not the path I choose! I WILL fight! I won't let others determine my own destiny!"
Videl took to the air and flew toward the cloud of dust, eager to exact retribution on the winged monster that was the cause of all of her sorrow. Vegeta weakly reached his arm out to Videl's flying form. He tried to yell out to her, but his voice was caught somewhere in his stomach and he could barely breathe from her cheap shot.
"No! Videl…cough…don't…do…it!"
Next Chapter: Gotenks arrives in time to add some heavy support to the battle. Dalron's anger and power reaches a fever pitch while Vegeta reflects more on his past. With Videl joining the fight, do the z warriors have the ace they need to win the battle? All this and more coming up!
A/N: I'll be home from the 4th of March to the 11th so I won't be able to work on the next chapter until I get back. The next chapter should be up by the 15th of March at the latest, I hope. Props to my sis for her invaluable ideas for this chapter, I couldn't have done it without ya!
