Chapter 41: Clash of Kings
Searing heat entered Vegeta's body as Kaykora and Naros turned over all the power that remained in them. Thought they were weak in body and spirit the massive energy at their disposal was surprisingly intact. The intense burning was coupled with a huge column of light that shot out of the alter as soon as enough blood had reached it. In a daze and a blur darkness engulfed Vegeta and an eerie peace he hadn't felt for a long time filled him.
"Vegeta..." A sweet woman's voice entered his mind. "Wake up fair King you've much fight left in you." Vegeta's eyes slowly open and his vision cleared. There before him was a being he'd never seen before but her likeness rang painful familiarity.
"You're..." He gasped.
"Kaykora's mother... Yes I am..." She said smiling.
Vegeta pulled himself up and looked at her with a hard intense glare as if unsure what to say to her. "I... Couldn't... I'm sorry..." He muttered as pain pulled at his heart.
"There is no apology needed my love. I can't blame you for your circumstances far outside your control. Nor will I ever. I know that you are a warrior plain and true. Long before you left had you planned to, to keep us safe. Your emptiness left you bitter and cold . Bent on provoked revenge but in the end you found someone who could make you whole again. Someone far strong in heart than I for she saw you through your worst. It could have never worked between us for we're to much alike you see. But the one thing I wanted more than again you have done and done well. For that I am eternally grateful."
"What have I done?"
"You were a father to Kaykora of course! You molded her and helped her grow when no one else could. And you loved her the only way she could. That's what she desired most of all. That's what all children want most of all. Right now Trunks is giving his heart and soul to destroy Masikle because of you. So now go and be with him and your future child and new wife and be to them what you had always been to Kaykora in your heart for all their lives."
"Had? What do you mean HAD?!" Vegeta demanded as he rose to his feet. The sword was still tightly clutched in his hand. "Then she is dead..."
"Vegeta... Nanakia has the Dragonballs and their creators safe and sound. BUT even with this, they can't be wished back as they are... They're to strong and would thrown off the balance without Daricus here. They knew this that's why Kaykora said she'd be waiting for you when you die. She knew she wasn't coming back, she knew she would die when the time came."
"She... Knew?" Vegeta muttered dumbfounded.
"Yes... Now you must take Vega and go to Beolinka the Ancient. She will give you what you need."
"I won't let her down you know... And I won't let you down." He said looking at her.
"I know." She replied as she got up. She gave him one last warm smile before kissing him on the head and fading away.
"Vega!" He called approaching the doors.
"Yes Grandpa?" She said running up from behind a pillar.
"We have work to do." He said smiling at her. She smiled back and her face lit up.
"I won't let you down Grandpa." She beamed taking his free hand.
"I know." He said as they stepped through the crack of the massive doors.
---------- ---------- ----------
"Perhaps I shall keep you around a bit..." Daricus pondered as he stopped draining Gotenks, Gohan, Goku, and Brolli of their energy. "I would like witnesses to my grand arrival to ultimate power... And who better than the strongest of those meant to destroy me?" He looked down at the half dead creatures in his hands. "Right then. To the Temple we go." He smirked and they disappeared.
"Hello?" Daricus boomed through the Fairway when they arrived. "Hmm... This place isn't as big as I remember... Oh that's right I grew a bit! Well a great deal actually!" He roared then began making his way down the stone way. "Is anyone home?" He called again. "Break out the Army I'm here to play!"
"What's that down there?" Goku wondered eying the alter in the mists ahead.
"The alter presumably..." Daricus answered as he took two more steps towards it and bent down. There laying side by side were Kaykora and Naros holding hands and matching bloody wounds. "What is this? My beauty is dead? No matter I wasn't fond enough of her to care anyways..." He shrugged and stepped around the alter making his way to the still open door. A bright light shot out of it an it began to creep closed. "Oh no you don't!" He screeched dropping the Saiyans and reaching for the door in time for it to close. "Blast... Well where is this Army?"
"Down here..." Vegeta growled from in front of the door.
Daricus looked down and started laughing heartily. "You? You're the Army? This is too funny!" He scoffed still laughing. "And who is your little friend?"
"Your worst nightmare freak!" Vega said cockily. "Now let's show him what we can do Grandpa... I'll let you soften him up." She beamed and smiled at Vegeta.
"Grandpa?" Daricus looked back at Kaykora and Naros. "A little young aren't you? Hmmm... Oh well I suppose Saiyans and Archesaiya will never be more than filthy animals more concerned with breeding and war than anything else..."
"Vega... Get them out of here... I want something left of them to bury when this is done..." Vegeta said motioning to Kaykora and Naros. "Then come back and get Kakorrot and the others." Vega rushed forward and did as she was told.
"Vegeta! You can't win this battle alone!" Goku called out desperately as he pulled himself up.
"Oh but I have to, it's my role..." Vegeta smirked and held up a fairly large flask of a blue translucent substance.
"Vegeta?" Goku asked confused.
"Good-bye Goku... Until we meet again."
Goku smiled and closed his eyes. "So you finally did it Vegeta... You're finally going to be stronger than me... Good luck little buddy. Take care and come back safe." Vega grabbed his and Brolli's hand and they disappeared. She re-appeared a few moments later and took Trunks, Goten, and Gohan in one shot before returning next to Vegeta.
"Go on Grandpa... It's time for his evil reign to end. It's time for the King of Darkness to take on the King of Saiyans. You have to defend the honor of your race and your people." Vega smiled all the while.
"So it is." Vegeta replied with his dark smirk. He tipped the flask up and drained it on its contents in a few short gulps.
"What was that..." Daricus asked warily.
"A substantial amount of fresh blood straight from the source... The Patron Ancient." Vega replied as she watched Vegeta twitch and convulse as he grew taller and larger. She held up a flask of green translucent liquid and began drinking it.
"GIVE THAT TO ME!!!" Daricus screamed reached down for it. To his horrid surprise he caught an equally sized fist to the face and stumbled back.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Vegeta smirked as he lunged forward and delivered another powerful punch. In the background Daricus caught the glimpse of another figure towering in the mist darkness of the vast space.
"All grown up but still weak inside..." Daricus quipped as he railed Vegeta into the doors. "You remind me of your Mother... Frail and beautiful like all mortal creatures..." He said spying Vega.
"FRAIL?! TRY THIS FOR FRAIL!" She shouted driving a knee deep into what would presumably be Daricus's manhood. He stumbled back howling in pain and tripped over the alter.
"Don't ever EVER do that again..." Vegeta said prying himself off the wall.
"Why?"
"Just don't..." Vegeta said before lunging forward and driving him into the floor. He got Daricus in a choke and it seemed that it would all be over sooner than anyone had thought. Until Daricus let out a blood curdling cry and a wave of dark energy flung Vegeta off. He landed in a heap at Vega's feet.
"You think you can destroy me so easy?" He roared getting to his feet quickly. "I am the ruler of all things dark and evil. I was your ruler once Vegeta... Back when you were young and all you desired was to kill. Darkness still lingers in you and it shall be your end! For all the dark energy within you shall make me stronger!" He lifted and hand towards Vegeta and bore a wild smirk. However Vegeta bore one of his own. Daricus looked at him in this manner for several seconds until he realized nothing was going to happen. "What... What is this?"
"That darkness was destroyed long ago when I found something worth dying for!" Vegeta called out as he got up. "I sacrificed myself once before for those I love and if I must, I will do it again here today."
Words started to appear on the door in glowing text. Words that Vega and Vegeta couldn't read but Daricus could all to well. And so he read them to himself and still didn't believe that it could be true. So he read them again... Out loud. "Eternity bleak and lifeless plain. Littered with the fallen hopeless, cast aside by the single minded, in their aimlesss pursuits. In the end death is universal and the darkness ever welcoming. The sleep of death the only cure to a life of worthlessness. But a life worth dying for is truly immortal. It is these chosen immortal that rise above and make all that you die for worth living."
They all pondered the words for a second before Vegeta reached out and took Vega's hand. "Kakorrot was right, we can't do this alone... And we never could... Without the love and support, trust and faith of everyone we could never have made it this far. Without it Kaykora would have been consumed by Daricus's evil and we could all be dead right now..."
"I wish they were here right now..." Vega said sadly.
"We are." A familiar voice called out. An image of Goku appeared just beyond Daricus. "And we always will be he said with a smile as one by one did the Chosen appeared. But more than that, so appeared Bulma, and Tien; Yamcha and Dende; Heroli, Piccollo, Aarian and Talinia; everyone who cared about Vegeta was there. Everyone but Kaykora nad Naros...
"So long as we love you we're going to be there for you. You have a way of growing on us." Bulma said happily. "Now get your butt moving so you can wish us back! I've been dead once and I didn't like it then, I sure as Hell don't like it now!"
"All right woman be patient." Vegeta said with a chukle.
"Is that Grandma?" Vega whispered.
"One of them." Vegeta whispered back and Vega nodded.
"This is all very touching really but in case you haven't noticed I'm about to complete my scheme for universal domination!" Daricus hissed.
"Like Hell..." Yamcha quipped as the image floated over to Vegeta. "Kick his ass." He finished with a smile before fading into Vegeta and so they all came and did the same. Goku offered up a hug; Chichi a pat on the shoulder; and Bulma a kiss.
"When this is over... You ARE going to tell me about her aren't you?" She whispered.
"Of course." Vegeta said with a grin and Bulma faded as well.
"Well now that all that sentimental rubbish is over, you two are stopping me from completing my goal!" Daricus said and his tone rose as he spoke.
"What's wrong Dari? Jealous that you do't have anyone that gives a Damn about you?" Vegeta's smirk was ever present.
"SHUT UP!!!" He screamed in reply as a massive dark wave shot out and pinned them crushingly hard against the doors.
"Well this is going to be harder than I thought..." Vegeta said straining. There was a crack behind them.
"I'm more worried about that... We have to get him away from the doors... If they break, it could all be over..." Vega said.
"When you come up with an idea let me know..."
"You're the King, so lead..."
Searing heat entered Vegeta's body as Kaykora and Naros turned over all the power that remained in them. Thought they were weak in body and spirit the massive energy at their disposal was surprisingly intact. The intense burning was coupled with a huge column of light that shot out of the alter as soon as enough blood had reached it. In a daze and a blur darkness engulfed Vegeta and an eerie peace he hadn't felt for a long time filled him.
"Vegeta..." A sweet woman's voice entered his mind. "Wake up fair King you've much fight left in you." Vegeta's eyes slowly open and his vision cleared. There before him was a being he'd never seen before but her likeness rang painful familiarity.
"You're..." He gasped.
"Kaykora's mother... Yes I am..." She said smiling.
Vegeta pulled himself up and looked at her with a hard intense glare as if unsure what to say to her. "I... Couldn't... I'm sorry..." He muttered as pain pulled at his heart.
"There is no apology needed my love. I can't blame you for your circumstances far outside your control. Nor will I ever. I know that you are a warrior plain and true. Long before you left had you planned to, to keep us safe. Your emptiness left you bitter and cold . Bent on provoked revenge but in the end you found someone who could make you whole again. Someone far strong in heart than I for she saw you through your worst. It could have never worked between us for we're to much alike you see. But the one thing I wanted more than again you have done and done well. For that I am eternally grateful."
"What have I done?"
"You were a father to Kaykora of course! You molded her and helped her grow when no one else could. And you loved her the only way she could. That's what she desired most of all. That's what all children want most of all. Right now Trunks is giving his heart and soul to destroy Masikle because of you. So now go and be with him and your future child and new wife and be to them what you had always been to Kaykora in your heart for all their lives."
"Had? What do you mean HAD?!" Vegeta demanded as he rose to his feet. The sword was still tightly clutched in his hand. "Then she is dead..."
"Vegeta... Nanakia has the Dragonballs and their creators safe and sound. BUT even with this, they can't be wished back as they are... They're to strong and would thrown off the balance without Daricus here. They knew this that's why Kaykora said she'd be waiting for you when you die. She knew she wasn't coming back, she knew she would die when the time came."
"She... Knew?" Vegeta muttered dumbfounded.
"Yes... Now you must take Vega and go to Beolinka the Ancient. She will give you what you need."
"I won't let her down you know... And I won't let you down." He said looking at her.
"I know." She replied as she got up. She gave him one last warm smile before kissing him on the head and fading away.
"Vega!" He called approaching the doors.
"Yes Grandpa?" She said running up from behind a pillar.
"We have work to do." He said smiling at her. She smiled back and her face lit up.
"I won't let you down Grandpa." She beamed taking his free hand.
"I know." He said as they stepped through the crack of the massive doors.
---------- ---------- ----------
"Perhaps I shall keep you around a bit..." Daricus pondered as he stopped draining Gotenks, Gohan, Goku, and Brolli of their energy. "I would like witnesses to my grand arrival to ultimate power... And who better than the strongest of those meant to destroy me?" He looked down at the half dead creatures in his hands. "Right then. To the Temple we go." He smirked and they disappeared.
"Hello?" Daricus boomed through the Fairway when they arrived. "Hmm... This place isn't as big as I remember... Oh that's right I grew a bit! Well a great deal actually!" He roared then began making his way down the stone way. "Is anyone home?" He called again. "Break out the Army I'm here to play!"
"What's that down there?" Goku wondered eying the alter in the mists ahead.
"The alter presumably..." Daricus answered as he took two more steps towards it and bent down. There laying side by side were Kaykora and Naros holding hands and matching bloody wounds. "What is this? My beauty is dead? No matter I wasn't fond enough of her to care anyways..." He shrugged and stepped around the alter making his way to the still open door. A bright light shot out of it an it began to creep closed. "Oh no you don't!" He screeched dropping the Saiyans and reaching for the door in time for it to close. "Blast... Well where is this Army?"
"Down here..." Vegeta growled from in front of the door.
Daricus looked down and started laughing heartily. "You? You're the Army? This is too funny!" He scoffed still laughing. "And who is your little friend?"
"Your worst nightmare freak!" Vega said cockily. "Now let's show him what we can do Grandpa... I'll let you soften him up." She beamed and smiled at Vegeta.
"Grandpa?" Daricus looked back at Kaykora and Naros. "A little young aren't you? Hmmm... Oh well I suppose Saiyans and Archesaiya will never be more than filthy animals more concerned with breeding and war than anything else..."
"Vega... Get them out of here... I want something left of them to bury when this is done..." Vegeta said motioning to Kaykora and Naros. "Then come back and get Kakorrot and the others." Vega rushed forward and did as she was told.
"Vegeta! You can't win this battle alone!" Goku called out desperately as he pulled himself up.
"Oh but I have to, it's my role..." Vegeta smirked and held up a fairly large flask of a blue translucent substance.
"Vegeta?" Goku asked confused.
"Good-bye Goku... Until we meet again."
Goku smiled and closed his eyes. "So you finally did it Vegeta... You're finally going to be stronger than me... Good luck little buddy. Take care and come back safe." Vega grabbed his and Brolli's hand and they disappeared. She re-appeared a few moments later and took Trunks, Goten, and Gohan in one shot before returning next to Vegeta.
"Go on Grandpa... It's time for his evil reign to end. It's time for the King of Darkness to take on the King of Saiyans. You have to defend the honor of your race and your people." Vega smiled all the while.
"So it is." Vegeta replied with his dark smirk. He tipped the flask up and drained it on its contents in a few short gulps.
"What was that..." Daricus asked warily.
"A substantial amount of fresh blood straight from the source... The Patron Ancient." Vega replied as she watched Vegeta twitch and convulse as he grew taller and larger. She held up a flask of green translucent liquid and began drinking it.
"GIVE THAT TO ME!!!" Daricus screamed reached down for it. To his horrid surprise he caught an equally sized fist to the face and stumbled back.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Vegeta smirked as he lunged forward and delivered another powerful punch. In the background Daricus caught the glimpse of another figure towering in the mist darkness of the vast space.
"All grown up but still weak inside..." Daricus quipped as he railed Vegeta into the doors. "You remind me of your Mother... Frail and beautiful like all mortal creatures..." He said spying Vega.
"FRAIL?! TRY THIS FOR FRAIL!" She shouted driving a knee deep into what would presumably be Daricus's manhood. He stumbled back howling in pain and tripped over the alter.
"Don't ever EVER do that again..." Vegeta said prying himself off the wall.
"Why?"
"Just don't..." Vegeta said before lunging forward and driving him into the floor. He got Daricus in a choke and it seemed that it would all be over sooner than anyone had thought. Until Daricus let out a blood curdling cry and a wave of dark energy flung Vegeta off. He landed in a heap at Vega's feet.
"You think you can destroy me so easy?" He roared getting to his feet quickly. "I am the ruler of all things dark and evil. I was your ruler once Vegeta... Back when you were young and all you desired was to kill. Darkness still lingers in you and it shall be your end! For all the dark energy within you shall make me stronger!" He lifted and hand towards Vegeta and bore a wild smirk. However Vegeta bore one of his own. Daricus looked at him in this manner for several seconds until he realized nothing was going to happen. "What... What is this?"
"That darkness was destroyed long ago when I found something worth dying for!" Vegeta called out as he got up. "I sacrificed myself once before for those I love and if I must, I will do it again here today."
Words started to appear on the door in glowing text. Words that Vega and Vegeta couldn't read but Daricus could all to well. And so he read them to himself and still didn't believe that it could be true. So he read them again... Out loud. "Eternity bleak and lifeless plain. Littered with the fallen hopeless, cast aside by the single minded, in their aimlesss pursuits. In the end death is universal and the darkness ever welcoming. The sleep of death the only cure to a life of worthlessness. But a life worth dying for is truly immortal. It is these chosen immortal that rise above and make all that you die for worth living."
They all pondered the words for a second before Vegeta reached out and took Vega's hand. "Kakorrot was right, we can't do this alone... And we never could... Without the love and support, trust and faith of everyone we could never have made it this far. Without it Kaykora would have been consumed by Daricus's evil and we could all be dead right now..."
"I wish they were here right now..." Vega said sadly.
"We are." A familiar voice called out. An image of Goku appeared just beyond Daricus. "And we always will be he said with a smile as one by one did the Chosen appeared. But more than that, so appeared Bulma, and Tien; Yamcha and Dende; Heroli, Piccollo, Aarian and Talinia; everyone who cared about Vegeta was there. Everyone but Kaykora nad Naros...
"So long as we love you we're going to be there for you. You have a way of growing on us." Bulma said happily. "Now get your butt moving so you can wish us back! I've been dead once and I didn't like it then, I sure as Hell don't like it now!"
"All right woman be patient." Vegeta said with a chukle.
"Is that Grandma?" Vega whispered.
"One of them." Vegeta whispered back and Vega nodded.
"This is all very touching really but in case you haven't noticed I'm about to complete my scheme for universal domination!" Daricus hissed.
"Like Hell..." Yamcha quipped as the image floated over to Vegeta. "Kick his ass." He finished with a smile before fading into Vegeta and so they all came and did the same. Goku offered up a hug; Chichi a pat on the shoulder; and Bulma a kiss.
"When this is over... You ARE going to tell me about her aren't you?" She whispered.
"Of course." Vegeta said with a grin and Bulma faded as well.
"Well now that all that sentimental rubbish is over, you two are stopping me from completing my goal!" Daricus said and his tone rose as he spoke.
"What's wrong Dari? Jealous that you do't have anyone that gives a Damn about you?" Vegeta's smirk was ever present.
"SHUT UP!!!" He screamed in reply as a massive dark wave shot out and pinned them crushingly hard against the doors.
"Well this is going to be harder than I thought..." Vegeta said straining. There was a crack behind them.
"I'm more worried about that... We have to get him away from the doors... If they break, it could all be over..." Vega said.
"When you come up with an idea let me know..."
"You're the King, so lead..."