Disclaimer: DB/DBZ/DBGT belong to Toriyama and other rich Japanese guys, not me.
A Brief Moment in Time
Chapter 24: Armageddon
Vegeta stood upon the bridge of the fleet's flagship next to Goten. The two watched without a word spoken as they saw a thousand ships jump out of hyperspace before them. Waves upon waves of destroyers, cruisers, and dreadnaughts began to spread out to surround the planet.
"This will be interesting…" commented Goten with a smirk. "I don't think we've ever fought at such odds before."
"Is that clown of your father ready?" asked Vegeta ignoring Goten's comment. "They are spreading out and if that fool doesn't get that Genki Dama ready in time we'll lose our chance."
"It'll be ready," said Goten. He tapped the com unit on his wrist. "Dende, please have Hercule begin to solicit energy."
"On it, Goten," came Dende's gentle voice.
A minute later everyone in the fleet could hear the voice of Hercule clearly as he spoke through Dende.
"People of Earth! You all know me as the Greatest Martial Arts Champion of all time. You know that I saved you all from the destructive creature called Cell! You know that I saved you from Majin Buu! Time after time I've saved you all!
Now our planet is danger again. This time from the rebels of the Imperium. If we do not defeat them it will be the end of our planet. So, despite my age, I have come forth to champion Earth again!
Now you all are probably what can one man do against a fleet of a thousand ships. Remember that I am Hercule Satan! The greatest Martial artist ever! I have developed a new technique but I can't do it alone. All of you must contribute some of your energy so that I can collect enough energy to destroy the enemy fleet! All you have to do is raise your hands! Raise them and wish that I receive your energy and it will be done! Help me help you! If we all combine our powers… if everyone man and woman and child help we can win. So I, the CHAMP, am telling you all to raise your hands and help save our world. Are you with me? Good… Now raise your hands!"
Vegeta blinked in surprise when the speech was done. Turning to Goten, he asked, "Who wrote that pathetic speech?"
Goten shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Pan, maybe Marron. Who knows." Glancing towards the window he saw his father floating in the vacuum of space with his hands outstretched. The energy ball that was forming was gigantic. Ever so slowly it was growing and growing. "It's too bad we couldn't have this ready the moment they entered into orbit. We could probably have wiped half of them out."
Vegeta nodded. "Bojack would have sensed it. I doubt he is a complete imbecile."
"True… well it's your turn now. Time to make your speech," smirked Goten.
Vegeta shot Goten a glare that would've probably killed a lesser man as he stepped forward into a holographic projector. "It is time to throw the gauntlet," he said. "You may begin transmission brat."
Hear me traitors… began Vegeta with utter scorn in his voice. You who have betrayed me and seek now to destroy me have made your final mistake. You will die here and your name purged forever. There will be no mercy for those of you who continue to follow Bojack in his folly.
However, I am magnanimous. I give you this one chance to repent your decision to join Bojack. You have 25 minutes to turn around and jump out of this system. If your ship is within this system when this time is up, you will be destroyed no questions asked.
That is all.
As soon as the communication line was cut, Vegeta turned to Goten. "Have your father fire that bloated energy ball at the flagship. Maybe we'll get lucky and Bojack will die and the rest will run away."
"Maybe pigs will fly too," snorted Goten as he tapped his communicator again.
"Dad, toss the spirit bomb to where we were talking about early. After that Vegeta will meet you."
"Goten that wasn't twenty-five minutes like you promised! It wasn't even one minute!" cried Goku with shock in his voice.
"We never said we'd wait twenty-five minutes before attacking," replied Goten patiently. "Vegeta said that if they were still here in twenty-five minutes there would be no mercy and no questions asked before we blow them up. He didn't mention anything about a grace period."
"Goten… This isn't right."
"Dad… if we don't put some action behind our words no one will leave. As soon as the spirit bomb detonates they are all going to have second thoughts about this attack. That's what we want."
There was no response for several moments and Goten was beginning to get frustrated. Looking over to Vegeta he saw him leaning against a bulkhead with his patented smirk and a look that said, "I told you."
After almost ten seconds had passed Goku spoke again, "Ok son, I trust you." In the same instant Goten turned and saw the Genki Dama hurtling towards the enemy fleet at an incredibly speed.
The distances between the fleets were still enormous. Even at the near light speed that the Spirit bomb was traveling it still took over 2 minutes for it to reach its target and detonate. The amount of energy unleashed was tremendous and ships simply disintegrated in the explosion. What was once solid matter turned into gas within seconds.
Both Goten and Vegeta weren't paying any attention to the fireworks. Instead, both of them had their eyes fixed upon the tactical screen. They saw almost a hundred and fifty dots flicker and blink out. In addition to those kills, the nearby ships were also undoubtedly damaged. It was basically what they expected, and they were still ridiculously outnumbered. However, if their cards were placed right, many of the other ship captains would lose their courage and flee. After all, they didn't know if there was only one Spirit Bomb or many.
"It's time to go outside brat," said Vegeta as he stood up and began to walk towards the door. "We don't have much time."
Goten nodded in agreement. He took one last look out the bridge view screen and could still see the after affects of the Genki Dama. One hundred and fifty ships with crews of at least 10,000 living beings each had been obliterated in a second. 1.5 million lives gone. It was unfortunate, he thought to himself. It was an absolute waste of lives. Bojack was responsible for all this and Goten swore that he would pay the ultimate price.
…
On the other side…Emperor Bojack was an imposing figure. He towered over his subordinates and was significantly broader of shoulder. His penetrating gaze was that of a hawk's. It was cold, calculating, and it missed nothing. More than one sentient had been bent to his will by a single glare. Bedecked in Imperial black, his orange hair cascaded down his back as if it were a stream of molten lava. Yet, it wasn't only his looks that intimidated his enemies and allies alike. He had always carried with him an aura of danger. Like the Emperor and the Duke de Sirrus, he rarely ever lost his cool. Like them, when he moved, he moved like a predator on the hunt. He was at the top of the food chain and knew it.
Only a frown crossed his rugged blue face when the spirit bomb detonated in the center of the fleet sweeping over a million lives away. "Spread the fleet out," he ordered calmly to his bridge crew even as his flagship trembled from the aftershocks of the explosion. This turn of events did not please him. In fact it made him furious. He had wanted to end this battle quickly but now he sensed that it wouldn't be the case. It would be a fight and dissipating his fleet was the only sensible order he could give in case the Chikyuu-jins had more of whatever that was.
"Admiral Arssil," he called out calmly. "What were our losses?"
"One hundred and forty nine ships, your majesty," replied the sibilant creature that had replaced Bujin as his chief of staff. "We still possess two hundred and ninety six capital ships."
"Any desertions?" he asked carefully avoiding the use of Vegeta's name or title.
"Yes. With their attack and desertions, we've lost about 30 of our fleet already."
"Three hundred ships in a matter of minutes," he whispered to himself. It was ridiculous, but he should have known that failing to kill the Emperor would cause him headaches in the future. "And their numbers? How many ships do they have?" he queried.
"Four hundred and twenty. Only one hundred and twenty capital vessels."
"Order the fleet to break up into units of three capital ships each with appropriate escorts." Turning his attention to his personal battle display he tented his fingers. He knew that he was facing the greatest strategist that the northern galaxy had ever seen. Unlike many of the past warlords that had been crushed under the Duke's heel, Bojack had no delusions of grandeur. He was well aware of his opponent would defeat him in a fair battle in space. That was why he had sent his apprentices ahead to assassinate him. He had two great advantages: his and his disciple's ki power and surprise. One had been utilized and had succeeded exactly as he planned. The appearance of a powerful ki user at Chikyuu, unfortunately, told him that his disciples were dead and had most likely failed in their mission. Regardless, whether Sirrus was dead or not wouldn't matter. That was why he had gathered an armada of a size that had never been seen before. Even with all the losses he had still enjoyed overwhelming odds.
"Majesty… if we do that they will be able battle us piecemeal," cautioned his chief of staff. "We will take significantly more casualties." Bojack felt a surge of anger as his order was questioned. However, he allowed his subordinate some leeway. After all, he was right.
"Perhaps, but if their leader does not proportion their fleet properly we will wipe them out. We do outnumber them after all," smirked Bojack.
"I doubt the Duke would misplay his hand."
Bojack only nodded in agreement. "I agree. If Sirrus is alive then we will take tremendous casualties, but if it's the Emperor leading instead…" Bojack just gave a shrug. "Regardless, we need to force them to spread themselves out as well and I know exactly how." An evil grin crossed his face. "Order all ships to fire a full spread of missiles."
"Sir? We are still out of range. If we let the missiles go ballistic1 their defense systems will pick them off with ease at this range. They have all the time in the world to calculate the trajectories."
"Yes… that is if we are firing at their ships," said Bojack, a smile crossing his face as he saw understanding dawn on his underling's face. He had no doubt that the Chikyuu-jins would spread themselves out in response to his actions. Once that happened they would have no chance and when the Duke de Sirrus and the Emperor were destroyed there would be no one left to challenge his authority. He would rule unchallenged over the northern galaxy. He would then turn and destroy Cooler and that ridiculously frail empire. Once that was done he would sweep southward and conquer whatever pathetic polities ruled there. The galaxy would be his. "That's right. Launch at the planet." He couldn't help but feel smug.
…
On board Sixth Fleet's Flagship…Goten stood quietly looking out into space. He knew he should have left the flagship and been out in space preparing with the other Ki users and Emma's taskforce for their strike. However, he knew what Bojack would do and he couldn't tear himself away from the bridge. Least of all, he couldn't allow Hashiba to shoulder the blame for what was about to happen. He doubted anyone else besides himself and perhaps Vegeta and Marron had an inkling of the enemy course of action. This was a horror that they had seen before. It was the horror of the Union Wars.
"M'lord, enemy fleet has launched missiles," said Admiral Hideyoshi with a confused look on his face. "Fools, don't they know that we can intercept them all without even breaking a sweat?"
"No, Hashiba," sighed Goten heavily. "No… he knows exactly what he is doing. Bojack is no fool. He's launching them at the planet." He didn't even need to turn around to see the stunned looks on the faces of his crew. Like all of them, he had friends and loved ones on Chikyuu. His mother, sister and lover were on the planet still. Yet, his voice was calm when he issued his next order. "Tell Emma to prepare to launch her attack. You will take this task force and destroy as many of the incoming missiles as possible."
"M'lord!" protested Hashiba in a near shout. The normally composed man's face was ashen. "There's no way we can intercept all of them with half the fleet… especially with the ships I have available here! There are almost four thousand of them!" While almost every member of Sixth Fleet knew that if they failed the planet would be destroyed, none of them had imagined that victory would cost such a heavy price. It was easy to give up ones life in defense of home and family. It was another to sacrifice them for victory.
"I know… just do your best. It is a necessary sacrifice for us to prevail. It's that or be completely wiped out," replied Goten as he turned around. "I'm asking you all to trust me." His voice was absolutely calm despite his internal turmoil. His face was an emotionless mask. "Hashiba. The bridge and command are yours." Without another word he left the bridge to meet the rest of the strike force-leaving behind a bewildered crew.
Ten minutes later Goten flew out to join Trunks, Pan, the androids and Krillan along with three-fourths of sixth fleet's capital ships. Vegeta, Goku, his brother and the other Z-fighters were being held in reserve. Right now they were helping destroy the enemy missiles. It wouldn't be enough though. Goten knew that already.
"Emma, it's time," he said softly into his communicator and then snapped his scouter on. He looked at the other fighters and could see the look of horror and disbelief on their faces. Only Trunks looked at him with confidence.
"I know what you're up to," said the young dimensional traveler. "It'll work don't worry."
Goten was surprised at the young man's confidence. He wasn't sure if Trunks really knew what the plan was but from the young man's attitude it appeared that he knew. Goten was about to ask when he was prevented from doing so by a beep on his communicator.
"Sir…" came the Vice-Admiral's shaken voice. "M'lord we're ready, but I think it's possible for us to send a few ships to—"
"No, Emma," said Goten flatly cutting her off. "We will need every ship. Hashiba and the others will have to make do. Now let's go."
There was silence for a few moments before the orders finally came. "All units move out," came Emma's voice. It was hard and filled with anger. "It's time to make that bastard pay."
…
And on Earth…The wind howled around her as she gazed upon the deserted streets of Satan City from a hill in Hercule Park. It was already evening and the sun had set hours ago. On a normal day Satan City would still have been bustling at this hour. There would have been tourists taking pictures, families going out to dinner, and youngsters going clubbing. Mothers and children would be playing in the park and young couples would have been stealing quiet kisses amongst the trees. The sounds of horns would have filled the air and shouts of both anger and happiness as well. Yet it was not the sound of these things that drifted upwards toward the aqua haired woman. From her vantage point only the sound of silence could be heard. Indeed, today was not a typical day. Today was the day of revelation. It was the Day of Judgment and the battle would be fought a hundred thousand miles above Chikyuu. Millions of combatants would clash in a titanic struggle and the outcome would not only decide the fate of the billions of souls on Chikyuu, but the fate of the entire galaxy.
Empty cities, deserted streets, and silence were things she was accustomed to. How many cities like this had she walked through? How many desolated and destroyed places had she ransacked for provisions and material? She had lost count long ago. The feelings of fear or dread that would unnerve the ordinary did not affect her in the least.
As Bulma stood staring into the night sky she tried hard to resolve her feelings. Her anger was spent and her tears had been shed. In her youth she had always been emotional, but the years of horror and loneliness had tempered her. Now she firmly crushed her emotions and analyzed the situation with her rational mind.
His words earlier had been hurtful. They had ripped her heart asunder, but Marron's words to her came back to her: Just give it time… Believe me… he will see that sending you away isn't the safest course. She was aware that Marron had a special relationship with Vegeta and if she also suspected that he was sending her away for her own safety then it was probably true. Even if it weren't, she would take matters into her own hands. So much of her life had been spent passively listening to others. Vegeta loved her. There was no doubt of this in her mind. Now all the she had to do was to make him accept it.
"Ma'am," came a soft but firm voice from behind her. "You should be in a shelter. It's not safe for you out here."
She had to restrain herself from laughing. The citizens of the city had been evacuated for their own safety. While this seemed a prudent precaution, Bulma knew better. If Vegeta, Trunks, and Goku couldn't stop what was coming then shelters were useless. She understood that, unlike her own apocalyptic world where a few had survived, this time there would be no survivors. This battle wasn't about a few androids having fun at the expense of humanity. This time it was about power and control. It didn't take a genius to figure out that you wiped your enemies out. Leaving them behind to extract revenge was a foolhardy thing. Frieza had understood that fact well and Bulma was sure that this Bojack would be no different. Chikyuu would go the way of Vegeta-sei.
"Ma'am?" queried the soldier again when Bulma didn't respond or even turn to face him.
"The shelters will not protect us from what is coming," she stated simply. "Look at the skies above."
As she spoke the sky lit up for a second. Thousands of stars that seemed misplaced appeared in the night sky. Then, as if in response, several miniature suns exploded into being. Golden light flooded the night sky obscuring the stars nearby. Soon after other brightly colored orbs appeared across the horizon.
"And so it begins…" came another female voice. Both Bulma and the young soldier whirled to face the newcomer. Before them stood Marron dressed in uniform. Black pants, black blouse, and cloaked in black. Symbols that Bulma didn't recognize adorned her cloak and collar. Her blond hair cascaded down past her soldiers and her blue eyes were blazing with an inner fire.
"Why are you here?" asked Bulma inquisitively. "I figured you be up there fighting."
"Leave us," commanded Marron to the young soldier in a voice that brooked no argument. Whereas Bulma had not recognized the symbols, the soldier had. He snapped to attention instantly and snapped off a salute before hastily running down the hill.
Amusement flickered across Bulma's face as she watched the young man scamper away. "You are going to have to teach me how to do that."
"I think you already now how to," smirked Marron. "As for me being here. My master decided I would be more useful ferreting out traitors than in combat."
Bulma thought about that for a second and realized that Marron was holding something back. She knew that the young blonde before her was as powerful as a Super Saiyan and that she had years of combat experience in space. Even to her untrained mind she knew that sending her to Chikyuu was not good strategy. "He sent you here to protect me?" she asked finally. Surprise, delight, and a hint of anger all welled up in her at once. Surprise and delight because if this were true then Vegeta truly did care. Anger because she felt that he was being overprotective and that she could take care of herself.
"Partially… I also seemed to have fallen into disfavor for the moment."
Bulma nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry that I got you into trouble."
Marron shrugged. "It's not a problem. You are part of his future and the future of the Imperium." She paused and was silent for a moment lost in thought. " Vegeta has been a second father to me for most of my life. I was a young stupid girl before I met him. His happiness is very important to me."
Bulma nodded. It was strange to think of Vegeta being able to incur such devotion from anyone. It only went to solidify her understanding of this Vegeta. He was so different yet so alike to the Vegeta she knew. His arrogance and pride were undiminished but there was a compassion about him that she had never though he could possess. She prayed fervently that he would survive.
"Walk with me." It wasn't a question. Without waiting for a response, Marron started walking down the hill towards the deserted city. Breaking out of her reverie, Bulma quickly caught up to the younger woman. The two walked for a while in silence until Marron stopped in front of a tall skyscraper. Grabbing Bulma's hand she leapt into the air and took her to the top of the building. Marron lifted her head skywards and Bulma did the same. The view was a bit better than from the hill and for an unknown amount of time they remained silent. "Do you believe in them?" asked Marron quietly.
"Believe in them?" Bulma parroted. The question caught her by surprise. In the brief time she had known Marron, Bulma had found her to be always in control of herself. This was the first time she had heard uncertainty grace her voice. As for the question, Bulma found that she wasn't sure at first. So much had happened in her life. Goku hadn't been there to defeat the androids. The others had failed. She believed in her son, that much she was sure, but what about the others? Did it matter? They were out there fighting for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. If they failed Chikyuu would be no more. Perhaps Marron's father and mother weren't as powerful as Goku or Vegeta. The ordinary humans on the ships were even less powerful. Yet, they would still give it their all and more. Even their very lives, she was sure of that. Every soldier out there would be fighting with a ferocity born of desperation.
It only took her a second to answer. "Yes… I believe in them."
…
And yet… Despite Sixth Fleet's best efforts. Despite the efforts of the Z-fighters and Vegeta, over half a thousand nuclear-tipped warheads penetrated the atmosphere. Gigatons upon gigatons of death rained down from the sky. In a matter of minutes much of life-rich Chikyuu was turned into molten slag. Once proud cities were incinerated. Skyscrapers that had stood proud the day before were obliterated. Rivers filled with life were turned into steam. Rich forests were burned to cinder. The sky itself changed color on that day from a beautiful clear blue into a sickly yellow crimson. Chikyuu had been found wanting.
And upon a skyscraper in Satan City, two women looked up from a computer where they were monitoring transmissions at the sky. The blue haired one cried out in horror as she saw death streaking towards them. The other had seen this before—too many times. The blonde only raised a single hand in welcome. It was clear that Vegeta had forseen this and that was why she was there. A smile crossed her lips in acceptance of her role in this battle. And then a blinding flash of light enveloped them.
…
High above Earth—With Fleet group Alpha.
As Chikyuu was ravaged by the nuclear horror unleashed by Bojack, Goten's task force drove towards the far flank of the usurper's scattered fleet. Unable to concentrate the attackers couldn't mount even a token defense. The Chikyuu defender's cleaved through the first wave of Bojack's armada like a butcher's knife through soft tender veal. There was little finesse in this major engagement of the battle. Over ninety dreadnaughts and their escorts-200 ships in total-bore down on a tenth of that number and annihilated them. Super Saiyan strength ki blasts coupled with plasma and laser fire tore through the enemy ships incinerating the crew and ripping cruisers, escort ships and dreadnaughts apart. Without mercy the task force continued to slice their way towards the heart of Bojack's fleet like a scythe through wheat.
Yet, the soldiers under Bojack's command were neither cowardly nor incompetent. They were—after all—the comrades of the members of Sixth Fleet. They had been trained in the same academies, taught the same stratagems and instilled with the same ideas of duty and honor. It didn't take long before resistance stiffened and Goten's strike began to run out of momentum as waves upon waves of Bojack's ships began to concentrate and counterattack.
Trunks Vegeta Briefs—as a Super Saiyan—unleashed another barrage of ki blasts at one of the gray dagger-shaped Imperial dreadnaughts. Slightly winded, the young Ascended Saiyan heaved another sigh of frustration as he angrily watched his energy dissipate when it struck the massive ship's powerful shielding. This is absolutely impossible, he thought to himself dejectedly. He just couldn't believe that technology—no matter how advanced—could deflect a blast that would have turned one of the Androids into scrap. Then again, he mused, the androids themselves were technology. If Chikyuu could produce something that could match a Super Saiyan, what could a civilization that was light years more advanced do?
He realized now that-when the battle had first started-his ki blasts had never struck the enemy ships alone. A barrage of nuclear tipped warheads or a blast of searing lasers had always accompanied them. He had assumed that his ki blasts had been doing the damage, but apparently he was wrong. Understanding didn't help him though. Trunks couldn't help but feel that he was useless in this fight. He could ascend, but Goten had asked him to hold off until he gave the signal for Trunks to tap into his full potential. In fact, Goten had informed him to keep his level artificially low. He was barely at the Super Saiyan limit and as it was, Trunks couldn't do a damn thing to the monstrous ships that were slowly creeping towards Chikyuu, determined to finish all life off the planet.
Turning to look at his partner and now lover, he saw that she too was panting slightly. "How the hell do we damage these ships?" asked Trunks irritably.
"I have no idea!" sighed Pan a bit wearily. "I've never been in space combat before… I mean that's what the fleet was for!"
"Well we better come up with something fast because here comes more of them and we're going to get swamped under soon."
As he spoke, a massive explosion to his left ripped both of their attentions from the ship before them to that location. Trunks watched with grudging respect as he saw the Androids—17 and 18—leave behind a burning hulk that was once an Imperial Cruiser. The two androids flew onwards and began to dart between barrages of plasma cannon fire while continuously unleashing blasts of ki at the ship that they were now engaging. The sight was almost comical to Trunks. The two androids were no more than colored dots flying swiftly along the fifteen kilometers of destructive power that was an Imperial dreadnaught.
"Let's go Pan," he said. "Maybe if we combined our firepower with theirs we can do some damage."
"Alright. It's not like as we are accomplishing anything here," agreed Pan. White fire exploded around her as she summoned her ki and blasted off towards the Androids. Trunks golden aura followed a split second later.
As the two demi-Saiyans approached the battle, they saw Krillan join his wife and brother-in-law. The two androids continued to juke and dodge the ferocious fire that was unleashed by the dreadnaught, but they changed their firing pattern. Instead of striking at several places the two androids began firing at a single point. It was quite a tricky maneuver since they had to hold their aim while moving, but the Androids were making it look easy—Dr. Gero had done his work well. While they were distracting the gunners on the ship, Krillan flew in at a speed that exceeded the speed of sound many times over. Trunks held his breath as he waited for Krillan to splatter against the ships magnetic shields, but instead he shot through the small hole created by the focused fire of the Androids. Once inside the shields Trunks watched wide-eyed as Krillan smashed into the ships superstructure and disappeared.
"Krillan!" shouted Pan as she felt his ki drop, but her horror lasted only a second when she felt his ki began to skyrocket within the ship. Understanding immediately came to her and she turned towards Trunks to see his reaction at the actions of the Androids and the small Z-fighter. She found him already looking at her with a grin on his face. Moments later the dreadnaught began to break apart. Hundreds of little explosions wracked the once mighty ship and they saw Krillan fly as quickly as he could away before the ship explode in spectacular burst of fire and plasma.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that," said Trunks shaking his head in disbelief at his own stupidity. "You even told me not to raise my ki over 10,000 when inside the ship."
Pan nodded. "Yeah… Well now we know," she said. Looking around the battlefield, she saw that the ships of Sixth fleet were slowly being pounded into atoms by superior numbers. "What are you waiting for Trunks?" she cried urgently. "Let's get going. We have a battle to win.
…
The other side…Bojack frowned as he glanced at the tactical screen. The enemy fleet had not spread out as he had anticipated. Instead they had split into too large columns, concentrating their capital ships into one of them. That larger column now streaked into his flank and seemed determined to drive to the heart of the fleet. Bojack smirked at the strategy. It wasn't a bad one and would probably work if they had more ships and he had less, but with the firepower he had now they couldn't win.
Yet, the sheer will that it took to watch one's home planet be annihilated while doing nothing showed the resolve of these Chikyuu-jin. They certainly were a people to be reckoned with and it was no wonder that someone as formidable as the Duke de Sirrus was from this world, all the more reason to sterilize it clean. The only thing that bothered Bojack was that Sirrus was undoubtedly alive. This maneuver was highly risky and took great coordination and the will to hold this fleet together after such a devastating attack on their home world had to come from somewhere.
"It seems that Sirrus is alive. They have remained concentrated and they are beginning to carve up our fleet piecemeal. Order a general concentration against the outer thrust. They are to keep that group from flanking us. The rest of the fleet will form around this flagship and crush the enemy fleet that is guarding the planet," commanded Bojack coolly.
"Yes your majesty!" came the cry from the Admiral on the command deck. Within moments there was a flurry of activity and Bojack's fleet began to move into position.
Bojack smiled predatorily as he gazed into his scouter and watched the numbers tick. The most powerful of their ki fighters were located near the planet. Two particular powers interested him. They were both much higher than the rest and they were no doubt the Duke and the Emperor. He would crush them first and then wheel around and destroy the flanking force. It would be easy.
…
Near Chikyuu Orbit—Battle Group Beta…Vegeta, Goku, Gohan, Piccolo and the older Z-fighters floated near the few capital ships that comprised of the battle group that lay in wait near Chikyuu. The atmosphere was solemn as they had watched their planet bombarded with nuclear weapons that seemed to tear the atmosphere apart. What was once blue and white was now a sickly brown. No one knew who survived down there and the Z-fighters and crews of the Chikyuu-jin manning the ships ached with worry for their loved ones. Yet, even though worry filled them, another emotion superceded concern—fury—pure and unadulterated fury. The need for vengeance burned through them and as Bojack's fleet advanced, the Chikyuu-jin and Z-fighters fought with a tenacity that was unmatched. Smaller ships rammed dreadnaughts as soldiers of the Chikyuu Defense Force flung their ships with suicidal rage into the invaders hoping to take out as many enemy ships as was possible before they themselves were blown up.
Vegeta and Goku flew through the enemy formations as a pair of avenging angels wrapped in fiery golden auras. Where they went ships exploded as they summoned their power to the maximum. Both were nearing the ascended level, but that was irrelevant at the moment. The plan was to bring Bojack as close in as possible and they were succeeding—at a cost.
Vegeta watched as Goku's eyes grew angrier and angrier. The older fighter was at his maximum and yet he wasn't able to destroy his enemies fast enough. As he and Vegeta combined their firepower to destroy one ship another would replace it. They could only watch as each one of their ships that fought beside them were methodically blown to bits.
Yet, for every of the defender's ship that was blown apart, several of Bojack's ships would disintegrate into space taking the lives of thousands and millions with them. It was only a matter of time before a blue skinned warrior appeared from one of the ships and floated toward Vegeta.
"Brat," said Vegeta into his communicator. "It is almost time. Bojack has left his ship and is coming for me. I will lure him to the planet. You may commence with the annihilation of the rest of his fleet."
"Understood," was the only words that came through the communicator. Turning to Goku, Vegeta said, "Kakkarot, it is time. Take the remaining portions of this fleet and hold this ground. I will take care of Bojack."
"Vegeta," replied Goku, "that guy is no joke. He's really powerful… probably more powerful than both of us combined."
"I'm not an idiot Kakkarot! I know this. It doesn't matter, if I can remove him from the fleet and you destroy their flagship it will be over. Do it Kakkarot, and when you are done then you can help me finish this pathetic sniveling of a worm off. Now go!" Vegeta's voice brooked no argument.
Goku looked at Vegeta and then looked at where Bojack was flying towards them at incredible speeds. He understood the plan, but he didn't like leaving Vegeta to face someone so strong by himself. Slowly, he nodded at Vegeta and then summoned more ki and blasted off to join with the fleet and the other Z-fighters to make a last ditch stand against the enemy battle fleet as it closed.
Vegeta dropped out of Super Saiyan as Bojack closed. He needed rest and every moment of it was precious at this point. Slowly he let the planet's gravity take hold of him and pull him in closer. Bojack had seen him and it was only a matter of time before the blue skin man felt the jaws of his trap close.
Bojack was still a minute or two away when he unleashed a barrage of ki attacks. They weren't too hard to dodge as even at the speed of light, it took seconds for the blasts to reach Vegeta. He didn't even have to power up to move out of their way.
"Come traitor!" shouted Vegeta with as much arrogance as he could muster, "You sniveling piece of worm shit… You will feel the true wrath of a Saiyan today and I will show you know mercy as I rip your arms from your body."
Bojack laughed at Vegeta and then bore in. Vegeta was pathetic, he thought, there was simply no way he could be beaten by such a weakling. As he attacked Vegeta with fist and ki he didn't realize that Vegeta was slowly drawing him into the planet's atmosphere. It didn't take him long to strike Vegeta and then watch him plummet towards the ground.
Vegeta smiled as he tasted the dirt beneath him. It was done. Bojack was within the atmosphere and far from his fleet. As soon as Trunks ascended and his fleet trapped Bojack's it would be over. No doubt Kakkarot would ascend too, knowing that ever cheerful pathetic excuse for a saiyan's ability to leap ahead in power and skill. It galled him, but the knowledge that he had already won over Bojack made him feel a lot better. The fool didn't even know it yet. Even if he lost in single combat here, the rebellion would be crushed. It would simply top off his day—no his lifetime—to destroy this blue skinned freak.
"Time to die, Emperor Vegeta. Thank you for the means to rule this galaxy," he heard Bojack say coldly. With a scream he exploded back into Super Saiyan, twisted and planted a ki blast right in the idiot's shocked blue face. The expression was priceless.
Bojack screamed as he was blasted backwards, but it didn't take long for him to recover. The Saiyan and Blue skinned demon were soon locked in mortal combat near the surface of Chikyuu. The battle was fierce. For every blow that Vegeta landed, Bojack landed two or three. It was a slow battle of attrition.
Sent crashing across the ground of the now desolate planet, Vegeta struggled to get up. He still had enough power to remain in super saiyan and he was losing. He watched Bojack slowly walk across the ground towards him with a smile on his face.
"Do you think you have won?" asked Vegeta as he fought to get his breath back.
"I know I have. You can't possibly win Vegeta and with you dead and your fleet destroyed, there will be no one to stop me from ruling the galaxy."
"That's pretty funny," laughed Vegeta as golden light washed over him. Yet, the light wasn't from him, it came from high above. He glanced up and smirked. There were two suns so bright that the night sky was obliterated. It seemed his hunch had been correct; Kakkarot had ascended as well. Now there was no chance for Bojack's fleet to win. "Take a look above you Bojack. You have lost, better luck next time."
Bojack too had been looking upwards as the golden light flashed across the night sky. He quickly pulled out a communicator and said something into it. Vegeta's smirk just grew wider as he saw Bojack grow angry at the lack of response. It turned into a pure malicious grin when he watched Bojack crush the communicator in his hands.
"What's the matter you blue skinned freak? No one responding? Surprise, surprise."
"I may have lost, but you will die here. I'll have another chance and all this will be for nothing."
"I will die here?" smirked Vegeta. He closed his eyes and exploded back into Super Saiyan. With a scream he began to ascend to the upper limits of the Super Saiyan limit. He didn't think he'd be able to break it; he didn't have the need. Damn the brats for the stupid plan. With a blur he appeared behind Bojack and grabbed him into a lock. "But you will die with me."
"What? No, you can't do this. You wouldn't!" cried Bojack, fear in his voice, as he realized what Vegeta planned on doing. It was not something he could survive.
"But I would… this planet really does pollute the mind with its ideals of self-sacrifice." He held onto the struggling Bojack easily as he unleashed the inner ki from himself. All the potential of the Prince of all Saiyans—now Emperor of the galaxy poured out of him at once. The resulting explosion ripped mountains and sky alike apart; a virtual supernova on the surface of the planet. The last thing Bojack heard before his body was ripped apart and incinerated was the mocking laugh of Vegeta.
………………..
A/N: Back from Vegas… sorry for the wait. We're almost done… Hoped you liked this chapter. Review! 450 reviews would be nice! Last Chapter the Epilogue next... i've worked it over like 5 times and finally came to the conclusion that a short dramatic one would be best... anyway it'll be up soon.