Ch 4 - Meddling With Time
The younger and older saiyan continued their training on Yardrat, often not talking and keeping to themselves. King Vegeta, as Goku insisted in addressing him as, stopped any inkling of conversation right as it started. They ate together and slept in the same house, and that was always shared in silence with maybe the exception of asking to pass food around the coffee table. Goku couldn't say he knew the strange saiyan at all, but then again they didn't need to talk to get to know the other. Saiyans communicated better in another, more violent, way.
After their meditation and teachings with the Guru, the duo would find a quiet place to spar. That's the best thing to do as saiyans. It came quick for Goku to realize that the saiyan was far stronger than Frieza, but by how much the younger wasn't able to tell. The older saiyan's form and technique were phenomenal to say the least. After three months, it was obvious to Goku that the saiyan he'd dubbed King Vegeta was far above his league.
Goku was excited to have found such a powerful warrior that seemed to be his ally. But, there was a catch. King Vegeta was advancing far more quickly with his training than Goku was. The older saiyan was able to catch up to his level of training rapidly. After all, it took Goku about a year to get to the point he was at and King Vegeta was already surpassing him in under three months. It was frustrating, but Goku knew he needed the saiyan's help if he was to keep up the pace.
During a particular spar, Goku decided to speak: "Hey, King Vegeta?"
The addressed saiyan roughly punched the younger's face in retaliation, "I'm no king. Enough with that."
Ignoring the comment, Goku continued, "Well, you've been so good at this. What's your secret? What do I need to do so that I can advance as quickly as you are?"
The older saiyan chuckled at the question, "Something only age can teach you, Kakarot. I'm simply more adept in the mind and have more experience with meditation and maintaining concentration."
"There has to be a trick to it though, right?" Goku asked as he dodged another attack before delivering one of his own.
"You have to focus. Something you aren't good at except in battle. Think of it like you are planning your next attack. Instead of physically reacting, let your mind follow through," the saiyan instructed, giving a physical example as he landed a strike on Goku's chest which pushed him back against a tree. "Clearing your mind for battle and meditation work one in the same. Focus your mind and your body can follow you."
Since the day King Vegeta began giving Goku tips and tricks to their training sessions, both of the saiyans advanced in their training program with the Yardrat far faster than expected. In just another two months, both were nearing conclusion to their training. Although Goku was ecstatic at progressing so quickly, King Vegeta thought otherwise. He wasn't supposed to be there to help, after all. If Goku went back to Earth now, it would be three months too soon.
"King Vegeta?" Goku waved his hand in front of the older saiyan's face who gave a sigh and looked over to the younger man from his meditation. "Since our training's wrapping up soon, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to Earth with me. I know you didn't seem that interested before when I talked about Earth, but hey, it's my home and there are people there that would really like to meet you! Plus, we'd get to spar the whole way back! What do you say?"
After careful consideration, Vegeta agreed with a face twisted in annoyance. Spending more time with Kakarot sounded awful, but if they sparred the whole way then Vegeta would be able to subtly delay their arrival back to Earth. Vegeta couldn't exactly say he hated the time he was spending with the saiyan, after all he didn't leave off on bad terms with the Kakarot he knew, but there was always something about the man that made Vegeta twitch.
And so, the two saiyans graduated their training and left in Vegeta's spaceship as Goku's was far too small for two saiyans. Vegeta strategically hid the evidence of Capsule Corporation in the ship so as to not raise suspicion. Not that Goku would be intelligent enough to pick up that random guys in space didn't have access to Capsule Corp products. Vegeta didn't want to deal with the hassle that would be from changing the times. If he interfered more than he already had, then who knew what could happen? Cell be stronger? Maybe a new android that pops up? Or Buu activated too early? Perhaps a new villain all together?
Vegeta was training and sparring with Goku, and that innately already had an impact as Goku grew stronger and wiser. Well, maybe not wiser. Kakarot was very thick headed when it didn't come naturally to him. Heck, that's why it took him so long to learn Instant Transmission. The technique was actually quite simple, but required a lot of concentration and patience of which Kakarot naturally had neither.
The older saiyan was far more advanced with the technique than Goku was. He had taken extra training sessions with the guru behind Goku's back in order to strengthen his understanding and abilities. Vegeta was the only outsider to ever be considered a master of the technique. Even Goku wasn't there yet, but he had to strengthen his abilities on his own. Vegeta didn't mention to the sensei that he knew for a fact that Kakarot would not ever fully do so.
Yes, Instant Transmission. A powerful and resourceful tool used more for convenience than otherwise. That's what it was always used for by Kakarot and others. A technique to get places quicker. It had so much more potential than that, though. Potential he might not have even thought of had he not left for this retirement trip of his…
Instant Transmission was a technique to find a ki source and transport instantaneously through light. A technique always limited by the distance and strength of the ki being searched for. A technique always limited by the user's inability to pick the precise location of reappearance. That wasn't at all true, however. That was up to the one's ability in using the technique properly.
Vegeta worked tirelessly until he could get the technique down. He'd tried it out one night, even. As Goku slept in the ship's cot, Vegeta concentrated and imagined his home. No, present day Capsule Corporation. He could see it clearly, and could count the birds in the greenery with Bikini Briefs. A plate of sweets on the side table by the door just as she always had. In an instant, he disappeared to the Earth and returned to the ship just as quickly as he left. He was always a sucker for Mrs. Briefs' cookies, and successfully enjoyed and savored the flavor of the snack he stole. He didn't steal the whole tray, but he knew even if he did the woman wouldn't notice or give a care in the world. Sometimes, victories came small and this victory tasted damn good.
The three months in space dragged along painfully. Vegeta couldn't fain weakness and it came to a point where Goku caught on that he could go all out in Super Saiyan and still not reach Vegeta's limits. It posed enough of a challenge that Vegeta didn't get bored on the trip, at least. This was supposed to be a trip for his own personal amusement; and beating the snot out of Kakarot sure made him feel like he was having fun. Even if the fights weren't exactly even or fair.
Kakarot's super transformation had a more solid hold as the two saiyans sparred in 350 times Earth's gravity. The highest the younger saiyan could go without sweating in his super transformation. It was child's play for Vegeta, but he never mentioned it. The younger saiyan didn't need to know that the ship's capacity was 1,200 times Earth's gravity. He'd even asked for more once, but learned that the material couldn't withstand the strain of the machine and it'd combust at any amount higher than that.
Vegeta got a good punch on Goku's nose and the younger saiyan pulled back to clutch at the bloody mess on his face. The older saiyan was about to reprimand the younger for putting his guard down when Goku appeared severely distracted. Curiously, Vegeta looked in the direction Goku was and realized the younger had finally noticed. Frieza was on their tail for a while, but he didn't say anything as the lizard was supposed to be.
"Hey, do you feel that?" Goku asked, wiping the blood from his nose. "Man, that's insane. It's Frieza, isn't it? At this rate, he's going to pass us…"
Crossing his arms with a bored expression, Vegeta answered, "Hmph, yes. Heading to Earth, no doubt."
Coming to the same conclusion, Goku insisted, "We've gotta stop him. Does this ship go any faster?"
"Not while the gravity is on," came Vegeta's quick excuse. It wasn't exactly false, but Kakarot didn't need to know that limitation only applied for warp speed. He then further reasoned, "Just let the lizard go for now. He'll probably wait on Earth for your arrival. Besides, you've got Instant Transmission under your belt. You can just pop in and save the day."
"Oh, yeah I guess you have a point there," Kakarot nodded as if just realizing that Instant Transmission was a thing he'd recently learned.
Vegeta sighed under his breath to add believability, "Your attachment to this planet is mind boggling."
Not really understanding what Vegeta had meant, Goku defended, "Well, it's my home. I was raised there and I have friends and family there. You know what that's like, don't you?"
Memories of his own version of Earth flashed before Vegeta's mind and he shook his head to rid the feeling of longing that came with. Hardening himself, Vegeta answered stubbornly, "Saiyans care more for training than attachments. Attachments give you motive, but it also opens the possibility for error in irrational thinking. Such as now. Would you rather train longer with me and grow stronger, or zap away to stop Frieza before he gets the chance to land?"
"I guess you're right," Kakarot conceded, preparing himself for the spar to continue.
"I'm not staying with you when we reach Earth, you understand? I will remain on my ship and leave as soon as Frieza is taken care of," Vegeta clarified, already knowing the fool wanted to introduce him. Over the three months, Vegeta had considered staying. After all, he'd get to see his wife while she was still in her prime. Before her prime, even! But that same thought led him to refuse staying. He would only get in the way.
"What?! But I want you to meet my friends!" Kakarot exclaimed, lowering his guard again. "And Vegeta! You have to meet him! He's your family, right?!"
"Tch. No, Kakarot. I will not. And I'm not going to argue with you like a child," the older saiyan grumbled. This was going to be a very long three and a half hours. What had Vegeta gotten himself into?