Chapter 3: Red Faction - The Second Super Saiyan
Surge's Space Station...
The warlord Surge sat in a not too interesting chair, staring intimately at his guest; an Arcosian known as Sub Zero. There were in one of the break rooms belonging to the former staff whom left this place abandoned.
The pair was flanked by several of the warlord's trusted lieutenants, each standing in a separate corner of the room. The two started negotiations not too long ago; discussing a rather interesting trade deal, as the bald man suspected the alien may bring up.
Basically, Sub Zero offered to build space ships in exchange for personal.
Though Surge hoped he wouldn't discover his need for vessels, Sub Zero is a rather intelligent man. It took him no time to figure it out, but by offering this particular deal the Arcosian revealed one key piece of information: He needed manpower, something Surge had a surplus in.
So an exchange of equivalence.
"Interesting offer, but I decline." Surge stated, crossing his arms. "I need ships, this is true but I also need these men. It's not worth it if this deal only leaves me enough to crew these vessels."
"Oh I'm sure it'll be easy to find additional personal in the underground." Sub Zero casually replied, holding a hand off to the side as he crossed his legs. "I have several trusted sources that can confirm that you are quite the resourceful individual."
Surge stared at the Arcosian for a long moment, contemplating who in the galaxy could know enough about him that would agree to spy or at least sell information on him.
When the list exceeded 35 off the top of his head, he returned his focus to the conversation at hand. The warlord leaned forward, gripping the ends of the chair he sat in tightly.
"Let me make myself clear: No deal."
Sub Zero sighed with a sly smile. He crossed his fingers together as he closed his eyes.
"Negotiations have failed then..."
In that moment, when the Arcosian would sit up Surge had ever intention to kill this upstart. However, the criminal's lieutenants began to drop one after another before he had a chance to blink.
Surge's eyes went wide for a brief moment before refocusing on his guest. Without a doubt in his mind, the warlord rushed Sub Zero. The latter smiled as Surge passed through his afterimage, crashing into the chair and rolling onto the floor.
Surge quickly turned as he rose to his feet, about to throw himself forward when he caught the glimpse of dark purple energy charging before him.
Sub Zero stood with one arm raised at the dark skinned man, a mid-size energy ball charging in the hand he extended toward his host.
"You're men aren't dead, only unconscious Surge." The Arcosian stated, maintaining his smile. "Their fate, along with all those aboard this station, depends on your next action. Do act with caution, for I won't give you another chance."
"What are you planning to do?" Surge calmly asked, fists clenched at his sides. "If you hit me with that blast, you could damage the station and send us all to the vacuum."
"Precisely why I ask you to act with caution."
Surge raised an eyebrow for a fraction of a second. 'This has to be a bluff...'
"You'd risk blowing up this station just cause negotiations failed?"
"That, and you're attempt to kill me born from your desire to eliminate the competition." Sub Zero tilted his head. "You see, I know much more about you than you think Surge. I know you're history, the way you think, you plans and so much more."
He held his free hand out for a moment as he spoke the last bit.
"You dream and my own desire overlap, therefor I though it best we cooperate for mutual benefit. However, it seems events have progressed as I predicted despite the oval branch I dangled before you."
For the first time since he arrived, Sub Zero dropped the smile he seemed to always have on his face and frowned at the warlord. His eyes glared with such disappointing rage that it made even the cold blooded Surge pause.
"As much as I detest such methods, the need for threats is post due."
"You'll kill yourself too, along with all those you've come with." Surge stated, unsure if this was still a bluff or if he was serious.
Sub Zero let out a chuckle. "It seems you are uneducated on the special traites of my race Surge. Allow me to enlighten you."
"Unlike you and your lackeys, we Arcosians can survive in space, along with every other hazardous environment you can possibly imagine."
"As for the rest of my men, they are sworn to live and die by my command. If they are to meet their end today for the betterment of my ideals, then so it shall be for they would all gladly march into the depths of every imaginable hell for my benefit."
Surge let out a tisk. 'So, not a bluff then.'
"Fine, I accept your previous deal."
"Oh no, that was a one time deal. Now," Sub Zero flashed his aura; dark purple in color and expanding to engulf the entire room. "Now I'll tell you the new deal."
Surge's eyes widened. He could feel this man's power. It was suffocating, far more potent than the likes of King Cold the one whom captured him in the first place.
It felt like this aura was burning him, piercing the very fabric of his being. It forced him to his knees, trembling at the superior might of that which stood before him.
"The new deal is this:" Sub Zero canceled out the energy ball in his hand, crossing his arms as he focused on maintaining his aura as the means to hold the proud warlord in place.
"You, Surge, along with all those under your command are now under my jurisdiction from this point forward."
"You will provide me with 300 warriors every monthly unit for 5 years. You will provide me with any information I desire within a week's time at most, outside of particular cases that shall be elaborated upon once they need to be addressed. You will serve me personally as apart of my newly forming elite squadron, to which will be named at a later date once sufficient numbers have been reached."
"In return, I shall provide you with a set number of newly forged star ships, to which shall be unleash upon targets of my own choosing."
"Your criminal empire in the making shall be forged into a front for my own. We shall rise together, master and servant, and claim this corner of the galaxy as our own. You shall be the face of the empire, the poster boy if you will, while I control everything from the shadows."
"And that, is our new agreement. I hope we understand one another clearly now."
As he finished speaking, Sub Zero relaxed himself, releasing his aura as fast as he rose it. Without so much as glancing at the warlord, the Arcosian marched out of the room.
Various criminals stared at the man, wondering why he was still alive no doubt. None tried to stop him however, a few glance inside the room he just came from however. Sub Zero could hear the hushed gasps and whispers as several of these criminals rush to the aid of their boss.
Sub Zero was half way to his ship when various criminals blocked his way. They all look grimly at the Arcoisan. One raised his fist to throw a punch as a sudden shout stopped him mid throw.
"Stop!" Surge called out. His underlings turned this heads toward the warlord. The man was sweating, panting heavily as he casually walked to Sub Zero's side.
The latter smiled as Surge pushed those blocking the path forward aside. When he was done, Surge turned to face the Arcoisan and nodded.
'Eager to please now that you know what your dealing with...' Sub Zero muffled a chuckle. "Thank you, Surge."
The Arcoisan passed the criminals, most looking at each other, Surge, or Sub Zero with confused gazes.
Sub Zero passed by the rows of his own men now, each falling behind their lord as he passed. Along the way, Avalanche met and greeted his friend before following suit.
As the Arcosians started up the ramp, Sub Zero took a moment to pause and turn to face those behind him.
At first, he glanced at the men he chose to follow him here, each proud warriors whom wouldn't hesitated to kill or die by his word, then he focused on the crowd beyond them; the growing criminals gather behind their leader Surge.
With his usual smile, Sub Zero called out to the crowd dispelling the shadow of doubt that clearly plagued many of them.
"You all work for me now. I look forward to our progress together."
Planet Todocama…
The impostor Tora fired an energy wave at Bardock, it exploded a moment after creating a significant smokescreen.
With a smirk, Tora took to the air flying off to a prearranged extraction point where an Attack Pod lay in wait.
His job here was done, the enemy commander was distracted long enough for the slowly dying remnants of Frieza's Planet Trade Organization to devastate the forces of Red Faction and their allies before abandoning the planet to it's fate.
Their apparent leader; one Commander Ledgic, long ago realized that they no longer had the means to challenge Red Faction directly.
So, this war was a guerrilla war. One intended to make the 'rebels' bleed.
This goal was why his employer brought him into this, for they needed to use unconventional means if they wanted to succeed in anyway.
Not that it mattered in the grander scheme of things to the shape shiftier, so long as he got paid for jobs like this and was able to continue his current business all was well with the galaxy.
There was one thing wrong with the impostor's plans however: He messed with the wrong Saiyan.
Bardock rushed out of the dust cloud and toward Tora, the latter failing to notice until the Saiyan was right on top of him.
For you see, with the exception of the bulk of the forces belonging to Red Faction, very few individuals in the Northern Galaxy knew that detecting power levels without a device was possible.
Yes, there are several planets where the native race learns of this ability naturally or individuals whom discover it with enough training, but the galaxy at large never knew such a thing was possible until Riddic shared the news with those loyal to him.
As Bardock whirled himself around behind the imposter, the latter finally realized the Saiyan was behind him.
"Wha-"
Bardock didn't allow him to finish, slamming him with a hammerfist directly on his head. Tora fell toward the ground, but managed to catch himself mere inches from impact.
He looked up at the charging figure of Bardock, energy charged in the Saiyan's right fist.
"You think I'd let you get away?!" He yelled, unleashing the energy in his fist. Tora's eyes widened as the blast closed in, then disappeared when the attack connected.
Bardock lowered himself to the ground, standing a fair distance from the smoke created from his last attack. Not even a moment after he landed, the Saiyan let a sudden jump in power before the smoke was blown away by a powerful gust of wind.
Bardock had to guard against the wind current, for it threatened to blow him off the ground.
His eyes narrowing as he studied the new form standing before him: A shirtless, black winged humanoid with black pants and clawed feet.
It had dark hair with a single thick bang that covered the left half of its face. Its one visible eye was yellow and reminded the Saiyan of a bird of prey,
it glared back with such intensity like that of a hawk about to strike at another bird of similar size. Strangest of all was it had no mouth, or at the very least no lips to show where a mouth may be.
The new creature hovered above the air, long wings flagging casually as it continued to stare at Bardock.
The Saiyan lowered his arms, letting out a hmph as he settled into a battle stance.
"So is this your true form?" Bardock asked, honestly caring less if the creature answered or not. It was concerning none the less however, for if his senses were correct this creature was far stronger than he currently is.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" The mouthless form replied though a method that didn't seem to be telepathic, lowering itself upon the ground.
It spread its feet apart, settling into a pose suited for a forward charge.
"What you may know however, is that this form at a relaxed state is equivalent to a rating of 85,000 from your Scouter units."
"Scouters aren't as accurate as the Planet Trade makes them out to be." Bardock countered, frowning at concluding that matched up with what he was feeling. "We won't know for sure until we fight anyway."
"Perhaps..." The winged creature tilted his head to his left. "Or maybe you know how strong I am by feeling it."
Bardock didn't even bat an eye as his foe correctly guessed. Not many knew one could sense power levels without a device like the Scouter.
"Yes...that makes sense." The shape shifter concluded. "It matches up with what this form allows me to see. Bardock, you can hide behind that poker face of yours and while it would fool many it cannot do the same while I'm in this form."
"What do you mean?"
"Simple: This form has senses far exceeding the capabilities of most humanoid species. With them, I can pick up on emotions through hormones released from the body and pick them up with sent and sight. I can see the doubt clouding your mind Bardock. I can see that you know you cannot hope to win against me as I currently am."
The Saiyan let out a tisk. 'Great, so he can basically read my mind if I don't keep my body in check.'
"Like I said, we won't know for sure till we start fighting. So how about you shut up and come at me already?"
The wings on the creature's back pulled themselves upward, flexing once before settling back to how they were before.
"As you wish."
Bardock had heard the words, but he failed to see what happened next.
In one moment, his foe was there and in the next he was gone.
He never saw it coming. How could he, when this being was nearly twice as strong?
All he felt was a single gust of wind before the world around him grew dark.
So very dark...
Planet B25...
Turles laughed, invigorated by the new found power coursing though the very fabric of his being.
"So, this is what it feels like to be legendary...I can get used to this."
The renegade Saiyan turned his gaze to his fist, raising it to near head level. Slowly, he turned it back and forth, smiling as he admired his new shiny aura.
"Guess I didn't need the Tree of Might after all. Not if this is the secret to unlock the Super Saiyan's power."
In contrast to Turles's joy, Riddic was in complete bewilderment.
"No way..." Riddic stood, eyes trembling with what stood before him. "How? How can such a thing be possible? This can't be happening..."
Turles clenched his fist, lowering it with a smirk as he returned his gaze to his foe.
"Hahaha, I'm just as surprised as you! Who would have thought that there can be two Legendary Super Saiyans? Quite a twist of fate, wouldn't you agree?"
"There's only ever been one...One in the legend...so how?"
Turles chuckled at the other Super Saiyan. "Yes, yes. I've heard the same story as you. I mean, every Saiyan has. Guess what they say about legends are true after all; not every bit of it is true."
He extended his arms out, smirking as he spread his feet out. "Now then, why don't we do something real legendary? I mean, we have to be the first two Super Saiyans alive in the same era. Why not mark this occasion with a good old fight?"
Several minutes earlier...
Paragus watch, arms across his chest as he watch the fight before him. Disappointed of course, as he desired to test his growing strength against strong opponents such as these. However, Lea insisted that she take the two of them by herself.
Stating this was the least he could do for her after neglecting to take care of Broly.
Honestly, Paragus figured this was her was of venting her growing frustrations. That said, he saw no reason to agitate her any further. Especially after her last display a few days ago.
Lea fought off against the cyborg known as Cacao, and the pretty boy type Daiz. The two worked surprisingly well with one another, in perfect sync actually, and that was the main reason why the pair held they own against a stronger fighter.
Not that the Saiyan was making it easy for them of course, she's a fighter.
Lea jumped over the red-orange energy ball Daiz threw at her. Cacao appeared behind her the moment after, kicking her square in the back. The blow was more of an annoyance to the Saiyan female than anything else as it only force her forward a few dozen inches.
She spun herself around preparing to kick the cyborg when its front armor opened up, revealing multiple thrusters installed within. They ignited a moment after, rapidly thrusting Cacao out of Lea's reach.
"Damn this is annoying!" The female Saiyan yelled, firing a ki blast at the fleeing foe. The blast was intercepted by another launched by Daiz, smirking at his opponent's growing frustration.
"Sure you don't need a hand?" Paragus called out, lowering his hands.
"No, I got this!" Lea answered back. She cracked her knuckles together, thinking about what moves to try next when she felt a surge of power coming from the massive tree.
She and Paragus turned their heads, Daiz and Cacao followed suit soon after. Daiz let out a laugh as his Scouter picked up a spike in Turles's power.
"Looks like the boss hit the jackpot huh?"
Lea's eyes widened as she realized that this new, growing power exceeded her lover's power by a significant amount.
"What the hell?" She muttered, dropping her hands to her sides. "Riddic...What have you gotten yourself into?"
Meanwhile...
Vegeta let out a tisk as he square off against his opponents, regretting his offer to the other two Saiyans. The two twins or lookalikes or whatever disgusted the Saiyan Prince.
Rasin and Lakasei chuckled at their equally sized opponent. From their Scouters, Prince Vegeta had a roughly equal power level to their own. What the two didn't know was that he was suppressing his power level; a technique he had grown to appreciate for the looks on his opponents faces are priceless.
Prince Vegeta however didn't look forward to anything involving these two however.
"Little Saiyan Prince got himself into more than he bargained for." Rasin said.
"Agreed, brother." Lakasei quickly added. "This prideful pup doesn't know the power of the Crusher Corps."
Prince Vegeta rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he allowed the two ugly aliens to speak. It was rather generous giving his growing detest for the two.
"Let us go then, and enlighten him upon this grave error." Rasin finished.
"Enough talk!" Vegeta lowered his arms, settling into the battle stance of the Saiyan Elite. (The stance he used when he fought Goku for the first time).
"Let's get on with it, weaklings!"
The two brothers exchanged glances, smirking at one another before settling into their own battle stances.
The three held their ground for a long, silent moment. Each visualizing the battle to come in their minds, their opening moves, their enemy counter moves, and several ways to end the battle quickly.
Prince Vegeta decided to make the first move, launching himself at the pair. The two brothers backed up, each heading their own way. Prince Vegeta placed one foot on the ground to springboard himself toward Lakasei.
The prince threw a punch at the butt headed alien, whom promptly caught the punch mid throw. He chuckled, and Vegeta chuckled right back as he threw his free fist. Only this time, he briefly raised his fighting power to the fullest.
When this punch came at him far faster than before, Lakasei's eyes widened just before impact. The force of the blow set the alien flying back.
Rasin called out to his brother before firing a series of energy blasts at the young Saiyan.
Vegeta stood still, not even acknowledging the incoming attack as he watch Lakasei with a smirk on his face.
The blasts connected, Rasin let out a cheer as a dust cloud covered the area of impact. When the dust cleared however, Rasin gasped in shock.
"What?!"
Prince Vegeta, aside from the particles of dust on his person, stood unscathed by the attack. He wiped the dust of his shoulder with a laugh, turning his head toward Rasin.
"I'm sorry, did you do something?"
Rasin let out a curse. "Quit toying with us!" He threw his arm to his side. At that moment, Lakasei managed to recover, flew and landed beside his twin brother.
"You're hiding your true power aren't you!?"
"Oh? I'm surprised you can figure that out." Vegeta said with somewhat sarcastic surprise.
"We aren't idiots!" Lakasei replied, balling his fist up. "In fact our master Turles and his second have recently learned the same ability!"
"Interesting." Prince Vegeta took a step toward the two. "Tell me, now that you two figured this all out how does it help you defeat me?"
"It clarifies what we're up against-" Rasin answered.
"-and allows us to formulate a proper counter plan." and Lakasei finished.
The two nodded at one another then did something rather unexcepted; the two fused into one.
"Now Saiyan, you fight the full power of Rasin and Lakasei!" The fusion stated.
"So you can combine?" The Saiyan Prince settled into his battle stance once more. "Let's see if you can make things interesting then."
Though he said this, Vegeta knew that the combined form was stronger than his current peak.
No matter, there had to be a limit to this fused form like a time limit or the amount of damage it can sustain. Even if there wasn't, he simply had to make one or exceed his current limit.
Vegeta knew he had an endless amount of potential waiting to be unleashed. All he had to do was wake it up.
Before either combatant could make a move however, they each detected Turles's transformation.
"Oh?" Prince Vegeta turned an eye in the direction of the power disturbance. "Looks like the real fun's happening over there."
'And if my senses aren't wrong, it seems the big boss somehow grew stronger than a Super Saiyan.'
Riddic shook his head, still in disbelief. How could it be possible? How can two Super Saiyans exist at the same time? It shouldn't come to pass, and yet here standing in front of him is yet another legendary warrior.
Turles, the renegade Saiyan warrior, stared at him relishing in his new found power. His joy at this unexpected turn of events perfectly portrayed in his every act.
"You look so grim!" Turles called out to his foe. "Come on, cheer up! We're about to engage in the greatest fight of the age!"
Riddic closed his eyes, exhaling. He'd have plenty of time to figure out why this had happened later. For now he had to end this; to kill Turles before he has a chance to cause havoc across an unsuspecting galaxy.
This renegade reminded the silver-haired Saiyan of his twin, only a bit less of a psychopath.
While he knew that right now, Turles is stronger than Riddic currently is he didn't know about his immortality and hopefully with it an instant zenkai boost. Though, this will be the first time Riddic has ever 'died'. He didn't exactly look forward to it.
"This is all just a game to you, isn't it Turles?" Riddic asked, raising his guard. "Just one grand pissing contest with the entire universe huh?"
Turles chuckled in response. "Of course it is." He waved his arm casually in the air. "This is all a game played at the highest stakes. Each one of us see how far we can make it, how high we can climb up the latter, if we can succeed in obtaining a life we are satisfied with or in our case lead a life envied and respected by others."
"Respect? What is there to respect from a murderous thug like you?" Riddic took a step forward. "You would slay any who even voice opposition to your reign!"
Turles closed his eyes. "And how is that any different from what you do?"
"I don't take innocent lives."
Turles shook his head, slowly laughing. "I told you before, no one is innocent. No one." He opened his eyes. "Enough talk, it's clear that you and I will never see eye to eye. So lets settle this the typical way we Saiyans handle arguments?"
"Agree-"
No sooner had these words escaped Riddic's mouth Turles vanished in a flash. By the time he blinked, the silver-haired Saiyan felt pain shooting from his chest and straight up through his body.
Riddic coughed up the spit and blood as he doubled over on one knee. The renegade Super Saiyan chuckled, slowly walking towards his foe.
"I see why you use that as you opening move." Turles said with a wide smile, crouching down to meet Riddic's eye level. "There's something satisfying in seeing you opponent huddled over in pain as they come to the realization that whom they're fighting against is far out of their league."
Riddic glanced up, fighting against the pain, and spat at Turles.
Laughing, the renegade rose to his feet, wiping of the spittle on his face.
"That's the spirit."
He kicked Riddic in the face, watching the Super Saiyan fall on his back.
"Thanks for showing me you can handle everything I intend to do to you."
An hour later...
A red light appeared in the sky of Planet B25, gradually growing bigger and brighter with each passing moment.
As time passed, the light gained form revealing an all too familiar gray metallic color.
The ground shattered as the Attack Pod crashed into the ground. Smoke came off the single man spacecraft for the next few minutes, slowly dissipating. Once the smoke had cleared and the pod cooled it opened up, revealing the Saiyan warrior within.
He climbed out of the crater, taking a few minutes to study his surroundings. His gaze focusing on the massive tree off in the distance. His hand shifted up to the Scouter on his face, pressing the single button to activate the comms.
"This is Commander Bardock to any on this frequency. I'm here like you wanted Riddic." Bardock spoke into his Scouter. "Tell me where our enemies are. I need to beat something to death."
Power Levels
Daiz: 16,800
Cacao: 16,800
Rasin: 15,000 (Combined) 30,400
Lakasei: 15,400 (Combined) 30,400
Lea: 19,600
Paragus: 16,350
Bardock: 45,000
Prince Vegeta: 15,000 (Raised power level) 21,000
And here ends another entry of Double S!
Now I know this time it's a bit shorter than what I usually write but with the holidays coming up my time'll be spent with the family for awhile, then work cause resort stuff.
Anyway, so here we get a glimpse at the battles with the other members of the Crusher Corps with Prince Vegeta, Lea and Paragus watching there. No worries, they'll be more on that.
We got what happened with Bardock and the shapeshifter, more on that to follow with the next entry along with the identity of said individual.
Also just a reminder that the events happening to Bardock on Planet Todocama are set 10 days before Riddic and Turles even meet so Bardock's arrival is . As for the events between Surge and Sub Zero, they happen sometime between those 10 days.
Speaking of that, how bout that glance at the other side of Sub Zero? Between that and the depths of his power that scares the likes of a cold blooded killer like Surge who knows what the Arcosian will do once his plans are set in motion?
Now the stage is set for a legendary bout unlike that the galaxy has seen in millennia! How will this duel between Super Saiyans play out, along with what will come after to the galaxy at large?
Will The Lady, whom arranged this all from the start, make an appearance like she has at other key battleground involving our favorite silver-haired Saiyan?
And what happened between Bardock's last encounter with the shapeshifter and his departure to the planet his comrades currently fight on?
Find out next time on Dragon Ball Double S!