Be warned, this chapter is much darker than prior chapters.
Dragon Ball Z: The Catalyst
Act II:
Chapter 19: Desperation
I don't think I've seen Gohan this happy in weeks. Krillin thought to himself.
Gohan was at his uncle's side, looking up at him as the human warrior thought this very thought. The grin plastered across his face was almost infectious, as Krillin found even himself breaking out into a smile. He'd doubted that this saiyan could change, at all, but he'd been proven wrong. Goku had been right all along, just like always.
For his part, Gohan felt relief. When the attack that was meant to end his life ended abruptly, and Raditz was standing there, he'd not felt relief like that since his father saved him back on Earth. He'd believed in him too, he knew deep down his uncle had some good in him.
Raditz looked over the smiling group, Dende, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan. He could almost feel the relief rolling off them, it was a completely foreign experience for him to feel. Their smiles and joy seemed so... misplaced. Every time he'd ever completed a battle before this, any joy had been born from the misery of others, from ruthless conquest. But right now it was born from a sense of relief, of salvation.
He'd saved these people. Asking himself why would be irreverent, he knew he'd never be completely honest with himself even, especially after the last year. There was however, a bitterness in this act. He'd saved these people. On earth he'd only saved Gohan and Krillin by virtue of his bloodlust for Nappa and Vegeta. The only one he'd wanted to save was dead.
"That was incredible Uncle Raditz!" Gohan announced, excitement evident on his face.
"I think I told you before, just call me Raditz."
The older warrior could see the emotion still brimming off the boy, he couldn't help but give a half smile in response.
"Well, at least I bought us some time," Raditz admitted.
"We've got other issues," Krillin cut in, his features shifting from happy to serious.
Raditz turned his head, looking to Krillin for him to elaborate on what he'd started to say.
"We can only feel one more alcove of Nameks on this planet, all the villages have been... they've been destroyed."
"We felt that before, yes," Raditz responded. "What is your point?"
"That means there is only one more Dragon Ball left," Bulma explained. "I can see it on the Radar, its a long way off."
Dende felt fear rush through his entire body. The Grand Elder, his father, Guru. That meant the only power left was Guru, that meant he was in danger!
"The Grand Elder!" the boy gasped as everyone turned to him.
"Who?" Krillin inquired.
"Our Grand Elder, Guru, my Father. He has the last Dragon Ball. If we can't get to him soon, then he could be hurt or killed! That would be terrible!" the boy said, his eyes beginning to brim with tears. "He's all our father's, he's the sole survivor from the catastrophe that turned our planet into a wasteland for many years. He's the creator of the Dragon Balls themselves!"
"Please, we have to save him!"
Raditz sighed.
"Kid, can't I save him another day? I mean, I just saved you four, there has to be a saving limit," Raditz said, almost sounding tired.
"No, you don't get it," Krillin said, his face written with terror.
"Whoever comes across Guru won't know that he created the Dragon Balls, and if they kill him-" Gohan started.
"The Dragon Balls go inert!" Krillin finished.
Inert?! What kind of stupid magic balls were these?! That was right! Just like how the Earth's Dragon Balls were useless without that pathetic Namek, Piccolo. Irritation ran high in Raditz's very blood, even if he didn't get his wish, no one would get their wish if that idiotic bastard Vegeta got his way. He'd not forgotten for one moment what Vegeta had done to him on Earth, but he needed more strength to challenge him.
I'll kill you yet Vegeta. Raditz thought.
When that mountain's side collapsed in on itself his life had begun its real change. But it was a painful lesson to learn, too painful. Even if the Earthlings got their wishes and everyone Vegeta and Nappa killed came back to life, he'd never be able to face Violet, nor would she want to see him. He'd failed to save her, and Violet had no time for failure, he knew her well enough to know that.
For the briefest of seconds, all he could think about was how it wasn't fair. He could never fully repay Vegeta for what he'd done to him, not even by killing him.
"We can't have that," Raditz said.
Krillin looked to Dende, who looked back at him pleadingly.
"Dende, can you lead us to the Elder's home?" he asked.
"Yes, of course!" Dende said, his voice mixed with anxiety and eagerness.
"Gohan, you and Raditz stay here and guard Bulma," Krillin said. "I'll take Dende to-"
"No," Raditz said bluntly.
Gohan was ready to do this on his own. The boy was a proud warrior, and nothing save Vegeta or Zarbon was going to stop him from defending Bulma. Then there was the added fact that the Dragon Balls were even here.
"Gohan, you defend Bulma and this place. I will go with Krillin and the Namek child to see this 'Guru'. We are more likely to find trouble out there, than anymore trouble here," he pointed out, before inclining his head towards Cacao's and Lakesei's bodies.
"Y-your going to leave us behind?" Bulma asked.
"Oh, so you want to increase your chances of fighting Vegeta then?"
Bulma immediately shook her head.
"Then you want to stay here!" The irritated comment came from Raditz as he began to hover.
"Fly, we need to get moving."
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Three glowing bodies soared through the skies above the once peaceful world of the Nameks.
To Raditz however, they were moving at a snails pace, they'd been up there for hours.
Time was a factor behind all this, and having the boy fly himself seemed pointless. Krillin had wanted to follow, to keep their power levels down, but in flight they were still exerting enough power to draw attention. Raditz knew full well if he was one of Frieza's officers, he'd be looking for any power level above 50 with extreme scrutiny, and he knew Vegeta would be as well.
Fine, I'll say it.
"Boy," Raditz called up ahead, Dende turning his head slightly to look at Raditz.
"Is this as fast as you can go?" he demanded.
"Yes. But we will be there soon."
There was a growl of discontent from Raditz at the answer.
Something was following them, something big. In fact, there were two big powers now following them. His head turned, gazing behind them.
"Kid, you're out of time, grab him, we need to move NOW."
The order came from years of being in the WTO, he knew full well how this was going to go down. If there were two, the first would move in for the cut off, the other would continue from the back. Blocked in on both sides they'd force the fight.
Krillin, not one to mince words, flew ahead, grabbing Dende. A white aura burst from his body, before he took off. A blue aura covered Raditz within seconds as well as he began his own boosted flight.
Everyone could feel their pursuers gaining, that took only a rudimentary understanding of energy detection to do. There was only one way they'd get to this old man's house, and that was if they didn't all get there.
"Is it just your elder up at this place?" Raditz demanded.
"No, his protector Nail is there as well."
"Is Nail strong?"
"Nail is the strongest Namek," the boy explained. "Stronger than any other warrior on Namek. Stronger than anyone I've ever seen."
That was vague, but then again Dende probably couldn't quantify it in words.
"I have a plan. If I'm going to get through this though, I need you two to do exactly as I say. I'm going to lead them off, you bring that green idiot, Nail was it? To come fight the two who are chasing us," Raditz explained.
This plan was deeply, deeply flawed, and Raditz knew it. But the simple truth was that alternatives were currently running low. They couldn't outrun them, they couldn't outfight them, and he doubted there was still time to effectively hide from them. This meant drastic measures were needed.
They'd better deliver on bringing that Namek.
Krillin turned his head sharply towards Raditz, he could see the nervousness on his face, it was plain as day. He was going to distract them for him and Dende?
"You could be killed," Krillin pointed out.
"Don't remind me of that you idiot! I don't exactly see a lot of options otherwise! There are Dragon Balls on this Kai forsaken planet aren't there?! Wish me back if it happens! Now go before I use you as the distraction!" Raditz snapped, turning his frame about in the air, listing to one side as he increased his power to its fullest, trying to attract the two warriors giving chase.
It was still so foreign, so strange to risk his life like this. Where as before he had a confidence he could defeat the enemies coming to kill Gohan and the others, this time there was a certainty he could not. Their energy levels easily outpaced his, perhaps he could take the weaker one, in single's combat, if he got lucky and made the right moves. Against the bigger one? Not a chance, and worse yet, against both? Not even a hope.
There was a new technique he'd been working on, just in case things got too wild, but it was nothing that would save him in a drawn out battle. He'd be so lucky if this battle was drawn out.
Having one's plan work never felt so terrible, as Raditz felt the powers that were chasing them veer off to confront him. He might as well get it over with. Diving from the sky, two feet landed on a patch of Namekian grass. Looking up and towards the sky, Raditz waited, it didn't take long for two armoured men to come blazing towards him.
Both landed before him, and neither were recognized. The first was a huge man in white armour with red cloth on his legs and arms. He noted the red hair and the scars on his face as well. This was the big one.
The other was a green haired idiot in green and black armour with pink arm sleeves. Another major power, stronger than him, but he had the look of stupidity about him. If he played this right, he could subvert this one.
"So, it looks like ugly and stupid have made their way to me," Raditz commented.
The irritated glances from both fighters made Raditz smirk slyly.
Good, get mad.
"You killed Lakesei, Rasin, and Cacao didn't you?" Amond asked, his face written with a quiet anger.
"And you're the asshole who threatened us over their scouters" Daiz sneered, looking equally hostile.
"I don't make threats, I make promises," was the simply response from Raditz, letting a grin grow across his lips.
"You're pretty arrogant for a rat with a power level of 12,000," Amond pointed out.
"And your pretty stupid for someone with a scouter. My power is much, much higher then 12,000," Raditz boasted.
He was bluffing of course, his power was completely at its limit, beyond focusing his energy into a single point, and even then that wouldn't fix his problems throughout an actual battle.
"Remember the readings from before, he toyed with Raisin and the others," Daiz remarked quietly to Amond.
Amond scoffed, he knew a warrior at his peak when he saw it. He'd served under Frieza for almost two decades, they'd seen all kinds of crazy combat. He was never a high ranking soldier, until he obtained the fruit from the Tree of Might, but he'd been in enough fights to know when someone was bluffing.
Brushing his hand across his scar, he smiled.
"Clever bluff, but I'm guessing you are at your peak. Good play, especially for a saiyan," Amond chuckled.
Raditz smirked, ah, so he figured it out.
"This guy is a saiyan? But I thought only Vegeta was around this guys level?"
"Vegeta is stronger than this weakling now," Amond said. "Alright, that's enough talk. It is time to get to business."
Raditz readied himself, raising his arms.
"I'll be generous, you can have first move," Daiz chuckled, stepping forward, arms ready for battle.
This was a fight he had to be very careful about, it was a matter of life or death. Carefully and cautiously Raditz took his first step, before launching himself at Daiz.
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Krillin looked back in the direction of where the powers were fighting. He could feel Raditz's power already pushed up to its limit, that meant that he would only be heading downhill from here so they had to hurry.
"How long now Dende?" Krillin asked.
"Its there! Right over there!" Dende announced.
Krillin saw the huge pillar of rocks rising into the air, with the white stone namekian structure at the peak. He idly wondered how Guru could have been kept safe in such a building. It was so out in the open, so exposed.
Landing with Dende, he looked at his little companion.
"Hey, am I welcome here?" he asked. "I mean I'm not really a Namek."
Dende seemed to ponder it for a moment, before blinking. "No, you should be welcome here, just so long as you have good intentions."
Well that was a relief.
Slowly the door opened before them, hovering in place rather than having any kind of mechanical system. It was then that Piccolo stepped out.
Wait, Piccolo?
Krillin couldn't help but draw the comparison right away, this guy looked exactly like Piccolo, except the attire!
"Nail!" Dende shouted excitedly, his tiny legs running with excitement to get him in range to hug his older brother. To small green arms wrapped around the baggy white legging of Nail's pants, to which the stoic namek just smiled back.
"Hello Dende, and welcome."
"Where is your other friend? The Grand Elder was expecting three arrivals."
Krillin looked at Nail sincerely. "He's in big trouble, trying to fight off some evil men who are trying to steal the Dragon Balls. We need your help, quick!"
"I cannot leave Guru," Nail responded, before turning towards the interior of the building.
Krillin was left outside, looking shocked, his eyes wide. From inside he then heard Nail's voice.
"Please, come in."
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Blood spat from Raditz's face once Daiz landed another savage blow on the side of his face. Just as he did, Raditz drove his knee into the over extended fighter's ribs. Both fighters seemed to freeze in the air before pushing back, taking their respective positions, breathing the fire out of their lungs.
This guy was good, every bit as good as Raditz thought, but wasn't as stupid as he'd wished. So far the other idiot hadn't intervened, and he knew full well why. This was going poorly, he was losing, he was running out of power at a much faster rate, which was expected given the differences between them.
Wiping the blood from his chin, Raditz glared at his counterpart.
"You've really put up a better fight than I thought," Daiz laughed. "Hey Amond, you want a crack at him? It could be fun."
"Death isn't very fun, I suggest you keep that in mind," Raditz said, changing his stance, putting one arm forward and the other back, preparing for his next move.
Daiz looked over to Amond, before pointing at Raditz with a wire smile on his face.
"This guy isn't too bright is he?"
With his enemy distracted, Raditz made his approach rapidly, bursting into a run. Jumping with his legs forward, he moved to kick Daiz in the chest. At the last moment however the alien jumped, straight up, avoiding the kicks.
"Ha!" he responded, smirking.
A second later, Raditz while still in the air from his jump, grabbed his foot.
Landing on the ground and running to get a head-start, Raditz slammed Daiz back first into the ground. He heard the air escape him from the impact, before flipping about the other way and slamming him face first into the earth there too, in both places an imprint on the ground being left in the exact shape which Daiz landed.
Before he could pull his now disadvantaged enemy back up for another swing, Amond made his presence in the fight known. With a titanic blow from his huge fist, he dropped Raditz from the side.
The large saiyan hit the ground hard, bouncing a metre in the air before he was kicked in the side, sending him flying to the side, his arms going to hold his side in pain. Gradually he dropped in his low level flight, evening himself out as he took control. Above the water waves formed around him as he came to his complete stop. Narrowed angry black saiyan eyes gazed at Amond.
The larger fighter looked down angrily at Daiz grabbing him by the back of his armour and hoisting him up to his feet.
"It looks like we'll be doing this together," he sneered to his comrade.
Daiz spat soil and grass out of his mouth before nodding angrily.
"You think you're so smart, don't you saiyan?" he hissed at Raditz.
"No, I just happen to think. Which is more than I can say for you, letting me get through your guard like that."
Daiz clenched his fist angrily, snarling hatefully at Raditz.
"Relax, Daiz. You take right. I'll take left. Now let's do this," Amond chuckled.
Raditz saw the two men disappear, phasing out of view for but a moment. Following their energy he felt them coming upon him, like wolves circling their prey. Both came back into vision within a second, Amond to his left, fast and brutal, and Daiz to his right, vicious and unforgiving. It was Daiz's leg that cracked into his ribs, and Amond's fist which clocked his face.
The fight had reignited after it's lull.
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"Master, I have brought Dende and his friend from the planet Earth."
Krillin looked around the strange room as Nail spoke, only to notice the huge silhouette of Guru himself. He was massive!... and old!... and still resembled Piccolo a bit!
"Welcome, you are the one from Earth, yes? I thought there was a saiyan with you as well. I sensed him not too long ago. I also thank you for rescuing my child Dende from the terrible happenings on this planet. Is there anything I can do to repay you for this kindness?"
Krillin shook his head. He wasn't going to ask anything of this guy right now, at least not for something like that. He saved Dende because it was the right thing to do. Or rather, he helped Gohan save Dende, because it was the right thing to do... after Gohan ignored him telling him not to save Dende.
Hm.
"No! No don't mention it. We were just around and decided to help!"
Krillin however, had to impose.
"Right now, that saiyan friend you mentioned earlier is fighting some of the villains on this world. He's in really big trouble, we need to help him fast."
Guru sighed, coughing a moment later. "Sadly, because of villains like them and their masters Frieza and Turles nearly all my children have been murdered." Guru said with a sad tone.
"All he desires is power and- Who is Turles?"
Guru just breathed in and out several times.
"Wait, we came here to get this Dragon Ball to help protect it from Frieza and his men. But uhm, I think my friend is still in trouble back there."
"So you too are gathering the Dragon Balls?" Guru asked.
"Yes, but we're doing it to bring our dead friends back, on earth. Please wise Elder, grant me this Dragon Ball, and help me save my friend."
Calling Raditz a 'friend' felt unnatural, but it was the best word to use right now.
"Two powerful men were chasing us Elder, he may not survive much longer," Dende chimed in.
"How is it you have knowledge of the Dragon Balls?" Guru had to ask.
Krillin sighed. He really didn't have the time for this.
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Another severe blow landed on Raditz's head, sending him plunging into the water this time. Huge red and blue energy blasts followed him into the water, exploding around him inside the depths of this Namekian Sea. He was bleeding, badly. He could feel the would on his left shoulder, and he knew the gash on his back and head weren't going to heal themselves soon.
Looking towards the surface, he felt the light beaming through from one of the Namek's stars. It was peaceful, almost relaxing.
His human ally hadn't come through with this 'Nail' for him, he knew that now. He couldn't keep this up much longer anyway, perhaps he had a few more minutes fight left in him but little else. Death was painful so far, just as he'd promised Lakesei and Raisin only hours before. But there was something increasingly peaceful about just passing. His body would give out soon, and when it did he would enter the next life.
Perhaps he'd get to see his mother. He would have to conceal his shame before meeting her, but even before his death with the rest of their race on the Planet Vegeta, they'd never really met. By the time he got back from his target world, well, she'd already died. However, when he got to the next world, he had a glimmer of hope that she may be happy to see him, because he sincerely doubted Bardock would be. He, Raditz, had survived 20 years since the fall of the home world, he, Raditz, had defeated many powerful enemies, especially now. Surely this would be something any saiyan parent would be proud of their son for doing.
Meeting Bardock again wouldn't be the best of reunions, but hell, you couldn't always get what you wanted.
I'm starting to go delusional aren't I? Its the bleeding, it has to be.
Noticing the forms of the two warriors above looking for him, scouting over the surface of the greenish water, Raditz just held his breath under the water, hoping no bubbles escaped him.
He would get to see Violet as well. He'd never asked anyone for forgiveness, sincerely, in his entire life. The actions he made and their consequences were his to claim, and he made no apologies. But he did have one true, sincere apology to make before he died, even if it wasn't spoken aloud.
Even if she'd never loved him, something he could never deny especially with her last moments, there was no question that he'd fallen for her. He'd never held her in his arms, or kissed her, or coupled with her, but he had fallen for her. Had she lived, had he survived fighting Kakarot a second time, had they conquered the Earth, he'd have shielded her from her fate. Instead, the opposite happened. Her fate was sealed, and the earth was saved, it was a cruel irony not lost on Raditz himself. He'd have traded that pathetic pale blue dot in a moment for the ruthless warrior it had produced.
Under the cool water, he slowly smiled to himself, shifting himself up as broken ribs responded with his every movement.
If he was to die, it would not be yet. He'd not taken from Vegeta yet, as Vegeta had taken from him. Anger boiled in his veins at his own weakness.
I can't die yet.
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"A tragic story," Guru murmured.
Krillin just looked despondent. There was still no offer of help for Raditz.
"I can sense your friends power waning," Guru finally said, reaching his hand out once again for Krillin's head.
"I will grant you the ability to help him. Your intentions are true."
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The water began to boil beneath them Daiz noticed.
"He's still down there!" came the announcement to Amond.
Suddenly the water exploded in a massive burst, scattering boiling water for hundreds of metres in all directions. In the core of this water Raditz floated, trembling with anger.
The scouter beeped several times on the side of Amond's head.
"Still only 12,000. What can he do?"
Raditz glared up at the two men.
"Get ready to die!"
"Big words for a worm with a power level of 12,000!" Daiz laughed, beginning to form an energy beam.
"Solar Cannon!" Raditz shouted, pointing his right hand up.
He'd seen the "Solar Flare" performed by Krillin for weeks in training, and seen it in action on Namek. For some time he'd been working on his own adaptation of this remarkable technique. It suited him, to blind an opponent and then strike.
The ray of pure light shot out, hitting both Amond and Daiz. They floated in the air for several moments, before it felt like their eyes were on fire.
Powering up his aura, Raditz blasted backwards, flying through the raining water he'd created by bursting from the water so abruptly. This was it.
Landing on an isolated island, he began to draw in energy, focusing it in his hand.
Amond finally managed to start seeing, the pain in his eyes subsiding as his vision returned. The scouter started beeping again as it locked onto Raditz. His power was gradually rising.
Daiz sneered himself, taking off after the saiyan.
"You rotten son of a bitch! That was a cheap shot!" Daiz shouted.
Raditz felt his power reaching sufficient levels. This was it.
Red electricity burst around his right hand as the power centralized itself in the one location.
Amond saw the scouter first, realizing what was happening.
18,000.
"Shining Friday!"
Thrusting his right arm forward and arching it towards the two incoming warriors, blinking twice into existence before launching, a huge beam exploded from Raditz's hand.
Daiz had no opportunity to block, or to dodge, he'd been too close, too eager, too brash. When the blast hit him head on with full force his armour scattered from his body within a second. Pain became one with his being as the attack slowly began to vaporize him. With no defence raised, it didn't take long before he was completely washed away in the blast, his remains blasting into the force of the attack.
For Amond he'd managed to raise a defence in time. The pauldrons on his armour breaking away, his gauntlets being vaporized as well as he held himself in the blast wave. Slowly the beam's power depleted, the scouter watching his enemy's power sink to a mere 5,000... and falling.
His teeth grit furiously.
Lakesei, Raisin, Cacao, and now Daiz. They were all gone, the Crush Corps was gone all because of this one obnoxious saiyan.
A saiyan who was grinning right now as he struggled to breathe no less!
"Saiyan!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "This will be painful! This will be-" His scouter beeped, only for a moment.
"Destructor Disc!"
Power level 23,000?!
Turning Amond sneered.
That was all he could do. By the time he'd turned, the disc had carried through his entire lower half. Huge legs were seperated from their body, the entire lower section at the waist. Amond floated for a moment in complete shock, his eyes fixed on the number in the scouter, and on the small, bald headed man who'd just killed him.
"It... can't... no..." blood poured from his body like a river, within a heartbeat he'd dropped from the sky, his body plunging into the water's he'd just fought over to be carrion for Namekian wildlife.
The Crush Corps, were crushed.
Raditz nodded shakily to Krillin, smiling one sidedly at him.
"I'm glad. Someone finally showed... up," With that, the saiyan collapsed to the ground face first, his head tilted to the side.
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"You know Gohan... It looks like only four Dragon Balls are in one place, and two are on the move right now." She said, looking at the Dragon Radar.
"But there is this one, look at it, all off on its own."
Gohan listened quietly, walking over to Bulma's shoulder and looking down towards the radar.
"That's from... the village that was attacked! The last village!"
"Yea, I know. That was the one Vegeta attacked." Bulma reasoned. "But it looks like he didn't get the Dragon Ball."
That was strange, why would Vegeta attack the village and not take the ball? It was a curious though for Gohan, but it still gave the boy a smile.
"I'll bet the Nameks hid the ball so Vegeta couldn't find it!"
"And then Vegeta gave up, thinking there wasn't a Dragon Ball," Bulma completed the sentence.
It only made sense, why would Vegeta leave a Dragon Ball unprotected in a village? There was no reason to, Frieza's men could investigate.
"I've got a plan," Bulma then brimmed with enthusiasm, looking at Gohan with eyes that made the boy uncomfortable for a moment.
It was when Gohan clued in as well, that both parties began to smile.
"We can get a Dragon Ball!" they both pronounced.
It didn't take long for Gohan to take off, Dragon Radar in hand.
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In the air above a great sea, Turles's scouter beeped several times, showing him two more scouters go offline, but not before giving him readings from the battle. A battle power of 17,000, and 23,000 came out of nowhere and killed both Amond and Daiz.
Amond... His first partner, his first ally. They'd been the ones to assemble the Crush Corps. Every step of the way, Amond had been his trusted lieutenant, his adviser.
Daiz, Cacao, Raisin, Lakesei... they were all gone. In his right hand was the Seven Star Dragon Ball, his prize, the item he'd kept from Frieza's hands this entire time. He felt a cold kind of anger forming in his stomach. It was now entirely needed that he be the one to summon the Eternal Dragon, even if he had to cut a deal.
Remember, Vegeta will collect most of the Dragon Balls, according to the Catalyst.
A smile pulled across his face. That was right, Prince Vegeta. Supposedly someone whom the Catalyst wanted dead. Well, it would be a shame if he united with Vegeta and got his wish, and then killed the Catalyst, wouldn't it?
His scouter beeped several times, cross referencing a flight path of one of the powers, based off its origin and destination, it was heading for a region near where Cacao and his team died.
A purple aura surrounding him, Turles decided to investigate.
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Krillin pulled the large saiyan warrior inside of Guru's building, a trail of blood being left behind them. This situation was very, very bad. Rising to the level above, Krillin was greeted by the sight of Dende, Guru, and Nail.
Guru's almost unmoving figure coughed.
"I see you were able to save your friend," he remarked.
No, no not really.
Serious eyes turned upwards, looking towards Guru with sincerely. Krillin knew that he needed the help of these three to save Raditz.
"He's dying," Krillin explained. "Is there anything, any of you can do for him?" Krillin then asked.
"Bring him before me," Guru's voice was heavy, reluctant.
Raditz's eyes gave the briefest moment of consciousness, his eyelids quivering for a moment. The reaction was brought on by Krillin nearly dropping him, the jarring motion irritating the saiyan's many injuries.
When Krillin brought him before Guru, the elder placed his hand upon Raditz's head, his fingers brushing through the front of the thick main that was Raditz's hair.
A strange aura seemed to brim around both Raditz and Guru's hand. Quietly Krillin stepped away, Raditz's body held in place as the power swirled around them.
Seemingly irritated, Guru's head turned slightly towards Krillin.
"There is much evil in this one," he informed him. "He cannot receive any gift from me. It would be a crime against the Galaxy given the horrors he's unleashed. Even now he thinks of vengeance and hate."
Nodding his head quietly, Krillin looked up.
"I remember when I first came here, you asked me if there was anything you could do to repay our kindness for saving Dende," Krillin started. "If the offer still stands, I'd ask you to save my best friend's brother. That would be Raditz. His life is in your hands."
A heavy sigh came in response, the reluctance of the old namek showing through.
"Please elder, he saved me before from some of Frieza's men. He also drew the attention away from our pursuers on the way to this place. He isn't a great man, but we must give him a chance," Dende urged.
The comments from his 108th child decided the issue for Guru.
"I will give him an opportunity to save himself," Guru said, nodding his head towards Krillin. "I will not do it for him, but I will give him a chance. He will have to decide if he takes it or not."
Krillin felt... some level of relief.
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to read his mind and read his past, view into all he's done. I will then show him the only doors available to him, I will give him a glimpse of where he has been, and see where he will go. If he has truly chosen the path away from darkness towards the light, he will be healed, his potential unlocked. If he does not, we will make his last moments as comfortable as possible."
Stepping forward handing Krillin the One Star Dragon Ball, Nail nodded towards Krillin.
"This will take time," the warrior Namek informed him.
Taking the ball in his hands, Krillin nodded.
"One last thing Mr. Guru sir? I have another friend, whose got tons of potential, would it be possible for him to come here and have that unlocked as well?" Krillin questioned.
Smiling, Guru nodded in response. "Yes of course."
"Thank you, for everything. We'll be back as soon as we can!"
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Quietly putting the communicator down, Bulma sighed. She'd just been on the line with her father, who still told her it would be several days time before Goku made his landing on Namek.
It was when Goku. It was Goku!
Tears welled in Bulma's eyes as she looked at the figure landing in front of her, holding the Seven Star Dragon Ball no less.
Standing up immediately Bulma ran over to him, grin plastered across her face.
With Goku here, it wouldn't take long for everything to fall into place. It was so good to see him as well. He looked more serious than usual as well, which usually meant a fight was coming. Still, relief washed over her.
"Goku! You have no idea what its been like. I can't believe you are here! Its been so... hard. They've been slaughtering the Nameks and we've been almost helpless to stop them! Don't worry though, Krillin managed to get one of the Dragon Balls and is headed back with it right now. We checked the Radar. Oh, and your brother has actually been turning out pretty oka-" urk.
Turles grabbed Bulma by the neck, lifting her into the air.
Air immediately became a consideration as Bulma gasped for it. Struggling she managed to grab his arm, noting a sinister smile appearing across Goku's normally care free features. What was wrong with him?
What were normally kind, warm eyes, were instead cold and unforgiving. He wore... saiyan armour and a cape? It was then she realized one of his eyes was hidden behind a scouter even. This wasn't Goku at all, there was no way. But he looked just like Goku, it was almost identical.
"Hello," the voice removed any remaining doubt as to if this were Goku or not. His voice was dark, unforgiving, arrogant even.
"You look almost exactly like a saiyan, but with a staggering power level of 3. Well, I'd bring the mighty aspect into question."
Too afraid to respond with words, Bulma quivered as the saiyan held her up. She saw him drop his Dragon Ball, his smile darkening further.
It'd been six years since he'd last seen a woman who was a saiyanoid. Six years of travelling through space without a familiar female figure in sight. Bulma was hardly an unwelcome sight as of right now. Not only did one of the fools from earth have a Dragon Ball, but he was going to deliver it to him. To celebrate getting his new Dragon Ball, he would kill the human male, and enjoy the company of the female. Once he was the ruler of the universe, perhaps he could found Earth as Turles 1.
Dancing behind his back with anticipation, his tail flicked to either side as his dark eyes became darker. The scouter gave off several readings a moment later, before he could become better acquainted with his new companion.
It was then that Krillin came rushing down from the sky.
Couldn't the human see that he was busy?
Eyes burst with happiness when Krillin caught sight of who it was. Dragon Ball in hand Krillin came running.
"Goku!" he shouted with glee. "Goku! I can't believe its you!... Hey-"
Krillin's mind raced as to why Goku was dressed in a saiyan outfit. Why did he have a scouter? And worse yet, why was Bulma being held in the air by her neck?
A feminine arm waved to him desperately from Bulma. His eyes traced to her, seeing the panic and terror in her eyes. Before Krillin's mind could finally reach the conclusion it was being drawn towards, Turles struck.
Without notice and without mercy, the saiyan's leg snapped out, cracking across Krillin's face and head with such force that the human warrior was sent flying back. Rolling in the air Krillin hit the ground on his shoulder and head, skidding several times, dropping the Dragon Ball, before coming to a stop next to the water.
He'd never been hit so hard in his life.
Even bone felt weak, unresponsive, as did his muscles. Krillin looked up numbly as Turles walked towards him, standing over him as he cast his shadow down.
"Weakling."
"Krillin!" his captive shouted, getting free enough to speak despite Turles's grip.
Turles finally grew annoyed with the struggles of his female captive. Kicking the Dragon Ball back towards the rocks and turning his attention away from the downed human warrior, Turles decided he had better things to do than finish the crushed bald human. That could be fun for later.
"Be silent woman."
Turles turned his attention to his left, seeing the blue, gold and white clad figure of Vegeta.
Excellent, this couldn't have turned out better. I don't have to track him down now.
A cunning, arrogant smirk began to form on his lips.
He knew full well that Vegeta's power would have radically improved since his last fight, which his scouter picked up many of the details of. If he were a better man, he'd place it between 35,000 and 40,000.
"Ah, Vegeta. I was wondering when you would show up, where are the rest of our Dragon Balls?"
Vegeta's response was enough to keep Turles's smirk as arrogant as ever.
"I am guessing you managed to steal those four from Frieza rather easily, no one ever gave the pink lizard credit for an over abundance of brains."
"Our Dragon Balls you say?" Vegeta responded. "I don't think you understand who you are speaking with. I am Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans."
Prince? What a worthless title for a dead race. They were saiyans, royal blood meant nothing any longer, not since the strength of the royals had failed. They'd failed to keep Planet Vegeta safe, they'd failed to engage Frieza, and they'd failed to save any of their people. It was a title that should have been done away with long ago, but he'd allow his 'prince' to bear the title if he chose to do so. There was no need to dirsupt his plans over it after all.
"Of course, the Prince of all saiyans," he got the response. "However, I broke my ties with monarchy some time ago. You must forgive me Prince Vegeta if I am unused to the formality."
The outrage on Vegeta's features for a moment almost convinced Turles that his words would lead to violence, but something calmed the other saiyan, or at least calmed him enough to prevent open hostilities.
In his left hand, he felt Bulma squirming again, feeling her leg kick him in the side even. A sharp glare from his eyes silenced her.
"What is your name?" Vegeta remarked.
Well, it would seem he was wrong about Vegeta's response. Bracing his arm to defend himself, Turles turned to Vegeta. He could make this match very, very quick if he had.
"My name is Lord Turles,"
The words left his lips easily. But just as they'd left, he saw something of shock, perhaps even revelation on Vegeta's face. So he had heard of him, the mighty Turles, pirate of the Eastern Galactic Fringe, soon to be Lord of the Universe.
But it was when he noticed Vegeta staring at the woman that he became confused. Did they know one another somehow?
A second later, his scouter beeped, showing a target reticule for a new target incoming. Ah, it was Zarbon.
"I think you brought us a guest, Vegeta," Turles then remarked, chuckling. "Be quick about him however. I have a proposal to make when you get the opportunity."
The imposing image of Frieza's right hand landed behind Vegeta, his arms crossed arrogantly and his smile stretching across his 'delicate' face. A face Turles wouldn't mind punching.
"What's this? Two of the missing Dragon Balls? And another monkey?" he asked.
Monkey? The derogatory term for a saiyan brought a sneer onto Turles's face. Dead men should word their phrases much more carefully, otherwise death could hurt. In his brief time with his brother Raditz, it'd been a lesson he'd watched his brother distribute a dozen times.
"Watch your place, lackey. Or you'll learn what happened to that fat pink idiot first hand."
Turles felt a cold wind blow past all of them as he uttered these words.
"So you hid away one of your kind all these years, Vegeta? Is that why is he here, has he been the one helping you?"
The words fell on amused ears. Zarbon's idea that he'd need someone like Vegeta to shield him was laughable. He was already eagerly awaiting Zarbon's death, in whatever form it took.
"Air," Bulma gasped barely. Rolling his eyes, Turles loosened his grip slightly. He must have tightened his grip without thinking when imagining Zarbon die as he'd have killed him.
"Hardly, I didn't even know who he was until a few moments ago. However, I can tell his power is absolutely immense. Especially if he's the one who killed Dodoria," Vegeta said, smirking. "I remember feeling Dodoria die... whoever killed him was over twice as powerful as Dodoria. Which means by your standards Zarbon, he might have a power level over 40,000."
Vegeta's remark was interesting. He didn't have a scouter, which to Turles meant he'd mastered the ability to read power levels without the assistance of a device, something Turles himself had yet to reliable do.
It was very clear however, that Zarbon was cowardly given the look on his face as soon as he mentioned his supposed power level. Good, that would make his downfall quick enough, then he and Vegeta could talk business.
"I'm tempted to leave him to you Turles," Vegeta offered, stepping aside.
A good try, Vegeta.
It was clear that Vegeta wanted to see what he could do, but he wouldn't be privy to that just yet.
"You are too kind Vegeta, but I insist," Turles responded. "After all I cannot deny you your revenge. Zarbon did crush you not a day ago, didn't he?"
A growl escaped Vegeta, much to the amusement of Turles. Finally, he'd have a few minutes to... go over some things with the woman.
"Now then girl, I think you and I need to talk about 'human' anatomy. Indulge me."
Struggling for a moment, Bulma began to get a sick feeling in her stomach. It didn't take much to get the hint from Turles what he was thinking. Immediately her mind raced for an answer to buy time, to distract him or disinterest him.
"Where did you want to start?" Came the enquiry. "Did you want to start with the placement of the human eye?"
An irritated growl came from Turles at that response, before his smile reappeared.
Clearly his intentions were clear to her and she was trying to deflect them. He'd play along for the moment. Too smart for her own good perhaps? A power level of 3 should know when to play along with their superiors.
"I was thinking more about how similar we are in more significant ways," Turles responded, raising his free hand to beginning moving it across her leg. The leg immediately shifted away and Turles's grip immediately tightened around her throat.
Bulma could detect his impatience and anger at the move. Oh god what was she supposed to do? He'd kill her. What was worse, the image of the very man she expected to save her was doing this. Thoughts of Goku rushed through her mind, briefly seeing his happy smile, before it shifted to this monster in front of her. Her heart racing she knew it was futile, but had to try, maybe Gohan would get back by now?
"Somebody help me!"
Screaming? He hated it when his prey screamed out like that, it ruined the moment.
"Listen very carefully," Turles finally said, pulling Bulma closer to him before glaring into her eyes.
It was an intense look, something Bulma felt borrow into her soul. Those eyes were the eyes of a man who'd killed and ruined more people's lives than she could imagine. Suddenly even Vegeta would be preferable to this monster, the very Vegeta they'd all been afraid to confront on Namek.
"I am not impressed by screaming, and if you want to be alive more than the next few seconds you will stop immediately."
Bulma let it sink in as she started to tremble, though her overt struggles ceased.
That was much better, as far as Turles was concerned. Moving his free hand back up to Bulma, there was suddenly a crash behind him. Bits and pieces of namekian rock bounced off the back of his armour. The cruel, yet gratified, calm look about him changed to one of pure annoyance.
Turning his head to the transformed Zarbon with little interest or care, Turles spoke.
"You worthless waste of life."
Zarbon looked up at him instead of Vegeta, noting Turles's hand pointed at him within seconds. Turles began to draw energy.
How dare you interrupt me you weakling?
"I was trying to talk to the woman." Turles then added to his previous statement.
"Turles!" Vegeta shouted. "He's mine! Back off!"
"Well, isn't it your luck day? Vegeta just gave you an extra few seconds of life." Of course Turles found it amusing enough to chuckle, before turning his attentions back to Bulma, presuming Vegeta would deal with the useless lump of green behind him.
"Now then, I've heard some very interesting things about humans from one of my friends. I'd like to see how true it is."
The Catalyst had told him that Kakarot had a son. Now that wouldn't be possible unless he was compatible with another species. Looking at Bulma with a smirk, Turles was very, very interested as to how that worked.
Behind him, Zarbon had started begging for his life, but that no longer interested him.
Without a word Turles shifted the grip on her neck, leaving more skin open. Moving his other hand up he placed it on Bulma's throat, he noted how soft the skin was, before pulling his fingers down over it.
Feeling sick, Bulma felt completely helpless.
There was the sound of a blast from behind, but Turles continued to ignore it, knowing full well it was just Zarbon finally meeting his vile end.
"Soft, just like one would expect. You people are almost a mirror image of the saiyans. Just as I thought. A weaker reflection without a tail, but..."
"I'm done with Zarbon. We have business to discuss." Vegeta cut in.
Couldn't the Prince see that he was busy? No saiyan ever interrupted another when they were exercising their more base needs.
"Please let me go." Bulma finally managed to whisper, her eyes filled with a true dread as she looked down at Turles pleadingly.
He ignored her, instead moving his thumb over her chin for a moment before turning his attention to Vegeta.
"Vegeta, can't you see I'm busy?" Turles responded. "Give me a moment and-"
It wasn't pain, no, his thumb felt pressure more than anything. Hard biting force from the human, not even breaking the skin. Next came the fingers and nails, trying to scratch and force him away. Perhaps her revulsion was too great.
Either way, all pretence of false affection and genuine fascination disappeared from warrior's face.
"That wasn't very nice. I think you should save that for once we get to know one another better, don't you?" A cold laugh followed, hollow and filled with no joy. It was malicious.
Moving the hand which hand been caressing her throat and chest away, grabbing her right hand simply enough, Turles decided it was time to educate his captive. In a single cruel motion, he broke the girl's wrist, and did so viciously enough to dislocate her elbow as well. He dropped her finally after the deed was done, letting her fall to her knees.
The high pitched, agonized scream that followed made Turles smirk slightly.
People needed to understand their place in the world.
"My hand." Bulma finally whimpered, shakily
"That is the least of your concerns." Turles said. "I don't like it when my prey doesn't play by the rules." With that, he pointed his hand down at her preparing to execute the human. He'd take care of the bald one next.
Business unfortunately was taking priority now. Her distraction had drawn out the encounter far too long, and now with her arm injured she was hardly going to be as fun to have. It was time to end this, he could always indulge himself later he was sure.
"Turles!"
What now? Wait a second...
The posture of the Prince, he could see a protective posture, was he trying to save the woman?
"Yes, Prince Vegeta? Am I damaging property of yours?"
The comment was pointed, it was very clearly saying what it meant. Did the woman belong to him or not? The idea of the Prince lowering his standards to a woman with a power level of 3 amused him to no end. How pathetic would that be?
"No, she's not mine. Who cares about the blasted woman?" Vegeta scolded. "You said you wanted to come to an agreement before?"
There was a sense of concealment, but Turles would let it slide for now. Vegeta wasn't telling him something.
"The Dragon Balls offer three wishes. I have a simple proposal. We unite our Dragon Balls and we both get our wish, for Eternal Life," Turles suggested. "Then we can destroy Frieza."
"How do I know you're telling me the truth about the number of wishes the Dragon offers, Turles?"
Vegeta's suspicion was almost amusing. The Catalyst had warned him against any deals with his fellow saiyan, but given that his loyalties were already in question with that useless little imp, well, he wasn't that intimidated.
"Simply put, you don't. I was given the information from another source as well. But even if there is only one wish, we can still wish for Eternal Life for both of us. I would rather not want to kill one of the few saiyans alive if I didn't have to Vegeta."
That statement held a great deal of truth. There were too few of them left, it was always a shame to kill one of their own.
Vegeta walked over, picking up the One Star Dragon Ball which the bald human had dropped. At his feet the human woman was quivering, looking up at him.
"Th-th-thank you,"
Bulma couldn't believe herself, but she somehow knew that Vegeta had prevented her death by speaking up when he had. She didn't know why at all, but she could sense it. He didn't acknowledge her thanks in the slightest, but she knew he heard her.
"Let's go, shall we?" Turles offered.
It was then that Bulma heard something from Vegeta, directed towards her.
"Consider yourself lucky, and stay out of my way."
With that, Vegeta and Turles blasted into the air.
In the distance Krillin had started to move, looking groggy and wincing in pain.
Bulma's arm trembled as she managed to stand, walking towards Krillin while holding back tears.
"K-Krillin?"
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Gohan lay on his front for a moment, his insides feeling as though someone had just slammed a boulder into him. Looking up he could only wonder who that man had been. It wasn't his father but he looked exactly like him. How as that possible?
But at least they hadn't found the Dragon Ball.
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A/N: PHEW. Done. Holy crap was this one a tough one to write. I don't think its perfect, but nothing is. Next chapter centres on Raditz once again. Inside his mind as he struggles through his life, and the lives of his immediate family.
Dark Impaler: Thanks for the review. I always appreciate it.
Gogglegirl: Thank you again for the review. Glad you're enjoying.
Black Ace: Vegeta and Turles betray one another? NEVER! :P
Luke: Thanks again man.
FightingChampion: I can't reveal the answer to your question :(
Jason9000: Turles is a bit more cruel than insane :(
Coldeblue: I think this chapter answered your first question :P
Who puts down Turles? I dunno
What will happen to Raditz? Man, you'd have to read another like... 80-90 chapters to find out ;)
Already answered other reviews. Thanks a bunch everyone :D