Dragon Ball Z: The Catalyst
Act II:
Chapter 29: Enter Piccolo
Five sets of eyes looked on at the burning inferno only a kilometre away. Each one watched the scene in a state of complete shock as the six explosive attacks united all around Frieza, causing the apocalyptic explosion.
The youngest set of eyes amongst the Saiyans, Gohan, watched with a particularly wide disbelief. Was that it? Was he dead? How could he not be? How could anyone survive an attack like that? The flames were slowly beginning to dwindle and he couldn't see Frieza at all. When Raditz's head popped out of the still raging seas, his body emerging within seconds of this. Gohan was relieved beyond words at the sight.
"You did it, Uncle Raditz!" Gohan shouted towards the fight.
It was clear from the look Raditz gave him in that moment however, that his uncle didn't agree. It was a blur of motion before a huge arm came about, slamming into Raditz's chest and neck with a lariat. The impact was brutal and unforgiving, sending the tall Saiyan flying into a nearby mountain.
To say Frieza may have survived was no longer a question that needed to be answer. Worse, he felt how much power his uncle had now, and he felt Frieza's. During the battle his uncle's power had dwindled. In order to keep up with Frieza he'd put everything to the fore. Frieza was an unchanging mountain on the other hand. For every blow Raditz landed, it clearly hurt Frieza, but never really affected his power. It was like Frieza was drawing off an endless reserve of strength.
"He's almost out of energy, we have to help him," Gohan immediately proposed, turning his head towards the others.
The only one who seemed to look to be in agreement at all was Krillin, and Dende couldn't exactly fight.
"Well, this doesn't look favourable. I think a tactical withdrawal is required while Raditz has him distracted, of course," Turles said with a nervous smile, clearly thinking about saving his own skin.
... He's your brother.
It didn't always take a lot for Gohan to be a bit put off, or shocked. The words that Turles just said however, were revolting. Raditz had been the main one so far to have shown any real concern for Turles, at all. Admittedly, the two fought over the Dragon Balls, but the fact that he just wanted to abandon him here to Frieza's tender care, enraged Gohan.
If anything, it should be Turles down there trying to help his brother.
"We are not just leaving him down there," the child said defiantly to his uncle, before his eyes turned to Vegeta. "We're not, now you can either come with me, or not. I don't care. But all you've done is cower so far."
Turning quickly and letting his aura overtake him, Gohan shot towards Frieza.
"Gohan wait!" Krillin shouted, giving chase.
Feeling Vegeta give chase as well made Gohan have a small sense of accomplishment. Maybe if they worked together they could stop him.
Turning his head to look up at them, Frieza smirked, still floating near the island he'd smashed Raditz into only moments earlier. A long grin appeared across his face, showing the dark amusement Frieza was to garner from the three of them.
However, before another another act could be taken, an orange ring shot past all of them, connecting with Frieza. There was a large blast, the world in front of them going white and orange as Gohan raised his hands to defend himself.
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Floating above, Turles stared down with a resentful glance. How dare that little brat imply he was a coward?
It'd been only after Vegeta took off after him with a reluctant growl, that Turles had decided to form the Kill Driver. What he should have done was escaped while Frieza was distracted, that was what he should have done. Instead, throwing the Kill Driver at Frieza, he likely just made himself his next target.
Below, Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta floated there, shielding themselves from the blast. Turles however, knew his problems had only started. Because the blast was down there, and Frieza was now only a few meters in front of him.
"My, that was quite the attack for such a low class saiyan," Frieza chuckled, his black lips pulling up into a smile. "If you put a bit more effort into it, I'm sure it'd tickle."
"Warned you kid," it was Bardock's voice whispering through his mind.
I am not about to die to some overgrown lizard.
Turles snarled furiously at Frieza as the tyrant slowly started to hover closer to him. Those idiots below were going to head back up here in a moment, but unlikely in time to help him with his current problem.
"Oh well, the monkey chain is going to have one less monkey in it."
Pain exploded in Turles's abdomen as the kick connected from Frieza, his arms still cross. Spinning around, Frieza's tail then slapped him in the back of the head, sending him spinning and descending towards the turbulent seas below.
Looking up, despite the pain, despite the uncontrollable spin of his body, Turles saw Frieza forming a blast.
With all his remaining might, Turles flexed outward, crying out as he stopped himself. He felt the sweat beginning to form on his brow. Until Raditz's happy accident, he'd been the strongest saiyan alive only minutes ago. The kid had been right, he'd been cowering up there rather than facing Frieza.
He'd been bought time when Gohan lunged into the beast above, forcing Frieza to cease gathering energy for his blast. When Krillin and Vegeta joined in, the four figures moved in a complete blur, but it was clear that Frieza wasn't being struck, simply dodging every attempt to harm him.
He'd survived the Kill Driver, Raditz's attacks, and even all three of them working together before Raditz was healed. What could he do to even hurt this monster now? Well, there was one thing that immediately came to mind.
A purple aura burned around Turles within seconds, just as Vegeta, Gohan, and Krillen were batted away easily by the tyrant.
Let's see survive this...
Before Turles could move, before Frieza could continue his assault, a white glowing orb of power burst in front of the Planet Trade leader, revealing inside of it the figure of a... Namek?
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The pair of red eyes opened slightly wider when the white caped figure stopped in front of him. There was something different about this one, Frieza could tell just by looking at him. This Namek's very form seemed to emanate power. Unlike the previous weaklings on this planet, he brimmed with a confidence that Frieza knew all too well. It was the confidence of an anticipated victory. This slug actually believed he could interfere, and not only that, he believed he could win.
The two black orbs that made up this creatures just stared into his and Frieza felt irritated. The Namekians knew how to control their power level, and he suspected they had the ability to sense it. This meant that he knew how strong he was. So far, Vegeta, Turles and Raditz had proved little challenge, though the little boy had certainly had his moment of strength. Even when Raditz had his burst of new power, it was still insufficient comparably to his own. Were he guessing, he would place Vegeta and Turles's power levels somewhere between 350-400 thousand, and Raditz's about 750 thousand. The boy? He couldn't tell. And the human? Insignificant.
But this one, they'd yet to clash, he'd have to measure him up. But if he was confident at all, it meant his power was at least close to his own.
"Oh? Another one of you survived? Clearly I am losing my edge at genocide. I apologize for not doing a better job. Normally I am much more professional," the Arcosian chided himself, bowing his head in mock apology.
The Namek just seemed to stand there like a stoic piece of ice, staring back at him.
"So, you're Frieza?" his new adversary finally questioned.
"The one and only. I am glad to see my reputation precedes me," Frieza admitted.
As the most powerful child of King Cold, and the public face of the Planet Trade, it was always so delightful to be given such attention. It was good to be recognized for all his hard work.
It was then that the child flew up into the sky behind the Namek, his eyes filled with a kind of joy Frieza found foreign, given most people in his presence generally felt fear, anger or hatred, or a pleasant combination of the three.
"Piccolo! You're back! You made it!"
So, they were familiar with one another. A smile appeared across Frieza's face. Perhaps he could switch that expression back over to the one's he was more accustomed to.
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It was really him.
To Gohan it was just as exciting... no, more exciting, than when his father arrived on Namek and saved them. Piccolo was really here. Piccolo had taught him how to fight, how to survive, and was his first real friend. To be honest, Piccolo in many ways was more than just a friend, he was as much his father in many regards as Goku. Gohan had complete trust in Piccolo.
And now here he was, back from the dead. Gohan couldn't even begin to grasp the power he could feel hiding under the surface of his mentor. It was incredible.
My gosh. He's so powerful... I... I think he can even beat Frieza! Unbelievable!
"Its good to see you Gohan," Piccolo said, his head not turning, ironically, to look at Gohan. "But its time for you and the others to get out of here. I'll take care of Frieza."
Gohan felt Vegeta, Krillin, and Turles joining him from behind.
"Who the hell is this?" Turles demanded. "Don't tell me another one of these pitiful things survived. Let me guess, this one is actually strong?" there was a cruel smile that followed after the comments.
"... I recognize you," Vegeta said, his own features twisting with disdain. "You're one of those pathetic fighters we fought on Earth. Why these idiots wasted their wishes and bringing you back I can't even begin to understand."
They couldn't feel the power simmering underneath Piccolo's statue like persona. Why couldn't they notice? Gohan was the only one there who understood Piccolo, he was the only one there who'd trained with him and understood his nature as a fighter. There was no way Piccolo was weak right now.
Below, he saw his uncle pulling himself from the rubble Frieza had left him in.
"After I'm done with Frieza, I can deal with you two," Piccolo said bluntly. "Until then, I suggest keeping your mouths shut. Besides, I felt what happened in this battle so far, and you two aren't much to worry about."
There was a smile across Piccolo's face as he finally turned his head towards them. "Personally, I'd be more worried about Raditz than you two."
Gohan felt himself smile along with Piccolo as he stood up to Turles and Vegeta. The two other saiyans looked very, very angry as they glared at the white caped warrior.
"I hate to break up you're little reunion," Frieza finally cut in. "However, I believe I was in the process of killing all of you."
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Yea, he's right, that's enough sentiments, its time to fight.
Piccolo was in agreement with Frieza, nodding towards the large alien before turning his head slightly away from his 'allies'. Really, he could only trust Gohan and Krillin. Raditz was an unknown factor for him but he had felt him try to help Gohan. Goku's look alike and Vegeta however were not to be trusted, and for good reason.
He'd known the moment he felt this other saiyan, this new comer, he was bad news. Something about him made his blood boil. The fact he looked exactly like Goku with a slightly darker skin tone was even more discontenting. The darkness in him told him everything he needed to know. It was strange, it was like the two were halves of the same being. The irony wasn't lost on Piccolo, given the divide between himself and Kami.
One of them, originally light, the other originally dark. He still couldn't stand that bothersome old man at the Lookout. Piccolo had learned the differences between them, and those differences in alignment at least, were closing. No matter how dark that force was down there, and no matter how much it made his skin crawl to see 'Goku' like that, he couldn't help but have some sympathy for it, because clearly its life may have been like his own. Would he change, or would he die as his father, King Piccolo had?
Heh, he's as good as dead.
Finally, turning his full attention to the irritated Arcosian in front of him, Piccolo 'stood' tall as he floated in the air.
"Alright guys, stay out of this," Piccolo ordered. "I'll take care of this from here on out."
Zipping down to one of the unscathed islands below Piccolo landed harshly on the ground, is cape descending after him, finally settling after several seconds of him standing still. It didn't take more than a heartbeat for him to sense and hear Dende.
"I think it would be best if you went and took cover, Dende," Piccolo ordered.
In reality, Nail had ordered, there was no way his little brother was going to get crushed by Frieza in this clash, not on purpose on by accident. Feeling the little boy run off, he knew the kid would be watching.
Hey, try not to embarrass me in front of my little brother, okay?
Nail's voice rang through his mind and he almost openly growled.
Yea, I always like getting my head smashed into the dirt. Now shut up, I'm trying to concentrate.
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Slowly but sure, Raditz rose into the air, holding his slightly injured shoulder and joining the others as they watched Piccolo below.
The Namekian has improved dramatically, its incredible.
Memories of only a short while ago flooded into Raditz's mind. Facing down Piccolo's kind of... Special Beam Cannon, or when he was defeated at the Capsule Corporation. He'd felt him battle Nappa as well. Each step of the way he'd gotten stronger, but nothing like this. Like Gohan, he at least suspected Piccolo's real power was immensely more powerful. Having fought Piccolo before, he knew what stance he'd be taking if he was concerned, or the underdog in this fight. He was certainly not in that stance right now.
He's even more powerful than me.
The epiphany was a shock to the saiyan warrior. He'd held his own against Frieza, but just couldn't keep up with him as the fight prolonged. Piccolo must have felt the fight between himself and Lord Frieza, and he wasn't concerned.
"The Namek will win this battle," Raditz finally said, looking down from above. "He is stronger than Frieza."
Turles and Vegeta turned to him, their eyes opening with shock. It was clear when he spoke they listened.
"He is more powerful than both myself, and Frieza. I can feel it," Raditz assured them. "How much more powerful, I could only speculate. Frieza has no idea what he's up against."
The look on Vegeta's face was the most gratifying to Raditz. He felt himself smirking devilishly back at him. The Prince was clearly upset by the idea that yet another being had surpassed him in power. Good, he deserved the shame.
"Something wrong Vegeta?" Raditz asked.
"Its starting," Turles cut in before Vegeta could respond. "We'll find out if he's as strong as you say."
Below, everyone felt the two powers below beginning to draw their energies to the surface. It was terrifying.
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The wind blew past Piccolo's cape. It felt somehow like a message to him, the planet of his birth telling him that this was it. It was his duty to defeat this monster for all the other Nameks that he'd killed. He'd never known these people until he'd integrated Nail, but they were his people. His grandfather had sent him into the stars to save him from the fate of all the other Nameks save Guru.
Now? It was himself and Dende. History had repeated itself once more, his people destroyed, slaughtered and used.
When Frieza grinned at him from his new vantage point, standing atop a small plateau in front of him, something made Piccolo's cold face turn into a sneer of disgust.
The wind blew past him again, faintly moving his cape once more.
It was almost time.
Frieza was waiting for him to make the first move. But the question was to play into his hands, or force the tyrant into the offensive?
"So, you are clearly more powerful than you're fellow Namekians. I will admit my forces have been somewhat depleted as of late, with the destruction of my elite teams. Perhaps you would like to be sparred the fate of the rest of your species? You may join me, if you like," Frieza offered.
"I think I'd rather kill you than join you, Frieza."
"You know, it won't take me long to have you face first in the dirt, begging for mercy?" Frieza stated more than asked. "I believe you've made a terrible decision. To think, so much potential just being thrown away due to arrogant pride."
"Shut up and fight," Piccolo said, his black eyes narrowing on Frieza before he disappeared in a blur of speed.
Frieza's eyes widened, Piccolo saw it as the monster tried to follow his motions. It was a surprise to Frieza, the Namekian could tell. Within a second Piccolo's fist had landed firmly on Frieza's jaw sending him skyward. Frieza took control of his own motion almost immediately, looking down scornfully at Piccolo as he started to climb higher and higher into the air under his own power.
It didn't take much to overtake Frieza's ascent into the sky. As soon as he did however, Frieza lunged further upward, before the two clashed on an even footing for the first time. When their blows met in the air, the sky thundered with the impact. Shock-waves tore through the sky and bombarded the water and scorched landscape around them.
Piccolo felt the powers of his allies faltering around him, being blown back the surge in power.
It was the look of Frieza's face however that said it all as they remained frozen in the air for that moment. He was furious, and in a state of disbelief. Snarling a second later, the despot threw his arm out in an angry strike, only to receive one in turn from Piccolo. The thundering booms began to trail across the sky as Piccolo and Frieza fought.
Neither seemed to gain the advantage, each one blocking the other. Knees collided, fists were blocked by forearms, and each impact was met with a huge expulsion of energy across the Namekian sky.
Finally, after a particularly vicious exchange, Piccolo managed to slam his elbow into Frieza's face, pushing his power slightly higher as he did. This was a good test run so far, neither of them were serious yet. They were testing one another and their limits, letting power out only as they had to. The real battle would be much, much worse.
Frieza's head snapped to the side, his cheek distorted from the impact before another vicious strike came from a green hand in the shape of Piccolo's palm. The strike came down, aimed at Frieza's other cheek, just below the eye. A thundering boom came out as Frieza's head snapped the other way a second later, this time sending him flying back.
Taking off to pursue him, Piccolo found Frieza had already recovered, now turning about with his own assault. Barely raising his arm to block in time, Piccolo felt his entire body tense for a brief second at the impact.
In a blur, the two began to exchange blows again, this time blocks becoming less frequent. A blow struck across Piccolo's face, just as his own knee slammed into Frieza's gut, the two fell back before clashing once more within seconds.
"How can a pitiful Namek have this kind of power?" Frieza sneered.
"How can a pink, tailed freak, put up this much of a fight?" Piccolo fired back, this time surging forward once more to land a hook on Frieza's side.
The response he got in return was a mighty tail, thumping his own side, sending him down for the first time. Piccolo looked up only to see Frieza's hand grasping his face, flying straight down with him as the two slammed into the rocks below, sadly, Piccolo was the cushion for the impact. Lording over Piccolo with an intense glare, Frieza began powering his palms.
"It was a good fight, Namekian, but this is over."
Is he serious? He can't feel that I'm not using the lion's share of my power? He's like the Saiyans back on Earth, he can't read energy levels.
That didn't stop the energy blast at point blank range from hurting, however.
Waves of pink energy began to blast from Frieza's hands as he slowly backed into the sky, the energy coalescing around Piccolo. Raising his own defences, Piccolo felt the energy exploding around him. The rocks of the plateau around him exploding in all directions, before another thundering blast came slamming down, finishing the 'job' from Frieza's point of view he was sure.
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When the ground swelled and exploded in the distance, Turles's eyes narrowed.
So, this was what it was like to watch two super powers go at it. It was like nothing he'd ever seen. However, there was a truth which Frieza didn't know.
Raditz was right. Upon observing their encounter, he could sense Piccolo holding back much more than Frieza. Piccolo was testing Frieza, while Frieza was actually fighting at a reasonable rate. It was incredible to watch.
That Namekian is going to be a problem after this is all over.
Of course, Turles knew that his odds of surviving were going to dramatically rise if he avoided confrontation with the Namekian until he was ready. Playing along with the earthlings and his brothers would have to be on the table. He doubted even Kakarot, after healed, would match this green freak of nature.
"Piccolo!" his nephew screamed as the blast burned in the distance.
He couldn't help but smirk. This kid was too attached to that green freak, hell, he was probably too attached to everything.
No wonder he went off like a mad man and tried to kill Frieza on his own.
What Turles had failed to notice however, was how Vegeta was taking all this, watching this fight.
"So," Frieza said, looking up from the massive damaged crater that had once been a mountain, smoke and dust billowed from the wrecked island.
"It would seem that my first real challenge on this pathetic planet has been dealt with," Frieza chuckled, his eyes peering skyward towards the others. "Which one of you will be next? Would the child like another crack at me? Or would that long haired third class baboon like his opportunity?"
The smile Frieza had, the sense of self satisfaction was immense. Turles noted it almost immediately. It was the same smile he would have worn had he just humiliated someone. However, he wasn't stupid enough to make those kinds of boasts, or make such smiles, unless he actually won.
When this "Piccolo" creature rose from the dust and smoke below, looking almost unscratched, Turles couldn't help but look back at Frieza with an arrogant smile of his own.
"Hey Frieza, I think you missed," Turles pointed out.
"He's alive!" Gohan sighed with relief.
"That's incredible," Krillin added himself. "I can't believe it, what an incredible power."
Clearly, the Namek didn't looked too bothered by Frieza's assault, if anything it was the same calm, cold look that he'd worn before that he delivered back to Frieza. This Namekian knew how to fight, he knew how to conceal what he thought, he knew how to manipulate his enemies.
Even if he wasn't as strong as he is, clearly that Namekian is no fool. I'm almost impressed.
"Well, it would appear you have survived my little attack. I must say I wasn't expecting that," Frieza remarked, his voice filled with amusement more than frustration. "I was worried for a moment there i may have killed you. It would have been a shame, you see I'm trying to kill all of you in the most painful ways possible, and those blasts would have killed you far too quickly to have really been in line with my ideal ending for you."
There was no response from the Namekian.
Without a word, and without any ceremony, Vegeta's aura flickered before he took off.
Noticing at the last moment, Turles's eyes widened with surprise.
"Vegeta! Get back here!"
Idiot. Fight or flight Turles, which is it going to be?
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I've got to get out of here.
The decision had been made when Frieza nearly blew that wretched Earth-Namekian into the next life, for the second time.
Frieza was the nightmare he'd always imagined. There was something in the back of his mind telling him that he'd never escape him. He'd never surpass him, this was it, it was time to flee. Unless he could get out, and get out now; his fate would be sealed at the hands of the tyrant he'd been forced to live under since he was a boy.
I was a fool to think anyone could stand up against Frieza. Without immortality this is hopeless.
Looking behind him briefly, Vegeta noted Turles in pursuit.
So,the pirate is jumping ship as well.
When he looked forward, Vegeta only saw Frieza floating in the air with his arms cross. The smile on his face was terrifying.
Stopping in the air, Vegeta felt himself tremble just as Frieza started to chuckle. How? How could he be this fast?
"Now Vegeta, you weren't trying to leave were you? Shame on you, I was busy with your Namek friend. Now I have to show you back to your seat," Frieza smiled, beginning to float towards him.
I can't even get away.
Frieza's eyes disdainfully looked towards Turles a second later however.
"And you? Well, I don't exactly need you around now do I?" Pointing his hand out, Frieza smiled as the energy blast began to form.
It was the fact that Vegeta had been working with Turles for days now on Namek, that he felt his stomach turn. Where the Hell was that Namekian anyway? Turles was finished, and so were the rest of them. That Namekian had only gotten lucky as far as Vegeta was concerned, and even if he somehow won, then he had a suspicion that green monster himself wasn't exactly the Kakarot-type.
In a split second decision, Vegeta lunged towards Frieza, throwing his fist towards the monster's head. When the blow landed, the familiar pink glow of Frieza's blast disappeared. Instead, the two red eyes shifted towards him. Frieza's face was being pushed against by the fist, but there was no sign of damage, no sign of pain. The only thing Vegeta saw was pure annoyance.
"It would seem that you are considerably braver than I thought, Vegeta," Frieza remarked coolly.
Pain exploded in Vegeta's gut once Frieza slammed his huge fist into it. His armour nearly buckled under the strength.
The sound of Turles kicking Frieza in the head was heard a moment later as well.
"Oh look, the other monkey wants to be disciplined as well."
Frieza's tail slammed into Turles's face, before he could fall from the sky Frieza grabbed him by the leg, floating back towards the battlefield.
Shoving Vegeta back, Frieza wound up his left arm, still grasping Turles by the leg as the other saiyan struggled for a moment. With a mighty swing, Vegeta saw Turles's body used as a club to slam into him.
Complete loss of control was experienced within a heartbeat as Vegeta's frame helplessly fell to Namek. When he hit the side of a small mountain, debris scattered in all directions, making way for Vegeta to create a crater.
A second later, Turles slammed into the crater after him, painfully landing on top of him.
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Idiotic monkeys.
Floating in the air above Piccolo, Frieza felt himself smile again.
"I apologize for the delay, Namek. I unfortunately needed to discipline Vegeta on your behalf. I am sure it must be painful to be abandoned by one's own allies."
The smug, cold look he'd seen the entire time remained unflinching. This vile green fool hadn't even responded to him. This was getting tiresome. Did this fool not understand that even in this form, he was unassailable? This was nothing but a brief game to him. Certainly, he'd been surprised by this new warrior, but he was hardly a real threat to him.
But those black eyes defiantly stared back at him. What an arrogant creature, ignorant of its own weakness.
"I would suggest you begin to demonstrate a more respected demeanour to me Namek. I just may have to fix that attitude of yours otherwise."
Piccolo's face was still unflinching, but his mouth finally moving as words responded, Frieza felt his fists tighten at the words that came next.
"I'd like to see you try, Frieza."
"Its time to wipe that smug look off your face," Frieza finally snarled, his face finally twisting in frustration at Piccolo's apathy and disregard for him.
This green fool would fear him before this little skirmish was over.
Shooting down towards the caped warrior, Frieza pulled back his right arm to strike out. Lashing out violently, the fist slammed into the ground, the Namek's body disappearing in pure speed as his aura trailed behind up into the sky. Powering his own flight, increasing his own speed, Frieza gave chase.
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Another blast-wave exploded out from the contact of where Frieza and Piccolo's blows met. Thundering boom after boom trailed through the air once again. Islands began to shift and slide into the ocean, as they'd done seemingly countless times before.
Frieza was mad, Piccolo could tell. His attacks were being launched with a new kind of ferocity. Even as Piccolo blocked Frieza's latest punch, feeling it impact his arm, he could feel the tension from the monster's fingers even, each one wanting to murder him.
Dodging past another blow destined for his face, he felt Frieza bringing out more and more of his potential, and Piccolo himself was sure to keep his own power in lock step with Frieza's. He wasn't exactly concerned yet, they weren't anywhere close to his own ceiling, but he was curious if Frieza was finally nearing his own.
At last, Piccolo decided to begin turning up the heat on the Arcosian. A vicious palm strike to the side of Frieza's head was the first part of this procedure. The knee to the gut was the next.
Frieza remained frozen in place, his mouth agape as he tried to find oxygen seemingly, his eyes looked hollow and shocked.
"Are you going to fight for real, or are you going to keep playing Frieza? The warm up is over."
With a vicious backhand, Piccolo sent Frieza back from him a second later. Frieza looked furious, so furious he couldn't stop himself from shaking with anger. His teeth were grit together as Piccolo felt his enemy's power spike.
There it is. I thought he'd be stronger than this.
"Fine then Namek, allow me to demonstrate to you the power of Frieza!"
In a blinding motion, Frieza dashed towards him. His elbow struck Piccolo across the face, before Frieza grasped Piccolo by the arm and flung him towards the water.
Before Piccolo could recover in the air he felt Frieza dive into him, slamming his knee into his back as the two plunged into the waters below.
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It was through the eyes of a child that Gohan saw his adoptive father plunge into the water with Frieza after a spectacular duel in the sky. It was like watching a super hero battling a nefarious villain, good always had to triumph over evil, and Frieza was the most evil thing Gohan had ever seen. He made Turles and Vegeta look... look almost normal.
A concerned growl however came from the source of his uncle.
"Uncle?"
"Its just Raditz kid, I feel like I'm on repeat," the long haired saiyan responded, feeling exasperated.
Gohan couldn't help but assign the title to his uncle, over their time on Namek Gohan had found a real uncle in him. He'd seen the changes. Raditz wasn't just some brutish thug. He cared about him at the very least and he tried to do his best not to disappoint. He even let them make their wishes. The title seemed right, and the constant rejection of the title always bothered the boy. There was a part of him that almost thought that maybe if he just called him uncle enough, Raditz would just begrudgingly accept it.
"What's wrong? You sounded-"
"Piccolo, under water, is losing," Raditz responded bluntly.
"What?! But he's-"
It was then that the monster they'd faced off against, slowly emerged from the waves. Piccolo didn't come up. The boy's heart sank as he waited in anticipation for Piccolo, and continued to be disappointed.
"Don't worry, you're little friend is just fine," Frieza assured Gohan. "I'm sure he'll emerge in a moment,"
Finally, Piccolo blasted out of the water, just in time to be struck by an incoming energy blast from Frieza, anticipating Piccolo's arrival. The wave exploded against a mountain in the distance.
Pulling his finger up, Frieza released a very tightly controlled death beam, causing the remnants of the mountain range to explode in a massive pinkish red burst. The rocks seemed to collapse, and everything that didn't seemed to atomize.
Gohan's world felt broken as he saw the massive, apocalyptic explosion in the distance, the huge mushroom cloud of energy and ash rising into the air.
"I think the Namekian is finally dead. A shame really, I was hoping to rip his spine out for his death," Frieza said casually. "Being vaporized however it seems, will just had to do."
No, Piccolo, you can't be gone. We worked so hard to bring you back. And now there aren't any Dragon Balls to help you! No!
Gohan's rage began to peak, tears welling in his eyes as Frieza started to chuckle.
"It would seem I'll have to entertain myself with the third class and the midget saiyan again," Frieza laughed. "Oh, maybe it's time to impale the Earthling again. I'm sure that was a pleasant experience the last-"
The shallow remnants of the mountain in the distance, exploded.
The explosion took Gohan's attention immediately, feeling Piccolo's power rising again. This time it was bigger than before even.
"I think you've got bigger problems, Frieza," Raditz informed the now shocked tyrant, there was more than a hint of amusement in the tall saiyan's voice.
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I think its time to give Frieza an idea of what he's deal with.
It was Nail's voice in Piccolo's head.
Slowly as Piccolo rose into the air, rocks and boulders shifted around him, being pulled into the sky by his power, orbiting around Piccolo just for having raised his power.
Yea, alright, we can do that.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Krillin asked Gohan.
"You two stay back, I'll deal with Frieza," Piccolo ordered.
The look of disappointment on Gohan's face wasn't easy to take, but they'd just get in the way. Right now, he needed to stay focused exclusively on Frieza, not keeping the others safe.
"But Piccolo-"
"He's right," Raditz cut in, grabbing Gohan and Krillin by their shoulders. "Its time to get distance."
In a streak of light, Raditz took off, flying back as he took Gohan and Krillin with him.
Well, well, looks like there is at least one of those saiyans I can rely on.
We can rely on. Nail quickly chimed in.
Stop doing that. I need to focus-
Piccolo's eyes bulged as he dodged back, Frieza's arm just missing him as the tyrant tried to grab him furiously.
It was time.
When Frieza lunged at him again, Piccolo zipped in front of him, driving his fist into his stomach. Frieza froze in place, frozen by pain, before Piccolo sharply kicked him down towards the ground. Flipping and spinning uncontrollably Froeza slammed, back first, into one of the islands which looked more like burnt molten slag than an island. Clearly the victim of Raditz's Tuesday Firestrike.
Laying there, Frieza slowly started to sit up, his eyes looking up, looking anywhere for Piccolo.
Finally, a real smile appeared across Piccolo's face. Grasping his turban, Piccolo tossed it aside, before throwing his weighted cape off as well. The two items came slamming down to the earth, cracking the ground below him.
"I told you before Frieza, the warmup is over," Nail said, animating Piccolo's body.
Frieza's eyes widened at the sound of the voice.
Good, he remembers me at least.
"What? You? But how?" Frieza asked, slowly pushing himself up to his feet, his face still covered in shock.
"Piccolo and I have merged into one. His power before was large enough to challenge you Frieza, but now, with our combined strength, you are finished Frieza."
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It was no wonder this Namekian was so powerful, he was two beings. It was still remarkable to Frieza all the same. It had been almost 40 years since the last time he was challenged in this form, truly challenged that was. Seeing the Namekian floating there, Frieza knew it was time to test the full limits of his adversary.
First, he'd need to determine if he needed to transform or not.
Red eyes locked onto the observers, the rag tag band of humans and saiyans. Vegeta and his lackey still weren't in the air, which meant they were still eating the dirt. The thought made Frieza smile for a brief moment.
The world around him began to tremble, began to quake violently as the last of his power was brought to the surface.
"Namek, remember as I crush the life out of you, you wanted this," Frieza said with a nefarious grin.
There was no marked response from the Namek.
No, he can't be strong enough to disregard this much power. At most his power level must be a million. Mine is currently over 1.1 million. I should get a response at least. Perhaps...
Frieza blinked, and the Namekian was in front of him.
"I haven't got all day Frieza," Piccolo said, shifting his frame, preparing to fight. "If you're so strong, prove it."
Unconsciously, Frieza stepped back, before putting his own arms and body into position for battle.
Finally, Piccolo smiled.
As soon as he did, waves of power seemed to explode off the Namekian, Frieza could even feel himself trembling, unconsciously feeling the energy for even the briefest of moments.
No, no it's impossible.
Suddenly, pain exploded in the side of his face, moving faster than he could respond to, Piccolo had landed a savage backhand on the Frieza's face. Tilting backwards helplessly, Frieza tried to regain his balance before another brutal strike came to his abdomen. This time bones protested, nearly buckling under the pressure from the hit. Blood surged up his throat before coughing from his mouth.
Stumbling back, Frieza felt himself trying to regain his composure, but instead could do nothing but placed his hands over his abdomen. Falling to his knees, the mighty Lord Frieza tried his best to stop trembling.
This was humiliating.
An elbow slammed into the back of his skull within a heartbeat, sending his face into the ground.
Transformation, I am required to change my shape to stop this one. His power level must be 1.2 million.
As soon as he felt he could move, Frieza stood up, seeing Piccolo still in front of him.
Grinning, Frieza realized he could buy time quite simply.
"I see you are dramatically more powerful than I realized," Frieza admitted. "But no matter, because what is power without your friends, right?"
Laughing, Frieza pointed his head towards the child which had seemed so fond of the Namek, his eyes glowing.
Immediately Piccolo looked stressed as the beams shot out, heading towards the child.
How noble. I do so love how they always scurry to help one another. It always allows me all the time I need. Fools.
Within a heartbeat the Namek disappeared, and Frieza began the process of changing his body.
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The two red bolts deflected into the sky, just as Gohan almost fell back stumbling through the air. Floating there, Piccolo breathed in heavily at the exertion of speed. That had been everything he had to catch in time.
"Are you okay Piccolo?" Gohan enquired.
"Fine."
They had even travelled further away, Raditz having dragged them. But it just wasn't far enough. And now, he felt Frieza's power beginning to rise, and rise rapidly. Transformation, it was the only explanation. Nail's memories showed him Frieza's original appearance, and he knew what he was fighting didn't match that, in either appearance or power.
"D-Do you feel that?" Krillin asked. "No way, how can he be getting even stronger?"
"It's fine Krillin," Piccolo assured, taking off again, this time heading straight for the red-black energy in the distance.
Both his feet slammed into the ground in front of Frieza as the tyrant chuckled.
He was different now, his body had grown larger, if only slightly. His natural armour had fanned out, spikes were everywhere, and his head... ugh, what the hell happened to his head and neck?
He's disgusting. I guess the outside now finally reflects the inside. This must be his true power, he's much stronger than he was before.
"Now do you see, Namek?" Frieza asked from his now elongated head, hunched over and grinning. "Do you see that you are weak and pitiful? I have never met an alien who can challenge this form."
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As soon as Frieza had completed his new form, the saiyans were reunited with their comrades.
Vegeta hated this, being this weak and useless. Frieza had disposed of him and Turles as if they were nothing, just as he knew they would. And now there was no escape. The Namekian, Piccolo, would soon be overwhelmed as well. This did not bode well, this didn't bode well at all.
That Namekian child had not only saved the bald fool, and the kid, he'd saved Raditz. Both Gohan and Raditz saw a big power bump as a result. This could be his chance to defeat Frieza, if he could somehow get someone to beat him to within an inch of his life.
Then Frieza would see who the coward was.
Looking towards the others fighters, Vegeta smiled devilishly, while they all stared back in confusion.
"Vegeta, what is it?" Krillin asked.
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Frieza felt himself grinning as he took an intimidating step forward.
But something was different now, something was wrong. It didn't feel right as he saw Piccolo staring back at him defiantly, the Namekian clearly wasn't intimidated. Narrowing his eyes furiously, Frieza tried to determine why. His own power greatly exceeded that of this pitiful worm's, especially now that he was in his 3rd form, it had to. But still this green fool stood in defiance, there was no fear on his face.
Sneering hatefully, Frieza stepped forward, his foot cracking the ground beneath it as he started to almost snarl at his enemy.
This Namekian is the most arrogant fool I've faced against. Too self absorbed to even feel fear. He should be trembling before me, begging for his life!
"Any last words Namek?"
"Demon-Ken!"
"Demon what-?"
Pain exploded in the side of Frieza's face as the green palm struck it again. It'd come as a complete surprise. Piccolo had been standing there, in a completely normal stance, and then a strange green aura completely covered his body before the blow landed. Somehow, he'd managed to find the speed and strength to move past Frieza's defences.
Wincing in pain however, Frieza turned about immediately, his huge right arm striking back at Piccolo only finding it caught in a green glowing fist.
The smile that appeared across Piccolo's lips was unsettling, at last breaking his cold appearance.
"So I see you've found a way to raise that miserable power level of yours. Well it still won't help you," the Arconsian snapped furiously. "I will pull you apart piece by piece."
"Shut up and fight," the response from Piccolo was short, and to the point. It was a repeat of what he said earlier. They weren't here to trade insults, they were here to fight.
The response also came in the form of a brutal kick to the head, cracking the outside of the dome on Frieza's head.
Impossible!
Turning his head down towards Piccolo, Frieza felt himself beginning to tremble with anger for the second time. The smug look of victory adorned the Namekian's face. With a vicious sneer however, the Arcosian brought his power to the fore, putting his energy to one point on his fingers.
The Namek did have one point.
It was time to shut up and fight.
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The beam that came whizzing past Piccolo was excessively powerful, he only had time to dodge at the last moment before he felt Frieza's brutal fists on him, slamming into his gut and shoulder.
This form was much stronger than his last, but he knew he still had the edge, the games were over, no more warm ups. Striking back immediately, Piccolo let his knee slam into Frieza's side before upper cutting the tyrant into the sky.
In a blur the two collided as they had before, only this time the shock-waves from their collisions were yet greater, full explosions burst across the sky as each blow landed between the two. Kicks, knees, punches, elbows, each strike was precise, each one was savage. In this fury neither fighter could be seen by any of the onlookers, even Raditz.
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"Turles, can you hear me?"
The look on Turles's face was one of shock.
"What do you want now, Bardock?"
Sighing, Vegeta rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment.
"I'm not Bardock you idiot. Who the Hell is Bardock anyway? You're as stupid as those brothers of yours."
The other saiyan scowled at Vegeta at those words. Clearly antagonizing him wasn't in his best interests, but it actually might be in getting his comrade to attack him.
"It doesn't matter, what is it?" the reply was irritated, angry even.
It was then that another shock-wave slammed over everyone, blasting them all back as the two monsters collided in another flash of power.
This is insane! They can't be this powerful! How can this Namekian, even with his fusion, generate this much energy?
"I need you to try and kill me." Vegeta ordered.
"If you want to die," Turles said out loud, looking at Vegeta cynically. "Go fight Frieza, he's right there."
It was an reiteration of his comment from when Raditz had fought Frieza only minutes ago.
"What are you two talking about?" Raditz demanded, narrowing his eyes suspiciously on them.
"None of your business, low level," Vegeta was quick to respond.
The last thing he needed was Raditz catching on, especially given their past, and present issues.
It's humiliating, being weaker than this simple idiot. Worse, having to even worry about his dimwitted mind catching on.
The fighting would have to heat up first. Something had to draw the others away clearly before he convinced any candidates to come forward and maim him. At least it shouldn't be hard to convince them otherwise.
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A blow landed, sending Piccolo back in the air finally as the two giant powers squared off in the air. Surging forward with green energy in response, Piccolo lashed out with all his might. Slamming his palm into Frieza's chest, sending the monster back. Frieza's legs and arms trailed behind him as he went flying.
"Get back here!" Piccolo shouted, blasting after Frieza.
Within seconds the huge monster and Piccolo's arms were grappling in the air. The two breathed heavily as they stared at one another. As if having the same idea, at the same time, both sides felt their eyes beginning to glow with energy.
In the skies above Namek, two sets of eye beams collided at point blank range. To all the onlookers it quickly turned into a massive flash in the sky, followed by a thundering, calamitous boom.
Both sides landed on the now half shattered island below them. Dashing at one another immediately, several thundering booms could be heard as the two disappeared in blinding speed, their attacks scattered all across the body of land they'd found themselves now fighting over.
When the two reappeared, they were once again grappled in a test of strength. Hands locked together as Piccolo pushed against Frieza's power, and Frieza against his. The two of them letting their energies flow.
King Kai's training had been invaluable, at least in hindsight. Though he was never able to master King Kai's Kaio-Ken, he was able to learn enough from it to develop his own, more limited technique. At least this was able to keep him in the game against this monster.
It was time to go for the win.
"Namek," Frieza seethed, the ground beneath them cracking violently as the auras around them began to heighten again. "Did you enjoy feeling my men and I slaughter all those helpless fools? Beings such as us are the only ones who matter. And soon you will be dead along side those other fools, what a waste!"
The entire island was coming apart around them with every second passing. The green aura and pink-red aura burned brightly, and at the centre conflicted with one another.
But the truth was, Piccolo was starting to realize he was burning through his power much more quickly, which was why he had to stop this fight now, it really was time for the win. Desperate times called for desperate techniques.
Breaking his hands free from Frieza's and locking them together in a ball, Piccolo struck upwards, smashing Frieza across the face, sending the giant lizard back as his face scowled. Within this balled fist, Piccolo gathered his power, before opening the closed double fist, revealing golden glowing energy.
"Explosive Demon Wave!"
The wave slammed into Frieza's chest, the monster screeching in shock as it was launched back violently, his entire body fighting off the power of the bolt before slamming into a nearby mountain. When the blast came moments later, a mushroom cloud rose through the air as debris shot in all directions violently. Waves of dust and smoke washed over Piccolo as he raised his arms to cover himself.
As soon as the dust settled, Piccolo placed his right hand's index and middle fingers to his head, gathering energy rapidly.
When Frieza emerged, this was his best chance to end this in one attack. He just hoped he'd bought enough time with the Demon Wave.
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"We're going to have to step in," Raditz told Gohan, before looking at Turles and Vegeta as well.
"Hey, you two. You're with me, we're going to have to defend the Namek," came the order.
Immediately he could see Vegeta look hesitant, just as he had before.
He's still afraid of Frieza.
Raditz thought for several moments about calling Vegeta a disgrace, but decided it was pointless. The Prince clearly knew that himself. Wounding his pride was something Raditz craved to do, but right now it was just more productive to go and fight Frieza. The sneer of disgust on Raditz's features however, couldn't be hidden.
"Fine, stay up here if you're a coward then," Raditz told Vegeta, who glared resentfully back at him.
Turning his head, he nodded to Gohan.
"Krillin, stay here and make moves to go protect Dende," Raditz said bluntly, clearly not trusting in Vegeta or-
Turles floated forward, his eyes locking onto Raditz before smirking.
"I'll be game for this little excursion, besides, I have a plan." the words left Turles's mouth as a smirk stretched across his features... his tail swishing behind him excitedly.
Of course, Turles wasn't the only one with a plan, behind him Vegeta's eyes just locked onto Krillin as his lips curved into a small smile.
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A/N: PHEW!
Now, just to give everyone a head's up, next week will be the last week where we have Friday updates. Starting the week after that, it'll be Monday Updates! My schedule has changed, so the update schedule must change as well :)
Also, Chapter 28 is my most reviewed chapter to date. I sincerely want to thank everyone for letting me know what they think. I hope all of you continue to enjoy The Catalyst. Now then, allow me to answer some of your reviews. Some have already been answered via PM.
Reviewers:
Doctor13X: I can't answer questions to the outcomes of fights unfortunately :P
Expect to see Tarble before Chapter 50.
And I can't answer who will transform into what :P
But of course, thank you for your kind review. :)
Pointer39: The next attack you'll see from Raditz is going to be in a few years, at least new attack XD
Ki Ai Sky: Answered via PM
Ness: Unfortunately, I hadn't thought of that. Oh well, too late now. Lol
Dark Impaler: This chapter proved your hypothesis about Frieza and Raditz's attack.
Roseblade: Yer rite, I nede 2 werk on mi grammer.
Super mystic gohan: Goku is currently about 25, as is Turles. Raditz is 34, and Vegeta is 30.
Jason9000: I think this chapter answered your concerns :D
AlphaShenron: Yep. The ship has slowly turned, at least for this element of his life.
Fightingchampion: Turles has a big role to play still, see the next 7 chapters to find out :O
Tien Shenhan: I will try to check out your story when I have time, likely that will be this Monday. Thanks for the review, and I'll see what I can do in turn.
Demod20: I bet you can't wait to see more again too XD
DaOneInDaCorner: Yea, don't worry, Chapter 30 is pretty exciting in terms of what should have finished things off ;)
DarkCarnival220: There are 2 more main characters who will be tagged when their chapters go up. One of them is Tarble. The other won't be revealed yet. But thank you. :D
treeger: I think I answered this one via PM.
Coldblue: Unfortunately in order to deliver this story on time, I won't be posting Cargo's chapter until after the Frieza Saga, or as a One Shot story. The reason is, is because its an incredibly difficult chapter to write, and because its very humour centric, which I am not overly adept at. I won't be doing any crossovers at all. Really ever. Crossovers do nothing for me as a writer and interest me about as much as mouldy bread interests me, lol.
Final Note:
Once again, thank you everyone for the reviews, and not just as reviews, but for the valuable feedback I get on my story. I greatly appreciate the feedback, and it certainly adds fuel to update the story. I've got the next 7 chapters ready to go still, along with 5 others which take place later on.
Thank you once again everyone for all the support.