Dragon Ball Z: The Catalyst

by Drakthul

Catalyst: a person or thing that precipitates an event or change. A traditional encounter is changed, and begins a series of events which will alter the fate of millions. From the beginning of the Saiyan Saga forward. Rated T for violence and themes.

36. Chapter 36: Tyranny's End

Dragonball Z: The Catalyst

Act II:

Chapter 36: Tyranny's End

Two figures blasted through the air, behind them leaving behind Frieza and Goku. The elder brother of the Saiyan Warrior left behind had trouble not looking back. It was stunning, amazing even, that Kakarot would turn out to be the Saiyan of Legend. His brother was a Super Saiyan. It wasn't him, Turles, Nappa, and it especially wasn't Vegeta. For decades of working with Nappa and Vegeta, it was always said that only a member of the royal bloodline could become a Super Saiyan. There was no royal blood in Kakarot's veins, just as there was no royal blood in his own. The Super Saiyan had emerged from the common Saiyan, a third class warrior who was supposed to have the life of a weakling.

That weakling would kill Frieza and avenge their people.

But it had come at a high price. Looking to his right, he saw the Namekian, Piccolo, carrying the body of his fallen nephew. Gohan had given his life for this green alien. It was something Raditz couldn't fully understand. The Namek was strong, and a ruthless fighter, but why die for him? He'd known that the Namekian was the boy's trainer, but he never suspected a bond deep enough for the kid to die for the Namek. But then again, the Namek died for him back on Earth. It didn't matter at the end of the day, what really mattered was the kid was gone.

If I'd have known you were going to jump in the way of that, I'd have stopped you.

Behind them, a thundering boom echoed out as the battle between Kakarot and Frieza began. Frieza hadn't just wiped out most of their race, he'd killed his brother Turles, and now his nephew Gohan. He could only hope that Kakarot took his advise to heart. This beast didn't deserve any mercy. It infuriated Raditz that he wasn't strong enough to kill Frieza himself. His own power had grown dramatically, but he was much weaker than the Namekian even, he was weaker than Vegeta, or Turles. The only thing he could do now was leave this in the hands of Kakarot, the Legend.

With Vegeta dead, and he was willing to bet Frieza dead, what was going to be left for him? Conquer the universe? That was so... lacking. What kind of warrior conquers for the sake of conquest? The truth of the matter was, only warriors with purpose ever achieved anything. That was how Kakarot became so strong, that was how he became the legend. Now with his own purpose gone? What was left?

His thoughts drifted back to Kakarot however, almost looking back as he felt the two massive powers in the background.

Win Kakarot.

But there was another issue as well.

"The boy is dead," Raditz told the Namek finally. "His body holds no purpose, it is grim that you keep it with us."

Snarling in response, the Namekian warrior glared.

"Gohan may be dead, but if we use the Dragon Balls, he can be restored to life. When he comes back, he'll come back through his body if it's available. Otherwise, he'll be wished back near where he died, which would be Planet Namek, not Earth."

But the Earth's Dragon Balls were-

Raditz's eyes widened as he realized that Piccolo being alive, meant that the Dragon Balls in fact were back. And if those Dragon Balls were back, his own ambitions may be realized. But there was a bright note, the Namekian seemed to think they'd be wishing his Nephew back to life.

Of course, Raditz had no clue about the time constraints on resurrecting the dead.

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Standing before Frieza, Goku stared forward critically. The stunned alien stepped back, unable to comprehend what he was now contending with any longer. It was clear to Goku that Frieza was now afraid of him, as he was clearly in the inferior.

There was a need for revenge in Goku like he'd never felt, even more than when Krillin had been killed by King Piccolo, this was different. His friend Krillin had been murdered by this beast and he'd never be back. His son had died an excruciating death at the hands of this monster saving his best friend. His son, the one he'd not been able to be there for now one time too many. Somehow he'd always thought Gohan would be fine, they boy was so much like him he always just thought he'd find a way. Gohan had found a way, but that way was to save Piccolo at the expense of himself. He was just a child.

Slamming his fist into Frieza's gut as the thoughts of his son overcame him caused the Tyrant to fall to his knees, blood coughed up seconds later. All Goku could do was stare down at the helpless creature before him. Frieza didn't care that he just killed his best friend, or killed his son. There was nothing he could do to make him care either. This monster had slaughtered billions, if not hundreds of billions, if not trillion of people. How many people had to die for his greed and lust for power? How many people did he make suffer for his amusement?

How many people had Frieza put through the pain he, Goku, was now going through?

With a hard lip, Goku drove his knee into Frieza's face too fast for the alien to block. Blood exploded from Frieza's nose, mixing with the blood around his lips. Red eyes blinked several times in pain.

"I hate you," Frieza seethed, furiously staring up at Goku as he pulled his knee back.

Without warning, Goku backhanded Frieza, sending him flying into a small rock-face, his body smashing into it violently.

"You've hurt so many people with your power, they've been helpless to stop you. All they've been able to do is try to die with some dignity. Well now it's your turn Frieza! How does it feel to be helpless? To realize you have no way out?!"

The rock exploded outward, a huge wave of red energy sending the fragments scattering into the distance. Frieza stood up, his face twisted with fury. Even now Goku could tell all the monster was thinking of was a way to kill him and save himself. Good, he'd be all the more disappointed when he failed. Stray rocks still shot through the air, flying past Goku as he looked on.

It was then that Frieza smiled to himself.

"Why is it you loathe what I've done so much? Saiyans like you are all killers yourselves. Each one of your kind are just as ruthless as I am. That brother of yours, Vegeta, even that weakling Raditz. The whole species were monsters, primitive blood thirsty apes. Now you have the nerve to play the moral high ground against me? Hypocrisy doesn't fit such a noble hero such as yourself," Frieza mocked. "You and your blood thirsty race have just as much to answer for."

It wasn't a lie. The Saiyans had killed countless billions, if not more. Turles, Vegeta, and Raditz had slaughtered their own ways across the galaxy. But he could see the change in Raditz, and he knew that Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma would have died without Vegeta. Even Turles, before he died, seemed to want to defeat Frieza for something more. They weren't monsters like Frieza.

"They all paid for their mistakes," Goku responded.

"Oh?" Frieza's face became amused. "I thought it was because I killed them. It was a joke, watching all those helpless monkeys die. In fact it was a joke, you should have been there to see it. Your father, a Saiyan named Bardock, was the first one to see it. He didn't find it as entertaining as me unfortunately."

How could anyone derive such joy in killing others?

"You're a beast with no conscience, Frieza," the words were blunt and to the point, and exactly as Goku felt.

There was an entertained laugh before Frieza made a look nervously to one side. Goku knew right away he was trying to buy time. It didn't matter, no matter how much time he bought, he would chase him down and finish him.

Within a second there was a blur of motion and Frieza was trying to make distance. Before that second could be counted, Goku had already moved on it. Just as Frieza appeared almost a mile away, Goku appeared in front of him, in the same position he'd been in before. There was a feral cry from Frieza before he unleashed his attacks towards Goku.

Waves of energy washed over the Saiyan. Goku didn't have to manage a defence, beyond increasing his own power. Within seconds, there was an explosion of epic proportions. But within, Goku would be utterly unscathed.

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Waves of energy thundered across the surface of the Planet Namek. Behind them explosions went off in a dramatic wave of destruction. Neither Raditz nor Piccolo could believe it. Their eyes turned back to where they'd just been, seeing only the results of the apocalyptic assaults. The energy was violently, Frieza was clearly throwing everything he could at the Super Saiyan. Despite the destruction that was surely happening however, both Piccolo and Raditz knew it was to no avail for Frieza. Kakarot's energy level was fine.

All the same, another explosion of pure power rolled over the horizon. Kakarot had won, because there was no way for Frieza to harm him.

While flying towards Frieza's ships, Raditz couldn't help but think they were forgetting something.

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How?

How was this happening? Everything he even tried to attack this monkey with failed. Nothing worked, energy waves, physical attacks, snide remarks, nothing worked. Worse, this damned monkey was also not letting him, Lord Frieza, have enough time to gather precious energies to power up to his fullest potential. Even now, in this burning, hellish ruin of a location, the Saiyan just stared him down. It was infuriating, being looked down upon by such an inferior creature.

How could I have allowed this to happen? I should have killed him at my earliest opportunity. It's... It's just like what Cooler said. Cooler, that wretched bastard was actually right about something. I was reckless.

Still, there was one accomplishment, the beast before him was now confident, just like any Saiyan when they were 'assured' of victory. There had to be a way to dupe this brute into causing his own defeat. It was the natural order of things, even when powerful, a stupid beast, was still a stupid beast. It was just a matter of finding this monster's weakness and exploiting it. Once that was done, he would cast his carcass to the wayside. Then it would be he, Lord Frieza, who was the victor!

My reign will not be brought low by some miserable monkey. If I cannot crush him outright, then I will crush him through my superior intellect. I will survive.

"You must tell me, what are you? You can't be a Saiyan. It's just not possible," Frieza said, his body trembling with adrenaline, mixed with fear and anticipation.

It was then that the Super Saiyan spoke.

"I am the hope of the universe."

Behind him, volcanic activity caused by their battle boiled to the surface, causing a massive explosion of magma behind him.

"I am the answer to all living things, that cry out for peace."

The words seemed empty to Frieza, but this fool believed them. How could someone this naive gain this much power? Quietly, Frieza began to desperately continue to think of how he could outsmart this primitive.

"I am protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness, I am truth."

The volcano became more violent, blasting upwards. Ash clouds mixed with the fiery contents of the planet's blood streamed behind the Saiyan. Yet still, the Saiyan only stared at him, his eyes fixed on him intently. There was not even a motion to try and dodge the magma or ash. It was as if he was a mountain in a storm, unmoving and unbending.

"I am a warrior with a pure heart, awakened by fury. I am Son Goku! And I am a Super Saiyan!"

Golden energy exploded from the monkey. It seemed impossible to imagine, but even the planet seemed to submit to his power, the volcano ceased as soon as his power emerged. The force was enough that even he felt it. There would be no way to survive at 50% of his full power against this. He would need everything. It was something he'd never been readily able to do, but now he would have to call upon everything he had to stop this... this beast.

Trembling still, Frieza felt himself shrink as the golden aura burned, and those blue eyes burrowed into him. There had to be a way to win, or at least buy time to achieve his next stage of power.

This was the legend that Vegeta kept rambling on and on about.

"Well, it looks like one of you monkeys finally made good on your promise to become this moderately powerful fighter. Did you know how Vegeta would go on about this silly little legend? On and on, it was really pathetic. The Prince believed himself to be a God, but it turns out he was just another miserable, irrelevant grain of sand. When he was a boy, apparently the idea of being a Super Saiyan was his only comfort. Vegeta tried so hard and failed. I must say your power does surprise me, but I do find it gratifying to know that Vegeta was surpassed so utterly by one of his underlings. It is somewhat amusing."

The Saiyan didn't seem to be as amused as he was.

Frustration finally started to rush through Frieza's veins.

I am the Lord of the Universe. I will not be denied by this scum.

As Frieza thought this, he began drawing his power to the surface. Black and red energy began to swirl around him. It was then that he determined what he had to do to win. Who said he had to fight fair? He was Lord Frieza, he made the rules. As he powered his attack, the Saiyan began to power his own.

Excellent, this primitive beast doesn't understand what I am doing.

"You know, I've killed millions of monkeys just like you, and you'll be no different. I am Lord Frieza, I am the one who decides who lives, and who dies, and you are nothing but a wretched Saiyan. You are a monkey, nothing more," Frieza remarked as they gathered their energies for this confrontation.

"You don't get to decide that anymore Frieza," the one named Goku told him, his face stern.

Anger surged through Frieza as he braced himself, feeling the dark energies forming into his hands. This presumptuous fool thought he, Lord Frieza, no longer got to decide?

"You think just because you've achieved some new form that you are somehow superior to me? Lord Frieza, the undefeated ruler of the universe!?" the shout came furiously from his lips. "Well you're not! I own you! Your very existence, your very place in the universe is because of my doing! I owned all the Saiyans! I owned their lives and they were mine to spend! I owned their planet. I own your planet. I own this planet!"

"In fact! To Hell with this planet!" with that, Frieza cast the Death Ball towards the core of the planet. "Die planet! Die!"

I do decide who lives and dies, I decide what planet lives and dies! How dare this pitiful idiot tell me otherwise?

The monkey, who'd been preparing to attack him, was caught by surprise, unable to move to block the assault.

Within a moment, the entire world was blinded by light.

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Waves of deadly energy exploded through the very surface of the planet, the light was blinding. The thundering boom that followed was so immense that it made the planet itself quake. Falling from the sky and slamming into the unstable planet below, Raditz and Piccolo found themselves in front of not Frieza's ship, but the battlefield of the battle against the Ginyu Force.

Looking up, Raditz saw a much closer craft than Frieza's ship. It was the craft Kakarot had arrived on. Pulling himself up first, the long haired Saiyan looked about, seeing the Namek starting to rise as well. The planet no longer felt right, it felt...

It was a familiar feeling Raditz was experiencing. This was the signs of a planet in its death throws. They didn't have long, minutes maybe before this all went completely to shit. Which meant they had to hurry.

"Namek! Ship! Now! This planet is finished," Raditz warned, already taking flight again, not even thinking about the blast they'd just experienced in the background.

There wasn't a word of complained from Piccolo as the two of them made their way into the vessel. Quickly going over the controls, Raditz froze when he realized something.

"What craft is this?" Piccolo questioned.

"It is the one Kakarot arrived on, but I don't know how to fly it. Curses! The only one who would know how to fly this other than Kakarot is-" Raditz froze as he realized what they'd all seemingly forgotten before.

The woman, Bulma.

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He had become disappointment.

I can just imagine that smug ingrate Cooler mocking me for this one. I can't believe this planet wasn't finished off by that blast.

"So, you couldn't do it?" the monkey asked. "You couldn't go through with destroying both of us."

The foolish nature of the Saiyan's comment made Frieza smile to himself, knowing full well the planet was still going to die, and was still going to explode. But the smile was there as well because he knew full well he would survive such an event. Arcosians did not require an atmosphere to survive, and temperature fluctuations didn't affect them in the same way, nor did cosmic radiation. In short, just because Namek died, did not mean he would.

"Killing us both to make sure I don't win isn't any way to fight," Goku then added. "It's just another way of giving up."

Ignorant monkey.

"You clearly don't understand. I wasn't going to kill myself you ape. My species can survive in space, and yours can't. As soon as the atmosphere was sucked into space, you'd be left helpless, and you would die. I would live on. And that is still going to happen, it'll just be a few minutes. This planet is finished, it will explode, the only question is when. I personally would it at somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes personally. I am an expert at these kinds of things," Frieza remarked smugly.

Finally, the look on that wretched Saiyan's face changed, his eyes hardened after recovering from shock. Now all he had to do was buy time.

"Then all that means is I have to put you down now," the Super Saiyan remarked, preparing himself to assault.

No! I need more time.

"I have yet to achieve my full power, Saiyan. I can destroy you easily if given the real opportunity. You are nothing to me, you never have been and you never will be," Frieza quickly boasted. "Within moments I can achieve my full strength."

Clearly the monkey was thinking, good, good. This would mean that he may allow for him to achieve his maximum power, then there would be a reckoning. This supposedly legendary warrior would be faced with the reality of the most powerful being in the universe.

Smiling finally, the Saiyan spoke.

"Yea, I'll let you use your full power. So before I beat you, you realize just how pitiful and helpless you really are."

Fool.

With that, Frieza began to bring his full power to the surface, his body beginning to bulge outwards as energy was drawn in.

Not even Cooler would be able to stand against my full power. This Saiyan fool is finished.

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Several minutes of the battle passed, the countdown to the planet's destruction getting ever closer. The planet would soon be nothing but an asteroid field, slowly stretched into the orbits of the surrounding stars. Blows were exchanged in brutal succession. It was no longer just a matter of defeating Frieza, it was being able to defeat him at all.

But it was not the battle which mattered now. From the sea closest to the battle, on an island long since destroyed, sent to the bottom of the seat, a great serpent rose from the waters. The Eternal Dragon returned to existence as its master was wished back to life, through the efforts of the Earth's Dragon Balls.

Now all Frieza had killed, all his men had killed, were returned to life. Every Namekian his men slaughtered, and of course, warriors who had fallen while battling the tyrant himself.

Four sets of lungs filled with air...

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With a gasp of life, Gohan's body animated. Hollowed, dead eyes revitalized within seconds as he turned his head, noticing himself aboard a ship. Looking around quickly, the small boy desperately began to wonder what was happening now? Where was he? He'd been dead only moments ago, awaiting judgement before passing into the next life. Now he was alive again and-

Suddenly he felt it. They were massive, more massive than he'd ever imagined anything. Two huge powers nearly equal in strength battling across the surface of the planet. One of them felt like his father. But his father was nowhere near this strong. How could that be?

Turning his head, Gohan realized Piccolo was standing there with his eyes fixed on him, a smile across his lips.

"Looks like you got out quicker than I did," his mentor remarked, before placing an assuring hand on his shoulder. "I have a feeling we'll be out of here sooner than expected."

It didn't matter, Gohan was bewildered with what was going on.

"How?" Gohan finally asked. "How am I alive? I remember... I remember Frieza. He. He-"

"Kami used the Earth's Dragon Balls to bring everyone Frieza killed back, including you Gohan," Piccolo said. "Now, I'm willing to bet I know what part two of the plan is," Piccolo said with a half smirk.

Looking out the opened door to the space ship, Gohan's eyes fixed on the Eternal Dragon. If the Eternal Dragon was back, that meant anything was possible.

Looking back towards his mentor, Gohan felt cold. Regardless of being back, regardless of everything even, his mind wasn't fully there yet. Part of it felt almost left behind at the check-in station. But there was one liberating thought. The power he felt fighting Frieza, his father, was going to win.

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A gloved hand shoved from the dirt, with a half buried scream concealed by the soil. Within seconds, Vegeta pulled himself from his grave, sitting up covering in dirt and mud. It took seconds now, but fresh air filled his lungs. It was like being born again. It'd not been only a moment ago that he'd been in Hell. It was hardly a pleasant experience, even if it was for only a few minutes. The dark realm looked barren for the most part, like a lonely, empty place. Within that place Vegeta could feel the suffering powers within. Hell would never be able to hold him.

And it would seem he was right.

Looking up at the black sky, raging towers of magma, and a planet very clearly on the verge of destruction however, began to give Vegeta a sense of dread. Was this part of Hell as well? To taunt him with life for the briefest of moments, before taking it away again? Or perhaps this was a hallucination of some kind.

Carefully, Vegeta picked himself up, before hearing a terrified stutter to his side. Before turning towards the noise, he looked down, seeing his armour shattered and destroyed as it was before. His eyes focused on where the mark was at his chest. Within a few seconds however, he turned his head towards the terrified blue haired woman now staring at him.

"Y-y-you were dead," the woman said, stepping back in fright.

So this wasn't a hallucination? He'd died and somehow returned to the living? What kind of miracle was this? It was a miracle! Alive, the Prince of all Saiyans would walk the world again, and soon he would be the strongest being who ever existed. Not only would he surpass Frieza, he would surpass Kakarot and all others. It was what he was born to do.

I have mastered even death. Not even Hell can hold me.

A violent wind, hot wind blasted past the two of them. This planet was going to Hell faster than he escaped it. Which meant he didn't give it long. Frieza must have started to destroy the planet for some reason.

The woman was supposed to have somehow provided him with eternal life, according to his vision of the future. Right now it seemed impossible. In fact, he'd just died. Clearly the promise of eternal life was a dubious one. This blue haired harpy was clearly at least somewhat involved in the manipulation as well. Which meant he'd been brought into conflict with Turles almost, twice, because of a lie. It wasn't that he couldn't beat that third class buffoon, but just the idea of being manipulated to the will of others made Vegeta very, very upset.

Glaring at the terrified woman, Vegeta stepped forward, closing his fists.

"So, I did my job, and yet I'm still not immortal," he said darkly, staring her down.

The woman went even more pale, if that was possible. Blue eyes widened from fear to terror. To Vegeta this was yet more evidence she had been one of the prime manipulators of his failed bid for Eternal Life. It was a confused mess, but Vegeta now wanted answers. Who had been guiding him towards this fate?

"O-of course, y-you didn't get your wish from t-the Dragon," the human stuttered. "P-please don't hurt me."

Well, she was clearly smart enough to see how angry Vegeta was at the moment.

But there was a pause. In the distance, far behind the frightened woman, Vegeta saw Porunga, the Namekian Eternal Dragon once again in the sky.

Immortality, it can still be mine.

Perhaps that hadn't been a lie after all. Looking towards Bulma sharply, Vegeta could feel a smile appear, it was devious in nature. Yes, she somehow did fit in with his bid for eternal life, didn't she? Without a second thought, he grabbed the woman's arm. Immediately she shrieked, before he growled angrily, allowing her fear to silence her.

It was time to see the Dragon.

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The air was cold, almost as if he was nearly touching space.

In low orbit around Planet Namek, a single figure's eyes sprang open. His body was only clad in the threads of a Planet Trade undersuit, covering the upper half of his lower body. Only moments earlier, he'd faced the gavel of a giant red ogre, sending him spiralling into the abyss.

"Down you go!"

The words from that overbearing brute echoed through his mind. After listing off the worst of his atrocities, that fat old fool had demanded to know if he had anything to say for himself. As if he'd have any regrets for stamping out weaklings. His response had been largely muted, other than a scowl however.

And now, after twisting in the darkness, he'd come to find himself alive. For now, it would seem, given as soon as his eyes traced across the surface of Planet Namek, he could see the state the world was in. This place was going to explode, and soon. So he'd come back just to relive death one more time? The first time wasn't bad enough? But if this was Hell... why did he sense Frieza?

There was another power as well, just as large, just as powerful, if not more so. It felt like...

Kakarot.

There was no other explanation. This was what Bardock had meant, this was the power of a Super Saiyan. Which meant that Kakarot would defeat Frieza, and he would be left in the dustbin of history. Anger caused his fists to close tightly as he realized just how much he'd lost. That should be him down there, that should be him battling Frieza. Kakarot was no Saiyan, he was an Earthling who looked like a Saiyan. Worse, he had a hand in this disgrace.

I allowed Bardock to tell me what I wanted. I was his tool. I let him guide me to my own death for the sake of this disgrace becoming a Legend. What am I now?

Snarling at the thoughts in his mind, Turles felt himself powering up. If he couldn't be the legend, that was fine. All that mattered was he would kill Frieza. After that, he could simply use Kakarot's good nature against him, and buy enough time to discover how this blundering buffoon became the Super Saiyan. Then he would do the same.

Then the universe itself will tremble at my approach.

Bardock got his wish, Kakarot would kill Frieza. But he would not have the last laugh, he would not be forgotten simply as Kakarot's brother. The universe would remember Kakarot as his brother. It would remark how he stopped Frieza, which lead to the rise of the new ruler of the universe... Turles.

Taking off in a bolt of purple energy, Turles madly smirked to himself. It was great to be alive.

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Another blow slammed into Goku's stomach, just as his fist collided with Frieza's chest. The two shifted back briefly before another flurry of strikes were exchanged between the two. Each collision seemingly ended in a thundering boom around them. When scraped hands locked together in a desperate struggle outside the Dragon itself, Frieza's eyes only seemed to burrow into his.

Every moment of this battle had been incredible, their powers were near equal. With each blow, another was given in response, each motion was a blur, and it took everything either of them had to stay in the battle. They fought on the ground, in the sea, in the air, in the ground. Every part of the world had become their battlefield, and destruction followed in tow. Goku felt guilt for the planet. Had he acted fast enough he could have saved the home of the Namekian people, now this innocent world would die because of Frieza's evil as well.

Everyone Frieza hurt would be avenged. With the Dragon's wish made, much of the damage he'd done had been reversed. His son Gohan would be alright, but his best friend Krillin was still gone. With that thought Goku struck out violently, catching Frieza in the side of the face next to his eye, sending the monster back with a spin. He could feel Vegeta and Turles again, both of them rapidly approaching.

In his moment of distraction, Frieza took advantage. He'd barely been aware that the smirk appeared across Frieza's lips. In a blur of motion, the monster escaped, flying towards the Dragon once again. Without hesitation Goku gave chase, his own body blurring in motion, trying to overtake Frieza and continue their battle.

When the two appeared before the Eternal Dragon, all Goku could hear was Frieza's voice.

"Dragon! Grant me Eternal Life so that I may rule the universe for all eternity!"

"{Eternal Dragon! Please, grant me my wish! I wish for all the inhabitants of Planet Namek, except these two, be wished to Planet Earth!}"

It was a strange language, and Goku didn't understand a word of it. But apparently the Dragon did.

"Very well, all the inhabitants of Planet Namek will be sent to Planet Earth, except for these two."

When the Dragon spoke, Goku could see the look on Frieza's face shift from almost gleeful, to crushing shock. His hand even reached up as the Dragon dispersed into the sky, the Dragon Balls scattering after him.

"No!... no, come back," Frieza stuttered as his dreams were crushed.

Good, a monster like you could never deserve such a wish.

There was no way he could fail to stop Frieza now. It was only a matter of time. Preparing himself for battle again, now with a confident smile on his face, Goku saw Frieza twist his gaze towards the small Namekian who had made the wish. That wish had been planned by King Kai and himself, thankfully. Now no one else could be hurt by this monster.

"You," Frieza finally sneered, glaring down at the child he'd killed only an hour earlier. Pointing his finger down, Frieza unleashed a wave of deadly energy.

It made no contact, instead the child disappeared in a flash of light as the dragon's power sent the child to Earth in a blink of an eye.

Suddenly, the powers Goku had felt earlier were upon them. Flashing in front of him first was Vegeta, who was carrying Bulma by a piece of the Saiyan Armour she was wearing. She dangled from his hand and looked around with fright, even after noticing him.

Wait what?

Goku saw the two of them, and to say Bulma looked upset was an understatement. She was Vegeta's hostage? Staring down the other Saiyan, Goku narrowed his eyes.

"Goku! Goku you've got to help me! He's crazy!" Bulma shouted hysterically, which got a rough growl from Vegeta in response.

It was clear that Bulma wasn't exactly excited to be near Vegeta. Only a day ago he knew Vegeta had in some small way, saved Bulma. Now he was dragging her along for an unknown reason and she was terrified. Bulma had a tendency to overreact, but as of right now it didn't look as though she was overreacting.

However Vegeta's entire demeanour seemed to change.

"So, the mighty Kakarot is the first one to accomplish the goal, I'm impressed Kakarot. You are the Super Saiyan, the Legend is fulfilled," the words left the Prince's mouth with both joy, and resentment.

To Goku it was clear that Vegeta hated the fact he'd been so completely surpassed, but he was happy to see he was right. A Super Saiyan had emerged who would stop Frieza. Goku hadn't even appreciated what that meant until it happened.

"Vegeta? But how?" Frieza asked, shaken by seeing another one he'd killed back to life.

Before Vegeta could answer, Goku shot him a look.

"That's my friend you've got there Vegeta, I'd suggest you find someone safe to put her down. I don't want to see her get hurt, do you understand?"

There was an understanding between the two as Vegeta took in his words. It was the best Goku could do for the moment, because starting a fight with Vegeta, protecting Bulma, and fighting Frieza was not on his to-do list. Besides, Bulma would have a lot more safety once she got to Earth.

A smirk appeared across the Prince's face, and before he could respond, he and Bulma blinked out of existence seemingly. Looking up a second later, Goku saw Turles racing towards them.

"I'm not done with you yet Frieza!" he shouted.

The stunned Arcosian looked up at another phantom, his eyes widening with terror.

"How?" Frieza murmured. "I killed him, I killed all of them."

Before Turles could even get into range however, he took blinked away.

"You. You did all this!" Frieza realized, his face twisting into a fury. The entire frame of the alien turned towards him as his face turned into a scowling, furious monstrosity.

It was a look that gave Goku a measured level of satisfaction at the hard work done to organize this moment.

"Yep, caught me red handed. We had to arrange the whole thing, but rest assured, everyone you killed on this planet is just fine. And we are going to finish our fight Frieza," Goku announced, bracing himself.

With a furious, hateful motion, Frieza assaulted him with a fury not yet seen.

"You stupid monkey! I'll kill you for this!"

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It was as if blinking into a new world.

Because it was.

Standing in the middle of a green field surrounded by trees, Raditz found himself in the middle of a warm sunny day, rather then the surface of a dying planet. Fresh air filled his lungs rather than ash ridden dust storms. This was Earth, there was no question about it. The large Saiyan looked about, his eyes scanning the world around him. What had happened? One minute he'd been flying to grab Bulma, the next he felt Vegeta and Turles again, and then the minute after that he found himself now on planet Earth. This was complete madness.

It was only when he felt Vegeta, Turles, Piccolo, and Gohan...

Immediately the Saiyan's head perked up, looking towards where he felt the familiar energy of his nephew. Standing next to Piccolo in an open field was the armour clad Gohan. The mark in his armour where he'd been lung-shot was still visible. It was a relief to see the boy alive. It was a feeling Raditz hadn't fully experienced before. There was a state of relief washing over him, as if heavy weights were lifted from his shoulders.

Walking over to the boy and the Namek, the Saiyan couldn't help but give a real smile.

"Looks like you pulled through," Raditz said, rubbing his nephew's head a second later.

It wasn't the response he suspected. Gohan looked at him with a hollow smile, acknowledging his words as kind, but trying to put on a brave face. He wished he could say he understood what the boy was going through. What was it to die? It was a question that Raditz already knew he'd never ask Gohan. Ironically, he'd killed so many, but he never understood what they themselves experienced at his hands. His nephew now knew full well what it was, and even now Raditz could see it had changed him.

The Namek was looking about, acting as a protective guardian for his charge. If Raditz didn't know any better, he'd say the Namekian was almost more the boy's father than Kakarot. Somehow, he knew that to be true even. The boy had been made with the Namekian's guidance, not Kakarot's at all. It was almost disgusting to Raditz, knowing a Saiyan was receiving such alien teachings. Still, now was not the time to bring it up.

"I'm really glad you're alright Uncle Raditz," Gohan told him, his smile becoming a bit more genuine.

Raditz, by contrast, felt his own lip pull into a self confident smirk.

"I always pull through."

Behind them Raditz heard Namekians. So they'd all come back as well. Which meant that fat old Namekian bastard was there.

Eyes widening at this realization, Raditz turned to extract an apology from the old man, when a hand gripped his shoulder. Turning, Raditz saw Piccolo looking at him.

"I know that look," Piccolo warned. "If you try anything, let's just say you aren't the strongest one around."

Shirking off the limb, Raditz scowled. The double edged sword of the Namek's new power. It infuriated him now more than it ever had on Namek. It meant his revenge was to be denied to him again, this time against that disgusting Namekian chieftain Guru. Storming off, away from Piccolo and Gohan, Raditz found himself walking towards the Namekians as they gathered around the source of his disdain. Stopping in front of them, the Namekians clearly caught wind of his mood.

Several of the warriors looked ready to defend their master to the death. Unfortunately, Raditz did value his life as it was right now more than his desire to kill Guru. It didn't stop the ground from cracking beneath him as energy released.

"Ah, hello Raditz," Guru started. "I can see you-"

"How dare you play me for a fool!?" Raditz shouted finally, his eyes intensifying hatefully on the old Namekian. "I gave up eternal life, and was denied the only thing I'd have taken in it's stead because of you. Consider yourself lucky that I don't kill you where you sit, you feeble old coward!"

There was no concealing the rage, Raditz couldn't even try to at the moment. His eyes flashed with the kind of contempt he usually only could reserve for Vegeta.

"I suspect one day you will come to realize what I did was for the best, Raditz," Guru then told him calmly. "I would invite you to sit with us as we await the conclusion of the final battle between Goku and Frieza, but I do realize you are extremely upset at the moment. Should you choose to calm down-"

The words fell on a further enraged Saiyan, who turned his back on Guru immediately, long hair trailing behind him. He glared at Piccolo as he did, who simply glared right back. There was a new rule that Raditz had decided on already, never trust a Namekian. There was no way he'd ever do so after this.

It was then that his eyes came upon someone else, following the sound of laughter.

Vegeta.

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Vegeta and his captive appeared in the same wooded area as the others. Immediately the Prince released Bulma, as per the mighty Kakarot's request. It didn't take a genius to figure out where he was, this was clearly Earth. Given all the other powers he sensed, it only made sense that the final wish of the Dragon had been to transport the entirety of the population of Namek to Earth.

Only where was Kakarot?

His power wasn't here at all. If Kakarot wasn't here, and Frieza wasn't here, then that meant he was the most powerful being on this planet. In fact, yet further, it meant he was now the most powerful warrior in the universe. There had to be confirmation for this. Turning his attention to the blue haired woman for a moment, he gave a half smirk.

"Congratulations, you get to live." he told her simply, before walking towards the others.

The woman clearly had not gained him eternal life. Whoever this figure was who warned him, had obviously played him. The thought irritated him, but it didn't matter. The woman was clearly nothing but a babbling fool, who let her tongue get her into problems she could never cope with. It'd been surprising that she'd lived long enough on Namek to have not been wished back by the Dragon as a result. Still, there had to be more to her than met the eye. After all, what was the purpose of being tricked into saving her, if she was useless?

For now, Kakarot's wish would be honoured; he'd not kill the woman.

Continuing his walk away from her, Vegeta listened as the old Namek spoke.

"My children, we were saved, but unfortunately our planet will soon be no more. To ensure that the vile monster Frieza is destroyed, a great noble hero named Goku has opted to remain behind to finish his battle against Frieza," Guru said calmly. "This sacrifice will never be forgotten by our people-"

Vegeta stopped listening, the rest was completely unneeded information. There was a joyous laugh that escaped the Prince's lips. It was just as he suspected. Kakarot and Frieza would be dead, and now he was the strongest in the universe. Raditz, the Namekian, Turles, and the son of Kakarot were all nothing to him. After having returned from death, his power had only increased. That meant that these fools were nothing but his property, and he could decide what to do with them.

At that exact moment, he saw Raditz glaring at him.

Good.

Clearly the third class Saiyan knew what was happening, he had guessed what position they were all in. They were trapped there with him, and he was the one who held the power. Prince Vegeta now made the rules, as Frieza had before. As soon as he could, he would launch back into space and achieve his true destiny, mastery of the universe itself. It was the path he'd been set on by his father and his people since birth. Every living creature alive who could understand, would know the name Vegeta as the name of their master.

"Many seem to be missing, I don't understand," one Namekian sounded off.

"That is simple, I destroyed one of your villages, and I am relatively sure Turles destroyed another. We didn't work for Frieza, so they remain dead."

The angry scowls Vegeta received rekindled his good mood. These fools had no idea.

"There is nothing you can do about it anyway. This is too good, the explosion of a useless planet and Kakarot and Frieza are both out of the picture. At last, I am the strongest warrior alive. I've waited my whole life for this. I worked for years with Frieza, swallowing my humiliation. Well no more, I am now the master, the true Prince of all Saiyans," Vegeta boasted, ignoring the disappointed, or angry looks he was receiving. "All of you fools have no idea what you've done. You've allowed me ascend to not only new levels of power, but a new position. I am in a giving mood, so all of you will get to live! For now!"

It was impossible to hold in his laughter again. A foot took a step towards him, the long haired Saiyan, his former subordinate Raditz, was not impressed.

"You're the same careless idiot I remember Vegeta. You could never defeat Frieza on your own, so now you let Kakarot do it. You have no honour."

There was a pause in Vegeta's laughter, before he turned deadly eyes on Raditz. Without much ceremony, he appeared in front of Raditz, staring down the much larger Saiyan.

"Strong words, from a traitor," Vegeta responded, noting the unnerved look on Raditz's face before the bigger Saiyan stepped back.

Good, he understands how much stronger I am. No one is as strong as I.

"My dad is going to come back!" finally broke through the silence.

Turning, Vegeta smirked at the child, Kakarot's boy.

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Standing there, drained of his power on the planet destined to die, Frieza huffed and puffed for air. In the air above, the Super Saiyan stared down at him with merciless eyes.

This was it, Goku realized. This was the moment he had defeated Frieza, the tyrant had nothing left to go on. This monster killed his son right in front of him, he wiped out more lives than Goku could fathom, and he'd killed his best friend, someone who couldn't simply come back.

"Do you think this is over?" Frieza asked, his eyes ablaze with hate. "Do you think that I am simply going to lose to a monkey?! I am Lord Frieza! I am the master of this universe!"

It was more of the same. Every fibre of Goku never wanted to kill anyone, he always wanted others to learn from their mistakes and change their ways. What use was it taking their lives? Because it wouldn't bring anyone they harmed back. But this was different, this monster, even when he was clearly on the losing side, made no move to reform. Frieza did nothing but show contempt for him, he'd never change. Worse, if he let him live, he'd take someone else's son away.

Putting his hands together, Goku made his decision. It was something he would have to live with.

"Kame..."

A blue orb formed between his hands as they rested to his side, growing rapidly in size and power.

Angrily, Frieza began to gather his own energies in response, his eyes flaring with a combination of fear and hatred.

"Idiotic Saiyan! Haven't you come to understand yet?! I cannot be defeated by a Saiyan!"

"Hame..."

Red energy flowed on the other side of the battle, Frieza's eyes intensifying. There was no way Frieza's blast would be able to challenge his. Their battle had torn this planet apart, but Frieza was a spent force. There wasn't much time left to finish this, Goku knew it had to end now. If he had luck, he could get to a space ship in time to escape Namek before it exploded.

Then, I can go home. I'll be able to finally see Chi-Chi, Gohan, and the others again.

And this time, there wouldn't be any need to worry about monsters lurking in the darkness.

The wave between his hands flashed yet more brightly at the thought. It was time. Blue light now completely illuminated the world around him, clashing against the red below.

"HA!"

Thrusting his arms forward, his palms faced towards Frieza, the wave exploded from his hands. From the other side, Frieza unleashed the Death Wave, the red beam blasting up with incredible force. When the two blasts collided, it was so destructive the entire world seemed to shake. Waves of red and blue energy pounded the already teetering world, pushing it closer to the edge of destruction.

Quickly, the red wave began to falter as Frieza's power began to wane. Goku knew struggling noises were made from his opponent as he tried to keep his attack afloat, desperately clinging to life. But it was too late to turn back now.

With the remainder of his own strength, Goku pushed forward. The blast intensified immensely, sending a pulse of energy through his own attack. Red energy evaporated in seconds as the wave broke through. Below, the white hot energy slammed into Frieza. The last screams of the tyrant echoed over the surface of Namek as the Kamehameha burrowed into the surface of the world, shattering what was left of the battlefield around them.

Finally, the explosion blasted out. Blue energy broke through the surface of the world all around Goku, as far as the eye could see. Not only had this stopped Frieza, it'd pushed the planet too far.

In that desperate moment, Goku shot through the air, flying for Frieza's ship. Desperately he would need to try and escape.

Within seconds, the world itself began its final death throws.

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Quietly, surrounded by his people, the old Namekian died.

Turles watched briefly, his arms crossed as he remained secluded, sheltered by a tree. His eldest brother seemed angry at the old Namekian, why he didn't really care to know. But what did it matter? The old fool was dead now anyway. The pitiful Namekians were grieving their mentor, and their dead comrades.

Really, it was none of his business.

What did become his business, was what was happening with Raditz, Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo. A critical eye appraised the situation. So far Vegeta had basked in being 'the most powerful being in the universe' for several minutes. The truth of the matter was Turles knew about Cooler. But beyond just Cooler, he knew about himself. Vegeta hadn't been there when he confronted Frieza, and just like Vegeta he too had been resurrected from the dead.

It was perfectly acceptable to Turles at the moment to let Vegeta believe what he wanted to believe, because to do otherwise would lead to a conflict not suited to the current situation. Turles needed to investigate his opportunities to leave, or conquer, the Earth. Standing in a green field with others awaiting news of Kakarot was not the best place to do this.

Once Kakarot's fate was known, he would act, and no sooner.

And as if he'd summoned the information to make itself present, the blue haired woman spoke, while looking shocked.

"Huh? Yamcha? Where? I don't see you? I can hear you though," she started, looking bewildered and pausing, as if listening to something no one else could hear. "No way."

"Bulma? Oh! King Kai must be talking to you! He must have a message!" Gohan announced enthusiastically, looking towards the woman with eager eyes.

"Wow, so this is telepathy?"

God, these people were simply and stupid. Why could no one ever get to the point?

Turles felt himself tense, waiting for the news with a great deal of irritation. So far he'd avoided the others as much as possible, because the result of the battle would change his stance on who was 'friend' and who was foe.

"Hiya Yamcha, what's up?" Bulma then asked excitedly. "Goku won!? Hey guys! Goku won!"

Immediately the primitive Namekians began to celebrate, as if somehow they had defeated Frieza, not a Saiyan.

"Go dad!" Gohan cheered, before turning to embrace Dende.

It was then the woman fell silent, at first looking calm and at ease, almost confident. But as she stood there, it looked as if she was losing a mental argument with someone. What was going on exactly?

She then looked shaken, afraid, and sad.

"What's wrong?" Raditz demanded, his eyes now looking critically at her. "What happened to Kakarot?"

His elder brother looked concerned, but surely not for the fate of Kakarot? Raditz had been the ruthless warrior who'd taken him to his destiny amongst the stars. Now? He cared for their Earthling brother. In that moment Turles felt disgust bubble up in his stomach.

"Goku, he didn't make it," Bulma finally admitted. "But worse, because he died on Planet Namek, and it doesn't exist anymore, we can't wish him or Krillin back with any Dragon Balls, because they would just materialize in space, and die right away again."

Making an almost pained noise, Bulma fell to her knees.

But the laughter that broke the solemn silence was clearly that of an all too familiar voice.

Vegeta.

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Landing on his feet, Vegeta started to make his way towards Gohan, a grin across his face. What a day this had become. Now there truly was no one left to stop him at all.

"I told you all, didn't I?" Vegeta asked, his sinister look looking down towards Gohan. "It looks like my good fortunes have arrived. Now I'm truly the most powerful being in the universe, just as I told you before."

The look of distress on the child's face was almost priceless. In a way, it was the only way he could get back at Kakarot for his humiliation. The son of Kakarot, perhaps this child would one day even come to challenge him, as he'd come to challenge Frieza.

"Your father certainly served his purpose. Now that he's done his job, I don't care if that simple minded fool rots in the debris in that pathetic mudball," Vegeta continued.

The boy was mad now, very mad. It suited him quite well, as it suited any Saiyan. The hybrid child looked ready to assault him even, which would be obviously a futile attempt if there ever were one. Raditz, the brat, and the Namek all together couldn't stop him, not anymore.

"You monster; my father is twice the man you'll ever be! He spared your life twice!" Gohan shouted.

This boy needs to learn his place at the feet of his prince.

Vegeta grinned, leering down at Gohan a second later.

"Then your father shouldn't have been such a soft fool, now should he? Now what to do with the son of Kakarot?" Vegeta asked, his eyes lit with amusement. "Should I kill you now, before you turn on me?"

There was a tense reaction now just from the boy, but everyone around them. Raditz and Piccolo now made themselves known.

Pulling back, Vegeta closed his eyes calmly. "Don't worry about it. I don't intend to kill you. After all, you're one of the last of our race."

Pressing his finger against Gohan's forehead a moment later, Vegeta chuckled. "Besides, I think I'll keep you around. It's only fitting that I keep Kakarot's son around in my charge, so you can learn how to be a real Saiyan. The son of Kakarot will call me Lord Vegeta."

Laughter escaped Vegeta's lungs as he saw the pained expression on the boy's face.

"Shut up! My dad will be back!" Gohan shouted, before lunging at Vegeta.

Without much effort, Vegeta side stepped Gohan, hitting him in the back with his opened hand, sending the child rolling along the grass for a moment. The boy jumped to his feet however and turned about, clearly ready for more combat as he assumed an aggressive stance.

"So, Kakarot's son challenges his Prince? I think you may find this was very foolish boy."

The announcement made no impact on Gohan, save to make him even angrier. This suited Vegeta just fine however. Within seconds Gohan had launched an attack on him, flying towards him and throwing a flurry of punches and kicks. So far it'd all been almost too easy to dodge. Forearms deflected fists and blocked kicks without effort, the boy was strong for his age, but nothing compared to the mighty power of Prince Vegeta.

Preparing to finish the boy off, Vegeta left an opening in his defences as his own arm pulled back to strike. As soon as he did a blow slammed into his chin. Spit shot from Vegeta's mouth as his head helplessly tilted to the right along with the motion of the blow. Before he could make another move to defend himself, the brat's knees had slammed into his ribs, before another punch landed on his face. Stunned by the assault, Vegeta made one more effort to recover before a mighty uppercut slammed into his jaw once more. His body found the air, before Gohan kicked him back down to the ground.

A child.

I have been humiliated by a child!

Energy rippled off Vegeta's body furiously as he pulled himself up, gritting his teeth. Slowly, his aura disappeared as he calmed himself.

"So, your challenge is accepted. But I promise you this boy, this fight will be your last."

Taking flight to the air a moment later, Vegeta confidently smirked, seeing Gohan take off after him.

So, the son will join the father soon enough.

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Two sets of eyes watched what unfolded with concern.

Piccolo had motioned to him not to intervene, but that deterrent was quickly dwindling in it's value. Right now, in the sky, Gohan was fighting Vegeta. It was hardly a fight at all however.

Raditz saw each and every move unfold. Gohan had launched himself at Vegeta with reckless abandon, completely engrossed in his will to attack. The child fought as if he was somehow going to avenge Kakarot's death. But the assault was short lived.

Within a few moments, Vegeta had already completely subdued Gohan's very ability to attack, and the first blow the full blooded Saiyan landed was unforgiving. It was a battle Gohan didn't have a hope of winning. It was a battle that he, and the Namek couldn't win even working together. It felt as though he was preparing to watch an execution.

Turning his head for a moment, Raditz noticed Turles staring in the air calmly, his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree.

"That is our nephew up there, Turles," Raditz reasoned.

The lack of the response said more words than Raditz wished for. This was it. Turning his eyes skywards once more, Raditz caught a glimpse of Vegeta holding Gohan by the head, kneeing him in the stomach repeatedly, and then punching him in the face.

It was almost all he had to hold his anger in check, and keep himself from blasting off into the sky. No, he couldn't do it alone, he needed assistance with Vegeta. That fact was a sad reality.

"Namek, we must act," Raditz said sharply. "He's already died once today, do you think he deserves a second time?"

With a growl of frustration, Piccolo closed his fists tightly.

"And if we act now, and get everyone else killed along with Gohan?" Piccolo reasoned, looking almost pained as he spoke.

It was then Vegeta cast Gohan off, before blasting him into the ground mercilessly.

When Gohan slammed into the ground, blood was already leaking from his mouth and left eye. His body shivered several times as well.

This was not going to happen again. Vegeta was not going to kill the boy. He would not stand by helplessly and watch. Violet had died when he stood by and did nothing, Vegeta and Nappa had killed her for no reasonably reason. His nephew would not face the same fate just to satisfy Vegeta's pride and arrogance.

Was this his fate? To stand by and watch Vegeta kill those who were important to him? Everything he cared about this monster stripped from him. Hate bubbled inside him as he saw the state of his nephew, and knew his coming end. No, this wouldn't happen again. Every inch of him wanted to jump out and strike Vegeta, but only the last threads of common sense kept him in place. He couldn't even hide his distress and fury as his teeth clenched angrily, almost snarling like a hungry, rabid dog.

No. Not this time Vegeta. I don't care how strong you are, I am going to stop you, even if I have to do it all by myself.

Now looking at the Namek, he knew he was no longer alone. The Namekian looked resolved to step in now as well.

When Vegeta landed in front of Gohan, he opened his palm, preparing an energy wave.

"Good fight kid, now you can kiss it goodbye."

With that, both Raditz and Piccolo appeared behind the Saiyan, preparing to act.

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It was over now, the boy was completely finished. It was unfortunate, he'd just been starting to enjoy himself. Beating the boy as he'd beat his father on Earth, or as he'd wanted to beat him now, had proved to be a great stress reliever. How dare this child challenge him? He was no different than his third class father, he didn't know his place.

Obviously, the boy wasn't the only one who needed to realize this place.

The energy wave held itself as Vegeta turned his head slightly, acknowledging both Raditz and Piccolo. These two idiots actually thought they could intervene in his fight?

For a moment, Vegeta was tempted to back down, it was clear he'd defeated the boy. But it was the look in Raditz's eyes that made Vegeta grin with sinister intent. This was all too familiar to the Saiyan Prince.

"Back off," Piccolo warned.

"Step away from the boy," Raditz then added.

Orders, from Raditz of all people. The fact the Namekian had made a demand of him was almost as obnoxious, but it was forgivable. Now the boy's fate no longer interested him because of his own misgivings, it interested him because of Raditz.

"Raditz, do you remember the last time we were at this crossroad? I certainly do. I remember how you begged and pleaded with me to spare that pathetic Earthling. Look how far you have fallen, doing it again," Vegeta mocked.

Behind him he could hear the furious snarl from the other Saiyan, but it only caused his grin to increase.

"Kneel, and beg forgiveness from your Prince for your many slights against me," he ordered simply. "And then announce your undying loyalty to me. Then I want you to beg for the boy's life."

There was no response at first from behind, and Vegeta started to chuckle. "Such a shame, Kakarot's brat was so young as well. To experience death for a second time..."

With that, Vegeta turned to the two warriors behind him, keeping his energy wave locked onto Gohan with one outstretched hand. What greeted him was the sight of Raditz getting down on one knee. Every moment the large Saiyan moved provided Vegeta with a sense of satisfaction. The look of grim resolution and self disgust was more than enough to satiate this sensation. Even when he finally went to one knee, there was a tension across his whole body. Vegeta could feel the rage.

"Prince Vegeta, forgive me for my many slights against you. I ask that you spare my nephew your wrath."

Vegeta couldn't help but let his smile show through. The look on Raditz's face was pained, it looked as if he'd just started to cut off his own arm. He was willing to sacrifice his pride and dignity for this boy was he? Clearly this pathetic fool had no shame, and he never did. How else could he have failed him so miserably when he was in his service? The words themselves had left Raditz like pained gasps of air, each one a mixture of humiliation and desperation. All this for Kakarot's boy? It was pathetic.

"I don't hear the oath of undying loyalty coming from you right now, Raditz," Vegeta prodded. "How unfortunate..."

It was obvious, Raditz hadn't heard him correctly.

With a furious tremble in his voice, Raditz continued.

"I swear my life to you, Vegeta, the Prince of all Saiyans," Raditz's voiced.

Now the large Saiyan looked truly defeated. The man was willing to not only give up his pride, but give up his very freedom just to keep this boy alive. Raditz even looked resolved, despite the look of pure hatred in his eyes. It was everything the huge Saiyan had not to attack him, and Vegeta knew it. Every drop of Raditz's energy currently screamed with pent up aggression, the lust to kill. The only reason he'd not indulged the sensations, much to Vegeta's amusement, was his own disgusting cowardice. Raditz knew he would lose, and knew he would die along with the boy. So instead of seeking an honourable death, he was acting like one of these disgusting humans.

This Saiyan was the very monkey Frieza always described them as. It was disgusting.

Good, remember your place at my feet you pathetic fool.

The smug thoughts allowed Vegeta to arrogantly look down upon not only Raditz, but all the others. Kakarot's brat would be no different. This world belonged to him now, and so did everyone on it. After all, he was soon going to be master of the Planet Trade.

"Now beg."

Raditz averted his eyes. In that moment the air around them almost began to grow chilled, like it was the day on top of the mountainside. He knew and, and Raditz knew it. Grinning now, Vegeta felt more accomplished in this moment than he had in some time. Raditz had averted his eyes to try and conceal his shame, the shame of showing his pain. Vegeta could still see it, it made it all the more pathetic that Raditz now tried to hide it. To the long haired Saiyan, this was a replay of the day he'd taken that foolish woman from him. Any regret Vegeta may have had for doing so, evaporated as he looked at how pathetic Raditz had become.

With the last of his pride stripped from him, with his anger swallowed, and his shame apparent, Raditz finally spoke.

"Prince Vegeta, the boy has done no wrong. He was merely upset by the loss of his father. I beg you to spare his life."

To be a merciful ruler, or a cruel one? The words had even sounded sincere, as sincere as Raditz could make them. It was clear he was giving every effort to save this boy's life. Raditz didn't deserve Saiyan pride any longer, as he'd discarded it so easily.

The grin on Vegeta's face turned dark, pointing his other hand at Piccolo and Raditz, sending out a force wave to knock them over.

"I have considered your petition to me, Raditz. I find it wanting. Clearly you need another lesson in what it is to defy Vegeta. I'll not enjoy this one as much as I did the first," Vegeta remarked darkly, the golden energy in his right hand expanding as he prepared to unleash it on the downed and damaged child behind him.

Turning his head to face his victim, he heard a desperate cry from behind.

"Vegeta! Don't do this!" the Namekian shouted.

I do what I want.

With that, Vegeta prepared the last moments of his attack, before pain exploded throughout his face, head, and shoulders. Flipping into the air for a brief moment, his energy dissipated, before he hit the ground face first. His face felt like it'd just been hit by a steel beam. Preparing to pull himself up, a sharp pain exploded in his ribs as a foot collided with him, delivering a mighty kick. Spinning uncontrollably as he flew through the air, Vegeta slammed face first into a nearby tree, cracking it in two before rolling helplessly along the ground.

Snarling with fury, Vegeta started to rise, feeling his strength beginning to come to the surface.

"Who dares attack me?"

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There was a stark memory sticking in his mind the entire time he saw the boy helplessly lay there, awaiting his execution at the hands of Vegeta. It was the memory of the boy accompanying him to his fate, to be condemned to Hell. It was Kakarot's brat, but that didn't matter anymore. There had been no real reason for the boy to show him any kindness at all, save for his own poor attempt to comfort the boy over the loss of his life.

His brother and the Namekian looked prepared to sacrifice any semblance of dignity to save the boy even. To them he was someone special. Turles had yet to decide what he was to him, if anything at all. How would the world be different if he let Vegeta go through with his little punishment? It didn't matter in the long run. He was still stronger than Vegeta, and he would rule the universe himself with time.

Still, the boy's sadness could almost be tasted in the air. He'd just lost his father, and was merely trying to defend his name. It was very Saiyan, and much more Saiyan than anything he'd ever seen Kakarot demonstrate.

His right hand felt for a moment, as it had when the child had taken his hand, as if to reassure him that somehow his fate wouldn't be quite as bad because he'd somehow helped him. Clearly the boy did mean something to him. It was a strange sensation, to realize that he actually cared what happened to this child. This was his nephew, even if it was by that low life Kakarot, and Vegeta was about to kill him. That boy would end up on the other side, facing the fate he feared so much, the idea of being alone and abandoning his mother here in this life.

The nagging feeling in his head finally started to move the stoic Saiyan into action. Black eyes narrowed on Vegeta as he prepared to finish what he'd started. Both Piccolo and Raditz could no longer intervene. That simply meant he would have to.

Pulling his own power forward for the briefest of moments, he zipped through the gulf between himself and Vegeta, before pulling his arm back and swinging it towards the Saiyan in a huge lariat. His arm and forearm slammed into Vegeta's face, neck, and left shoulder, sending the Saiyan into a small flip into the air. When the Prince landed face first, Turles knew it was time to get some distance.

Pulling his boot back before Vegeta could rise, Turles slammed his foot into his side, sending the other Saiyan flying helplessly through the air. Watching the Prince trail through the air, Turles saw him break through a tree before finding his new place on the ground over 15 metres away.

To his left, he heard and saw the boy slowly shift, his eyes staring up towards him with a pained look edged across his face.

"Father?" Gohan asked weakly, barely aware of his surroundings.

Hardly.

"Who dares attack me?"

Standing without a hint of fear, Turles looked back towards Vegeta as he stood near where Gohan lay. He'd let the Prince figure it out for himself. Pulling his arms to his side, and bracing them for an attack, Turles stood like a great stone statue, his features unbending, and his stance unchanging. Vegeta emerged from the treeline with his eyes directed at him.

"Turles," Vegeta seethed angrily, his voice laced with a kind of anger he'd not seen in hours from the rather hot headed Prince. "You think you're a match for me? The Namek and that pathetic brother of yours, along with the brat, can't even touch me. You think you're going to stop me? Why are you even trying?"

The question almost didn't deserve an answer. A cunning smile slowly started to appear across Turles's features, starting small but only growing as Vegeta appeared more frustrated by the lack of response. So this was Vegeta's new objective? Humiliate Raditz and kill the son of his rival? How would either of these advance the cause of the Saiyans? Or even his own cause? Power had clearly gone to Vegeta's head.

"Answer me you pathetic third class fool! Or I'll blast you into oblivion with all these other weaklings!"

The words were heated enough that Turles could almost feel the thermal energy coming off Vegeta. It was time to respond.

"I know I am a match for you. In fact, I am reasonably sure you are my inferior by several fold. I have decided that the boy's life belongs to me, not you. If you'd like to challenge me for it Vegeta, feel free. It is only fair that I warn you however, you aren't strong enough to even lay a hand on me. For all those boasts of you being the strongest in the universe, you are acting like a pathetic, weak, small minded child. I've come to realize that real power doesn't need to constantly announce itself. It is just a reality."

To say that Vegeta had been calmed by these words would be a complete lie. With each passing syllable, the Saiyan's features grew further and further infuriated. By the time Turles had completed his last word, Vegeta looked as though he could kill him with his eyes alone. The Saiyan was so mad at the outright 'disrespect' he'd received, that the combat had become inevitable.

"So, you turn out to be as big a fool as Kakarot and Raditz after all!" Vegeta shouted furiously, beginning to draw his full power to the surface. "Allow me to show you exactly what you are up against! Behold the true power of the Prince of All Saiyans!"

With Vegeta's last word, a cry sounded from his mouth. His blue aura exploded around him, before raging in a torrent of energy. The ground around them began to shake, stray bits of rock and soil began to break up and rise into the air. Lightning rippled off his form as his power came to the surface. It was a magnificent power. Vegeta was more than three times stronger than Piccolo. As the last wave of energy escaped his body, the rocks in the air exploded into dust, before scattering away from Vegeta at high speeds, blasting into vapour.

Standing tall now, his blue aura still around him, Vegeta grinned arrogantly.

"Remember, Turles, you brought this beating on yourself," Prince Vegeta declared.

Turles felt no fear from the display. It was Vegeta who needed to be afraid as far as he was concerned. There was no doubt Vegeta was strong, Vegeta even perhaps deserved his respect. Vegeta however, had made very poor decisions over the last few minutes since learning of the death of Frieza and Goku. The Prince could be a useful tool when needed. It was now time to show him his place.

"I'd very much like to see you back up those words Vegeta," Turles responded, his black eyes meeting Vegeta's. "I'm not concerned of course, because I'm stronger than you anyway."

The two just exchanged glares, each one waiting seemingly for the other to act first. It was Vegeta who flinched first, spurred on by overconfidence and mild outrage. Pointing his hand up towards Turles, the Prince smirked before gathering power into an energy wave. Within moments he unleashed the deadly golden energy blast.

Just before the wave could land, Turles pointed his own hand up, letting energy flow through it as he had during his battle with Frieza. With his energy spiking for a brief moment, Turles slapped Vegeta's energy wave upwards, sending it into the air as if it was a balloon. When it exploded above them in a fiery blast, Turles didn't even bother to look up at it.

All he did was keep his eyes locked onto the Prince, who was now scowling furiously. The Saiyan was clearly frustrated beyond his limits.

"So, you somehow think that deflecting that weak blast makes us equals? Is that it?" Vegeta spat.

Quietly, Turles felt himself preparing to raise his own power level, as if to prove the point.

"No Vegeta, I suspect what makes me stronger than you is the fact that I was able to fight Frieza's final stage. I am stronger than Kakarot was before he achieved his new form. You ignorant fool, did you really think I'd challenge you unless victory was assured? The difference between our powers is like the difference between the Heavens and this Earth."

That was the last straw for Vegeta. The Prince couldn't hold back his fury any longer.

"Lies! You are not stronger than Kakarot was, or ever was! You could have never surpassed me!" Vegeta shouted, the ground around him breaking as his own power spiked.

Within seconds Vegeta had taken off, blasting towards him at full speed, his body becoming nothing but a blur of pure speed to everyone else around them. Just as Vegeta came into striking distance, Turles let himself release his true power. A wave of purple energy slammed into Vegeta, just as the first punch was about to connect, seemingly slowing down time for him. Vegeta's punch seemed so slow it took almost no effort for Turles to move his head around it.

To all around them, it barely looked like Turles was moving, and Vegeta was a completely invisible blur. But the reality of the matter was Vegeta was throwing punches desperately trying to land a blow on Turles's head. Rolling his head back several times, Turles let another two blows sail past him, trying to determine when the right time to strike was. Each attack Vegeta threw only invited a counterattack. The simple truth was that the counter needed to be perfect, and Turles was more than willing to let Vegeta waste his efforts.

Finally, with one outstretched haymaker coming straight towards him, Turles lashed out with a single blow.

Moving by Vegeta and striking upwards with his knee, the hard point slammed into Vegeta's abdomen, cracking the remains of his armour. The Saiyan Prince seemed to freeze in mid air, spit coughing up from his mouth almost instantly. Grabbing Vegeta while he was stunned, Turles thrust Vegeta up, before blasting Vegeta away with a wave of force, leaving the Saiyan Prince to roll against the grass.

Left standing where the brief exchange occurred was Turles, standing there as his own purple aura flickered.

"Look how weak you are Vegeta," was all Turles said, allowing the brief exchange to sink in to the Prince. "You aren't like me. I have seen my destiny, you can only imagine yours."

Now would be the time for Vegeta to surrender.

Instead, furious eyes came up from the ground, looking towards him.

"You third class bastard! Do you think this changes anything?! I am the most powerful fighter in the universe!" Vegeta spat out, his body heaving for air still.

Turles knew full well Vegeta's body had taken substantial damage from the blow, but the Prince seemed to ignore it. If he knew Vegeta, and he knew him well by now, he would try at least one more major assault, then it would be his opportunity to finish him off on his terms.

"No Vegeta, you aren't. You aren't even the most powerful being on this planet. It'd be a shame if I had to kill you. After all, you are a fellow Saiyan," Turles observed as an amused look graced his features.

This time, a fury driven scream escaped Vegeta's mouth as he shot towards Turles once again. Lowering his guard, Turles wanted to just to further prove his point to Vegeta. The tactic had another desired side effect, causing Vegeta to waste even more of his energy on the attack. Throwing a violent right hook, Vegeta could only watch in horror as Turles caught his fist without effort.

"What happened to those brains of yours Vegeta? You don't see very adept at using them. You were much smarter when we were fighting Frieza, and the second he's out of the picture you begin acting like an irrational, stupid monkey," Turles said bluntly, not even sounding amused.

Shoving Vegeta's wrist back violently and suddenly, Turles heard the wrist bones snap like a bundle of twigs. Each sound was another verdict on his power over Vegeta. The Prince's mouth opened in gaping pain as he tried to rip his arm from Turles to no effect. Finally Turles released the limb, and before Vegeta could make any move to retreat, the third class began his main attack. An incredibly powerful uppercut moved up at incredible speeds, slamming into Vegeta's jaw like lightning striking the Earth. The force of the blow sent Vegeta into the air, Turles ascending after him. With a twist in the air, the third class Saiyan kicked the Prince in the side, further shattering his armour.

Before Vegeta could even be sent back by the force, Turles seemed to appear four places at once he was so fast. Knees, elbows, and fists slammed into Vegeta from all sides as Turles zipped around him. Blows landing all over his exposed abdomen, chest, ribs, and head. In this flurry of attacks, Turles dropped both his legs into Vegeta's chest, sending the Prince flying helplessly into the ground below.

There was a mighty crash as Vegeta broke through the dirt and rock beneath him. What lay there was a broken and badly beaten man. Before he even had an opportunity to sit up, Turles made his next move to put an end to the fight.

With a blur of speed, both knees facing down, Turles landed on Vegeta's right arm. The limb with the broken hand and wrist, quickly shared a broken arm. Bone protested as the knees collided with it, but finally the hardened Saiyan bone gave way, cracking without mercy. Prince Vegeta screamed out in agony as he lay there, Turles still keeping his weight on the damaged limb.

"Now then Vegeta, I think it's time we discussed things with a bit more civility, don't you?"

It was time to clean up the mess.

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A/N: That's a wrap for Act II.

Jeeze, this was a tough chapter to write. I hope everyone enjoys. I've almost got chapter 37 done, but this is the first time in a LONG time that I don't have immediate updates ready to go for the chapter after what I've posted, so that's a bit scary XD

Anyway, given this is the end of a significant portion of the story and a huge chapter, leave me some feedback if you feel so inclined.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride so far :)

Reviewers:

Chris Fragger: Expect to see more of the Otherworld cast as we move forward :)

ShMikeX: No, as you can see, Turles and Vegeta both have returned, much to the peril of the Earth XD

fightingchampion: Keep your eyes open for the answers to everything you've asked me, as there are answers to all of that in coming chapters. :)

Perfect Carnage: Raditz's transformation at this stage would make no sense. So yea, I wanted to avoid it. As much as I can, I don't want to steal victories from Goku just to build up Raditz. Raditz doesn't need to kill Frieza to be cool man. He's like, his own dude, and stuff.

LILFOC: Yep! Dende totally appeared, this chapter even :)

DaOneInDaCorner: Different positions and because Gohan is slightly stronger. Gohan also didn't give his energy away to Piccolo this time either.

Coldblue: Power levels don't matter in the long run, honestly. Everyone is as strong as they need to be for the story to flow, that's pretty well it. To answer your questions however, we will be seeing The Catalyst again, very soon, near the beginning of Act III. Tarble's not just outlined, his introduction chapter is written. The question is when it'll be posted, likely in the 40's.

GoggleGirl: He's still a pretty big asshole. Just not a 100% asshole. Lol

AlphaShenron: I've always thought Goku and Frieza were closer then the 'official/unofficial' numbers. So those numbers reflect that. And I think this chapter likely answers the question to Turles's feelings, even if they are cleverly hidden behind raw aggression, lol

Dark Impaler: Fair enough on the eye colour. Lol

Super Mystic Gohan: Well, Goku definitely went for the deathblow.

Jason9000: As you can see, Vegeta's day had to get a bit darker to make Gohan's a bit brighter XD

Peter1398: I hope this one was as well :)

XXXpossessedforlifeXXX: Same answer for someone else. I felt Goku and Frieza should be closer in power then the "official" numbers.

Demod20: Thanks as always Demod. You'll find I'll be exploring the Other World a lot in this story, and in The Long Road. Much to the displeasure of those who dwell within the Other World XD

Doctor13X: I will spoil this for you. Bardock really, really only cares about Goku right now. Raditz and Turles may as well be mud. Lol

Delias Starlight: Kamehameha! XD

LOL: I dunno, I like Krillin.

Haldiram: I've fundamentally disagreed with how power levels are measured, and how Super Saiyan boosts are a flat increase. And post Frieza power levels cease to matter anyway. I'll be keeping them logged internally from time to time after this, but they won't be getting posted in the story, as they really, really don't mean anything.

Treeger: Heh. You'll have to read further to find out who the Catalyst are I'm afraid, given your slug reference. But I will say this, Act IV will be an interesting place to be for those who want to know who the original Catalysts are. :)

DakappaMAN: I think I answered this one via PM.