Sorry, this took so long. I've been busy.
Chapter 23: The One And Only Super Saiyan.
Everyone stared in terror at Frieza. They had barely been able to see the blast as it flew past them. What terrified them more was that they could tell he was still holding back.
"I promised you one thing." Frieza said while slowly approaching Krillin, Gohan, and Piccolo, "I promised to show you terrors beyond anything you'd find in Hell. And I don't fall back on promises."
The trio each launched into an attack, Frieza blocking each of them with ease. "You think that'd work?" The emperor scoffed.
He tossed the three of them away, only for them to stop themselves in the air and fire multiple shots at Frieza. They landed on the ground as the smoke cleared, Frieza having completely.
"Where'd he go?" Krillin asked, "He can't have gotten too far."
The trio looked around before Vegeta called out, pointing opposite where they were looking.
"Behind you!" He yelled.
The trio turned as Frieza lifted his arm and fired off two blasts, whizzing straight past Piccolo, aimed for Gohan. Time seemed to slow for the young boy as Vegeta kicked him out of the attack's path, the beams passing right beneath the prince.
"I didn't even see him attack that time." Krillin gasped.
How could Vegeta have seen that? Piccolo thought.
"Th-Thanks." Gohan panted as he got to his feet.
"I didn't do it for your sake, kid. I just wanted to show what I can do." Vegeta said, cracking his knuckles, "Now get out of my way. I got some... issues to work out."
The prince made his way to the front of the group and locked eyes with Frieza, who stared back with a smirk.
"No offense, Vegeta, but I think the boy would give me more of a challenge." The emperor scoffed.
"Then prepare to be surprised, Frieza." Vegeta said, "Because he and I are so far apart in power it's not even funny. You see Frieza, the biggest difference between us is that I've become the one thing you fear the most. I've become a Super Saiyan."
"Funny, Vegeta. And next, you're going to tell me you've managed to bring your entire race back from the dead?" Frieza chuckled, "The Super Saiyan legend's a myth, a fairy tale. And do want to know the difference between you and a Super Saiyan? A Super Saiyan will be remembered throughout history."
"I'll show you!" Vegeta yelled, rushing forward at top speed. The Saiyan took one swipe at Frieza and missed entirely, Frieza having suddenly disappeared from where he had stood. Vegeta frantically looked around until Frieza's laugh caught his attention.
"That's what you call a Super Saiyan?" Frieza laughed, "I make one move at full speed and he gets confused?"
"That's- That's impossible!" Vegeta yelled, "Is that all I'm capable of?!"
"It appears so, Vegeta." Frieza said, "You're nothing, Vegeta. No more than a pest."
"No. It can't be all I've got. I refuse!" The Saiyan yelled, "I AM A SUPER SAIYAN!"
The prince's body began to glow with energy before he fired a large blast straight for Frieza, who made no attempt to move. As the blast neared the emperor, he extended his finger and, with just his knuckle, knocked the attack back towards Vegeta, it narrowly missing the Saiyan.
"That had to have been everything Vegeta had." Krillin said, "And for it to be deflected so easily..."
"Now then." Frieza said, "My turn."
Vegeta had been paralyzed with fear. Everything he had was put into that attack, only for Frieza to easily deflect it. His body felt cold from the fear. His blood rushed as tears began to flow from his eyes. The prince had lost. He could do nothing.
Frieza began pummeling the Saiyan, tossing him around like a rag doll. He bloodied the Saiyan badly and threw him to the ground. Vegeta could only lay there, not just his body broken but also his mind. Frieza wrapped his tail around Vegeta's neck and lifted him into the air, squeezing tighter as he lifted him. Vegeta's scream of pain was only silenced by a sharp blow to his side, which sent blood up to his throat.
Frieza quietly turned towards the rest of the group, who stood there in terror. "You could help, you know?" He said, "You don't stand a chance, but he's your friend, isn't he?"
Vegeta stared at the trio with terror in his eyes. Alongside that terror was a quiet pleading for them to help, the first time Vegeta had needed someone's aid.
"Isn't it sad, Vegeta?" Frieza asked, "You risked your life to help them before, haven't you? But none of them wants to try to help you. Not a one."
But the trio could do nothing. They accepted that Vegeta had put his life at risk for them, but their terror was too immense. It had paralyzed them.
Frieza smirked and delivered another blow to Vegeta's side. The emperor kept delivering blow after blow to the prince before his attacks began to slow. His expression soured before he threw Vegeta into a nearby rock wall, the rocks crumbling on top of him.
"You disappoint me, Vegeta." Frieza said, "I expected you to put up more of a fight. It truly pains me to end this so soon."
Before Frieza could do a finishing blow, a strong wind rushed up beside him, a familiar looking man appearing in the field.
So there's one more pest I have to exterminate? Frieza thought. Fantastic...
"Kakarot..." Vegeta groaned.
"What was that? Did you say 'Kakarot?" Frieza asked, shocked, "That's a Saiyan name, isn't it?"
Of course. Frieza thought. That explains one thing. He looks just like that Saiyan who tried to stop me from destroying Planet Vegeta.
"Well, we can't have another Saiyan running about. One is far too much for me to deal with." Frieza said, "Now just do me a favor and kneel down. Make my job a little easier."
"I could do that," Goku said, "But why would I?"
The corner of Frieza's lip twitched slightly before he launched into a flying kick aimed for Goku. The Saiyan dodged beneath Frieza and landed his boot on the emperor's cheek. Frieza leaped backward and rubbed where he had been kicked, a bruise beginning to form. In a rage, he began to fire several ki blasts at Goku.
"Get out of the way, Goku!" Krillin yelled.
Goku had a moment of realization and began frantically trying to swat away the beams, all with one hand. Frieza was shocked that a Saiyan could deflect his attacks with just one hand.
"Hah... Hah..." Vegeta laughed painfully, "Kakarot-"
"I'm not a Super Saiyan, Vegeta." Goku said, cutting him off, "I know that it takes the heart of a Saiyan to achieve the legend. And that's not who I am."
"No, Kakarot, listen." Vegeta said, "There is no Super Saiyan. There never will be. I realize now that the legend is just that, a legend. And I was a fool for believing I could achieve it.
"I couldn't bear the thought that a low-class warrior like you could become a Super Saiyan before me, the prince of the Saiyans. I tried everything I could think of to get stronger in hopes of surpassing you. But it all failed me in the end. I didn't stand a chance against Frieza.
"Don't repeat my mistake, Kakarot. Don't overestimate your limits and try to beat Frieza. Don't let that bastard kill all of the Saiyans. Please."
"He makes a good point, you know." Frieza said, "There's no point in trying to fight me. But there's no point in running either."
"It's the end, Kakarot. At least for me. I've got nowhere else to go. No planet, no people, nothing." Vegeta said, "Let him kill me, Kakarot. It's all that's left."
"Come now." Frieza said, "Give a dying man his last wish."
Goku looked at Vegeta with sadness in his eyes and stepped aside, allowing Frieza to put one shot through Vegeta's chest.
"Thank... you, Kakarot." Vegeta quietly laughed.
The prince drew his final breath and collapsed, his eyes milky white. Goku approached him and shut the Saiyan's eyes before blasting a hole in the ground, a grave for Vegeta. He placed the Saiyan in the ground and began to cover him up with dirt.
"You were my enemy, Vegeta. I hated you for what you had done." Goku said, "But you stuck to what you believed in. You were a Saiyan until the end. And so am I."
Goku got to his feet and turned to Frieza, a fire in his eyes.
"This ends now, Frieza." He said, "You've hurt too many people. And I won't let you continue. For the citizens of Namek, the Saiyans, and everyone else you've killed."
The wind whipped through the air as Piccolo placed his hands on Krillin and Gohan's shoulder to get their attention.
"We should go." He said, "We'll only get in the way."
The trio took off, leaving Goku and Frieza to face each other alone.
"You should've listened to Vegeta." Frieza said, "You're only hastening your death."
"That may be." Goku said, "But I'll go down fighting. Like a Saiyan should."
Goku launched himself towards Frieza, the ground beneath him exploding. He swung at Frieza, who took the attack and retaliated with his own. Goku flew higher to avoid the attack, losing sight of Frieza in the process. As he looked around, Frieza flew up from the water and fired off a ball of energy at Goku.
The Saiyan placed out his hands to catch the ball, only to be driven backward by the force. It carried him through a nearby mountain, carving through the rocks as he went. Goku managed to gain a footing and threw the ball into the air, his hands beat red and burning. Goku waved his hands in the air and blew on them to try and cool them, Frieza surprised that Goku had sustained such little damage.
"You're strong. Stronger than I originally thought." Frieza said, "But it doesn't matter. It's nowhere near enough to beat me."
"Maybe so." Goku said, "But there's no knowing unless I try."
"Well then, allow me to educate you," Frieza said. Without flinching, the emperor exploded the ground beneath Goku's feet, the Saiyan launching himself into the air with the dust cloud as cover.
Frieza suddenly felt a strong force of wind behind him begin to force him down towards the ground.
"You really should watch behind you," Goku said, his hand extended towards Frieza.
Frieza grimaced and forced himself out of the current. Goku sensed Frieza's ki moving behind him but, before he could turn, Frieza wrapped his foot around the back of Goku's head and began to drive him towards the water. Goku plunged into the water, Frieza holding his head below the water with his foot.
From beneath the water, Frieza heard what sounded like talking coming from the water, the water below him bubbling even more.
"What was that?" Frieza asked, "I don't speak 'drowning'"
Frieza began to feel Goku's body go limp, the thrashing and bubbling coming to a halt. He dragged Goku out the water and into the air, the Saiyan hagging loosely in his foot.
"It was fun, monkey." Frieza said, "But both Vegeta and I warned you about fighting me."
Without warning, a ball of energy flew out of the water towards Frieza, causing him to drop Goku. He swatted it away as another blast come at him from behind, catching him off guard.
"How did-" Frieza began before being cut off by a flying kick. The kick sent him hurtling towards the ground, straight into a mountain that collapsed on top of him.
"It worked!" Goku proclaimed.
The rubble of mountain exploded in purple energy as Frieza got to his feet. He stared up at Goku while cracking his neck.
"I applaud you." Frieza said while dusting himself off, "You're the only one besides my father I've had to dust off from."
He hopped up onto a cliff and began to float the rocks around him. I think I'll toy with him a little bit longer. He thought. Frieza extended his arm and launched the rocks at Goku, who tried to dodge past each of them. The Saiyan was caught off guard by a rock straight to his face, allowing Frieza to move to his position and surround him in energy.
"This might just be enough to end you!" He yelled launching the ball towards the ground, Goku unable to break free.
Frieza moved away from the blast radius as the ball hit the ground, exploding into a giant mushroom. The trio watched as the tyrant simply hovered in the air with his arms crossed.
"What's he doing?" Krillin asked.
"It almost looks like he's waiting for something," Gohan replied.
"What could he possibly be waiting for?" Krillin asked, "He's already taken out Goku."
"I wouldn't say that," Piccolo said, gesturing behind him.
Gohan and Krillin turned as Goku touched the ground behind them. "That was close." He said, "I shouldn't let my guard down so easily."
Goku took off towards Frieza, trying to get him from behind. As he approached the tyrant with his fist drawn back, Frieza spoke to him, stopping him in his tracks.
"We're getting nowhere, you know." He said, his back still turned, "This constant game of trying to one-up each other isn't going to end with a victor."
He turned to face Goku and helped up his hands, signaling a temporary peace. "I say it's about time we both got serious." He said, "No more games."
"Fine by me," Goku said.
"So we're in agreement, then?" Frieza asked, extending his hand.
Goku extended his hand to Frieza's and shook it, sealing the agreement.
"You're incredibly trusting." Frieza said, "After all that I've done to you and your friends. But I'm a man of my word, and I called our little peace."
"Just one thing." Goku said, "It's gotten a bit bland fighting up here for so long. How about we move this to the ground?"
"So be it." Frieza said, "It's not like it'll make a difference."
Frieza gestured towards an undestroyed island not far from them, and the two descended down towards the ground. The two stood on opposite ends of the island, Goku stretching out while removing the top of his torn gi. Frieza thought he saw a flash of red surround the Saiyan for a moment but passed it off as a trick of the suns.
"Ready?" Goku asked.
"Quite," Frieza said, his hands clasped behind his back.
Goku charged at Frieza, who stared him down unblinkingly. The emperor effortlessly dodged Goku's attacks, letting the Saiyan expend his energy. He waited for Goku to start faltering before striking out with his leg, knocking Goku across the island, smashing into a pile of rocks. Goku flew out of the rubble at speed towards Frieza, who delivered a punch to Goku's nose as he drew near, knocking him to the floor.
Goku lifted his head to see Frieza standing in front of him with his back turned. As Goku went to get to his feet, Frieza kicked him off balance and wrapped his tail around the Saiyan's neck, pulling him in to deliver a sharp jab to his chest.
Goku collapsed to his knees, blood sputtering from his mouth. "Quite an achievement to have survived that. It should have collapsed your ribs into your vital organs." Frieza said, "Guess you're stronger than I assumed. And maybe I've misjudged how much of my energy I'd have to use."
"What?" Goku asked.
"Yes, it's true." Frieza said, "I've only been using a fraction of my true power. Maybe half of it will do the trick."
"You're bluffing," Goku said.
Frieza got down to look him in the eyes with a stone-cold stare. "Am I?" Frieza asked.
A chill ran Goku's spine as he leaped away from Frieza onto a high peak, Frieza chasing after him. "Let me demonstrate just what I can do at only half of my power." He said.
He held up two fingers as a ball of energy formed around them. He swung his hand in an arc towards the ground, a large explosion traveling off into the distance. When the smoke cleared, a deep crevice remained where the ground had been, its depth reaching past their vision.
"That's just at 50 percent of my power." Frieza said, "At 100 percent I could easily destroy planets hundreds of times bigger than this dirtball."
Damn it. Goku thought, Even with the Kaikoken at ten times I stand no chance. I'll have to push it up to twenty times if I want even a fraction of a chance at beating him. I just don't know if my body can handle the stress while I'm like this.
"It's over, monkey." Frieza said, "Just give up already. Save both of us the trouble."
I'll have to risk it! Goku thought.
His body exploded with a red aura as he charged at Frieza, who stood there with wide eyes.
"KAIOKEN TIMES TWENTY!" Goku yelled as he charged.
"Excuse me, kaio-what?" Frieza asked as Goku planted his fist into the tyrant's face, sending him flying backward.
Goku began charging his energy as he knocked Frieza around in the air, keeping him from fighting back. He sent Frieza flying in the air before he cupped his hands at his side and threw them forward, a blue ball of energy gathered in his hands.
"HA!" He yelled as the ball exploded into a beam that drove towards Frieza. The tyrant extended his hand to try and catch the blast. Frieza pushed against the beam with everything he had in a desperate attempt to reflect the beam back towards Goku.
Frieza's anger turned to fear as the energy began to slip over his hand and start creeping up his arm. "No!" He yelled, "I can't lose here! I won't lose here! Not to same DAMN MONKEY!" He let out a scream as he tried forcing more energy into his push. His attempts still weren't enough as the beam surrounded his body, passing straight past into the sky. Frieza's screams turned to ones of agony before going silent.
Everyone watched in hope and astonishment as the blast shot off into space. "He... He did it!" Krillin yelled, "Goku beat him!"
"I knew you could do it, Dad!" Gohan yelled as him and Krillin began to celebrate.
"I wouldn't bring out the festivities just yet if I were you," Piccolo said, his gaze locked on the smoke cloud from the beam.
"Why not?" Krillin asked.
"Look," Piccolo said.
Krillin and Gohan turned their gaze to the disappearing smoke cloud, their expressions turning to pure terror as a figure came into view.
"It can't be..." Gohan said.
Frieza hovered there frozen, his arm still outstretched. Burns and bruises lined his body, smoke emitting from his skin. His face was twisted into pure anger, his eyes bloodshot from the tension.
D-Damn it! Goku thought, his body too weak to move. He couldn't keep himself in the air much longer, crashing to the ground with a thud.
Frieza watched as Goku fell to the ground, panting from the exertion of energy. "That... was close." He panted, lowering his hand. As the emperor began to calm, his hand began to sear in pain. He looked down at his palm and saw that up to his wrist was blackened with red spots dotted around. His temper broke as he descended as fast as he could to the ground.
He walked over to Goku's crumpled body and kicked him in the side, knocking him over. "That one hurt me!" He yelled, kicking Goku again, "How can some damn monkey actually hurt me?!" He wrapped his tail around Goku's neck and raised him into the air. As he let the Saiyan go, he kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying back. Before Goku could hit the ground, Frieza kicked him up into the air and then slammed him back into the ground. The impact created a crater in the rock, Goku crumpled right in the center.
Frieza approached Goku, his demeanor that of broken sanity. "Where's all that energy you had before?" He sneered, "Don't tell me you've used up everything that you had." He threw his hand upwards and exploded the ground beneath Goku, creating a deep crevice.
Goku slowly crawled his way over the edge of the crevice and onto solid ground.
"So is this it then?" Frieza asked, "Shame. I had wanted a bit more. Any final acts before you die, then?"
Goku pushed himself onto his feet and raised his hands above his head.
"Piccolo, that's the pose for the Spirit Bomb," Krillin said.
"Spirit Bomb?" Piccolo asked.
"It's a last resort technique." Krillin replied, "One of King Kai's. It takes some energy from all living things nearby and then condenses it into a ball of energy."
"Is it going to work?" Gohan asked, "There isn't much life nearby to take from."
"What other option is there?" Krillin asked, "He has to risk it."
I didn't want to use this. Goku thought. But there's no other option. If this doesn't work, then the whole universe could be in danger. I can't let that happen. Hopefully, there's enough life on the surrounding planets for this to work.
"What are you doing?" Frieza asked, "Some sort of surrender pose? Are you giving me a free shot at you? What is it?"
"Guys, do you sense that?" Gohan asked, "It's huge."
"Maybe that?" Piccolo said, staring into the sky.
Gohan and Krillin tilted their heads upwards, coming to look at a bright ball of energy hovering over Goku.
"Th-That's the Spirit Bomb?!" Krillin exclaimed.
Just one final notice: the next update to this is going to be a preview for my own work. I've been working hard on it and want some feedback on it.