Here's chapter 49!
Thanks to Dark Domination, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, Diosa de la muerte, Perfect Carnage, icewolf and SAIYAN GOD VELGETA for all the reviews on chapter 48. Also thanks to humancygrax for the reviews on chapters 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46.
A/N: SO SORRY for the late update! Battling the flu has gotten me behind. Here's an EXTRA long chapter! YAY! 533 reviews! THANKS EVERYONE!
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
….
Gohan sighed as his father's voice faded away. He wondered what today was going to bring. The thought of exploring yet another planet excited him. But one never knew what Turles had in mind. He thought about the words he'd once overheard from the Saiyan pirate.
'Of course I know the difference between right and wrong. I just don't care.'
What would his father think of that? The little half-Saiyan didn't want to know.
…
"Seem's ya got royalty lookin for ya!" Gartoas informed Turles.
Daiz chuckled, "Guess ol' King Mortagos is still after you!"
Turles snorted "It been three years now has he nothing else to occupy his time but to harass me?"
"Guess he's still madder than Hell at you!" Daiz added.
"How was I supposed to know that woman at the tavern was his sister?" the dark-skinned Saiyan huffed.
Daiz thoroughly enjoyed the sour look Zailora gave their commander.
Gartoas shook his head "No, Master Turles. Saiyan royalty be lookin' fer ya. "
"Prince Vegeta still survives then? What would he want with me?" Turles queried.
Of course Vegeta had survived if only because of his own stubbornness.
"Seems ' im an some big bald fella's bin sent after ya " the Kardanagan continued.
An evil smirk lit the Saiyan pirate's face "That's mostly likely to be Nappa. So the old war-dog still lives. I'll be looking forward to our meeting."
"There be more Master Turles, they be wantin tha boy" Gartoas added.
Turles's expression darkened "That I will NOT allow."
Gartoas eyed the Saiyan curiously. The commander was becoming more and more protective of the boy known as Gohan. Even Daiz and Zailora had noticed.
…..
'He is So handsome ' Bulma thought as she stared at the teal-skinned male that sat just across from her.
The former heiress was so busy admiring Zarbon's amber- colored eyes that she never noticed that he had addressed her directly.
"Bulma, DO pay attention!" Artruay scolded.
"Oh sorry! I.. I…" Bulma's voice trailed off as she tried to think of an excuse for being distracted.
"It's quite alright, my dear. You're not the first to be mesmerized by my appearance" Zarbon stated matter of factly.
Bulma lowered her gaze and blushed a bit. She couldn't stop the small giggle that escaped her.
Artruay groaned inwardly 'Does she fawn over every male she deems attractive? I don't know which is worse, Zarbon being full of himself or Bulma's obvious adoration of him.'
"So this little device will render a ship incapable of flight? I shall deliver it to Lord Frieza immediately!" Zarbon declared as he looked down at the small oval object in his hands.
"Actually that's just a prototype" Bulma spoke up quickly. "There's still a few 'bugs' to work out of it."
"I see. Well we certainly want this fully operational before we present it to Lord Frieza. We'll have to keep in touch as I have other matters to attend to. I truly regret having to rush off as I rarely have the luxury of spending time with such beautiful and intelligent company" Zarbon commented much to the azure-haired young scientist's delight.
Frieza's right hand man gave a graceful bow to Bulma and a nod to her reptilian employer.
"I will contact you soon, Artruay" and with a dramatic sweep of his cape the teal-skinned changeling walked away.
"That Zarbon is absolutely gorgeous!" Bulma gushed.
Artruay pretended not to hear as he took a long sip of his own drink.
"Is this 'Lord Frieza' is a looker as well?" the genius of Capsule Corps wondered out loud.
The gray reptile's eyes bulged and he went into a violent fit of coughing.
"I guess that means no?" Bulma asked.
"Seriously Bulma! The word 'looker' and Frieza should NEVER be paired in a sentence!" Artruay choked out.
….
Gohan enjoyed the different sights and sounds of planet Tarcadia. The sky was a luminous green and the carpet of grass beneath his feet was a vibrant blue. Turles had chosen the small planet as a source for much needed supplies. Gartoas and Daiz had made three trips to the ship already.
"You need to replace your boots, Gohan. Do so while we 're here" Turles ordered.
"Yes, Master Turles!" Gohan spoke up quickly.
"How did he know…." the little demi-Saiyan wondered.
"He could tell by the way you walk " Daiz cut in. "The commander mentioned that the instep in your boots must be getting snug."
"I can't believe he noticed that " Gohan went on.
"Master Turles notices a great deal!" the Kabochan pirate grumbled.
Daiz looked over at Zailora as he uttered those words.
Zailora gave the former prince a sideways glance but decided not to comment.
"So Turles noticed my scent a bit. Big deal!" The dark green-haired female muttered under her breath.
"Shows 'ow much ya know 'bout Saiyans. Ah scent be more appealin' than appearance ta 'em. Watch yerself 'round Turles" Gartoas warned. He said it so only the two of them could hear.
….
Daiz and Zailora walked hand in hand about the market district of planet Tarcadia. The pair enjoyed each other's company as Gohan ran ahead. It didn't take long for the little half-blood to find a place to purchase a new pair of boots.
"These are much better. They don't pinch when I walk!" Gohan exclaimed as he tried on a pair.
"That's the whole idea of purchasing new ones" Daiz informed him.
"We'll take two pair of these" the Kabochan male instructed the blue reptilian merchant who was more than happy to comply.
Zailora whistled as she took in the exorbitant price of the boots.
"A bit pricey, aren't they?" she whispered to Daiz.
"You know Turles, only the finest will do. Sad thing is he sent along enough to afford four or five pairs of these boots" the dark green-haired male pirate declared.
"I think he just enjoys spoiling Gohan" Zailoea mused.
"That he does" Daiz agreed.
"And speaking of spoiling…" Zailora handed a small carved wooden box to Daiz.
"What's this?" the former prince asked.
A small blade of Artosian silver lay in the red silk -lined box, the hilt bore the insignia of the Kabochan royal family.
"A little something for my prince" Zailora said softly.
"But I'm not…."
"You'll always be MY prince" the female pirate whispered.
"Then I'll treasure it always" Daiz whispered back. He stole a quick kiss while the merchant had his back turned.
"Are you two EVER going to quit doing that?" Gohan groaned.
"I certainly hope not" Daiz answered chuckling at the way Gohan wrinkled up his face in response.
…
Raditz made a quick secondary sweep of planet Kafnir. Nothing remained alive on the planet's surface his job was done. He dreaded the next assignment. How could he look forward to causing the death of another Saiyan?
Nappa's words still stung as he had indeed planned on taking the life of the son of Kakarot, his own nephew. Fury had blinded him. How else would he have ever considered the heinous act? Kakarot was weak and fully deserving of his fate but not the child. Albeit his blood was tainted with that of another race, the boy's Saiyan heritage had been fully apparent from his tail to his unbelievable power level at his young age. Had he received the proper training that latent ability of his could have been developed to an awesome level. The boy known as 'Gohan' might have even rivaled Prince Vegeta.
Raditz let out a long sigh. No doubt the boy had met his end as the Earth had been destroyed by Turles and his monstrous tree. How ironic it was that the Earth fell to a Saiyan's might after all.
An incoming message alerted him to meet Nappa and Vegeta on planet Tarcadia. Luckily that wasn't too far away.
The son of Bardock wondered about the child who accompanied Turles. Was Turles the young Saiyan's sire or had he discovered the child somewhere? He would find out soon enough. Growing up alongside Turles, Raditz had a grudging respect for his fellow third-class Saiyan. He did not want Turles to die by his hand. Would Vegeta force him to fight? He certainly hoped not for he would be bound by the prince's order. Maybe the Saiyan pirate could successfully elude them as he had Frieza's forces all these years….
…
"Stopping for fuel here, we'll probably lose Turles again" Nappa grumbled. 'What would he want on this miserable excuse for a planet? Tarcadia isn't even on most of the charts…."
Cold laughter came from the Saiyan prince. Nappa stopped mid-sentence.
"Unless there's someone here who can rival Turles then I believe we've just lucked out" Vegeta informed him as he tapped his scouter.
….
"Do you feel that, Daiz?" Turles questioned. He had planned to get off-planet as soon as their errands had been completed. But obviously fate had other plans.
"Yes, Commander. There's two very strong ki on their way here" the Kabochan pirate answered.
"Our expected guests no doubt" Turles said thoughtfully.
"There be another comin' yet not as strong" Gartoas added.
"Maybe we should leave now. Before they get here" Zailora suggested. She looked worried.
"They're too close! They'd catch up to us anyway" Gohan cut in.
"If it's a fight they want then it's a fight they'll get!" Turles declared.
…
Zailora shivered as the trio of Saiyans landed a few feet away. Daiz wrapped his right arm around her and gave her a slight squeeze of encouragement. Turles raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing.
A massive bald Saiyan male in black and gold armor scoffed at the group that stood across from him. Another muscular Saiyan male much younger in appearance landed beside him. This individual wore brown and black armor with long hair trailing to his knees. Lastly, a flame-haired Saiyan warrior in white and gold armor with a blue under-suit touched down on Tarcadia's surface.
"Nappa, Raditz and Prince Vegeta" Turles said flatly.
"Raditz!" Gohan gasped.
"What do you know of Raditz, Gohan?" a surprised Turles demanded.
"H-He tried to kidnap me once to force my father to join him in serving Frieza. He caused my dad to be killed on Earth" the young demi-Saiyan explained.
"Your father was very much alive when I arrived on Earth as I recall, Brat!" Turles snapped.
"I know! His friends wished him back!" Gohan insisted.
"This is no time for foolish tales, boy!" the Saiyan pirate commander snarled.
"It's true! They used the Dragon Balls and wished him back to life!" the little half-blood pressed.
"Ah once 'eard of sucha thing, Master Turles" Gartoas cut in.
"I don't have time for this!" Turles growled.
"You can save yourself inconceivable agony by surrendering right now, Turles" Nappa called out.
"Indeed. Hand over the brat and yield to your superiors. Frieza might consider putting you to work instead of ending your pathetic existence" Vegeta added.
"I am a Saiyan warrior. I don't simply surrender least of all to Frieza's ilk" Turles responded.
Gohan looked about. If there was a battle between Turles and the new arrivals then the innocent people of Tarcadia's merchant district would no doubt be caught in the middle of it. There would be so much needless death and destruction…
"Master Turles, if we must fight can we do it away from the market area? There's too many innocent people here" Gohan reasoned. He hoped the Saiyan full-blood would listen.
Turles looked at the pleading child in disbelief. Did the boy really think he gave a whit about the existence of the populace around them? But for Gohan's sake he relented. Kami help him, the brat was making him soft for sure!
"This business is between us not these fools around us. Let's settle this in the field ten miles away from here" the pirate commander insisted.
"I DON'T CARE IF…" Nappa began.
"Now, Now Nappa. Let's entertain Turles for his last moments shall we?" Vegeta cackled.
"We'll do as you request but the end will be the same" the Saiyan prince said contemptously.
"I HOPE you know what you're doing, Master Turles" Daiz sighed as they began the flight to their new location.
"Nope, I'm making it up as we're going along!" Turles announced casually.
Gartoas smacked himself in the forehead. Zailora rolled her eyes.
'Is this where we all end up in Otherworld?' Gohan wondered.
…..
The grassy field strewn with wildflowers made Gohan think of an ideal place for a picnic rather than a battlefield. But the grim reality set in as they faced the Saiyan trio that touched down a few yards away at the exact same moment as Turles and his crew.
"This is between Nappa and I, the rest of you keep clear" Turles ordered.
"But what if you fail to defeat him?" Zailora wanted to know.
"That's highly unlikely but in the event such a thing occurs. Zailora, you are to get Gohan to planet Arturay. The Earth female Bulma will know how to care for him. All holdings in my name will revert to him immediately on the report of my demise" Turles informed her.
It was made quite apparent by the Saiyan's statement just how much the little half-Saiyan had come to mean to him. The entire crew was taken aback especially Gohan.
"If that be the case, I'll make sure she succeeds in doing so" Daiz added.
"Ahm not gettin' left out!" Gartoas blurted out.
"So be it" Turles declared. "Let's get this over with, Nappa!"
"My sentiments exactly!" Nappa growled.
…
"What if that Vegeta tries to attack while Turles is fighting that Nappa goon?" Zailora asked.
"Then WE attack!" Daiz and Gartoas chorused.
"But Master Turles ordered us…" the female pirate began.
"It won't be the FIRST time we disobeyed an order," Daiz interrupted.
""Ah recall we saved 'is hide tha last time!" the Kardanagan huffed."E'vn if e' wuz mad as Hell aft'wards!"
'If Turles gets in trouble I'm helping whether he gets angry or not' Gohan vowed to himself.
Raditz tried to catch a glimpse of the Saiyan child in question. No doubt Turles's crew had been trying to conceal the brat from him and his companions. And of course as things were he would have to expect a half-blood. There was no telling what he might look like. All Raditz knew was that the brat was a male.
The son of Bardock's eyes went wide with both shock and recognition as he caught the sound of the name 'Gohan'. Could it really be Kakarot's son? Raditz sucked in his breath when he finally caught sight of the little demi-Saiyan. A genuine smile actually crossed the third-class Saiyan's face.
In place of the pudgy, whiny pampered Earth-raised child was a deeply tanned, muscular scar-faced young Saiyan male in red and black armor. He resembled Turles now more than Kakarot despite the similarities in the appearance of the two adult Saiyans.
Raditz couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Turles had turned his nephew into a true Saiyan. Then his heart sank. How could he be expected to raise his hand against the boy now?
…
"Ready to die Turles?" Nappa barked as Turles landed a few feet away from him.
"Not particularly but I'll give you a chance at causing my demise" the dark-skinned Saiyan quipped.
"Worthless third-class scum!" Nappa snarled.
"Your daughter didn't think I was so worthless, Nappa!" Turles taunted.
"WHAT? Ahndyve was six years older than you and she was an ELITE! She'd have NOTHING to do with the likes of YOU!" the former Saiyan general seethed.
"No? I didn't mind an older woman. One does want someone with experience their first go around after all. I could have been HERS if Raditz hadn't beat me to the punch."
Nappa's jaw dropped at that remark. He was too stunned to even reply for a moment.
'Now Nappa's gonna KILL me! Thanks, Big-mouth!' Raditz thought dismally.
"Of course by the time she got around to me, Ahndyve had a LOT of experience. She was pretty popular around the barracks if you get my meaning. Quite popular indeed!" the Saiyan pirate continued baiting the burly bald Saiyan.
"WHAT THE HELL? YOU LYING SON OF A ….." the completion of Nappa's epithet was drowned out by the force of his Blazing Storm attack.
When the dust cleared, a laughing Turles floated in the air unaffected in the least from the elite's barrage.
"NAPPA! SNAP OUT OF IT!" Vegeta ordered. "Can't you see he's baiting you to make you lose your head and be careless?"
"Don't believe me? Should I describe a few identifying scars or birthmarks?" Turles needled. "Ahndyve had a half-moon shaped scar under her left ear. Should I mimic the sounds she made when I nibbled there?"
Both Zailora and the Saiyan prince gaped in disbelief at Turles's callous remark at the same time.
"Ah bit low even fer Turles!" Gartoas mumbled. Daiz merely winced. Gohan simply scratched his head in confusion.
Nappa's face turned crimson with fury "YOU FILTHY KISAMA!"
Once again Turles easily evaded the elite Saiyan's ki blasts. Maybe this would be easier than he thought….
….
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