Here's Chapter 101! Thanks to Diosa de la muerte, SuperSaiyanKnight, Ryo-chan wolfgirl, LssgssVegito, Blake2020, Uub God of Destruction, Zailz-lol, Risa Silvara and MalikJamalTimberlake for reviewing chapter 100. This chapter is dedicated to long-time fanfic friend Tomaka167.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!
...
Gohan tried to bolt after Daiz as he hurried to Turles's new ship with Zailora's lifeless form. He was caught by the shoulders by Chi-Chi. With tears streaming down his face, he huddled into his mother's warm embrace and sobbed his heart out. As she stroked his spiky hair, the Ox-King's daughter murmured soothingly to her heartbroken child.
The ebony-haired female hoped the comfort she offered would encourage him to give up the piracy nonsense and allow her to instill the proper behavior he had once displayed as her obedient son. Under Turles's influence he would become nothing but a no account brigand destined for an untimely demise.
"This is why you must break away from these horrid pirates or one day you'll come to a bad end," Chi-Chi tried to reason.
"Break away? Turles needs me now more than ever!" Gohan protested.
"I won't let you throw your life away Gohan!" his mother shouted.
"That's not your decision to make!" the son of Goku shot back.
"Gohan, Turles has made more enemies than you could possibly hope to fight," Bulma cut in.
"Maybe his enemies are my enemies too!" the little half-blood snapped causing both of the Earth women to gape in surprise.
Turles stood silently a few feet away. His fists were clenched and he seemed to fight for each breath he drew in for a moment. Then he drew himself up to his full height, squared back his shoulders and the all too familiar gaze of a Saiyan hell-bent on vengeance settled over his face.
"Ah'm supposin' tha thorn in Frieza's side's back spoilin' fer fight, eh Master Turles?" Gartoas ventured.
"I never left, Gartoas. But this is my fight, it would be best if you and Gohan stayed clear," the pirate commander stated coldly.
As Turles swiftly disappeared in pursuit of the Sarhassan, the Kardanagan turned to the half-Saiyan youngster.
"Whatta ya gonna do, Brat?"
"Turles needs our help whether he realizes it or not," Gohan replied.
"Now yer talkin! Ain't the first time Turles tol' me stay outta things…ain't gonna be tha last," Gartoas quipped.
Chi-Chi took a deep breath and then she voiced her opinion on the matter.
"Gohan, if you insist on going off with Turles..don't bother coming back!"
Bulma gasped even Gartoas seemed taken aback.
"Fine, I won't!" Gohan snarled as he took off in pursuit of Turles.
The massive pirate shook his head and hurried after the angry youth.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Bulma sighed.
"I…I didn't think he'd really….I hoped that…." Chi-Chi burst into tears.
…..
Daiz shook his head as he punched in the activation code for the rejuvenation tank that held the lifeless body of Zailora. There was still a chance that the child she carried would succumb to the Sarhassan's venom that had taken her life. How would Turles react if the half-ling didn't survive? The former royal shuddered; he didn't want to know the answer to that question.
As he exited the ship, the Kabochan pirate felt a presence behind him. He whirled about expecting Salzar but it was someone he'd never thought he'd lay eyes on again.
"Zarbon!" he hissed.
It was vividly apparent that the teal-skinned being hadn't escaped entirely unscathed from his battle with Zailora. His appearance was drastically changed. Gleaming metal limbs with cybernetic components had replaced his forearms and some sort of bio-mechanic devices had taken the place of the golden orbs that once gazed on his surroundings. Even the right side of his face no longer consisted of his original genetic material. To someone as vain Zarbon living with such a visage would be pure torture.
"I see the princeling refugee from Kabocha survived after all. Where's that green-haired witch? I'll let you live until I remove her from existence," the changeling announced.
"You're a little late for that. And by the way you've really let yourself go!" Daiz countered. He couldn't resist taking a verbal swipe at the emerald-haired being over his altered state.
"That she-demon did this to me!" Frieza's right-hand man raged.
"If you couldn't defend yourself against her, what makes you think you have a chance against me?" Turles's second-in-command taunted.
"Impudent scum! I'll take your corpse back to Frieza along with that of the misbegotten ape you serve!" Zarbon shouted as he charged at Daiz.
The dark-green haired warrior sank into a fighting stance. He wasn't sure if he could take Zarbon with all his cybernetic enhancements but he was certainly going to do his best.
A cruel smile lit the PTO soldier's face as he seized Daiz's fist in a crushing grip. It would be nothing to shatter the insufferable pirate's metatarsal bones into fragments. Fortunately a well-placed kick connected and the Kabochan tore free before Zarbon could cause any serious damage. The furious changeling responded with a devastating punch to his opponent's chest.
Daiz sucked in his breath painfully. No doubt a few ribs had given way under the onslaught of a cybernetic limb. He swept Zarbon's feet out from under him only to be forced to deflect the blast the teal-skinned alien fired in his direction.
"This is pointless, you can't possibly hope to defeat me," Frieza's minion remarked smugly as he leapt up unharmed.
"You haven't won yet, Zarbon!" the former prince snarled.
"Oh, I don't think it will take too long to dispose of you!" Zarbon replied smugly.
A horrified Daiz staggered and nearly fell as the impact of the changeling's boot struck him full in the chest. Zarbon had moved so swiftly he hadn't even seen the kick coming. The dark green-haired pirate realized that this could be his final battle…
…..
Bulma sat in a comfortable chair in her lab as she watched Chi-Chi pace the floor. The Namek who assisted with the kitchen leaned against the wall.
"If only Goku were still alive I'm sure Gohan would never have gotten involved with Turles in the first place!" Chi-Chi declared.
"Turles is the reason Goku isn't alive!" Bulma moaned.
"Would it really make a difference if this "Goku" were around?" Malako asked.
"Yes!" the two women chorused in unison.
"But he's gone and the only chance we had to bring him back was to use the Dragon Balls and they're lost forever too," the blue-haired scientist lamented.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," the Namek stated with a mysterious smile.
"What do you mean? There aren't any more Dragon Balls," Bulma insisted.
"Actually there are,"Makalo declared.
Artruay's former employees were so intent on their conversation that they never noticed the small figure that lurked in the hall just outside the room or the more imposing one that listened as well…..
…
As much as he detested his current appearance, Zarbon relished the enhanced strength his cybernetic components provided. Soon the stubborn Kabochan would leave this plane of existence. It was disappointing that he couldn't watch the life fade from the eyes of the woman that subjected him to his present state but at least one of Turles's miscreants would suffer for it. If he brought Turles to heel as well Frieza would be pleased indeed.
A bruised and bloodied Daiz fought in desperation. He was tiring quickly and Zarbon was intent on taking his life. The one-time prince of a desert planet managed an upper cut that sent Frieza's general flying. But the mutant was back on the offensive in seconds concentrating his blows on the pirate's injured ribs.
It was getting difficult to breathe now the desert planet-raised warrior knew he was going to have to end things soon. In a desperate move Daiz kneed his opponent in the midsection and gouged at the strange blue bio-optics as Zarbon pitched forward.
A string of epithets erupted from the changeling as the pirate succeeded in causing considerable damage to one of the replacements for his amber eyes. Strange gurgling noises suddenly came from teal being. He stared down in disbelief at a beefy fist that had plunged through his back and exited out of his chest.
Gartoas shook the deceased alien away and smirked down at the last member of the Pukinpa Dynasty.
"I never thought I'd be glad to see your ugly face and overstuffed carcass!" the Kabochan snickered.
"Yer jus' jealous o' muh good looks," the once bandit growled.
"Not on this side of Hell," Daiz sneered.
"Keep talkin' an' thet's whar yuh'll be goin' right quick!" Gartoas barked.
"Promises, promises, it could be worse you might try sitting on me!" his crewmate chortled.
"Yer lucky Ah decided to save yer worthless hide stead'o' helpin' tha brat find Turles."
"By the way where's Gohan?" Daiz asked.
"E' was behind me jus' ah second ago," the Kardanagan huffed.
"We'd better find him. I don't think Turles will tolerate something happening to the boy," the dark green-haired pirate advised.
"Nope, Ah don' reckon e' would."
…
Bulma gave an appreciative sigh as she looked over her latest handiwork. By using the instructions she was given to create Turles's replacement ship the talented bluenette had managed to create a smaller craft that would suit her and Chi-Chi perfectly. There was even room aboard for Gohan in the unlikely event he could be persuaded to join them. Planet Arturay was no longer a safe place and the sooner they left the better.
Her crowning achievement was an exact replica of the rejuvenation tank that she not only included inside the newly constructed ship but another for the medical wing. She felt that she had to leave something behind in return for enjoying the hospitality of the small planet that had sheltered her and Chi-Chi.
Bulma shrieked in surprise as a round of applause resounded behind her. The figure that haunted her nightmares stood across the room. His trademark sardonic smirk lit his handsome evil face. Why did she have to deal with Turles now?
"I see you've vastly improved your work ethic, Bulma dear. How considerate of you to build me a spare ship," the dark-skinned Saiyan declared.
"It's not for YOU!"
"I see, can you stop me if I choose to take it from you?" Turles pressed.
"You just can't! That ship is the only way for Chi-Chi and I to leave this planet," the once darling of Capsule Corps protested.
"What you and Kakarot's woman do with your spare time is of little importance to me," the black and silver armored pirate mused.
"You heartless, conceited, thieving…."
"Now, now, flattery will get you nowhere," Turles taunted. "However, I'm willing to be reasonable. You're more than welcome to take the ship and go where you please, for a price that is."
"Whatever he's demanding don't do it,Bulma!" Chi-Chi hissed as she strode into the room.
"This is none of your concern!" the Saiyan growled dangerously.
"You corrupt my son and threaten my friend. I'd say it's PLENTY of my concern!" the Ox-King's daughter barked.
"Threaten? I was merely suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement. As for corrupting your son I simply allowed him free rein to embrace his true nature. He is a Saiyan after all," Turles replied.
"He never would have….." Chi-Chi's words were cut short as a ki-blast struck the floor where she had been standing just seconds before.
The two women stared in absolute shock at the deserter of Frieza's forces who had snatched Chi-Chi away just before the energy blast had scorched the floor. In a blur of speed the Saiyan had returned fire and took the life of the squat green beetle-like alien in blue armor that had tried to end the mother of Gohan's life. Why would Turles do such a thing?
"The mate of a Saiyan deserves a more fitting end than to be cut down by one of Salzar's incompetents," the scourge of the North Sector stated.
Gartoas burst into the room," Master Turles, tha brat's missin'!"
"I have more pressing concerns than bargaining with you at the moment, Bulma dear. I suggest you don't try to leave this world without my consent," Turles warned.
….
Gohan wandered the halls of the building that once belonged to his mother's late employer. He was still reeling from his mother's outburst and blinked back unshed tears. But the youngster was also filled with excitement. There was another set of Dragon Balls! He could wish back Kami, Piccolo and his father. Then maybe the Earth as well, it was a good thing Turles was unaware that the Namekian wish granting orbs existed. The son of Goku could well imagine what the pirate would do with the knowledge.
A strange hissing sound caused Gohan to look up. His eyes widened in abject horror as he took in the sight of the gargantuan purple and orange serpent that suddenly loomed before him. It had to be Salzar! Fangs dripping with sickly green venom appeared as the loathsome creature opened its cavernous maw.
"Sssso the hhhalf-breed stiill livesss! Letsss remedy thaat sssituation shall we?" the beast rasped.
"Your fight is with me, Salzar!" Turles barked.
Gohan was startled to see the pirate commander seemingly appear from thin air. Then he swallowed hard, Turles hadn't followed him and overheard the conversation in the lab concerning the dragon balls had he? Things were going to be very difficult if that were so.
"Concerned for thhhe boy? How noble for an ape!" Salzar tittered.
Pure rage glittered in the black and silver armored warrior's eyes. He wanted nothing more than to dispose Salzar in the most agonizing manner possible.
The Saiyan's response was to fire a volley of ki-blasts but the snake-ling disappeared before any struck their target. To his consternation the monstrosity reappeared right in front of him! Only years of combat experience allowed the dark-skinned pirate to evade the crushing blow of the Sarhassan's tail as it lashed out furiously.
"I won't desstroy you yet SSSaiyan, I want you to sssee the life fade from the chhild before I end you," Salzar taunted.
"I won't allow it!" Turles growled.
Gartoas shook his head as he watched his commander sink into a fighting stance. He'd been ordered to stay back but he had a feeling it was going to take all their efforts to eradicate the hellish being from Sarhass. And where had Daiz gotten off to?
…
Until the next chapter!
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