I do not own DBZ.
A/N To Jenna, the Saiyanbabe You have a pretty good idea of things I am thinking of.
A Father's Fate
The Story of Bardock
Darkness seemed to swirl, even in the unmoving infinity of nothing. Two figures stood out of the vast emptiness, standing twenty yards away from one another. One figure stood, hands in front of him, unmoving. The other, looked around as if lost.
"This is where our battle will take place Bardock. There is nothing to hold back for in this place. The very existence of this realm is hidden from all but a select few," the former figure said, unflinching.
"Are...are we in your mind?" Bardock asked, quite unsure of himself.
"In a matter of speaking, yes. Are physical bodies are unmoving, and yet we are here, free of the chains of reality," Toi said, lowering his hands to his sides.
"Let me get this straight," Bardock said.
"There is no time, even if it is meaningless here. I do not want to seem impatient, but let's get this started, explanations will be set aside," Bardock gaped for a second then nodded, sliding into a fighting stance. Toi followed suit, shifting only slightly. Bardock bounded forward, sliding forward, slamming a shoulder into Toi's body.
Toi bounced off the ground and flipped onto all fours, pushing with all his might, flying into Bardock's midsection. Flying backwards, Bardock touched the ground briefly before flipping to his feet and jumping into the air.
Toi immediately left the ground, flying at Bardock faster than the Saiyan could have countered. Bardock shifted his weight to the side and was barely missed by Toi's fist. As Toi barreled by him, Bardock shot his knee upward, slamming into Toi's gut, knocking him even higher.
As Toi floated upward, clutching his stomach, Bardock appeared next to him and axe handled Toi downward. The Saiyan hurtled down, and at the last minute put his feet down. He slammed into the ground, causing him to buckle. Bardock floated down next to him and landed gently.
"I thought you wanted me to fight at full power," Bardock gloated, "I haven't even come close yet."
"Ha, good. The test is over!" Toi said, standing up to his full height. "Now, this may shock you," Bardock merely crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. Toi began to growl and bent forward slightly, an aura becoming visible.
Toi stood up and leapt a few feet into the air, throwing his head back. As he floated, all his limbs grew slightly longer and expanded. His muscles bulked up and his face seemed to grow outward. Razor sharp teeth began to form in Toi's mouth. His locks of hair became mottled and the pendant on his chest dropped to the ground.
Slowly, Toi floated to the ground, completely changed. Bardock stared for a second then was hit in the jaw by an unknown force. As the Saiyan drifted, a green blur flew by him, leaving Bardock doubled over.
The green blur began to speed up, and Bardock began rocking in every direction. As the onslaught ceased momentarily, Bardock fell from the sky. As he slammed into the ground, a force was felt, picking him up by the front of his armor.
"What is this?" the Saiyan asked, looking into what used to be Toi's eyes.
"A mere transformation. It has only doubled my power and speed, perhaps more," it said.
"What are you, Toi?"
"I am a half Saiyan, half changeling. I don't like this form very much, it takes away from sophistication, but my uncle always said, 'Sometimes you have to give up beauty for strength,". Without warning, Toi threw Bardock as hard as he could. Bardock watched the green blur come at him at impossible speeds.
Going on instinct, Bardock kicked at the last instant, lifting Toi off the ground and dazing him. Bardock rushed forward and began pummeling his opponent's stomach. After several seconds of machine gun speed punches, Bardock ended his combo with an uppercut.
Toi flew backwards at a good clip, trying desperately to stop himself. Bardock whipped three energy bolts at him, each one being deflected. Smiling, Bardock rushed forward right behind the last blast. As Toi slapped it away, Bardock shoved his hand into the monster's face.
There was a flash and then Toi's form shot outward, landing on his feet. His armor was gone and he was dripping blood from numerous cuts and burns. Grinning, he focused all of his energy into his palms.
Bardock jumped backwards, bringing his hands together at his side. For the first time Bardock's aura became visible, a white flame that surrounded his entirety. Calmly waiting, the warrior held his aura in place, causing Toi to hurry his attack. As soon as he was prepared, the half Saiyan let loose his attack.
Bardock flew sideways as fast as he could, completely dodging the monstrous pink beam. As soon as he was clear, Bardock fired a salvo of bolts, each one arcing a slightly different direction, all hitting the target. The resulting explosion was blood red and expanding with every bolt.
As the dome reached its crescendo, Bardock gathered a ball of energy in both of his hands and threw it into the dome, causing it to vanish in a bright explosion. As it died down, Bardock walked forward to see Toi's limp form. He had transformed back into his first state and was bleeding profusely.
Bardock blinked as his surroundings changed. He saw his crew standing around him, all had a look of concern on their faces. Looking over, he saw Toi sitting there looking as if the whole thing didn't happen.
"Bardock, I am impressed. That's the first time I could fight at my true power and still you won," Toi said, congratulating Bardock.
"Ha, you were stronger and faster. It was only luck that saved me," Bardock conceded.
"Well, that form is very flawed. Concentration is beyond difficult in that form. I will perfect the form in time for the final fight," Toi said, standing and leaving in a dramatic fashion. Bardock took Toma's extended hand and pulled himself up.
"Guys, we have to learn how to do that."
Bardock watched the rest of his team spar. As time passed Fasha and Borgos eventually stopped fighting and took seats. Bardock nodded to Fasha as she took a seat next to him. As they discussed the fight going on, Fasha asked about the mind realm. Bardock went into detail about the fight and the ominous surroundings.
"Sounds like a bad place for anything but fighting. For that, it sounds perfect," Fasha said, looking down.
"Well, that's all I'd use it for. I would hate to be there alone,"
"How strong is Toi?" Fasha asked, completely changing the subject.
"Strong. I'd say he's at least forty thousand," Bardock estimated.
"Wow! Borgos and I are at twelve thousand each! Even Toma is only fourteen thousand,"
"Yeah, he sure gave me a run for my money. Luck was on my side in that one. Anyway, I'm gonna go to bed. I expect Jubei to contact us in the next twelve hours. Perhaps they found some sort of resistance we can link up with," Bardock said standing. He turned and left the room, and stopped around the doorway. Fasha walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek, heading into her own room.
"Good night, Fasha,"
As the bridge lights turned on again, Chloe walked towards her chair. She sat down, checking their flight path. Noting the slightly stronger gravitational pull of a nearby star, she corrected.
Chuu turned around in a hurry and bustled off the bridge, head down. Shrugging, Chloe checked the course one more time before leaving for the galley. Chuu's computer clicked a few more times then shut down.
Matra flipped out of the way of Toma's sweep and landed slightly more backwards then she meant to. Stumbling backwards she fell on her behind. Toma grinned for a second then, he too sat down. The two had a good laugh about the whole thing. After a few minutes of chatting, both of them left the 'training room' and headed to their respective bedrooms.
As they left, Chuu entered the room, walking quickly to a corner with a small orb in his hand. As he set the black ball down, he heard a gun click.
"What are you doing?" a familiar voice rang from behind him.
"I am just seeing if there's any damage to the hull. What about you?"
"Shut up! I know you're spying on them. I know you aren't completely with this rebellion. But sabotaging us? That's low, Chuu, real low," the voice's avatar walked forward. Chichumi stood there, gun pointing at Chuu's head.
"Brother!" Chuu gasped.
"Do not call me brother. Michuu doesn't have to know, though. If you stop now, I won't tell him. But these Saiyans are the only ones who can fight Frieza! I would rather die in battle than live under his regime!"
"You don't understand. You're too young to. These 'saviors' of yours are the ones who killed mother and father. They too died for the sake of freedom. Have you been free? Now, or since?"
"You're the one who doesn't get it. These Saiyans, they don't murder in cold blood. They don't kill everyone in the way. Frieza and the Saiyans are different now,"
"Yeah, right. You're disconcerted, brother. Once they are done with you, they will kill you. They will kill Michuu as well," the last comment hit home and Chichumi lowered his rifle. As he did, Chuu threw a small piece of metal at his brother, knocking him off his feet. Chuu ran over and kicked Chichumi in the face and took his gun. "Don't point this at me!"
Chuu reached down and knocked out the younger soldier. He carried him quickly to his room and set him down on his bunk. "This is for your own good, brother," Chuu said as he walked out of the room.
Hours later, as everyone slept soundly, a klaxon began screeching. Everyone bolted to the bridge to see a ship fire a green beam at their own. Chloe ran for the controls and began the startup process for the main engines. As she tapped loudly on the control panel, nothing happened.
"The keys are locked. There is nothing you can do. You are under arrest for collaborating with Saiyans. Your punishment is Death," a voice sounded through the speakers. "You may thank your fellow companion Chuu for this honor." Immediately everyone turned to Chuu, guns and arms raised, all with intent to harm.
"Enough! There's no use in killing him. He went with what he thought was right. Now we must do what we think is right," Bardock said over everyone's growls.
"But Bardock!"
"No. Don't get me wrong, this is upsetting. We should worry about that later. For now, I think we should show Frieza what he is truly up against!" Bardock barked. He turned and walked directly in front of the airlock.
"This is kinda reminiscent of last time, huh?" Fasha asked.
"No, this is nothing like it. This time there are no objectives but to survive. Everyone! Once you're in the inner corridors of the ship, feel free to use power. We don't want a hull breech."
As the familiar sound of metal groaning was heard, the tractor beam died down. As the screeching ended, a faint buzz was heard just on the other side of the airlock door. After a moment, the door exploded and fragments were sent flying down the corridors.
Bardock immediately palmed a blast and fired it towards the enemy ship. As the beam burrowed inward, Bardock ran forward, cutting the beam off somewhere inside the enemy ship. The surrounding warriors weren't expecting a ki attack and were stunned by it, not even getting a chance to cover their eyes.
The Saiyans rushed inwards, killing members of the vessel straightaway. The Saiyans methodically defeated everyone in the first corridor. As they broke the walls of the ship, the crew of Frieza's men slowly were backed into the bridge. The entire battle took all of three minutes.
"Stop! We surrender! We surrender. Please do not kill us," someone that seemed to be the captain pleaded.
"Stop!" Bardock commanded. Immediately the Saiyans stopped their onslaught and stood in the midst of their own fury. "Why would you board us? You have seemingly no powerful warriors on board. So tell me, what were you planning to do?"
"We weren't sure what would happen! All we were told was to kill the crew of the Harbinger,"
"Hmpf. Go and tell Frieza of the battle. See how he rewards your failure," Bardock said.
"Bardock, I don't think that's a good idea. I mean to let them go like that," Toma whispered.
"I know, but trust me," Bardock raised his hand, creating an orb in his hand. The bridge crew quivered. After a second, Bardock destroyed every console on the bridge then turned and left. The rest of the Saiyans followed him, leaving the darkened bridge in an utter noiseless state. Everyone there blinked for a few minutes, not wanting to admit the truth.
"We can't go back to Frieza. We will just be killed. I am bailing out, who's with me?" the captain asked. As everyone mumbled in agreement, he walked up to a ruined station and looked through the mess. Soon the survivors followed suit and repairs began.
"Bardock! You let them live?" Chloe asked immediately as Bardock entered the bridge.
"Yeah, they surrendered. Besides, they won't go back to Frieza. They know what will happen, we all do. So they will probably just jury rig their ship and get the heck out of here,"
"Bardock..I...I'm sorry. There's no excuse for what I've done," Chichumi spoke quietly.
"What exactly have you done?"
"I changed our destination, I locked the control panel, and I had a direct link with Frieza's monitor. I showed him you guys sparring. He knows everything,"
"Hm. What you have done is inexcusable. We all know it. The question is, are you going to atone?"
"You mean you'd let me come with after everything I've done,"
"Well, apparently I'm in the second chance business. Remember this moment and how it could have gone were I Frieza,"
"Brothers, please. I do not ask for your forgiveness. I ask nothing of you, Saiyans, or of the flight crew. The only thing I can do is fight Frieza,"
"Everyone, this is what this war is about. We aren't just killing for justice. We are liberating everyone of Frieza's tyranny,"
"Bardock, we have to head somewhere completely not expected," Chloe said, looking at a star map.
"Let's leave this sector. Go to the East sector. I mean, nobody anywhere expects people to travel between the outer rims,"
"I've heard stories, Bardock. Bad stories. Like Frieza has a family that originates in that sector. And the warriors there, are truly powerful," Borgos said.
"That's a good thing. It's so very unexpected, and we could use some people that are exceptionally strong,"
"Well, then we head to the East sector!" Chloe announced.
"Wait a minute. What about Jubei and Jorbei?" Toma asked. Everyone turned, considering. Seemingly in the heat of battle the two missing Saiyans were left out.
"Oh yeah! I guess we should find a nearby planet and get a lot of supplies. We have plenty of credits, thanks to Grail,"
"Sirs, there is a bustling planet not too far off. We could slip in and hide for a few hours," Michuu said.
"Sounds good. I could go for a real meal!" Bardock shouted. The crew settled on the planet and the exact coordinates of their landing.
Everyone went to their separate rooms, hoping for a decent amount of sleep. As everyone drifted off to sleep, Bardock stared out the window. How could things get more confusing? And now I am some hero? Ha. Two days ago I would have just laughed at this story. Bardock sighed, watching a star phase by.
And Fasha. Oh yes, Fasha. She creeps into my mind ever time I let it wander. What possible feelings can arise from this kind of situation? It's maddening, and yet, it keeps me whole. This is possibly the most confused I have ever been.
Sitting upright, Bardock headed for the kitchen for a small snack. On his way back he passed Fasha's room. He stopped and knocked gently. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at Bardock.
"Hi Fasha. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I just don't know how I feel about this whole situation yet,"
"What?"
"About dealing with Frieza's men with mercy at times and ruthlessness at others. There are so many unknowns,"
"I know. Given what I like to call a new policy, I give people a chance to repent, to surrender. And yet, those who don't at first, I don't give a second chance. I am a walking contradiction,"
"No, Bardock. Those people wouldn't have surrendered anyway. Their fear of Frieza is more than their fear of us,"
"I want to deal with him personally, but I can't. I am not strong enough. I cannot even master my feelings. Frieza is so overwhelming, and yet we rise to the challenge,"
"I know, Bardock. We are what happens when this injustice happens for decades. I'm sure we're not alone in this fight,"
"Without a doubt, but the smart person wouldn't oppose Frieza until the time was right," Bardock finished. What am I doing?
"What's on your mind? You look like you have more to say,"
"Fasha, I want to say this eloquently, I have feelings for you. I know you have feelings for me too. There's more to it than just that though. I don't want to complicate this mission, or even jeopardize it, there's so many things I need to think over," he said. Yeah, real smooth.
"Bardock... I do have feelings for you. I want to work it out with you though,"
"I do too, Fasha. I want this to work out. You're all I think about when I think. I want to be near you all the time, but the need to bring Frieza down is stronger,"
"Bardock..."
"Fasha, I love you."