Chapter 8

Hirudegarn's new form was nothing to scoff at. Its power levels reached new heights, one that both Mystic Gohans had trouble with. Silver Saiyan probably would've given them more of an edge but Bardock didn't want to worsen their chances at fully defeating the monster. And there was no moon to give Bardock enough power. They would have to settle this battle with all they had no matter how powerful Hirudegarn was.

And it was too powerful.

With one punch, it knocked Goten and Trunks out of their fusion and knocked them out soundly. Pan was thrown into a building roughly. Vegeta, in his Super Saiyan 2 form, was smacked by the tail, the momentum sending him through multiple buildings. The same tail wrapped around Goku and squeezed him to the point of unconsciousness. Even his Super Saiyan 3 form couldn't hold on for long against Hirudegarn.

Bardock had been thrown into rubble, the force knocking him out of his Super Saiyan 2 form. He let out a long groan as he shakily got to his feet. He gazed at his father, past and present, as they attacked Hirudegarn in their Mystic forms. They were doing some damage, but none that would hold the monster down for long since the two looked like they were on their last legs.

Suddenly, a melancholy tune hit his ears, practically muting the chaos around them. He blinked, his eyes going to the source. Tapion stood on a still standing building, serenely playing his flute as if a giant monster wasn't terrorizing them all.

Hirudegarn stopped his attacks on the Saiyans near him. It roared angrily, stomping towards Tapion. Once it was close, it opened its mouth and shot fire at the red haired alien. The tune kept playing as Tapion blocked the attack by putting his ki around him like a shield.

Tapion continued the tune, glaring at Hirudegarn who stumbled back, away from the noise assaulting its hearing. The monster twisted, roaring in agony as the music only grew stronger with each second.

The still conscious Saiyans gaped as Hirudegarn evaporated before their eyes and went back into Tapion. Tapion wavered in the sky and fell towards the ground. He was saved before he hit the floor by Bardock who caught him in his arms.

"You alright?" Bardock asked worriedly as he set him down.

Tapion brought out his sword as a reply. "Please," He pleaded as he tried to hand the half Saiyan his sword. "There isn't much time left. I need you to kill me."

Bardock was taken aback. "What? No. I'm not gonna kill an innocent man."

"Then you will let these innocent people die!" Tapion shouted, sweat dripping down his face. "I can't hold him much longer and if you don't kill me now, Hirudegarn will be set free, but it will be much stronger this time." He bowed his head solemnly. "Help me help you."

Bardock clenched his jaw tightly, glancing at his unconscious friends and family. He gazed at his father and Gohan who looked worse for wear. If Hirudegarn came back, there was no way they'd be able to fight it. He didn't want to kill Tapion, but if that was what it took to save this planet and his family, he'd have to.

With his mind made up, he took the sword from Tapion's hand.

Tapion smiled slightly, "Thank you." He bowed his head once more. "I didn't know you long, but you are a noble man, sir. Your loved ones are lucky to have you."

That helped nothing to ease Bardock's mind. Even so, he gripped the hilt with both hands and breathed deeply, hating his nerves for betraying him as his body began to shake, protesting every move he was making.

Just as he lifted the sword above his head, Tapion jolted forward and began screaming in pain. The flute in his hand broke from the tight grip he had on it. Bardock dropped the sword, his heart plummeting to his stomach as he gazed at Hirudegarn who now stood behind Tapion.

With a new vigor, Hirudegarn roared loudly to the cloudy sky and shot a burst of flame from its mouth. Gohan and Mirai Gohan used what power they had left to attack. They couldn't do much except protect the innocent people below them from Hirudegarn's wrath.

Bardock gazed in horror as the two were thrown aside without a second thought, yet they kept coming back, not caring about their injuries.

He stared at his shaking hands. He wouldn't be able to beat Hirudegarn like this. He glanced over to where the other Saiyans laid, sparking an idea in his mind. He grabbed Goku, Vegeta, and Pan and brought them to where Trunks and Goten laid.

He smacked their cheeks, trying to rouse them from their slumber. "Come on. Come on, you guys, wake up." He smiled in relief when he heard their groans as they stirred. He grabbed Pan's face gently. "Hey, sis." He pushed her hair back as she stared at him weakly. "I need you guys to give me your ki. I can't beat Hirudegarn or save Dad like this. I need you all to give me your ki."

"Okay," Goku groaned instead. He shakily outstretched one hand towards Pan and held her limp hand in his.

Bardock nodded, "Can you all go Super Saiyan still?" At their disgruntled gazes, he shrugged, "I need all the power you can give me. So please."

He stood up and faced the battle before him while the others held hands. He powered up to his Super Saiyan form and concentrated on the power they began sending him, feeling a rush through his veins.

A scream built in his throat as he went into Super Saiyan 2. He could feel the power growing larger, giving him an intense pulse he had never felt before. Just as he was going to power up into his Silver Saiyan form, he felt something pull in him. It was the same calling that made him Silver Saiyan instead of Super Saiyan 3. It wanted him to choose a different door, a door he'd never known was there.

The ground shook strongly below as he let out an earth shattering scream. His ki burned brightly as his aura burst with colors of red and yellow, dancing around him like flames.

He breathed shakily, staring at his hands. His aura looked as if it was on fire but he felt no pain, only an intense power he had never felt before. It didn't feel like his Silver Saiyan form or his rage form. No, this was different.

This was a power only the strongest had.

Bardock glared at Hirudegarn, his black eyes slowly turning red along with his hair. He shot off towards it and caught the fist it tried to throw at Mirai Gohan.

"Bardock?" Mirai Gohan gazed in shock. "Is that you? What-"

"No time to explain right now, Dad," Bardock shook his head as Hirudegarn got ready for another attack. "Get the others and Tapion to safety with Gohan. I'll kill this monster myself."

Mirai Gohan was conflicted. "Are you sure? I don't want you getting hurt again. You could die this time if you-"

Bardock grinned reassuringly, "Don't worry, Dad. This isn't Kid Buuly. I know what I'm doing this time." He turned back to Hirudegarn and glared once more. "Now go. The others don't have enough energy to protect themselves."

Giving him a nod, Mirai Gohan floated down and lifted the badly injured Gohan from the ground. Gohan grunted as he stood unsteadily. He thanked Mirai Gohan before he mustered the last of his energy to shout, "Bardock, it has a weakness!"

"I know," Bardock nodded, eyes still on Hirudegarn.

Intense emotion makes it vulnerable.

"Thanks, Bardock," Bardock mumbled to himself. He charged at Hirudegarn and took a smack to the face. He ignored the pain and smirked, "Looks like someone's mad."

He caught the punch the monster threw at him and chuckled, "Come on. You're gonna have to do better than that."

The next punch Hirudegarn threw was stronger than the last one. Bardock caught it but the force pushed through him roughly, breaking the buildings behind him and causing a scream to escape him.

He breathed deeply, "I think it's working." He tried to push the fist off him only to have Hirudegarn press down harder. He landed on the ground. "I'm still standing!" He taunted the monster.

The sun began to peak out of the clouds. Bardock grinned, an idea forming in his mind at the sight. He lifted one hand in the sky, gathering as much energy as he could from the sun. This was the first time he'd use this technique, and he hoped to Kami that it worked. A bluish white light formed on his arm, pressing into him with an intense power.

Hirudegarn roared and threw another punch at him. Just as it reached him, he jumped into the air and flew at the monster.

"SPIRIT BOMB FIST!" He shouted as he drove the spirit bomb through Hirudegarn's chest. The monster gave one last roar before it slowly crumbled under the power of the spirit bomb.

Bardock laughed weakly, his power level falling, sending him back to his base form as he hit the floor. He glanced down at his arm and winced at the sight of it. His hand to his forearm was burnt and from the feel of it, broken to the point where he couldn't lift a finger.

Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

"Got that right," He groaned.

Tapion approached his fallen body. He smiled gratefully, his green eyes filled with happiness, "Thank you, Bardock."

Bardock smiled back, "Don't mention it."