Chapter 10: Justified Rage

Balmont's mind was calmed. The rage he was feeling towards the saiyan faded, allowing for his plan to take over. Invisible purple energy leaked from the palms of Balmont's hands, pooling like water on the stoney floor. He closed his eyes, allowing the energy to flow throughout his whole body. Like sparks of tiny lightning, the energy shot up his spine and charged his muscles.

He took a deep breath.

Then opened his eyes.

Bardock smiled. Finally, he thought, I'll see what this freak is really made of. Though Bardock had only recently picked up the art of energy sensing, he felt uneasy at the stranger's dangerous ki. An unseen tide pulled the power back, hiding it within the wolf's body, and then let it out, filling Bardock's mind with its terrifying presence. But Bardock felt no fear. It had all drained from his body. Only one thing was left behind.

Anticipation.

"Are you going to move, saiyan? Or must I start," Balmont asked, indifference sticking to every word he spoke. Bardock laughed.

"How cordial of you, mutt, but don't get too confident now. Unless you forgot, I dealt to your friend over there without much effort. What makes you think I won't do the same to you?"

Balmont stepped forwards, raised his arms into the air and prepared himself for combat.

"Him and I are nothing alike."

The wolf shot forward. Bardock, expecting such a crude opening, pivoted to the side and readied a fist for a counter punch. The moment before impact, Balmont disappeared. Like a cool wind, the wolf's after image passed through Bardock. The saiyan stood strong, using his instincts to try to pinpoint his combatant's location. Any noise, any flash of movement.

And he was Bardock's.

Before Bardock could call out some insult to egg Balmont on, the wolf reappeared, throwing his weight into a punch that landed directly into Bardock's jaw. The impact pushed the saiyan back a few meters. With his raised up at the sky, Bardock focused on the pain for a moment. The beast tore at his jaw, tearing pieces of wet, bloody flesh from his bones. But something was different.

It didn't hurt.

Bardock began to laugh.

"Is that really the best you can do, mutt?"

Balmont removed the metal plating from his arms and legs, letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud.

"Why you don't you come and find out, monster."

Bardock was slowly beginning to like this wolf. He had balls, not like his subordinates. But there's was something else as well. A sense of familiarity about him. And of regret. Bardock pushed those thoughts from his mind. There was no time to contemplate the past, he had to fight. Letting his head fall back to its natural position, Bardock's eyes locked with Balmont's.

"Then let's not waste any more time."

Kami was moving as fast as his old body would carry him. Though he had been training quite furiously for the past nine years, he could quickly feel the ill effects of his age catching up to him. Despite the quickness of his breath and the burning in his muscles, Kami pushed forwards. The whole world depended on him and, though he hated to admit it, he needed Bardock's help. Kami had observed the saiyan's in secret, witnessing their incredible growth as the years went on. The elder's power was incredible from the moment he had landed on Earth. Over the years, he had only gotten stronger and stronger, pushing past any limit that Kami had thought there was on strength. His son also showed incredible growth. Though only twelve, his power had quickly surpassed the old namekian's. Up on the lookout, Kami had felt so powerless to stop these new invaders. But now, the tables had turned. Deep down within Kami's soul, he felt some sick pride that the fate of the world rested on his shoulders. He wouldn't let this opportunity rush past him. Ahead in the distance, Kami felt the weak ki of someone familiar. As he got closer, the god realized who it was. Flying at a speed comparable to that of Kami's own, he saw the broken body of Kakarot drifting in the sky. Dashing over, Kami called out.

"Young man! Wait!"

Kakarot turned around, showing off his terrible injuries. Kami had to hold back his shock at the child's condition. Blood stained his black hair and his arm, or at least what was left of it, was mangled and torn. Bone fragment stuck out at random intervals.

"What do you want, old man," Kakarot coughed, blood still clinging to his words. The young man's casual nature relaxed Kami slightly. He had grown up so much since Kami had first seen him at the lookout. It was almost like looking into a mirror of Bardock. Not just in face shape and hair, but his eyes. Pain lingered behind that child's eyes. But Kami still felt something good in that boy. No matter how hard Kakarot tried to hide it, he was different to his father.

"Are you ok, boy? You need medical attention."

Kakarot, reflexively moved back, shaking the already weak bones in his legs.

"I'm...fine…," Kakarot weezed. The pain forced him to bite his lip, drawing more blood and forcing it down his face. Worriedly, Kami floated forward and brandished a small bean from his pocket.

"Here eat this. It will make you feel better."

Kakarot tried to fight Kami for a moment before succumbing to the pain and giving in. After chewing for a moment, the boy swallowed. Within a few seconds, the bone in his arm reformed. Skin rushed to cover it. The small cuts that lined his face and visible chest disappeared, leaving nothing behind. There was nothing that the bean could do the blood though. Kakarot was stunned. The pain he'd felt only a moment ago faded, leaving behind a fully rejuvenated body. He tested his muscles for a moment, still in disbelief of the healing he'd just received.

"Good isn't it," Kami said, a smile forming on his face, "They're called Senzu Beans. One of these and you'll be right as rain, no matter how badly you're beaten up."

"Thanks, old man…," Kakarot whispered. Kami nodded in acknowledgement before turning in the direction of the vicious battle that was about to begin.

"Now let's go help your father."

Bardock was the first one to make a move, shooting up into the air. He hung in the sky for a moment. Balmont stared up at him, arms ready for any attack that Bardock might throw. Bardock shifted his body, raised one leg before slamming it down towards the ground. A shockwave of air exploded of him as his body dashed down towards the ground, his foot poised for a devastating attack. In the blink of an eye, Bardock's foot made contact with the ground. Small pieces of rock was thrown like shrapnel as a massive crater formed in the ground. Before the rocks had even hit the ground, Bardock and Balmont began to trade explosive blows. Neither opponent could land an attack as both blocked almost every punch or kick. Feigning a punch, Balmont ducked down, grabbed hold of Bardock's tail and threw him into the ground. A flash of pain shot through Bardock spine but he had no time to dwell on it. Balmont wouldn't give a second of rest. Dust covered the battlefield, forcing Balmont on the defensive. He'd seen how the saiyan used the dust in his battle with Woolf. A warrior of Balmont's caliber wouldn't fall for such a basic trick. Bardock, not anticipating the wolf's intuition, dashed out. He reeled back his fist, attempting to emulate Balmont's opening attack.

The wolf saw it coming.

He raised his arm, stopping Bardock's fist in its tracks. Bardock was shocked. A sharp twinge of fear flashed behind his eyes. Balmont flicked out his right leg, colliding with Bardock's side, and then grabbed hold of the saiyan's hair. Pivoting his weight to his other leg, Balmont threw Bardock over his shoulder into the ground. Before Bardock could escape again, the wolf stomped his foot onto his opponents chest. His old armour exploded, falling off of his body like tissue paper.

"How does it feel, saiyan? How does it feel to be so helpless against an opponent who totally out classes you," Balmont asked, his calm demeanor cracking for a moment. Bardock was silent for a moment.

"I..it's funny a..actually," Bardock coughed.

"Because."

Bardock slowly forced Balmont off his chest.

"You punches feel like nothing."

Grabbing hold of the wolf's head, Bardock slammed his head directly into it. Balmont was thrown back. That punch he blocked only moment ago still rocketed pain throughout his body. He knew he had to finish this quickly.

"Your friend I just killed was stronger than you. And I was hoping for a challenge. Where was that power you were so proud of before?"

I won't let you win, Balmont thought.

You will lose.You must lose.For Maria.

"Damn you saiyan," Balmont spat, "All you do is kill and destroy. You can't love anything. Have you even looked for your son? No, you haven't. Because you're evil. I'm glad there aren't any more saiyans like you left. You were a blight on the universe."

Bardock was shocked. He'd seen a little of this rage a moment ago but there was something different in this warrior. That sense of familiarity wouldn't leave Bardock's mind. He knew him.

Oh god.

Oh no, not him.

Bardock didn't want to remember.

"There we go."

Bardock stared at his feet.

"You remember now, don't you Bardock," Balmont muttered, the rage building in his chest.

Bardock's fists began to shake.

"I was wondering if you'd ever figure it out."

Bardock tried to hold in the hot tears of shame that pooled behind his eyes.

"I'm glad you finally did, monster. It's good to see you still haven't changed. Still bringing death where ever you go."

The saiyan stepped forward and opened his mouth.

"No," Balmont interrupted, "There isn't anything you can say to change what you. And I'll never let you get your closure, monster. I hope you die with the guilt and regret on your mind."

Bardock couldn't find any words to say. He didn't know quite why he felt how he did. It didn't concern him when he was a young man but now…

What happened to the cold saiyan that lived on Vegeta?

The saiyan that killed for a living.

Was he dead?

Balmont raised his fists preparing to continue their destined battle.

"I'll make you pay, monster."

Weakly, Bardock prepared his guard as well. But he didn't want to fight. He just wanted to suffer. Balmont dashed forwards and began to lay attacks into Bardock's weak guard. Attack easily broke through and collided with Bardock's stomach. He was thrown backwards, falling to the ground. Balmont walked over him and grabbed hold of his hair, pulling him up to face level.

"YOU DON'T GET DIE YET, BASTARD," he screamed, throwing Bardock back to the ground, "NOT TILL YOU'VE PAID."

The words caught in the wolf's throat. Frustration and rage fueling another explosion of attacks. Blood erupted from the saiyans mouth, covering the wolf. Balmont prepared another barrage of attacks at Bardock. He threw his opening punch but was stopped by Bardock. The wolf tried to break free. Bardock's grip was too strong.

"Please," Bardock muttered at ground, not wanting to look the fighter in the face. He wanted to apologize. Looking up, Bardock's eyes locked with Balmont's. And he saw something.

Fear.

Saddness.

Anger.

Regret.

"Let's fight until there's one of us still alive."

Bardock barely understood the words leaving his mouth. The rage and frustration had taken over. Balmont got his hand free and took a few steps back.

"If you me want to pay for my crimes, kid," Bardock said, a feigned smile crossing his face, "Come kill me."

Balmont smiled.

"Finally."

What a twist! Who would have guessed that Bardock was an evil bastard. Hopefully this chapter wasn't too intense for people but it's going to stay like this for the next few chapters. I promise soon that we will return to canon content, it's just a little difficult when Bardock can explode everyone in one second. Also, just hit Chapter 10. Saddly, I ain't even close to finishing yet. Guess I'll have to order some take out. That's all from me

-mAskMaN09