A Chance of a Lifetime – Chapter 32
The fight was fierce, both men giving all they had towards a bitter rivalry spanning two decades. The prince gaining the upper hand, then Goku, then Vegeta again. It was a constant battle, one for pride, the other to try to dispel the growing rage he felt in the man's soul. In the end, Vegeta's pride overcame the other man's need to offer his friend a penance to calm his enraged emotions. Goku glared at the prince, wincing a little as the band of energy around his neck tightened.
"How does it feel Kakkarot?" the prince asked softly. Rage blanketed his features moments later.
"How does it feel to have your pride taken away!?" Vegeta shouted, stalking towards the man. He slapped him, backhanding him across the face a second later.
"I've tried to surpass you every day," he muttered, "but you always beat me somehow," the prince paused, studying his fellow saiyan.
"Then," he muttered, his voice low. "Then your son, a half-blood saiyan, surpassed me as well! Do you know what that feels like! To have you, a low class warrior, save me! Time and time again! And to top it off, you're goddamn son does the same thing when he was just a fucking boy!" The prince was shouting now, rage and fury in his eyes.
"I didn't know you felt like that, Vegeta," Goku stated softly, "I wasn't trying-"
"I don't want to hear no fucking excuses!" Vegeta screamed, "I'm going to finally take back my pride! My honor! That you've stolen from me, time and again!"
He pummeled the man attached to the rock, letting out a scream as his power swirled around him. The taller saiyan went through the rock, his body rolling for a minute before stopping. Goku's hair turned back to black. He didn't move. Vegeta stalked up to him, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He jerked the saiyan up, making him stand before he swung again. Goku's back smacked rock, and he winced. He opened his eyes, studying the prince before speaking softly.
"What about Trista, and Trunks? What about Reyes and your unborn child?" he asked, watching Vegeta's eyes narrow.
"They were making me soft," the prince stated. "I wanted to feel it again, Kakkarot," he said softly.
Goku's eyes widened.
"NO! You...you let Babidi take control over you!"
"That's right! I wanted to feel the raw, naked power again. Not this...pathetic excuse I have become. I wanted to be the real me, the person I was before! When everybody trembled at my feet! When my name was feared, not ridiculed!"
"Vegeta...you can't! Think about your family, what you're giving up!"
He watched the prince look away, studying the terrain for a moment before looking back at him. The man took a step towards him.
"They're only holding me back, to what I could possibly become, what I would have become!"
"You don't really believe that...do you!?" Goku asked softly, narrowing his eyes on the prince.
Vegeta didn't say anything, glaring at Goku for a moment before curling his lip.
"I've wasted enough time on you," he stated loudly, rushing forward before Goku could move. The prince swung, watching dispassionately as the taller saiyan sunk to the ground. He reached down and yanked the bag of senzu beans out of the man's belt, popping one in his mouth. He heard someone moving over the hill. Vegeta walked forward purposefully, stopping at the top. His eyes narrowed. Trista stood in the spot where the entrance to Babidi's hideout used to be, looking off into the distance. He studied her, the woman standing sideways, not moving a muscle. She slowly turned her head, looking over at him. His eyes narrowed even more at the sight of the "M" still on her forehead. He made his way down, tensing as her lip curled. He stopped a foot from her, raking his gaze over her. Trista suddenly swung, punching him in the jaw. Vegeta's head snapped sideways, his jaw clenching as he slowly looked back at her. She swung again, but he caught her fist. She jerked her arm from his hold, banging her fists against his chest. He stood there and let her, his face impassive. She suddenly sobbed, her hits becoming less and less, until she laied her head against his chest, her hands still balled up against him. Another sob escaped her, and she fell to her knees, her hands clutching the fabric of his pants. Vegeta stared straight ahead, not looking down at the woman sobbing at his feet.
"I knew," she said softly, in between sobs. He finally looked down at her bent head. "I knew," she said again, "that you were regretting us. Me."
Trista didn't look up as she continued. "But I didn't know that you would be so weak as to let someone take control of you," she stated softly, finally letting go of him, her hands clenching around the rocks beneath her as another sob escaped passed her lips. She didn't look at him as she got up, just turned and started walking away. She paused, her shoulders shaking as she spoke again.
"I guess it's a good thing that wizard took me, so then I would actually have something to look forward to," she said softly, looking over her shoulder at him. A hard look appeared in her eyes as she finished. "My death."
She turned back, walking away from him, towards the singing coming from the hill a couple yards away. She was suddenly whirled around, Vegeta cupping her face.
"No," he growled harshly, following her down as she sank to her knees. "No," he said again, studying her face. "You're too strong to let that monster destroy you!" Vegeta laid his forehead against hers, meeting her eyes. "You're too..." his throat closed, his gaze roaming her features. He suddenly leaned forward and captured her lips. She growled, smacking him. He grabbed her hands, studying her. She struggled in his grasp, clenching her jaw.
"Why do you care!" she shouted, a tear sliding down her face as she glared at him. She tried to yank her arms loose, but he wouldn't let go.
"Don't," he said softly, pulling her to him. Trista thrashed in his hold, swinging her fists at him. He wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides.
"Let me go, dammit! You bastard! You have no right!" She snarled at him. "No right to dictate anything I do anymore! Remember!? I was making you weak, holding you back, you son of a bitch!"
Vegeta didn't let go, clenching his jaw as she screamed at him. She thrashed again, but his hold didn't loosen. She suddenly went limp, a dry sob escaping her.
"I hate you," she whispered, her body shaking against him. "I wished I'd never met you Vegeta," she stated softly, another shudder going through her. The prince flinched, but didn't say anything. He finally let her go, easing away from her and standing. She caught herself on her hands, staring at the rocky terrain beneath her, the tips of his boots in her line of vision. She closed her eyes, a gasped sob escaping as she clenched her chest. She winced at the pain situated there, but didn't say anything.
Vegeta looked over as his boys landed on the rocks. His eyes widened slightly, before stalking over.
"What the hell are you kids doing here!" he snapped, gritting his teeth.
"We-," Trunks started, stopping to swallow. "We wanted to see the wizard."
Vegeta glanced over as Piccolo landed behind the boys. He clenched his jaw, looking back down at his sons. Goten had trailed along, standing behind the two. He pulled Trunks and Reyes into a hug, keeping a hand on their backs before raising his hand. He swung, knocking both children out, looking up to see the namekian do the same to Kakkarots' boy. The green warrior nodded to him, before Vegeta flung the two brats at him. Piccolo caught them by the back of their shirts. They both looked up as the singing got louder, a pink blob just appearing over the hill. The prince looked back at the warrior holding his boys.
"I know what I have to do," he stated quietly. Vegeta turned, pausing for a moment as he spoke.
"Tell me Piccolo," the prince asked softly, "do you think I'll go to heaven for this?"
The namekian was silent for a moment. He studied the hardened warrior in front of him, clenching his jaw.
"Heaven is for people like Goku. For all the good you've done, I don't believe it overrides the evil you did in the past. So to answer your question...No Vegeta."
He watched the prince nod slightly, before blasting off, the image of the prince powering up and walking towards the terror on earth seared into the namekians' brain. He flew faster, knowing that what the prince was about to do would be massive.
Vegeta slowly walked towards the woman, stopping beside her. He watched her for a moment before bending down and lifting her chin.
"You need to leave here," he stated quietly, his eyes roaming over her for a second before straightening and walking away. He didn't look back to see if she obeyed. He could hear the pink blob still singing, his head appearing before his massive body. Vegeta curled his lip, watching Buu focus on Trista.
"Me eat you now?" he said, his voice kid like.
"Hey Buu!" Vegeta yelled, watching the thing turn towards him. "I'm the one you want you tub of lard!"
He watched in satisfaction as the pink blob narrowed his eyes. He powered up, keeping his eyes focused on the thing as it strolled forward, sort of...hopping.
"You say mean things to Buu!" the pink thing said, pouting. "I eat you now."
Vegeta watched it get closer, feeling his power flowing out of him as he increased it. This is for you woman! Trista! Trunks, and Reyes! My family! The only one's that ever loved me! Vegeta continued to power up, letting out a yell as he continued to let his energy flow out. He watched Buu get closer. That's it, damn you! Keep coming! I'll destroy myself just to be rid of you! To keep you from destroying everything I love! He suddenly felt someone throw themselves at him, their arms wrapping around his neck. Horror went through him at the feel of Trista's body against his.
"No," he choked out, his power now seeping out of him at an uncontrollable rate. He couldn't stand it anymore, and flung his head back, screaming. His body went taunt, vaguely feeling his wife's arms tighten around him. The prince felt another wave burst out of his body as lips touched his ear.
"I love you," he heard her whisper, before their bodies were encased in a white light, both screaming as the power shot out of Vegeta's body, forming a massive ball of energy that blanketed everything.
Piccolo stopped, whirling around. His eyes widened at the massive bomb of energy exploding miles away. He whirled back around, bringing the boys closer to him as a wind whooshed passed, pushing him forward a little. He could feel the power from the blast where he stood. He swallowed, looking back once more.
"Vegeta," he whispered, watching the mushroom cloud billow up and disappear passed the clouds. He looked down at the man's sons, before slowly turning and blasting off again, heading for the lookout.
Piccolo deposited the boys at Dende's feet, taking off without a word and heading back to where the explosion took place. He flew as fast as he could, trying to sense the prince's energy signal. There wasn't one. He flew faster, clenching his jaw. Halfway there, he paused, his cape billowing around him as he caught a vague sense of another's ki. A small smile appeared. Goku! Relief coursed through him to know his friend was okay, knowing he had been down there when the blast had detonated. He landed in the massive crater, looking around wide-eyed for a moment, before hearing his boot crunch over something. He looked down. His face went a little white as he bent down and picked up the broken necklace. Half of the chain had been burnt to ash, the two rings still around what was left. They had melted slightly, now molded together as the metal cooled. The rings Vegeta had given his wife. Trepidation coursed through him as he lifted his head, looking around. There was no sign of her.
"Oh my God," Piccolo whispered, listening with half an ear to something rustling behind him. He looked over his shoulder. Goku appeared, groaning a little as he stumbled a bit.
"What the hell was that, Piccolo!?" the saiyan asked, his eyes closed as he winced.
He finally opened his eyes, in time to see Piccolo's face as he swallowed. Furrowing his brows, Goku walked over.
"What?" he asked softly, studying his friend.
"Vegeta," the namekian paused, looking away for a moment. "He..." the warrior looked back, studying Goku before continuing. "He sacrificed himself to kill Buu."
Goku face went a little white, his eyes widening as he frantically glanced around. "Oh my God," he gasped, just now noticing the massive crater they were standing in. He closed his eyes in pain for his fallen friend, his hands balling at his sides.
"Is everyone else okay? Everybody got out, right?" he asked, not looking up.
Piccolo stayed silent, looking down at the necklace clenched in his palm. He swallowed, lifting his head to meet the saiyan's eyes. He opened his hand.
Goku looked down, a choking sound came from him at the sight of Trista's broken necklace in the namekian warrior's hand. He reached out and took it, squeezing his hand around it, a tear sliding down his face. Not Trista! She was an innocent in all this! My wife's best friend! Vegeta's mate! A small sob escaped him, looking down at the ring one more time before meeting Piccolo's eyes. He could tell the green fighter was thinking the same thing. They heard rustling, and glanced over. Their faces hardened simultaneously, catching a glimpse of Babidi trying to get up. They walked over, looking down dispassionately at the wizard. Half his body was gone, the upper part wiggling as he tried to crawl out of the hole.
"Don't just stand there! Help me!" Babidi snapped, closing one eye.
"Why should we help you!" Piccolo asked, gritting his teeth. Goku didn't say anything.
"Don't ask questions! Help me up!"
"There's no way in hell—"
Piccolo paused as both men looked up, the sound of something scraping along the ground reaching their ears. They watched in growing horror as pink slabs of skin rushed forward, making a tiny ball, the thing growing bigger as more joined it.
"Oh my God! The blast...it didn't...it didn't kill Buu!" Goku stated, backing away from the wizard.
Piccolo watched it, swallowing as it started to take form. "So they died for nothing," he whispered, taking off into the air, Goku right beside him.
They looked back one more time, glancing at each other.
"We need to get everyone to the lookout, to safety," Goku said softly, feeling the enormous power of Buu emerging as he formed down below. He quickly left, heading towards the tournament grounds for his family, Piccolo heading away from him to warn the others. Goku briefly closed his eyes, thinking about the woman who died with the prince, dying with the only man they knew she would ever sacrifice herself for. He looked at the melted necklace clenched in his hand, swallowing, dreading having to tell his wife her best friend was dead, along with Trista's husband. He stopped suddenly, a gasp coming out. Oh my God! The boys! Trunks! Reyes! Milae! What am I going to tell them!?
Goku felt a tightening in his chest, and grimaced. He started flying again, holding onto the molded rings for dear life.
They all finally made it to the lookout, sighing with relief when Mr. Popo let them know the boys were sleeping in the guardian chambers. Goku didn't answer any questions until the boys got up, sitting everyone down and closing his eyes as he finally told the group the news. Bulma screamed for her lost friend, and the woman's husband. The boys broke down at the news of their parents sacrificing themselves, Milae sinking to his knees, ignoring his wife's hand on his back. The others stayed in sad silence, some walking away to grieve in private, while others openly sobbed. Goku walked over to seven year old Trunks, taking his hand. He gently laied the charred necklace in the boys palm, hugging him as the boy began to sob harder. The older saiyan hugged Reyes to him as well, letting Goten join without a word, holding the boys as they broke down. Milae came over and hugged his younger self, then Reyes, before meeting Goku's eyes.
"How do we kill it?" he asked firmly, not bothering to wipe the tear trailing down his face.
Goku studied him for a moment, before slowly shaking his head.
"I don't know."
Milae looked away, closing his eyes for a moment before looking back. A hard look settled on his features.
"If my parents blo-" he stopped, swallowing. "If my parents sacrificing themselves like that can't get rid of this monster, how the hell are we supposed to do it!?"
Goku shook his head again, looking around. He jerked to attention when he realized something. He glanced around again just to make sure.
"What's wrong, Goku?" Piccolo asked softly, listening to the boys cry.
Goku's face went ashen, his eyes meeting the green warriors.
"Where's Gohan!?"