I wish I owned DBZ, but I don't. I own DVD's and tapes, but it just isn't the same. I also don't own the rights to any of the music pieces you see selected, just copies of merchandise, such a shame. The artists that created them are geniuses and we all must bow to them.

Chapter 63: Breakdown

Lenz's head turned from side to side as her fiery red aura crackled around her. One could say that she was attempting to choose a target, but rational thought could not be assured in this case. Of the four before her, only one was not showing obvious fear.

Bojack tossed his bandana aside, "Restrain her again!" Bujin and Bido cast their hands forward and channeled the Barrier technique. The strands of energy never got close enough to touch Lenz, as they burned up once they struck her powerful aura. Just as the two henchmen realized this, the potent energy surged again, knocking them both flat. Lenz locked eyes with the only one nearby that was still standing: Bojack. Unleashing a feral battle cry, she flew towards him with new speed and a fist outstretched. Bojack sidestepped and parried the punch barehanded. His hand came up smoking as he stared at it in surprise. A flash of red rushed by his face just as he tilted backwards. Lenz skidded to a stop a few dozen feet away while Bojack examined the fresh cut on his green cheek. It seemed to bother him more than anything else at this point and his green power spilled out. Much of his outfit then ripped off as his skin color turned a lighter green and his muscles increased in size. Lenz only growled at the apparent threat before charging at him again. Bojack was ready for the attack and deflected the first few punches before returning them.

A brief brawl broke out as both warriors hit each other with maximum force. Lenz didn't appear to be trying to block any blows, but Bojack was having trouble dealing with the ferocity of her swiping punches and kicks while guarding himself. His team looked on from a generous distance, but all three were ready to jump in at a moment's notice. Bojack attempted to create that moment by firing a sudden blast right at Lenz's face. She avoided it, but was left wide open for a sharp back fist that sent her sprawling backwards. Bojack leapt into the air with his hands together as he flew straight down towards Lenz on the ground. She saw him coming and held out her claw like hand as if trying to catch him. Instead, a vivid red blast formed, and Bojack's eyes widened in surprise. An incredibly powerful beam shot out, missing Bojack narrowly when he glided backwards. It ripped through the ceiling, creating another vast opening. A few random screams managed to find their way into the air, but faded just as fast when Lenz's beam silenced them forever. Bojack glanced up long enough to see and sense the effects of the deadly attack, and quickly realized what he was dealing with.

"Now, attack her! I don't want to see her move again!" he ordered. Bido, Bujin and Gokua unloaded with a storm of ki blasts, all directed at Lenz until the area around her exploded multiple times. Bojack landed next to Bido, smirking slightly as he charged his own potent power with both of his hands drawn aside. He fired his gigantic beam into the dust clouds, but it stopped short. A red mass of energy collided with the beam and pushed it back. Everyone was taken aback by this when they saw Lenz in the middle of it, shoving Bojack's beam backwards by flying against it. Bojack opened fire again to reinforce his attack, and the others added to it from all angles, shooting smaller blasts to try and disrupt Lenz. A few lucky strikes got in and Lenz lost enough momentum to be quickly overwhelmed by Bojack's beam before being caught in a much larger detonation. No one dared move until the blast cleared and they saw Lenz lying still in the midst of a sizable crater.

Bojack cautiously sighed, "Gokua, check her!" Gokua bowed slightly and strode into the blast point. Lenz's jumpsuit was torn in several places, and her armor was completely destroyed. Other than a few bruises and small scrapes, she didn't look very injured, but she also wasn't moving. Gokua pulled a smaller knife from his back and bent down, intent to cut a sample of her hair off like before. He stopped short when her hand suddenly rose up and snatched his. Bright, red-hot energy flashed around her again as Gokua tried to pull away. He eventually did manage it and backed off while checking his smoldering wrist over. He took his eye off Lenz in doing so, and it was about to cost him.

"You fool! Look out!" Bojack shouted. Gokua looked up just in time to see a claw shaped palm wrapped in power tear into his chest. Lenz stopped as Gokua froze in surprised pain. His entire torso glowed red for a brief moment before a distinct but small burst of energy detonated inside. Lenz pulled her blood soaked arm out, holding a charred but beating organ in her hand. Gokua himself managed to gasp at the gaping hole in his chest just as it leaked black smoke. A wet, gurgling cough came with it when the smoke also came from his eyes and mouth. His final scream was barely heard by anyone, and silenced itself as he died on his way to the ground. Even Bojack's jaw had slipped as he sensed the residual energy literally burning around his dead subordinate. Lenz squeezed the villain's heart until it cracked apart into overcooked ashes and drifted to the ground with the rest of the dust. She then set her sights on Bojack again, who scowled with determination while his other henchmen were wisely backing off. Lenz stepped towards him with her teeth bared in rage before a bright silver light drew her attention downward. There stood Verto, powered up all the way and holding her necklace out to her. Her anger seemed to soften a bit, but not by much.

"Calm down," Verto ordered.

"Argh, get out of the way!" Lenz snapped back.

"I'll say it again, calm down. Do you even know what you just did?" Verto asked with all seriousness.

"They attacked me! They'll pay for it!" Lenz growled.

"Which I will deal with in a moment. You released your deepest power out of anger and as I thought might happen, you couldn't get a hold of yourself. I'm guessing they used that string barrier trick again to drain your ki. But you need to calm down and focus your energy. Take this too," Verto said as he held out her blue crystal. Lenz responded by slapping his hand away.

Verto grimaced, but sighed slightly, "This'll set things back between you and me, but it's for your own good."

"Open your damn eyes shrimp! They want to kill you, this whole thing was a trap from the start!" Lenz screamed from barely three feet away, causing Verto to wince slightly.

"She's delirious boy! You'll have to kill her eventually! Surely you can feel that power of hers and you know it can't be controlled!" Bojack called out.

Verto snapped his head sideways and shot a blast at Bojack's feet, "You stay right there Bojack, and shut the hell up. I'll deal with you and your thugs soon enough!" Verto then turned and stared into Lenz's glaring red eyes, though feeling a bit nervous by the raw negativity coming from her.

"If you don't calm down, you'll do something else you'll regret," Verto said.

"So I killed him, whoopdee-doo! He deserved it, we haven't got time for any of your soft shit!" Lenz bellowed.

Verto sighed heavily, "You leave me no choice." A blue-white burst of Chi struck Lenz in the stomach suddenly and reacted instantly with her energy as it spread across her body. Seemingly endless painful waves of lightning rushed through her as she cried out in pain and sunk to her knees.

"H-How could you?!" she stammered.

"Because you're bringing nothing but trouble on yourself. I know how that power works and it's incredibly tough to reel yourself back in once you've let go. Here, keep this on you at all times!" Verto ordered again. He dropped her necklace over her head as her shaking hands clutched his. Her eyes, which were blood red aside from the lightning, began to shift more blue. Lenz painfully slumped down as Verto pulled his Spirit Bomb from her, holding it in the air as a precaution. Tears spilled from her eyes once her red Psi was completely suppressed.

"How could you take their side over mine?" she cried.

Verto bent down to look her in the eye, "Don't be stupid. I am taking your side Lenz. I'm just making sure you don't lose yourself like I almost have a few times now. Learn from the experience, because it's not something you want to repeat. You didn't just kill that guy, you completely torched his soul. No one will ever see him again, even in the afterlife. He probably did deserve death, but not like that." Lenz's jaw quivered as her salty tears flowed faster down her face.

The sight of Lenz crying was enough for Verto to drop his Spirit Bomb; "Don't cry over them, only yourself. They're not worth it." Verto stood back up and faced the others with one of his more threatening glares.

"This isn't going to work master, their bond is too strong. He probably won't leave her side again," Bujin whispered. Verto's ears picked up on the low voice and his lower lip twisted slightly in anger.

"Pity that he arrived before Lord Frost. That would have worked out quite nicely. I suppose there's always our fallback plan," Bojack said aloud. A distinct whoosh sounded to Verto's right, where Frost suddenly teleported in.

"What's going on here? Explain!" he demanded.

Verto's scowl deepened, "Oh I get it. You wanted Frost to beat me here and identify Lenz as a threat. Then whether he killed her or not, I would go after him. Clever plan."

Frost raised his eyebrows, "Is that right Bojack?"

Bojack smirked slightly, "Well I can't deny that it's a possibility, my lord."

Frost smiled lightly as he turned towards Verto, "Interesting deduction my friend, but only partially accurate."

Verto's eyes widened, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I never expected you to kill Bojack or the others unless you were forced to. Your softness sickens me. So much like Son Gohan, the son of the monkey that killed my father. Softness in a Saiyan is pure hypocrisy, and here I heard you disliked that," Frost said with disdain.

Verto gritted his teeth slightly, "Then why bother asking me to go after him?"

"For a test, just like Bojack suggested that you could attempt to kill me. Due to your indecision, not to mention delay, I decided to stage the girl's death by whatever means. What you did afterwards was going to determine if I wanted you as a subordinate or not. She was a threat, but not nearly as much as you are. I planned for an accident out in space, but she conveniently came here and provoked action. Her power was substantial as I expected, but I didn't expect you to get here first. I suppose I only have myself to blame for using this energy resistant rock that blocks most power signals outside this room. It figures that my own brilliant idea would throw a wrench into my plans. And your conflicting attitude towards everything proved to me that you wouldn't have made a good right-hand man," Frost explained. Verto remained speechless for the moment, though he appeared to be swishing saliva around in his mouth.

He spit it out a moment later, "So you've decided that I'm not a good asset. I have to say that it didn't take as long as I thought it might. I also figured I'd have to go through about half your soldiers before you tried to stab me in the back. Just so you know, I was gonna kill you both anyway."

Frost shared his teeth with a bright grin, "Oh I doubt that very much. More likely you were trying to figure a way out of here and go running back to Earth to hide behind the other Saiyans like a little brat that's in over his head. A pity that things didn't work out. Poor Gokua, such a waste."

"He was the sacrifice I take it?" Verto asked.

"Anyone would do, though I didn't expect the girl to do the deed. I expected you to do that, and then perhaps our so-called alliance could have proceeded from there, oh well," Frost said with eerie calmness.

Verto glanced past Frost to Bojack and his crew, "And all of you were just fine with that? Your priorities are pretty messed up."

"Anyone of us would gratefully die for the cause," Bujin claimed.

"I doubt he would have if he knew he would cease to exist. That's what is in store for you all now," Verto warned.

"You and your friends have taught us that there is life after death and that they can be brought back," Frost reminded.

Verto's glare intensified, "Only for a year. After a year, the Dragonballs won't restore anyone who's died. And you're sadly mistaken if you think he could even be revived now. I hope you all took notice of the way he died, that'll happen to you if you piss me off. Actually, you already did. So let's just do this, I'm tired of dealing with you and all of your bullshit!"

Frost snorted lightly, "I hope you don't automatically assume you can win. You against me alone is a drastic mismatch, but against all of us reduces your chances are less than zero." Bojack, Bido and Bujin suddenly phased out and took different positions. Verto's eyes shifted slightly, taking note that all four of them had formed a circle with Verto and Lenz at the center.

"In exchange for not killing the rest of you, you guys won't hurt Lenz. She survives this battle unharmed, are we clear on that?" Verto offered.

Bido laughed, "And what is going to stop us once you're dead?" Bido took one step towards Lenz before a loud crack filled the air. Bido's eyes lit up in shock as he groaned and fell over. Verto was behind him with his glowing fist held out, and had struck Bido's lower back so hard that he had smashed the spinal cord.

"You can't touch anything when you're crippled," Verto said as he landed. Bojack and Bujin froze in surprise, but Frost only smiled evilly.

"I applaud your speed kid, it may be as good as mine. Very well, I accept those terms, after all every battle like this should be one on one. Bujin, take Bido and Zangya to medical for treatment, but not the monkey girl. She gets to stay and witness what happens to those who defy me!" Frost ordered. Verto lowered into his stance as Bujin used his mental powers to lift Bido and Zangya towards the doorway. Well, even if he claims that Bojack and everyone else will stay out of it, I can't trust his words. If he gives me any reason, I'll drop Bojack before he can even react. Then I'll focus everything I've got on Frost. Lenz got up slowly with pure concern on her face as she stepped away from the standoff and to the side of the arena.

Frost spread his arms slightly, "Before we begin, I do have a request of my own. Please do not try any massive energy waves in here. As I said, the cave rock is very resistant, and a reckless explosion will only backfire on both of us."

Verto smirked slightly, "Is that why there's two holes in the ceiling?"

Frost glanced up, "Hmmm, I wonder how that happened?"

"I already know. It was when Lenz released her power. That potent energy will tear through most anything when it's concentrated enough. That's how I beat you here, I could sense what was happening once it was exposed to the outside and before your scouters could analyze it, or even overload. Otherwise I might not have known due to your 'tough' cave walls. Now if she could rip through it without knowing how to use that power, imagine what I'm going to do to it," Verto pointed out.

Frost frowned and assumed a power-up stance as his ki swelled. Verto stood tall against the push provided by Frost's energy, though Bojack and Lenz had to shield themselves. Blue light shadowed the cave despite the lightning, making Frost the only one visible. It wasn't long before a bright silver rose up from Verto, a clear response to Frost. The standoff finally ended when Frost vanished. Verto barely ducked a knife hand from behind and turned to bury a kick into Frost's side. Verto hit air and spun to recover his ground. Frost was standing a few feet away, arms crossed with a smirk, looking very much like his father. That figures, he's going to rely on Instant Transmission to offset any speed advantage I have. But why is he still in this form? Doesn't he know he'll have to go all out? It doesn't even feel like he's at full power in this form. The last thing I need is to waste time and energy while he sandbags. Frost vanished again and Verto blocked the left hook aimed for his face without even looking. Frost stepped away, seemingly amused.

"I'm ready to do this whenever you're ready to take it seriously," Verto said.

"Oh come now, this will be a good enough challenge if I remain in this form. We're nearly equal and besides, what's wrong with a few little skirmishes to test one another?" Frost asked.

Verto's fists glowed green as his frown deepened, "Because I'm not here just to fuck around and die." Verto phased out and Frost turned immediately to block a rear attack. When it wasn't there, Frost wildly glanced around. He needn't look long before Verto suddenly drove his fist into Frost's stomach. Spit flew as Verto pulled back and Frost hunched over like he had been stabbed. His body shook from the agony of the blow as he dropped to his knees. The look on both his and Bojack's face was priceless shock and awe. Verto stepped back just a bit, lined up and shuffled his feet into a sliding sidekick that hit the larger alien directly in the face with full extension. Frost sailed backwards and landed on his back, grinding into the rock for a few feet before staying still.

"If you're serious about killing me or her, then you had better expect the worst. You won't walk through me as easily as you think! If you plan to take me on, then you had better go all out because if you don't, this will be over very quickly! For someone who has Saiyan blood running through his veins, you seem awfully ignorant," Verto declared.

"What's that supposed to mean little brother?" Lenz called out.

"It means just how it sounds. There's a reason he had issues as a child and it's the same reason that he's so strong now. Saiyan blood made him this way. He might not have a tail or look like us, but there's no mistaking the fact that it has helped to make him stronger than any other like him," Verto explained.

"So that's what it was," Bojack said from far across the room. Vero could hear Frost stirring at the revelation about his secret.

"But wouldn't that make him part Saiyan or something?" Lenz asked.

"Not quite. I don't understand how genetic diseases are cured with blood transfusions if they can be, but I don't have medical knowledge so I wouldn't know any better. I suspect that once he started using the blood of the Renegade and Rotian Saiyans, the power within magnified his own. Maybe not in the same way as you or I, but it definitely had an impact. Funny, you tell me that my compassion makes me a hypocrite. Look in the mirror Frost, because you're the walking definition!" Verto said. Frost wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, not smiling anymore.

"How did you find out about that?" he asked.

"When I said that I was aware of some of your problems, I wasn't bluffing. My source wasn't anyone here, in a way it was your father," Verto replied.

"Hmph, of course it would be him. He never approved of me from the very start, nor trusted me to do one tiny little job. He even blamed it on the Saiyan blood that he himself forced into me since my infant years. If anyone is a hypocrite, it's him!" Frost grumbled.

"Like father, like son. And you're both ignorant fools," Verto said as he crossed his arms.

Frost glared back, "You Saiyans have mocked us long enough. If my only shortfall is to be declared part Saiyan, then I'm willing to live with that. It's mystifying to me why I ever showed sympathy to scum like you, never mind respect. Now I can see why father found it so humiliating that Vegeta saved my life that day, years ago. Vegeta, of all people!"

"He wouldn't have done it without a lot of convincing first, no matter how good of friends you may have been. It's always been his nature to take advantage of a situation when it presents itself," Verto pointed out.

"You're certainly right about that. And now I'll grant your request. You're in such a hurry to end this after all, so I will end it. No more mercy for you or anyone else!" Frost shouted as his eyes glowed red. His power increased by several factors as his body bulged and increased in size. His head swelled and changed shape as well. Verto had to guard against the wind force he was creating, and the entire cave shook violently. Large cracks formed in the floor, overriding the older blast marks. The ceiling also began to show signs of wear and tear.

"Lenz, get out!" Verto called to her.

"No, I'm staying with you!" Lenz said as she shook her head.

"You can't help me with this, get out while you can!"

Frost's deep voice sounded over the wind as a mask slid over his face, "No one is leaving here, not until you're all dead!"

A/n: Someone call that guy who does "Let's get ready to rumble!" I've got a job for him.

WDG: Let's get ready to rumble! … Would that do?

VB: Good enough.