Chapter 22- From ape to man

'Snap, snap, snap' And there goes three more of Goku's ribs. God only knew how Goku was still conscious. I would call him lucky because the broken shards of his ribs weren't impaling his heart but then again, with the pain he was in that would probably be better for him.

I stared at the massive tail that whipped through the air, wondering how I could get at it. If I wanted to save Goku I was going to have to do something majorally quick.

Something rustled below me. I ignored it at first but the telltale rustle of a crisp packet brought about a realization. The fat man was still here.

I crouched down onto my heels, peering over the edge of my mountain peak. The fat man was there all right, and he wasn't alone. I'd somehow been so distracted that Krillin and Gohan had come back right beneath me and I didn't even notice.

Gohan and Krillin were peering over Yachrobi's shoulder, trying to get to Goku. Yachrobi was having none of it though, and was putting his bulk to a good use by blocking Krillin and Gohan from getting to Goku.

"Don't even think about going out there, you haven't seen what I've seen. That saiyan has got more power than anyone I've ever seen"

"But he's hurting my dad!" Gohan cried.

"Don't you get it! He'll kill you if you go out there"

"Not necessarily, I've got a plan" Krillin cut in, eying Yachrobi in distaste.

"And what's that?"

"We cut of his tail" Krillin announced dramatically. I rolled my eyes.

"You haven't listened to a word I've said have you. He'll kill you"

"Well you stay here then. Me and Gohan will do this by ourselves" Gohan nodded. Yachrobi looked them up and down before shaking his head and stepping aside.

"Fine, whatever. You two are nuts" Krillin and Gohan ignored him and ran forward, splitting into two separate directions as they rounded the mountain Yachrobi hid behind. I had to agree with the fat man. Sure, I'd come to the same conclusion, but you kind of need a plan within a plan when your life is at stake.

Gohan bravely sprinted in front of the ape just as he snapped another rib. Goku screamed as Vegeta's luminous eyes settled on Gohan.

"Well well. Look what we have here" He didn't seem to notice Krillin sneak up behind him, climbing up some rocks for a better aim at Vegeta's tail.

"Gohan?" Goku choked out, thrashing about in fear. "Get out of here Gohan!"

"So your Kakarot's brat. I wasn't going to kill you personally but since you're here I might as well. But first, I want you to watch me kill your father" He flashed those pointy teeth again and moved his other paw to Goku's head. Using one finger to bend back his neck. The veins strained as the bone grew close to snapping.

Krillin hadn't moved from his spot, but in his hand sat a golden disk of energy. It glowed almost as bright as the sunlight, and looked even sharper too.

So that was what he was going to use to cut of his tail. Why didn't I think of that.

Goku let out a final scream before Krillin swung the disk in his palm, suddenly releasing it. It homed in on ape Vegeta's tail, and everything went into slow-motion in my eyes.

Krillin closed his eyes, The tail curled up; Gohan darted sideways, and ape Vegeta hopped over the disk as it reached his feet. Yachrobi groaned from underneath me and then went silent.

It had almost worked, but it wasn't good enough.

Vegeta was silent for a moment, his hold on Goku softening just enough for him to stop screaming in pain.

"Stupid earthling, I knew you were there all along" Gohan stepped back as Vegeta's fur bristled.

"So, that was your plan was it? Get the little brat to distract me whilst the earthling tries to cut me in half. Maybe I should show you how its really done"

The disk of energy sliced through a mountain and then flew of into the sky, taking Krillin's last hope with it.

It wasn't Krillin that Vegeta was interested in though. His menacing glare was purely directed at Gohan.

Keeping a soft hold on Goku, ape Vegeta stormed forward without warning, raising his remaining paw to pummel Gohan.

Yachrobi came from out of nowhere. He wasn't there one second, and was there the next.

He was leaping toward Vegeta, his mouth twisted and a sword gripped in his podgy hands. Sunlight gleamed of the silver blade, disappearing as the sword sliced through the thick ape tail.

Silence filled the thick air. The tail smacked loudly on the ground, still writhing as the nerves died out.

The de-transformation happened in seconds. Vegeta gaped in shock before shrinking rapidly as falling to the ground as his normal self. His hairless, sexy self.

Goku hit the ground some metres away. His eyes were closed and I guessed he had fallen unconscious again.

Vegeta however was still very conscious. He grunted as Krillin and Gohan rendezvoused back on the ground.

"You..are going to regret that" He rolled over onto his front, spitting out a mouthful of dust as he stood up. He swayed slightly, but was otherwise still in the fight. Yachrobi squawked and hurtled back to his mountain.

Again his eyes went for Gohan. I barely had time to shift onto my knees as he flew at Gohan, head-butting him in the gut. My back ached from the awkward position I now knelt in, but it was the only way to get a good view of what was going on.

Krillin looked between Goku and Gohan before running bravely at Vegeta. He didn't even have to turn to kick him away.

Vegeta was well and truly pissed. He didn't even give Gohan a chance to stand before grabbing him by the collar, lifting him up to eye level; and head-butting him between the eyes repeatedly. Blood trickled from somewhere in Vegeta's hairline but he seemed oblivious to it.

He didn't stop til the blood ran in his eyes. He glared disgustedly at Gohan before discarding him to lie beside his father.

"Gohan?"

"Daddy?" Goku's eyes opened carefully.

"Gohan, listen to me. You can still fight. Piccolo believed in you" A bruise started swelling above one of Gohan's eyes.

"Give me your hand Gohan.." Goku miraculously shifted his hand along the dust, stretching his fingers out to Gohan's splayed ones. Their fingertips were just about to touch, as Vegeta's boot cracked down on Goku's hand. Blood seeped from the broken fingers.

"Pathetic" Vegeta spat out before slamming his foot into Goku's side.

"This is for my pride" He repeated the kicking again.

Rage rose up in Gohan again. He flipped up onto his feet, splaying out a handful of golden energy at Vegeta. It had no effect except catching his attention. Vegeta turned with a nasty smile, and the two flew at each, sparring punch for punch.

Despite the size difference, anger gave Gohan a certain advantage- and Vegeta being as weakened as he was; was now equal with Gohan.

Vegeta landed a punch to the face and Gohan a kick to the shin.

Goku watched the scene for a moment before beckoning Krillin. Krillin had sat up, before rushing over to Goku's side.

"What is it Goku?"

"I have something for you Krillin" Goku told him vaguely, holding out his palm to Krillin. Krillin looked uncertain but put his hand in Goku's anyway.

"Don't fight it. Take the energy"

"What do you mean?" Krillin asked. Goku's hand suddenly lit up with the transparent energy from earlier. It glowed for a moment before enveloping Krillin's hand.

"What the hell is this!?" Krillin sharply withdrew his hand but the energy stayed.

"It's energy from the whole planet. Use it against Vegeta" Krillin gulped.

"You can't be serious" Goku chuckled. Both of them turned to look at Vegeta and Gohan. Gohan landed a kick in Vegeta's eye, causing him to hover back and grasp his eye.

"Why is it always the fucking eye!" He yelled before ramming Gohan into a boulder.

"Hurry Krillin, it's our last hope"