Hello everyone! Wow I have been blown away by the response of the previous chapter. It's motivating me to keep putting out this story! That last chapter introduced a unique monster, one that gave a few problems and put things back in the planet traders favor, until Shepard eliminated the fusion monstrosity. I sure have some stuff for you guys to enjoy this chapter. Be aware that if you paid attention and read Chapter 2, Shepard has a unique way of settling things!
Vegeta has made his move. What will Shepard do? Will he be able to counter this threat? And will Goku and Raditz make their way to the battlefield? So many questions to answer and more! Find out on this chapter of Dragon Ball: BtG!
Reviews:
Drunken Hamster: Thank you for your review. If the Saibafusion would have been fully complete, it would've been around 48,000, and Shepard would've needed a Kaioken Times 4 to obliterate it! I wanted to show that Shepard has some common sense. But I also wanted to show that the BanHammer is a savage! And you will see it in this chapter as well. And errors? I'm honestly beginning to think what you're seeing as 'errors' is simply slang. I'm sorry but I can't see even a royal like Vegeta being totally eloquent, let alone a cursing sailor like Shepard. I do check pretty thoroughly for errors like misspellings and punctuation errors, and I like to think that I'm pretty on top of wanting to put out a quality story that people can enjoy! Remember that Shepard didn't come back to prevent himself from destroying the world. Mirai, or Old Man Shepard simply didn't act when he needed to. He himself made errors in not fighting to change things, which is what he is trying to guide his younger self into doing. I plan on strenuously detailing the Old Man's life after he leaves Earth. There will be some shattering details that will spin this story into a wild, similar, but altogether crazy concoction of wtfuckery and madness! You just gotta hold tough my friend. But for now, enjoy this insane chapter that's about to come out ;-) P.S. you're looking too much into the 'extra' Shep theory. It's not what you think it is :-D!
TheHiddenLettuce: Thank you for your review. And I haven't necessarily gone to much into where they are at, but they will be making their appearance this chapter. Don't you worry about that ;). If you have a sibling, you're always trying to one up them or compete against them. There was some seriously personal dealings that needed to be hashed out between these brothers. I will detail what has happened between these two in a much later chapter. Until then, try to hang tough. These next few chapters are going to be full of action :-D!
Age: October 19, 762
10:19AM
Nappa landed with a loud thud, bouncing across the Earth. Being flung miles away, the giant saiyan could hardly use his energy before he cratered the ground. Barely conscious, he pulled out a secondary control for his space pod, hitting a series of buttons.
"I..I can't believe I was beaten by those...those pathetic humans, that damned slug!" He started coughing, blood leaving his mouth. Vegeta had flung him so hard that his arm was separated at the shoulder. Clearly he didn't want him anywhere near there.
"H-how did I lose? Damn it Vegeta..Why?"
Nappa laid on his stomach for a few minutes, clearly disoriented and frustrated before he heard his space pod land near him. He crawled to it, tapping the side of it and letting the door open. He managed to crawl into his seat and turn around, arm in agony, before he pressed a series of buttons.
"Fr-Frieza Planet 79 it is. Damn it Ve-Vegeta. You're on your own." Nappa sat back in his chair as his pods door closed. And before he could process, his pod shot into the air, reaching orbit in seconds. The mouthpiece came over him, and he struggled to get it on as his pod blasted away from Earth.
"I'll...kill...you...all..."
Shepard watched in horror as Vegeta's eyes became red, his laughing beginning to deepen, his body beginning to grow. Now towering over Shepard, the Rogue watched as the Prince's nose began to elongate, sharp teeth growing throughout his mouth. He shot up more in height until he was standing over the lip of the crater. Shepard jumped out of the crater, retreating a couple hundred feet away. Holding out his hand, his trusted BanHammer flew into it without question.
"GRAAHHH...GRRRR..RAWWWWWWWWWRRRR!" The Great Ape stomped over the lip of the crater, smashing it down even more.
"Great. He looks like he's all healed!"
"True. But it feels like he didn't get the full effect of the Blutz Waves."
"No I think he lost nearly 20 percent of his energy using the Fake Moon."
"Screw this!" Shepard flew up fast, swinging the BanHammer hard.
THUNK
Vegeta's head shot up, spit leaving his monstrous mouth. But he recovered far to quickly, bringing his head down hard. Shepard brought the BanHammer in front of him to block. BAM!
Shepard slammed into the ground hard. He barely had time to react when Vegeta's giant foot came down looking to squash him. He phased away, hand shaking on the BanHammer as he accessed his surroundings, looking to use the environment to his advantage.
"Where do you think you're going, trash?" Shepard heard the booming steps coming towards him but he paid it no mind at the moment. Looking quickly, he found his chance! Phasing up above Vegeta on a mountain side, Shepard hit some of the boulders with the BanHammer, sending rocks piling on top of the Prince.
An explosion of rocks outward indicated that plan didn't work much.
"Damn it! He's just too strong! I don't wanna do it Marc, I don't know what will happen, but this is going downhill fast!"
"Hey hey hey, calm down. When a heavyweight wants to fight a lightweight, what does the lightweight do?"
"Say fuck lightweight?"
"Hahahahahaha no dumb dumb. We up the stakes. He may have bigger bones, but they're just that. Bigger bones. Let's see what happens when we take out one of those giant limbs."
Shepard cut off the mental link as Vegeta had seen him again. Opening his mouth, a massive, purple energy ball erupted out, making a beeline for Shepard.
"Crap crap crap!" He fired into the ground, much like Goku did against Frieza in the show, just getting away from certain death.
"RAWWWWWWWWWR!"
"SHIT!" Shepard afterimaged away just as Vegeta attempted to clamp his hands around him.
"Ugh! Where did you go CLOWWWWN! RAAAWW!" Vegeta roared out another mouth beam, sending it exploding in the distance.
Shepard was only a couple hundred feet away, having sped away behind another pillar of rock.
"Gotta think of something. Gotta think of something. Something something something."
"FOUND YOU!"
"AIEEEEE!" It was an incredibly dangerous game of cat and mouse. Shepard would try to retreat to make a plan, but Vegeta would find him before he could formulate it completely, resulting in repeated interruptions. After the 3rd pillar or rock or boulder had crumbled, Shepard realized why.
'His senses are all far more acute then they were before. He can probably hear me breathing, can smell the blood from that saibaman thing. I have to throw him off my scent somehow. But what can I...use?'
Marc whispered into his mind. Of course! He felt stupid for not thinking of it before. Ripping the rest of the top of the uniform, he took some of his blood on his face, smearing a bit on the Gi. Another BOOM, closer then before, and he realized he'd have to wing it. Opening his hand, a shiny, green ball of energy began to coalesce in his palm. He concentrated more until he got the exact frequency set he wanted in his energy. He licked his finger. Holding it up, he could tell which direction the wind was blowing in. If he went in the opposite direction, it should throw off the Prince.
"Here goes..." he leapt away, heading opposite wind...
Vegeta was pissed! His bloodlust was hardly controllable, and he wanted that saiyan to feel his own bones crushed beneath his fingers! He walked by a pillar, slamming his massive forearm against it and making it crumble.
"WHERE ARE YOU TRAITOR? I GROW TIRED OF YOUR GAMES!" Taking a couple giant steps, Vegeta took a big whiff of air in his nostrils. Snapping his head to the left, he immediately stomped his way over there.
"QUIT YOUR COWARDICE AND ACCEPT YOUR DESTRUCTION WEAKLING!" The giant Oozaru jumped over the pillar, slamming his feet down on the other side, mouth beam ready. But he let it fade away when he realized he had been played! He went to step on the torn up Gi, but when his foot made contact with it, something green under it flashed out, extending past his foot and blinding him.
"AGHHHHHHHHH MY EYES! YOU BLASTED FOOL! THE LONGER YOU PROLONG THIS, THE GREATER YOUR SUFFERING WILL BE!"
He didn't have to wait long before he heard a whirring in the air.
"WHA-?"
THUNK
Vegeta's giant head was snapped back.
"TIMES 5!"
"NICE TRY CLOWN!" Vegeta prepared a mouth beam, firing it at the saiyan rocketing towards him.
"AHHHHHH!" Shepard roared. Vegeta shot the mouth beam, watching as it tore through the Rogue, leaving nothing behind.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAA! I TOLD YOU! Now, onto those other annoying-"
THUNK
"AGHH! WHAT THE-"
THUNK
Vegeta's head snapped forward. He could hardly keep up with the movement of the self levitating weapon. Bringing his head back, he ducked below another hammer pass, hearing the weapon now, he turned and fired a blind mouth beam at it. Expecting it to be destroyed, Vegeta was shocked when the blast didn't explode at all. It seemed to absorb into the weapon.
"AHHHHHHHH! BLAST IT ALL!" Vegeta fired another mouth beam at the flying weapon, only to get the same result.
"TIMES 6!"
Vegeta couldn't turn around quick enough as his head was snapped forward with his body following violently, the massive ape being thrown forward for hundreds of yards. The Earth was torn asunder as the Oozaru tore a trench through it.
Shepard jumped off of Vegeta's head, landing aside the trench he watched the Prince make. Holding his hand out, the BanHammer flew down to his hand. "Such a great weapon you are Banny. Oh yes you are. I missed you so much this last year! How many people tried to lift you?" The BanHammer was not a vocal weapon, but the genuine warmth that Shepard felt told him all he needed to know. "Next time I'll try to keep you with Tights. Should she ever need protecting, or any children we may have need protecting, you'll surely be there. Thank you."
The BanHammer turned a few shades hotter for a few seconds before turning back to its normal warmth.
"RAAAAAWWWWWRRRRRRR!!! HOWWW?"
BOOM
BOOM
BOOOM
BOOOOOM
BOOOOOOOOOM
Vegeta had recovered, but his head was hurting. He continued to walk back, taking his time and realizing he was in total control. He wanted to play with his pray before he crushed him. But he had to know how he survived first. And then? Then he would enjoy the slaughter.
Shepard looked on as the Oozaru walked him down. But with the BanHammer in his hand, he was not afraid.
"Afterimage. One of the nicest tricks in the book. But this one was delayed. Had to make you believe you had me dead. So. Are you ready for more?"
The Giant Ape, now only a few footfalls away looked down at the tiny saiyan that stood before him so defiantly.
"How come you have not transformed Clown? I have a theory. Would you like to hear it heh heh heh heh? That Kaioken technique. Heh heh heh heh heh heh I imagine it isn't hard to increase your power in your normal body. But in our most powerful form, it would be impossible. Heh heh heh heh hehheh!
"Shit!"
"He is definitely a fucking mastermind when it comes to battle. Are you willing to risk it?"
Shepard thought for a long moment. Before he looked at his weapon, smiling at it. "Banny, the next part of this is gonna be...chaotic. Please be there for me when I need you." Shepard looked at the massive creature that stood before him. A daunting task awaited him. The last time he confronted the Beast, he overcame his fears and he was granted Access. Now? The Capsule Corp Watch that was gifted to him by his older self was said to...accommodate for anything. The Blutz Wave Barrier was still in full effect. He was living proof that this watch was decades ahead of its time!
"Alright Vegeta. You want me to let It lose? THEN THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO!" Shepard hit a couple of buttons on the side, hitting one more final button, deactivating only the Blutz Wave Barrier. Looking down, he closed his eyes, releasing the Kaioken. The strain on his body was hard, but manageable enough. He had long mastered a Times 6 burst of the famed technique. Letting go of all of his fears, his frustrations, his anger, Shepard looked high in the sky, at the bright fake moon that lit above...
"Heaven...Heaven...Hell...Hell...Hell..no place that one for Reincarnation...Uhh let's see...Heaven...Heaven...Hea-"
BOOOOM
"UGHHH, WHAT THE-!"
"Hiya King Yemma, is Kami here?"
"Ohhh..Goku is that you? And Raditz is with you I take it?"
"Yeah yeah I'm here. We're ready to return to that wretched planet now."
"Heeey be nice Raditz!"
"Hmph!"
"Goku, Raditz? It is good to see you both. I take it you are ready to head to Earth?"
"Hey Kami, you better believe it! We're stronger then ever now! How's the situation on Earth?"
"I have summoned Kami. Now, go before you hold up my line!"
"R-Right! Hold onto me both of you!" Goku and Raditz, the latter being reluctant, held onto Kami's shoulders as they were teleported back to the land of the living...
He floated in nothingness. The last thing he remembered was that beautiful moonlight.
'Moonlight? Wait a minute...'
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRRR!"
He heard it but couldn't see it. Looking off into the blank void after a few moments, a pair of red, hate filled eyes began to appear. The place began to quake, so much so that the man opened his eyes fully, seeing the place completely. It lit up, and what he saw almost made him want to close his eyes and wish it were a nightmare.
"Y...you...will..."
Shepard walked up to the giant Ape that looked down at him. It wore his similar attire, sans the top.
"I know Big Guy. I need you."
"RAAAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRR! Locked...Locked me...away."
"I...I had to. Your form is dangerous to the others. I need you to trust me."
"TRUST? GRRRRRRR...TRUST...YOU...ME...AGHH...AGHHHHH..."
Shepard walked up closer, then floated upwards towards the Giant's face.
"I know you and I don't always see eye to eye on things. I know you want to rampage. To let go. We can let go on another Oozaru. You and me Buddy. Let me have your body, and I'll give you control."
The Great Ape roared in the nothingness, the hot air blowing by the saiyan, who was not deterred.
"BLOOD...HURT...VEGETA!!!"
"That's the spirit. Let's do this!" Shepard merged with the Oozaru, and a bright light emerged in the nothingness, blinding all...
Gohan was wearing a piece of Chi Chi's dress as a blindfold, having been told the reason why he couldn't look up. It was suspicious, being told he could turn into a monster like the one they were all sensing off in the distance, but he also knew his mother wouldn't lie to him. The temptation was far too great and the rest of the warriors stopped mid air, not fussing over something so important. They didn't want a rampaging out of control Great Ape in their midst.
"That Vegeta is a monster. How can we hope to stop that?" Tien asked, concern etched all over his face.
"I dunno Tien. Shepard seems to be holding his own, if only barely. Chi Chi are you done yet?"
"Mom it's too tight!"
"Sorry Gohan, annnnd, there! Now climb on my back son." Gohan did as he was asked.
"Where are Goku and Raditz at? It's not like Goku to be this late to the show."
"I don't know. We can't worry about that now. Did everyone take a senzu bean?" Piccolo looked around the group of warriors.
"Yup, most of us still have one each."
"Except me. Which means I need to be more careful then anything. Alright listen up, we head to the Lookout. If we feel anything amiss with the fight over here, we get back over as fast as possible. Otherwise we'll just be in the-"
"What did he?"
"Oh no."
"This isn't good guys."
"No it's not Chiaotzu. Shepard's Ki is rising, much like Vegeta's did."
"But why didn't he transform in the first place?"
"His watch." The other warriors looked over at Chi Chi. "Something about his watch. Bulma was talking about trying to get it from Shepard. It functions as more then a watch. I think it may have barriers in place to keep him from transforming."
"How easy is it for him to turn whatever it is off?"
"I dunno Piccolo! I'm not around the guy." Chi Chi threw her hands up in frustration, careful not to accidentally toss her son off of her.
"We stick to the plan. Goku and Raditz should be here soon. The sooner they get here, the sooner we can come back and take it to that rotten saiyan!" Piccolo ended the debate, taking off fast toward the Lookout, the others following quickly behind...
Vegeta watched as his hated enemy began to grow, hair covering his body. Shepard's snout elongated, leaving behind a massive mouth full of sharp canines. He had to admit to himself, the thought of having an all out battle between Great Apes was riveting! He could not believe he had been so heavily challenged already, and it got his blood pumping just thinking about it. His first thought was to crush Shepard like the ant he believed him to be. But upon noticing that Shepard had not transformed, even with having his tail, it left the Prince confused.
"RaaaaaaaaaaWWWWWWRRRRRRR!" Shepard grew to his full height. The only thing he was still wearing was the bottom part of his Gi. Somehow the material was made to be incredibly stretchy! And his Capsule Watch, somehow being made with the same material as his hammer, stretched along with him!
"RAAAAAAAAAWWWRRRR!" It was a roar of pain, of anger. Shepard didn't move, his red eyes looking half glinted. His giant hand flexed, and the BanHammer came to his hand. He brought it up to his hand, looking at its tiny stature. And it pissed him off!
"RAAAAAAAWWWWR RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWR!"
He saw his reflection in the tiny weapon, it being warm to the touch. He saw his red eyes, his furry face, his long teeth.
"RAAAAAAWWWWRRR!"
"Stupid, out of control Ape! It is time I put you out of your misery!" Vegeta took a booming step towards the Oozaru that ended up growing a handful of feet taller then him. Laughing deep, guttural as he realized just how easy of a pray he had.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRR!" Shepard's roar carried throughout the mountain range. Vegeta ignored it, looking at his fellow saiyan eyeing his hand as if it held something grand.
"SAY GOODBYEEEEE!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWRRRR!"
Vegeta went to punch Shepard, but the Ape caught his fist.
"Ve...Ve...Geet...TAAAAAAA!" The Prince took a massive kick to his gut, sending the Giant Ape back several hundred feet.
"GRAHH! WHAT? IM-IMPOSSIBLE!"
"RAAAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Vegeta couldn't believe what he was seeing! And he wouldn't let Shepard have his way any longer!
"DIEEEEE CLOWN!" Vegeta knew he made a mistake lunging at Shepard, who's hand begin to shine, before a massive rod grew in his hand, a hammer head popping in to accommodate the new size. Shepard turned quickly, swinging the massive weapon and catching Vegeta full force!
THUUUUNK
"UGGHHHHH!" Pain exploded in Vegeta's head as his jaw was nearly caved in. The Prince tumbled along the ground, a massive dust cloud following him as he slid.
"RAAAAAAAAAWWWWRRRR!" Shepard roared, running towards the recovering Prince, his BanHammer, now the size of a capsule house, sparking along the ground as he ran. He raised his hammer up, slamming it down. It created a massive crater, with a Princeless hole. The Prince had sidestepped, kicking Shepard in the side and sending the giant ape skidding back a few steps.
"RAAAAAAAWWWWWWRRRR! I will rip off your tail and crush your shrinking body beneath my boot!" Vegeta ran towards Shepard, who was still recovering.
THWAMP!
Shoulder charging the recovering Rogue, Shepard went to raise his hammer, but Vegeta caught his hand, twisting it away and making Shepard lose the BanHammer. He then leveled a heavy palm strike to Shepard's furry chin. Followed by another palm strike and elbow. The Rogue smashed into the ground, mouth spilling a bit of blood. Vegeta went to smash his giant foot through Shepard's head, but it was caught. Shepard didn't let go, charging a mouth beam and hitting the Prince full force in the chest. Only then did he let go, sending the giant royal ape stepping backwards through the layer of smoke. Shepard got to his feet, feeling the effects of the transformation. Staggering back and forth for a moment, he settled.
"RAWWWWWWRRRR ENOUGH OF THIS!" Shepard looked up from the ground, seeing a purple light shining through the still somewhat hazy smoke. Vegeta fired his mouth cannon, expecting the damage to be tremendous. He was dismayed when Shepard caught it.
"GRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The Prince watched as the Rogue squeezed his energy blast smaller. It continued to shrink until it was no more then a pinprick of energy between Shepard's fingers. POP! The blast blinked away, with a smirking ape being the cause of it.
"Prin...Princess!"
"Wha? Y-YOU DARE TO CONTINUE TO MOCK ME!" Vegeta had enough. He charged the fellow Giant Ape, throwing a punch that could decimate a mountain. Shepard barely dodged it, starting to get used to the massive body. He backed away from a kick from the Prince, then another palm strike he parried. Vegeta was relentless, but Shepard was hanging by the skin of his teeth.
"RAHHHHHH!" Vegeta fired another mouth beam, impossibly close. It pushed Shepard back, through a pillar which decimated another set of pillars near him. Using his rage, he summoned the power, the sheer willpower of his being to hurl it away. 'Too close.'
"DIIIIIEEEEE!" Vegeta was too fast. He got behind Shepard, using both hands and hitting him in the middle of his back, sending the Giant Ape in an uncontrolled tumble. The Prince used his speed, phasing ahead of Shepard, he kneed the Ape in the face, pushing him back the other way. Jumping up high, he landed on Shepard, pushing him hard into the Earth, leaving an incredibly massive crater. Grabbing Shepard's neck, he pulled his face up to his own.
"You're going to wish we never met, Shepard. Let us begin your slow and painful-"
Shepard extended his head forward, biting down hard on Vegeta's snout!
"GRAHHH RELLLESSE EE AHHHHHH!" Vegeta roared in pain, absolute agony. Fury couldn't come to the surface at the present time!
Shepard pulled himself up, releasing his bite on Vegeta and immediately grabbing the Prince's neck in a headlock and spiking Vegeta head first into the ground. Backing away, Shepard felt his back, incredibly lucky he still had his tail. Vegeta nearly broke his spine with that last attack. Meanwhile, the Prince reached down and pulled his head out, blood falling in mass. His snout was damaged, bite marks having went back and forth attempting to literally rip his face off. He begin to see absolute red. The pain was starting to become numb, supplanted by pure, unadulterated RAGE.
"RAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWRRRR! THAT'S IT! IV'E HAD IT WITH YOU!" The Prince turned around, only to see a near sleeping Ape across from him.
Shepard was breathing deeply, fighting the base instincts of the Great Ape Form. It was exhausting! Trying to calm down the bloodlust of the animal he was, he closed his eyes, breathing in deeply.
'Pretty sure I've never seen this on the show before, nor any fanfiction.'
"It's only because of our unique...nature! Go ahead Shep, turn it all the way up!"
A mental smile came across their link before Shepard shut it down. A series of BOOMS indicated the Prince was coming towards him fast.
"KAAAIOOOOKEEEEEN!" The shirtless Great Ape roared out, red aura covering his entire body. He began stomping his way towards Vegeta.
"N-NO IMPOSSI-"
Shepard tackled Vegeta, both monstrous apes sliding along the ground. Vegeta hit Shepard in the stomach with his massive fist, but the other Ape was undeterred, grabbing Vegeta's hand and slamming it to the ground. Shepard began to waylay into the Prince, who was near defenseless as his face was getting beaten in. Shepard threw haymaker after haymaker, channeling all his fury into his fist. Vegeta finally managed to release his hand from Shepard's own, smashing it into Shepard's face and forcing the Ape off of him. The Kaioken left the shirtless Ape, the ability to concentrate nearly gone from the stresses and pain. Vegeta was in pure savage bloodlust. Ignoring the blood on his face, he got up and grabbed Shepard by his leg, swinging his fellow Giant Ape into a mountainside, reducing it to rubble. He did it again, refusing to let go of his leg. Shepard tried turning to fire a mouth beam, but Vegeta kicked him in the jaw, sending it flying far off target. He readjusted his grip, slamming Shepard face first into the ground. The battleground around them was littered with massive craters, mountains being reduced to nothingness in the process. Vegeta put his foot on Shepard's back, grabbing his tail. The Prince wrapped his giant hand around the prehensile and started to pull.
"N-NOOOOOOOOO RAWWWWWWWWRRR!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA YESSSSS CLOWN! SCREAM AS I TAKE AWAY YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF DEFEATING ME!"
He was desperate. Reaching out, he saw his Giant BanHammer gleaming a short few hundred feet away. Holding his hand out, Vegeta saw it, and tried to slam his foot down on the hand, but the enlarged BanHammer had other ideas. Instead of flying into Shepard's hand, it went above it, denting Vegeta's stomach and forcing the Great Ape off of Shepard, tumbling back for a number of miles.
However, something felt...off. Then the pain hit...
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! N-N-OOOO! H-H..."
Shepard began to shrink, rapidly back down to his normal size. His head hurt quite a bit, his mouth hurt as it shrunk. Realizing he was still conscious, his eyes snapped open. Looking at the blue sky, at the bright light. His body was racked in agony. Using the Kaioken in such a way was only for the bold, and the stupid, and he didn't know if he was in the first or second category, or both.
"Ugggghhh... ohhhhhh God... my body... oww..aghhhhh..."
Shepard turned over looking in the distance at the massive trench his massive BanHammer put Vegeta into. The cloud of smoke and soot was still visible from where the Rogue could see...
"It's over." Piccolo said, head down.
"It...no...that..no that can't be!"
The Z Fighters had made it to the Lookout. Kami had left moments ago, apparently to go and gather Goku and Raditz.
"We don't know that yet Piccolo."
"Unless you're sensing something different with that third eye of yours, then shut it."
"I'm going."
Everyone looked at Yamcha,
"Send Goku and Raditz after me when they get here."
"W-w-wait Yamcha. If you die again... if Shep dies again..."
"I know Krillin, but I'm the only one here right now who can at least distract that monster for a little while. Just uhh, send those guys as soon as they get here heh heh heh."
Piccolo felt it first, knowing his other.
"That won't be necessary."
"Hey guys!"
"G..Go.ku?"
"Daddy!" Gohan began to run towards Goku, but stopped cold as the 3rd member of the returning group came to stand next his father. His eyes widened, his limbs trembled terribly. Taking steps back from the trio, he was about to take off in fear when he felt hands on his shoulder.
"Gohan, it's ok little dude. Hey..." Gohan turned around to look at the Desert Bandit, who got down to a knee. "Hey, you can trust me right?" The little boy shakily nodded his head.
"Your uncle is rough around the edges, but since you've seen him, he's come around."
Someone else had a very different reaction. Chi Chi was furious!
"W-Why Goku? Why bring that monster here? He took our little boy, you died because of him! WHY?!?"
Goku held his hands up in defense, while Raditz just crossed his arms and looked off into the distance. "Chi Chi he's on our side now. He's my brother. Shepard and Yamcha can both agree with me on this. I missed you Chi Chi. And Gohan! You're so strong now. My God, it's like you're a whole different person!"
Gohan was bashful, still a bit shaky, but happy his father acknowledged him.
"It feels like things are not good down there guys." What's going on?"
The others explained to Goku what had happened so far. Raditz didn't listen to a word, not acknowledging any of the fighters before him. He had yet to see their capabilities in combat. The monk he could care far less about, the three eyed warrior interested him slightly, but it was the namekian, who had not stopped staring him down with feral hate that had his attention the most.
"It indeed sounds like Shepard has put up a valiant effort to stop this Vegeta. It is time that you get going."
"So, saiyan, after this is over, I plan on finding you." Piccolo stared Raditz down, but the saiyan remained calm.
"Oh please, green man. Hm hm hm hm hm my nephew would be far more of an interesting one to fight then you. I can tell you've improved, but that means nothing compared to my new power."
"You think he's the only one who wants to hurt you? Best believe when this is over, you and I will be having words. You may be my husbands brother, but you're no member of my family."
"GUYS! Enough!" Goku yelled out.
"When this is all over, yes there will be things to work out. But Chi Chi, Piccolo...Gohan, I promise you, Raditz is on our side. He'll gain your trust."
"You don't need to defend me Kakarot. Wait a moment.. where is your moon?"
"I destroyed it."
"Hmmm... smart strategy to stop a saiyan from unleashing his ultimate power. But it's for naught when it comes to Vegeta. And if he's done what I believe he's done, then I can't join this fight. I don't have control of the form. Where's Nappa?"
"After Piccolo defeated him, Vegeta-"
"Wait a second...the green man defeated Nappa?" Raditz looked at the namekian with renewed interest. "Hmm, good on you. Perhaps you might be an interesting warm up afterwards."
The insult was clearly laced in the comment, followed with the slight sarcasm, but Piccolo also detected a hint of respect. It didn't matter one way or another to the namekian. He still wanted to have his shot at the long haired saiyan.
"Anyways, Vegeta hurled him pretty far away after that. We thought he would kill him, but he seemed to spare his life."
"Hmph. Nappa will likely leave now that he's been defeated. I'm actually surprised myself that Vegeta would have spared him."
"It doesn't matter now. With you both here, we can do this now."
"Maybe you guys should let us have a crack at this Vegeta guy. You all look like you've been through a pretty hard fight."
"Nappa may be powerful, but with my ability to sense energy now, he shouldn't have been much of a threat to you all as a group."
"It was that Saibamonster thing Nappa had."
"Saibamonster? Damn it! I don't sense it down there so I assume it's dead!"
"I took care of it in the end. But it was a freak! I was lucky I had the Kaioken."
"Nappa is a talented gardener of those freaks. I knew he had a special one but him and Vegeta never let me in on the details. He has the regular saibaman but with your level of strength, they must have felt desperate enough to use that seed."
"Yamcha you ready?"
The quick question from his friend caught the Bandit off guard.
"If Raditz can't come along, then my next best bet is you buddy. Let's go kick some butt like old times! Love you Chi Chi! Gohan! See ya soon!"
"D-Daddy?"
The saiyan waved behind him, realizing the situation was dire on the ground, he needed to get to Shepard!
"R-Right. I'll be back soon guys!" The Desert Bandit ran off the edge of the Lookout for the second time that day.
"I assume there are not going to be any problems amongst you for the moment?"
Raditz looked out around at the Earthlings, each giving him various degrees of anger, weariness, and with Piccolo, vitriol hate. The only one who seemed to have a neutral view was Kami himself.
"Uh hmm. I asked you all a question."
"Forget all that wrinkly prune, who wants to have a fight with me today? Any takers?" Piccolo immediately stepped up. Gohan went to follow his teacher, but a forceful hand on his shoulder held him back, Chi Chi looking down at him and shook her head, before she walked forward as well.
"Hey don't worry buddy, your Mom means well, just sit tight, rest up. Maybe afterwards, with your incredible power, you can have a shot at him too. Is that alright Gohan?" Krillin asked, arm around the little boy.
"B-but I wanna help! But I'm so scared of him. That day.. Krillin I.."
"It'll be alright Gohan, you'll see." The monk assured him, before he too stepped past him, joining Chi Chi and Piccolo.
"I think I must have a hand in this as well. Chiaotzu, keep an eye on Gohan."
"You got it Tien!"
"It's ok Gohan. You'll get your chance soon." Chiaotzu floated next to the boy, giving off warmth through his energy, helping to settle Gohan.
Raditz looked on, extreme interest building in his own face. "I'll have you know that I have been training immensely since I was gone. If you hope to stand any chance against me, this...pedestal place or whatever will not be sufficient."
"That is alright, Ravager, for there is a room I can take you all to...settle your differences. Only for this fight, no more, no less. You'll need to be back out here and properly healed should Goku and Yamcha not be strong enough to stop Vegeta."
Raditz acknowledged the name the old namekian coined him with, shrugging as he did. "Very well old man, take me to this room. I will happily drag out all your...defenders when I am done with them."
"Mister Popo, prepare senzu beans for the warriors..."
"RAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRRR!" Vegeta had been hammered away for a good few miles! Dug into a deep trench, the massive BanHammer still on top of him. He tried flinging his giant limbs back and forth, one of them with a bloodytail wrapped around his hand, trying to pull the weapon off of him, which sparked dangerously in his hand, causing burns to erupt in them in the form of electrical sparks.
"W-WHAT IS THIS TRICKERY AGHHHHHHHHHH!" Vegeta continued to thrash, but the BanHammer was stalwart, it would not budge!"...
Shepard continued holding his hands out, trying to recover, but holding the massive weapon alone with his mind on someone so powerful was not an easy task. In the back of his mind, he could feel that Goku and Raditz had finally arrived, but Raditz didn't follow Goku. It felt like Yamcha. Probably a smart decision on all parties involved considering Raditz didn't have control of the Great Ape form, but if Goku and Yamcha could just make it...
"I don't know if Shep's gonna make it this time Goku!"
"We're not letting him die again Yamcha!"
They were both flying at Mach speed, hurtling through the sky, both encased in red auras...
Shepard finally lost the mental battle, he let his fatigue send him crashing back down on the ground. He still held his hand out, but he felt Vegeta getting up, a hot rage in his massive energy ready to tear him apart.
The giant weapon flew back to him, skidding towards him. It stopped within inches. Touching it, his eyes flashed for a moment in that time. As the weapon began to shrink, energy surged through him. Not much. He didn't want to take much, but he knew he needed every bit he could get.
"Aghhh...AHHHHHHH...grrrrahhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHH!" His body's injuries began to seal shut, his energy began to increase back to normal levels, his mind cleared of the pain of becoming the Great Ape. He began to stand, before a massive earthquake erupted around him in the form of 2 massive feet landing only feet away from him.
"SHEPAAAAAAAAARRRRD!"
"Oh shi-!"
"AUCK!" Shepard was pulled up quickly, thankfully still holding his weapon.
"I'll CRUSH YOU MAGGOT! AGHHHHHHHHH!"
"Hmmmphhoohhh GOD!" The strength of the hand was so startling to Shepard that he felt his bones began to creak, the only thing keeping him alive was his trusted BanHammer keeping Vegeta from fully closing his hand. He could feel the Giant Ape's fingers on the back of his head, his neck and back, trying to pull him in closer so he could be turned to paste.
"WITHOUT YOUR TAIL YOU ARE NOTHING! WHY WONT YOU JUST DIE??"
Shepard had to think of something quick. The BanHammer didn't spark when the Oozaru had the weapon now, but only likely because it was in its owner's possession.
"A-Agggrrhhhh damn it Ve-Vegeta, you sure ate your wheaties this morning! Sss..ssshit! I. I didn't think I'd have to compete at Gangsterweight but here goes arrhhhh!"
"THIS BLASTED HAMMER!"
"Alright Banny I need you to work a mir-miracle." He looked at the BanHammer, amongst being squashed by a sentient wereape, this was the kind of fight he was looking for!
"I WILL FEEL YOUR BONES CRUMBLE TO DUST BEFORE I-AGGHEOOOOOOOWWWW YOUUUUUUU AGHHHHHHHHH!"
The purplish blue Ki spikes sticking out through Vegeta's massive hand caused him immense agony! He hurled Shepard somewhere unknown to relieve himself of the pain, but it didn't go away. Looking down at his now bloodied, punctured, gloveless hand were what had to be nearly a hundred spikes of energy, sliced cleanly through his hand. "RAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRRR! SHEPAAAAAAAARD! RAAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRRRR!" Vegeta roared through the pain, the spikes beginning to wedge themselves out of his hand as he squeezed it.
Shepard was hurled through the air, colliding with the ground and bouncing an unknown number of times before he finally stopped. Somehow, through it all, the BanHammer stayed with him, and despite the massive impact of hitting the ground so many times, he wasn't as hurt as he thought he would be. Looking at his hammer, it glowed an ethereal glow, soothing the agony to only a dull ache. His bones felt weak. He felt tired. The BanHammer had kept him in the fight far longer then he would have been without it, but he didn't stand much of a chance as he was. He wished he had kept a senzu bean from that bag that Korin had given him, but giving it to Yamcha and the others was far more important. Hearing the Great Ape roaring in pain in the distance gave Shepard satisfaction, but that satisfaction sure didn't equal help.
"Shut up Marc."
"Hey hey I'm just saying they're on their way. You did good Shep. You were quite impressive against Vegeta. But you know there is still training to be done."
"Yep, the play doesn't come until the work is put in. Gotta go man."
"ILLLLLL KILLLLL YOUUUUUU!"
The Rogue saw the massive ape jumping down towards him, ready to flatten him into a Shepard sandwich. He did the only thing he thought he could.
BOOOOOOMMMM!!!...
"Wow he's huge, you ready Yamcha?"
"Time to bring it to the monkey Goku!"
"I don't know if I should take offense to that or not, but here goes!"
They both saw the situation unfolding. The Giant Ape looked to be trying to smash his foot into the ground, a glow of multicolor was beneath the foot, and below that...
"Alright! KAAAAMEEEEHAAAAMEEEE!"
"KAAAAMEEEHAAAAMEEEE!"
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!"
Vegeta kept stomping his foot into the ground, but the BanHammer would not break! Under the hardest metal in this multiverse, flesh and bone was but a tap to it. But Shepard's arms could only hold the weapon up for so long! Even though the BanHammer was feeding him small bits of energy, keeping him going for the time being, it was hardly keeping up with the Prince's ruthless tenacity.
STOMP
STOMP
STOMP
"RAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRR STUPID LOW CLASS TRASH! WHEN I BREAK THROUGH THIS STUPID HAMMER I'LL-"
"HAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
His hearing picked up 2 voices. A dual sound. The Prince looked up, but it was too late.
"WHO D-"
The massive Kamehameha bowled the Prince over, sending him crashing through the ground HARD.
The Kamehameha flew off into low atmosphere, exploding a bright and beautiful blue.
Goku and Yamcha landed next to the crater Vegeta was trying to stomp Shepard through.
"H-hey guys, glad you could make it COUGH COUGH!"
"Wow Shep I really can't believe you held out that long! That Hammer thingy of yours must be super strong!"
"Dude are you alright?"
"Do I look alright? I just had a giant man changing Ape trying to turn me into a whack a monkey spectacle with his feet. I'll live, but I n-need a little bit."
"MORE PESTS?" The following roar from the Prince indicated he had recovered mostly. His snout was blood soaked, his hand had blood leaking out of it through many holes. His massive body had a couple gashes running along it, but otherwise, the Oozaru was still in fighting shape.
"The pesky human who killed the Saibamonster...and...ahhh hahahahahahaha you must be Kakarot, the traitor. Your little friend Shepard will die shortly, after I've dealt with you low class trash!"
"You must be Vegeta. Gotta say, I thought you'd be stronger! Shep must have taken a lot out of you hehehehe."
"WHAT IS IT WITH SAIYANS AND THIS PLANET? ARE YOU JUST AS STUPID AS SHEPARD?"
Goku scratched his head and laughed, Yamcha looked at the Giant Ape wearily, but with Goku by his side, he wouldn't show fear.
"Hehehehe well, I guess I'm not to to smart, but, neither are you."
The statement made the giant Prince falter in his step, giving the orange wearing saiyan a side look.
"W-WHAT WAS THAT?"
Goku looked at Yamcha for a split second, nodding his head at his fellow Turtle. Yamcha got the message, smirking as he did.
"You're already beaten and you don't even know it yet."
Vegeta growled, ready to pounce on the both of them. His bloodlust had not been satiated just yet. Shepard had fought tooth and nail for his life, and he won it, for the moment. Shepard heard what Goku said, and wanted no part of it. Using the BanHammer, he flew himself to a safer distance, falling back down to the ground and letting his prized weapon slowly heal him, nearly a quarter mile away. He could still see the battlefield, so he kept a close eye out.
"Frieza already has you turning tail and running for different solutions, making you the biggest coward out of everyone here, riiiiiight?"
That made Vegeta pause, stunned at how right his fellow saiyan was. But he would not be deterred.
"If immortality isn't the way, then I will find it, WITHOUT YOUR LOW CLASS HANDS INTERFERING RAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRRRR!"
They both dodged the massive jump. Vegeta fired a mouth beam at Goku, who used his speed to get away from it.
"GOTCHA!" Vegeta phased in to grab Goku out of the air, but Yamcha was faster.
"KAIOKEN TIMES 5!" Yamcha gave himself a stronger boost, slamming feet first into Vegeta's damaged snout, jumping off before Vegeta could grab for him. The Great Ape roared in pain, swiping for the Bandit as he dodged away.
Kaioken TIMES 6!" Goku yelled, gaining as much momentum as he could, he flew in and got behind Vegeta, shooting a Kamehameha right at the Ape's tail, but Vegeta turned far too quickly, the blast being swiped away by the massive paw Vegeta used, making Goku jump up and away.
"WHOA! His speed is incredible. How is he so big and not losing any speed?" Before Goku could ponder more on this, Yamcha flew in next to him, wreathed in a red aura.
"Less talking more dodging!" He said as him and Goku dodged another swipe from the Giant Ape, they both in tandem began zipping through the rocks as Vegeta followed them, smashing down boulders as he went.
Yamcha took a Wolf Fang swipe at Vegeta's tail, causing a gash to form, making blood spurt out.
"AGGGHHH PESKY HUMAN TRASH!"
Vegeta turned quickly, just missing Yamcha as he dodged through a series of stones.
"HEY I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU!"
"SO DO I LOW CLASS!"
Goku had zipped in front of Vegeta's face as he began to charge a mouth beam.
"SOLAR FLARE!"
"ARRGGGHHH MY EYES! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" The mouth cannon left Vegeta's mouth, no where close to his target.
Yamcha went in behind, putting both his hands together and axe handing Vegeta in the back of the head as hard as he could, making the Great Ape stumble forward. He dropped below when Vegeta turned back and swung his massive arms around. Dodging the falling rocks quickly, he regrouped with Goku, who flew in towards Vegeta. Vegeta to his credit however, let his rage own him for several seconds, lashing out with his energy in the form of a vicious dome cratering the ground around him, destroying many of the pillars Yamcha and Goku were using, forcing a quick retreat from the Turtle Duo.
"There goes our advantage."
"Maybe not buddy, look." Goku pointed out to Yamcha what he saw, which made the Bandit smile in return.
"You bait and I take?"
"Hahahaha yup!"
"MY EYES ARGHHHH WHEN I FIND YOU SNIVELING INSECTS THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT! I'LL EAT THAT HUMAN, I'LL CRUSH KAKAROT BETWEEN MY FINGERS, AND I'LL UTTERLY DESTROY THAT SHEPARD!!"
"How do you find a toothbrush big enough for those teeth?"
Vegeta stopped rubbing at his eyes, reaching his hands out attempting to grab Goku. Goku dodged back, grabbing a medium sized boulder and lifting it up. Vegeta went back to rubbing his eyes, roaring his pain and rage for all to hear.
"Could you uhhh, fire one of those mouth blast thingy's this way, pretty please?"
"ENOUGH WITH THE MOCKERY! RAAAAAAAWWWWWR-AUCK! COUGH COUGH! RAWWRR COUGH! WHAT IST THISTH RUCKRYY!"
"Awesome!"
Goku had hurled that boulder right into the Great Ape's mouth, cutting off his roars and mouth cannons for the moment. Vegeta grabbed at his throat, teeth turning some rocks into mulch while others got lodged in his esophagus.
"YAHHHHHHHH!" CRASH
Yamcha used all his power at his current level of Kaioken, kicking the back of one of Vegeta's ankles hard, making the Giant stumble before he fell to the ground, still holding his throat. The duo ascended above him, watching the Great Ape continue to choke down rocks.
"Damn it we need to get to his back and cut off that tail."
"Don't worry buddy I have a plan. Follow me!"
"Always flying in headfirst." Yamcha followed Goku down, watching as Goku charged yellow energy into his hands, Yamcha did the same, before they began to pepper Vegeta with the blasts, sending up a torrent of smoke...
"Over 2 minutes they have been in that room Mr. Popo. Surely the fight could not have lasted over 12 hours."
"Perhaps they are mending fences Kami."
"With the way the Ravager felt, I highly doubt that."
"Mister Kami?"
"Yes young Gohan?"
"Do you think my Mommy is ok?"
"With the warriors that surround her, I have no doubt she will be. Your mother has proven herself to be a very capable warrior in her own right young one." Mister Popo answered for Kami.
"Your mom is stronger then I am Gohan. You have to have faith." Gohan looked to the small Crane, a small nod of acknowledgment from the boy.
2 minutes turned to 3, then turned to 4. And then 5. Kami was beginning to grow concerned when the doors finally began to open. Kami could see a silhouette, followed by several others. The first to walk through was Chi Chi. Her dress was damaged, her mouth leaked blood, her body hurt immensely, but she smiled, happy that she accomplished what she did. The next to follow was Piccolo, who had gashes up and down one of his arms, one of his antennae was missing, his right eye was swollen, but he smirked through the pain. Krillin followed next. The top of his gi was gone, one of his eyes were shut completely, and he had a gash running down his chest, even he smiled at the apparent success they had. Tien followed, with a scorched upper chest and massive bruising, he was grimacing a bit and one of his arms looked to be separated, but he also had a smirk on his face.
"Un-Unbelievable..." the last occupant of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber exited, and he looked the worst out of all of them. His armor top had been destroyed. His eye was bleeding, there was a massive cut across one of his legs. A line of blood following Raditz came from his shoulder, where a piercing wound was steadily bleeding away. The saiyan looked near out on his feet.
"H-how..how could I be bested by a bunch of weaklings. All of my training! Was...was it just for nothing after all?" Raditz was breathing heavily, incredibly angry with himself and his apparent failing."
"Are you kidding?"
"No offense Raditz, but you kicked our asses over and over again. We just didn't quit."
"The monk's right Raditz the Runt."
The nickname spurred a serious case of anger from the weakened saiyan. Enough so that he began to slowly walk towards Piccolo, who's antenna started growing back.
"Just stop Raditz. Please." Raditz snapped his head, looking at the pint sized woman, who had proven in that place, that awful dreary place, that she belonged with these group of warriors.
"Whatever for? I will come back stronger from this! And when I do you're all dead! DEAD!"
"Raditz, look at me. Look at us. Now look at you. It took us quite a bit of time but we finally got your ass. Just accept that a group of non saiyans took you down. It took us some hours but we did."
"You...you fucking..."
"NOT IN FRONT OF MY SON!"
Chi Chi's head grew comically, her teeth as sharp as diamond, making Raditz take a step back.
"SO WHAT? YOU ALL HAD THOSE STUPID BEAN THINGS! IT'S THE ONLY REASON ANY OF YOU STOOD A CHANCE!"
Raditz yelled back, however when he did, his side gave in to agony. Falling on his ass, he took deep breaths, feeling pitiful, before a bean was tossed into his lap. He looked up, only for his jaw to drop. Gohan had seen his uncle's pain, and despite the boy's timid nature, and horrible memory of the man before him, his compassion was still very much human. Gohan looked at his uncle, eyes far smarter then the youthful face that held them.
"W-why? After what I've d-done? Don't you...don't you hate me?"
Chi Chi was ready to step in to protect her son, but feeling out Raditz's energy, she felt assured that the saiyan warrior wouldn't try anything, and that Gohan was more then capable of defending himself.
"I.. I don't hate you. I want to get to know you...as my uncle. I-If you are truly with us. I..I hope that we can be friends."
Raditz looked at the bean, then at Gohan, who had put his head down, tapping his thumbs together, afraid of the answer he may receive. Raditz grabbed the bean, looking at it much like he did when he first met Shepard.
"I can't believe that something so small, so bland could be on such an unnoticeable, primitive world."
"This 'primitive' world as you call it, has many beautiful sights, and many interesting inventions. Take that bean Ravager. Defend this planet. Find your balance for life. After what you've done to that boy, you owe him as your nephew, as your only brother's son."
"You would be wise to listen to the old coot. After what we experienced in that Room, do you really want another taste of it? Because each and every single one of us will go back in there right now, and drag you by your hair if we must." Piccolo was blunt, but he didn't notice the others shock. Kami and Piccolo, actually agreeing on something!
"Whatever choice we make, it feels like Goku and Yamcha are in the thick of it now. This Vegeta is an absolute monster."
"After what we experienced in the Pendulum Room, you'd think we would've been prepared."
"Stupid noseless midget. Vegeta is beyond a monster. His relentlessness alone makes him formidable. And I guess the only way we can stop him now is to go down there and take him down..."
"Bottoms up I guess." Raditz put the bean in his mouth, crunching it down and swallowing. Within seconds, his vitality increased, his eyes gained familiar life in them. He felt stronger then ever! He stood ramrod straight, all aches and pains removed, and his stomach felt full again.
The others all took beans as well. Tien, Krillin, Chi Chi and Piccolo all felt a bit stronger then before. But Raditz was beyond them even more now.
"Yes. YES! I feel as strong as Vegeta now!"
"If you don't mind holding still please." Kami pointed his hand out towards Raditz, who glowed for several seconds before the glow left him. His fighting uniform was back in pristine condition. Looking down, he saw his Red Bands, honoring his father and the saiyan race. His new armor top looked as though it never left the factory. His black gauntlets not damaged in anyway, his brown pants and black shoes looked like they did the day he first put them on.
"Wha...Well then. Sensing energy, suppressing it, making clothes with energy. What's next?" Raditz said, shrugging. Piccolo had fixed everyone else's uniforms as Raditz kept looking down at himself.
"Wait until you meet the Briefs hahahahahaha!" Krillin couldn't help but laugh. Only hours ago inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber were they at this saiyans throat, and now it looked like they managed to beat the respect into him that they were owed. 'If he'll be anything like Goku in the future, I'll be relieved that he's on our side!'
"You best be going warriors. Finish this fight. And Piccolo?"
"Hmm?"
"Do be careful. Just because we are on the precipice of victory, does not mean we are on the precipice for living."
"Whatever Old Man. If we're done bickering amongst each other, we got a saiyan to take down!"
They all began to fly towards the edge of the Lookout, Piccolo taking off first, followed by Gohan and Chi Chi. Krillin was right behind them, his confidence soaring. Tien and Chiaotzu looked at each other a moment, smiling before they too disappeared from the edge.
"So Old Man, you and the younger green one are linked?"
"Yes, through a bond of his father and myself. I can still see his thoughts, as much as he tries to hide them from me. His plan for you was a success I see."
"What plan?"
"Isn't it obvious? Bringing you into the Room of Spirit and Time where there would be ample room to fight. Attempting to injure you in many various ways. Leaving you near Death's Door once again. Giving you the choice to come around on your own terms, giving you that senzu bean to restore you and grant you a Zenkai if I'm correct, hmm?"
Raditz's eyes widened considerably at this. He did not think of the possibilities! Whatever that room was, it seemed to last for hours. The fight had been quite dull at first, but after the first couple went down, they began to fight for their lives. He did not expect the ones he had nearly killed to get right back on their feet! Damn beans! What he thought would only take minutes lasted for many hours. The humans and the namekian's strength had not increased much, and neither had his. He had begun to respect their tenacity, their willingness to lay it on the line. It was very...saiyan of them.
"Suppose you're right old man. I best be going. Even if that fake moon is over there."
Raditz flew off the Lookout, catching up with the others. Kami could only smile, relieved that the saiyan who had come before was at least on their side for the moment. Only time would tell if Raditz the Ravager fully committed to life on Earth or not...
Goku and Yamcha stopped firing their energy blasts, a torrent of smoke had filled the Ape sized hole Vegeta had made upon falling. They both flew a little higher, ready for anything.
"You know that didn't do a damn thing Goku."
"I know, which is why the next part of the plan will work even better."
They were prepared for everything, except a smart Great Ape.
ZZzt
"SHI-" Vegeta had phased behind them, hitting Yamcha full force with his giant fist. Yamcha would've been dead instantly if not for throwing his arms over his body to block. Every bone in both of his arms shattered, his ribs caved as the punch sent the Desert Bandit screaming as he collided with the side of a boulder.
"YAMCHAAA OOF!"
"AND WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, INSECT?" Vegeta had Goku in his hand, beginning to squeeze. Goku fought through the pain as his bones began to condense, creaking under the immense pressure.
"N-N-N-Noo! D-Darn it, how did he AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Vegeta squeezed harder, forcing a scream of pain from Goku.
"YESSS! SCREAM AS I PULVERIZE YOU INTO DUST! RAAAAAAAWWWWRRR!"
"Aghh-AGHHHHHHH HAAAAAAAAGH AHH AHH AHH HAAAAAA!"
Vegeta didn't hear the whirring, too fascinated in his prey to pay attention.
THUNK
The shot from the BanHammer forced the Prince's head backwards, instinctively dropping Goku, who fell unceremoniously in a broken heap. Vegeta retreated back several steps, grabbing his head.
"AGHHHHHH NOT AGAIN!"
Shepard had recovered as much as he could. He refused to let Goku be crushed like he was in the show. He watched as Yamcha was nearly killed, he wouldn't watch Goku be crushed again!
"Hey Banny, take Goku and get him to a safe spot. And no you better not shock him. He's a pure hearted soul, and if he favored any other weapon then the Power Pole, then he'd be worthy of you. So do as I ask please." The BanHammer was lightly laid over Goku, who weakly grabbed the hammer and was gently lifted in the air and floated away.
"Be-be careful Shep."
Giving his 2 finger salute, Shepard smiled, watching his friend float away before the smile left his face and he turned back to the now woozy standing Prince.
"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU AND THAT STUPID HAMMER RAAAAAAAAAWWWWRRR ENOUGH!"
Vegeta's rage began to boil over, his energy doming out and destroying everything in his sight. Shepard could sense that Goku was far enough away, so he held his hand out, calling forth his treasured weapon. The BanHammer's warm metal filled his hand as he raised the weapon in front of him, it glowing a shining white as energy from the dome rushed past him. The ground around him lifted up, being blown back, but the Rogue held firm, his weapon absorbing most of the energy that was meant for him. Gritting his teeth, he watched as white and purple electrical sparks surrounded the area, the aftermath of such a massive attack.
"YOU STILL LIVE? RAAAWWRRR NO MORE! THAT'S IT!" Vegeta took a giant leap and jumped into the air, floating as he pulled his hands back.
"IF YOU WILL NOT DIE FROM MY HANDS, THEN YOU WILL FACE THE MOST POWERFUL ENERGY BLAST I HAVE EVER CREATED! I DON'T CARE IF I TAKE THIS MUDBALL WITH ME! RAWWWWWWWRRRR!"
"Oh shit."
"Oh shit."
Marc's sentiment echoed with his own as he watched purple energy began to build around Vegeta, his aura surging dangerously in the air.
"We may actually need...that."
There was a reason why Marc was hesitant in speaking about their technique.
"Considering I've never done it with a live body, your hesitancy is beyond justified. But I need it."
He set the BanHammer next to him. "Banny when I call upon you, be ready."
He took a deep calming breath, even as he felt the energy from Vegeta began to increase. This was something the show could've never predicted, and he was sure Akira Toriyama wouldn't be so...bold to write it in, but here and now, in His universe, this was happening.
"IF YOU EVEN THINK OF DODGING THIS, YOUR PATHETIC PLANET WILL TURN TO DUST!"
Shepard had no intention of dodging. He expected to face this down in Vegeta's normal form, but with him in the Great Ape, everything had changed. Vegeta was even more angered when Shepard didn't move at all, before he insanely began to laugh, a deep guttural roaring laugh.
"SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR WRETCHED PLANET!"
Shepard didn't acknowledge Vegeta. He could hardly hear, smell or see. Closing his eyes and blocking out the quaking of the planet, he was in another mental state all his own. One of emptiness. Letting go of everything that can hold you back, that will hold you back. This was his hill to climb, and he would jump over it right to the next hill if Kami permitted it!
"Everything that I am." Shepard's hands began to flow, preparing to use everything he had to put an end to this.
"Everything that I need." His brought his hands to the left, similar to a Kamehameha stance, but slightly different, because the energy that began to invoke itself around Shepard became a deep red, and he preferred this came from his strong side, being left handed.
"All that I wish for." He felt the rocks crumbling around him, some levitating as the ground was destroyed under the heaviness of Vegeta's terrifying power. A ball of intense, purple energy gathered in the Giant Ape's hands.
"To become what I have to become, I must let go." Shepard said quietly to himself, a red, shining orb of energy gathered in his hands. It began to spark dangerously. He could barely control the massive influx of energy that packed into the red orb as it continued to grow.
"GALICK GUN! FIREEEEEEEEE!"
The purple energy blast made a beeline for the Rogue, looking to disintegrate everything in its hazardous path.
Snapping his eyes wide open, his inner pupils glowed red, his body steamed, his muscles bulged, veins pumping far more blood then normal to his entire being. This was the entire embodiment of everything that he held dear. For Tights, for the warriors of this beautiful planet, for the innocents that lived their life oblivious, he would not lose!
"OF EVERYTHING! TIMES TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!"...
Woooooooow! A Times 10?!? This early in the story?? Now remember, this is NOT necessarily a Times 10 Kamehameha, but the culmination of all of Shepard's energy that he can harness into a single blast! What will become of Shepard in the next chapter? Oh oh oh oh I can't tell you all that peeps. Also, I want you to realize that yes, Raditz is stronger then everyone that he goes into the Time Chamber with. By far, but he is at a couple of disadvantages. For starters, no senzu bean, where as the others all went prepared. He also was cocky, which led to him getting far more injured then he could have been. Raditz has growing to do of his own, but the humans and namekian would not let him continue to disrespect them any longer. Shepard has had some serious influence in some way on everyone, even if it wasn't his active, younger self. I want you all to pay attention to the discrepancies that may appear compared to canon. What kind of changes will Old Man Shepard make? Only time, and writing will tell. Also, please don't kill me over Goku and Yamcha's lackluster performance. I didn't want to make a 30,000 word chapter with a massive fight between the 3! And also, Vegeta has long warmed up in battle, where Yamcha has had very little action since the Saibamonster and Goku is cold going in! But they will shine! I promise you all they will! Now, power levels. I want to note that Vegeta is taking a 20 Percent hit on his energy in using the Fake Moon, but the ends seem to have justified the means, or have they? You'll see next chapter. Until then...
Power Levels:
Vegeta: 22,000
Oozaru: 176,000 (20 percent loss!)
Shepard: 15,000
Kaioken Times 2: 30,000
Times 5: 75,000
Times 6: 90,000
Oozaru: 150,000
W/BanHammer: 175,000 (Not the Maximum!)
Injured: 5,000(and dropping, until BanHammer Intervention)
Goku: 16,000
Kaioken Times 6: 96,000
Yamcha: 11,000 (fully recovered!)
Kaioken Times 5: 55,000
Z Warriors healing after fight with Raditz:
Piccolo: 8,500
Krillin: 5,500
Tien: 7,200
Chi-Chi: 5,000
Raditz: 16,000
Zenkai: 23,000
Shepard's Times 10 Embodiment:?