Hello all! And welcome to another chapter of thisstory. It sure is shaping up to be a thriller. I must say, if you don't cry at any point during this chapter, you are not human! I kid I kid. But seriously, I myself cried. I should know. I wrote it! As always, favorite, follow and review if you like. Pm if you have questions or wish to debate a topic of Dragon Ball.
It's a crazy twist to an iconic fight! Raditz has caused a tremendous amount of suffering already! But what more is to come? Can a stronger Goku and Piccolo who has teamed up before hold their own against the savage Raditz? And what about our iconic MC in the making? Can Shepard make it in time? Find out on this chapter of Dragon Ball: BtG!
Review(s)
Drunken Hamster: Thank you for your review.I'm glad you enjoyed the previous chapter my friend. Just about everyone got a piece of Raditz's ass! Fighter Gohan IS best Gohan, much agreed. But I have a significant plot point for the boy coming soon, and Piccolo will help him get there. And yeah our boy Yamcha got Yamcha'd, but I made sure he died like a man! An honorable death will do wonders for him down the line, unlike the saibamen death that always seemed to haunt him. This version of Yamcha fought to the bitter end, and he'll be appreciated for it just you watch. Krillin still has time to catch up, but his time is running out! One can hope he gets the cue to intensify his training. This day might just be that cue! Angry Hedgehog Rapunzel?!? Lmao I like it! I may take that off your hands and use it if you don't mind! As for Tien and Chiaotzu, that will most definitely be explained in a later chapter. You are right in thinking that Tien could have made a difference in this fight. As for his power level? I would put it in your specified range, sounds about right. And Shepard? Well I have already hinted at his (weighted) power level earlier, it's already made Raditz suspicious. As far as the BanHammer goes, it is still a work in progress. I will say it CAN increase his power level, but what it does best is observe, and absorb. 3000 is probably his absolute max if he used the BanHammer to its fullest capacity at this current time, but Raditz doesn't have a weapon, and Shepard feels he is more then a match for the mad saiyan! So we will see where his power level sits. Hope I gave you some insight, and I hope you like this chapter. Enjoy!
Age: November 2, 761
Location: Spinach Wastes
"YAHHHHHHHHH!" Goku and Piccolo charged towards the smirking saiyan. Raditz, hardly bothered, looked at the slow charge with glee. Disappearing from the pair, he got behind them, intent on killing them quickly. He was slightly caught off guard when he turned around to end it that they had already turned themselves, each throwing fists, blocking both with his forearms.
"HAHAHAHAHA well Kakarot, how interesting." Throwing a quick but ferocious punch, he caught Goku in the jaw, sending him spiraling away in a bloody spat out mist. He threw a kick at Piccolo, who blocked it with a heavy grimace, before the namekian smirked at the planet trader. Grabbing Raditz's leg, Piccolo threw him away, where a recovered Goku came in, flying towards his elder brother and connecting with a hard right knee-kick to his chest, sending him back. Raditz landed on his feet however, only slight pain. His armor took the brunt of the blow. "You two surely must fight together. How pitiful you don't rely on your own strength Kakarot." He said, looking down at his armor and chortling away.
Goku scoffed, Piccolo having returned by his side. "That didn't do a damn thing did it?" Piccolo asked, somewhat disheartened at the thought of potentially being beaten by another saiyan.
"It's that armor. We need to bust it up somehow. I may have an idea Piccolo. Follow me!" Goku said, charging again towards Raditz.
"YOU THINK YOUR TRICKS WILL WORK TWICE?" Raditz yelled, having become a lot more interested in the fight. Attempting to stand his ground, he was attacked ferociously by the duo. Being pushed back but defending everything steadily, Raditz looked for an opening. Within a matter of seconds, he pounced.
"TOO SLOW GREEN MAN!" Grabbing Piccolo's extended hand that he dodged, Raditz punched Goku in the face again, sending him to the ground for a 2nd time. He then threw the namekian over him, slamming him hard into the ground. Picking him up again, Raditz slammed him to the other side, cratering the ground around the namekian. Before he could do it again, Goku was up, flying in low, fist first. Forced to let go, Raditz flew back, dodging the punch. They went back and forth, each dodging the others punches while returning their own. A hard elbow from Raditz put Goku into the ground moments later. Charging a pink blast in his hand, he prepared to kill his brother.
Piccolo, still disoriented but mostly recovered, sped in, kicking Raditz in the face, sending him away. Dropping down to charge a blast, he paid for being vulnerable when the armored saiyan kicked him hard in the stomach, nearly ripping through the namekian and sending him skidding away. Flipping up on all fours, Raditz jumped up, taking off straight up in the air.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA THIS IS WHERE YOU BOTH DIE." Raditz yelled. The pair flew up after him, unaware of the saiyan's intent.
"Something's off Piccolo!" Goku sensed it before he saw it, as did the namekian.
"DOUBLE SUNDAY!" Raditz screamed, pointing both hands down to the ground.
"SHIT!" "CRAP!" Goku and Piccolo were both forced to dodge to different sides, the beams colliding into the ground and bringing up a massive geyser of rocks in the ensuing explosion in the distance...
Landing back down, Raditz admired his handiwork. He was slightly peeved that the pair managed to dodge. However this was therapeutic for him. Yards away, Goku and Piccolo were both breathing heavily. When they fought the older Shepard months ago, they knew deep down they would lose. But he was never trying to kill them. Raditz was ruthless, with little remorse. They sucked up some air, readying to charge headlong into the fray once again.
"Just stop this pointless farce Kakarot, l know I can kill you two anytime I want too, but this is hardly entertaining."
"That's how we beat him." Piccolo said silently to Goku. The orange wearing saiyan however was confused.
"He's arrogant. He doesn't believe he can lose." Piccolo explained.
"His tail." Goku suddenly remembered what it felt like when people had grabbed his tail. It often left him in a weakened state, unable to defend himself. He made sure to help train Gohan in how to overcome that weakness. It was one of the first things Goku wanted to teach his son. If Gohan was ever out on his own somehow, he could at least use his tail to fish, or hang from trees to get away from big hungry predators. "We need to get ahold of it somehow Piccolo. I'm willing to bet he hasn't trained that weakness out."
"How can you be sure?"
"Just trust me on this one. We still need to crack that armor. Distract him Piccolo." Goku said, hopping back and putting his hands together.
"What's this? Your dreadful teamwork means nothing to me!" Raditz said. Charging at the pair, he put them on a difficult defensive, his punches making the pairs guards wilt. "YAH YAH YAH YAH AHHHHHHH!" Sending Piccolo away with an energy blast, he focused on his younger brother. The exchanges picking up the surrounding dirt, Goku's legs were swept from under him, before Raditz ruthlessly kicked him in the chest, sending Goku away. A right punch, followed by a left, followed by continuous wilting punches left the young saiyan in an extreme daze, trying and failing miserably to defend himself. Twisting back, Raditz threw an elbow into Goku's chest, sending the younger, hacking saiyan to the ground hard. Walking up to him, he put his foot on Goku's chest, gleefully looking down, smiling coldly at his brother as he began to press down, making Goku scream in agony. A few seconds later, the pain subsided. Piccolo extended his hand, catching Raditz in the face and making him stagger.
Goku struggled to his feet, joining in the hellish fight, the exchanges between the three eating away the grass beneath their feet. Not letting up, they pushed the planet trader on his back foot, minor difficulty in blocking. Flexing his power and pushing them back a dozen yards, Raditz charged forward, sending a knee into Goku's chest, making him hack blood. Turning quickly and slamming an elbow into Piccolo's nose, the satisfying crunch that came with the impact was music to Raditz's ears. Turning back, his glee was short lived as Goku came in, head first and genuinely hurting Raditz for the first time, head butting the planet trader's armor. Goku's head hurt quite a bit from the impact, but he shook it off, watching Raditz stagger back in stunned silence, observing the now spider webbed cracked armor. "I-I-impossible!" Raditz spat out. Goku didn't give his brother time, rushing him with an array of attempted martial prowess. Goku's skill was holding up, if only slightly, against the sheer power of his brother, who though not nearly as skilled as Goku, his minuscule blocks made up for it. Moving his head, Raditz dodged the next series of punches, gritting his teeth at the effort he had to exert. The thought of it was madness!
'Ho-how is it that Kakarot is even still standing?! Damn him for making this harder then it has to be!'
Dodging again, Raditz reached forward, grabbing Goku's head and slamming it into his knee, he did it again, sending the woozy Turtle student staggering back before hitting him with an uppercut. Throwing his right hand out, he fired a pink ball of energy. Colliding with Goku's stomach, it sent the turtle student away. Grabbing the ball with his hands, they began to burn as Goku pushed the energy away with all his might, sending it exploding to the ground nearby.
Piccolo's broken nose had regenerated, but the pain was still there. Flying back into the fight, he extended his hand once again, swiping his claws across the now cracked armor, breaking a few pieces off. Following his hand, the namekian came in with a heavy assault, Goku joining in a moment later. Sending Raditz back again on the defensive, they were both mutually thanking the older version of their rival Shepard for pushing them hard during their spar over a year ago. Their teamwork had improved enough to start to tire the planet trader, if only a bit.
Using an afterimage, Raditz got behind the pair, elbowing both of them in the back. Cartwheeling away, Piccolo landed on his feet, firing a yellow blast immediately, but it was sent away by Raditz's hand. Continuing his assault, Raditz flew towards the duo, kicking Goku back and throwing a right jab at Piccolo. The namekian, having barely seen it, ducked below, looking to sweep the planet trader, but Raditz jumped high above him, gathering pink energy in both of his hands. Before he could fire, Goku had gotten above his older brother, slamming both hands into Raditz, sending him down towards the ground. Landing on his feet hard, Raditz cracked the ground beneath him.
"THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! THERE IS NO WAY I'LL LOSE HERE KAKAROT! NO WAY! YOU DARE BETRAY THE SAIYAN RACE WITH YOUR RESISTANCE! YOU WILL DIIIIIIIIIIE!" Raditz screamed out, livid that this fight was still going on.
"Yeah? Well maybe you shouldn't have taken my son in the first place!" Goku said back, charging as well. They both collided, Raditz having the clear strength advantage and using it to full effect, grabbing his younger brother by the face and slamming him down into the ground. Almost immediately, Piccolo came in, slugging the planet trader as he looked up. Sending him back, Piccolo pressed the small advantage, his claws glancing off of Raditz's bracers. Throwing his head back to avoid another, the armored warrior brought his head forward, slamming it into Piccolo's jaw, followed by a left punch, a fierce kick to the namekian's gut, finishing it with a back hand that sent him skidding across the ground.
"1873?? Whe-?"
"KAMEEEHAAAMEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Goku fired the super kamehameha, phasing in behind Raditz. However with his scouter, Raditz saw it coming, dodging barely to the side.
"Darn, h-he's so fast." Goku said, slightly bummed.
"So you can focus your energy into a single point like that trash earlier?" Raditz said, caught off guard.
"HIS NAME...WAS YAMCHA!" With a fierce charge, Goku came fast, ducking below Raditz's outstretched hand.
"ROCK!" Catching the attempted punch in his other palm, Raditz attempted to gloat.
"What was the point of-"
"SCISSORS!" BOINK
"YEEEOOOOWWWWWW! DAMMIT! DAMMIT MY EYE!" Raditz was enraged, squinting as he tried to find his brother.
"PAPER!" "NO MORE OF THAT!" Throwing a haymaker with all his might at where he thought Goku might be, he was stunned when he felt a palm slam into his back, Goku, having afterimaged, made him taste dirt. Goku attempted to grab his brother's tail, but received a kick to the stomach for his efforts, sending him far back. Getting up quickly, Raditz fiercely rubbed his right eye, trying to see through the painful haze.
"I will tear you apart for this Kakarot! I swear it!"
"SWEAR TO THIS EXPLOSIVE DEMON WAVE!" Piccolo yelled, unleashing the powerful yellow energy wave. Hearing the namekian shout, Raditz threw his arms up, instinctively attempting to protect himself. The explosion was deafening, surely making a crater where the armored saiyan stood.
As the smoke dispersed however, the namekian was displeased. Burns and a few cuts on his body, armor nearly gone, Raditz looked over his guard, still attempting to blink out the pain. Seeing his target, he rushed through the smoke, looking to get ahold of Piccolo. Desperate, the green alien, charged an energy ball, throwing it haphazardly. Catching it and crushing it in his hands, Raditz knife edge chopped the upper chest of his foe, followed with a right knee to his stomach, purple blood spurting from the namekian's mouth as he fell to his knees. Palming the top of Piccolo's head, Raditz lifted him up to his eye level.
"You are nothing to the saiyan race green man. Why even help Kakarot in the first place?" Raditz was genuinely curious. He had fought many foes, many for far less then what was at stake here, but he'd never fought a pair of warriors this resilient.
"W-we have a common g-goal." Piccolo breathed out, trying to catch his breath. Raditz did not like that answer, and made it known with a uppercut right into Piccolo's stomach, nearly caving it in.
"That's not good enough. Surely you knew that this was suicide? And yet, here you are, dying on this mud ball planet. You should've just stayed on your own damn home planet green man!" Gleeful, Raditz punched Piccolo again. "Now, the way I see it, you have no reason to help my brother with this fight. With that said." Throwing Piccolo away, Raditz raised his hand to the sky, an energy ball forming.
His eyes widening, Piccolo was defenseless. Before the energy ball could be fully thrown, the energy in Raditz's hand was dispersed. Feeling an odd sensation, Raditz's head snapped around, seeing his brother with his tail grabbed with both hands.
"Too bad you dropped your guard. Now I got your tail! I remembered how much that use to hurt when someone grabbed mine. Come to think of it, since I have gotten my memories from before my head injury, a lot of what I did as a kid is starting to come back too! This is AWESOME! Hehehehe hey Piccolo, do you have any techniques that could end this?" Goku said. His body was battered, his face swollen and bloody, but he had managed to sneak behind his older brother.
Spitting out a small wad of blood, Piccolo got up, smirking as he saw the pitiful state their enemy was now in. "A-as a matter of fact, I do. It should b-be ready really soon." Putting 2 of his fingers to his forehead, the namekian began charging an abnormal amount of power.
"NOOO! HOW? HOW DID YOU GET BEHIND ME KAKAROT?" Raditz yelled, struggling for nearly 10 seconds before falling wobbly to the ground.
"That little doo hicky thing on your face. It reads power doesn't it?" Getting a weakened nod, Goku continued. "Well I dropped my power to 0. I tricked it! I learned how to do that through a great teacher. Kami taught me so much. So I snuck up on ya. You're done for! Just surrender, let my son outta that pod, or I promise you, you will die today. I don't want you killed Raditz, even though you killed my friend Yamcha, even after you kidnapped my son, I would still rather let you live."
Raditz was shocked to his core. He had done terrible things in his life. Coming here and doing what he did was just another day for him. And the only people he felt he needed to satisfy and keep happy were his stronger saiyan comrades. He hardly knew love. Forgiveness. He had remembered from long ago as a small child, the words of a mysterious being that had somehow came to the planet that they were conquering. His first since his birth in fact. He had heard that his father was proud that he had been assigned with Prince Vegeta. But he also heard the recording of his father. His advice. His bitterness. He remembered every word. To this day. The genuine pride in his father's voice through the message though was loud and clear. Frieza had stripped almost everything from the saiyan's. Only 2 things had been truly left behind. Their pride in who they were as a warrior race, and their desire to live, if only to someday see their revenge on the tyrant who had destroyed their planet. He, unlike the many saiyan children, and even those of Kakarot's age, remembered Planet Vegeta. It was a piece of trash planet, but it was theirs! More then anything, he wanted to wrap his hands around Frieza's very neck, but he was not even a tenth of Dodoria's strength! To even have a concept of getting to that strength someday was absurd! Vegeta had been thinking lately that he could probably take Dodoria in a straight up fight. So there was the hope that Bardock had spoke about. And the Super Saiyan. It had became a joke over the years. The mystery being, who Vegeta was sure was a Saiyan, did not let them know how to possibly become one.
"IT'S READY!" Looking up, Raditz noticed Piccolo's muscles bulging, holding onto an immense amount of energy at his fingertips.
"2201!? SHIT! LEMME GO KAKAROT NOW! PLEASE! AGHH AHHHHH!" Struggling mightily to stand despite his weakness, he was then surprised when the weakened Goku wrapped him in a full Nelson.
"KAKAROT A-ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU'LL DIE TOO!" Continuing to struggle, Raditz was trying to overcome the temporary weakness, having his tail let go in the process.
"I-I'll gl-gladly die knowing Go-Gohan's safe." Goku said, struggling to hold the bigger, stronger saiyan in place.
"SPECIAL BEAM CANNON!" Sending his fingertips forth, a yellow beam exploded out, followed with a spiraling pink ring that encapsulated the beam.
"NOOOOOO!" Many thoughts ran through the planet traders head. He wanted to live! He had to live! He had to see his mother again someday! He needed to live! Dying like this was not a way any saiyan should or would want to go out. His struggles became stronger, thrashing his younger brother around, attempting to get out of the hold, to no avail.
"NOOO I WILL NOT DIE LIKE THIS!" Screaming as loud as he could, Raditz slammed his foot down on Goku's, shattering his exposed foot.
"OOOOWW-!" SMASH
Sending his head back, he broke his brother's nose, making Goku lose his grip. The resistance that held him up disappeared, making Raditz fall to the ground.
Goku had no chance. The beam was strong enough to pierce through Raditz. But with him being the only one standing now, the Special Beam Cannon ripped right through him like a hot knife, spiraling away into a mountain a distance away, throwing up a massive explosion in the background.
"S-SHIT!" Piccolo yelled in anger, seeing what had happened.
Falling back to the ground, a massive hole in his stomach, Goku was gurgling, spitting up blood. He was having a hard time breathing. His eyes were a bit cloudy, having a hard time seeing.
Lifting his head up, Raditz looked away, clearly still surprised he was alive. Turning and seeing his brother, the warrior was conflicted. Getting up, he slowly walked to Goku's soon to be corpse.
"K-Ka-Kakarot?"
Breathing as much as he could, Goku didn't know how much time he had left. He was expecting his brother to finish the job, but he only looked wide eyed, unknowing of what to do.
"Th-th-t-that beam of h-his su-sure packs a wallop." Goku breathed out, barely able to make a sentence as he began coughing out more blood.
"Wh-wh-what? Kakarot?" Raditz said, the momentary sadness at the moment was the only thing he could latch onto. His father had told him when he someday arrived on Earth, that it would be his job to protect Kakarot. That he was...Special. And yet, he had come here, with nothing but ill intent, looking to destroy him. Over the course of the fight however, his cold exterior was slowly melting away. It was no where close to gone however. He had hoped to spare his brother, as well as his nephew. If only to have some kind of resemblance of family with him conquering more planets. Hoping to diverge the superior saiyan's still out in the stars. They would create hell for his younger brother and nephew, and he wouldn't be so bogged down by their continuous insults. But that dream was all but gone now. The sudden revelation of that lost dream unveiled a deep, deep anger in him. Looking over at the namekian with fury, he started walking towards Piccolo, who fearfully began backing up.
"You. You...You are going to pay... pay d-dearly for this!" Before Raditz could get to Piccolo, the namekian snapped his head over at the crater where the saiyan pod resided. Somewhat surprised at Piccolo's fearful, wide eyed face not looking at him, and backing away from the crater, Raditz tapped his scouter. Widening his eyes, he too snapped his head at the crater.
BOOOOOOOOM
His space pod exploded, and out came the scariest thing he had ever seen...
A few minutes before...
Gohan was stirring awake slowly. The memory of today coming back to him, he suddenly snapped his eyes open, tears pouring out. All he could see was the red lens of some kind of small enclosed space. Through blurry eyes, which he wiped clean on his qipao. Standing up in the pod since he was small enough, Gohan became determined.
'Daddy I-I sense you're fighting that mean guy! I need to get out and help! And Mister Piccolo? He's here too?' Gohan was so happy that he could sense both his dad and teacher out there. But he also sensed the other guy's energy. He knew they were in trouble.
"HAAAAAAAAA!" Powering up as much as his little body could handle, Gohan just didn't have the strength to get out! He was still weak from that technique Mr. Yamcha had taught him. At the thought of Yamcha, tears began pouring out again. The man had surely saved his life. But where was he? He couldn't sense the man anywhere. 'Did...did that mean guy hurt him? Why? Why?
"HAAAAAAAA!" Powering up again, he still couldn't get out. Pounding on the glass. It wasn't breaking. No matter how much he hit it!
"DADDDDDDYYY! MISTER PICCOLOOOOOOO! HELLLLLP! PLEAAASEE!" Losing hope, he slid down the glass, tears hitting the bottom of the pod. 'I nee-need to get out. Daddy! Please!' Shouting in his head, he stood up and looked out. He couldn't see much, even on his tippy toes, so he floated up a few inches. Even then, the boy couldn't see anything. The occasional flash of light, an explosion over the crater would come sometimes, but he couldn't see much else. Falling to the ground of the pod, more tears began to come out.
'I just want to help my Daddy! Why can't I get out? Why can't I-'
He felt something was wrong. His Daddy was hurt! His power had been steadily decreasing as whatever was happening was going on. He tried to feel the mean guy's power, but it was almost not there. Like something had sapped his energy. Before he could think anything else, he felt Piccolo's energy skyrocket. Followed by a sudden increase in that mean guy's energy.
'Wh-what's happe-!'
Something in his mind was disappearing. His dad's ki just plummeted! Hearing a massive explosion somewhere in the distance, he didn't care anymore! He needed out.
NOW
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
Jumping out of the crater, cratering the ground in his own right, Gohan, with a reddened aura, landed hard on the ground, eyes wide at the man who took him, a feral look that should never be on the face of a 4 year old.
"Oh. Shit." Piccolo had seen this before, but the power was greater then before. Too great for him to handle. Backing away, exhausted from already using the Special Beam Cannon, he braced himself.
"I...I... wh-what is g-going on?" Raditz stammered out, his scouter going crazy before settling on a number he wasn't expecting, not even close.
"2679! THAT'S IM-IMPOSSIBLE! IT CAN'T BE!" Raditz was now concerned! He couldn't have anticipated encountering someone with this kind of power, let alone his nephew. A small bitter taste of pride swelled in him that it was his own family, but now that power was against him!
"G-g-go-go-han." Goku, barely alive, saw his son explode out of the space pod he was put in. His power was amazing! But he could tell his son was not going to be able to use it. His body was to small. He wanted Gohan to get out of here!
Gohan's power fizzled out at his father's rasping voice. "D-d-Daddy?"
"R-R-un-Run G-COUGH-Ru-Run Gohan!"
Gohan stood shell shocked. Whatever had left him had disappeared. The rage, replaced by sudden shock. His Daddy was the strongest! He had to be! Yet...Old Shepard's words rung in his mind. Even though it was about it mother primarily, his father's protection was not enough. He needed to stand for himself. Now more then ever. But he couldn't summon the rage. What happened to him today was harder then anything he had ever been through in his young life! But he just couldn't find that power in him again.
"D-da-Daddy!" Beginning to run towards his dying father, the other 2 on the battlefield dared not stop him. Even Raditz, still stunned at the initial power display, didn't make a step.
"N-NO! G-Goh-Gohan you...you have to-COUGH COUGH-you hav-have to run. R-Run Go-Gohan. I-I-I-I'm s-so-sor-sorry..." Goku couldn't speak anymore. It was too painful. He knew he was a goner, and he didn't have much time left. He wanted his son to live to fight another day.
Wait...
Before Goku could process anything else, he felt a power speeding towards them. It wouldn't be long. This one would give Raditz some serious trouble.
Seeing his father in his condition, Gohan was frozen. His Daddy was the most powerful man he knew. No one could beat him. No one! Until today. He had had enough! Slowly looking at Raditz, he started shaking.
"Y-y-y-yo-you will!" Gohan's red aura began to encircle him once again, his power climbing.
"W-what t-the hell is going on? 2,700... 2,900...IMPOSSIBLE-3,300.. NO IT'S AT 3,460!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The rage in the little boy's screams to the heavens was painful to the Namekian's ears, but he was now officially shitting himself! How could he even hope to help this boy? He was already stronger then him!
The look on Raditz's face as the boy's aura shot up to the sky, opening the clouds, left him in a terrified stupor. This was his nephew? How could his nephew be giving off power that had not been seen since Prince Vegeta's childhood? For a saiyan this was tremendous! The boy could be an amazing aid to the Prince! Maybe he could even help take down Frieza! He started to back away, fearing what was going to happen.
"AHHHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHH! AHHHH! AHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Screaming all he could, the boy was enraged, the tortured screams escaping from his throat so raw. As he stopped, he looked right at Raditz.
"You...you took my Daddy away."
"I'LL NEVER LET YOU DO THAT AGAIN!" Gohan screamed, holding his hands out, where an immense amount of blue energy began to form
Goku had woken slightly, hearing his son's words. It elicited a near forgotten memory. He had lost Eighter, who had sacrificed his life, his existence. He avenged Eighter and was able to bring him back with the dragon balls, as well as everyone else who had died in that fight with the Red Ribbon Army. However, the nostalgia he felt at seeing his son in such a similar state, was bittersweet. And as he looked on, the boy began to charge what would be the most powerful Kamehameha ever fired on Earth.
"NEVER!"
"4263! I CAN'T BLOCK THAT!" Raditz said, fear crawling in his spine now. The boy was monstrously powerful! How the hell could this boy be so much stronger then both him and his brother? Put together?
"SHIT! NOOOOOOO!" Beginning to run in the opposite direction, Raditz was now officially scared. His pride, all but shattered, could go straight to hell!
Goku couldn't help but chuckle, coughing out a lot more blood. His last living thought being of tremendous pride for his son.
"KAAAMEEEHAAAMEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" An unbelievable beam of energy, electrifying blue, exploded out of the boys hands, it being many times his size.
Turning back, Raditz's eyes bulged out of their sockets.
"5579! NOOOOOOO!" The blast was gaining on the fleeting saiyan hard, who knew he had no chance of outrunning it. Firing a small blast at the ground 10 feet in front of him, he ran as hard as he could, jumping into the small hole that he made.
Piccolo took cover, much further away from the blast but it was near blinding. Much more powerful then anything he had ever seen! It still pushed him even further away, being unable to control his movement in the ferocious winds that picked up.
"AGHHHHH! GO-GOHAAAAAN!" Piccolo tried screaming over the beam, but it was no use. Shielding himself as best as he could, he hoped so much that the planet was not going to be destroyed because of this.
Goku's body was flung many yards away, already an empty shell. It landed in the dirt, closer to the original crater his brother had made.
Raditz had did all he could as the beam had flew by, covering his head and cowering at the insane power that the wave carried. But he was not completely covered, and his heavy breathes began to turn into agonizing screams as the beam flew across his back, destroying the armor and grazing him. He couldn't push down any further so he was forced to bear it. It was one of the most painful things in his life that he had ever experienced. Being pummeled by the Prince was as much of an honor as it was a learning experience. But this? This had nothing to do with honor, or pride. This was madness! As the blast fizzled away, it flew off, destroying several mountains and sending up a mushroom cloud when it finally ran out of power, many miles away.
The area was silent for several minutes, with the exception of Raditz's screams.
Gohan, not noticing his blast had mostly missed, was glassy eyed and completely spent of energy, the strain on his body being way to much for the little boy to handle.
"Gohan?" Piccolo said, trying to get the boy's attention. When that didn't work, he approached with caution, not knowing if there was going to be another explosion of energy. "Gohan!" Running to the falling boy, Piccolo caught him by the chest, holding him steady.
"EEEEAAOOOOOOWWWWW! SHIT! OWWW! UGHHH!" Gritting his teeth as he pushed himself up out of the hole, Raditz's armor broke around him, mainly from his back. What wasn't broken had been turned to ash. His back was still smoking, the pain near unbearable. Stumbling forward and nearly falling, he was disoriented. Only his black undershirt, which was shredded and ashen on his back, where there was blood covering a lion share of it. His hair had miraculously survived the blast, but it weighed heavily on his head now. Making it out of the small hole, breathing heavily, he turned around and gasped.
The part of the hole he climbed out of his was the only circular part of what was once his hole. There now lay a massive strip of torn out earth for as long as he could see. It was much wider then he was taller, probably almost as wide as an Oozaru is tall. Shaking, he pressed his scouter, snapping his head around and seeing the boy's power level not even above 5. 'W-w-what t-the hell? Where did that power c-come from?'
Piccolo didn't have much energy left. But he knew he had to get Gohan out of there! The boy was vulnerable and the namekian couldn't fight with him so close and not able to protect himself. He had grown a soft heart for the boy, most in part for his skills in battle, but also for his kind nature. It was soothing to be around the boy. Often times spending his evenings meditating near or in Mount Paozu. The boy was indeed stronger then he could have ever imagined! But before he could ponder more on this, he heard Raditz walking towards them.
"T-that boy i-is a mon-monster. I-I have to put him out of h-his misery, now before he learns to control t-th-that power!" Stumbling towards them, Raditz, even through a hazy fog that his head still processed as pain, he ignored it as much as he could. "He-he is an abomination, h-he mu-must be-" stopping as he spoke, he looked at his scouter.
"N-no Prince you don't understand what I sa-"
Piccolo could hear the voice on the other side, whoever it was, and he could tell it was a man, he sounded angry.
"DAMN YOU PRINCE! WHY?"
Piccolo also began to hear something else, and as much as he hated it, he was grateful he was finally coming. 'What the hell took him so damn long?'
"I have to refuse you-your order Prince. I can't let him live, even if he could be an in-incredible asset." Raditz cut off the communication and looked at the namekian and unconscious hybrid child. Walking towards them with pained but purposeful steps, he had to end this. He had no pod, no way to recover properly. He would need time to heal on this pitiful lower technology ran dumpster planet! Piccolo began to charge a blast, holding his hand out, but it was caught. Raditz, having stepped close enough, looked at him with pure, unadulterated anger.
"Y-you. Are. In my Way." Raditz said, emotionless, before ripping Piccolo's right arm off, throwing it to the side, the energy disappearing from the blast.
"AEEOOOOOWWWW!!" Backing away with the boy in his lone hand, he threw the boy behind him, ready to make his last stand. "I-I'LL D-D-DIE BEFORE I'LL LET YO-YOU!" Piccolo screamed, moving further back, purple blood squirting out of his stump.
"That wi-will certainly be arranged. I really wish Kakarot was alive r-right now. Fo-for a few moments, h-he really reminded of o-our father. But I need t-!" His scouter beeping, he looked at the child instantly.
"136-!"
Piccolo heard it as he saw it, the infamous whirring that came with a weapon that he himself had experienced more then once...
Earlier...
"ARD!"
The black had soon turned to white, followed by what he thought he heard was screaming.
"SHEP-"
'Huh!'
"SHEPARD!"
"WHA-!"
Screaming awake, Shepard's first image was his beautiful girlfriend, tears streaming down her face. He was instantly sorry for making her worry, but he couldn't dwell on it anymore, as his senses were off. Something bad had happened.
"Shepard what the hell is going on? Pl-please talk to me. What the fuck was that?" Tights almost shouted.
She was making more pork buns for Shepard, looking outside at him meditating. She had fallen hard for him. She couldn't explain the feeling of safe that came with being with the man, but she was not a complainer. Unlike her sister, who had all but complained about Yamcha, especially after he had broken it off with her. She was walking towards the front door when she saw Shepard stand up abruptly, walking towards the edge of the main island. She was entranced with him, studying him. His arms, sculpted with the dedication of his craft, honing his body to be strong to withstand the upcoming trials he was sure to stand against. It looked like he was about to take off, holding his hand out for his hammer. It began to fly to him before it went right past him. Tights seen it go past him, going right over the edge as Shepard had fallen down to the ground, out cold. Dropping her plate screaming, Tights instantly ran out the front door, running up to his body. He seemed to be breathing. Trying to flip him onto his back was impossible, now that he had finally been able to lift the infamous Kevlar vest that was somehow enhanced to an incredible weight, it was impossible for her to move him. She remembered the day like it was yesterday, hearing and feeling the echoing footsteps when he came around the corner with it on. He looked genuinely happy. The quick memory had become a fleeting thought after nearly an hour of him still not moving. Desperately screaming his name, Tights was about to run in the house and call Bulma when he had finally started showing life once again..
"It's-It's Raditz. He's here." Standing up, more focused, Shepard looked out across the ocean, closing his eyes. He could sense that Raditz had left behind some kind of destruction, based on the residents distress there. His acuity had become so much more since his training with Tien and Chiaotzu. He had been relentless, following them has hard as he could. Their training bore results. Picking them up at times was hard! He had even lost them a couple of times, having to find them with smell and tracking alone. They were not kidding when they said they didn't care about leaving him. After about the 7th time he had tracked them back down, they had started to let him in. Shepard was floored by some of their methods of training. They never showed much of it on the show, but these two were extreme! The only time they had rested was when their bodies demanded it, their mental fortitude was incredible. His clairvoyance had become attuned enough to challenge the pair's senses. His flight had become 2nd nature. He could fly around the world now. It still took him time, unfortunately.
'I was thinking.-"
"I know."
"Know what Shepard? Talk to me dammit!" A push from the small blonde fierce woman caught Shepard's attention.
"I need to go Baby. I have to. Raditz has already caused havoc. I need to stop him." Tights remembered Shepard's words from 5 days ago. This was serious. She didn't want to let him go, but this was something that he needed to do. She couldn't hold him back. Not now.
"Then you need to go. Save the world. Stop him Shepard." Tights said, looking up at her boyfriend. He brought his head down, kissing her. It was long, filled with passion. This was everything he was fighting for! He would not fail. But he needed to get there.
"I love you. So much. You're everything to me. I'm so sorry I have to go now. But I promise, no matter what. I will find my way back."
"Don't make that promise. Don't limit yourself. Fight Shep. I love you too.." He was smiling on her teeth, loving these kisses. He knew there was a likely chance he would not get them again. At least, not anytime soon. So he was savoring every single one, this perfect moment, on an already ravaged world, would not be lost on the pair. Tights may have been a bit older then Shepard, but it didn't matter to the 2. Breaking off his final kiss, he took running steps towards the ledge.
"I LOVE YOU TIGHTS BRIEF!" His final step cratered the edge, taking off like a bullet. He had to make a quick stop. Hearing his girlfriend's final plea, he smiled. Holding his hand down, his trusted BanHammer, a weapon to be cherished as much as used, exploded out of the ocean, catching up to him and fitting comfortably in his hand. Now that there were no more distractions, he darted towards Master Roshi's island...
Since Goku and Piccolo had left, Krillin and Master Roshi had been slowly gathering the tools to repair the holes the former had put in when the insane saiyan hit him through the house. Bulma had been panicking, especially when Master Roshi had told her that Yamcha had been killed. Even though Yamcha had been the one to break the relationship off, Bulma had had time to think about it. And the man's words from months ago made more sense as time went on. They were better off as friends. She didn't truly know if he had cheated on her or not, the thoughts died the instant the Master had told her, head down in shame. Bulma had been ready to get in her ship and take off towards where she knew Yamcha lived, before both the master and student looked away, looking at a spot in the distance.
"I-is that that Shepard fellow you mentioned before Krillin?"
"Yup it sure is! It's about time he made it! Damn he feels so strong now!" Krillin let out a big whoop as the man touched down.
"Heya buddy! You missed out on some crazy stuff today." Krillin said, running out to greet Shepard.
"Dammit." Was all the saiyan had said, looking around. Shepard saw that the house had been damaged, and Krillin and Master Roshi looked shaken. But he paid his respects, deep respects. He bowed to the master.
"Master Roshi.. I mean you no disrespect, but I came here to see if I could help real quick."
The master was pleased at the respect. However they didn't have time.
"You need to get going! That bastard already killed Yamcha! THAT WAY!" Pointing out northeast, Master Roshi pointed out.
"FUCK! I'm sorry guys. I'm so sorry." Shepard had no more time to ponder, igniting his aura, he got back up in the air, white aura pulsating wildly around him.
After minutes of flying, a problem was becoming really evident with Shepard. He was weighed down too much! He had 2 options: drop the BanHammer, or drop the heavy 500lb vest. But one word erupted in his mind from his counterpart. And he was thankful for it.
"NIMMMMMBUUUUUUUUSSS!" Screaming it desperately, the saiyan hoped the famed yellow cloud would come streaking in. Having never heard his voice, it may not. He didn't know if it would work, but he had an idea, it just might work, but not without The Flying Nimbus!
"NIIIIIIMMBUUUUUSSS! PLEEEEAAAAASEEE." He was beginning to unstrap the releases on his vest, fidgeting with the first few straps when he heard the cloud come in, floating beside him.
"YES! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" Hugging the cloud, he almost forgot what he was hugging, before the cloud burst into particles, reappearing a couple feet away. It was making the same noises it normally made, but even Shepard could tell the cloud was not one to wait.
"Nimbus, BanHammer. BanHammer, meet the Famous Flying Nimbus!" He had learned to trust the Hammer. It had grown heavier through his training, stronger. It was already made of the hardest known metal in the multiverse! But it also seemed to have a mind of its own. It trusted its young master, given to him by his elder. It was the same being. In every facet. The Hammer could not be lifted by anyone other then Shepard, or anyone that Shepard deemed truly worthy, but that was the catch: only the BanHammer itself knew what that worth meant. It's master could deem someone worthy, but it sure wouldn't make it so in the Hammer's eyes!
"Look, I'm gonna put the BanHammer on your back, and you've gotta take me to Gohan. Please. We must hurry!" This was the only idea Shepard could think of. He would never make it in time as he was flying. Especially so weighed down. He would lose the vest before the BanHammer!
Putting the Hammer on the Nimbus as gently as he could, Shepard was overjoyed that the cloud accepted him and the BanHammer, as the Flying Nimbus wrapped around BanHammer's front head.
"This is gonna be so-WHOAAAAOAAOOAO-"
The Flying Nimbus took Shepard faster then he had ever gone! Seeing the scenery fly before him, hanging onto the handle of his trusted handle for dear life, he was lucky that he was still holding on when he put his weapon on the cloud!
"YAHHH! YEAAHH YEAH YEAH LETS GOOOOOOO!" Shepard's mind had finally caught up to the mind numbing speed they were going. He could feel the battle going on. He was angry with his counterpart for putting him out of action. They had a good talk, and they were on the same page, but that could not happen again.
"Sue me Shep!" Feeling his alternate give him the finger, he started laughing. Even with the thought of knowing he was too late to save Yamcha, even with the thought that even with the Nimbus assisting, he may fail everybody, his counterpart just had a way of bringing out something positive in him, and he needed every bit of it now. But his positive laughter turned into an abrupt horror.
"I know! Piccolo's increase in energy can only mean one thing!" He felt the amazing energy even from as far away as he was, but he could also feel Goku's energy, weakening rapidly, and Raditz's energy itself was...funny. Before, the intent to kill was clearly there, but while flying, that intent had turned into excitement.
"Raditz did not enjoy the fight in the show. He's stronger then he was also." His counterpart provided.
But now, he was desperate.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Shepard screamed out, feeling it even as he saw the abstract explosion from far away.
"G-Goku!"
"NIMBUS WE NEED TO GET THERE NOWWWWWW!" Shepard screamed to the cloud, pushing its speed further. As they were going, he felt rage. A deep rage he could only imagine came from one person. Time seemed to stop as the cloud continued to fly, Shepard was mesmerized at the feeling of Gohan's energy. But it was gone the moment it came. Confused, he understood why, feeling it moments later.
"N-nooo! G-GOKUUUUU!" Holding on with both hands, but looking down at the scenery. He was still not close enough to see the battlefield, but he then felt something he hoped to never feel again, but somehow knew he might. Seeing a red aura of energy erupt into the sky, piercing the clouds from so far, he was nearly blasted back by the blowback winds that formed from the boys anger, even from so far away! The energy was the most he had felt up to that point, and it was getting stronger!
"N-NO GOHAAAAAANNNNN! WE GOTTA GET THERE NIMBUS! WE GOTTA-" Before he could say more, a massive Kamehameha tore from the ground, seeing it flying off into the horizon, a blinding explosion occurring in the distance of the mountains. Shepard was one part entranced, one part horrified. The amount of energy coming from that thing was massive!
He had been making good headway, unfortunately he could still feel Raditz alive. Gohan, in his anger must not have gotten the Saiyan. He could feel that the warrior was injured though. That bit at Shepard, but he was lucky he brought a souvenir or two. Regardless of what Marc might've said, Shepard was a Saiyan now, and he would fight the mad saiyan on his terms. He could hardly feel Gohan's energy anymore, but he could tell that the boy was still alive, if only because of the minute ki that he could feel.
"Alright Nimbus, it's time. T-Thank you for everything! I couldn't have done it without you. Hey take this capsule to The Lookout please. Get it to Kami, he'll know who it came from and what to do with it after. Thank you." Leaving the little purple and black capsule on the Nimbus, the cloud gripped around it to make sure it wouldn't be lost. Unlatching the BanHammer from the cloud, Shepard could see an ashen forest that lay ahead, but knew it wasn't where he needed to be. Using his energy, he guided his free fall further up, wind biting at his hair and ears. He was almost there, now finally seeing the carnage. The earth was torn asunder! Looking down before that however, he saw his target.
"Alright Banny! For GOKU!" Shepard screamed, remembering his fellow saiyan. He cocked back the Hammer, looking back at it with a smirk.
"Don't rip his head off please! Alive preferred! Surprise me!" He let the Hammer go, throwing it hard and watching what it would do as he dropped...
It had flew within an inch of Piccolo's face, him catching its glint with his own eye for a fleeting nanosecond.
THUNK
Slamming right into Raditz's face, the saiyan couldn't hold up to the pressure of the weapon as it lifted him off the ground, sending him peeling away through the adjoining forest. He slammed through quite a few boulders before his back finally slammed into one that he didn't. He was in so much pain he couldn't even think to pull the hammer off. Somehow, it was stuck to his face, keeping him in place. His scouter, having somehow survived the impact, was going off constantly. The ringing in his head a steady thrum.
Back to the ailing pair, Piccolo, being the only one conscious, saw Shepard land, dropping down to one knee as he cratered the ground. Piccolo instinctively wanted to growl. Somehow, the Saiyan had gotten stronger then him and Goku both! But he would take it. He would not complain.
"It took you lo-long enough." Dropping to a knee, Piccolo's energy had all but sapped away.
"Hey hey hey hey you're gonna be alright Piccolo. Here, come on here take them. For you and Gohan both!" Shepard said, running to the pair. Piccolo let go of Gohan, taking the offered beans from the saiyan. Before he could say anything, Shepard continued talking.
"You two need to get going. Take Gohan out of here. You're no good to him like this. The two Saiyans will be coming in just under a year. Kami will get the humans up to the Lookout to train under him. When you've sufficiently trained Gohan out in the wilderness, go to Capsule Corp. Bulma and her father are already tinkering with gravity manipulation and working on enclosing it. Saiyans can work under a heavier gravity. We need to use that to our advantage." Shepard finished, beginning to head off in the direction of his Hammer and foe.
"W-Wait." Piccolo bit out, making Shepard look back. "He killed Yamcha earlier. Whatever you are thinking, use your damn brain! Goku and I both fought him. He ran right through us! He-he even survived Gohan's attack! You may be stronger then both of us now, but not by much. W-what are-"
"I'm not worried Piccolo." Was all Shepard said, turning back and walking steadily away. Still within earshot, he yelled back.
"THANK YOU!" Turning back, he said silently, "Kami would be proud of you."
Saying what he needed to say, Shepard had an insane Saiyan to deal with. He knew he would have a fight on his hands! Raditz had felt stronger then he did on the show, but Shepard had been holding back just a little bit of his energy, not to mention he was weighted down! It was going to be a serious fight! But even with the knowledge of knowing Raditz's fate, Shepard was unaware that he would be fighting Destiny...
Annnnnnd cut! A very emotional chapter for those who feel Gohan's rage. Please don't kill me for OPing Gohan, but I really wanted to press that this Gohan is going to be incredibly powerful! He has already been training and has tapped into his rage once before. It's my understanding that his potential is limitless, and will continue to grow with age, unless he all together stops training, which Shepard, Goku and Piccolo will surely not let happen. As far as the schism between Shepard and Marc goes, it really is that. You have two sides of the same coin. One believes in following DbZ to the letter, where as the other is looking to tear apart the timeline and change what can be changed, even if it means ripping apart Time itself. There is something about Shepard I've only hinted at once or twice, maybe you guys can guess it, maybe not, but regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If it got you emotional and made you feel some type of way, then my job has been fulfilled.
Power Levels:
Raditz- 1,900
Injured by Gohan- 1,000 (and dropping)
Yamcha- 604
Kamehameha full power- 1,094 (absolute Max!)
Goku- 970 unweighted
Kamehameha full power- 1,873
Injured by Special Beam Cannon- 10 (and dropping)
Piccolo- 917 unweighted
Special Beam Cannon- 2201
Gohan- 268(normal)
1st Rage Boost- 2,679
2nd Rage Boost- 4,263
Angered Kamehameha- 5,501
Master Roshi- 139
Krillin- 364
Shepard- 1,36?(uh uh uh) (can't give that away just yet! Hehehe (rubs hands together))
P.S. My girl really wanted me to release a chapter asap lol sooooo thank her! Until next time!