Hello everyone! I'm back with another action-packed chapter for you! I just wanted to say thanks for the support and I hope that I continue to please you with this story. Things are really starting to go off the rails compared to canon. Things will start to taper off and go AU after the Namek Saga. Some stuff will be similar, but other things will be completely alien to you. Please stay patient. Follows, favorites and reviews are welcome!
In the previous chapter, Frieza has ascended to his Final Form, putting Shepard in serious jeopardy. He will do all he can to hold the vicious Tyrant off, but will it be enough until help arrives? Stay reading and find out on this chapter of Dragon Ball: BtG
Age: December 14, 762
Location: King Kai's Planet
'10 more seconds Chiaotzu!'
2 figures looked on as the miniature warrior hovered more than a foot above the ground, a block of Katchin in front of him, hovering a half dozen feet above. Chiaotzu was in heavy meditation, envisioning the block in front of him. After another few seconds, he put it down, where it landed with a small THUD.
"Your methods of training are quite effective. I wish there had been a way to simulate heavier gravity like this on Earth back when I first trained Goku and Krillin. All I had at hand were weighted turtle shells." Master Roshi stated. It had taken the wise master only half a day or so to stand in this intense gravity. Using his energy briefly at first so his body would not break. He could already feel himself slowly growing stronger just from being here. King Kai had gone through the liberty of teleporting Master Roshi directly from King Yemma's building.
"Ehh, you did your best with what you had available hm hm hm hm besides, with the way things are happening on Namek, I may have to get ready for more students."
King Kai and Master Roshi had taken to each other almost immediately, the elder earthling nearly making the Godly being keel over in laughter from a few jokes almost immediately upon greeting.
"Is it that bad?" Master Roshi asked. King Kai had been keeping a close eye on the fight, and he could see that there was going to be a serious gap to cross.
"It's not good. Shepard is starting to become a smear on Namek and Raditz is currently out of commission. Frieza is just too strong." King Kai said, crestfallen.
"Have faith, old timer. If anyone can turn the tide, it's gonna be those Saiyans. Their ability to adapt is just... Astounding." Master Roshi said. They had mostly kept the conversation to themselves, not wanting Chiaotzu to be distracted from his training.
"As long as Frieza can't get ahold of the dragon balls, there's a chance. But in the meantime, I believe that visitor I mentioned to you should be arriving any moment now hm hm hm hm." King Kai said as he snickered.
King Kai turned as did Master Roshi, as a white light coalesced, a figure walking through it. A tear nearly threatened to leave the Turtle Hermit's eye as he recognized the man right away. The young man walked up to Master Roshi, a bright smile on his face as he bowed in respect.
"It's good to see you again, my old friend and master."
"Gohan... I... It is good to see you have kept up with your training." Master Roshi bowed in return greeting.
"Of course Master. Given this opportunity, I see no reason to let it be wasted." Gohan said before he noticed the obvious.
"Where is your halo?" He asked.
"Hehehee well, I'm not dead. But seeing how far my students had progressed... I've decided to become a student myself again."
"Hahahaha oh don't be modest, Roshi. It's more of an exchange of knowledge." King Kai explained to Gohan.
"I see. King Kai, I'm not alone. I've brought...company." Gohan said as he half looked up, watching as another figure walked through. Master Roshi's eyes comically widened.
"So you're the one who trained Kakarot?"...
Planet Namek
Shepard's face had seen better days. Another punch came across as he just barely dodged it, swinging the BanHammer. Frieza dodged backward as Shepard chased him down. He dropped to the ground and swung it upwards, just barely missing Frieza's jaw as he moved his head.
An elbow knocked Shepard's head sideways, before Frieza flew in, kicking Shepard in the stomach, sending blood shooting away from the Saiyan's mouth as he was blown backward. Frieza hurled a blast, hitting the trailing Shepard in the stomach, and sending him exploding hard into a mountain. Frieza held up his finger, a sinister black ball of energy with pulsing, pink lightning encircling it, arcing dangerously around the dense energy ball.
"I congratulate you monkey. To make me use 10 percent of my full power is quite a feat. BUT YOUR TIME'S UP!" Frieza yelled as he hurled the ball downward.
Shepard picked himself up, watching as the blast flew in quickly. He knew it could kill him if he stood there. But with the BanHammer, anything was possible! It flew in slow motion it seemed. He could process the blast's intense, arcing electrical storm that surrounded it. The blast held nothing but malicious intent but he wasn't concerned. Spinning the BanHammer, he slammed the weapon into the blast.
Time slowed to a crawl as Shepard watched the blast begin to glow slowly from the inside, gaining a blue hue as it began arcing with purple electricity. The now purified blast left the BanHammer twice as fast as it came, hurtling towards Frieza at breakneck speeds.
"W-WHAT?" He yelled as he could feel the intensity of the blast surrounding him. He began to convulse as the electricity arced around his body, making the tyrant's muscles seize.
"W-w-w-AHHHHHRRR-w-WH-WHAT IS-WHAT-AGHHHAHHHHHH!" Frieza screamed in agony as his body felt like it was smoking.
"TIMES 20!" Shepard yelled in agony, surging towards the near helpless lizard, slamming the Banhammer into the Arcosian's back, sending Frieza screaming skyward as Shepard flew past him, coating his hand in red energy as he turned.
"FALCON!" His hand shined as it collided with Frieza's jaw.
"PUNCH!"
Blood shot out of Frieza's mouth as he was sent back towards the ground, sonic booming away wildly.
Shepard was spent. He slowly fell towards the ground as his energy left him. He didn't hit the ground hard enough to break anything. But the strain on his body was intense. The BanHammer began to soothe his body, using the radiant energy in the vicinity. His reddening skin began to lessen in intensity and the heat that came off of his body began to cool.
He could swear he could sense someone coming towards the fight.
"Goku's on his way dude," Marc said.
"N-No! He'll get himself killed. It's too early." Shepard slowly got back to his feet.
"Goku will do what he's always done."
Shepard recognized the truth. The destruction of the purified blast left a sizeable crater. Shepard made his way slowly to it.
"I w-will not tolerate this any longer! How is he so powerful? He is but a monkey!" Shepard heard as he made his way to the edge. Purplish-red blood fell out of Frieza's mouth, his eyes widened as he saw this.
"That's it! THAT'S IT!" Adrenaline spiked through the Tyrants being as he screamed in rage. The crater began to expand, making Shepard jump back.
"Whoa!" Shepard moved his head as a sizeable rock flew by.
"HA!"
"SHIT!" Shepard had gotten too distracted. Frieza had phased behind Shepard, encasing him in a golden sphere of energy. The Saiyan knew exactly what it was as he pounded on the shell. But it didn't budge.
"Ahh, tut tut tut. I wouldn't do that if I were you monkey hm hm hm hm. Do you like it? I call it the Imprisonment Ball. If this so much as touches the ground or I get bored, it blows up! Hahahahahaha! Try as you might, but you're not breaking out of this one!"
Shepard took his BanHammer, swinging it hard from within. The Imprisonment Ball cracked noticeably.
"What? Oh, I don't think so!" Frieza chortled as he created a 2nd Imprisonment Ball around the vulnerable 1st. With a flick of his wrist, the tyrant hurled the ball upwards, phasing up and kicking it back down. Phasing down, he punched it before it hit the ground, making Shepard tumble uncontrollably inside.
Frieza phased back and forth, batting the energy ball around. Shepard could not gain an upright position to swing the BanHammer as he tumbled within.
Frieza punched it again, sending it up before he sped past it, clasping both hands together and slamming them into the side of the Imprisonment Ball, sending it hurtling away at breakneck speeds.
"Owohowowhoaowhoawhoa!" Shepard could see the ground coming fast. Hugging the BanHammer, he prayed for dear life that he would survive...
All 7 Dragon Balls had now been gathered. The warriors, while mostly ignoring the fight happening far away, were very eager to move this along. But there was a noticeable problem immediately evident.
"Dammit, you mean to tell me you don't know the password?" Vegeta angrily bellowed.
"I'm a warrior, not of the dragon clan. I don't know the password." Orn said.
"I suspected as much," Piccolo said.
"Explain, namekian," Nappa said.
"It would make sense that the warrior clan does not know the password nor the phrase to properly unlock Shenron."
"Shenron, there must be some mistake. Our dragon is Porunga." Orn explained.
"I see. Different planet. Different language. Different dragon. Who knows the damn password then?" Piccolo asked.
"The Grand Elder of course. Likely also the elders of each village. But the only one alive that I could see was Sopran. Unfortunately, he is still with the Grand Elder now."
"Like it matters." Vegeta scoffed, pulling at his freshly starched glove once again.
"Huh? Gonna go get yourself killed by that monster? By all means." Piccolo said as he snarled at the smaller Saiyan.
"You would enjoy that, wouldn't you slug? Make no mistake that my plan for all of you is death! However, those plans must be put on hold to deal with that blasted lizard." Vegeta remarked.
"I look forward to trying to kill you again afterward," Tien said.
"Hmph... You may not be one of the other Earthlings, Triclops, but you're still-! W-What is...WHAT THE HELL?" All of the warriors turned their heads in a certain direction.
"D-damn! That's... Insane!"
"H-how can he-?" Nappa was in a state of pure confusion.
Everyone else didn't know what to say...
A Minute Earlier...
The 4 namekians gathered around the lone Saiyan as his body began to spark. Electricity arced around him as his eyes snapped open. Not moving for a few moments, Raditz was still deeply traumatized by the experience in his mind. A tear escaped his eye as he remembered the last few moments of his 'journey.'
"T-those... Children..." Raditz quickly wiped his eye as his senses finally caught up to him. Sitting up, he looked immediately to his left, and kept looking up... and up...
"H-holy shit you're gigantic!"
"Are you feeling well, COUGH- Raditz?" Grand Elder Guru asked. The Saiyan slowly stood to his feet as the other 3 Namekians gathered together at the opposite end of the hut.
Raditz flexed his arms, feeling the power flow through his veins.
"I guess I got a pretty good Zenkai from that damned Ginyu," Raditz said more to himself than anything before he looked up at the giant.
"It was you, wasn't it?"
"COUGH...COUGH COUGH COUGH...- indeed it was I. I am Guru." Grand Elder Guru introduced himself properly. Raditz slowly looked around, still a bit shaken from the experience.
"Your body, though physically healed, was in a state of spiritual turmoil. Your guilt was growing stronger than your power could...COUGH COUGH...withstand."
"So... So it was... What I felt... Those children, they..." Raditz said no more as he looked at his hands, still seeing the invisible, long caked over blood on his hands. Closing his eyes, he clenched one of his hands into the tightest fit.
"No longer will I... I will never kill again for anyone else's reasons rather than my own! From this day forward, I will not fear any challenge! And if it is a challenge too great to overcome, I WON'T QUIT UNTIL I DO!" Raditz screamed out as his aura grew huge. The massive zenkai he received almost overwhelmed him. He was thankfully in control so he didn't obliterate Guru, who could only look on in stunned silence, as did Sopran and the children.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!" His power kept rising as he screamed. He could feel Frieza and Shepard in the distance. He could feel the others gathered around in a different direction, as well as his brother!
"HAAAAAA!!" His power topped off as he looked at his hands.
"COUGH COUGH- I sensed the incredible bond that is- COUGH COUGH COUGH- is taking ahold between you and the others. Concerning your rivalry, I did not tap into your potential. What is there, is your very own! But know this -COUGH COUGH-... You have a very deep potential child. Please. All I ask is that you use it to benefit those in need." Guru asked as he looked down at the Saiyan.
Raditz walked forward a couple of steps, moving his neck, hearing it crack as he used his senses.
"Kakarot will get himself killed against Frieza as he is now. How is Shepard even alive?"
"COUGH... That one... Is special for different reasons. Dende, Cargo, please. Step forward, children."
Sopran let the children go as they both walked up to the Grand Elder. Each stood at opposite sides as Guru placed his hand upon each head. Guru felt Dende's memories, seeing in his short life the hardships that he had gone through. He saw great things in the boy's future. Cargo's however was a bit murkier. The boy's future was obscure and loose in translation. Many images presented themselves, but none stuck. Smiling to himself deeply, the Grand Elder helped to tap into both of their powers. Their auras grew, along with their eyes as they each felt their power.
"I have-COUGH COUGH COUGH- helped the both of you to unlock dormant power within you. Your healing abilities will expand further, along with the knowledge of your Clan." Guru explained as he looked over at Raditz.
"Will you please assist my children, Raditz? I have gifted them the proper password along with their powers. Please... COUGH COUGH- take them to your friends. They will need their help." Guru asked.
Raditz knew he was on a time crunch, but after what the elder had done for him, a favor was acceptable.
"Ok then. I'll do it. But I need to get to Kakarot and Shepard as fast as possible. So I will be flying full speed." Raditz explained.
The children looked at their Elder, tears threatening to spring from their eyes.
"Fear not, children. COUGH COUGH- you will see me again, rather in each of your brother's faces, and always in your hearts." The children nodded their heads, saddened but willing to go with the stranger. Sopran walked up to Raditz, approaching the Saiyan who took in the sad goodbye with a stony gaze.
"I can sense that you're much stronger than you were previously. Please, look after the children." Sopran requested.
"I am not a babysitter. I am a warrior. I will do as the old man asked, but I will not look after them in the middle of a fight. If they're as capable as the old man believes, then they will not need me looking after them." Raditz said as the children walked up to him. He held out his hands, allowing both to climb up onto his back.
"I understand. The children are more than capable. I am just concerned for them. After what has happened..."
"I get it. I will do what I can for them, but no more. We have to get going. Thank you uhh, Elder namekian. I won't forget this." Raditz said as they walked out of the hut.
"Sopran, my eldest only behind Moori, please, come forward," Guru said.
Sopran walked up to the vulnerable Elder, a tear falling down his face as he readied to embrace whatever fate may befall him...
The BanHammer threw up a massive wave of smoke as the Imprisonment Ball impacted the ground. Shepard rolled along, colliding with the ground numerous times as he finally came to a stop, his head slamming into the ground. He let out a silent shout of pain, grateful to be alive.
"Aghhh...ahhhh... dammit...uhhh..." Shepard tried getting his breath back, but it was hard to breathe with the soot and dirt that still permeated the air along with the smoke.
"H-how?" He asked no one, looking at the BanHammer, as shiny as it was the day his older self gifted the weapon to him. It gave off warmth as he felt it soothe his muscles. He started to crawl in no particular direction, trying to get out of the cloud. The BanHammer hit the ground as he summoned the energy to try to stand, but a foot slammed down on his back, as well as his weapon. He hit the ground hard, crying out in pain.
"Just like a cockroach, you keep surviving monkey. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised hm hm hm hm hm." Frieza snickered as he put his finger under his nose. Holding Shepard under his foot, the Arcosian snickered loudly again before he felt the Saiyan struggle.
"Y-y-y..."
"What was that? Are you begging for surrender?" Frieza asked curiously. He took his foot off of the Saiyan's back and slammed it back down, but Shepard didn't shout or recognize the pain. Frieza did it again, followed by several more stomps.
"Y-youuu..."
Frieza took his foot off of Shepard's back and placed it on the back of his head, slamming his face into the ground.
"You were saying, monkey?" Frieza chuckled as he watched Shepard's hand clench around the weapon.
"Y-you will re-move..."
Frieza felt Shepard's resistance against his foot, jaw slowly dropping as it did.
"Your f-foot..." Shepard was finally able to sit up, blood soaking through his teeth. Gritting his teeth in unparalleled rage, he still saw the Tyrant's foot on the BanHammer, and it upset him, greatly!
"Off...of..." An aura began to surround Shepard and the BanHammer, causing Frieza to back away, leaving Shepard to fully make it to his feet.
"MY FUCKING WEAPON!" A dual-sounding roar escaped Shepard's mouth as he turned to Frieza. The tyrant himself was at a loss for words, seeing Shepard's eyes. They glowed violently as Shepard's aura grew bigger. Frieza laughed at Shepard but internally, fear crept up his spine.
'W-what is with his eyes?' Frieza thought before Shepard phased in, almost too fast for the tyrant to dodge as Shepard swung down with his weapon. It destroyed the ground beneath the Saiyan, but he wasn't deterred as he flew up to the retreating Arcosian, who fired a blast at the Rogue, only to be dismayed when Shepard held the BanHammer out. The blast did nothing as it was easily absorbed. Firing more blasts as he backed away, Frieza was desperate to stop the Saiyan as Shepard continued masterfully swinging the BanHammer, smashing some of Frieza's blasts away and absorbing others. Hurling the weapon straight at Frieza, the tyrant barely moved his head back, listening to the weapon whiz by him as it continued flying higher. Enraged, he looked down only for Shepard to headbutt him in the gut, sending blood out of Frieza's mouth. Shepard was dazed momentarily but recovered as he kicked Frieza in the side, sending him away. Righting himself, Frieza frothed at the mouth, quickly holding his hand out.
"T-THAT DOES IT MONKEY! DIIIIIIEE!" Frieza fired an enlarged pink energy ball at Shepard, who could only look on as it moved too fast for him to dodge. Holding his hands out, they caught the blast as it slowly sunk into his hands, burning his skin.
"AGHH! AGHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHH!" The blast was halfway up his arm before the BanHammer he had thrown before had finally made its way back down, having gathered extreme speed.
The BanHammer burst through the energy ball like a balloon, absorbing a trace of it as it exploded, sending Shepard haphazardly away. He collided with the ground hard, sliding until he stopped. He winced in pain as his blackened arms stung miserably. His face was scraped up and bloodied.
He mentally called the BanHammer to him and it answered his call immediately. Holding his hand out, Shepard almost had it before he was kicked in the side of the head by Frieza, the tyrant quickly phasing in and ducking underneath the weapon as it flew by him, colliding with the ground nearly a hundred feet away.
"Hm hm hm hm hm good effort monkey, but I have already figured out your puny weapon and tactics. You thought you would be able to defeat me? Hahahahahaha you put on quite a good show." Frieza continued laughing before stopping, holding his hand out as a ball of energy gathered.
"But fun time is over. Enjoy the Afterlife."
Frieza's ball of energy started to arc with intense black lightning. He continued to laugh before he heard someone nearby land...
Raditz arrived in record time, dropping down to the ground with both namekian children in tow.
"It's about time!" Piccolo nearly shouted as the others watched the tall Saiyan make his way toward them. All 7 dragon balls were now gathered as everyone who could sense Ki focused on the fight hundreds of miles away.
'H-how is he so much stronger than I?' Was all Vegeta could think as he could feel the energy pouring off of his fellow Saiyan.
"Hmph, it seems that whatever that Ginyu did to me with switching my body took more of a toll than originally thought. Vegeta, how's the arm hm hm hm hm hm?" Raditz crossed his arms and chuckled as Vegeta's anger spiked, a vein on his forehead pulsing.
"Raditz, you low-class Runt! You need to show more respect to our Prince! Or maybe you need a lesson in bowing." Nappa said.
"Oh please loud mouth! You're not even a tenth of my strength now, weakling." Raditz said as it made Nappa fume.
"Don't you worry, Raditz. You will know soon enough how my arm feels." Vegeta started to walk toward the low-class Saiyan before Tien and Krillin phased in between the warriors.
"We don't have time for this guys."
"As much as I would enjoy Raditz dealing with the both of you, which he can right now, we need to focus on the bigger threat. And we need every abled body." Tien explained.
"Don't worry, Geets hm hm hm we WILL be dealing with this once Frieza is dealt with," Raditz said, emphasizing the sheer disrespect he had for the Prince now, which made Vegeta seethe to his core.
"Hmph, whatever." Vegeta turned around in disgust.
"How about we summon the dragon now that the children are here. Are you well, Dende and Cargo?" Orn asked.
The children both smiled at their older brother, happy to see him alive.
"We are brother Orn!" Dende answered.
"I better get going. Vegeta, are you staying behind? And what of you, Nappa?" Raditz asked.
"As much as I... Hate to admit it, I'd be useless on the battlefield." Nappa hated himself for even admitting his weakness. But with his newfound senses, he could tell he was vastly outclassed.
"Frieza is mine to kill, traitor!" Vegeta demanded.
"Says who, Vegeta?"
The Prince's face went beet red as his anger boiled, watching as Raditz sped away.
"Y-you won't be saying that much longer, low-class FILTH!"
Over by the ship next to the dragon balls, Yamcha was sitting down, meditating. He had noticed something earlier with his energy but couldn't be sure what it was. Now that he thought about it, he could sense the others as well, and everyone's power had drastically increased since their fight with the Ginyu Force. Surely, he could sense that Gohan could likely beat Captain Ginyu now.
"Piccolo?"
"I sensed It too, Bandit. It's our potential. Guru had something to do with this. I know it." Piccolo wasn't going to mention it, but he also noticed Gohan's power. The little boy was swinging his sword no less than 100 feet away, going through a self-made kata.
"We need a backup plan once Frieza is done with those clowns. We should use the dragon balls to wish ourselves off of this mud ball before he gets here." Vegeta said, making the namekian look at the approaching Saiyan in shock.
"You're gonna run?" Piccolo was livid!
"Run? No, you moron! Of course not! Call it a... Retreat. You feel that out there, don't you? What chance do we stand against THAT right now?" Vegeta called out as he pointed in the direction of the fight.
"I'd rather stay and fight," Yamcha said.
"THEN YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH!" Vegeta yelled.
"We're not running. Frieza will just follow us to the next planet." Piccolo said.
Vegeta scoffed, shaking his head and crossing his arms as they all looked out across the distance, awaiting the results of the planet-quaking fight!...
Minutes Ago
He had dropped to the ground, surveying the damaged lands. He could see Shepard on the ground, his gi nearly destroyed as blood seeped from various wounds. Frieza looked over, his blast fading away as he became shocked.
"B-Bardock? No. No, wait a moment. His son perhaps? Raditz had a brother?"
"You must be Frieza. Leave Shepard alone. Your fight is with me now."
"Who are you to tell me what to do, monkey? Ooohh, another with no tail? Hm hm hm hm that confident that you can defeat me without it?" Frieza asked, chortling away.
Goku didn't listen, walking towards the downed, bloody Shepard, whose body was still smoking.
"Arrrggghh..." Shepard turned on his side, coughing out nearly a pint of blood. His bones were weak from Kaioken exhaustion.
BAM
Frieza kicked Shepard in the face, sending the Saiyan bouncing away.
"HEY!" Goku yelled. Phasing over and quickly encasing himself in a red aura. He made it just before Frieza could continue, blasting Frieza backward with a kiai.
"BLASTED MONKEY!"
Frieza righted himself in the air, livid at the orange-wearing Saiyan.
Goku knelt next to where Shepard landed, watching as he turned over. Goku nearly fell on his butt when he saw Shepard's eyes. The glow was leaving them before they returned to black, followed by Shepard's body nearly exploding in pain. His pupils left his eyes as he screamed in agony.
"AGGGGHHHHHHHH AAAAAHHHHHHHHH AHH AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shepard's screams echoed through the land, nearly making Goku's eardrums explode as he held his ears. He could hear another roar echo Shepard's own, watching as his fellow Saiyan flailed his arms out as purple and black electricity arced all over his body.
"Sh-Shepard! Darn it if I still had a senzu bean." Goku said to himself as he attempted to help Shepard to his feet, but the Rogue fell out of the attempt, trying to crawl haphazardly. Short shouts of pain came out of his mouth occasionally as he coughed up more blood.
"W-w-What the hell is happening to me?" Shepard asked no one in particular. The last thing he could fully remember was Frieza on top of him, standing on his weapon. Something... Something wasn't right. He crawled slowly away, the bolts of lightning scarring the ground around him as it continued to volt dangerously. Holding out his hand in desperation, he felt the BanHammer come to him.
A blast from Frieza nearly collided with the downed Saiyan, but Goku kicked it away.
"No, you don't! That's enough Frieza!" Goku nearly shouted.
"Put a sock in it monkey. I will kill him, and you both before I am done today. And then I will get my hands on Vegeta's scrawny, little neck. What will you do then hm hm hm hm hm?"
'His power is truly something! I need to be careful. But Shepard is too close. I have to get Frieza away from here.' Goku thought as his aura started to show. Gusts began to build up around the Saiyan as he screamed out, a red tint overtook the silky white aura from before, branching out and destroying the ground around him.
"KAIOKEN TIMES 10!" Goku yelled, careening towards the Arcosian, who gritted his teeth in anger, throwing his arm up and blocking the massive punch from Goku. Goku threw another punch, which Frieza dodged as he smirked. Continuing to move backward to avoid Goku's attacks, Frieza threw a punch of his own. Goku parried it away, before elbowing Frieza in the stomach. The tyrant whhezed and nearly crumpled over Goku's elbow. It hurt momentarily before Frieza grabbed the Saiyan's head and bashed it face-first into his knee. Goku shouted out in pain as the blood left his mouth before ducking under Frieza's tail swipe.
"Whoa!" Goku flipped around, pulling the Golden Staff off of his back and catching the Arcosian across the face.
"EXTEND!" The Golden Staff's extended length collided with Frieza's stomach, pushing the screaming Arcosian away. Bringing it back, Goku twirled the Staff quickly, hearing it whip around him as he got himself in a crossed stance.
Frieza righted himself in the air, blowing out the air he didn't know he was holding.
"That h-hurt as well? What kind of weapons are there to do such damage to me? I am the strongest in the universe! YOU HEAR ME MONKEY!" Frieza screamed out.
Goku twirled the Staff one way, parrying Frieza before connecting with a vicious palm to the side of his head. But Frieza recovered far faster than Goku could've imagined, connecting with a kick to the Saiyan's stomach. Goku shot spit out of his mouth as he was thrown backward.
The tyrant charged in, forcing Goku to make a quick decision. Twirling the Golden Staff, he slapped Frieza's attempted punch down, swinging the Staff back up and slamming it into Frieza's body.
"OOF!" Frieza hacked out a wad of spit before he was blown upwards into the sky. Goku jumped after him, flying up and attempting to swing the Golden Staff downwards, but Frieza afterimaged away, coming in swiftly to the side and knocking Goku sideways with a kick to the head.
"DIE!" Frieza yelled, holding out his finger and firing a litany of Death Beams at the Saiyan.
Instinctively, Goku managed to turn and face the blasts, moving the Golden Staff so fast that the Death beams were destroyed as they made contact.
BAAAAM
Frieza afterimaged in, catching Goku with a fist just beneath the failed guard of the Staff, sending Goku flying backward spitting out blood.
"D-Darn it! He's not even trying!" Goku said as he righted himself.
"Definitely not, monkey," Frieza said into Goku's ear, making the Saiyan shout in surprise and turn quickly, swinging the Golden Staff through the air.
"Hm hm hm hm pathetic! Really? You still try even after knowing how hopeless this is for you?" Frieza mockingly asked from a short distance away.
'His speed is insane! I'm gonna need to pull out everything I have just to survive this!'
"Grrr I'm not done yet!" Goku shouted out as his red aura pumped out, his muscles slightly strained. He charged forward, swinging the staff expertly as Frieza moved his head back and forth, hearing the whip of the weapon blow by his ears. Mocking the Saiyan, Frieza used an afterimage after another near miss from Goku, who in turn swung his staff quickly behind him. Frieza ducked under the swing just in time, unleashing a stomach-churning punch.
Goku hacked out blood as he stepped backward. Frieza chuckled as he stood upright.
"Are you finally now starting to see the difference in our power, monkey? Hahahahahaha! Oh, Bardock would most certainly be displeased at your pathetic attempt to defeat me. Bardock was a simple low-level soldier in my army! Not even as strong as my...former lieutenants. He thought he could stop me! I laughed when he screamed in pain as I destroyed your pitiful planet, ALONG WITH HIM AND THEIR TREACHEROUS KING! WHAT MAKES YOU OR THAT MORON ANY DIFFERENT?!?" Frieza yelled, becoming enraged at the Saiyan's resilience.
Goku chuckled at the Tyrant's anger.
"W-well. He couldn't do THIS!" Goku spun so quickly, his aura's already reddening tint growing harsher. Mentally extending his trusted new weapon, it slammed across Frieza's face, knocking him unexpectedly sideways before Goku phased quickly ahead of him, driving a knee into the Tyrant's kidney and sending him skyward.
Frieza screamed in pained anger as he was driven higher by another extended shot from the Golden Staff.
"YOOOOOUUUU!" Frieza yelled in sheer rage, turning and preparing to fire a blast at Goku.
"W-what? Where did he-"
"HAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
Frieza turned, but too late as Goku rocketed down, catching the Tyrant with both feet in his face, blasting him towards the ground, a bloody trail from his mouth following.
Frieza hit the ground like a meteor, causing a titanic explosion.
"Can't let him recover!" Goku still felt Frieza's ki, so he swung the Golden staff, pointing it downward.
"EXTEND!" It rocketed down towards the ground at lightning speed, throwing up another explosion but not before another shout of pain was heard down below.
"GOTTA STOP HIM NOW!" Goku used one hand, sliding down the elongated Staff!
"KAIOKEN TIMES 15!"
Pulling his lone hand back, a blue ball of energy coalesced in the Saiyan's hand...
Far down below, Frieza was trying to recover from being put into the ground further with the Golden Staff.
"Th-that blasted...MONKEY!" Frieza screamed out, blood flowing out of his mouth as he did. He could feel the pressure on his stomach increase as he looked up through the crater his body had made. He saw a brightening blue light, coming towards him fast!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Frieza threw his hands up in desperation, trying to get free but the pressure on his stomach was too strong.
"No no no nooooooooooOOOOOO!"...
"KAAAAMEEEHAAAAMMEEEEE!"
Spinning around the pole to adjust his aim, Goku let it fly!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The blast spun around the pole several times, gaining incredible speed and traveling down the pole far faster than normal.
Goku could only throw his hands up as the massive explosion of fire and smoke came up to greet him!...
The planet quaked fiercely as everyone gathered around the Dragon Balls.
"That fight has to be incredible up close!"
Orn sounded like a young child. Piccolo scoffed at the shorter Namekian.
"You stupid fool!"
Everyone looked at Vegeta, who was looking out across the landscape.
"Can't you feel Kakarot's power? Whatever that idiot is doing to himself is burning him out." Vegeta said.
"He's right. We need to prepare. Children?"
Both Dende and Cargo came closer to the group, looking up at the namekian who reminded them so much of their brother Nail.
"It's time. Go ahead and summon the dragon. Please- Ahhhhh!" Piccolo turned around, closing his eyes as well as holding and shaking his head.
"Mister Piccolo?" Gohan looked concerned as Piccolo shook his head for a couple more seconds before he stopped, opening his eyes.
"What gives Piccolo?" Krillin asked in alarm.
"I...I have to go." Piccolo said, starting to float in the air.
"Wait! WHAT FOR?" Yamcha yelled up as Piccolo kept ascending to the sky.
"Guru." Piccolo blasted off without further explanation.
"Coward," Nappa said.
"TAKE THAT BACK!" Orn yelled, standing up as tall as he could to the giant.
"Look, little guy. I don't wanna have to smash you so I suggest you back off. Ya just got on Vegeta's good side. Don't make a mistake you'll regret heh heh heh oh but do try if ya want. Been meanin to test my newfound strength since that last Zenkai." Nappa smashed a fist into his palm, ready to lay a beatdown.
"Cool it, Nappa. We need to extract our own plan." Vegeta walked up to Tien, eyeing the Triclops intently.
"After the dragon balls are used, you will strike me down."
"WHAT?" Everyone yelled out.
"We need to explore our Zenkai, and I can't do it by blasting myself. It doesn't work that way. You say you are an assassin, so I need you to blast me in the most dangerous area in which I may die without actually killing me."
"And why would I do that considering I really do want to kill you?" Tien argued.
"Look past your hatred of me IDIOT! Frieza wants ALL of our heads! One more Zenkai and I should be a Super Saiyan. It has to be! And once I achieve it, Frieza will be no more!"
Everyone looked at Vegeta as if he had grown a 2nd head.
"I'm sure of it! It is the only way!"
"I doubt that. If you do get that Super Saiyan thing you'll just kill us anyway." Yamcha pointed out.
"I'll spare your pathetic lives! If you cannot see this is the only way, then it's your fault when Frieza comes here and destroys us all!" Vegeta looked at each person gathered around.
"M-Maybe we should just summon the dragon! Kids, are you ready?" Bulma asked.
"We are!" Dende answered for both him and Cargo, holding their hands out towards the wish orbs.
"Takkara-Puto Popporunga Pupiritto-Paro!" They both chanted as lights began to shine from the orbs. The sky had begun to darken as the wind billowed out. The process took only seconds, but it was a lifetime memory that would stay with all present. The balls flashed several times before a brightening swirl of light flew straight upwards.
The light began to subside moments later, leaving Krillin gawking upwards.
"T-t-That has t-to..."
"Be t-the biggest dragon..."
"I-I've ever seen! I thought Shenron was huge, but this guy looks like he could eat him if he wanted." Yamcha stood in awe, as did Krillin and Gohan.
"Shenron? Our dragon is named Porunga. It translates to God of Dreams." Dende explained.
Vegeta had no words. He didn't believe in the legends of the wish orbs, only hoping to assuage his curiosity. It had been more than fulfilled. 'And the Earthlings have their own blasted dragon as well?'
"Unbelievable! T-that's the dragon we've been waitin to summon?" Nappa's eyes nearly blew out of his head, looking up stunned.
The massive entity looked down on those who dared to awaken him.
"You have collected all seven Dragon Balls, and now, as it is written, think wisely and I will grant you three wishes within my power!..."
Shepard held the BanHammer, looking up at the hazy-filled sky as his weapon sent healing, soothing energy throughout his body. Laid flat out on the ground, he had given up the will to crawl any longer.
"Man Goku's giving everything he's got isn't he?"
"It's admirable, but if he has any hope of surviving this, you have to use the BanHammer to get back in there!"
"Y-You don't know what that fuckin felt like!" Shepard could still feel the comings of great pain in his back, where underneath, already staled blood had pooled. The aftershocks reverberated throughout his body as he watched Goku and Frieza battle. Goku's aura was red and still strong, but Shepard willed the BanHammer to heal him a bit faster.
The ground underneath him splintered away as Goku got the drop on Frieza.
"Damn Goku is just fucking amazing!"
Shepard watched as Goku continued his relentless assault, extending the Golden Staff through the ground before he saw a blue light flowing down and around the pole...
The explosion was deafening. Goku threw his arms up to cover his eyes.
"Surely that did something," Goku said to himself.
He felt the Golden Staff in his hand moving slightly. Willing it back to its regular length, the weapon was swiftly held by both hands as he saw a dome of pink energy shine through the smoke. It widened the crater significantly. Goku watched as a figure began to emerge from the smoke caused by the display of potent energy.
"You monkeys are becoming a serious problem!" Frieza said, flexing his energy and causing the rest of the smoke to disperse away. The tyrant had marks on his body, and burns throughout his limbs, but looked relatively undamaged.
Goku slyly looked behind Frieza, watching as the sky began to grow dark. 'Neat! The guys finally got the dragon balls going!'
"And to think, I bothered to keep a small, worthless but hard-working few alive to continue to serve in my army. Where were-wh-why is the sky dark all of a-"
BAMMM
Goku silently extended his weapon, dinging Frieza right in the forehead, silencing the Tyrant's curiosity and snapping his head back.
Frieza looked back up and shook his head quickly, the throbbing headache from that attack getting to him. "GRRR YOU-"
Frieza had to dodge another strike from Goku, who went on the attack with ferocity. The Saiyan swung the weapon with all the skill he had, thrusting forward and just missing the dodging face of his foe. He continued the assault with a winding swing, pushing the Tyrant sideways as he blocked.
Frieza recovered quickly, far too quickly as he fired a pink blast of heavy energy at Goku, who did his best to block it away. He forced the blast away after a few moments but didn't notice that Frieza had phased in behind him until it was too late. Snickering, Frieza extended his hand, looking to impale the Saiyan, who gasped as he realized he was caught.
WHIIIIIRRRRR
The metallic BanHammer smashed into Frieza's hand, knocking it away as it soared past the two. Goku turned and backed away quickly, looking down as Shepard rose in the air...
Chiaotzu was heaving the 5-ton stones with his mind across the air. With the heavier gravity weighing the mime down, he could barely hold himself in the air as he continued to concentrate. Sweat poured off of his face as he continued to hurl the next 2 stones away, making them land more than 50 feet away. He went to pick up the next stone but as he did, his concentration broke.
"Wha-!"
His body felt...alive?
He looked up, watching as his halo disappeared. His eyes widened at the implication.
"T-Tien! He did it! I'm alive again! King Kai?"
The teacher was focusing on Namek but did notice that the dragon balls were being used.
"Congratulations Chiaotzu hm hm hm hm... Come on Goku..."
The teacher continued to look upon the planet where the potential Universe changing battle was taking place, also hearing the clashes in the air above him...
Master Roshi went on the attack, going after his old student, but Gohan defended himself expertly. Parrying away his Master's attack, he went to connect with a kick, but Roshi swatted it aside, ducking below another swinging kick from Gohan.
"You're improving vastly, Master. Even with your older body, you are improving quite well." Gohan said.
Master Roshi scoffed at this. He could hear the veiled amusement behind the compliment. He took it in stride, moving his hand to Gohan's arm as it slid past. The wisened master was amazed at his student! He remembered how young he looked, but his power was miles ahead of where it was when the man was alive. The very thought of possibly doing something similar had crossed his mind, but he dared not bring it up. Not just yet...
There was another witness to all that was happening. With a halo atop his head, the man, with spiky, palm tree-like hair, a scar on his face with a red bandanna tied around his head. He had changed his attire subtly over the decades he had resided in Other World, now donning an armored top that was black with a green outline, with golden straps covering his shoulders. He had forgone the thigh protectors, allowing his legs to be unguarded with only his black undersuit being worn. His shoes were of the same variety he had worn as a former planet trader.
"That damn Frieza! It's insane how strong he was. I was a fool to think I had a shot back then. Come on Kakarot!"
"Frieza isn't just some regular foe, Bardock. If he had trained for any amount of time, none of this would be even possible right now, hm hm hm hm you should be grateful!" King Kai replied.
"Grateful? That's not exactly the word I would use! This reeks of shit and you know it. Though, I am quite impressed with Kakarot's energy. That bastard on the other hand, if he dies again, I'll happily... Show him around."
"It's not the same Shepard you nincompoop! Now shut up and focus!" King Kai said...
Roshi barely missed the last punch he threw, his young, former student having evaded him once again. They came in contact moments later, exchanging holds as only experienced fighters could. Roshi parried one extended palm, throwing his own to find it parried as well. Throwing up his knee to block the incoming kick from his former student, it pushed Roshi back in the air. The master had realized that flying wasn't strictly a Crane technique, having seen it in action from a handful of others now, he had forgone his reluctance and decided to improve his arsenal with aerial tactics.
Gohan flew in, throwing his hand out. Missing, he turned quickly with a back fist. His Master caught it with both hands, throwing Gohan over his shoulder. The student quickly turned himself over, righting himself in the air and flying back, meeting in a tangle of hardened, battle-tested limbs. His Master had improved so dramatically that Gohan was finding himself tempted to use the Kaioken at times. Master Roshi was so fluid, quickly learning to fly and using his energy while fighting in the air. They exchanged furiously, Gohan catching a fist with his forearm as he pushed it away, firing a blast with his other hand. Master Roshi turned clear of it, throwing out his palm, which his former student caught with his other forearm.
"Uhh...uhh...uhh... I see you've been learning... Other... Styles while you've been away, my former student." Master Roshi tiredly said.
Gohan backed away, chuckling.
"I had to evolve beyond my former ability, Master. There is just so much to learn. After a century of living a good life. A just life. Meeting great warriors far above my strength even now. Learning what I have been learning? I am proud of the decision I made to receive my prime body once again."
Roshi could see the benefits that the younger man spoke of. He could tell that Gohan was hardly out of breath and that he was still suppressing his energy.
"Then...then I guess I may need to take you up on that offer, son," Roshi said.
Gohan smiled as they both flew back down, landing comfortably on the ground. Each could see the distress on Bardock's face. And Master Roshi's conversation with the former Planet Trader was still on his mind from earlier...
Earlier
"So you're the one who trained Kakarot? The figure asked from earlier. It only took a moment for the wise, lecherous Master to calm his nerves.
"I-I am. You look so much like Goku. It's so hard to believe how closely you resemble each other." The Master replied, causing the Saiyan to snicker.
"Hmph, then let me see what you're made of!" Bardock said, charging past the shouting Gohan.
The aged Master had seen the charge, barely moving his head as the fist went by.
"I saw that from a mile away, son," Roshi replied, snickering as he backed away, but Bardock did not pursue. He had thrown that punch with killing intent, with all of his base power behind it.
Standing straight up, Bardock looked over at the Master, snickering darkly.
"So, you retreat in the face of adversity? Call me unimpressed. Kakarot would have surely dumped you as a teacher long ago if you didn't have other abilities. SHOW ME!" Bardock yelled.
"A bit aggressive aren't you? Even with all the training you've done, you fail to realize that sometimes... Sometimes, peace can be achieved through strategy, not war!"
"What do you know of war? I have fought wars, what will your puny martial arts do in the face of real warriors?" Bardock asked, his aura bursting from underneath him.
"We don't put limits on ourselves merely to achieve them. We do so to overcome them. I have learned from watching Goku, from watching Krillin, training Gohan and Gyū Maō, that my limits were always something I accepted."
"WELL TO HELL WITH THAT!"
"I aim to break and shatter those limitations, so that I may be capable of helping to further nurture my students, and continue my own personal journey to enlightenment."
The Master's impassioned speech had captivated King Kai, as well as Chiaotzu. Gohan himself had nearly shed a tear in nostalgia, having heard a similar speech from his first master so very long ago.
Bardock's face twitched, clearly respecting the elder's words but still cautious.
"Hmph, very well. Perhaps I was wrong to judge you so harshly. So, Gohan. Why don't you kick his old ass around for a while? See if he gets what we're tryin' to tell him."
The Master and former student looked at each other in resignation, before both flew a short distance away to prepare...
Chiaotzu had joined the group surrounding King Kai. He could sense the Kai's nervousness but dared not to say anything.
"DAMMIT!" Bardock yelled out suddenly, making Roshi and Gohan look at each other with concern. He held his head in pain with one hand, his face twitching in anger.
"Is Goku alright?" Gohan asked, worried for his grandson.
"I-Its not Kakarot I'm worried about..."
Frieza Planet 31
The planet was as dystopic as its ruler. It was a city-wide planet, with gray skies swirling above, the clouds an undesirable mix of intangible blues and grays. The sun in this solar system being a blue giant, everything gave off a slight blue hue. The city's many levels were decided by way of class. Those in the cities amongst the clouds were of the elites. The buildings themselves were made of the finest materials credits could buy. Their peaks reached the clouds where the richest dined on the finest of foods. Of course, this was not a simple luxury. Those that dined and drank the most classiest of wines and flavors had to pay a...small fee to the ruler of the planet. Those that did not pay usually disappeared. As one reaches deeper into the planet, lower, they find themselves delving into lower classes of living. But this is not why we are here on this planet. To sightsee? No, for we dive down into the deeper recesses of the planet. Where poverty, thievery, crimes of passion, and personal reign in these parts. And throughout these parts also, are the bars that roam. These dives are literal holes in the walls. In one such hole, a party of sorts was going on...
The ruckus was fierce. There had already been 4 different patrons thrown out so far. Another 2 had just gotten into a fight. One of which now had just been pierced by a jagged piece of a glass bottle, falling dead holding his stomach. The other held another piece of glass, looking at the other patrons, snarling and ready to challenge everyone. At least, he was until he dropped the glass, holding his hands up to his neck and gasping. He fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. Within seconds, his gurgling ceased. Several of the patrons walked up to the now-dead patron.
"Wha happen to the idiot?"
One patron kicked the alien, not getting a response.
"Damn! We better call the Trade!" One said aloud.
No one noticed a man sitting in the busy bar, a drink swirling in one hand, his other now coming down to meet the glass after using a fraction of his energy to kill the patron quickly. He wore a brown cloak, his hair that showed beneath having what looked like gray streaks running through. He looked down on his luck. But appearances were deceiving, for he was waiting for things to play out elsewhere.
His mind was in another place, using his senses to feel out what was happening not just on the planet he resided on for now, but out in the vast expanse of the Universe. Things were slowly coming together. So much so that he looked at his glass, letting a small, malicious smile play across his face.
"Almost time...Just about time..."
Dun dun dun! Who is the mysterious cloaked figure? If you've been paying attention, you will know. But what is he waiting for you may ask? That is the million zenni question! How strong do you guys think Raditz is going to be? I won't put his power level on until he comes in and fights. But here are the others...
Power Levels:
Chiaotzu: 50,000
Master Roshi: 1,800 (From Gravity!)
Training with Grandpa Gohan: 2,500 to 40,000
Grandpa Gohan: 85,000 (Suppressed!)
Bardock: (Suppressed!)
Shepard: 10,500,000 (Kaioken Times 15!)
Power Up Unknown: 20,000,000
Weakened: 100,000 and dropping
Goku: 650,000
Kaioken Times 15: 9,750,000
Golden Staff: 11,000,000
Times 15 Kamehameha: 15,000,000
Frieza: 12,000,000 (10 Percent!)
15 Percent: 18,000,000
Stranger: ?