This did not come out as quickly as I wanted it to. It should have been out a week ago, but when I last sat down and typed the chapter out (Making awesome progress I might add) I had lost power losing everything I had typed up. So It took me a little bit to get the motivation to do it all over again.
Again, I don't own DBZ or I would have a lot more money, please enjoy. :)
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"He's here." Bulma didn't have to think about who the "he" was to know Zarbon was talking about Frieza. The bitterness in those two words hung thickly in the air.
"Is he close?" She tried to mask her fear and hoped her expression remained impassive and controlled as she watched Zarbon's lips settle with a deep frown. He was concentrating on his scouter once more, his eyes seeing more than she could.
"Other side of Namek from what I can tell. Still, just being in the same Galaxy, let alone on the same planet is cause for concern. Though I had warned you of this already before we left the ship." Bulma ran a nervous hand through her blue curls currently hanging freely just past her shoulders as she once again fought to control her features. She didn't need to be reminded of the warnings or of Zarbon's severe apprehension towards this task. She had argued point by point until she thought her face would turn blue, the last thing she needed was for Zarbon to see that at any point Bulma might have seen where he could have been right.
"Bardok...Bardok assured us Frieza would have no reason to be here." Even as the words left her mouth there was doubt. Frieza had always seemed to stay one step ahead, though Bulma highly suspected someone from their side was feeding him intel right under their nose. She had voiced these suspicions before and it had, annoyingly, gone no where.
"He's a Saiyan Bulma." The word Saiyan flew out of Zarbon's mouth as if it were poison, his distrust for the man clearly evident with a roll of his unique golden eyes. Bulma's own blue eyes narrowed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She needed to know the why, though each answer did little to ease her fear. Either he knew she was here, or it was the Dragon balls. She didn't think it would be for her, only three others on the ship even knew she was on this planet, but if it were for the Dragon balls...it meant this mission was far more dire and time was running out fast.
"We are not leaving here without the rest of the Dragon balls...Zarbon I'm not leaving without them." There was a finality in Bulma's words leaving absolutely no room to argue. Zarbon of course had known this without her ever saying the words out loud. While he had only met a handful of Humans the past few years, he found them to be weak, scared, and useless. Bulma however was something else, she was determined, intelligent, and most definitely insane as far as he was concerned. So instead of arguing, instead of getting the two of them off this planet and back to the safety of their ship, he instead only smiled. It was a smile that to the rest of the world almost looked flirtatious but for Bulma it was a smile that told her she would most definitely get her way.
"Well after you my most beautifully exotic Earthling. We've already got four of these precious balls of yours, where to next?" Bulma held out the freshly crafted radar before her, a strong wave of nostalgia hitting her every time she touched it. Thoughts of Earth flooded through her to the point she could almost pretend that's where she was. Just one childish adventure on the quest to find the perfect boyfriend. God she used to be so stupid. She studied the radar carefully narrowing in on the nearest Dragon ball.
"Roughly ninety kilometers East of us. Can you sense any life forms around this one?"Zarbon's fingers once against danced along his scouter watching only numbers he could see dance along the screen.
"Slightly stronger power levels than the last Nameks we came across, but most likely another village just like the rest."
"Hmm...well lost hope these Nameks are more open to communication than the last ones." Zarbon glanced back towards her, his smile still in place.
"I mean, you could have let me do things my way, would have been far more efficient." Bulma rolled her eyes while blowing a few wondering strands of blue hair away from her face.
"As I said before we left the ship, we are doing this without any unnecessary bloodshed." The light green alien only shrugged his shoulders, his smile doing nothing to betray his inner thoughts. The truth was he had been itching for a fight. Unfortunately the Nameks would not be the ones to fulfill his thirst for action, and even worse a run in with Frieza would only mean his death, and for Bulma something worse. He once again tapped a few buttons on his scouter before briefly facing south where he had felt a ping of another unknown power level that was most definitely not Namekian. This one was far stronger, yet still much weaker than Frieza. Zarbon said nothing to Bulma, she had enough on her mind. More importantly he didn't want to show his excitement to what it could mean and that maybe this new player in the game would fall under Bulma's category of very much necessary bloodshed.
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"He's already here." Vegeta let out an angry snarl, his eyes glaring daggers at Nappa's offending words. Vegeta...the prince of an almost extinct race, looked purely monstrous in this moment. His black gravity defying hair shot up in dangerous spikes, white fangs flashed ominously as his dark onyx colored eyes studies his annoyingly green surroundings.
"It doesn't fucking matter Nappa! Once I get my wish Frieza and the rest of his pathetic family will become nothing but a relic of the past. I will gain my immortality and shortly after, Frieza's death!" The prince's words held promise of destruction and death. The bulky bald Saiyan known as Nappa responded with his own dangerous grin. He watched as Vegeta toyed with his scouter while scanning the surrounding planet. "The life forms are weak here, they will pose no challenge to us." The Prince set his scouter to the north, a power level that was most definitely not Frieza's but stronger than the other's he had found showing up. That one might pose a little bit of a challenge, the significantly weaker one next to it they would make quick work of for sure.
"So where do we go first Vegeta?" How do we even find these things?" Vegeta's followed the direction this new power level was headed and traced it to a group of power levels not far from where they were.
"Why Nappa….we just ask the locals of course."
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"What do you mean no?" If she thought the last village of Nameks were slightly annoying, these ones were straight up vexing. Bulma hadn't even been allowed to get through a full sentence before being interrupted and kami did she hate being interrupted.
"I mean no. You are a stranger to us and lets all be honest, just don't belong here." Bulma exhaled slowly trying to control her every growing temper. At least this one had been willing to introduce himself first, but even still this Namekian now known as Nail just didn't understand the repercussions if he wouldn't just take a moment to listen.
"Listen….if you would just only take a moment to listen."
"I said No." Bulma refused to be intimidated as she met the Namek's glare head on after being what she considered so rudely interrupted. "Now seeing as I said no, at this point you either leave or we fight but I must say, for your sake I strongly suggest you leave." Bulma ignored Zarbon's silent "I told you so" smirk as she regarded the Namek before her. Of course it wouldn't be easy, it was never fucking easy.
"Listen...I am trying, and I mean really trying, to be patient here. So I'm going to need you to stop being hard headed for a moment and just listen." A small Ki blast flew past her head slamming into the ground right behind her, Nail's hand held out before him threateningly.
"There is nothing you can say here. That shot was a warning, the next I promise will not miss." Zarbon immediately stood in front of Bulma menacingly. His jaw tightened as he viewed the Namek before him. He could see the small village of Nameks standing behind their leader with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
"The Human was asking polity. It would be in very poor judgment if you were to make me have to ask." Zarbon's voice was cold and devoid of any warmth, the playfulness Bulma had grown used to now gone. She had to give credit to Nail who showed no fear as he continued to look the two over.
"We will not be intimidated by strangers." Zarbon's smirked remained in place as he lifted his hand towards the Namek, a small ball of energy building as he prepared to release a Ki blast of his own. Bulma didn't think as she put herself between the two knowing Zarbon would never shoot her.
"Hey, now listen, maybe we can start over? My name is Bulma, my less than patient friend is Zarbon, and if we could just calmly discuss.." Her next words died in her throat as another blast echoed through the air, this one coming from the back of the village. Bulma had no time to react before Zarbon's heavy body covered her own on the ground. Smoke and screams filled the air that for a second reminded her of her last moments on Earth. From the corner of her eye she could make out a large pink alien with protruding spikes on both his arms and legs. Behind him stood two lightly blue aliens, all dressed in blue and gold armor, the Cold family crest over their left breastplates.
"Oh don't rest yet Zarbon, we only just started to play." The pink one's voice was deep and mocking. She expected to feel anger from only companion, but instead he slowly raised himself from the ground, that relaxed mocking smile Bulma had seen so many times now in place.
"Oh Dodoria it really has been too long. Have you missed me?" The pink alien couldn't help but scowl at his rival's flirtatious tone. It reminded him of his hatred towards what he considered was Zarbon's unhealthy perversion towards fellow men.
"Nobody has or ever will miss you, I can promise you that." Another explosion rang through the air as the other two blue aliens cornered the surviving five Nameks together. Bulma slowly pushed herself up, her eyes taking in the smoldering buildings and bloodied bodies left in their wake. Before she could give any response a hand harshly pulled her right arm behind her back pulling it right out of the socket, another hand grabbing her left arm most definitely leaving bruises.
"Well look what we have here Dodoria, our lords most favorite deserter." Bulma's blood felt like ice as she recognized the idiotic voice behind her. He was a member of Frieza's personal mercenary group known as the Ginyu Force, the one known to be as strong as he was stupid, Recoome.
"Oh Yes Recoome, our lord will be most pleased at the return of his second favorite pet. So rude of Zarbon to not let us know he had brought us a gift." Dodoria was immediately met with two simmering identical glares that did nothing to hinder his temporary moment of glee. All the large pink alien could focus on was how well Frieza would reward him when he brought back the human scientist.
"We...we won't let you get away with this!" Dodoria turned his head towards the offending voice from the Namek known as nails, his facing featuring more annoyance than anything else.
"And is that so Namek?" Bulma wanted to yell to shut the fuck up and focus on saving himself and the young Namekian child clinging to his brother's leg, but her voice seemed to have left her. Instead she found herself only able to watch with a defiant glare knowing any other form of emotion could only serve as a darker fate for the Nameks before her. Dodoria focused his full attention on Nail, his mouth pulled in a dangerous smile. Now I would hate to have to do anything drastic here Namek, but if the next words out of your mouth aren't about the Dragon balls, consider you and the rest of you weaklings expendable." Bulma felt a new wave of dread consume her, her hands balled into tiny fists as they shook in anger. Of course he knew, Frieza always seemed to know even when it should be impossible for him to know so. She watched as Nail was able to guide the young Namek away from his leg and led him to another older Namek before distancing himself from the group. Nail watched the attackers with a brave glare.
"We will tell you nothing." Dodoria only seemed thrilled by the Namek's response, twisted thoughts consuming him.
"And tell me Namek, is that your final answer?" Bulma wanted to shout towards the Namek, to warn him to run away as fast as he could, but Zarbon's hand now resting on her shoulder stopped the words from coming out. It was his warning and reminder that they were both now standing on very dangerous ground. Quicker than what Bulma's eyes could follow Dodoria was now standing behind the Namek known as Nail before ripping his arm clean off in one effortless grasp. Nail could only scream loudly as the pain tore through him.
"Well would you look at that, I just found Frieza a new back scratcher." Dodoria laughed darkly at his own joke as Nail could only fall to his knees in pain. Without any other chance to react Dodoria had his hand held out once more releasing one more large blast disintegrating all traces of the Namek known as Nail. Zarbon's hand tightened on Bulma's shoulder as she she tried her best to stifle the sob threatening to spill from her lips. Behind her Zarbon squared his shoulders as he readied himself.
"Oh Dodoria….you pitiful fool." Though Zarbon meant his words to sound taunting, Bulma could feel the deep malice and anger.
"Oh...I'm the fool am I? And what did you think Frieza would think of your treachery. At least the woman still has some form of use but you! Oh am I going to enjoy killing you." Zarbon gave no warning before taking off, his fist connecting harshly into Dodoria's stomach. The two nearby blue aliens wasted no time jumping into action as they both simultaneously rushed Zarbon from either side. It only took a blink of an eye before they were nothing, just scattered ashes of dust as Zarbon let Ki blasts towards each of them. Dodoria's eyes widened briefly in fear and Bulma couldn't help but feel a little glad by that. Let the monster feel fear.
"Now now my Dodoria, am I really such the fool?" Bulma could feel Recoome's grip complete let go as he darted forward to Dodoria's defense.
"Zarbon watch out!" Bulma's words came too late as Zarbon felt his body slam into the ground, a wave of dirt and rocks flying about him. Recoome gave him no break as he charged once more, his fists barreling angrily into Zarbon's face. Bulma found herself frozen, if Zarbon lost right now than so did they all, she stood no chance against any of Frieza's men. Dodoria seemed to regain his senses as he found himself also focused on Zarbon, murder evident in his eyes.
"We need to go." She looked down to the small voice looking up at her pleadingly. So distracted, she never noticed the Namek child make his way to her. "Please we must find Guru, we will take you." A few feet away the other Namek's watched her with apprehension but did not seem to argue.
"I...I can't leave him." A loud thunder rang through the air as Recoome slammed Zarbon's body into the ground once more creating a large crater around his lifeless body. Dodoria laughed loudly from the sky, his hands forming a large Ki blast meant to finish him off.
"Please miss...we can't wait for you." Bulma glanced back towards the Namek, her fingers fumbling in her pocket as she felt for the tiny capsules containing each Dragon ball, her family's most profiting invention. She didn't want to leave Zarbon, but she couldn't let Frieza get his hands on her or the Dragon balls. Guilt flooded through her entire being as she prayed that Zarbon would find a way to forgive her. She nodded softly as warm tears fell down her cheeks. That was the only sign the young Namek needed before picking her up with a strength she didn't know he had and flying them both away. Behind them was another thunderous explosion followed by taunting laughter.
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"Should we step in Vegeta?" Nappa asked as the two watched from a distance. Recoome had just grabbed the weakling after appearing seemingly out of no where. Vegeta's eyes narrowed on Zarbon, a man who had considered killing himself many times in his life, but that was before…
"No point in making ourselves known until we get what we came for." Nappa didn't argue as he stood silently beside his prince. They watched as Zarbon flew out in anger and Vegeta found himself scowling at the man's loss of control. This was the move that would get him killed. Interestingly enough the Nameks seemed to pull themselves together, fear not completely pulling them apart. The prince watched as they made their way to the woman managing to take her attention to the fight. Vegeta couldn't hear them, but he could see the turmoil behind the woman's eyes, the sense of betrayal, before another feeling took hold. They all shot out into the sky while Recoome and Dodoria were too distracted to notice into a direction Vegeta had felt the presence of more Namekians earlier.
"Where to you think they're going?" Nappa asked dumbly, his eyes also on the fleeing group. Vegeta said nothing before taking off into the sky himself following after them.
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So here's to hoping I don't take as long with the next chapter. I already have it mapped out in my head, just need to get it down on paper. Thank you for continuing on with me through this journey. :)