Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I am thrilled with the response my last chapter got. Quite a few follows and favorites. Thanks guys! So I wanted to state that I had this wonderful idea of a saga I wanted to write in this story. At least, I did at first. The simple truth is, that my fighters are too strong and it would be a worthless venture to write it in the first place. So I'm going to streamline this idea and work it into the next saga I'm currently writing. I may even have an interesting…crossover of sorts to run along with this. But it ties into the next upcoming saga so I think this is the better idea going forward. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Our heroes are actively training in the cosmos, as well as on Earth! We see the finale of the Namek Saga in full swing, or have we? Will our heroes be able to overcome future encounters? And what's this? Gohan has a new technique? Find out all this and more on this chapter of Dragon Ball: BtG!
Age: March, 763
She had been traveling the cosmos, free of assignment from her boss. Sitting in the bar on some unnamed Cold planet, she was sipping an exotic wine, courtesy of the excellent bonuses her King had gifted her over the decades. Gifted with her own unique ship, she could leave at any time as it hovered above the planet, cloaked to all except the most advanced scanners.
She was long-lived but still had a rather youthful appearance. Her skin, for right now anyway, was a light green. Her species, long extinct, had a rather unique ability. One which she wished she had used before coming in here. For being a deadly assassin, she sure found herself in often cumbersome spots such as this…establishment.
"Your next drink, Miss." The bartender slid another drink over to her. She raised an eyebrow, giving the bartender one of her Zenni pouches. Sliding it to the man without looking, she took a whiff of her drink.
'No poisons… Acceptable.' She thought to herself before taking a sip. She gave no show of emotion to the strong flavor, looking out among the crowd as the music continued to thump.
King Cold had sent her on a luxurious vacation, gifting her full service on Cold Planet 66. She regretted leaving so early. Currently planet-hopping, she was sure she would come across King Cold's personal cruiser, but it had not shown. Perhaps she should go to Arcos…
Bzzt
Bzzt
Her communicator vibrated lightly in the pocket of her pouch inside her dress. Taking one final drink, she put the glass down, standing and fading away in a white smoke…
Back in her ship, a small but effective vessel, the woman hit a few buttons on her dashboard, bringing up an alien's face.
"There better have been a very good reason you called-
"Enforcer Fugu! We are so glad to hear from you! King Cold left the ship to go to a planet named Namek. Lord Frieza was in some kind of…trouble."
"I'm not the King's handler, minion. I'm on vacation. So why bother me with such nonsense?" Fugu was peeved at her vacation being cut short. But if her King needed her, then she would do what she needed to do.
"We…We've heard no word from the King in days. H-he said to retrieve him from Planet Namek in one year, but-"
"I've heard enough. I will get to work." The woman said, cutting off the soldier's plea with the press of a button.
"What have you done now my King?" Fugu said, closing her eyes. She had adhered herself to King Cold long ago, nearly a century by this time. His strength, his brutal nature. It called to her, much the way a moth to a flame. His energy was more than familiar to the woman.
Her eyes stayed closed for several more seconds, trying to get a feel for King Cold's energy.
'H-how can this be? Where………WHAT!' Her eyes snapped open.
She was sure she caught a trace of his energy, but there was something else. Something she had never felt before. She configured her engine, checking the coordinates.
"I can be at this planet Namek in…72 hours. Very well. Whatever you've done my King, you owe me a very hefty bonus!"
She pulled the yoke up, pulling away from the planet below. She turned her ship, taking her engines to the max as she blasted away!…
She made it in 71 hours, only to be dismayed at the very sight. Where planet Namek once rotated throughout its portion of the Universe, only rocks in mass now floated.
"His energy was here. Could he have destroyed the planet in anger?" Fugu could now sense a couple of different things. Faint traces, but they were there.
"Something primal and…warped perhaps?" She closed her eyes, more confused than ever as she reached out for King Cold's energy. Her eyes closed for many seconds, trying to locate her King. The debris from the destroyed planet was numerous as she guided her ship through. The fact that her body was capable of handling space was an immense advantage right now but she held off, flying further in.
"There!" She flew her ship to a mass of emptiness amongst the rocks, but there was still nothing there.
"How can this be?" Fugu was starting to get concerned for her King. He was a hothead in his youth, always attacking before rationalizing and planning. Time with her, and just time in general had purposed his life to be more diplomatic and reserved. He had gained wisdom in his later years.
"Could he have destroyed the planet in a rage of some sort?" Fugu didn't put it past the King. Her eyes continued to stay closed as she guided herself, coming upon a small mass of rocks. Exiting her ship in her ghastly form, she formed herself solidly in the cold void, flying towards the rocks. Touching one gingerly, she pulled her hand back, coming back with purple. The blood had crystallized and hardened, but she could still feel the faint traces of King Cold's energy. Her eyes widened when she saw more blood next to the purple blood. It was red.
'He was fighting something. I can feel traces of another energy. This one feels far more primal. Animal-like even. Wait a moment…'
She gasped, turning ghastly once again and entering back into her ship. The blood still on her hand was calling to her. She licked a fingertip, trying to use her last unique talent. If King Cold was still alive, somewhere, she would find him.
Zzt
Zzt
Zzt
Zzzzzt
The communicator next to her main communication hub lit up next to her. In a hurry, she nearly fumbled the device. This was her personal line to her King. Nobody had this channel except King Cold.
"My King! Where…are you?" She could see King Cold sitting in a dark space, but it appeared he was not in his Battle Form.
'So he was fighting someone after all?' She thought to herself.
"Fear not, dear Fugu. I am well. I heard that you would search for me."
Fugu immediately knew something was…off.
"Of course, my King. I have made it to Planet Namek. I detected a trace of your energy and followed it here. Allow me to-"
"That will not be necessary, Fugu. My dear, if you would be so inclined, I have a personal mission for you that requires your immediate attention."
King Cold shifted his body, moving a bit in the chair that he sat in. Fugu herself couldn't tell exactly what kind of emotion rested on King Cold's face, but his red eyes glowed sinisterly in the dark space.
"Your bidding is my bidding, King.." Fugu said, making King Cold chuckle softly. "Excellent. I found the loathsome insect that dared to steal from me. But he escaped me on Namek. You are to use your ability to find the dreadful animal and bring him to me. Alive. I have something…profound for him and I would be most pleased to deliver it to him…in person. Do be careful, Fugu. The man who did this was a Saiyan."
Her mind had come to the same conclusion. She remembered the Saiyans quite well. Standing on Planet Vegeta many years ago as King Cold had arrived to take it over, she had stood by her King as he had introduced the Saiyans to their new Emperor, the child named Frieza. She didn't care much about the boy, but his destructive nature was very much like his Father's.
"A Saiyan? Capable of escaping you? I find that hard to believe my King." Fugu was sharp, not missing the momentary anger at being questioned.
"This Saiyan, my dear Fugu, turned into a Super Saiyan."
"Wh-What is-"
"Never mind that. He wasn't as powerful as one might think. But his resilience…And his weapon. You must destroy it! Without it, he will be helpless heh heh heh heh heh heh!" Fugu would admit only to herself that she was a little confused at the way King Cold was acting. It was bizarre.
"His name, is Shepard. Find his blood Fugu. I know you're more than capable heh heh heh. Find him and bring him to me."
It was not often she used her ability for other people's blood, but if that is what her King required, then she would deliver this Saiyan, broken and beaten if needed.
"I will get to work at once, my King." Fugu bowed her head in respect before the King chuckled darkly once again.
"Excellent. I could always count on you my wonderful Fugu. Keep me apprised of any sudden changes."
King Cold cut the communication, leaving Fugu in a state of confusion.
'Something is wrong with the King. My instincts tell me so. But if it is your will that I not kill this pray then your will has now become mine as well.'
She ventured back outside for a moment, finding the debris of space rock where she found King Cold's blood. She would now seek out this Super Saiyan. She was aware of the legend, but even it had come before her time.
But she knew she could take one on if King Cold had given his confidence to her.
'This… Super Saiyan should not be difficult to capture.' She thought as she approached the set of space rocks once again. She collected the other blood. Not wanting to spend another moment in the cold void, she became ghastly.
Back in her ship a moment later, she looked at the blood for a moment. Surprised that it could still be so fresh, she took a lick of her finger. Bringing it back, she tried to sense out the blood. Closing her eyes for several moments, she opened them in horror.
"Why can't I sense the energy?" Something was blocking her. She just couldn't pin it down. She continued for nearly an hour. But each time it was escaping her. 'This cannot be! My…My Blood Reach has never failed me! How could it now?'
Thankful for her calm demeanor, practiced over centuries of serious mental control, and sometimes alcohol, she thought of another way. Maybe she couldn't get a direct link to the Saiyan that escaped King Cold, but she could track down Saiyan energy signatures. Closing her eyes as she smirked, she started to expand her mind out to the cosmos, on the hunt for a certain Saiyan!…
BOOM
BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
The mini explosions followed along just behind Goku, transformed into a Super Saiyan as his opponent was hurling many energy balls his way.
"HAH HAH HAH HAH HAAAAAAAA!" Vegeta didn't let up, sending even more Goku's way.
'I'm just missing the bastard! Wait a moment…' Vegeta stopped. Noticing that Goku was out of sight.
"Where did you go Kakarot? Heh heh heh heh…I know you're not running but-"
Zzt
"I THOUGHT SO!" Vegeta turned in a flash, throwing a vicious punch toward Goku's face. He caught it, having gotten used to Vegeta's counters.
"Heh heh heh heh nice try Vegeta!"
"I saw your predictable Instant Transmission fool! You think I haven't prepared to deal with it?" Vegeta backed away fast as Goku followed. They collided a short distance away in the air, clashing and sending shockwaves of air from the sheer force of their battle.
Goku got the advantage a few moments later, flipping up and landing a kick on top of Vegeta's head, sending him slamming into the dirt.
The Prince got up shaking his head mere moments later. 'If that's the best he can do then-'
Zzt
"GAHHH!" Vegeta took the elbow to the stomach full force, sending blood shooting out of his mouth as he skidded along the ground holding it.
"GrrrrrAHHHH KAKAROT!" Vegeta yelled as he rushed Goku, getting into a fierce exchange of blows. He forced Goku back, punching Goku's arms as the Saiyan continued blocking, grimacing as he did. Vegeta mid-punch ignited his purple Ki blade, swinging down hard, making Goku hold his arms out, just missing being amputated by a hair's width. Vegeta spun, kicking Goku in the stomach, forcing blood to erupt out of his mouth as he was blown away in the sky.
"GAHHH!" Goku stopped high in the air, holding his stomach in pain. 'Man Vegeta is so good. That one hurt a lot! His training is paying off for him!'
Vegeta phased up in the air, holding his arms to the side and laughing with feral interest.
"Hahahahaha take this Kakarot!"
Goku had a chance to look behind him, seeing Vegeta about to fire. He quickly put his hands together, blue light forming into a ball of potent energy!
"I don't think so! KAMEHAMEEEE!"
"GALICK GUN HAAAAAA!"
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Goku turned, firing a massive Kamehameha Wave at Vegeta's incoming Galick Gun!
BOOOOOOM
Sparks erupted from the dueling blasts as they clashed in the air. Vegeta's golden aura gained even more fire as he put more energy into his Galick Gun.
"NOT A CHANCE KAKAROT!" Goku heard Vegeta's yell but paid him no mind as he concentrated on his own blast.
They were forcibly pushed back from their energy as the stalemate continued…
"Vegeta is as resilient as ever I must say." Raditz acknowledged down on the ground. He and Shepard both were watching. Shepard however was sour toward the Prince.
"Fuck him. Goku will beat his ass just like he did last week."
"Still sour about losing to him two weeks ago?"
"N-No. It's something else." Shepard and Marc had been catching fleeting feelings of Vegeta possibly betraying them lately. His thoughts were usually elsewhere, focused outward more often than not. Shepard remembered Vegeta mentioning something about ruling on Namek…
"I wanna know somethin. What was Vegeta talking about when he mentioned ruling on Namek? Ruling what and who?"
BOOOOM
The after-effects of the explosion of the blasts from the Super Saiyans battle above reached below to the other pair. However, they were protected from a transparent shield that surrounded them courtesy of the BanHammer. Neither took their eyes off the battle as they spoke.
"Vegeta has always been…ambitious. He planned all kinds of schemes when we worked under Frieza. He wanted to go off on his own and search for the Saiyan children who were still alive and become their King. Somewhere along the way, he lost sight of that and instead wanted the Planet Trade itself. I wouldn't put it past him to try and take us out before we leave."
Shepard was shocked, but he hid it well. He noticed that Vegeta had also learned Instant Transmission like he and the others, but had kept to himself when training with it. He suspected the same thing as Raditz…
"Why are you asking this?" Raditz was curious about Shepard's thoughts, knowing the Saiyan always seemed to be…clairvoyant. His father was the same way…
"Because I will shove this BanHammer up his royal ass if he tries it. We've come too far to just backstab each other for more power. Vegeta doesn't realize the influence of being around someone like Goku, or even you now. His power has increased thousands of times in a fraction of his whole life. Same with the rest of us. The last thing we need is a Saiyan with that kind of power just running off and trying to become Emperor."
"I wouldn't worry so much about Vegeta. You're being paranoid. But… it is better to have a bit of caution. He's still unpredictable. Who knows where his head is?" Raditz answered. He knew of Vegeta's motives. He always said if he managed to kill Frieza, he would take his Planet Trade over, starting with eliminating the weak soldiers first. Then finding the Saiyan children and bringing them under the fold. But if King Cold was still alive…
"Tell me, is King Cold really still alive out there? You haven't mentioned anything about it and if we're going to come across him again, we need to get stronger than we are now. Much, much stronger."
A flash in the sky nearly blinded them, but the BanHammer's shield absorbed most of the light. It blocked out much of the explosion from the dueling blasts in the sky, but Shepard was lost in his memory, the flash bringing it back front and center…
December 14, 762
He was cold. His hand felt warm, but his body felt like it was going to freeze. He had to wake up. His body ached all over. But he had to wake up.
KRAKKKK
The sound of a massive collision snapped his eyes open and he regretted it immediately, hissing as the massive rocks in front of him sent a shockwave, pushing his body into another rock. Hitting back first, he could hardly react.
"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh…"
"Shepard! Caaaaalm down. It's Marc. Let the BanHammer help you." Shepard heard the voice in his head but his body was so cold. He could see the frost particles lining up and down his bruised and battered body. Holding his hand up, he saw his weapon glow cherry red, sending heating waves of energy throughout his body.
"You got to hold onto the weapon Shep. You're in space right now. Namek blew up on us. If we wouldn't have had Banny, we would be toast!"
"Y-You're tellin' me… Holy fu…Fuck…" Shepard let the BanHammer continue to warm his body. He could feel the many frost particles on his body melting away, but the chill was still in his bones. His body wasn't quite alert just yet, but his eyes were. All he could see was space rock. Everywhere he looked. Several pieces collided not too far from him, so he decided to try to make his way off of the rock he was on. Making his way into some open space, he was nearly blinded as he flew past a slow floating rock, one of Namek's suns shining bright.
"GAHH…damn." He didn't know where he was going, but he was thankful he didn't have to breathe on his own right now. His body was still racked in pain despite the healing, heating balms of energy flowing throughout his body. He was horrified as he looked around, seeing space rocks the size of cities float by in chaotic patterns, colliding with each other and drifting away. His head was on a swivel now, more alert than previously as he continued to fly among the debris. He couldn't sense King Cold, but he wouldn't put it past his instincts to be on guard.
His gut told him that King Cold was still alive, even if his senses didn't. He internally checked his power, wondering if he could tap into the Super Saiyan power again if he needed it.
'Man, my body is thrashed right now. I can barely concentrate.' Shepard continued floating/flying, dodging around some of the rocks and going under others. He didn't feel the cold of space so much anymore and his body felt more refreshed than it had been.
"Hopefully I can find one of the Pods," Shepard said to himself, looking around for anything he could find that was metallic. He wasn't sure if they could survive a planetary explosion, but he didn't have time to pull out the Capsule Pod that he, Goku, and Raditz had come to Namek on. Let alone get it started and fired up with a location in mind. He knew the others probably went to Yardrat, but he didn't know the coordinates.
It felt like forever, but he eventually found evidence of technology.
Frieza's personal cruiser was floating upside down. "I guess it's better than nothing." Shepard flew over, coming along the front of it. However, his hopes were quickly dashed when he saw the front window completely gone.
"Not like we were gonna get that lucky. I thought one of the Pods would be close for sure. Might have to get our ship out and….."
Shepard noticed Marc's abrupt silence, followed by a sudden boost of energy from the BanHammer, revitalizing his energy. He was sure most of the scars were healed up, but the one on his chest remained. King Cold had gotten him really bad earlier…
"Marc? What are-"…" Something doesn't feel right. It's too easy. Be-THERE ABOVE!"
"HAAAAAAAAAAH!" A massive beam of energy soared down toward Shepard, who instantly made his way under the ship. Part of it behind him disintegrated, making him look back in horror as the pink beam of energy came toward him. It turned the former livable planet cruiser into ash as Shepard flew ahead of the beam. He had just made it to the edge, about to fly up before a shadow barreled into him, driving him down into another set of rocks.
A hand gripped around his neck hard, making Shepard try to grab the offending hand, but he was pushed into the rock further.
"Did you think…that attack would finish me? That I would simply succumb to such a weak thing like you? ANSWER ME!" King Cold was furious! His body had deep gashes, burns, and many bruises throughout his body, but that wasn't the most significant thing that was different.
Half of his face was gone, as well as the rest of his tail. His arms had gashes up and down and both of his elbow horns were missing. His energy was weak, but still more than formidable to hold the now gasping Saiyan in place.
"Ack..Ughh…Gahh…Le-le…-" King Cold shut Shepard up with a fist to his jaw.
"I've survived planetary explosions you lowly gnat… To think a pitiful creature like you could put me through this insufferable hell." King Cold launched Shepard out of the rock, making the Saiyan crash through more space rock. He slammed into a big city-sized piece, somehow holding onto his BanHammer. He barely made his way out before King Cold landed with a THUD next to him, grabbing him by the back of his head and slamming his face into the ground.
"You don't get to do this to me and walk away with your life!" King Cold flew with Shepard in hand, slamming his face into the rock several times as he flew before ragdolling Shepard in front of him, punching the Saiyan so hard in the chest that he thought he was dead again, crashing into the surface of the massive rock.
"I…oh..ahh…owww…ugh…uhh…" He felt the BanHammer mending the damage to his chest. 'Gah…dammit he's still so tough! Wh-what do I do now? I got to escape!' Shepard tried fumbling in his shredded pocket, thankfully feeling the Capsule Pod capsule inside. It was still functional, which he found astounding, but he had no more time.
"Fuuuuuuuck!" Shepard barely got away from King Cold's knee, which implanted more than a foot into the rock where his head was a moment before. He was woozy, feeling his body trying to mend from the new damage. King Cold stood up, slowly walking down Shepard. It was the stuff of nightmares for the human-turned-Saiyan.
"Run all you'd like. I am only getting started with your obliteration. For the damage you've caused my family. For the damage you've caused to my Organization, you will suffer immense pain before I am through!" King Cold flew in low, lowering his shoulder into the Saiyan's stomach and driving him to the ground. He stood up, picking Shepard up by his head and tossing him again, making the Saiyan bounce along the rest of the length of space rock before going completely off. King Cold lost sight of the Saiyan but smirked as he disappeared, getting behind the fallen Saiyan and kicking him hard in the back. Shepard's spine snapped as the front of his body slammed into the side of the massive rock. King Cold wasn't satisfied, holding his finger up with pink energy sparking. A multitude of Death Beams flew out, striking the barely-turned-around Shepard and blowing him back into the rock even further.
KRACK
"Gahh!" Shepard's spine snapped back into place once again, the immense pain causing fury to build up in Shepard. Thinking back to his previous vision. He realized that if he didn't defeat King Cold now, he never would be able to. 'I-I need that power…one…last…TIME!'
King Cold was about to go in after Shepard before a yell, followed by a golden glow shined out, causing cracks to form along to edge of the hole. The King flew back as the space rock exploded outward. A golden bullet collided with King Cold, driving him back into another mass of rock.
"IT'S OVER COLD!" Shepard's power was chaotic, uncontrolled, and spiking. He slammed a fist into King Cold's jaw before raising and slamming his BanHammer down into the King's chest as hard as he could. He picked it back up and swung down again, seeing King Cold cough up blood. He went for another swing but King Cold kicked him hard, driving the Super Saiyan back, but not down.
"You don't get to decide anything anymore. You've caused enough damage to the Universe that it'll remember you as the blight you truly are!" Shepard's golden aura surged even higher, but the King rose, hate on his face. Purple lightning surrounded the King, even with his energy at an all-time low compared to before, it was still enough to disintegrate much of the ground beneath him.
"Pathetic low-life simian scum!"
They charged at each other, smashing into one another and pushing the other back before King Cold rushed forward again, trying to tear Shepard's innards apart with a vicious knee. The Super Saiyan was thankful he saw it in time, pushing it away with his hand that he blocked it with.
KRACK
"GAH!" Shepard's forehead nearly broke King Cold's nose as he stepped back, dizzy. King Cold shook it off, throwing a punch which Shepard ducked, as well as moving to the side as the uppercut that followed whizzed by.
Zzt
Shepard cursed as he kicked through the afterimage, turning into a jaw-shattering hook from the King, plowing him through nearly a half mile of countless floating space rocks.
BOOOOM
Shepard finally landed, letting out a harsh shout of pain as his body seized. 'I-I don't know how Goku managed to turn Super Saiyan twice. This…this is exhausting!' Shepard noted that he was more exhausted than in pain, concluding that the BanHammer was physically healing him. It was even replacing his ki reserves, but to keep replenishing so much in such a short time? The Saiyan was at the bare limit of holding onto the Super Saiyan power as King Cold phased in next to him. Picking him up by his golden locks, King Cold spat out a wad of blood on the surface. Before Shepard could react, agony flashed throughout his body as King Cold electrified his energy, sending torrents of shocks. Shepard screamed as his body was slowly being barbequed. The BanHammer started to mend the damage but King Cold saw the energy flow from the hammer, smirking and kicking it out of Shepard's hand. The pain became tenfold immediately as the Saiyan screamed in more agony.
"ARRGHHHAHHHHHHHHAHAHHHHHHAAAAAA!"
"Yessss! FEEL THIS PAIN THAT YOU DESERVE INSECT!" King Cold laughed joyously as he saw Shepard's skin start to blacken under the torrent of electricity.
BOOM
He punched Shepard in the forehead as he continued, sending blood flowing freely down the Saiyan's face. It was at this point that Shepard's body gave out, his golden hair turning black yet again. His body had stopped convulsing as King Cold dropped him to the surface, leaving the Saiyan unmoving.
"I commend you, Shepard the Saiyan. As much as I hate you, my respect for you is untarnished. Unfortunately, your time is truly at an end. Once you're gone completely for good, I will recover and find the other apes who killed my children." King Cold turned on his heel, walking away to the edge of the space rock.
"Still won't stop me from finding your planet and destroying everything you hold dear after! Heh heh heh heh heh!"
He was so weak. His body thrashed beyond belief. He was done. Shepard could barely squeak out any kind of breath. Being in space didn't help. He couldn't move as red filled his vision. His thoughts turned to his girlfriend and son. As much as he wanted to use those thoughts to increase his anger at his earlier vision, his body was done.
"Wh-What do…I…"…
King Cold stood for several minutes before realizing he had no clue how to contact his underlings. When he transformed into the 3rd form, his communicator was destroyed in the process.
"And now I am stuck in this void for the next year." King Cold mentally cursed at this. His body was also racked with pain, his energy down to an all-time low, even for him. "I should've just made the ship fly straight here instead of returning to Arcos."
He was about to fly out of the space dust and rock that once formed Namek before he heard a rock fall behind him. He snapped his head behind him, eyes wide and immediately gasping.
Shepard was still alive, barely, as his hand clawed at the rock beneath him.
COUGH COUGH
Blood escaped his mouth as he wiped at his blood-soaked face with his forearm, accidentally smearing it and making it worse. He tried wiping his face with his hand, but the blood was still flowing. Turning and laying on his back, he hacked up more blood as he took in the multitude of space rocks, slowly floating outward from Namek's explosion. He held out his hand weakly as the BanHammer flew over to him. His last thought as the BanHammer touched his hand was payback…
King Cold saw it and still couldn't believe it. He watched as Shepard moved around slowly before turning over on his back. "You have nothing left, even with your precious hammer heh heh heh heh." The weapon flew back into the Saiyan's hand before an eruption of Ki forced its way out of his body only moments later. It pushed King Cold back several feet, making his feet gash through the leftover mound of planet rock. "Still have fight left in you primate? What must I do? Must I rip you in half?" King Cold's eyes grew wide as Shepard's body shook for a handful of seconds, the power coursing through his body sending ripples of violent energy outward.
"What is with his power? It's…What is-?"
The energy tapered off as Shepard's body slowly rose, but unlike before, his hair didn't change color of any kind, nor did his limbs move. He hovered a foot above the rock, body still bruised and bloodied.
"His…what is this?" King Cold shakily took a step back, a chill running down his spine as Shepard's eyes finally opened, sending out a wave of white energy from his body as he finally moved. King Cold was caught in the wave, being blasted back through several city-sized pieces of the former Namek. Before he could slam into another, he was hit in the back with such force that his spine contorted almost to the point of snapping. His body was thrown away, ragdolling into another piece of space rock.
He didn't hear him, didn't see him move. 'I couldn't…how did he-' King Cold couldn't think as Shepard phased in front of him. The look in those eyes was something King Cold wouldn't soon forget. They were no longer teal. Nor were they black. The blood that was smeared all over his face made him look deranged. King Cold soon looked down, afraid to gaze into the eerie look he saw from the Saiyan.
"Kool ta em." The voice was deep, penetrating the King's thoughts and forcing him to look up again. He swallowed deeply as his body involuntarily trembled beneath the pressure that was emitting from Shepard. If he was 'Shepard' any longer, that is.
"Wh-Who…Wh-What are…You?" King Cold stammered, immediately angered at himself for being intimidated. But those eyes. He only saw them before once, from…
"Ouy era ton yhtrow. A etsaw fo ym emit." Whatever had taken hold of 'Shepard's' body pushed him forward so fast, faster than King Cold could perceive as Shepard suddenly appeared directly in front of him. King Cold naturally lashed out with his energy, but Shepard was already gone, flipping back.
King Cold didn't realize that the fight was already over. As he caught sight of Shepard moving back, he went to move forward but his body stopped cold. It happened so fast that the impacts left upon his body had not formed yet.
That was when the pain started.
Boom
Boom
Boomboom boom
Boomboomboom
BOOM
Shepard had already landed and walked away as bright flashes of light blasted off of King Cold's body, each hit sending tremors throughout his breaking body and driving him further away. Shepard turned back, watching with little interest as King Cold plowed through many tons of space rock.
SMASH
'Shepard's' eyes focused on what he was looking for, finally finding it on a piece of landmass not far from where he first regained consciousness. He landed, running his hand over his prize: the last Ginyu Force Space Pod! He held his BanHammer up, tapping the top of the Pod before closing his eyes…opening them a few moments later. "Siht lliw krow. I tsum og erofeb I yortsed siht ydob." 'Shepard' manually opened the Space Pod, sliding his body into the chair. He typed a few buttons on his chair. Searching 'Yardrat', he successfully pulled the planet up on the scanner. Grimacing at the long journey, he stepped back out of the Pod, placing the BanHammer on top of it.
"Yats ereht on rettam tahw. Tcetorp siht…noitpartnoc, dna eht yob." His eyes bulged as he turned, feeling something ominous closing in on their position. "Ti semoc rof Dloc. Ew llahs eb efas." Looking back at the BanHammer one last time, 'Shepard' felt he needed to cover every basis. He was aware of certain beings very high on the celestial scale that would notice if he let this pass. Smirking, he slowly closed his eyes, focusing his power. If he could make this work, then he would get away clean. "I yrrow taht Shiw lliw dnif em oot ylrae. Tel su ees fi I llits evah ti."
A few moments of concentration was all he required. Holding his BanHammer which sat atop the Space Pod, he opened his shining eyes as he held up his other hand.
"Tegrof Gnihtyreve!"
SNAP
Shepard opened his eyes, immediately back on Yardrat. He didn't answer Raditz's question immediately, thinking of the best way to answer.
"I'm not sure. He could still be alive. But if he still is after I caved his chest in with the BanHammer until my arms couldn't move, then nothing will kill him." Shepard tried recalling anything else that may have happened. The yelling, the many blows he delivered to King Cold. The blood…
"Then we will need to further the Super Saiyan power somehow. There is no other way." Raditz said as they looked up at the dueling Saiyans in the sky...
"Now do ya remember what I said, Sweetpea?" Mark turned around, looking at his 5-year-old daughter in her chair.
After the Saiyan invasion in which Mark's ankle had been shattered, he had to undergo extensive surgery, treatment, and rehab. Only a short couple of months ago was he able to finally get back to training again.
"When we get there, stay behind you Papa," Videl answered, beaming up at her father.
"That's my girl hahahahaha yeah!" Mark and Videl were on their way to Mount Paozu. He felt he was finally ready to challenge the former champion, Goku. If he was to have any shot at winning the World's Martial Arts Tournament in the future, he had to know where he stood!
"Alright Goku I'm gonna bust you up! Just you wait! Hahahahahaha!" Mark's airplane hit the next gear, blasting through the morning sky!…
The sun was just rising as Gohan yawned. He kept his window open purposefully to feel the cool morning air hit his face. It was still early enough in the year for the cool breeze to goosebump his skin as he hopped out of bed. Grabbing his gi, he went to the bathroom to quickly wash up. A quick sniff of the air and the smell of bacon ran across his nose and he was involuntarily smiling as he opened the door. Walking down the stairs he saw his mother over the stove with one plate of bacon already cooked.
"Good morning my strong little man! Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Mom! When can we eat?" Gohan asked, jumping up into the chair.
"As soon as-" Chi-Chi pointed to the door as it popped open.
"Mister Piccolo!" Gohan nearly shouted.
"Gohan. Chi-Chi. Mind a little company?" Piccolo ducked under the top of the door, letting himself in the house.
"Of course not Piccolo. You know… I did sense you outside earlier this morning. You can always come in and make yourself at home." Chi-Chi looked at Piccolo's befuddled face with amusement.
"I-Its quite alright. I don't mind waiting until you both are up and about. Besides, I'm here for Gohan's training session today if you remember."
"How could I forget? I'll never understand with you boys and fighting, but if it gives Gohan a little bit of playtime, then I'll just have to accept that. Have you…Sensed him?" Chi-Chi asked, looking out the window. Piccolo knew what she was talking about.
"No… I've already tried this morning. They're just too far away." Piccolo closed his eyes in concentration, trying to feel for any of the Saiyan's energy. They still had to be too far out of range. He thought with their growing Super Saiyan power that they would start coming up on his senses, but there was nothing.
"I miss Daddy. I hope he's gonna be okay." Gohan said dejectedly.
"Your father is fine, boy. I wouldn't worry about him so much." Piccolo said, nodding in thanks when Chi-Chi placed a glass of water as well as a plate of salmon, courtesy of Gohan's fishing expedition the night before.
"I hope so. D-Do you want to see my new technique, Mister Piccolo?" Gohan asked excitedly. Piccolo was amused, taking a bite of his fish and wiping his mouth with the napkin provided.
"Now Gohan what did I tell you about practicing when you have your studies?"
"But I-"
"I know you're done with the last assignment from your geometry work. I'm talking about the Chemistry." Chi-Chi smirked at Gohan's face going tomato red.
"I-I have the first three done Mom! Can I do the other two later today please?" Gohan almost begged. Piccolo looked on with a smirk, approving of the boy's attitude.
"Well... Alright Gohan. You can finish the last two later. Here's your breakfast. Finish up and you can go outside with Piccolo for a while." Chi-Chi set down multiple plates in front of Gohan, who could hardly wait as he began to feast. He almost choked a couple of seconds in on a pancake, but he finally got it down before going back in for more. Chi-Chi watched in sadness, reminded so much of her husband and his voracious appetite. She had to make nearly twice as much for Gohan now as she did before he went to Namek. Her only guess was his growing energy required far more sustenance than before.
Piccolo and Gohan finished minutes later, the boy patting his full stomach.
"I'm so stuffed! Thanks, Mom! That was amazing!" He smiled brightly at his mother, who turned and smiled back.
"No problem dear! Leave the dishes on the table and go outside and play. Piccolo, go easy on him. I can sense your energy you know. Be careful Gohan!" Gohan had already darted out of his chair once she said he could go play. Piccolo was a little slower in rising out of his chair. "Don't worry Chi-Chi. Gohan will be fine." Piccolo said before following out the door.
It was still a bit chilly outside, but that didn't stop Gohan from running a couple hundred feet away from the house, turning and adopting an offensive stance. Piccolo walked forward, smirking but not rushing. He was curious about his pupil's new technique…
"Settle down, boy. No need to waste all that energy before we start."
"Mom had me in my room with studies for three days straight Mister Piccolo! I need to fight you and keep myself sharp for when Daddy gets back." Gohan wasted no more time, pushing forward toward his teacher. Piccolo scoffed.
"I know I taught you better than that BRAT!" Piccolo slashed his hand forward, expecting to catch Gohan with a backhand, but the boy smirked, afterimaging away.
"Huh?" Piccolo raised an eye, firing a quick energy blast where he felt his student phase away again. He continued to fire concentrated blasts where he felt Gohan steadily speeding away. 'Good. He's improved his speed dramatically. And he's using his brain.' Piccolo turned, throwing out his right hand, but Gohan flipped over his hand.
BAM
Gohan's small foot implanted itself into Piccolo's clawed hand. Piccolo turned, tossing Gohan end over end in the air. Gohan recovered quickly, flying down and trying to land a solid punch on Piccolo, but the namekian evaded it easily, moving back as Gohan continued trying to land on him. Missing an uppercut, Gohan wasn't prepared for Piccolo to dodge around him, getting behind him and kicking him in the back, sending the screaming boy a distance away. Gohan hit the ground a few times in a tumble before turning and making it to his feet, stopping his momentum with his hand.
"You know I'm stronger than you are right now boy! I taught you better than to just attack me straight on. And to DODGE!" Piccolo yelled the last part, extending his hand and reaching out towards the boy who managed to jump to the side and dodge it. It followed him in the air before going past him, wrapping around him until he was completely trapped.
"D-Darn it! He's so f-fast now!" Gohan could say no more as Piccolo brought him to the ground hard, sending up rock. The namekian released Gohan and brought his hand back, awaiting his pupil's next move.
"PICCOLO!" Chi-Chi yelled from the window, ready to jump out at a moment's notice, but before she could even think to, Gohan burst out of the ground, hands above his head.
"MASENKO!" Gohan let it fly toward his teacher. Piccolo shook his head slightly, knocking the blast to an open area with minimal effort. Piccolo raised an eyebrow before hearing Gohan phase behind him. Gohan tried to kick Piccolo in the stomach but the Namekian turned quickly, knocking it aside. He knocked Gohan's kick aside so hard that Gohan was forced to turn with the momentum, allowing Piccolo to seize the boy from behind in a chokehold.
"What did I tell you about setting up your more powerful combinations?" Gohan tried struggling in the hold, but he was just not big enough to gain any leverage. Rather than try to use leverage or make himself bigger, he folded inward, dropping through Piccolo's long arms and back to the ground where he turned quickly. Attempting to sweep Piccolo's legs out from under him, the Namekian jumped high, laughing loudly as he did so. "Better, Gohan. Use what you have to your advantage. Never let your opponent know you have it!" Gohan snarled for a second before powering off the ground with his energy.
"HAAAAAAAH!" Gohan fired energy blasts as he charged up, making Piccolo start to knock them away with ease when they came in.
"ROCK!"
BAM
"SCISSORS!" Gohan was trapped in Piccolo's hand and attempted to eye poke the Namekian, but he grabbed the boy's wrist, bringing him in roughly to a knee to his stomach. Blood shot out of the boy's mouth as Piccolo punched him in the face, knocking the boy away.
"Your father's old techniques will earn you no quarter from me, boy!" Piccolo was not using his full power in this battle. This training wasn't benefitting him so much as it was helping to refine how much power he could use in future battles. He had been adjusting his weights every other day to compound his strength, as well as using Goku and Chi-Chi's Gravity Room to toughen his body even further. He knew he still wasn't quite as strong as a Super Saiyan, yet, but he had other reasons for doing this. He could feel Sarada's growing power in the desert, and if she turned Super Saiyan?
Better to focus on the here and now…
Gohan rose to his feet, wiping a bit of blood from his mouth. "I-I guess I have to use it now. Mister Piccolo is just so strong! Hey Mister Piccolo? I think I'm ready to try out my new move." He said across the field.
"Hmph. I'll allow it. If only to see how far you've progressed. Always remember that you won't get the opportunity to always charge up your energy in the middle of a fight!" Piccolo said as he charged up his power, blowing away some of the rocks and dirt.
"R-Right!" Gohan started powering up as much as he possibly could, his little fists clenched in pain as he yelled to the sky. His voice nearly went hoarse as the wind picked up around him. His aura blew away much of the dirt as he held his hands out toward his teacher, palms facing forward, hands in the form of claws. Th-This has to work! I've been practicing so hard. Please work!' The boy desperately thought to himself as the energy around his hands started to convert to lightning that struck the ground and broke beneath him.
Piccolo stepped back in shock as the winds continued to roar around him, surrounding him in a cacophony of blistering force. A red bolt of lightning started arcing around Gohan as he grit his teeth, hard enough to almost shatter them.
"Wh-What the? PICCOLO WHAT'S GOING ON?"AGHHHHH!" Chi-Chi ran out of the house, barely making it through the front door before she was nearly swept off of her feet. She had to use all of the energy that she had just to plant herself into the ground. "PICCOLO!"
"NOT NOW DAMMIT! STAY BACK I GOT THIS!" Piccolo yelled back, confident in his power. At least until Gohan yelled again, forming two balls of blue, electrified energy in his hands. The energy flashed several times as it continued to build, slowly growing bigger.
'His power is climbing far higher than before. How could this be happening? What a dramatic increase!' Piccolo braced himself as he watched the blasts in Gohan's hands grow even larger. His eyes narrowed at the incoming attack, they widened as his ears perked up to the sound of…
Roaring?
He focused his vision even more intensely before his eyes widened in absolute shock.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR
It was muted at first before Gohan yelled once more to the sky, the roar coming from the blasts echoing in his voice as Piccolo watched the beams in Gohan's hand slowly change into…
"Is…THAT…THAT..?" Chi-Chi's eyes nearly exploded out of her socket when the blasts formed into a pair of thrashing, roaring, electrified blue dragons.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"DRAGON HELIX CANNON!"…
They were done for the day. The blasts from Goku and Vegeta stalemated, causing a massive flash of damage that spread for miles. Shepard and Raditz had to carry both Vegeta and Goku back to their base center where they had taken refuge.
"Shep? Shep? Buddy get your pointy-haired ass up! We gotta problem dude!"
Shepard's eyes slowly opened before yawning.
"Fuck you talkin about?" He sleepily asked aloud. "You need to have more awareness, Shep! Come on man you're talking to yourself."
"Too early…f-YAWN-fuck off." Shepard turned over in the bed, wishing he could feel his wonderful girlfriend and thinking about squeezing her nice, big, juicy-
"VEGETA IS GONE!" The yelling made Shepard snap awake in bed, falling out of it in a rush. He got up, still dazed from his deep sleep before he took a step, falling over again in the cover the Yardartians had provided.
"Mother…FUCK! Fuck…Fuck you mean Vegeta's gone?" Shepard angrily said after finally making it back to his feet without falling. He reached out with his senses and sure enough…
"THAT LITTLE SHIT!…"
It had finally found a worthy target. Since its systems had been overridden months ago by the powerful entity it had…acquired, it had forged through space with a new purpose: Revenge. Already consuming 6 other planets, the sentient entity of technology had found a new target, this one with a high energy yield. It would provide it with great sustenance.
And perhaps…
Abnormal Readings Detected
Energy Of The Planet Confined to Central Location
A display was brought up. If it had feelings, it may have been in awe, but its cold indifference would sway it little as it approached the planet.
Saiyan Energy Detected
Readings In Line With Assessment
Landing In 5 minutes…
Spooky ending to this chapter hmm? What did you think of Vegeta ditching the others on Yardrat? Or what about Gohan's new technique? Is he too young to try something like this? What about our assassin at the beginning of the chapter? Do you think she'll find the Saiyans? And last but not least, what the hell is going on with Shepard? Can you guess? His…snap may have more consequences down the line then you may think.
Follows and Faves are always appreciated. Reviews as well. In the next chapter, our old hero just might make an appearance, so stay tuned for that. Until we meet again!