Saiyan Might
The ground had taken quite a beating. Multiple craters and the rubble of shattered boulders lay strewn across the landscape. Wind swept over the dead bodies of Chiaotzu and Nappa.
Goku and Vegeta stood tall, the only two left alive on the battlefield.
The serene sounds of birds chirping could be heard, a stark contrast to the devastation around them. It was the calm before the storm.
Goku glanced at Chiaotzu's body from the corner of his eye. He didn't want to fight here. "What do you say about a change of scenery?"
Vegeta chuckled, arms crossed. "As you wish, Kakarot."
Goku smiled, jumping up. "Follow me," he said before igniting his aura and blasting off.
Vegeta smirked and took off after him.
...
Goku flew ahead, carefully monitoring Vegeta's ki as he followed behind. Goku's eyes scanned the area below, searching for the perfect spot. 'I need space—somewhere far enough that Chiaotzu's body is not affected by our fight.' His heart ached as he remembered the old friend.
The wind rushed past as they flew through the clear sky. This should be far enough, he thought, eyeing the landscape beneath them. Jagged rocks and an open plain stretched out, untouched by civilization.
"Here. This is the place," he said aloud, as much to himself as to Vegeta.
With that, Goku descended and landed atop a rock formation.
Vegeta landed on a rock formation opposite him, slightly taller than Goku's.
The two last full-blooded Saiyans stood tall, sizing each other up.
A few tense moments passed before Vegeta broke the silence. "Before the fight begins, I have an offer for you, Kakarot."
"I'm listening," Goku replied.
"Good," Vegeta continued. "I have to tell you something. You may not be knowing this, but both of us are the last of the Saiyans left. The last members of a proud race of warriors. It would be a shame for us to be on the verge of each other's blood."
Goku remained silent, listening carefully.
"That's why I'm willing to give you a chance. Team up with me."
"Huh?" Goku looked surprised.
"Yes. I'm willing to spare your child and perhaps your woman as well. But the rest of Earth's inhabitants shall perish. This planet is going to be sold for billions, Kakarot! Together, with our combined strengths and the money we get from this planet, we will be unstoppable! Nobody in the universe would be able to stand up to us! And besides all of this, you will have the honor of serving me, Vegeta, the Prince of all Saiyans."
Goku looked on, saying nothing.
"After selling this planet, you could have anything you want, Kakarot. Fame, wealth, power, women—you name it."
Goku looked down, his expression hidden by his hair. "I'm sorry. But I'll pass."
Vegeta looked startled. "What?!"
Goku looked up, revealing a smirk. "I have everything a man could want right here, on this planet."
Vegeta clenched his fist. "You are an imbecile, Kakarot," he spat. "If you wish to die, then so be it. But remember, I won't make this offer again."
Goku fell into his battle stance, lowering his body with one hand extended in front of him and the other raised behind him. "Nah, I'm fine."
Vegeta assumed his own battle stance, a clenched fist raised in front of his forehead and the other hand poised at his side.
The two stood in their positions for a few seconds. A breeze blew by. Then, suddenly, Goku took off.
The Saiyan from Earth lunged at Vegeta with a punch, but the Prince easily dodged it by tilting his neck to the side.
A kick from Goku was blocked by Vegeta's forearm. Goku repeatedly began to throw punches, but they were effortlessly dodged or parried away. The battle was gradually moving into the air.
Vegeta now went on the offensive. His kick aimed at Goku's gut was expertly dodged.
Vegeta then tried to punch his opponent in the chest, but Goku deflected it to the side. Finally, a left hook from Vegeta connected, sending Goku staggering back.
Goku winced, recovering, but when he looked ahead, Vegeta had disappeared.
Goku gritted his teeth and scanned the area. "There!" he exclaimed, spotting Vegeta atop a rock formation. He dashed towards him at full speed, but Vegeta vanished at the last moment. Goku's kick collided with the structure instead, causing it to crumble.
Goku immediately dashed towards where Vegeta had gone. His kick missed its target again, destroying yet another rock formation.
Goku's eyes widened as he sensed a ki blast approaching him. He jumped up just in time, but Vegeta's kick connected with his back. The prince then reappeared in front of him to punch him in the jaw.
Goku was pushed back. He descended to land atop the rock formation where the battle had started.
Vegeta too landed, a confident smirk spreading across his features.
Goku was panting visibly.
"If that's your best, Kakarot, then I am truly disappointed. I will have you know that I am just getting warmed up."
Goku smiled to himself. 'If what he is saying is true, then I am in big trouble,' he thought. 'It's strange though... Even though things look grim, I'm having the time of my life.' Maybe battles like this were what his blood yearned for.
Vegeta raised an eyebrow as he saw Kakarot smile. 'What is he smiling about? Is he holding back? Or has he finally lost it?'
Goku widened his stance. He didn't want to use this technique, but it looked like he had no choice. "Kaio-Ken!" he shouted as a crimson aura enveloped him.
Vegeta's eyes widened because, in a flash, Goku was upon him.
BAM!
Spit flew out of Vegeta's mouth as Goku's fist connected with his cheek. Before he could recover, however, Goku slammed a roundhouse kick into his side, sending him flying.
Goku brought his hands to his hips. This was it! "Kamehameha!"
Vegeta recovered mid-air, his teeth gnashing together. He saw the blue beam of energy approaching him. "HAA!" With a yell, the Saiyan prince punched at the beam, deflecting it away.
Goku was shocked by this.
BAM!
Spit flew out of Goku's mouth as Vegeta's punch connected with his chin.
Goku recovered mid-air. Vegeta floated in front of him.
Vegeta stood there with a smirk, a mark of injury on his face where Goku's punch had landed but otherwise looking perfectly okay. "I must admit, I am impressed, Kakarot. You are the strongest Saiyan I have ever encountered besides myself! It's commendable, really."
Goku smirked. "Well, thanks."
Vegeta chuckled. "Too bad all of your potential is going to be wasted, fighting for a lost cause. You know, Kakarot, the fate of your planet was sealed the moment we heard about its abundant supply of Ragon in space."
Goku didn't reply, looking on seriously. He could sense his opponent's ki beginning to rise.
"Now, behold," Vegeta shouted, tensing himself. "The power of Vegeta!"
A dark purple aura enveloped the Saiyan prince. He gritted his teeth, his body vibrating as wind kicked up from his aura.
Goku looked dazed. 'Oh God.'
Dark clouds floated above them, and beneath the clouds Vegeta's aura was shining brightly. The prince was shouting with effort as his powerlevel continued to rise.
Khami's place...
Master Roshi sat concerned as the reading on the scouter continued to rise. "The Saiyan's power is rising dramatically!"
Khami, Mr Popo and Korin were silent, anxiety visible from their faces.
Goku was sweating as he saw Vegeta power-up.
With a yell, the prince halted his show of strength. He looked at Goku with a devious grin.
Goku's eyes widened. Vegeta was going to attack.
BAM!
Blood was sent flying out of Goku's mouth as Vegeta's kick collided with his gut.
"Say goodbye!" Vegeta shouted, raising his arms and hammering Goku down with both of his fists.
Goku was barely able to correct himself to land on his feet. "Kayoken times two!" The crimson aura enveloped Goku once again as he dashed towards Vegeta with his fist extended.
Vegeta dodged the attack easily, Goku went flying past him.
Goku rushed towards Vegeta once again. This time, the prince blocked the punch and retaliated with his own, pushing Goku backwards.
Vegeta then threw a ki blast which collided with Goku's shoulder.
DISHOO!
Goku was sent away, helplessly spinning in the air. Once again, he was able to recover in time to land on his feet. He looked injured now, the last blast having substantially hurt him. A large burn wound was visible on his chest near to his shoulder.
Hundreds of miles away...
Piccolo, Krillin and Gohan arrived at the hospital in Wolver city. Tien and Yamcha, who were unconscious, were admitted urgently.
Piccolo and Krillin had decided that they won't be having any treatment before the battle was really over. They were hoping that Goku's newfound strength would be enough but just in case if it didn't prove to be... they would have to jump in again.
Gohan had refused treatment as well. He was also adamant to help out his dad if need be.
The three jumped into the air. It was time to get back to the battlefield. Their plan was to stay low and keep their energies hidden till the going got tough.
Goku stood, panting as well as trembling with pain and exertion. The Kayoken was really beginning to take a toll on his body.
...
Yajirobe peeped from behind a rock. This was bad! Goku was looking worned out.
Yajirobe still didn't know why he was here in the first place. Maybe it was his guilty conscience that while his friends fought, Chiaotzu was martyred even, he had done absolutely nothing to help them. (Besides that one Senzu bean of course)
Yajirobe was still finding it hard to believe that Chiaotzu was no longer with them. The little guy was always so cheerful. In the months they had trained together Yajirobe had begun to have a liking for him.
"Poor guy," Yajirobe sniffed. "We didn't get to have a goodbye hunt even.." Yajirobe remembered how he had taken the little guy out for hunting with him once. Chiaotzu had actually turned out to be a fantastic cook, much to his surprise. Never again would he have the taste of his company or his cooking...
Yajirobe now looked at the tired figure of Goku. "Maybe I should do something to help.."
...
Goku was still panting audibly, his body aching.
Vegeta scoffed. "You are beginning to bore me, Kakarot. Don't tell me you are done, already."
Goku forced a grin. "Far from it," he said though his body language said otherwise.
Vegeta laughed out loud at Goku's reply.
Goku gritted his teeth and widened his stance. He didn't know if he was going to survive this.
On a distant green planet...
King Gai sat on a rocking chair, reading a newspaper.
The blue master lowered the paper and looked to the sky. "I wonder how Goku is doing. I just hope he doesn't overdo the Kayoken attack."
Bubbles was hopping beside his master. "Haa-haa-oo-oo-ee-ee."
Gregory came near. "Don't worry. Goku will be fine, King Gai. All of our prayers are with him."
King Gai nodded.
At Mount Paozu, inside a secluded room in Goku's house...
Gohan's mother sat on the floor, praying for her son and husband, weeping profusely. 'O God. Please, protect them. Surely you are the best of protectors. '
Goku looked ahead of himself. His teeth were gnashed together as his body tensed with effort.
Steam began to emanate from Goku's body.
Vegeta's eyebrows were raised with surprise.
Goku now began to scream with effort, his muscles were beginning to bulge dangerously.
Vegeta's jaw dropped open. 'How? How could he have been holding back all this time?'
A crimson aura ignited around Goku, enveloping his form. "Kayoken.. times three!"
Vegeta looked amazed as the rock formation he stood on began to crumble from the sheer energy radiating from his opponent.
The prince's eyes widened as the bulked up Goku was now in front of him with his fist pulled back.
Time seemed to stop for Vegeta as Goku was before him. Finally, the Saiyan from Earth threw his punch, hitting Vegeta's cheekbone.
The prince was sent flying at high speeds. However, Goku was even faster. The Saiyan from Earth now reappeared below his opponent and kicked Vegeta's lower back with both of his legs.
Vegeta was sent upwards by the blow. The prince used all his will-power to stop himself mid-air, his face an expression of pure rage.
With a scream, he ignited his aura around him and dashed towards Goku with a kick. However, Goku dodged the attack and used his knee to hit Vegeta in the chest.
"Argh!" Vegeta gasped with pain, his breath knocked out of him.
Goku then punched Vegeta on the forehead, sending him flying and crashing into a rock formation. A hole was left in it from where Vegeta had entered.
Goku's crimson aura disappeared as he waited for Vegeta to come out. A few moments passed by. Goku could still clearly sense his opponent's energy.
"RAAAAAH!"
A huge explosion erupted from the rock formation, reducing it to fragments and revealing an enraged Vegeta. Vegeta's face was contorted with pure fury. His forehead bled from Kakarot's last blow.
Goku reignited his aura and dashed towards Vegeta once again.
Vegeta pulled back his fist to attack the oncoming Saiyan but Goku changed course to come from behind and kicked him on the back.
Vegeta fell onto his face.
The prince slowly got up, still trembling with pure rage. With an expletive, he hurled a punch at Goku, only for it to be caught. He than threw another punch but it was caught too.
Goku than squeezed his opponent's fists.
Vegeta howled with pain, his head pulled back in agony.
It was than that Goku released Vegeta's hands and implanted his fist into Vegeta's abdomen.
Vegeta's mouth dropped open. He clasped his abdomen with both of his hands, doubling over in pain. Blood flew out of his mouth.
Goku stood, panting visibly with exertion as he watched Vegeta take steps backwards, his body trembling.
Vegeta turned and fell on his side, his back facing Goku. The prince was still holding his abdomen. His face contorted in a mixture of agony and disbelief. 'How?! How could Kakarot, a low-class Saiyan do this to him?! Him! The Prince of all Saiyans!'
Vegeta coughed.
Goku looked on. He didn't know how much longer his body could handle the Kaioken attack. This was some much needed respite for him.
Vegeta suddenly spun to his feet and propelled himself into the air. His eyes blazed with fury, and his voice ripped through the sky like thunder.
"KAKAROT!" he roared, the name laced with venom. "IF YOU ARE TRULY YOUR FATHER'S SON, FACE THIS ATTACK HEAD-ON!" His entire body pulsed with raw, untamed energy, a violent purple aura erupting around him. The power surging through him felt limitless as the prince of Saiyans screamed, his voice echoing like a war cry across the battlefield.
On the ground, Goku's heart raced. He wasn't ready. He needed more time, but it was clear he wasn't going to get any. The air crackled with tension as Goku, his face tight with pain, knew the moment had come. There was no running now. His ignited his own crimson aura which swirled around him like flames. Every muscle in his body screamed in agony, but he forced his hands to his waist.
"Kamehame..." Goku grunted through gritted teeth, feeling the strain of his energy, barely holding it together. Around him, the ground began to shake violently. Rocks levitated, as though the landscape itself was holding its breath in anticipation.
Above him, Vegeta's aura crackled like lightning, growing darker, more intense. His face twisted into a snarl. 'This ends now.'
"NOW SAY GOODBYE, KAKAROT! GALICK GUN…FIRE!" Vegeta screamed, his voice tearing through the heavens as he unleashed a massive beam of violet energy. The blast was enormous—larger than Vegeta himself—tearing through the sky like a force of nature, obliterating everything in its path.
"HA!" Goku cried, releasing his Kamehameha wave, the brilliant blue energy exploding from his palms with enough force to shake the very air. The two beams collided mid-air, the shockwave of the impact sending cracks across the ground and blasting apart the battlefield in a blinding flash of light.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still.
The sheer force of the energy beams crashing against one another was unbearable, pushing out waves of power that rippled through the entire area. Yajirobe, who had been watching from a distance, was thrown violently backward, tumbling like a leaf caught in a storm.
Master Roshi's scouter beeped wildly, the numbers spiking beyond comprehension. The old man's face went pale as the device trembled, then exploded into pieces. His voice was barely above a whisper. "What... what is this power?"
Khami wiped sweat from his brow, staring into the distance where the battle raged. "It's... unimaginable," he muttered, awe-struck.
Above the battlefield, Vegeta grunted, pouring every last drop of his power into his Galick Gun. He could barely comprehend it. His attack, meant to utterly destroy the entire area, was being met and matched by Kakarot, a low-class warrior!
"This is impossible!" Vegeta growled, his muscles screaming under the strain as he pushed harder. "Kakarot, you... YOU'RE NOTHING!"
With a primal scream Vegeta poured the last of reserves into the attack, his beam swelling in size.
On the ground, Goku's body trembled with the effort. The tremendous force of Vegeta's power was beginning to overwhelm him. His Kamehameha was losing ground. Desperation clawed at his chest. 'I can't lose... everyone's counting on me!'
Suddenly, Goku's eyes snapped open. There was only one thing left he could do. He had held back, hoping it wouldn't come to this, but now... "KAIOKEN... TIMES FOUR!"
With a scream that shook the air, Goku's body erupted with a surge of power far beyond anything he had tapped into before. His aura exploded into a blinding red inferno, and the force of his Kamehameha wave doubled in size, roaring back against Vegeta's attack.
"NOOOO!" Vegeta screamed, his face twisting in terror as his Galick Gun was consumed by Goku's overpowering wave of energy. The prince tried to hold his ground, but the force was too much. In an instant, Goku's attack slammed into him, engulfing him in a torrent of searing blue energy.
Vegeta's scream echoed as he was launched high into the sky, his body flung like a ragdoll, carried away by the unstoppable force of Goku's Kamehameha. He disappeared from sight, swallowed by the clouds and the light of the attack.
On the ground, Goku staggered, panting heavily. His body ached from the exertion, every muscle trembling with fatigue. The fiery crimson aura of the Kaioken flickered and died out around him. He had nothing left.
The battlefield fell into a deafening silence, broken only by the soft hum of the lingering energy in the air. The rocks that had been floating around slowly drifted back to the ground.
Goku, breathing hard, looked up toward the sky where Vegeta had disappeared. He had survived... but for how long?
Yajirobe lay flat on his back, staring at the sky when he noticed something— something distant and fading—shooting upwards and disappearing from view. He squinted, his mind racing. Had Goku's attack really overpowered the Saiyan's?
With a sudden burst of excitement, Yajirobe scrambled to his feet. A wide grin spread across his face as he rushed forward to congratulate his friend.
"Hey, Goku!" he called, his voice booming with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
Goku, still catching his breath, blinked in surprise as he saw the rotund swordsman approaching swiftly. "Yajirobe?"
In an instant, Yajirobe was at Goku's side, clapping him on the back. "Great job dealing with that Saiyan! I almost thought he had you back there." His hand landed with a hearty slap, only for Goku to cry out in pain.
Startled, Yajirobe froze, his expression bewildered. "What the—?"
Goku grimaced, forcing a strained smile. "That last attack took a lot out of me... I'm still feeling it."
Yajirobe chuckled, seemingly unconcerned. "Well, hey, at least you got rid of that Saiyan."
Goku's expression shifted, more serious now. "Actually... I didn't. I'm afraid the last attack wasn't enough to finish him off. He's hurt, but he'll be back soon."
Yajirobe's face drained of color, his earlier confidence evaporating in an instant. He chuckled nervously, backing away. "W-Well... I just remembered something, Goku. Something real important."
Without waiting for a response, Yajirobe spun on his heel and took off, running as fast as his legs would carry him, his retreat almost comical.
Goku stared after him, utterly confused. 'What could he have possibly remembered?' He scratched his head, wincing from the lingering pain. 'Maybe he left something in the oven.'
...
Vegeta was yelling in agony as he continued to be pushed upwards by Goku's kamehameha wave. The prince used the whole of his energy to finally get off the ki beam.
"Hah... ha.. ha.."
Vegeta was panting. His armor had been damaged and broken from many places while cuts and bruises marked his skin.
He clenched his fists. "WHY?! WHY?! HE SHOULD BE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!"
Vegeta screamed at the top of his lungs.
'What can I do to defeat him?' He looked around himself. It was dusk by now. If only this happened to be a full-moon night. 'Blast it!' Apparently it wasn't.
Than Vegeta remembered something he had learnt a few years ago. He laughed out loud. Yes! This should surely work! Kakarot didn't have his tail with him!
The prince began to descend now, heading back to where he expected Kakarot to be.
...
Goku stood, still panting for breath. He felt exhausted. Suddenly, he could sense Vegeta getting back. 'Great.'
Vegeta landed in front of Goku, a confident grin spread across his features. He clenched his fist in front of him. "Any hopes you held of defeating me are about to be sent flying out of the window."
Goku looked on silently. He had become used to hearing the boasts of his enemies over the past twelve years or so of his fighting.
Vegeta was laughing like a maniac. "Now watch the true power of a Saiyan warrior! Something which a tail-less mutant like you could never hope to achieve!" With that Vegeta threw a ball of ki towards the sky.
Goku huffed. He had half a mind to tell Vegeta that he wasn't a mutant. It was just that his tail had been removed multiple times when he was young and now it refused to re-grow.
Vegeta stared at the orb of energy he had thrown up, his heartbeat increasing by the second.
"What?!" Goku was startled as suddenly Vegeta's eyes appeared to turn pure white. Vegeta's muscles bulged and his teeth turned into fangs.
Goku felt slightly scared as Vegeta began to increase in size and hair began to grow all over his face. This was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Vegeta howled out loud, his deep voice echoing across the landscape.
Goku's mouth hung open in disbelief as a massive shadow fell over him. Before his eyes, Vegeta had transformed into a monstrous Great Ape, his body towering above the landscape, his presence overwhelming.
The stories Goku had heard as a child flooded back to him—tales of a giant ape that appeared under the light of the full moon. It all made sense now. 'I was the one who wrecked the martial arts tournament, I was the one who destroyed the Pilavv castle and... I was the one who crushed my Grandpa!'
Vegeta's deep, booming laughter echoed across the battlefield, his transformed body radiating sheer dominance. To him, Kakarot looked like a mere insect. "How would you prefer to die, Kakarot?" Vegeta's voice was filled with twisted amusement. "Stamped flat into the ground? Impaled on my finger? Or turned to mince-meat between my jaws and eaten? The choice is yours."
Perhaps for the first time in his life, panic seized Goku's chest. Without a second thought, he dashed backward, attempting to put as much distance between himself and the terrifying creature as possible.
Vegeta, his massive form barely needing to exert effort, stalked after him with terrifying calm "Look at the brave hero! The protector of his planet, running away like a frightened child! HAHAHA!"
Goku's teeth clenched as he kept moving, desperately trying to formulate a plan. He needed distance. If he could just gain some space, he still had a trump card. "Kayoken!" he shouted, his body instantly enveloped in the familiar red aura.
Vegeta grinned as he saw the crimson glow flare around Kakarot. 'That trick again.' He knew this wouldn't save him.
Goku glanced over his shoulder as he sped through the air, hoping his Kayoken would give him the edge in speed. But just as relief started to creep in, he froze. Vegeta was already ahead of him.
BAM!
The ground cracked beneath him as Vegeta's massive fist smashed Goku from the sky, sending him crashing down with a sickening thud. Goku's body screamed in pain as he lay sprawled across the shattered earth, gasping for breath.
Before he could react, Vegeta leaped into the air and brought his enormous foot crashing down on Goku's leg.
"AAAAARGHHH!" Goku's scream tore through the air, filled with raw agony.
Vegeta's laugh rumbled like thunder. "Oops. Looks like I stepped on your leg, Kakarot. Or was it your toes?" The mockery in his voice only deepened Goku's torment.
Goku's vision blurred. The world around him swam in and out of focus. His body was failing him, his mind teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. He had to fight. Had to survive.
Vegeta, towering over him, pulled back his enormous finger, aiming it like a spear. "Since you couldn't decide, Kakarot, I'll make the choice for you. "I'll impale you on my finger!"
Just as the death blow was about to strike..
DHISHUN!
Vegeta howled in agony, staggering backward as his massive hand shot up to cover his injured eye. Goku, using every last bit of his strength, had fired a desperate ki blast straight into Vegeta's eye.
A small, tired smile crossed Goku's face as he let his head fall back. His body was wrecked, but he had bought himself a moment—just a moment.
Vegeta, blinded by rage, gnashed his teeth, the pain from his eye fueling his fury. He lowered his hand, his injured eye swollen and bloodshot. "You..." he growled, his voice trembling with hatred. "I've changed my mind. I won't kill you quickly. First, I'll break every bone in your body!"
The Great Ape's massive hands reached down, grabbing Goku's limp form. With both fists, Vegeta began to squeeze, crushing Goku with terrifying strength.
Goku's entire body felt as though it were being torn apart. Bones creaked under the pressure, and his mind was consumed by a pain like nothing he had ever known.
"AAAAAAAGH! AAAAAAAAANGH!" His tortured screams filled the battlefield, each one as desperate and terrifying to shake the coldest of men..
To be continued...
