Chapter 43: Fury of the Saiyans
Standing outside Guru's house, I felt the new power surging through every cell, each nerve charged in a way I'd never felt before. I could sense them, the battle already raging near Frieza's ship. Kakarot and the others seemed to be standing back as Vegeta threw himself headfirst. And judging by the volatile bursts of energy flickering on the horizon, it seemed he was holding his own.
"Let's move," I said, nodding at Tato, Hanasia, and Raditz. Without another word while Piccolo was ahead of us with Dende, the landscape blurring beneath us as we sped toward the battlefield.
As we closed in, the thrill of that looming challenge sent a fierce, dark satisfaction surging through me. We'd make him regret what he did to our people but in a way I was grateful, Thanks to him the ones that I had saved have made a new life with a new mindset which was great.
As we touched down, me and the others watched Vegeta face off with Frieza in a one-on-one showdown. Nappa and Kakarot were watching as well, their eyes never leaving the fight. I could see Nappa's hands itching to join in, but this was Vegeta's turn.
He was throwing punches at Frieza, landing a few solid hits that seemed to catch Frieza off guard. Each hit seemed to grow stronger, his power creeping closer to Frieza's with every moment that passed. For once, Vegeta wasn't just the underdog. He was going all-in, giving it everything he had. and seemed to be getting stronger.
Frieza, though, just sneered, his eyes filled with that smug superiority. He dodged and blocked Vegeta's strikes, making a point to smirk as he slipped away from each blow, adding a taunt here and there.
"Oh, Vegeta," Frieza drawled, as if bored. "You've grown a bit stronger since last I saw you. But don't fool yourself. A monkey's potential is laughably finite."
Vegeta's glare could've melted steel, and he spat, "You won't be so smug when you're choking on your own blood, Frieza!"
Frieza only laughed, his voice as mocking as ever. "Is that so? You Saiyans never learn, do you? " he said as he clenched his fist looking at Vegeta with anger. " A barbaric race with thoughts of grander, pathetic."
Vegeta's aura flared with a blinding intensity, his power spiking higher as he roared in fury and dashed in. I could sense it too, he was climbing closer to Frieza's level, pushing himself to the limit.
Vegeta threw a powerful punch that actually connected, landing square on Frieza's smug face. The impact echoed across the battlefield, and for a brief moment, Frieza's expression shifted from condescension to irritation. But then, his smirk returned, twisted with something darker.
"Impressive, Vegeta. I might almost feel that one," Frieza sneered, brushing his cheek, though I could see the faint bruise forming.
Frieza raised a hand, his fingers glowing. Before Vegeta could react, Frieza unleashed a barrage of death beams. Vegeta tried to dodge, but Frieza's aim was dead on. One after another, those beams tore through Vegeta's body, puncturing his armor, his flesh, leaving holes in his chest and abdomen. Blood sprayed from the wounds as Vegeta staggered back, barely managing to stay on his feet, his hands clenched against his injuries, his teeth gritted against the pain.
"Come now, Vegeta," Frieza taunted, his tone mocking as he watched the bloodstream from the Vegeta's wounds. "You didn't think you'd actually beat me, did you? No matter how high a monkey climbs, it can never reach the stars."
Vegeta dropped to one knee, blood spilling onto the ground, his breathing ragged. His face twisted in frustration and rage, the sheer humiliation burning through him as Frieza hovered above him, that smirk never wavering. It was psychological. Frieza was toying with him, making a point of keeping him alive just to prove that he could.
But despite the pain, despite the wounds littering his body, Vegeta pushed himself back up, his energy sparking back to life, his eyes burning with a fire that hadn't dimmed.
"You can try to kill me, Frieza, but I'll keep coming back and I'll become a super Saiyan of legend. The one you fear!" Vegeta roared, his voice hoarse but defiant.
Frieza chuckled, amused. "Bold words, little prince. But let's be honest, you'll be dead long before that happens."
Just then, Nappa stepped forward, his own energy flaring up as he shoulder-checked Frieza. He looked down at Frieza, cracking his neck as if loosening up.
"My turn," Nappa grunted, his voice steady. "I've got a bone to pick with you, Frieza. You owe me for the years you used me as a lapdog."
Frieza arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh, Nappa. I'd almost forgotten about you. I didn't realize you were still alive. A shame you survived this long only to meet such an inevitable end."
Nappa let out a deep chuckle, rolling his shoulders. "We'll see about that."
Kakarot was watching from the sidelines, that familiar, focused look in his eyes, as if analyzing every move. Meanwhile, Vegeta stumbled back to where I was, barely holding himself together but refusing to show any weakness. His pride was a force of its own, carrying him despite the gaping wounds that should have put him down.
"Heal me…," he muttered, struggling to stand as he looked at Dende. He shot me a glare. As Dende hurried over to Vegeta, Nappa lunged at Frieza with all his might, his fists moving, Each punch carried the weight of years of rage, betrayal, and frustration.
He was as strong as Frieza in this form. The air trembled as Nappa's fists collided with Frieza. Frieza, for all his smugness, seemed momentarily taken aback by Nappa's sheer strength. His laughter was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating glare.
"Is this what you wanted, Frieza?" Nappa taunted, his voice filled with venom. "You wanted us Saiyans died, But look at you now, struggling just to keep up!"
Frieza's face twisted in irritation. "How dare you make me actually put in effort." His tone, normally so mocking, was edged with a growing fury.
Nappa's fist came flying again, this time aimed straight at Frieza's jaw. Frieza moved to block, but the force of the blow still sent him staggering back.
"You've got some nerve," Frieza sneered, wiping a thin line of blood from the corner of his mouth. "But nerve will only get you so far. I don't know what deluded fantasy has convinced you that you're my equal, but I'll be happy to rid you of that notion." He said as he spread his arms.
Nappa only laughed, an unhinged sound filled with the years of pent-up rage he'd held back under Frieza's rule. Their fight intensified. Nappa was throwing everything he had, unleashing blasts that forced Frieza onto the defensive, pushing him further and further back.
While the battle raged on, I turned my attention to Vegeta, who was slumped nearby, his pride bruised and his body still riddled with those damn holes from Frieza's Death Beams. He glared up at me, and even through the pain, there was a fire in his eyes.
"Don't you dare… let human or the Namekian steal this, only a Saiyan should kill Frieza.," he muttered, his voice hoarse.
Dende worked quickly, his small hands glowing as he focused on mending Vegeta's wounds. The young Namekian looked nervous, but he kept pouring healing energy into Vegeta. I watched as the wounds on Vegeta's body slowly began to close, the pain in his expression easing ever so slightly.
"This is gonna take a minute," I told him, glancing back at the battle. "So just sit back and let Nappa handle it for now."
Vegeta scoffed, his pride refusing to fully accept that he was out of the fight, even temporarily. "Nappa's an idiot if he thinks he can finish Frieza off."
"Maybe," I replied, a faint smirk tugging at my lips, "but right now, he's got Frieza on the ropes. Besides, I think Frieza's ego needs a bruising."
Vegeta fell silent, his gaze fixed on Nappa's battle with Frieza, his pride torn between frustration and begrudging respect. Nappa had been the lowly brute, the expendable warrior in Vegeta's eyes for so long, but here he was, giving Frieza a fight that even Vegeta hadn't managed.
Frieza's irritation was palpable now. His movements grew more aggressive, his blows sharper, as he struggled to regain control of the situation. But Nappa wasn't giving him an inch. He dodged, countered, and attacked with an almost animalistic ferocity, his battle cries echoing across the barren landscape.
"Is that all you've got, Frieza?" Nappa taunted, his voice laced with contempt. "I thought you were supposed to be the strongest in the universe!"
Frieza's face contorted with rage, his eyes narrowing as he unleashed a flurry of attacks. His fists moved faster, his energy blasts more intense, but Nappa met each one head-on, a twisted grin on his face.
"Enough of this charade!" Frieza snapped, his voice cold with suppressed fury. He held up one hand, a bright sphere of energy forming in his palm. The power emanating from it was unlike anything we'd felt from him so far. "I've humored you long enough, monkey. Time to remind you of your place."
The energy orb shot towards Nappa, who barely had time to brace himself before it exploded against him, sending him skidding back. But when the smoke cleared, Nappa was still standing, bloodied but grinning.
With a swift movement, Frieza's power spiked, his energy flaring as he began to power up. His muscles tensed, his body expanded as he got bigger.
Nappa didn't step back as Frieza's power rose even higher. "What the hell…?"
Frieza laughed, a cold, chilling sound. "Did you think this was my true form, Nappa? You Saiyans truly are a dense lot. Allow me to show you… real power."
As Frieza began his transformation, the atmosphere around us shifted dramatically. His cackling laughter echoed across the barren landscape as his body contorted and expanded, the once smooth skin giving way to jagged spikes and an imposing frame. His power level spiked, soaring up to **1,060,000**.
Nappa's earlier bravado faltered as Frieza's second form towered over him. "You filthy monkeys need to learn that you are, and always will be, beneath your master!" Frieza snarled, his voice deeper, more menacing. In a blur of motion, he lunged at Nappa, his head horn piercing straight through Nappa's armor and into his shoulder. Nappa let out a guttural scream as Frieza lifted him off the ground, smirking wickedly.
Before Frieza could inflict more damage, Piccolo intervened. He slammed a powerful kick into Frieza's side, forcing the tyrant to release Nappa, who crumpled to the ground. Piccolo landed between them, his eyes locked onto Frieza with a steely determination. "Your fight is with me now," he declared, his antennae twitching.
Frieza regarded Piccolo with mild interest. "Ah, the Namekian steps up. I must admit, I didn't expect to see one of your kind with such power. But no matter, you'll fall just like the rest."
Gohan and Krillin rushed to Piccolo's side, their faces set with grim resolve. "We're not letting you get away with this, Frieza!" Gohan shouted, clenching his fists. The kid had guts, I'd give him that.
From our vantage point, I could see Kakarot watching intently. He hadn't made a move yet, perhaps gauging Frieza's strength or waiting for the right moment. Meanwhile, Tato, Hanasia, Raditz, and I stood back. We were all significantly stronger than Frieza in this form, but there was no point in ending things prematurely.
Frieza chuckled darkly. "Oh, how adorable. The little pests think they can challenge me." His tail swished behind him, a predatory glint in his eyes. Without warning, he unleashed a barrage of energy blasts. Piccolo deflected as many as he could, but the sheer volume was overwhelming.
Krillin and Gohan dodged and weaved through the onslaught, but Frieza anticipated their movements. In a swift motion, he appeared behind Gohan, delivering a brutal backhand that sent the boy crashing into a nearby rock formation.
"Gohan!" Krillin screamed, rushing to his friend's aid. Piccolo's eyes widened, and a fierce anger emanated from him. "You'll pay for that!" he roared, charging at Frieza with renewed vigor.
Their clash was intense, but it was clear Piccolo was outmatched. Even with his potential unlocked, Frieza's transformed state was pushing him to his limits. Frieza dodged Piccolo's strikes effortlessly, taunting him all the while. "Is this the best you can do?"
Before Frieza could deliver the finishing blow, Kakarot finally stepped forward. His expression was uncharacteristically serious, eyes locked onto Frieza. "That's enough," he said, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention.
Frieza turned his gaze to Goku, eyebrow raised. "And who might you be? Another Saiyan come to challenge me? How quaint."
" Goku," he replied simply. "From Earth."
Frieza sneered. "Earth, you say? So you're the one who defeated Vegeta there. I must say, I expected someone... taller."
Kakarot didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he took a deep breath, his aura beginning to glow with a fiery red hue. "Kaioken!" he shouted, his power multiplying as he ascended to Kaioken x4. The ground beneath him cracked under the pressure of his energy.
They clashed, and the force of their blows sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Kakarot was holding his own, matching Frieza's strikes blow for blow. The intensity of their battle was on a whole other level, and even from a distance, I could feel the sheer power behind each attack. Kakarots attack forcing Frieza back.
Frieza began to gather energy in his fingertip, a sinister purple light emanating from it. He aimed directly at Kakarot.
He fired, but Kakarot deflected it with a swift swipe of his hand. The energy blast careened off into the sky, exploding harmlessly in the atmosphere. Frieza's irritation was palpable.
"You're strong, Frieza," Kakarot said, his voice steady. "But I won't let you hurt my friends."
Frieza laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Your friends? Oh, you mean the ones cowering over there?" His gaze flickered over to where Gohan was struggling to stand, Krillin supporting him.
Without warning, Frieza vanished and reappeared above Gohan and Krillin, a malevolent grin on his face. "Say goodbye," he hissed, pointing his finger at Gohan's heart.
Time seemed to slow. I saw the malicious gleam in Frieza's eyes, the helplessness in Gohan's face, and the horror on Krillin's. Instinct took over. In a flash, I propelled myself between them, raising my hand just as Frieza unleashed his Death Beam.
The beam collided with my palm, the force pushing me back a few inches, but I held firm. "Not today," I said, meeting Frieza's astonished gaze.
He stared at me, surprise quickly turning into rage. "You dare interfere?"
I smirked. "Someone has to teach you some manners."
Behind me, Gohan looked up, eyes wide. "Celera..."
"Get back," I instructed without turning around. "This isn't a game."
Frieza's lips curled into a sneer. "Another Saiyan stepping up to die. How delightful."
I felt my own power surging, but I held back. This was Kakarot's fight. I just needed to keep Frieza from causing unnecessary collateral damage. "I'm not here to fight you, Frieza. Just to keep you focused on your real opponent."
Kakarot appeared beside me, his expression grateful but resolute. "Thanks, Celera. I'll take it from here."
I nodded, stepping back. "Be careful. He's not showing his full power yet."
Frieza's eyes flicked between us, irritation evident. "You insolent pests! Fine, if you want to see true power, I'll oblige."
He began transforming again, his body shrinking and streamlining into his final form. The air grew thick with his ki, a suffocating pressure that weighed on all of us. His power level skyrocketed to **3,000,000**, and the very ground quaked beneath our feet.
"This is my true form," Frieza announced, his voice now cold and refined. "Consider yourselves honored to witness it before you die."
Kakarot's face hardened. "Kaioken times ten!" he shouted, his aura flaring violently as his power increased. The strain was evident, but he held firm.
They clashed once more, the battlefield becoming a blur of motion. Each impact sent shockwaves that could be felt miles away. Kakarot was pushing himself to the limit, but Frieza was relentless, his strikes precise and devastating.
From the sidelines, I could see the concern growing on everyone's faces. "He's giving it everything he's got," Krillin murmured, gripping his fists tightly.
"He might need more than that," Tato commented, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness.
I weighed my options. We had agreed not to gang up on Frieza, but if Kakarot fell, we'd have bigger problems.
Frieza landed a brutal kick to Kakarot's midsection, sending him skidding backward. "Is this really all you have to offer?" he mocked. "Pathetic."
Kakarot wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth, his eyes never leaving Frieza's. "I'm not done yet."
He charged forward, feinting left before delivering an uppercut that actually made Frieza stagger. Seizing the moment, he followed up with a series of rapid-fire punches, each one connecting.
Frieza's composure cracked ever so slightly. "You insolent...!"
Before he could finish, Kakarot unleashed a point-blank Kamehameha wave, the blue beam engulfing Frieza. The explosion that followed shook the entire area, a blinding light forcing us to shield our eyes.