The Light to my Darkness

Chapter 30: The call of the dragon

"Bulma." Goku murmured gloomily, his expression dolorous and face damp with tears. Gohan and Krillin clamped their eyes shut, forcing themselves to look away from the tragic scene, as sorrow-ridden tears cascaded down their faces. Piccolo bared his fangs fiercely at Frieza, disgusted by the savage and merciless display. Just like Dende, she was innocent and defenseless!

Goku felt an unfamiliar spark of rage budding within him.

"Oh my, now isn't this one hell of a sight?" Frieza grinned wickedly, cackling at the unprecedented spectacle before him. "The proud and ruthless Prince of the mighty Saiyan race, reduced and broken down to a crybaby, over a mere woman! What a day this has turned out to be! Truly remarkable!"

Goku snarled venomously, as Frieza dared utter such heartless words, after taking away his very closest friend! The girl who'd told him and about the dragon balls and had shown him a whole new world beyond the forests of Mount Paozu. The girl who'd always placed her undying faith in him to protect her and the others, no matter the odds. Now, when it had truly counted, he'd failed her! The two of them were kindred spirits and in losing her, he'd lost an integral part of himself. Every inch of him wanted nothing more than to tear Frieza to pieces! A beast of unimaginable powers was taking hold of him bit by bit, the rage within threatening to blow full scale! He was trying his utmost to keep the monster at bay, but control was slipping through his fingers, with each passing second! No, he couldn't let this happen! He needed to placate his anger, before it consumed him and everyone around him! As he was struggling to reign in his fury, however, Vegeta was lost in his own thoughts.

Mother, father and the entire Saiyan race were all gone. All by Frieza's hands! But now he'd taken Bulma, a pure being who'd never stained her innocent hands and yet had exhibited kindness, mercy and compassion to the darkest of monsters! Why?! Why had she given her life away for his?! It made no sense! What right did she have?! How could he have let her die?! Why hadn't he been strong enough to protect her?! He'd vowed to keep her away from Frieza's icy clutches and yet he hadn't! She put her faith in someone who didn't deserve it! If only he'd been stronger!

Grief and despair transformed into an intense rush of fury that reached levels unforeseen! Fury at himself for having been so weak and helpless and at that coldhearted bastard, Frieza, for stealing away the one person he'd truly developed the capacity to care for, ever since his father's demise! The raw incense continued soaring and soon took the form of a golden dragon, from the heavens. He heard it's primal call from deep within his searing soul! It yearned to unleash itself and take ahold of him, promising him deific power beyond his wildest imagination! Power that would allow him to bring a final end to the evil tyrant who'd taken away his- his woman. He took another look at her and felt bile rising in his throat. Fury continued escalating at a dangerously swift pace!

With newfound strength he stood up and placed his fists by his side, as he welcomed the call of the dragon! Bolts of lightning shot out from the sky, with his spiraling power! Each and every onlooker turned in his direction, to see large chunks of rock levitating into the air around him, as raw and completely unfamiliar Ki engulfed his sturdy figure.

'How is he still standing?!' Frieza watched in consternation.

The moment he felt the dragon's claws touch him, his hair turned an awesome gold and his eyes went teal. Just as soon, they returned to their normal hue.

"What- the- fuck?" Frieza sputtered, as he witnessed the momentary, yet outlandish change in the Prince's features. He was suddenly feeling a sense of apprehension sprout within him. He'd never seen anything like this before!

'It can't be.' Goku thought, upon getting a feel of that familiar power. Yes, that was it! It was the same wild beast he felt raging inside him! He looked on in wonderment, as it continued possessing the Saiyan Prince. Gohan and Krillin stood agape, feeling the Prince's powers fluctuate in a completely wild and unrestrained manner.

Once again Vegeta's eyes went teal and his hair gold for a fleeting moment as the beast's razor-like talons made contact. It happened again, then again and then again. Back and forth, it continued.

"W-What's h-happening?!" Frieza stammered, his trepidation climbing, as he witnessed this most unusual turn of events. Saiyans transformed into giant apes. What on Namek was this?!

"HAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" With a bellow of fury so loud that it could be heard echoing throughout neighboring planets, a huge bolt of lightning shot down upon the Saiyan Prince. Everyone covered their eyes, as they were inundated with a blinding flash of ethereal light. Once it cleared, Vegeta's glowing silhouette could be observed, surrounded by an eerie golden aura. Moments later, the new and improved Prince was visible, his hair gold and eyes teal. A bizarre reverberation continued resounding from his magnificent aura. Slowly, but surely, as he transformed, his bad eye had begun opening up and by the end of the transformation, it was as good as new.

"He's done it!" Goku exclaimed in awe, his own fury all but curbed. "He's really done it!"

"What is this?!" Frieza trembled. He'd never ever felt fear his entire life, but out of nowhere it was beginning to fester its way inside of him. What manner of anomaly was this?

"What- amazing power!" Piccolo goggled at the Prince, unable to feel out the true extent of that gargantuan Ki. It horrified him to no avail.

"W-W-W-What h-h-h-happened?" Krillin asked no one in particular.

"H-His p-p-power." Gohan was quivering, as he felt the sheer magnitude of Vegeta's Ki. It was far beyond anything he had could possibly fathom, so high that his senses could not even measure its exact scale! The word godly couldn't even begin describing this! No, this power was something else altogether! This power was titanic!

The Prince looked himself over.

'Amazing.' He thought, awed by the immense power within him. 'I've done it at last. But how?' He gasped, as he instantly recalled what had ensued.

He gazed down at Bulma. Somehow, as he was transforming, his subconscious had created a protective barrier around her. His woman. That was it! The power came in response to a need and he'd found his! The need to avenge her!

His father had once told him that nothing in this Universe came free. The legendary power he'd yearned for his whole life was now all his. However, it came at an exorbitant price. Was it truly a price worth paying?! His mind and heart were at odds with another, the former conflicted and the latter answering with a resounding no. His chest tightened, as he set his eyes upon her beautiful face, devoid of life and her sapphire orbs, no longer the refulgent gems that had inundated his soul with lustrous radiance, time and time again. He bent down and used his thumb and forefinger to shut her eyelids, before gathering up her lithe body into his brawny arms. Only now that he'd lost her did he realize how much she'd truly meant to him. He would have given away anything to attain this power- anything, but her.

"How touching." Frieza sniggered, taking in the sight before him, with sickening glee.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes in a deathly manner at the lizard, making him gulp, as dread crept its way in. The Saiyan's teal eyes flashed for just a nanosecond and Frieza let out a cry of disbelief, as the terrain surrounding him abruptly exploded, leaving him in the dreaded epicentre of an inverse toroid.

'How did he do that?!' The dismayed tyrant thought, in immediate alarm.

"Unreal!" Piccolo gawped at the scene, while Gohan and Krillin were left thunderstruck, unable to utter a single coherent sound.

Before the Prince proceeded further, however, his battered, bruised and fatigued rival trudged over to him, instantly garnering his attention.

"Hey- You did it." Goku let out a strained chuckle.

Vegeta frowned at him, feeling a sudden impulse to blow his head right off, his thirst for blood spiralling, as the flying beast from the heavens, continued its attempts at seizing control over every last iota of sanity he had left. Goku took on a more solemn appearance, his gaze shifting over to Bulma.

"Let me get her someplace safe." He said, holding his arms out to retrieve the blue-haired female.

The gesture towards Bulma immediately allowed the Prince to regain control over his newfound killer instincts. He stared at Goku stoically for a moment, before handing her over.

"She was my best friend, Vegeta." Dejection was writ all over the other Saiyan's face. He exhaled, then looked gravely looked at his legendary rival. "Avenge her!"

Vegeta said nothing and Goku immediately whirled around, headed over to Gohan and Krillin, who were nearby, both Frieza and Vegeta's eyes following him the entire time.

"Hey Krillin." The young Saiyan looked at his friend, who was still in complete shock at the abrupt surge in Vegeta's abilities. "Krillin!" He repeated in a firmer tone. The bald warrior shook his head and stared blankly at his best friend. "You remember where my spaceship is, right?"

"Uh- y-y-yeah."

"Good! Take Bulma there and keep out of sight!"

"B-B-But- why?"

"We can't wish her back, if she doesn't have a body."

"Oh." Replied Krillin, sighing in relief. "Shouldn't you tell Vegeta?"

Goku shook his head.

"He won't fight as hard if he knows she can be revived." He said in a low tone. "Trust me. Just do as I say."

"Sure thing Goku!" Krillin retrieved Bulma's body and gently cradled it into his arms, eyes tearing up wistfully, as a sea of memories flashed through his mind, involving her, Goku and himself, not to mention Yamcha, Master Roshi and all the others. No matter what happened, he would safeguard her body with his life! He refused to fail! His mind was abuzz with a plethora of questions. He looked at Goku and decided to ask the one at the forefront of the lot. "Can he win?"

The young Saiyan smirked at his best friend.

Krillin took that as a yes and let out an alleviated exhale, before nodding and taking off into the air, towards the ship. Frieza let out an amused chuckle that immediately caught the Prince's attention.

"Do you really think you can escape me?!" He smiled evilly, aiming his right finger towards Krillin's receding figure, as it flew off. "Goodbye runt!" Before he had a chance to fire, however, Vegeta abruptly appeared in front of him, blocking his path and towering over him menacingly. "WHAAAT?!" The Saiyan grabbed his right hand and began bending the fragile bones therein with a furious grip. Frieza groaned, as he struggled against the hold in absolute vain. What the fuck was going on?! How was this bastard so fucking powerful, all of a sudden?!

"Arrrrgggghhhh!" Frieza cried out and fell to his knees, as Vegeta's hold tightened even further.

"You rotten piece of fucking trash." The Prince spoke in a threateningly low tone. "You'll pay for what you did to her!"

"Holy crap!" Piccolo goggled at the sight before him. Vegeta was subduing Frieza, with such ease! How was it even possible?!

"Whoa." Gohan too gaped, at what he saw. "Incredible."

Goku stood his ground, staring intently at the scene. He wanted so badly to have the chance to finish Frieza with his own two hands, but he supposed it was only right that Vegeta be the one! After all, no one had suffered under the tyrant's cruel hands more than he had! Besides, it was probably the first time that his rival was truly fighting for something noble: to right the wrong that was done to Bulma!

Vegeta let go and the lizard jumped back about five or six yards, staring incredulously at the Prince.

"How?!" He asked, voice and expression saturated with pure horror. "How did you get this incredible power?!"

The Saiyan menacingly slit his eyes at his foe. Frieza shuddered fearfully.

So this was it! Fear! That fucker was experiencing it at this very moment! His eyes were evidence enough of that! For so many years, he'd dreamed, more than anything, to see that look on his hideous face! Now that he'd reached this stage, however, he felt nothing but revulsion that all his life he was forced to abase himself before a pretentious and abominable coward! He snarled in fury and like a wild predator, he pounced on his prey, landing a bone crunching right uppercut directly underneath Frieza's chin, sending his foe flying backwards. Mid-trek, Vegeta leapt again at dazzling speeds that no one could follow and grabbed Frieza's right hand and leg, ramming his knee up the lizard's spine. Frieza yelped painfully and the Prince landed a double axe-handle on his mid-section, sending him plunging to the ground below.

The tyrant erupted from within the rubble and ascended into the air, taking heavy breaths. He bared his teeth at his Saiyan opponent, before smiling evilly.

"Why do you loathe what I've done so much?!" He asked. "How many innocent and defenseless women have met their end at the hands of you and your brethren? How many children, you Saiyan scum?! Do you really believe that you're in any position to condemn me?!"

Not deigned to reply, Vegeta continued eyeing him hatefully.

"Did you mourn over them too?" Frieza sniggered. "Did you shed tears as you watched the life fade from their eyes or make empty promises to be different?" He spat out that last word, as though it were cursed.

The Prince clenched his fists and his Ki exploded furiously, cracking the ground below him, as his tormentor dared remind him of her brutal murder! Frieza chuckled.

"Be sore all you want, but you and I both know you reveled in their demise." He stated matter-of-factly, "Each and every moment you stole a life, you felt invigorated. Your blood boiled with excitement. It instilled within you such a sense of- completion. You'll always be a killer. You'll always be- like me."

"Don't listen to him Vegeta!" Goku yelled from down below, hearing everything. "You're not like him anymore!"

Frieza snorted at the other worthless Saiyan's remark. Goku's words were either unheard or ignored altogether, as the Prince's murderous gaze was set squarely upon his bitterest enemy.

"Face it Vegeta." The lizard grinned disdainfully. "If by some miracle you do make good on your little promise, not even a thousand lifetimes worth of contrition and atonement would be enough to save your doomed soul from the fiery pits of hell."

"Perhaps you're right Frieza." Vegeta replied, after a pause, smiling at him in a manner so diabolical that the icy villain felt fresh chills of fear run down his spine, wracking his elegant frame with unparalleled apprehension. "But after I'm done cutting you down inch-by-inch, you'll spend every second in the netherworld, dreading the moment I join you there!"

Frieza roared and fired a volley of Ki blasts at Vegeta.

"Take cover!" Piccolo yelled, rushing over towards Goku and Gohan, dropping both father and son to the ground, before they had a moment to register what had happened.

When the smoke cleared, Vegeta hadn't even a scratch on him. Frieza was completely aghast. What manner of beast was this?!

"Are you done playing these silly games?" He aimed a palm at him and promptly shot a powerful Kiai that rolled Frieza a few dozen yards back, mid-air. The tyrant quickly reestablished balance, but was breathing heavily and glowering at his mighty adversary, in pure frustration.

Vegeta shot forward without volition, landing a hard elbow on Frieza's jaw, followed by a powerful left uppercut, propelling him a great distance back. Once the tyrant recovered, he bared his teeth furiously and attacked with every move in the book, only for the Prince to block each blow headed his way, with minimal effort on his part. After a short-lived and futile attempt at trying to shift the momentum of the battle, Frieza jumped back and fired his most swift Ki beam, only for Vegeta to evade.

"How?!" The lizard exclaimed, in dismay. "How could you possibly dodge at this range?!"

Vegeta said nothing.

"Dodge this Saiyan!" Frieza fired a fusillade of Ki beams, each of which Vegeta evaded with ease.

'Dammit! One hit!' The lizard thought, in dismay. 'Surely if I can land just one hit, I can put this scum down for good!'

"Attack, Frieza." Vegeta challenged, as though reading his mind. "One free hit. That's all you get. You'd better make it good, because after that, you're mine."

Frieza snarled lividly.

"HOW DARE YOU PATRONIZE ME?!" He instantly fired a beam that hit Vegeta right between the eyes, snapping the Saiyan's head back. The lizard smiled wickedly. Surely, that must've been it! Unfortunately for him, Vegeta brought his head back into position, cracking his neck joints a few times, before smirking wickedly at his terrified foe.

"That's your best?" He scorned. Frieza's jaw fell. Not even the tiniest hint of damage! "If that's the case, you'd better quit. But one way or another, I promise you one thing: your blood will soak the grounds of Namek today!"

"W-W-What- W-What are you?"

"I think you know, Frieza." Replied the Saiyan Prince. "I am the one being you've dreaded to meet your entire life, the warrior of legend that has time and again, given you sleepless nights." The lizard had terror writ all over his face. After a tense pause Vegeta gnashed his teeth and flared his Ki wildly, as he continued in an epic baritone that resounded across the worlds. "I AM THE LEGENDARY SUPER SAIYAN, VEGETAAAAAA!"

XXXX