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Uncertainty and Pride	By : TristaML Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1866 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or anything of the sort and I make no money from writing this piece of fanfiction

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Only one chapter this time guys!
Thanks again to fantasytigress and kit-kit for reviewing, thank you thank you thank you!
And thank you to everyone reading :) As always, enjoy :)

Chapter 14
Brolly was not far away at any given point in time. He was confused about his place amongst them at the moment, but enjoying this time of separation. He felt that for the first time since he could remember, he had a moment to spare in thought of himself and what he wants.
After the speech from Kakarot’s father, he needs a little time to sort things through. Bardock had said many things, and so far he has not lied, for what it’s worth. Upon revisiting the castle and seeing his father’s lifeless body for himself, he’s begun considering each of his options.
All he really wanted to do was destroy Kakarot, and now that he has done that, what else does he really want from these people? Should he continue the plan and go after the King in order to take over and make the Saiyans crown him as their ruler? Or should he just destroy them all?
Brolly growled, unable to be at peace until a decision was made, and the choice could not be completed so easily. Now that he’s come to it, and the decision is his, he knows that the other part of what Bardock had said was true as well; this was entirely his father’s idea! He’s always seen himself as a man of brute strength so nothing else ever seemed all that important. Why not just let his father get what he wants?
Even now, as Brolly watches the King and studies what his men do in the heat of battle, he is finding that it is not as gratifying as he thought it might be, or as his father seemed to think it would be. He figured that so long as he remains hidden in the shadows, the Saiyans will not show their true colors, and he briefly wonders if he should care to see more of them. Yet, even though the hunt is satisfying, he has found himself emptier now than ever before, and at a great loss of what to do.
He has the power. They do not. What have they ever done for him? What could they do for him? Why shouldn’t he just destroy them all? They tried to kill him just because he is the Legendary and isn’t of Royal blood. Ah, but the idea of the people of the planet groveling at his feet is such a sweet thought. One thing is for certain and that is that the King will die, but what then?
Brolly flew around aimlessly for some time, not so hastily considering all of his options. He knows that Vegeta will stay put, and not venture too far from the castle. Vegeta is no doubt waiting for him to reveal himself in order to buy some time because he is too afraid to go after him, knowing that it will bring about his own demise. At least he has that much common sense.
Will it serve in any real purpose in the end? No, of course not.
Still, Brolly struggled internally to make a decision as he considered his new, unbounded life.

Tora awoke not long after Banin. He felt the chill in the air from the breeze which was coming in through the front door.
“Bardock?” He spoke to no one.
He could not describe, even if he dared, the next hours of his life.
He found the body of his friend, and anger came before anything else. Out poured many tears, and he gnashed his teeth, and he cursed the world. Then came forth so many cries and a long speech fallen upon deaf ears echoed into the wind. Finally he prayed a sweet message over Bardock, before hoisting him up and bringing him back to his home, where he prepared a proper burial for him, all the while blaming himself for not being able to avoid this unexplainable and untimely death like they had some twenty seven years ago.
               Pain and anguish strangled him and threatened to overrun him.
               He never got the chance to say goodbye! What was the last thing they said to one another? He should have been beside him, fighting with him! He should have known, somehow, and never let him go! Bardock, that stubborn man, must have known, and he didn’t tell him. Life is just not fair.
               Silence followed for some time. Then he prayed for the valor of Kakarot and the King, but he was so stricken with grief he could not leave his friend’s house, much less stray for long from the side of his grave, where he could hardly compose himself. Everything else could wait.

               Vegeta was enraged, and much to Brolly’s surprise he did come looking for him, expelling his energy as he roared into the ever-changing sky. He has practically lost it. Even Brolly could see that he was behaving irrationally.
               Consumed with his own damnation, Vegeta did not know of Raditz’s return with Kakarot until hours later, after bringing himself to near complete exhaustion, as he realized that Brolly was either biding his time, or simply planning to kill them all without even asking for a fight. Because of this, the King did not notice the messages on his communicator for some time, and it wasn’t until he bothered to listen to them that he heard that Raditz was back with Kakarot and Banin, and it was then that he learned that Kakarot had been taken to the Regeneration Tanks in the West Wing and strapped into the best one that they have as per Raditz’s commands. He spared no time in heading that direction, fully prepared to spew a few choice words at his Commander for not coming to him first before anything else, or at all for that matter.
In his quickness, he’d given little time to the other messages, or to anything for that matter, other than his scorn, and only when he arrived, coming through the door in a hurry, did he hear another, quickly delivered message which said, “‘Bardock is dead, my Lord.’”
               There Vegeta stood, behind Raditz was as stone in front of Kakarot’s Regeneration Tank as he watched his brother being healed. Frozen, everything that he thought of as so important and just to say before escaped him and it took him a few moments to collect himself.
               Raditz turned to the King slightly and half-way bowed, stating reflexively in his defense, “I didn’t see him, if that’s what you want to know. He was gone before I got there. I don’t know where he could be.” His lip quivered as he fought back the urge to lose his composure on the King.
               Vegeta, meanwhile, was still at a loss for words, for when Raditz stepped aside, he could better see Kakarot. Slowly, the King drew closer, and as peered into the glass filled with fluid, he saw the face of Bardock in Kakarot’s features now more than ever. The distress in his eyes and the seriousness upon his brow, making him look older, and the sight was unsettling to Vegeta. At least he saw that Kakarot was nearly healed.
               He turned to Raditz, and questioned him anyways, in a quiet, unclear, and somber tone, “Tell me it’s not true? Bardock is dead? Does Kakarot know?” All of the breath he had left him as he awaited confirmation from one source he knew he could trust.
               Raditz’s whole body shook as he tried to fight off his tears and he answered civilly, “He does not know, my Lord, at least I do not believe he does… Alas, my father lies forever in rest, I saw him myself, and I, his first born, rushed here out of necessity and left him without a wholesome place to crossover…” and although he wished to say more he bit his tongue.
               Vegeta trembled in woe and understanding. His thoughts were consumed with the death of Bardock, and Raditz’s lament, and he could not bear it. Bardock’s gone, now and forever- a man rumored to be almost as strong as his father, the late King- Vegeta could no longer deny just how deeply he cared for him. He was like another father to him and he was a friend even if he didn’t know it. Vegeta felt like he let this happen by sending him away. Bardock warned him! Damnit, he told him this would happen! He should have never been so brash! How could he ever forgive himself? How many mistakes would he come to make in his lifetime? How many more regrets could he handle? All life fades… all time is destined… all days end…
               His mind blipped to Raditz, and Kakarot, who now know the bitterness he felt two years ago when his own father left him. His heart went out to them. Then he closed it back up and became hardened again to the cruelty of the world. He said to Raditz, in a moment of genuine kindness unbeknownst to himself, and in a voice scarcely audible, “Your loss is… unbearable. I must leave you.” He cleared his throat as he turned and headed for the door, and the only thing he added was, “See to it that you send Kakarot to me at first chance.” All in the matter of a second he found himself unwilling to leave, for whose regard he could not say.
               Raditz could hold back no longer, and he blurted out desperately to his King, “My Lord! I implore you! Tell me the truth! All of it! Is what the others are saying true? Did your father try to kill a man’s son because of his potential to be the Legendary, and exile the father, whom you murdered earlier today?! Are they not the men you wished for me to look out for? Have you and Kakarot not been training for this very event?! Why would you send him away, then- and my father?”
               Vegeta looked at him in shock but he came back to himself quickly, and his callousness returned as well, “My family’s business is its own, and even some secrets were kept from me until the time was ripe. You have no place to demand any answers from me, Raditz, unless you believe me to be as unworthy as the rest of them do, in which case, I shall be reconsidering your place here.”
               The words stung with venom, but Raditz replied angrily, knowing that the damage had already been done, “Not yet, my Lord, for I have more to say!”
               Vegeta was shocked, and yet in enough to shock to listen as Raditz continued:
               “Why else did they try to kill him, Brolly? What harm did they fear from him? Or was it just that the King didn’t want to lose his own reign? Can you tell me that?”
               Vegeta growled and suddenly found himself answering, as though he’d thought of explaining it all before, and inside he wondered mostly at the situation himself, as he has for a long time now, “I will not lie and say that my father did not do it to ensure the longevity of his line; however, it is said that a darkness fills the heart of the Legendary, and though his power may be fierce and worthy, it is also seldom used for good, and is often the cause of much destruction.”
               Inside Vegeta argued with himself more than he did with Raditz, for only he could possibly know the depths of his own inner turmoil. All this time he’s wished that he himself could be the Legendary, than he could for once wreak havoc and have a damn good excuse, that excuse being that he could simply plead insanity, the power-lust made him do it, and for once leave it at that. That he could go mad, completely, that he could cross-over into the dark side and never even look back.
               Raditz was not so quick to respond to him this time, but instead he asked another question, “How? How could this have happened without anyone else knowing?”
               Vegeta frowned and fret, crying, “You’re asking me why I didn’t tell them I was planning on fighting our own culture’s mythological entity come to fruition?! Like they’d believe me, much less believe in me!” and in a moment of weakness he added, “Like they’d even cheer for me!”
               Raditz’s eyes grew wide and he stared at the King, and he saw much more in him at the moment than he’d ever been able to perceive before. “King Vegeta… You… mustn’t think that way.”
               Vegeta found comfortability in his hunch, and he held stern to what kept him grounded, so he spewed, “I believe you to be more knowledgeable than that Raditz, but if it be not so then declare it, otherwise, do not pretend to be ignorant of a conspiracy even you hid from me.”
Raditz would have felt a lump in his throat at any other time, but he took his chances in this particular case, and said exactly what he felt rather than what he ought to, stating with growing passion and stubborn authority, “Exile me then, my Lord, if that is your wish!” It was clear he was indignant, and he yelled, “A man’s disposition may give way to more terrible thoughts than might be necessary, given than they act on their own accord and care not for anyone else. If I judged rightly to begin with, you would have been impossible to approach on such a matter, just as my brother and my father, clearly stricken interested in other matters, were clearly unavailable to me as of late, and just as unwilling to discuss certain events.
“Ahh, but here, as it goes with you, I cannot say I am wholly without a clue. No, at last I finally understand. All your time as part of Frieza’s army has made you paranoid! You think you will never know who is friend or foe again, but I am fighting for you and I have always fought for you. Even now, when the hour is darkest, and all else seems to be failing. I have loved you like a brother and you cannot even acknowledge that anyone else exists beyond your own misery! I hope, after all of this is said and done, that I am not like you, and that I will not take my own grief to heart and despise the world the way that you do, and prejudge and omit myself… but perhaps I am like you, and I have condemned myself already, because I see that you have put my brother in harm’s way, and you had prior knowledge of this deadly threat, and you kept us all in the dark, even those of us who would die fighting your battles! Just like my father did!”
               Vegeta faltered at that, and his response was mechanical, for he didn’t know how else to handle the situation, so he growled, “I am not the only one who has been keeping secrets from you, Commander, and any secret I kept was done with good intention, for what could you do to save us all, Raditz? I must find him, and destroy him before he kills us all. That is my chore and has been all along, and I kept it from everyone save for your kin, who knew of it as well, and kept it from you in order for you to have your peace of mind, and find it in your time to even form a Merger. Ask Kakarot yourself when he wakes up, he will not deny it!” Then he gathered his composure slightly, and added, “I am not a merciful man, Raditz, do not give me reason to regret that!Now, as I said before, I will demand again, send Kakarot to me the moment he wakes up! This conversation is over!” but Vegeta’s legs were stiff and he didn’t leave just yet.
               Raditz was shaking uncontrollably. For once he did not want to believe his King’s words and he didn’t know how to respond. He realized that he has lashed out unforgivably, and he was surprised that he was even still standing, and for the first time in a long time, he saw youth on the King’s face, and realized that he is much younger than him, and that he, even the King, is still learning, and that he has lost his mentor, just like Raditz has now lost his. He understood him far better than ever before, even more than he thought he once did, and he saw pain where before there was only anger. Raditz began to speak something incoherently but stopped and then ran out of the room so that the King would not see him cry.
               Vegeta watched him go and the horrific situation only heightened in intensity. He felt that he had no time to think more on the matter for the machine beeped soon after Raditz quit the room and the draining sequence began, and Kakarot finally opened his eyes, only to see his King staring back at him but the look on his face was indiscernible.
               It couldn’t have taken any longer for the machine to open up and release him, but finally it did, and he stepped out of it, and said to the King, “Sire! It’s so good to see you! I have so much to say! My father, where is he?! He saved me!”
               Shell-shocked and numb Vegeta replied heatedly, “You?-You fought Brolly! You FOOL! Tell me where he is, now!!”
               Kakarot stepped forward, dismayed by the look in Vegeta’s eyes, and he answered, kindness still lacing his voice, “My father came just as Brolly overpowered me! I don’t know! Where is my brother? I thought I heard his voice, but maybe it was just a dream.”
               Vegeta could not answer straight away, so instead he replied, “How dare you go after him! After everything that you said about needing both of us to defeat him!”
               Kakarot realized that Vegeta was not himself, but yet he was, and he answered, “Why are you fighting with me about this already? I was coming to see you! I was not looking for him. He came to me! He has an irrational dislike of me! I told you- this is not a game, Vegeta! Where is my father?! And my brother?!”
               “I am not playing games, Kakarot!” Vegeta answered, but he could say no more for he desperately wished that he would not be the bearer of such news.
               “Listen to me! I know why you’re so angry!” Kakarot trembled and explained, “Your father died fighting him! He tried to save us all, but he couldn’t, and now you are trying to do the same! I have to tell you what I’ve heard, Sire! The people are conspiring against you; some of them wish to do away with you! They may even desire that Brolly defeat you so that he can be their King! But they are wrong and you know it! Surely this isn’t the first time you are hearing this! Surely you have known all along, and you have tried so hard to be prepared for this fight and yet let the people rest in ease, but you can’t do it alone, and neither can I! Tell me, please, where is my father? I need to speak with him!”
“Bardock is dead!” Vegeta yelled, his own bitterness lashing out, and the hollowness of the news was eaten up by the tension in the room, and the troubled face of Kakarot was not lost on the King as he considered the faith Kakarot had in him and how wrong he was to have such reassurance.
Kakarot shook with fury and emotional misery as gravity threatened to pull him into the core of the planet. He knew it to be true. Vegeta would not lie to him, not about this. He had no words, he could barely even think. Pain thrived on him and it was too much. He could see nothing but red. He could think with nothing but anger and vengeance, sorrow and misery, and it wanted out. There was no stopping this chaotic mindset. The moment he acknowledged this moment to be real, the dread sunk into his mind and the loss proved too great to bear. All he could do was try to let it all out, while it was threatening to consume him.
Vegeta stood back as he watched Kakarot’s shoulders quiver and the young man yelled out in despair and took off, barreling past him and through the door and on into the hallways.
There were Saiyans running around everywhere, only a few bothered to notice Kakarot, who dodged them all with skill and determination, and they all jumped back from him as they saw something more in him today than ever before. Rage. Some called to him as he was passing and said that he should leave the castle while others, who were more intelligent, said he should find the King or mentioned that they saw Raditz a moment ago. He didn’t hear any of it. A pang shot through his chest and the thought of Bardock gone rushed through his mind over and over again and he paid no attention to anyone or anything.
The King, however, followed him blindly, “Kakarot!” he called out but the young man could not be tempted to stop.
Vegeta felt his panic, and knew his distress, and he could not let him go out to find Brolly all on his own, but in his own mind he began to rethink their situation and he believed it to be almost hopeless.
Kakarot was flying faster than ever, now leaving the castle, jumping over the gates and heading for his father’s house, and nearly every Saiyan who saw him being chased down by the King began to wonder at where they were going, and they made a quick decision to follow them, though some stayed behind, claiming that they needed to guard the King’s home. Those who followed were around two hundred of the castle’s finest men and women, the only ones willing to die trying to save their planet and continue their ways, but additionally another bunch, the men who hate the King, went too, not willing to miss the fight that will determine their doom.
Vegeta could barely keep up with Kakarot, but his ego would not allow for the young man to outrun him, and he continued on in desperation as he imagined Kakarot’s distress to be tenfold, and he wondered briefly where Brolly was, but had no desire now to go searching for him.
All the fury in the universe ignited inside of Kakarot as he suddenly came to a halt. He dropped to the ground, and Vegeta wondered where they were before figuring that Kakarot was leading Brolly to them. Kakarot heard and saw nothing around him, and the disturbing look in his eyes caused Vegeta to stay a decent distance away.
There, a few miles away from his father’s home, Kakarot felt a surge of power as he gave in to his primal reaction and focused as much as possible on something to direct his anger. Brolly. Brolly did this. He has to be destroyed! Nothing is going to bring his father back! Nothing can change this! Kakarot felt the power within swelling up inside of him, threatening to burst forth. He had to let it! He began to harness it, mold it, forming it inside of him like a monster ready to tear out from within him, like a second personality long repressed finally coming to the surface.
The snap was more than just internal, not only did the sky sound as if it was breaking in half, but lightning struck through the air. He threw his head back and Vegeta looked on in awe at him as he let the wrath be unleashed from within. The very weather changed into a storm the likes of which hasn’t been seen on Planet Vegeta in some time and the sky glowed a pure red, save for the electric yellows which blasted their way by. Saiyans who did not live near the castle and had no prior knowledge of any of these events began to turn their eyes this way, and, being the proud and adventurous people they are, many of them even drew near to see what was going on.
Madness took over Kakarot’s thoughts and darkness came over his heart and he could do nothing to change it. Still his energy gathered and his hands balled up into tight fists as his boots dug into the ground.
His hair began to flash gold and his eyes were changing to an electric teal.
Vegeta stepped back, totally in reverence of him.
Then it came like a force they’ve never known before, a gushing of power which blew across the planet like a hurricane, and Vegeta feared the worst, and Kakarot was beyond reason.
Raditz had stayed in the comfort of solitude since he left the King, but he was not ignorant to the growing power that seemed to ignite fires within all of the Saiyans at once. As intuition kicked in and he realized that it was time for serious battle, he made his decision to join in, and it didn’t take Raditz long to find Banin, who was pleased to see Raditz up and about, and they made their way towards the tempest sky, for they could clearly see the enormous power growing in the distance. It was only then that Raditz’s greatest fears struck a chord deep within him. Kakarot was going to try to fight him again! They took off at breakneck speed and they saw that they were not alone.
The Saiyans that followed Kakarot and Vegeta were far behind, but still they heard thunder and saw dark clouds where not long before everything had been calm. The electrical storm foretold of epic strength, and the weaker of the fighters began to regret their own curiosity. Even those who thought that only Vegeta might die began to realize that their fate was, too, tied up in all of this and a quivering overtook some of their hearts. Still they flew ever closer, intending to fly right into the eye of the storm, or as close to it as they would dare, as long as they could witness the show.
King Vegeta couldn’t believe his eyes. “Kakarot…” he whispered as he stared, but the warrior was not listening to him. A Super Saiyan now stood before him- the Legendary! Kakarot! In his heart there was a tremor of excitement, and a burst of sorrow, and he fell to the ground on his knees in a mix of admiration and contempt for him.
Kakarot felt his own power coursing through his veins and he’d never felt more alive! For a minute his ego began to rise, and his thoughts turned evil as he considered everything he could do with such magnificent power! The thought of his father brought him back to reality, though, and he regained proper consciousness and inside of his mind he suddenly understood Goku far better than ever before. All of those feelings he couldn’t touch before, all the grief that moved him so deeply, are now available and intense, and he suddenly found some gratitude and humility, for if it weren’t for the ever powerful strength of his will, his own distress would surely break him. He ultimately found his determination to be severe and his purpose, just.
“Kakarot you did it! You magnificent beast!” Vegeta roared, finding his voice and complimenting the glory of his ascension, even as Brolly finally showed himself.
Brolly’s arrival was a flash of his enormous energy, and he floated high in the air above them, and he stared down at Kakarot with malicious intent.
Vegeta had been much more impressed with Kakarot than in fear of Brolly before that point in time, but only before. Brolly himself transformed and grew three times his normal size and Vegeta instantly felt what he regrettably could only account for as being outclassed and washed up. It was in that moment that he realized he was too worn out to even defend himself, even if he had power comparable to theirs, and it’s his own damn fault, and there is nothing he can do about it.
Kakarot turned his teal, cool gaze to Brolly and said in a suave crisp voice, “Brolly! I will fucking kill you!”
Vegeta did the unthinkable and charged Kakarot before Brolly could even get involved. He yelled, “You cannot take him!”
Kakarot threw him to the ground relentlessly and stared at him with an incredulous look in his eyes. “Don’t get involved!” He shouted back and his voice was stern and commanding, cold even, much more so than Vegeta ever thought it could be.
The King began to shake in rage and confusion. Thoughts now more of a tumult in his mind than he could stand. Why isn’t it him who became a Legendary?!
“Kakarot…” Brolly said slowly, “I thought you were dead. You father is probably lonely on the other side, don’t you want to be his company?” and he began to go on the attack without hesitation.
Kakarot roared and retaliated with his fists. This warm up went on for some time, but the first punch that made impact only served to further Brolly’s insanity, and his grin widened, and his offense turned all the more fierce. Kakarot wasn’t thinking about anything but causing damage.
In Vegeta’s mind there was much amiss. He watched in awe as the two great warriors went head to head, and he could barely even keep up with their movements, much less join in on the action, even if he wanted to.
He couldn’t help the angry jealousy that stirred within him. There were so many questions- how did Kakarot manage to ascend? How is he, a third-class, more powerful than the King? How is he more of a Saiyan?! Why is he the ultimate warrior, the Alpha?! He couldn’t seem to wrap his mind around it!
Then there came so many doubts and he began to grow certain that Brolly could not be defeated, no matter how hard Kakarot tried, or even if he can muster the strength to help. Why should he help Kakarot, anyways? He is the Super Saiyan! Yet, what if he loses his fight against Brolly? Surely they will all be killed if he loses. Surely they will all die.
As the battle continued, Kakarot realized he wasn’t handling this fight the right way, and he began to rethink his strategy. Although he tried his best to move the fight away from Vegeta and defend himself the best he could, he could tell that it was all he could do just to stay afloat. Brolly is just too powerful. He went from going offensively to being unable to manage an attack on any side or by any means, and he racked his brain for ideas, trying not to become distraught.
Brolly grinned with insanity in his eyes. Even though Kakarot began to recognize some of his moves and managed to get a punch in, it wasn’t doing him any true injury. Even against his last hope, it didn’t take long for Kakarot to realize that he is surpassed by him in every manner. He wondered at his power for a moment, impressed by him in true Saiyan manner, before he desperately thought of what to do about his problem.
He began to see more clearly, now, though, as he finally saw what he was up against, and he knew that there was nothing he could do alone. His knowledge of Goku’s prior fight, as well as the information from his father on the subject, had been quite clear on that. He has to have Vegeta’s help, but Vegeta isn’t doing much of anything right now except for what Vegeta does best, eating away at himself in the midst of serious matters, and obsessing over his own battle lust.
The Saiyans of the castle, both Raditz’s group as well as some of the rogue warriors all showed up little by little as people from the surrounding cities gathered as well. There was much talk and also much silence. Before more information spread, the Saiyans that came from outside of the city knew not who to cheer for, and even upon hearing the many different hopes of the other’s they they were still confused. Some of them dared to say that the smaller man looked like Bardock had transformed into a Super Saiyan, which made sense because many of them knew that Bardock lived not far from here. From that notion and many others they began to remark on the distinction in the men’s clothes which discerned one man from this planet and the other a stranger, and as they perceived their attitude, they concluded that the smaller Saiyan was fighting for them, and the larger one had much more cryptic plans. Not every Saiyan was so perceptive. Some only saw two Super Saiyans, one clearly stronger than the other, and they began to fear for the outcome of this fight, regardless who was who.
Kakarot’s battle with Brolly raged on, though, and it was too fast for most of them to really tell what was going on. The men fought in the sky, but every time they touched the ground, they left the land desolate.
Vegeta’s body trembled and he saw the end and he knew that it was near. He couldn’t go on pretending to be something that he isn’t anymore. He isn’t the best- he’s hardly even a King- he has just, plain, lost; Lost at the game of life and at the turn of the times. This is his doom, this is their doom.
Raditz, like many of the others, gawked at the battle before them. His brother looked incredible as a Super Saiyan, but clearly it isn’t enough! Who is Brolly? He must truly be the Legendary, but a more evil soul he has never met with before, and he knew that something must be done to stop him. It had barely registered to his mind Kakarot needed help that, in his brash mindset, he bit back his fears and went on the attack with a mighty roar, and the desperation in his voice caught Brolly’s ear and attention.
Raditz was followed by handfuls of other Saiyans who saw it as an opportunity. Even some of the men who came from outside of the castle decided to step in and try their hand at the monster. Brolly only frowned, but he barely took notice of any of them, at first. He swatted them out of the sky with ease one by one, but they kept on coming, giving Kakarot the chance to step back and assess his situation. The warriors continued to bombard Brolly, until at last he seemed swarmed.
Kakarot stepped to Vegeta, who wouldn’t look at him at first, yet still the younger man said, growling, “Do you see now, Vegeta?! I need you to let it happen! Let it all out! I can’t do this without you!”
Anger was Vegeta’s friend and he cried, “You don’t need me! You’re already a Super Saiyan! What more could you want?!” and it was clear to Kakarot that he was envious and forlorn.
Kakarot slapped him, and grabbed him by neck of his armored shirt, shaking him by the collar, “Snap out of it! Stop focusing on me! Focus on him!” he pointed at Brolly, who seemed now to be wholly enjoying swatting away every man and woman who dared to confront him.
Vegeta, who was going through the emotions of death, pushed Kakarot off of him, but could only stare in fear of Brolly, though his eyes were unseeing, and defeat had all but taken control. Then he looked up at Kakarot and replied in disdain, “He’s undefeatable! We cannot destroy him! He is the Legendary! You will lose! He killed my father! And yours! ...”
Kakarot was truly moved by the hurt he saw inside of him, which he now felt mirrored inside of himself, but now is not the time to mourn their loss, now is not the time to give up. Anger spurred him on and he argued, “Are you listening to yourself?! This is not the man that I know speaking! Damn it, Vegeta! When has an enemy ever rendered you helpless?! You’ll do nothing to stop this madman when you’ve already done so much!?! Will you not stand up?! Even for your crown?!”
Vegeta balled up his fists in his fury and screamed at Kakarot, “You don’t understand!” but what he said did seep inside of him and he was too distraught to answer.
Kakarot took on a new persona then, and he reasoned with heightened intensity, “An hour ago you claimed you would destroy him and now look at you! What about all your pride?! And here you cower, conquered by an enemy you didn’t even try to challenge,” Kakarot’s eyes spat fire into Vegeta’s soul. “Damn it,” his solid voice finally broke and Vegeta heard the same Kakarot he was so familiar with as he said, “Vegeta, if nothing else, I want you to know that I believe in you.”
Looking into those teal-blue orbs that were Kakarot’s eyes in that heavenly form, Vegeta caught his breath as he considered everything that he was saying for once, instead of trying to rebuke it.
At this time, Brolly had created a blast large and strong enough to ward off any Saiyans who dared approach him, sending them all flying. Some Saiyans died trying to defeat him, but most were either mildly or seriously wounded, though a few of them got away unscathed and all of them hung back as Brolly’s attention focused again on Kakarot. He came down like a lightning bolt strikes the ground.
Kakarot turned to Brolly and did not have time to speak as he was being hurled into a mountain miles away. The crowd watched on gravely. Brolly turned his empty gaze to Vegeta and looked upon him with lifeless eyes. He approached the King, bent down, and grabbed him by his throat, lifting him off the ground. As he choked him, he smirked and Vegeta saw the evil in him. It didn’t take long for the King to begin blacking out, though he clawed at Brolly for as long as he had any power to do so, and he never ceased staring into his merciless gaze.
Once Brolly subdued him completely he tossed him away and he fell to the ground, weighty and out cold. He couldn’t help but be disappointed at the lack of fight in the King, but he pursued Kakarot with renewed vigor, leaping backwards, flying towards his desired target, just as Kakarot was beginning to crawl out of the rubble.
The crowd cringed. Most of them thought the King to be dead. Only a few of them were brave enough to consider checking on him, but they stayed their ground for now, refusing to give up hope that he would soon stand to his feet. Even the men and women who wished the King dead for so long, had a hard time believing that this would be the one thing to kill him after all they’ve seen him go through and come out triumphant from. Meanwhile they watched as Brolly went in on the part stranger- all hero counter-part to the King, and they wondered many, many things.
He decided to get rid of Kakarot first and then, if Vegeta isn’t dead already, killing the King in front of all the spectators will just be an extra bonus, and too easy. What he did after that, well, it didn’t really matter. He could let them all worship him for a little while and then if he decides he wants to blow them up later, who’s going to stop him? He laughed, and everyone who watched coherently felt chills going down their spines as the terrible noise echoes through the sky, but Brolly couldn’t help it.
Some Saiyans even wept. Their King has not the strength to oppose this adversary, and Kakarot’s power is waning, while their own attempts proved futile.
Vegeta was not dead, though, and in his mind he heard the voice of both Bardock and Kakarot, their words coming back to him, haunting him;
‘“You will find that you face the end alone, when it is time, and after living such a selfish and reckless life, you should be so lucky to have anyone wish to save you…”’
‘“Your pride will be broken…”’
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Uncertainty and Pride