Hello everyone! I just wanted to make a quick note: this part is going to be rather rushed due to the fact that I want to move out of Namek-sei. Many of the things will be the same as the anime, so I'll skip those parts (Such as the Ginyu battle and Goku's arrival.) Please bear with me, after this part, the good stuff starts!

Enter Standard disclaimer.

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Part 3: Battles of Fate

Dende landed quietly next to the crater that used to be the cave where his new friends were staying. A solemn tear fell down his cheek, so many lives had been lost by the hands of tyrants. He fell to the ground, not sure what would happen to him next. The Chikyuu natives had been their final hope to save Namek-sei. Now, all hope was lost.

He sighed knowing he had to tell Guru the news. A gust of wind and a silent thud paralyzed him, Freeza had returned. Dende closed his eyes, waiting for death. A gentle hand latched on to his shoulder, "Dende?" a familiar voice whispered, "Are you okay?"

Dende spun around to face Gohan. The Namek-jin latched on the the boy and hugged him; an act so unfamiliar, but seemed so right. "You're all right!" Dende cried, "I was worried!"

Gohan forced a smile, "I guess I am." he choked.

Dende looked around, "Where's Krullin and Bulma?"

"Krullin is dead." Gohan stated matter-of-factly, "Vejiita killed him. Bulma is hiding somewhere near here."

Dende began to shake with rage, "So many deaths, none of which were deserved. You must come with me now Gohan! Guru can help you so you can defeat Freeza and save my people!"

Gohan was thoughtful, "I can't leave Bulma alone for too long." he said.

"We must do this now!" Dende demanded, "There isn't any time to waste!"

Gohan bit his lower lip, "I guess if we hurry." he stared into Dende's hopeful eyes, "All right! Let's do it!"

* * * * *

Bulma fidgeted in her chair, she was becoming uncomfortable with the silence. She had no desire to speak to Vejiita, for fear he would kill her if she spoke wrongly. It would be nice; however, to have something break the monotony of the day, like Gohan's return. 'What's taking him so long?' she wondered, 'He should've been back by now.'

She glanced over at Vejiita. He leaned against the wall, his eyes appeared close. Bulma glanced on the table at the dragon radar. She could use it to find out Gohan's location. Vejiita couldn't be angry about that. She deafly reached over for the radar, but in one swift movement it was gone. "And just what do you think you're doing?" Vejiita demanded. Bulma opened her mouth to speak, but was inturrupted, "It doesn't matter." Vejiita continued, he studied the dragon radar, "This thing is what lead the brat to my dragonball." he smashed it in an instant, Bulma held back her screams of rage, "I guess that's no longer a problem."

Bulma bit her tounge and leaned back against her chair. The Saiyan prince returned to his post on the wall. Bulma glared at him as he merely closed his eyes and resumed his meditative positon. Bulma closed her eyes and a single tear stained her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, she had too much pride to let Vejiita see her cry.

For hours the silence continued, until finally Vejiita jerked anger and fear in his eyes. "He wouldn't have!" he shouted, Bulma jumped at the sound of his voice, "Freeza sent for the Ginyu force!"

Bulma was about to question what he meant by that, when Gohan landed outside the crevase with a very defense look on his face, "Give me one good reason I should not kill you Vejiita?"

Vejiita turned calmly, "I can give you several." he stated, "First, you are not strong enough despite the fact that somehow you have become stronger. Secondly, you cannot defeat the Ginyu force alone. And finally, you have no reason."

Gohan took a defensive stance, "Bulma are you okay?" he asked, eyes never leaving Vejiita, Bulma nodded. Gohan relaxed slightly, "What is the Ginyu force?" Gohan asked quietly, though he too already knew of their presence.

"A team of five elite soldiers, each as strong as I am, if not stronger." Vejiita began, "They are Freeza's personal army. We have to fight them, but you'd better hope Kakarott shows up, or we don't stand a chance."

* * * * *

Guru and Nail were silent, each feeling out the battle. It was not good. Both Vejiita and Gohan were down, but there was a third power entering the battle. A warrior with a pure heart and soul. Guru smiled, "There is hope yet."

* * * * *

Goku stood silently as Gohan approached him. Three members of the elite Ginyu dead at his feet. Vejiita stood arrogantly next to him, pleased with what he had done. "You shouldn't have killed them." Goku stated quietly, "You need to show compassion."

Vejiita laughed, "You're a fool, Kakarott. They don't deserve compassion. They don't deserve it."

Goku glared at Vejiita, "And you do?" he asked quietly.

"No." Vejiita stated simply. "I never asked for your mercy, and I never want it again."

Goku sighed, "I still think you can learn. I should kill you for what you did to Krullin, but I can't, revenge is never right."

Gohan studied his father, amazed. 'How can he be like that?' he asked himself, 'How can he forgive Vejiita so easily?'

Vejiita glowered at Goku, "It doesn't matter what you think, Ginyu and Jeice are returning. You cannot defeat them."

Goku sighed, "We shall see." he turned to Gohan, "Find Bulma and find the dragonballs, if you can without the radar." he turned and glared at Vejiita, "Vejiita, I want you to stay here with me and fight." Vejiita nodded.

Gohan hesitated, but didn't argue. It wasn't the time for things like that. He blasted off, unsure of what was to come.

* * * * *

Bulma was tired of waiting, it had been hours since Gohan and Vejiita had left. She had considered several times, leaving. Once, Gohan came take her and find the dragonballs. But something happened that made him change his mind. He said it was too dangerous and he left again. She hated being alone.

* * * * *

The proud prince had fallen, pain racked through his body. He was on the verge of death, and still he had to speak. "No Vejiita." Goku spoke softly, "You're not going to die."

"Let me." Vejiita whispered, "Show me no more mercy. I don't want it."

Gohan and Piccolo whatched in awe. "I told you before, I still think you can learn." He solemnly pulled out his last Senzu bean, the one he would've given Krullin, the one he refused to eat when he was badly injured. He placed it in Vejiita's mouth, "Maybe you still can be a Super Saiya-jin." Goku whispered.

Vejiita chewed, disgusted by Goku's kindness. He rose to his feet, slightly unbalanced. "I am not a Super Saiya-jin today." he spoke to Freeza, " But, someday, I will have my revenge."

Freeza cocked his head, not sure of what Vejiita's words meant. In a swift movement, beyond human sight, Vejiita was gone. Leaving a very stunned crowed. Freeza frowned, toying with the idea of finding Vejiita, but he quickly lost interest, the Saiya-jin before him held much more promise. "I shall find the Saiya-jin no Ouji another day." he said pleasanlty, "Today is your day."

* * * * *

Vejiita was disappointed, to say the least with the prospect of leaving a battle. There was no choice; however. Kakarott would never defeat Freeza, and neither would the brat or the Namek-jin. They were all finished. Freeza would fall; though, by his hands. Vejiita would be the one to kill the tyrant. But, for now, there was much to be done. An empire to rebuild, training. So much, and so little time.

He spotted her below him, right were they had left her. He swooped down and unceremoniusly picked her up. She struggled and cursed him, but he said nothing. He was concentrating on finding their way off of Namek-sei. He smiled when Goku's ship came into veiw.

They landed and he carried her into the ship and set her down in the pilot's seat. "Start this thing now and get us off of this cursed planet!"

Bulma folded her arms and glowered, "No." she stated. "Not without the others."

Vejiita became desperate, so he lied, "They're not coming." he growled, "They're dead."

Bulma became silent, fighting back the urge to cry, "You killed them?" she asked.

Vejiita growled, "Of course not! Freeza did. Now get a move on!"

Bulma had no choice, she flicked a few switches and the ship rattled into outer space. The two wathced silently as Namek-sei became nothning but a memory.

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Well, what do you think now? Again, I'm sorry this part was so rushed, but the next part will be good, I promise. So why don't you go read it?

Meiko chiaka_chan@yahoo.com


Table of Contents
Part 2
Part 4