Part 10, Chapter 3: Return of the Ruthless Emperor

...

U...Ughh...

...

Shallot! You're awake!

Are you alright? Any injuries?

Ngh...I'm good...

I...I was just...

(...I was fighting with that Hit guy, and then...)

Charging into things without a thought as to the consequences of your actions. What could you possibly hope to accomplish?

...! That jerk...! I'm not gonna let him get away with running his mouth like that!!

Where'd he go?!

After he was done rambling, he just up and left. I wonder why he came in the first place?

That's a question for another time, but one thing's for sure: If it was Shallot's life he wanted, he'd already be dead.

Perhaps he isn't an enemy. Rather, he attacked Shallot with some ulterior motive...?

An ulterior motive...

I don't give a damn what his reasons are! We can't afford to waste another minute. I'm headed for the land of ice!

Shallot?!

You thick-headed...! Wait for me!!

We're almost at the land of ice.

Everyone better still be alive...!

Took you long enough.

?!

Well, well, well... My patience has been rewarded.

Frieza?!

W-What is Frieza doing here?!

Ho ho, I see my reputation precedes me.

Hold on a sec... You're not the Frieza I know!

(This guy's Ki feels way stronger than the Frieza from back then...!)

So, which era's slimeball Frieza are you supposed to be?!

Oh, who knows...? Surely something so trivial wouldn't matter to you, would it?

All that matters is that I came here to find you...

...Shallot.

What does a creep like you want from me?!

I've heard an awful lot about you from a certain someone.

So I sought an opportunity to witness your power firsthand.

Shisami, would you care to do the honors?

Yes, Lord Frieza! Leave him to me!

I'll be the one to face you, Saiyan! Fight me!!

Fine by me! I won't hold back!!

Daaah!!

U...Ughh...

Defeated so easily. Although I can't say I'm surprised...

L-Lord Frieza... Please forgive my failure...!

It matters not.

However, the sight of you writhing in pain is a touch more than I can bare.

No...please!

Begone!

L-Lord Friezaaa!!!

Y...Your own soldier?!

You...! You're as vile as ever!

Did I do something wrong? After all, he was just a...

...pawn. Heh heh heh....

...?!

...And even though you were just a pawn, I actually grew attached to you! Hahaha!

You...!

Shallot, are you alright?!

...It's nothing...

Whatever is the matter? Did I touch a nerve?

You weren't perhaps, told something similar, leaving you in a state of shock once before?

Tch! That's got nothing to do with you!

Not taking the bait, I see. Regardless, I think that's enough chit-chat.

The time has come for me to assess this strength of yours myself!

Bulma, Jaco! Get out of here!

G-Got it!

I haven't got time to waste here... I'm comin' at you with all my strength!

Rooaghh!!

...!

That form! So it's true...!

Let's do this!!

Daaah!!

Ugh...!

(I can take him! Just a little more!)

I'll finish you...with this!!

!!

How do you like that?!

...Is this your full strength?

No way...!!

You fail to live up to your reputation.

Perhaps there's something holding you back... Whatever could it be?! Hah hah hah!

You're wrong!

Oh, is that so? Doubtful.

If you've got something to say, just say it!

Who, me? It's nothing... However, I have had a change of heart.

At first, I thought it'd be better for me to use this form to test you, but...

...now I feel a more appropriate course of action is to truly make you suffer!

I have something special to show you!

My true form!!

True...form...?!

(...! Another transformation?! But he couldn't possibly get more powerful than this...?!)

Kaaah!!

Sorry to have kept you waiting...

(...His Ki is...incredible...! It's way higher than before...!)

I'll admit, I didn't think you had it in you, Freezy!

I have my reasons, but I actually trained quite rigorously to attain this form. I call it...

GOLDEN FRIEZA!

Golden Frieza...?!

Heh heh heh... Not the most elegant of names, I'll concede.

Now then, where were we?!

Haaa!!

Ughh!!

(H...He's so strong...! He really was holding back before! So this is Frieza's true power...?!)

But I can't lose! I've gotta take Frieza down and get back to the land of ice...!

And then I'll find everyone...alive! There's no way they were all wiped out by...him...

...!!

Well, well. If I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't at your best.

It wouldn't have anything to do with your old pal Zahha now, would it?

Wh...What?!

H-How do you know about Zahha?!

Ho ho ho... He and I are acquaintances, you see.

As a matter of fact, it was he who told me about you in the first place.

...!

But I can't help but feel sympathy for you. Betrayed by your dear friend Zahha.

Your memory erased, manipulated along with your poor brother...

Do tell. Just what did it feel like...

...to be at Zahha's mercy, dancing on the palm of his hand?

...?! Shut your mouth! I never...!

From where I stand, I see no other explanation for the events that transpired.

...?!

And still now, your limp attempts to defeat me serve only to highlight your lack of resolve.

But alas, there's nothing that can be done for you now...

Discarded by Zahha, you find yourself nothing more than a puppet whose strings have been cut, dangling in the void.

Wh...What?!

I...I was a...a puppet?!

Th...That can't be true!!

How could you possibly protest? Wasn't it Zahha himself who told you so?

All that you've done up until now... Seeking out the strong to fight... Was that not his idea?

...!

Fighting against Frieza... Cell... Majin Buu... The deaths of the Androids and Vegeta...

You and your brother went along with each part of my magnificent plan... Even fighting each other to the death! Well, almost... Heh heh...

Sh...Shut up!

Hah hah hah... Another bullseye.

You still can't bring yourself to say it, can you?

That Zahha is your enemy!

!!!

Th...That's not...

That you are crippled with indecisiveness at the mere mention of his name...

...only proves that you are his puppet!

...! It...It's not true!

I...I... I'm not...

...a puppet!!

Ho ho...!

Such a half-hearted punch could never...

...affect me!!

Gwahhh!!

...

How disappointing... I'd appreciate if you fought with a little more vigor!

...Ngh...gh...

I thought you Saiyans lived to fight? You'll have to do better than that...

...

...How tragic. You've lost the will to fight. In the heat of the moment it seems I went a little too far.

Oh well. I had hoped to have a little more fun with you, but this will have to do...!

Farewell, Shallot!!

...?!

As predictable as ever...

...?!

How can you take pleasure in beating on this worthless ragdoll? Frieza...!

V...Vegeta?!

Vegeta... What an unpleasant surprise.

...

Vegeta, what are you doing here? Did you come to...save me?

Absolutely not! As if I'd help a coward like you...!

...?!

What's this? Two friends reunited? I'm touched.

...Vegeta, you don't perchance intend to take Shallot's place in his fight with me, do you?

Take this weakling's place? Not a chance. But I will be the one to defeat you!

It...It's no use, Vegeta! He's invincible!

So what if he is?!

So what?! There's no way you can win is what...!

Quiet! This battlefield is no place for a coward!!

...!

If it's a fight you want, I'll gladly oblige. But with that power level...

Even if you have managed to become one of your Super Saiyans of legend...

I have already far surpassed any power level that you could hope to attain!

...

As much as it would be my pleasure to pummel you instead of Shallot for a while...

How about it? Why not pledge your loyalty to me once again?

What?!

As is happens, a recent departure has left a vacancy in my ranks that I was just wondering how best to fill.

Pledge my loyalty to you...

Precisely. What do you say?

Hmph!

I refuse!

Oh really...?

You destroyed my home, Planet Vegeta. I have nothing to pledge to you but vengeance!

I'd rather die than serve you!!

...How unfortunate.

If that is your wish, then so be it!!

Eat this!!

Too slow...

...?!

Kyaaa!!

Gwahhh!!

Ughh...!

(He IS strong...! He's on another level compared to the Frieza I know...!)

Stop, Vegeta! If you keep fighting...!

Then what? I'll die?!

Why would I listen to you? A Saiyan who won't stand his ground has no right to speak!

What...?!

From what I saw earlier, you can't even clench a fist, let alone fight!

...

You lay defeated with that cowardly expression and still you have the gall to lecture me?!

I'll take your words from back then and throw them right back at you...!

The old you was...

...was nothing like the loser before me now!!

...!

Can't you see, Vegeta? The old you was...

The old you was...

He was nothing like the loser before me now!!

...

Is this all you are?!

You helped me recall the Saiyan pride that I had forgotten once before. Now it's your turn... Shallot!

Saiyan...pride...

Pa ha ha... Pride, eh? Your sentimentalism never fails to amuse me!

The likes of you could never understand.

Nor would I want to.

...

(...Vegeta said...the old me was different to now...)

(...Maybe I have forgotten...)

(...My Saiyan pride...)

You will die here and now, Frieza! By my Saiyan hands!

I'm going to bring back Vegeta's and the Saiyan race's pride!

...That's right... I've faced Frieza before...

Even without a hope of winning, I never backed away from a fight...!

And it wasn't just Frieza...

I'll beat you so hard that you won't even think about pulling any crap like this again!!

THAT'S MY RESOLVE!!!

Whatever the situation, if there was someone who needed dealing with, I dealt with them...

Back then...

I'm not running away!

I've made up my mind!

I swore to myself...! That no matter who I face, I'd never give in... I'd stand and fight!

That was my decision, and mine alone!

And that's why I'll...!!

Haaa!

Aghhh?!

Ughh!

End of the line, it seems...

...!

If only for your brazen courage, you did put up a better fight than poor Shallot.

It's a shame your strength doesn't match your ego...!

...Damn you...!

Now, let's put you out of your misery...!

FRIEZAAA!!!

...?!

Shallot...?!

Sorry I'm late!

Vegeta...! Don't you worry about a thing...!

Hmph...

Look who's up and about again...

I'm not quite sure how, but it looks like you've got your fighting spirit back...

Hmph...you'd better believe it!

Frieza... For a second there I thought you were right, that I was Zahha's puppet...

But you were dead wrong...! In fact, you couldn't have been further from the truth...!

Zahha wasn't in control...

I WAS!!

Is that so?

Whenever I found a bad guy, I always faced them head on!

And that's exactly what I'll keep doing. Even if it's Zahha, there's no way I'll give in. I'll bring him down with my own two fists...!!

...

But first, it's your turn, Frieza!!

Haaa!!

Ughh...!

It's not over yet!!

Hyaaa!!

Ugh!

Well, well... Look who found their backbone... Splendid. It wouldn't be any fun exterminating you otherwise...!

You're all talk! I'm about to wipe that grin off your ugly face!!

Ho ho... I'm ready when you are!

...!

...?! A hole...in the air?!

W-What is that...?!

...Hmph.

My my, is that the time...? I would've liked to have spent a little more quality time together, but it simply wasn't meant to be...

Unfortunately, my presence has been requested elsewhere.

Huh?! What're you talking about?!

Until we meet again... Oh, and Shallot...do be a good boy and keep up your training. I'd hate to see so much potential go to waste...

He disappeared...into the hole...?! What's going on here?!

...! I...I gotta go after him!

Shallot, stop!

...!

We have no idea what that thing is or where it leads! Don't be reckless!

But...!

Shallot... Look at the state you're in!

You've got to take it easy! You got that?!

Hmph. Fine...!

...! The hole is closing...!

W-What was that thing?

I'm not exactly sure... But Frieza used it to escape.

Tch! Just when I'd finished warming up...!

But... If he's gone, he's gone...

...

Hey, Vegeta! I owe you one!

And there was that time back then with Majin Buu too. So I guess I owe you two!

How many times are you gonna make me say it?

I just can't stand the sight of a cowardly Saiyan!

Yeah, I got that...

Thanks to you I realized I'd forgotten something important...

But there's no way I'll let that happen again! My Saiyan pride... My resolve...!

...

Heh heh... Isn't he strong?

...

But his strength isn't just my doing. You know what I mean?

Shallot has inherited my pride and grown stronger from your training... I suppose that explains it.

You'd better not. Even Kakarot recognized something in you, so don't let me catch you with that cowardly look on your face again!

And it wasn't just Kakarot...

...? Vegeta...?

Never mind... Just remember that I have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to cowards!

He sure doesn't hang around! He was welcome to stay a while...

Vegeta has his own stuff to take care of. And besides, I gotta keep getting stronger if I'm gonna keep the promises I made!

I won't lose again, to Hit or to Frieza!!

And thanks to Vegeta, I'm ready to face Zahha too!

I don't care what he thinks about me anymore!

I won't stand for his evil! I'll stop him...as a friend!

As a friend, huh? Now that sounds more like the Shallot I know!

Yeah! Show that lousy Zahha who's boss!

Right! ...I'm coming for you, Zahha!!

...

...You appeared to be in the middle of something. A fight, perhaps?

Don't fret. It was nothing of concern.

And what of the energy I asked you to collect?

Everything is proceeding smoothly. I just happen to have conquered another planet, gathering quite the substantial amount in the process.

I assume you have no qualms in me ruling over those planets as I see fit, as per our agreement?

As long as I get my energy, your personal endeavors are of no interest to me.

An abundance of energy required in order for wishes to be granted... That crystal is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth.

It has its share of merits too.

Unlike the Super Dragon Balls, this crystal has the power to grant unlimited wishes without delay. Provided you have the energy, of course.

It's quite spectacular, if you know how to use it.

If we're quite finished here, I'll take my leave. After all, that energy isn't going to collect itself.

My thanks, Frieza.

Oh, I almost forgot! I have something to share with you.

...?

Before coming here, I was indeed fighting. Against someone who I believe you know quite well...

...Shallot.

...!

That can't be!

Just like you said, he is a most peculiar Saiyan.

...Shallot is...alive...?

Why yes, he is. Although I must admit at first he was looking a little blue... No doubt thanks to you, of course...

But after a quick pep talk from me, he's back to his old self.

...

How could you be so foolish, Zahha?

...It seems I went too easy on him.

...Frieza, where is Shallot now?

He's headed for the land of ice in search of his fallen companions.

...Is that so? In that case, I know just who to send...

...You mean to say that you still have business with Shallot?

He did play his part in my plan quite beautifully.

And as his former "friend", I feel I should do him the courtesy of ending things properly.

...

(...Zahha... Your lips say one thing but your eyes another...)

(With the crystal completed, Shallot is no longer required.)

(In spite of which, your obsession with him has not subsided... And now you order his execution...?)

I, for one, wouldn't mind another opportunity to clash with dear Shallot...!

Do as you please...

(Stubborn as always, Shallot... But this time, you're finished...!)