Part 17, Chapter 1: Shallot Takes Off!

...

How...? How can this be?!

I sent assassins... I even went as far as wishing on the Omnificence crystal...

And yet somehow, here Shallot comes, as undeterred as ever! Why...?!

Ugh...!

(Calm down... I made sure to account for the possibility that Giblet would remember him, after all.)

(What I didn't account for was Goku of all people regaining his memories. That should not have been possible.)

Shallot just simply refuses to die, the persistent pest...

I thought surely this time would be the end of it... But no matter how many times I try to kill him, he's always found a way to survive...

Very well. I've always harbored a special hatred for you, Shallot.

Now that it's come to this, it seems I must crush you with my own hand...

He'll see... I can be just as persistent!

Super Saiyan Blue, huh? You really managed to gain that power...

Heh, heh! But it's just like Goku told me; it's still not enough to take down you-know-who.

That's about everything I've been up to. So what about you? I heard you fought Broly of all people.

His jerk of a father kept going on about how Broly killed you.

Yeah, I fought him alright. And came up short. Under ordinary circumstances, I would've died.

But...

(I'm getting weak... I'm not gonna make it at this rate...)

Hmmm...

I felt something strange, so I figured I should come take a look. But it seems like whoever it was is gone. Just look at this mess...

...!

Is this young fellow one of the people who was just fighting here? Looks like he's still breathing...!

Hmmm... Now that I've found him, I'd be a real heel if I just left him here. He doesn't seem to be giving off any threatening aura either...

Guess I'll give this boy the benefit of the doubt.

Well, wouldja look at that. He's covered in more injuries than I can count, but none of them are to his vital areas. It's a miracle...

Actually, something tells me it's more than just luck that he's still alive.

I don't really know what happened here, but it seems whoever he fought hesitated and decided to avoid delivering any fatal blows.

Apparently someone found me.

I was mostly unconscious, so I couldn't see their face.

And you pretty much know the rest.

I had a bad feeling, so I came to where you were, only to find you all beat up and hopeless. Gotta say, I didn't see that coming.

Hey, shut your trap! I was caught off guard too when you suddenly showed up, ya know!

Not to mention you were the only one in the entire universe who remembered me.

Guess we've got a special twin bond or something, right? Ha, ha!

Yeah... Maybe.

(It's true that at the time I was the only one who could remember Shallot.)

(But is that really the reason? I wonder...)

We've finally caught up to you, Shallot!!

Huh? What now...?

Oh, no... I know that voice...

Oh, no... I know that voice...

Let us blossom and let us sing out! The song of love and victory!

Brianne! Brianne! Bri-bri-anne! Happiness to one and all! I send you my love!

...Ribrianne!!!

San-san! Ka-kun! San-ka-kun! The thunder of the wild! The roar of love!

...Kakunsa!!!

Su-su! Su-ro-su-ro! Su-su-ro-su-ron! The strike of love! With dreams and magic!

...Rozie!!!

The warriors of love have arrived!

...

You three? AGAIN?!

Are these...friends of yours?

Uh, not exactly. "Friends" is a strong word...

We are acquainted with Shallot through love!

Ah, I see. Acquaintances...

Wait. Did she say love...?

Last time, we weren't able to withstand the power of your love.

But no matter how many times we may fall, we shall never surrender!

And now it is time for your love and ours to clash once more!

Wha...What in the world? "Withstand the power of..."? No, go back. What does "acquainted through love" even mean...?

Don't pay attention to the love crap, okay?!

Look, they're after me because they believed all of King Kai's lies. And that's it!

I hate to do it, but I'm gonna have to knock them out again...

H-Hey, look! It's Shallot!

?! Now what?!

Who would've guessed we'd find Shallot of all people during our search for Paragus!

Wait...is that Giblet?!

Didn't Lord Frieza say he kicked the bucket? So, why's he here?!

H-How should I know?!

Grr... I don't really understand what's going on, but now that we've found these two, we gotta fight 'em!

Appule Unit! Attaaaaaaack!

Uwoohhhhh!!

You sure got a lot of friends popping up out of nowhere, Mr. Popular.

Can't say I'm happy about it!

Ribrianne, if we don't hurry they'll get to Shallot before we do!

Love is always first come, first serve! And we'll be the one to stop Shallot's love today!

I hope you're ready Shallot, because here we come!

Graah! Just when it looked like we were getting somewhere... We're never gonna get to Zahha's at this rate!

Let's not waste any time! We need to finish this now! Let's go, Giblet!

Right...!

Urrr... Ugh...

He's still...too strong...!

Hee, hee... His love is as strong as ever... Looks like we lost...again...

Hmph! That takes care of that. Now let's get outta here before they come to!

Hmmm... I'm still having trouble understanding their use of the word "love".

Don't waste any brain cells trying to figure it out!

...

It appears I cannot break this seal with my power alone.

To think there is a mortal arrogant enough to not only interfere with a god's plan, but even go so far as to seal one!

Your impertinence has gone too far, Zahha! And it shall cost you your life! I'll be sure to see to that.

(Unfortunately, the Omnificence Crystal he carries is beyond reproach...)

(It would be foolhardy to stand against him without the proper means.)

Perhaps the key lies in those Saiyan twins after all...

(This planet's Kai made some rather peculiar proclamations regarding Shallot being "unfathomably evil".)

(It seems his perception of Shallot has been altered, either by Zahha's magic or the Crystal...)

(Either way, it proves that Shallot's existence is a thorn in Zahha's side...)

Meaning...that perhaps our previous estimation was correct.

I think it's worth re-examining the value in utilizing the vessels known as Shallot and Giblet.

Just be patient a little longer, Zamasu. I will break your seal, and together we shall wipe every last mortal out of existence!

According to the radar...

...this is the right direction! Nice!

Hey, Shallot... Don't you think something about all this is off?

Off? What do you mean?

About Zahha. He must have realized awhile ago that we're heading right for him.

And yet it doesn't seem like he's doing anything to try and stop us. Unless this is all some kind of trap...

...No, I don't think it's a trap.

If Zahha wanted to do something to stop us, he would've done it by now. That's just how he is.

I think he's ready to face us himself.

You think so? He's not really the type to get his hands dirty.

Hey, Giblet. I got a favor to ask.

...?

When we get to Zahha's, I want you to let me fight him alone.

I decided a long time ago that I was gonna stop Zahha myself by giving him a major ass-kicking...

As a friend!!

A friend? You really consider him a friend?

Yeah, I do!

...

Don't get it twisted. He's a lot of things, but "friend" isn't one of them.

He's an enemy we we need to put down!

He used and manipulated me. And he did the same to you, didn't he?

I've been wanting to give that bastard the payback he deserves for a long time now...!

And you want to stop him "as a friend"?! Could you possibly be any more naïve?!

I hear you, Giblet. And it's not like I'm forgiving him for all the horrible things he's done.

He uses people like tools and throws them away, even if they're on his side, or have nothing to do with any of this! He wants to destroy the whole universe!

What he's doing is wrong! But...

Make sure you open your twin brother's eyes with that message! In your own...unique Saiyan way.

Aren't you the one who's always saying "I won't run away"?!

...!!

So I won't run, either!!

If I run away now, I'll regret it until my dying breath.

Let's do it, Zahha!!

Right! Just don't fall behind, Shallot!!

But to me, Zahha's a friend who fought alongside us!

That's how I feel, even if he doesn't!

So, I can't let him continue down this path. I've gotta make him see that he's made the wrong choice. I'm going to stop him!

Please, Giblet!

...You're far too soft! Even more than I would've thought...

G-Giblet...

But...

I guess this is exactly what I'd expect you to say.

Fine. But you better follow through and stop Zahha in his tracks. As...a friend.

...!

And just so you know, all I'm doing is giving you the first shot.

If you aren't able to stop him, I'm taking him out. As an enemy.

And I won't budge on this. Got it?

Got it! Thanks a bunch!

(Shallot can't do anything on his own. That's what I heard Zahha say.)

(Somehow I doubt that's the only reason he's gone out of his way to target Shallot's friends rather than Shallot himself...)

Or maybe that's exactly the thing about you that gets him so wound up...

Huh? You say something?

Hmph... It's nothing. Let's just head to where Zahha is.

Hell, yeah! I'm gonna knock some sense into him and put an end to all of this. The Tournament of Time, that wish on the Omnificence Crystal... All of it!

Is that so? You're going to stop the tournament, are you?

...!

I must say, you two are having quite the amusing little chat.

I-It's you...! But why are you here?!

I see, so you've met Vegeta before. But by the looks of it, I'm not sure he's on our side.

Of course I've met him! It's a long story, but I owe him my life!

Hey, wait... How come you know him?

We used to be in the same group, so of course I'd remember his name and face.

(That's right, the two of them used to be with Zahha! I almost forgot.)

I don't know what you two are whispering to each other...

But I have a question for the Saiyan in blue. You're the one King Kai told everyone about, right? Shallot?

And you're... Well, well. It's been a while, hasn't it, Giblet?

...

(That's Giblet, the Saiyan that guy mentioned...)

(Apparently, he's determined to overcome his archrival by any means necessary, no matter how callous.)

(Ruthless and cruel, exactly how a Saiyan is supposed to be. Hmph... I kind of like the intensity on his face.)

What're you looking at me for?

What the hell does a Saiyan from a corrupted lineage want with me?

You have some nerve talking to the prince of all Saiyans like that. You're clearly a fool who can't recognize another's power!

What do you say we throw down and find out which one of us is the real fool?

That suits me fine!

Vegeta, Giblet! That's quite enough.

...!

This is hardly the time to stand around chatting idly...

As much as I understand why you'd be happy to meet another of your race...

...

Hmph. Way to spoil the fun...

Tch... Bastard picked the worst moment to interfere...

I'll take your life some other time, Vegeta. Assuming you don't die a dog's death in the meantime.

You don't know when to hold your tongue, boy. Feel free to challenge me anytime you like! Just know you'll be the one who loses his life, not me.

So, can I assume you're still doing the bidding of that pompous ass?

That time in my life is long over. I won't listen to a thing he has to say ever again.

In fact, we're on our way to defeat that "pompous ass" once and for all.

Oh, really? You two are going to defeat Zahha?

He's the one behind the Tournament of Time!

You wanted to stop it too, right?

We have the same goal, so why don't you join...

Shut your mouth! Don't you speak to me as if we're equals.

I don't know what nonsense you heard about me from Giblet, but so what if we have the same objective?

It's true that I've been searching for the one who's behind the tournament in order to put a stop to it.

But you're also a villain trying to destroy the universe, just like he is!

No, that's not...

Did you really think I'd believe a word you have to say? I'm under no obligation to band together with the likes of you.

V-Vegeta...

Though I am interested in what kind of power could wipe out all of existence. It worried King Kai enough to reach out to everyone on Earth, after all.

I'll take the two of you on at once! If you're both Saiyans, you'll fight me here and now!

Tch...! This just got a lot more annoying.

Damn...! Guess we got no choice!

Uraggh!!

Haaaa!

Guh?!

Daaaaa!

Ugh!

Heh... Ha, ha!

You're definitely stronger than the last time I saw you. Not that I'd expect anything less!

The last time you saw me? Stop spouting nonsense.

Give me a break...

Hey, Shallot, now's not the time to be playing around. We have more important things to...

...

Huh? What's wrong?

...Shallot, you go on ahead!

Go on...ahead...?

Yeah.

You want to fight Zahha by yourself anyway, right?

...!

Giblet...

Leave his royal highness to me. I'll catch up once I've knocked him off his throne!

Remember, I'm giving you the first shot at him, so don't screw it up. Don't stop until you've taken Zahha down.

You got it! Thanks, Giblet!

Hmph...

Alright, I'll leave the rest to you!

Now, then...

...

Gotta say, I'm a little surprised. I figure you'd blow a gasket and try to stop him.

I have no interest in cowards.

Just because you gave him permission to leave doesn't change the fact that he fled from an enemy mid-battle.

Enough about him. Let's talk about you, Giblet!

You said you were going to "knock me off my throne", is that right?

Yeah, and I meant it.

Then now's your chance. We were interrupted last time...

...but now I can finally show you how superior my power is to yours!

Fine. Show me. Let's see what you can do!!

Daaaaaa!!

Hraaghh!!

Hrah!

Guh...!

Hmph! All that bluster was for nothing. Your attacks are hardly impressive.

What was that?!

I see how things are now. I can't sense any of the aggression and bloodlust you had from before.

Did you give up on your desire to defeat your nemesis?

Grr...

If so, that might have been the right decision.

You've clearly gone soft from associating with that damn coward.

Without any killer instinct, you'll never defeat your so-called archrival!

...! Damn you...!

Oh, did I touch a nerve? You're looking rather angry...

...and you've left yourself wide open!!

...!

Tch! What a disappointment.

The Giblet from before, the one who was so intent on conquering his rival, would have avoided that attack!

Me from before, huh...? Heh...

What's so funny?!

You've got it all wrong.

With the way I am now, an attack like that isn't worth the effort to avoid. So I didn't.

(What's this energy?! It's infinitely greater than before...!)

(It...can't be!)

...! So, that's how it is. You're intent on making an utter fool of me.

You're just like him...

...That clown, Kakarot! You're fighting me while hiding your true strength!

Lord Frieza! I have a report!

What is it? You're causing quite the ruckus...

I thought I told you to BACK OFF!!!

GUAAAAAH!!

...and I'm in no mood!!

P-P-Please forgive me, sire!

If this report of yours turns out to be a waste of my time, I trust you know what will happen.

Eeek! Erm...! Um, i-it would appear Vegeta and Giblet are fighting nearby...

Did you say Giblet?

I thought that monkey had perished... Saiyans truly refuse to die, don't they...?

Very well. At the very least I should survey the situation personally.