Part 17, Chapter 2: Undying Fighting Spirit Unwavering Conviction

...

So, this is where you've been occupying yourself.

...Frieza, hm?

Heh... It seems Shallot gave you quite the thrashing earlier.

Hold your tongue! I merely let my guard down.

Now, now, no need to get testy. Thanks to the time you bought me, I was able to accomplish quite a lot.

Would that have anything to do with the proclamation by that King Kai fellow?

You truly have a knack for the indirect approach. You clearly want to make that Saiyan suffer.

I had quite enough of him trying to interfere with my plans. That amount of retaliation was only appropriate...

Well...I can certainly appreciate that. He does indeed test one's patience...

I trust you won't be bothered if I squeeze the life out of him the next time our paths cross?

Be my guest. If you can, that is.

I don't much care for the implication, Zahha. Do you mean to say I'm inferior to young Shallot?

Not at all. But under the current circumstances, I don't foresee a different outcome from before.

I believe I told you I merely let my guard down. Had I not been distracted, a filthy monkey like him would have never...!

I'm not looking to chastise you, Frieza. All I want is to lend you a hand.

A hand...?

I think you know the type of power I can grant. You've seen it many times before.

...! By "power", are you referring to the Dark Ki? I've no need of such a thing.

Come, now. It's merely my way of thanking you for keeping Shallot busy.

There's no harm in taking it with you, is there? Just think of it as insurance.

You know, if you just happen to let your guard down again. Heh, heh, heh...

Nrgh...!

Naturally, when a lesser being uses it, it takes their will away from them...

However, in the past, there was one who resisted the brainwashing and simply used the Dark Ki to gain a power-up.

It was another Saiyan who you're well acquainted with: Vegeta.

If he could resist the Dark Ki, surely a superior being such as yourself has nothing to worry about, right?

...

Tch... You're tone of voice is clearly meant to provoke me...!

But...very well.

Incidentally, I noticed you haven't said a word regarding young Giblet's miraculous escape from the jaws of death.

Did you not know? Or did you avoid bringing it up on purpose? I swear, your mind is the most impenetrable substance in the known universe.

But changing the subject to things I do know...

...If my sources are correct, Giblet and Vegeta are engaged in a simian battle of sorts.

You're just like him...

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

I figured this transformation would be wasted on the likes of you...

But if you're going to insist I show you what I can really do, then I have no choice!

Haaaaaa!!

...?! His energy... It's gone!

But I can still feel an overwhelming pressure... What kind of transformation is this?!

It's called Super Saiyan God.

A Saiyan god? Hah! What a conceited name.

Is that power truly worthy of such a boastful title? Show me!

You might regret saying that!

Deyaaaah!!

...!

Hmph. That's all you've got?

...!!

(Why, that little...! He's really acting like that didn't hurt at all!)

I knew it. This power's wasted on the likes of you.

Guugh!!

Sorry, but I'm in a hurry, so I'm going to put an end to this.

D-Don't you dare think for a second I'll go down so easily, boy!

What have we here? Looks like your little tussle hasn't quite reached an end.

...?!

I thought it'd be over by the time I got here. You're surprisingly resilient, my dear Vegeta.

What?! F...Frieza?!

Even more surprising is you, young Giblet. To think you'd still be alive after what happened to you.

...

And yet, even though you clawed your way back from the abyss, you're right back to fighting?

And against your ally Vegeta, no less?

Ally? You must be blind if you're lumping me into the same category as this low-level punk!

Whatever the case, it's ordinarily none of my concern whom the two of you choose to fight.

But would you mind stepping aside, Vegeta? Do so and I'll spare your life.

I've come here for young Giblet, after all.

...!

...

I owe you considerable recompense, after all.

I may have missed my opportunity to kill you last time, but that shall not happen again!

The only one who missed out was me!

I should have pummeled you into paste when I had the chance!

Hmph! You were hardly in any position to do so after Broly nearly snuffed the life out of you.

Yeah, Broly got me good. But you? I've got nothing to worry about.

That is quite enough out of you!

Daaaah!!

...

Hmph...

Grr...! You two have some nerve pushing me to the side to have your own private brawl!

Oh, Vegeta, don't you think it'd have been better for you to make yourself scarce?

Though if you wish to meet the same fate as last time, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Nrrr...! Daaamn yoooou!!

My, my, what an unruly monkey.

If you're in such a hurry to die, I suppose I'll finish you off first!

That idiot! This is no time to butt in!

Hold it, Vegeta! He's after me! You stay the hell out of this!

Silence! Unlike you, I'm not some spineless coward who will stand by and be trifled with!

Spineless what?!

Getting into an argument in the middle of a battle? You're both rather carefree.

Guh!

Gah?!

Killing one or the both of you makes no modicum of difference to me.

If anything, finishing the two of you off at once is more efficient!

Dyeh!!

Heh, heh... Was that an attack or a gentle breeze?

Haaaah!!

That's a little better, Giblet...

...but it's still not nearly enough to contend with me!

Uwaaah!!

Kuh...! Don`t get ahead of yourself...!

Hey, Giblet, stay out of my way! No one's asking for your help!

I'm not helping YOU! I'm the one Frieza's after, remember? So, why don't just back off?!

Shut up! Don't you dare give me orders! I'm not running from Frieza with my tail between my legs!

Another verbal spat? What unsightly behavior.

You've allowed your emotions to take over and you're at each other's throats. You'll die in vain here, just like you were supposed to in your own eras.

...!

Die in vain...? What are you on about?

Heh, heh, heh... Zahha told me all about your final days in the eras you came from.

Zahha told you...? Does that mean you're working with him?!

Oh, don't misunderstand. Our goals only happen to align so I'm lending him my assistance. Nothing more.

He was very careful to gather all sorts of information pertaining to this little plot of rebellion.

And that includes learning all there is to know about even the most insignificant players. Including the two of you.

Take you for example, young Giblet. The Saiyans in your era found themselves in conflict with each other, with you among the losing faction.

...

Oh, my, how rude of me. Of course you were already aware of that.

And Vegeta. You faced an enemy you realized that you couldn't defeat, so you self-destructed in an attempt to take him down with you, I believe.

...?! I did what?!

And in the end it was all for naught. You died for nothing.

For all your usual bluster, you met quite the miserable end. Ho, ho, ho, ho!

...

You're awfully quiet. How amusing. Feeling a little crestfallen, are we?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're fated to meet the same pitiful demise here as well.

No matter how much you two struggle in this era, it's meaningless. Anything you try will be woefully inadequate!

The only thing waiting for you is a pathetic ruination by my hand!

...

...

What utter rubbish!

Beg your pardon...?

Yeah, I completely agree! Who the hell cares about our fate in our original eras?

No matter what type of end awaits me in my original time...

...it has nothing to do with the me in the here and now, continuing to fight in the pursuit of greater power!

...What...?

I've made up my mind to keep on fighting, whatever may happen in the future!

I could never go back on my convictions, after all...

...

Hmph...!

I suppose I should thank you, Frieza. Thanks to all your blabbering, I can think straight again.

Now I know exactly who's not needed here!

And I've definitely had my fill of your bloated speeches!

Go to hell, Frieza!!

Tch... This is the problem with Saiyans. Thinking about convictions and other such nonsense.

That's why your kind sickens me to my very core!!

The feeling's mutual!

Let's do this, Frieza!

...

I can't believe Vegeta. He got so much stronger since the last time we met.

In fact, the last time I saw him was when we fought Frieza...

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!!

...!

Is this all you are?!

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

Vegeta helped bring me back from a real moment of desperation.

I don't feel great about leaving Giblet to deal with him... But knowing my brother, I'm sure he'll be fine!

Especially considering how alike the two of them are. I'm sure they'll bury the hatchet and find a way to get along!

Daaaah!!

Hraaaah!!

If that's the best you two can muster, I don't even need to dodge, now do I?

Grr...!

Gah...!

You two never seem to learn. Have you not yet wrapped your heads around the vast gulf between our power?

You're the one who doesn't learn!

What was that...?

Did you already forget?

A Saiyan's strength has no ceiling while in the midst of battle!

Let's take it to him, Vegeta! No letting up!

I told you not to give me orders!!

Hmph...! Insolent primates!

Nguh?!

Daaaaaaah!!

Ugggh!!

Why, you foul, vulgar...!

(I think I'm starting to get it. So, this is Vegeta's fighting style...!)

Haaah!!

Gah?!

(Yes, I think I'm starting to understand this punk's way of doing things...!)

Chyaah!!

Ugh... Guh...!

Haaaaaaaaah!!

Take thiiiiiiis!!!!

Gwaaaaaaah?!

Argh... Ugh...!!

(They were fighting each other just minutes ago, and now they've coordinated themselves against me! This...is exactly why I hate Saiyans!)

(Moreover, Giblet still has his ace in the hole. This does not bode well...!)

What's wrong, Frieza? You're looking a little pale!

You may have landed a few lucky blows, but don't let it go to your head! It's nothing more than a fluke!

Heh...!

One lucky strike and you dare to get arrogant!!

"Lucky"? "Fluke"? You've always got an excuse, don't you, Frieza?

Damn you...!!

He's coming! Keep your guard up, boy!

The same goes for you!

Eat this!!

Urgh!

Gotcha!!

Grrah...?!

Allow me to return the favor!

Gah!!

Gwah!!

Damn... He's a tough bastard alright.

You'd think he'd be getting tired by now...

If we don't deliver a decisive blow, this'll never end!

...

Heh, heh, heh... I must admit you're doing a bit better than before.

You decision to join forces was the right call. Neither of you could hope to best me in one-on-one combat, after all.

That goes for you, Giblet, but even more so for you, dear Prince.

What did you say?!

How fortuitous for you to be joined by such a strong comrade. I'm sure you must feel grateful.

The same type of gratitude you felt when you tearfully pleaded to Goku to avenge your race, just before I ended your life, I'm sure...

Grrr! You bastard...!!

Don't fall for it, Vegeta! He's trying to get you riled up so we'll stop working together!

Shut your mouth!!

Wha?!

I'm more than enough to deal with the likes of him! Bring it, Frieza!

Ha, ha, ha...!

Grr...! Damn it all!

Frieza picked a fight with Vegeta in order to get him to abandon our team-up...

(Wait... Hold on a second.)

(We didn't work together for long, but I got a sense for how he fights...)

(He doesn't fight using intuition like Shallot does. In fact, he fights more like I do...)

...! Don't tell me...

You're going to regret trying to make a fool of me!

And here comes the little prince, throwing another temper tantrum. Trying to fight me alone is stupidity at its finest, Vegeta!

Shove it!!

Hiiyah!

Gyah!!

Haaaaa!

Guh... Ugh...!

...Nrrrrrah!!

...!! Grr...!

Heh, heh... I see you've decided to forget about your little teamwork pretense...

It's almost as if I struck quite the nerve...

Haa...! Haa...!

("Deliver a decisive blow..." That's what Giblet said.)

(If that's his plan, I'm assuming he has some kind of ability to do so hidden up his sleeve.)

(If I can just get Frieza to leave an opening...!)

(Tch...! I really hate having to help this brat!)

Haa-AAAHHH!!

...?!

Rraaaaaaah!!

(So THAT'S why you flew off the handle and attacked him on your own. You're leaving the finishing blow up to me...!)

(If you're gonna give me that responsibility, then I'd better oblige!)

Hraaaaaah!!

...

...!

Grr...!!

(What is that?! It feels like the Dark Ki, but... No, it's something else!)

(It's like...Kakarot's Kaioken technique?!)

Vegeta!!

You're such a pain...!

Hraaaaah!!

Damn you!! You insubordinate waste of space...!

Begone! I've no more desire to deal with the likes of you!

I don't give a good damn what you desire! For now, you're fighting me, whether you want to or not!!

Haaaaah!!

...?!

Putrid ape...! How can you still have this much power?!

This is everything I've got, Frieza!

Try...

...this on for size!

Ugh...!! Just how long do you intend to stand in my way...

Now Giblet! DO IT!!

...?! No... NO!!

This...is the end for you!

Well, well... You mortals seem to be enjoying yourselves...

?!

Nice to see you, Giblet. I don't see Shallot anywhere. He's not with you, then?

What the? K...Kakarot?!

Vegeta, huh? Hmph. And if you're mistaking me for Goku, that must mean you're from a much earlier era.

What the hell are you doing here, Black?!

Heh, heh... Is this a bad time? Ordinarily, I'd come back, but I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a hurry.

Come, Giblet! Show me your power! Let's see if you can satisfy my thirst!