Part 2, Chapter 1: Unexpected Visitors

Let's kick things off with a little warm-up! Show me whatcha got!

My pleasure! Today's the day I lay you out, Goku!

Haaaaaa...!

HYAAAAA!

You're going about it all wrong. The point isn't to make your Ki balloon.

Get angry! That's the key to becoming a Super Saiyan!

It's not like there's an on-off switch for anger! Can't you be a little more specific?

Guys, it's not often we get a day without a mission. Quit clobbering each other and kick back once in a while!

No can do. I need to become a Super Saiyan as soon as possible and put that faker in his place!

'Cause the next time we meet, I'm gonna teach him all kinds of hurt!

Weird. You're definitely strong enough. In my book, you SHOULD be able to go Super Saiyan by now.

The problem could be psychosomatic.

Psycho-whatsit?

Your amnesia. Ever consider you might be unconsciously holding back?

...

In layman's terms, this issue of yours is a long-term project, kid.

Now, on to more important matters: lunch! What's on the menu today?

Good idea! Let's pause and get some food in us!

You coming, Shallot?

Nah, I'll stay here and keep at it.

Resting's part of training too, you know?

I've only sparred once so far today. I've got loads of energy to spare!

Catch you later then. We'll head back with Mr. Goku.

"Mr."? I gotta say, that sounds weird coming from you, Bulma.

Plain old "Goku" is fine. In fact, I'd prefer it!

W-Wow, really? But you're old enough to be my uncle...

Time to hit the road and get some fights in!

Phew!

(Finding random enemies out here might not be the solution I'm looking for...)

(...but it sure as hell beats doing nothing!)

Heya, Shallot!

What're you guys up to?

Bringing you lunch, of course.

I bet you haven't had a single bite since you started training.

Hm. Guess not.

Goku was on the verge of scarfing down the entire spread. We took the liberty of sneaking away some choice items.

Thanks! Now that I think about it, I'm famished!

*sigh* I bet you'd fight 'til you drop if we weren't around.

Hey, uh, this it? I'd call this more a light snack than lunch...

You're very WELCOME, Master Shallot! Geez, you try to be nice to some people...!

*burp* Actually, that was kinda filling!

What, the "light snack"? Pardon me if I'm not beaming.

All I need is a boar or lion to top it off and I'll be good 'til dinner! I'm sure there's one out here.

Spoken like a true caveman...

How about some fruit if you're still hungry? It's to DIE for.

Oh, Mr., Ahem. Scratch that... Goku, what're you doing here?

And what was that about "fruit"? Man, you Saiyans are always fighting or eating, huh?

Bulma, get away from him!

Why?

Aaaah!

Bulmaaaa!

Hi, little lady. Word on the street is you're quite the scientist. A prodigy, even.

H-Hey, buster, what gives?! Are you really Goku...?

He's not! Shake him off and run!

Ohhh sure! Maybe I'll swim across the ocean while I'm at it! ...And if this guy's not Goku, who the heck is he?!

Escort our guest of honor to the ship. Gently, if you would.

Bulmaaaaa!

Now, on to the next order of business...

Move it or lose it, creep!

You really want to do this, kid? *sigh* Someone, anyone, grab the pipsqueak.

Tch! It'll take more than your goons to stop me!

It would seem so. I'm impressed, kid!

Get off your high horse... and outta my way while you're at it!

Nice punch. Your look's a bit... dated. But you're definitely a Saiyan.

I-It didn't faze him!

Who... or WHAT the hell are you?

If I didn't know better, I'd say you look scared. Don't be so cold. After all, we're the last of our kind.

You're a Saiyan too, huh?!

That I am. Turles is the name. I've been watching you train.

You desire strength, yes? Why not come with me?

Say what?

Under me, you can attain the power you crave.

Don't let him tempt you, Shallot! Look at his getup. He's one of Frieza's!

My nose pegged him for what he is minutes ago!

Oh? A Saiyan who foregoes an opportunity for strength. A peculiar one, this.

Like I said... Quit your yapping and get outta the way, before I make you!

How utterly terrifying. As you wish, then...

Boys, I have to be leaving. Entertain our new friends in my stead.

You slippery...!

Rrgh! These guys aren't like the others we've faced!

I wasn't expecting Turles' pawns to give us such a hard time.

Speaking of Turles, where'd he slither off to?

Here's an idea: try pinpointing Bulma's Ki. That should point us in the right direction!

It's no good. Her Ki's so small I can't pick it up.

Plus, the mouth-breathers who made off with her have Ki like all the other thugs scuttling around here.

This is quite the pickle. I say we report in to Beerus.

Wait! I'm sensing something massive right... HERE?!

My, what sharp senses you have. It seems I've been detected.

Who said that?!

I've been observing your altercation from the sidelines. I hope you don't mind?

Holy... F-Frieza?!

Don't tell me you're the one giving orders to these grunts!

S-Seeing you here is a... *gulp* surprise...!

Ah, the Galactic Patrol. Your pitiful organization isn't worth my time.

Your Saiyan friend on the other hand, I find MUCH more interesting.

Pitiful...?!

...Very well. Being that I am extremely allergic to... *ahem* death and injury... I will permit you to speak to Shallot.

Show some spine, Jaco! This is the guy who freaking kidnapped Bulma!

Don't try it, Shallot! You don't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating him.

Grr! I know that from his Ki, all right? You don't have to rub it in!

I take it you're the hooded man that's been building notoriety as of late?

Hooded man?

Rumor has it you left Zarbon and Dodoria's units in a crater of ash.

You're outta your mind!

...

Wait a sec. Is he talking about the doppelganger?

That might look like me, but it's not me.

Surely you are capable of deceptions that are less... paper-thin?

It's no lie! I'm telling you, that scum and I are worlds different!

Whatever the case, my motive remains unchanged...

Payback! For my men!

P-Payback?!

Prepare to die, worm!

Hm. I almost felt that. It seems you really did defeat Zarbon and Dodoria.

(H-His strength's off the scale! This could be the end...)

Get outta here, Jaco!

Huh?

Turn anywhere but here, AND GET TO RUNNING! Or would you rather die too?!

I assure you, no one is running today...

But you can take solace in the fact that before the pain hits... you'll be quite dead.

Grgh...!

What the...

He... missed?

...On purpose. What're you scheming, Frieza?!

It's about time. Well, I deem this rousing little test a success.

Excuse me?

"Shallot" was it? I took the liberty of gauging your power.

So then all that stuff about avenging Zarbon and Dodoria...

A joke, of course. In a tournament such as this, it is only natural the weak should perish.

From what I gather, you've been deprived of your friend's company, yes? Perhaps we can reach some sort of arrangement.

Sorry, I don't follow... on account of YOU'RE the one who took her!

I gave no such order to my Force.

What?!

In fact, as fate would have it, the Force and I are at odds.

Thus, it would be in our mutual interest to work together.

(But can Frieza be trusted?)

I call a huddle!

Oh?

Jaco, what're you...

Saving your Saiyan butt, that's what! This isn't a decision you can make on your own!

You would make an emperor wait? You're either impossibly brave, or hopelessly dim-witted.

We just want some time to mull it over! Pretty please?

Like I said, Jaco! Grow a freakin' spine!

Very well. Given the circumstances, killing a potential subordinate would be a dreadful waste.

Tomorrow morning. Those crags. I trust you will make the right decision...

Lemme get this straight. Bulma gets hauled away by the Frieza Force, and now you're thinking of being all buddy- buddy with their boss?!

This makes absolutely NO sense! Explain again, from the top!

It's like I said! Bulma got kidnapped by the Force. Then, Frieza appeared and things got rough.

Which makes the notion of you helping him even MORE baffling! Argh!

You tangled with Frieza, eh? Not baaad!

Hush, Goku! Now's not the time!

Shallot? Let me do the talking...

*sigh* NOW I get it. Finally. I guess Jaco's good for something after all.

...It's a pity you couldn't be more competent when it came to protecting ONE. DEFENSELESS. GIRL! And that goes for both of you!

E-Eek! Please don't destroy me!

Things were complicated enough as they were!

My lord, perhaps it is best we focus on strategizing instead of lecturing.

I'm well aware of that!

From the Frieza Force's mutiny to Bulma's kidnapping...

...and Frieza's interest in Shallot...

It's all a mystery!

I'll say. Frieza's not the type to ask for help.

Usually, he'd just off the mutineers and be done with it.

The Force is currently a hodge-podge of villains from different eras. That could explain their wavering allegiance.

Furthermore, the Frieza these two met sounded a lot like a tournament participant.

Meaning, he's likely not the Frieza from THIS time.

Even if we factor out Bulma's kidnapping, I can't get a read on Frieza or his Force. The hell're they after?!

Who's after what, which Frieza are we dealing with... Honestly, who cares?

Right now, our number one priority should be saving Bulma!

The kid's got a point. I'll go.

You're not going anywhere.

Huh? Why?!

The Frieza Force is no small organization. Sending Goku to rough them up would be a little too conspicuous.

Whoever's behind all this would know what we're up to in a heartbeat.

Aw, no fair! I wanna fight too, you know?

Then we have no options! Are you saying we just abandon Bulma?!

Of course I'm not! But, like I said... even with Bulma out of the equation, something about this fiasco doesn't add up...

Shallot. I order you to join Frieza.

The hell I will! I'd sooner die than help that crook!

This is a mission, you twit. PRETEND to help him while gathering intel on his motives.

In other words, you want him to spy?

Honestly, I have severe doubts as to whether Shallot can pull off something that... cerebral.

Don't worry. Goku's equally useless in that department.

Uh, that isn't having a positive effect on my worry levels! At all!

You people are over-complicating things! All we need to do is put the boot to the guy who took Bulma!

Try it. You'd be on the wrong end of a Death Ball in a heartbeat. How's that for complications?

You saw Frieza's power first-hand. Think you can fend him off while protecting Bulma?

But you can take solace in the fact that before the pain hits... you'll be quite dead.

Grr...! But Frieza's a bad guy, right? We can't just save Bulma and then let him go on his merry way!

Yeah, Frieza's the worst. To top it off, when he makes trouble, it's on a cosmic scale.

Leaving him be isn't ideal, but then again, you aren't in a position to do anything more. Stick to the mission and save Bulma, that's it.

This is the best we can do without Goku's aid.

Got all that? Good! Now get out there and do your job!

Here's the spot.

Is this really gonna work...?

Don't ask me! This isn't MY plan, remember?

I have no clue why I have to play undercover cop. You're the cop! ...And obviously better at lying!

Why, I never! A master of "strategic communication" is what I'd call it!

Besides, Frieza's on the Galactic Patrol wanted list. There's no way I could pretend to be his friend.

Plus, seeing him almost makes me soil myself! ...Almost!

Ugh, fine! Stop freaking out.

By the way, we're gonna need complete radio silence from here on out. Good luck!

What?! No one told me that!

Keeping an open line would only jeopardize the mission. Jaco out.

So you're just gonna leave me hanging?!

...Hello? The little creep hung up on me!

Well, well! What have we here?

Oh, brother...

Shady-looking fellow, eh? An enemy scout, maybe?

Uh... No?

So you wanna play dumb, huh? Fine by me!

Rgh! The brat's packing some muscle!

Listen to me, you morons! You work for Frieza, right? Well I've got an appointment with him right here!

Again with the lies! Lord Frieza'd never recruit scum like you!

Gaaaah?!

I assure you, my new friend is telling the truth.

L-Lord... Frieza...? But why...?!

What've you done... to one of your own...!

I apologize for my subordinate's brazenness. Come with a good answer, I hope?

You sadistic, heartless...!

This is the best way to save Bulma without Goku's aid.

(Dammit. If I throw down with Frieza, I ruin our chances of saving Bulma. Gotta keep my cool...)

Let's join forces.

A wise decision. I see a beautiful friendship ahead of us!

Now, allow me to explain the game plan moving forward...