Bringer of Death

Frieza Saga - Part 12: Reparation

Frieza Saga - Part 12: Reparation 

Vegeta stared down at the severed head which rolled onto the ground a few feet before him. It was all that remained of the tyrant who had ruled over him and over most of the known galaxy. The skin was twisted and burned, testifying to the pain that Vegeta's Galic Flash had inflicted. His neck had been ripped from his body roughly, the spine protruding as the torn tissue continued to leak blood. The purple pool was seeping slowly into the dirt on the surface of the planet. Most striking of all was that the cold, narrow eyes, so often filled with untempered rage and cruelty, were utterly lifeless. Yet the lifeless eyes still betrayed the smug sadism that had defined Frieza until the very end. With his dying breath, he had stolen Vegeta's sense of victory. 

The prince was deep in thought, and despite Frieza's death there was still great tension on the battlefield. The dark sky above was menacing and black, except for the horizon, and seemed to outwardly display the storm raging between the two Saiyans. At first it seemed that Vegeta was causing the vicious lightning as well as the canopy of shadows above, but the darkness slowly began to fade away, revealing the calm green skies of Namek once again. Goku watched silently from where he knelt beside the unconscious Gohan; the weather was the least of his concerns. He knew quite well what Frieza had just whispered to the Super Saiyan. 

"This is what I was afraid of," Goku thought."I expect he's gonna be pretty steamed at me for what happened, and for not telling him the truth. I don't really blame him, though; it is my fault." 

"The old legends say that Super Saiyans are known for their unquenchable rage and thirst for battle." Vegeta, his back still turned to Goku, spoke coldly. "How foolish, then, is it to provoke the wrath of such a being? What were you thinking, Kakarott? Tell me the truth!" Vegeta ignited his energy, raising his voice to add emphasis to the golden flames that erupted around him. 

Goku was experiencing a unique moment in his life. He had been in rough situations before - tight spots that seemed hopeless. But he had always found a way to survive, usually finding the solution right at the last possible second. This time it was different. His mind was racing, but it kept telling him to accept responsibility. It was the right thing to do, after all, and Goku certainly would rather have Vegeta take his anger out on him than on anyone else. 

"It's true, Vegeta. I allowed Frieza to survive. I caused your Super Galic Flash to detonate early." Goku spoke the words in a sober and apologetic tone, recognizing that his actions had cost Vegeta his life. 

"You did, Kakarott!" Vegeta angrily yelled. "You interfered in the most important battle of my entire life, right at the most critical moment, causing my perfect victory to be ripped from my hands! It sounded to me like you were admitting that after all I did to help you and protect your son, you paid me back with betrayal! So, did you? Did you, Kakarott!" 

Goku was silent for a moment. He knew Vegeta didn't want to hear an excuse, no matter how valid. He pondered what to say, knowing that his next choice of words might directly determine the length of his life. 

"Vegeta, I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to interfere. I didn't trust you to control your attack, and I wanted to try to save the planet. I was wrong." Goku dropped his head in submission, though the prince's back was still turned. 

Vegeta seemed to be considering the words Goku spoke as he stared off across the landscape. He was unmoving, his fingers twitching with indecision about whether or not to turn around and obliterate his fellow Saiyan. Goku desperately wished that he could see what was going on inside the Super Saiyan's head, but all he could do was trust and hope that Vegeta would show the same mercy that the Z Fighters had shown him time and time again. Seconds seemed like centuries as the tension grew.