Dragonball 1/2

Chapter 12: Vegeta's Sacrifice

Goku's back pressed against Vegeta's, muscles coiled tight as a spring. Her pink hair bristled, senses on high alert. The air crackled with tension.

"You feel that?" Goku whispered, eyes darting across the shadowy landscape.

Vegeta grunted. "Something's coming. Stay sharp, Kakarot."

A twig snapped. Goku's heart leapt into her throat. This new body, so unfamiliar. So... fragile.

Silence stretched, taut as a bowstring.

Then—chaos.

A blur of motion. Energy blasts erupted from the darkness, searing the air. Goku's instincts kicked in. She leapt, twisting mid-air to avoid the onslaught.

"Vegeta!" she cried, spotting Freeza's scout emerge from the shadows.

The prince was already moving, unleashing a volley of his own. "Focus, Kakarot! Don't let your guard down!"

Goku nodded, dodging another blast. Her heart hammered, each beat a reminder. I'm not who I was. Not as strong. Not as fast.

She gritted her teeth. But I won't give up.

The scout pressed forward, relentless. Goku weaved through the assault, her smaller form an advantage now. But for how long?

"We need a plan!" she shouted to Vegeta.

His eyes met hers, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Even changed, their bond as warriors remained.

"Together," Vegeta growled.

Goku grinned, despite it all. "Just like old times?"

They moved as one, charging towards their foe.

---

Vegeta's fists blurred, a storm of precise strikes raining down on the scout. Each punch crackled with energy, the air sizzling around his knuckles. His face twisted in a snarl of concentration.

"Kakarot!" he barked, never taking his eyes off the enemy. "Don't let this new form cloud your judgment! You're still a Saiyan warrior!"

Goku stumbled, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat plastered her pink hair to her forehead. Every muscle screamed in protest.

"I'm... trying," she panted, willing her legs to stop shaking. This body felt like a stranger's, alien and weak. But deep down, that familiar fire still burned.

Vegeta growled, deflecting a vicious counterattack from the scout. "Then try harder! I won't let you disgrace our race by falling here!"

The harshness in his voice cut through Goku's fog of pain. She straightened, clenching her fists.

I can't let him down. Can't let any of them down.

"Right," Goku muttered, steeling herself. "No more excuses."

She lunged forward, ignoring the protest of her aching limbs. The old Goku might have been stronger, but this one... this one had something to prove.

"Hey ugly!" she shouted at the scout. "Let's see what you've really got!"

---

The scout's eyes narrowed, a sinister grin stretching across its alien features. In a flash, it vanished, reappearing behind Goku.

"Kakarot, behind you!" Vegeta roared.

Goku spun, but too slow. The scout's hand crackled with pulsing energy, aimed squarely at her chest.

No time to dodge. Goku's heart hammered. This body... it's not fast enough!

The beam erupted, a blinding torrent of power. Goku crossed her arms, bracing for impact. Her muscles tensed, but she felt... hollow. The strength she'd always relied on wasn't there.