Bringer of Death

Tournament Saga - Part 4: Intimidation

Tournament Saga - Part 4: Intimidation

"What...what is this?"

Vegeta had never felt a knot in the pit of his stomach like this one. The energy he was sensing, it wasn't just something he could detect. He could feel it traveling all the way down his spine, causing his toes to quiver. It was horrifying.

At first, he had thought Broly was somehow using the bulked-up ultra form, but he had quickly recognized that this was entirely different. His opponent had not only grown broader, but taller; he now completely towered over the prince. And the energy, that green aura, felt completely different. There was no mistaking it; this Broly was the Legendary Super Saiyan. There was just no other explanation. "The strongest Sayan alive..." muttered Vegeta, his jaw still agape. "Without question." The prince's stomach was twisted as he continued to stare in awe and horror.

In just a few moments, Vegeta's worst fears, so long suppressed, had suddenly been brought back to life. All his life, he had been plagued by doubt that perhaps the legend of the Super Saiyan was not his to fulfill. For a time, his victory against Frieza and later against Cooler had assuaged those fears, but the battle with Cold renewed them.

Not only had Cold been more than a match for him—the supposed strongest warrior in the universe—but both Kakarott and Trunks had also revealed they could transform into Super Saiyans. That single moment had been one of the most heinous blows the prince of Saiyans had ever received to his pride. It undermined everything he had ever believed in, it struck where it hurt most of all. The legends said that a Super Saiyan was THE strongest in the universe. So how could there be more than one? They couldn't all be the strongest in the universe; the legend had to be mis-interpreted somehow.

Now, despite how strong he had become, he knew he wasn't the strongest. Even if he had surpassed Kakarott and the others, this warrior before him was stronger still.

Broly fit the description perfectly. Legend said the Super Saiyans of the past had great difficulty controlling their own power...something that fit perfectly with the way Broly hadn't been able to awaken his inner strength until after the intense beating and great emotional turmoil. Moreover, his power felt like nothing Vegeta had ever experienced. It was superior, transcendently so, and the prince knew it was far beyond his own maximum.

"He's...the strongest warrior to have ever lived," Vegeta mumbled, tightening his fist. He was shocked, angry, and afraid all at once. He hadn't felt fear like this, not in a very long time. The last time had been when Frieza had kidnapped him, threatening to kill his father if he didn't obey the tyrant's every order. But though the young prince had followed every command, hardening his mind and wiping out billions without remorse or regret, Frieza had killed King Vegeta anyway.

This fear, this powerlessness...it all came rushing back.

But he kept his fear hidden. He had no thought for the audience watching his every move—no, he hid his fear because he still had his pride. Despite his terror, he could not give up; he could not show weakness.

The sight of the Legendary Super Saiyan was uniquely terrifying to him; he had always believed the legends. Maintaining his composure was torturous. If he'd had no knowledge of the legends, no respect for the depths of power they foretold, perhaps he could rush in with abandon...but he knew all too well what he was facing. Facing certain death did not frighten him, but death at the hands of the legend he had so long aspired to...well, that chilled him to the bone. It would be the abandonment and complete annihilation of his pride, the knowledge that Broly would trample everything he held dear.

"NO!" Vegeta roared, his eyes clenched shut. He looked deep inside himself, searching for the resolve he knew was in there. "I will not be silenced!" His eyes opened, and his golden aura flared up brightly. "The prince of all Saiyans...will not be humiliated!"