Strange New World, That Has Such Creatures In It

All Hfil Breaks Loose Chapter 9

The whole of the Saiyan race stood outside the castle, filling the courtyard, spilling out into the streets and on top of houses, all staring at a single point of light in the sky. Even in the glare of two suns, the asteroid sparkled like a plummeting star.

No one spoke. They saw how fast it was coming, knew how deep it would impact. The city would disappear. The orchards would vaporize. Their castle would collapse like a child's tower made of stones.

From their perch on the castle spire, the royal family watched the asteroid grow in size, eclipsing one of the suns. Half the light blinked out, revealing a fiery red glow around the deadly missile.

"It's too big," Bardock whispered. "Even if we break it apart, the pieces will--"

The king silenced him with a wave of his hand. With a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to ask, all the responsibility he was again laying out, he turned to his son. "Can you do this?"

"What?" Goku shook his head. "You can't be serious, he just gave birth."

"All the more reason why I must," Vegeta said. He stared at the asteroid for a few more seconds, then nodded slowly. "Yes, I can do this. But everyone must remain in the city, to destroy the fragments I leave."

The king glanced at his own mate. "You heard him."

Without a word, Bardock dived from the spire and flew to put the Saiyans in order.

Vegeta hefted Jalen in his arms, adjusting his grip. "Trunks, Goten. You must stay in the air above the city to destroy the largest pieces, but you have to stay behind me, well out of reach. Father, you should do the same."

All three nodded.

"Kakarrot, that goes for you too."

"Vegeta--" Goku frowned, shaking his head.

"Trust me." He lightly touched Goku's arm. "I mustn't be distracted while I do this."

"What about us?" Piccolo asked. "Gohan's in no condition for this."

"I can help." Gohan sat straight in his chair, but a sharp twinge in his abdomen made him sit back. "Okay, maybe not. Why does it hurt so much?"

"We'll look after you once this is over," Vegeta said, stepping closer to them. "For now, you'd better just sit this one out. Blast whatever comes too close." He plopped Jalen into Gohan's lap, gently unwinding the small tail from his wrist. "You stay here too, brat. It's safer."

Looking back and forth between his tezata and Gohan, Jalen grumbled and puffed his tail. He stretched his arms first to Vegeta, and when that didn't get him picked up, he reached to his diira.

"Sorry," Goku said, ruffling his son's hair. "But it's better this way. And we'll be right back, I promise."

One after the other, Vegeta led his family up into the sky, ascending at a normal speed until they were well over the city. With one last look over his shoulder, Vegeta suddenly accelerated, leaving them behind.

The king halted and raised his hand, motioning for the others to stop. Goku stopped a few feet ahead of them, looking back and forth between his mate and the brats.

"Stay here, Kakarrot," the king said. "He knows what he's doing."

Goku didn't answer, but he didn't fly any farther either. He felt sick. His mate had just given birth, had just gotten back on his feet, and no matter how strong he was, Goku had seen him terrified and too weak to protect himself. And now he had to protect a whole planet?

He watched his mate fly along, speeding towards the asteroid. It was so close now that they could see turn white hot as it burned in the atmosphere. Vegeta stopped directly in its path, and with his outline to give the asteroid perspective, everyone began to grasp just how enormous the asteroid truly was. It was less an asteroid and more like a moon had been thrown at them. As it came closer, almost within range, Vegeta began to power up. Goku felt for his mate's ki, and his brow furrowed as it strengthened steadily, rather than bursting out in stages. His hair and ki went from yellow to silver as if his ki burned as hot as the asteroid.