Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen One ❯ Chapter Forty-One ( Chapter 41 )

The Chosen One

Chapter Forty-One

A soft "Thump" could be felt as the ship touched down on the surface of Roxia. Gohan and friends could look out and see the surface of the Roxian planet for the first time.

"It's . . . dark," Gohan commented. The sky around them was pitch-black, yet the sun was out. The sun, however, was very hard to notice, considering the cloud cover around the planet. It seemed here that lightning bolts flashing across the sky were commonplace. The landscape was barren wasteland as far as the eye could see. However, in the distance, they could see a towering figure.

"Vanity, thy name is Rekhas," Android 18 remarked. "Building a castle is one thing, but it's something completely different to build a castle visible from space."

"Not to mention absolutely stupid," Raditz added. "If someone were to target the planet, they'd know exactly where to attack."

"Well, in a sense, that's what is about to happen," Gohan said. "Remember the reward I was promised back on Quarr? I requested a division of Quarran starships to be ready to attack the planet itself once we give the signal."

"You guys, I did notice something when we came down here," Piccolo said. "Don't you find it odd that there's no security? It's almost as if they want us to make it to Rekhas."

"Yeah, I do find that odd," Gohan concurred. "Still, we should be on our guard. We'd best take everybody, just to be safe." He then looked at Bulma and Sephra. "Except for you two. I want you to stay in the ship."

"Hey, Gohan," Krillin remarked, "since when have you been Patton?"

"Well, I'm the one with Testament, right?" Gohan answered. "I feel as if I am the one in charge here. Does anyone object?" Everyone, including Vegeta, remained silent. "All right, then, let's go!" Just then, there was a knock on the hatch. Bulma opened the hatch and two Roxians walked in. One of them looked at Gohan.

"Just as Lord Rekhas said. The boy has Asok's Bane. All of you, come with us. Not one person stays behind. Lord Rekhas, your demise, awaits."

-41-

The two Roxians escorted Gohan and his companions into a gigantic room. On one end was an enormous throne. A lone Roxian went into the air and floated over to his company. He wore pitch-black body armor, with a blood-red cape flowing behind him. He landed in front of Gohan.

"Thank you, men," he said. "Leave us." The two Roxians saluted and left.

"Descendant of Lucius, and his friends, welcome to my home. I am Rekhas, supreme emperor over all of Roxia, and soon, the universe. Here you will meet your final destiny.

"But first, I would like to address some of you personally. The Namekian named Piccolo, step forward." Piccolo reluctantly obliged. The shorter Rekhas walked around him. "Namekian born of darkness. You have stooped so low as to unite with your light. You once tried to conquer the world. Now you fight to protect its people. Had you not chosen this path, you would not have to die today."

"Since the beginning, I have never been one to flee from a battle," Piccolo said. "I admit, I once fought to conquer the Earth, and I was overjoyed at the chance to finally kill my nemesis. But I trained with Gohan for a year. He taught me what it meant to have a friend. I now give you the same answer I once gave Dr. Gero: You know, I was once like you. But then I realized that the more I hurt people, the more harm you do to yourself."

Rekhas frowned at Piccolo's answer. "I have nothing more to say to you. Now, my fellow member of royalty, King Vegeta XV, step forward." Vegeta scowled and took a step forward. Rekhas chuckled. "You know, it's funny. You had everything you had wanted under Frieza, yet you hated him. You once aspired to be immortal. You were once the greatest Saiyan in the universe. Now, there are Saiyans who have been more powerful than you. Yet, you collaborate with them. Have you forgotten your dream?"

"No, I have not," Vegeta responded. "But I've learned that there are things that are more important. You see, since arriving on Earth, I've found out what it means to live. You see, I have a son now. I would give my life to see him safe. In the past, I would think that family and friends make one weak. I've learned that these things make you strong. They give you a reason to fight and to give your life. That's why Kakarot was able to defeat me when we first met all those years ago."

Rekhas walked up to Android 17. "One of Dr. Gero's creations," Rekhas said. "You have disobeyed your master. What's worse, you killed him. You only cared about what would let you have fun. The only person you ever showed any concern about was your sister. Now, you, too, are fighting to protect."

"I've found there are things worth protecting," Android 17 responded. "People can be as fun as games. Sharing fun with someone else makes it grow. Gohan has taught me that. During the past few months we've spent together, I've grown attached to the boy. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. Besides, it's hard to have fun when you're dead."

"The convictions of each and every one of these people here cannot be uprooted," Piccolo said. "You're wasting your time, Rekhas."

Rekhas glared at Piccolo. "Very well. I was hoping to send some of you packing, or better yet, join me, but I see that what you say is true. Such a shame, really. All of this fighting talent going to waste. Oh, well." Rekhas jumped backwards to put some distance between himself and his opponents. Then, he snapped his fingers. Several hidden panels flipped forward and light shined forth. Instantly, Gohan, Vegeta, Raditz, Trunks, Broly, and Ayn doubled over, suddenly sick to their stomachs.

"Damn you!" Piccolo exclaimed. "Using radiation to cripple the Saiyans? You coward!"

"Oh, that's not the real reason I turned on the radiation," Rekhas said. "Sure, it's a nice side effect, but that's not it. You see, Roxians benefit from radiation. It makes us stronger. This is what we will have when I succeed!"

"What do you mean?" Android 17 demanded.

"Surely you've noticed the tanks of krypton scattered throughout Roxian interest areas," Rekhas said. "I'm sure you also know about our inherent weakness to the gas. Why then, would we want a gas that cripples us? The answer is simple. On Roxia, we have perfected nuclear fission, just like you have on Earth. We put the krypton through a series of fissions. When all is said and done, we end up with oxygen gas and water. Because of the fission process, however, the oxygen and the water are radioactive. This will turn every planet with a krypton supply into a treasure trove of forbidden fruit for us!"

"Well, unfortunately for you, your plans will never come to pass!" Tien said. "You're going down, here and now!"

"Well, you certainly seem anxious," Rekhas observed. "Then you go first. You will go against me, one-on-one. And to ensure that no one else interferes-" a giant dome of energy appeared - "I'll set up this energy dome! Not one of you has the power to get through it!"

"TIEN!!" Krillin yelled.

"I don't believe this!" Yamcha exclaimed.

On King Kai's lookout, Goku and King Kai were watching. Both were visibly shaken. "No! There's no way Tien can win!" Goku exclaimed. "He's done for!"

Tien showed no emotion as he stood facing Rekhas. Perfectly calm, he pulled out a lance from his belt. "I know for a fact that Roxians can't survive a cut made by iron," he said. "All I have to do is cut your skin with this, even if it's a pinprick. Then, I win." With that, he charged forward. Rekhas jumped up and hit Tien with all four of his fists in his back. Tien fell to the ground, paralyzed from the incredible force behind the blow.

Rekhas floated into the air. He then held all four arms out in front of his face. A gigantic energy blast surged forward and engulfed Tien. When the smoke cleared, Tien was nowhere to be found. He had been destroyed by the energy blast.

"AAAAHHHH!" King Kai screamed. "It can't be!"

"TIEN!!! NOOO!!!" Yamcha cried. He then charged forward.

"YAMCHA, NO!!" Piccolo yelled, but it was too late. The energy dome had closed as soon as Yamcha entered the proximity of the dome. Yamcha continued to charge, but right before he reached Rekhas, he disappeared. He reappeared right behind Rekhas and yelled, "WOLF FANG FIST!!!"

Rekhas spun around and grabbed Yamcha's wrist. He then flung Yamcha into the dome, and followed up with an energy blast. Once again, the energy blast destroyed him.

Piccolo clenched his teeth and balled his fists in fury. "Monster!!"

Krillin could barely contain his anger. He was just about to jump forward when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Android 18.

"Don't do it, Krillin," Android 18 said. "You'll only end up like them."

Rekhas chuckled. "Hmm, no more volunteers? Oh, well, I guess I'll have to pick my next victim." The energy dome seemed to surge forward and grabbed Krillin. He had no choice now.

Krillin held his hand palm up in the air. Energy seemed to gather in a circular pattern. "Destructo Disc!" The attack flew forward and straight at Rekhas. He held up an arm and let the disc hit it. The disc fractured into many pieces. Krillin then pulled out his twin daggers and flew forward. He leaped up into the air and threw one dagger down, but Rekhas dodged it. He grabbed Krillin by the leg and threw him into the ground. He then let loose with another energy blast that engulfed Krillin.

Android 17 gritted his teeth, watching in anger. This is unbelievable! Not one of them had a chance! He's picking on us like a bully!

"YOU MONSTER!!" Android 18 screamed. Android 17 turned toward her.

"Eighteen, NO!" Android 17 shouted. "Don't do it!!" Nevertheless, Android 18 flew forward to challenge Rekhas.

Android 17 watched on, fearing for his sister. Seeing as Rekhas had destroyed three of their friends so far without breaking a sweat, he did not expect him to have much trouble with Android 18. However, now he could only watch on.