Chapter 4: Great Ape Festival, End of Saiyan Saga

The sky trembled as Goku's cry echoed across the battlefield.

"KA...ME...HA...ME...HAAAA!!!"

Vegeta stood tall on a crumbling plateau, arms outstretched, charging his devastating Galick Gun.

"THIS IS THE END OF YOUR MISERABLE LITTLE PLANET! GALICK GUN!!!"

The beams collided, tearing the skies open in a cataclysmic shockwave of violet and blue. Rocks lifted from the ground, suspended in the violent pressure of two Saiyan titans clashing.

Above them, Rykon soared into position, the distraction working perfectly.

Now's my chance.

With a fierce cry, he hurled his Prime Blast at Vegeta's blindside. The prince barely had time to register the attack before it exploded on impact. Weakened from the earlier battle, Vegeta faltered.

Goku roared with final strength, pushing his Kamehameha to its limits. The beam overwhelmed Vegeta's attack and launched him high into the stratosphere.

Rykon landed beside his younger brother, who was panting, every muscle straining.

"You did it, Kakarot... I can't believe you stood your ground against Prince Vegeta. Even I never managed that."

Goku grimaced. "It's not over... I can still sense him."

Rykon narrowed his eyes. "Tch... That bastard just doesn't know when to quit."

Moments later, a tremendous pressure returned. Vegeta landed heavily before them, bruised but not broken.

"I've had enough of this! No more humiliation at the hands of low-class trash!"

"Oh please," Rykon smirked. "Titles don't mean anything if you can't back them up."

Vegeta chuckled darkly. "Fine, if titles are meaningless, then allow me to call you both something more fitting... Fools."

His eyes locked on Goku's waist—no tail. He laughed louder now, wild and maniacal. From his palm, he hurled a glowing white orb skyward. The moment it ignited, the battlefield was bathed in the ominous light of a false moon.

Rykon's heart skipped.

No... That's a Blutz Wave Ball! If I look too long, I'll transform too. But I can't control it...!

Before the transformation could begin, Rykon dashed upward and shattered the orb with a punch.

"Did you think I wouldn't recognize that trick, Vegeta?"

Vegeta cursed silently. "Damn it!"

But then—

"BURST OPEN AND MIX!"

Another voice rang out. The injured, staggering figure of Nappa stood tall, pointing to the sky.

Rykon turned. "Oh no... I forgot about the bald one."

As the new Power Ball illuminated the land, Vegeta and Nappa began to transform.

Goku watched in horror. "What's happening?!"

"Blutz Waves," Rykon growled. "They trigger a Saiyan's transformation into their primal form."

Goku blinked. "The... moon? Oh man, I did hit my head as a kid..."

The ground shook as Vegeta and Nappa completed their transformation. Towering apes with crimson eyes stood before them, snarling with primal fury.

"Great Apes..." Rykon muttered. "Ten times our base power."

Goku took a step back. "The only way I could match that would be Kaio-Ken x10... but my body would rip apart."

"Please don't even try that, idiot."

Vegeta grinned through sharp fangs. "Now you see true Saiyan power."

The two giant apes roared. Rykon steeled himself, raising his fists.

"Come on, Nappa!"

The battle resumed in chaos. Nappa swiped at Rykon, but the younger Saiyan weaved through the giant hands, finally grabbing the ape's tail and swinging him down with brutal force. A volley of ki blasts struck Nappa's back, forcing him to the ground.

Rykon didn't stop. He summoned a blade of energy, slicing Nappa's tail clean off.

"You're finished."

A blade pierced Nappa's chest. His roar turned to a gasp. Then silence.

Vegeta watched coldly. "Hmph. Worthless fool."

Rykon returned to Goku.

"The weak one's down."

Goku nodded. "Good. Now for the hard part. I have one move left... The Spirit Bomb. But I need time."

Rykon flew forward to distract Vegeta. Goku raised his arms to the sky.

"Rivers, trees, living things... lend me your strength!"

Vegeta battered Rykon aside, bolting for Goku. But a flash of light struck his eye. Rykon grinned, smoke rising from his palm.

"Gotcha."

Vegeta snarled and charged again. Rykon followed.

"Keep your eye on the ball!"

His blade slashed Vegeta's back. He lunged for the tail, but the prince dodged.

"I'm not as foolish as Nappa!"

Suddenly, Goku yelled, "RYKON, COVER YOUR EYES!"

What?! Now?! But instinct took over.

"SOLAR FLARE!!"

Light exploded in all directions. Vegeta screamed.

"MY EYES!"

Perfect.

"PRIME BLAST!"

The attack hit—but as the light faded, Vegeta emerged nearly unscathed.

"Nice try, but weak blasts won't stop me."

He crushed Rykon in a massive fist, then hurled him into the ground.

Goku screamed, "SPIRIT BOMB—NOW!!"

The shining orb of nature's power sailed through the air—but Vegeta opened his mouth.

"GALICK GUN!!!"

The beams collided—and the Spirit Bomb evaporated.

Vegeta grabbed Goku, squeezing the life from him. Goku's scream echoed into the horizon.

From afar, Gohan and Krillin heard the cry.

"We have to help them!"

They took flight.

Meanwhile, Rykon groaned, unable to move. He stared into the Blutz Wave. His muscles twitched. His vision turned red.

No... No, I can't lose control!

Goku strained to speak. "His... tail... wasn't cut off..."

Vegeta turned, eyes wide. "WHAT?!"

Too late.

Rykon roared.

Bones snapped. Muscles swelled. Fur erupted. The ground cracked beneath the expanding shadow.

A Great Ape.

Rykon.

Vegeta rushed to stop it, stomping on his chest, but the transformation was complete.

Rykon grabbed Vegeta by the face and slammed him into the earth.

A wild beam shot toward Goku.

"WAAAH!" Yajirobe appeared just in time, shoving Goku aside.

"You owe me pizza after this!"

"Deal!"

Meanwhile, Rykon seized Vegeta's tail.

"NO! CURSE YOU!"

He ripped it free. The prince shrank back to normal.

But the rampaging ape didn't stop.

"He's out of control!" Yajirobe warned. "Cut off his tail!"

Gohan hesitated. "No... There's another way."

He raised his hands.

"MASENKO HAAAAA!!!"

The beam struck the Blutz Wave, destroying it. Slowly, Rykon reverted.

Nearby, Vegeta collapsed.

Krillin drew Yajirobe's sword. "Time to finish this."

But Goku groaned. "No... Krillin. Don't."

Krillin trembled. "You can't be serious. After everything..."

"Let him go."

Vegeta crawled to his pod. "Not sorry! Byeeee!"

The pod soared into the sky.

Victory was theirs. Barely.

Rykon stood apart, fists clenched.

Next time... I won't need anyone's help.

He vanished into the sky, ready to train alone, his heart still burning with the fire of Saiyan pride.