Chapter 9: Fear has MANY Forms

The dust had barely settled from the fierce exchange when Rykon's voice broke through the tense air, fiery and unyielding. How dare you cut me off? his thoughts roared like a storm within. I've waited years for this moment... and I will make you pay.

He stepped forward, eyes blazing with the legacy of his bloodline—the son of Bardock and Gine, the proud heir to a warrior's wrath. "I am Rykon, and I will destroy you."

A cruel laugh echoed through the scorched landscape. Frieza's cold amusement chilled the very air. "Bardock... your father?" The name dripped with scorn, "That filthy monkey deserved no mercy. He came at me with nothing but blind rage. If only you had seen the despair in his eyes the moment hope died..." The cackle that followed was dark and twisted, until a sudden, sharp impact silenced him. Rykon's fist met Frieza's face with devastating force, sending the tyrant crashing into a jagged cliffside.

Frieza staggered but quickly recovered, a sinister grin curling on his lips as a violet aura exploded around him. The ground beneath their feet trembled with his growing fury. "No one has ever dared mock me like this. You've stolen my immortality wish and struck me down like an insect. Now, you'll pay... and pay dearly."

The malevolent glow intensified, turning the very air electric with menace. "You worms will suffer a death long and agonizing. None of you will escape my wrath. Prepare to descend into hell."

Rykon's mind raced, heart pounding.

Gohan's voice trembled beside him, "W-we're doomed…"

Krillin's eyes widened, disbelief etched into his features. "What kind of power level is this?! There's no way we can beat something like this! Rykon... maybe you need Goku's help."

"No." Rykon's voice was steady, burning with resolve. "Kakarot's had his battles. Now, it's my turn."

Gohan's worry deepened. "This is bad... really bad."

Krillin's urgency cracked the tension, "This calls for teamwork!"

Vegeta, however, scoffed coldly. "Give it up, bald man. When a Saiyan wants a one-on-one fight, nothing changes their mind. They'd rather fall alone than team up with Kakarot. That's just who we are."

Frieza's cruel smile widened. "Did you really think four insignificant ants could slay a dinosaur? Now you want to fight me alone? I will never understand you monkeys."

Vegeta stepped forward, voice fierce and unwavering. "We can beat you. Rykon trained harder than anyone to get here. If he falls, at least he'll weaken you enough for the three of us to have a chance. And if that's not enough, there's another Saiyan—Kakarot—almost as strong as Rykon. He's on his way."

Frieza's gaze was sharp, cold as ice. His grin twisted sinisterly as he locked eyes with Vegeta.

"And I'm getting closer to becoming your worst nightmare," Vegeta spat, voice filled with burning pride, "A Super Saiyan."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Frieza laughed—a low, unsettling sound. "A myth," he sneered. "You are no Super Saiyan."

The dismissive tone might have frightened others, but Rykon felt only a surge of defiance. Vegeta's confidence was contagious.

"No myth," Vegeta snapped back. "I'm strong enough to take on your freakish transformation."

Rykon's brow furrowed. "Transformation? Vegeta... what are you talking about?"

Krillin leaned in, eyes wide. "Yeah, explain."

Vegeta's voice dropped, serious and calm. "Some warriors can transform to camouflage or conserve energy. It's rare, but powerful."

Rykon almost laughed in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding."

But Vegeta's gaze held iron. "I'm serious."

Frieza's eyes darkened. "My transformation serves another purpose."

Rykon's pulse quickened. "What purpose?"

Frieza's smirk was merciless. "My power is so great, I struggle to contain it."

Krillin gasped. Vegeta scoffed, calling it a bluff.

Frieza's voice sharpened. "When I took over Planet Vegeta, I didn't need to transform to crush you simian barbarians. Not your king. Not Bardock."

The sting of those words cut deep. Not even my father, Rykon's heart whispered bitterly. But it only fueled the fire inside.

"Power doesn't mean everything," Rykon growled, stepping forward. "My strength now far exceeds his. Shut up—and fight me!"

The battlefield erupted.

Frieza's power level: 530,000.

Krillin and Gohan's shock was audible. Vegeta's frustration was palpable.

The fight began. Their energies collided in a storm of light and shadow—Frieza's violet aura mingling with Rykon's pure white, merging into a fierce lavender blaze.

"Am I really matching him?" Rykon's mind screamed. Did I grow this strong after Ginyu? The doubt and hope clashed inside him.

Vegeta's voice cut through the chaos. "They're evenly matched!"

Krillin's disbelief echoed. "No way..."

Gohan clung to hope. "Uncle Rykon can win this!"

Frieza roared, ferocious and wild. The earth cracked beneath them as power exploded in every punch.

Rykon unleashed a blast from his mouth, forcing Frieza to release his grip—and his scouter shattered into sparks.

"You're impressive for a simple monkey," Frieza sneered, pain flashing across his features.

"And you're not bad for a lizard," Rykon shot back, a fierce grin blazing.

Frieza retaliated with a flurry of death beams, cloaking the area in smoke. But Rykon strode through, unfazed.

"Your strength... it's less than I thought. I'll make you eat your lies about my father and my people."

Suddenly, Rykon appeared before Frieza, fingers crackling with energy. "Eat this instead! Prime Blast!"

The blast hit. The tyrant screamed in pain, clutching his chest as his aura flickered.

Vegeta's breath hitched. "No way... he killed him in an instant!"

Krillin's voice trembled. "He did it!"

Gohan's eyes shone with admiration. "Great job, Uncle Rykon!"

But the victory was short-lived.

Frieza chuckled darkly, rising with unbroken menace. "Did you really think a mere blast would kill me? Foolish Saiyan. You've only angered me."

Vegeta stepped forward, voice cold and commanding. "Show us your true power, Frieza."

A sinister smile crept across the tyrant's face. "You asked for it."

In a blinding flash, Frieza shed his armor. His body glowed with a radiant purple energy that pulsed like a heartbeat, growing, expanding—larger—until the ground trembled beneath his feet.

The scream that escaped his lips was primal and terrifying.

Vegeta's face twisted in concentration. "He's changing..."

Rykon's breath caught. "This power... it's incredible."

Krillin swallowed hard. "Scary."

Gohan's voice trembled, "This isn't good..."

The transformation ended. Frieza now towered, a monstrous figure bathed in deep purple light.

"Careful," his voice was deeper, haunting. "This is no longer a game. I won't be gentle."

The overwhelming energy surged—power level soaring past 1 million.

Rykon barely managed to shout, "Everyone get down!"

The blast that followed shattered the island, debris flying like deadly rain.

Krillin clutched Dende tightly, shielding the little Namekian from harm.

Frieza taunted Vegeta, his voice laced with venom. "You asked for this! Scared now, Prince?"

Vegeta's jaw clenched. "Damn you, Frieza..."

The tyrant grinned wickedly, his gaze flicking around the battered group. "Who shall I send to hell first? Eeny, Meeny, Miny... YOU!"

He lunged at Krillin with terrifying speed.

"Krillin—LOOK OUT!" Rykon yelled.

But Krillin's instincts were faster. He tossed Dende aside, only to be skewered by Frieza's massive horn.

Blood spilled like a cruel waterfall, and Gohan's scream shattered the air.

"KRILLIN!"

Rykon's voice trembled with rage. "Monster."

Vegeta roared, furious beyond measure. "Charge! Hit him with everything!"

They unleashed a storm of blows, but Frieza's defense was unyielding.

Gohan fought desperately, each strike fueled by grief. His energy flared like a beacon.

Vegeta observed carefully. "Whenever Gohan loses his temper, his power skyrockets."

Rykon nodded. "Yeah... but will it be enough?"

Frieza sneered, sending Gohan flying. Rykon caught him, voice steady, "You did well."

Frieza's laughter was chilling. "That scratch hurt, brat. But you're no match. All you've done is make me angry."

Meanwhile, far above...

Piccolo's keen senses flared. The surge of energy was undeniable.

Descending rapidly, he found a Namekian beaten and bruised.

"You're the one they called?" Nail rasped.

Piccolo's eyes hardened. "I'm here to fight, not talk."

Nail seized the moment. "Fuse with me. It's our only chance. Your power will multiply."

Piccolo hesitated, but hope burned fierce. With a determined nod, he placed his hand on Nail's chest.

A brilliant blue light enveloped them. When it faded, only Piccolo remained—breathtakingly stronger.

This power... it's unreal.

"I'm coming, Gohan," he whispered, flying toward the battlefield. "Nothing will stop me now."

Back on the ground, Frieza's assault was relentless. Rykon struggled under the onslaught.

Frieza's cruel grin widened as he slammed Gohan to the earth with his tail, stomping mercilessly.

Vegeta's heart thundered. Where is Kakarot?

Suddenly—a flash of light.

Krillin's Destructo Disc sliced through the air, severing Frieza's tail.

"How dare you survive!" Frieza snarled, blinded momentarily by Krillin's Solar Flare.

"Vegeta! Now's your chance!" Krillin shouted.

Vegeta turned—just in time to see Dende healing the wounded.

Rykon felt a surge within him—a new strength, a blazing power fueled by Saiyan resilience.

"Thank you, Dende," Rykon said, breathless but fierce. "Gohan, are you okay?"

Gohan smiled weakly. "Thanks to you both."

Vegeta's mind reeled. That little green brat has power I never imagined. Rykon... his energy outshines even Frieza's.

Krillin snapped him from his thoughts. "What are you waiting for?!"

Vegeta's cold eyes burned. "Time to end this."

With renewed determination, they charged.

Frieza's rage erupted, but so did the warriors' will to fight.

The battle for survival, for vengeance, and for the future raged on—each heart beating in defiance of fear.

This was just the beginning.

POWER STONE!!!? 

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