The battlefield trembled as Vegeta's massive body stirred. The Great Ape's growl shook the ground, echoing across the broken plains. His breaths were ragged, his chest rising and falling with fury. Despite Piccolo's piercing Special Beam Cannon tearing through his back, despite the relentless strikes hammering his body, Vegeta's Saiyan pride refused to let him remain down.
Krillin and Yamcha stood side by side, panting hard, sweat dripping down their faces. They had pressed their assault mercilessly, each attack meant to keep the monstrous Saiyan pinned.
"Don't let him get up!" Piccolo shouted sharply, his voice echoing across the battlefield. His green skin glistened with sweat, but his eyes were cold and determined. "If he rises, it's over for us!"
Krillin clenched his teeth. His hands were trembling, not from fear, but from exhaustion. He threw another Destructo Disc, targeting Vegeta's injured shoulder. The blade of energy ripped through the air, grazing the wound and drawing another roar from the giant ape.
Yamcha leapt into the air, charging a Kamehameha with all his strength. "We won't give you the chance!" he yelled, unleashing the blue wave against Vegeta's chest.
The ape staggered back, slammed against the rocky cliffs, dust and rubble raining down. For a moment, it seemed as though their combined efforts might be enough. For a moment, the impossible seemed within reach.
But Vegeta was not finished.
His roar erupted louder than thunder, filled with unyielding rage. Slowly, painfully, the Great Ape pushed himself up, his massive hands crushing boulders as he regained balance. His tail whipped behind him, curling like a serpent ready to strike.
"No...!" Krillin gasped, eyes widening in horror.
Piccolo snarled, his antennae twitching. "He's still got fight left!"
Vegeta's crimson eyes glowed like burning coals. He looked down at the tiny warriors clawing desperately at him. To him, they were gnats—persistent, biting, but ultimately insignificant. The Prince of all Saiyans would not be humiliated by insects.
He slammed his fist into the ground. The shockwave blasted outward, throwing Krillin and Yamcha off their feet. Dust and dirt filled the air, blinding them.
Yamcha coughed, trying to regain his footing. He sensed the movement before he could see it—the shadow of Vegeta's enormous hand descending like a mountain.
"YAMCHA, MOVE!" Krillin screamed, his voice breaking.
But Yamcha was a second too slow.
The Great Ape's hand crashed down. The earth cracked beneath the impact, an explosion of stone and dirt shooting into the sky. When the dust cleared, Yamcha was caught beneath Vegeta's massive palm, his body crushed under the overwhelming force.
"NOOO!" Krillin's cry split the air.
Piccolo's eyes widened, his jaw tightening. Even he hadn't expected Vegeta to recover so explosively.
Yamcha struggled briefly, his ki flickering. Blood spilled from his lips as he tried to raise his head. His eyes met Krillin's for just a moment. A faint smile touched his face.
"Tell... tell Puar... I'm sorry..."
The words barely left his mouth before Vegeta's grip tightened, and Yamcha's body went limp.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Krillin's heart stopped. His chest ached with grief and fury. "You... you monster!" He launched himself forward recklessly, firing a barrage of energy blasts at Vegeta's face. But the Great Ape swatted them aside, unimpressed.
Piccolo grabbed Krillin by the shoulder, pulling him back before Vegeta's tail swept across the ground, leveling everything in its path. "Calm down! Don't let anger blind you. We can't throw ourselves away like fools!"
"But Yamcha... he—he's dead!" Krillin's voice cracked. His fists shook violently, tears burning his eyes.
Piccolo's gaze hardened. "Then make his death mean something. If we lose control now, all of us die, and Earth falls with us."
Above them, Vegeta raised his head to the sky and unleashed a victorious roar, a declaration of dominance. The sound shook mountains, carrying his fury across the land.
From the sidelines, Goku's eyes widened in horror. His body trembled as he forced himself to stay focused, his arms still raised, gathering energy for the Spirit Bomb. He had felt Yamcha's ki vanish in an instant.
"Damn it... Yamcha..." Goku whispered, his voice filled with sorrow. His teeth clenched, his eyes glistening. But he couldn't stop. He couldn't falter now.
Rudra, seated in meditation further away, felt the sudden void where Yamcha's energy had been. His chest tightened painfully, but he drew in a slow breath, steadying his mind. I can't afford to break... not now... Goku needs me calm.
Krillin glared at Vegeta, his body trembling with rage and despair. "We'll make you pay for this... I swear it..."
Vegeta, towering above them, only smirked. His massive lips curled back, revealing sharp fangs. His voice thundered, deep and menacing.
"You insects think you can defy me? I am Prince Vegeta! Yamcha's death is only the beginning. One by one, you'll all fall... until nothing remains of your pathetic resistance!"
The battlefield grew heavier, darker, as Vegeta's killing intent spread like a suffocating fog.
The tide of battle had turned once more—and this time, the cost had already been unbearable.