A moment later, at the edge of a massive crater in the southern wasteland.
Vegeta struggled to climb out of the crater.
His Battle Suit had been torn to shreds, his skin was covered in wounds, and blood had matted his black, spiky hair. He was clearly gravely injured.
At least that bastard Zarbon... really thinks I'm dead...
Once I recover... I'll make him...
His thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
He sensed two power levels.
Two familiar, powerful presences were rapidly approaching.
"This is..." Vegeta struggled to lift his head. "Raditz... and Nappa?!"
What are they doing here?
Did they... come to kill me?
Or... to laugh at me?
Two figures descended from the sky and landed at the edge of the crater.
Raditz and Nappa looked down at the battered figure in the crater and fell silent.
Vegeta looked at them too, and said nothing.
The air seemed to freeze.
"Raditz... Nappa..."
Vegeta struggled to lift his head and spoke weakly. At that moment, as he looked at his former subordinates, a complicated feeling welled up inside him, one he couldn't put into words.
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to put on a proud front, but his injuries were so severe that he couldn't even stand.
"Since you're here," Vegeta said, his voice edged with mockery, "Kakarot must have come too, right? What, did Kakarot send you here... to kill me?"
Nappa looked at Vegeta.
The prince who had once stood high above everyone, arrogant and untouchable, was now sprawled in the dirt like a stray dog.
Your Highness... you're still the same.
Even lying on the ground, you refuse to bow that proud head.
Nappa took a deep breath, then slowly crouched down to meet Vegeta's eyes.
"Don't worry, Prince Vegeta. We didn't come to kill