Nappa's Choice

Earth.

The hatch of the spherical spaceship slowly hissed open, and two figures drifted down toward the ground. A crowd of Earthlings gathered around, staring at the bizarre craft they had never seen before. Some snapped photos while others whispered, debating whether these were aliens, their voices rising in a constant hum.

Nappa's mouth curled into a wicked grin. "Haha, trash. Let me give you a little welcome gift." He slowly raised his right arm, flicking two fingers upward. A terrifying surge of energy erupted from the ground, and after a roiling shockwave passed, the city and its people had vanished, leaving behind nothing but a vast, desolate desert. Such immense destructive power; such evil men.

"Nappa, stop," Vegeta said. It was clearly too late.

"What's wrong, Prince Vegeta? I've been asleep for a year; my body's practically rusting. Just getting some exercise!" Nappa exclaimed excitedly. He had no idea that this Prince Vegeta was no longer the prince he once knew.

"Nappa, don't forget why we came to Earth. And take off your scouter." Vegeta glared at Nappa with eyes full of killing intent.

Seeing the look in Vegeta's eyes, Nappa fearfully removed his scouter. "I'm sorry, Prince Vegeta. I understand."

Vegeta removed his own scouter, his cold gaze fixed on Nappa. "If any of the Dragon Balls had been destroyed by your little tantrum just now, I would ensure you never had the chance to vent again." Whoever stands in the way of this Prince's wish to grow ten centimeters taller will be killed, Vegeta thought viciously.

Nappa's body couldn't stop trembling as he recalled Vegeta's past methods. "I understand, Prince Vegeta. I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"But why do we have to take off the scouters?"

"You idiot. After the battle with Raditz, don't you realize that Earthlings' power levels cannot be measured by scouters? They can control their battle power at will. Besides, Frieza's men have installed listening devices in these scouters. Do you want Frieza to know what we're looking for?" Vegeta said.

Looking at this brawny but brainless brute, Vegeta wondered whether he should kill him as in the original story, or keep him as a competent lackey. But he was so stupid; there was no telling when he might ruin a major plan.

Still, upon reflection, there weren't many Saiyans left. Since he had possessed Vegeta's body and was the Prince of the Saiyans, he decided that if he could keep him, he would.

"Nappa, I won't be Frieza's dog anymore. I'll give you two choices: one, continue to follow me, and I will grant you power even greater than Frieza's; two, go back and continue being Frieza's dog, but I might just kill you right now," Vegeta threatened, staring at Nappa.

"Vegeta, I choose one! I'll follow you. I've been with you since we were kids; if you hadn't been following Frieza, I wouldn't have either. Don't kill me!" Nappa said in a panic.

"Fine. Since you said that, I certainly won't kill you. Just stay by my side. When I'm too lazy to act, you'll still have some use," Vegeta said coldly, crossing his arms.

"Now, turn on your scouter and find where those Earthlings who killed that trash Raditz are! This is the last time we use them; from now on, you'd better learn how to sense energy for yourself," Vegeta commanded.

Nappa grabbed his scouter, hurriedly put it on, and flipped the switch. "432... 358... 1200..."

"Vegeta, there are four or five power levels in the hundreds and thousands heading our way," Nappa reported.

"Good. We'll wait here and let them come to us. They're seeking their own deaths. Hmph," Vegeta sneered.

In the sky, Krillin and Yamcha were flying at top speed toward Vegeta's location.

"Such evil, such powerful energy. I don't know if we'll survive this fight," Krillin said.

"Don't worry, Goku has already been resurrected. It'll be fine; I believe in Goku," Yamcha replied.

Two more figures appeared in the sky. A closer look revealed them to be Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu, traveling together toward the destination.

"Gohan, let's go. The Saiyans have arrived," said Piccolo, wearing his white cape, standing in the middle of the desert.

"Okay, Uncle Piccolo," Gohan said.

Looking at the young boy, Piccolo felt a complex emotion. You are Sun Wukong's son, yet you are the only one who can talk to me.