Vegeta steadied himself in midair. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he pushed off hard and lunged at Android 17 again. He focused all his energy into his hands and shouted, "Galick Gun!" A powerful wave of energy shot straight toward Android 17.
Seeing this, Android 17 calmly crossed his arms over his chest, forming a defensive barrier, and took the full force of Vegeta's attack. The energy wave exploded on contact, blazing with light and roaring thunderously. The air around them shuddered violently.
When the smoke cleared, Android 17 stood unharmed, while Vegeta, drained by the attack, was down on one knee, gasping for breath. He was clearly at the end of his strength. But he still clung to his stubborn resolve, refusing to fall in this battle. Even with the last trace of strength he had, he would keep fighting.
Android 17 slowly approached Vegeta, each step radiating crushing pressure. The ground trembled faintly beneath his feet. A mocking sneer touched his face, and disdain filled his eyes. "Saiyan Prince, your struggle is meaningless. Today is the day you die."
Half-kneeling on the ground, Vegeta braced himself with both hands and glared up at Android 17. Blood ran from his forehead, blurring his vision, but there wasn't a trace of fear in his eyes—only boundless fury and resentment. "Damn it... How could I lose to an Android like you?! (When the Androids first appeared, they introduced themselves. Gohan had asked who they were the first time he saw them, and they had directly answered, 'I'm Android 17, and this is my older sister, Android 18.' Gohan had been surprised: 'What do you mean, Android?' Later, after fighting them, they'd concluded that Androids had unlimited potential, couldn't be killed, and felt no pain. They had then told Goku all of this; when the two first met, Goku had said they were Androids...)"
Vegeta gritted his teeth. "I won't lose," he said, trying to gather his strength and stand again. (He was preparing to self-destruct.)
At that moment, aboard the plane in the distance, Bulma and the others watched tensely through the windows. Gohan was frantic to help, but Goku grabbed him and held him back. "Gohan, stay calm! We have to trust Vegeta right now."
Android 17 reached Vegeta and raised his foot, preparing to deliver the final blow. Without changing expression, he slowly drew back his arm, then struck at Vegeta's heart with blinding speed. Vegeta summoned the last of his strength, eyes wide, and caught Android 17's arm in both hands. (He was preparing to explode.) But Android 17's lips curled into a cold smile. "It won't do you any good. Is this really your last act of defiance?" As he spoke, he forced his arm forward. It pierced straight through Vegeta's heart, then jerked back out. (Vegeta hadn't managed to self-destruct in time.)
Vegeta's body went rigid. A flash of resentment and despair crossed his eyes as blood gushed from his chest. He slowly fell backward and hit the ground with a heavy thud, raising a cloud of dust. Everything seemed to go quiet. Only the wind howled, as if mourning the fallen Saiyan Prince.
In the distance, Goku and the others watched from the plane, their eyes wide with disbelief and grief. Gohan couldn't hold back a cry. "Uncle Vegeta!" His voice rang across the sky, filled with sorrow and fury. Android 17 stood where he was, looking down at Vegeta without a trace of pity.
Aboard the plane, Bulma stared fixedly at the scene as the plane sped up and soon vanished from sight. Her eyes remained locked on the brutal sight; they reddened at once, and tears welled up, though she forced herself not to let them fall. Her lips trembled, and her hands tightened around the controls. Shock and grief filled her heart.
"We can't stay here any longer," Bulma said through clenched teeth. Then she shoved the controls forward, pushing the plane to its top speed. It streaked through the night like a silver bolt of lightning, racing toward the distance until it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Everyone aboard the plane was consumed by sorrow and anger. Gohan clenched his fists so tightly his nails nearly dug into his flesh. He glared behind them, silently swearing to avenge Vegeta. Goku's brow furrowed, his expression grave. As he recovered his strength, he considered how to deal with Android 17.
Back to that moment!
With cold resolve, Android 17 walked up to Vegeta. His arm shot forward like a deadly bolt of lightning, piercing Vegeta's heart. Vegeta's eyes widened, his face full of shock and resentment. Countless images flashed through his mind: the glorious days on Planet Vegeta, when everyone had looked up to him as their prince; and the many battles on Earth, the days he had spent training relentlessly to surpass Kakarot...
He had never imagined things would end this way. Saiyans were renowned throughout the universe for their strength, and as their prince, he had been fiercely proud. Now he was about to fall at the hands of an Android, his life slipping away. How could he accept that? His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but only a faint breath escaped him.
As his heart was pierced, the strength drained rapidly from Vegeta's body. His vision blurred, and his consciousness began to fade. Even so, the flame of defiance in his heart hadn't gone out. With the last of his strength, he roared inwardly, I... refuse to accept this... Then his knees gave way, and he fell backward, crashing to the ground and raising a cloud of dust. The proud Saiyan Prince sank into endless darkness.
A heavy sorrow filled the plane. Bulma fought back her tears, gripping the controls so tightly her knuckles turned white. The plane sped through the night, its engine roaring as if mourning Vegeta too.
Goku's expression was grave, and his eyes held a determination unlike anything before. He knew he couldn't let himself drown in grief now. Vegeta's sacrifice couldn't be in vain. Gohan pressed his lips together, tears streaking his cheeks. Fury burned inside him like a raging fire, and he silently vowed to make Android 17 pay dearly.
Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others were silent too, each clenching their fists and considering how to deal with this powerful enemy. The plane flew on toward the distance.
Bulma Base~
The plane touched down slowly at Bulma Base, the landing gear giving a slight jolt as it met the ground. The hatch opened. Everyone climbed out in silence, grief and solemnity etched on their faces. Bulma trudged toward the base's control room, her back seeming lonely and desolate. Her usually bright eyes were now filled with sorrow.
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