The silver glow of the false moon drenched the battlefield, painting everything in a light that didn't belong to Earth. The desert floor was broken beyond recognition, a mosaic of glass, sand, and fire where mountains once stood. At the center of it all towered Vegeta, the Oozaru Prince, his laughter shaking the horizon.
And through that storm of sound, one boy flew.
Gohan's scream was thin compared to the Oozaru's roar, but it carried something sharper. His aura burst white-gold, wrapping his small body in light. His fists were clenched so tight his nails cut into his palms. His tears had dried into fury.
Every beat of his heart shouted the same word: Dad.
Krillin stumbled forward from the ridge, voice cracking. "Gohan, no—get back here!" His hand grasped at empty air, too slow.
Vegeta's colossal head turned, red eyes narrowing on the small comet streaking toward him. His grin showed fangs longer than swords.
"So the cub bares his teeth," his thunderous voice rumbled, vibrating through the earth itself.
The System carved clean data across his colossal vision:
[Catalyst Escalation]Subject: Son Gohan.PL Spike: 5,200 (temporary).Behavioral Profile: Protective Rage.Threat Level: Minimal (host overwhelming).Opportunity: Trauma-induction → Ascension Progress +5%.
Vegeta's claws flexed. "Perfect. Bite me, little cub. Let me taste your roar."
Gohan darted between the Oozaru's massive fingers, ki bursting from his tiny fist. He slammed into Vegeta's face, his strike connecting directly with the glowing red eye.
The scream that followed was not human.
Vegeta reeled back, colossal body twisting, claws clutching at his face. Blood—black against the silver moonlight—streamed down his cheek. His roar shook the glassed earth, sent fissures racing out for miles.
Gohan dropped back, panting, aura still sparking, eyes wild. "Stay away from my dad!" he shouted, voice breaking but fierce.
Goku's breath caught. His battered chest rose and fell, Kaio-ken fire sputtering, but his eyes widened with something between pride and terror. He did it… he actually hurt him.
Krillin's jaw dropped. "He—he blinded him! He hit him in the damn eye!" His laugh came out half hysterical, half horrified. "Kid, you're insane—and I love it!"
The System flickered sharp warnings in Vegeta's mind, his pain filtered into sterile numbers:
[Critical Damage]Node: Left Optical Sensor (Oozaru).Functionality: 41%.Pain Feedback: Severe.Rage Escalation: High.
[Recommendation: Terminate Subject — Son Gohan. Immediate.]
Vegeta's claws parted, his one good eye glaring down, red brighter than the moon. His lips curled into a snarl that split into a cruel laugh.
"You think that sting matters?" His voice boomed, shaking the desert. "You think your tiny fists can change fate?!"
He reached down, massive hand closing around Gohan before the boy could dart away.
Gohan screamed as the colossal fingers wrapped around his body, squeezing, crushing the air from his lungs. His aura sputtered, flaring desperately.
"GOHAN!" Goku's voice tore his throat raw.
Krillin sprinted across the battlefield, feet slipping on glassed sand. His heart thundered in his chest. I have to do something. Anything. His hands charged with desperate ki, forming the beginnings of a disc sharp enough to cut mountains.
But his stomach twisted at the thought: if he missed… if he clipped the wrong hand…
Vegeta lifted the struggling child high, claws tightening. His fanged grin stretched wide. "Watch, Kakarot. Watch your cub scream as I crush him. This is the price of defiance."
The System chimed, cruelly calm:
[Emotional Catalyst Amplification]Target: Kakarot.Stress Response: Maximal.Super Saiyan Progress: +7% (Rivalry Node).Projected Host Reward: Zenkai Growth imminent post-clash.
Vegeta's tail lashed behind him, cracking the ground. He wanted Kakarot to see every second. He wanted the boy's screams to echo in his rival's skull forever.
But Goku didn't crumble. His knees buckled, his body cracked, Kaio-ken fire shredding him alive—but his eyes blazed.
"No more… no more watching my friends die. No more standing by!"
He planted his feet, aura exploding crimson, brighter than it had ever burned. His scream split the battlefield, rattling even the Oozaru's bones.
"KAIO-KEN—TIMES—FOUR!!"
The desert floor shattered beneath him as he launched upward, crimson fire a streak against the silver moonlight. His fist, wrapped in every ounce of defiance left in his broken body, aimed straight at the colossal hand clutching his son.
The world seemed to hold its breath.