The island trembled beneath them, cracks spider-webbing across the stone like glass under a hammer.
Frieza stood in the crater Vegeta had made of his spine, white armor cracked, purple blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
His eyes were wide.
Not angry.
Not yet.
Terrified.
Vegeta floated above him, golden, untouchable, arms still folded like he was watching a child throw a tantrum.
"What's the matter, Frieza?"
Voice light, almost gentle.
"Universe's strongest warrior… and one little love-tap turns you into this?"
Frieza's tail lashed once, twice; then froze.
He remembered Planet Vegeta exploding like a firecracker under his fingertip.
He remembered a tiny, broken prince kneeling in the wreckage, swearing eternal loyalty.
That prince was gone.
Something else wore his face now.
Frieza forced the smirk back onto his lips, but it wobbled.
"Very… impressive, Vegeta. You've grown. But don't forget "
He never finished.
Vegeta was suddenly there, nose to nose, teal eyes burning holes through Frieza's skull.
"Don't forget what?" Vegeta whispered. "That you murdered my father? My planet? My entire race?"
His hand moved, lazy, almost tender, and flicked Frieza's cheek.
The impact cracked the sound barrier.
Frieza shot backward again, carving a trench through solid rock for half a kilometer before slamming into a cliff face.
Dust billowed.
When it cleared, Frieza was on his feet, shaking, aura flaring dark purple.
"Good… very good!" he snarled, voice cracking. "You want to play? Then let's play!"
He charged.
A blur of white and purple death.
Fists that had shattered worlds screamed toward Vegeta's face.
Vegeta didn't move.
Didn't unfold his arms.
Just tilted his head a fraction.
Every punch missed by millimeters.
Frieza's knuckles bled from hitting empty air.
Vegeta yawned.
"That all you've got? I felt stronger breezes on Planet Vegeta the day you blew it up."
Another flick.
This time to the forehead.
Frieza pinwheeled backward, skull ringing, vision doubling.
He caught himself mid-air, panting, eyes wild.
Vegeta finally unfolded his arms.
Cracked his knuckles once.
"I've waited thirty years for this, Frieza."
Golden light flared, calm and absolute.
"I'm going to take my time."
Frieza's smirk was gone.
Replaced by something he had never worn in his life.
Fear.
Real, animal fear.
Because for the first time, the emperor of the universe understood:
He wasn't the strongest anymore.
He was the one about to be taught a lesson.
And class had only just started.
~~~~~~
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