Frieza's second form towered over the ruined island, chest heaving, horns casting long shadows in the eternal Namekian sun.
His voice cracked like thin ice.
"Super… Saiyan? That old bedtime story? You expect me to believe "
He couldn't even finish the sentence.
Because Vegeta was laughing again.
Not mocking this time.
Just tired.
Like a man watching a child insist the moon is made of cheese.
"Frieza," Vegeta said, wiping his eye, "I haven't transformed yet."
He spread his arms, still in base form, black hair, dark eyes, aura calm as a sleeping volcano.
"This is me on a lazy Tuesday."
Frieza's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
The horned tyrant took one involuntary step back, foot cracking the stone.
Vegeta tilted his head.
"Still two more forms, right? The ugly speed-demon one and the sleek final one you're so proud of?"
He cracked his knuckles, slow and deliberate.
"Go ahead. Show me. I've got time."
Frieza's tail lashed, rage and terror warring on his face.
"You… you think you've already won?"
Vegeta's smile vanished.
In its place was something ancient and royal and absolutely without mercy.
"I don't think, Frieza."
He took one step forward.
The island sank another meter.
"I know."
Far away, on King Kai's tiny planet.
Five dead warriors and one very stressed Kai watched in horrified silence.
Yamcha's earlier bravado was gone.
Tien's third eye was wide open.
Piccolo's arms had unfolded, fists clenched so tight his nails drew blood.
King Kai finally spoke, voice low.
"That's still base Vegeta. Frieza's only in his second form."
He looked at the group.
"He has two more transformations. Each one is an order of magnitude above the last."
Dead silence.
Chiaotzu whispered, so soft only Tien heard:
"…We're going to need a bigger afterlife."
On Namek, Frieza's aura detonated again.
The air screamed.
His body began to twist, bones cracking, muscles writhing under the exoskeleton like living snakes.
Third form incoming.
Vegeta watched, expression unreadable.
Then he smiled.
Small.
Almost gentle.
"Good."
Golden sparks began to dance across his skin.
"Let's see how long you last when I stop playing."
The real fight hadn't started.
It was about to.
~~~~~~
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