Burori drew back his hand, blood running down his raw knuckles. His temples pounded with frustration, anger searing his brain like hot oil. With a roar he punched the grate again. Once more there was the sick thud of flesh hitting metal, and a bolt of pain shot up through his arm. He grit his teeth in fury and punched again.

" Burori, stop it!" Krinis cried out.

Burori looked over his shoulder at the young woman. Hot contempt rose into his throat at the sight of her.

" I don't care what you say," barked Burori as he hit the grate again. " You don't care about me, and I don't care about you. That seems fair enough."

" Burori, don't hurt yourself," Yanorik pleaded. " You can't break the grate down with your bare hands."

" Oh?" Burori punched the grate again, smearing blood along the metal. " I've killed countless beings. I've destroyed worlds, universes. Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"

" Burori," Krinis began to protest as she stepped towards him.

" Stay back woman," he spat, grunting as he hit the grate again. " You don't care about me."

" But Burori, I'm you're friend. I do care about you!" " Then you are a fool," shouted Burori as he furiously pounded his fists against the metal grate. " I don't care about you. The devil doesn't care about anyone."

" Burori, if you don't stop, the guards will come!" Yanorik gasped as he pulled back his daughter.

" Let them come." Burori punched the grate again. His knuckles felt like someone was grinding them down with sandpaper, but he did not care. " I am not a coward like you, old man. I do not fight for cowards either. I fight alone."

" Burori, stop, we're only trying to help you!" Krinis yelled.

" Did I ever tell you that I met Prince Vegeta, old man?" Burori looked over his shoulder and chuckled. Yanorik's eyes went wide, and Burori's desire to cause pain burned through his mind. " I fought him, long ago, on a planet far from here. He was an arrogant weakling, you know. I crushed his head into the side of a rock wall and laughed at him. He was pathetic. He was pathetic like the two of you are pathetic, and how all who live as slaves are pathetic. You do not deserve to be called Saiya-jin."

" Shut up!" Krinis shouted at him, her small hands balled up into fists. " I'm not a Saiya-jin! Stop treating us like you're so much better than us!"

" But I am so much better than you," he grunted as he punched the grate again, now numb to his own pain. " I walk my own path. I have my own strength. I fight for my own reasons. What do you have to call your own?"

" I..."

Krinis became silent as she sat back down on her pile of rags, holding her head in her hands.

" Burori!" Yanorik cried out as he eyed the huge warrior with hate. " I may be an old man, but I will not stand here and watch you hurt my daughter!"

" Quiet, old fool," Burori muttered as he punched again, blood trickling down the back of his hand. " You will stand there, and you will watch, because you are weak and I am strong. That is the justice you foolishly defended with your life, and that is the law by which King Vegeta ruled his empire. You should worship Freezer for destroying that tyrant, and thank Zaros for having the mercy to spare a weakling like yourself."

" Stop!" Yanorik roared as he rushed the young warrior.

Burori turned, his eyes narrowed into hateful slits. With a grunt he pushed out his open palm towards the old man. Yanorik flew backwards as if someone had slugged him in the gut, and he crumpled helplessly to the floor. Krinis screamed and rushed to his side.

" I have found my ki," he said with a smile as he returned to his bloody task of pounding on the immobile grate.

" That's impossible," Yanorik wheezed as he held his stomach in agony.

" No, it is possible." Burori punched the grate again, blood now forming a small pool at his feet. " It takes incredible effort, and I can only draw for the smallest amount, but I can feel it now rising up inside me like a storm."

" Burori, you hurt him!" shouted Krinis. " Why did you hurt him?"

" Be thankful that I didn't kill him. For that matter, be thankful that I don't kill you."

" But how?" Yanorik moaned.

" A being named Azlan showed it to me in my dreams," Burori whispered. "Now all that is left is to escape this cage and kill these fools for daring to hold me here."

" Burori, why are you doing this? I thought we could be friends!"

" Yes, friends," Burori hissed as he examined his bloody hands, hate pouring off of him like water. " Friends who stand by and watch as they are tortured and beaten. Friends who hold one moment and betray the next. Friends who leave each other to be violated by machine. Yes Krinis, let's be friends like that."

" Azlan" Yanorik muttered. " Burori, listen to me� you must not trust the Namek Azlan he will use you as a tool for his own ends."

" Well then, it's good to know that he won't be any different from anyone else that I've ever met." Burori ran his fists along his chest, painting himself in trails of blood. " If this Azlan helps me to escape, then he's a better ally than either of you two worthless creatures."

" Burori, stop it, this is useless." Krinis looked at him, tears glistening in the corner of her eyes. " You can't escape. I've been here all of my life, and I can tell you that there is no way. The guards are too careful, and even if you did get past them, you'd have to kill Voma, who is ruthless, and Zaros, who is invincible."

" Voma!" Burori screamed as he wrapped his bloody fingers around the metal mesh of the grate. " Come and fight me Voma! Let's see how much of a coward you really are!"

The tiny flicker of ki in his chest burned like a hot coal wedged between his ribs. The mad hatred emanating from it comforted him, blocking out the pain and doubt. Soon he would be free, and have more blood on his hands. All ready his ribs were beginning to heal, and the next time he fought it would be without mercy.

" This is maddening," Voma groaned as he stalked down the hallway of the cellblock with the other guards, rounding up slaves to be sent to the engine room. " He's been hitting that stupid grate all day, and now he's calling me out by name. What I wouldn't give to strangle that stupid monkey."

" Sir, why don't you take him out of the cage and show him your true power?" asked one of the alien guards as it tried in vain to keep up with Voma's determined strides.

" You fool! If I did that, Lord Zaros would have my skin!"

At that instant a small electronic device on Voma's belt began to flicker with light and noise. The alien warrior snatched it up with one hands and pressed a button on the side, filling the cold air with a familiar voice.

" Voma," hissed Zaros through the device. " We've entered the Western Quadrant, and our target is only a few light years away. I am leaving with an escort of fighters to evaluate our situation and begin negotiation with the natives."

" Yes, sire," Voma answered, anxiousness creeping into his voice. " What shall I do in your absence?"

" I don't care, Voma," Zaros rasped. " Keep the Zarastros from burning down, and make sure the slaves keep in line. Remember Voma, I am trusting you with this. Do not disappoint me."

The flicker of light died on the tiny device as Zaros's voice faded from the machine. Voma reattached it to his belt and turned to his companions, a broad smile working across his face.

" Guards, gather up the rest of the fighters and take these slaves into the training arena. We're going to have a little fun with that monkey."

Burori stumbled into the room, clutching his failing chest and struggling to fill his lungs with breath. He looked over at Voma, who stood smiling, fangs bared, with that hated heart controller in hand. Burori looked around the hot, steamy amphitheater like a caged beast, snarling at the slaves and guards who watched from above. He could see Krinis and Yanorik high in the stands, flanked by alien slavers. His blood boiled when he saw the girl. She looked like she was crying. That just made him hate her more for being so weak. The only thing that comforted him now was his ki, struggling to rise up from his fluttering heart.

" Now," Voma chuckled as he turned off the heart controller, "let's see what you can really do."

Burori rose, the ki swirling around him like a maelstrom of energy.

" I'm not impressed, monkey." Voma laughed as he tore off the top of his uniform, his huge, muscled, furry chest flexed in anticipation. " I think it's about time I embarrassed you in front of your little friends, and showed the rest of the slaves who really runs this ship."

" I have yet to be slain by your boasts, Voma," Burori stated flatly as he flexed his muscles, feeling the regenerated strength within them. " If you're that eager to die, then I shall accommodate you."

Voma leapt through the air, ki streaming of off his muscles as he lashed out with a hard kick to the face. Burori took the tip of his opponent's boot in the chin, hardly flinching at the blow. Voma rolled out of the path of his adversary, gathering up more of his fiery red ki to hurl at the Saiya-jin.

Burori opened both of his palms, green ki instantly rolling down his arms to create a small, compact green ball in each. Laughing he tossed one and then the other, the concussion from the blasts, rocking the entire room. The slaves and guards alike screamed in fright, while Voma struggled to regain his balance.

Burori flew forward, fists reaching to smash his foe. Voma dove towards him, planting his hands on the Saiya-jin warrior's stomach and letting loose a focused blast of pure ki. Burori grunted and stumbled to the side, the wind knocked out of him. Voma seized the opportunity to jump upon Burori's back and kick in the back of his right knee, sending the Saiya-jin reeling to the floor.

Burori leapt to his feet immediately, his enormous ki blocking out all emotions except for hate. Green ki sprung from his hands, peppering the room with blasts of energy. Voma dashed forward, ducking down and kicking up into the Saiya-jin's wounded chest. Burori's ribs screamed in agony, the wounds still lingering on his body.

" You're not so tough, monkey," Voma snarled as he jumped back, palms clasped together gathering ki for another attack. " I would have expected more from someone who was supposed to be the ultimate warrior."

" You have made a terrible mistake, Voma," Burori said as he gathered his own ki, the floor beneath his feet splintered under the strain. " When you have the devil by his tail, never let him go."

" Die, monkey!" Voma roared as he opened his palms and unleashed a beam of red energy that streaked across the room, leaving a bloody-looking stain of light in the arena. Burori held out his palm to block the ki attack, and the arena shook as the force of the blast rumbled into the Saiya-jin's resolute hand. Red light filled the room, blinding the spectators. Voma winced and looked away, eagerly listening for the screams of a dying foe. He heard nothing.

The flash cleared, and Burori stood, resolute, his hand still held out before him. The huge Saiya-jin laughed as he clenched his outstretched hand into a fist.

" If you're going to kill me, you might want to use more of your energy," mocked Burori as his muscles began to swell with power. " Care to catch my next attack?"

Before Voma could answer a hail of ki streamed towards him, pounding into the arena walls with the force of a thousand cannons. Voma flew high up into the air, barely dodging the attack. Chalky dust and bits of metal scattered across the room. The slaves became restless in their seats, and the guards began to beat them down in an effort to establish order. Voma knew that he would have to end this quickly if he wanted to reestablish control. He thought of the heart controller attached to his belt, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He wanted to show the others who was truly the best fighter in the galaxy. He would not let this monkey embarrass him in front of his men, in front of the slaves, any longer.

Voma raised his hands high above his head, his powerful ki swelling up and glowing around him. The air became electrified with power as he screamed out in exertion, his eyes becoming red as the tiny blood vessels within them burst. His warrior pride fueled his power, filling his hands with the full force of his formidable ki. With a victorious cry he lowered his hands to his chest and pushed them out towards the Saiya-jin below, his voice bellowing in triumph.

Spider webs of cracks laced the arena walls as a rolling wave of red energy flew from Voma's hands, twisting together like two intertwined arteries as they rocketed towards their target. The beam sped downwards, scorching heat tearing through the air. Burori looked up at the oncoming blast with contempt, and did not blink as Voma's most powerful attack slammed straight into his ribs.

Burori fell to the floor, his chest compressed by the incredible force of his foe's attack. Waves of pain washed over him, and he fought furiously to stay conscious. His ribs screamed in protest, trying to resist the temptation to snap like brittle twigs. From within his chest, Burori's artificial heart writhed in pain, shaking as the force of the blow pierced through the Saiya-jin's body.

Voma floated to the floor, his face twisted in a sneer. Burori lay on the floor, resting in a small crater formed by the strength of the blast. Voma could see that his opponent was still twitching, and he could hear the Saiya-jin's breath, so the stupid monkey wasn't dead. It was perfect. Now no one would doubt his power.

Voma's heart froze as Burori got up, his chest heaving in exertion. The huge Saiya-jin's body was scorched by the blast, and blood ran down his face like a wet mask, but his eyes still burned with fury. Burori pointed at Voma with one bloody finger, shaking his fist in defiance.

" You want to see power, fool?" asked Burori as his eyes flashed with evil light, his ki rising up to cloak his wounded body. " You want to show everyone here who is the strongest?"

" How are you still alive?" demanded Voma as he raised hands for another blast. " I cannot die," Burori stated flatly as his dark eyes shifted into bright teal orbs. "Let me show you now the power of hell."

Voma opened up with another blast, the force of the beam rocking the training room. Burori caught the ki blast with his hands, roaring in fury as the energy burned into his hands. Voma felt the grip of terror as Burori's ki filled the room, his energy rising to levels that Voma had never seen before outside of the ship's reactor.

Burori screamed. His scream echoed throughout the room, resounding off of the walls and magnifying into an agonized, hateful cry of battle. The huge Saiya-jin swelled with power, his enormous muscles growing around his bone until they doubled in size. The crashing waves of ki lifted up the huge warrior's thick black hair, and in a flash of energy the dark locks transformed into gleaming golden spikes. From high above, Yanorik gasped in awe.

" The Legendary Super Saiya-jin." he whispered.

" What?" asked Krinis, her eyes wide with an agonizing mixture of hope and fear.

" It is incredible," Yanorik muttered in her ear, his eyes locked on the screaming warrior below. " I had never believed that it could be true, but there he is, one whose power is so great that no one can destroy him but himself."

" Father, are you sure?" Krinis asked, her heart skipping in her chest. " Do you think that maybe he could?"

" No," he whispered in fear. " You must never try to use a Saiya-jin like him. He is too powerful. He is like a sword that cuts the wielder and the enemy alike. Forget about him child. He isn't a man, he is a legend."

Burori glared at Voma, power bleeding off of his enormous form. Voma shuddered at the sight of this monstrous thing from beyond the grave. He reached for the heart controller.

" Look at him!" Burori demanded as he pointed at Voma. " Look at the one who has held you in fear for so long! What a pathetic fool! He has no power over me! He is a coward and a weakling! He is no warrior!"

" Why you," Voma grunted as he gathered his ki, energy soaking into his muscles. " I'll teach you respect, monkey!"

Voma flew straight at the Super Saiya-jin, ki running down his arms and back. With a furious scream he drew back his fists, collecting his strength to level his monstrous foe with a single attack.

Burori moved with such speed that Voma wasn't even aware of the punch until it had hit him in the gut. The ki fled from Voma's body as he sailed through the air, smashing through the metal stands of the amphitheater. His body spasmed in pain, the force of the punch compacting his guts together. Voma looked at his enemy and terror drowned out his pride. He had been punched across the entire training room, and Burori was laughing at him.

Burori's laughter was cut of abruptly as his hair and eyes reverted to normal. Staggering he crashed towards the floor, his chest burning with pain. Voma stood up, shaking with fury and the sting of his wounds. In his hands he clutched the heart controller.

" Guards, take this worm back to his cell!" Voma roared as he watched the Saiya-jin writhe on the ground. " Take all the slaves back to their cells! Fill up the reactor with their ki! I don't want any of these fools thinking that they can escape from me!"

Burori held his hands to his chest, trying to force his heart to work. He had come so close to winning. The agony of victory being snatched from his grasp burned deep inside of him.

Do not fear

" Azlan" Burori gasped as the guards picked up his limp body.

You have proved yourself today

Burori closed his eyes, trying to focus on the calming voice in his head that brought him strength.

Soon they shall know fear

Burori smiled despite the pain.

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