The Death of Vegeta

Vegeta's Final Words

Mortally wounded by Frieza's Death Beam, Vegeta lies broken on the ground. Goku turns to Frieza in anger, telling him there was no reason to kill Vegeta. Frieza dismisses the complaint with a cruel quip, saying he only killed Vegeta because the Saiyan prince would not stop repeating himself. Vegeta, struggling through his last moments, tells Goku that a lack of ruthlessness is the only thing keeping him from becoming a Super Saiyan.

With his remaining strength, Vegeta recounts the story of how Frieza annihilated Planet Vegeta and its people because he feared the emergence of a Super Saiyan. The tale ends with Vegeta's death, and for the first time Goku is genuinely moved by his rival's words. He digs a shallow grave and buries the Saiyan prince, quietly asking Vegeta for a share of his pride. Goku vows to defeat Frieza for every Saiyan and Namekian the tyrant has destroyed.

The Battle Begins

Sensing the fight is about to start, Piccolo, Krillin, and Gohan retreat to a safe distance. Goku charges directly at Frieza. The tyrant blocks, and the two exchange a rapid volley of strikes, neither managing to land a clean hit on the other.

First Exchange

Goku launches himself skyward, and Frieza fires Eye Lasers in pursuit. Goku dodges and appears behind Frieza, but the tyrant vanishes and resurfaces from the water at his back. Frieza fires a powerful Death Cannon, and Goku braces against it. The blast drives him backward through a rock formation before he finally manages to deflect it into the sky. Goku winces and admits the attack stung, while Frieza watches without amusement, clearly expecting more from his opponent.