How Does 'Reworking Rewriting DBZ' Handle Vegeta'S Redemption Arc?

As someone who's followed countless 'Dragon Ball' fanfics, 'Reworking Rewriting DBZ' takes Vegeta's redemption in a fresh direction. The story doesn't rush his change—it makes him earn it through brutal self-reflection. Early on, he still boasts about his Saiyan pride, but the fic highlights his growing discomfort with Frieza's cruelty, planting seeds of doubt. His turning point isn't just about Bulma or Trunks; it's a strategic realization that his obsession with Goku blinds him to bigger threats. The fic cleverly uses his rivalry to drive growth rather than stagnation, showing Vegeta analyzing Goku's techniques not just to surpass him, but to adapt them for protecting Earth. His pride remains intact, but it morphs into something more noble—a warrior's code rather than a tyrant's arrogance. The android arc particularly shines, where Vegeta's failed heroics against Cell force him to confront his limitations without regressing into pettiness. By the Buu saga, his sacrifice feels organic, not just a plot requirement.

'Reworking Rewriting DBZ' approaches Vegeta's arc with psychological depth rarely seen in fan works. The author understands that redemption isn't linear—it's messy, contradictory, and deeply personal. Vegeta's early chapters showcase his internal conflict through subtle actions: he destroys a village but spares a child, claims indifference to Earth yet memorizes its customs. These contradictions make his eventual change believable.

The fic recontextualizes key canon moments. His infamous 'my Bulma' outburst isn't just romantic—it's framed as the first time he values someone else's life more than his ego. The Cell Games pivot differently too; instead of sulking after his failure, he trains Trunks not out of guilt, but because he finally grasps the concept of legacy. What impresses me most is how the fic handles his relationship with Goku. Their rivalry becomes a catalyst for mutual growth rather than one-sided obsession. Vegeta starts recognizing Goku's tactics as strategic brilliance rather than luck, and this respect slowly extends to Earth's other fighters.

By the Majin arc, the story subverts expectations. Vegeta's regression isn't about power—it's a calculated gambit to prove he can still choose darkness, only to reaffirm his choice of light. The subsequent sacrifice carries weight because we've seen every step of his moral calculus. The epilogue especially nails his character—he trains Uub not out of obligation, but because he genuinely wants to test the next generation.

What grabs me about this fic's take on Vegeta is how it balances his edge with genuine humanity. The author refuses to soften him—he stays arrogant, competitive, and brutally pragmatic—but layers these traits with unexpected nuances. His relationship with Bulma isn't just romanticized; they argue about ethics, with her calling out his hypocrisy when he judges Frieza while ignoring his own past. These clashes force Vegeta to develop actual empathy, not just switch allegiances.

The Android saga particularly shines. Instead of repeating canon's 'Vegeta ignores warnings and unleashes Cell,' the fic has him methodically study Dr. Gero's blueprints beforehand. His arrogance still leads to disaster, but you see his thought process—he underestimates the androids because he overestimates his own growth, a flaw that haunts him later. His mentorship of Trunks becomes pivotal; teaching someone else forces Vegeta to articulate his philosophy, exposing its contradictions. By the time he sacrifices himself against Buu, it feels earned—not a sudden hero moment, but the culmination of years grappling with what strength really means. The fic's best twist is making his signature pride the vehicle for change rather than an obstacle.