A.N: Hi, new here. But I know I don't own either Dragon Ball Z or the Hunger Games. They are owned by Akira Toriyama and Suzanne Collins. And all I've seen of DBZ is the Team Four Star Abridged series on Youtube. (Blame my husband.) But I've rambled enough, I hope you like it.
1
It all started with the Great War. Between the ruling elite and the underclass. This is the story of one who once lived like a prince and an rather intelligent, if now penniless, elite. Both the Saiyan and Briefs families were quite prominent within the Capital, even after their banishment. Why were they banished, you ask? Well, to put it simply, they disagreed with President Freeza Cold. Vegeta Saiyan the III was one of President Cold's best advisors while Hank Briefs was known far and wide amongst all of Ee-arth for his inventions but only the Capital got to use them. Other than the medical devices that is.
The young Vegeta, son of Vegeta Saiyan the Third, was 5 years old when President Freeza killed his father in cold-blood. He heard about it from his father's friend Nappa. Nappa also told him that they were banished to Region 12 because of how outspoken Vegeta's father was about Freeza's questionable activities. Vegeta just stared at Nappa, stunned, "My father!" "I know Vegeta. But we must go now. Pack only what you cannot leave behind. The President's men will be here shortly to take us the train station." Nappa spoke softly, kneeling down to be level with the young Vegeta, placing a large hand on the tiny shoulder and pushed a bag into his arms.
Vegeta tightly griped the pack to his chest and ran to his room. He didn't want Nappa to see the tears falling from his dark eyes. Once the door closed behind him, Vegeta stopped holding back and let the tears fall; if only for a moment. After a minute or two of mourning his dead father Vegeta roughly wiped the wetness away, Now's not the time to be a pansy Vegeta. Now's the time for action. I'll get stronger. I'm going to be the strongest in all of this worthless country. And then Freeza will be dead by my hand. With renewed determination, Vegeta went to his closet and stuffed some clothes in the backpack Nappa gave him. He only grabbed a handful, it wasn't like he wouldn't be able to get more when they got to Region 12. Turning his attention to his dresser, Vegeta opened the drawers grabbing anything that he would need. He paused to grab a small wooden box, a small reminisce smile on Vegeta's face, Don't worry Mom, I wouldn't leave you behind.
Dashing to his father's room, Vegeta put both his small armor and his father's larger armor into another bag. He didn't want to leave anything of his heritage behind. As he walked back to the living room where Nappa was waiting, Vegeta recalled a story his father told him about their family once ruling a country named after them. The country of Vegeta-sai was well known for their fierce warriors, they had a strength unmatched by any other, his father has said. There was a myth of a warrior so strong that not even bullets could hurt them, the Legendary his father had called it. Vegeta curled his right hand into a fist and snarled, I will become the Legendary. I swear Dad, I will kill that murder Freeza.
"Well, where are our escorts?" Vegeta snapped as he entered the living room. The was another man there now, the most notable thing about this young man, other than his Freeza Force uniform, is his wild mane of unruly black hair which was most certainly not regulation. Surprised, Vegeta scowled, "Raditz! What are you doing here?" The teenager chuckled, "Good to see you too Vegeta. I'm here to see you to the train." "But why you?" Vegeta wondered, it was no secret that he didn't like Raditz. "Because our President knows that you can't stand me, that's why. But, unbeknownst to him, I promised your father I'd do what I can to keep you safe. Just keep in mind that if it comes between my neck and yours, mine come first. Always." Raditz glared at the young boy with hard eyes. Vegeta and his bald guardian knew the teen meant every word.
The trip to the station was uneventful. The train ride was even more boring for Vegeta. "Hey Vegeta!" Nappa called from across the train car. When the boy ignored him, Nappa resorted to his usual way of getting his attention, "Vegeta! Vegeta! Vegeta! Vegeta! Vegeta!" "What Nappa?!" Vegeta snapped, finally looking at his guardian to get him to shut up. Smiling that his tactic worked like a charm, Nappa said, "Look over here!" They were passing Region 4 and it's sea. Vegeta stared wide-eyed at the shining, shimmering surface of the water, he had never seen anything quite like it before and he subconsciously knew he would not see anything like it again.
"Pretty impressive isn't it?" a new voice behind him said. The young boy wanted to turn around and inspect the new arrival but he couldn't bring himself to stop staring at the beauty before him. A moment later they were turning and the sea went out of sight, never to be seen again. Finally able to tear his eyes from the window, Vegeta scowled and turned to greet the visitor. To his surprise, it was the famous Dr. Briefs. "Tch." Vegeta scoffed, "It wasn't that impressive." "Then that the look on your face was a wonderful act, son." Dr. Briefs smiled knowingly behind his glasses.
"And may I ask why you are here with us?" Vegeta questioned, crossing his arms defensibly as he glared up at the man. The smile dropped a little but Dr. Briefs voice was strong, "The same reason you are Vegeta Saiyan. I agreed with your father. And so me, my wife Panchy, and our daughter Bulma have been banished to Region 12. Along with you and Nappa apparently." Not always the sharpest tool in the shed, Nappa spoke up in that gravelly voice of his, "If you agreed with my King then why didn't President Freeza kill you?" "Nappa!" Vegeta growled, even he knew better then to ask such a question, Though I'm glad you asked it instead of me.
Dr. Briefs chuckled lightly as he sat down in a plush chair, "It's ok Vegeta. To put it simply, I'm too valuable to just kill off on a whim. I've made far too many things for the President and no one but me can fix them. I made sure of it. Call it life insurance if you want but it's made sure me and my family made it this far." Looking at the boy who looked so much like his father, Hank Briefs said, "You're father told him that. You'd be proud to know that he didn't grovel or beg before that lizard of a man. He wanted to make his son proud of him one last time." As Hank took his glasses off to wipe at his eyes to keep from crying in front of the boy, he cleared his throat, "Here, he wanted me to give you this." Vegeta took the slip of paper from the inventor and read it.
Vegeta, my Prince. If you're reading this, then I'm sorry that I can't be there to protect you from the fallout. Please know that I had not meant for you to get hurt in all of this. But you also know that I could not just stand idly by and let that tyrant run amuck. I've made sure that you will be well taken care of, provided that you're careful with the funds that I have already put in place for you. To get them go see Captain Ginyu, he is honorable; but once you retrieve the money from him I wouldn't trust him until he proves himself to you. Once you are in Region 12 you will be entered into the Games when you are old enough, not even I could make sure that did not happen. You must be prepared. I wouldn't put it above Freeza to rig it and your name be called. I left you something to help with your preparations. Go to the field, under the fence, and thru the woods until you see the Mark. There you'll find my final gift. I'm sorry I can't do more, son. I love you Vegeta, my Prince.
Vegeta felt tears welling up again. He sniffed them away, determined not to cry in front of anyone. As he carefully folded the paper and put it in his pocket, Vegeta thought to himself, I will win the Games. I'll become the Legendary and win. And then I'm coming for you Freeza. "Thank you Dr. Briefs." Was all Vegeta could say as he scowled at the floor like it had robbed him of the life he once knew.
Suddenly the door to the car opened and in walked a woman with curly blond hair and an outrageous smile for someone who just got banished from the Capital and quite possibly the only life she knew. In her arms was a 5 year old girl in a aquamarine dress that came down to her knees. The woman put her down so the girl could walk over to her father and she kind of wobbled with the barely noticeable rocking of the train. Vegeta saw that her hair was blue. Strange. That's my favorite color. He mused as he watched the girl move slowly across the room.
She was a few feet away from Vegeta when the train went around a curve and fell square on her behind. A cackling laugh escaped him as Vegeta watched her fall from such a small bump. When the blue-haired girl heard Vegeta's laugh she looked at him and started to pout as she stared at his black spiky, upswept hair. To stop the girl from crying and keep himself from getting yelled at for upsetting her, Vegeta went over and held out his hand. Accepting his hand, she allowed him to help her to her feet. "Your hair. It's blue. Aren't you a little young to be wearing a wig?" Vegeta stated, a bit rougher than he meant too. "Well, for your information mister! My hair is blue and it's my natural hair color!" the girl huffed, her hands clenching into fists at her side.
Scowling at her outburst, Vegeta crossed his arms and turned his head away. "What's your name?" He didn't even look at her as he asked this. The question surprised her, making her forget her anger for a moment, "I'm Bulma Briefs. What's yours?" His face stayed where it was but his eyes glanced at her so she knew he heard her, "Vegeta Saiyan." "How old are you Vegeta?" Great. She likes to ask questions. Vegeta rolled his eyes but couldn't keep himself from humoring her, "Five." Bulma's blue eyes lit up excitedly, "Cool! I'm five too. Are you coming on vacation with us?" Really? They haven't told her yet? I should tell her the truth. But as soon as that thought crossed his mind Vegeta discarded it. No. Her parents lied to her and they should have to be the ones to tell her the truth.
Turning to look Bulma, Vegeta lied, "No. I'm on orders from President Freeza. He wants me to… keep an eye out of illegal stuff. And watch out for you." Why did I say that? Now she'll never leave me alone! "Wow! That is so cool! Did you hear that Daddy? The President sent me a bodyguard." Bulma exclaimed as she ran over to the man with graying lavender hair. Chuckling at his enthusiastic daughter, Dr. Briefs nodded, "Yes I did Sweetheart." The inventor looked at the young boy who had just lost his father, trying to convey his gratitude for not destroying his daughter's fantasy through his eyes alone. Hank knows he'll have to tell his daughter someday that this is not a vacation, just not today. Oddly enough, Vegeta found that the rest of the train ride wasn't quite so boring as he originally thought it'd be.