This story reflects 3 years worth of work for me which I'm proud to finally share. I started it and wrote the first four chapters and then abandoned it due to other events happening in life and having no true end or meaning for the title. Until now, when I realized what the title meant all along. I hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think. The chapters will be posted over the coming days and weeks, but I won't hold the chapters hostage but any and all feed back is accepted and appreciated.

For a little background: Vejiita-sei still exists due to Frieza's early defeat at the hands of Gokou which afford him a position to serve on Earth as part of the grand Empire that arose courtesy of expansion by our proud Prince turned King. Every six years the King tours his expansive Kingdom, including far and distant planets as part of his Duty and ensuring order and all laws are followed. The most important aspects of Saiya-jin life being their honor, duty, and pride.

Ages will be present as needed but ultimately this fic is dedicated to Trunks and Pan and the mystery a bond. All will be explained in future installments but don't hesitate to let me know if I missed anything and I'll do my best to answer.

All the King's Horses

Prologue

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"Tell me again, why we came all the way to this mud ball father?"

Grunting in annoyance, King Vejiita stands stoically at the top of the grassy hill, his flowing mahogany cape weaving in the gentle spring breeze. With his strong arms crossed over his armored chest and the royal emblem shinning from his left breast under the golden Earth sun, he looks over his shoulder with a scowl to his sixteen-year-old son and heir to the Saiya-jin throne. "Because brat," he drawls with a sneer. "If you're to be King. You must know your kingdom and your heritage."

Brushing the wrinkles from his own deep navy cape, Trunks approaches the spot where his father stands, not bothering to close the hatch to his own pod nor ensure the two palace guards whom accompanied them are following. His royal blue spandex suit and pearly white armor reflects the image of his father's as he too stops atop the hill and looks out across the valley. Knee high grasses and reeds sway in the cool breeze and blooming sakura's dot the scape. Barely a cloud accents the sapphire blue sky, the image driving Prince Trunks to suck in a deep breath. "This place is..." He whispers, forming his words, only to have them cut from his tongue.

Grunting impatiently, Vejiita snaps his head to the left as his scouter beeps and a marker begins blinking, directing his vision across the valley floor and northwards to the looming mountains. "Your Mothers' home," he interrupts gruffly, not patient enough to indulge his own blood. Expecting his entourage to follow, the proud Saiya-jin King leaves his precipice in search of what his archaic ear piece has found. "Every six years, you will come here," he grunts again, walking briskly, reveling at the hunt laid out before them.

Cinching his heavy leather belt around his waist so his broad sword rests on his right hip, Trunks hurries after his father, wondering what could have caught his attention. Waiving over his shoulder for their guards to follow, he too fumbles to clamp his scouter to his ear, frustrated that the infernal device is malfunctioning again. "What is it?" He wonders, falling a step behind Vejiita's steady gate.

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"Pan-chan, don't wander too far!" Videl calls over her shoulder, kneeling in the meadow upon their large blanket, a well worn book lying open in her lap.

Hearing the four-year-old bundle of energy giggling playfully behind her, she can't help but sigh contentedly at the peaceful day. To think, so many wars and battles have plagued the history of the plains they now enjoy. Despite the grip held by the Saiya-jin empire on their peaceful little planet, Videl is warmed by the Demi-Saiya-jin she calls mate and the child they created together, whom is currently tumbling around through the reeds and wild flowers. 'What did I do to deserve my perfect family?', she sighs to herself with a soft smile, before diving back into the words before her.

'A beautiful treasure trove, intoxicating and grand, she dare not breath for fear it would leave. The warmth of the gift from heaven burns deep inside, when a speckle of dust drifts on the wind, drawing her to clear her eye. Sniffling slight before batting her eyes, the world around her crumbles, her gift vanishing with the fraction of a blink and a cry...'

Humming a happy tune which exists only in her mind, Pan digs playfully through the forest of grasses, hunting her latest grasshopper friend. It's a simple world, reflecting in her shinning midnight eyes, as she continues deeper into the green sea, the warm wind occasionally bowing the blades to her and tickling her nose. Waiving her tail casually above her, the tip of her furry brown appendage barely peeking above the top of the colorful flowers and wheat.

"Hah! Caught you!", she cheers gleefully, bounding forward and pouncing into a clod of dirt , landing in a crouched position. Reddened clay dirt dusts her once pristine white dress sandals and up the well worn legs of her favorite denim overalls, not that she minds. Cupping her hands as carefully as any four-year-old can, she chances a peek inside to ensure she's truly snagged her prey. Giggling again in triumph, a small sneeze tickles her nose, for only moments later she finds herself hoisted by the straps of her pants and held suspended in mid-air. Surprised by her capture but happy just the same, she grins wide like the Son she is, instantly drawn to the deep blue eyes staring back at her. "Hi!", she purrs in delight.

"A Saiya-jin cub?", Prince Trunks whispers in surprise, entranced by the peculiar child they stumbled upon, whom now stares back at him as if they were long time friends. The small but powerful ki she radiates, pouring over his senses in it's warming grace.

Stepping towards his son, Vejiita signals for their guards to approach Videl, while he takes a good look at Pan before sneering and looking away once more. "Obviously a spawn of Kakorotto." Watching his men near the woman relaxing only a hundred or so meters away, followed by her scream echoing throughout the valley.

"A Demi-Saiya-jin?" Trunks corrects, more surprised by the young girl as she swings her legs playfully, her tail still waiving behind her before wrapping around his wrist. "I thought there were only two Saiya-jin's here."

"I'm Pan," the raven haired pixie proclaims, either unconcerned or not noticing her own mother's scream as her attention is focused solely on her captor. "What's your name?" Warmth radiating from her soul deep eyes, she suddenly gasps, a wave of sadness washing over her as she looks back to her still clasped hands.

"What's wrong?", he questions back in concern, instantly feeling a strange sensation of never wanting to see this child so sad.

Sniffing a little, Pan opens her hands a bit to show him her find. "Hoppie's sleeping," She confirms, with a maturity beyond her tender age. "He always sleeps when we play together," Exhaling a held breath, she lets her grasshopper friend fall back into the grasses which are just out of reach of her short legs, before looking up and meeting Trunks' eyes once more.

Unable to resist smiling in return at the young girl, Trunks moves to holding her properly, propping her on one hip and wrapping both his arms around her. "The planet definitely makes some beautiful hybrids, ne father?", Trunks idly observes, not removing his eyes from the raven haired girl, chuckling lightly when she cups his cheeks with her tiny hands.

"You're pretty," Pan coos as well, in an eerily similar tone.

Snorting in disgust, Vejiita paces forward as a thrashing Videl is dragged towards him, the guards having a firm hold on each of her arms. "You're both hideous," he sneers, glancing Videl once over before signaling the guards to unhand her as she slumps to the ground.

Shaken with a mix of fear and rage, both for her daughter and family at home, Videl gathers every ounce of courage and strength in her quaking body to rise back to her unsteady feet. "Give me my baby!", she demands in desperation, attempting to lunge forward to grab her, but only to be swatted back by Vejiita and landing on her rear.

"You will answer my questions woman, and answer only. Your answers will decide your worlds fate," Vejiita threatens, half stepping between the shaken woman and the Prince, who's currently enraptured with her child. He narrows his eyes further though when she's still bold enough to glare back at him without restraint. "Why is there a Saiya-jin child on this rock? Unreported to the crown?", he demands gruffly.

"Please," she begs, moving to rest on her knees as she watches Pan laugh and interact with who she assumes to be the Prince. "She's my baby, not Gokou's. She wasn't even born until after your last visit," hoping to appeal to his parental instincts, she knows now is not the time to try the battle techniques which she'd been learning from the Son men.

A quiet floats through the valley, not even a bird or bug breaking the silence as the king ponders the words from the woman kneeling before him. Glancing over his shoulder once to see his own son laugh as he coos the younger demi, tapping her on her nose and drawing a squeal, his glare intensifies as he reflects it back to Videl.

"Regardless," Vejiita barks, brushing his billowing cape back over his shoulders. "The law is the law. All Saiya-jin children born off planet, are to be reported to the crown," hissing his words, he clenches a fist over his royal crest in emphasis. "Once they are weened, they're to return to my kingdom to be trained! Only then, after they have served their King, will they be allowed to be with their family."

With a giggle and a soft purr, Pan curls further into Trunks arms, oblivious to anything else around her. Drawn by his scent, she cuddles as close to his neck as she can, purring once more when he brushes his fingers through her hair. Her tail tightens it's hold as well, snuggly wrapped around the same wrist which is holding her in place. Her instinctual affections draws a chuckle from the young Prince as her eyes never stray from his face.

"I think I'll keep you as a pet," he murmurs softly, patting her gently on her soft peach colored cheek. Glancing up briefly to see his father watching him over his shoulder, Trunks smirks and turns on his heel, heading back the way they'd come from their pods. "My name is Trunks Briefs Vejiita," he says, answering her previous question. "And I am your Prince, my little Pan-chan."

Enraged and boiling, by the nerve of the Royals, Videl slowly raises to her feet again. Gohan had warned her of them, Gokou and Chichi as well, as well she'd heard many stories of the times they've come before. "Don't you touch her you monsters!" She cries out, forming a ball of ki in each of her hands, willing to fight though out numbered and outclassed.

Turning back and scowling ever deeper, Vejiita glares at the annoying woman before him, noting her defensive and well trained stance. Brushing his cape aside, he too lifts his palm towards her, forming a much larger blast of his own. "Restrain yourself woman. You don't want to challenge me," he commands, as the two guards roughly grab her arms, forcing her back to her knees.

Biting back a sob, Videl quickly locks glares with the King again not allowing herself to be beat so easily. "What more do you want?" she demands, a rage burning in her azure eyes which Vejiita has only seen one other place. "You already control this planet. You have Gokou's loyalty. You took Bulma from her friends and family and you even took Goten from Chichi and we've never seen them since!" The tears streaming down her cheeks, she refuses to let him hear her pain.

Prepared to defend their King, Vejiita waives his guards off, dropping his own attack as well as they release her arms and step back. Stepping in front of her, he crosses his arms, his glare never easing. "My terms were clear. Kakorotto was granted status above what he was born for, as well as residence on this planet, for his services to the throne. A Status his heirs too can enjoy." He recites from memory, the words spoken from his father all those decades ago."In exchange for his free roam on this frontier planet, each Saiya-jin born is to return to Vejiita-sei to be trained in our customs. Traditions." He shouts his final words, nearly growling. "He was even granted to keep his first born here to appease his mate, despite the agreement he made."

Sniffing slightly, Videl dips her head, just long enough to brush her tears away with the back of her hand. Balling her hand into a fist and biting her lip, Videl considers her chances, her ki flickering and registering on their scouters, before snapping her head up again and lunging forward with all the speed and power she can muster. Thrusting forward, she aims her fist for the Saiya-jin King's temple, hoping to get a lucky hit before he can react. Every ounce of hope in her body riding on this single attack.

And with precise aim, the punch hits it's target, but to her dismay, Vejiita doesn't flinch or even move from the force. Grunting gruffly, he then returns Videl the favor, unfolding his arms and with the flick of his wrist, bats her away with the back of his hand. Skidding more then twenty feet in a cloud of dust and uprooted grasses, Videl slowly tumbles to a stop as a loud rumbling fills the valley.

Looking over their shoulders to watch the pod launch, the three Saiya-jins watch the Prince's space capsule arc across the uniquely blue sky until it disappears over the horizon. Taking only a moment to wonder on Trunks' behavior, they each turn back to Videl who now lay in a heap amidst the grasses. Approaching her quietly, the royal guards take a more watchful stance as their King addresses her one last time.

"Your brat has been taken by the Crown Prince of Vejiita-sei," Vejiita informs, leaving no room for discussion. "Tell your mate. Your daughter will return if she so chooses once her training is completed. If he finds the need to attempt to reclaim her, a space pod will be left at the south end of this valley, coordinates already set in place of your less evolved methods of travel. I'll be waiting for him in my throne room." He scoffs once more, kicking the dirt with his boot, before turning and taking to the air.

Knowing the Guards are following, they flare their ki's, powering back to their pods, not worrying over the condition in which they've left Videl.

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"You were deprived of your right to learn. To grow. To lead."

"Why would they do that?"

"Because they loved you. More then you'll ever understand."

"Love? Is that a type of bond?"

"Perhaps...I don't think we're supposed to truly know."

Silence.

"Oh."

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-Without giving anything away, Pan's reaction will be explained.

Hope you've enjoyed so far and let me know what you think! The next chapter will follow shortly and yes it's completely written and just in need of further reading and proofing.

'Tchus

Tunks~