Chapter 1
Birth of the Prince
It was a day of quiet and fervent anticipation. The first of the two suns started to rise into the crimson skies that lit the heavens in a fiery red and orange. Outside the massive castle was the expanse of advanced technology that provided the castle and surrounding facilities with energy needed for support. The rounded facades of the buildings buffeted the winds that occasionally howled savagely through the cities.
When the second sun rose above the horizon, the brilliant deep maroon and orange set the skies on fire with a brilliant gold and bright crimson. The view was as breath taking as it was stunning. Sparsely scattered about on the grounds were the low hardy brush and deciduous trees. With the seasons, these trees changed their color, the leaves falling to the ground, but the red cast light of the sun made these leaves a dark green if not touched with a little bit of purple hue. The rustling leaves fluttered to the ground, covering the paths with their different colors.
In the distance were the high cliffs of mountains scraping the skies higher than the Alps on Earth, sprinkled with snow and trickling water that was fresh and clear in its pristine beauty. Forests rolled for thousands of miles, heavy with game animals which were hunted only for the need of food. The Saiyans had long ago learned how to harness their ki energy, allowing them to fly about, making the use of cars and flying transports redundant for everyday use, keeping their skies clear and untainted from excessive smog. Planet Vegeta truly was a stunningly beautiful planet, rich in resources. From space, it looked like a blood ruby, shining as a beacon for the Saiyans who were proud to call it home.
Most Saiyans lived in plush living conditions and occasionally travelled to the wilderness for camping, honing in stealth tactics like ambushing and surprise attacks. There was an understanding passed down from generation to generation the importance of preserving their home resources. Their warrior blood was infused with the desire to fight, to show supremacy upon the battlefield. Other times, they learned how to survive off the land.
Friendly spars happened on occasion, and sometimes a grudge fight had to be settled. The Code of Honor was to be strictly followed, in fact, that Code was the only set of laws that governed the Saiyan people. Still they maintained a rather peaceful living with each other. Other races that had no place to go after their planet was destroyed by Frieza, served as their physicians and technicians amongst other occupations.
These people, these Saiyan warriors, had tamed a world with ten times Earth's own gravity, and storms that would rage fiercely enough to rip down standard earthen construction. This was their home and they took it to heart with such deep devotion and conviction that would make the most devout follower of a religion jealous.
Inside the Castle was another story. Manners were strictly maintained, as was military bearing. Each guard that stood at attention was in uniform and crisp in appearance. Every function ran smoothly from the entrance to the exchanging of guards, to the night routines. If a Saiyan needed to catch up on a debt owed to another, they were paid by the Castle for their services in more of the lower stations like that of a cleaning position or the washroom. However, they were not kept there. If they proved worthy, they moved to higher stations within. Every soldier, every Saiyan worked through the ranks in fair acknowledgement.
Today was different. The King had called for a physician. There was never a time that the head of the Royal Family ever summoned a person without purpose and intent. With the head of the Empire having been out of sight for the past couple weeks rumors began to spread like wildfire. Recent stories ranged from illness to the arrival of the new prince. The people were growing restless from the little information that trickled down from the Castle.
Tensions ran high as the King paced in anxious fervor. The higher personal servers were summoned to be on hand at all times now, switching shifts as needed. No servant of the castle was held against their will, each one dedicated and wanting of their position. It was nearly coveted as one of the best. King Vegeta was truly a ruler that was not tyrannical to his people.
Screaming could be heard coming from within the bedchambers as the King stopped and looked to the closed door. His wife was in the throes of pained moments that came and went in waves. The Warrior King would look at the door wondering if they were not somehow torturing her. His tail flicked from side to side. He had long since removed his cape and draped it on the back of a chair.
This went on for hours. Each cry of pain would make the King grimace, even though he knew the doctors were doing what they could to ease the anguish. After the crying died down, a physician emerged from the room and motioned the King in. Walking in slowly, he smiled at his wife and then sat beside her, holding her hand with such deep devotion to her. Moments later, one of the doctors turned around and smiled. "Congratulations Sire. You are the father of a strong and healthy boy. Do you have a name in mind my Lord?"
King Vegeta nodded, as pride seemed to dance in his ebon gaze. "He will be named after his home world and after his father. Let him be known as Vegeta, the heir to the Saiyan throne."
The doctors wrote it down in their computed records and immediately after allowing his mother to hold him took the newly born child to be tested for strength and leadership. During this time, the physician pulled King Vegeta aside. Following the tall Saiyan would turn his gaze slowly to the side. Planthor bowed in respect ever so slightly before he spoke. "Your Highness, it was a hard birth. Should she have another child, it could very well kill her. Such a loss of our Queen would be tragic for you and your new son. We caution highly against trying for another."
This news was not expected. Both he and his wife had planned to have at least two children. Between Frieza and the doctor's he was beginning to have second thoughts. Two kids may ensure that the royal bloodline survived. The problem was that Frieza was taking more and more interest in his Empire's issues. Already the tyrant had made it clear that a set number of Saiyans worked for him or suffer the loss of a planet. King Vegeta could only pray for a legend to be born.
With the hard birth, King Vegeta walked into the room and shot a gaze to the doctors. "I want to be alone with my wife. " It was all he needed to say as the doctors and servants scurried from the room in rushed motion. Turning to his wife, he would turn, moving to his wife's side.
Her hair was tousled and damp with sweat as he ran his hand through her hair. "Thank you for being at my side for this. He is going to be strong and handsome like his father, and Vegeta is the perfect name for such a strong son in our family. We already know he will be called by his title than his name anyway. What was talked about out there with the doctors?"
The King only took her hand in a gesture of comfort. Outside these walls, he was known to be firm and fair, strong, with a commanding presence. With his wife though, the proud new father respected his wife with the utmost respect and honor. "They said it was a hard birth and that we should reconsider having another child. He said the next one could kill you."
Letting out a worried sigh, she looked up at him. "You're having second thoughts. Do not second-guess yourself my husband. You could not have known it was going to be this hard. What matters is that I survived this and his strength and leadership is going to be read. Let us hope for brighter days and much laughter in these halls. Honor our child Vegeta; he'll need you to be a strong leader and an even stronger example."
King Vegeta squeezed her hand and gave a brave smile. "Alright, I'll get the information on our son and see how he's doing. You rest and relax, and that's an order." He stroked the black locks of her hair back from her face that had dropped back over her forehead. After giving her a tender and loving kiss, he would grab his cape and pinned it to the broad shoulders of the armor. The moment he stepped from the room, he motioned the guards. "No one is to pester her. Any business is to go through me until she is back on her feet. Am I clear on this order?"
"Yes my King." Zorn said in his quiet tenor voice. Bringing his right hand up to his heart, he gave a light bow as the King turned, being reassured his desires were followed. King Vegeta trusted few more than he did Zorn. The guard was a solid fighter, standing only five feet nine inches tall. His light blue cape draped down to about knee length. He took his position right outside the door and watched as the King disappeared down the corridor.
Once Vegeta reached the medical wing, he would enter without hesitation as his infant son lay on a small padded, oval bed. Planthor and Milaka looked up and smiled. "Sire, we have good news to give. Your son has a strong power level of about five thousand. He is the strongest we have seen in a long time. In addition, his leadership skills will be a force to be reckoned with. We predict that he will be a naturally born Master Tactician, a welcome sight given the circumstances with Lord Frieza."
The Ruler would nod appreciatively. "Keep his strength and potentials under the radar. Should Frieza find out, who knows what that tyrant would do. As far as everyone else is concerned, they do not need to know unless necessary. All they have to know is that my son has been born and is healthy. I know rumors are spreading quickly about the absence of me and my wife."
Milaka nodded in confirmation. "Yes my liege. If you wish, you may take your son back to your quarters, I'm sure you would like to spend time with him and your wife." The physician would state with the utmost respect for his beloved leader. While others of his race had been wiped out, he had found refuge with the Saiyans and the doctor was only happy to serve a King that allowed him to advance in his field of passion and his personal life as well.
Lifting his son, the King found him wrapped in a red cloth, the hair that hung over his forehead, much like his mother's. As ebony eyes looked up at his father, King Vegeta felt the pride swell within him. In that moment, King Vegeta welcomed the new Prince into the world of the Saiyans. The Warrior King could not have accomplished more than he did in this small bundle he held in his arms. "You are going to be a great warrior someday. Yes my son, as great as the planet that you will call home. My son, Vegeta, you will become a fierce warrior, respected and honored by many. Your name will expand across the galaxies and come to be known with fear and awe."
Holding his son close to him, he would exit the medical wing and spent time again with his wife. Together they started the quiet beginnings of a family. When the news was broken, parties and celebrations broke out. After making the rounds in public, the King and Queen retreated with the young prince into the shelter and usual quiet organized chaos that was their home. It was good to be home, and the new parents immediately took to the role of parenting.
