Author's Note: Hey guys! Fourth installment. I hope you guys are liking it so far, I'm enjoying writing it. I'm not sure how many chapters this will wind up being, but I do know it will be no more than ten. But I might stop at eight. We'll see. Thanks to those of you who have reviewed! I hope you continue to do so. Reviews make me happy. (:
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Primadonna
Chapter Four: The Legend
Bulma steadied herself and clashed her tanto blade against the katana, throwing the woman slightly off balance. But she was quick, and turned on her heel to bring the katana down on Bulma's neck, who dodged and grabbed the woman's hand in a wrist lock and bent low, using the woman's own momentum against her to toss her to the ground. The woman surprised Bulma, however, when instead of landing on her back she landed on her feet and flipped backwards, releasing the wrist lock Bulma had on her and kicking Bulma away from her. Bulma stumbled backwards but caught her balance, glaring hard at the woman.
"You know what you're doing, girl," the woman stated with a scowl. "With a few more years, you could even be as good as me," she said, raising an eyebrow in Bulma's direction. Bulma scoffed and rushed forward, using the tanto blade to knock the woman's katana blade away from the center of her body, and she pushed her shoulder into the woman's abdomen. The black haired girl used her leg to hook Bulma's ankle and brought it up, knocking Bulma onto her back. Bulma retaliated by using her momentum and the girl's momentum to bring the girl down with her. Placing her feet onto the woman's stomach, she pushed upwards and outwards, sending the girl over Bulma's head and landing hard on her back. They were both up in an instant, defensive posture in place for both of them.
"Why are you attacking this village?" Bulma asked her, not letting her guard down.
"They have something we want," the woman answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Mai, it's not here!" a man clad in black ninja gear announced, stepping up behind her. She turned to look at him in mild annoyance.
"What do you mean it's not here?" she asked him hotly.
"We searched the shrine, but it's not there," he answered her. There was a laughing from behind Bulma, and she turned to see Lady Sakura walking up to them, the tip of her walking stick pointed at Mai.
"You're looking for the dragon ball. I'm afraid you're quite a few years too late. We gave that away to someone special a long time ago," Lady Sakura said to them. Mai narrowed her eyes at the old woman and pointed her katana at her.
"No, you're lying. It has to be hidden somewhere in this village vicinity," Mai said, though she sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than anything else. Bulma took a step back, suddenly feeling as if the dragon ball in her bag was burning a hole through it. Luckily the bag was underneath the black cape jacket Bulma was still wearing, and hidden from view. "You lie!" Mai screamed, rushing towards Lady Sakura.
Bulma tensed and moved to jump in front of the old woman, but Lady Sakura held her hand out to stop her. She held her walking stick out to Mai and started to chant something in a language that Bulma had never heard before. The wind shifted around Lady Sakura, before it blew from the top of her walking stick and surrounded Mai, throwing her backwards. Mai crashed into a stone building and slumped to the ground, completely still. Bulma held her breath, wondering if she was dead, but Mai came to pretty quickly and groaned, brushing the dust off of her and shakily standing up. She placed a hand on her shoulder and winced, cursing.
"Take your men and go. We won't give you another opportunity to leave here alive," Lady Sakura said quietly, a few of the hunters gathering behind her with their weapons trained on Mai. The blue eyed woman glared heavily at Lady Sakura, and then at Bulma, and whistled loudly. All of the men that were fighting off the rest of the hunters and fighters quickly gathered at Mai's side.
"Don't think that you won't pay for crossing Emperor Pilaf," Mai said harshly, motioning for the men behind her to follow her out as the helicopter lowered itself to the ground. It was then that Bulma caught side of the capsule corporation logo on the side of the copter and she narrowed her eyes, annoyed that someone like Mai was in possession of her family's products. She didn't say anything though as the copter took off, and the ruined village was left in a settling quietness.
"Are you ready?" the young prince's companion asked him. Vegeta pulled on the battle glove and looked at Nappa from the corner of his eye. Nappa had been unusually quiet since their talk, and it wasn't hard to guess why. A dull feeling settled in the pit of Vegeta's stomach as he opened up the hatch to the space pod.
"The Solarians have decent technology, but they're low on fighters. As a technological race, they rely on others for protection," Vegeta answered him.
"Yeah, until the ones you're relying on decide to kill you off. I don't like this, Vegeta," Nappa growled out, slamming his hand onto the button that opened up his space pod. Vegeta glared at the tall brute out of the corner of his eye.
"You don't have to like it. Frieza has commanded it, so-" Vegeta started, but was cut off when Nappa whirled around to face him, a heavy glare set on his face.
"Frieza has no honor," Nappa stated through clenched teeth. Vegeta looked over his companion for a moment. Nappa looked deeply troubled about something, and Vegeta could only guess it was because of the task at hand. Sighing, Vegeta shook his head for a moment.
"You're right, Nappa. But as it stands, Frieza can kill you with his finger. So you will do as you're commanded whether it holds honor or not. We will have our time to reclaim that honor, I assure you," Vegeta told him, stepping into the pod and sitting down. Nappa stared at the Prince for a moment, and then he scoffed and took a seat in his own pod.
"Why did Frieza have to choose this mission for us to complete? Genocide on a race that's supposed to be our ally, it's disgusting," Nappa said with distaste. Vegeta glared at nothing in particular as the door to his pod shut and he channeled Nappa in his thoughts.
'To teach us a lesson,' Vegeta thought to his companion bitterly. 'This is your punishment for disobeying, and my punishment for allowing myself to take the fall is to commit the same act against someone's race that Frieza did to our own.'
'Vegeta, I didn't-' Nappa started, but was cut off by Vegeta.
'I still don't want to hear it, Nappa. The Solarians would have died either way, because that's what happens when you become useless to Frieza. Do you understand me?' Vegeta thought roughly, annoyed at the whole situation. It was quiet for a moment while Nappa gathered his thoughts about the Prince's words. Vegeta was right, as he normally was. Useless men died while working for Frieza, and so Vegeta refused to become useless, and he expected Nappa to do the same. The older Saiyan shook his head, looking out of the window
'Yes, Prince.'
The young heiress tucked her blue hair into the steel gray weave beret she was holding in her hands and picked up her bag, placing it onto her shoulders. After what happened yesterday at the village, the girl was reluctant to leave the bag by itself. She left the small bathroom, her black zorrba boots making a dull thumping noise on the wooden floors, and took a look around the small house. She had decided it was best to stay on the move as much as she could. Today she was going to find out what Lady Sakura knew about the dragon ball, and then she was going to leave. Either for home, or to continue on her search. Bulma had never lost her determination before and she wasn't about to start any time soon. Shutting the door behind her, she stepped out into the small village and looking up to her left, she could still see the left over smoke from the incident at the Eastern village yesterday.
"Bulma, there you are. I'm glad you're up," Lady Sakura said, gaining Bulma's attention as she looked at the older woman. "Thank you for your help yesterday, you've proven yourself a good fighter."
"Thank you. Lady Sakura, I really need to be going soon. I can only stay for so long, but I really wish to learn what you know about the dragon ball," Bulma said quickly, hoping she wasn't offending the old woman. That was the last thing she needed right now. But Lady Sakura just looked amused and motioned for Bulma to walk with her. The two made their way through the village, Lady Sakura taking her through the courtyard and right by the fountain.
"I've already explained that our village has very ancient customs, and we believe in the spirits. There is a sprit of the moon, stars, sun, and even the Earth itself and they all come together to make a great circle that we live in. We try to do right by them and abide by them, and to give thanks for the things they have given to us. This village used to have a Seer, and though he is long gone by now, he was very spiritual and brought magic into this village," Lady Sakura started, her eyes brightening at the memory. Bulma listened patiently, not spiritual herself so that part didn't much interest her, but she was intrigued about this seer.
"Did he bring the dragon ball into the village then?" Bulma asked, but Lady Sakura only smiled and shook her head.
"No, but he was the one who found the dragon ball. The spirits guided him to it and sent him visions. There is a legend that the Earth was appointed a Guardian by the star spirits, and the Guardian was mighty. His job was to protect the balance of Earth and protect the wellspring of life," Lady Sakura explained, getting more excited the more she spoke. Bulma blinked a few times in confusion, stopping for a second.
"Is it just a legend, or is there really a Guardian? Who is he anyway?" she asked the village elder.
"Nobody knows who he is, all that is known is that he is not from this Earth and he is only known as the Guardian. It's only a legend if you do not believe. The dragon balls are his creation, something from what I can only assume is from his own planet. There are seven in all, and they were created to give the humans a goal to work towards, and they're powerful and very magical," Lady Sakura finished, looking out towards the mountains. Bulma started walking again, getting excited as well.
"So there's seven of them?" she asked, a wide grin on her face. "And I knew they were magical! I could feel it. What happens when all seven are gathered?"
"The dragon balls are scattered across the Earth, and it is said that all seven can only be found by people with a strong spirit, heart, and good intention. Once gathered, a mighty dragon comes forth to grant a single wish to whomever awakens him. With that kind of power, the Seer decided it best that we aid the spirits in helping to keep the dragon ball safe until we could pass it along to someone worthy," Lady Sakura told her. Bulma caught on then.
"And that's when my father came along," she said with a smile. Lady Sakura nodded.
"He helped us when we were in dire need of it, and it was agreed that he was sent our way by the spirits so that he may help us and so that we may finally pass on dragon ball. We thought he made a good keeper since he had no interest in the dragon ball. I don't think I have to tell you what could happen if someone with evil intentions were to make a wish upon them," the old woman finished, crossing her arms and stopping on the path, sighing a little. "I still think we made the right choice."
"I think you did, too," Bulma agreed with a smile. "Do you know where the other six are?" Bulma asked, hopeful. Lady Sakura looked thoughtful and seemed to be thinking about it.
"There are a series of caves east from here, and last I heard that's where one of them was located. Though I'm not sure which number. The only other dragon ball that I'm aware of is the one that Master Gohan won in one of the World's Martial Arts tournament, the four star ball I believe," Lady Sakura answered. That name rang a bell in Bulma's head as she thought on it for a moment.
"Oh! He's a really famous martial artist! Where does he live?" Bulma asked, excited to get going once more.
"Master Gohan lives in Hokkaido, and you'll be on his property long before you reach his house. Though he's gone dark these past few years, I wonder if he's finally retired," Lady Sakura mused. Bulma's mind was racing, and she was so excited she could barely stand it.
"Do you have maps?" Bulma suddenly asked, earning a nod from Lady Sakura. "Could you show me exactly where these caves are? As well as Master Gohan's location?" the blue haired heiress asked, trying not to bounce up and down with excitement. Lady Sakura smiled and nodded, motioning for Bulma to follow her as she headed back into town.
Vegeta stared out at the ruins before him, his eyes trailing over the blazing fires and the twisting smoke rising like black snakes into the dull orange sky. His face showed absolutely no emotion and his eyes were colder still, taking in the sight of the destruction he and Nappa had caused. They had arrived on Solaris IV a few hours ago, and just finished clearing out the population. Normally it would take at least a day to clear a planet as big as Solaris IV, but Vegeta was not in a proper fighting mood. The only reprieve Vegeta could give the Solarians was a quick and painless death, which he did. Nappa stood next to him with a dissatisfied look on his face, and Vegeta could understand why. This was not how Saiyans were meant to fight. There was a scratching to Vegeta's left and he looked down, staring into the eyes of a wounded survivor. Vegeta frowned and stared at the pathetic scene before him, a thin hand reaching out to wrap around Vegeta's leg.
"I don't…understand," the heavily wounded Solarian choked out. Their translucent skin had always creeped Vegeta out, and even more so now that this man was half dead. Vegeta could literally see a few organs inside of this one's body that had been damaged and were openly bleeding, and blood vessels that were broken and causing random spots of a light shade of green and blue to cover patches of his skin. Wide orange eyes stared at Vegeta in confusion and devastation. "Why?" he asked, gasping for breath.
"I don't have an answer that will satisfy you, and you know that. So why are you asking?" Vegeta responded, narrowing his eyes at the Solarian. "Your race was doomed the moment you came under contract with Frieza, as every race does," Vegeta said curtly, anger fluttering through him.
"It's wrong…" the Solarian wheezed out, letting go of Vegeta's leg and falling to the ground, falling into a cough fit as he spit up blood. Nappa watched but didn't say anything as he stared at the Solarian, and then at Vegeta.
"Your sense of morality doesn't have an affect on me," Vegeta said bluntly. "I can kill you quickly, or I can let you suffer. The choice is yours," Vegeta finished, hoping he opted for a quick death. It wasn't the Saiyan way to leave your opponent on the verge of death. Then again, this entire day wasn't exactly up to Saiyan standards. Struggling to breathe as he rolled over on his back, the Solarian twitched and shook his head.
"Kill me, then. Frieza will pay for his crimes…just as those that follow him will," the Solarian said with surprising determination. Vegeta grunted and leaned down, placing a hand on the Solarian's chest, right over his heart, Vegeta gathered his Ki in the palm of his hand.
"Don't preach on your death bed, it tends to fall on deaf ears," Vegeta stated, blasting a large golden Ki ball straight through the Solarian's heart. The Solarian's eyes widened for a second, before the life completely drained out of him and he slumped completely onto the ground, dead. Vegeta stood up, slightly disgusted with the entire mission and took another look around.
"We're not supposed to fight opponents who don't have the strength to fight back," Nappa said quietly. Vegeta looked at the older Saiyan out of the corner of his eye.
"That ended as soon as Vegetasei came under Frieza's rule," Vegeta responded, turning to head back to the pod. He didn't want to stay on the now barren planet any longer then he had to. Nappa turned to follow the Prince, taking a look at the dead Solarians on the ground and the smoke in the distance.
"It's not our way," Nappa muttered under his breath.
