The Dragon's Knight

by Lucied

In a world were dragons are revered and kings of all kinds wage war to rule the universe, one man--a demi-saiyan--changes everything by kidnapping a single princess who, in turn, kidnaps his heart. AU, some OOC, and M rating to be safe.

4. Chapter 4 Deception

The Dragon's Knight

Chapter 4: Deception

When something important is going on, silence is a lie.

--Rosenthal

"Mommy, where are we going?"

"Hush now you'll see when we get there."

(Rushes the young boy out of the door and screams meet them. The now scared boy looks at his mother questioningly.) "Mommy what's going on?"

(The mother hides both of them in the corner as warriors rushed pass, killing the children and elderly people further ahead without mercy.) "We'll be fine we just have to leave until the bad people stop looking for us."

"Hey you there stop!"

"Mommy that man's coming after us!"

(Pushes the boy out of the way) "Run!"

"Stop!"

"Get her!"

"It's Aeria get her!"

"Mommy!"

"Don't stop, run!"

(A saiya-jin came towards her with a thin-lined mouth and stabs her mercilessly. The woman screams.)

"Gohan run!"

(The boy tries to run but is grabbed by a gruff-looking saiya-jin holding a menacing sword.)

"Time to die blood of the dragons!"

"Leave my son alone!"

"Argh shut her up!"

(The woman screams then is silent as the grim-faced saiya-jin kills her.)

"Mommy? MOMMY!" (The smirking saiya-jin slashes down and the boy's vision goes black.)

He jumped awake and slammed his head into the top of the escape pod. He hissed at the pain and looked around. Videl was still in his arms, blood coming from her forehead, and was, from what he could tell, unconscious. Blood began to slip down from the slash over his brow but he easily ignored it.

Groaning he looked warily about their surroundings, listening to the wind in the leaves and the singing birds for any sign of disturbance. Seeing that there was none he carefully slid out of the escape pod. It was peaceful enough, but he felt he knew this place from somewhere and was not sure where.

Zyanya screeched her location on a weeping willow and flew off to examine the surroundings at the nod of her master. He stretched his limbs and popped a few joints before gazing at the woman lying in the pod. He gazed at her for a moment, wondering why he was entranced with the princess he had abducted.

She looked serene despite for the blood trailing from her forehead, down under her eye, and across her lips. His mind flashed back to his dream and he shuddered, making sure his hood was shadowing his face. No one needed to know the pain he had suffered, the pain his people had suffered, and most of all the pain she had suffered.

The blood streaking down her face had brought back memories that he did not want to ever think about again. Memories that he had been trying to push back that have haunted his footsteps for years on end. They were shadows that followed him, taunting him for what he had lost and they had gained.

Reaching in the Knight carefully pulled her out of the wreckage and placed her comfortably in his muscular arms. The princess groaned and he glanced down at her before looking up at the sky where Zyanya was screeching. She seemed restless from some reason so he knew this forest was not what it seemed.

Securing her in his arms he jogged towards the area his falcon-like phoenix was circling. He stopped for a moment, hearing something snap a twig behind him. Gazing at the suspicious bushes he watched as a rabbit ran out of it and into another. The rabbit seemed to be running for his life, quickly searching for shelter.

The Knight made a mental note to himself that there was food on this planet and to retrieve the few supplies he was able to place in the escape pod before they had tried to escape the jaws of Vanus. He knew the Dragon of the Void would be searching for them and they would not be safe here.

Videl groaned in his arms again and he stared down at her with his ghostly blue eyes before continuing on through the silent yet lively forest. He didn't like the forest at all. There was something wrong with it. He was trained in every art there was and was knowledgeable about certain things. When his ranger senses perceived danger, it as there.

The air was crisp and clean, yet at the same time it was compressing the oxygen within his lungs. The trees were tall and healthy as foreboding as they seemed, but as innocent as the forest was it whispered the same amount of death he carried. This was the forest he had heard about. This was the Forest of Bliss.

Another twig snapped behind him and he glanced back at it, but a shadow too large to be a rabbit darting by and he was sure that it didn't try to hide in the bushes. The shadow had disappeared into the trees and the Knight continued on as if he didn't notice. He would take care of it later.

The shadow eyed them hungrily from the bough it sat on before leaping off through the trees back to a dark glade where equally hungry eyes watched its approach. They spoke in low growls before slinking off into the darkness that was their home. They were the most dangerous creatures in the universe and nothing would keep them from their prize.

One creature stayed however, staring out at the glade of whispering trees. His lips curled into a snarl and gleaming white fangs blinked in the dark glade. "Finally…fresh meat…"

The Knight finally reached a small clearing next to a small crystal clear pool. A hole in the pool on the side was a small tunnel where fish from another lake or stream went through to stay in the peaceful abode. Trees surrounded them, but not as foreboding as the rest of the trees of the forest seemed to portray.

There Zyanya sat on a tree above it, eyeing it hungrily before turning golden eyes upon her master with a screech. He greeted her with a nod and placed Videl gently on the soft grass before glancing about in the trees protectively. His protectiveness shocked him, but he could not help what he was doing.

Looking up at the falcon-like phoenix he went back to the escape pod to gather the few supplies he had brought. When he had returned Zyanya was finishing off a fresh fish she had snatched out of the pool. He merely stared at his grinning companion who was cleaning the fish off of her talons.

When finished she went to his shoulder, nipping on his hood affectionately, before taking off like a bullet into the trees. He smirked at her loyalty to him and gazed down at Videl before getting out the cloth he usually used to clean his weapons. He frowned slightly at the dirty cloth and wondered when he last cleaned it.

After he washed off the dirtied cloth until it was literally a pure white, he placed her in his lap and began cleaning her face of the blood. When he touched the cut with the water she jumped up, falling off of his lap with a hiss. She glared at him for the pain, her fiery eyes daring him to laugh at her discomfort.

He just shook his head and went to sit down next to her, observing her small cut. She eyed him as the throbbing pain on her head banged against her skull. Videl froze when he took her head in his hands and ran his tongue on it. Her entire body seemed to freeze and her heart skipped a few beats. Videl felt as if she had died.

The princess could only stare at her kidnapper in shock as he went off into the forest once more for whatever reasons he had. Whether it was because of his cool nature or he was embarrassed, he did not look back. Placing a hand on where the cut was located she went to the lake and looked into it.

The cut on her face had literally disappeared, there was no trace if its existence anywhere on her face. She was amazed with his healing properties, even if it was his tongue, and wondered how on Helios he had been able to do it. No one that she knew could do that except for the rumors of saiya-jin healing, and she was sure a saiya-jin wouldn't kidnap her.

Even the best healers in the universe couldn't heal her as well as he had and if they could they wouldn't have been using their tongue to do it. She shivered at the thought of his tongue on her skin and sat down beside the pool, hoping to keep his present act of kindness out of her suddenly yearning mind.

The silence unnerved her and even with the small pile of supplies that she doubted would last since it was only a small bag of food, a pot, and two bowls, she felt uncomfortably alone and her kidnapper didn't say he was coming back anytime soon. Videl had a feeling he wouldn't be coming back until nightfall.

As if he says anything at all… she thought to herself and decided to calm her nerves by watching the fish swim about peacefully in the pond, a few slipping in and out of the unusual small tunnel as sunlight filtered through the whispering trees. The pond glistened like crystal and soothed her racing heart.

Their colorful bodies glittered in the crystal water and even with what had happened to her so far it made her smile to see them. The fish were all colors of the rainbow with some having colors she had never seen before. Most of the fish fully colored but some had spots and a few of the fish had stripes.

The small fish set her at ease but she was still wary of her surroundings and very frightened when a box was dropped next to her, causing the frightened princess to jump in the air. Videl turned to glare at her kidnapper who said not one word of apology or anything else for that matter. She realized he hadn't really talked to her at all.

He only talked to me when we were in the temple…does he think I am just business?

Grumbling she scooted away from him and faced the lake with a noise of disapproval, slightly startled when she heard a very low chuckle. Shaking his head The Knight began preparing for their short rest and recovery as night began to fall. Inwardly the Knight frowned, he knew when darkness fell they would come.

He whispered silently to himself, surprising Videl, as he said: "Welcome to the Forest of Bliss."

XX

A loud pounding awoke a tired saiya-jin from his place in a large estate. The sound had to be of large magnitude since he was in the farthest part of his home and he lived in an incredibly large mansion. To hear it from where he was it had to be an extremely angry saiya-jin. His wife muttered something and pulled a pillow over her head to block it out.

Shouting began to accompany the banging of his saiya-jin proof door and, with a groan, dragged his dead body out of bed and floated towards the door. With a large yawn the spiky-haired saiya-jin opened the door, blinking to focus his vision as he tried to see who was constantly harassing his door.

He was suddenly shoved back hard by the furious Saiya-jin Prince and his entourage. Vegeta dragged the Lieutenant from his doorway with relentless anger and tossed him into a chair with little or no compassion. Raditz gazed at Vegeta as if he was insane and gazed at his clock, seeing it was barely two o'clock.

"What is the meaning of this?" the Lieutenant of Vegeta growled, angry at being tossed about like a child and being dragged out of his bed. "What is the purpose of awaking me at this ungodly hour?"

"When was the last time you spoke to your nephew Raditz?" Vegeta spat, glancing about as his soldiers stood ready to fight the approaching guards.

Raditz motioned for his men to put away their weapons and turned a weary eye upon the saiya-jin prince. "Goten? I hardly think of that runt worthy of being my nephew, but if you wish to see Goten then you have no business with me on those matters. I am not the one who sent him to war."

"I do not wish to see Goten!" Vegeta snarled; his eyes red from lack of sleep. "Wait what is this about war?"

Raditz waved it away carelessly. "Hell if I know. The boy sent me a letter talking about soldiers and war. Something about your father sending a troop led by his favorite and rising warrior, that person Goten claims as his friend."

Vegeta stared at the Lieutenant in shock, pure disbelief shining in his eyes. Fury began to slowly envelop them and in his rage he roared out to the heavens. He looked like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. The letter was more or less evident in its meaning to the saiya-jin prince and it frightened all around.

Raditz felt incredibly uneasy, slowly making his way, or trying to, into the chair. The Warriors of Dominaria moved back in fright, but slowly in order to save the remnants of their pride and the pride of their leader. They were not accustomed to the ferocious anger of a prince they barely knew.

The Saiya-jin Elite stood still, however, quaking silently in their boots. They had to look fearless in order for their prince to be saved from dishonor. The Elite were used to their leader's bouts of anger, but this was different. He had never shown this much anger, even when his niece was kidnapped.

"He what?" the saiya-jin prince growled dangerously.

Raditz shifted uneasily. "King Vegeta sent your son, Trunks, on a mission with his own army of soldiers and Goten, as your son's friend, went with him as his second in command. I'm not sure of the details, and no one save my brother was informed."

The weary Lieutenant was pulled up by nightshirt and looked eye to eye with the saiya-jin prince, the Lion of Planet Vegeta. "Where Raditz, where?"

"I don't know Prince Vegeta!" Raditz said as calmly as he could, "You and I both know your father is no fool. He will not reveal his plans to those who vow their allegiance to their Prince before their King. Vegeta I may be old but he can still defeat us, especially with that sword of his…what was it called again?"

"I don't know," Vegeta finally sighed, allowing the rest to ease their way out from the fear of his wrath. The weary prince slumped into another chair, rubbing his temples. "My father is up to something, just like he was up to something those many years ago. If I don't find your nephew soon I don't think we'll get anywhere in this silent war. Especially since King Cold is watching from the sidelines laughing as he takes our farthest planets."

The Lieutenant of Vegeta was silent for a moment before stating quietly, yet loudly, "It has been reported by my scouts that King Cold…King Cold was assassinated…"

"Assassinated? By whom?" the prince inquired but was met with a shrug of Raditz's weary shoulders accompanied by a loud yawn.

"No one knows who did it, but everyone suspects either Frieza or Cooler." he said before adding almost secretly, "If you ask me I don't think either of them did it."

Vegeta raised his eyebrow. "Oh? Why is that? It is most likely solution since the two sons both have wanted that throne, especially with the growing empire. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it was them."

"Well that's not what Gohan told me…" Raditz replied in a sing-song voice before yelping as the prince grabbed him by his collar.

"Where is that blasted boy? I've been going through hell and back to find him!" Vegeta snarled at Raditz's nervous face.

"Oh you meant Gohan when you asked about my nephew!" the Lieutenant stammered, "I haven't spoken to my favorite nephew directly in five years!"

Vegeta snorted before throwing the saiya-jin back into his chair and taking a seat of his own with a sigh. "To you, Raditz, Gohan is your only nephew."

"Hey I raised Gohan like my own son." he growled, "If anything I should have gotten off my lazy ass and invited them to stay for Dominaria's summer instead of spending it on the marshy Scamandros with my crew. I should have let Lord Slug keep his watery home therefore preventing the death of his mother. I still blame myself for that…"

"We all have ourselves to blame Raditz." Vegeta sighed. "I was the one with the bad feeling and the only one not doing something at the time. I should have gone to visit them, but I decided that I was being a fool and felt nothing. Now look what had occurred Raditz then tell me if I am the one to blame."

Raditz shook his head and placed a hand on his prince's slumped shoulders. "I guess we are all to blame but I doubt we could have done anything to save them from their fate. We all loved Aeria, but I doubt even Ryuujin could have stopped their fates himself."

Vegeta waved it away with a distant look in his eyes before saying slowly, "Raditz where was the last you had heard from Gohan? It's important that we know where he has visited at least once or twice. He has kidnapped my niece."

"He abducted your niece?" the Lieutenant blinked, "Why the hell would he do that?"

"I don't know!" the prince snapped, glaring in another direction. "I need to get back to Planet Vegeta and find out what is going on. I'll see you there soon I hope Raditz?"

Raditz bowed. "Of course my liege, I will inform my allies of the situation and meet you on Planet Vegeta as soon as I can."

Vegeta nodded towards the Lieutenant and made his way out, his Elite following quickly in step behind him. Raditz walked out to watch them leave, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration. Something was wrong with this image and something was going to happen soon. If he didn't tell Gohan then he would be in deep trouble.

"Sir?" one of the Dominarian warriors questioned slowly, "Why did you lie to Prince Vegeta?"

"Not a word of that to anyone you hear me?" Raditz glared and his warriors nodded with a stunned look. "The heat is on Gohan right now and I would lie to the devil to keep him safe and sound. I don't know what Vegeta is planning to do but it isn't good, especially since Gohan had abducted his niece. For what reason I need to go find out, but right now Vegeta will kill him if he doesn't return her. Go prepare the ship"

"Y-Yes sir." another soldier stammered and they marched off to pack their weapons and supplies for their trip.

Relina came downstairs with a flushed face and followed her rushing husband back upstairs to his armory. She gave him a confused look as he began putting on his armor and he merely glanced at her. He did not want to get his wife mixed up in this affair, especially since she was one of the Anasazi.

"Raditz what is going on?"

"Gohan's in trouble and I have to help him." he replied calmly, "I have to help your people too, whatever's left of them at least."

"Lord Gohan…" she whispered worriedly before gazing back up at her husband. "What is going to happen?"

"I don't know." the saiya-jin sighed. He tied the last knot on his armor and walked over to his wife, hugging her with a sigh. "I'm going to try and do what I can. If I'm right Gohan should be heading to Zephyion so I should head there as soon as I can, it's a long way and I want to catch him before he leaves again."

Relina hugged her husband back, contemplating the situation, before hugging him even more tightly. "Let us go with you Raditz. I fear that you may never come back if I let you go this once last time."

"I can't risk you and Keitaro getting caught up in this conspiracy Relina, it wouldn't help anything if I do let you go. Please stay here with our son." the saiya-jin pleaded.

His wife shook her head. "You have to bring us Raditz. By being allied with Vegeta and knowing Gohan you have already brought us into this. At least let Keitaro and I see our people and stay with them. We will be safe there while you and your warriors find out what is going on. Don't let us stay here alone."

Raditz looked into his wife's eyes and caved. He sighed and tried to gaze away, but his eyes returned to his pleading wife's own. Grumbling to himself he turned back to packing his things as Relina gave him a kiss on the cheek in triumph. He merely rolled his eyes, trying to ignore her victory over him.

"Thank you honey." she said gratefully before practically skipping away to get her and her son ready for their journey.

"Women…" Raditz muttered, slinging his bag over his shoulder and putting his sword in the sheath at his side. "Why must I bend to the will of women?"

XX

"King Cold may he rest in peace." an old alien of the council said mournfully as he placed the purple sheet over the deceased king. Sniffing he went back to the half circle table and took his seat while his younger comrades comforted him.

Cooler gazed at the old alien who had served his father since Cold was a child before looking back at the accusing council. His eyes were slightly narrowed and he was the only one who didn't mourn his father. What need was there for him to mourn the father who was barely there for him in the first time.

Frieza frowned at the old man and looked sad towards his father. Everyone knew that he was not anywhere near the planet when his father died so it was more than likely that he was off the hook for any accusation. He was King Cold's favorite son however. Everyone knew that, so who would blame the favored son?

The council stared heatedly at the two princes. It was not yet said who was to be blamed for the assassination of King Cold, but everyone knew that more evidence pointed towards Cooler than to Frieza. Also Refrig Rator was the now permanent Prime Judge of Frigidus and he in Cooler did not get along with each other.

The murder weapon was not found in the room but it was obvious that it was a small dagger of some sorts. A quick slash was all it took for the deed to be done and the King of all Frigidus was forever dead. It did not help the elder son for everyone to know that he, not Frieza, favored the use of daggers.

Frieza was fortunately away from the planet when the act of blasphemy was done, but luck was not hovering over Cooler that day. The older son was on the planet when the bell was tolled and the death reached his ears. Fate did not smile upon him this day, and may not for the time being.

Cooler was the one to take the heat for all, whether he did it or not. The cold-hearted people of Frigidus wanted to blame someone and for him to be close enough to the King to kill him at the time, he was to be blamed. He of all people knew that and so did the Frieza who could barely keep the smile from appearing on his face.

"The judging of the condemned will begin now." proclaimed the lowest rank of the alien council, "Prime Judge Refrig will announce the decree of Planet Frigidus."

A slightly younger alien than the one who placed the sheet over King Cold stood with a slightly evil purpose. "The council and I have decreed that, with the evidence found, Prince Cooler is sentenced to death at the morn of tomorrow."

Cooler looked stunned and immediately narrowed his eyes to glare viciously at the Refrig who almost died from its venomous fury. The elder prince was dragged out of the room by five buff alien guards who were struggling to take their superior out the two enormous doors. If they were frightened of his wrath they did a good job of hiding much of it.

He was shouting and swearing profusely while the council looked on in silence, some sympathetic others feeling they had chosen rightly. The old alien who served King Cold looked at him sadly and their eyes locked. The alien nodded slightly and, in understanding, Cooler allowed himself to be dragged away.

Frieza on the other hand could barely contain his joy. Due to his brother being sentence to death and his father assassinated he was placed on the throne to rule all of Frigidus…and he could not be any happier than now. Frieza felt he could jump for joy and dance for all the people in the room. No one could stand in his way now.

"May your rule, King Frieza, be long and prosperous." Refrig said with a smirk.

"Likewise." Frieza replied and smiled conspiratorially at him.

Refrig waved his arms gallantly as he said, "The crowning will commence tomorrow morning during the same time the ex-prince Cooler is assassinated. Please clean your best clothes and wear them. Oh and make sure you are not late, you would not want to miss anything."

"I hope you will stay on the council for my rule Prime Judge Rator?" the younger prince asked questioningly, the prime judge's answer already known.

Refrig smirked at him and clasped his hand in friendship. "Of course King Frieza, that is unless your rule does not allow it?"

Frieza waved the notion away. "Nonsense friend, you will stay the leader of this council until the end of your days."

This was heard by the other council members as they shuffled out of the room but they said nothing. Let it be known, however, that the members were furious at the idea of the treacherous snake having command over them once more. Treachery was more than likely and change was coming to Frigidus.

Anorak, the old alien who had served Cold since he was a suckling prince, was supposed to be the next Prime Judge. Everyone knew this and had accepted it, and he was supposed to be appointed the day King Cold had been killed. Yet suddenly the king had been murdered and he had lost his position.

Of course no one blamed the old Anorak for he was the most truthful alien on Frigidus, as well as the most loyal. He was the most respected creature in the council and would have happily accepted by them, well, except for Refrig. All knew that Anorak would change Frigidus forever, possibly even reforming the government and not many liked change.

Refrig was jealous of Anorak because he was the wisest, most truthful, and most respected alien under the king. The snake knew that the owl would soon overrule him and when the death of King Cold was declared, documents pointed to Refrig to be Prime Judge of the council. Everyone had their suspicions, but none could object the king's will.

Anorak sighed and closed the doors just as Refrig and Frieza began to laugh and celebrate their victory on this day. They had just gained power over the lives of others and together they would most likely bring the planets under their rule, as well as Frigidus, to the destruction meant only for them.

The old alien, fearing the worst for their morrow, scuffled his way in a different direction than the one they dragged Cooler. He was secretive about it, appearing as if heading towards his study when in reality he headed to the unknown. He was watched for a moment by passing guards, but was left alone to wander.

Not one alien knew these walls and passages better than Anorak. His ancestor had built these walls and the plans of the aged kingdom were eventually passed down to him. The many halls, windows, clear passages, hidden passages, shortcuts, and escape routes were all in his hands, all in the blueprints of his ancestor.

Anorak had been instructed years ago by the deceased King Cooler (grandfather of the current Prince Cooler) that King Cold's rule would not last long. He had also been told that King Cold would not acknowledge his first son, Cooler, at all, for Cooler had thoughts of peace for the kingdom instead of the usual destruction.

Flashback

"Anorak, come to me." the aged King Cooler spoke softly, blinking his weary eyes. Death was by his side but he was ready to go when called, he had no regrets in this world except for the regrets of having his son.

A warrior came to him, aging nicely and slower than the other warriors in his regiment. He was Anorak, Captain of the Royal Guard to the King, ultimately loyal to the crown. The alien, still in his prime, knelt on one knee to his king. He was always by his side, even in these last fifty years of peace, always watching for anything that would shatter it.

"Yes milord," the warrior began, "You have called for me?"

King Cooler smiled as he gazed at his old friend. "You know my days are soon coming to an end Anorak, and both you and I know that my son, Cold, will not have the courage to keep this rule of peace and prosperity. He is the eminent destruction that we have feared. Cold will disrupt this line and create more that will do the same."

Anorak glanced to the side as he stayed on one knee, unable to say the words he wished to say, but somehow knew that he must. He would do anything to protect the kingdom and his king at any cost, even if he had to assassinate the prince of all Frigidus himself. No one would stand in the way of King Cooler's peace.

"Then we must stop him King Cooler, we must stop his reign from ever happening." the old warrior concluded then added a bit hesitantly, "We must—"

"Do not speak such words in my presence Anorak nor must you ever speak them again." the king gently berated with a wrinkled frown. "Such words start such destructive acts which in turn bring all to ruin."

The captain bowed his head lower before bringing his sorrow-filled eyes up towards his king. "I apologize King Cooler it was wrong for me to think such things. Especially when I yearn for the peace you wish to keep."

King Cooler dismissed it. "All think of such thoughts Anorak, just do not act on them or you will bring ruin."

"Yes milord." Anorak confirmed.

The king gave him a wrinkled smile, his dark eyes glistening happily, before looking out the window at the falling snow. "This planet is a cold place Anorak, and it will only become colder because of Cold. Yet hope is in our future for he will have a son named Cooler who will bring us back to peace."

Anorak furrowed his brows. "But what if—"

"Friga will provide the way Anorak," Cooler replied faithfully as he continued to look at the snow, a smile appearing on his face as the faint image of a white dragon flew by the castle window. "She will provide the way just as she had provided it for me so many years ago."

End Flashback

"Friga will provide…" Anorak murmured as he made his way down the halls that seemed to silently greet him. Slipping past the ignorant guards, he opened a door that had not opened for years. The door creaked in welcome and allowed him entrance before it was closed with a silent thud, appearing to any other person as a solid piece of the wall.

Dark corridors seemed to brighten as torches on the sides of the icy tunnel lit themselves as Anorak approached them. He smiled at the magic that flowed around him and continued happily, the hope he had as bright as the torches that danced when he walked by. This strengthened his cause now that he knew that freedom was only a few steps away.

He carried on, his feet slipping on the ice and snow that appeared, before tripping and sliding all the way to the middle of the tunnel where he fell through a dark hole no there before. He feared the worst when seeing the icy caverns and the cold water below him, but was saved by a flap of wings and a careful snatch of gentle teeth.

The old alien looked up in amazement to see a beautiful white dragon the color of snow gazing down at him with icy blue eyes. The words he wanted to say were caught in his throat and he nearly choked on them when trying to breathe. After all it was not every day you met a mystical dragon face to face.

The dragon looked slightly amused and gracefully flew through the icy caverns. He admired the peaceful cave, rainbow colors glistening on the cold surface as if alive. As she swerved sharply and lunged down he let out a cry as she engulfed him in her mouth and dived into the icy cold waters.

XX

"Stop! Leave him alone!"

"Mommy!"

"Shut up!"

(scream)

Videl jolted up with a sharp intake of breath, frightened by the images inside her head. The dreams had become worse and more vivid. She could hardly stop the screams of the woman and the frantic cries of a young child. Who could forget the harsh reality of the time that we live in and the events that occur without us knowing?

The Knight stopped his stirring to stare at her, keeping his eyes from showing the concern and comfort Videl wanted. The princess had caught his gaze for a moment before it was averted back to the small pot of rabbit stew. She wondered what she had just been allowed to see, the slight sign of emotion in his haunting eyes.

Suddenly she shivered. From the cold of the forest or his cold gaze she wasn't sure, but she was positive something in the surroundings was causing it. Videl sat up slowly and felt something slid off of her, realizing for the first time that his cloak was on her and that she could clearly see his face.

She was stunned to see it and her heart began to beat faster as the blush rose to her awaiting cheeks. He was handsome and she could not take her eyes form him nor could she slow down the pounding of her heart. How could one turn your eyes away from someone like him? Videl was struck dumb and he paid no attention.

His dark hair was in soft uprising spikes that seemed to have a magic of their own. His face was rough yet smooth and free of any blemishes except for one scar that followed the curve of the bottom-half of his eye. However, the cold eyes of her silent kidnapper were what captivated her intense gaze.

His eyes were a cold, ghostly blue that silently swirled, as if being vigilant with the entire surroundings without even trying. The glow of his eyes reminded her of a secret lagoon hidden deep within the dark confines of a cave. The subtle yet captivating glow of the ocean depths that she secretly wanted to drown in.

Her gaze was broken when he offered a bowl of the rabbit stew towards her, eyes questioning her silently. Videl smiled slightly and took the bowl, immediately eating the contents since she had not eaten since the morning of her birthday. The Knight glanced curiously at her ravenous hunger then silently ate his own.

"What…" Videl began hesitantly, "What happened to your eye?"

The Knight stopped his spoon half-way to his mouth and Videl began to wonder if she asked the wrong question. He glanced at her before finishing the rest of his food and swinging his cloak around his shoulders and replacing his weapons. When his task was completed he turned his head towards her.

"Do not tread on ground of which you don't know what you tread." he answered calmly, his eyes burning into her violent ones.

Videl turned her face away, his eyes now unapproachable. Summoning her courage she asked the question she had been dying to know from the moment she saw him in the temple. "If I may so humbly say, sir, you know my name but I do not know yours."

"My name is of no interest to you." he answered quickly and coldly, gazing into the trees.

Videl frowned at his response. "What if it is?"

The Knight sighed but continued to stare out into the whispering trees. "Then I will ask of your purpose for knowing the name of your kidnapper."

"It will quench my curiosity and I will ask no more questions." she responded smartly, a frustrated spark in her violet eyes.

"I am a mercenary dear princess." he replied calmly, turning to gaze at her once more with his hood still down. "What will you do with the name of a man you will only see once? When a salesman hands over his wares to a buyer the wares never see the salesman again."

The princess held back the saiya-jin scowl that threatened to mar her complexion. "Yes but the wares hold the name of the salesman. Without the name of the salesman how can the wares say that they were sold by him?"

His eye twitched at her response, slight amusement and frustration hidden in the depths of his eyes. However much she aggravated him he admired her bravery and intelligence. After nearly twenty years a smile tried to forge its way onto his face, but he held it back. Heaven forbid he show emotion to someone, especially now.

Videl saw it however and smiled. Although he tried to hide it she could see it in his eyes. He may have covered most of his emotions, but the admiration shone as brightly as his glowing eyes. She could feel the space between them closing slightly and was glad that although she was being sold off she had good moments before then.

The mercenary turned around before his emotions could leak out and began gazing at the trees once more, half dedicated to his task of watchman. "I have many names princess. Some are titles given to me by fans while others are from enemies. Only a few select are from those who continue to admire me while most are from those who fear."

"I would think nothing less of your many identities," Videl answered carefully, a smile hidden in her violet depths, "But I only wish to know the one in which you are yourself."

This time he did smile, although it was hidden, and his eyes held a slight glint. A light chuckle escaped his lips which Videl's ears caught. Shaking his head slightly he pulled the hood over his head and said with a hint of amusement, "My name, dear princess, is Gohan."

Suddenly a twig snapped and the peace that had settled was but a memory. Gohan's narrowed eyes peered into the darkness to see a ghostly color of blue staring back. He moved back slowly, keeping his eyes trained on the intruder, as he did. With one swift movement he destroyed the fire and engulfed them into a world of darkness.

Videl jolted up and ran to him, hiding against his welcoming back. Silence prevailed in the forest as the trees stopped their incoherent whispering and the animals immediately stopped their noise. The only thing Videl could see were the eyes reflecting Gohan's and the glowing tattoos that matched.

As if someone had flipped a switch more eyes appeared followed by the fluorescent glow of their matching tattoos. Gohan pulled out his sword instead of his elbow blades while the other hand pulled Videl against him protectively and earned a glowing blush from the maiden that gazed up at him. They were surrounded.

A figure emerged from the trees with feline grace. The creature was twice the size of a normal tiger, literally the size of a grown bear. Six pointed feline ears adorned his head, three on both sides, and one eye was closed permanently with a scar. His canines gleamed as he chuckled darkly, his black body blending in with the shadows.

"Welcome," he greeted, a ferocious glint in his eye, "to the Forest of Bliss."

XX

King Vegeta I paced about his throne relentlessly, treading a faded line on his already worn imported carpet. He had been assaulted by his dreams and from visions of the past. His nights were weary and his mornings were haunting. He could not forget the shadows of his past that plagued his every footstep.

His allies were slowly dying off, although only one has, but everything has turned around from what it had once been. His plans were slowly dwindling and even his own council was beginning to question his motives. The empire that he had built upon blood and his own sweat was beginning to tilt.

King Vegeta knew that his son was not stupid. Vegeta knew that there was something going on in the empire, something that he was not aware of and wanted to know. The more years that passed the more suspicious his son became of his own succession to the throne. He knew it was only a matter of time.

With a loud growl he slammed his fist into the wall, creating a large gap that would be fixed as soon as the servants had seen it. He breathed heavily. The sweat not from the heat but from the desperation of being found out. Everyone had their little secrets but he had a secret that no one was allowed to find out.

"King Vegeta, sir?"

The King of all Saiya-jins turned to see the General of his Saiya-jin Army staring at him with a concerned look on his face. Whether it was for the fact that he had punched a hole in the wall or the fact that they were going to be discovered he wasn't sure, but both of them were concerned about something.

"What is it General Son?" King Vegeta snapped harsher than he intended.

Goku flinched. "Sir, Sergeant Briefs and Lt. Sergeant Son have arrived on Planet Silvia. Trunks' scouts are currently searching for them on the borders of the Forest of Bliss while the others are setting up camp."

"Good." King Vegeta smiled, his mood brightening. "I knew I could count on Trunks better than I can count on my own son. My grand son is proving quite useful."

"Yes he and my son are progressing well for new recruits and I am sure they will be able to take down this mercenary together as soon as possible." Goku confirmed with his hands behind his back and in full regalia.

King Vegeta sighed and nodded, sitting on his throne in frustration. "It is getting harder and harder to hide this Goku. Vegeta is not stupid and although Trunks and Goten are strong they will not be able to stand up to this mercenary…especially if he is who we believe he is. Everything we have worked for will come to ruin."

Goku said nothing for a moment, his face as worried as his king's. "I had hoped that none of this would ever get out to the populace. If anyone ever found out about that…not that I meant to but…I was ordered and it had been decreed by the oracle…"

"Silence you fool!" King Vegeta snapped, "You will get the same amount of blame that I will receive when we are found! I will not go down alone without the ones who also accomplished that which they call a crime!"

The General looked taken aback, disbelief in his eyes. "K-King Vegeta!"

The King of Saiya-jins scowled. "Don't 'King Vegeta' me you insolent whelp! I will make sure that if I am punished then everyone involved will be punished! Is that understood General?"

"Y-Yes sir!" Goku stammered, not believing what his king had just decreed.

"That is the only reason why you are the rank that you are Goku." King Vegeta spat, "I had made it so for that sole reason. If you had not agreed to the orders that were given then you would have died a third class runt! Now go and make sure that nothing gets out. Any of those who like to stick their nose in things must be dealt with accordingly. I refuse to let nothing stand in the way of my reign. Do so and you will become my heir to the throne."

Goku's eyes lit up at that statement. Not because he was power-hungry of course, for he was a humble man from humble beginnings, but of astonishment. "King Vegeta I thought the Prince was in line for the throne!"

"I can change what I wish at any given time." King Vegeta waved off dismissingly. "I am King of Vegeta after all. If I wanted I could make Trunks the ruler when I finally die. I still have time in my reign to choose."

"Oh." the General replied, seeing it was all he could say, before gazing over at the intricate sword placed on the wall above King Vegeta's throne. "Sir…"

"What is it now?" King Vegeta grumbled, giving the General of his Army an irritated look as he rubbed his eyes. All the King of Saiya-jins wanted to do know was sleep.

"If we are to get rid of suspicion shouldn't we get rid of—" Goku began slowly.

King Vegeta all but snatched the sword from its high pedestal with a kid-like look of vicious gluttony. Goku had to step back a few steps with an appalled look. He had never seen his king so greedy. To see such a sight was almost like an act of complete and utter blasphemy. Never in his life would he ever see such malice and greed than he would see now.

"We are not ridding ourselves of this artifact! Do you understand General Goku?" The King of all Saiya-jins said this statement slowly, his eyes wide with a crazed look.

"S-Sir I…I don't…" Goku sputtered as he backed away from his nearly insane king, his hand unconsciously on the hilt of his sword.

"Don't you understand Goku?" King Vegeta responded, turning to gaze at the beautiful sword in wonder. "This is the Sword of Ryuujin! You can never in another lifetime find a sword of such great power! With this I can destroy an army of thousands in one swipe! I can kill any who oppose me with a flick of my wrist! Yet you want to get rid of such a unique weapon?!"

"I-I just lost my head for a moment there King Vegeta." Goku responded quickly, a slightly frightened look in his eyes. He decided it was time for him to leave. "Please forgive my insolence milord."

King Vegeta just stared at him for a moment before turning back to the sword with child-like awe. Goku took this as his chance to leave and did it quickly, almost tripping over his boots in the process as he quickly yet calmly scrambled to his quarters. The guards gave him odd looks but he rebuked none as he safely made it to his home.

He almost slammed the door in fright, a hand to his now sweaty forehead as he slid to the floor. He was glad for the moment that Chichi had gone out with Bulma, he was not sure if he could deal with two pregnant women at this moment, especially when he could barely deal with just one.

Goku leaned against the door while taking deep breaths, his lack of air not caused by his run but by his run in with vicious malice. He now understood why everyone feared the King of all Saiya-jins so. He was pure evil. Not even King Cold could match the look on King Vegeta's face, nor could he give Goku such a fright.

Inwardly, as he slowly began to take off his now sweaty armor, he knew that what King Vegeta said was true. If the king had to fall for the heinous crime he had committed then everyone involved would fall as well. Goku and the others may have been following orders but no one could forgive such a crime.

I have to get rid of any suspicion for all of us…or we'll all take the fault for something we should have stood up to so many years ago.

Dumping his sweaty armor in the clothes bin to be washed by the ever-moody Chichi, he slumped onto the couch and turned on the tv to watch the news. He was sure that if there was to be any suspicion it would most-likely be on the news. VNN was notorious for obtaining the most hidden of juicy tidbits.

Those cursed VNN and their filthy busy-bodies. I wish they would just keep their nose out of other peoples' businesses. If they find out about us we'll be ruined…all of us…

Running a hand through his spiky hair he gazed at the almost ominous phone as it rang a few times. He didn't know if he wanted to pick it up but it wouldn't stop its annoying rings. Saying a silent prayer he moved over to it and answered the phone, a strange feeling coiling in his chest which he decided was anxiety.

- Hey Dad what's up? -

Goku almost died of relief at that moment. He wiped the excess sweat from his forehead and laughed more to himself than to the person on the phone. Goten had no idea just how relieved the Saiya-jin General was at this moment. Goku could have sworn that the caller was going to be someone he did not want to hear.

"Hey son how are you doing out there?" he smiled, bringing the phone over to the couch with a silent sigh of relief.

- It's kind of weird but fun. I get to order people around and I even led a search party into the Forest of Bliss! I didn't get to go far though, Trunks was worried and didn't want me going in there without better protection. –

"Well I wouldn't blame Trunks he has a reason to be worried." Goku replied, now a little worried about Goten as well. "The Forest of Bliss holds the notorious of all creatures son. They're called the 'Tulv' and they are said to be the most dangerous creatures in the universe so I can see why Trunks would be worried."

- I know dad we got the status report. I admit I'm a little afraid of them myself but I'm sure Trunks and I could take them. -

Goku chuckled slightly, a faint smile on his face at Goten's antics. He knew that the young boy was just excited to be on a mission. "Well what is your objective anyway?"

- Um…we're supposed to find this mercenary and take him out. I'm sure with all these elite we'll do fine. I doubt this mercenary can take Trunks and I together. Then we are to rescue Auntie Videl. After that we go home. I doubt this will take long so I'll be home soon. Just seeing how you guys were doing and letting you know what's going on. Is mom there? –

"Oh no your mom's now home." Goku sighed, feeling a guilty relief that his wife wasn't at home at the moment. She would scream at both him and Goten, him for recruiting Goten and her son for wanting to join. "I'll let you know that you called."

- Oh well I'll—what? We are? Alright thank you Yuza. Hey dad I have to go we've got a lead. I'll call you guys later. –

"Ok son." the General replied with a slightly worried smile before saying, "Be careful ok?"

- Alright dad bye. –

"Bye." Goku sighed and hung up the phone. He slumped into the seat and stared at the ceiling with his 'I'm a worried father' look. "Be careful Goten…"

Sorry for not updating guys things have been getting in the way. (bows) Gomen. I'm sorry for not updating but I am now even with this crazy house getting crazier and those vicious comp hogs (grumbles). Well please review and gomen once more.