Due to the events taking place this Fanfic is from Zion, Vegeta's and King Vegeta's point of view to create a better understanding of each character's feeling towards the events.
For those that wish to know more about Zion, how he grew up and the relationships that surround him I will be starting a new Fanfic for this reason alone. After all I think I need a break from this story.
Chapter 11.
Vegeta wanted to ground his teeth in frustration as he watched the palace occupants stop all activity, activity which they had resumed as if nothing had happened, and stare at their group.
All the others were looking around in interest but Vegeta wanted to run as far and as fast as he could. Bulma clung to his arm but not in fear, in attachment. She was out of her comfort zone, hell she was out of here comfort planet.
Vegeta knew where they were going. He knew the path like the back of his hand. They were going to the throne room. There would be nothing but Elites in that room. Vegeta cringed at the thought of facing his people now. Sure he had always vaguely wondered what it would be like if he were still on Planet Vegeta but this was different. Now he was actually here.
The guards at the door straightened and glared at the group. Vegeta immediately bristled. He always had access to this room. He was never denied anything but time with his father.
"Stand aside like the weaklings you are or I'll make you move!" Vegeta barked, barely containing his fury.
They automatically touched the side of their scouters. Vegeta brushed passed them irritably and crashed the door open. All activity in the room ceased. It appeared that some sort of natural, or not so natural, disaster had taken place.
"Father I'm home." Vegeta announced loudly.
In the silence the announcement carried. Vegeta stormed into the room. He knew the others were behind him but they were keeping a safe distance away. They knew he was in a bad mood. The worse mood he had been in in a very very long time.
"Who the hell are you?" The King demanded angrily.
He could see the resemblance in the man before him to himself but the man before him was that, a man. He might possibly be older than the King. His son was only a boy, five years of age.
"Don't you recognise your own son?" Vegeta asked mockingly.
"My son is with Frieza. My son is only a boy." The King said slowly as if talking to someone deranged.
He wasn't expecting the cruel and humourless laughter that rang through the room.
"All little boys grow up. Oh and Frieza's been dead for about twelve years, give or take." Vegeta said mercilessly.
"That's impossible. I saw Frieza myself just yesterday when he took my son." The King said angrily.
"Oh and what a happy occasion that was. You just stood there was watched. You did NOTHING to stop him. Shall I tell you how brilliant a substitute for a father Frieza was? How he trained me into being the ultimate soldier? How he tried to break my pride over and over again?" Vegeta yelled.
He was getting angrier and angrier. Zion walked to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Vegeta yelled shaking him off.
"Remember what I said." Zion said firmly.
The King automatically touched the side of his scouter. He frowned in disgust when the numbers settled.
"Your power is lower than a low class Sayian baby. You are not my son. His power is beyond compare even as a child." The King proclaimed.
"If that is what you truly believe then fight me." Vegeta replied with a predatory smile.
"You dare to challenge me? I the King of all Sayians!" The King roared in insulted rage.
"Yes I, Vegeta, Prince of all Sayians, challenge you, Vegeta, King of all Sayians." Vegeta said smirking.
"You dare use my son's title." The King said lowly, dangerously.
"It is my title for I am your son." Vegeta said his smirk disappearing.
"Enough."
The word was not spoken loudly not harshly but it held a power that made both of them immediately back down.
"Father, I hope you realise that now I no longer have to sustain a planet and that means I have no more limitations. I have said and I shall say it again. NO MATTER WHAT." Zion said.
Vegeta now understood that the words had been said both times specifically to him. Vegeta struggled to rein his anger in.
"Silenced by a child. No son of mine, nor Prince of the Sayian would be so shamed." The King said in disgust.
"You were once silenced by a child." Vegeta snapped back without bothering to explain why he listened to Zion.
Vegeta then quoted from memory, THE VOICES TELL ME AS THEY TOLD ME OF YOUR ARRIVAL. YOU ARE A PROUD PERSON BUT A SLAVE KING.
Vegeta watched his father's face turn red in anger. He silently urged him to attack. Zion's interference prevented the answering battle.
"Look, here's the truth. That man is your son. Frieza decided that the Sayians had become a threat after reports of their continuous successes where all others had failed grew in number. After he acquired the Prince and Princess of the Sayian race he came back to destroy the planet. Gaya however created an illusion to make the Lizard Lord believe that he had indeed succeeded. For the illusion to work Prince Vegeta had to believe it too. In order to keep the planet alive she had to freeze it in the moment she hid it. Had she not it would have taken more energy than she had and the planet would have been discovered. Planet Vegeta is behind time for about thirty years. Vegeta until this day believed his home destroyed and his race near extinction." Zion explained.
"That is quite the story. Do you have any proof of this?" King Vegeta eventually asked breaking the suffocating silence.
"Well I would say it's a simple matter of sending out scouts but as I said, Planet Vegeta is thirty years behind. The world around you has advanced and while under Frieza's command Prince Vegeta made quite the reputation for himself. I personally don't suggest the idea but it is one." Zion replied with a shrug.
The King looked again at the man claiming to be him son. His mouth was set in a trade mark scowl that reminded him very much of his son but it was still hard to believe. He either needed time or proof.
"This matter with await judgement until further notice. Until such time you will have to amuse yourselves. I don't suggest you leave the Planet." The King said in a dismissive tone.
The man claiming to be his son looked outraged at being so commonly dismissed.
"That's it!" he yelled in anger.
"Father! Don't!" Zion said raising a ready hand.
He looked at the boy, calculating. Then he turned and stormed from the room. He barked at the others to follow him and they did. The boy hung back.
"No one can leave the Planet. Not unless I let them." he said.
He didn't sound arrogant or commanding, he sounded as if he was stating a fact. Then he turned and followed the others.
Vegeta was fuming. He needed to hurt something and fast. He went to the training rooms. How dare his father call him weak after everything he had been through in the name of his people? He who had achieved the state of the Legendary super Sayian and pushed it beyond.
"Dad? Do you mind if we go check the place out?" Trunks asked.
"Don't mess around." Was all Vegeta replied indicating his consent.
"I think I'm going to go and check out my Dad. How cool is that. I have a dad. Zion do you think you could show me where he is?" Kakarot said all happily as only he could be.
Zion, Chi Chi, Kakarot and Gohan left. Vegeta eyed his brother. Would he choose to stay or find something else to do? Tarble saw the anger in Vegeta and decided that he and Gure should go do something else. They did after all have a big adjustment to get used to. As he and Gure turned down another corridor Vegeta entered the rooms where he had once trained as a boy.
Bulma came up behind him and gave him a hug. Vegeta allowed the contact. It had been years since Frieza's death and memories of his time with the Lizard Lord although not gone, were faint. Some were more vivid and disturbing than others but growing fainter nonetheless.
"Vegeta, I know he hurt you but you must think of it from his point of view. If you were him what would you have done?" Bulma said softly.
Vegeta remained silent as he reflected upon her words. He sighed and said, "I would have had me executed for being ineffective to the Sayian race due to madness. That however does not make me want to hit something any less."
"Well then, let me see what I can do about this equipment. I highly doubt it can withstand the strength of a super Sayian. As I understand it you were stronger than your father even as a boy?" Bulma said walking towards the machines.
"Yes." Vegeta replied distantly.
Vegeta had forgotten about the cameras that lined the walls of the room. The Elites monitoring the cameras gapped at the conversation taking place.
"Did she just say super Sayian?" The one asked the other.
"Yes but he doesn't look like much does he?" The other replied.
"Maybe we should get the King."
"Good idea, he'd want to see this."
Bulma tinkered with the equipment and Vegeta studied her silently. The more he thought about what she had said the more it made sense to him.
"You know, I'm pretty sure things will turn out alright once he realises that you're telling the truth." Bulma said her voice muffled due to the fact that she was buried in the mechanics of the equipment.
"How exactly will things get better? Sayians aren't parents. He'll be excited because of my power and that's about it. He'll see my time with Frieza as for greater good. He won't sympathise and he won't care about anything other than the numbers on his scouter." Vegeta said with certainty.
"Vegeta you can't know that for certain. You were only five when you left. Things could be different from the way you remember it." Bulma said looking at him.
"Maybe. All I need now is for that clown Kakarot to mess things up again." Vegeta replied.
"That clown Kakarot is your friend even through you'd never admit it and right now you two have to stick together." Bulma replied sternly.
"Maybe. You know technically I shouldn't even be talking to him seeing as he's a low class and I am an Elite and a Prince." Vegeta replied in a teasing tone knowing it would irritate Bulma.
"You will NOT leave him to the mercy of the other Sayians. As you put it, the circus clown, is way too innocent for that. He's one of my best friends Vegeta." Bulma replied seriously.
"As you wish." Vegeta replied taking a deep breath.
The fight would not be worth it, not now.
Bulma stepped back and said, "Give it a go. If this one fails I'll know what not to do next time."
Vegeta walked towards the machine. It measured punches and kicks much like the one the humans had had at the tournament except it had a higher tolerance level.
"What's wrong? Give it your best shot." Bulma said.
She smiled when he laughed unexpectedly. It wasn't humourless as it so often was with others around. It was genuine.
"If I gave it my best shot then it would break." Vegeta said between chuckles.
He punched the machine a few times and kicked it. The machine bleeped madly before burning out. Vegeta shook his head. Out dated equipment was irritating.
"Do you feel better?" Bulma asked.
"It was not the machine, but you that made me feel better." Vegeta replied taking her into his arms.
"You are in an odd mood today my Prince." Bulma replied breathlessly.
"Blame it on Zion." Vegeta replied softly as his lips brushed hers.
She shivered. He pulled her closer, too close for intimacy and growled low in his throat just before the door opened.
King Vegeta had watched the whole conversation before and after he had been called. The man in front of him now was a Sayian however and he disapproved of the not Sayian mate in his arms.
"Your mate is interesting." he decided that that was a good point to start a conversation.
He needed information and being aggressive, he sensed, wouldn't get him anywhere.
"There weren't any female Sayians left. There were only four male Sayians, Nappa, myself, Radditz and Kakarot. Oh I suppose I shouldn't forget Tarble." Vegeta replied neutrally.
"You arrived with an odd Sayian female did you not?" The King asked just as neutrally.
"She was not always a Sayian." Vegeta replied vaguely.
He did not want the Sayians knowing the extent of Zion's power.
"Still your mate is interesting." King Vegeta said nodding.
Vegeta's hold tightened possessively. Bulma almost whimpered but she sensed that this was a matter not to interfere with.
"She is exactly that, mine." Vegeta said, a harsh note creeping into his voice.
"You say that Frieza is dead. Tell me, how did he die?" The King asked changing the subject hastily.
"At the hands of a Sayian, half breed actually. However he was first defeated by Kakarot." Vegeta replied.
"What of Nappa and Radditz, I did not see them in the throne room?" The Kin asked.
"Nappa is dead. I killed him for being too weak to defeat Kakarot. Radditz is also dead." Vegeta replied as though he was giving a report.
Where Bulma flinched at the cold fact in his voice Vegeta remained unaffected. Bulma knew however that Vegeta regretted his hasty reaction towards Nappa. Sometimes it bugged him as he slept. Bulma wisely said nothing about it.
"Kakarot, he arrived with you. He's the one that was wearing the orange." The King said not really asking.
Instead of replying Vegeta looked towards one of the walls. He had sensed a brief spike in Trunks and Goten's power. He considered using telepathy to find out what was wrong but he wanted out of the conversation with the King. He knew what the King was doing and had only now remembered the cameras in the room. The King was fishing for information.
"Something's wrong with Trunks." he murmured to Bulma.
"He can take care of himself, can't he?" Bulma asked in alarm.
"Yes but he has been ordered by both Zion and me not to do anything. Then he also has a newly acquired tail. He will not know to keep it constantly around his waist." Vegeta replied quickly.
"Go to him then." Bulma said pushing at his chest.
"You have to come with me. I don't trust him." Vegeta relied indicating to the King.
"Why not, he's your father?" Bulma said in confusion.
"Which means I know him better than you do." Vegeta replied pulling her with him out of the room.
Vegeta got annoyed with her slow pace and picked her up. King Vegeta followed but at a distant. He was annoyed that his conversation had been put aside. He was the King after all and he came first above all else.
Vegeta sensed the Trunks and Goten were in the training area for the Sayian children. Typical. The two would not be prepared for the viciousness of the Sayian children. The door slid open to reveal a large room. There was a circle of black haired children in the centre of the room. They were so absorbed in what they were doing that they didn't even notice Vegeta's presence.
Vegeta put Bulma down and walked towards the group of excited children. They were chatting amongst themselves. One of them spotted Vegeta and they all parted. Two large Sayians, one male and the other female, were holding onto Goten and Trunks' tails. They were displaying the typical signs of weakness and Vegeta pulled up his nose in disgust.
"Release them!" he barked crossing his arms.
The children reluctantly let Goten and Trunks drop to the floor. They groaned and got up.
"Hay Trunks' Dad I don't like these kids, they're mean." Goten said with tears in his eyes.
"Trunks, what have I taught you?" Vegeta barked at the grumbling boy ignoring Goten.
"Never underestimate your opponent, even though he's weaker than you he can still kill you." Trunks replied.
"What else?" Vegeta asked starting to pace in a circle around Trunks.
"Never turn your back on your opponent." Trunks replied.
"Most recent one." Vegeta hinted.
"Always keep your tail around your waist. Heck if I had known it caused you to go so weak I'd never have lost a fight to Zion." Trunk grumbled.
"It's a cowardly move and you're stronger than that." Vegeta snapped angrily.
He was angry because he himself had been trained like that by Frieza and his men, trained and tortured. It was how he had learned to fight without the weakness incapacitating him. Gaya had always hated holding his tail while he fought the clawing weakness taking over his body.
"Hn, he's a half breed weakling." One Sayian child said.
"Am not." Trunks snapped his temper flaring and with it his power.
The scouters all the Sayian children were wearing started to bleep. Trunks saw this and hastily reined his power in.
"Are you just going to stand there and let them dishonour you, you who is my son and by birthright a Sayian Prince?" Vegeta asked raising a brow.
Trunks looked up in surprise, "But you said we shouldn't mess around."
"That doesn't mean let your ass get kicked." Vegeta said with a smirk.
"Well then no I'm not. I AM a Sayian Prince and I will defend my honour. My pride is more important than my orders from Zion, right dad." Trunks said.
"That doesn't mean you don't listen to your brother, I still do." Vegeta replied.
"Dad what is Goten? I mean I'm a Prince and all but what is Goten?" Trunks asked.
"Goten and Gohan have never been classed. It would be interesting to know but it is too late now to class them, not by these standards. After all you and Goten can keep up with each other." Vegeta replied thoughtfully.
Trunks looked down with a frown. He then looked at Goten who was insultingly sucking his thumb. They nodded and then phased out of sight. Vegeta could easily track their movements but the Sayian children could not. Trunks and Goten didn't do a lot but it was enough to have the children squirming on the floor.
"Who's the weakling now?" Trunks asked glaring down at the Sayian child that had been holding his tail. Vegeta turned and saw the King quickly compose his features. Vegeta walked past him without even a glance. Bulma went to Trunks and Goten to check if they were ohkay.
"You really believe that you're the Prince, don't you?" The King asked Vegeta's disappearing figure.
"I don't have to believe anything. It's a fact." Vegeta said with a glance over his shoulder.
The King then went back to the room where the Elites had recorded the conversation. He needed to analyse it and as a King he was pretty good at reading people, he had to be. This tape was invaluable because it appeared that they had forgotten about the cameras or not known of them. If the man was truly his son he would have known of them but then he had been five and the cameras had been a background detail, not something one was likely to remember after thirty years. He rewound the tape and then hit play. Certain things were confusing and others were interesting.
"Vegeta, I know he hurt you but you must think of it from his point of view. If you were him what would you have done?" The blue haired woman said.
The man did not reply at first and King Vegeta was once again surprised that he did. Sayian woman were never allowed to behave as this woman did.
"I would have had me executed for being ineffective to the Sayian race due to madness. That however does not make me want to hit something any less."
His admission was one made grudgingly. The King found this interesting. He told this woman things he would not tell any another. Why her?
"Well then, let me see what I can do about this equipment. I highly doubt it can withstand the strength of a super Sayian. As I understand it you were stronger than your father even as a boy?"
Super Sayian. That phrase played over and over in his mind. Could it be true? His story was highly doubtful. His previous statement about insanity did have its appeal but so did the two words super Sayian. He didn't look like a super Sayian. The woman appeared to be some sort of scientist. She was modifying the equipment.
"Yes."
That was what the man had replied to her question. His son had been stronger than him. They had had great hopes for the boy to reach the ascension. None of them even knew what it looked like.
No one said anything for a few minutes as the woman seemingly modified the equipment.
"You know, I'm pretty sure things will turn out alright once he realises that you're telling the truth."
He voice was optimistic. She didn't see the man's scoff. The King found himself in agreement with the Sayian.
"How exactly will things get better? Sayians aren't parents. He'll be excited because of my power and that's about it. He'll see my time with Frieza as for greater good. He won't sympathise and he won't care about anything other than the numbers on his scouter."
The phrase Sayians aren't parents made him want to laugh. It was true, Sayians were warriors and had no time for their young. Yet this Sayian had walked away from the man he claimed to be his father and King to help his own half breed son. So what did that say about his connection to his family? Wouldn't a soldier of Frieza have no connections at all? It also interested him that he had known his son was in trouble at all. Other Sayians would not have, how did he? They were all hiding something.
"Vegeta you can't know that for certain. You were only five when you left. Things could be different from the way you remember it."
The woman persisted in being optimistic. However their conversation indicated that they truly believed their story. That meant it was either true or they were all crazy. It was now up to him to decide which.
"Maybe. All I need now is for that clown Kakarot to mess things up again."
The King heard the reluctant respect in the Sayians voice. That was the reluctant respect a warrior showed a fellow, better warrior. He would know, he had shown it to his son many occasions. Perhaps the one to talk to was the other Sayian. Then again this Sayian had disgust written on his features. Something about that Sayian intruded on his personal opinions about Sayians.
"That clown Kakarot is your friend even through you'd never admit it and right now you two have to stick together."
A friendship but it hadn't always been that way. The King found himself curious about this lot. There was a lot to learn, his son or not. The woman had used a commanding tone and the Sayian had allowed it. That spoke volumes.
"Maybe. You know technically I shouldn't even be talking to him seeing as he's a low class and I am an Elite and a Prince."
Teasing? It was unheard of. He watched the blue haired woman puff up and the Sayian smirked as if that was his desired result. Odd. Also he respected a low class? Maybe that was his objections about the Sayian.
"You will NOT leave him to the mercy of the other Sayians. As you put it, the circus clown, is way too innocent for that. He's one of my best friends Vegeta."
Best friends. Another unheard of term. Another, sterner command from the woman. She had also described the Sayian Kakarot as innocent. The King pulled up his nose in disgust. The Sayian thought Kakarot was a circus clown but he respected him and was his friend. That didn't make sense to the King at all.
"As you wish."
The Sayian gave into the woman. Disgraceful. It seemed however that he was wary. Like he could fight back but just didn't want to.
The woman stepped back from the machine and invited him to try it. He walked towards it but didn't react.
"What's wrong? Give it your best shot."
The King was surprised at the laughter. His son had rarely laughed and when he did it was cruel, unexpectedly so from a child even a Sayian. This laugh however was genuine and strangely familiar. It did strange things to the King just to hear it and he didn't know why.
"If I gave it my best shot then it would break."
The readings from the Sayian's punches and kicks went off the chart and overloaded the machine and he hadn't even been trying. He knew that the elite Sayians had competition with that machine and none of them had ever reached the max.
The King watched with odd fascination as the two showed actual affection and care towards each other even the Sayian. He felt a pang of jealously that was quickly over taken by pain and then just as quickly shoved aside. She called him her Prince again indicating their belief.
He was surprised to see that the Sayian had detected his approach before the doors had even opened. He found that interesting. None of them wore scouters. He had even seen the one they called Vegeta stare at the scouters with an odd triumphant look.
He watched the screen, frozen with his entrance into the room. The conversation that had followed was just as interesting. So he had killed Nappa. He said it without blinking. The woman had flinched but not him. He was used to killing and coldly.
The King walked out of the room only to have a Sayian rush at him.
"Your Majesty, none of the space pods are working." he said urgently.
"I told you, you can't leave unless I let you." A voice said from behind them.
The King turned around and saw the boy from earlier leaning against the wall. His stare was intense almost making the King shiver. He could barely keep up with the other boys and he could see the clear command that this boy held over the others. That would mean that he is the better warrior.
"And I have all the information." The boy said tapping his forehead.
He walked forward and bowed.
"My name is Vegeta Zion Myles. You can call me Zion." he said.
The King noticed that he had left out the Prince title. If he was indeed the other Sayian's son, shouldn't he have said it?
"Gaya Myles." The King muttered to himself.
"She was my mother." Zion said softly.
"Was?" The King asked picking up on the past tense instantly.
"Frieza killed her while my father was on a mission or rather on his way to Earth." Zion explained.
"So your mother is not the blue haired woman but the Sayian is your father." King Vegeta said for clarification.
"He is your son. Her name is Bulma and you should show her some respect. Your son was damaged and near madness when he came to Earth for the first time. Bulma was the one to help him put it all back together. It's taken years but he's better for it. There aren't many people born who will accept all that your son did and still love him." Zion said softly.
The King did not reply. What was there to say? Zion walked away leaving the King with a lot of new and confusing information to process.
Zion found his father standing on the roof of the palace.
"We have a problem." he said tonelessly.
"Do we have a problem or do you?" Vegeta asked.
"We do. You know, the reason I asked you keep you power hidden was so that people wouldn't detect Planet Vegeta until I wanted them to. There are planets that monitor the galaxies for large power levels. They then either offer them to join their cause or they destroy the home planet. The Sayians do not have a very popular reputation. It seems that we have been discovered. Five spaceships are headed directly for Planet Vegeta. All the occupants have higher power levels than the Sayian race aside from us. It's awfully soon and I sense higher interference." Zion explained.
"So, what are you going to do about it?" Vegeta asked.
"I was thinking that you could do something. If you took on the threat then you'd win the respect of your people. However I want those space ships to land. The newer technology and the reactions will help convince the Sayians that were are not lying." Zion said thoughtfully.
"And here I was thought you could do anything." Vegeta said with a smile.
"Of course not Father. A person's mind is their own to control." Zion said smiling back.
"We're not going back are we?" Vegeta asked.
"No, not yet. Not for a long time." Zion replied sadly.
Vegeta didn't say anything and Zion battled with himself. He was trying to decide whether or not to tell Vegeta something.
"Eventually they are going to go looking for proof and that will mean that they will go digging into Frieza's command. Are you prepared for anything that may come to light?" Zion asked.
"There is one thing I will never be prepared for. All of the other things I couldn't give a damn." Vegeta replied mentally wincing at the memories.
Zion looked at the planet he had kept alive for so long. It was larger than Earth and heavier. He had had to adjust everyone to be accustomed to the gravity without them realising it. There was a military type city all around them seeing as the palace was in the centre. All the plant life was larger, thicker more vibrant due to the denser gravity. The blood red sky suited the Sayians.
"Are you prepared for the consequences of revealing your true power?" Zion asked.
"Are you?" Vegeta countered.
"It's a beautiful planet is it not?" Zion asked instead.
"Thought so." Vegeta said with a chuckle.
"They will arrive in a few hours. Perhaps you should start deciding whether or not to allow Kakarot to help you. He deserves some recognition for his accomplishments but I highly doubt he'd be a good King." Zion said softly.
Zion meant that by Sayian law Kakarot should be King seeing as he was the strongest Sayian. Zion far exceeded Kakarot but Vegeta instinctively knew that he did not want the throne. Somehow Vegeta could not see Kakarot as a ruler. He wouldn't even want it.
Zion unexpectedly jumped from the roof and flew through the city, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Vegeta stayed where he was and contemplated all that Zion had told him. It would have to depend on the number and power level of the others before he decided on what to let Kakarot do. He did however decide to let the Sayian race deal with the threat for the first few minutes before he decided to step in.
He noticed that they had already separated themselves from the rest of the Sayian race. It was us against them.