32
Chapter Thirty Two
" Honor is simply the morality of superior men."
H.L Mencken
Adalina threw up her forearm, blocking the force of Vegeta's blow. He had become much stronger, and he was actually becoming a challenge for her base form. It was an interesting development, that was for sure. She pushed him away and took a leap back, flexing her fingers and arm to make sure no damage had been done.
Vegeta wiped a dribble of crimson liquid from his lower lip, glowering at the woman before him. She was strong, he knew that, and he knew that he shouldn't be fighting her in the first place but his pride prevented him from seeing any reason. He had to defeat her, for throwing him under the bus on such an important matter.
"Any other time I would have said we could stop, that we didn't have to do this, but not this time Vegeta, you've pushed too far this time."
Vegeta laughed but his voice held no mirth, merely condescension,
"You've tried so hard to change Frieza and yet it seems he's rubbed off on you as well. You know, maybe now's a good time to tell you another little secret: I have a Dragon Ball." Adalina's eyes widened, "That's right, and it's hidden, and you have no way of finding it. Don't worry, I didn't leave any survivors so there's no way you can ask them where it went either." he smirked devilishly, he was trying to insight her anger, he wanted to beat her at her strongest, his Saiyan pride wouldn't have it any other way.
Adalina's face darkened as the words left his lips, her heart clenching painfully as she thought of how helpless and terrified the Namekians must have been, there were no doubt children there as well, ones just like little Dende...
"You..." she muttered.
"Care to speak up? I can't hear you." he chuckled, "Or are you too shocked that you've completely shut down? It's not like your precious Frieza wouldn't have done the same thing if he didn't have you out getting them."
"What have you become? What did I do wrong?! I tried so hard, and I just..." her eyes began glowing red as she was hit with a wave of an indescribable mix of anger and sorrow.
"Did I strike a nerve? You've kept me in the dark all these years, playing peace keeper with that insufferable lizard! He'll never change his ways, he's only wearing a mask around you, he'll do you no good. I am like this because of him, because you did not intervene enough, did not see it fit to ship me off that miserable space station, because you were too busy trying to fix something that was broken beyond repair. I will have my wish, and I will rule this universe as it is my birthright! Do not bother with your petty mercy, woman. Fight me at full power." he ranted, though his hands had begun involuntarily shaking at the pure weight of Adalina's power, her aura encompassing her in a seething teal glow, and for a second, he almost thought he caught a hint of red.
Rocks and debris began to shake and rattle on the ground as she pushed herself even further, not yet transforming, but resting in her intermediate state. Her scouter had exploded from the exertion and was resting on the ground in a crumpled heap of electronics.
"I did everything I could, and despite your arrogance and foolish banter, I protected you from him as best I could, and it helped, he didn't lay a finger on you past age fifteen, and if I hadn't been there you'd no doubt be worse off." she chuckled, her voice full of sadness, "Perhaps you're right, perhaps you're all right. I'm a fool, a naive fool and despite all you've done today, I'm still going to try and protect you, and I'm still going to go running back to him. Love is a crazy thing, wouldn't you say?"
Vegeta's eyes widened a fraction,
"Love? Such a pathetic emotion to have, that'll get you killed one day."
"So be it, but at least I'll dye knowing I at least tried to make a difference." she charged towards him once more, throwing a right hook at Vegeta's exposed chest, sending him soaring once more.
The fight took to the sky as the Saiyan prince retaliated, whipping out his leg and catching the Zandonian in the ribs, she bent over slightly, in an attempt to protect the sensitive area. He clasped his hands together and brought them down on her back, fully expecting her to be imbedded in the dirt.
She didn't budge.
"You'll have to do better than that." she muttered the words that Frieza had once said to her, and it almost made her sick. She was not like him, no, he wasn't rubbing off on her, she was changing him. Vegeta did have every right to hate Frieza, but the stubborn prince needed to learn to let go.
His eyes widened as she straightened, tears gleaming in her crimson orbs, the entire situation was making her question who's side she was really on, who's side she should be on. She didn't want to hurt him, but was it truly too late for him? Had he chosen his path, his path without any redemption?
No, Frieza was like that, and she had gotten through to him.
But she had watched Vegeta grow up, and growing up for him had been a struggle...an uphill battle, with boulders cascading down on him. He had been forced to build a shell around himself, a shell of pride and egotism. But that didn't give him the right to slaughter helpless people...
He would atone for that.
She fired a ki blast at the Saiyan, catching him off guard as it scorched his armor, not quite strong enough to pierce, but it served its purpose as she decked him right in the face, sending him crashing into a solid plateau.
Vegeta couldn't catch himself as the sturdy rocks crumbled from the force of his impact, giving him small cuts and bruises before he finally landed, his head spinning. She was toying with him, no, that wasn't in her nature, she was trying not to kill him.
She was holding back.
Because she thought him weak.
Adalina gently landed in front of him, her brows furrowed as she glared at him, still conflicted, but knowing that this was something that needed to be done. Perhaps Frieza was right for keeping such an arrogant brat on a lead for so long?
She stopped herself, what was she even thinking? Brat? What had gotten into her?
"Do you give up?"
Vegeta stood tall, narrowing his eyes at her,
"I told you to use your full power...I want you at your best when I beat you and drop your body at Frieza's feet." he spat a glob of blood onto the ground from his busted lip.
"You're all talk Vegeta, I know you could never do that to me... how far you have fallen though. I'll not let you fall any further." she tilted her head, "If you want a fight, I'll give you one, but if I use my full power it won't last very long."
He pulled his arms to his side, flaring his aura,
"Do your worst, I haven't even been at full power." he smirked.
She shook her head and sighed. Why was she born with such a compassionate heart? Was being cold and uncaring truly easier?
Lilith chuckled as she sat, her pale skin contrasting against the black shadows around her. Her plan was moving splendidly, who knew one of her annoying premonitions would bare fruit? The mighty Frieza, taken down by his most feared enemy, A Super Saiyan. The caring Goku, raised on Earth, wouldn't even realize the repercussions killing Frieza would bring, no, he'd have no idea that he was perpetuating her agenda.
But none of it would happen if that blasted woman was on planet, something her muted vision had warned her of. She needed to be occupied, and perhaps even killed, hence why she had sent her minions to cause a ruckus on one of the tyrant's military reserve planets.
He had fallen right into her trap too, instantly deciding that it would be best if he sent his second off to deal with it due to her increasing resistance to his plans. Too bad that would be the last time he'd see her,
"How sweet.." she said aloud, "Cut down before they can even tell each other how they feel, now that sounds like a romance to me."
She couldn't help feeling a little pride swell in her chest, the Earthlings, some of the strongest warriors in the universe, Adalina, the lone Zandonian warrior, Vegeta, the Saiyan Prince, and Lord Frieza the most powerful being in the known world, would all fall at her feet, taking each other out in her carefully spun web.
Lilith glanced to a ball of inky black shadows, smiling affectionately,
"Soon, my dear, you will once again be able to walk this universe and we will rule it."
Krillin and Dende landed at the entrance of the Grand Elder's, hoping the old Namek had some answers. The human warrior's insides had been churning from the pure brute force of two ki's clashing off in the distance. One belonged to Adalina, and it was very obvious she was angry at the other power, Vegeta. Perhaps she had stumbled across him killing those helpless villagers?
The entire relationship she had with Frieza and Vegeta both seemed complicated and delicate to him, didn't seem worth it to try and change someone who obviously didn't want to change.
The door to the odd Namekian house slowly levitated up, not held by anything tangible,
"Nail!" Dende called out, grateful to see the warrior still dutifully watching over their father, "If you're here that means nothing has happened to the Grand Elder."
Nail's stoic expression didn't change as he replied, his entire being reminding Krillin of Piccolo, and that in and of itself was enough to make him slightly wary of angering the Namekian,
"Dende, it's good to see you're well. I'm assuming you have come to speak with the Grand Elder?" the little alien nodded, "Very well then, follow me."
Krillin followed the two Namekians, his stomach twisting with a new sensation: anxiety. What if this Grand Elder refused to help them? What if he had no clue of what was going on?
"I am not ignorant to the happenings on our planet, and neither is Elder Guru, I fear the stress is taking its toll on his already fragile health." Nail said solemnly as the stepped into the hut.
They came to stand before a being that seemed exude his wise nature in a warm aura, giving Krillin no reason to be afraid of the old Namek. Guru coughed to the side, clearing his throat as he prepared to speak,
"Dende, my child, it is a pleasure to see you, what brings you here?"
Dende furrowed his brows, the expression so foreign on his youthful features,
"Today, I'm sure you've realized we have had some visitors. I have been guiding Adalina, Frieza's second in command, through the villages so that she may gather the Dragon Balls to revive a planet. But, Krillin is also here to revive his friends, he believes that Adalina is being led astray and kept in the dark." the child explained politely.
"Not to mention Vegeta's here to wish for immortality. I think a big fight is about to break out, and it would be really nice if we had a Dragon Ball in our possession to prevent anyone from getting their wish until this whole mess is sorted out." Krillin rubbed the back of his head, something he did when he was nervous, "Please, if it's within your power."
Guru thought about the situation for a moment, he had indeed felt the evil powers that had landed on his peaceful planet, but they weren't entirely malicious, it was almost as if they had the potential for good, but it was muted somehow. Frieza, he had heard that name many years ago, he was the leader of the Planetary Trade, but if memory served him correctly, his business had strayed from the path of mindless genocide in recent years, and he was sure that this 'Adalina' was the reasoning for it, for her intentions were pure.
"Allow me to see within your memories, Earthling."
"I don't want to hear your petty excuses, Zarbon." Frieza said coldly as he stared out at the vast Namekian world, his arms behind his back, "I'll be sending her off planet and you will be going with her."
"I apo-"
"Enough! Be grateful that I haven't killed you yet! You will accompany Adalina off planet and I will contact the Ginyu force to deal with any trouble that could arise." he had been trying desperately to contain his anger, but the stress of the situation had finally made him snap as he turned to look at his subordinate, his face contorted in barely contained rage.
"Yes sir, I will go prepare a ship." he said breathlessly, not meeting the fuming tyrant's eyes.
Yes, Adalina had done well with him over the years, had done the impossible, had instilled a sense of calm in him. But it was at times like these when he realized that it was nothing more than a fragile illusion, a mask he wore so that she wouldn't leave him, he was attached to her, with no sense of what true affection was.
He desired her, he wanted to possess her, not love her. But he didn't know the difference, or at least that's how he saw his boss. The lieutenant walked from the room, leaving Frieza alone to decompress. Perhaps he was wrong, perhaps the sadistic man did have a grip on what love was?
Frieza clenched his fists as he felt the world around him begin to crumble, his sense of control slipping. He loathed nothing more than a situation he could not dictate, spiraling into a wild sense of chaos. He would not lose her, not now.
But would she truly leave him? No, he doubted it, she would keep running back to him, no matter what he did it seemed. Love is quite chaotic.
Adalina cried out as Vegeta managed to put her in a head-lock, effectively blocking the flow of oxygen to her brain. She coughed and sputtered, gripping at his gloved hands. She had made a mistake, she had underestimated the Prince of all Saiyans, something she had made sure to never do.
Vegeta watched as her expressions became less lively, and he felt his hands once again trembling. He had never had trouble killing anyone or anything in his life, why was this so hard?
A memory flashed through his mind,
"Vegeta!" Adalina shouted as the child battled with an adversary much stronger than him. It had been one of the missions that Frieza had allowed the Saiyan to go on, with Adalina's monitoring of course. He was broken and beaten, but he hadn't given up.
It was admirable, but foolish. He was pushing himself for the sake of his pride and she wouldn't allow him to go any further.
"I- I can do this, I can win!" he called out.
He weakly dodged the beast's claws as it swiped towards him, but he hadn't moved quick enough. One of the jagged claws caught his arm, opening up a gash. He cried out as he fell to his knees, gripping the bleeding wound.
Adalina jumped in, quickly dispatched the enemy with a well aimed ki blast.
"I could have won, you didn't have to steal my kill, woman." he spat, wincing slightly.
She gave him a hard stare,
"Vegeta, no matter what happens, if you can't win a fight, you need to back down. I don't want you dying because of your pride, it isn't worth it. I won't always be there to save you either."
He turned from her,
"Pah, stupid." he mumbled, but deep down he felt something he hadn't felt in a long while. It was warm, and made him feel like nothing in the world was wrong. She cared for him, she had his back, no matter what...
She had his back, no matter what.
Adalina powered up and threw the Saiyan off her, her aura erupting in a terrifying show of light, her aura flaring red as she transformed. She needed to finish her business with him quickly and start fixing things once again. Picking up the shattered piece of her world once more.
Black mask slipping into place, she dove for the prince, her speed too fast for him to even sense. She spun in and kicked him in the ribs, feeling the bones crush as she no doubt damaged a few internal organs.
She had meant to damage him, to beat him so thoroughly he would need a healing tank,
"Become stronger, Vegeta, and run away from here, and never turn back." she spoke, "I can't fix what I've done, but I can provide you with the necessary tools to leave and star anew, but know this, I don't want to kill you, but if it ever comes down to that, I will, the same can be said for Frieza, I can only look past so much."
Vegeta sputtered as he fell to the ground, coughing up blood and staining the ground crimson,
"Fool...he'll throw you out just like the rest, why can't you see that? All these years I've tried to get through to you..." he faded into unconsciousness, leaving his words ringing in the air.
"Perhaps you're right, Vegeta, I'll never change the universe, it's a cruel and uncaring place, but I'll be damned if I don't fix this situation. I still have hope for you, and I still have hope for him."
But what was hope, in the face of such a cold and uncaring universe?
A/N: Seems we got a little dark in this one.
I'm sorry if it is a little gloomy, or emotional, it's been one hell of a week. I live in a very small community, and a young girl from my high school was killed in a car wreck. While I didn't personally know her, well, you know how small things are, we all hurt together. It's scary to know that death can still grip our happy town.
And then my significant other and I broke up..it's been one hell of a week guys, sorry if this chapter doesn't make sense. I really feel like I'm repeating myself a lot in this one, but it's hard for me to get a grip on Vegeta's reasoning's, and Adalina's as well.
Anywho, onto some lighter topics, I drew a picture for this chapter specifically, it is on my deviantart: KuroKagamiImeji
Also, as I said, I was going to try and make some form of PV/Opening for this fanfic, so I'll give you a list of songs to choose from (you can suggest your own too!) and I'll let you pick which one you think best fits this fic. The options as of right now are:
Crossfire-Stephen
Kaleo-Way Down We Go
Coheed and Cambria-Hush
Tool-Sober(my personal favorite)
Tristam- Devotion
Give em' a listen and tell me what you think.
Ooo and things are about to hit the fan in this fic, well, in this arc anyway.