7 years of age and soon to be 8 in a few weeks. That was how old I was before getting my first mission from my stern old man. Never thought he would even feel comfortable assigning me a task. Especially, one as important as protecting the oh-so-great king of our planet…I was being sarcastic. Never saw the man myself, but rumors say he's a prick with powers stronger than nukes.
At this point in my Saiyan life, my daily routine was pretty cut-and-dried: train, eat, train, and sleep when possible. What wasn't part of it was my father flying into my little training ground with armed guards and throwing me a sniper rifle and gear. All he said was to get familiar with my new equipment for an important mission of protecting our race's honor against some tyrants as if we ourselves weren't ruled by one to begin with. And we were.
"I am proud of you, Gula." He declared and patted my shoulder.
Eh…Did I mishear?
"I truly am proud of what you have accomplished so far."
Oh hell no. It took me a few minutes to comprehend his compliment and I didn't like it one bit. No one sane would ever believe the load of stinking garage exiting his mouth. He did see me as insane, though that's not the point right now. Was this man on drugs or something? There was no way this man would say such words towards a daughter he viewed as lower than the very shits he took after some spicy wings.
My silence probably wasn't the response he wanted. Perhaps he envisioned me to be this desperate girl who dreamed of being recognized. Too bad for him, there was a grown adult in this body, and I didn't give a damn about it. I got myself, me, and I. Nappa too, but he's still on a mission.
Seeing my response or lack of it, he grunted. "You shall receive my praise with gratitude you ungrateful wrench!"
Much better. That's the dad I was used to seeing in the entirety of my 7 years.
"Do you understand, Gula! Talk to me, or do I have to break your legs!" He continued.
"Yes, father." Sheesh, he never got tired of reminding everyone how much I was a failure. I was surprised he hadn't tried to send me to die in a suicide mission... It made sense now.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared about this predicament. All of my life, I trained and fought to the point of exhaustion and near death, but never worried that I would actually face death. I held the false ideal that I was the protagonist of this story. I dreamed of overcoming my struggles. Yet, I was forced to die for a cause I held no interest in and for a man I despise. I couldn't escape nor could I fight. Even as I was now, I was too weak to defeat my father and in turn, his bodyguards. It seems I never was the main character; Gula would be the mystery girl forgotten by time as the fool killed off to demonstrate the power and cruelty of a galactic tyrant.
Sigh. At least, I had a minimum of 6 days to say my goodbyes. It's not like it would take long anyways. Apparently, no Saiyan sympathized with a weakling that they viewed as broken. My siblings were bullies, my mother showered my share of her love to everyone but me and my father was the same asshole he always was.
Couldn't believe the only Saiyan who pitied me was Dragon Ball's comic relief and cannon folder Nappa. Why he did was beyond my grasp. That uncertainty led me to postpone my surprise call to him. Would he also retract his kindness after realizing I was going to die and no longer of use?
This was just pathetic of me. I was trained to be a warrior and confronted pain to such degrees that I became numb to it. All of these years of preparation and abuse led to nothing. I had experienced death and rebirth before. I knew what may lie after my death, but I feared it nonetheless. I didn't want to die, not again. And certainly not this early in my second chance at life
I…I…really am insane.
Like that, 6 days had passed. My mental breakdown led to those days being wasted on crying myself to sleep and sneaking off to the kitchen to steal some high-grade ingredients as a farewell meal for myself. My family screamed and kicked my door at my impudent display of disobedience and how I had forced them to eat commoner food. Oh please, if I had eaten this commoner food every day, they should be able to handle it for a few days. It's not like their body needed those space alligator eggs and wagyu beef carnivorous space cows to survive. I was glad they only reserved towards harsh words and not execution. Perhaps everyone knew my impending fate and tolerated my small victories.
The gear and sniper rifle were left in the corner of my room to collect dust. No use in learning how they operate if the only purpose it served was to raise a death flag over my head. The gear included a map to my designated position and a communication device. Early today, my father screamed through the device and ordered me to get my position or face the consequences. I was going to die either way so the small mercy I was given was choosing how I would die. Outside my window, there was a huge commotion going on as servants prepared for the arrival of King Cold. If my past memory proved correct, I would be finger gunned to death by Frieza; a swift death. Similar to my first experience but now, I actually knew it was going to happen.
Taking a couple more glances at the busy bodies, I took my equipment and exited my room for the last time. My walk inside the palace was dull until I crossed a room with my father's name embedded on the door. Everyone within the palace had gone to the landing site and the door was unlocked. As a last bit of spite, I entered and fired some ki blasts at his belongings and medals. The wood burned and the smell of burnt furniture made me smile. Feeling satisfied with my handiwork, I was about to walk out but stopped when my eyes laid upon a cellphone of sorts. I swiped it off its charging station and read the little label glued to its side. I walked as I read the capabilities of the device. To my shock, it could take calls connected to the Saiyan network, including Saiyan ships.
Nappa was kind enough to provide me with an equivalent to his phone number. He did say he enjoyed some light conversations during his space travels. Yet, I never took the liberty of making those calls, until now. I was at the end of my days, with nothing left to lose and no more time to waste.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed his number and placed it upon my ear as I walked the last few corridors towards my sniper spot. The device released some static before a click was heard.
"Yooo, Nappa here."
Never in both my lives had I felt so much relief in hearing a friendly voice. It was such a great change in pace from the hell I had been through.
I shook my head to rejuvenate my senses and hide my despair. "Hello, Nappa senpai."
"That voice. Is that Gula." Nappa cheered back. "Never thought you'll use this number, especially since you haven't done so for the years we've known each other."
A smile crept up on my face as I recalled our past interactions. Those moments were friendly for sure and would always border around jokes and insults.
"So what's up with the depression. You have never been this depressed before. And before you ask how I know, come on. I'm not that sort of monster who doesn't recognize his best friend is in harder times than usual."
I was lost for words at his insight.
"I…I…sor-"
"Don't apologize for something you couldn't control. Good ol'Nappa here will cheer you up."
I stopped walking and leaned my back against the wall.
Nappa took a deep breath and spoke more seriously. "I don't know what troubles you got yourself into and I certainly won't see it the way you do. But let me say this. Go make some new friends."
"I don't understand?" I questioned.
"There is nothing tying you done on planet Vegeta. You hate nearly everyone and everyone hates you. So why stay?" He had a point. In fact, I could very easily escape with an attack pod using the pretext that I was sent on a mission. Heck, my father would gladly send me away in hopes I get myself killed on an unknown planet.
"For all your misfortunes, you never backed down on a challenge. You are strong, Gula. A Saiyan warrior born for great things. So get out there and makes some more friends. Like me, conquering this planet of talking fish. Though the only thing these guys say is gurgle gurgle. Hey, I can even put in a word for you to the King. I am his future counselor."
"I don't know what to say."
"I do though. You may be a bit crazy, but that crazy makes you special. I care about you and am happy to have met you." Nappa started. "And most importantly, I am proud of you. As a friend."
"You still there, Gula?... Gula…Gula…Gula" I tuned out Nappa and found my cheeks to be wet. I wiped away the water with my arm, only to realize it wasn't enough as more tears dripped from my chin. Nappa, for all of his faults, saw me as a friend; not a failure to be discarded or a tool to be broken. Though his advice was quite basic, it rock my world. For once in this life, someone said they cared for me and meant it. Maybe he was pretending, but in the years I had known him, he was too bold to tell lies. His words were simple and were enough for me.
"I hear you. You big musclehead." I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. "For the last time, I'm not crazy, but thanks for the compliment."
"No problem pal. We can talk more when I get back. I also got this very nice skull as a souvenir. We'll do lunch. See ya." I gave my own farewell before we disconnected.
Lifting myself from the wall, I shook my head and slapped my cheeks. I was ready to do what I must. I looked at the rifle over my shoulder and tossed it aside; I strengthen my arms and ripped my gear apart. I might not be able to defeat my father or most of the soldiers in the palace. But I sure as hell would try. Nappa was right; nothing on this damn planet could tie me done. I experienced pain beyond belief and walked out pretty sane. I was ready.
I would win or die trying. My way.
With a short run, I met the end of the hallway and kicked the door open to reveal the outdoors. Someone I was not expecting was waiting for me. Someone I could never beat stared at me with surprise.
"Oh if it isn't a dirty monkey." Cooler, the older brother of Frieza stood before me.
You know…When I said I would try winning, I meant against my father and not a tyrant who could finger a planet to death metaphorically and very literally. Screw my luck.