Prolog 2
"What are the five precepts?" Thundered through the training room.
"Honor, duty, justice, knowledge, and truth." The boy echoed back without breaking his katas.
"What is a warrior's duty?" boomed the deep voice.
"To face the battle with all his strength. To fight those who destroy life. To seek the best outcome for all, great and small." The boy answered while spinning through his kicks.
"Good. Now finish with stretches and we will continue tomorrow." The large warrior proclaimed.
The five year old stopped dead and stared at his trainer. His eyes knit as a scowl began to cover his face. The small voice growled, "You can't possibly mean to say that's all we're doing today Nappa?"
"STRETCHES - NOW!" He jumped at the power in his instructor's voice, and then began to stretch. "Better, you have done very well my prince, but your father has given a strict time limit on your training and we are out of time for today. Finish your stretching and its back to the palace for you."
Less than and hour later the Vegeta emerged from the shower dressed and made his way to see his father before afternoon studies with his tutor and mother. Making his way through the labyrinth of polished stone that gleamed in the midday light. As he turned the corner a tall green figure came into view. "Please let him go the other way." He thought as he continued.
Luck was on his side as Zarbon moved away and toward the main hall. Sighing he moved to a large door, passing it and turning down a small corridor that led to the secret door to his father's office. He stopped behind the tapestry that covered the entry. A chill shook his spine as he heard the voice on the other side.
"Come now King Vegeta. The boy needs an education and I can offer him the best tutors and facilities in the sector. My offer would benefit the boy."
"I appreciate your kindness in my son's future Lord Freeza, but his is still too young to be sent away. His training and initial studies will not be complete for at least a year, and that with an accelerated course load." The king paused working hard to avoid any traps that might ensnare his only child. "I respect your generosity, and am grateful for it of course. In a year, when he has had enough field training and his studies have reached a sufficient level, it might benefit him to join you. Your offer is tempting, but the timing is not suitable to the boy's current level."
Behind the curtain Vegeta could hear a tapping sound. He moved so he could peek from his hiding place. All that was visible was a white tail rising and falling to the floor at a sharp pace. His heart went to his throat at the small glimpse of the creature. He stepped back silently and held his breath.
"If you insist King Vegeta, but I think you are being too cautious with the child. We will discuss this again in a year or so. I'm sure that the boy will be ready then as you say." With that the iceling turned and left the king to his thoughts.
Once he was sure that Lord Freeza was gone the boy peered around the tapestry to see his father sitting uncharacteristically slouched in his chair. As he watched the weight of the universe bear down on the man he viewed as indestructible a churning uncertainty gripped him. He started to make his way quietly to his beloved king.
"How do I stop this monster?" the king thought wearily. A small touch on his knee made him open his eyes to his most prized treasure. The small face smiled softly, but his cheeks were streaked with tears.
"Don't worry father. We'll find a way to stop him someday. I'll train harder. I won't let you down." He reassured the tired king.
"You train three times harder than most adults, and ten times harder than any child. No Styrkar, you have done more than your share already. Do not concern yourself with these things."
"No, he is evil. He won't change his mind. I must be ready in a year, more than ready. I don't want to go, but we have to do what he says for now. When the time is right we will stop him."
The kings sighed, rubbed his dark chestnut hair, and looked into the eyes of his son. He was shocked to see the eyes of an adult shining through the child's face. He had grown up hard and fast and was growing more aware everyday. He couldn't deny his son words; he was right. He took the small frame and pulled to his lap cradling his greatest joy close.
"What are the five precepts?" Thundered through the training room.
"Honor, duty, justice, knowledge, and truth." The boy echoed back without breaking his katas.
"What is a warrior's duty?" boomed the deep voice.
"To face the battle with all his strength. To fight those who destroy life. To seek the best outcome for all, great and small." The boy answered while spinning through his kicks.
"Good. Now finish with stretches and we will continue tomorrow." The large warrior proclaimed.
The five year old stopped dead and stared at his trainer. His eyes knit as a scowl began to cover his face. The small voice growled, "You can't possibly mean to say that's all we're doing today Nappa?"
"STRETCHES - NOW!" He jumped at the power in his instructor's voice, and then began to stretch. "Better, you have done very well my prince, but your father has given a strict time limit on your training and we are out of time for today. Finish your stretching and its back to the palace for you."
Less than and hour later the Vegeta emerged from the shower dressed and made his way to see his father before afternoon studies with his tutor and mother. Making his way through the labyrinth of polished stone that gleamed in the midday light. As he turned the corner a tall green figure came into view. "Please let him go the other way." He thought as he continued.
Luck was on his side as Zarbon moved away and toward the main hall. Sighing he moved to a large door, passing it and turning down a small corridor that led to the secret door to his father's office. He stopped behind the tapestry that covered the entry. A chill shook his spine as he heard the voice on the other side.
"Come now King Vegeta. The boy needs an education and I can offer him the best tutors and facilities in the sector. My offer would benefit the boy."
"I appreciate your kindness in my son's future Lord Freeza, but his is still too young to be sent away. His training and initial studies will not be complete for at least a year, and that with an accelerated course load." The king paused working hard to avoid any traps that might ensnare his only child. "I respect your generosity, and am grateful for it of course. In a year, when he has had enough field training and his studies have reached a sufficient level, it might benefit him to join you. Your offer is tempting, but the timing is not suitable to the boy's current level."
Behind the curtain Vegeta could hear a tapping sound. He moved so he could peek from his hiding place. All that was visible was a white tail rising and falling to the floor at a sharp pace. His heart went to his throat at the small glimpse of the creature. He stepped back silently and held his breath.
"If you insist King Vegeta, but I think you are being too cautious with the child. We will discuss this again in a year or so. I'm sure that the boy will be ready then as you say." With that the iceling turned and left the king to his thoughts.
Once he was sure that Lord Freeza was gone the boy peered around the tapestry to see his father sitting uncharacteristically slouched in his chair. As he watched the weight of the universe bear down on the man he viewed as indestructible a churning uncertainty gripped him. He started to make his way quietly to his beloved king.
"How do I stop this monster?" the king thought wearily. A small touch on his knee made him open his eyes to his most prized treasure. The small face smiled softly, but his cheeks were streaked with tears.
"Don't worry father. We'll find a way to stop him someday. I'll train harder. I won't let you down." He reassured the tired king.
"You train three times harder than most adults, and ten times harder than any child. No Styrkar, you have done more than your share already. Do not concern yourself with these things."
"No, he is evil. He won't change his mind. I must be ready in a year, more than ready. I don't want to go, but we have to do what he says for now. When the time is right we will stop him."
The kings sighed, rubbed his dark chestnut hair, and looked into the eyes of his son. He was shocked to see the eyes of an adult shining through the child's face. He had grown up hard and fast and was growing more aware everyday. He couldn't deny his son words; he was right. He took the small frame and pulled to his lap cradling his greatest joy close.