Alright, here we go again. As usual, forgive my humble, and imminently unworthy efforts at fine literature. ^_^;; Ah, well, never mind. If you're reading this far, I suppose you seem to think this modest piece of trash is worth reading… You're very kind. Well, anyway, enough of my babbling.
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah. Read it in the first part if you want to read it at all. (humph. Doubt that)
Alteverse Part 5
Chapter 9
Flying on behind Kakarott and the little bald human, Vegeta had plenty of time to think… and unfortunately, there was nothing very pleasant to think about. The warrior had known the day was coming, but he hadn't realized it would arrive so soon. Kakarott had finally surpassed him. Him!! The Prince of the Saiyajin!! It was intolerable!! He was supposed to be the Super Saiyajin first, not that miserable third class!!
'Well, better him than Radditz or Nappa, ne?,' a distinctly annoying voice in his head said smugly. *
'Oh, shut up,' he mentally snapped back. Great, now he was having arguments with himself. On top of everything else, that damned Kakarott was now driving him insane too!! 'How could he?! I'll kill him!!'
'No, you won't,' that annoying voice replied calmly. 'After all, he is your frie–'
'Quiet!!!' Vegeta was furious. Friendship was weakness, a vulnerable spot. One he couldn't afford, now or ever.
'Even if that "vulnerable spot" is more able to defend both himself and you than you are yourself?' the voice asked him snidely.
'Will you just go away and leave me in peace?!' Vegeta almost pleaded.
'No. Not until you acknowledge that Kakarott is your friend, and that you aren't gonna try to do anything drastic to him, if only so that you can survive to someday surpass him.
'Would that assuage your pride, hm? Surpassing him and defeating him in battle? You could maybe do it someday. But you better stick around, and wait for an opportunity. After all, how can you tell when he's most open to attack when you're a few thousand light-years away? And it wouldn't do for him to somehow get killed by someone else, would it? That would destroy your chance at defeating him. So, until you become a Super Saiyajin too, you'd better watch his back… all in the name of your pride, of course.'
'Yessss… That's a wonderful idea!! I'm glad I thought of it!!' Vegeta congratulated himself.
'Right... you and me both,' the voice muttered, but quietly, under its breath. If Vegeta heard it, he chose to ignore it, occupying himself, instead, on plans for becoming a Super Saiyajin. He might have to reconsider his wish… or maybe not. It was a question well worth thinking on.
*********************
Nappa, was, of course, extremely incensed, but for very different reasons from his Prince. Kakarott had been partially correct in his assessment of the giant Saiyajin's state of mind. Nappa had indeed taken in that Kakarott had become a Super Saiyajin, but rather than distract him from his other concern, it only inflamed him more on the subject.
How could the Legendary Super Saiyajin take a *human* for his mate!? Don't get me wrong, Nappa disapproved of the entire concept of Saiyajin taking alien mates, but it was one thing for some nobody third class, among millions of other Saiyajin, and something else all together in this case. Not only was Kakarott one of the only three surviving Saiyajin from Vegeta-sei, he was the Legendary Super Saiyajin!! It was like a betrayal of their entire species for a legend-come-to-life to commit such a grievous crime – no, blasphemy!!
It never occurred to Nappa that it didn't really matter much, since the racial hero, the "legend-come-to-life" made up exactly one third of said race, or that that same race would cease to exist if they didn't breed with aliens. He was rather too consumed by his own unreasoning hatred.
It also occurred to Nappa that, rather than let his race become contaminated, maybe he should arrange that it came to an honorable end, still pure. The Commander of the Army of Vegeta-sei knew perfectly well that he couldn't stop the travesty from taking place by himself, and, stupid as he might be, even he recognized the friendship and affection that Vegeta held for Kakarott. He could count on no help from that quarter.
However, off the tip of his rather slow mind, he could think of no one else strong or willing enough to help him. Except… maybe Frieza…
True, Nappa hated Frieza with a passion – not only an alien, but an alien that dared to practically enslave the last of the proud Saiyajin – but he had to consider, which did he hate more… his alien employer… or the alien that threatened to contaminate his race forever?
The choice, to him, was clear. But he would have to hurry. He had to reach Frieza before Kakarott had had a chance to wish for immortality. Quietly, making sure to shield his mind from his companions, he began to make his plans. Vegeta and Kakarott would try to stop him from leaving the planet. So, he would have to sneak away. Tonight.
********
And so they flew, each with his own thoughts.
At the moment, Krillin was very much worried about his life, as well as Bulma and Kame-sennin's.
Kakarott could think of little else but Chichi's condition, though occasionally his mind wandered towards his recent transformation. He had resumed his normal form sometime during the flight, but he felt sure he could return to Super Saiyajin (or SSJ, as he was starting to think of it) at any time he needed.
Vegeta and Nappa followed behind, each plotting, making his own separate plans.
None of them had any clue what life and fate would throw at them in the coming months, but really, is it likely that any of them cared?
End Chapter 9
* Author's Note: Just so you don't think that something fishy is going on, the voice is Vegeta's better nature speaking up.
Before I forget, I'd like to mention that this fic was largely inspired by "The Vegeta-sei Ascendant". It is an EXCELLENT piece of work, and I highly recommend it. I can't for the life of me remember who wrote it, but it used to be on ff.net, under the name "The Young Prince", though I'm not sure if it still is. The author put it up on Aestheticism. If you can get on there and would be willing to send me the second half of the third book, then please contact me at fantasystar@mindspring.com and I will be beyond eternally grateful!!! I would be your slave!! I want to know how the damned story ends!!! Anyway, just giving credit where it's due, and all that. And since I've gone on long enough, ja!!