The Price of Power 6
By: Kichi
I don't own these characters bla bla.
Today was Vegeta's seventeenth birthday. The only reason he knew that was because he had been declared the official heir on his eighth birthday and he remembered the date. He wondered briefly what other species did on birthday's but dismissed it as unimportant as he headed to the arena. The tournament would begin today. He had trained and fought very hard for this day. In addition, each time Frieza "punished" him, his power level increased. They had reached Frieza's 54th conquered planet sometime during the night. He saw hundreds of warriors from different species and checked power levels on his scouter. He gave a quick laugh when no one came near his power level in the immediate area. A few were up there, but still not high enough. The last time his power level had been checked it had been at 15,000. Nappa was at 10,000, and Radditz was at 1100. Vegeta snorted. Maybe Radditz's power level had increased after he got out of the tank after Frieza's "punishment". When he thought about the difference in their ages and power levels he had to grin. He was only seventeen yet he had the highest power level of any Saiyan, living or dead. ::It must be true.:: he mused. ::One day I will be the legendary Super Saiyan and I will crush Frieza.::
The preliminary rounds had begun and Vegeta was waiting for his match in the training hall. Zarbon waltzed in with a smug smile playing on his lips. Vegeta heard the swish of the doors that announced his entrance, but refused to turn and see who had entered. Zarbon watched Vegeta train in silence before deciding to speak.
"Well, well. Vegeta. just how far do you think you are going to get in this competition? Surely you don't expect to get very far." Vegeta gritted his teeth and continued to lift weights.
"I will surpass you." He snapped. Zarbon tossed his head back with a laugh.
"You are nothing but a pathetic boy. You race has been destroyed and you wish to throw your life away today? Lord Frieza will decide one day that your usefulness has come to an end and then what, little prince?" He grinned as the fur on Vegeta's tail ruffled and his hair stood in jagged spikes. "What's the matter? Was it something I said?" Vegeta grimaced and forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath and turned to face Zarbon, a strange smile on his lips.
"What is your point, pretty boy- or whatever it is that you are." Zarbon snarled. "Are you trying to scare me? Is that it? Because it won't work. I'm not afraid of anyone. Especially not you. Feh. You disgust me." He turned and went back to his exercises.
"You should be afraid. I am much stronger than you realize. You power level is well known, but you know nothing of me." Vegeta rolled his eyes and dropped his weights.
"What the hell are you bothering me for? Can't you see I'm busy?" he suddenly snapped, a blue aura surrounding him. Zarbon grinned.
"Tch, tch, Vegeta. You know there's no fighting before the match." Vegeta's aura did not dissipate.
"Get bent, baka." he demanded between clenched teeth. Zarbon shrugged and walked over to the prince. Vegeta stared defiantly into the pale, green visage.
"I just want you to know that you have no chance of winning. I want you to realize that your insubordination will only be tolerated for so long. Oh, Frieza does favor you, but don't think he will not dispose of you at a moments notice." He leaned down, his face inches from Vegeta's and smiled as the young face hardened. "You have no hope of becoming the stronger than Frieza. The reason I tell you all this is well, frankly.. I don't like you. I've never liked you. Your monkey-tailed race was nothing but an abomination and I'm glad they are all gone. And after today, you will be too." Vegeta used every ounce of self-control he had to keep from attacking the alien right then and there. Zarbon smiled as Vegeta's face grew a shade paler and the veins in his neck stood out. He grinned and abruptly turned, his cape lashing Vegeta's legs and sauntered out, laughing the whole way. Vegeta growled low in his throat. Whoever he faced, he had to defeat if only to get a chance to beat that foul piece of trash.
Zarbon's words echoed through his head and for a moment he wondered how long he had to become super saiyan before Frieza decided to kill him. He frowned reaching up to tug at his hair; he remembered the day he had come to Frieza's ship. He remembered sitting in a tiny cell, nearly starved, waiting for someone to let him out. He recalled his pain as light hit his eyes after days of darkness. If Frieza favored him so, then why did he treat him like a common slave? And why did he let him? He knew that Frieza could probably kill him in an instant, but would he? ::Of course, baka, why wouldn't he.:: Vegeta frowned and for the first time in many years he thought of his home.
Vejiitasei was so different from the world he lived in now. Everything had been much simpler back home. He wondered what he would be doing at this very moment had his home world not been destroyed. Even if he had to sit and listen to diplomats talk until he was bored to tears, it would be better than this. :: I just wish I could go to a planet that Frieza doesn't know about, then I wouldn't have to be bothered. But how many planets are still free and untouched by Frieza? :: he knew he was still too young to even come close to becoming a super saiyan, but at least he was at the age when Saiyans were considered adults, old enough to do as they please as long as it did not conflict with the King's desires.
He sighed and continued to train, trying to rid himself of the thoughts of home and the swift ache in his chest that accompanied them.
"Did you do as I asked?"
"Yes Lord Frieza." Zarbon said with a small smile. "He is very angry. I expect him to go far."
"If he does end up facing you, you must fight tooth and nail. But killing him is not an option and neither is transforming. Those are the rules."
"Yes my lord." Frieza nodded in satisfaction.
"He will be the only Saiyan entering the competition. I want only the strongest men under my command."
"This is a good way to do it." Zarbon replied.
"Yes. And it creates an amusing diversion for my father and brother." Zarbon gaped. He'd heard of Frieza's father and brother but had never actually seen them.
"They are coming to watch?" he said. Frieza nodded.
"Yes, now go. Your first match is about to begin."
Vegeta didn't really like the rules of the competition for the sole face that killing was not allowed. He wondered why. Frieza was not the kind to show mercy on a weaker opponent. Why did he expect his men to? It made no sense to him. He didn't mind at all not being able to transform. He didn't need to as far as he was concerned. And the fact that no ki was allowed didn't really bother him either. He liked hand-to hand combat. It was thrilling to him, much more than seeing a huge ki sphere decimate an opponent. It seemed to him that the better fighter was one who could pummel the other. Ki was useful and very effective, but sometimes it wasn't as fun as punching someone in the face until their skull crushed. Brute strength impressed him at times but he also knew that brute strength alone was worthless at times. But for now, it would be just enough. He smirked at the thought and walked out into the bright sunlight.
The roar from the crowd was deafening. He hoped that it wouldn't affect his fighting. He relied on his hearing as much as his eyesight and sense of smell. His opponent stood on the opposite end of the arena. A tall red-skinned fellow with long, pointed ears, a long mane of black hair, and a thick tail, much like Frieza's.
"Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans versus Jadda of the Kiizan. BEGIN!!" The match began and Vegeta and his opponent charged each other. His opponent ducked low and his tail whipped through the air. Vegeta back-flipped and swung his leg, his heel connecting with the demon's face. Jadda flipped back and landed on his feet charging again. Vegeta dodged each punch with ease. Jadda snarled and lashed out with his tail again. Vegeta caught it and held it in a death grip. Realizing the dangerous position he was in Jadda swung his tail again, hoping to pull Vegeta with it. But the prince did not move. He did not anticipate the sayian's weight would be much greater for someone his size. Vegeta pulled his knee to his chest and lashed out, his foot striking Jadda's back. Jadda flew forward and landed in a heap howling in pain. Vegeta dropped the thrashing tail to the arena floor and charged it's former owner. He leapt in the air and landed, his feet crushing Jadda's shoulders, pinning him down before he could get up. He then delivered dozens of rapid punches, his arms a blur. He stopped after a moment and surveyed his handiwork. Jadda would probably die as a result from the wounds if he wasn't put in a regeneration tank immediately. His ribs were nearly all shattered, and his face was a bloody mess. Vegeta grinned and turned away, stalking to the center of the ring.
"The winner.. Prince Vegeta!"
"What exactly did you say to him?" Frieza asked Zarbon after his match.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I didn't change chapter 5 at all, but I added a bit to this particular chapter. And thanks so much for all the great reviews of my soliloquy!
By: Kichi
I don't own these characters bla bla.
Today was Vegeta's seventeenth birthday. The only reason he knew that was because he had been declared the official heir on his eighth birthday and he remembered the date. He wondered briefly what other species did on birthday's but dismissed it as unimportant as he headed to the arena. The tournament would begin today. He had trained and fought very hard for this day. In addition, each time Frieza "punished" him, his power level increased. They had reached Frieza's 54th conquered planet sometime during the night. He saw hundreds of warriors from different species and checked power levels on his scouter. He gave a quick laugh when no one came near his power level in the immediate area. A few were up there, but still not high enough. The last time his power level had been checked it had been at 15,000. Nappa was at 10,000, and Radditz was at 1100. Vegeta snorted. Maybe Radditz's power level had increased after he got out of the tank after Frieza's "punishment". When he thought about the difference in their ages and power levels he had to grin. He was only seventeen yet he had the highest power level of any Saiyan, living or dead. ::It must be true.:: he mused. ::One day I will be the legendary Super Saiyan and I will crush Frieza.::
The preliminary rounds had begun and Vegeta was waiting for his match in the training hall. Zarbon waltzed in with a smug smile playing on his lips. Vegeta heard the swish of the doors that announced his entrance, but refused to turn and see who had entered. Zarbon watched Vegeta train in silence before deciding to speak.
"Well, well. Vegeta. just how far do you think you are going to get in this competition? Surely you don't expect to get very far." Vegeta gritted his teeth and continued to lift weights.
"I will surpass you." He snapped. Zarbon tossed his head back with a laugh.
"You are nothing but a pathetic boy. You race has been destroyed and you wish to throw your life away today? Lord Frieza will decide one day that your usefulness has come to an end and then what, little prince?" He grinned as the fur on Vegeta's tail ruffled and his hair stood in jagged spikes. "What's the matter? Was it something I said?" Vegeta grimaced and forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath and turned to face Zarbon, a strange smile on his lips.
"What is your point, pretty boy- or whatever it is that you are." Zarbon snarled. "Are you trying to scare me? Is that it? Because it won't work. I'm not afraid of anyone. Especially not you. Feh. You disgust me." He turned and went back to his exercises.
"You should be afraid. I am much stronger than you realize. You power level is well known, but you know nothing of me." Vegeta rolled his eyes and dropped his weights.
"What the hell are you bothering me for? Can't you see I'm busy?" he suddenly snapped, a blue aura surrounding him. Zarbon grinned.
"Tch, tch, Vegeta. You know there's no fighting before the match." Vegeta's aura did not dissipate.
"Get bent, baka." he demanded between clenched teeth. Zarbon shrugged and walked over to the prince. Vegeta stared defiantly into the pale, green visage.
"I just want you to know that you have no chance of winning. I want you to realize that your insubordination will only be tolerated for so long. Oh, Frieza does favor you, but don't think he will not dispose of you at a moments notice." He leaned down, his face inches from Vegeta's and smiled as the young face hardened. "You have no hope of becoming the stronger than Frieza. The reason I tell you all this is well, frankly.. I don't like you. I've never liked you. Your monkey-tailed race was nothing but an abomination and I'm glad they are all gone. And after today, you will be too." Vegeta used every ounce of self-control he had to keep from attacking the alien right then and there. Zarbon smiled as Vegeta's face grew a shade paler and the veins in his neck stood out. He grinned and abruptly turned, his cape lashing Vegeta's legs and sauntered out, laughing the whole way. Vegeta growled low in his throat. Whoever he faced, he had to defeat if only to get a chance to beat that foul piece of trash.
Zarbon's words echoed through his head and for a moment he wondered how long he had to become super saiyan before Frieza decided to kill him. He frowned reaching up to tug at his hair; he remembered the day he had come to Frieza's ship. He remembered sitting in a tiny cell, nearly starved, waiting for someone to let him out. He recalled his pain as light hit his eyes after days of darkness. If Frieza favored him so, then why did he treat him like a common slave? And why did he let him? He knew that Frieza could probably kill him in an instant, but would he? ::Of course, baka, why wouldn't he.:: Vegeta frowned and for the first time in many years he thought of his home.
Vejiitasei was so different from the world he lived in now. Everything had been much simpler back home. He wondered what he would be doing at this very moment had his home world not been destroyed. Even if he had to sit and listen to diplomats talk until he was bored to tears, it would be better than this. :: I just wish I could go to a planet that Frieza doesn't know about, then I wouldn't have to be bothered. But how many planets are still free and untouched by Frieza? :: he knew he was still too young to even come close to becoming a super saiyan, but at least he was at the age when Saiyans were considered adults, old enough to do as they please as long as it did not conflict with the King's desires.
He sighed and continued to train, trying to rid himself of the thoughts of home and the swift ache in his chest that accompanied them.
"Did you do as I asked?"
"Yes Lord Frieza." Zarbon said with a small smile. "He is very angry. I expect him to go far."
"If he does end up facing you, you must fight tooth and nail. But killing him is not an option and neither is transforming. Those are the rules."
"Yes my lord." Frieza nodded in satisfaction.
"He will be the only Saiyan entering the competition. I want only the strongest men under my command."
"This is a good way to do it." Zarbon replied.
"Yes. And it creates an amusing diversion for my father and brother." Zarbon gaped. He'd heard of Frieza's father and brother but had never actually seen them.
"They are coming to watch?" he said. Frieza nodded.
"Yes, now go. Your first match is about to begin."
Vegeta didn't really like the rules of the competition for the sole face that killing was not allowed. He wondered why. Frieza was not the kind to show mercy on a weaker opponent. Why did he expect his men to? It made no sense to him. He didn't mind at all not being able to transform. He didn't need to as far as he was concerned. And the fact that no ki was allowed didn't really bother him either. He liked hand-to hand combat. It was thrilling to him, much more than seeing a huge ki sphere decimate an opponent. It seemed to him that the better fighter was one who could pummel the other. Ki was useful and very effective, but sometimes it wasn't as fun as punching someone in the face until their skull crushed. Brute strength impressed him at times but he also knew that brute strength alone was worthless at times. But for now, it would be just enough. He smirked at the thought and walked out into the bright sunlight.
The roar from the crowd was deafening. He hoped that it wouldn't affect his fighting. He relied on his hearing as much as his eyesight and sense of smell. His opponent stood on the opposite end of the arena. A tall red-skinned fellow with long, pointed ears, a long mane of black hair, and a thick tail, much like Frieza's.
"Prince Vegeta of the Saiyans versus Jadda of the Kiizan. BEGIN!!" The match began and Vegeta and his opponent charged each other. His opponent ducked low and his tail whipped through the air. Vegeta back-flipped and swung his leg, his heel connecting with the demon's face. Jadda flipped back and landed on his feet charging again. Vegeta dodged each punch with ease. Jadda snarled and lashed out with his tail again. Vegeta caught it and held it in a death grip. Realizing the dangerous position he was in Jadda swung his tail again, hoping to pull Vegeta with it. But the prince did not move. He did not anticipate the sayian's weight would be much greater for someone his size. Vegeta pulled his knee to his chest and lashed out, his foot striking Jadda's back. Jadda flew forward and landed in a heap howling in pain. Vegeta dropped the thrashing tail to the arena floor and charged it's former owner. He leapt in the air and landed, his feet crushing Jadda's shoulders, pinning him down before he could get up. He then delivered dozens of rapid punches, his arms a blur. He stopped after a moment and surveyed his handiwork. Jadda would probably die as a result from the wounds if he wasn't put in a regeneration tank immediately. His ribs were nearly all shattered, and his face was a bloody mess. Vegeta grinned and turned away, stalking to the center of the ring.
"The winner.. Prince Vegeta!"
"What exactly did you say to him?" Frieza asked Zarbon after his match.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I didn't change chapter 5 at all, but I added a bit to this particular chapter. And thanks so much for all the great reviews of my soliloquy!