The Price of Power 17
By: Kichi
At this time the standard disclaimer will be issued: All characters in this story (except Kishiro) were created by Akira Toriyama. The song "The Day the Whole World Went Away" is the property of Trent Reznor! I LOVE YOU TRENT!!! I am making no money off of this so suing would be pointless. I would also like to thank Quaxo for always reviewing! Thank you! As for the rest of you: Damnit! I always review. Why can't you review my damn story? I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK! Ok? So REVIEW Damn it! Besides, I'll have you know that I didn't go to school today just to write this and if I don't get a C average I'll be kicked out forever! Really! Ok, that's enough of my damn whining.
Also this is kind of a song-fic cause nearly all Nine Inch Nails songs remind me of Vegeta (and me, coincidentally).
*********************
It had been three days since Vegeta had been put in the regeneration tank. At first his pulse was slow and erratic, leading the doctors to believe that the young Saiyan was not going to make it after all. It had gotten so bad the first few hours, his heart rate had slowed to one beat every 3 seconds. The physicians, fearing the worst, injected adrenaline into the healing fluid, which sped his heart rate to 5 beats per second. They were about to panic when after about a minute it went back to normal, at which they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Vegeta himself was drifting through the realm of dream. Each vision stranger than the last. He had always thought dreams came from your mind but he was seeing things he'd never see, places he'd never, ever been. People and buildings he had never encountered. Everything was shattered and destroyed. The sky was a dull gray, filled with thick, boiling clouds. Despair's hook snagged his heart as he surveyed the scene. And always he could hear a voice singing softly. The words were burned into his head until he knew them better than his own name. He was shocked to realize that the words reminded him of himself and his plight. The music was depressing yet invigorating at the same time. He was sad because the words reminded him of how horrible his life had truly become, at it exhilarated him also because he felt understood at last. He sat and watched as the world seemed to die, and let the song fill his mind entirely until he could think of nothing else.
I'd listen to the words he'd say
But in his voice I heard decay
The plastic face forced to portray
All the insides left cold and gray
There is a place that still remains
It eats the fear it eats the pain
The sweetest price he'll have to pay
The day the whole world went away...
When he finally got out of the tank four days later, there was something different about Vegeta. He didn't even flinch when one of the doctors told him that he "owed Kuui." Instead he merely dressed and walked out without a word.
"He's lost it." One doctor confided to another in a whisper. If anything it was the exact opposite. He had finally realized how he would defeat Frieza. And it had nothing to do with becoming a super Saiyan. He just decided not to care anymore, no matter what Frieza did to him. Usually such things were easier said than done, but he really didn't care anymore, about anything except becoming strong enough to beat Frieza. And that thought was so ingrained in his psyche that he rarely consciously thought of it; it had nearly replaced his will and changed it to a single desire.
Over the next few weeks he had become even more cruel and brutal, severely beating anyone who came near him. One day Kishiro had the misfortune to cross his path. As soon as she asked how he was he gave her a look that clearly said: "What the hell are you doing?" and backhanded her. The slap sent her to the floor. She sat there for a moment holding her cheek and trying not to cry. He crouched down in front of her and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.
"You know," he began in a conversational tone. "Even though you belong to Radditz, I could do whatever I wanted to you and he couldn't do shit." And then he stood and walked away as if nothing had occurred. Kishiro jumped up as soon as he was out of sight and ran to her room crying.
The next day he ran into Kuui after training for hours on end. He was tired and a little sore, and as soon as Kuui appeared he felt rage boil up inside him. He tried to stifle it and not care, but he recalled the doctor's comment when he got out of the tank. Decision made he walked right up to Kuui and spat in his face.
"There." He said, an amused smirk in place. "Now I owe you nothing." Kuui's face turned a deep purple and he swung at Vegeta full force. Vegeta leaned back, causing Kuui to over extend himself. The Saiyan took full advantage and neatly tripped him. Kuui crashed to the floor with a strangled cry of rage and was instantly on his feet.
"You little SHIT! I SAVED your pathetic LIFE! HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT ME SO!" Vegeta laughed, ignoring the gathering crowd. Instantly they were raining blows upon each other until they were rolling on the floor kicking, punching, and choking. Suddenly Vegeta felt a hand grab his tail. He punched Kuui in the face as hard as he could a few more times before looking up.
Frieza glared daggers at him. Vegeta smiled innocently. The deadly Ice-jin released the Saiyans tail when he saw it was having no effect.
"Come with me." Frieza commanded. Vegeta stood, his smile turning to a wide grin and followed Frieza.
Zarbon turned with a start as the doors to Frieza's main chambers were flung open. Frieza glared at Zarbon and all the other lackeys.
"All of you. Out. NOW!" he bellowed. They quickly scurried out of the room and it was then that it dawned on Vegeta to be afraid. He had never actually been alone with Frieza. At least one person (usually Zarbon) had been present at all times. Frieza walked to his hover chair and sat down.
"Vegeta." He said, studying the young man before him. "You have been with me for about ten years now and I have tried everything to make you obedient. Yet you still defy me. Why?" Vegeta was stunned. Of all the things he had anticipate upon first entering the room, this had definitely not been one of them. He felt the familiar anger bubbling up inside of him and before he could think twice, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Why?" he cried incredulously. "Why?!" he shook his head with a brief laugh. Frieza looked curious and confused at the same time. Vegeta glared back defiantly, refusing to look away. "You have brought me here be force, did you ever once think that I did not want to work for you? That I would have preferred to stay where I was?"
"Would you have rather stayed on Vejiitasei and been weak? You are much strong now than you would ever have been on your home planet." Vegeta looked thoughtful and shook his head.
"No. for that, at least, I am grateful." He spat out the last word as if it was poison.
"Do you wish to leave?" Frieza asked, he tone all seriousness.
"Ha!" Vegeta laughed. "As if I could. I do not believe you would allow it."
"But if I did, would you?" he urged.
"Yes." Frieza stood abruptly and began to pace.
"So, you do not appreciate all I have done for you." He stated. His tail lashed a bit before coming to a stop. He then turned to gaze at the Prince.
"I do, but at the same time..." he paused to gather his thoughts. "I hate it here." He felt like a fool and a weakling confessing his feelings to the ice-jin, but for some reason he felt compelled to do so. "Do you ever go to the planets you conquer?" he asked abruptly. Frieza frowned as if confused by the question.
"No. I sell them, you know that. I rule over the planet but they are inhabited by the highest bidder. You know all this, why ask?" Vegeta shrugged. "This is why I value you, Vegeta. You are unlike any Saiyan I've met. That is why I am unwilling to let you leave until you have done all I ask of you. Now go. Train, do whatever." Vegeta whirled in fury and stalked to his rooms.
Once inside his chambers, Vegeta collapsed to his knees and gave a short, pained cry. He had been certain that Frieza was about to release him, but in reality he had no intention of doing so. He gasped as a sharp pain stabbed his heart and he felt tears fill his eyes. If he ever wanted to escape Frieza he would have to do it some other way, and death was not an option, although he briefly considered it. He tugged at his hair as tears began to stream down his face. All his hopes had been shattered and the Prince of Saiyans could do nothing but cry.
Ok. Next chapter I might skip ahead a few years. In fact I think that's a good idea. Don't forget to review!!!!!!
By: Kichi
At this time the standard disclaimer will be issued: All characters in this story (except Kishiro) were created by Akira Toriyama. The song "The Day the Whole World Went Away" is the property of Trent Reznor! I LOVE YOU TRENT!!! I am making no money off of this so suing would be pointless. I would also like to thank Quaxo for always reviewing! Thank you! As for the rest of you: Damnit! I always review. Why can't you review my damn story? I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK! Ok? So REVIEW Damn it! Besides, I'll have you know that I didn't go to school today just to write this and if I don't get a C average I'll be kicked out forever! Really! Ok, that's enough of my damn whining.
Also this is kind of a song-fic cause nearly all Nine Inch Nails songs remind me of Vegeta (and me, coincidentally).
*********************
It had been three days since Vegeta had been put in the regeneration tank. At first his pulse was slow and erratic, leading the doctors to believe that the young Saiyan was not going to make it after all. It had gotten so bad the first few hours, his heart rate had slowed to one beat every 3 seconds. The physicians, fearing the worst, injected adrenaline into the healing fluid, which sped his heart rate to 5 beats per second. They were about to panic when after about a minute it went back to normal, at which they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Vegeta himself was drifting through the realm of dream. Each vision stranger than the last. He had always thought dreams came from your mind but he was seeing things he'd never see, places he'd never, ever been. People and buildings he had never encountered. Everything was shattered and destroyed. The sky was a dull gray, filled with thick, boiling clouds. Despair's hook snagged his heart as he surveyed the scene. And always he could hear a voice singing softly. The words were burned into his head until he knew them better than his own name. He was shocked to realize that the words reminded him of himself and his plight. The music was depressing yet invigorating at the same time. He was sad because the words reminded him of how horrible his life had truly become, at it exhilarated him also because he felt understood at last. He sat and watched as the world seemed to die, and let the song fill his mind entirely until he could think of nothing else.
I'd listen to the words he'd say
But in his voice I heard decay
The plastic face forced to portray
All the insides left cold and gray
There is a place that still remains
It eats the fear it eats the pain
The sweetest price he'll have to pay
The day the whole world went away...
When he finally got out of the tank four days later, there was something different about Vegeta. He didn't even flinch when one of the doctors told him that he "owed Kuui." Instead he merely dressed and walked out without a word.
"He's lost it." One doctor confided to another in a whisper. If anything it was the exact opposite. He had finally realized how he would defeat Frieza. And it had nothing to do with becoming a super Saiyan. He just decided not to care anymore, no matter what Frieza did to him. Usually such things were easier said than done, but he really didn't care anymore, about anything except becoming strong enough to beat Frieza. And that thought was so ingrained in his psyche that he rarely consciously thought of it; it had nearly replaced his will and changed it to a single desire.
Over the next few weeks he had become even more cruel and brutal, severely beating anyone who came near him. One day Kishiro had the misfortune to cross his path. As soon as she asked how he was he gave her a look that clearly said: "What the hell are you doing?" and backhanded her. The slap sent her to the floor. She sat there for a moment holding her cheek and trying not to cry. He crouched down in front of her and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.
"You know," he began in a conversational tone. "Even though you belong to Radditz, I could do whatever I wanted to you and he couldn't do shit." And then he stood and walked away as if nothing had occurred. Kishiro jumped up as soon as he was out of sight and ran to her room crying.
The next day he ran into Kuui after training for hours on end. He was tired and a little sore, and as soon as Kuui appeared he felt rage boil up inside him. He tried to stifle it and not care, but he recalled the doctor's comment when he got out of the tank. Decision made he walked right up to Kuui and spat in his face.
"There." He said, an amused smirk in place. "Now I owe you nothing." Kuui's face turned a deep purple and he swung at Vegeta full force. Vegeta leaned back, causing Kuui to over extend himself. The Saiyan took full advantage and neatly tripped him. Kuui crashed to the floor with a strangled cry of rage and was instantly on his feet.
"You little SHIT! I SAVED your pathetic LIFE! HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT ME SO!" Vegeta laughed, ignoring the gathering crowd. Instantly they were raining blows upon each other until they were rolling on the floor kicking, punching, and choking. Suddenly Vegeta felt a hand grab his tail. He punched Kuui in the face as hard as he could a few more times before looking up.
Frieza glared daggers at him. Vegeta smiled innocently. The deadly Ice-jin released the Saiyans tail when he saw it was having no effect.
"Come with me." Frieza commanded. Vegeta stood, his smile turning to a wide grin and followed Frieza.
Zarbon turned with a start as the doors to Frieza's main chambers were flung open. Frieza glared at Zarbon and all the other lackeys.
"All of you. Out. NOW!" he bellowed. They quickly scurried out of the room and it was then that it dawned on Vegeta to be afraid. He had never actually been alone with Frieza. At least one person (usually Zarbon) had been present at all times. Frieza walked to his hover chair and sat down.
"Vegeta." He said, studying the young man before him. "You have been with me for about ten years now and I have tried everything to make you obedient. Yet you still defy me. Why?" Vegeta was stunned. Of all the things he had anticipate upon first entering the room, this had definitely not been one of them. He felt the familiar anger bubbling up inside of him and before he could think twice, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Why?" he cried incredulously. "Why?!" he shook his head with a brief laugh. Frieza looked curious and confused at the same time. Vegeta glared back defiantly, refusing to look away. "You have brought me here be force, did you ever once think that I did not want to work for you? That I would have preferred to stay where I was?"
"Would you have rather stayed on Vejiitasei and been weak? You are much strong now than you would ever have been on your home planet." Vegeta looked thoughtful and shook his head.
"No. for that, at least, I am grateful." He spat out the last word as if it was poison.
"Do you wish to leave?" Frieza asked, he tone all seriousness.
"Ha!" Vegeta laughed. "As if I could. I do not believe you would allow it."
"But if I did, would you?" he urged.
"Yes." Frieza stood abruptly and began to pace.
"So, you do not appreciate all I have done for you." He stated. His tail lashed a bit before coming to a stop. He then turned to gaze at the Prince.
"I do, but at the same time..." he paused to gather his thoughts. "I hate it here." He felt like a fool and a weakling confessing his feelings to the ice-jin, but for some reason he felt compelled to do so. "Do you ever go to the planets you conquer?" he asked abruptly. Frieza frowned as if confused by the question.
"No. I sell them, you know that. I rule over the planet but they are inhabited by the highest bidder. You know all this, why ask?" Vegeta shrugged. "This is why I value you, Vegeta. You are unlike any Saiyan I've met. That is why I am unwilling to let you leave until you have done all I ask of you. Now go. Train, do whatever." Vegeta whirled in fury and stalked to his rooms.
Once inside his chambers, Vegeta collapsed to his knees and gave a short, pained cry. He had been certain that Frieza was about to release him, but in reality he had no intention of doing so. He gasped as a sharp pain stabbed his heart and he felt tears fill his eyes. If he ever wanted to escape Frieza he would have to do it some other way, and death was not an option, although he briefly considered it. He tugged at his hair as tears began to stream down his face. All his hopes had been shattered and the Prince of Saiyans could do nothing but cry.
Ok. Next chapter I might skip ahead a few years. In fact I think that's a good idea. Don't forget to review!!!!!!