Chapter 11: The Making of a Killer
By: senzubean
I do not own Dragon Ball Z in any way. I make no profit from this story. I just wrote it for fun.
Vegeta looked at the red aura in front of him.
What did I do wrong? Vegeta wondered. Frieza had told him himself that he wasn't angry with him at all for his actions in the treatment room earlier that week.
I didn't do anything bad since then, so why am I in prison?
Zarbon had taken him to the incarceration wing first thing after his breakfast that morning. He put him in a cell then left him there, without telling him why.
I thought we were supposed to train together. Humph! Everyone lies in this place.
Just then Zarbon returned carrying a sobbing little female alien. She was a light blue lizard, but covered with fur. He powered up and extended his power surrounded arm with the alien through the power gate. Vegeta knew that the only way to pass through a powergate was to engulf oneself in an aura of power and walk through. Vegeta also knew that he was stuck in there. Zarbon set the gate higher than Vegeta's power level. If Vegeta tried to walk through he'd get really hurt.
Zarbon dropped the alien on the floor in front of Vegeta.
Vegeta stood up and looked at Zarbon questioningly.
Does he want me to fight her or what? She doesn't look like any of Frieza's training warriors. She's not wearing nay armor.
Vegeta wished he had a scouter so he could check her power level in order to answer his question. He didn't want to sound stupid by asking Zarbon. Zarbon said nothing to him and leaned against the wall opposite the cell casually. The girl was staring at Vegeta and was whimpering.
"What's the matter with you?" He asked. She didn't answer. She backed away into the far corner of the cell and sat there with her knees pressed against her chest.
Again, Vegeta turned to Zarbon.
What's wrong with her?" He repeated his question. Zarbon smirked but didn't answer. Vegeta looked back and forth between the two. The situation confused him.
Why doesn't he tell me what to do? Does he want me to attack her? I don't think I should, she's too scare d to fight for some reason. Maybe she knows that I'm more powerful than her. Zarbon must what me to fight with her though, he said that I was going to be training this morning.
Vegeta decided to attack the girl. He powered up slightly and threw a low level power ball at her. He wanted to convince her that he wanted only to train with her not hurt her. She didn't even try to deflect or dodge it. She let it hit her and surprised Vegeta when she cried out in pain. The ball left scorch marks on her fur. He'd burned her badly. She sobbed uncontrollably and Vegeta felt terrible.
"I..I'm sorry. I thought…" He stammered to her. He turned to Zarbon angrily who was looking back at him angrily. He hadn't liked the fact the Prince had apologized.
"I can't fight her, she's not anywhere near my power level, it wouldn't be a challenge at all!"
"Good, she's not meant to be a challenge." Zarbon said.
Vegeta was more confused then ever.
"I..I don't understand." Vegeta stated.
"Vegeta, this alien is a native of Tasbah."
Vegeta looked at her again. That means that she's one of the last then.
"So, " Vegeta said indignantly. He didn't care about where she was from, he wanted to know why she was there with him.
"Do you know what we do on occupations, Vegeta?"
"Of course," Vegeta replied, he was young but he wasn't stupid.
"Well, this is occupational training." Zarbon said.
Vegeta looked at the girl with a terrified expression.
He..he wants me to kill her.
"B..but why her?" Vegeta asked meekly. What did she do to deserve this execution. She's only a little kid like me.
"Why any of them, Vegeta?" Zarbon asked.
"I don't know." Vegeta replied. He knew his race did it to keep Frieza from killing them, but he didn't understand why Frieza himself did it.
Vegeta couldn't even count how many his father had occupied in the course of his own short life. To him it was as natural a thing to do as eat, or sleep. Occupying planets was what saiyans did. They did it for Frieza. But why Frieza had them do it was unknown to him. He had always assumed that Frieza had reason to attack the planets he did.
"I'll tell you why," Zarbon said. "We do it because we can."
Vegeta didn't like that answer. He wanted one that would justify what he knew he eventually would have to do. Because he could wasn't a valid reason. It just wasn't right.
"Come on Vegeta, go on and kill her. You're the strongest of your kind, you know how good that power of yours feels. You can't imagine how great it feels to take a life. It's like you absorb your victims power and make it your own. So, go ahead, experience the sensation. I promise that you will enjoy it."
Vegeta looked at the girl again. She had stopped sobbing and now had her eyes closed. She'd surrendered to her fate.
"I won't do it." Vegeta said confidently and looked back to Zarbon. " I'll only fight opponents that will help increase my power level. To fight a helpless creature is dishonorable.
"You will kill her, Vegeta. " Zarbon said then walked through the power gate. Vegeta stood up proudly, ready for whatever punishment his disobedience had earned him. He braced himself for Zarbon's attack. He was surprised to see Zarbon walk past him and toward the girl. She cried out in terror as Zarbon picked her up off the ground. Vegeta stood by helpless as Zarbon threw her at the power gate. She hit it, and remained stuck in it. Her body convulsed as a power rating of 8050 coursed through her weak body. She collapsed to the floor a few seconds later when the power gate shorted out.
Vegeta had backed up into the opposite wall as he watched all this take place. The smell of her scorched fur ,made him sick to his stomach. He became even sicker when he heard her almost inaudible whimpering.
She's still alive! Vegeta remarked both amazed and devastated at the same time. He knew she was experiencing excruciating pain. Zarbon casually turned her body over with his foot and placed it on her chest.
"Vegeta, you can step in and finish your victim at anytime. I am not going to kill her for you. I'll put her in a rejuvenation tank and recommence this encouragement over and over if I have to. So, make a decision. But consider this, the pain I will inflict on her will be all because of you and only you have the power to end it.
"That said, Zarbon stepped down on the girl's chest. The air was squeezed out of her lungs and she gasped unsuccessfully for air.
Vegeta turned his head in disgust and fear. I can't kill her. I just can't. His thoughts were stopped by the sound of her ribs snapping. Her whimpers began to sound like someone gargling in the bathroom. Vegeta looked towards her, she was choking on her own blood gushing from her mouth.
Vegeta threw out his right arm and shot a laser beam through her skull , ending her pain.
Zarbon took his foot off what was now a corpse and smiled at Vegeta, but Vegeta wasn't looking.
He heard Zarbon walk towards him and felt himself being dragged roughly across the floor to the corpse. Zarbon grabbed hi by the head and turned it to look at the corpse. Vegeta refused to open his eyes.
"Look at her." Zarbon ordered.
"No." Vegeta half whined.
"LOOK AT HER!" Zarbon screamed and shook him violently. His eyes snapped open in fear.
He cringed at the sight of the mixture of gray matter and blood oozing from a large smoking hole in her head.
"See what you're capable of, Vegeta?" Zarbon asked.
He wanted to reply, but vomited instead.
Zarbon groaned in disgust.
"Pathetic, you're just pathetic." He threw his student roughly to the floor and started to walk away. Vegeta landed face down in his own puke.
"I can see that we have a lot of work to do, Vegeta." Zarbon said as he passed through the gate. Vegeta pushed himself to a sitting position and wiped his face on the cuff of his glove. "Why don't you stay here today and think about how you're going to prove yourself to be a worthy member of this organization?"
"What?" Vegeta looked at Zarbon, who was standing outside smiling condescendingly at him. Then he turned and started to walk away.
""I'll see you tomorrow."
"No wait!" Protested Vegeta as he ran towards the gate. "You can't leave me in here all day! You can't!"
Zarbon obviously ignored him, because a few minutes later he heard him talking to the guard at the end of the hall, then heard some doors slam.
"Y..you can't leave me here…" Vegeta mumbled and turned to look back at the corpse. There was noting for him to do except sink to his knees and concentrate on not crying.
I have to be strong. I'm a warrior. Vegeta calmly repeated over and over in his mind. He looked at the corpse once more.
N..no, I'm not. Being a warrior is a far different thing than what I was today. I'm going to be a cold blooded killer, just like Mother had said.
He pressed his face into his knees and tried to hold back his tears and sobs. Vegeta knew that he was powerless to stop it from happening.
Two weeks later, Vegeta wandered around the outskirts of Frieza's compound. He had had a horrible day.
It was almost evening. Nappa was relaxing in their quarters. Vegeta thought the former commander did too much relaxing and too little training. They would have to be in perfect condition for them to survive where they were now. The little Prince was fast learning the politics of Frieza's organization. The strong tormented the weaker. Which left Vegeta in a very bad position. He was an easy target for almost anyone, especially the Ginyu force.
It was Vegeta's own anger that aggravated that situation though. He wanted revenge on Guldo and Recoome. Especially Guldo He swore that he would kill the little green monster for killing his mother. But he had to be patient and it wasn't easy. The sting of that loss ate away at his young heart.
Vegeta sat down on the edge of a cliff and looked down at a stream zig- zagging it's way through the Forrest far below. The scenery reminded him of that wonderful night just before his world came crashing down around him. The night his mother showed him his birthright, his home. He loved his mother for being so good to him. She always respected him. Loved him.
But, he cursed her for that too. If only she had masked such emotions from him. She possessed qualities that ill fit the description of a warrior, of a saiyan even. But, she taught him those qualities and now they were threatening to be his downfall.
Vegeta closed his eyes, cringing at the thought of the days events. It had been the most humiliating experience of his life. It was the kind of day that could break a warrior and doom a lesser person.
The last two weeks he'd been desperately trying to do what Zarbon expected. He had to prove himself or else he'd die. It was just that simple. Each morning he was given a new victim and he soon learned that it was easier if he just killed the unfortunate creature as quickly as possible. If he didn't he would spend the night with the corpse. No food, no bed. Punishment for being Merciful ,and thus weak. He was haunted at night by the faces of those victims. He had terrible nightmares recapping the events of each morning.
His Victims grew in number and age as he progressed. By the end of the second week he was destroying up to ten adults at once. The adults fought back, but it wasn't any easier for him to destroy someone who was fighting for his life. Vegeta knew they were all his victims and not his opponents. And it was that knowledge that put him in danger. For the Prince of the saiyans loved his mother with all his heart and he knew that she would be disappointed in him. Vegeta knew that she could not love someone who did what he was now doing. Vegeta knew that she hated his father for the same reason. She hated the man she was forced to life-bond with and now she would hate her son.
This knowledge was always on the back of Vegeta's mind. With every victim he destroyed the sensation of his mother's love grew fainter, as if he was pushing it away. He couldn't bear to think of her anymore.
Zarbon was happy with his progression until that morning when he presented the most helpless Victims. His final exam, as Zarbon put it. It was a test that Vegeta would fail miserably. He was expected to kill a baby. He completely relapsed upon presentation of this victim.
My mother would hate me! I can't destroy her memory by becoming this horrible creature they're trying to turn me into! I can't do that to her!
So Vegeta backed away form the squalling child who was probably already injured from being dropped on the cement floor. Zarbon realized right away what was going on and walked right through the red aura toward the child. Vegeta blasted the infant in reflex. He didn't want Zarbon to torture it.
Of course, that was considered mercy and Vegeta knew it. He was so upset that he ran to the corner of the cell and curled up into a ball. Zarbon beat him and yelled insults at him. He continued the punishment for his failure for over two hours. He completely demeaned his student then left him in the cell until the next day without meals as punishment for his display of weakness. He said that Vegeta would have to start all over again.
Then next morning, Zarbon returned. Vegeta could barely manage to stand when he got there. Zarbon had beaten him so badly the previous morning and no doctors were sent to tend to his injuries
Zarbon had brought an old alien with him. He shoved him into the cell, causing the man to stumble over the corpse from the day before.
"This is your last chance,Vegeta." Zarbon warned gravely over the old man's cries of dispair in reaction to the dead baby, who was the same race as him.
Vegeta was planning on killing him immediately. He didn't want to disgrace his mother but he was very afraid to die. Before he could carry out his task, the man started to talk to him and Vegeta mad the mistake of listening. The man told him about how his planet was completely destroyed and how he believed that he'd been spared because he was given a divine mission.
Then came the question. That devastating question.
"Did they take you from your family too, little boy?"
Vegeta stammered, shocked by the question. Shocked that this man thought to care about someone other than himself in this terrible situation.
"Y…yes." Vegeta replied meekly.
"You poor little thing." The old man said sympathetically, tears in his eyes as he struggled to pull himself across the floor, to comfort him.
All this was taking too long and Zarbon impatiently walked through the powergate. And again, Vegeta killed his victim before Zarbon could do anything.
Vegeta was sure that he was done for but that was fine. He decided that he didn't deserve to live anymore.
Zarbon was furious that Vegeta had not learned his lesson from the previous morning. The Prince braced himself for his undoubtedly long and painful execution but was dragged out of the cell instead. This frightened Vegeta, why didn't Zarbon just get it over with and destroy him? Vegeta tried to get away from the green alien and refused to walk along with him. This infuriated Zarbon even more and he picked Vegeta up by the hair and carried him to where they were going.
Vegeta closed his eyes and tried to deal with the pain of being carried around by his hair. He hadn't noticed where they were going and only opened his eyes when he'd been thrown to the floor. He sat up and rubbed his scalp, cursing Zarbon a she did so.
"He's totally relapsed." Zarbon announced. Vegeta looked up to see where he was. He didn't see anyone except Zarbon. The room was dark and the only light came from a view screen displaying images of solar systems. Vegeta could see his home system with the Planet Vegeta rotating around its sun. The sight of this made tears come to his eyes. He wanted to go home.
"Leave us." A voice replied calmly. Vegeta felt all his joints lock and his heart begin to race uncontrollably. He recognized the voice and was instantly petrified. He watched Zarbon leave. Vegeta was now alone with the most dangerous man in the universe and what was worse, he had provoked this man's anger.
Vegeta swallowed hard and remained sitting on the floor, completely paralyzed.
"I'm dissapointed,Vegeta." Frieza finally said form the shadows. "Zarbon had told me that you were doing well. It's unfortunate that you've relapsed so quickly."
Vegeta began to tremble now. Frieza himself was going to kill him.
Frieza was silent for five minutes. Then he spoke. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Vegeta couldn't think of anything to say and even if he could there was no way he'd be able to unlock his jaw and speak.
Frieza emerged from the shadows in his hovering chair and levitated just in front of the frightened Vegeta.
"Don't you have anything to say in your own defense?" Frieza asked. Vegeta just stared at him wide-eyed in response.
Frieza sighed. "What's so difficult about killing things? You're a saiyan. I thought you enjoyed being vicious." Frieza stated. Vegeta's jaw suddenly unlocked, he had something to say and although he was still terrified and he knew that he should not voice his thought, he decided that he was going to do it. He had inherited his mother's practice of saying what came to his lips first.
"We like to fight. Sometimes Killing is a result of it. But what you have me do in the cell everyday is just murder. I don't like killing helpless people who can't fight me." Vegeta explained in a timid voice. Frieza remained silent for a few moments.
"You don't like it?"
"N..no" Vegeta replied unsure.
"Really?" Frieza wondered, unimpressed.
Vegeta looked at him terrified. He was sure that Frieza would kill him.
"You will do what you're told. If I tell you to kill a baby then you will do it immediately. I really shouldn't have to explain this to you. I thought you were smarter than that."
"I am smart!" Vegeta snapped right back. His pride wouldn't allow himself to be insulted by anyone, not even Frieza. "But I'm unable to understand why you kill so many planets. You can't possibly have buyers for all of them."
"I'd watch yourself if I were you," Frieza scolded the Prince. "you are being far too…"
"Why do you do it?" Vegeta interrupted. Frieza was shocked. No one had ever dared to interrupt him before and he had never expected a mere saiyan to be the first one to do it.
"Because I like to." Frieza replied seriously.
"Well I don't, so I refuse to do it." Vegeta replied rising to his feet confidently as he could manage being as hurt as he was. He was shocked to see Frieza disappear from the hover throne before his eyes as soon as he'd completed his sentence. Just as he'd realized the throne was empty he felt his throat clamp shut and his body rise from the floor. Desperately he tried to gasp for air but he was unable to open his mouth, Frieza's hand was preventing his jaw from moving. Instinctively he tried to breathe trough his nose, but he couldn't even create any suction. Vegeta grabbed at Frieza's hand, trying to pry himself free, but that was as useless as flailing his legs about in the air. He was eye-level with Frieza and the monster was glaring at him worse than ever.
"Little monkey, " Frieza began. "I have no idea why I'm sparing you. You are disobedient. You do not know your place and with your present temperament you are useless to me. But for some reason I cannot harm you."
Vegeta stared at Frieza in wonder. He couldn't understand it either. Frieza had plenty of really good reasons to kill him after being so insolent.
"However, I don't want a lap monkey. All my favorites are useful to me. That sentimental temperament of yours is your problem, Vegeta, but I can rid you of that. You adore that Father of yours, don't you?" Frieza loosened his grip, allowing Vegeta to first gasp for breath, then grunt in affirmation. Frieza then clamped his hand shut again.
"Well then, if you love him you'll do whatever I tell you. And if you don't, I'll kill him."
Vegeta's eyes widened even more.
Frieza dropped Vegeta to the floor. He lay there for a few moments gasping greedily at the air he had been deprived of, then slowly he sat up and looked at his master.
"Now that you understand what's expected of you, I don't ever want to meet with you under these circumstances again. If this happens. I assure you that I will take hold of your neck and squeeze the life out of you."
Frieza then smiled at him pleasantly. "Now, are you going to be a good boy and do what you're told from now on?" Frieza asked in almost baby talk.
"Yes, Master Frieza." Vegeta replied hoarsely and then swallowed painfully.
"Run along to Zarbon, now." Frieza stated and motioned with his head towards the door. Vegeta rose shakily and got himself out of the room as quickly as he could.
Zarbon was waiting for him.
"Are you ready to go back to occupational training" Zarbon demanded.
Vegeta nodded.
"Good.' Zarbon replied. "We'll recommence immediately." He started to turn to leave but turned back, smiling, his eyes fixed on Vegeta's lower body.
"Perhaps you should get a change of clothes first though." Zarbon chuckled.
Vegeta blushed a deep crimson, only then realizing that his pants were wet.
So there the little Prince sat, contemplating the fact that the now held his father's life and his mother's honor in his hands. He felt it unfair that he should have to choose between the two people he loved most.
Vegeta looked at the river below. It appeared to be only a tiny stream of water from that high up.
If I throw myself from this cliff, close my eyes and just fall then I won't have to choose.
He was surprised to find himself seriously contemplating suicide. I wonder if I would hit those jagged rocks alongside the cliff's wall or fall into the river. Perhaps I would break my spine upon impact and, unable to move, just drown as my body is carried down stream.
None of that was very appealing. And deep down he knew that he could not.
It would be cowardly to take my own life. And I can not dishonor the clan Vegeta by doing that. I must die a warrior like my ancestors.
Vegeta hmph'd at his plight. Either way, I will dishonor some of my ancestors. Those of my mother will not have satisfaction if live to be Frieza's killing machine. But, my father's life is at stake. I can't help feel that since that my mother is dead that I should preserve the life of one of my parents.
Vegeta got up from where he sat, and took one last look down at the cliff.
"I'm sorry mother."