Chapter 13: An Unexpected Guest
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.
"The occupation went very well Lord Frieza." The Purple Official said as he kneeled with his comrades at their master's feet.
"And the saiyans, how did they fare out?"
"There were no problems save for the disturbance caused by Prince Vegeta."
Frieza grunted in displeasure.
"But I took care of it, he won't act like that again." The official stated proudly.
"Yes that very well might be!" Frieza exploded. "You nearly killed him!"
"B…but my lord Frieza, I only did what I would do with any other insubordinate….."
Frieza chuckled menacingly. "Idiot, he is not a soldier, he is my personal property. And I don't appreciate my things being destroyed by my servants!"
"Forgive me, Sire. It will never happen again."
"Of course it won't, because I'm going to make an example of you."
The official bowed his head in comprehension. His comrades all protested the decision, making excuses for his friend.
"All of you will be made examples!" Frieza bellowed and turned away from them. "Get them out of here!" Frieza yelled to his guards, who were standing by the doorway. Then he floated away from them. He was so angry he could have very easily destroyed them himself.
"Zarbon, how is my saiyan?" Frieza demanded his minion as he passed.
"Not good Lord Frieza. The doctors are not sure he'll make a full recovery."
"Get every top ranking doctor in this organization here immediately. That boy must not die! If he does then more heads will roll!"
Frieza sped up out of Zarbon's presence and into his private chambers. Zarbon looked after him dumb-founded. He'd never cared about anything that much.
A massive explosion caused the floor of the badlands of planet Vegeta to tremble. As the dust settled two cloaked figures emerged out of the two giant craters scarring the terrain. They levitated silently into the pink sky, hovering in midair. They gazed at the horizon, barely able to see the capital city, Gardenia.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" the larger figure stated.
"Positive."
"But we can't go back after you reveal yourself. I think it is in everyone's best interest that you do not."
"No If I don't reveal myself then everyone will be in much more danger. No, it's best we finish this now, and we need King Vegeta's assistance." The smaller figure flew off to the city before it's comrade could protest the decision further.
The King sat in a satin covered chair in front of the massive window in his sitting room. A small table was set beside him with a few bottles of wine and a large wineglass. However, the King had dispensed with the crystal glass and simply drank the alcohol straight from bottles.
The city was slowly being evacuated. The streets were being cast with a reddish hue as the sun slowly began to set behind the massive battle arena. The elite soldiers busied themselves with forcing every saiyan out of the city walls; towards the barren country just south of the city. This was done in order to protect the city itself. Transformed saiyans did not care what they smashed, but the King did. He didn't want the city that he shed so much blood for to be destroyed on a single night. It was expected that nearly 100% of the saiyan populace would transform that night. The eve of the full moon.
The King would not be one of them. All night he would drink and lament the fact that his son was not there. The young Prince was still recovering from the beating the officials had dealt him two whole weeks before. The King cursed them bitterly as well as himself. Who knew children were so fragile? The situation just kept getting worse. First his son nearly died. Then he was told how long his recovery was estimated. He would be fine six days after the full moon, but that just would not do. King Vegeta could barely deal with his guilt. In reality, it was all his fault. He was the boy's father. He should have watched him more closely. He should have known where he was and if he was in any kind of danger. He should have stepped in and gotten him out of danger sooner. But no, he just had to push the envelope. Wondering about how much closer he would be to becoming a super saiyan after this beating.
King Vegeta had decided that if his son was not going to transform that night then he would not either. He would wait another eight years and do it with him. Maybe he could make up for the lost opportunity that way. This tradition was one of the few that saiyan fathers and sons did together; since most saiyan fathers were by nature completely disinterested in their offspring. But King Vegeta was interested in his offspring, and not only because his child was the crown Prince.
His majesty tilted his head back and gulped down half of the wine he was working on. The thought of his son missing his first natural transformation was very upsetting. The King would be downright enraged if it were not for Frieza's gift. It was the officials themselves. Frieza shared the king's rage at them so he came to witness their destruction. The little pink bastard was on Planet Vegeta somewhere. Normally, Vegeta would be angry with Frieza's self invitation but tonight he was just happy that he would have some revenge. As that very thought passed through his head, he saw the elite guard escort his prisoners from the palace courtyard and into the city. They didn't look too enthusiastic about going along. King Vegeta smiled at that.
"Your Majesty?" Nappa said announcing his arrival in the room. The King hadn't heard him approach but was not surprised by his sudden presence.
"What is it?" he asked casually after taking another sip of the wine then placing the bottle between his knees. He very impolitely wiped his mouth on the cuff of his glove.
"I have just been informed that the entire city has been evacuated. Only the foreigners remain."
"Good." The King replied. "You're dismissed."
Nappa bowed despite the fact the King was not facing him and would not see. But before leaving he piped up to ask.
"You're really not coming?"
The king paused for a moment and picked the bottle back up. "No." he replied and then finished it off.
"Good evening , sire." Nappa finished then departed as silently as he came.
The King promptly went about opening another bottle of wine. He wasn't the type of man to sit around doing nothing while other's busied themselves. He decided since he wasn't going to transform then he might as well get drunk. He was downing his third bottle when this time he heard a person enter. He finished off the bottle in two gulps and put the bottle back on the table. He misjudged his aim though and the bottle teetered off the table and smashed on the marble floor.
"What is it?" the King demanded impatiently as he eyed the mess he'd made. Already he was felling tipsy.
The guest did not answer. King Vegeta turned his head to look at the un-welcomed person. A small cloaked figure stood just inside the room, barely through the door. The figure's face was hidden between the folds of a dark hood, concealing his or her identity.
"Who are you and what do you want? Make it quick, because if you transform and wreck any of my city I swear I'll destroy you."
"Hmph!" The figure scoffed unimpressed by the threat. "As always, your priorities are mixed up. I am not the one you need to destroy."
"That voice." The King gasped and sprang to his feet knocking his chair to the floor and sending the last bottle of wine crashing to the floor as the other had. He regained his composure and slightly blushed; realizing how stupid he was to think it could be whom he'd thought. "Who are you? Explain yourself, now!"
The Figure, who was female as indicated by the sound of her voice, began to walk briskly towards the King. "Augh! I can't believe that I'm actually here." With a single swift hand gesture, the figure flung back the hood to reveal the person underneath.
The King stared dumfounded at the woman before him.
"Re..Recely?"
"Could you mistake your beloved Queen for someone else?"
"Yo..you must be a.. a ghost!" Stammered the king dumbfounded. Hesitantly, the King reached out to touch her face. Recely slapped it away before his fingers could brush her fair skin.
Recely chuckled mockingly. Amused at the display of sentimentality he'd taken great pains to hide from her in the past. "I am no ghost, you idiot."
"How can this be?"
"Let it suffice you to know that I live, and do not ask to know how. I cannot waste time explaining the particulars of my survival to you."
"You hid from me? Why?"
"Because I hate you! I loathe every moment I spend in your presence and I have since the day we met!"
The King was hurt more than he had ever been in his life. He had always banked on the hope that her love would grow towards him, as she said it might. As he waited, his love for her became so profound that he could hardly function when he had thought her to be lost to him forever. Now the woman he loved more than his own self had come back to tell him that she hated him with every atom of her being. He couldn't help but feel angered at the fact his love went un-accepted. "If you hate me so much then why have you returned to me?"
"I have not returned to you!" Spat Recely. "I have returned for my son. And , as much as I hate to admit this, Vegeta, I need your help."
"It was your insistence that caused all this woman!" The King replied defensively. "If you had've let me give Vegeta to Frieza none of the servants and our friends would've had to die! Your own sister was killed that day in the palace, as well as my best friend and his daughter!"
"Don't try to lay blame on me! If you had just told me that you were going to refuse then I could've protected them all!"
"You?"
"Yes me! You thought I was dead for the past three months? I'm sure I could hide just as well from Frieza as I could from you!"
"Perhaps." The King replied skeptically. His visage fell defeated as he gave into his sentimentality again. " I can't believe you'd feign death just to be rid of me."
Recely walked towards the window and gazed at the setting sun. "I feigned death in order to be rid of Frieza. He would never have expected an attack from me. Everyone knows that the dead can't hurt you."
"That's not true at all.." Retorted the King promptly with bitterness in his tone.
Recely looked at him over her shoulder unmoved by his attempt at dispensing guilt upon her. "I do not regret my actions, yet." She turned to face him. "I've heard what happened to Vegeta. He is in danger living with those men."
"He has promised to be more careful, and this incident will leave a great mark on his pride. He'll remember."
"Perhaps I haven't made myself clear, I have returned for my son! I will get him back and you will help me." Recely ordered crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for his answer and ready for an argument.
King Vegeta resigned immediately, closing his eyes and bowing to his mate. "Of course I will." He stated solemnly. "What do you need me to do?"
Recely returned her gaze to the setting sun. "The full moon appears tonight. Does it not?"
"Yes."
"Frieza is here."
It was not a question but the king did not pick up on that.
"He said he would come, I don't know if he's arrived."
"This is perfect." Commented Recely. "Not even he could be any match for hundreds of transformed saiyans at once."
King Vegeta chuckled sinisterly at his mate's battle plan. "A good idea." The King observed. "But not without it's flaws."
"I suppose you have a better one?" Recely demanded exasperated as she crossed the room and picked up the king's overturned chair. She sat down and casually rested her head on her hand.
"No, not yet."
"So I thought. We use mine then." Recely commanded, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at the king with a determined expression.
The King shrugged. "We could try, but not without losing the entire saiyan race along with the effort." He leaned against a pillar and looked into her eyes with compassion. "Recely, how will you control all of those transformed saiyans? How will you order them to do what you want? They'll all be mad save for myself. It's just not going to work and then Frieza's temper will be provoked. There'll be no planet for you or Vegeta to come back to if that happens."
"What makes you think I plan on taking him back here?" Recely demanded coldly.
The King lowered his eyes, hurt that she really did not care for him at all. "Perhaps you are fine with that, but what about our child?"
Recely closed her eyes in frustration, she hated it when he was right.
"Their minds can't be completely un-penitrable in that state." She suggested.
"I'm afraid that they are un-penitrable. They're down right dangerous like that. That's why I had to have city evacuated. It would be leveled if even a handful transformed within its walls."
Recely growled softly in contemplation of an alternative.
"Give me a week." The King announced suddenly. "I'll prepare my men for battle and we'll attack him on his territory, leaving the planet in safety."
Recely glared at him annoyed. "Do you believe they will be enough." She remembered Zorn's confidence in the failure of a rescue mission. Her idea was much more appealing. The battle would be fought away from her son ensuring his safety. The idea was appealing but unfortunately idealistic.
"If I prepare them carefully, then we will not fail."
She sighed, not seeing any other choice and not willing to waste time waiting for a better opportunity. She was desperate to have her son safe with her. And the Saiyans were not prone to failure in battle. In fact, a failure in that at area was most rare event indeed. Swiftly she pushed herself from the chair.
"You have three days." She replied as she pulled her hood back over her head. The King tried to protest but was silenced as his mate stalked across the room towards the door without even glancing at him. "I will return then to accompany you. Be ready."
"But Vegeta will not be completely healed within three days."
Recely stopped. "Are you sure?"
"Positive, Nappa says the doctors estimate at least another five days, then he'll need additional recovery time. Even a week is stretching the envelope just a bit too far."
"Hmph!" Recely scoffed. "So much the better. He'll probably be more likely to be on Frieza's ship if he's not completely well. A week."
The King watched dumbfounded as she passed through the entrance. He couldn't believe that this meeting had taken place.
"Oh and Vegeta," Recely said from the corridor. "Do not come after me or I will complete this mission without you."
King Vegeta needed no further explanation of that sentence. The decision rested comfortably with him and he wasn't afraid of the eventual confrontation with the all powerful Frieza. It was his Queen that terrified him now.
"How do you feel?" Nappa asked Prince Vegeta as he dressed himself. He'd just gotten out of the rejuvenation tank and was being released from the treatment center.
"A little sore." Vegeta replied. Actually he was very sore, but the doctor assured him that was normal. Some of the bruises were still slightly visible. His Pride hurt the most. He was absolutely humiliated. He couldn't believe he'd been used as a ball.
"How long have I been here?" Vegeta asked, wondering how much time had been wasted being healed. His Father always said that time spent on anything other than training was wasted time, and that statement had left an impression on him.
"Three weeks." Nappa replied bracing himself.
"THREE WEEKS!?" Vegeta exclaimed in disbelief. "Three weeks of lying in that stupid thing?" He pointed to the rejuvenation tank.
"That stupid thing saved your life." Nappa said in gentle chastisement.
"Three weeks!" Vegeta repeated ignoring his caretakers comment. He suddenly realized what that meant. "THE FULL MOON!" He exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Vegeta, you missed it."
Vegeta gaped at Nappa. He didn't know what to say. He thought he was going to cry. He'd missed his first official transformation ceremony. He ,the Prince of the Saiyans, didn't transform with his peers, his future elite soldiers. All because he was recovering from a beating.
This severe blow to his pride as a saiyan could only be repaired by one thing.
"I'm gonna get those stupid aliens that did this to me!" He exclaimed in fury. "Come Nappa!" He ordered as he stormed out of the room.
Nappa swallowed hard, trying to muster up the strength to tell the Prince more news he wouldn't be pleased with.
"Um, Prince Vegeta?"
"What!?" Vegeta demanded impatiently as he stormed down the corridors of Frieza's base.
"You can't get those aliens because we all ready did." Nappa said quickly.
He stopped and looked at Nappa. "What? Who got them?" he snapped annoyed.
"Myself and a few of the other elite killed them on the night of the full moon. We transformed and Kicked them around like they did to you. It was a lot of fun, and I think you'll be pleased to know that there wasn't enough of them left to fill a peanut butter jar when we were done."
Vegeta scowled at him unimpressed by the story. "How dare Father allow that! First he stands there like an idiot while they kick me around, and then he steals my revenge!"
Nappa didn't respond, he had thought the Prince didn't know about his father's refusal to help him.
Vegeta trembled with rage. He was so mad he didn't know what to do with himself ,so he just stood there in the middle of the corridor growling loudly, attracting lots of attention from passerby's.
"Hey, I know!" Nappa exclaimed trying very hard to hide his embarrassment at his charge's outburst of emotion. He pulled out his scouter attached to his armor. "This'll cheer you up! We'll check your new combat rating. It should've raised considerably considering how hurt you were."
Vegeta stopped growling and shaking and looked up at his caretaker as he activated the device. Nappa smiled down at him as the numbers flew on the eyepiece. The numbers stopped and Nappa's face fell.
"What is it?" Vegeta asked. Nappa' reaction was not encouraging. Vegeta thought that maybe he'd actually lost some of his original combat rating. He had never heard that happen to a saiyan before but he was a kid and prone to flights of imagination.
"It's 6,000." He replied. Vegeta smiled, that wasn't bad at all. It was 2,000 points higher than what it had been two weeks before. He couldn't raise it that high during a whole year of occupying planets and training. Vegeta wondered why Nappa was so upset about it.
He beamed slyly when he finally realized.
"I want a sparring session, Nappa." Vegeta demanded as casually as he could in his excitement. "Immediately."
Nappa chuckled nervously. "I thought you said that you were sore?"
Vegeta smiled in cruel anticipation. He had waited a long time to get back at Nappa. He remembered how he used to treat him when he was little. "Well then, you should be thankful for that, maybe it will give you an advantage."
Nappa looked at him annoyed. The Prince had wasted no time in acting completely arrogant about his new combat rating. Vegeta laughed and started to run towards the training area.
"Hurry up!" Vegeta ordered.
Nappa followed obediently. Annoyed again that the prince had wasted no time in taking advantage of his new superiority. He was Regretful that he would have to do a five year olds bidding. What was worse, he hadn't exactly been nice to this five year old.
"Um, Prince Vegeta, aren't you hungry?" Nappa suggested trying to divert his attention. But as Nappa would find out, diverting a five year olds attention was an almost impossible task.