Planet Icion: My Fics: Destined by Icion Part 1

Foreword: This story takes place in the Alternative Universe one year before the original Saiyan Saga begins. Please be warned that this story contains language that may offend some people (rated PG-13).

Destined by Icion
By Jeisre Ice

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Part 1: Death is Only the Beginning...

Again he stared at the white terrain of Planet Icion. Snow and ice... nothing else. Just the heavenly whiteness that blinded the eyes. Yet he knew that despite its deceiving beauty this planet was a prison. How long has it been? Twenty, thirty years? Frieza lost the count, or rather, he didn't want to count the years of his mother's imprisonment. It tore his heart apart to see the war in his family. He didn't give a damn about his older brother, but the mutual hatred of his parents deeply wounded his heart. And to think, he used to adore his father, and, even, managed to peacefully co-exist with Koola. They used to be a family, a real family. He used to know what love was...

But that was long ago. Much longer than Frieza could clearly remember. He was still young when Icia lost King Cold's favor and was banished, exiled, imprisoned on this tiny planet in the far corner of the Galaxy. Icia, the Accursed Queen, hated by her husband, despised by her older son... Only Frieza remained the loyal offspring, perhaps, because with Icia gone, King Cold and Koola shifted their attention to the youngest member of the family, who became the new scapegoat. More and more Frieza distanced from his father. And as for Koola... They hated each other since the day they've learned they were brothers. No loss there, rather a relief...

Frieza learned to conceal his emotions, keep them cooped inside. He grew up an icy tyrant, just like his father wanted. But having all these feelings, all the undivided love and craving for affection, tore Frieza's soul inside. And so shifted all those positive emotions to the only person who still cared for him, his mother. As years passed, and his father's coldness only deepened, Frieza's love to his mother turned into an obsession. Icia was his world, the only light in his dark, cold existence. That's why, even under the penalty of death, Frieza broke his father's orders and continued to visit his mother whenever he could.

So he was this time.

The doors to his quarters opened. Zarbon entered and bowed,

"We are arriving in ten minutes, Lord Frieza," the green-haired man reported.

"Very well, Zarbon. You may go now."

The right-hand henchman bowed again and exited.

Frieza had one more thing to do before they landed. He didn't want his mother to see him as the reminder of his father. His 1st, 2nd and 3rd forms all carried undoubtful resemblance to King Cold, and only his 4th, his true form, was entirely inherited from his mother. Down to skin color.

Frieza sighed and began his transformation. It used to take him a reasonable amount of time to go through this process. But recently he learned a handy technique called warp-transforming. Now he could transform to any form from any stage, whether it was 3rd to 1st, or 1st to 4th. And it only took around a minute maximum, and if he could concentrate well the process only took 10 seconds.

This time it took him a bit too long. Something was bothering him. He couldn't really tell what. It was a six sense, pounding in the back of his head, making him feel uneasy...

"Sir!" Zarbon appeared in the doorway again, "You better come to the control room, we might have a problem."

Frieza walked along the corridor, Zarbon followed him.

"So what is that problem that you might be having?" Frieza demanded.

"We have been trying to contact the space port on Icion, and we can't reach them. They don't respond to any identification calls we make..."

Something in the back of Frieza's head pounded like a mallet. He walked faster.

The control room was filled with the regular staff. Dodoria was standing in the middle of the room, obviously supervising. The main entrance door opened.

"Master Frieza," Dodoria greeted his Lord with a bow.

"What's our landing status?" Frieza demanded immediately.

"We still don't get any response..." Dodoria began.

Frieza abruptly interrupted him,

"Land!"

"But, sir..." Dodoria spoke again, "What about the proper landing procedures? We can't land without a permission..."

"Shove those procedures up your ass!" Frieza snarled, loosing his patience, "I said, LAND! NOW!!!"

The ship began to descend. When the two main turbines were already shut off, the ship suddenly vibrated and swayed. A distinct roar from the outside identified another ship, passing at a high speed.

"What the hell was that?!" Frieza shouted, addressing the aliens at the control panel.

"A ship, sir!" one of the aliens spoke, "It was going practically at the speed of light, thus making it impossible for us to identify it. We didn't even get a clear shape..."

Frieza's ki-blast vaporized the soldier on the spot. The rest could only watch and tremble in horror.

"Well, next time make sure you get SOMETHING!!!" the tyrant hissed, "Now what are you waiting for?! Land! Or should I vaporize all of you and land the ship myself?!"

The soldiers gulped and hastily proceeded to fulfill the order.

The freezing terrain of Icion approached. First the distant mountains, frozen in the millenium old glaciers. Then the vast plains, iced to the core. Yet the landing site remained hidden. It was veiled by the shroud of greyish fog.

"Move it, move it, for Kami's sake!!!" Frieza urged his men. Now he was sure that something was wrong. That feeling took over his mind completely.

There are no fogs on Icion! he said to himself, And even if there were, why would it be hanging only over mother's palace?... HOLY STARS!!! That's no fog... it's smoke!!!

To prove his realization the grey haze cleared to revealed the only inhabited place on the whole planet. Or rather, what was an inhabited place. It was now gone. The landing field wiped out without trace, the palace laying in ruins and fires raging everywhere. All destroyed...

"SHIT!!!" Frieza swore and turned to his henchmen, "Zarbon, Dodoria, we're moving out right now! The rest of you land the ship, then spread out and search the area! Anyone you find alive, keep them that way! Let's go!"

The three figures flew out of the main hatchway and headed towards the ruins of the palace.

"Zarbon, search the west wing! Dodoria, you take the east wing! I'll cover the central area. Spread out!"

They headed in different directions. Soon Frieza landed by the main entrance to the palace. Now it barely looked like a palace, or any other construction. Rather it was a pile of stone and concrete, with the remains of the walls scattered here and there.

Frieza ran. Past the lounge, along the corridor, to what was once a throne room. He had no idea why he was going there, why he wasn't starting with another place. He was guided by the same feeling that previously stirred the sense of trouble within his mind.

"Mama! Mama!" he called, "Where are you? It's me, Frieza."

Only the humming of the fire replied him. He increased his pace. A moment later he entered the throne room. It was far less damaged than the rest of the palace. Whoever was responsible for this destruction, has accidentally (or purposely?) spared the throne room. And Frieza soon found out why.

On the steps before the throne, bleeding, lay Icia. Her chest was pierced right at the spot where the main artery connects to the heart; the Achilles heel of the Ice-jin, the only place where a wound becomes mortal. Frieza uttered a scream and dashed to his mother. Icia was still alive.

"Mama! Mama..." tears streamed down from Frieza's eyes, "Oh, GOD!!! Hold on, Mama, you'll be alright..."

He attempted to lift her up. Icia's eyelids moved. She gave Frieza a gaze full of agony.

"Frieza, my boy..." the Accursed Queen wheezed, "You came... But too late, I'm afraid..."

"No!!!" he howled, "It's not too late, if I can only get you to the ship..."

"Frieza, listen to me... I don't have much time... Promise me, you will do as I ask..."

"Anything, mama! Anything!!!"

"Don't try to avenge my death, for you can't face them, not yet! Find the girl... she must stay alive... at any cost... Promise me, Frieza, promise that you will take care of her... That you will keep my little girl away from harm..."

"Your little girl??? What?!" Frieza's eyes widened, "I have... a sister?!?!"

Icia shuddered in pain, but nevertheless continued,

"She is not your sister by blood, but she is like a daughter to me... I took her in twenty years ago... She was my only joy these last years of imprisonment... Swear to me, that you will let no harm come her way... On my death, swear to me, my son..."

Frieza's lips trembled.

"I swear!"

A weak smile came over Icia's lips,

"I die content... Find Driar..."

"Driar?"

"That is her name... she is... a Saiyan..."

"A SAIYAN?!?!" a gasp of non-belief and with a definite flavor of hatred escaped Frieza's lips.

Icia put her hand on her son's cheek.

"Direct your hatred not on her! You promised, and I know you never break your word... Goodbye, my son... I will always be with you and love you... through her..."

The last breath parted from the lips of the last woman of the Icejin race. Her eyes closed and her hand lifelessly fell down. For a moment Frieza stared at his mother's body. He refused to believe it. Trembling, he lightly shook her.

"Mama... Mama! MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

As the sensation of the irremediable loss finally struck him, he emitted a blood-freezing screech.

"AERA-A-A-A-A-A-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Frieza wailed in his native tongue, clinging to his mother's lifeless body. The tears were suffocating him. And the cold-blooded creature cried, shedding hot, bitter tears that only those with warm blood could shed. The light was darkened, his life became empty, there was no meaning to it anymore. Frieza fell on his mother's chest and wept.

He wasn't sure how much time he had been laying there. But suddenly a high pitched scream brought him back to reality. Frieza lifted his head. The scream was cut short.

The assassins! They're still here! a thought flashed in his mind.

Frieza darted off. He clearly established the location of the sound. It was coming from the side of the east wing of the palace. Soon he established the source too. A bulk of smoking pink flesh covered with spikes lay before him. Frieza recognized his henchman.

"Dodoria?" he spoke, but this time his voice contained no emotion, only cold indifference.

The henchman was dead. Frieza was about to approach him to find out the cause of his demise, when a quiet sound jerked his attention to the remains of the nearest wall. Frieza clearly felt someone's presence. Preparing for battle, he pumped his power level.

"Come out! I know you're there!" he demanded.

A shadow appeared behind the ruins. The next moment a silhouette shaped out of the darkness.

"I am here!" the voice sounded.

Frieza gaped. It was the voice of his mother... No, not quite... This voice was a bit higher pitched and less hissing, yet it was undoubtedly the voice of an Ice-jin. Frieza ran his gaze over the silhouette. It was almost completely concealed by shadows. The red light of the fire only revealed the end of the tail. White, lizard-like tail, identical to his own. And the eyes... Glowing, ruby eyes... A feeling was as if he was staring into a shaded mirror. The creature carried a frightening resemblance to himself.

"Who are you?" Frieza spoke. He felt bitter dryness in his mouth.

"What do you want with my name, Lord Frieza? It is enough that you have seen me," a cold reply followed.

"I thought it would be useful to learn the name of my mother's murderer!" Frieza growled, "But if you prefer to die nameless, then so be it!!!"

The creature gave a short laugh. Then something sparked in the air. Frieza's reaction was swift. He caught the object thrown at him. As he opened his hand, he found a scouter in his open palm.

"Take a reading of my power level," the shadowy character spoke, "That should be a far more useful information than my name."

Frieza did. As the numbers flickered on the display, cold sweat rolled down his back.

"F-f-f-f... f-forty m-million!!!!!!!!!!!" Frieza gasped, "That's... IMPOSSIBLE!!!"

Frieza's hand trembled as he pressed the re-confirm button again and again.

"Keep the scouter, in case you want to check if it's crooked," the creature said, "I have no wish to take your life, Frieza. But if you are foolish enough to attack, your fate will be the same as that of your soldier."

That comment was obviously on Dodoria's account.

"What difference does it make now?!" Frieza tore the scouter from his ear, "My mother is dead by your hand! If I die, I die avenging her!"

"You will die foolishly and in vain. I was not the one who killed Icia..."

"Why should I believe you?!"

The creature seemed to have moved forward.

"Because, I am a female of your own kind, Frieza. And you should know too well, that an Ice-jin woman cannot lie."

Frieza gaped for the n-th time today.

"Who... are... you?" he whispered.

She did not answer, but made one step forward. Her face was now only partly shadowed. Frieza gazed at her. He could tell that she was young, very young for an Ice-jin. Yet her face was almost identical to his own, or rather... The thought made Frieza break into cold sweat. She was almost an exact copy of Icia, only much younger. His mother must have looked like that about 150 years ago.

Unable to take his gaze of the woman, Frieza continued to stare at her. Finally, he overpowered whatever was going on in his soul.

"If it wasn't you, then who did it?" he asked, "Who killed my mother?"

She stepped back into the shadow.

"You already know the answer, Frieza. You knew it when you first saw the ruins of the palace. That thought has haunted you for many years now, and now that it has become reality, you try to deny it? I hold no answers... I must leave you now, there is nothing I can do anymore... Farewell, Lord Frieza."

She began to fade into the darkness.

"No, wait!!!" Frieza reached his hand after her, "Tell me, who did it! I want to know... for sure..."

The mysterious Ice-jin sighed.

"Seek the one whose name holds sorrow, the one, in whose veins the blood of two races flow, and then you will get your answers..."

"Who are you?! I ask of you your name!" Frieza gave it one more desperate shot. He spoke in his native tongue. The tradition of the Icejin race obliged to answer any question if it was spoken in the Icejin language.

It appeared that she knew that too well.

"I'm afraid the only name I can leave you with is Rime..." she replied in Icejin, "Hai-re, Frieza! Hai-re!"

"Hai-re..." Frieza whispered the Icejin formal farewell.

She faded, merged with the shadow, disappeared into thin air. And Frieza still stood there, staring at the spot where the mysterious female was just a moment ago. Catatonically, his fingers were drumming on the side of the scouter. Suddenly the eye piece beeped, alerting Frieza of a new power reading.

"Twenty thousand?" Frieza muttered, "That can't be any of my men. None of them are this strong, except for Zarbon..."

Frieza moved towards the source of power. He went past several demolished halls, and entered the very last room in the east wing. Immediately he noticed a crouching shadow in the far corner. Frieza checked the scouter again. The reading confirmed his guess.

"Come out now!" he ordered.

The person in the corner realized that hiding was in vain now. The next moment Frieza barely managed to dodge a hard kick. He rolled aside and assumed a battle pose. A short woman landed at where he was standing a moment ago. She was young, and reasonably attractive (Maybe even a bit too much so, Frieza noticed to himself, but immediately banished the thought). Her hair was pitch black and so were her eyes. Frieza ran his gaze over her: she seemed about the same height as he was and of a similar built, excluding of course their gender differences. Her eyes were glowing with hostile flames. But her racial belonging was clear: the only feature that Frieza couldn't spot was a tail.

He straightened up and smirked. That's when the woman could finally get a good look at her opponent. Her eyes widened.

"Frieza?!" her voice was soft, and pleasant sounding.

He nodded reluctantly.

"And I presume you're Driar," he spoke coolly. No matter what his mother said, he still couldn't overcome his passionate hatred towards the Saiyans.

The woman broke her fighting pose.

"That's what Icia called me. But my real name is Deirdre..."

"Whatever!" Frieza made an indifferent grimace, "Now what the heck happened here?!"

Deirdre shrugged.

"I'm not too sure... They landed so suddenly, and in about a few minutes nearly destroyed the whole area. All I remember was a hit on the head out of nowhere. I don't know why they didn't finish me off, perhaps, they thought that I was already dead..."

"Enough! How many of them were there?"

"A lot... I can't say for sure... But there were two huge power levels among them, they put me out of commission before I could get a reading..."

"Hmpf! How typical! You Saiyans are too dumb to know what hit you, literally!"

Her eyes widened in surprise, then she frowned.

"Now I see what Icia meant, when she said that all your virtues are crossed out by your ignorance and self-centrism!"

This time Frieza's eyes widened.

"Mother... said that?"

"You think I made it up?" she smirked in reply.

Frieza was stunned, but more by the arrogance of the little Saiyan brat.

"How dare you speak to me like that?!" he growled.

"That's how I speak to everyone. That's how I spoke to Icia. Why do you think I should speak any differently to you?"

"Why you little rat?! I'll teach you some respect!!!" he plunged at her. The blow he landed on her face made Deirdre fly back through the wall. Perhaps, he overdid it a bit. She was jolted too far. Frieza started after her. As he flew over the ruins, something snapped in his head.

Frieza, you promised... that was his mother's voice.

But she's a SAIYAN, mama! And too arrogant of a Saiyan as well! Frieza battled his will.

You promised...

But I can't...

Promised...

He gave up. There wasn't another power in the Universe that could defeat him so fast and so swift as his mother. Hell and Flames with it!!! Even if it was Koola she told him to take in, he would have done it! Besides, he could always 'work' on the "arrogant little monkey" and reform her feisty attitude.

Deirdre was nowhere in sight. Frieza was starting to worry that he accidentally hit her too hard... The thought made him shudder.

Meanwhile he reached the throne room. And there she was, kneeling before Icia's body, her lips moving as she was saying something. Stunned at the view, Frieza approached.

Hai're, aeru id'sae, hai're,
\konsiis, \tlo Aesti, \konsiis za aetuniiti...
(Farewell, beautiful flower, farewell,
Sleep, cold Queen, sleep for eternity...)

The words of an old Icejin lullaby echoed in the demolished hall. Frieza stopped in his tracks, disarmed by the tune that his mother used to sing to him when he was a child. A soothing melody clouded Frieza's mind with memories…

He saw a little creature laying in a crib and making sobbing noises… It was incredibly dark in the room and it seemed like the shadows extended their claws to seize the small and weak life form… That scared the newborn, making him cry louder… Cry for help… A voice came form the darkness,

"Shut it up already!!!" it was the baby's father, and Frieza knew the voice too well to be mistaken. And the little white creature continued to cry… Then it felt that some one approached his crib… The next moment calmness settled around him… Two hands, so dear to the newborn, reached for him… Warm gentle mother's hands brought peace to the baby… And the little creature drifted off to sleep, listening to the enchanted lullaby sang by his mother…

Jae'ae budi be'um pil\, no/ jae/ le/ shna/ est ii'fae/:
Jae\ thou na unae'ae haet, jae\ \zuk ia\ unae\ sa tha\ stou...
(Your body becomes dust, but you will not be forgotten,
You live in our hearts, you watch us from the stars...)

As the song faded, Frieza realized that he was crying once again. But something was soothing him this time. He felt a soft, gentle warmness at around him. He became aware of the embrace, a caring, motherly embrace, as if Icia was right there, alive again. Frieza returned the embrace, feeling that the pain in his soul was subsiding. He lifted his head. A smiling face leaned over him. It was Deirdre.

At first the tyrant was shocked. He was actually embracing a SAIYAN!!! And he didn't even remember how he got there. Only one thought persistently pounded in his brain: it felt good.

I will always be with you and love you... through her! he remembered his mother's last words.

For a moment he hesitated, and then rested his head on the shoulder of his new comfort. The light of his life did not die, it has merely taken another form. Frieza gave in to that decision that his mind made for him.

"Frieza..."

He liked that... for some reason... the informality.

"But only between us!" he warned, frowning. It's good, but he still didn't want it to get to the stage of "familiar" in public. After all, he had a reputation of a ruthless tyrant to uphold!

Deirdre nodded.

"I'll call you Master Frieza when your men are around."

Smart little monkey! he smirked.

"You have a good potential as a fighter, Deirdre," Frieza said, getting up, "Twenty thousand, right? Did mother train you?"

"A little. She had more important matters on her hands lately..."

Frieza gestured his hand, silencing her.

"Join my force, Deirdre. One of my right-hand henchman was just killed, his power level was the same as yours. How would you like to take his place?"

"I don't want to take anyone's place..."

"Fine! Don't take his place, just join me!"

Deirdre smiled.

"I accept your offer, Frieza."

"Offer?!?!" Frieza was stunned, "That wasn't an offer, you stupid girl, that was an order!"

She smiled again.

"In any case, I accept it."

Frieza gave a merciful nod.

"Come. There is nothing left for me here."

They flew up and headed towards Frieza's ship. About half-way Zarbon caught up with them.

"Sir, the west wing is clear," the green-haired fighter reported in his usual manner, "The walls are demolished, everyone's dead and... WHOA, MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Zarbon dropped his jaw as his gaze suddenly found Deirdre. His face acquired a grimace of a drooling French poodle in heat. A characteristic whistle expressed Zarbon's opinion of Deirdre.

Frieza ignored the "comment".

"Zarbon, this is Deirdre, she is my mother's ward. Deirdre, this is Zarbon, my right hand fighter."

"Hi, nice to meet you," Deirdre extended her hand to Zarbon, giving him a friendly smile.

"Likewise!!!" Zarbon flashed his eyelashes, and instead of shaking her hand, he kissed it. Deirdre grimaced, it was a bit too 'wet' for a simple respectful kiss.

"Deirdre will be joining our force," Frieza continued, "Unfortunately, Dodoria has failed us. She will now take his place. I hope you don't have any objections, Zarbon."

Zarbon shook his head as hard as he could. His face expressed clearly his thoughts on the matter.

What are you kidding?! Substituting that fat ugly blubber bag with a gorgeous doll like her!!! This must be my lucky day!!!

"I will be honored working with her, sir," Zarbon flashed his pearly whites, and turned to Deirdre, "If you don't mind me asking, what is your power level?"

"Twenty thousand," Frieza answered for Deirdre.

Even better!!! Zarbon's smile turned into an evil grin. He was already imagining that little fragile body arching in his hands and those stubborn lips moaning his name.

"Let's move out!" Frieza ordered, "You two will have time to converse later!"

The three of them flew to the ship.

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Icejins don't bury their deceased, they vaporize their bodies. A peculiar type of cremation.

Frieza arranged his mother a truly royal burial. He personally blew up Planet Icion. Such generosity was not usual for a member of the cold-blooded race. But it was Frieza's farewell gift to his mother, the only person he actually 'loved'.

Neither Deirdre, nor Zarbon understood what was so generous about blowing up the planet with a few corpses on it. But they didn't argue with Frieza's decision.

"Where are we going now?" Deirdre asked.

She was standing beside Frieza in his quarters. The Terror of the Galaxy gloomily gazed out the window.

Deirdre adjusted the gloves on her hands. She received a new army attire as soon as she was 'settled in'. She was now wearing a black tight suit, white boots and matching gloves. However, she refused to wear the armor, alleging to not being used to wearing one of those. She also modified her suit in her own taste, getting rid of the turtle-neck and putting a low V-neck on her top. Deirdre explained her actions saying that this type of clothes allows more mobility. Frieza only shrugged indifferently. He didn't give a damn at what she was wearing.

Besides the new clothes, Deirdre received a new room on the same deck with Frieza and Zarbon. The room used to belong to Dodoria, and since he no longer required it, Deirdre occupied it, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting it first.

"So, where are we going, Frieza?" Deirdre repeated her question.

This time he answered.

"To planet Frieza 79. That is my main base of operation. I am now permanently in the state of war, and I won't rest until I find those responsible for my mother's death. And since whoever I'm looking for is obviously powerful, I want to have all the man power I can get. I need an elite team of fighters to back me up. You and Zarbon count in, since your power levels are the highest, but I also have another team that may come in handy. The Ginyu Force..."

Deirdre chuckled.

"What?!" Frieza snapped at her.

"Nothing," Deirdre gave a short laugh, holding her index finger at her nose (Hmm... reminds me of something... Frieza thought), "I just heard Icia describing them... Sounded a bit too goofy for an elite team..."

Frieza shrugged with irritation.

"Well, they are a little... too preoccupied with style... but their power is not something to be taken lightly."

She nodded reluctantly.

"I will be off. Have a good night, Frieza," Deirdre gave him a short smack on the forehead and walked off.

"UGH!!! SHOO!!!" Frieza made a disgusted expression, "Sloppy endearments!!!"

But as soon as the door closed behind Deirdre, he placed his hand on his forehead where her lips touched him.

"Ahhh... Sloppy endearments..." he murmured dreamily.

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Deirdre was almost at her room, when she noticed a shadow behind her. She sharply turned around and saw Zarbon, who was casually standing by the nearest window and gazing outside. Deirdre smirked. He wasn't there a second ago. She pretended that she didn't notice him before.

"Oh, hi, Zarbon," she greeted him, "What's your excuse for staying up? Insomnia?"

He slowly turned to her, giving her a languishing look, and exaggeratedly fixed his hair.

"Hello, Deirdre," his voice was honey-sweet, salacious even, "I was just observing the enthralling view of the shooting stars... Ever seen those?"

"A few times," she responded, and approached the window to take a look as well. Zarbon was right, the sight of the cosmos was beyond comparison.

"Beautiful," she agreed. Suddenly she felt his breath on her ear. He literally pinned her to the wall, pressing his body to hers. His fingers were stroking through her hair.

"Not as beautiful as you are," he whispered in her ear.

"Zarbon, keep your distance, please!" Deirdre's voice turned icy-cold.

"Why, what's wrong, my sweet?" Zarbon laughed playfully, "Do I not turn you on? Or are you playing hard to get?"

"I'm telling you nicely: back off!" a define threat appeared in the Saiyan's voice.

"My, you are playing hard to get! But maybe you prefer acting, rather than talking... Tell me, baby, how do you like this?" Zarbon sharply pressed his lower body to her hips.

As a lightning strike her hand flashed in the air, throwing Zarbon so he hit the wall on the opposite side of the corridor. Zarbon groaned as he crashed on the floor below. Yet he recovered quickly and was up on his feet in less than a second. However, Deirdre didn't give him time to recover beyond that, she launched at him. Painful blows rained on the fortuneless Casanova, who was now having second thoughts about the effectiveness of his 'picking up' approach. As the pain intensified, Zarbon started fighting back. First, the thought that she's a woman held him back, but her merciless assault soon made him forget all 'prejudices' and he fought at full strength. Soon to his great dismay, Zarbon realized that he was loosing. Even fighting at full power, he was no match for the swift Saiyan. Her every punch and kick found the target. Astounded at the fact that he was overpowered by (A) a Saiyan and (B) a woman, Zarbon dropped his guard. The next moment he was punished for his mistake, as Deirdre's punch jolted him in the end of the corridor. He hit the back wall, but managed to get up, although he was now severely beaten.

"So, tell me, 'baby', how do you like THIS?!" Deirdre smirked, mimicking Zarbon.

"Why you... you...!!!" he growled in reply.

Deirdre smirked again.

"Why don't you transform?" she suggested, "That should give you an advantage, don't you think?"

Zarbon started.

"Oh, don't be so shy, lover boy!" Deirdre gave a short laugh, "I know that you have a second form and I know what it looks like... Don't worry, I'm sure I've seen worse!"

She giggled again, driving Zarbon furious by her arrogance. He gave an enraged shout and transformed.

"Oh, jeez..." Deirdre made a disgusted grimace, "I was wrong, it doesn't get any uglier than this!"

Zarbon roared and plunged at the Saiyan. She stood her ground watching him approach. His claws almost reached her throat, when she suddenly thrust her hand forward and shot a thin ki-beam from the point of her index finger. The purple energy hit Zarbon in the chest and smashed him into the wall. The blast was not deadly, but it was powerful enough to inflict serious damage. And that's just what it did. Zarbon was conscious, but he couldn't move. Slowly his shape changed, returning to his normal form.

Deirdre grinned and blew the smoke off her finger, folding her fingers to form a gun-like shape. Clapping behind her back suddenly alerted her. Deirdre sharply turned to see Frieza, applauding her with the same smirk that has just left her face.

"Point Lazer, isn't it?" he asked, still grinning, "Impressive! This attack is my family's trademark..."

"I was trained by Icia..."

"And very well trained from what I've just seen!" Frieza came closer, maybe even a bit too close for comfort, "I guess my assumptions about you being at twenty thousand were false. What is your true power level?"

"Well, I..."

"Never mind," Frieza interrupted before Deirdre could say anything, "I can find out for sure by... putting you through a little test."

"Test?" Deirdre lifted her brows.

"Yes, as soon as we land at Frieza 79. Goodnight now," he made it clear that the conversation was over.

"Frieza," Deirdre called, "What about him?"

She pointed at Zarbon. Frieza shrugged.

"Do what you like," he said indifferently, "Finish him off or put him in the rejuvenation tank... Whatever..."

The icy tyrant walked off. Deirdre frowned. She didn't approve of his attitude towards his subordinates. And then there was Zarbon. Defeated and weakened by the severe bleeding from the wound on his chest, the life of the green-haired fighter was slowly fading away.

Deirdre approached him. Still conscious Zarbon lifted his eyes.

"Kill me," he wheezed, "The pain is more than I can bare... I won't live long enough for the rejuvenation tank treatment... You have a good arm..."

He coughed out some blood. Deirdre looked at him, then placed both of her hands on her chest and strained her muscles, gathering energy.

"... Just end it with one blow..." Zarbon spoke again, "I know it's too late now, but I regret what I've done... You're not like other women I knew... and for what it's worth, I'm sorry..."

Deirdre rose one of her brows, yet continued to gather the energy.

"You learn on your mistakes," she said.

A purple glowing sphere formed inside her cupped hands. Zarbon watched her, having accepted his fate. She then made a sharp motion with her hands, throwing the energy ball into Zarbon's chest. The glowing ball sank into him. But instead of sharp pain, Zarbon felt power surging though his body. His wounds instantly healed. Amazed beyond words, he stared at Deirdre.

"This technique is called Eos Star," she said impassively, "It instantly restores one's power level and heals any wounds. Another handy trick Frieza's mother taught me."

She turned and headed away. Zarbon jumped on his feet.

"Wait!" he called to her, "Why did you do it? Why didn't you kill me after... what I tried to do to you?"

Deirdre half-turned her head.

"You learned from your mistake," she repeated.

"And what if I didn't say I was sorry? Would you have killed me then?"

"No," she shook her head, "It doesn't matter whether you have said it or not... you thought it, and it's the sincere thought that counts... Have a good night, Zarbon..."

The Saiyan woman disappeared in the darkness of the corridor, leaving the astonished warrior along with his thoughts. She truly was like no other woman Zarbon knew before. She was different, she was special, she had stirred a new feeling. Zarbon instantly knew what it was.

The green-haired fighter made a vow to himself.

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End of Part 1

How powerful Deirdre really is? What is that test Frieza's planning to put her through? And what does Zarbon have in mind to win the heart of the beautiful Saiyan? Find out by reading Part 2!!!

Disclaimer: All the characters are copyright of Akira Toriyama, Toei Animation, and Funimation. Deirdre, Icia and Rime are copyright of Jeisre Ice. This story is copyright of Jeisre Ice. Permission is given by the author to copy this story for personal use only, providing no changes is done to the story or this notice. Special thanks to my good friend Furozen for letting me use the Icejin language she developed.