Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, and I will never make any money from this story either.
Shadows of the Past: Chapter 8
Vegeta awoke somewhat sluggishly surrounded by the liquid warmth of the tank, and shook his head slightly as he tried to open his eyes. The chemical filled water was always a bit disorienting, but this was the first time he had ever felt dizzy in the water. What was he doing in here anyway? Slowly his mind and his memory seemed to clear a little… That orange blob, Napa was missing… there was an odd little blue thing in the booth where Napa was supposed to be, and… the blast doors were up, barring his escape. But there was something else that was eluding him, he felt it, he knew intuitively that something was missing from his memory… something the orange blob had said… but what? This was not the first time he had awakened injured with this knowledge, either, and that was the worst thing… whoever or whatever was responsible seemed to be able to do this to him at its leisure. Being anyone's personal plaything was completely foreign to him, and he hated it! When he caught whoever was doing it, they were going to die VERY slowly.
It seemed like ages before the tank started to beep and let him out… and strangely, Napa wasn't there waiting for him. Vegeta was hit with two emotions simultaneously, anger, and a foreboding curiosity. The anger he dismissed easily he knew that Napa would die before leaving his side… willingly. What wasn't so easily dismissed, was the lingering doubt as to what had happened while he was out. How long had he been out anyway? He dressed hurriedly and had just stepped out of the medical rooms when he caught sight of Zarbon, the blue green bastard motioned for him to follow, and Vegeta realized they were no longer on the ship.
Zarbon paused at the end of the hall where it intersected another. It was a palace of some sort with the same decadent beauty as he had grown up with, only on a larger scale. If he had any interest in this sort of thing, he would've been floored by its magnificence and grandeur. But as things stood, he just rolled his eyes and was not feigning his disinterest, if anything, it only made him dislike Frieza more. Vegeta said nothing as he caught up to Zarbon, even though there were a million questions on his mind.
" Lord Frieza had wanted to offer you the tour himself, but was called away on Imperial business early this morning, I hope you are not too disappointed. "
" Certainly not, if he is busy, I am sure we can get together later to discuss certain things. "
" I was given authorization to answer most any questions you might have. "
" Humph, if you weren't given total freedom to be honest with me, then we have nothing to discuss, aside from which cell in the dungeon is to be mine. " Vegeta shrugged, not even bothering to give Zarbon a cold look. " Your lord and master knew perfectly well what questions I would have for him, and you do too. "
" You are in way over your head, you know that, I know you do. This little game you're playing with Frieza isn't going to work forever, you are cunning, but so is he. You might just as well give up; the longer you drag this out, the more he will punish you later. "
" Are you prepared to tell me that my father is dead? "
" What? "
" If he is alive, tell me how this would be a 'game'? It is my duty to continue to act in a manner befitting royalty, until such a time as I learn that my title is meaningless due to the demise of my father at the hands of someone other than myself. "
Zarbon almost laughed sometimes it was absolutely astonishing… how could one of the races generally considered the stupidest in most of known space have produced a 5-year-old with such a quick mind and such a deep understanding of decorum and honor? " Your father is a valuable ally to the empire of Lord Frieza, he has not been harmed, nor will he be so long as you do as you are told. "
" Why the threat? I have been doing as I have been asked, why would you think things would be different here? Don't tell me you think just because I have been biting holes in my tongue for the last three months, that I cannot continue to do so. I am not so weak willed as you seem to think, and don't insult me again by insinuating otherwise. " Vegeta grunted, but actually managed a calm voice. Still, that was the first open threat he had been given in the entire three moths since leaving home, and he found it a little unnerving. He kept his expression carefully guarded though and Zarbon chuckled a little.
" I have been through what Lord Frieza will do to you. Did you know that? "
" So I suppose being back here has some interesting memories for you then. "
" Yes, like you I was a particular favorite of his, and I suppose you could say that I still am. This is a very friendly warning, Prince Vegeta… Frieza's favor can be a double-edged sword, never depend on it for anything, and never spurn it. Both can have deadly consequences. "
" So why are you warning me? "
" I don't really know, but I do know there is something special about you, maybe you can succeed where others have failed. "
" Failed at what? "
Zarbon was silent for a long moment. Frieza would be angry if he knew any of his 'students' had been shown the 10th vault… " Come along, Prince Vegeta, I will show you to your room now. Just be warned that Frieza is not a forgiving master… to anyone. Even his favorites can be… replaced if they earn too much of his displeasure. "
" Earning his displeasure is so easy it's a wonder he has anyone left to serve him. "
" Those who are wise learn to blend in, not to be noticed… but those who will not, or cannot do this, become his favorites. Lord Frieza, his father, and his brother believe they are the oldest of all living dynasties, and as such still adhere to the ancient customs. They never acknowledge or even notice servants until they do something to warrant their interest or wrath. You also play by that rule with everyone except Napa; it is painfully obvious that he was the one who raised you. "
" Yes, you could say that but what does that have to do with anything? " Vegeta barely noticed the palace's elegance and style until they arrived at a massive white marble staircase with a three-tiered fountain at it's stately landing. The lighting above was a single crystal chandelier… 20 feet in diameter. Also at the landing, was an elegant hall, partially hidden by the mammoth fountain. The hall didn't seem particularly long though, as if it were not to be noticed, and it's ceiling was relatively low. Vegeta was about to inquire about it when Zarbon spoke first.
" You should have been given several bodyguards, not one, you're too used to him, you even like having Napa around, and that could get him killed. "
" Why would Frieza want to kill a mere servant with less power than I have? If he is truly old school, he shouldn't even know Napa exists. "
" He knows your bodyguard exists because you know he exists. "
" I don't understand, Napa is pretty harmless. The power levels of many of Lord Frieza's soldiers are common knowledge and in comparison, Napa's 2050 is nothing. You know it as well as I do. "
Zarbon was quiet again for a moment. As always the prince's logic was sound, but some of Frieza's lessons were pretty illogical in the way they were carried out. " Power isn't the point here. Sometimes it is those we might try to protect that we get attached to. Not all of Frieza's lessons seem practical… until you run into the same situation later… "
" Me protect Napa? " Vegeta laughed, shaking his head. " Why would I? Napa may have been my guardian since I was born, but he is because he took a dozen or so vows to die protecting me… if necessary. Napa would die for me proudly Zarbon, he is an Elite, and he was born to directly serve my father, which he did for over twenty years with great distinction. For me to attempt to protect him would be a grave insult, I will not dishonor him or my father's wish that he be my only protector… So where was this discussion going, Napa had better not already be dead. "
" Certainly not. Napa and Radditz are on Jun-Dei 6, exterminating a pocket of resistance that was previously stopping the purge by Frieza's regulars. Napa's last report was early this morning; he expects to be leaving the planet in about 36 hours… Apparently the natives… taste good there. "
If it was possible for Zarbon to turn any greener, he just did. Vegeta tried not to laugh; he knew the Saurians rarely ate their conquered enemies; because in their humanoid forms they considered themselves too civilized for that and were genuinely appalled at those who did. " Yes that sounds like Napa… but who is Radditz? "
" Another Saiyan, of course, your father sent him to us to serve you. "
" I have never heard of him, what do you know about him? "
" Suspicious of your own warriors? " Zarbon arched one eyebrow curiously, but didn't give him a chance to speak. " We know he is a soldier third class, and his power level is 820, but he isn't all that much older than you are. He is the son of Bardock and has just returned from his 4th successful purge, not bad for a twelve year old. "
" If he is twelve, that means he is an adult, Zarbon. Saiyans grow up fast. Still, a warrior third class with a power of 820 is very good. He may have some potential. So where are we going? "
" Your chambers, of course. "
" OH! Have I moved from prisoner to house slave already? Interesting. " The prince said, with a perfectly straight face.
Had Frieza been present, Zarbon wouldn't have laughed, but, since it was just the two of them, and Dodoria was in the training hall, Zarbon decided he could, this time. " So you were pissed about the cell, we knew you were, but it couldn't be helped, Frieza couldn't risk putting you in the ship's barracks, and putting Shannelle there would've gotten her killed… "
" You want me to believe there was only one guest chamber on a ship that size? You are an outstanding liar, Zarbon, but you're not that good. "
" We had four ambassadors on board for the entire journey, several of which have permanent rooms in the palace. The other two are going on to visit King Kold. "
Vegeta knew Zarbon was only covering Frieza's worst oversight with a little sugar, but, he decided to let it slide, and Zarbon's amber eyes gave just a hint of his relief, when he made not further comment.
" Frieza gave me the liberty of choosing your quarters, so I picked this one, it has the best view of any room in the West Hall. Your things are waiting for you inside. The furniture is a little Spartan, but since you will be here for the next fifteen or twenty years, we will find replacements for anything you don't like. You may join us for the evening meal in the great hall in an hour, or, I can have it sent to your room, and we can continue the tour in the morning. I have allowed you three days before you begin classes, to accustom yourself to the school and its grounds; after all, this is your new home. Any questions so far? "
" They can wait. "
" Is there anything you need, before I make my rounds then? And what would you like to do about dinner? "
" Have it sent to my room. "
" Will you be up at 0700 tomorrow?
" I'll be up at 0530, as always. "
" When your training begins, you'll be glad you are used to awakening so early, but for the next three days, if you choose, you may sleep in. "
" Saiyans don't need as much sleep as most other races Zarbon, you should know that. Being overly rested leads to laziness, and complacency- neither are characteristics of Saiyans. " He wasn't tired, but he wanted to remain in his room unattended, he needed time to think. He shook his head a little as he glanced around his new quarters.
Spartan was a very good description of this room and the three that adjoined it. The furniture was also much different than the delicate end tables, chairs and benches he had seen in the rest of the palace. Everything in here was heavy and durable. Metal accents and carvings of mythical animal were very boldly represented on the dinner table, and it's four chairs. The bed was also large and carved with dragons and other creatures he had once considered only make-believe… he frowned, his exploration of his room halted as he realized he had not seen Shani.
He considered going to look for her quietly, but he had no idea where to start, and he didn't know if Zarbon's rounds would bring him back here eventually or not. Vegeta shrugged and resigned himself to wondering what would happen the next day.
He went over to a large window that curved outward and was framed by floor to ceiling bookcases on each side and looked out. The grounds were magnificent. There were miles of gardens, some of them contained ornate patterns of color in the placement of the flowers, and others had fountains and statuary as their main focus. And surrounding it all was a deep green forest, and a spacious lawn, which looked suspiciously like parade grounds to him. Toward the western most edge of his view, was a large richly tiled square in the grass, it was raised, and stood out prominently in the gardens. Curious, he looked at it more carefully. The square was about 200 feet across and it had no furniture or railing. There was a disturbing picture in the arrangement of the tiles as well, a close-up of a deathly pale face with its eyes and mouth sewn shut and wearing some sort of a cowl on his scared features. Quite obviously it was a slave… but who would disfigure such a lowly creature that way?
Vegeta shook his head, turning away from the window. And thought of what Zarbon had told him. 'Radditz was sent to us to serve you by your father… '
" Liar. " Vegeta grunted, shaking his head. Third class citizens or warriors NEVER directly attended Saiyan royalty. The other four noble houses served no other purpose than to supply the next generation of elite bodyguards and warriors, as well as the queen to stand beside each new king. Descended from each of the four greatest warriors to come out of the battles with the Truffles, the noble houses were in direct competition for the prestigious position of serving the royal house. That was how they continued to improve and maintain the strong bloodlines, and why Vegeta knew that he could trust Napa, just as his father still did. Napa was from the house considered to be the most powerful after the Vegeta house; they were also the ones who turned out the most loyal and disciplined warriors. There was one exception to that… some elite when his grandfather was king had refused to send his son away on a purge mission! Some idiot named Brock, one of the few interesting tidbits his history tutor had come up with. Vegeta shrugged, but continued to wonder about it for a moment longer, Brock's boldness had cost him his status as an elite, but he did get to train his son himself, remaining on their home planet. He named the kid Bardock or something like that. Vegeta had heard his father and Napa mention that name before, something about him being a pretty smart scientist or something, he hadn't been paying much attention at the time, but he didn't figure it mattered anymore… the old ways and even the certainty of his future were gone.
He sank into a chair and sighed heavily. Frieza had changed everything somehow, he knew it; it was like a feeling of helplessness from watching a play or an ancient battle he had seen but not taken part in. The danger was there, and he wanted to fix it … but he was powerless to help, or interfere. Perhaps Shani and Blaze were right… maybe it wasn't possible to fight destiny.
Well, what do you think now, my loyal readers? I humbly beg for your opinions and reviews. Next chapter will introduce a bunch of new characters, some friendly, some not, and we will get to find out what's going on with Napa and Radditz. It's almost time for the real training to start, and what's up with Zarbon? Does any one have an opinion on Shani and Blaze? You will get to know them better here shortly, so I hope you like them. Well, thanks in advance, and PLEASE, please, please review! Hehe J