CHAPTER FOUR_ INTO THE VOID

May 741 A.D.



Shain, Vegeta, and Radditz watched the girl floating in the regeneration tank with awe and disbelief. They could not believe that a girl with a frail power level such as hers could just immediately power up so fast. They also couldn't believe that this girl could take Nappa, who had a power level of 1,000. It was not only humiliating, but also scary. Radditz crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. He had been studying this girl for roughly two hours and it seemed she had changed little by little. He could have sworn he had heard a voice, a soft frail one that lightened his tense mind, call to him and tell him to get her out of the tank. Radditz was nearly eleven years old and he didn't have time to think about his imagination's tricks. He looked at his companions. Vegeta had his arms crossed and his face set in a deep scowl. His eyes seemed to penetrate the glass of the tank, as he remained deep in thought. Once in awhile he would raise his head to acknowledge any passersby. Besides that, his signs of movement were non- existent. Radditz deeply studied Shain's blank countenance. His hands were settled on his belt while his legs were spread apart. He seemed to hunch over as he looked at the girl with a blank stare. Radditz knew Shain very well. He never did show any emotion or any support for anything not revolving around him. Selfish bastard, thought Radditz but he then agreed he was one too. Shain only cared about his own hide and always pursued his training with an intense determination that equaled Vegeta's. Radditz's two partners were extremely alike except for one thing: Shain desired nothing while Vegeta desired vengeance and power. Shain was a practical man, Radditz knew this, but the way Shain was observing the girl was absolutely unnerving. Radditz began to get uncomfortable with it.

"Sire, we must attend to our other duties." Radditz hesitated at watching Vegeta jump.

"Radditz, must you always interrupt me! I want to study this little feline and find out how she defeated Nappa so easily. She is a threat to my goals or an ally. I want to make up my mind now so I won't be a stupid fool later. You know how I hate cowardice and foolishness of any sort," snapped Vegeta as a vein bulged from his large forehead.

Shain placed a hand on the tank and listened to the soft voice calling him. His eyes danced with white light and gold shimmers. "She is waking now. Call the medics to attend her, Radditz."

"How do you know-" Radditz began but quieted as he saw the girl begin to stir. The air mask fell off to reveal her pale full lips quiver. Her large luminous eyes snapped open in a flutter.

Vegeta tensed his body and Shain opened his mouth slightly as they watched the girl begin to move around. Her small willowy figure twisted in slow motion. She raised a thin hand to her face and touched it, feeling the restored softness and beauty. The darkness that had held her mind in its icy grasp disappeared quite suddenly as she heard a soft voice whisper to her. Awake, my little cousin, be alive once more for me. She gulped for air deeply before feeling something fall from her face and cool water rush into her lungs. She tried to struggle faintly but heard the voice reassure her she would not drown. The liquid was only a healing mixture that had restored her health again. She tried to think about what the voice was but felt a sharp pain jab her brain like a hot poker. This made her flinch and cringe into a little floating ball. Once the pain was gone, she felt only deep emptiness like before. During this whole healing process, she received images of past events and images that did not belong to her memory. They were old and vivid, soft flashes of a frozen planet and a sobbing woman with pale white skin like hers. Even her golden hair and sparkling eyes were like Merilyn's. As Merilyn tried to awaken her body and mind, the images came in a rush. They were jumbled and blurry. Everything was blurry, even the people in the images. She only caught an image of six people standing in a bright light. This was all she saw as her eyes snapped open in fright. She caught sight of two dark figures and one light figure as she twisted her body. She pulled off the tubes in her arms and legs. She then raised her hand and rubbed the smoothness of her face. No cuts or bruises. Amazing. Three men finally entered and began working at their computers hastily. The water began to drain as she fell to the floor from two feet in the air. She coughed up the liquid and strained to see a blue haired gentleman standing above her.

"Well, Well, is this the child Merilyn? I thought she was described as having golden hair and a blazing yellow aura. Perhaps not," the man took her hand gently then pulled her onto her feet. The others simply watched.

"Where.Where.am I?" Merilyn managed to say. She glanced at the three Saiyin boys.

"Do not fear, my dear. I have been asked to take charge of you. It will slow my own training but it does not matter. None can surpass my power," replied the man again before kissing her hand. "Do call me Zarbon."

A deep snicker filled the room as the man furiously turned to face Vegeta and the other Saiyins. "You are quite pathetic, Zarbon. No matter to me though. I do intend to spar with this girl.Merilyn.again. I will see her again and you also."

" You stupid monkey boy. You are only a child yet you order me. You are only maybe nine years old. Wake up, Vegeta. You are the prince of nothing and I am much older and stronger than you could ever imagine. As for sparring with Merilyn, do not look forward to it anytime soon. Frieza wouldn't hear of this little one fighting dirt monkeys like you," sneered Zarbon with his fist clenched to emphasize his point.

Vegeta's face quivered in rage and he bent his brows in deep resentment. He growled shrilly and stormed off with Radditz and Shain following him.

Merilyn could only frown and face this bizarre handsome warrior who looked at her coolly. Merliyn followed this devilish creature to her chambers and handed her a small silver necklace with a diamond-shaped teardrop dangling off it. " A gift from your beloved father, Frieza." Zarbon smiled faintly as Merilyn snatched it from him.

It really was a beautiful little jewel but Merilyn stopped admiring it to place her hand on her collarbone. She felt her ribbon choker there and rolled the small vile between her fingers. "Thank you, Zarbon. I thank Frieza for his concern but he is not my father. I never had one to begin with," whispered Merilyn faintly before slamming the keypad on the wall, shutting Zarbon outside. Merilyn collapsed on the floor by the door and clasped her arms around her knees. She began to cry like the little lost child she was. She had never felt so alone or confused in her entire life. She felt as if everything she had known had collapsed on her, leaving her to suffer these tantalizing new emotions and experiences. She was now more curious than ever and not so cheery as she used to be. Something had died in her. Was it her spirit, her love for life or the peace she thought she knew on Frieza's ship?

"Peace, child. Calm your thoughts and know me," rumbled a deep voice as Merilyn saw an animalistic being enter from the darkness of the room. The beast startled Merilyn and made a deep impression on her. It had a Saiyin- like body with all four appendages, not including the tail. The being wasn't exactly male or female. It was just a creature, but from the slight curves it was more woman than man. What held Merilyn's gaze the most was the thing's piercing burnt orange eyes. They were a golden brown surrounded by orange and tints of green. The creature had a slight golden tint to her flabby skin and round face. The creature's spiky reddish orange hair looked like a large flame with soft twirls at the ends of it. Even the tight black robe on her body was amazing. The sleeves looked like orange and red feathers sewn together.

"Please do not be scared. Though it does thrill me, I do not like cowardice in my protégés. I am Araro Arionrhod. I am neither man nor woman." The voice was clear and heavy.

"What are you? A bird or dragon?" retorted Merilyn uneasily.

"I am a Phoenix, the last of my kind. A pity really but I have learned to live a sinful life. However, you may not do so. It has been agreed and decided upon already."

Merilyn felt sudden anger at this statement. "Nobody controls my fate or what I do. I am no one's little toy." A weakness infiltrated her voice and made her sit down in pity.

A claw-like hand rested on her shoulder in understanding. "You will come to know Fate and its blessings and burdens. Not now though. You have much to learn and see before this wisdom is brought to you. You are eight, right?"

"Well, I turn eight next month. I am thrilled for it. I am always sent these pretty gifts and bizarre tools. It started about five years ago. Strange, huh?"

"Not too strange, little one. How did it feel to fight like that?" asked Araro with a slight grin on her pasty face.

Merilyn wrinkled her nose and rubbed her ear. "It felt like a storm brewing in me like the storms on Antilles. It was something horrifying and exciting at the same time." She paused and leaned in with a little smirk. "To be honest, it felt good to be so full of that power. I felt like none could oppose me and like I could have whatever I wanted. I want to know everything and feel everything. That power was like a shock to my brain."

Araro hid back the worry on her face. The Supreme Kai was right about this little one. She does possess the power held by her ancestors, but it is overwhelming how she handles it. She practically embraces it. Interesting, thought Araro. She looked at the child before her again and let a grin appear on her lips. "Girl, you surprise me. I ask one thing of you while I watch over you. I want you to not train with the Saiyins."

Merilyn gasped and looked at the Phoenix. "What do you mean? I cannot back down now that I have seen what I've seen. I wan to know what all I am capable of. I want answers and I need them from Frieza," she paused then looked at Araro with cold eyes. "I will spar with them again. As much as I am scared of this new thing, I want to live in it. It makes me feel like I am something. Anything."

"But-but child, it is unnecessary. This isn't you to do this," stammered Araro.

"WHO ARE YOU TO KNOW ME!! YOU HAVE NOT BEEN HERE!! I WANT TO BE SOMETHING HERE!! I WANT SOME ANSWERS! I WANT TO NOT BE TREATED LIKE A CHILD!" screamed Merilyn in fury. Her face was pulled into an uncharacteristic sneer.

Araro looked at the child in horror and excitement. She did not know this girl had a hidden passion for power or something beyond her grasp. She was only a child of eight, not a young warrior bent on power and wealth like she sounded. Araro calmly watched the girl power down and slump her shoulders. Quickly turning on her heel, Merilyn made her way to the window portal.

Her face was blank and expressionless. Only her glistening eyes allowed her desperation and confusion to show. She cocked her head and spoke up. "You do not understand. I am so confused and scared about this power I have. I am scared that this will change everything for I do not want change. Part of me wants this new power to use and gain recognition for. I want to be something and I want to see other worlds and places I could only see in my dreams. I will speak to Frieza and learn the truth about everything. I learned nothing in the gym but bloodlust and terror of which scares me and excites me."

After she explained her problem, Zarbon entered and bowed to Merilyn. Before he spoke, Merilyn calmly spoke in a whisper. "I wish to talk to Frieza right now, Zarbon. Take me to him now."