Last Time: Well the fic began. Vegeta was born.
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.
History of Vegeta
Serenestorm
Chapter One: Tricks and Treaties
Run.
That was the only thing on the Prince's mind as he flew down the halls of the Palace. He wanted to look back to see exactly how close his pursuer was, but he dared not to, knowing that the momentary pause would only allow his adversary to catch up with him. Prince Vegeta knew he was fast, exceptionally fast and strong, for his age, but the other was older and more experienced in the ways of war, the art of battle, the trill of the chase; so the young prince ran, as fast as his legs would allow, smirking from the effort it took for the other to keep up with him. He rounded a corner never slowing his stride and his ear's, his sensitive Saiyajin hearing, told him that his pursuer was not far behind. Vegeta quickened his pace as he saw his destination, finally, looming ahead of him like a finish line. His pursuer quickened his pace also, noting where the prince was headed, the throne room. Vegeta's smirk turned to a full out smile, of triumph as he heard his pursuer curse under his breath, apparently realizing the Prince's intentions, realizing why the chase had begun in the first place. Prince Vegeta heard his, yes his pursuer was a he, breaths increase as his speed quickened in order to catch up with the Prince, in order to stop him before it was too late. Vegeta, therefore, quickened his pace, almost losing his prize, the very reason for the chase. Vegeta burst into his father's throne room, where so many of the royal conferences, meetings of nobles and ambassadors took place, hearing his pursuer burst in after him a second later. The prince skidded to a stop, wanting to see the look on his pursuer's face, a look that he knew would be his true prize, a look of total humiliation. But the young Prince miscalculated the effect his pace would have and skidded trying to stop, his momentum still giving him motion. He skidded straight into something hard and cold, which knocked the prince from his feet. Vegeta sat up disoriented, feeling as though he had run into a brick wall; the fall had even made him loose his prize. He looked up, willing his eyes to focus, expecting to find his father glaring down at him, instead blood red eyes stared down at him with evident amusement. The eyes belonged to a sort of creature Vegeta had never seen before. The creature had an odd coloring of white and pink. Horns adorned his head like a built on crown, his long lizard like tail thumped behind him in what Vegeta suspected was irritation, yet he did not look intimidating to Vegeta, but as his scouter read the power reading of the creature he was in for another shock. He had never encountered any being capable of sustaining the type of power that was practically radiating off him… err… her, the creature.
"Vegeta, what are you doing here?" Vegeta heard his father's voice bellow behind him. He quickly stood and faced the king, momentarily ignoring the powerful creature behind him.
"Raditzu, you were supposed to be watching him". The king said turning to face the younger Saiyajin, the one who had been chasing his son.
Raditzu immediately stepped into military format when the king addressed him, his left fist pressed firmly to the right of his chest.
"And why are you half naked?" The king asked glaring at Raditzu.
Raditzu glanced at the young Prince, who was stifling his snickers behind his father's back, his chest cover, Vegeta's prize, lying idly at the prince's feet.
"No reason, Sire". Raditzu stated his eyes down cast.
Vegeta knew Raditzu was ferociously loyal and would protect him from even his father's wrath. He would not tell his father that Vegeta had instigated the chase that had led them there, though Vegeta felt that Raditzu might not have to tell the king anything, that his father already suspected that his son had been responsible for this interruption. Vegeta glanced at Raditzu and saw the obvious fury in his eyes. He smirked. His whole plan had been to embarrass Raditzu, and it apparently had worked. He knew the older boy hated to be made a fool of, especially in front of the king. He wanted to make Raditzu angry. Vegeta was tired of the older boy patronizing him during their sparring sessions, not fighting him to the best of his capabilities because Vegeta was five years his junior. He wanted an all out sparring match, and he knew now that Raditzu would give it to him, if they sparred soon. His tail wagged with excitement at the thought.
"Vegeta, do not be angry with the boys". The creature said drawing attention back to himself. His red eyes gazed slowly at Raditzu's naked chest with what almost looked like longing, and back to the young prince.
"You did not tell me you had such a powerful son." He said. Vegeta felt himself becoming increasingly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. It was something about the creature's eyes, the way they glanced at him with hidden meaning, that made Vegeta stifle a tremble.
"I guess it never came up, Lord Frieza". King Vegeta said quickly trying to keep the fear out of his voice. This had not been planned, not at all. Frieza was to never see his son.
"Well, I do believe this will change the terms of our little treaty, King". Frieza said turning his gaze from the young Prince to gaze at his father. He smirked at the way the Monkey King flinched.
Prince Vegeta looked from his father to Frieza. He had never in his five years seen his father afraid.
The young prince almost jumped when he felt a hand touch is shoulder.
"Come, My Prince, we should leave". Raditzu said looking down at the prince frowning faintly. He knew he had failed. His assignment had been simple-- keep Prince Vegeta away from the throne room while Frieza is on planet. The order had come directly from King Vegeta himself. Though Raditzu knew that he was only given the assignment because he was the only Saiyajin close to the Prince's age that lived in the palace, he was ecstatic upon receiving it nonetheless. The ten year old had never received a direct order from the king; Nappa was usually the one who gave him, and the other third class warriors, his assignments. And those assignments usually consisted of what the king had ordered him to do, protecting the young prince, who was just about equal in power to him. Raditzu had hoped he could prove himself, be given the chance to rise in the ranks, ascending from a third class warrior to the coveted second class position, then finally to general. Now that hope was dust, for failing the king was punishable by death, though he doubted that the king would kill him. He was in fact the son of Bardock, who was the king's chief scientist and unofficial advisor, yet his ambitions were surely dead, he would never rise in rank. He would always be classified a third class, no matter how strong he became, and that to Raditzu was just as bad as a death sentence.
His hand that gripped the prince's shoulder tightened as he thought of how young Vegeta's stupid little prank had ruined his chances, his dreams.
Prince Vegeta smirked as he felt Raditzu's grip on him tighten. He did not think the older boy would get that angry at his prank. Well he knew Raditzu would be angry, as stated earlier, Raditzu hated to be made a fool of. He did not expect him to get this angry though. Oh well Vegeta thought shrugging.
"Very well, Raditzu, we shall go. I am bored anyway. I want to spar". Vegeta said looking up at Raditzu. He almost regretted his decision to anger the other Saiyajin when he saw Raditzu's lips curl into a menacing smile. He shrugged off the sudden fear that was replaced with the underlining excitement, excitement for battle, that he knew his Saiyajin friend (if he dare refer to Raditzu as friend) began to feel as well.
"Whatever you want, Prince Vegeta." Raditzu countered and the two boys turned to leave.
"Wait". Frieza said breaking the conversation that he and the older Vegeta had been engaged in. To Frieza there was no reason to continue it anyway everything was already decided.
"I think you should stay to hear what is about to be said. It involves you both". Frieza said giving reason for wanting to delay their departure. He immediately turned back to the king, as did the boys. Raditzu and Vegeta looked at their king with confusion etched on their young faces. King Vegeta looked down defeated, refusing to meet either one of their gazes.
"The new terms of our treaty are as follows:" Frieza began impersonally as if announcing the weather.
"Your son and his companion, I believe you called him Raditzu, shall accompany me on my ship and endure the training necessary to become part of my army." Both boys looked shocked at the news. King Vegeta cursed himself. He had never meant for the Ice-jin to ever meet his son. He knew that Vegeta was uncharacteristically strong, even for a Saiyajin child, and that Frieza would want a prodigy like that in his control. He did not understand, however, why Frieza wanted Raditzu. The boy had a nice size power level but nothing extraordinary. Perhaps, Frieza saw a potential in Raditzu that was hidden to the older Vegeta. He was sure Frieza knew, like all Saiyajins, if Raditzu was hurt in battle, he would become stronger, maybe that is why the Ice-jin took an interest in the boy. At least his mate, Citra, was hidden within the depths of the palace. King Vegeta had heard of Frieza's obsession with beautiful 'things' and Citra was remarkably beautiful even compared to Saiyajin women.
"Do you accept these terms, King Vegeta"? Frieza said impatiently as it seemed to him that he didn't have the king's full attention.
"I'm waiting, Vegeta, do you or do you not accept these terms". He was becoming irritated.
The king looked down in thought, though there was only one choice to make.
Vegeta knew if he refused the treaty Frieza would destroy them all, his planet, his people, and his family, all that he held dear would be destroyed instantly. He knew what the Ice-jin was capable of. He also knew his son was exceptionally strong and under Frieza's tutelage he could only become stronger. Frieza's army consisted of the strongest fighters in the Universe. Vegeta, his son, may be their only salvation. It had already been prophesized that the boy would become the next legendary, the next Super Saiyajin. Frieza would possibly bring that to pass.
King Vegeta smirked feeling his usual confidence and arrogance latch on to that hope. Frieza, he felt, was signing his own death warrant training his future murderer.
"Vegeta, I am out of patience, either you accept or decline. I will not wait any longer for an answer that should be obvious to you." Frieza said calmly, yet anyone that knew him would know that his was becoming highly pissed. He hated waiting; he wanted what he wanted when he wanted it.
Yes, King Vegeta thought to himself, you will have your day Frieza.
His eyes rested on his son, who stood motionlessly waiting on the decision that he knew could change his whole world. He is my hope King Vegeta thought.
He will become a Super Saiyajin and free our people from the servitude I have no choice but to place them into.
"Yes, Frieza, I accept". Vegeta said looking up to face the Ice-jin.
Frieza smiled. "I expect them on my ship no later than noon tomorrow". He said and turned to leave.
"Oh and Vegeta, don't be late. I utterly detest tardiness". Frieza said over his shoulder addressing the king, then departed.
King Vegeta felt his son's eyes on him, saw the tears welled up in the young boy's eyes.
Yes Vegeta you are my hope. You are the hope of us all. He thought fighting back the pain of turning his son over to a tyrant. He left to find Bardock, to tell him of Raditzu's part in all of this. He held on firm to the hope that his son had gave him, the hope that his son would save them all where he could not. Yet, King Vegeta, didn't know or perhaps he had forgotten that hope can be bittersweet. It can build on truth or falsities. And with a simple sentence, two simple words, he had sealed his son's fate forever, a fate that would travel a dark and lonely road before ever again seeing the light.
Next Time: Interlude: A Mother's Tears
Queen Citra tells her son a bedtime story for the last time.
Read and Review! Let me know what you think. Should I finish this or not? And I promise I am going to finish my other DBZ series fic. Expect another chapter of Turn the Page out soon.