Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ or any of the DBZ characters, and am in no way
associated with FUNimation.
Author's Note: This one's bit longer, but I'm definitely not done yet. There's still more to come!
Ten years later
The chamber was dark- pitch black, except for the small energy blasts twins Meleina and Raditz threw at each other. They were fighting for the recognition of Frieza, the leader all Saiyans answered to. He had hosted a fighting tournament for the low-levels, wanting to judge the strength of these Saiyans. There were three rounds left in the tournament, and Meleina was confident that if she beat her brother she would make the finals. And, she knew, judging from the other low levels, she would most likely end up fighting Bardock, her father. That was a fight she knew she would lose. Her power was nowhere near as strong as her father's was- yet. But a loss would still place her as second strongest low-level, and the strongest low- level child.
Raditz lunged suddenly at her. She vanished, then reappeared behind him, punching him hard in the back. He stumbled, and Meleina hit him again. He fell, and she paused to let him regain his footing. He tried to punch her, but she easily caught his hand in hers and twisted his arm. Time to show off, she thought, then fired several energy blasts, knocking her brother unconscious. The lights returned and she blinked in the fierce light. Several medical officers came to take Raditz to Recovery. Meleina stepped out of the chamber and lightly tossed her head, her waist-length hair flowing down her back. In the observation room, Frieza, his henchmen, and many of the low-level Saiyans stared at her. She saw her father and made her way to him, ignoring everyone else. Bardock smiled at her icily, but she noticed a tinge of pride in his voice when he said, "That's my daughter."
"And wasn't it your son who was beaten?" Zarbon asked in his calm voice.
Bardock turned slightly. "Obviously, he is the weaker of the two."
"Obviously," Meleina growled, climbing onto the ledge so she could watch the following fight.
It felt to the young Saiyan forever before her father was called for his fight. She bounced with her childlike energy and grinned at her father's friends.
"Dad's gonna win," Meleina remarked, leaning closer to the window.
"He sure is," Taura agreed, putting a hand on her back. "Be careful, you don't want to fall," he warned. She smiled warmly at him.
"Don't worry, I won't." A loud yell drew her attention back to the chamber, and she smiled to see her dad beating his opponent into the wall. "Go Dad!" she said loudly, drawing a slight chuckle from the Saiyans. She was brave enough to cast a glance in Frieza's direction, and quickly turned away when he noticed her. She watched the fight for a few seconds, then turned again to Frieza. He looked at her, but instead of turning away this time, she met his gaze and held it for several seconds before acknowledging him with a brief nod before quickly returning her gaze to the chamber. The medical officers were dragging her father's opponent out.
"Hey, what'd I miss?" she pouted.
"Bardock won," Taura replied.
"I figured that much." She grinned. "Yay, I get to fight my dad."
"I don't see why you're so excited," Taura said. "You should be scared. I would be."
"That's because I'm strong." Taura dug his fingers into her back, causing her to yelp loudly.
"Quiet!" Frieza hissed. He glared at Meleina. "Go, fight your father."
"Y-yes sir," she squeaked, halfway between scared and pleased that Frieza had spoken to her. She ran into the chamber and smiled broadly at Bardock.
"Oh, he's making you fight? Hardly worth it," Bardock sneered. Meleina glared at him. "You might as well give up before you even bother starting, kid."
"Yeah, right, Bardock," she growled, bending into a crouch.
"I'm terrified," her father said with a cold chuckle. Meleina lunged at his legs, then quickly realized her mistake. Her height was her disadvantage; she could never hope to attack him and have it make any difference. She should have let him make the first move. Bardock allowed her to grab his legs, but he brought a hand down on her head. She staggered, dizzy from the blow, unprepared for the rest of the punches her father threw. She managed to shield her head, but quickly lost the battle as Bardock threw punch after punch. Finally, he threw her to the floor. She lay there, gasping for breath, pain filling her, knowing her mistake had cost her the match. She felt the hands of the medical officers pulling her to her feet to drag her out, but she hit them away. If she was going to lose, she was going to leave her own way. She followed the medical officers to recovery but refused a tank. "I'll heal myself," she growled.
"I don't think-" The medical officer broke off as the door opened and one of Frieza's top henchmen, Zarbon, stepped through. He gazed down at Meleina.
"Lord Frieza wants to see you." Meleina's heart skipped a beat- though whether from fear or joy she didn't know- but she forced herself to remain calm.
"Why?" she asked in a cool tone.
"It is not your place to question Lord Frieza's orders," Zarbon replied.
"Fine, I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to see my brother first."
"Lord Frieza wants to see you now."
"And I want-"
"I wouldn't question Frieza," Bardock growled, walking in the room. "Your brother will be fine." Meleina glared at him. "One moment please," Bardock said to Zarbon. He bent down next to Meleina. "I know you're worried about your brother, but he'll be fine. You, on the other hand, won't be if you decide to make Frieza follow your schedule. He runs things his own way, and he will not be patient with a Saiyan- especially not a low- level child." Meleina gritted her teeth at the words "low-level child." Those were the words she hated hearing most. She knew she was strong- stronger than most of the elite children, but she needed a chance to prove it. Bardock smiled knowingly and patted her on the head. "Don't worry, your time will come, child." Meleina smiled faintly.
I'm still not going to let that lizard-like freak tell me exactly what to do, she thought darkly. "Fine. Tell Raditz I'll see him when I'm done." She didn't wait for Bardock to reply; instead, she turned to Zarbon. "I'm afraid I'm feeling rather weak from my last fight." Bardock stiffened slightly, as if afraid he'd truly hurt his child. "I'm not sure I'm up to walking all the way-"
"What are you saying?" Zarbon demanded testily.
"Oh.well.you could carry me."
"Out of the question."
"Or you could tell Frieza to wait until I've completely healed, or tell him to come to me so I don't collapse." Zarbon gave her a cold look.
"Are you stupid or merely insane?" he demanded. "Frieza does what he pleases, he does not take orders from a low-level child."
"Well, then I'm afraid you're going to have to carry me."
Zarbon glared at her. He almost said no, but then realized he would rather not face Frieza's wrath if the child fainted. He picked up the girl and glared down at her head, and saw in the reflection on one of the tanks that Meleina had winked at her father.
He carried her to Frieza, then set her down roughly. She smiled sweetly at him, but he knew that her smile was falsely innocent. She strode forward broadly, showing very little sign of physical weakness, and bowed to Frieza. "My Lord."
Zarbon took his place next to Frieza, on the opposite side of Dodoria.
"You kept Lord Frieza waiting," Dodoria snapped.
"Perhaps if Lord Frieza had allowed a little more time for my strength to return I would not have kept him waiting."
"You-" Dodoria began, enraged that a low-level child had dared to speak to him like this.
"Enough," Frieza said calmly. He looked at Meleina, and the child stared him straight in the eye. "You're rather fearless, child."
Meleina smiled coldly. "Isn't that the way a warrior is supposed to be?"
"You have quite the mouth," Dodoria snarled.
Meleina shrugged. "Blame those who raised me."
"Silence, Dodoria, the child makes a good point. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Meleina."
"And you are the child of low-levels." It was more a statement than a question, and Meleina fought to keep the frown off her face.
"Yes."
"Curious. Most curious. I have never seen a low-level with power like yours."
Meleina felt as if ice had settled in her stomach. "Thank you, sir." Zarbon and Dodoria noticed her cautious tone and exchanged smiles.
"I could use a good warrior like you," Frieza said slowly.
"But she's just a kid!" Dodoria protested.
"Indeed." Frieza studied Meleina. "Perhaps when you are older."
"I'm ready now," Meleina snapped.
"Good. That is precisely what I wanted to hear. Zarbon, give the child a mission."
"Lord Frieza, you can't be serious."
"I am, Zarbon. Give her a mission- no, wait. Perhaps you are right. Since you believe her to be weak, take her on your next mission. I'm sure you won't fail to teach her something new."
Zarbon glared down at Meleina. "Sire, I'm not going on any missions for the next week-"
"She can wait a week."
Meleina smiled at Zarbon. "There's no getting out of this, is there, Zarbon?" He scowled in reply.
~*~
Meleina raced down to Recovery and burst in just as Raditz finished dressing. "Hey, you woke up!"
Her brother glared at her. "I can't believe you beat me up."
"That was the point, wasn't it?"
"The point was to let me win. The males need honor more than you females do; you're just here to make babies. Now everybody's going to laugh because I was beaten by a girl- and my own little sister!"
Meleina gave him a dirty look. "Well fine, if that's the way you feel."
"It is."
The twins glared at each other until the door opened and Bardock stepped in.
"Oh, good, you're awake." He smiled. "You put up a good fight-"
"But I'm no match for your favorite kid," Raditz growled.
Bardock shrugged. "You said it, not me."
Raditz snarled and stormed out of Recovery.
"What's his problem?" Meleina asked.
"He's just sore about losing to you." Bardock scooped his daughter into his arms. "So, I heard the good news."
"What good news?"
"That you're going to be traveling with Zarbon."
Meleina smiled mischievously. "You call that good?"
He smirked. "Behave yourself. C'mon, what'd you say we celebrate?"
"Yeah!"
"How about.mmm.some sweets?"
Meleina's eyes widened. "But.those are expensive!"
"You deserve expensive today."
"Well, okay then!" She knew how rare it was for low-level Saiyans to eat sweets. They were extremely expensive, and low-levels rarely had enough money for them. She had never eaten them before, but a few of her friends said sweets were the most delicious things in the universe.
Bardock bought her five pieces and spent most of the money he possessed. She popped the first piece in her mouth and gasped.
"Wow!" she blurted. Bardock smiled, and Meleina offered him a piece.
"Oh, no, that's for you. You won it."
"You beat me, you deserve a piece!"
"Well.if you insist."
Meleina looked down at the three remaining pieces in her hand, then gave one to her father and ate one herself. She calmly pocketed the final piece, and Bardock looked blank.
"Saving it for later?"
"No, I'm going to give it to Raditz."
"He won't be too happy that you got sweets."
"Oh well."
~*~
As Bardock had predicted, Raditz was not at all happy, but he accepted her gift. As Meleina settled down to sleep, her father's words flitted through her mind. "I heard the good news." Meleina smiled as she fell asleep. She, a low-level child, was going on an elite mission.
~*~
It was the dead of night. All beings aboard Frieza's vessel slept- all, that is, except for Raditz. He was brooding over the day's events late into the night.
How dare she beat me so ruthlessly. How dare she try to make it better by giving me sweets? Raditz growled angrily and clenched his fist. Now she was going on a mission with the elites.Raditz curled his lip. She didn't deserve it. He was the one who should go. He was the better fighter.
Inspiration struck him and he smiled coldly. Yes, he knew how to ensure that she wouldn't go.
He crept into her room quietly and slowly pulled the covers away from her body. He brought up the knife he had hidden and calmly sliced off her tail. She jerked in her sleep, but didn't wake. Raditz chuckled. He couldn't wait to see her face when she realized her tail was gone- and without it, she would never be able to beat him up. Raditz grinned.
~*~
The next morning, half of Frieza's ship awoke to a bloodcurdling scream. Raditz blinked tiredly before remembering the night before. He chuckled and raced quickly toward Meleina's room, where a large crowd had already gathered. He shoved his way through the people and saw Bardock, staring at Meleina in shock. She was ranting around her already demolished room- with the barest stub of a tail. Several Saiyans were murmuring about her significantly lowered energy level, while others could only stare. Raditz forced his face into a blank look, then asked his father's friend Taura, "What happened?"
"Somebody cut off her tail," Taura whispered back.
"Gee, that's terrible!"
"Everybody's thinking Zarbon did it, because she's supposed to go with him on his next mission."
Raditz watched with pleasure as his sister finally calmed down and sat on the edge of her bed in tears. He strode in as Bardock walked out, his face an icy mask, without speaking to Meleina. Upon seeing Bardock leave, the other Saiyans followed.
Meleina looked up into Raditz's eyes and sighed. "I feel so sick," she muttered to him, her voice filled with hopelessness. Raditz nodded for her to continue. "It.it's weird. Everybody says that when you lose your tail, you feel really weak. You are really weak. Even Father thinks I'm weak now." She turned. "But I don't feel weak, Raditz. I feel.I feel stronger than I was before."
"How is that possible?"
"Because I'm filled with hate, Raditz. I hate the fool who did this to me."
"Zarbon?"
She looked at him, surprised. "It's not his style. No, this was the work of a jealous low-level." She looked at the floor. "Hey, looks like the culprit left something behind." She bent over to pick it up and Raditz's heart froze. It was the sweet she had given him! "Hey." She frowned, then suddenly her eyes lit up with comprehension. "You did it!"
No point denying it, Raditz thought. "Yes, it was me. You weren't supposed to win that battle, little sister, but you did. Well, now you can't beat me. And I'll warn you now: if your tail grows back, I'll cut it off again."
Meleina snarled and lunged at him. "You're going to pay!" she roared. She punched him in the stomach, in the face, pounded his back until he was unconscious. Meleina drew in a deep breath, rage still filling her.
"For a low-level without a tail, you certainly are strong." Meleina spun, raising her arms in preparation for another fight. "I'm not gonna attack you," the newcomer said, surprised.
"Who are you?" Meleina demanded, taking in the other young girl's bright robes and tall stance. She also noted that there was something that bothered her about the girl's appearance, but she couldn't quite place it.
"My name's Socha."
"Why does that sound familiar?" Meleina asked aloud. Socha didn't answer, and Meleina grew even angrier. "Get out of here, can't you see I'm upset? I just lost my tail, for crying out loud!" Meleina threw a pillow at Socha, but in her anger she missed and hit Raditz. He awoke and staggered from the room, clutching his stomach.
"Did he do it?" Socha asked.
Meleina gave her a dirty look. "Yeah, he did, okay?"
"Isn't he your brother?"
"Yeah, he is," she replied angrily.
"I hope if I ever have a brother that he's not so selfish and mean!"
Meleina spun around and raised her fist to Socha. "Don't you dare talk about my brother that way." Socha looked surprised and backed up a step. "I'm the only one who's allowed to do that, got it?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, but it was a mean thing, to cut off your tail."
Meleina's blood began to boil at the thought of what Raditz did. She was about to scream when Dodoria towered in the doorway.
"There you are, you little brat!" he snorted at Socha. "King Vegeta doesn't want his daughter running around the ship alone with so many low- level Saiyans here." Meleina's jaw dropped.
Socha's friendly expression quickly changed to a sneer. "So, Dodoria, I guess you were the only one my father could sucker into babysitting me?" He spit at the comment. "Bye, Meleina," Socha said shortly.
Meleina stood there watching Socha being hauled off by Dodoria, still shocked to realize that the princess of all Saiyans had been talking to her.
~*~
That night, when she knew no one was around, Meleina sobbed into her pillow. She had never faced so great a disappointment- she had been going on an elite mission, and suddenly she knew that was going to be taken away from her with the loss of her tail. A note dropped onto her head. By the time she reacted, the person who had dropped it was gone. She sniffed, then opened the letter.
It read:
Sorry I had to leave so abruptly, and sorry about your tail. If you want to get back at Raditz, I'm up for some fun. Meet me in the lower deck at 5:00 am.
-Socha
The letter had the royal seal in the upper right corner.
Meleina stared at the letter, unable to sleep. Was this another way for Raditz to get revenge on her? Was he trying to get her in trouble? She managed to convince herself that the letter had to be from the true Saiyan Princess, or else Dodoria wouldn't have been involved.
~*~
5:00 am rolled around. Meleina waited in the lower deck. I'm such a fool! There's nobody coming, she thought. Just then a voice came from behind her. "Sorry I'm late. Dodoria was harder to ditch than most of the babysitters my father gets!"
Meleina stared. "You're really the princess?"
Socha grinned sheepishly. "Yep."
"Wow."
"You and your brother go back to Vegeta tomorrow, right?" Socha asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, then we'll have to act quick. What do you say?"
"I say you lure him into the battle arena and I'll beat him up!"
Socha raised an eyebrow at her. "How about we trick him instead?"
"Have it your way," Meleina snapped.
Socha ignored her. "I have a really great plan." She leaned close and whispered in Meleina's ear.
"That's an awesome idea!" she said with a laugh.
Socha smiled. "Shall we?"
"Definitely!" Meleina grinned, and Socha laughed broadly, spreading her hands out. In that second, Meleina suddenly caught sight of what had bothered her about Socha earlier: the tail! "Hey, what's wrong with your tail?" she demanded, her eyes widening. Socha's tail was thicker than a normal Saiyan tail, and instead of the hairy brown one Meleina had expected, Socha's tail was green, hard, and scaly.
Socha blinked in surprise, then shrugged. "It's always been like that." She uncurled it from around her waist. "Cool, huh?"
Meleina raised an eyebrow. "If you say so. Can you still transform at the full moon?"
"Yeah, but I don't change into an Oozaru, I change into a dragon. See, I've got a special tail. Dad says that tails like this pop up in the royal family every once in a while, but it's really rare. According to his servants, the last royal Saiyan to have a tail like this lived about a thousand years ago. Dad would have had me killed, but my tail stopped him. It's supposed to make me more powerful, or something like that."
"Why would he have killed you?"
Socha met her gaze bravely. "I was sent to a planet called Loki, and I refused to kill the people there."
"You're really weird," Meleina remarked, shaking her head in mild disgust. Why would somebody not want to kill? "Not, of course, that I'm complaining. I mean," she waved her own tail slightly, "I'm weird now, too."
Socha smiled broadly. "We can be two best friend weirdoes!"
~*~
Meleina and Socha were walking down the hall together, talking in hushed voices when they passed by Raditz. Unlike Meleina, Raditz instantly recognized the Saiyan Princess and gasped. "Meleina, you can't talk to her, you'll get in so much trouble!"
Meleina and Socha stopped walking and looked around them. "Raditz?" Meleina asked, confusion filling her voice. "Where are you?"
He poked her shoulder. "I'm right in front of you, stupid."
She put a hand to her shoulder and her eyes widened. "No you're not, I can't see you!"
Socha looked around wildly. "Meleina, what's going on here?"
"I.I don't know!" The girls exchanged terrified looks. "I can hear my brother, but I can't see him!"
Raditz jumped up and down in front of the girls. "I'm right here, right in front of you!" he bellowed.
"No you're not!" Socha said loudly.
"You're looking right at me."
"If I'm looking right at you, how come I can't see you?"
"Raditz, cut it out, this isn't funny," Meleina snapped. Raditz saw the look of terror in her eyes and suddenly seemed to realize that the girls were sincere. He waved a hand in front of his sister's face, but she didn't so much as blink. He stepped around behind her and shoved her as hard as he could. "Ow! Socha, why'd you push me?"
"I didn't touch you!"
Raditz laughed, and Meleina looked around. "Oh, this is so weird," she whined.
Raditz punched her back between the shoulders and she staggered. "Raditz, stop it!" she whimpered, close to tears. "It isn't funny, you're scaring me!"
Socha raised her arms and circled madly, trying to find Raditz. "Jeez, Meleina, your brother is really weird!" Raditz glared at her, then kicked her in the stomach. The Princess doubled over in pain, and Raditz started to laugh.
I can do whatever I want and nobody will ever know it's me! He thought happily. He kicked Meleina once more before running down the hall.
The second he was out of sight, Meleina and Socha grinned at each other. "He has no idea we fooled him!" Meleina giggled.
"Yeah, I know!" Socha agreed. "That was fun! Well, except when he kicked me."
"He didn't kick you too hard, did he?"
"No, it didn't hurt very much. It looked like he hit you pretty hard, though."
"I've had worse. Raditz has always been really weak." Meleina smiled viscously. "I wonder what kind of trouble he'll get into thinking he's invisible."
Socha laughed at the thought, and pretty soon bother girls were doubled over with giggles.
"I should think that the both of you would be wise not to stand in the middle of the hallway laughing." The girls looked up at Zarbon, who towered above them. "In fact, I might recommend that you two stay completely away from each other. After all, low-levels aren't allowed to fraternize with elites."
"Then how come you're talking to me?" Meleina asked with mock-innocence. Socha gave her a look of surprise, but Zarbon glared at her.
"Lord Frieza wants to speak with you."
Meleina felt brave enough from her joke on Raditz to say shortly, "He'd better not be telling me that I can't go with you anymore."
Zarbon smiled coldly. "I hope you tell him your sentiments exactly as you told me. I'd be more than happy to watch him kill you."
Meleina winked at Socha. "I just might do that. Tell him how I feel, that is."
"You welcome death," Zarbon told her plainly.
~*~
Meleina bowed shortly to Frieza. "My Lord, you wished to see me?"
"Recent.events.have led me to cancel your trip with Zarbon."
The elite smiled. "My Lord, I'm very pleased to hear this news."
"I'm not," Meleina growled. "I can fight well enough without my tail."
Frieza turned to her. "I have already spoken with Saiyan leaders. I know you cannot hope to fight with even half your usual energy."
Meleina shook her head. "You should have seen me this morning, sir."
"I have already heard."
"Lord Frieza, I want to go on this mission. I will not fail you or Zarbon. I know I can keep up with him, and that I won't drag this mission down. I'm ready now. I don't want to wait for my tail to grow back." There was a moment of silence, and she continued, "Sir, you called us here to fight for you, to discover the best. I am one of the best you have. Give me a chance to prove myself." She hesitated. "I'll make a deal with you. If I succeed in my mission, I'll take every other one you give me. If I fail, I'll be at your mercy." She raised an eyebrow. "Either way, you win."
Frieza contemplated her proposal for a moment, then nodded calmly. "When she fails, Zarbon, be certain to return her at her fullest energy. I want to have fun."
"I won't fail," Meleina said calmly. "I will never fail you."
"We shall see." Frieza turned away.
"Thank you, Lord Frieza," Meleina said softly. She turned and strode out.
On the way back to her room, she passed by her father's friend Taura. He glanced down at her, then quickly looked away, as if embarrassed to be caught staring. "What, Taura, afraid to look at me?" She smirked. "I lost my tail, not my life." She met his gaze. "And you can tell my father that. Oh, and tell him my mission is still on."
~*~
Meleina had finished packing the few belongings she had brought with her when Socha came into the room.
"I can't believe you're still going with Zarbon," the Princess said.
Meleina shrugged. "I won the privilege, didn't I?"
"Well.yes, but."
"But what?" Meleina asked sharply.
"You'll be killing an awful lot of people."
"So?" Meleina looked at Socha and shook her head. "You don't understand at all, do you? We're not like you, Princess. Us low-levels, we gotta fight to get any kind of recognition. And if killing people means that we get what we deserve, then fine. We'll kill people." Socha looked shocked.
"How can you say that? These are people we're talking about! Living, breathing, thinking beings!"
Meleina turned away. "I need this, Socha. This is my one shot, and I'm not going to let it pass me by."
"I.I.uh, I hate to interrupt." The girls turned to see Bardock standing in the doorway. He looked exhausted and embarrassed at the same time. "I was wondering if I could talk to Meleina."
"Sure," Socha chirruped happily, shooting a glare at Meleina.
"No," Meleina growled, turning her back to him. Socha raised an eyebrow, then gave a slight nod and left.
Bardock came in the room and sat down on the bed. "It's been fun, hasn't it? Staying here with the elites."
"If you say so."
There was a moment of awkward silence, then Bardock sighed. "I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning, Meleina. I.I had really wanted you to go on your mission. It wasn't just the chance for you; it was the chance for all of us. The low-levels as a whole. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, I know what you're saying. You're say that you wanted to use me to get you more honor."
"Well.yes." He put his hands on her shoulders and tried to turn her to face him, but she stood frozen. "Meleina, I really care about you, but it's time the low-levels earned some respect. We deserve it. We put up with so much.and I was so disappointed when you lost your tail. I was certain you weren't going to be able to go on your trip anymore."
"Oh, good, you talked to Taura."
Bardock pulled his daughter into a hug. "I'm sorry, Meleina. I truly am. But.you still have your chance." She turned to look up at him.
"Dad.do you know why Frieza let me go on this mission?" Bardock shook his head. "I.I made a deal with him. Either way, he wins. If I succeed.if he thinks I've succeeded.I live my life to serve him. If I fail."
Bardock took a deep breath. "If you fail, he kills you," he said flatly.
"Yes. Dad, I had to do it. I need this chance. I have to prove that I'm one of his best fighters." Bardock knelt down beside her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Dad.I.I." She flushed, and he smiled.
"I know, Meleina. I.love you too."
Bardock met his daughter's gaze and both smiled. "C'mon, Mel, you need to get back home."
She looked up at him, disappointed. "You're not coming?"
He ruffled her hair. "Not yet. I've got some stuff to do."
"Can I say goodbye to Socha before I go?"
Bardock stiffened slightly. "To who?"
"Socha! She's my new best friend. She's the princess," Meleina added shyly.
Bardock gripped her shoulder. "Don't let that get out, Meleina. Don't let that get out at all, or you'll be dead before you know what hits you."
Meleina smiled. "I know, Dad. You didn't raise any fools. Well, you did, but I'm not the fool."
He chuckled. "Right, Mel. I'll leave you and your friend alone."
Socha came back in shyly and smiled faintly. "I'm sorry I got mad."
"Me too," Meleina said.
"Look.I don't exactly have a lot of friends here.and I don't want you to go away and leave me alone forever. You're the best friend I've ever had."
"I promised Frieza," Meleina pointed out. "I kind of have to go."
"I know." Socha grinned.
"Wait a minute, I know that look. You got that look on your face when you suggested we make Raditz think he was invisible."
"Yeah, well, I got a good plan now, too. You're going to love this. I'm going to sneak onto Zarbon's transport and go with you!"
Meleina stared. "And I thought I was bravely stupid!" She grinned. "That would be so much fun, me and you fighting side by side."
"I said I was going with. I never said I was going to fight." Socha's voice had grown surprisingly cold.
"Oh, okay then.you don't have to fight. This is still going to be fun."
~*~
The week on Planet Vegeta crawled by slowly. To Meleina, it seemed that each morning came too slowly and each night even slower. She spent evenings staring up at the sky, wondering which star she would be traveling to. Finally, on her last day, she got a surprise. She was out in the front yard with several of the children from the area, playing with a few toys by herself. The others had positioned themselves as far away from her as possible when they realized she had lost most of her tail. She glanced up from the toys and saw a tall figure standing just outside the gate to her yard. "Dad!" she yelled, jumping up. He swung her up into his arms and hugged her.
"What, you didn't think I was really going to let you go off without saying goodbye, did you?"
"Yeah," she admitted, then laughed. "C'mon, Dad, let's go inside! I'll bet Mom's gonna be so happy to see you too!"
Bardock chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I'm not here for very long, Mel. I have to leave in about one minute, but I wanted to wish you luck. Not," he added, "That you need it." She smiled.
"I'll do just fine, Dad. Believe me."
"I know you will, Meleina. Make me proud."
She smiled, then hugged him again. "'Bye, Dad."
"Later, kid," he said with a wink, then set her down and took off.
She smiled again and waved until he was out of sight.
~*~
She was still overjoyed from Bardock's visit the next morning when she awoke. And to add to her excitement, it was finally the day she would leave with Zarbon. She went with her mother to meet him, and raced quickly aboard his transport.
"Wow, Zarbon, this ship is huge! It's way bigger than a Space Pod!"
Zarbon shook his head and sighed. As annoying as she was, one couldn't help but being touched by her enthusiasm. "That's because your Space Pods are built for one person. I should have made you take one so I could have some peace."
"Don't worry, I'll leave you alone. You won't be bothered by-" A loud bang interrupted her sentence.
"What the.?" Zarbon said aloud. Suddenly, and young Saiyan boy strode in, wearing some of Zarbon's clothes (which were way too big for him). Raditz laughed, then danced around.
"I'm invisible, I'm invisible, I'm invisible," he chortled. Meleina's jaw dropped in horror, but Zarbon looked furious.
"What do you mean you're invisible?" he demanded. "You're standing right in front of me!"
Raditz froze. "You can see me?"
"Of course I can see you! Now take off my clothes!"
Raditz looked to Meleina, who was frozen in her spot. "You can see me too?" She nodded slowly, still looking horrified. "I'm.not.invisible?"
"No, you're not invisible!"
Raditz uttered a slight groan and sank heavily to the ground. "I don't feel too good."
"You're going to feel even worse when I get through with you," Zarbon growled.
"No!" Meleina said loudly. "Oh, Zarbon, its all my fault.you can't be mad at him, you really can't.please, it was my fault!" She tugged his arm and he sighed.
"I just don't want to be stuck babysitting another low-level brat."
"You won't," Meleina said gratefully. "Thank you, Zarbon." She smiled warmly and hugged him.
He pushed her away and said curtly, "Oh, so you do know your manners." But he smiled as he said it.
~*~
Zarbon leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He had managed to shoo the children away and was extremely relieved by the silence.
Raditz wasn't so much a bother as Meleina. He was content to sit and listen to the elite, but Meleina kept up a running commentary and insisted on asking as many questions as possible.
He had a sudden sense that someone was watching him and his eyes snapped open. Meleina stood next to him. "Where's your brother?"
"He wanted to rest. I'm not tired, so I came back here."
Zarbon grimaced. "Wonderful."
"Are we almost there?" Zarbon saw in her barely concealed excitement and smiled.
"Almost." He pointed. "Do you see that planet there, right in front of us?"
"Oh.but it's so far away!"
"The time will pass quickly enough."
"I hope so."
Zarbon smiled at her again.
~*~
They landed on Ondwyn and stepped out of the transport. Meleina looked around excitedly, and Raditz stepped forward.
"No!" Zarbon said sharply. "This mission is for Meleina. You are here on accident. You will stay aboard the ship while Meleina and I take care of business."
Meleina smiled gently at Raditz. He growled angrily in reply and stormed back onto the ship. "He'll be okay here, won't he?"
"Yes. If we do our job quickly enough, there won't be even the sense of danger for him here." Zarbon looked around the planet. "These people are strong, but not strong enough. Let's go."
Meleina followed closely behind Zarbon. He began the attack with an energy blast, and Meleina followed suit. She kept up with the older warrior despite his being significantly stronger. He decimated most of the buildings, leaving the people for Meleina. She coldly fired blast after blast. One of the planet's males tried to attack her, but she brought him down easily enough.
"Papa!" Meleina froze. A little girl raced toward the man she had just killed and hugged him, sobbing loudly.
That could be me, Meleina thought. She shivered, and saw in her mind's eye herself, clutching her father's dead body. Meleina cried out in horror. She raced over to the little girl, knowing she had to help her or the child would face the same fate as her father. Suddenly, a tall figured plucked the little girl from the ground and snapped her neck.
"If you continue as you were, I'll forget your moment of weakness." Meleina closed her eyes and gasped for breath.
"I.I can't."
Zarbon gave her a cold look. "Get back to the ship."
Meleina squeaked in terror and hurried back. Inside the ship, Raditz was staring at a young Saiyan girl who stood blocking the doorway.
"Socha!" Meleina smiled faintly at her friend. "I'm glad you made it. Really glad."
"Are you finished already?" Raditz demanded. Both girls ignored him.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was to sneak on?"
"Zarbon's going to be really angry," Meleina remarked. Her face fell. "He's already pretty mad."
"Why?" Raditz demanded. Meleina gave him a dirty look.
"C'mon, Socha," she said, dragging the princess out of the room and into another.
"Why's Zarbon mad at you?"
Meleina winced. "I.well."
"You refused to kill?" Socha asked hopefully.
"No.not exactly." Meleina sighed. "I lost it. I.I saw this little girl hugging her dad.I had just killed him.and suddenly it was me and my dad.I couldn't keep fighting," she finished sadly.
Socha hugged her friend. "It'll be okay."
"No, Socha. No, it won't be okay."
"Yeah it will. I'll make sure it turns out okay. I'm the princess, remember?"
"Socha, I made a deal with Frieza. I gave him my word- my promise. I can't take that back."
"What kind of a deal did you make?"
"If I succeeded my mission, I would keep taking more. If I failed.he would kill me." Meleina met Socha's gaze. "I failed horribly, Socha. I ran from the fight. What a coward I am."
"You aren't!" Socha exclaimed.
"Listen to the princess." Both girls turned to look at Zarbon. "As disappointed as I am, I'm also very pleased. Lord Frieza will be pleased as well."
"Why aren't I in trouble?"
"It was your first mission. Every warrior has trouble with his or her first. Before you froze, Meleina, you demonstrated incredible skill."
Meleina grinned. "That's good to hear."
"I'll suggest to Lord Frieza that you receive some elite training. I doubt you'll receive it, but you're far better than other low-levels."
"Thank you, sir." Socha sighed softly in relief.
"You, Princess, are the one in trouble."
"Oh, Zarbon!" Meleina said. "She wanted to watch! You can't punish her- just like you can't punish Raditz." She tugged his arm. Please?"
The warrior looked down into her hopeful eyes and sighed. "Okay, okay. Now.run off and play.or something like that."
Meleina grinned broadly. "You're the best, Zarbon!" and she hugged him.
~*~
"Lord Frieza," Zarbon said calmly, once again on Frieza's ship. The familiar surrounding comforted Zarbon, though he knew he shouldn't get too comfortable. Frieza was not going to take this news lightly, and he was going to have to fight for Meleina's case. He was surprised at the thought, but smiled inwardly. I'm getting soft. The thought didn't bother him when connected to Meleina; however- perhaps this surprised him even more.
"Well, well. I suppose she failed her mission?"
"Not exactly, sire." Zarbon took a deep breath. "She demonstrated incredible skill, considering the strikes against her- a low-level child without a tail."
"I understand her difficulties, Zarbon. How did she fail?"
"My Lord, she froze up during the battle."
"Why?"
"I.I believe it was because of her father."
"Her father."
"Yes, Lord Frieza. She is very close to her father."
"What happened that she thought of her father?"
"She killed a man and his daughter ran up to him. Undoubtedly, she pictured herself and her father in that same position."
"Her father is her weakness. Stamp it out of her, Zarbon."
"Yes, Lord Frieza." He hesitated. "She is to be kept alive, then?"
"Certainly, Zarbon. I want you to personally train her further. Make her the best warrior possible. Do get her some new armor, I never want to see that low-level scrap she wears on her again. Oh, and Zarbon? If she freezes or turns against you, don't hesitate- kill her immediately."
"Yes, Lord Frieza."
The door burst open and one of the other elites- Zarbon couldn't remember his name- rushed in. "Lord Frieza!"
"Can't you see that I'm busy?"
"Yes, Lord Frieza, but King Vegeta-"
Frieza turned. "What about him?"
"He wishes to announce the birth of Prince Vegeta, sire."
Zarbon looked surprised. "Another royal Saiyan?"
"I will meet with him and his son."
"Sire, they've gone to Recovery. Apparently the Prince fell ill-"
"Then send in the King."
"Yes, my Lord."
There was a moment of silence between Zarbon and Frieza, then the door opened and King Vegeta walked in.
"Good day, Lord Frieza. I have excellent news-"
"A male heir. This is indeed good news."
"I want him to begin his training immediately. Unfortunately, he fell mildly ill, and I didn't want to infect you."
"My health is hardly your concern, Vegeta. I am very eager to see your son, and am feeling generous today. I will go to see him."
~*~
Socha beat Frieza to Recovery. When he arrived with his entourage, she was holding the tiny Prince tightly in her arms. She saw her father and pulled Vegeta closer to her, glaring at him.
"Put him down," King Vegeta said sharply.
Socha opened her mouth to reply but was cut off my Meleina walking in.
"Is that him?" Meleina blurted. She raced up to Socha and both girls grinned. "Boy, he's awfully cute, isn't he?"
"Excuse me?" the King snapped shortly.
"But he's so little!" Meleina remarked. The King snarled and grabbed her arm.
"Show some respect for your Prince, you little wretch!" Meleina's jaw dropped. "Since when have you low-levels gotten so stupid?" He slapped Meleina hard across the face and she fell to her knees. Oh, nothing had ever hurt so hard as his slap! Tears stung her eyes, but she forced them away and stood up slowly. King Vegeta glared at her coldly, but she stared at him defiantly. He raised his hand again, but Prince Vegeta stopped the fight by screaming. Socha handed him to her father, and she and Meleina hurried off.
Meleina put a hand to her face and winced. "Wow, that really hurt."
Socha looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Your brother sure is useful to have around."
Socha giggled. "Isn't he sweet?"
"Uh-huh, but I still think he's really tiny."
"That's okay. Just be careful to keep away from Dad from now on, he doesn't forgive quickly."
"Not a problem. I'm glad my dad doesn't hit my friends like that." A sudden thought struck Meleina. "You didn't know you were going to have a brother, did you?"
"No, why?"
"I was just thinking that you said if you ever had a brother, you hoped he wouldn't be as mean as Raditz."
Socha nodded. "I hope Vegeta turns out to be nice. I couldn't stand it if he became a killer."
Author's Note: This one's bit longer, but I'm definitely not done yet. There's still more to come!
Ten years later
The chamber was dark- pitch black, except for the small energy blasts twins Meleina and Raditz threw at each other. They were fighting for the recognition of Frieza, the leader all Saiyans answered to. He had hosted a fighting tournament for the low-levels, wanting to judge the strength of these Saiyans. There were three rounds left in the tournament, and Meleina was confident that if she beat her brother she would make the finals. And, she knew, judging from the other low levels, she would most likely end up fighting Bardock, her father. That was a fight she knew she would lose. Her power was nowhere near as strong as her father's was- yet. But a loss would still place her as second strongest low-level, and the strongest low- level child.
Raditz lunged suddenly at her. She vanished, then reappeared behind him, punching him hard in the back. He stumbled, and Meleina hit him again. He fell, and she paused to let him regain his footing. He tried to punch her, but she easily caught his hand in hers and twisted his arm. Time to show off, she thought, then fired several energy blasts, knocking her brother unconscious. The lights returned and she blinked in the fierce light. Several medical officers came to take Raditz to Recovery. Meleina stepped out of the chamber and lightly tossed her head, her waist-length hair flowing down her back. In the observation room, Frieza, his henchmen, and many of the low-level Saiyans stared at her. She saw her father and made her way to him, ignoring everyone else. Bardock smiled at her icily, but she noticed a tinge of pride in his voice when he said, "That's my daughter."
"And wasn't it your son who was beaten?" Zarbon asked in his calm voice.
Bardock turned slightly. "Obviously, he is the weaker of the two."
"Obviously," Meleina growled, climbing onto the ledge so she could watch the following fight.
It felt to the young Saiyan forever before her father was called for his fight. She bounced with her childlike energy and grinned at her father's friends.
"Dad's gonna win," Meleina remarked, leaning closer to the window.
"He sure is," Taura agreed, putting a hand on her back. "Be careful, you don't want to fall," he warned. She smiled warmly at him.
"Don't worry, I won't." A loud yell drew her attention back to the chamber, and she smiled to see her dad beating his opponent into the wall. "Go Dad!" she said loudly, drawing a slight chuckle from the Saiyans. She was brave enough to cast a glance in Frieza's direction, and quickly turned away when he noticed her. She watched the fight for a few seconds, then turned again to Frieza. He looked at her, but instead of turning away this time, she met his gaze and held it for several seconds before acknowledging him with a brief nod before quickly returning her gaze to the chamber. The medical officers were dragging her father's opponent out.
"Hey, what'd I miss?" she pouted.
"Bardock won," Taura replied.
"I figured that much." She grinned. "Yay, I get to fight my dad."
"I don't see why you're so excited," Taura said. "You should be scared. I would be."
"That's because I'm strong." Taura dug his fingers into her back, causing her to yelp loudly.
"Quiet!" Frieza hissed. He glared at Meleina. "Go, fight your father."
"Y-yes sir," she squeaked, halfway between scared and pleased that Frieza had spoken to her. She ran into the chamber and smiled broadly at Bardock.
"Oh, he's making you fight? Hardly worth it," Bardock sneered. Meleina glared at him. "You might as well give up before you even bother starting, kid."
"Yeah, right, Bardock," she growled, bending into a crouch.
"I'm terrified," her father said with a cold chuckle. Meleina lunged at his legs, then quickly realized her mistake. Her height was her disadvantage; she could never hope to attack him and have it make any difference. She should have let him make the first move. Bardock allowed her to grab his legs, but he brought a hand down on her head. She staggered, dizzy from the blow, unprepared for the rest of the punches her father threw. She managed to shield her head, but quickly lost the battle as Bardock threw punch after punch. Finally, he threw her to the floor. She lay there, gasping for breath, pain filling her, knowing her mistake had cost her the match. She felt the hands of the medical officers pulling her to her feet to drag her out, but she hit them away. If she was going to lose, she was going to leave her own way. She followed the medical officers to recovery but refused a tank. "I'll heal myself," she growled.
"I don't think-" The medical officer broke off as the door opened and one of Frieza's top henchmen, Zarbon, stepped through. He gazed down at Meleina.
"Lord Frieza wants to see you." Meleina's heart skipped a beat- though whether from fear or joy she didn't know- but she forced herself to remain calm.
"Why?" she asked in a cool tone.
"It is not your place to question Lord Frieza's orders," Zarbon replied.
"Fine, I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to see my brother first."
"Lord Frieza wants to see you now."
"And I want-"
"I wouldn't question Frieza," Bardock growled, walking in the room. "Your brother will be fine." Meleina glared at him. "One moment please," Bardock said to Zarbon. He bent down next to Meleina. "I know you're worried about your brother, but he'll be fine. You, on the other hand, won't be if you decide to make Frieza follow your schedule. He runs things his own way, and he will not be patient with a Saiyan- especially not a low- level child." Meleina gritted her teeth at the words "low-level child." Those were the words she hated hearing most. She knew she was strong- stronger than most of the elite children, but she needed a chance to prove it. Bardock smiled knowingly and patted her on the head. "Don't worry, your time will come, child." Meleina smiled faintly.
I'm still not going to let that lizard-like freak tell me exactly what to do, she thought darkly. "Fine. Tell Raditz I'll see him when I'm done." She didn't wait for Bardock to reply; instead, she turned to Zarbon. "I'm afraid I'm feeling rather weak from my last fight." Bardock stiffened slightly, as if afraid he'd truly hurt his child. "I'm not sure I'm up to walking all the way-"
"What are you saying?" Zarbon demanded testily.
"Oh.well.you could carry me."
"Out of the question."
"Or you could tell Frieza to wait until I've completely healed, or tell him to come to me so I don't collapse." Zarbon gave her a cold look.
"Are you stupid or merely insane?" he demanded. "Frieza does what he pleases, he does not take orders from a low-level child."
"Well, then I'm afraid you're going to have to carry me."
Zarbon glared at her. He almost said no, but then realized he would rather not face Frieza's wrath if the child fainted. He picked up the girl and glared down at her head, and saw in the reflection on one of the tanks that Meleina had winked at her father.
He carried her to Frieza, then set her down roughly. She smiled sweetly at him, but he knew that her smile was falsely innocent. She strode forward broadly, showing very little sign of physical weakness, and bowed to Frieza. "My Lord."
Zarbon took his place next to Frieza, on the opposite side of Dodoria.
"You kept Lord Frieza waiting," Dodoria snapped.
"Perhaps if Lord Frieza had allowed a little more time for my strength to return I would not have kept him waiting."
"You-" Dodoria began, enraged that a low-level child had dared to speak to him like this.
"Enough," Frieza said calmly. He looked at Meleina, and the child stared him straight in the eye. "You're rather fearless, child."
Meleina smiled coldly. "Isn't that the way a warrior is supposed to be?"
"You have quite the mouth," Dodoria snarled.
Meleina shrugged. "Blame those who raised me."
"Silence, Dodoria, the child makes a good point. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Meleina."
"And you are the child of low-levels." It was more a statement than a question, and Meleina fought to keep the frown off her face.
"Yes."
"Curious. Most curious. I have never seen a low-level with power like yours."
Meleina felt as if ice had settled in her stomach. "Thank you, sir." Zarbon and Dodoria noticed her cautious tone and exchanged smiles.
"I could use a good warrior like you," Frieza said slowly.
"But she's just a kid!" Dodoria protested.
"Indeed." Frieza studied Meleina. "Perhaps when you are older."
"I'm ready now," Meleina snapped.
"Good. That is precisely what I wanted to hear. Zarbon, give the child a mission."
"Lord Frieza, you can't be serious."
"I am, Zarbon. Give her a mission- no, wait. Perhaps you are right. Since you believe her to be weak, take her on your next mission. I'm sure you won't fail to teach her something new."
Zarbon glared down at Meleina. "Sire, I'm not going on any missions for the next week-"
"She can wait a week."
Meleina smiled at Zarbon. "There's no getting out of this, is there, Zarbon?" He scowled in reply.
~*~
Meleina raced down to Recovery and burst in just as Raditz finished dressing. "Hey, you woke up!"
Her brother glared at her. "I can't believe you beat me up."
"That was the point, wasn't it?"
"The point was to let me win. The males need honor more than you females do; you're just here to make babies. Now everybody's going to laugh because I was beaten by a girl- and my own little sister!"
Meleina gave him a dirty look. "Well fine, if that's the way you feel."
"It is."
The twins glared at each other until the door opened and Bardock stepped in.
"Oh, good, you're awake." He smiled. "You put up a good fight-"
"But I'm no match for your favorite kid," Raditz growled.
Bardock shrugged. "You said it, not me."
Raditz snarled and stormed out of Recovery.
"What's his problem?" Meleina asked.
"He's just sore about losing to you." Bardock scooped his daughter into his arms. "So, I heard the good news."
"What good news?"
"That you're going to be traveling with Zarbon."
Meleina smiled mischievously. "You call that good?"
He smirked. "Behave yourself. C'mon, what'd you say we celebrate?"
"Yeah!"
"How about.mmm.some sweets?"
Meleina's eyes widened. "But.those are expensive!"
"You deserve expensive today."
"Well, okay then!" She knew how rare it was for low-level Saiyans to eat sweets. They were extremely expensive, and low-levels rarely had enough money for them. She had never eaten them before, but a few of her friends said sweets were the most delicious things in the universe.
Bardock bought her five pieces and spent most of the money he possessed. She popped the first piece in her mouth and gasped.
"Wow!" she blurted. Bardock smiled, and Meleina offered him a piece.
"Oh, no, that's for you. You won it."
"You beat me, you deserve a piece!"
"Well.if you insist."
Meleina looked down at the three remaining pieces in her hand, then gave one to her father and ate one herself. She calmly pocketed the final piece, and Bardock looked blank.
"Saving it for later?"
"No, I'm going to give it to Raditz."
"He won't be too happy that you got sweets."
"Oh well."
~*~
As Bardock had predicted, Raditz was not at all happy, but he accepted her gift. As Meleina settled down to sleep, her father's words flitted through her mind. "I heard the good news." Meleina smiled as she fell asleep. She, a low-level child, was going on an elite mission.
~*~
It was the dead of night. All beings aboard Frieza's vessel slept- all, that is, except for Raditz. He was brooding over the day's events late into the night.
How dare she beat me so ruthlessly. How dare she try to make it better by giving me sweets? Raditz growled angrily and clenched his fist. Now she was going on a mission with the elites.Raditz curled his lip. She didn't deserve it. He was the one who should go. He was the better fighter.
Inspiration struck him and he smiled coldly. Yes, he knew how to ensure that she wouldn't go.
He crept into her room quietly and slowly pulled the covers away from her body. He brought up the knife he had hidden and calmly sliced off her tail. She jerked in her sleep, but didn't wake. Raditz chuckled. He couldn't wait to see her face when she realized her tail was gone- and without it, she would never be able to beat him up. Raditz grinned.
~*~
The next morning, half of Frieza's ship awoke to a bloodcurdling scream. Raditz blinked tiredly before remembering the night before. He chuckled and raced quickly toward Meleina's room, where a large crowd had already gathered. He shoved his way through the people and saw Bardock, staring at Meleina in shock. She was ranting around her already demolished room- with the barest stub of a tail. Several Saiyans were murmuring about her significantly lowered energy level, while others could only stare. Raditz forced his face into a blank look, then asked his father's friend Taura, "What happened?"
"Somebody cut off her tail," Taura whispered back.
"Gee, that's terrible!"
"Everybody's thinking Zarbon did it, because she's supposed to go with him on his next mission."
Raditz watched with pleasure as his sister finally calmed down and sat on the edge of her bed in tears. He strode in as Bardock walked out, his face an icy mask, without speaking to Meleina. Upon seeing Bardock leave, the other Saiyans followed.
Meleina looked up into Raditz's eyes and sighed. "I feel so sick," she muttered to him, her voice filled with hopelessness. Raditz nodded for her to continue. "It.it's weird. Everybody says that when you lose your tail, you feel really weak. You are really weak. Even Father thinks I'm weak now." She turned. "But I don't feel weak, Raditz. I feel.I feel stronger than I was before."
"How is that possible?"
"Because I'm filled with hate, Raditz. I hate the fool who did this to me."
"Zarbon?"
She looked at him, surprised. "It's not his style. No, this was the work of a jealous low-level." She looked at the floor. "Hey, looks like the culprit left something behind." She bent over to pick it up and Raditz's heart froze. It was the sweet she had given him! "Hey." She frowned, then suddenly her eyes lit up with comprehension. "You did it!"
No point denying it, Raditz thought. "Yes, it was me. You weren't supposed to win that battle, little sister, but you did. Well, now you can't beat me. And I'll warn you now: if your tail grows back, I'll cut it off again."
Meleina snarled and lunged at him. "You're going to pay!" she roared. She punched him in the stomach, in the face, pounded his back until he was unconscious. Meleina drew in a deep breath, rage still filling her.
"For a low-level without a tail, you certainly are strong." Meleina spun, raising her arms in preparation for another fight. "I'm not gonna attack you," the newcomer said, surprised.
"Who are you?" Meleina demanded, taking in the other young girl's bright robes and tall stance. She also noted that there was something that bothered her about the girl's appearance, but she couldn't quite place it.
"My name's Socha."
"Why does that sound familiar?" Meleina asked aloud. Socha didn't answer, and Meleina grew even angrier. "Get out of here, can't you see I'm upset? I just lost my tail, for crying out loud!" Meleina threw a pillow at Socha, but in her anger she missed and hit Raditz. He awoke and staggered from the room, clutching his stomach.
"Did he do it?" Socha asked.
Meleina gave her a dirty look. "Yeah, he did, okay?"
"Isn't he your brother?"
"Yeah, he is," she replied angrily.
"I hope if I ever have a brother that he's not so selfish and mean!"
Meleina spun around and raised her fist to Socha. "Don't you dare talk about my brother that way." Socha looked surprised and backed up a step. "I'm the only one who's allowed to do that, got it?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, but it was a mean thing, to cut off your tail."
Meleina's blood began to boil at the thought of what Raditz did. She was about to scream when Dodoria towered in the doorway.
"There you are, you little brat!" he snorted at Socha. "King Vegeta doesn't want his daughter running around the ship alone with so many low- level Saiyans here." Meleina's jaw dropped.
Socha's friendly expression quickly changed to a sneer. "So, Dodoria, I guess you were the only one my father could sucker into babysitting me?" He spit at the comment. "Bye, Meleina," Socha said shortly.
Meleina stood there watching Socha being hauled off by Dodoria, still shocked to realize that the princess of all Saiyans had been talking to her.
~*~
That night, when she knew no one was around, Meleina sobbed into her pillow. She had never faced so great a disappointment- she had been going on an elite mission, and suddenly she knew that was going to be taken away from her with the loss of her tail. A note dropped onto her head. By the time she reacted, the person who had dropped it was gone. She sniffed, then opened the letter.
It read:
Sorry I had to leave so abruptly, and sorry about your tail. If you want to get back at Raditz, I'm up for some fun. Meet me in the lower deck at 5:00 am.
-Socha
The letter had the royal seal in the upper right corner.
Meleina stared at the letter, unable to sleep. Was this another way for Raditz to get revenge on her? Was he trying to get her in trouble? She managed to convince herself that the letter had to be from the true Saiyan Princess, or else Dodoria wouldn't have been involved.
~*~
5:00 am rolled around. Meleina waited in the lower deck. I'm such a fool! There's nobody coming, she thought. Just then a voice came from behind her. "Sorry I'm late. Dodoria was harder to ditch than most of the babysitters my father gets!"
Meleina stared. "You're really the princess?"
Socha grinned sheepishly. "Yep."
"Wow."
"You and your brother go back to Vegeta tomorrow, right?" Socha asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, then we'll have to act quick. What do you say?"
"I say you lure him into the battle arena and I'll beat him up!"
Socha raised an eyebrow at her. "How about we trick him instead?"
"Have it your way," Meleina snapped.
Socha ignored her. "I have a really great plan." She leaned close and whispered in Meleina's ear.
"That's an awesome idea!" she said with a laugh.
Socha smiled. "Shall we?"
"Definitely!" Meleina grinned, and Socha laughed broadly, spreading her hands out. In that second, Meleina suddenly caught sight of what had bothered her about Socha earlier: the tail! "Hey, what's wrong with your tail?" she demanded, her eyes widening. Socha's tail was thicker than a normal Saiyan tail, and instead of the hairy brown one Meleina had expected, Socha's tail was green, hard, and scaly.
Socha blinked in surprise, then shrugged. "It's always been like that." She uncurled it from around her waist. "Cool, huh?"
Meleina raised an eyebrow. "If you say so. Can you still transform at the full moon?"
"Yeah, but I don't change into an Oozaru, I change into a dragon. See, I've got a special tail. Dad says that tails like this pop up in the royal family every once in a while, but it's really rare. According to his servants, the last royal Saiyan to have a tail like this lived about a thousand years ago. Dad would have had me killed, but my tail stopped him. It's supposed to make me more powerful, or something like that."
"Why would he have killed you?"
Socha met her gaze bravely. "I was sent to a planet called Loki, and I refused to kill the people there."
"You're really weird," Meleina remarked, shaking her head in mild disgust. Why would somebody not want to kill? "Not, of course, that I'm complaining. I mean," she waved her own tail slightly, "I'm weird now, too."
Socha smiled broadly. "We can be two best friend weirdoes!"
~*~
Meleina and Socha were walking down the hall together, talking in hushed voices when they passed by Raditz. Unlike Meleina, Raditz instantly recognized the Saiyan Princess and gasped. "Meleina, you can't talk to her, you'll get in so much trouble!"
Meleina and Socha stopped walking and looked around them. "Raditz?" Meleina asked, confusion filling her voice. "Where are you?"
He poked her shoulder. "I'm right in front of you, stupid."
She put a hand to her shoulder and her eyes widened. "No you're not, I can't see you!"
Socha looked around wildly. "Meleina, what's going on here?"
"I.I don't know!" The girls exchanged terrified looks. "I can hear my brother, but I can't see him!"
Raditz jumped up and down in front of the girls. "I'm right here, right in front of you!" he bellowed.
"No you're not!" Socha said loudly.
"You're looking right at me."
"If I'm looking right at you, how come I can't see you?"
"Raditz, cut it out, this isn't funny," Meleina snapped. Raditz saw the look of terror in her eyes and suddenly seemed to realize that the girls were sincere. He waved a hand in front of his sister's face, but she didn't so much as blink. He stepped around behind her and shoved her as hard as he could. "Ow! Socha, why'd you push me?"
"I didn't touch you!"
Raditz laughed, and Meleina looked around. "Oh, this is so weird," she whined.
Raditz punched her back between the shoulders and she staggered. "Raditz, stop it!" she whimpered, close to tears. "It isn't funny, you're scaring me!"
Socha raised her arms and circled madly, trying to find Raditz. "Jeez, Meleina, your brother is really weird!" Raditz glared at her, then kicked her in the stomach. The Princess doubled over in pain, and Raditz started to laugh.
I can do whatever I want and nobody will ever know it's me! He thought happily. He kicked Meleina once more before running down the hall.
The second he was out of sight, Meleina and Socha grinned at each other. "He has no idea we fooled him!" Meleina giggled.
"Yeah, I know!" Socha agreed. "That was fun! Well, except when he kicked me."
"He didn't kick you too hard, did he?"
"No, it didn't hurt very much. It looked like he hit you pretty hard, though."
"I've had worse. Raditz has always been really weak." Meleina smiled viscously. "I wonder what kind of trouble he'll get into thinking he's invisible."
Socha laughed at the thought, and pretty soon bother girls were doubled over with giggles.
"I should think that the both of you would be wise not to stand in the middle of the hallway laughing." The girls looked up at Zarbon, who towered above them. "In fact, I might recommend that you two stay completely away from each other. After all, low-levels aren't allowed to fraternize with elites."
"Then how come you're talking to me?" Meleina asked with mock-innocence. Socha gave her a look of surprise, but Zarbon glared at her.
"Lord Frieza wants to speak with you."
Meleina felt brave enough from her joke on Raditz to say shortly, "He'd better not be telling me that I can't go with you anymore."
Zarbon smiled coldly. "I hope you tell him your sentiments exactly as you told me. I'd be more than happy to watch him kill you."
Meleina winked at Socha. "I just might do that. Tell him how I feel, that is."
"You welcome death," Zarbon told her plainly.
~*~
Meleina bowed shortly to Frieza. "My Lord, you wished to see me?"
"Recent.events.have led me to cancel your trip with Zarbon."
The elite smiled. "My Lord, I'm very pleased to hear this news."
"I'm not," Meleina growled. "I can fight well enough without my tail."
Frieza turned to her. "I have already spoken with Saiyan leaders. I know you cannot hope to fight with even half your usual energy."
Meleina shook her head. "You should have seen me this morning, sir."
"I have already heard."
"Lord Frieza, I want to go on this mission. I will not fail you or Zarbon. I know I can keep up with him, and that I won't drag this mission down. I'm ready now. I don't want to wait for my tail to grow back." There was a moment of silence, and she continued, "Sir, you called us here to fight for you, to discover the best. I am one of the best you have. Give me a chance to prove myself." She hesitated. "I'll make a deal with you. If I succeed in my mission, I'll take every other one you give me. If I fail, I'll be at your mercy." She raised an eyebrow. "Either way, you win."
Frieza contemplated her proposal for a moment, then nodded calmly. "When she fails, Zarbon, be certain to return her at her fullest energy. I want to have fun."
"I won't fail," Meleina said calmly. "I will never fail you."
"We shall see." Frieza turned away.
"Thank you, Lord Frieza," Meleina said softly. She turned and strode out.
On the way back to her room, she passed by her father's friend Taura. He glanced down at her, then quickly looked away, as if embarrassed to be caught staring. "What, Taura, afraid to look at me?" She smirked. "I lost my tail, not my life." She met his gaze. "And you can tell my father that. Oh, and tell him my mission is still on."
~*~
Meleina had finished packing the few belongings she had brought with her when Socha came into the room.
"I can't believe you're still going with Zarbon," the Princess said.
Meleina shrugged. "I won the privilege, didn't I?"
"Well.yes, but."
"But what?" Meleina asked sharply.
"You'll be killing an awful lot of people."
"So?" Meleina looked at Socha and shook her head. "You don't understand at all, do you? We're not like you, Princess. Us low-levels, we gotta fight to get any kind of recognition. And if killing people means that we get what we deserve, then fine. We'll kill people." Socha looked shocked.
"How can you say that? These are people we're talking about! Living, breathing, thinking beings!"
Meleina turned away. "I need this, Socha. This is my one shot, and I'm not going to let it pass me by."
"I.I.uh, I hate to interrupt." The girls turned to see Bardock standing in the doorway. He looked exhausted and embarrassed at the same time. "I was wondering if I could talk to Meleina."
"Sure," Socha chirruped happily, shooting a glare at Meleina.
"No," Meleina growled, turning her back to him. Socha raised an eyebrow, then gave a slight nod and left.
Bardock came in the room and sat down on the bed. "It's been fun, hasn't it? Staying here with the elites."
"If you say so."
There was a moment of awkward silence, then Bardock sighed. "I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning, Meleina. I.I had really wanted you to go on your mission. It wasn't just the chance for you; it was the chance for all of us. The low-levels as a whole. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, I know what you're saying. You're say that you wanted to use me to get you more honor."
"Well.yes." He put his hands on her shoulders and tried to turn her to face him, but she stood frozen. "Meleina, I really care about you, but it's time the low-levels earned some respect. We deserve it. We put up with so much.and I was so disappointed when you lost your tail. I was certain you weren't going to be able to go on your trip anymore."
"Oh, good, you talked to Taura."
Bardock pulled his daughter into a hug. "I'm sorry, Meleina. I truly am. But.you still have your chance." She turned to look up at him.
"Dad.do you know why Frieza let me go on this mission?" Bardock shook his head. "I.I made a deal with him. Either way, he wins. If I succeed.if he thinks I've succeeded.I live my life to serve him. If I fail."
Bardock took a deep breath. "If you fail, he kills you," he said flatly.
"Yes. Dad, I had to do it. I need this chance. I have to prove that I'm one of his best fighters." Bardock knelt down beside her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Dad.I.I." She flushed, and he smiled.
"I know, Meleina. I.love you too."
Bardock met his daughter's gaze and both smiled. "C'mon, Mel, you need to get back home."
She looked up at him, disappointed. "You're not coming?"
He ruffled her hair. "Not yet. I've got some stuff to do."
"Can I say goodbye to Socha before I go?"
Bardock stiffened slightly. "To who?"
"Socha! She's my new best friend. She's the princess," Meleina added shyly.
Bardock gripped her shoulder. "Don't let that get out, Meleina. Don't let that get out at all, or you'll be dead before you know what hits you."
Meleina smiled. "I know, Dad. You didn't raise any fools. Well, you did, but I'm not the fool."
He chuckled. "Right, Mel. I'll leave you and your friend alone."
Socha came back in shyly and smiled faintly. "I'm sorry I got mad."
"Me too," Meleina said.
"Look.I don't exactly have a lot of friends here.and I don't want you to go away and leave me alone forever. You're the best friend I've ever had."
"I promised Frieza," Meleina pointed out. "I kind of have to go."
"I know." Socha grinned.
"Wait a minute, I know that look. You got that look on your face when you suggested we make Raditz think he was invisible."
"Yeah, well, I got a good plan now, too. You're going to love this. I'm going to sneak onto Zarbon's transport and go with you!"
Meleina stared. "And I thought I was bravely stupid!" She grinned. "That would be so much fun, me and you fighting side by side."
"I said I was going with. I never said I was going to fight." Socha's voice had grown surprisingly cold.
"Oh, okay then.you don't have to fight. This is still going to be fun."
~*~
The week on Planet Vegeta crawled by slowly. To Meleina, it seemed that each morning came too slowly and each night even slower. She spent evenings staring up at the sky, wondering which star she would be traveling to. Finally, on her last day, she got a surprise. She was out in the front yard with several of the children from the area, playing with a few toys by herself. The others had positioned themselves as far away from her as possible when they realized she had lost most of her tail. She glanced up from the toys and saw a tall figure standing just outside the gate to her yard. "Dad!" she yelled, jumping up. He swung her up into his arms and hugged her.
"What, you didn't think I was really going to let you go off without saying goodbye, did you?"
"Yeah," she admitted, then laughed. "C'mon, Dad, let's go inside! I'll bet Mom's gonna be so happy to see you too!"
Bardock chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I'm not here for very long, Mel. I have to leave in about one minute, but I wanted to wish you luck. Not," he added, "That you need it." She smiled.
"I'll do just fine, Dad. Believe me."
"I know you will, Meleina. Make me proud."
She smiled, then hugged him again. "'Bye, Dad."
"Later, kid," he said with a wink, then set her down and took off.
She smiled again and waved until he was out of sight.
~*~
She was still overjoyed from Bardock's visit the next morning when she awoke. And to add to her excitement, it was finally the day she would leave with Zarbon. She went with her mother to meet him, and raced quickly aboard his transport.
"Wow, Zarbon, this ship is huge! It's way bigger than a Space Pod!"
Zarbon shook his head and sighed. As annoying as she was, one couldn't help but being touched by her enthusiasm. "That's because your Space Pods are built for one person. I should have made you take one so I could have some peace."
"Don't worry, I'll leave you alone. You won't be bothered by-" A loud bang interrupted her sentence.
"What the.?" Zarbon said aloud. Suddenly, and young Saiyan boy strode in, wearing some of Zarbon's clothes (which were way too big for him). Raditz laughed, then danced around.
"I'm invisible, I'm invisible, I'm invisible," he chortled. Meleina's jaw dropped in horror, but Zarbon looked furious.
"What do you mean you're invisible?" he demanded. "You're standing right in front of me!"
Raditz froze. "You can see me?"
"Of course I can see you! Now take off my clothes!"
Raditz looked to Meleina, who was frozen in her spot. "You can see me too?" She nodded slowly, still looking horrified. "I'm.not.invisible?"
"No, you're not invisible!"
Raditz uttered a slight groan and sank heavily to the ground. "I don't feel too good."
"You're going to feel even worse when I get through with you," Zarbon growled.
"No!" Meleina said loudly. "Oh, Zarbon, its all my fault.you can't be mad at him, you really can't.please, it was my fault!" She tugged his arm and he sighed.
"I just don't want to be stuck babysitting another low-level brat."
"You won't," Meleina said gratefully. "Thank you, Zarbon." She smiled warmly and hugged him.
He pushed her away and said curtly, "Oh, so you do know your manners." But he smiled as he said it.
~*~
Zarbon leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He had managed to shoo the children away and was extremely relieved by the silence.
Raditz wasn't so much a bother as Meleina. He was content to sit and listen to the elite, but Meleina kept up a running commentary and insisted on asking as many questions as possible.
He had a sudden sense that someone was watching him and his eyes snapped open. Meleina stood next to him. "Where's your brother?"
"He wanted to rest. I'm not tired, so I came back here."
Zarbon grimaced. "Wonderful."
"Are we almost there?" Zarbon saw in her barely concealed excitement and smiled.
"Almost." He pointed. "Do you see that planet there, right in front of us?"
"Oh.but it's so far away!"
"The time will pass quickly enough."
"I hope so."
Zarbon smiled at her again.
~*~
They landed on Ondwyn and stepped out of the transport. Meleina looked around excitedly, and Raditz stepped forward.
"No!" Zarbon said sharply. "This mission is for Meleina. You are here on accident. You will stay aboard the ship while Meleina and I take care of business."
Meleina smiled gently at Raditz. He growled angrily in reply and stormed back onto the ship. "He'll be okay here, won't he?"
"Yes. If we do our job quickly enough, there won't be even the sense of danger for him here." Zarbon looked around the planet. "These people are strong, but not strong enough. Let's go."
Meleina followed closely behind Zarbon. He began the attack with an energy blast, and Meleina followed suit. She kept up with the older warrior despite his being significantly stronger. He decimated most of the buildings, leaving the people for Meleina. She coldly fired blast after blast. One of the planet's males tried to attack her, but she brought him down easily enough.
"Papa!" Meleina froze. A little girl raced toward the man she had just killed and hugged him, sobbing loudly.
That could be me, Meleina thought. She shivered, and saw in her mind's eye herself, clutching her father's dead body. Meleina cried out in horror. She raced over to the little girl, knowing she had to help her or the child would face the same fate as her father. Suddenly, a tall figured plucked the little girl from the ground and snapped her neck.
"If you continue as you were, I'll forget your moment of weakness." Meleina closed her eyes and gasped for breath.
"I.I can't."
Zarbon gave her a cold look. "Get back to the ship."
Meleina squeaked in terror and hurried back. Inside the ship, Raditz was staring at a young Saiyan girl who stood blocking the doorway.
"Socha!" Meleina smiled faintly at her friend. "I'm glad you made it. Really glad."
"Are you finished already?" Raditz demanded. Both girls ignored him.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was to sneak on?"
"Zarbon's going to be really angry," Meleina remarked. Her face fell. "He's already pretty mad."
"Why?" Raditz demanded. Meleina gave him a dirty look.
"C'mon, Socha," she said, dragging the princess out of the room and into another.
"Why's Zarbon mad at you?"
Meleina winced. "I.well."
"You refused to kill?" Socha asked hopefully.
"No.not exactly." Meleina sighed. "I lost it. I.I saw this little girl hugging her dad.I had just killed him.and suddenly it was me and my dad.I couldn't keep fighting," she finished sadly.
Socha hugged her friend. "It'll be okay."
"No, Socha. No, it won't be okay."
"Yeah it will. I'll make sure it turns out okay. I'm the princess, remember?"
"Socha, I made a deal with Frieza. I gave him my word- my promise. I can't take that back."
"What kind of a deal did you make?"
"If I succeeded my mission, I would keep taking more. If I failed.he would kill me." Meleina met Socha's gaze. "I failed horribly, Socha. I ran from the fight. What a coward I am."
"You aren't!" Socha exclaimed.
"Listen to the princess." Both girls turned to look at Zarbon. "As disappointed as I am, I'm also very pleased. Lord Frieza will be pleased as well."
"Why aren't I in trouble?"
"It was your first mission. Every warrior has trouble with his or her first. Before you froze, Meleina, you demonstrated incredible skill."
Meleina grinned. "That's good to hear."
"I'll suggest to Lord Frieza that you receive some elite training. I doubt you'll receive it, but you're far better than other low-levels."
"Thank you, sir." Socha sighed softly in relief.
"You, Princess, are the one in trouble."
"Oh, Zarbon!" Meleina said. "She wanted to watch! You can't punish her- just like you can't punish Raditz." She tugged his arm. Please?"
The warrior looked down into her hopeful eyes and sighed. "Okay, okay. Now.run off and play.or something like that."
Meleina grinned broadly. "You're the best, Zarbon!" and she hugged him.
~*~
"Lord Frieza," Zarbon said calmly, once again on Frieza's ship. The familiar surrounding comforted Zarbon, though he knew he shouldn't get too comfortable. Frieza was not going to take this news lightly, and he was going to have to fight for Meleina's case. He was surprised at the thought, but smiled inwardly. I'm getting soft. The thought didn't bother him when connected to Meleina; however- perhaps this surprised him even more.
"Well, well. I suppose she failed her mission?"
"Not exactly, sire." Zarbon took a deep breath. "She demonstrated incredible skill, considering the strikes against her- a low-level child without a tail."
"I understand her difficulties, Zarbon. How did she fail?"
"My Lord, she froze up during the battle."
"Why?"
"I.I believe it was because of her father."
"Her father."
"Yes, Lord Frieza. She is very close to her father."
"What happened that she thought of her father?"
"She killed a man and his daughter ran up to him. Undoubtedly, she pictured herself and her father in that same position."
"Her father is her weakness. Stamp it out of her, Zarbon."
"Yes, Lord Frieza." He hesitated. "She is to be kept alive, then?"
"Certainly, Zarbon. I want you to personally train her further. Make her the best warrior possible. Do get her some new armor, I never want to see that low-level scrap she wears on her again. Oh, and Zarbon? If she freezes or turns against you, don't hesitate- kill her immediately."
"Yes, Lord Frieza."
The door burst open and one of the other elites- Zarbon couldn't remember his name- rushed in. "Lord Frieza!"
"Can't you see that I'm busy?"
"Yes, Lord Frieza, but King Vegeta-"
Frieza turned. "What about him?"
"He wishes to announce the birth of Prince Vegeta, sire."
Zarbon looked surprised. "Another royal Saiyan?"
"I will meet with him and his son."
"Sire, they've gone to Recovery. Apparently the Prince fell ill-"
"Then send in the King."
"Yes, my Lord."
There was a moment of silence between Zarbon and Frieza, then the door opened and King Vegeta walked in.
"Good day, Lord Frieza. I have excellent news-"
"A male heir. This is indeed good news."
"I want him to begin his training immediately. Unfortunately, he fell mildly ill, and I didn't want to infect you."
"My health is hardly your concern, Vegeta. I am very eager to see your son, and am feeling generous today. I will go to see him."
~*~
Socha beat Frieza to Recovery. When he arrived with his entourage, she was holding the tiny Prince tightly in her arms. She saw her father and pulled Vegeta closer to her, glaring at him.
"Put him down," King Vegeta said sharply.
Socha opened her mouth to reply but was cut off my Meleina walking in.
"Is that him?" Meleina blurted. She raced up to Socha and both girls grinned. "Boy, he's awfully cute, isn't he?"
"Excuse me?" the King snapped shortly.
"But he's so little!" Meleina remarked. The King snarled and grabbed her arm.
"Show some respect for your Prince, you little wretch!" Meleina's jaw dropped. "Since when have you low-levels gotten so stupid?" He slapped Meleina hard across the face and she fell to her knees. Oh, nothing had ever hurt so hard as his slap! Tears stung her eyes, but she forced them away and stood up slowly. King Vegeta glared at her coldly, but she stared at him defiantly. He raised his hand again, but Prince Vegeta stopped the fight by screaming. Socha handed him to her father, and she and Meleina hurried off.
Meleina put a hand to her face and winced. "Wow, that really hurt."
Socha looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Your brother sure is useful to have around."
Socha giggled. "Isn't he sweet?"
"Uh-huh, but I still think he's really tiny."
"That's okay. Just be careful to keep away from Dad from now on, he doesn't forgive quickly."
"Not a problem. I'm glad my dad doesn't hit my friends like that." A sudden thought struck Meleina. "You didn't know you were going to have a brother, did you?"
"No, why?"
"I was just thinking that you said if you ever had a brother, you hoped he wouldn't be as mean as Raditz."
Socha nodded. "I hope Vegeta turns out to be nice. I couldn't stand it if he became a killer."