Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ, not associated with FUNimation, not making any
money on this fic.
Author's Note: Slightly shorter than the last one, sorry
1 Three years later
Meleina, now sixteen years old strode quickly into Frieza's chamber. Standing next to the lizard-like leader was Zarbon, Meleina's old friend. Wow, he sure got handsome, the young Saiyan woman thought. She bowed shortly, then looked up with a smile. "Yes, my Lord?"
"I have a difficult mission for you and Zarbon."
"It will be a pleasure to work with him again, my Lord." She smiled at the warrior. "Three years is too long."
Zarbon returned the smile. "It certainly is."
"You will be destroying the planet Namek. The warriors there are far too strong to be allowed to survive. They could someday become a threat to us."
Meleina gave a slight grin. "I hardly think that's likely. When do we leave?"
"You have an hour to prepare."
"Thank you, my Lord." She smiled at Zarbon as they walked out. "Together again, eh? This ought to be fun."
Zarbon nodded. "Yes, but do you know anything about these people from Namek?"
"No, but they can't be that strong." She frowned. "Well, maybe they can. Frieza did say he thought they were strong." She shook her head. "But that they might someday become a threat. Catch them in the bud, I guess."
Zarbon smiled. "Still in the habit of talking to yourself, I see. Teenagers these days."
Meleina playfully punched him in the shoulder. "I need to finish getting my armor on, and say goodbye to Socha and Vegeta."
Zarbon raised an eyebrow. "Rumor has it that you torture the Prince."
"Who, me? Never. I just annoy him."
Zarbon laughed. "For you to annoy someone is like torturing them, Meleina."
"Same difference."
"Run along, say goodbye to your friends."
~*~
Vegeta and Socha were in training together. Meleina came up and watched on the computer screens over the shoulder of the attendant. Despite his size and youth, Meleina saw, Vegeta was quite the capable warrior. He had an extreme amount of energy surrounding him, and was incredibly fast. Socha was having some slight trouble keeping up with her younger brother. Meleina watched them fight for a few seconds, then growled slightly to the attendant. "Get them out of there, I need to talk to Socha."
The attendant looked up at her, and she stared him straight in the eye. "Prince Vegeta won't be happy, miss, he-"
"I don't really care right now."
The attendant stared. "Yes, ma'am." Socha and Vegeta stepped out, Vegeta looking angry, Socha surprised.
"What's the meaning of this?" Vegeta demanded.
"I need to talk to Socha, Shorty, so back off," Meleina growled.
Vegeta glared at her. "You can't talk to me like that!"
Socha set a hand on his head. "Let it go. Meleina wouldn't interrupt if it isn't important."
"Oh, sure, take her side."
Meleina smiled faintly. "She just did, Shorty, so take a hike."
Vegeta growled. "Someday I'm going to give you what you deserve."
"Sure you will. Now go."
The young Prince glared at her. "Why don't you?"
"Anything to get away from you."
"Please!" Socha said loudly. She grabbed Meleina's arm and dragged her from the room. "You know, if you keep annoying him like that, he's going to go to Frieza."
"A little annoying won't kill him. It'll just make him more resistant to the taunts of his enemies." She grinned slyly. "I've already got my excuse made out. Besides, Frieza will listen to me. He knows I do things for a reason."
Socha glared at her. "Yeah, but even he's got limits. Isn't it true that he hasn't sent you on a mission in a month? And that he sent you to the planet for a week?"
Meleina winced. "Well.yeah." She grinned. "Actually, that's what I want to talk to you about. You know a lot about the universe, but I don't. Have you heard of a place called Namek?"
Socha looked at her. "Frieza's sending you to Namek?" Meleina nodded. "I've heard of it. Not even his best elites want to go there. I can't believe you agreed to it, Mel!"
"Why, what's wrong with Namek?"
"The warriors there are some of the best in the universe! They all can regenerate parts of their body, which makes it extremely hard to kill them, and they're always making up new tricks!"
"If they can regenerate, how do you kill them?"
"The only way is to damage their heads. They can't regenerate if their head is damaged."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Meleina, these people are warriors. It's extremely dangerous to go to their planet! Use your head!"
"When have I ever used my head, Socha? This place sounds like fun. Besides, I'm not going by myself, Zarbon will be with me."
Socha shook her head. "It's not going to be enough, just you wait and see." She grabbed her friend's arms and squeezed. "Promise me that if things look bad, you won't hesitate, you'll come right back."
Meleina sighed. "Will it make you feel better?"
"Yes. Mel, you can't risk your life for Frieza. He knows how dangerous this is going to be."
"That's why he's sending his best. Socha, I promise that if things get too rough, I'll come back. Trust me, I know my limits, and I hardly think that these people could be much of a problem."
Socha bit her lip. "I guess that'll have to be good enough."
"Look, I've got to finish getting ready, then find Zarbon. I don't know if he wants me to take my Pod or go with him." She smiled. "I'll be fine."
"You'd better be, or I'll never forgive you." The girls exchanged grins.
"Socha- say goodbye to Shorty for me, okay?"
Socha snorted back a laugh. "You are so mean to him."
"I know." She smiled. "I'll be back soon, so tell him I'll be coming up with new jokes about him."
"He's going to really hurt you one of these days, you know."
"Yeah, I know." Meleina started to walk away then suddenly turned back without knowing why. "Thanks for being my friend, Socha," she said before she could think.
Socha blinked in surprise, then looked worried. "Be careful, Meleina," she said softly.
"I will."
~*~
Meleina and Zarbon stepped out of Zarbon's transport on planet Namek and looked around. "I don't see anybody," Meleina remarked, "but I sure do feel them everywhere. My scouter's going nuts."
"I know," Zarbon said. "I don't trust it. I've got a bad feeling about this. Something's not going the way it should."
Suddenly, a blast caught Meleina in the back. She was thrown several yards, and lay on the ground. Zarbon started forward, but Meleina caught sight of several hundred tall green beings behind him. "Zarbon!" she yelled. "Get out of here, it's an ambush! They knew we were coming!" He hesitated. "Go! Don't worry about me, I'll be alright!" She leaned back and winced in pain. "Leave, Zarbon. Do it now or you won't ever be able to!" He turned and raced back into the transport as the green people raced forward. It lifted from the ground slowly, then took off quickly. Several of the people fired energy blasts at it, but most turned to her. She swallowed and got unsteadily to her feet. If she was going to die, she was going to die fighting. She fired an energy blast, but something hit her from behind and knocked her down, her blast going wild. She trembled and rolled onto her back to look up at her attacker. A middle age Namek warrior stood above her. He grabbed her roughly and held her up. Several of his fellow warriors fired energy blasts. The last thing Meleina remembered before blacking out was the dark look in the warrior's eyes as he stared at her.
~*~
Bardock didn't know why he had been called to Frieza's vessel. He waited patiently outside the chamber, then bowed slightly as Prince Vegeta and Princess Socha came to stand beside him. Vegeta rolled his eyes, but Socha smiled faintly. The door opened, and the three walked in. Bardock took in the sight with vague confusion. Dodoria had his arms crossed over his chest and looked extremely annoyed, while Zarbon leaned weakly against a nearby wall. Frieza had the vaguest of frowns playing at the corners of his lips. The three Saiyans bowed to Frieza, then waited calmly for him to tell why they had been called together. The door slipped open again, and Raditz strode in. He bowed to Frieza, but ignored Socha and Vegeta.
"Now that we are all here," Frieza said slowly. "Zarbon has tragic news for you."
Socha's eyes widened as she stared at the warrior. "I.I'm afraid that Meleina is." Zarbon broke off and took a deep breath. "She's dead," he finished flatly.
"No," Socha whispered. "She can't be."
Zarbon lowered his gaze to the floor. "We were ambushed on Planet Namek. She was attacked first and thrown away from the transport. She told me to leave, so at least one of us could live. She died a warrior's death-"
"What's it matter what kind of a death she died?" Bardock demanded. He looked half-crazy at the news. "The only thing that really matters is that she is dead." He stared at Zarbon. "How could you just leave her there to die?" he bellowed. Socha put a hand on his shoulder in attempt to calm him down.
Socha looked at Zarbon. "You saw her die?"
"No, but.there were hundreds of them against just her. She couldn't have survived."
Bardock put his head in his hands and barely managed to stifle a sob. Socha set a hand on her shoulder and forced a brave smile for him. "Excuse us," she said quietly, then led Bardock from the room.
He looked at her. "You were her best friend," he muttered. "Do you really think she died?"
Socha hesitated. "She has to be. Zarbon wouldn't be so upset if he had any thought that she was still alive."
Bardock choked. "She was my daughter. I.I loved her."
Socha nodded. "I know, Bardock. I cared about her, too."
Bardock suddenly looked up at her. "She was going to have a baby brother. We were going to surprise her with him...she always wanted a little brother."
Socha smiled weakly. "At least you've got another kid. Two others."
Bardock shook his head. "I don't want it. If you think I want to go through this again, you're insane." His hands curled into fists. "I don't want a family," he hissed to himself. "I live to fight, to get revenge for Meleina's death." He turned away. "I don't need anything."
Socha watched him walk away and trembled slightly. Bardock really loved her, Socha thought sadly. And now he doesn't want a family. The poor man.
The door opened and Vegeta and Raditz came out. Raditz looked at Socha. "I loved her as much as I hated her. There can be no greater reward for a warrior." He strode away in the same direction as Bardock.
"Going back to the planet, I suppose," Vegeta sneered.
Socha looked down at him. "Aren't you even a little upset?"
He snorted. "Of course I am. But if you think I'm foolish enough to show it, you're very wrong."
Socha closed her eyes. "I'm really going to miss her."
Vegeta's face softened. "Me too."
~*~
The room was incredibly dark. It took several moments for Meleina's eyes to adjust to the curious darkness, then she blinked in surprise as recent events returned to her memory.
"Oh." she moaned. "I'm alive!"
"Of course you're alive. You're lucky I went with the other warriors."
Meleina jerked and sat up to stare at the green being. "You're the one who let them blast me. Why should I consider that lucky?"
"Because I also saved your life. If it weren't for me, they would have killed you."
"Oh, well, thank you so very much," she sneered. He stared calmly back at her, and she sighed. "Thanks. So, I'm still on Namek?"
"You are."
She set a hand on her stomach. "Can I get something to eat? I'm really hungry."
"Certainly." He passed her a bowl filled with fruit, and a goblet of water.
She ate quickly and almost asked for more, but didn't want to be rude. "Why didn't you let them kill me?"
The warrior smiled faintly. "Because I sensed something in you. Something different than I had expected." Meleina raised an eyebrow. "You wish to be recognized as a strong warrior, but you have an extreme dislike for the murders you cause." Meleina didn't reply. "My name is Kami," the warrior said.
"I'm Meleina." She met Kami's gaze and held it. "How did you know we were coming?"
Kami smiled. "I could sense your energy. Might I add that you have an extreme energy surrounding you?"
"I'm one of the top Saiyan warriors."
"You are a Saiyan? I have heard of your kind."
"Then you know how deadly we are?"
Kami chuckled. "I know you are a very dangerous people. I don't sense that from you, however."
Meleina smirked. "Well, don't you just know everything there is to know."
"Would you like to go outside?"
"What I really want is to go home."
Kami sighed. "Sadly, we have no way of returning you to your home."
She gave him a look. "Why not? My friends are going to be worried about me, my father-" She stopped and stared. "Dad's going to be so upset!" she blurted, remembering that Zarbon had left. "They're all going to think I'm dead!"
Kami nodded faintly. "I understand your dilemma."
Meleina bit her lip. "There's no way I can go home?"
"I'm terribly sorry."
Her shoulders sagged. "I'm stuck here?"
"It looks that way." Kami set a hand on her shoulder. "I can make you as comfortable as possible, but you will have to gain the trust of my fellow Namekians yourself."
"Who says I want their trust?"
"If you're here for the rest of your life, I suggest you do your best to befriend them."
Meleina closed her eyes. "I'll think about it. It's not normal for a Saiyan to befriend the people she came to destroy."
Author's Note: Had you scared with the title for a minute, didn't I? (
Author's Note: Slightly shorter than the last one, sorry
1 Three years later
Meleina, now sixteen years old strode quickly into Frieza's chamber. Standing next to the lizard-like leader was Zarbon, Meleina's old friend. Wow, he sure got handsome, the young Saiyan woman thought. She bowed shortly, then looked up with a smile. "Yes, my Lord?"
"I have a difficult mission for you and Zarbon."
"It will be a pleasure to work with him again, my Lord." She smiled at the warrior. "Three years is too long."
Zarbon returned the smile. "It certainly is."
"You will be destroying the planet Namek. The warriors there are far too strong to be allowed to survive. They could someday become a threat to us."
Meleina gave a slight grin. "I hardly think that's likely. When do we leave?"
"You have an hour to prepare."
"Thank you, my Lord." She smiled at Zarbon as they walked out. "Together again, eh? This ought to be fun."
Zarbon nodded. "Yes, but do you know anything about these people from Namek?"
"No, but they can't be that strong." She frowned. "Well, maybe they can. Frieza did say he thought they were strong." She shook her head. "But that they might someday become a threat. Catch them in the bud, I guess."
Zarbon smiled. "Still in the habit of talking to yourself, I see. Teenagers these days."
Meleina playfully punched him in the shoulder. "I need to finish getting my armor on, and say goodbye to Socha and Vegeta."
Zarbon raised an eyebrow. "Rumor has it that you torture the Prince."
"Who, me? Never. I just annoy him."
Zarbon laughed. "For you to annoy someone is like torturing them, Meleina."
"Same difference."
"Run along, say goodbye to your friends."
~*~
Vegeta and Socha were in training together. Meleina came up and watched on the computer screens over the shoulder of the attendant. Despite his size and youth, Meleina saw, Vegeta was quite the capable warrior. He had an extreme amount of energy surrounding him, and was incredibly fast. Socha was having some slight trouble keeping up with her younger brother. Meleina watched them fight for a few seconds, then growled slightly to the attendant. "Get them out of there, I need to talk to Socha."
The attendant looked up at her, and she stared him straight in the eye. "Prince Vegeta won't be happy, miss, he-"
"I don't really care right now."
The attendant stared. "Yes, ma'am." Socha and Vegeta stepped out, Vegeta looking angry, Socha surprised.
"What's the meaning of this?" Vegeta demanded.
"I need to talk to Socha, Shorty, so back off," Meleina growled.
Vegeta glared at her. "You can't talk to me like that!"
Socha set a hand on his head. "Let it go. Meleina wouldn't interrupt if it isn't important."
"Oh, sure, take her side."
Meleina smiled faintly. "She just did, Shorty, so take a hike."
Vegeta growled. "Someday I'm going to give you what you deserve."
"Sure you will. Now go."
The young Prince glared at her. "Why don't you?"
"Anything to get away from you."
"Please!" Socha said loudly. She grabbed Meleina's arm and dragged her from the room. "You know, if you keep annoying him like that, he's going to go to Frieza."
"A little annoying won't kill him. It'll just make him more resistant to the taunts of his enemies." She grinned slyly. "I've already got my excuse made out. Besides, Frieza will listen to me. He knows I do things for a reason."
Socha glared at her. "Yeah, but even he's got limits. Isn't it true that he hasn't sent you on a mission in a month? And that he sent you to the planet for a week?"
Meleina winced. "Well.yeah." She grinned. "Actually, that's what I want to talk to you about. You know a lot about the universe, but I don't. Have you heard of a place called Namek?"
Socha looked at her. "Frieza's sending you to Namek?" Meleina nodded. "I've heard of it. Not even his best elites want to go there. I can't believe you agreed to it, Mel!"
"Why, what's wrong with Namek?"
"The warriors there are some of the best in the universe! They all can regenerate parts of their body, which makes it extremely hard to kill them, and they're always making up new tricks!"
"If they can regenerate, how do you kill them?"
"The only way is to damage their heads. They can't regenerate if their head is damaged."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Meleina, these people are warriors. It's extremely dangerous to go to their planet! Use your head!"
"When have I ever used my head, Socha? This place sounds like fun. Besides, I'm not going by myself, Zarbon will be with me."
Socha shook her head. "It's not going to be enough, just you wait and see." She grabbed her friend's arms and squeezed. "Promise me that if things look bad, you won't hesitate, you'll come right back."
Meleina sighed. "Will it make you feel better?"
"Yes. Mel, you can't risk your life for Frieza. He knows how dangerous this is going to be."
"That's why he's sending his best. Socha, I promise that if things get too rough, I'll come back. Trust me, I know my limits, and I hardly think that these people could be much of a problem."
Socha bit her lip. "I guess that'll have to be good enough."
"Look, I've got to finish getting ready, then find Zarbon. I don't know if he wants me to take my Pod or go with him." She smiled. "I'll be fine."
"You'd better be, or I'll never forgive you." The girls exchanged grins.
"Socha- say goodbye to Shorty for me, okay?"
Socha snorted back a laugh. "You are so mean to him."
"I know." She smiled. "I'll be back soon, so tell him I'll be coming up with new jokes about him."
"He's going to really hurt you one of these days, you know."
"Yeah, I know." Meleina started to walk away then suddenly turned back without knowing why. "Thanks for being my friend, Socha," she said before she could think.
Socha blinked in surprise, then looked worried. "Be careful, Meleina," she said softly.
"I will."
~*~
Meleina and Zarbon stepped out of Zarbon's transport on planet Namek and looked around. "I don't see anybody," Meleina remarked, "but I sure do feel them everywhere. My scouter's going nuts."
"I know," Zarbon said. "I don't trust it. I've got a bad feeling about this. Something's not going the way it should."
Suddenly, a blast caught Meleina in the back. She was thrown several yards, and lay on the ground. Zarbon started forward, but Meleina caught sight of several hundred tall green beings behind him. "Zarbon!" she yelled. "Get out of here, it's an ambush! They knew we were coming!" He hesitated. "Go! Don't worry about me, I'll be alright!" She leaned back and winced in pain. "Leave, Zarbon. Do it now or you won't ever be able to!" He turned and raced back into the transport as the green people raced forward. It lifted from the ground slowly, then took off quickly. Several of the people fired energy blasts at it, but most turned to her. She swallowed and got unsteadily to her feet. If she was going to die, she was going to die fighting. She fired an energy blast, but something hit her from behind and knocked her down, her blast going wild. She trembled and rolled onto her back to look up at her attacker. A middle age Namek warrior stood above her. He grabbed her roughly and held her up. Several of his fellow warriors fired energy blasts. The last thing Meleina remembered before blacking out was the dark look in the warrior's eyes as he stared at her.
~*~
Bardock didn't know why he had been called to Frieza's vessel. He waited patiently outside the chamber, then bowed slightly as Prince Vegeta and Princess Socha came to stand beside him. Vegeta rolled his eyes, but Socha smiled faintly. The door opened, and the three walked in. Bardock took in the sight with vague confusion. Dodoria had his arms crossed over his chest and looked extremely annoyed, while Zarbon leaned weakly against a nearby wall. Frieza had the vaguest of frowns playing at the corners of his lips. The three Saiyans bowed to Frieza, then waited calmly for him to tell why they had been called together. The door slipped open again, and Raditz strode in. He bowed to Frieza, but ignored Socha and Vegeta.
"Now that we are all here," Frieza said slowly. "Zarbon has tragic news for you."
Socha's eyes widened as she stared at the warrior. "I.I'm afraid that Meleina is." Zarbon broke off and took a deep breath. "She's dead," he finished flatly.
"No," Socha whispered. "She can't be."
Zarbon lowered his gaze to the floor. "We were ambushed on Planet Namek. She was attacked first and thrown away from the transport. She told me to leave, so at least one of us could live. She died a warrior's death-"
"What's it matter what kind of a death she died?" Bardock demanded. He looked half-crazy at the news. "The only thing that really matters is that she is dead." He stared at Zarbon. "How could you just leave her there to die?" he bellowed. Socha put a hand on his shoulder in attempt to calm him down.
Socha looked at Zarbon. "You saw her die?"
"No, but.there were hundreds of them against just her. She couldn't have survived."
Bardock put his head in his hands and barely managed to stifle a sob. Socha set a hand on her shoulder and forced a brave smile for him. "Excuse us," she said quietly, then led Bardock from the room.
He looked at her. "You were her best friend," he muttered. "Do you really think she died?"
Socha hesitated. "She has to be. Zarbon wouldn't be so upset if he had any thought that she was still alive."
Bardock choked. "She was my daughter. I.I loved her."
Socha nodded. "I know, Bardock. I cared about her, too."
Bardock suddenly looked up at her. "She was going to have a baby brother. We were going to surprise her with him...she always wanted a little brother."
Socha smiled weakly. "At least you've got another kid. Two others."
Bardock shook his head. "I don't want it. If you think I want to go through this again, you're insane." His hands curled into fists. "I don't want a family," he hissed to himself. "I live to fight, to get revenge for Meleina's death." He turned away. "I don't need anything."
Socha watched him walk away and trembled slightly. Bardock really loved her, Socha thought sadly. And now he doesn't want a family. The poor man.
The door opened and Vegeta and Raditz came out. Raditz looked at Socha. "I loved her as much as I hated her. There can be no greater reward for a warrior." He strode away in the same direction as Bardock.
"Going back to the planet, I suppose," Vegeta sneered.
Socha looked down at him. "Aren't you even a little upset?"
He snorted. "Of course I am. But if you think I'm foolish enough to show it, you're very wrong."
Socha closed her eyes. "I'm really going to miss her."
Vegeta's face softened. "Me too."
~*~
The room was incredibly dark. It took several moments for Meleina's eyes to adjust to the curious darkness, then she blinked in surprise as recent events returned to her memory.
"Oh." she moaned. "I'm alive!"
"Of course you're alive. You're lucky I went with the other warriors."
Meleina jerked and sat up to stare at the green being. "You're the one who let them blast me. Why should I consider that lucky?"
"Because I also saved your life. If it weren't for me, they would have killed you."
"Oh, well, thank you so very much," she sneered. He stared calmly back at her, and she sighed. "Thanks. So, I'm still on Namek?"
"You are."
She set a hand on her stomach. "Can I get something to eat? I'm really hungry."
"Certainly." He passed her a bowl filled with fruit, and a goblet of water.
She ate quickly and almost asked for more, but didn't want to be rude. "Why didn't you let them kill me?"
The warrior smiled faintly. "Because I sensed something in you. Something different than I had expected." Meleina raised an eyebrow. "You wish to be recognized as a strong warrior, but you have an extreme dislike for the murders you cause." Meleina didn't reply. "My name is Kami," the warrior said.
"I'm Meleina." She met Kami's gaze and held it. "How did you know we were coming?"
Kami smiled. "I could sense your energy. Might I add that you have an extreme energy surrounding you?"
"I'm one of the top Saiyan warriors."
"You are a Saiyan? I have heard of your kind."
"Then you know how deadly we are?"
Kami chuckled. "I know you are a very dangerous people. I don't sense that from you, however."
Meleina smirked. "Well, don't you just know everything there is to know."
"Would you like to go outside?"
"What I really want is to go home."
Kami sighed. "Sadly, we have no way of returning you to your home."
She gave him a look. "Why not? My friends are going to be worried about me, my father-" She stopped and stared. "Dad's going to be so upset!" she blurted, remembering that Zarbon had left. "They're all going to think I'm dead!"
Kami nodded faintly. "I understand your dilemma."
Meleina bit her lip. "There's no way I can go home?"
"I'm terribly sorry."
Her shoulders sagged. "I'm stuck here?"
"It looks that way." Kami set a hand on her shoulder. "I can make you as comfortable as possible, but you will have to gain the trust of my fellow Namekians yourself."
"Who says I want their trust?"
"If you're here for the rest of your life, I suggest you do your best to befriend them."
Meleina closed her eyes. "I'll think about it. It's not normal for a Saiyan to befriend the people she came to destroy."
Author's Note: Had you scared with the title for a minute, didn't I? (