A. N. Long awaited but here at last..the finale of the fic. After this
expect a small epilogue.
Warnings ~ Violence, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Sexual Assault. Not in every chapter but this is a general warning for the whole fic.
Disclaimer ~ I own nothing at all! Sue and you will receive a bucket of Kobo drool.
SWAN LAKE
Chapter Eight
Vegeta ran blindly through the thick undergrowth of the woods, heading in the well-known direction of the lake. Hot tears stung his eyes, spilling down his cheeks in warm streams. His mind swirled with questions and emotions. Why had Kakarot betrayed him? Why had Raditz betrayed him? The humiliation, anger, sorrows, and hopelessness overwhelmed him. He tripped on a tree root and tumbled down a small slope to the edge of the lake. The prince remained on the cool sand, his right hand limply immersed beneath the shallow lake water. Stars twinkled brightly above and the moon cast its soft glow upon the world, but their beauty couldn't comfort Vegeta now. His life was destroyed, his beloved was betrothed to another, and his only hope of escape from Paraguas' grasp was death. He blinked his wet eyes and sat up, gazing resolutely over the still lake. Death was his only option now. The prince stood and began to move into the cold water. He walked forward with a slow determined step. This was the right choice, it was the only choice; a last and final declaration to the sorcerer that he was still in control of his fate.
Twigs snapped beneath his feet as he ran. His eyes swept with frustration across the never-ending expanse of shadowed green. Kakarot felt an unusual need to hurry as he plowed through the forest. He pulled his sword from the scabbard at his side and began cutting his way past the dense vines and slender boughs till he finally broke through onto the lakeshore. His eyes widened with horror as he watched his love's elegant spikes of ebony slip beneath the smooth surface of the lake.
"Vegeta! No!" He cried as he plunged into the water after his prince. He returned to the shore and dragged the spluttering male onto the sand. Vegeta's right fist connected solidly with his jaw and sent him down on his backside. He rubbed the sore spot while eyeing his silent swan prince. Cautiously, Kakarot inched closer to his love. Water chilled by the gentle breeze sent small shivers down their spines and snatched the warmth from their skin. Soaked silk clung heavily to muscled torsos and damp strands of ebony lay plastered to the sides of corded necks. Deep breaths were the only sounds that passed between them for what seemed like an eternity to Kakarot, till at length, Vegeta turned sharp glaring eyes on him.
"Why have you denied me my escape? You who once promised to me my freedom! By your oath you swore to give me release from my torment, and now you have not only betrayed me but have also torn my last hopes from my grasp! Why Kakarot? Why have you done this to me?" Vegeta paused to draw in a shaky breath. He gazed at the silent man with imploring eyes. Why was he ever foolish enough to have believed in him? Why had he allowed himself to think he had been in love with such a man? Surely it was all in vain. He understood his folly now. Clenching his fists tightly against the sand, he lowered his gaze from Kakarot's eyes.
"Please do not turn away from me. I beseech you, hark unto me but a moment." Kakarot clasped Vegeta's hands in his and waited anxiously for the enchanted prince to face him. He gently squeezed the slender digits in his own and began his explanation. "Vegeta I never meant to give you false hopes. When I was at the ball I waited in earnest for your arrival. When Raditz appeared, he was in your form. I did not know I was dancing with someone else. If I had any knowledge of who was beside me I would have never made such declarations as I did. I beg your forgiveness Vegeta. You are the only person I have ever loved, and I shall not be able to bear it if you refuse me. With my whole heart I am pledged to you. My very soul longs for yours, and I am sorely grieved by this evening's event. Especially by my own blindness that brought such suffering to you. I pray you my love, forgive me." His eyes grew damp as he pleaded with his silent companion. He had never felt more sincere in his life than he did at this moment. If Vegeta should deny him now, he would not live to see another dawn. His heart would surely perish before then. He paused with baited breath, holding on to all shreds of hope as his love stared hard upon him. Moist lips glistened in the soft glow of moonlight and slowly parted as the smaller prince spoke in a hushed whisper.
"I can see how you may have found it difficult to detect the deception for what it was. In light of your feelings I cannot ignore the rejoicing of my own heart and soul. Therefore I love you still and wholly forgive you of your clouded declaration." A smile graced his lips as he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to the relieved prince's. Vegeta sighed into the steamy orifice as his love stroked long fingers through his damp spikes. He felt closer to him now, bonds they shared had been strengthened several times over and he knew they would not be broken in this life or the next. They pulled away from one another to draw breath, their chests rising and falling steadily while passionate souls stared lovingly at each other.
"It would appear that I have been far too careless with you my pet. Be assured that my error shall be rectified permanently this night." Paraguas' voice shattered the air with its deep presence, dark and malicious as ever it had been. Kakarot and Vegeta watched mutely as the sorcerer emerged from the shadows and loomed over them. His eye brimmed with unfathomable rage and bitter jealousy as his lips curled back in a snarl. He clenched his large hands into angry fists and stalked closer to the two princes. His long cape billowed behind him, adding to his ominous immensity. Kakarot stood up and stepped before Vegeta, his sword drawn in preparation for battle. Vegeta stood close to his love, one hand firmly clasped to his shoulder while he glared defiantly at the sorcerer.
"I have made my choice Paraguas. I have never been in love with you, nor shall I ever be. Here is the one whom I love. The one I shall leave this God forsaken place with. The one who will destroy you!" His voice was sharp and cold, empowered by years of bitter suffering and despair, but it only brought a mocking laugh from Paraguas' mouth.
"Vegeta you are a fool! You do not think that I will allow you to leave me? Surely in all these years you have learned that I am not to be tempted long. This prince that you are so infatuated with shall not have you. I would have allowed him to live, had he taken my son and left you alone, but he has chosen the path of destruction. So shall his end be. For none oppose me and live!" Paraguas advanced on them with the power of a maelstrom. His orb glowed with a hellish gleam, illuminating his twisted visage in an unholy light. Kakarot urged Vegeta back as he darted to the side of the sorcerer's charge. He raised his sword in front of his face to deflect the flashing ball of magic hurled at him. The two circled each other slowly, Paraguas shooting spheres of crackling energy at the prince, who deflected them to the side with the flat of his blade. Vegeta watched anxiously from the boughs of a thick tree, desperate to aid his love.
"Enough of this! I shall destroy you as I destroyed all the others who dared to stand in my way! Your soul is mine boy!" A mad cackle passed his lips as Paraguas prepared to snatch the soul from Kakarot just as he had taken the emperor's all those years ago. His entire body glowed with his power while his gem pulsed with dark green light. Shadowy emerald smoke swirled out of the orb and curled in the air before the sneering man. Kakarot stood in uncertain disbelief as his love's shouts echoed dimly in his ears. A sudden flash shattered the cloud and a beam of black energy shot forth towards Kakarot's chest. There was a blur of darkness before his eyes and then Kakarot felt something heavy knocked him back to the ground. A muted gasp of pain drew his shocked eyes up to stare at a figure standing over him, limbs twitched in pain before the tall form crumpled to the ground.
"Raditz no!" Vegeta scrambled across the grass and fell to his knees by the still form of his friend. He could tell Raditz was still breathing by the faint rise and fall of his chest and his shallow gasps for breath. Foggy coal eyes gazed at him without focus as small smile tugged at dry lips. Vegeta cradled his friend's head in his lap and clasped one of his hands in his own. "Stay with me Raditz, please. You fool you stupid idiot. Why did you do that?" He bit his lower lip as Raditz winced and rasped back at him.
"You know why I did it. Vegeta, I'm sorry about all of this. For my father, and for the ball. You've always been like a brother to me. Forgive me Vegeta." The young sorcerer's body jerked in a sudden convulsion as he fought to stay alive. His father's power had always outmatched his own, but if he didn't resist the deathly tugging on his soul then he would never see the light of another day. He was dimly aware of Vegeta telling him how absurd he was to ask for forgiveness that was already given and warning him to fight back or he would surely get a beating when the prince met him in the next life. He would have chuckled at that if he didn't feel like his body was being pulled inside out.
Nappa rushed towards Vegeta and the fallen sorcerer. He took the limp body in his arms and moved back against the line of trees with him. The small prince stared solemnly at him and placed a hand on his large shoulders.
"Hold onto him. Talk to him, do whatever it takes to keep him in this dimension. He's fighting for his very soul right now. He mustn't lose." Nappa nodded gravely at the prince's words and held Raditz closer, whispering into his ear while pressing his face to his long dark tresses. Vegeta turned away from them and watched nervously as Kakarot continued to battle with Paraguas. The sorcerer had created a long sword with a broad blade for himself and was driving Kakarot towards the lake with his powerful sweeping cuts and thrusts.
The tall prince gritted his teeth as he blocked another hard swing of the sorcerer's weapon. The blow nearly knocked his blade from his hands. Things were not looking very promising at the moment. He stepped back into the cold waters of the lake and deflected another forceful swing. Their blades flashed in the moonlight, gleaming coldly as they clanked and clashed against each other. Paraguas put all his power into his next swing and tore Kakarot's sword from his hands. He watched smugly as the weapon wheeled through the air and slipped beneath the water. He pointed the end of his blade against the prince's throat and called back to a stunned Vegeta.
"Now you see my little swan, I am impossible to defeat! Nothing in the universe is stronger than my power! However, I will be gracious with you and I offer you one last chance to save this wretched bastard. Confess to me your undying love Vegeta, and I shall spare his miserable life. Deny me and I shall lay his severed head at your feet!" Paraguas grinned viciously at Kakarot and pressed his sword closer, poking the tip into the smooth skin of his neck. His grin grew wider at the sight of crimson that stained the end of his blade and the prince's pale flesh. Kakarot glared back at him and sought for Vegeta's shocked eyes with his own imploring orbs.
"Vegeta do not listen to him! I would rather die than to live knowing that you gave yourself to this vile monster! I won't let you do it! I won't let you give up everything for him! I'm not worth it!" He bit his tongue as Vegeta shook his head slowly and lowered his tearful gaze to the ground. The enchanted prince couldn't bear to see his love killed. He wouldn't let Kakarot die needlessly. His fists trembled at his sides as he whispered his farewell to his beloved.
Nappa watched them all in mute despair. He blinked when he heard a breathy moan from Raditz. The young sorcerer's dry lips moved as he whispered in a tired voice and Nappa had to nearly put his ear against the other's mouth to hear him.
Vegeta lifted his head though his eyes remained locked on the ground. His voice was shaky, nearly sobbing as he choked out his grieving words.
"I will consent to be yours Paraguas, and I pledge that for the rest of my life, I sha-"
"No Vegeta! I won't let you do this! I love you!" Kakarot took hold of Paraguas' blade and rammed the sword deep into his chest before his love could finish speaking. He wouldn't allow Vegeta to condemn himself this way. He gasped in pain as he felt the icy steel puncture his heart. Warm blood spilled out of his chest and down his arms from the cuts on his palms as he fell back into the water. His eyes closed while the lakes cool embrace surrounded him. Vegeta's shouts were only a faint echo in his ears before darkness clouded his mind.
"Kakarot! Kakarot!" Vegeta ran towards the lake but was halted by Paraguas as the sorcerer triumphantly pulled the protesting prince to his chest. He laughed as Vegeta reached out to the lake and howled in bitter loss. The lithe beauty was his forever now. Nothing was able to stand in his way. Not the emperor, the kingdom, his son, not even love could keep him from what he wanted. He crushed the sobbing prince's mouth to his own in a brutal kiss. Vegeta struggled fruitlessly against him, neither aware of the strange flickering glow in the gem around Paraguas' neck.
The sorcerer pulled back from Vegeta with a smirk and opened his mouth to speak when the sound of something shattering drew everyone's attention to the orb he wore. A series of cracks spiraled out from the center of the gem and a strange mist began to seep forth from the broken jewel. Paraguas released Vegeta and clawed at his throat as though he was unable to breathe. His one eye flashed green as the mist surrounded his body in a whirlwind of energy. He screamed into the sky, the energy around him bursting into flames as the first light of dawn stretched over the mountain peaks. His hands clawed helplessly at the heavens while he howled in pain and astonishment. The flames surged over his body and then exploded in a blinding flash, taking every trace of the sorcerer with them. Vegeta and Nappa stared mutely at the scorched patch of ground Paraguas had once been kneeling on.
"What in hell was that?" Nappa finally found his voice after a few moments. He looked to Vegeta but the prince was as bewildered as he was. The two of them gasped when Raditz opened his eyes and sat up in the escort's arms. He gazed at the burnt area quietly and shook his head.
"His power came from darkness, from hate and bitterness, destruction and death. The only thing more powerful than his will was true love. The pure strength of true love was what could break his spells and what could destroy him." Raditz smiled sadly at Vegeta. "He was unconquerable by any physical means, but the power of the heart and soul were the only things capable of freeing you. His spell was broken by the love you and Kakarot share, and so we have all been freed from our cursed lives." The sorcerer bit his tongue as Vegeta turned toward the lake and stepped to the shore.
"If that is true then what of Kakarot? What has become of him?" The prince trembled as he held back his rush of emotions. How was he to live if Kakarot was gone? He blinked as the sunlight shimmered off the edges of Paraguas' sword. The weapon was half buried in the sand beneath shallow water. His brows furrowed over his eyes. What did this mean? He had seen Kakarot lodge the sword within his breast, so it should be there, not in the sands.
"Vegeta?" That voice. He knew it so well. The prince looked up in shock as the figure of his love walked toward him out of the lake. His shirt was torn where the sword had pierced him but there were no marks on his skin at all. Vegeta rushed to meet him and the two shared a long joyful kiss. Kakarot held his love tightly in his arms as they walked to sit on the shore beside Raditz and Nappa. They looked to Raditz for an explanation since Kakarot didn't know anything that happened after he stabbed himself.
"It's simple actually. My father's enchantments were all destroyed with him. That sword was enchanted and therefore any damage it had caused was countered with his death." He grinned at the two princes as they kissed again. A tap on his shoulder made him blink and gaze up at a smirking escort. Nappa captured the startled sorcerer's mouth with his own in a deep kiss. The sun rose higher in the sky and bathed the land in its warm light as birds and other creatures stirred from slumber to greet the welcome morning around the two couples.
Nappa pulled back from a breathless Raditz and grinned at Kakarot. The prince snickered a little while holding his own panting love against him.
"Shall we head back to the castle my prince?" The escort stood and pulled his longhaired love up while calling his horse to his side. Kakarot pulled Vegeta to his feet and gave his friend a nod. The princes mounted the steed and began the journey back to Kakarot's home with Nappa and Raditz walking at their side. Vegeta smiled down at the sorcerer. They were finally free.
A.N. That's it. The end. Heh heh it took forever but that was finally it. Now I do have a very short epilogue for this. -=Smirks.=- With some lemons of course. Now if Nappa/Raditz squicks you then you just won't be able to read some of the next part but in any case I'll see you then minna!
Warnings ~ Violence, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Sexual Assault. Not in every chapter but this is a general warning for the whole fic.
Disclaimer ~ I own nothing at all! Sue and you will receive a bucket of Kobo drool.
SWAN LAKE
Chapter Eight
Vegeta ran blindly through the thick undergrowth of the woods, heading in the well-known direction of the lake. Hot tears stung his eyes, spilling down his cheeks in warm streams. His mind swirled with questions and emotions. Why had Kakarot betrayed him? Why had Raditz betrayed him? The humiliation, anger, sorrows, and hopelessness overwhelmed him. He tripped on a tree root and tumbled down a small slope to the edge of the lake. The prince remained on the cool sand, his right hand limply immersed beneath the shallow lake water. Stars twinkled brightly above and the moon cast its soft glow upon the world, but their beauty couldn't comfort Vegeta now. His life was destroyed, his beloved was betrothed to another, and his only hope of escape from Paraguas' grasp was death. He blinked his wet eyes and sat up, gazing resolutely over the still lake. Death was his only option now. The prince stood and began to move into the cold water. He walked forward with a slow determined step. This was the right choice, it was the only choice; a last and final declaration to the sorcerer that he was still in control of his fate.
Twigs snapped beneath his feet as he ran. His eyes swept with frustration across the never-ending expanse of shadowed green. Kakarot felt an unusual need to hurry as he plowed through the forest. He pulled his sword from the scabbard at his side and began cutting his way past the dense vines and slender boughs till he finally broke through onto the lakeshore. His eyes widened with horror as he watched his love's elegant spikes of ebony slip beneath the smooth surface of the lake.
"Vegeta! No!" He cried as he plunged into the water after his prince. He returned to the shore and dragged the spluttering male onto the sand. Vegeta's right fist connected solidly with his jaw and sent him down on his backside. He rubbed the sore spot while eyeing his silent swan prince. Cautiously, Kakarot inched closer to his love. Water chilled by the gentle breeze sent small shivers down their spines and snatched the warmth from their skin. Soaked silk clung heavily to muscled torsos and damp strands of ebony lay plastered to the sides of corded necks. Deep breaths were the only sounds that passed between them for what seemed like an eternity to Kakarot, till at length, Vegeta turned sharp glaring eyes on him.
"Why have you denied me my escape? You who once promised to me my freedom! By your oath you swore to give me release from my torment, and now you have not only betrayed me but have also torn my last hopes from my grasp! Why Kakarot? Why have you done this to me?" Vegeta paused to draw in a shaky breath. He gazed at the silent man with imploring eyes. Why was he ever foolish enough to have believed in him? Why had he allowed himself to think he had been in love with such a man? Surely it was all in vain. He understood his folly now. Clenching his fists tightly against the sand, he lowered his gaze from Kakarot's eyes.
"Please do not turn away from me. I beseech you, hark unto me but a moment." Kakarot clasped Vegeta's hands in his and waited anxiously for the enchanted prince to face him. He gently squeezed the slender digits in his own and began his explanation. "Vegeta I never meant to give you false hopes. When I was at the ball I waited in earnest for your arrival. When Raditz appeared, he was in your form. I did not know I was dancing with someone else. If I had any knowledge of who was beside me I would have never made such declarations as I did. I beg your forgiveness Vegeta. You are the only person I have ever loved, and I shall not be able to bear it if you refuse me. With my whole heart I am pledged to you. My very soul longs for yours, and I am sorely grieved by this evening's event. Especially by my own blindness that brought such suffering to you. I pray you my love, forgive me." His eyes grew damp as he pleaded with his silent companion. He had never felt more sincere in his life than he did at this moment. If Vegeta should deny him now, he would not live to see another dawn. His heart would surely perish before then. He paused with baited breath, holding on to all shreds of hope as his love stared hard upon him. Moist lips glistened in the soft glow of moonlight and slowly parted as the smaller prince spoke in a hushed whisper.
"I can see how you may have found it difficult to detect the deception for what it was. In light of your feelings I cannot ignore the rejoicing of my own heart and soul. Therefore I love you still and wholly forgive you of your clouded declaration." A smile graced his lips as he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to the relieved prince's. Vegeta sighed into the steamy orifice as his love stroked long fingers through his damp spikes. He felt closer to him now, bonds they shared had been strengthened several times over and he knew they would not be broken in this life or the next. They pulled away from one another to draw breath, their chests rising and falling steadily while passionate souls stared lovingly at each other.
"It would appear that I have been far too careless with you my pet. Be assured that my error shall be rectified permanently this night." Paraguas' voice shattered the air with its deep presence, dark and malicious as ever it had been. Kakarot and Vegeta watched mutely as the sorcerer emerged from the shadows and loomed over them. His eye brimmed with unfathomable rage and bitter jealousy as his lips curled back in a snarl. He clenched his large hands into angry fists and stalked closer to the two princes. His long cape billowed behind him, adding to his ominous immensity. Kakarot stood up and stepped before Vegeta, his sword drawn in preparation for battle. Vegeta stood close to his love, one hand firmly clasped to his shoulder while he glared defiantly at the sorcerer.
"I have made my choice Paraguas. I have never been in love with you, nor shall I ever be. Here is the one whom I love. The one I shall leave this God forsaken place with. The one who will destroy you!" His voice was sharp and cold, empowered by years of bitter suffering and despair, but it only brought a mocking laugh from Paraguas' mouth.
"Vegeta you are a fool! You do not think that I will allow you to leave me? Surely in all these years you have learned that I am not to be tempted long. This prince that you are so infatuated with shall not have you. I would have allowed him to live, had he taken my son and left you alone, but he has chosen the path of destruction. So shall his end be. For none oppose me and live!" Paraguas advanced on them with the power of a maelstrom. His orb glowed with a hellish gleam, illuminating his twisted visage in an unholy light. Kakarot urged Vegeta back as he darted to the side of the sorcerer's charge. He raised his sword in front of his face to deflect the flashing ball of magic hurled at him. The two circled each other slowly, Paraguas shooting spheres of crackling energy at the prince, who deflected them to the side with the flat of his blade. Vegeta watched anxiously from the boughs of a thick tree, desperate to aid his love.
"Enough of this! I shall destroy you as I destroyed all the others who dared to stand in my way! Your soul is mine boy!" A mad cackle passed his lips as Paraguas prepared to snatch the soul from Kakarot just as he had taken the emperor's all those years ago. His entire body glowed with his power while his gem pulsed with dark green light. Shadowy emerald smoke swirled out of the orb and curled in the air before the sneering man. Kakarot stood in uncertain disbelief as his love's shouts echoed dimly in his ears. A sudden flash shattered the cloud and a beam of black energy shot forth towards Kakarot's chest. There was a blur of darkness before his eyes and then Kakarot felt something heavy knocked him back to the ground. A muted gasp of pain drew his shocked eyes up to stare at a figure standing over him, limbs twitched in pain before the tall form crumpled to the ground.
"Raditz no!" Vegeta scrambled across the grass and fell to his knees by the still form of his friend. He could tell Raditz was still breathing by the faint rise and fall of his chest and his shallow gasps for breath. Foggy coal eyes gazed at him without focus as small smile tugged at dry lips. Vegeta cradled his friend's head in his lap and clasped one of his hands in his own. "Stay with me Raditz, please. You fool you stupid idiot. Why did you do that?" He bit his lower lip as Raditz winced and rasped back at him.
"You know why I did it. Vegeta, I'm sorry about all of this. For my father, and for the ball. You've always been like a brother to me. Forgive me Vegeta." The young sorcerer's body jerked in a sudden convulsion as he fought to stay alive. His father's power had always outmatched his own, but if he didn't resist the deathly tugging on his soul then he would never see the light of another day. He was dimly aware of Vegeta telling him how absurd he was to ask for forgiveness that was already given and warning him to fight back or he would surely get a beating when the prince met him in the next life. He would have chuckled at that if he didn't feel like his body was being pulled inside out.
Nappa rushed towards Vegeta and the fallen sorcerer. He took the limp body in his arms and moved back against the line of trees with him. The small prince stared solemnly at him and placed a hand on his large shoulders.
"Hold onto him. Talk to him, do whatever it takes to keep him in this dimension. He's fighting for his very soul right now. He mustn't lose." Nappa nodded gravely at the prince's words and held Raditz closer, whispering into his ear while pressing his face to his long dark tresses. Vegeta turned away from them and watched nervously as Kakarot continued to battle with Paraguas. The sorcerer had created a long sword with a broad blade for himself and was driving Kakarot towards the lake with his powerful sweeping cuts and thrusts.
The tall prince gritted his teeth as he blocked another hard swing of the sorcerer's weapon. The blow nearly knocked his blade from his hands. Things were not looking very promising at the moment. He stepped back into the cold waters of the lake and deflected another forceful swing. Their blades flashed in the moonlight, gleaming coldly as they clanked and clashed against each other. Paraguas put all his power into his next swing and tore Kakarot's sword from his hands. He watched smugly as the weapon wheeled through the air and slipped beneath the water. He pointed the end of his blade against the prince's throat and called back to a stunned Vegeta.
"Now you see my little swan, I am impossible to defeat! Nothing in the universe is stronger than my power! However, I will be gracious with you and I offer you one last chance to save this wretched bastard. Confess to me your undying love Vegeta, and I shall spare his miserable life. Deny me and I shall lay his severed head at your feet!" Paraguas grinned viciously at Kakarot and pressed his sword closer, poking the tip into the smooth skin of his neck. His grin grew wider at the sight of crimson that stained the end of his blade and the prince's pale flesh. Kakarot glared back at him and sought for Vegeta's shocked eyes with his own imploring orbs.
"Vegeta do not listen to him! I would rather die than to live knowing that you gave yourself to this vile monster! I won't let you do it! I won't let you give up everything for him! I'm not worth it!" He bit his tongue as Vegeta shook his head slowly and lowered his tearful gaze to the ground. The enchanted prince couldn't bear to see his love killed. He wouldn't let Kakarot die needlessly. His fists trembled at his sides as he whispered his farewell to his beloved.
Nappa watched them all in mute despair. He blinked when he heard a breathy moan from Raditz. The young sorcerer's dry lips moved as he whispered in a tired voice and Nappa had to nearly put his ear against the other's mouth to hear him.
Vegeta lifted his head though his eyes remained locked on the ground. His voice was shaky, nearly sobbing as he choked out his grieving words.
"I will consent to be yours Paraguas, and I pledge that for the rest of my life, I sha-"
"No Vegeta! I won't let you do this! I love you!" Kakarot took hold of Paraguas' blade and rammed the sword deep into his chest before his love could finish speaking. He wouldn't allow Vegeta to condemn himself this way. He gasped in pain as he felt the icy steel puncture his heart. Warm blood spilled out of his chest and down his arms from the cuts on his palms as he fell back into the water. His eyes closed while the lakes cool embrace surrounded him. Vegeta's shouts were only a faint echo in his ears before darkness clouded his mind.
"Kakarot! Kakarot!" Vegeta ran towards the lake but was halted by Paraguas as the sorcerer triumphantly pulled the protesting prince to his chest. He laughed as Vegeta reached out to the lake and howled in bitter loss. The lithe beauty was his forever now. Nothing was able to stand in his way. Not the emperor, the kingdom, his son, not even love could keep him from what he wanted. He crushed the sobbing prince's mouth to his own in a brutal kiss. Vegeta struggled fruitlessly against him, neither aware of the strange flickering glow in the gem around Paraguas' neck.
The sorcerer pulled back from Vegeta with a smirk and opened his mouth to speak when the sound of something shattering drew everyone's attention to the orb he wore. A series of cracks spiraled out from the center of the gem and a strange mist began to seep forth from the broken jewel. Paraguas released Vegeta and clawed at his throat as though he was unable to breathe. His one eye flashed green as the mist surrounded his body in a whirlwind of energy. He screamed into the sky, the energy around him bursting into flames as the first light of dawn stretched over the mountain peaks. His hands clawed helplessly at the heavens while he howled in pain and astonishment. The flames surged over his body and then exploded in a blinding flash, taking every trace of the sorcerer with them. Vegeta and Nappa stared mutely at the scorched patch of ground Paraguas had once been kneeling on.
"What in hell was that?" Nappa finally found his voice after a few moments. He looked to Vegeta but the prince was as bewildered as he was. The two of them gasped when Raditz opened his eyes and sat up in the escort's arms. He gazed at the burnt area quietly and shook his head.
"His power came from darkness, from hate and bitterness, destruction and death. The only thing more powerful than his will was true love. The pure strength of true love was what could break his spells and what could destroy him." Raditz smiled sadly at Vegeta. "He was unconquerable by any physical means, but the power of the heart and soul were the only things capable of freeing you. His spell was broken by the love you and Kakarot share, and so we have all been freed from our cursed lives." The sorcerer bit his tongue as Vegeta turned toward the lake and stepped to the shore.
"If that is true then what of Kakarot? What has become of him?" The prince trembled as he held back his rush of emotions. How was he to live if Kakarot was gone? He blinked as the sunlight shimmered off the edges of Paraguas' sword. The weapon was half buried in the sand beneath shallow water. His brows furrowed over his eyes. What did this mean? He had seen Kakarot lodge the sword within his breast, so it should be there, not in the sands.
"Vegeta?" That voice. He knew it so well. The prince looked up in shock as the figure of his love walked toward him out of the lake. His shirt was torn where the sword had pierced him but there were no marks on his skin at all. Vegeta rushed to meet him and the two shared a long joyful kiss. Kakarot held his love tightly in his arms as they walked to sit on the shore beside Raditz and Nappa. They looked to Raditz for an explanation since Kakarot didn't know anything that happened after he stabbed himself.
"It's simple actually. My father's enchantments were all destroyed with him. That sword was enchanted and therefore any damage it had caused was countered with his death." He grinned at the two princes as they kissed again. A tap on his shoulder made him blink and gaze up at a smirking escort. Nappa captured the startled sorcerer's mouth with his own in a deep kiss. The sun rose higher in the sky and bathed the land in its warm light as birds and other creatures stirred from slumber to greet the welcome morning around the two couples.
Nappa pulled back from a breathless Raditz and grinned at Kakarot. The prince snickered a little while holding his own panting love against him.
"Shall we head back to the castle my prince?" The escort stood and pulled his longhaired love up while calling his horse to his side. Kakarot pulled Vegeta to his feet and gave his friend a nod. The princes mounted the steed and began the journey back to Kakarot's home with Nappa and Raditz walking at their side. Vegeta smiled down at the sorcerer. They were finally free.
A.N. That's it. The end. Heh heh it took forever but that was finally it. Now I do have a very short epilogue for this. -=Smirks.=- With some lemons of course. Now if Nappa/Raditz squicks you then you just won't be able to read some of the next part but in any case I'll see you then minna!