Here is the next chapter. It's a little shorter than I intended but I've been sick lately and busy with personal problems so I didn't have much time to write. I hope you enjoy it. Chapter 9: Pawn Prince Freeza slithered out of the throne room of King Vegeta feeling very content. He took such immense pleasure in these moments of triumph. He had known the monkey king would give in to his demands. It actually was much less of a scene than he had hoped for, almost anticlimactic, the saiyaijin in the room were too scared and shocked to utter a word when the King had told him he could have the prince. The note of pain in the proud King's face, and the slump to his shoulders as he forced out the words was absolutely delicious, however. Everything had worked out according to plan precisely as he had foreseen it. Now that the Saiyaijin Empire was his he truly was the most powerful ruler in the universe. He chuckled softly to himself strolling down the shadowy halls fearlessly without an escort high on his victory. "I wouldn't be so pleased if I were you My Lord" an aged female voice said from out of nowhere. Freeza's eyes darted around the shadows for a sign of the speaker and found a form hanging back in half shadow. "Who are you to speak to me so boldly?" Freeza questioned threateningly. "I am one who speaks truth" the woman replied materializing mysteriously from the shadows. "You?" Freeza hissed immediately recognizing the aged soothsayer. "Yes" she said with a mysterious grin. "You haven't changed your destiny you know. You've only insured it." "What destiny?" Freeza fairly growled. "You mean that one of these pathetic monkey's will kill me? There is not a being alive that can destroy me. I am all powerful." "There is no one now, but the day will come when you shall fall to the golden warrior who's power will dwarf yours." "Again with the Super Saiyaijin Legend?" Freeza mocked. "I suppose the prince will become the Legendary and destroy me?"
"He will
not destroy you but he will bring about the means of your destruction" the
woman continued. "By taking him you are
signing your own death warrant for he sets in motion everything that will lead
to your destruction."
"You think
you can fool me!" Freeza said angrily. "You think you can make me forget about your people with these
lies! I am not so easily swayed! I can master my own destiny. The child will be loyal to me once I have
him under my influence."
"Believe as
you will," the woman crooned. "Your
arrogant belief in your power and your ability to control all people and things
around you will be your downfall."
"How dare
you!" Freeza screamed shooting a blast of ki at the smug clairvoyant. The blast ignited on impact and Freeza
smirked until the doom filled knell of her laughter echoed in the corridor.
"You cannot
escape your destiny," the voice said drifting away with a cackle.
"NO!"
Freeza cried unable to hold back his anger as it amplified his ki and its
energy visibly manifested itself about his body. He heard the sound of booted stumbling feet and skids and
collisions behind himself and turned to see three saiyaijin guards in a pile-up
at the end of the hallway staring open mouthed at his display of power. A blood-curdling smile crossed his burgundy
lips as he recognized his chance to let out his frustrations. Standing up straight and locking eyes with
the nervous men he gathered all his energy, and malice into his cold red
glare. His eyes lasers vaporized the
first man, and cut-down his two companions before they had a chance to
run. Feeling greatly relieved the
tsirijin smiled as another group rounded the corner and slipped in the residue
remaining from the first victim and gazed in shock at the two freshly charred
corpses.
"I leave
you to clean-up the mess" Freeza announced smoothly turning and continuing down
the hall as he began.
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King Vegeta stood alone in the large anteroom of the Great Hall staring out the gilded window but not seeing the view before him. He had ousted everyone immediately after Freeza had left with orders to bring his son to him in one week. He had to tell the boy and he wanted to do it now before he somehow got wind of it through the gossip of those present when Freeza had laid the situation bare before his men.
"Damn you Freeza" he cursed softly. The clever changeling had purposely sought him out while he was conducting business to be sure an audience was there for the show. He wanted them all to know the helpless position he was in, and he wanted the people to know that they were about to loose their greatest treasure. Confronting him before the eyes of others Freeza hadn't given him any time to stall or come up with excuses to keep the boy out of his hands for longer. The normally stoic and dour monarch couldn't help but cringe at the knowledge that his son would be in the hands of the sadistic tyrant. He and his closest advisors had worked tirelessly to find a way to prevent Freeza from getting his clutches on the prince and one-by-one their efforts had been thwarted for a reason that up until two days ago he had been loathe to recognize. Doubtless there were members of his own cabinet working against him; Traitors were in among his small circle and only a handful could be trusted.
The squeal of the gigantic, ancient doors resounded throughout room plunging the knife of guilt still deeper as the footfalls approached from behind.
"Your Majesty," the voice of Zorn, one of the few loyal, prodded gently. "He is outside. I thought you might need a moment to gather yourself before you see him."
"How do you prepare to tell your son you are about to hand him over to his most hated enemy?" he asked not bothering to turn around.
"It won't be for long sire just tell him that," the man offered.
Vegeta no Ou smiled disdainfully. "You don't know my son," he stated turning toward him. The man's gaze faltered as the King's eyes met his and he tried to think of an answer. "You don't have to say anything more old friend." Zorn's eyes shot up to his meet his King's in surprise at his words. "I have few friends any longer" the man continued "and I know that I need every once of loyalty and every strong arm at my side if I am to pull this people out of the hole I dug for them."
"You can count on me sire" Zorn replied "and the other members of your personal guard."
"I know," he said briefly carefully erasing all trace of emotion from his visage. "Tell Nappa I wish to see him once I finish with the prince" he said returning to a more business-like demeanor. "Show the boy in."
Bowing curtly Zorn turned to follow his orders. As the King watched the guards exit through the doors he sought to pull himself together as he heard Zorn speak to the prince. He couldn't allow the boy to see his helplessness; he had to be strong and proud because he was the King of Vegetasei. Crossing his arms over his chest he awaited the entrance of his heir.
"Its about time" his son snapped shoving his way past the guard and stomping angrily into the room. "I was pulled out of my personal training session. I hope this is worth it Father."
King Vegeta looked down at his son as he stood before him impatiently tapping his foot. His head held high, his posture erect, and arms crossed over his chest he looked every inch the royal he was, so like himself. So like he used to be before this harrowing reality came crashing down about him.
"You should never question your King" Vegeta replied dispassionately.
Young Vegeta took note of the lack of authority in his voice and examined him more closely. The air that hung about his usually charismatic sire was thick with foreboding. He seemed different; something was missing from his manner that put the child on edge. He didn't like the way he was staring at him, with an almost regretful air.
"I" the boy began "will be more careful in the future."
Vegeta no ou heaved a sigh before he continued. "Vegeta," the man began "I brought you her because I have to tell you something I would rather not burden you with but as the Prince of Vegetasei and future king you have certain responsibilities. I've tried my best, as have your tutors, to impress upon you the importance of being in our position. The well being of every one of our people is our greatest duty and we are expected to make certain sacrifices for the greater good. We are being called upon…or rather you are being called upon to now make such a sacrifice and it is my hope that you will do so with the honor and dignity you should."
The no ouji stared up at the ou confusion shining in his black eyes while he paused. It tore at King Vegeta's heart to see the innocence in those depths as well, innocence from the depth of the cruelty that life could deal its captives, innocence that was about to be torn away from him forever with the words he was about to utter. Of course the child was taught of royal duty all his life but he didn't understand it. There was no way he could understand it having been sheltered and coddled and worshiped by every being he had been in contact with for his 7 years of life.
"Vegeta" the King began trying to carefully weigh his words. "Freeza has demanded that you go to live with him or he will destroy our entire race," he said stopping to allow his words to sink in.
"What do you mean?" Vegeta asked in numb disbelief.
"Freeza has ordered me to turn you over to him Vegeta," the King said carefully scrutinizing his son's wide-eyed lack of response. "If I don't then he has threatened to slaughter the saiyaijin."
"Then we are going to war?" the boy questioned almost pleadingly.
"No" King Vegeta replied, "If we did it would be signing our death warrants for sure."
"Then you mean you're handing me over to him" Vegeta began with a little more desperate timber to his voice.
"I'm sorry but we have no choice" the King apologized noting the boys tail beginning to thrash behind him.
"No I won't go!" Vegeta shouted. "You can't make me go! I refuse to!"
"You will go Vegeta it is your duty" more sternly.
"What the hell do I care about duty!" the boy snapped. "I am the strongest! I am the next legendary!"
"And the next King" Vegeta began harshly "now act like it! If I have to I will force you rather than cause the entire genocide of the saiyaijin race."
"NO!" the child screamed in rage erupting in blue flames of ki. "I won't! I'll fight anyone who tries to make me! I'm stronger than you all! I'll fight Freeza since you are too much of a coward to do it yourself!"
King Vegeta reached into his rage and swung at the unsuspecting child back-handing him. Caught unawares the child was knocked across the room skidding across the floor before coming to a halt. As King Vegeta walked over to his son the boy looked up at him in shock, frustration and hurt.
"You are the coward!" the King stated in disgust. "You are such a coward you'd risk the necks of every last one of us rather than face Freeza yourself. I can't believe that you can be so self-serving. You don't deserve to be the Prince of our noble race."
His father's words were more painful than he had ever thought possible as he could plainly see his disdain and he felt the fight drain from his body.
"You are right none of us can force you to go" the King stated, "So I will just tell the people that you won't. I'll tell them that they are to take up arms against a force they are not capable of beating because there Prince is a frightened weakling so they know why they are laying down there lives."
"I'm not a coward," the child stated firmly.
"Then prove it," the man challenged. "Prove that I haven't underestimated your worth and that every last one of those people who worship the very ground you walk on do so deservedly."
Silence pervaded the room for one brief moment while the child fumbled through his head fighting back the emotions he felt warring within himself. How could they expect this…how could his father expect him to do this? He looked up at his stern face and fought back his tears. He had thought his Father would defend him against anything and everything and now…now he was angry.
"I hate you!" Vegeta shouted, "I hate this whole damn planet!" With that he flew out of the room and down the hall leaving behind the monarch.
King Vegeta closed his eyes and released the breath he had unconsciously been holding in response to his son's last words. He had known the boy's reaction wouldn't be good but he hadn't expected it to be so vehement or poisonous. He knew that the boy was selfish and egotistical owing a great deal to how he had always been spoiled but he'd never expected him to put himself above the people or his duty. He never thought the boy could…hate him.
"Gods above please let him see reason," he said quietly. 'Or I don't know what I should do."
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The Changeling Lord smiled a cool smile as heard his doors swish open and closed. He had been in a rather bad mood when he had left Vegetasei thanks to the witch's visit. As was usually the case in such instances, when he was left feeling impotent and frustrated, he desired nothing more than to inflict suffering on another being. He also wanted to test out some recently obtained information.
"You came promptly my dear" Freeza almost crooned savoring his plans for the girl.
"You wished to see me my lord?" Ice asked shyly from the other side of the room.
"Yes" Freeza said. "I wish to give you your next assignment."
"I am at your command," she said nervously.
"I suppose you heard that the Monkey King has finally come to his senses and is giving chibi Vegeta to me."
"I had, My Lord"
"I remembered how fond you were of the boy and I had a magnificent idea," the changeling continued. "Ice I'm handing the boy over to you too assist in his acclamation to his new home. You are to serve him and manhandle him if necessary of course. You know how to make the child trust you and I want you to do so. Slowly work on his mind from the inside while I work on it without."
Ice did nothing but stare up at him for a moment stark still.
Freeza rose from his chair and walked slowly towards her. "What's the matter Ice? I thought you'd be ecstatic at the news of your reuniting with the monkey. Instead you are silent."
"I'm sorry," she faltered as he began circling her ready to pounce on any weakness "I just thought you were sending me out again."
"No I think you could do much more good here" the said coolly meeting her gaze. "which is why this will be your permanent home. You are to tend to Vegeta until your retirement." He noted with satisfaction how her skin blanched. "Why so pale?" Freeza stated.
"I just don't think I should" Ice said almost panic stricken. "The Prince is smart I know he'll realize he met me before I…"
Freeza brought out a hand a touch her cheek softly causing her to draw in her breath.
"I wouldn't worry my dear" Freeza said softly removing his hand. "I intend to tell him everything about you and the sisterhood. I think he could learn a lot from you expertise as an assassin. I want him to know everything you know. He is to be a quick and effective killer. He can know everything about your stay on Vegetasei, except of course his mother's assassination." He chuckled seeing her stiffen. Pulling away he studied her carefully. "There is something different about you my dear," he stated, "if I didn't know any better I'd think you were in love."
Ice refused to look up freezing in dread of his statement unable to give an answer.
"I never thought you'd be so foolish" he continued "you know if you allow yourself to care too much it can very well kill you." Freeza smiled coldly. "Someone in your line of work can't afford to make attachments that will distract them or could their judgment. I'm only saying this in concern for my adopted sister. I wouldn't want you to get hurt now would I?"
"I thank you for your concern" Ice managed to say.
"You may go" he finished. He waited until she was almost at the door. "Oh, and Ice" he called out "I thought you'd like to know I won't be sending Zarbon out on any more missions either and I hope you won't be too distracted." He smiled at her unmoving form as it flinched briefly before fading from sight.
Her reaction, or rather attempt not to betray a reaction, had confirmed his suspicions. There was definitely a relationship between Ice and the blue-skinned warrior that would make the next portion of his plan all the more enjoyable.
In the next chapter Vegeta begins his stay on Freeza's ship and meets the real Ice for the first time. What will his reaction be and just what is Freeza planning?