"Rebels of the Revolution"

By Akira

Disclaimer:  Vegeta-sei, Gohan, Goten, Videl, Pan, and Trunks are dutifully Akira Toriyama's.  The first line of the summary belongs to Peter Jackson of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy (Boromir in The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring at the Council of Elrond).  Midwinter comes from several different fantasy books I've read.  Lastly, there is mention of Enerials and Enerial forged weapons in this chapter.  Both belong solely to my friend, Natalie, who has granted me permission to use the Enerials for my own purposes.

Summary: "Saiyans have no king; Saiyans need no king." The heir to the throne returned long from exile – a choice he made long ago. He took the throne, and within months, rumors of a rebellion emerged. The entire planet turned against him… all except one girl.

Thanks go out to… only one person this time:  Jezika… for reviewing! 

Chapter XIII

"The Enerials have announced their departure in a fortnight," Trunks informed his trainee as she packed.  It grieved him to see her go.  She had been his first friend on this wretched planet in which he was now called king. 

Pan smiled wanly.  "I suppose it's for the best.  After all, I assume Lady Jenaesil has her own kingdom to rule."

"Very well said and very true, but I shall miss them all the more.  They've been very supportive of mine taking the throne… which is a first since I've been here."  Trunks inwardly sighed.  They had been wonderful towards him… even improved his status in the eyes of the Council.  It showed them that he had a hand in foreign affairs.

"Mayhap they do not want to leave.  Duty calls."

"Mayhap."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Trunks raised an eyebrow as Blaze unwrapped Pan's old training sword.  "I assume that was the gift she delivered last?"

Blaze blushed slightly, "Yes, my King."

"While you are under my training, Blaze, you are serving under me as a warrior, not me as King.  I do not wish to be called King during training, understand?  Now which weapon do you wish to start with?"

"Yes, my Lord.  The sword," Blaze replied.

"Get your sword, clean up, and meet me in the training field in half an hour."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Want to know something funny, Pan?" Andrean asked unexpectedly from his position leaning against the doorway between their adjoining rooms.

"Hm?"  Pan held no formalities with the assistant commander of the Elite.  He had been around and had been her friend for so long that protocol did not require her to anymore.

"I was to be your intended.  Your father asked me."

Pan was stunned.  She knew about tradition, of course, and tradition told her that the father always picked the daughter's husband.  She just never expected it to be the same with her.  Her father knew she picked the warrior path, was painfully aware of it, in fact, but yet he dared to find her a husband at the same time?  When was he going to learn that she did not want to be a lady?

Andrean walked over and tilted up Pan's head with gentle fingers.  He said in a soft voice, "I refused.  I knew that you wanted to be a warrior.  I also knew that my first duty is to Vegeta-sei and the good of its inhabitants.  I don't want that duty to bar me from my duty to my family.  Love and marriage will wait for me yet."

Pan looked up at Andrean.  He was twenty-five… pretty damn young for an assistant commander of the greatest military force in the universe.  How was it that every time she got near him, she felt inferior and brainless?  He always said the right things at the right times.  "Thank you," she whispered.

He nodded and left the room.  Pan finished unpacking as thoughts whirled like a typhoon around her head.  This was very much like her father, who gave into her every whim when she was around… but when she wasn't….  She loved her father dearly, as she plainly showed last night, but he still got on her nerves at times.  Pan brushed the dust off her trainee uniform and walked over to the door.

Opening it a tiny crack, she called softly, "Andrean?"

"We're to go to the market today.  I need to show you how to manage supplies for large amounts of people."  Andrean turned towards her, scarlet cloak snugly around his shoulders and white band around his head.  "Let's hurry.  I want to be back before nightfall."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was mid-morning before Blaze allowed himself to take a break.  His sweat-covered face showed lines of fatigue not present before.  After taking gulps of Saniel water from the skin, his tired muscles ceased their incessant screaming and lessened it to a dull roar.  Saniel water was the purest of all waters, brought to Vegeta-sei by no other than the Enerials.  It was also filled with a tiny bit of mystical energy and was often used to help fighters recover.  Now that he had gulped down half of the skin selfishly, Blaze tried his voice.  "M-my Lord, w-why d-doesn't it w-work?  W-why c-can't I d-do p-patterns?"

Trunks thought out his answer, allowing a moment of rest as he sat himself down upon the ground.  "Well, Blaze, there are two kinds of people," he started, waiting for Blaze's understanding nod before continuing.  "The first kind is naturals.  Weaponry and patterns just come easier to them than to the rest of us… sometimes easy to the extent of unnaturally.  Pan is one of those.  She works for a few days on a weapon, at the most, two weeks and masters it.  Me, I belong to the other group – this group is not naturals.  They are just born fighters.  Not great swordsmen or archers."

Blaze had regained his breath somewhat now and tried to speak without gasping or stuttering.  "But, my Lord, you do the patterns like a natural."

Trunks smiled.  "There is always, of course, an exception.  You can make yourself a natural.  With enough practice and determination, one can do that.  You just need the passion… which you obviously have."

Blaze sighed and picked up his sword once more.  Trunks looked up and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Well, I only have a fortnight, my Lord.  If I wish to master the sword by then, I think I shall have to work every minute."

End Chapter XIII

A/N:

As always… REVIEW!