Three
Vegeta paused in his training.
/I can't sense Trunks' ki any more./ He waited for a few moments more then Vegeta grabbed the shirt he had taken off for his training and raced out of the gravity chamber then out of the house. He launched himself into the air and in a few second was on top of the Capsule Corp offices. This was where Bulma had said they would be and where he had last felt Trunks' presence. He wrenched open the roof door and raced down the stairs to the approximate area he last felt his son's presence.
Vegeta ran through the hallways when suddenly he felt something very familiar.
Magic. And it was Babidi's work.
He stopped by an open doorway. Yes, it was strong here. He looked in and saw the mess that the room was in. Then he heard a child crying.
"Trunks?" The sound stopped. Vegeta hesitated then stepped in, a tingle running down his spine and suddenly, he could no longer feel his own ki. /So that's what happened. There's a spell on the room that blocks ki./ "Trunks? Are you here?" Although it was a small room, the huge conference table had been torn into huge pieces of debris and could have been hiding anything.
He heard a sniffle just to the right. Looking around a large piece of table, Vegeta saw Marron.
On seeing him, she shrank back and whimpered. "It's okay," Vegeta said softly in a voice that he doubted he had ever used before. Marron stared at him a moment, then she seemed to recognise him and she threw herself against his leg and refused to let go.
Vegeta tugged at her. "Hey, get off." It was no good. She clung to him and started to cry. Vegeta sighed. He tried picking her up and she allowed herself to be cradled against his shoulder.
Vegeta was about to walk out of the room again after he found no one else, but he stopped, seeing something almost hidden behind another part of the table leaning against the wall. He wouldn't have caught it at all if he hadn't gotten close enough to smell the blood.
Vegeta used his free hand to move the table away and saw a small pool of blood on the floor. Just above it, there was something written in the blood on the wall.
Payback, my Prince.
Vegeta snarled, eliciting a whimper from the girl in his arms. Calming a bit at the noise, Vegeta was about to turn away again, but there was something still bothering him. He leaned down instead and gingerly touched the pool with the tip of his finger.
It was Saiyan blood.
It was his blood.
"Trunks." It was a low growl. Vegeta was beyond angry. He was about to do something very violent, when once again, the tiny toddler in his arms brought him back to his senses.
"Mummy?"
Vegeta stopped and calmed himself. First he had to call Krillin and Kakarott. They needed to be told about this tragedy. He walked out of the room, a tingle once again travelling down his spine as he exited the area on which the spell was focused.
"Payback. Nappa, I'll show you what payback is and you'll regret having anything to do with me."
* * *
"Damn, we were too late." Bardock surveyed the wreckage of the room.
"We should report back to King Vegeta now," Raditz cut in. "We can't do anything else now."
"You're right." Bardock sighed and looked at his eldest son. "So why aren't you siding with Nappa?"
Raditz snorted. "Nappa's an idiot. He knows how to suck up to people in charge. I've never liked him, but mutual dislike of our station in life and of the people around us kind of pushed us together. And of course, Prince Vegeta kept us from fighting." Raditz shook his head and gestured to the message. "I thought he was stupid, but this does more than prove it. Only an idiot would challenge someone that much stronger than him."
"Maybe Nappa has some powerful allies that we don't know about."
"Probably. I wouldn't put it past him to hand our entire race over to Frieza again if it got him revenge. Nappa is fanatical about vengeance, he'll go to any lengths to get it."
Bardock remembered his visions, though they were hardly ever out of his thoughts. Nappa could be the one to bring about their destruction. "Then we have a serious problem."
* * *
Bulma looked around groggily, her eyes barely open, as someone shook her awake insistently. She groaned, not fully taking in her surroundings, only really aware of the throbbing in her head.
"Trunks, honey, mummy's sick. Leave." After mumbling that, she turned her head away and tried to move her arm, only to find that her hands were bound. She opened her eyes wide and sat up immediately, ignoring the pain in her head, and looked around properly.
The first things she noticed were the thick metal bars on the only door and window in the small room. Looking down at her cuffed hands, she thought, /Kami, what did I get up to last night?/ She blushed a bit at the thought then looked around.
Videl was siting nearby, looking relieved at Bulma's alertness, she was also cuffed. Bulma assumed that she was the one to wake her. Chi-Chi was holding a distraught and crying Goten close to her and was also keeping watch over two still forms. Eighteen was lying on the ground still, but slowly waking up, her fingers flickered and she groaned. The other figure however …
"No! Trunks!" Bulma got up and rushed over to him, slightly dizzy from moving too fast after waking, but she took no notice of her own pain at the sight of her son's. Kneeling beside him, she gently ran her fingers down across his cheek and up to the wrapping around his head.
"I guess they want him, and us I suppose, as hostages," Videl commented as she knelt beside Bulma.
/They?/ Bulma was about to ask when she remembered. "Nappa," she hissed, both in fear and anger.
"Who is he?"
"A Saiyan."
"You mean like Gohan, or Goku?"
"No … well, yes, but only in terms of race. Nappa is evil. He and his former partner tried to take over Earth."
"What happened?"
"His partner killed him." Videl wanted to ask more, but Bulma had turned away as Trunks groaned. Everyone looked at him, even Eighteen, who was now fully awake.
Trunks' eyes fluttered open. "Mum?"
"I'm here Trunks." Bulma gently brushed his hair from his face.
"My head hurts."
"I know sweetie."
"Where are we?" Trunks tried to sit up, but he was still woozy from blood loss and almost fainted again. Bulma settled him back down.
"Shh, don't get up right now. I don't know where we are, but I'm sure everything's going to be fine."
"Who was that guy?"
"A dead man." That was what had her really worried. Nappa was dead, so how did he manage to end up back on Earth?
"He didn't feel very dead when he punched me." Trunks sat up again, more slowly this time, so he wouldn't feel faint. "He will be soon though." He balled his hands into fists. "No one gets away with throwing me into a wall."
"Trunks, no!" Goten sprang up, tears still in his eyes.
"Why not?"
"You can't!"
"Give me one good reason why I can't."
"Because you can't. We can't turn Super Saiyan. We can't even feel our ki, none of us can." Goten burst into tears again and ran to his mother. He had taken this very badly, he'd never been without his power before and it scared him that he could be this weak and helpless.
Trunks paled at his best friend's words. "No … it's not true, it can't be true!"
The door to the cell burst open with a loud clang. "It's true boy. Your power's all gone."
Futilely, Trunks concentrated and his eyes widened when nothing happened. He started shaking his head in denial and Bulma wrapped her arms around him protectively, or at least held him close considering her bonds. Nappa started laughing evilly as he saw Trunks start to shake all over and tears start dropping from his ducts. Fear overtook the young demi-Saiyan completely as the laughter echoed around the room.
* * *
"Nappa, what is the meaning of this?" King Vegeta stared in anger and horror at the ragged and defenseless hostages standing before him.
"It was part of my plan to take over Earth my liege." Nappa barely suppressed a smirk at the sight of the enraged monarch before him.
"I never gave you leave to do this!"
"No other approach would have worked my liege, not with Earth's Hero protecting the planet."
"This is not our way. This is dishonourable and weak, it goes against everything we stand for as an ancient and proud warrior race." To say King Vegeta was furious would be the severest form of understatement. However, Nappa continued, disregarding the fact that with his next words could be considered the gravest insult and the basis for treason.
"Pride isn't everything my liege. Sometimes necessary measures must be taken to get the job done. After all, taking hostages kept you in line my liege, did it not?" Nappa's eyes sparkled with malice as King Vegeta stopped his furious pacing and stiffened in pain.
He glared at his deceitful subject. "You've obviously spent too much time with Frieza," he snarled in an icy voice. "What did you plan to do to them?"
"Exactly what Frieza would have done." Nappa turned and grinned that familiar grin as he ogled his captives. "Torture them."
They would have shrunk back in fear, but a guard held each of them tightly. Videl, Chi-Chi and Eighteen struggled against their guards, to no avail. Bulma simply stood there, dignified as always, though clearly angry, but her countenance showed fear and worry too. Goten wasn't moving. He was still in shock over loosing his power. And Trunks … he was barely conscious. His guard had to hold him up.
Nappa moved over to them and grabbed Trunks by the scruff of his neck, ignoring the King's glare and Bulma's pleas to leave Trunks alone. "I think I'll start with this one."
"No!" Goten managed to catch his guard by surprise and broke out of his grip. He grabbed onto Nappa's wrists. "You can't he's still hurt. Let him go. Take me instead."
"Goten?" Trunks looked up at his friend through pain filled eyes and saw tears running down the young boy's face. "No, don't."
"Enough!" Everyone jumped at the roar that echoed around the room. Some guards even scurried out of the way as Vegeta's glare took in the entire hall. "They are women and children, Nappa. How dare you call yourself a warrior! Torture! Kidnapping! How could you have sunk so low! Get out of my sight!"
"My liege," he tried to protest, but Vegeta had risen and everyone could see the threatening flaming aura surrounding him. "Yes my liege." Nappa bowed and left the throne room, his disappointment and anger displayed in his walk. Soon, everyone had gone, save for a few guards stationed by the door.
Vegeta sighed and his shoulders slumped as the aura disappeared. He looked tired. Glancing over at the prisoners he stood up straighter.
"I cannot apologise for what has been done to you, for it could not be enough retribution for what has happened." King Vegeta made his way over to them. "I also cannot free you. I have very little power left here and if I did something as outrageous as to free you, it would cause huge upheaval among my subjects."
"You're their king," Bulma said, with confusion in her voice. "Why wouldn't they listen to you?"
"Many things have changed. Unfortunately the few remaining things that we as a race could take pride in have started to wither away. However, I cannot condone this!" Vegeta spun away from them in a rage. "How could he! He went behind my back and committed such an act! Torture! The bastard, after everything that happened with Frieza he would just throw it back into my face!" Vegeta took control of his emotions once again. "I can apologise for that."
"No problem," Bulma brushed it aside. "My husband has worse fits of temper than you do." Chi-Chi and Eighteen couldn't help snickering at that. The similarities between the father and son were quite obvious. Videl didn't quite understand why they were laughing, she was still unaware of many details about Vegeta and Goku's race. Trunks was still dazed and Goten was caring for him.
"Excuse me, Mr. King?" Everyone turned to stare a the small boy. He had tears in his eyes. "Can you help Trunks, please?"
King Vegeta gestured to one of the guards. "Prepare a room for these two boys and send a healer immediately." The guard bowed and left the room.
"Thank you." Bulma bowed, relieved that her son would be looked after. Her pendant fell out of her top. King Vegeta noticed this and frowned lightly, recognising the crest upon it. "Nappa had hurt him before he came here and he hasn't had time to recover yet."
"It is the very least I can do." The guard returned and escorted the boys to their room near the royal quarters. He had arranged for the women's room to be nearby also. "I suppose it is protection of a sort," the King murmured.
"Why are you doing this?" Eighteen finally spoke up, her anger clearly showing on her visage. "I don't like being kept prisoner and I don't like not knowing what's going on, so explain."
King Vegeta's eyes frosted over in a very familiar expression of barely suppressed rage. "Do not think to question my motives for helping you! For your insolence I should release you into Nappa's custody, but not even I am such a cruel monster as to do that to innocents." The rage faded to guilt and sorrow. "I have seen and known too much to allow that to happen again. No matter what happens, know that the children are as safe as can be and you will be too." King Vegeta moved over to Bulma, who barely suppressed the urge to move backwards. He hooked his finger around the pendant. "This crest alone demands your safe keeping."
The doors opened once again before Bulma or anyone else had time to react. The women froze in place as yet another familiar-appearing Saiyan appeared. "Raditz," Bulma whispered in fear. King Vegeta looked at her strangely then moved away.
Raditz bowed. "Report," King Vegeta said as other Saiyans moved in.
"My liege, we were unable to prevent Nappa's plan," he looked around. "As may be surmised by the presence of the hostages."
"Did you engage Nappa's forces in combat?"
"No my liege. As far as I know, he is unaware of our motives."
"He won't be soon." Another figure strode into view and made a cursory bow. The four women tried to hold in a gasp. "Nappa has allies that we knew nothing about. We'll be found out soon. My king, we have do something more."
"Like what Bardock?" The King exploded. "I have no power anymore. Nappa and his allies hold sway over my subjects. I don't control anything anymore. Frieza, Babidi, Gero, they now control my race once more. Again Saiyans have no freedom, even after I vowed never to subject them to oppression again. Even in death I couldn't fulfil my vow. Kami! I don't know how to fix this. Do you realise that by taking hostages Nappa has sealed our doom! Earth's Hero will not stand for this, he will annihilate us."
Bulma cleared her throat. The group of angry Saiyans glared at her, but living with Vegeta for ten years made her immune to the fear that should have accompanied such a glare. She just smirked at them. "It seems that you're in need of some help."
Vegeta gave her a withering look then ignored her comment. "Bardock, you and your crew are to escort these women to their rooms. I'll have someone show you the way. Meet with me again in an hour and we will discuss our next move." King Vegeta then left the throne room with a swirl of his cape.
"Damn it!" Bardock growled. "He refuses to make a move."
"Bardock, calm down," Toura put a restraining hand on his friend's shoulder. "He's stuck, he can't do a thing without putting the entire race in danger. Think about things from his point of view."
"I'm trying Toura, but I can't. This is going to destroy us."
Bulma cleared her throat again. "Is anyone going to listen to me? I'm offering help, but you damn stubbourn Saiyans keep ignoring me. Is it like a racial trait with you? Of course if you'd rather have Earth's Hero against you rather than with you, you can ignore me all you want."
"What did you say?" Bardock looked stunned. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing much, only that you have some very important hostages in your possession. If you want Goku on your side, then you better listen good."
"Goku?" Raditz laughed. "He's Earth's Hero? He's what everyone in Hell has been so afraid of? He wouldn't hurt a fly, much less destroy a race."
"True, but Goku can get pretty angry when he's provoked," Chi-Chi spoke up. "And I'd say kidnapping his wife, son and friends is good enough provocation even for Goku."
"All right," Bardock narrowed his eyes. "You know this ... Goku, Earth's Hero. Is he really as strong as they say he is?"
"He's the strongest fighter in the universe right now," Bulma assured them. "Now, I have a plan, if you're willing to listen, that may save everyone's lives."
* * *
Goku laughed as Krillin burst up through the surface, spluttering and spitting out water. The shorter man glared at his best friend. "Very funny Goku. Now help me out."
"Oh no, I'm not falling for that again." Goku grinned. "Last time I ended up in the water with you."
"Darn." Krillin snapped his fingers in annoyance. "I'll have to find another way to get you back."
"You can try all you want, but it's not gonna work." Goku stopped grinning for a second and frowned at the ki he felt moving in their direction. "That feels like Vegeta. I wonder what's up."
"Maybe Bulma sent him over with a message or something." Krillin had finally made it to the shore of the small island that was his home. They waited for Vegeta to land.
"Hey, Vegeta what's up?" Goku smiled, oblivious to Vegeta's dark countenance — it was usually pretty dark anyway — and to the small bundle in his arms. Krillin had noticed, however.
"Marron." Vegeta handed the sleeping toddler over to her father. He looked up at Vegeta's face. "Vegeta, what's wrong, did something happen?" Even Goku had now noticed the slight difference to Vegeta's expression.
The Saiyan Prince didn't answer straight away, but when he did, there was a strained quality to his voice, conveying some strong emotion he was trying to hold back. "Bulma, Chi-Chi, Eighteen, Videl and probably Goten and Trunks as well have all been taken."
"Taken?" Goku yelled. "By who?"
Vegeta didn't bother to hide the rage and disgust obvious in his voice. He glared and unconsciously raised his ki to match the strength of his anger. "Nappa."