Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ and I never will. If I did it wouldn't be any good.

Author's note: I apologize in advance for all the stupid names in this story, but I figured it was better to work on the actual story rather than take a long time trying to think up a bunch of cool Saiyan names. So, I'm sorry! Please don't hold it against me!

          Chapter Two – The King

          King Vegeta stood at the window in his personal bedchamber, looking out over his vast kingdom. He was king of this entire planet, and yet, at times like this, he would like nothing better than to just blow the whole thing up. The capital city was beautiful, but beyond that, most of the planet Vegeta was a wasteland, as lifeless as its king felt right now. Once it had been a lush green paradise. When had it changed so much? Why hadn't he noticed?

          There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" snapped Vegeta, turning toward the door. His messenger stepped in, came forward and bowed.

          "Sire, I have come to inform you that Princess Khali has given birth to a daughter. Both mother and child are doing well. The infant has an average power level, but it could go up a lot as she gets older."

          The king sighed. "Another daughter."

          "I wouldn't worry, Your Majesty. You will have a son soon enough. Don't forget, young Seri will deliver in two months' time. You may get your heir sooner than you think."

          "Don't patronize me, Unya!" Vegeta said sharply. "I already have eight daughters, including the brat born today! I need a son! I can't leave my people without a king when I die!"

          "Sire, you're still young. You have many years—" Unya began.

          "Oh, shut up, Unya! Get out of my sight!" the angry king ordered. The other man hastily bowed and left.

          Vegeta slammed his fist on the windowsill. Another girl! Why, with all of the women in his harem, did he not have a son yet? Was there something wrong with him? Would he ever have the son he wanted so badly?

          They'd shoved her, bound hand and foot, into one of their transports, to take her back to the palace. There were other captured villagers in the cargo hold with her, but it was so dark she couldn't tell who was there and who was missing, and the two soldiers who had captured her had gagged her too, so she couldn't call out to her fellow captives either. She didn't want to think about her two older brothers. The king had ordered her father dead, and apparently her too, so what would he do to her brothers? If they weren't dead already!

          Rubaga, her eldest brother. He had just turned eighteen. He'd been married, with a son, but his wife and baby had been killed last year in a raid by outlaws. Ever since then he'd always had a certain sadness about him, though he still made sure he always had time for his little sister.

          And then there was Clova. He was sixteen and full of life. He was always telling his sister how he was going to become the strongest fighter ever, and the raiders and soldiers and anybody else who threatened their family would be sorry. He was convinced that he would become the legendary Super Saiyan. The rest of the family laughed at him, but he kept training, saying, "Someday, I will be great. You'll see."

          She smiled inwardly at the memories of her brothers. Then she thought, they might already be dead! Tears filled her eyes, but she forced them back.

          No! I can't let myself think that! Revenge, just think of revenge!

          That worked, and for the remainder of the ride to the palace, she kept herself fueled by her anger and hate.

          King Vegeta, she thought scornfully, you'll be sorry for what you've done! If I have to die trying, I will make you pay!

          Finally the transport reached the royal palace. The doors were thrown open, and the girl, along with the other villagers, blinked and tried to shield her eyes from the sudden brightness.

          "Come on, you!" Caro, the shorter of her two captors from before, yanked her out of the transport. She fell to the ground; her legs were still bound together.

          "Get up!" Caro kicked at her viciously. She yelped in pain without meaning to. She couldn't get up, so he grabbed her and jerked her back up so she was standing.

          The tall man had come over to them while this was going on, and now he took hold of her too. "You can't even handle one young girl, Caro? It's a good thing I'm around, isn't it? Let's get all these new slaves into the palace, men! The king will want to inspect them and choose which ones to keep, and which ones will go to auction. And I know he'll want to deal with you personally," he added softly to the shocked girl.

          Slaves? They were all going to be slaves? No. They weren't all going to be slaves. She was going to die. All because her father hadn't given in to the king's demands. Father, I know you were just doing what you felt was right, but… I wish you'd thought about what would happen to you, and to all of us, she thought. I wish you were here to protect me now. I'm scared, but I won't let them know that. I'll make you proud, Father. I'll show them what our family can do!

          That little pep talk to herself finished, the girl steeled herself as she was led to the palace doors, and prepared to meet her enemy.