A New Perspective
By Mayumi Takanashi
Vegeta blinked as he stood on the firm, ground. He tilted his head down and noticed he was standing on a circular fighting ring made of white stone. As he looked around him, he noticed he was standing in a massive stadium, almost like the World Martial Arts Tournament arena. He glanced above his head, and saw that this was an open-air stadium, letting the cool night breeze enter the structure. The crescent moon shone brightly overhead, and the stars glinted in the dark sky. Along with this brilliant light, stadium lights illuminated the building. There were two large entrances on both sides of the ring, and row after row of seats tapered up toward the top. No one was sitting in them, he was all alone.
"Ah, I see you're here," yelled a voice, echoing in throughout the arena. Vegeta spun around wildly, trying to find the sound's origin.
"Who's there?" Vegeta called back.
"It is I, Tanokai," answered the voice. Out of the shadows of the first entrance came a young teenager. She looked about twenty, and had long black hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. Upon her slim figure she wore armbands and kneepads of leather, and she wore a silver chest plate that sat on her blue bodysuit. At her side she carried two kodachis, or Japanese swords. On her arm she carried a silver shield, which was encrusted with blood-red rubies and deep blue sapphires. In the center of this shield, there was a large forest green emerald, and the other jewels circled the gem. She walked briskly toward him, and Vegeta stood at the ready, prepared to fight.
"Who are you?" question Vegeta, his voice strong.
"I told you! I am Tanokai," she said, slightly irritated.
"But you must have some title," argued Vegeta. "After all, you are a Princess of the Other World."
"True," she replied thoughtfully. "I am the Battle Mistress, if that answers your question."
"Yeah," Vegeta smirked. "So, why did you bring me here?"
"I want to fix that attitude of yours," she retorted.
"Oh sure, the Battle Mistress is concerned about my attitude!" laughed Vegeta. "If that all you're worried about, then I might as well leave."
Vegeta turned to go, but Tanokai cut him off.
"Listen, you think that your Saiyan race is the best, that you are the elite," she called.
"And that is a fact," said Vegeta. "They are the greatest race in the universe."
"Oh really?" she asked. "Then answer this: Where have they all gone?"
Vegeta looked down. He refused to answer that. Tanokai smiled triumphantly.
"They were killed. Wow! Sounds like they were really strong," she said sarcastically.
"Shut up!" he bellowed.
"Let me tell you something!" she shouted back at him. "Believing that you are of an elitist race will lead to your downfall!"
"How dare you," whispered Vegeta. "How dare you disrespect my people."
"Let's sit down to talk," said Tanokai calmly. The two flew up to the rows of seats and sat down near one another.
"Listen to me," said Tanokai. "Do you know why the Saiyans were so powerful?"
"They were a warrior race," answered Vegeta haughtily. "Throughout centuries, the Saiyans trained hard and evolved into a first-class world."
"You fool," she said, shaking her head. Her ponytail swayed from side to side as she did this. "The Saiyans were blessed."
"What are you talking about, woman?" asked Vegeta.
"Well, centuries ago, the Saiyans were a peaceful people, farmers mostly," explained Tanokai. Vegeta thought he was going to throw up.
"Farmers?" he gagged.
"Yes, that's what I said!" she exclaimed in an exasperated tone.
"You lie," he said arrogantly.
"Hush! I've been alive longer than you! I was there," she shouted.
"Fine, explain yourself," he replied angrily.
"A long time ago, there was a man named Jhedeta," she said. "Your ancestor."
"Humph!" snorted Vegeta.
"He was very sad that his planet was always under attack. He was the King of the planet, and his people were constantly massacred, and he had no weapons or armies to stop the assaults. All he wanted was to save his people, and so he begged me to give his people ultimate power."
"That's a nice little story," said Vegeta. "But why do I care?"
"You have him to thank for your power, so don't disrespect him!" she yelled.
"Ooh! Sorry!" Vegeta sneered.
"However, the power got to his head, and eventually, it destroyed him," she said gravely.
Vegeta looked down. So this was where the power of the Saiyans came from. He noticed a tear roll down Tanokai's cheek.
"The power consumed him," she continued. "He started to lead attacks on to other planets, and that is where your custom of conquering other worlds came from."
Vegeta felt crushed. The true power of the Saiyans came from an act of desperation?
"Why did you give him strength?" asked Vegeta in an upset tone. "You should have left him to die! You should not have let him grovel." He pounded his fist into the chair in front of him.
"I couldn't have ever done that," she said wistfully. Her eyes were clouded. "I loved Jhedeta."
Vegeta's eyes widened with surprise. Tears streamed down Tanokai's cheeks. This tough, courageous young woman was crying! She had loved him so much, it was written all over her face.
"I just want you to stop being so obsessed with increasing your power, understand? You are also my ancestor, for I was Jhedeta's wife. I want you to live your life! Don't waste it trying to become all-powerful! You have a family to take care of, so be a father and a husband, not a warrior."
Vegeta got up to leave. They flew back down to the center of the ring.
"This is for you," she said, handing him one of her kodachis. "This belonged to Jhedeta. I want you to have it."
Vegeta pulled it out of its black sheath. It was a sharp sword, and it's handle was speckled with sparkling emeralds.
"Now, it's time for you to be with your family," said Tanokai.
Vegeta felt the wind pick up around him, and he was swept into the darkness.