Chapter Nine – Discovery of Fear
The darkness was there, but his body wasn't floating anymore. He damn well wished it were.
He tried to move an arm, but the heavy chains around his body prevented him from every move. A sound made him look up. The alien was there, its three eyes staring at him.
Why, Look Who's Here… it said mockingly. Vegeta growled.
"What do you want? Is it time to tell me all about your evil plan?" he snapped, desperately trying to free himself from the damned chains, but without success.
No… It Is Now Time To Finally Kill You. Laughter filled his head, making him wince. But If You Want To Know, I Think I Could Spare Some Minutes. It's Nothing Special, Really. You Were Just Like All The Others Before You.
"I am not like…"
Oh Yes, You Are. Suppressing Your Feelings So They Won't Make You Weak, And With That Opening The Gates For Me. 'Love Makes You Strong'. A Stupid Saying, But True All The Same. It laughed again. A Fool You Were, And Now You're Mine. Do You Know This? Suddenly, it held a key in its hand. The Woman Could Have Been Your Freedom, But You Left Her, Didn't You? Soon, She Will Be Mine As Well. Although You Won't Live To See That Day…
Vegeta said nothing, just staring at the being in pure hatred. He gathered all his force to make one last effort to destroy the wretched thing, when he heard a voice, calling for him.
"Vegeta! Do you hear me? Wake up! Vegeta!"
With every word, it became clearer. The being roared. What Is This!
But Vegeta knew. Surprise hit him like a fist. Bulma?
And suddenly, he had room to move. The chains were loosening.
Rage. Wild, hot, furious rage. The alien foamed. How could the human have slipped away? Why hadn't it sensed her? Had it been so lost within its admiration for itself that this mistake could have happened? It clenched a fist. So strong this body was… Cold black eyes narrowed to mere slits as it decided to pay the desert another visit.
Mistakes were there for being corrected.
Bulma had given up. She had tried everything she could think of, including an injection from the glider's first aid kit. Nothing had worked; the Saiyan just wouldn't wake up. Now she sat next to him, holding his hand and staring into the darkened sky. A shooting star darted towards the horizon. She closed her eyes. Starlight, star bright… No, that was for the first star you saw. She sighed, and decided to simply make her wish. Please make him wake up. For I don't know what I should do.
Vegeta looked at the being. Had it noticed something? But no, it was too absorbed with stomping furiously around the 'room'.
This Is Not Acceptable! it hissed. The Saiyan snickered.
"Something spoiled your nice little plan?" he said nastily. The being screamed angrily in response, making his head ache. But it calmed down at once.
So, I Have To Change Things A Little. Too Bad, She Would Have Been So Useful.
Vegeta froze. "Wha… What are you talking about, you green little punk?Useful for what?" A tension he did not want to analyze was vibrating through his body.
I Was Planning To Take Her Over, That Little Human Of Yours. This Seems No Longer Possible. Shame. It snarled.
The tension grew. "What do you mean?"
Like I Said, She Is No Longer Useful. I Must Say Her Presence Here Is Rather… Dangerous, I'm Afraid.
He didn't have to analyze that tension anymore. He damn well knew the feeling for what it was, and he didn't like it.
Fear.
Another shooting star appeared in the distance. Bulma prepared to make her wish the moment it touched the horizon… only that it didn't. Instead, it grew. Bulma swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Someone was heading towards her, someone with the apparent ability to fly, who knew where to look for her in the early night. She had a very bad feeling about this.
Within seconds, what had first been a spark became a silhouette surrounded by energy, and then Vegeta was landing next to her.
Only this isn't Vegeta, right?
She let go of the Saiyans limp hand. You will have to face this all alone, Bulma, she thought. You're a big girl. She stared upwards. The light of the glider was reflected by two stone cold eyes. She swallowed again.
"What do you want? Leave him be." She was proud that her voice almost didn't tremble.
The false Vegeta looked down on her. "You shouldn't have come here," he said.
"Why not?"
"Because now," he smiled, "I'll have to kill you right away."
Bulma gasped, her eyes wide open as the impostor raised a hand.
"Die," he said friendly.
Ah, So Brave She Is. Vegeta stared at his enemy. It turned to face him. She Would Have Been A Worthy Companion. She Even Tries To Defend You. It snickered again. The Saiyan felt a fierce protectiveness rise inside him.
"Don't touch her, or I'll…"
The being laughed. Or You'll Do What? Kill Me With Your Deadly Glare? Don't Forget You're Chained, My Poor Little Friend.
Vegeta didn't really listen, struggling to break free.
"Leave her alone!"
Your Efforts Are In Vain, I'm Afraid. And You'd Come Too Late, Anyway. I Shall Kill Her This Very Moment.
The being laughed again, and something inside the prince snapped.
"OH NO, YOU WON'T!" he roared.
And the chains broke.
AN: sorry for the delay. ; and as always, many thanks to everyone who actually reads this - and more to the reviewers. J
