Chapter 13: Escape Plans
1st P.O.V.
Day 3- Early Morning
As the sun began to rise Frieza began to dress. I was so exhausted and horrified, and degraded that I was whimpering as I lay on the bed, turned away to the wall. The whimpering was uncontrollable.
I had never felt so dirty in my life, and I had done some horrible things in my past. Everything hurt, but it wasn't in the good way like when you win a hard battle, it was the feeling like when you are fighting your hardest, and your opponent is only playing with you, and easily winning.
"Now, all that is left is this. You can't be calling for help now, right?" I rolled over to see Frieza pick up my Scouter.
"Please, it's my only possession. I won't call for help, I swear." I said as I sat up.
"Damn right you won't." Frieza dropped the Scouter onto the floor and then crushed it under his foot. He laughed as I went back onto my side, facing out the window as tears rolled down my face.
Frieza was silent as he dressed, and I prayed for death now. I had lost my pride, along with everything else, to Frieza. I heard the intercom in the room go off, and a moment later there was a knock at the door. I heard the click as Frieza opened the door.
"Clean her up. And I want her ready for our wedding exactly one hour before it begins. The wedding is an hour before sunset." Frieza ordered, and then I heard the door shut. I only rolled over to see who was in the room, and then I turned away. It was Chi-chi.
"Katrin, I'm sorry."
"I don't need your pity."
"I didn't mean-"
"Of course you didn't. You knew Frieza would do something like this."
"I did. I would have warned you, but Frieza-"
"I don't blame you, so shut up. I'm just too weak to fight him. If only there was a Super Sayjin."
"Don't worry, Frieza will be easier on you from now on. That's the way he shows his dominance." I felt the bed sink as Chi-chi sat down. She touched my shoulder and I flinched.
"Shh, I won't hurt you." Chi-chi whispered. I rolled over to face her, and she gently, almost motherly, moved a piece of my hair out of my face. Instinctually I scooted closer to her, laying my head on her lap. She just sat there and let me lay my head on her leg, too.
"You're going to make a wonderful mother, Chi-chi." I said.
"Well, come on, let's clean you up. If Frieza sees you like this he'll do worse to both of us."
Chi-chi washed me and cleaned my cuts and bruises, and most of them were healing as she did so. Sayjins heal incredibly fast compared to humans, and most other creatures. The exception was the Namekians, since they regenerate.
I was dressed in another pair of Sayjin armor, but this time it was an elite's set with Freiza's emblem on it. It didn't mean I was an elite, just important to Frieza. True elite armor isn't as flashy as this set, and I felt awkward wearing it. It was white, with red spandex and a skirt, a form of a dress only shorter. There were no arm or leg pads sticking out since it was a new model, unlike my old armor.
Our family once worn elite armor. We once lived on the rounds of the Sayjin castle. Now we're lucky if anyone knows who we use to be. The great Rothgar fight side-by-side with king Vegeta against the Tuffles. My grandfather was rewarded the highest honors a Sayjin could achieve next to Super Sayjin. But now we're lucky to remembered at all.
"So, how do I look?" I asked Chi-chi.
"Well, like a queen."
"That's what I was afraid of." I sighed.
"Katrin, I want to help you, in any way I can. I can-" I cut her off as I searched the room for cameras, and then I sensed the outside for guards. I nodded to her to continue once I knew it was safe. "Like I was saying, I can tell you how to escape. I know all of the exits, and all of the hallways."
"I appreciate the gesture, but Frieza won't be happy with me, or you, if I left. It would be suicide to try to leave. He would hunt me down and take revenge on anyone close to me. He'd probably make me watch." I turned from Chi-chi and stood out on the balcony. There was a guard right under the ledge, so it was useless to try to fly away.
Kakorot, I sure could use your common sense logic right now. Or an invention of yours, Raditz. And uncle Bardock could help with a vision.
Right, a vision. His were crock, and so are mine. But if they are, then why do I feel so strongly toward them? If what Cell said was right…
Cell wasn't real. If we were such good friends, then why didn't he try to help me by stopping Frieza?
Another set of questions no one could answer.
I was standing in the middle of a large arena, and people all around were staring at me. My hair was golden and spiky, and a large M was printed on my left arm. Vegeta, Kakorot/Goku, and Gohan, as a teen, were standing there facing me. A woman with blonde hair was there as well. My arm was pointed toward the audience.
"No, you wouldn't-" Goku said.
"Yes, I would." then I blasted the stadium, blowing up hundreds of people. I laughed as I saw the faces of Goku/Kakorot, Vegeta, and Gohan twist in shock.
"Fight me now, or this will only continue."
This latest vision was of me being evil.
The image was disturbing somehow. I'd done worse, killed many more, so why did it look so bad?
Because that was Katie killing innocent people, and not me, maybe.
"My lady?" Chi-chi followed me out onto the balcony. The vision had hurt again. I was on my knees, and Chi-chi was helping me up.
"Chi-chi, I know of a way you can help me. I need you to take me to the dungeon."
"What? Why?"
"Don't ask questions, just take me there, or tell me how to get there. It'll be safer if you just tell me how to get there."
"If Frieza catches you, he'll-"
"Do nothing. For now, he'll do nothing. He needs me; he needs a Sayjin mate so he can rule over planet Vegeta without trouble. And he needs me to look pretty for the wedding, so he won't touch me until after the Bonding Ceremony is over. Please, Chi-chi, I need your help."
"Alright listen carefully…"
So Chi-chi gave me the directions and I sent her away. I waited an hour before I left, and it was a good thing, because Frieza came back. When he entered I knelt, doing the only thing I could think of to show submissiveness.
"So, you look well, Katrin."
"Yes, my lord."
"I suggest you not kneel before me unless I order you to. Some one might think I'm hurtful to my wife."
"Of course you're not, lord Frieza. I am to be your wife, and I am to be done with however you please." I said as I got up. Of course, I was lying, but Frieza couldn't tell. You would think a professional liar could tell when someone else was lying.
"You learn fast. That is why I picked you. You are going to be dressed in a lovely purple dress for our wedding. Purple is my favorite color, as it is with most Icejins."
"Yes sir."
"And remember, last night was only the first taste of this relationship. And if you displease me, it'll be much worse."
"I'll remember."
"At our wedding I want you to look happy, and do whatever I say. If you act out I will punish you, do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord."
"That's a good girl. I'm going to meet with my father and brother before the wedding, since they are guests of honor. I'll introduce you before the wedding. Zarbon and Dodoria are coming with me. Would you like your family to be there?"
They may be safer if I said no, but if I mess this up I may never see them again. And if they aren't invited, they'll think something is wrong.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
"So be it. I'll be back before sunset." Then Frieza turned to leave, "But there is always a chance I may be back even earlier than that." Then he slipped out the door.
He was warning me. He knows I might try something, but he doesn't know that I know that Vegeta is here.
I waited until I saw Freiza's spaceship take off, and I felt his Ki going along with it. I knew now that he was gone.
I slipped out the door and went down the hall. Following Chi-chi's directions I made it to the dungeon safely.
"Halt, who goes there?" I met with a guard to the dungeon. He was Kuwi. I don't like Kuwi; he's a real jerk who makes excuses to mock Sayjins.
"I am Katrin, and I am here to check the prisoners."
"Katrin? You're the dirty monkey lord Frieza is marrying."
"I'm honored that you know my name, Kuwi. All Sayjins know of the great Kuwi, so I am pleased that you know who I am."
"Well, isn't that nice, but you can't come in here." he spat.
"I can't? That's not what Lord Frieza said. He told me that I should try to find out if any of the prisoners know of human-Sayjin cross breeding. There's a rumor going around."
"So I've heard."
"Lord Frieza wants to find who these people are, and he thinks someone in there might know." I said as I gestured to the dungeon door.
"Alright, you may pass. You have one hour before I come in there after you."
"Thank you, Kuwi. I may just put in a good word with Frieza if you didn't, though. I would hate to be disturbed. Sir Kuwi sounds nice, doesn't it?"
"Oh, of course. I did forget my watch today." He said as I opened the door. Then he handed me the key. "That key will open any cell, so don't lose it."
"I won't, Sir Kuwi."
Too easy. Kuwi's such a loser. He'd do anything if he thought it would make Frieza happy…
Well, it was a dungeon. The scent of blood was thick and the cry of the prisoners was echoing. I had to find Prince Vegeta with my Ki sensing ability.
I felt out for Sayjin Ki first, but that was kind of stupid. There were a lot of Sayjin energies here. I had to check each one of them.
The first five Sayjins I found were all low class like me, but when they saw me they sent evil glares at me. News travels fast, even to the dungeon.
"Oh look, its miss big time herself!"
"What are you doing down here, looking at the miserable low classes? Are you too good for us now?"
"I wouldn't talk to her like that, she'll sick Frieza on us!"
The taunts weren't bothering me, they didn't know what I'd been through in the past 48 hours. But I had to find Prince Vegeta.
"Look, I'm here for reasons of my own. Where is Prince Vegeta?" I called out.
"Yeah, Prince Vegeta!"
"That's a good one!"
"Save us Mr. Super Sayjin!"
"I'm serious! Where is he?" I asked.
"He's that way, in an end cell." a Sayjin said. I looked in to see Nappa. Raditz and him were good friends a while back. I knelt down and looked inside.
"Nappa?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Its me, Katrin. Raditz's cousin, remember?"
"Lil' Katrin? What are you doing here?" he asked. It was dark in the dungeon, but my Sayjin eyes could see he was badly hurt. He was sitting in the corner of his cell, looking right at me.
"Frieza is going to marry me tonight."
"Here comes the bride!" someone called out.
"Hey, leave her alone!" Nappa called. "I heard about that. Why did he pick you, of all things?"
"He needs a Sayjin bride so he can rule Planet Vegeta, and I am the strongest female."
"Well, why are you here looking for Vegeta?"
"Because I know this isn't right. I know I wasn't meant to be Freiza's sex slave until I die. And I know Vegeta can help me."
"If you need my help, I'll help. Just ask."
"Thank you, old friend. I will." I got up and headed towards Prince Vegeta's cell.
Along the way I felt Nappa's Ki drop a little. I was afraid for him, but more for myself. If I failed, then Frieza would prove his dominance even more.
I got to the end cell and looked inside. Blood was covering the floor, and the walls, and even the ceiling. One spot stuck out without any blood that I could see, and that was where Prince Vegeta was lying.
"Prince Vegeta? Please, are you still alive?"
"Who is it." he said. His voice was hoarse, more so than from my visions of him from before.
"My name is Katrin. Frieza is forcing me to marry him tonight, but he's told everyone you were a member of the Ginyu force."
"Ha, what a crock. I wouldn't join that band of sissy dancers under threat of death." Vegeta was facing away from the hall, towards the wall. He reminded me of when I was facing the wall this morning. Vegeta's pride was broken.
"Vegeta, I need your help."
"I can't help anyone."
"Yes, you can. You're Vegeta, Sayjin prince! And right now I need your help to overthrow Frieza."
"You're crazy."
"Maybe I am, but wouldn't you rather die in battle against Frieza than rot in this cell? I think if we work together we can stop him."
"What's the use of going to battle when you know you're going to die?" Vegeta sighed.
"Honor, pride, heritage. I know you would rather rule over planet Vegeta then sit here."
"I can't fight Frieza, I've tried. All the blood on these stone walls is my own. When I came here twenty years ago the walls were clean."
"Frieza has taken from both of us. He's taken your pride, your family, and your rightful place as ruler, especially if he marries me tonight."
"And what has Frieza taken from you?" he snapped.
"My family, my honor, my only possession, my home, and… my virginity." Vegeta turned to face me for the first time. I saw the scars on his face, and the dried blood from only a few hours ago. Frieza came here when he was done with me. "And I believe he'll do worse once he claims the thrown."
"You remind me of someone. My mother. She fought Frieza, like my father did."
"Frieza lied again, then. He told us all she died delivering you."
"He killed her because I was so strong when I was born. He was afraid she could do it again."
"Just like when you father killed Paragus and Brolly."
"Yes." he started coughing, so I took the key and opened the cell. I brought him some water, but I had to help him sit up so he could drink it. He was nearly lying in my lap.
"Prince Vegeta, you have to help me. It's the only way we can free our people."
"I can't do anything. I'm dying, Katrin. You can sense Ki, right? That's what the humans call energy. You know I'm telling you the truth."
He was, his energy was less than a quarter.
"Please, Vegeta-"
"Katrin, I can't help you. I can't even sit up without your help."
"Then I'll help you escape. I'll hide you somewhere."
"You'll be caught for sure. Frieza comes to visit everyday. If I was found missing he'd come after you. Icejins have a sense of smell equal to that of a Sayjin's own."
"Then what am I suppose to do?" I said. Vegeta was dying as we were speaking. He'd die today for sure, I could tell now.
"You're a leader, I can see it. Lead your people, take this." he handed me the Sayjin royal family seal. It was around a chain. "My father gave me that the day he died. I have chosen you to continue the legacy of our family."
"Vegeta, I can't lead anyone. I nearly died on my first and only solo mission. This is too high an honor."
"I nearly died on my first solo mission as well. That doesn't matter, I can see the heart of a warrior in you. You can lead, you were able to get in here to find me without getting caught."
"That was luck, not skill."
"All I have wanted for the past twenty years was to see planet Vegeta free of Frieza. I know you can do that. Take the responsibility and fight for your people."
"Alright, I'll take it. But before I accept this, is there anything else you would like to do as Prince?"
"Yes, as your prince, I order you to kill me."
"What?"
"Kill me. You asked me if I'd rather die with honor and pride. I would, so kill me so that I may die with honor. I don't want Frieza to be the one known as the one who killed me. If you succeed in your mission, then you can tell everyone about this."
"Prince Vegeta, I can't."
"As your Prince, I order you to do it. Do it now."
His eyes are so dark, there isn't any hope left in them. But I couldn't go through with it, right? I couldn't kill him. He ordered me to do so, but I can't.
But I must, it's the right thing.
"As you wish. I'll make it quick and painless."
"Don't leave any marks, Frieza would know when he finds my body." Then he closed his eyes.
"Gods forgive me." I felt for the pressure point connecting the Sayjin heart to the rest of the body, and I snapped it. His eyes flew open, then closed again as I heard his heart stop with my Sayjin hearing.
"Goodbye, Sayjin prince." I took the royal seal and placed it around my neck, hiding it under my armor. I sat there a moment, thinking through what I had just done. I now realized how Katie felt in my vision.
Moving quickly, I headed back to Nappa's cell, not forgetting to re-lock Prince Vegeta's cell.
"Nappa, can you still materialize?"
"Uh, sure. Why do you ask?"
"Can you make a copy of this key?" I asked, throwing it to him.
"Sure I can, but why?"
"That's the master key for the dungeon. If I don't return it I'll be in trouble. Make me a copy, and then you can have the original." I explained. Nappa started materializing a fake key while I was explaining to him. The systems were all electronic, so a fake wouldn't work. If I gave Kuwi a fake, though, he wouldn't know until it was too late.
"Why are you giving me the real one?"
"You told me if I wanted help all I had to do was ask. I'm asking now. When the bells for the Bonding ceremony begin, I want you to free everyone. We're going to strike back against Frieza tonight; there is no way he can beat all of us. Wait for my signal before you attack."
"What's the signal?" Nappa asked, throwing me off guard.
"Uh, you'll know when I give it."
"How do you know they'll all fight?"
"Because I'll lead them."
"That still doesn't mean they'll listen."
"I'll get them to, once they know the truth."
"Vegeta will be ready for revenge, I'm telling you."
"No, he won't. Prince Vegeta is dead." I took out the crest to show him, then replaced it.
"What? But he can't be. He was alive just a few hours ago."
"He died a long time ago, I just gave him peace."