Vegeta Takes on the FEI.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z, or its characters. They are property of Akira Toriyama and Toei Animation Ltd. I also do not own any of the actual 3- day eveners. I also do not own, and am not author of the books mentioned here. These people also exist in real life. No money is being made from this story, so suing is pointless.
"Denotes Speech"
Denotes Flashback
Denotes thoughts
Chapter 1
Soft fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the baby blue sky. Some looked like marshmallows, others, maybe a spaceship... and others that resembled objects or people. Despite their location being in the middle of West City, everything was calm and quiet...
CRASH!
...Well... almost everything.
That was the sound of a living torpedo being thrown head first through a top grade capsule wall. A second crunch of expensive metal plaster and insulative fibreglass. The two humanoids regain their footing, after being slammed cleanly through the wall, rubbing various limbs or backsides, whichever they'd actually landed on.
"Oww... that hurt."
Whispered a boy of about 10 years of age pulling himself from the small crater his body had made, looked up at the hole two storeys up. He slowly rubbed the back of his purple head, glaring up at the two holes. Another boy, a year younger than the other pulled himself out of a similar crater, shaking spiky black hair free of soil, before looking pitifully at his best friend
"Trunks, your father's mean!"
"Goten Shhh! don't complain, that'll just make him beat you harder"
The purple haired boy whispered back to his companion in a hurry. He knew full well that complaints were rewarded with more pain, and also that his father was holding back... because he'd started to attend public school, he'd had less time to train. This riled his father, none less than the Saiya -Jin named Vegeta, to no end.
The Saiya-jin in question floated down from the new exit at this point in time, a harsh frown pasted across his features. Dressed from head to toe in his usual skin-tight navy bodysuit, white gloves and boots, he lands on the even grass.
"You brats are pathetic! All you ever do is sleep, eat, waste time at that pathetic school and fool about! I'm ashamed to have such a lazy son and subject in my presence! "He spat at the children, folding his arms over a powerful chest to emphasise his point. This little rant was not out of the ordinary, the two little boys hardly taking the hint that the elder Saiya-jin was more than a little unimpressed at their performance lately. The ningen mate of his was determined to get the brat to act like a normal ningen child...what the heck was she thinking! He's nowhere normal compared to those weaklings!
With a snort the Ouji stomps inside, intend on ridding his body of the sheen of stale sweat that had settled during the short trip out into the afternoon sun. Two sets of large eyes watch the short Saiya-jin prince depart, followed by simultaneous sighs of relief from both owners.
"Gee, Goten ... that was close! I thought we were gonna be done for... again " sky blue eyes look up to equally blue sky, thinking back to the previous week when something similar had happened...
FLASHBACK
CRASH!
Both small bodies made their own little craters in the neat lawn of capsule corp. Two children no more than 10 years old climb from the impact site, holding various parts of their bodies that had got instantly bruised.
"Trunks lets get him while he thinks we're down!"
"No wait Goten, lets try a fusion. We haven't done that since we fought Buu, and we could surprise him! "
"But Trunks that will make him hit us harder!"
"Hmm, you're right Goten... perhaps..."
Both boys face each other trying to discuss a strategy to take down the Saiya-jin no ouji... or at least in this little sparring match to at least gain recognition. Several minutes later, this "discussion " still wasn't finished. Like Kakarotto rising from the ashes, as he did on many occasions thanks to the dragon balls, Vegeta floats through the rubble that was settling after he'd blasted the brats through the wall of Capsule corp. This was something his mate did not appreciate much... he'd probably get everything plus the kitchen sink in terms of an ear bashing afterwards.
The ruthless prince shrugged away the likely consequences, advancing on his prey. The prey being his son, Trunks his best friend, Kakarotto's youngest brat. Ki sparked in one of his closed fists, before being fired at the pair, who were now bickering over what was to be done. They obviously hadn't noticed the Prince any sooner.
WOOSH! CRACK!
"Hah, that'll teach you to keep an eye on your opponent. In a real battle, you can't ever lose concentration. Failure in battle is not an option, unless you wish to visit the next dimension." The prince uttered these, oh so inspirational words to the two children, who were currently twitching. Catching the brute force of a Gailick cannon without defence was not a good thing. Trunks and Goten seemed to have learned this the hard way... hopefully Saiya-jin instincts would reward the pair... in theory...
END FLASHBACK
Sky blue eyes come back into focus, as a large, round, happy and drooling face moves into his line of vision. Trunks sat up abruptly, catching a tantalising whiff of what smelled like a beef chow mein wafting with the slight summer breeze. Instantaneously, the demi Saiya-jin was on his feet, looking straight toward the Capsule Corp kitchen.
"Dinners up!"
" Yaaaaaaaaaaah! "
Both Goten and Trunks move toward the kitchen with Saiya-jin speed at the prospect of getting fed delicious food within minutes. After a lightning quick wash and a change out of soiled clothing, both children sit perfectly poised at the table to initiate a food- inhaling contest as soon as something edible was placed on the stainless crockery. Enough beef chow mein to feed three large adults was promptly placed on each plate... and thus the food - inhaling began... with a rather disapproving gaze from Bulma, Trunks' mother.
Meanwhile, upstairs, hot water beat down onto steel- like muscles, steam filling the shower and bathroom to the point of the mirror steaming up. The Saiya-jin folds his arms, reflecting over the boys' performance lately. It seemed that the time Trunks' spent at school was inversely proportional to the time he spent training. This was inexcusable; the younger prince of the Saiya-jin could NOT be weak. Vegeta grumbled about Bulma in general, and "damned ningen idea's" as he scrubbed today's layer of stale sweat from his skin.
Half an hour later, Vegeta descended the flight of stairs leading to the lounge. Trunks and Goten could be heard from the hallway, watching cartoons on TV. Vegeta snorts, making a short detour to the kitchen to swipe his meal from Mrs. Briefs. Narrowly escaping an earful from Bulma, Vegeta nestles himself comfortably on the sofa with his meal, scowling at the awful fake people running about the TV screen.
"Brats, if you're going to watch that brainwashing box, at least watch something that could come in useful other than that garbage" Vegeta quips with his usual frown.
"But Vegeta- san, we like this programme …" Goten began
"No! You are FORBIDDEN to watch such trash in my presence!" Quickly snatches up the remote, flicking through the nine hundred channels or so that were available. Being fairly skilled, he manages to inhale the left over beef chow mein and keep an eye on his own channel hopping without dropping a morsel. Trunks had kept quiet the entire time, not wanting to irritate his temperamental father any further than needs be. Loud cheers come from the TV along with the thumping regular beat of hooves hitting sand. All three pairs of Saiya- Jin eyes turn back to the TV. The sight of seeing a ningen atop another creature that was acting to the ningens will was almost unsightly to Vegeta. The prince sat there for a few minutes watching a few rounds of ningens staying atop these four legged creatures back while soaring over fences that were bigger than him.
"What a strange sport. They seem to be competing to see who can pass over those obstacles in the fastest time aboard those strange creatures... "
"It's called show jumping Otousan. Karri at school has a pony, and she said that she can do that stuff, only smaller fences." Trunks replied to his fathers absent musing about the show jumping.
"I didn't ASK for your opinion brat, none the less it seems an intriguing competition" a slight, trademark Vegeta smirk pulls at the right corner of Vegeta's lips. Interesting indeed, the beasts seem to be trained efficiently despite low power level, the beasts... of which were called horses, were fit for doing what they were bred.
"'Tousan?"
"Trunks go call Kakarotto, its time for his brat to go home now."
"Alright..." Both children leave Vegeta alone pondering his new discovery. This would be interesting to see how well he could train himself and a beast like that. He should easily be able to rise to that level! The Saiya-jin throws his head back, laughing almost evilly. Any normal ningen would have probably backed off to call the men in white coats, or maybe a swat team. This was a normal occurrence on Capsule corp., therefore no-one ever bothered.
The sky melted from a calm blue to the fiery red of sunset, even as the ruthless cackle of Vegeta no Ouji II rung clearly across the main living quarters of Capsule Corporation. Two tiny specks raced off to the north as day faded into evening.
The next few days were rather interesting for the two youngest demi Saiya-jins. It seemed that Vegeta had slackened the pace on their training routine. Trunks in particular noticed that his father seemed to disappear off at a certain time of day, on particular days. Not a single person on Capsule Corp ever managed to find where the elusive prince of Saiya-jin ever disappeared to... however Trunks took after his mother. Trunks was not stupid, and gauging the reaction that... yes that was it!
For three days Trunks followed his father around to check the listings showing up on satellite, YES! That was the answer! Vegeta was disappearing off to follow the events of the FEI world cup (This is the International Equestrian Federation).
Now these days, Saiya-jin blood or no, children will be children...
Trunks snuck about to the study, or rather the newly claimed study of his father. Judging by the notes and diagrams strewn about, and in relation to the FEI world cup, it seemed that Vegeta had REALLY gotten into the swing of things.
Creak... creak...creak... shuffle, shuffle.
"Oh, no!" The lavender haired boy panicked, slapping both hands over his mouth to cover his audible exclamation. After a few seconds of running on the spot, he finally decided to close the door and fly toward his room. Hopefully his father wouldn't catch him spying on his new hobby... or what the pre- teen thought was his father's new hobby at any rate.
Trunks ducked into his room, straining his ears. The creaking of a door then the CLICK meant that he'd be safe for now. The demi Saiya-jin perches himself on the large single bed, wiping his brow. That was too close for comfort. If Vegeta had found him snooping, it was almost likely that he'd have been Final Flashed into the next dimension. Time to settle down for some homework was his thought before his brain turned off at the sight of mathematics.
Vegeta stalked up the staircase, fingers twitching. He'd located an equestrian centre not too far away, on the outskirts of West City. This would be perfect; he could study the ningens technique up close before trying it out for himself. Naturally, it would be easier for him thanks to Saiya-jin speed, balance and strength. Aah a slight drawback he thought. His strength would probably damage the poor beast if he didn't keep his temper in check, or even if his concentration slipped. Another challenge... Onyx eyes glitter with the prospect of a good challenge to give his brain and body a workout. He would go visit them now.
"Damn Onna, should learn to mind her own business" Vegeta grumbled, touching down just outside the Equestrian centre. There were several people milling about near what seemed to be an oversized shed, and what seemed to be like rooms all built in a row, which seemed to be where the horses were kept. Vegeta slowly approached the gate that led into the main stable yard, doing his best to avoid getting dirt on his boots. It was then; it hit him like a runaway Jumbo Jet.
"Kami the smell! That's disgusting!"
Vegeta clamped both hands over his nose and mouth, almost bursting into super - Saiyan to try and combat the pungent smell of methane among other putrid gasses given off by equine faeces. Think of this as another challenge! Yes this must be one of the first challenges I must pass in order to achieve my goal! He thought frantically, trying his best to ignore the tingling in his nostrils. Perhaps the less sensitive ningen receptors were actually useful in situations like this.
Several long minutes later, the Saiya-jin finally gets to grips with the foul smell that came with the animals. He could possibly forgive that part as they weren't conscious thinkers. While the yard was quiet, he slipped into the viewing area inside the large shed structure. It wasn't as large as the one he'd seen on TV, but that was a competitor's arena. They were always bigger than training area's. Vegeta's attention was brought to the youngsters riding small versions of the creatures, and also painfully aware of parents watching from the stands. Socialising with people was NOT one of his strong points. These children seemed to be only partially confident in controlling the beasts, as their movements atop the animals at certain gaits was not as smooth and flawless as say... Rodrigo Paesoa's. It was rather amusing to watch them get unbalanced, spotting the flaws and how to correct them. Yes this was a useful lesson.
It was at that point that one proud father of a spoilt little girl, decided to make small talk with the mostly solitary prince,
"You're a new face around here. Come to consider learning or eyeing up some of the better blood? Yes, there a few fine colts here..." The man trailed off slowly, seeing the frown of the Prince deepen to the point where Vegeta was likely to literally behead someone. Vegeta on his part only took in the information that was useful to him. The rest of it was starting to annoy him, and expressed this very physically with a vocalised hiss.
"Listen, ningen. I don't care what you think I'm here for, keep your nose out of my business or pay the price for irritating this Ouji."
With his piece said, and the lesson drawing to an end, the Saiya-jin folds his arms over his chest, stalking out of the tin covered ménage... Only to bump into a member of the yard staff who was glaring at him. Vegeta cringed; ningens for the most part disgusted him. Bulma was a different matter however... and this adolescent female looked like she was going to talk to him. Damn ningens, what is it with them and talking about pointless subjects?
"Hey you! You haven't got a kid that's participating, and you're not participating in a lesson! "
"Very observant. Your point being what exactly?"
The girl started to look rather flustered, as Vegeta used his powerful presence to make her feel rather pathetic in comparison " Y- you're not insured to be here…"
"Is that it?"
"Yes. We are not responsible for your well being."
"I am Vegeta, Prince of the Saiya-jin; I hardly think I'd get hurt walking around here."
"Uhh, yeah... whatever you just said" boy this guys a loon...
Vegeta took off, laughing at the top of his lungs. He didn't care what the ningens thought... ah there was one very tempting target standing on a pile of... something...
Too tempting...
Vegeta extended his left arm, folding his thumb across the palm of his hand. A slight turn of his body aligned him perfectly with the unstable pile that the poor boy was standing on. "Heh, Sayonara ningen" A small Ki blast exploded in the middle of the pile, causing some of it to burn, the rest to heat up... big mistake. That pile had actually been the muck heap, consisting of rotting manure and soiled hay. This smell was ten times worse compared to when Vegeta had first landed, and was now regretting his actions.
"Ugh... note to self, never blow up heaps of rotting excretion." He muttered before taking off back to Capsule corp
BEEEEEP! BEEEEEP! BEEE- CRUNCH!
A clenched fist trembled as its owner gathered his wits. That alarm clock really ticked him off in the mornings. Looks like they'd have to get it repaired again. Vegeta slowly sat up, swinging his bare feet to the carpeted floor. With a small smirk and his senses coming together, the short prince formulated a plan for today. He'd tell the Onna that he was going to spar with Kakarotto; however he was actually going to go do a little shopping.
After getting himself dressed, and making sure that he got downstairs before the brat, Vegeta set the slapdash plan into action. He wanted to get a decent breakfast down, because it was unlikely that he'd stop for lunch. Mrs. Briefs was already up, and a large cooked breakfast was placed before him. Just as predicted.
Trunks slowly descended from his bedroom, wearing the casual clothing that everyone wore to school. The smell of a good cooked breakfast had waked him up. The sound of his father inhaling the cooked food also urged the small Saiya-jin to hurry, otherwise there wouldn't be much left for him.
Breakfast went without incident, much to the Saiya-jin's relief. Mrs. Briefs saw Trunks to the bus, allowing Vegeta to tiptoe off the Capsule grounds without having to explain his casual attire. When he was a safe distance away, Vegeta took flight I'd probably get stuck in a crowd if I walked... urgh shivering at the mere thought of being stuck in a crowd full of people. Ten minutes of flight over the city centre brought the Prince to a certain shop, namely "W.H. Smith" (a bookshop for those who don't know).
"If I research beforehand, that will make things much easier... and the Onna will have no reason to go off on a shrieking fest." He mused, descending from the air in front of the glass automatic doors. People bustled around him in their daily routine, making the Saiya-jin shiver. How can they even contemplate being in such crowded places, its driving me nuts! He thought while entering the large bookstore.
It was amazing, the sheer variety of texts that the ningens could come up with, pure fiction and fantasy, to hard facts about life, history and the universe... or the universe that they knew. The flame of ebony hair twitched as he chuckled, moving over to the "Non - fiction" Section of the store. This was a start.
"Now... what would I need to know in order to be successful... and to keep the Onna off my back about it?"
It took about fifteen minutes, but Vegeta finally managed to accumulate a good collection of horse - related books. Some titles included " The complete book of horse and pony care " by Janson and Kenball - Williams, " An Illustrated guide to Horse tack" by Susan McBane and " How to ride " by Debby Sly. My, these things are expensive, however they do provide in - detail things I should know... at least the Onna can't start war with me over this escapade He thought with a smirk. Many customers were looking at him rather oddly... was it how he looked or something else? Or perhaps it was the pile of books he was carrying to the till? Either way it didn't matter.
After having a "heated discussion" with the manager that said that he could not buy the final copy of a book, which nearly lead to the ningens early grave, the Saiya-jin prince almost eagerly flew home, riding the warm air currents back to the capsule grounds. Now, to get back in without being spotted...
"Easy!" Onyx eyes glittered with his exclamation. He'd left the bedroom window open during the night, and had forgotten to close it. After checking that no employees were milling about, Vegeta levitated up and through the window, out of the bedroom and down the hallway. It would look rather suspicious if he was trundling about the living area with a pile of books almost too tall for him to see over. With hardly restrained glee, he threw back a head of spiky black hair, letting out his trademark "evil" laugh... A laugh that fell on deaf ears, as no ningen could hear it within the vast corridors of Capsule Corporation.
Yes, I will compete with those miserable ningens, and I'll prove that I can adapt my training
Vegeta thought, locking himself in the newly acquired study. This would be an interesting time of his life; provided nothing came up to threaten Chikyuu... he'd not be in the mood to deal with that.
End of Chapter 1