Chapter 19: Day 1 in Hell

The memories raced back as the small streak of light came in through the small window. My muscles were sore, but I knew better than to try to go back to sleep now.

I was in Purgatory Prison, and I learned quickly through my orientation how things worked. No one would try to help me, the guards would sell tickets to the beatings I would receive. Top dog was whoever was strongest at the time, and as of now that was an Icejin by the name of Frigyd. He was easy to identify because his tail had been cut off years ago.

My orientation was a mention of a rule between whips with a chain, delivered by my darkling SSJ4.

"Rule 1, no one will help you!"

Smack!

"Rule 2, the collar will blow your fricken' head off if you try to remove it! I recommend you don't."

Smack!

"3, there is no escape, so don't even try it. 4, an eye for an eye is in effect!"

Crack! Smack!

"Rule 5, coed everything. Your cell mate may be male, so get over it!"

Crack!

"Rule 6, solitary confinement is given for breaking rules."

Smack!

"And last, rule 7. Solitary confinement is given randomly as well."

Smack! Smack! Blam!

My face was still swollen. One eye was blackened, and blood was visible on my black uniform.

I stayed still, but I opened my eyes. I was alone in my cell, so at least I could rest in peace at night.

I sat up and looked around. The thick metal bars on the window and door were Dextryte. Far across the open area was a cell that held an Icejin, who it was, I couldn't tell.

XxX

3rd P.O.V.

Cell was called back to his mistress. They were alone. She had her back to him and Cell stood still, on guard in case she tried to attack him. He really couldn't blame her if she did.

"You went to see her again." Katrin said.

"Yes, I did." Cell responded.

"Why?"

"She confuses me. She speaks of love and of the power it possesses."

"You did so behind my back."

"Forgive me, my Empress."

"I will, my pet. This time." she responded. She never made eye contact with her mate.

"You… will?"

"This time I forgive you. Next time, however…"

"I understand. How is the boy?"

"Confused. You better talk to him."

"As you wish." He bowed and left.

"You let him live because you love him."

"Maybe I do." Katrin responded to the voice.

XxX

1st P.O.V.

At breakfast my mind was sharper, so I thought on ways to escape. A few more days and I could get the routine down, then I could figure out the when and the how more precisely.

The gray blob on my metal tray jiggled as I walked past countless inmates, trying to find a safe corner to sit in. That was a luxury I wouldn't find. I fell forward, hitting the stone floor hard, and my tray echoing throughout the mess hall. I rolled to my back and looked up to see who tripped me, since I knew better than to think I had just tripped. I was the new kid, and with that speech yesterday I knew life in Purgatory wouldn't be easy.

The face stayed forward, but the tail was easy to identify. It was an Icejin, and the long scaly tail went up into the air as the head that eventually connected to it turned. My heart skipped a beat, the Icejin was Frieza. He was in his first puny form, and a scar trailed down his face, but it was him.

"Oops, sorry about that." The others at the table laughed with him.

"That's okay, I wasn't hungry anyway." I said, trying to stay out of trouble. I still had open wounds to heal before I got a fresh set so soon.

"What? A Sayjin, not hungry? Bitch must be sick." He retorted. I couldn't be sure if he meant that remark in reference to my nickname or not. I really didn't care all the same.

I stayed calm and started to walk away. I didn't want trouble. Their laughter rang in my ears, but I ignored it.

I past by different cliques of mixed races. One table was set up to the side, and one Icejin sat at it alone with gourmet food. I figured he was Frigyd. Ours eyes connected for a second as I passed him, but nothing was said. He was in the fourth form of the Icejin.

I got to an empty table in a corner and sat, turning toward the room so I could observe and think. I identified many people I had killed or fought back home. I also saw some good people I knew very well.

Ginyu force… Zarbon… Dodoria… Guru? He's still alive? …Oh my gosh…

I spotted 4 Sayjins I didn't expect to see in here, at least not in prisoner uniform. It was Bardock's team.

Why are they in here?

Bardock, my uncle, and Katrin's uncle and guardian. She told me he raised her, so why would she put him in here? Toma, Bardock's best friend and the second in command of the team. Seripa, the female, and the only other female Sayjin I had seen since arriving. I had often wondered if she and Bardock were mates. That would make her the mother of Raditz and Kakorot. Then there was a female Sayjin with Toma I didn't know. They were all at one table eating.

I sat in my corner and observed. My mind at one time wondered to the thought of asking them for help, but then rule 1 rang in my ears. I touched my arm where the chain so nearly snapped my shoulder into pieces.

XxX

When the time came we were all let outside for our free time. Again, I picked a place to one side where I could watch and stay out of the way. But my focus went from the other inmates to my feet once my thoughts went back to my family and friends.

Man, I hope Gohan and Mirai are okay. I hope Codie is okay. Damn Cell, why did I trust him? I should know better…

A shadow cast over my feet, and looking up received a kick in the chest. I fell over, grasping my ribs, gasping for air. Laughter seemed to come from everywhere as I stood up, holding the wall. The one who kicked me was a Namekian, and he wasn't laughing. He was Nail.

"Nail? Wh-"

"So you know who I am? You may not be the Empress, but you'll do to ease my pain! -" He punched me, making my head hit the wall. I slid down to the ground again, "Your counterpart killed my people! All that are left are in here but Daimoa!" he kicked me on the stomach while I was down.

"Nail, stop!" I pleaded.

"Why? Because you could kill me if I didn't?"

"I'm not going to fight you, Nail. I'm not like her. What would Guru think if he saw you right now?"

"I don't care! You killed my little brothers!" he screamed, kicking me again, harder this time.

"No, the Empress killed them. I wasn't there… I tried to protect Namek in my universe." I went to stand up again, "Attacking me won't bring back your family…"

"What would you know of loss?" he said, stopping his attack temporarily.

"The Empress has my son… my family is in another universe… my best friends are dead… is that enough, or would you like me to continue?"

In reply he kicked me again, but then he walked away. I was left alone again, for the moment.

Everyone in here hates Empress Katrin… just looking like her is enough to be beaten… but I won't fight back, not now.

I stood up again, trying to see if I could find a different hole to hide in. The wolves discovered the one I had been hiding in so far.

"Impressive display." This voice was new. It was deep and thick. It was the Icejin top-dog Frigyd.

"Glad someone approves." I said, standing on my own. I knew better than to show weakness in front of an Icejin.

He had two other Icejin with him. One was a female. I thought Icejin were asexual until this point. Though there wasn't much difference between the genders, the difference was the breasts and slightly sleeker and smaller build. The female didn't have horns, either. I couldn't guess what form she was in since I didn't know very much about the females, but it looked similar to the male's first form. The other male was in the huge second form.

"Are you as strong as they say?" Frigyd asked, looking me over.

"That depends on what they say." I retorted.

"They say you rival the Empress."

"I don't have Angel powers, if that's what you're thinking." I said.

"At least she's honest." The female said to Frigyd.

"What's your name?" Frigyd asked.

"Just call me Bitch, it doesn't matter to me."

"Is it true you're the Empress' counterpart from a parallel dimension?" the other male asked.

"Yeah, we're almost identical." I said.

"I like your character, kid. This is Artica," he pointed to the female, "and that's Frosty. You must know I'm Frigyd by now."

"Yeah. Did you want something, or are we done here?" I asked. I was suppressing hundreds of bad jokes.

I've been hanging around King Kai too long…

"As a matter of fact, I did want something. I overheard what you said to Nail. Join me for dinner tonight." He turned to go, and his little group wasn't far behind, "And that wasn't a request, Sayjin."

"Alright, lunch! Get inside you bastards!" the guards called. My stomach growled.

Maybe this time I'll actually get to eat.

XxX

I had my tray, and I had a path to a table on the far end of the mess hall. The only problem was that I had to pass by Frieza to get there. There was no way to get around him.

So instead, I faced him. I didn't plan on staying here long, but if I am here for a while I might as well settle things. I went to pass Frieza and I stopped just behind him.

"I bet you think your prank this morning was pretty funny, don't you Frieza?" I asked.

"Maybe I do." he replied.

"Wanna know what I think is funny?" I asked. He stopped eating and got up, turning to face me.

"What do you think is funny?" he growled.

"That once a long time ago I was scared of you. Then again, the Frieza in my dimension had reason to be feared once upon a time. The Frieza I fought was an almighty tyrant and he almost killed me. But now I see you, in a prison, captured by my counterpart, and I can't remember why I feared you."

"Hold your tongue, Bitch." He growled.

"Why? I'd rather rip yours out. That incident was all in good fun since I'm the new kid, but from now on if you wanna show off to your friends, meet me in battle." I said, starting to walk off again.

"Listen, Bitch, there's a certain packing order in this prison. Monkeys are at the bottom of the list."

"This monkey is strong enough to kill you, lizard man." I sneered.

"Prove it." he sneered in reply.

"I don't have to prove myself to you. I'm not a bad guy here. In my universe I'm a hero."

"That doesn't matter in here." Frieza sneered.

"Alright, that's enough." We both turned to see Kooler.

"Why should I listen to you, brother?" Frieza asked.

"Because she hasn't eaten yet. Let her eat in peace. You know how Sayjins get when they're hungry, they'll eat anything. Even an Icejin." Frieza turned around.

"This isn't over, Bitch." He growled.

"I will prove myself to you Frieza, just not yet."

I looked at Kooler, and he nodded to me.

"Come with me." he said, then he moved back toward the table I had previously picked out.

He sat down, and I started to eat. It tasted disgusting, but I was starving. The gray lump on my tray didn't fill me up, but it was enough.

"I can't believe you really just ate all of it." Kooler said.

"I haven't eaten in a few days." I replied.

"I guess I was right about hungry Sayjins." He said.

"Why did you help me? Isn't that against the rules?" I asked, scooting the tray out of the way.

"I don't give a damn about the Empress' rules." He said.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same." I thought aloud.

"Oh yeah, how's that?"

"You're almost exactly like the Kooler in my universe. I take it that means you killed the Empress' parents."

"Yes, I did. If I had known about her I would have killed her as well."

"Sounds like a good idea." I sighed.

"I don't believe she captured you. What happened?"

"I followed her back here to save my son. She has him in the castle. She wants him as her own."

"I see. You were captured once you came here."

"I was foolish. I was too trusting of Cell."

"Why would you trust that bastard?" Kooler asked.

"The Cell in my universe was my best friend. He sacrificed himself to save me. When I saw the Cell from this universe I thought I had my friend back. I was a fool. I knew they weren't the same person." My knuckles were snow white as I thought back.

"Your life in here will be miserable unless you show your strength."

"Yeah, well bluffing won't cut it. How do I do that?"

"The collars only limit your Ki usage so much. We can't transform, use Ki based attacks, fly, teleport, or use psychic power, but we can still power up."

"So why doesn't anyone try to break out?" I asked.

"We have been here much longer than you. We've tried, but no one can break the Dextryte. The Empress herself tested it at Super Sayjin 4 level. She couldn't break it."

"I've had trouble with collars and Dextryte before."

"Listen, I know Frigyd. Don't trust him."

"Thanks for the information, Kooler." I replied.

"Things are messed up between our dimensions." Kooler laughed, "A Sayjin thanking an Icejin."

"You haven't got a clue."

AS22: How will Katie escape? R&R!