Chapter 2
The Child of the Moon
There was tension among the Saiyans as they all stared anxiously at the Galactic Emperor standing before them. There, Emperor Freeza held their crying newborn Prince in his arms. Everyone's scouters lit up to show rapidly increasing numbers focused on the Prince's rising power as he wailed out loud.
"Oh my..." Freeza said in surprise, seeing the number on his scouter. Everyone on his side looked at him and the baby with stupefied looks. "15,000 for a day old Saiyan baby? So the rumors I heard of was correct after all."
Now seeing it with their own eyes, Zarbon and Dodoria were both astonished to find that a mere Saiyan baby possessed this much power. If the premonition Freeza told them about is correct, then there's no wonder why the Saiyans think of this Prince to be the chosen one to fulfill a thousand year old legend.
Freeza stared at the pale faces of the Saiyans kneeling before him. His assumptions were correct after all. These traitorous monkeys count on this child as their salvation to him. If he recalled his foreboding feelings lately about the extraordinarily powerful Saiyan becoming a threat to his greatness, there's no doubt that this child is the one.
He must nip the bud before it's too late. He must destroy the boy before he becomes the one to destroy him one day.
However, another thought came to his mind. Seeing the boy's potential laying to waste would be a pity. The boy is still a mere cub. Perhaps, if he play his cards right, then he might be able to change that premonition by turning the tables. He will find a way to use this child for his own advantage instead of the Saiyans using him against him. One day, the Prince of all Saiyans will use that great power to fight for him. If it happens then it would be a great insult to these foolish, idiotic monkeys. To use their only savior against them and crush their hopes would be a better thing to see than just destroying them all in one go.
King Vegeta was desperate. He has no idea what the Galactic Emperor was thinking after all. Either he's planning to kill his son or if he suspects them of anything, he might destroy them all in one go. He has to find a way to save his son, and so as his kingdom and his people.
"Ye... Yes, Freeza-sama. The prince has broken all previous records of Newborn Saiyan Power Levels. He is indeed an extraordinary child. He will make an exceptional warrior, a fine addition to the Saiyan Army serving under your rule." he convinced.
Freeza's red eyes once again bored into the King, considering.
'Please don't kill him. Please don't kill anyone. Please...' The King silently prayed.
Then Freeza stared down at the still crying baby in his arms... and then smirked.
"Yes, indeed." he agreed. He returned the child back to his mother. "Take your boy and raise him. Raise him well to become the exceptional warrior he's meant to be... And when he's reached his full potential and is able to properly control himself and his power... Give him to me."
Everyone shot their eyes towards his direction, gaping in shock at the Galactic Emperor's unexpected decision.
"What's with the look? You said he'll be serving me, correct? If he'll be any use to me, you should train him for quite some time. When he is ready, promise me that you will give him to me."
The Saiyans couldn't help but feel offended by the demand. Their shock quickly gave way to their anger, wanting to defend their King and Prince.
King Vegeta was even angrier, yet he did his best to hold himself back. He couldn't do anything to defy the demands of the Emperor. Freeza was more than capable of destroying this entire planet with just a flick of his finger.
"By the looks on your face, it seems that you didn't want to do this. Hm... It's fine. If you don't like it then I guess I'll just have to destroy you all right now-."
"No!" King Vegeta cut in desperately. "I promise. I promise to give him to you when he's ready to serve you, Freeza-sama."
There was utter silence among the Saiyans, unable to comprehend the King's sudden decision.
"Oh?"
The King chose to sacrifice his own son for the safety of the entire Saiyan race. It's the only way for all of them to live after all.
Freeza's dark purple lips finally gave way into a cruel smile. He chuckled darkly, pleased at the foolish decision of the Saiyan King. Yes, he's correct after all.
"You don't have to worry about him, King Vegeta. I'll assure you that I will pamper him like he's my own child."
King Vegeta didn't say anything as he lowered his eyes, keeping himself from attacking. Behind him, his fists shook as he tried to control his anger.
Freeza smiled, he knew about the rage King Vegeta was trying to hold back and delighted himself at the sight of his helplessness.
"I will send my gifts to him every year during his birthday as reminder that he will be mine when the day comes. I will also have secret agents to report to me his activities so you better not think of going back to your word and hide him from me. I saved the father and the entire kingdom so the heir must repay me for my kindness. Until then, goodbye."
Freeza turned his back and returned to his ship, followed by his men. The main ship flew away with tremendous acceleration. That and the escort ships disappeared all at once into space, leaving the Saiyans watching the skies helplessly.
Queen Saya irately turned to her husband. She handed her baby to his own personal attendant, a burly Saiyan named Nappa, who was the former General of the Vegeta Royal Forces. Nappa took the child in his huge muscular arms.
Without hesitation, the Queen slapped her mate hard across the face. "How could you decide such a thing?!" she yelled at him furiously.
"The Queen is right, your Majesty." Rikku said. "I'd rather die than give the Prince to him."
King Vegeta snarled back. "I had no other choice! I have to decide for the better fate of the entire Saiyan Kingdom! If I defied Freeza there, he would have destroyed us all! None of us, even the Prince, would survive! This decision gave us ample time to prepare ourselves and the Prince for what's about to come."
I will do whatever it takes to make the prince the Super Saiyan who would destroy that rotten Freeza...
King Vegeta gathered trustworthy and strong elite soldiers to prepare the rest of the Saiyan Forces. They have strictly trained to strengthen their own Military so they may be able to protect themselves when the time comes. The Middle Class and Low Class Soldiers were unaware of the reason for this plan, they think it has something to do with Freeza suddenly appearing out of nowhere last time. Maybe the Galactic Emperor wanted the Saiyans to become stronger warriors so they can serve him better.
Bardock saw an opportunity with this. His crew would suddenly find him training vigorously with his son, Raditz whenever they are free from their assignments. When they are ordered to be on missions, Bardock fought hard with all he had. With all these, he began to grow considerably stronger and stronger with every experience. While Gine was eagerly supportive to her mate's determination to rise, his crew members were beginning to worry.
"Seriously, what's happening to Bardock?" Seripa asked no one in particular. They just brought a heavily injured Bardock once again after he miraculously defeated an enemy that proved too much for the rest of the crew.
"He was never this wild when fighting. It seems he was trying to catch up into something with great power. Is he trying to surpass King Vegeta?" Totepo joked.
Toma chuckled at him, "From the looks of his battle power record, it seems he's about to do that."
"Woah. Really?"
They stared at Bardock's power level record book the doctor, Planthorr provided for them.
"With this development, he may be promoted to an Elite Soldier and serve the Royal Forces one day!" gasped Pambukin.
"Just what is Bardock thinking?" wondered Toma as he stared at their leader inside the medical machine.
Meanwhile, Bardock was pleased to feel the new level of power growing within him. Since that night he's talked to Gine about his visions, he decided to do whatever it takes for him to stop the Prince from meeting the Destined Child of the Sun. In order to do so, he must find a way for him to enter the Palace as a Royal Soldier. That is the reason why he's bent on gaining as much strength as he could. It would help him gain the King's attention and hopefully, be assigned to serve near the Prince.
He also trained his son, Raditz to be as strong as he could be so he could serve the Prince too. Bardock was desperate to prevent his visions from happening.
King Vegeta decided to train his son himself a few years later, although to his own amazement, the prince proved to be so much of a genius he didn't even need to be trained at all! For a three year old toddler, all of Prince Vegeta's fighting skills were simply self-taught after seeing how others perform them. He was even able to develop complicated combinations and powerful, destructive attacks on his own. Too much for a small child like him.
The problem though was his lack of control in his power. There had been many times when he would accidentally kill his sparring partners or destroy a huge part of the Palace whenever he loses control. He's still a child and a very impatient one, indeed. Being a prince possessing such fearsome power, he is a spoiled little brat who likes getting everything he wanted and whenever he doesn't, that's when he'll throw a fit. The people around him were helpless and would find any means to calm him down, mainly heeding to the boy's wishes or simply handing him over a tasty snack. The only two people who are able to somehow, soothe his tantrums are Queen Saya and the presence of his baby brother, Tarble.
Aside from that, Prince Vegeta was a stubborn child. He never listened to anything aside from what he wanted to believe. He's also rebellious against the rules of both the Royal House and his parents. Bored of Palace Life, he would sneak away from his attendant's sights and this would eventually cause Nappa to be on the receiving end of the King's scoldings for losing the Prince. Nappa would frantically look for Vegeta, who would eventually return from his whereabouts.
Prince Vegeta grew up as such and even after almost thirteen years since Freeza's visit, nothing changed much about him, just his royal title from Prince to Crown Prince.
King Vegeta's only hope eventually turned to become everyone's greatest headache.
Age 745, almost thirteen years after Freeza's last Visit on Planet Vegeta
"Hurry up, Kakarot or we will be late!" Raditz, who was now twenty years old, shouted through the front door of their home.
"I'm coming!" the voice of an eight year old boy quickly replied.
"Geez... That's what you get for being such a sleepy head." Raditz mumbled as he turned his eyes towards their parents not far away. Gine was dusting off her mate's new black and gold armor with a pleased smile. It was the same armor as what Raditz was wearing right now. Today is a big day for their family because both Bardock and Raditz got the promotion they have been waiting for a long time. Finally, they will be able to enter the Palace as Soldiers of the Royal Forces.
Over a month ago, Gine's meat processing business got the Palace's attention when the former General of the Royal Forces, now the Attendant to Prince Vegeta, Nappa came to her shop looking for Rizocho Sausages, which was her shop's prided specialty. At that time, Gine was unaware of the man's identity. He simply bought the sausages because his 'kid' was 'demanding' for it. He said that his kid heard about the sausages and wanted to try it as it was popular around the 'low-class lands'. Though Nappa had no idea how the kid learned about the sausages, he still bought it for him. The following day after that, Nappa returned, bringing a letter containing a royal command from the Prince, now the Crown Prince himself, that the shop will provide him the Rizocho Sausages, thus allowing Gine to enter the Royal Palace. Because of this, Bardock and Raditz got the attention the Royal Forces, and through Nappa's recommendation, both are about to be promoted today.
When young Kakarot finally got out of the house, a child who looked exactly like their father, the family proceeded to the Royal Palace. Gine and Kakarot were left on the sidelines to watch Bardock and Raditz as they shall pledge to their duties.
The commander of the Royal Forces was giving his congratulatory speech to the new Royal Elites when they heard several court ladies' voices calling out, "Ouji-sama! Please come out now! Your new royal teacher has come! Ouji-sama!", thus interrupting his words. Bardock saw how the commander and the soldiers behind him looked at each other.
"Are the court ladies looking for the Crown Prince again?"
They all sighed in exasperation. Another game of hide and seek started and it seemed that the new recruits just had their very first assignment.
"Alright, men. Enough of my talking. Let's make your pledge quickly and proceed to your first assignment."
The pledging was immediately rushed and then the commander gave an order for everyone to spread out across the Palace and begin searching for the missing twelve year old Saiyan Crown Prince.
Bardock heard that Prince Vegeta is one mischievous brat and that his favorite hobby is causing unwanted, unnecessary headache to everyone around him. Who would have known that his first mission is to play hide and seek with the Crown Prince himself?
So they spread out across the Palace, calling out for their lost prince, searching for every corner a small twelve year old boy with the size of a seven year old, would fit.
Meanwhile, an elite royal guard scampered hysterically towards the royal throne hall where King Vegeta was having a meeting with his royal council. When the guard entered the throne room, he immediately fell into his knees and shouted in panic: "Your Majesty!"
The tall and proud king turned to him in annoyance. "What do you want, soldier? Can't you see we're having a meeting in here?"
"I'm sorry, your Majesty. But the crown prince⦠We need you to please stop the crown prince!"
The king sighed in exasperation, suddenly feeling a throbbing pain in his temple. "Ugh... Not again."
"Prince Vegeta!" Saiyan guards and servants were shouting everywhere, peeking on places a twelve year old with the size of a seven year old would fit. "Please come out, your highness! Your new royal tutor is waiting for you."
They were all searching for their missing crown prince who always disappears during his study sessions with his tutor. His new tutor was his eighty-seventh already. The first eighty-six either died or resigned on their own free will. According to them, the young prince was too smart and too troublesome for his own good. He is also a huge troublemaker, that instead of studying, he turns and plays pranks with them, causing them to either die or freaked out. Prince Vegeta is a natural genius at birth, and also a natural troublemaker.
The twelve-year old crown prince of the Saiyans peeked out from hiding behind a pillar at the side of the royal garden. A wide, mischievous grin stretched across his face.
"Hehehehe⦠Fools. What are you trying to look for? Some sort of atom?" He turned around and leaned his back against the pillar and scowled to himself. "I still don't understand why papa still prefer to make me study. I have already mastered what's written in those damn books and scrolls. It would be too boring to repeat them all over again."
He turned around and peeked once more. This time, the guards and servants all cleared. Vegeta let out a breath of relief and decided to come out of his hiding place with a mischievous grin. He ran off, laughing manically.
"Hahaha, idiots!" he chuckled and then laughed again. He continued cackling like that until he crashed himself into something that felt like concrete, causing him to be pushed back with the impact. He hit the ground in his butt.
"Aww! That hurts." he flinched as he rubbed his painful back. 'Damn whoever tried to get in my way, I will fucking kill them!'
Just as when he was about to yell at that person, he looked up at the towering figure before him with wide, terrified eyes, "Eh? Pa... Papa?!"
King Vegeta glared down at his son with dangerous intent.
Like a human child who was caught stealing a cookie in the jar, young Prince Vegeta stood up and bowed before his father with a pout.
"Follow me, Yon." The king ordered with a cold and harsh tone as he turned to walk towards the king's royal chambers. The young prince had no other choice but to follow his angry father.
"How many times must I tell you to stop being so stubborn?" the furious king scolded his son as he spanked the boy's back legs six times with the discipline stick he was holding, which is one unbelievably sturdy stick. King Vegeta was gripping the boy's tail, a Saiyan's weakness, in order to keep the boy's power level at its lowest. Though it hurt him, Prince Vegeta didn't flinch a bit. He won't cry at the pain. Even as a child, his pride was already too great for that matter.
"And how many times must I tell you that studying with your incompetent tutors bores me?!" the boy screeched.
"How dare you speak to me like that?!" the King spanked his son again, harder this time.
"I already know whatever shit those incompetent fools are trying to discuss with me! And I can't even train too because no one in this planet is more than capable enough to at least match me in combat! This stupid planet is full of weaklings it bores me to death!"
"Don't think so highly of yourself, boy!" the King scolded. In his heart, he knew his son was correct. He knew that even without someone teaching him, his son has the initiative to learn anything he wanted to and that he learns things pretty fast. Vegeta is also the most powerful Saiyan in the planet so no one in here will be a match against him.
The very reason why he persists on keeping the boy busy within the planet is the fact that he didn't wish for Freeza to learn he is more than ready to enter the Freeza Force. But if his son insists on being a troublemaker due to his boredom, perhaps, one day, Frieza would find out about him soon.
He tried to hide the truth from Frieza, even though the tyrant expected Prince Vegeta's service one day.
The king put his hands over his son's shoulders and looked at him directly in the eye, "Listen to me, Yon. You might think you are the strongest among our race, but there are beings out there in the universe even more powerful than what you think. That's why I'm telling you to train even harder and become as strong as you can be."
Prince Vegeta swatted his father's hands off his shoulders and scowled, "Then let me out and get me off this planet so I can face these beings."
"Vegeta Yonsei! Stop being such a pain in the ass and listen to me as your king and as your father, damn it, boy! You aren't ready yet!"
"Why?"
"Because I said so!"
"Tch!" the young prince gritted his teeth and looked away.
"Now, if you don't want to study or train, then go play with your brother."
"I'm not a child!"
The king laughed, "Yes, you are."
The boy only snorted back.
"Go now, and I have an ongoing meeting until you decided to sneak out of your tutor. I will talk to him and you will not attend classes anymore. But promise me this, you'll behave. Go to your brother, now."
Prince Vegeta lowered his head in defeat and went out of the room. But then he stopped at the door and said: "Papa... When you have free time, have a sparring match with me."
The king sighed. "Whatever, boy. Just go."
The prince nodded and made his way towards where his brother is.
"Iichan! Iichan!" Tarble greeted him as he stumbled towards his big brother happily. Vegeta looked down at his sweet little sibling.
"Hey," he smiled. "Do you want to train with me?"
Tarble looked up at him; his smiling face turned a worried one. He always wanted to go train with his big brother but he was never a match with him. Vegeta's fighting strength and intelligence was different from his by a long shot. The little boy shook his head.
"Would you rather watch me train?"
Tarble's smile returned and nodded happily. Vegeta rolled his eyes. Unlike him, his little brother was a pussy. All he knows were to fly and shoot blasts but his power level and fighting style was very lame.
"Good, then follow me, Tarble."
Vegeta led the way towards the royal training chambers and Tarble followed him. Nappa was with the meeting with his father so there was no one with them. Once at the training chamber, they met a blue alien named Coda who was the security guard of the place and Vegeta ordered him to prepare the chamber for his training with six cultivated life forms called the Saibaimen. So while waiting for the training chamber to be set, Vegeta and Tarble were watching at Coda do his job with the CCTV attached to the chamber. The crown prince sat his brother in a high chair. After Coda was done, Vegeta entrusted Tarble to Coda before he went inside the chamber and began his training drill.
Vegeta didn't even feel the thrill of the fight.
He let out a bored sigh, he was clearly still stronger than the six Saibaimen, maybe he should have added some more.
He finished the drill in less than a second, firing finger blasts at each of the cultivars. He then ordered Coda to plant ten Saibaimen and he went on again, even if the Saibaimen's combined power is at 12000, one pressure wave and ten finger blasts were enough for him to obliterate them all.
Vegeta heard Coda and Tarble cheered by the other room and he frowned. He stayed inside the room for a few seconds, thinking how useless this kind of training actually is for him.
"This is ridiculous. How am I supposed to get stronger with this kind of training? Clearly there was no improvement with my power." he complained with a frown.
He remembered what his father just told him earlier, that there were beings stronger out of Planet Vegeta. Maybe he should go off his planet to meet someone stronger and train or fight him. That way, he can become stronger!
And so he decided to sneak out of the Palace. But before he do that, he must change his clothing first. He didn't wish to make a scene and have people recognize him as the Crown Prince. That would be trouble if he gets caught again. So he stole some commoner's clothes from the office of the Royal Tailor and wore them, leaving his royal armor in an empty room.
He climbed up the wall. He didn't use his flying ability because he didn't want to gain the attention of the guards or make the scouters alarm. He was the only Saiyan who can hide his ki from being detected, provided he's not using it to perform any ability-flying included.
As soon as he was up the wall, his breath was caught when he saw a girl, probably the same age as he was. By the color of her blue hair tied in pigtails and her wide blue eyes gazing up at him in awe, Vegeta already knew she wasn't Saiyan at all. An alien? What is an alien child doing in the Palace? He wondered. He didn't know how long they stared at each other but when the girl started screaming bloody hell, he panicked and accidentally fell off the wall and into her.
Bardock gasped to himself in surprise when he suddenly felt something unusual. A throb in his forehead made him halt his footsteps as visions randomly flashed on his mind.
What he saw were ominous visions in the future and an eclipse. They are not that different from what he had seen thirteen years ago. He wondered why he was having these visions again.
He trudged against the wall as he walked to his assigned post and saw two familiar children. The sight made him gasp in shock.
He's late to stop it. The child of the moon has finally met the child of the sun.
