Alright! Thanks for the reviews! I loved them.
Android 18: Glad you like this fic, too! I hope you like this chapter as well, and I haven't forgotten about Section Z. The next chapter of it will be out in a day or two! Thanks! ;)
Seruleyan-Wings: Thanks for the review! I'm just as freaked out by the whole Freeza things as well, but I had to use someone to show Marron's obsession with power. Who better than Freeza, I guess. I would have used Yamcha or something, but he'll show up later on in the story. Sorry about the ending, but I didn't want to go into detail about the vision because I was things to be a surprise to, not only the characters, but to the audience as well! ;)
To everyone else, thanks for reading, and please review! It's always nice to know that people are reading this and if they like it! ;)
Chapter 2: The Cost of Defending One's Ego Is...
Akira opened her eyes slowly, still reeling from the jumbled vision. With a groan, she sat up and glanced around at her surroundings. The walls were made of finely polished white marble and the ceiling was cathedral-like. The room was completely round, and she quickly realized she was lying on her bed, safe in the comforts of her tower. The sheer curtains that enclosed her soft bed of cushions danced in the cool night breeze, which drifted through the opening of the balcony.
Prince Vegeta was leaning against the wall, staring off into the darkness that swirled around the palace he would one day rule the empire from. Akira stood up and went over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Vegeta?" Her voice was still a bit shaky from the disturbing sight she witnessed in her mind.
"What did you see?" He didn't even bother to look at her when he asked, content to feign a slight fascination with the stars. Vegeta was definitely disturbed by the things she had said during her little 'spell' in the courtyard. When she hesitated to answer him, he scowled. "No lies either."
"If I tell you the truth of what I have pieced together so far, you will not like it." She studied the railing cautiously. "For your own safety and the future of Vegetasei, I think I shall keep this quiet," she whispered.
He turned on her abruptly, forcing her against the wall, his hands grasping her bare shoulders as his glared down at her. "As your prince, I demand you tell me what you know," his voice thundered through her chambers, reverberating off the walls eerily.
"It's not that simple, Vegeta! This will lead to terrible events. I've seen as much," she shouted back. "You will fall," she whispered brokenly, on the verge of tears. "It's still to cloudy, Vegeta. I'll come to you after I have another vision, maybe then I'll be positive," she offered.
"No! You will tell me now. If I am meant to die, you can't stop it," he assured her. "Last I checked you had no control over the Fates," he added with a smirk.
It didn't ease her mind, but she could not deny him the truth when he was practically begging for it in his own way. "Marron is with Freeza right now," was all she said.
There were very few times in his life when he remembered being speechless, and this one was going to be the most memorable. Vegeta was too astonished to think clearly. His little, weak human wife was having an affair with his most hated rival. Marron was a bit dense, yes, but his logic kept telling him that she was at least smart enough to know he would kill her for such stupidity. The ever-present rage that lay within his soul burst to the surface, and he powered up to his fullest.
Akira shielded her face from the harsh wind and the brightness of his ki, fearful of what might happen to him if he went there now. She lunged forward, grabbing onto his left arm and giving him a pleading look. "Vegeta, don't go there right now. Wait for Freeza to leave!"
"And suffer further humiliation?" His eyes were tinged with red, fists balled tightly at his sides. "I think not. They will both pay dearly for this, especially her," he hissed furiously.
"She deserves it, Vegeta. I'm not going to argue with you about that for I have never liked her, but you cannot kill her. She is your wife."
"You are my acoulra (explanation at the bottom of the page)," he growled, pushing her hand away. "You must obey me, and right now, I demand that you cast something on her. I don't care what you do to her, just," he trailed off, too frustrated to think of what exactly he wanted Akira to do. He let out a ferocious growl.
The sorceress stood there shaking as he flew off toward the guesthouse. Obviously, he knew she would refuse to kill her for him. It wasn't that she didn't want to. She would do anything to for him, but this would strip her powers away. She needed them to protect him. Swallowing hard, she ascended into the sky and followed Vegeta to his destination.
(Change scene)
Marron combed her fingers through her silky hair and smiled. At least her night had ended well. She stood up to straighten her appearance in the long mirror that stood in the corner. Freeza was in the living area, waiting to say goodbye to her. She hoped he had at least a gift for her. Still smiling, she looked at her reflection. She knew she was beautiful, especially for her young age. As she was admiring her image, movement caught her attention, and she leaned closer to the mirror to see what could be behind her.
Her eyes lingered on the window directly behind her. It was night outside, but for some reason, it seemed far darker out. The light inside was too bright, refracting off the shiny glass, making it impossibly to see anything outside. Another flash of light came, and she saw it this time. Her hand came up to cover her mouth when she let out a loud gasp. 'Vegeta!' The unmistakable outline of his form was outside the window. She rushed toward the door, but he used his ki to knock the wall in. Marron screamed, alerting everyone within a two-mile radius, and covered her head with her arms as debris fell around her small body. The door behind her was thrown open, and there stood Freeza. Zarbon and Dodoria stood behind their leader, staring at Vegeta with contempt.
Vegeta took a menacing step into the room, causing his wife to cower behind Freeza for protection. His eyes locked on Freeza. "Do you often fuck useless whores?"
Freeza was surprised by the Saiyan prince's tone and attitude. He produced a smug grin. "Oh, come now, Vegeta. She's not entirely useless. You must have taught her something for her to have kept my interest this long," he taunted.
Black eyes stared back, unaffected by the jab. Simple words did not cut away at his ego like his wife's adulterous actions had. There may not be love there, but he had always been faithful. Should he not have the same from her? He moved his gaze on her, but she refused to look up.
"Leave, Marron. I will deal with you later," he announced flatly.
She ran from the house as fast as she could, but she didn't head toward the palace. She ran toward the landing bay. 'Perhaps there's a ship leaving soon,' she thought frantically. 'I could stowaway!' She ran past several guards who gave her a confused look. Suddenly, she was trapped in a thin mist of gray smoke, unable to move.
"Going somewhere?"
"Let me go, witch." She struggled to move, but her limbs wouldn't budge.
Akira circled her like an animal about to strike at its prey. She came to a halt in front of Marron, her silver eyes flashing dangerously. "Vegeta asked me to kill you."
The princess closed her eyes. "I'm begging you not to, Akira. Please!" She struggled to come up with a good excuse to keep her life. She knew this woman would not hesitate if she wanted to kill her, not if Vegeta had asked her to do it. 'My baby.' She looked up into the unwavering stare of the powerful sorceress, the look scaring her to her core. "I carry Vegeta's child."
"I never said I would kill you," Akira replied uncaring. "And your child could very well be the spawn of Freeza or anyone else who has stayed a night in the royal guesthouse. How many others? I will know if you lie," she warned.
"Just Freeza."
The Saiyan woman held up her hand, mimicking a slow crushing motion. Marron could feel her lungs closing in. "One other," she supplied hysterically. The pressure on her chest stopped.
Akira looked around, spotting Radditz running toward her. She waited for him patiently. When he stood next to her, she released the mist surrounding Marron and caught the girls by the throat.
"What are you doing?" Radditz asked with alarm. "I know you do not like her, neither do I, but Vegeta-."
"Will want her locked away in the dungeon tower and heavily guarded," Akira cut him off.
Radditz still didn't comprehend the situation. "Are you sure that you haven't finally snapped, sister?"
"Can you not smell the stench of Freeza on her?" She demanded. "You will lock her in the dungeon tower and set Kakkarot to guard her." She threw Marron roughly toward her older brother. "I must go to Vegeta."
Brother and sister turned toward Vegeta's ki signature. Akira shot off toward it, hoping she wouldn't be too late. The fight had already started by the time she landed. Zarbon and Dodoria rushed her, knowing she would jump into the fight Vegeta was unfortunately losing. She wasted not time. They were at a clear disadvantage because they knew nothing of her powers. Freeza thought she was just some kind of concubine to Vegeta. She held up her right hand, sending an invincible bolt of ki at Dodoria. He dropped to the ground, unconscious. Zarbon sent his comrade a puzzled look.
"Dodoria!"
"He shouldn't concern you," Akira called out. She lifted off the ground, her arms outstretched toward him, palms up. In each hand, as swirling ball of emerald appeared. She pushed them together, creating a large ball, and sent it flying toward him. Zarbon narrowed his eyes, ready to deflect it, but when he touched it, it seeped into his skin. He screamed and clawed at his head. Akira watched with interest as he fell to his knees.
"That should keep you busy for a while," she told him.
(Change scene)
Vegeta lifted himself to his feet once more. There was no way he would let Freeza get away with this, but if he were to die, then it would be honorably at least, he mused. His rival lunged at him, sending his fist into Vegeta's stomach. The prince stumbled backwards, unsteady on his feet, but he managed to counter back with a punch to Freeza's shoulder. The Icejin laughed, staring down at where the Vegeta's fist had hit.
"I hope you didn't intend for that to tickle so," he joked evilly.
Freeza grabbed a hold of Vegeta's shoulders and sent his knee into his gut. The Saiyan prince fell to his knees, coughing up blood. Unavoidable blackness was pressing in on him, urging him toward unconsciousness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Akira and felt instantly at ease. She would do something, and with that comforting thought, he felling willingly into the oblivion that awaited him.
Akira glared at Freeza's back. He didn't look like he had even been in a battle, and she knew Vegeta had given his all. Closing her eyes, she let her mind merge with the evil prince's. She couldn't control a person's thoughts only manipulate them slightly. She sensed that he was toying with the idea of killing him, so she played upon his doubt. A thought at the back of his mind sprang out at her. A part of Freeza respected Vegeta in an odd sort of way. She willed this to the forefront of his mind and cloaked herself from the view of any onlookers. Her hold over Dodoria and Zarbon lifted, and they rushed to their master's side.
"Do you wish me to kill him?" Zarbon asked, still rubbing his head. He couldn't remember what happened, but for some reason his head was throbbing.
Freeza was taking his dear time in answering, and Akira prayed to the goddess that her efforts weren't in vain. The Icejin turned away. "He will be taken back to Icesei as a prisoner of the empire."
(Change scene)
Thealda released the breath she didn't know she was holding. How could her sweet Marron do something like this? She read the transmission again, and then once more.
"I do not believe this," she whispered.
June sighed. "It's an official documentation, Thealda. She even confessed to it." June, or better known to her friends' as Eighteen, glanced anxiously toward the door. "Has Bulma read this yet?"
The middle-aged woman shook her head. "There's no point in hiding it from her either. She'll find out from someone. She always does. I suppose I should go speak to her about it sooner than later."
"I'll go with you."
(Change scene)
Another chapter down! Yeah! I have not forgotten about my other stories. I'm working on them all, I swear! Oh yeah!
What is an acoulra? Well, it's a made up word meaning, a person who serves the chosen, but not a slave. Akira's bound to Vegeta as a protector and mentor. She's a priestess, and a very powerful sorceress as you've seen in this chapter ;) Anyhow, for my story, the king has an acoulra, too, but I haven't introduced that person yet. They're kind of like advisors, as well. And later in the story of course, Trunks will have on as well! If anyone has any other questions about anything, just let me know.
Please review! Thanks a lot!
PANDORA ;)