Gravidy: Thanks or the review! Glad you like this.
Tmh-froggie: Wow, I'm really glad that you picked my AU fic to like. Thanks so much. Glad you like Akira, too, and don't worry! Marron will get hers eventually.
Kissed by a Prince: Hey, thanks! Yeah, more people are starting to like Akira!
Newsoleil: I know it looks like Vegeta and Akira are more than friends, but they aren't. I'll go into more detail about Marron and Vegeta's marriage in later chapters. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it a lot! ;)
Videnchan313: Thank you very much! Akira is starting to be more accepted. Yeah!!! You see, she a little part of me, so it means a lot that everyone is starting to come around to her. Thanks a lot!
Android 18: Awesome! Thanks for the continued support. I appreciate it a lot! And yes! Marron is definitely a conniving little wench in this fic.
Ccfleursdelys: Hehehe thanks for the reviews! ~hopes to end your nail biting habit by posting this chapter~
Shades of Crimson: Yeah, Marron's really shown her true colors up to date, and she only gets worse! Trust me, I know. I'm the author after all! mu hahaha As for Bulma, you'll learn more about her of course from now on, I promise!
~*~
Alright, everyone. Enough playing around! Time to get serious! (I think) So here, we go! The end of part one, and my longest chapter yet. YEAH! ;) Load's of stuff to be thrown at you here, and I'm hoping more surprises and questions thrown at me from you guys. ~Insert one evil laugh here~ Grab you tissues. (Just kidding, I doubt I could make anyone cry here, or can I mu hahahah)
Chapter 4: And the Oscar goes to, Marron! (LMAO)
~*~
"Wait," Marron whispered, pulling the hood of her cloak down to conceal her face.
"We don't have time to wait, your highness," Chichi said in return. She glanced up and down the hall nervously. "We can't be caught."
"But there's something I need from my room. It's important," she argued.
Goku frowned and grabbed her elbow. "Your room is on the way. We'll stop, but I'm only waiting for one minute." With that said, he pulled her down the hall.
They reached Marron and Vegeta's old room without arousing anyone's suspicions. The princess slipped into the room quietly and quickly. For a moment, she simply stood there and took in her surroundings. It looked the same as it always did, and she prayed no one had snooped around in any of her belongings; otherwise, she would be out of luck. Her plan depended highly on the piece of paper stuffed away in the drawer of her nightstand and a bottle—and the sister she hadn't seen in two years.
~*~
"Where could that bitch have flown off to?" King Vegeta growled.
Bardock shook his head. "I'm not sure, your highness. She took one of the untraceable ships we use for stealth missions. I can't find her anywhere."
Radditz sent a thoughtful glance at the radar screen. "I wonder if she went to Briefsei. It was her home world, and Vegeta told me she had friend's there she often spoke highly of. Perhaps they decided to take her in and hide her from us."
King Vegeta walked over and slumped into a chair. "My son has been captured by the Cold's, his adulterous wife has fled with his supposed heir, and Kakkarot and Chichi were gullible enough to go with the wench. What more could go wrong for us at a time like this? I should be seeking ways to get my son out of the empire's prison before he is executed, not on this damn goose chase," he growled angrily, slamming his fist against the metallic armrest, creating a good-sized dent.
"Radditz, you have tons of contacts around the universe," Bardock cut in. "Can you find where Marron has escaped to?"
"It will take some time, but I'm sure it's possible," he conceded thoughtfully. "I'll get right on it, and I'll continue to message Kakkarot over the scouter."
"Good. That will leave us with the freedom to come up with some sort of plan to rescue the prince," Bardock stated with relief. "My daughter will be back soon from Icesei with news."
Just as soon as Radditz left, a large baldheaded man entered the room. He dropped to his knee and bowed before his king, his breathing labored from the long run it took him to get from the landing bay to the palace.
"Stand up, Nappa," the king said in a saddened tone.
"Your highness, forgive me for abandoning my post on Merces," Nappa apologized.
King Vegeta nodded. He understood exactly what brought the man back to Vegetasei. Prince Vegeta was the closest thing Nappa would ever have to a son, since his mate had died. He had been the prince's bodyguard and teacher since birth. "Forgiven, of course. How could I fault you, friend?"
"I ought to ring Kakkarot's neck for this? What was the boy thinking?"
Bardock raised a hand to his temple, massaging it slightly. "I have no idea, Nappa." The shame he felt right now was far too deep, and to get his mind off it, he decided to steer the subject back to more important matters. "We really must find out what the empire's plans are involving the prince."
Nappa leaned against a nearby wall. "We still have had no word? Are they not held by their own laws to inform us of his conditions?"
King Vegeta closed his eyes, feeling powerless. How could he save his heir, his beloved son?! There had to be a way, and he hoped that Akira knew of it.
~*~
Marron sat nervously in the co-pilot's seat. Beside her, Goku was charting out their course, and Chichi stood over his shoulder with a frown on her lovely face. They were in deep conversation, so Marron took the time to slip out of the room unnoticed. She had already told them to take her to Briefsei, so she wasn't needed there any longer. Her path led down a small corridor with a door at the end. She pushed a button on the wall and it slid open. Inside was the room she shared with Chichi. Cautiously, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure that her companions hadn't followed her.
Picking up a bag from the floor, she sighed contently. It was good to be rid of those saiyans. She unzipped the bag and started sifting through its contents. She smiled broadly when her delicate fingers bumped against the plastic cover of a bottle. The pills inside bumped against the container. It would take two months to reach her old home world, and she was already two months pregnant. Freeza's doctor told her she would most likely carry the child for a term of six months—a normal saiyan pregnancy. Going through with the birth was critical in bringing her sister into this scheme. An evil smile tugged at the corner of her pink lips, and she pushed the bottle to the bottom of the bag.
~*~
"Two months?" Chichi sighed. "I hate space travel," she concluded.
Goku smiled. "It's not that bad."
"Not that bad!?" His girlfriend glared at him. "We're never going to be able to go home again, Goku. We're stuck, most likely with the princess. I'm sure by now everyone on Vegetasei is looking for us."
"You're having doubts about this again?"
She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat. "We did rush into this. Princess Marron's intentions might have been good, if not gravely stupid, but I don't understand why she wants to go to Briefsei. It seems a little suspicious to me. That's the first place they're going to look for her. She's leaving a trail."
"You're right I am," Marron replied from the doorway. Her accomplices turned to face her, confusion shining in their eyes. "If they are to find me, and they eventually will," she confessed. "At least my son will have the chance to be born, and they will see when they find us, that he is Vegeta's. Then, you two will be spared. The king won't want to kill you once he's realized you saved the life of the heir to his throne."
~*~(a/n: Damn, she's good! Hahahaha yeah, back to the story!)
The ship touched downed on the pad, kicking up dust and dried leaves to swirl around the awaiting group. Akira stared out of the window near the door with a worried expression on her beautiful face. She practically jumped out of her skin when the hydraulics kicked in and the door was released. The shaking of her hands could not be stopped, so she clasped them together in front of her. She found it funny that she had guards as she watched them descended the ramp before her. She was stronger than all of them, but she knew it was simply ceremonial. Taking a deep breath that didn't really help her calm down at all, she walked down the ramp, coming face to face with everyone she would rather not see right now.
King Vegeta stepped forward, offering his hand to help her off the platform. She cringed mentally, but took the offer not wanting to offend him. She attempted to smile up at him, but when she met his gaze, her composure failed. King and prince looked too similar. The king pulled the young woman into his arms, and she clung to him as her whole body shook due to her emotional state. Bardock exchanged fearful looks with Nappa, Radditz, and his eldest son, Nor. It was now obvious that their prince would never return home.
~*~
"This has to be one of the best days of my life," Freeza said happily, kicking the bloodied form of the prince again. "Your little whore has gone back to Vegetasei to give them the wonderful news of your execution."
Vegeta managed to pull himself up into a sitting position and spat blood before the Icejin's feet. "Then get it over with already," he rasped.
Freeza leaned forward and patted Vegeta on the shoulder good-naturedly. "Not today, not tomorrow," he paused to grin evilly when the saiyan prince looked up. "Not ever. You're going to slowly rot in my private dungeon, knowing that everyone believes you're dead."
He motioned for Zarbon to hold him up. Vegeta tried to struggle against his captor's hold, but the combined beating and ki collar took his strength away. In his crazed efforts to get loose, he lost sight of his rival. He cried out when he felt something pull on his tail. The pain kept increase, making him scream in agony, until he felt the flesh rip at the base of his spine.
The Icejin prince chuckled at the lifeless tail in his grasp. "Send this to Vegetasei. From this day on, Vegeta, crown prince of the saiyans, is dead."
~*~(to stop, or not to stop?! That is the question!) As much as I want to go keep going... Oh alright! But I'm skipping ahead a bit!~*~ Two months later!
June hid behind a large oak and shielded her eyes from the dusty wind that ripped at her dress. When it finally died down, she peeked around the corner and squinted her eyes. 'Who would land a ship so close to the temple?' She thought angrily. Lifting her skirts, she stepped out into the open and approached the ship cautiously. There were no markings to identify it, and it looked quite new. The hatch opened with a hiss, and June was surprised when a very tall, muscular man stepped out. His eyes found her immediately, and she gulped. From inside the ship, she heard a woman call out, and the man turned back to say something June could not hear. It wasn't until his attention turned away from her, that she noticed the brown, fuzzy tail wrapped tightly around his waist.
'A saiyan!' She glanced toward the temple to see if anyone was coming. They had to have noticed the small, sleek looking craft by now, and she was right. She spotted something blue running through the field toward her. 'Bulma.'
"June," she called out. "Who is it?!"
The young blond shook her head. "I don't know, but it's a saiyan. I saw his tail," she commented warily when her friend caught up to her.
Bulma's eyes widened. "Saiyan? What would they be doing here?"
June grinned, "Let's find out."
She grabbed Bulma's hand, and they ran across the clearing. The occupants of the ship were still inside, and when they moved closer toward the hatch, they could hear movement inside.
"Hello?!" Bulma called out.
"B, is that you?!"
Without thinking, Bulma rushed into the ship and gasped. There was her sister—her very pregnant sister. Tears fell freely from her oceanic eyes, and Marron smiled broadly. The two sisters embraced tightly, both crying and laughing. Chichi and Goku stood back, completely dumbfounded by what they saw. The only way to tell the girls apart was Marron's swollen belly. June wiped a tear from her eye and moved closer to her old friend.
"We thought you were dead," she whispered to Marron.
The saiyan princess let go of her sister and hugged her old friend. "Oh, June! It's so good to see you again."
"Who are you friends, Marron?" Bulma inquired.
"This is Goku and Chichi. They helped me escape Vegetasei." She sighed. "Things have not been going very well for me."
"That's the understatement of the year," Chichi cut in, still having second thoughts
Marron had to repress the urge to slap her across the face. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to her sister. "Where is Thealda?"
~*~Vegetasei, two months ago~*~
"I don't want excuses," Akira hissed. "I want this ship ready to go in five minutes."
Radditz and Nor frowned at their sister's uncharacteristic manners while the crew scurried around to do her bidding. Nor sighed, leaning against the wall, and crossing his arms.
"I think I actually feel bad for Marron," he whispered to his younger brother.
Radditz snorted in amusement. "That girl's in for a world of hurt when little sister catches up to her."
"What the hell are you two doing?" Akira demanded harshly. "You're supposed to be loading the supplies unto the ship, not standing around, letting that whore get farther away!"
"Okay, that's it," Nor said, standing up straight. He towered over her by a good foot and half. "You need to calm down. If she's on Briefsei, she isn't going to leave anytime soon, and if she does leave, we'll be that much closer. She can't run forever, Akira."
The sorceress bowed her head in defeat, and Nor hugged her tightly. "I can't help it, brother. It's all her fault he's dead, and Kakkarot!" She practically growled when she thought of her brother's part in this. "How could he? I don't care what excuse she came up with, he should have known better."
"It must have been a damn good one," Radditz chimed in thoughtfully.
~*~Sorry I'm skipping around, and I really hope no one has gotten lost here. Anyhow! Skipping forward again to the day before the birth!~*~
Looking back on the past two months, Bulma suddenly felt scared. Her sister's life was practically slipping away before her eyes, and she felt the same helplessness that captured her soul when she heard about her sister's imprisonment by the saiyan king. She still couldn't believe that her sister had willingly cheated on her husband to save him from being taken as a prisoner of Freeza. A shudder passed through her body, and she hugged herself as she walked down the hall. A thought sprang to her mind that she hadn't entertained yet. What type of person was the saiyan prince? If Marron was so in love with him to do what she did, he must be something special, she concluded with a smile. Another thought surfaced in her mind. What was it like to in love with another person? A sigh escaped her lips, and she opened her sister's door. There was no point in wondering about that. She was sure she would never ever know the answer to that.
"Bulma."
She walked over and sat down at her sister's bedside, taking her hand into her own and smiling. "June said you wanted to me. What's wrong?"
Marron closed her eyes. "I have a bad feeling about this," she lied perfectly.
"What are you talking about? You'll be fine," Bulma assured her.
"No. I don't think I will." She let a few tears slip from her eyes. "I have to ask you to do something, but I'm afraid."
"I'd do anything for you, you know that."
'Yes, you will,' Marron thought victoriously. "It won't be easy for you, but I can assure you, you will be safe. I promise." Bulma nodded, clutching her dying sister's hand in a death grip. Marron pointed to the desk in the corner. "You'll find an official document from King Cold there. He's granted me some lands and enough funds to last for several years." She let a controlled amount of bitterness into her voice. "Freeza's sick way of trying to amend the damage he did to my name."
Bulma frowned. "You want me to take over the lands, but I would have to use your name," she started. She held her sister's gaze for a long time. Could she take on her sister's identity if she died? Wouldn't the saiyans come after her then? She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Marron could see the indecision in her sister's eyes. "They won't bother you. If they come here, they'll see my grave and go about their business, and you'll be on the other side of the universe. No one will know about it but us."
"Thealda would keep it secret," Bulma agreed. "June will demand to go with me, and Goku and Chichi will too." She had become very close to the saiyan couple over the two months they were here.
"I know you'll take good care of my son."
~*~
"And what of the child?" Akira demanded coldly, glaring down at the lifeless body that she had spent two months dreaming about strangling. Her soul was not satisfied by this turn of events.
Thealda could only stare fearfully at the saiyan woman that was flanked by several guards. Marron had told her about Akira and made it clear to be very careful what you said around her. She calmed herself mentally. It helped that she knew a little about magic.
"It did not make it through the birth," she lied smoothly, clouding her mind from any intrusion the saiyan might attempt. "The doctor's believed it was because of the complications of carrying an Icejin hybrid."
That bit of information seemed to touch upon a soar spot with the sorceress and her guards. Akira clenched her fists tightly at her sides. She snapped her hateful gaze to Thealda. "Keep her filthy carcass for yourself." She turned to face her men and motioned for them to leave.
"May I have a word with you before you leave," the priestess called out to Akira.
Nor and Radditz stopped at the door, but Akira nodded for them to go on ahead. She could easily defend herself against this weak human female. "Make it quick," she hissed.
"I do not know why you are directing your hatred toward me, saiyan, but I find it most distasteful. She's dead because she tried to save your prince."
Thealda was more surprised and impressed than terrified when she felt her back thrown roughly against the wall and her feet lifting off the ground. The sheer speed of the saiyan was astounding. Akira glared at her. He hand firmly planted around Thealda's throat.
"You know nothing of what she did. Tell me, did she feed you some pretty story? Did she fail to tell you that my prince would be alive and well had she not fucked the Icejin abomination?" She saw doubt in the older woman's eyes and smirked cruelly. "That's right. Vegeta caught her with him that's why he was executed. She tried his honor. She defiled his holy name with her treachery." She released Thealda and stepped backwards. She turned and walked over to Marron's dead body and racked her nails down her cheek, too angry to notice that the body bled. "Take that to Vegeta. May he haunt your every step in the afterlife."
Thealda watched her go, grateful to be rid of her presence, but the truth in Akira's voice lingered in the air like a black cloud. If it weren't for that fact that Bulma was unknown to the saiyans and the rest of the universe, she would have ran after the sorceress and confessed all, but she dared not do anything to jeopardize her only remaining daughter's life. Not bothering to even look at Marron's body, the priestess left the room. Disgrace was a hard emotion for her to hold; yet she did for the first time in her life. In one day, she had lost both her daughters forever, and all she could wonder, is where she went wrong?
~*~
The timing couldn't have been more perfect, Marron thought as two strong arms lifted her from the casket. Her eyesight was still a bit hazy, but she could faintly make out the handsome features of her savior—her one true love. She raised her fingers to his lips and smiled. She was glad that everything worked out so well. The drug's effect would wane after a few days.
"Yamcha."
"Shh! We have to hurry up," he whispered, lifting her into his arms and carrying her toward a medium sized ship. He turned back to the two men that he brought with him. "Cover that back up quickly. I want to get far away from here."
Marron rested her head against his shoulder and yawned. The small action was painful. She frowned, knowing it definitely shouldn't be. Her hand brushed across her cheek and she let out a tiny cry. "What happened?"
"Looks like someone scratched you," her lover replied. "They'll heal. Don't worry, Marron. Nothing could take away from your beauty, my love."
~*~
Chichi smiled at her new friend. "What are you going to name him?"
Bulma looked up at her and then to June. "I don't know if I really have the right to, but I think I'll name him Trunks."
"Prince Trunks?" Goku laughed. "I don't think Vegeta would have liked that name."
"That hardly matters, I'm afraid, and besides," Bulma stated. "Trunks can't ever know about that part of himself."
"He'll ask questions about his father one day," June cut in. "What are we to tell him?"
Chichi sighed. "This doesn't have to be settled tonight, you know! We have a few years before he'll be capable comprehending this stuff."
~*~ (You're probably all begging for me to end this now aren't you?) mu hahaha just a bit more!~*~
The king and queen stood side by side on the dais. Queen Lisdore was barely able to stand on her own feet, and everyone worried that the death of her eldest child might have a negative effect on her current pregnancy. The king held her against his side, supporting her with an arm around her waist. The throne room was full of foreign dignitaries, all their closest allies, and saiyan nobility.
A young woman swathed in black silk from head to toe entered the silent room from the main entrance. She was glad that that dark veil covered her face. She was supposed to be strong during this, and at the moment she was failing miserably. Her escort placed his gentle hand against the small of her back, a sign of reassurance that he was there for her. Akira turned her head toward him slightly, seeking out the warmth of his dark brown eyes. Prince Arthos of Riessei had been Vegeta's best friend. Their two planets had worked together for years, and they had practically grown up together.
"I'm here for you," he whispered. She nodded. Each step she took resulted in a soft click as her sandaled feet hit the marble flooring. She wanted to stop and kick them across the room, but she didn't. Instead, she lifted her head up high and took deep, ragged breath. In her outstretched hands, she carried a sword—Vegeta's sword that had been made for him when he was born. It was a traditional gift from King to heir. Something that would now be passed on to Vegeta's little brother.
They reached the dais, and Arthos knelt down on his right knee, bowing his head to the Saiyan monarchs. Akira remained standing, still holding onto the sword. King Vegeta left his queen's side reluctantly, thankful that Bardock was close by if she needed someone to lean on.
"This day we mourn the death of my eldest son, Prince Vegeta," the king's voice rang through the hall. "In his untimely passing, crown falls to my son, Prince Arro."
A small boy stepped forward from his stop next to his mother and knelt before Akira.
Akira knelt in front of the boy and started to unwrap the dark blue silk from around the sword. "In the name of Prince Vegeta, I pass his sword unto you."
The little boy fought back the tears the stung at his eyes. "I don't want it, Akira," he whispered.
She cupped his cheek with her hand, her own tears barely held at bay. How long will I mourn his passing, she wondered. "I know, but you must, your highness," she whispered back, choking back a sob.
"I want big brother back," the four year old cried, launching himself into her arms. The sword clanked against the floor as she dropped it to catch him. How could she blame him? He was only saying what they all were thinking.
~*~ Sheesh! Finally! Man, I cringed when I wrote the whole Vegeta getting his tail ripped off part! Ouchy! Anyhow. Please review! I definitely want to know what everyone thinks after this chapter. ;) Are you plotting my death? Are you confused? Do you want a tissue? ~Grabs box~ I need one after that last scene... I was a bit iffy about the funeral thing, but it closed up the first part of the story rather nicely with loads of depression!
~*~
PANDORA ;)
Tmh-froggie: Wow, I'm really glad that you picked my AU fic to like. Thanks so much. Glad you like Akira, too, and don't worry! Marron will get hers eventually.
Kissed by a Prince: Hey, thanks! Yeah, more people are starting to like Akira!
Newsoleil: I know it looks like Vegeta and Akira are more than friends, but they aren't. I'll go into more detail about Marron and Vegeta's marriage in later chapters. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it a lot! ;)
Videnchan313: Thank you very much! Akira is starting to be more accepted. Yeah!!! You see, she a little part of me, so it means a lot that everyone is starting to come around to her. Thanks a lot!
Android 18: Awesome! Thanks for the continued support. I appreciate it a lot! And yes! Marron is definitely a conniving little wench in this fic.
Ccfleursdelys: Hehehe thanks for the reviews! ~hopes to end your nail biting habit by posting this chapter~
Shades of Crimson: Yeah, Marron's really shown her true colors up to date, and she only gets worse! Trust me, I know. I'm the author after all! mu hahaha As for Bulma, you'll learn more about her of course from now on, I promise!
~*~
Alright, everyone. Enough playing around! Time to get serious! (I think) So here, we go! The end of part one, and my longest chapter yet. YEAH! ;) Load's of stuff to be thrown at you here, and I'm hoping more surprises and questions thrown at me from you guys. ~Insert one evil laugh here~ Grab you tissues. (Just kidding, I doubt I could make anyone cry here, or can I mu hahahah)
Chapter 4: And the Oscar goes to, Marron! (LMAO)
~*~
"Wait," Marron whispered, pulling the hood of her cloak down to conceal her face.
"We don't have time to wait, your highness," Chichi said in return. She glanced up and down the hall nervously. "We can't be caught."
"But there's something I need from my room. It's important," she argued.
Goku frowned and grabbed her elbow. "Your room is on the way. We'll stop, but I'm only waiting for one minute." With that said, he pulled her down the hall.
They reached Marron and Vegeta's old room without arousing anyone's suspicions. The princess slipped into the room quietly and quickly. For a moment, she simply stood there and took in her surroundings. It looked the same as it always did, and she prayed no one had snooped around in any of her belongings; otherwise, she would be out of luck. Her plan depended highly on the piece of paper stuffed away in the drawer of her nightstand and a bottle—and the sister she hadn't seen in two years.
~*~
"Where could that bitch have flown off to?" King Vegeta growled.
Bardock shook his head. "I'm not sure, your highness. She took one of the untraceable ships we use for stealth missions. I can't find her anywhere."
Radditz sent a thoughtful glance at the radar screen. "I wonder if she went to Briefsei. It was her home world, and Vegeta told me she had friend's there she often spoke highly of. Perhaps they decided to take her in and hide her from us."
King Vegeta walked over and slumped into a chair. "My son has been captured by the Cold's, his adulterous wife has fled with his supposed heir, and Kakkarot and Chichi were gullible enough to go with the wench. What more could go wrong for us at a time like this? I should be seeking ways to get my son out of the empire's prison before he is executed, not on this damn goose chase," he growled angrily, slamming his fist against the metallic armrest, creating a good-sized dent.
"Radditz, you have tons of contacts around the universe," Bardock cut in. "Can you find where Marron has escaped to?"
"It will take some time, but I'm sure it's possible," he conceded thoughtfully. "I'll get right on it, and I'll continue to message Kakkarot over the scouter."
"Good. That will leave us with the freedom to come up with some sort of plan to rescue the prince," Bardock stated with relief. "My daughter will be back soon from Icesei with news."
Just as soon as Radditz left, a large baldheaded man entered the room. He dropped to his knee and bowed before his king, his breathing labored from the long run it took him to get from the landing bay to the palace.
"Stand up, Nappa," the king said in a saddened tone.
"Your highness, forgive me for abandoning my post on Merces," Nappa apologized.
King Vegeta nodded. He understood exactly what brought the man back to Vegetasei. Prince Vegeta was the closest thing Nappa would ever have to a son, since his mate had died. He had been the prince's bodyguard and teacher since birth. "Forgiven, of course. How could I fault you, friend?"
"I ought to ring Kakkarot's neck for this? What was the boy thinking?"
Bardock raised a hand to his temple, massaging it slightly. "I have no idea, Nappa." The shame he felt right now was far too deep, and to get his mind off it, he decided to steer the subject back to more important matters. "We really must find out what the empire's plans are involving the prince."
Nappa leaned against a nearby wall. "We still have had no word? Are they not held by their own laws to inform us of his conditions?"
King Vegeta closed his eyes, feeling powerless. How could he save his heir, his beloved son?! There had to be a way, and he hoped that Akira knew of it.
~*~
Marron sat nervously in the co-pilot's seat. Beside her, Goku was charting out their course, and Chichi stood over his shoulder with a frown on her lovely face. They were in deep conversation, so Marron took the time to slip out of the room unnoticed. She had already told them to take her to Briefsei, so she wasn't needed there any longer. Her path led down a small corridor with a door at the end. She pushed a button on the wall and it slid open. Inside was the room she shared with Chichi. Cautiously, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure that her companions hadn't followed her.
Picking up a bag from the floor, she sighed contently. It was good to be rid of those saiyans. She unzipped the bag and started sifting through its contents. She smiled broadly when her delicate fingers bumped against the plastic cover of a bottle. The pills inside bumped against the container. It would take two months to reach her old home world, and she was already two months pregnant. Freeza's doctor told her she would most likely carry the child for a term of six months—a normal saiyan pregnancy. Going through with the birth was critical in bringing her sister into this scheme. An evil smile tugged at the corner of her pink lips, and she pushed the bottle to the bottom of the bag.
~*~
"Two months?" Chichi sighed. "I hate space travel," she concluded.
Goku smiled. "It's not that bad."
"Not that bad!?" His girlfriend glared at him. "We're never going to be able to go home again, Goku. We're stuck, most likely with the princess. I'm sure by now everyone on Vegetasei is looking for us."
"You're having doubts about this again?"
She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat. "We did rush into this. Princess Marron's intentions might have been good, if not gravely stupid, but I don't understand why she wants to go to Briefsei. It seems a little suspicious to me. That's the first place they're going to look for her. She's leaving a trail."
"You're right I am," Marron replied from the doorway. Her accomplices turned to face her, confusion shining in their eyes. "If they are to find me, and they eventually will," she confessed. "At least my son will have the chance to be born, and they will see when they find us, that he is Vegeta's. Then, you two will be spared. The king won't want to kill you once he's realized you saved the life of the heir to his throne."
~*~(a/n: Damn, she's good! Hahahaha yeah, back to the story!)
The ship touched downed on the pad, kicking up dust and dried leaves to swirl around the awaiting group. Akira stared out of the window near the door with a worried expression on her beautiful face. She practically jumped out of her skin when the hydraulics kicked in and the door was released. The shaking of her hands could not be stopped, so she clasped them together in front of her. She found it funny that she had guards as she watched them descended the ramp before her. She was stronger than all of them, but she knew it was simply ceremonial. Taking a deep breath that didn't really help her calm down at all, she walked down the ramp, coming face to face with everyone she would rather not see right now.
King Vegeta stepped forward, offering his hand to help her off the platform. She cringed mentally, but took the offer not wanting to offend him. She attempted to smile up at him, but when she met his gaze, her composure failed. King and prince looked too similar. The king pulled the young woman into his arms, and she clung to him as her whole body shook due to her emotional state. Bardock exchanged fearful looks with Nappa, Radditz, and his eldest son, Nor. It was now obvious that their prince would never return home.
~*~
"This has to be one of the best days of my life," Freeza said happily, kicking the bloodied form of the prince again. "Your little whore has gone back to Vegetasei to give them the wonderful news of your execution."
Vegeta managed to pull himself up into a sitting position and spat blood before the Icejin's feet. "Then get it over with already," he rasped.
Freeza leaned forward and patted Vegeta on the shoulder good-naturedly. "Not today, not tomorrow," he paused to grin evilly when the saiyan prince looked up. "Not ever. You're going to slowly rot in my private dungeon, knowing that everyone believes you're dead."
He motioned for Zarbon to hold him up. Vegeta tried to struggle against his captor's hold, but the combined beating and ki collar took his strength away. In his crazed efforts to get loose, he lost sight of his rival. He cried out when he felt something pull on his tail. The pain kept increase, making him scream in agony, until he felt the flesh rip at the base of his spine.
The Icejin prince chuckled at the lifeless tail in his grasp. "Send this to Vegetasei. From this day on, Vegeta, crown prince of the saiyans, is dead."
~*~(to stop, or not to stop?! That is the question!) As much as I want to go keep going... Oh alright! But I'm skipping ahead a bit!~*~ Two months later!
June hid behind a large oak and shielded her eyes from the dusty wind that ripped at her dress. When it finally died down, she peeked around the corner and squinted her eyes. 'Who would land a ship so close to the temple?' She thought angrily. Lifting her skirts, she stepped out into the open and approached the ship cautiously. There were no markings to identify it, and it looked quite new. The hatch opened with a hiss, and June was surprised when a very tall, muscular man stepped out. His eyes found her immediately, and she gulped. From inside the ship, she heard a woman call out, and the man turned back to say something June could not hear. It wasn't until his attention turned away from her, that she noticed the brown, fuzzy tail wrapped tightly around his waist.
'A saiyan!' She glanced toward the temple to see if anyone was coming. They had to have noticed the small, sleek looking craft by now, and she was right. She spotted something blue running through the field toward her. 'Bulma.'
"June," she called out. "Who is it?!"
The young blond shook her head. "I don't know, but it's a saiyan. I saw his tail," she commented warily when her friend caught up to her.
Bulma's eyes widened. "Saiyan? What would they be doing here?"
June grinned, "Let's find out."
She grabbed Bulma's hand, and they ran across the clearing. The occupants of the ship were still inside, and when they moved closer toward the hatch, they could hear movement inside.
"Hello?!" Bulma called out.
"B, is that you?!"
Without thinking, Bulma rushed into the ship and gasped. There was her sister—her very pregnant sister. Tears fell freely from her oceanic eyes, and Marron smiled broadly. The two sisters embraced tightly, both crying and laughing. Chichi and Goku stood back, completely dumbfounded by what they saw. The only way to tell the girls apart was Marron's swollen belly. June wiped a tear from her eye and moved closer to her old friend.
"We thought you were dead," she whispered to Marron.
The saiyan princess let go of her sister and hugged her old friend. "Oh, June! It's so good to see you again."
"Who are you friends, Marron?" Bulma inquired.
"This is Goku and Chichi. They helped me escape Vegetasei." She sighed. "Things have not been going very well for me."
"That's the understatement of the year," Chichi cut in, still having second thoughts
Marron had to repress the urge to slap her across the face. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to her sister. "Where is Thealda?"
~*~Vegetasei, two months ago~*~
"I don't want excuses," Akira hissed. "I want this ship ready to go in five minutes."
Radditz and Nor frowned at their sister's uncharacteristic manners while the crew scurried around to do her bidding. Nor sighed, leaning against the wall, and crossing his arms.
"I think I actually feel bad for Marron," he whispered to his younger brother.
Radditz snorted in amusement. "That girl's in for a world of hurt when little sister catches up to her."
"What the hell are you two doing?" Akira demanded harshly. "You're supposed to be loading the supplies unto the ship, not standing around, letting that whore get farther away!"
"Okay, that's it," Nor said, standing up straight. He towered over her by a good foot and half. "You need to calm down. If she's on Briefsei, she isn't going to leave anytime soon, and if she does leave, we'll be that much closer. She can't run forever, Akira."
The sorceress bowed her head in defeat, and Nor hugged her tightly. "I can't help it, brother. It's all her fault he's dead, and Kakkarot!" She practically growled when she thought of her brother's part in this. "How could he? I don't care what excuse she came up with, he should have known better."
"It must have been a damn good one," Radditz chimed in thoughtfully.
~*~Sorry I'm skipping around, and I really hope no one has gotten lost here. Anyhow! Skipping forward again to the day before the birth!~*~
Looking back on the past two months, Bulma suddenly felt scared. Her sister's life was practically slipping away before her eyes, and she felt the same helplessness that captured her soul when she heard about her sister's imprisonment by the saiyan king. She still couldn't believe that her sister had willingly cheated on her husband to save him from being taken as a prisoner of Freeza. A shudder passed through her body, and she hugged herself as she walked down the hall. A thought sprang to her mind that she hadn't entertained yet. What type of person was the saiyan prince? If Marron was so in love with him to do what she did, he must be something special, she concluded with a smile. Another thought surfaced in her mind. What was it like to in love with another person? A sigh escaped her lips, and she opened her sister's door. There was no point in wondering about that. She was sure she would never ever know the answer to that.
"Bulma."
She walked over and sat down at her sister's bedside, taking her hand into her own and smiling. "June said you wanted to me. What's wrong?"
Marron closed her eyes. "I have a bad feeling about this," she lied perfectly.
"What are you talking about? You'll be fine," Bulma assured her.
"No. I don't think I will." She let a few tears slip from her eyes. "I have to ask you to do something, but I'm afraid."
"I'd do anything for you, you know that."
'Yes, you will,' Marron thought victoriously. "It won't be easy for you, but I can assure you, you will be safe. I promise." Bulma nodded, clutching her dying sister's hand in a death grip. Marron pointed to the desk in the corner. "You'll find an official document from King Cold there. He's granted me some lands and enough funds to last for several years." She let a controlled amount of bitterness into her voice. "Freeza's sick way of trying to amend the damage he did to my name."
Bulma frowned. "You want me to take over the lands, but I would have to use your name," she started. She held her sister's gaze for a long time. Could she take on her sister's identity if she died? Wouldn't the saiyans come after her then? She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Marron could see the indecision in her sister's eyes. "They won't bother you. If they come here, they'll see my grave and go about their business, and you'll be on the other side of the universe. No one will know about it but us."
"Thealda would keep it secret," Bulma agreed. "June will demand to go with me, and Goku and Chichi will too." She had become very close to the saiyan couple over the two months they were here.
"I know you'll take good care of my son."
~*~
"And what of the child?" Akira demanded coldly, glaring down at the lifeless body that she had spent two months dreaming about strangling. Her soul was not satisfied by this turn of events.
Thealda could only stare fearfully at the saiyan woman that was flanked by several guards. Marron had told her about Akira and made it clear to be very careful what you said around her. She calmed herself mentally. It helped that she knew a little about magic.
"It did not make it through the birth," she lied smoothly, clouding her mind from any intrusion the saiyan might attempt. "The doctor's believed it was because of the complications of carrying an Icejin hybrid."
That bit of information seemed to touch upon a soar spot with the sorceress and her guards. Akira clenched her fists tightly at her sides. She snapped her hateful gaze to Thealda. "Keep her filthy carcass for yourself." She turned to face her men and motioned for them to leave.
"May I have a word with you before you leave," the priestess called out to Akira.
Nor and Radditz stopped at the door, but Akira nodded for them to go on ahead. She could easily defend herself against this weak human female. "Make it quick," she hissed.
"I do not know why you are directing your hatred toward me, saiyan, but I find it most distasteful. She's dead because she tried to save your prince."
Thealda was more surprised and impressed than terrified when she felt her back thrown roughly against the wall and her feet lifting off the ground. The sheer speed of the saiyan was astounding. Akira glared at her. He hand firmly planted around Thealda's throat.
"You know nothing of what she did. Tell me, did she feed you some pretty story? Did she fail to tell you that my prince would be alive and well had she not fucked the Icejin abomination?" She saw doubt in the older woman's eyes and smirked cruelly. "That's right. Vegeta caught her with him that's why he was executed. She tried his honor. She defiled his holy name with her treachery." She released Thealda and stepped backwards. She turned and walked over to Marron's dead body and racked her nails down her cheek, too angry to notice that the body bled. "Take that to Vegeta. May he haunt your every step in the afterlife."
Thealda watched her go, grateful to be rid of her presence, but the truth in Akira's voice lingered in the air like a black cloud. If it weren't for that fact that Bulma was unknown to the saiyans and the rest of the universe, she would have ran after the sorceress and confessed all, but she dared not do anything to jeopardize her only remaining daughter's life. Not bothering to even look at Marron's body, the priestess left the room. Disgrace was a hard emotion for her to hold; yet she did for the first time in her life. In one day, she had lost both her daughters forever, and all she could wonder, is where she went wrong?
~*~
The timing couldn't have been more perfect, Marron thought as two strong arms lifted her from the casket. Her eyesight was still a bit hazy, but she could faintly make out the handsome features of her savior—her one true love. She raised her fingers to his lips and smiled. She was glad that everything worked out so well. The drug's effect would wane after a few days.
"Yamcha."
"Shh! We have to hurry up," he whispered, lifting her into his arms and carrying her toward a medium sized ship. He turned back to the two men that he brought with him. "Cover that back up quickly. I want to get far away from here."
Marron rested her head against his shoulder and yawned. The small action was painful. She frowned, knowing it definitely shouldn't be. Her hand brushed across her cheek and she let out a tiny cry. "What happened?"
"Looks like someone scratched you," her lover replied. "They'll heal. Don't worry, Marron. Nothing could take away from your beauty, my love."
~*~
Chichi smiled at her new friend. "What are you going to name him?"
Bulma looked up at her and then to June. "I don't know if I really have the right to, but I think I'll name him Trunks."
"Prince Trunks?" Goku laughed. "I don't think Vegeta would have liked that name."
"That hardly matters, I'm afraid, and besides," Bulma stated. "Trunks can't ever know about that part of himself."
"He'll ask questions about his father one day," June cut in. "What are we to tell him?"
Chichi sighed. "This doesn't have to be settled tonight, you know! We have a few years before he'll be capable comprehending this stuff."
~*~ (You're probably all begging for me to end this now aren't you?) mu hahaha just a bit more!~*~
The king and queen stood side by side on the dais. Queen Lisdore was barely able to stand on her own feet, and everyone worried that the death of her eldest child might have a negative effect on her current pregnancy. The king held her against his side, supporting her with an arm around her waist. The throne room was full of foreign dignitaries, all their closest allies, and saiyan nobility.
A young woman swathed in black silk from head to toe entered the silent room from the main entrance. She was glad that that dark veil covered her face. She was supposed to be strong during this, and at the moment she was failing miserably. Her escort placed his gentle hand against the small of her back, a sign of reassurance that he was there for her. Akira turned her head toward him slightly, seeking out the warmth of his dark brown eyes. Prince Arthos of Riessei had been Vegeta's best friend. Their two planets had worked together for years, and they had practically grown up together.
"I'm here for you," he whispered. She nodded. Each step she took resulted in a soft click as her sandaled feet hit the marble flooring. She wanted to stop and kick them across the room, but she didn't. Instead, she lifted her head up high and took deep, ragged breath. In her outstretched hands, she carried a sword—Vegeta's sword that had been made for him when he was born. It was a traditional gift from King to heir. Something that would now be passed on to Vegeta's little brother.
They reached the dais, and Arthos knelt down on his right knee, bowing his head to the Saiyan monarchs. Akira remained standing, still holding onto the sword. King Vegeta left his queen's side reluctantly, thankful that Bardock was close by if she needed someone to lean on.
"This day we mourn the death of my eldest son, Prince Vegeta," the king's voice rang through the hall. "In his untimely passing, crown falls to my son, Prince Arro."
A small boy stepped forward from his stop next to his mother and knelt before Akira.
Akira knelt in front of the boy and started to unwrap the dark blue silk from around the sword. "In the name of Prince Vegeta, I pass his sword unto you."
The little boy fought back the tears the stung at his eyes. "I don't want it, Akira," he whispered.
She cupped his cheek with her hand, her own tears barely held at bay. How long will I mourn his passing, she wondered. "I know, but you must, your highness," she whispered back, choking back a sob.
"I want big brother back," the four year old cried, launching himself into her arms. The sword clanked against the floor as she dropped it to catch him. How could she blame him? He was only saying what they all were thinking.
~*~ Sheesh! Finally! Man, I cringed when I wrote the whole Vegeta getting his tail ripped off part! Ouchy! Anyhow. Please review! I definitely want to know what everyone thinks after this chapter. ;) Are you plotting my death? Are you confused? Do you want a tissue? ~Grabs box~ I need one after that last scene... I was a bit iffy about the funeral thing, but it closed up the first part of the story rather nicely with loads of depression!
~*~
PANDORA ;)