Chapter 3: Broly reveals himself!
Disclaimer: I don't own it; you know what I mean.
It was a few hours later that I found myself strolling absentmindedly down one of the many corridors. The sun had previously retired for the night, and the air was crisp. I'd just been out to greet Broly and Vegeta on their return from the "saiyan hunt" and was walking alongside them. But, as they had decided to move with the snails, I continued on without them.
'Hmm… I wonder what Trunks' mother must look like for him to have such peculiar hair and eyes... And I still find it a bit ironic that Vegeta would choose a human to mate with,' I thought with a laugh.
From everything I'd heard of my brother over the years, he didn't seem like the type to choose someone of such a physically inferior race. My thoughts on humans brought me over to Gohan, seeing as how he was also part human.
'I can see where that boy gets his good looks from...' Images of Kakarot came to me. We had only just been introduced earlier, but… "He seems waaay too carefree for his own good..." I mumbled to myself, cracking a small smile.
Surely, someone like him couldn't have struck such a cord in Broly? Why? And How?
"Hey, Midori! How's it goin'?" a cheery voice called out, breaking me from my reverie.
It took me a second to realize I wasn't going crazy from lack of sleep and food. There was definitely another person occupying the lengthy hall with me. Sitting there on a window ledge, merely feet away was Ka― …Goku and that all-happy smile of his.
"Oh, well, I'm fine... and you?" I took a few steps closer, still slightly dazed that I 'd not sensed him there.
Goku patted a spot next to him on the ledge, motioning me to come over. I moved closer to the orange-clad male, offering a questioning look.
He shrugged in a nonchalant way. "Everyone's off doing their own thing, and I've never met a female of our kind before… I'm curious!" he confessed with a laugh, kicking his feet as if he were dangling them over the side of a pool.
"Uhh..." I didn't quite know how to react to the invitation.
Despite his lighthearted demeanor, I still felt odd around him. It was like I'd known him for most of my life, but never really knew him until now. That, and I'd always been cautious of the occasional coveting creep over the years... being the last female saiyan and all... But, as he flashed that winning smile up at me, I found myself smiling awkwardly back, complying with his wish.
Was it how different his nature seemed compared to every other saiyan I knew? Well, I'd only known two, but… 'What is Broly's deal with this man? I should be wary of this Kakarot, but…' I let out a huff of breath.
"Hey... Dori? You still with me here?" Goku was waving a hand in front of my face.
Choosing to ignore the casual abbreviation of my name, I offered him a lazy grin. "So… what do you prefer being called―Kakarot, or Goku?" I questioned, silently wondering how he got the latter name.
Goku laughed lightly and scratched the back of his head, as if it helped him think well. "Hehe, ya see, I was called Goku my whole life until Vegeta and his buddies came along. So yeah, Goku's fine."
"That's so good to know…" I trailed off, mouth falling shut, teeth clenching.
I was very glad that I didn't have to call him by the name that brought up so many bad memories. And yet, I tilted my head to the side and sighed contently despite the flashbacks that his birth name had triggered. Unlike others I'd met in the past decade, I felt... at ease around this man.
'These Earthling men seem to have a way of loosening me up...'
So… I chatted with Goku. He did most of the talking. The planet he lived on was beautiful, and it seemed that life could either be complicated or wonderful, depending on how you led it.
My tail began swaying back and forth. It was an old habit I had whenever I... felt good, I guess... And every now and then it brushed against Goku's side. I didn't notice until he jokingly went to flick it, stopping halfway; something we laughed at.
But alas, our lovely conversation of Earth ended when we heard footsteps and Vegeta's very agitated voice echoing towards us.
My lips puckered a bit as I blinked my lowered eyelids slowly. "It took them long enough to catch up. What were they doing―crawling up the stairs?" My pout turned into a smirk as I waited for their approach, Goku snickering at the joke.
My aforementioned livid brother made his grand entrance with Paragus and Broly trailing. "Damn it, how am I supposed to destroy this thing if you can't even tell me where it is?" he demanded, practically stomping with peevishness.
Paragus' voice was strained as he attempted to explain what I knew was a lie. "We're working as hard as we can, around the clock! Just give us a little more time, sir!"
But Vegeta only growled in annoyance.
'My, my, Vegeta… such impatience you have. I guess I should be glad for it, to some degree.'
The prince didn't even bother with pleasantries as he passed by the two of us, until Goku spoke up; a greeting that was light and simple, through a soft smile. "Hey Vegeta."
I stood up, dusting off my sleeveless tunic.
Vegeta paused, meeting my gaze out of the corner of his eye, and smirked. "Midori," he acknowledged first, and then turned to Goku, commenting coolly, "I don't remember seeing you on the guest list."
Another person who wasn't fond of Kak― uh, Goku.
Goku still smiled. "Oh, come on Vegeta, it's not like you're having any better luck finding the super saiyan."
I arched an eyebrow at the ground, the tile having become very intriguing. 'No he just didn't...'
Vegeta's smirk immediately dropped to a frown. "It won't be long before we catch him, and when we do, he's mine and he's dead. Stay out of my way, clown." The prince spun around on his heel, his words stingingly cold, but stopped again, locking eyes with me. "You should stay away from that fool, Kakarot. He's nothing but a bad influence," he spat bitterly, finally going on his way.
As Goku shrugged, I snorted quietly at his comment. "Yes, of course, sir…" What were brothers for, eh?
Paragus offered an acknowledging nod, loyally following him.
My Earthling companion was the only one unmoved by Vegeta's attitude, cheerfully calling after the disgruntled prince, "Well, bye then! I guess I'll uh, see you around or something!"
After that an awkward silence enveloped the area, craving for disruption.
"Goku, tell me more about Earth―" No sooner had I twirled around to face him did I spot Broly standing there with a scowl on his face, fists clenched tensely at his sides.
I blanched. Just seeing the look of pure hatred on his face sent chills from the tip of my tail up my spine. I felt that if I turned around again, I might encounter a personified feeling of dread, having just lifted a finger from tapping my shoulder in an ominous manner.
Goku must have noticed me staring nervously behind him. Demeanor suddenly serious, he leaped out of his seat to confront the problem.
Broly's fists curled even tighter as he growled at Goku, reminiscent of a territorial animal. Was he jealous? Or did he really hate the man he'd never met in his entire lifetime that much?
'What is he… going to do?' My body went rigid when the stone on his headpiece began glowing a pale green.
Dread reared its ugly head with a sneer.
I could feel Broly's power level creeping up with each passing second. Not a good sign.
'Shit! No—this can't happen yet!' I thought frantically, my breath hitched as I shuffled back a few feet.
Every time he had lost his temper in the past, I had sworn afterwards that I'd become used to it. But now, just as every previous time, I could feel my tail shivering between my legs. Meanwhile Goku and Broly were staring each other down, pale auras becoming visible to the eye. I didn't dare interfere for my own apprehension of something horrible happening. The worst thing to do was to jump in front of an enraged Broly… Not that I could have budged even if I wanted to.
Luckily, Paragus hadn't strayed too far and sensed the change in his son. "Behave, Broly…" came Paragus' warning voice as he held out his hand. Clasped around it was a golden bracelet with the same green light that shone off of Broly's headpiece. It had the power to control Broly's anger—his energy to an extent— if he were to lose control at any time...
But, as if trying to make the situation worse, Master Roshi (the elderly man from before) came running down the hall, holding Oolong (the talking pig) by the ears. I caught something along the lines of "Not gonna let ya". There were other, more pressing matters to deal with than listening to them. In my mind the world was absent. There was only Broly and Goku, glowing in a dark, menacing abyss, battling silently with their eyes.
The old man's voice cut the abyss—"Are you even listening to me?!"—momentarily dulling my anxiety.
Goku turned his head slightly and grinned—"That's Roshi for ya'!"—then quickly turned back to Broly.
As hastily as Goku had performed the short action, the anger dissipated from Broly's face with a deep sigh, his aura dwindling with the lengthy exhale.
I couldn't help but sigh in relief as well. 'I have to get him out of here, though...' Walking cautiously up to Broly and placing a hand on his arm, I did the only thing I could think of. "Broly... let's go," I whispered softly.
Without even looking down at me, he started walking. I linked my arm around his and fell into step with his long stride, as if I'd just be able to tug at his arm if he got angry again… Wishful thinking.
In our leave, I looked back at Goku and mouthed a good night to him. He smiled hesitantly and waved as Broly and I made our exit.
Paragus sat quietly, in what could only be described as a dungeon-like laboratory. The place was pitch-black, with the exception of the minimal light that random machines gave off. On his hand, where the ki-controlling device usually was, were finger attachments with numerous wires cascading from them. Paragus had been sitting for almost an hour. He was becoming fed up…
An indigo, octopus-resembling creature slugged into the room with papers in his tentacles. "That's it, my tests are complete. Now, if you would slowly remove the apparatus from your wrist," he instructed.
Paragus did the exact opposite of what the creature requested, and all but gently tore it off of him, chucking the attachment at the ground. "Well?" his voice was gruff with impatience.
The octopus produced the older saiyan's ki-controlling device when the object suddenly sparked, causing him to drop it and yelp in surprise. The gadget then experienced a short-lived purple glow; an eerie sight in the dark room.
"I'm telling you, the results are the same as last time," he informed the disgruntled saiyan. "According to the computer data, the remote is still functioning properly. The reports are consistent. It's probably that Broly may be acting out on his own. You're his father, Paragus. I'm afraid it is now up to you to control the power of your son."
Paragus collected his ki-controlling device without another look to the scientist. "No… Fix it." At that, the saiyan swiftly left the room, his cape fluttering behind him as he moved.
"How can I fix what just isn't broken?!" the creature exclaimed to Paragus' retreating form.
Once outside, Paragus sighed despairingly to himself. 'Broly...' he thought, then whispering to himself, "What's wrong with you, my son?"
But no sensible idea came to him.
'There must be an answer!' he thought fiercely. 'Something must be disturbing him―interrupting my control... His saiyan rage just flared the minute he saw Kakarot.' Paragus turned slowly from the door and walked away.
'These outbursts have to stop, especially in front of our visitors. If not, all our efforts will be in vain...'
Memories of the past came back to him, all of them nothing pleasant.
…
A glowing, green orb spiraled down to a city below. When it made contact, everything disintegrated in one massive explosion.
A younger version of Broly hovered close to the flames and ash, laughing like a maniac. He flicked his wrists repeatedly, handfuls of green energy firing at anything and anyone that bore a resemblance to the living.
Paragus flew up behind him as Midori appeared in front of him, blocking his way. Her hands glowed dully; two attacks ready if needed.
"Broly!" Paragus shot a hand out for his son's right arm.
Midori relinquished the energy from her hands and grabbed Broly's other arm as he thrashed, trying to shake them off, his maniacal laughter unending.
…
There, floating in mid-air was The Legendary Super Saiyan. Broly had earned that name for himself midway into his teenage years. In both hands, highly concentrated amounts of energy were at the ready.
To the side, Midori hovered cautiously. She could only grimace as she clutched her left arm, warm blood seeping through the creases of her fingers, seeking to stain other things. Midori had received the wound from attempting to stop him prior to the current situation.
And so Paragus was next to rush his son from behind. "Stop it now, Broly!" he yelled, extending his hand to grab him.
At the last moment Broly lifted his arm up and slammed his elbow into his father's face with an unforgiving force. Blood followed the action, spurting out of Paragus' eye. Neither him nor Midori could lay a hand on Broly without great physical consequence, it seemed.
Broly threw his head back and laughed joyously. He was the dream that all saiyans wished to be part of, turned horrifyingly real.
And all Midori could do was watch in fear as she lost blood, too battered to even want to act. Meanwhile Paragus held his assaulted eye, the other narrowing murderously at Broly and his continuous cackling.
'He was a true warrior, born with a strength and clout that would make most saiyan fathers proud. But there was something far darker about him. Even Midori knew this. It was violent, threatening, and in time, it began to scare me...'
Midori stood at the doorway of Broly's and her room with her head down, eyes trained on her wriggling toes.
Paragus was leaning over his son with what looked like a golden tiara, a blue gemstone molded into its center. It sparkled in the blackness of the room, as if defying the night itself.
'I had no choice but to have a scientist craft a device to control his power.'
Paragus lowered the headpiece to Broly's face, trying not to disturb him as he slept.
But his son began to stir, gradually opening his eyes. "Father..?" He gazed up at him with half lidded eyes. "…What are you doing?" It wasn't until he saw the headpiece, did his eyes widen.
"Broly!" Paragus jumped on the young man when he saw him tense up.
Struggling commenced, causing Midori to gasp, before Paragus managed to get the device securely on him. But Broly shoved his father back, sending the older man halfway across the room, the accompanying control bracelet sliding out of reach.
Sensing the immediate danger, Midori ran to Paragus' side to help him up, unaware of the Super Saiyan shadow slowly moving away from the bed. By the time his stomping became audible, Midori was unable to avoid being hoisted into the air by the neck.
Paragus reached out to the bracelet.
Again, Broly laughed as she tried to fight back against him, the task becoming harder as oxygen was obstructed.
Just in the nick of time Paragus put the bracelet on, then held his hand out as it started to glow. The headpiece that Broly was wearing reacted in the same manner, and he released Midori.
She landed on the ground with a sickening thump, desperately gasping for air. Broly stood above her with his head thrown back as he continued to laugh and scream, despite the pain coursing through his temples. Paragus' device was taking its effect on him.
'That day almost ended in death, but ultimately gave birth to a new idea: by controlling Broly's power, I could control the universe! No one could stand in our way!'
Paragus crept up to his children's room; he had always considered Midori to be a child oh his. He had prided himself in the fact that he'd―to some extent―stolen her from King Vegeta. Or rather, stolen his legacy. Paragus had been the one to raise her to become the powerful, agile saiyan she was. In his mind, she had received a far better fate than what she would have been subjected to in her father's palace, behind Vegeta junior and senior all day.
The older saiyan peered through their cracked door, his eyes falling on Midori, then Broly. She was sleeping with her back to the door, and he was sitting on the other side of the room, his head lowered so that his bangs covered most of his face.
But… something was wrong with him. Broly was clutching the arms of the chair, growling, and had broken into a sweat.
'Something got to him...or someone. I could barely control him in front of Kakarot.' Paragus' eyes widened as realization snuck up on him. 'Wait a second...Could that really be it?' his mind raced as he gazed at his son.
"They were born on the same day?" he thought aloud in amazement.
…
The saiyan nursery was quiet as usual. Well, as quiet as a nursery could be.
On a wall, there were several small pods aligned next to each other.
A certain newborn was kicking his legs and screaming, his tail wagging vigorously between his legs. The baby next to him was sniffling and whimpering from all the noise of the first one.
"Did you hear? Paragus' son was born with a power level of ten thousand! Ten thousand and only an infant!" exclaimed one doctor.
"Makes Bardock's son look like a joke. What is he, a two?" asked the second doctor as the first laughed.
"Yeah, I think so. But he sure is a feisty one. Listen to him wail―that's the spirit!" he exclaimed.
The whimpering baby boy finally started to cry, as the screaming from the other child had intimidated him.
"Look, he's making Paragus' son cry!"
Both doctors laughed at the sight.
"You don't see that every day!"
…
Paragus narrowed his eyes and grunted. 'Whatever it is, I don't like it'. He shut the door to their room silently.
'Fate may have brought them to this planet together, but it won't be for long,' he thought, walking away. 'Just a bit more time… If I can just keep him under control, then all of our troubles will be over.'
"Kakarot…"
It was Broly's hoarse grunt that caused my eyelids to flicker open, then sink back down. But, a moment later, my heart jumped into my throat as Broly's ki sparked tremendously, scaring me out of my slumber.
I bolted upright just as the newly energized Broly crashed foot-first onto our bed―
"GAH—BROLY!" I shrieked as my body momentarily rose―at least two feet into the air―as he used the mattress' bouncy nature to hurdle clear across the room and out of the open window, into the night.
A second later my back hit the mattress and I rose again, only to land on the hard floor below.
"Shit," I breathed out, scrambling to stand, hands groping around for proper attire. "This is bad..."
Forsaking my pants, I found myself leaping out of the window in only my knee-length tunic. I forced my tired body to fly fast, my senses leading me to where he might be. Not that I needed my senses. I knew exactly where he was going...
'Goku better be quick on his feet.' The thought of Broly assassinating him in his sleep made my blood run cold. But I wasn't about to use the Instantaneous Transmission. Knowing my luck, I'd faze right in front of some death beam…
'There they are!'
I finally spotted the two in the far distance and increased my speed, wind practically burning my face as my bangs whipped me to the point of stinging. "Hold, on I'm coming..!"
I could just make out Broly seizing his target by the arm and slamming him through a wall, then another. He continued to scream with wild abandon, throwing one narrowly-missing punch after another, as if it were what he was programmed to do.
The saiyan on the defense then performed a quick back flip, landing a successful blow to Broly's chin, immobilizing him for the moment. "What's this all about?" Goku demanded, and fell into a fighting stance once he was upright again.
I was so close!
My mate stood straight and smirked. Green energy began pooling in his large palm, forming a sphere. It didn't stay stationary for long, as he chucked it at Goku with his broad arm like a fastball. It zoomed through the air, leaving a fading green line behind it.
I made my bold intervene then, just as the attack was about to hit him, knocking it out of the way with my interlocked hands.
'Damn, that burned!'
The small blast exploded above us, causing green glitter-like energy to rain down on us for a few seconds.
"Whoa―nice save, Dori!" Goku thanked, clearly surprised.
"It was nothing," I replied tersely, my eyes trained coldly on Broly as I flexed my stinging hands.
Why did he hate Goku so much? I'm sure I'd pondered it for the umpteenth time. Either way, I'd have to try stopping him before he was too far gone. Goku was no match for Broly by himself...
As a flurry of blasts was suddenly hurled at us, I barely had time to gasp, both of us vigorously dodging to avoid damage.
"BROLY, DON'T DO THIS!" I shouted over the reverberation of the exploding blasts in the background. In that moment, I wished that I could just grab Broly and shake some sense into him... smack him... Something!
Goku deflected one of the last stray blasts, sending it straight back at his adversary. The force of the blow sent Broly flying backwards, and as we followed hot on his trail, the skirmish lead us through the surrounding forest and to the large lake just beyond it.
And there he was―levitating above the water with his teeth gritted. I'd hoped being hit with his own attack would have knocked some sense into him! But no…
'I'm seeing a side of Broly's power that I haven't seen in a long time… this isn't good… This isn't good! Why does his power keep increasing?'
My face was a tight mask of alarm, and I found it slightly ironic that the world was not as panicked as I felt. It was calm; almost romantic under the night's stars. Meanwhile, there was a volcano in its midst, ready to explode.
Beside me, Goku merely stared at Broly in wonder.
I felt what he was feeling, and hoped that I might live to see another sunrise. 'Where is Paragus when you need him?' I thought, pursing my lips tight.
Water was forced up from the lake, dancing around Broly's ankles as his ki continued to push against it. "Die, Kakarot," he half whispered, half grunted.
And like a bullet, the Super Saiyan took off towards Goku, who, unfortunately for me, I was in front of.
I squeaked, having just managed to leap high enough to get out of Broly's way as he sped past, water spraying me in the process. Goku, using the speed of the taller saiyan's approach against him, kneed Broly hard in the side of his face, stopping his livid attacker for another moment so he could jump back a safe distance.
Broly wheeled around to face Goku, his expression totally unreadable as a small amount of blood trickled from his lower lip. And Broly, being the freak that he was (in every implication of word…) licked it clean off his mouth.
This must have unnerved Goku, as I heard him exclaim, "EW, that was completely unnecessary―disgusting!"
But Broly had already powered up another energy ball in his hand.
Uh-oh…
I hovered over the water next to Goku, ready to mediate again if I had to.
Broly then launched his attack, one ball turning into many, forcing us both to scatter a second time. And wouldn't you know it, as the blasts punctured the water, giant splash waves formed, like large curtains rising from the depths to obscure my vision.
Becoming frustrated, I moved above the steamy mess, trying to locate Broly.
"Damn it, what's going on?!" I exclaimed, trying to flatten my sleeping tunic as it flapped in the draft. I could hear the impact of someone being hit, but only when the thick mist of the raging waves thinned out, was I able to see clearly.
The infamous saiyan began to drift upwards, ignoring the fist that was planted firmly in his face.
Sensing he was an open target, Goku flipped up and over his pursuer to put some space between them.
"Goku, watch out!" I called, having located him.
Broly turned once more, growling angrily as he stared at Goku, and then me. For a moment he held my gaze, and I saw a number of things: hatred, annoyance, hurt, rage. But I cared not, with the great imbalance of pain inflicted upon me over two decades. When he threw his head back, it was as if all of those emotions spewed out in one prolonged, blood-curdling scream, his ki flaring just as violently.
The wind picked up again, and I could only gape as my shaggy hair was pushed back from my face, my long shirt billowing shamelessly around my thighs.
Goku gasped. "That's the energy I was following!"
I glanced down at him, a small voice in the back of my head telling me that everything was falling into place. But would we make it?
My legs started to quiver as Broly's energy radiated onto me. How could I concentrate on staying in the air with such awful distractions? I was forced to lower my body to the ground where I fell into something feeble that couldn't be called a fighting stance.
'Kais…' I swallowed hard, trying to rid my throat of a sudden lump. 'It's like he's transforming!'
As if reacting late on a cue, Paragus appeared out of the blue to save us.
The lumpy blockade in my throat began melting as I watched on cautiously.
"BROLY—CUT THIS OUT! STOP IT SON, I COMMAND YOU!" His voice was surprisingly strong for someone also in his sleeping attire. But, of course, he knew what would happen if he didn't work his bracelet's charm.
Broly screamed. Goku yelled in Vain. Paragus barked commands. I inhaled shakily.
I could see Broly clearly in front of me through all the mayhem. There stood a man who I had once loved, and respected. Somewhere along the years my love and respect had been snatched away by a clinging, yet silent hatred. And yet, there would always be a part of me that pitied him—wished he could be normal.
By some divine intervention, or Paragus' bracelet, Broly's power level slowly died down. His hair returned to its normal midnight black, and his muscles gradually decreased in size.
In a moment of silence, my eyelids slid shut and I found myself letting loose a deep breath that it seemed I'd been holding.
"What…?" I heard Goku asked himself.
I glanced sideways at Goku. "It's a device he uses to control Broly's anger," I murmured, filling him in.
As Broly was lead away by his father, his eyes rested on me under an emotionless glaze, until he wasn't facing us anymore, and they retreated back to the palace.
It was all I could do to keep my tail from coiling up in frustration after that. 'This is going to be harder than I first thought.'
It was becoming more apparent to me that I was just as crazy as Broly, thinking to take him on. Would five to one actually work? Could I really put four saiyan's lives on the line? I wasn't scared for myself. I'd come accustomed to walking along death's ledge a long time ago... But the others…
'We kill the man and go. That's all there is to it, really…'
I gazed up at the inky sky, my eyes searching the twinkling stars for an answer to all of my problems. They remained silent to my thoughts.
"Midori, there are some things I need to know…" Goku started slowly. "I need to ask you a few questions about Broly and Paragus."
I turned to face him, staring into his grave eyes for a moment before replying, "I know what you're going to ask, so I may as well come clean." I cleared my throat.
"I've been with Broly and Paragus for nineteen years now, since I was ten." I stated, nodding my head a little. "Broly… he has a sort of mental problem that, when angered, he loses all control of well being. We believe it has to do with the enormous amount of energy overwhelming him, but, I think it also has to do with you―Kakarot." I stated, lifting a finger and pointing lazily at him.
"Well... That isn't really what I was going to ask you," he replied, furrowing his brow. I guessed the new information was slightly disturbing.
I closed my eyes and couldn't help a small chuckle. "Oh, it gets much better." I crossed my arms. "As of lately, Paragus has been trying to pull off a plan to persuade Vegeta into renewing the saiyan race, taking his rightful place as king. The bait is the so-called Legendary Super Saiyan."
"That's what I need to know!" Goku took a step closer. I could see the desire clearly in eyes... momentarily distracting me.
I sighed softly. "Like I said... Paragus lured Vegeta in with tales of Super Saiyans. And I know that you know―"
"That Broly is the one," Goku blurted out, completing my sentence.
As we both came to a silent agreement, he then stared off into the distance with me. But I was curious about something.
"Now I have something to ask you, Goku."
He aimed a questioning look at me. "Sure, okay." He nodded.
"Where do you fit in all of this?" I asked, never taking my eyes off of the forest's dark edge. "Why are you here? And also, why does he hate you so much?"
Goku scratched the back of his head, seemingly deep in thought before answering, "I don't know why Broly hates me so much, and I've never met him before until earlier in that hallway. But… I can tell you why I'm here!"
I wrapped my limp tail around my waist, feeling tired. "Proceed…"
"Well...I was in this really important meeting with my wife Chi-Chi, and then King Kai told me that something terrible had happened and the whole universe could be destroyed!" He told the story with such emotion that it felt as if he were retelling some kind of epic tale. "When I got there, he told me that a super-strong saiyan had destroyed the South Galaxy―eh, what's up with you?" He stopped short when he noticed I seemed a bit discontented, sounding quite concerned.
'That day was all for nothing…' My gaze softened as I looked back to him. "Please continue," I urged.
"Okay, King Kai told me a saiyan had destroyed the South Galaxy and that the North Galaxy would be next. So I decided to use my Instant Transmission to find him, and it lead me to a planet―"
'Now that's interesting. Goku knows the Instant Transmission technique as well? I thought so... That was some fast entrance he made today… Wait, did he say King Kai? How in the cosmos―'
"I could tell he had just been there by the strong energy signal he had left behind. And just now, when Broly attacked me, I felt the same signal as the one from before," he explained with a serious air to him.
"Yes…" I whispered just loud enough for him to hear. "He destroyed the South Galaxy. I was… there. I couldn't do a thing to stop him," I confessed with a pained expression.
True, I may have been a cold-blooded saiyan at times, who had no problem killing, under circumstances, but… I wasn't raised from birth the way he was… I didn't have his problem…
Broly... he took things too far sometimes.
"I have a feeling that this... won't end too well," I admitted for a lack of better words.
"Yeah, I know," replied Goku, sending a sad smile towards me. "But somehow, I don't think any of this has to do with making Vegeta king," he added, gaining that serious look again.
I turned around to face him, inhaling and then exhaling slowly. What did he know that I didn't? "So? What do you plan on doing?" I asked softly.
"I plan on beating him. I can't let him destroy my home," he answered gravely. A sort of determination rang strong in his voice.
I smirked inwardly at his words, before my lips dropped to a frown. "For the last seven years, I have been trying to escape Broly." My jaws momentarily clenched when I thought back to some of the things he'd gotten away with. "I stopped, after a while, because I realized that I had nothing to go to. In all truth, I may be mated to Broly, but now I only wish that bastard the worst of hell."
Goku must have been slightly surprised at the toneless way I said this, because it showed in his taken aback features.
"But that's changed now. I have new-found family. Vegeta and Trunks..." I sighed, my hard tone melting into a more tender one. The thought of my own family was just too good to be true. "Now that I know I have people as strong as them on my side, we might just beat Broly, and I can finally get to know them, and just... live without fear." I looked back up, offering him a shaky smile. My hope was coming back.
Goku smiled back sweetly, placing a hand on my shoulder as he laughed lightly. "That's the spirit!" His gaze lingered on my slightly dreamy face for a moment as he grinned from ear-to-ear.
I stood there, surprised at what I was feeling. It was as if Goku's gentle grip on my shoulder was empowering me. I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.
"…I'd gladly aid you on your quest, Goku."
…
It was nearly sunrise by the time I got back to the palace, and I was aching with sleep deprivation.
I paced laggardly around the spare room I was in and sighed. The plush furniture and linens offered no comfort.
Vegeta would be leaving again tomorrow with Broly. Another saiyan hunt, no doubt. I'd pretend like I was going along with them, when in reality I had three other saiyans after his head behind me.
'That's when I tell Vegeta everything, about me, and about Broly. This whole thing will be over... As will Broly...' I thought impassively, glancing at my surroundings. "Hopefully Vegeta will be as enthusiastic about me as his son was," I mumbled to the bedroom, smirking.
I knew my brother's reputation. He was tough, extremely powerful, arrogant, and very proud. I hoped his ego wasn't too big for his own baby sister...
I sighed again as a sudden wave of sadness hit.
What if we didn't make it?
What if Broly massacred all of us?
I couldn't back down now. I knew that even if I hadn't told Trunks, Gohan, and Krillin about the situation, Goku would still have found out, and he'd tell the others anyway.
After the earlier display of power by Broly, the outcome I had drawn in my head wasn't pretty.
'But all I know is that by this time tomorrow, I'll be free…' Death would have a new hand to guide. I just hoped it wouldn't be mine.
I would miss Paragus quite dearly, but the idea of getting away overruled that notion. And I wouldn't feel one bit guilty for leaving him behind… alone… How was that for gratitude? The man practically raises me, and this was how I was going to repay him… Oh well.
My eyes shifted over to the open window, and I was surprised to see that the sun was just peaking over the distant mountains.
At that moment I remembered that I hadn't eaten since, well, I didn't know—probably sometime earlier that day (yesterday). My stomach chose then to remember too, by giving a loud growl. It had sounded like there was an angry animal dwelling within my abdomen. Deciding not to disobey my stomach, I made my way to the door.
A saiyan who didn't eat when famished was as useful as a sack of potatoes. 'But then again, I could use a sack of potatoes right now…' I smirked, rubbing my stomach gingerly. A ravenous monkey was about to hit the "royal" kitchen.
Out in the vast blackness of space, comet Kamorai was nearing New Vegeta. The comet was colossal in itself, a huge blue ball of force; silent death on its way.
/