Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters. Just OCs and made up races I came up with.

So, I'm going to attempt to make updating this story monthly, hopefully more than monthly. Now that I'm getting to the tournament, I'm trying to plan out chapters beforehand, so I know what scenes I need to deal with in the chapter. Hopefully that will get this thing moving. I hate to say this, especially considering how long this story has been here un-updated, but there's going to be a part three… Why I am I saying this now? To remind myself how much I actually need to work towards completing this thing. Also, to warn people that if they like it to stick to it… It won't be going anywhere for a while. *silent laughs and sobs at once* LOL! Anyway, thank you to everyone who actually has stuck with this story, and welcome to new readers. I hope everyone continues to enjoy.

"So, tell me I was amazing," Tomala ordered jokingly with the prince as the two of them walked the palace grounds.

Little Vegeta smirked viciously. "Now why would I do that?"

Tomala pouted in response. "Because I was. I'd have to be to make it to the next round, after all."

"Maybe I'd consider it," Vegeta replied, "if you said it first."

Her eyes narrowed, but then she grinned. "I already did. I am amazing."

The prince chuckled and crossed his arms. "Touché."

Confused, Tomala asked. "What does that mean?"

It was once again that Little Vegeta was reminded of his parents' differences. That word had been something he heard his mother say often when his father had outwitted her. "It's an Earthling term," he explained. "It means clever, I think. It's an acknowledgement."

Tomala smirked again in victory. "Well, thank you for accepting that, prince. Now, I said it, so…"

"Fine, fine," Vegeta hissed before sighing. "You were amazing. As was I. That's to be expected, though. You were training with me, so it makes sense."

"You can't give an actual compliment, can you?" Tomala questioned, rolling her eyes. "You're such an ass."

Vegeta's lips quirked upwards. "Careful. Slander against the crown is a punishable offense."

"Oh shut up," Tomala retorted. "I've called you worse."

"Yeah, I know. Your mouth is worse than my father's," Vegeta teased. "Not very becoming of a lady."

She would have been insulted if she didn't know the prince, the one who everyone called Goku when he preferred to be called by his middle name, Vegeta. The two of them were close, and these bantering sessions were their thing. The only thing that irritated her is when she lost their verbal spars. She was dangerously close to another loss, but something came to mind and she smiled maliciously. "Yeah, well, you were the one who asked this 'lady' to dance, so clearly you don't really feel that way."

Little Vegeta became flustered turning red while trying to hide it. It didn't help that Tomala was grinning as if she had one. That only served to incite his rage. "Yeah, well," he huffed looking away from her, "it is expected of me to participate in palace functions. No matter how much I hate it, I have to play my part. You just happen to be the only female I can tolerate."

Tomala's expression softened as she took in the prince's tense features. She was actually surprised that he admitted that to her, and to be honest she felt the same way. Of course, she wouldn't tell him that. She couldn't tell him that she admired him and had a crush on him. Instead, she offered a better solution. "See? You can give a compliment. Thanks, Vegeta."

His head snapped to look at her, clearly surprised that she used his middle name. It was a pet peeve of his that he had expressed to her by accident one day, and she hadn't really expressed if she had been listening during his rant. Now, he knew she had been, yet he was still stunned by it. His expression became more guarded, though his eyes softened. He looked down to the ground in front of him, and the only indication that he had accepted what she had said was a soft, "Hn," as they continued their walk in companionable silence.

Bulma was still feeling completely awful. She didn't remember being sick this much even with Trunks and Goku, so it took her by surprise. Thankfully, she had Vegeta by her side. At least in their room they were safe from Frieza's and Zarbon's scrutiny. Bulma didn't know what either of those monsters would do if they found her to be pregnant.

Nappa had come to explain what had happened when he read the round's victors, and both royals were stunned about Thia. Their eyes both revealed concern, for they knew that planet's laws well. It was why Vegeta refused to marry off his nonexistent daughter. He would never put her in a place where a woman, child or otherwise, could be killed for speaking their mind or fighting, where it was considered treason.

"Tell me how you wish to handle it," Nappa offered. "I doubt anyone wants the princess to die."

"No," Vegeta agreed. "That is not desirable. I need to think for a moment."

But Vegeta didn't get a moment. Instead, Trunks barged into his room with Thia and closed the door behind them hard leaning back on it as the two children sighed and panted for air, Trunks not letting go of Thia's hand. Trunks regained his composure and looked to his parents and Nappa who were all looking at the two of them warily and in question. "Uh, we need some help."

"We just heard," Vegeta replied. "Come and talk. We'll figure this out."

Trunks tugged on Thia's hand to bring her over to them, but the girl was so nervous, she shook her head. Bulma smiled sadly and went over to the two children kneeling down in front of them so that she was at Thia's eye level. "Don't worry, princess. We won't let anything happen to you."

Thia seemed to relax, but tensed as Bulma pulled her into her arms. Any contact, even between a mother and daughter was forbidden on her world, save washing and dressing or caring for the child when they were ill. This was unexpected, but that fact that the Saiyan queen was offering this contact showed her once again that they did not abide by their laws, and so she finally relaxed.

Bulma brought the children to hers and Vegeta's bed. "Congratulations on getting through the first round, Thia," Vegeta expressed. "You must be very proud."

"Terrified is more what I'm feeling now, Your Majesty," Thia expressed forlornly. "I only entered because I am hoping to reside here after the tournament as my request. I don't want to go back there."

"You don't have to go back, even if you don't win," Bulma explained. "You and Trunks are betrothed, now. We can petition your parents to allow you to stay here with us."

"They won't allow it," Thia argued. "Now that I've done this, they will want to kill me. What I did was treason."

"Not on Planet Vegeta," the king declared. "While you remain on our soil, you are safe. I will handle your father, but I need to know what you are willing to do so that I can negotiate."

"I don't ever want to go back to my planet," Thia admitted.

Vegeta nodded. "As we said, that we can negotiate, but what I am asking is are you willing to not interact with those in your family again? They will remain on the planet for the tournament, and I need to know if I need you to be guarded, or if I can state that if they come near you it will be seen as a declaration of war."

"War, dad?" Trunks questioned. "Isn't that a little harsh?"

"When treason is involved, things always get messy," Vegeta interjected looking to Bulma. "We know that better than anyone."

Bulma nodded remembering how intense dealing with Vegeta's father had been. Technically, the whole race committed treason, them especially, but it was still a chaotic sequence that would forever leave its imprint on their hearts and minds. "I…I wish I could talk with my mother," Thia stated, "but she would never understand, and she would go to my father and request permission to speak to him."

"Seriously?" Trunks deadpanned. "Welp, talking to them is out."

"So…?" Vegeta pressed lightly.

Thia nodded. "You can say whatever you want. I don't want to be near them. If my brothers see me at the tournament, if they can't kill me, they'll still ridicule me. But, that I can handle. That's been my life. I don't think I need to be guarded, even if they did approach me as long as you told him it would be an act of war if I were harmed. Despite what my father might say, the reason he has been so demanding of a union between the planets is because he knows he needs the Saiyans in his alliance."

Vegeta could use that, definitely. He was surprised that Thia was so forthcoming with this information, but then he thought of Thia's motive. She wanted freedom from her tyrannical king, similar to how he was with his own father. Vegeta was willing to do anything back then, make alliances with anyone if he could. Of course, Bulma had been the only one at the beginning for he feared for his mother's and brother's lives. Thia just needed to worry about getting herself out of the situation.

"Why?" Thia questioned meekly. "Why are you helping me?"

Both Bulma's and Vegeta's calm façades fell, Vegeta this time kneeling down in front of her. "Because the reason we refused to promise a daughter to them is the reason you seek freedom. We would never want our own child to go through it. No child should, understand?" Thia looked uncertain but she nodded. "Go towards the princes' wing. Tomala is rooming there, so you can stay with her. Trunks, tell Tomala and your brother your goal is to protect Thia. I'll have a guard sent there just in case as well. I need to go and speak with the king."

"Alright," Trunks agreed, his voice soft before he looked to Thia and smiled. "See? I told you they'd help. Let's go."

"Okay," Thia whispered. "Thank you, all of you."

The two children left the three adults alone. Once they were gone, Vegeta breathed out in frustration before his stoic demeanor returned. "Nappa," he stated firmly, "go and find Zorn since he isn't competing and station him at the princes' wing. Then find the Needellen king and send him to my office. We need to discuss the princess."

"Right," Nappa agreed. "Anything else?"

"Have Kakarot come to this room," Vegeta added. "I'm not leaving Bulma alone."

"Vegeta," Bulma breathed out nervously. "Kakarot will be competing. I'll be fine for a little while. Earlier, sending him with me was different. Everyone was moving around the palace then. If Frieza catches wind of us keeping me guarded whenever you aren't with me, when everyone is supposedly asleep, he'll know I told you. He'll figure out that we're bonded." Vegeta just stared at her saying nothing. "You know I'm right."

"Unfortunately," the Saiyan remarked. "You're certain you'll be all right?"

"I will," Bulma assured. "They won't do anything to me at this point, not when the tournament just started."

"She's right, Vegeta," Nappa declared. "Don't worry, though. I'll return here after I speak with the Needellen king."

Vegeta nodded before looking into Bulma's eyes taking her hand. "I'll be back. Get some rest." Bulma answered him with a nod and a loving smile before Vegeta took his leave from their room. However reluctant he was to leave her side, protecting Thia from her culture was just as important. He had seen the fear in Trunks's eyes when they first entered the room. However young, he cared for the girl even as his friend. He would not fail his child, not this way, not to the princess's seemingly tyrannical father.

He would make up for what his father forced upon him and Bulma, even if the situations starkly contrasted.

"Absolutely not!"

The Needellen king slammed down on the Saiyan's desk, though Vegeta was unmoved. He simply crossed his arms and legs. "Your Majesty," he spoke calmly, "it is not an outlandish request. We have already agreed that Princess Thia is to marry Prince Trunks when they both come of age. I understand your ire," he lied on that last part. "I understand that you wish to charge her with treason, but she is on our soil and broke none of our laws. I will not allow you to execute my son's intended, even if she is your own daughter."

In response, the king huffed and glared at the Saiyan royal. How dare he involve himself in this political and familial matter? It mattered little to him that his daughter was betrothed the Prince Trunks. He didn't care if it was socially acceptable for Thia to enter their tournament. It was all as infuriating as it was straightforward.

Thia broke the laws of her own people.

His daughter committed treason, plain and simple, and normally her offense would be punishable by death. "You have no right to give your input. I don't care about our agreement. We can renegotiate one of my son's betrothal to the future princess. If I let her live after she spit on her laws, then my leadership will be called into question and the people will doubt me. Even if I were to banish her here as you suggested, it would be seen as favoritism."

Vegeta's expression darkened. "You will leave her be," the king stressed. "If not, if she is harmed, it will be seen as a declaration of war. If you allow the princess to fight in the tournament, which will grant her favor among our people, her future people, our alliance will remain intact. I do not wish to go to war, nor will I be willing to marry a daughter off to your sons. This is the deal. Take it or leave it."

The visiting king was torn. He was feeling a deep rage and humiliation at Vegeta's words. How could this ally of his demand him to give up his culture regarding his only daughter? It was becoming clear that he was wrong in forming an alliance thinking that the Saiyans would respect his culture, though at the time he appealed to the Saiyans, his planet was in desperate straight and needed the strength of the Saiyans to back him up in their own war. Neither race had known much about the other back then. King Vegeta simply aided him because his people were able.

As time went on, the kings learned about each other's cultures. The Needellen king was as disgusted with the Saiyan culture as King Vegeta was with his, but the king had hoped that their alliance was strong enough that King Vegeta would be willing to let one of his son's rule alongside the Saiyan princess one day if it ever came down to it. Females were worthless in the Needellen race, so the king never thought to offer Thia up until the matter of her tainting happened. It looked like the Saiyans were having more of an effect on her than the king cared to admit or accept.

Now, she had gone against him, her own father, to rebel, and the Saiyans were allowing it. Not only that, but King Vegeta was actually fighting for the girl to continue to revolt against her people. It was disturbing, and the king did not want to agree to banishment.

Still, he needed the Saiyans. Without that alliance, their old enemies would come after them once again.

He released a heavy sigh. "As reluctant as I am to agree to your terms," he grunted irritably, "I still respect, honor, and treasure our alliance. For this reason, and this reason only, I will allow Thia to enter the tournament, and with our people I will defend the action to explain her gaining respect and favor among the Saiyans; however, she will be banished to the planet and never allow to set foot on our world again, and we will not see her if we return to negotiate or visit. She will be completely ostracized from us for going behind our backs and knowingly breaking our tradition."

"This is acceptable," Vegeta acknowledged. "Now, we should both retire. We both have sons participating in tomorrow's round. We should both be well rested."

"I agree, King Vegeta," the Needellen responded before he turned away and left the king in his office and closed the door.

Vegeta leaned back in his chair and inhaled deeply. At least that was one matter dealt with during this whole damned tournament. The king still couldn't believe the Needellen's adamant protests. He understood the race had a very old view that the Saiyans had never themselves abided by, but was it really worth the life of a daughter? Vegeta did not yet have a daughter, though he knew he would protect his own daughter's honor and life. Certainly, Thia doing the "dishonorable" thing, according to her people, couldn't result in death.

Well, if her father wouldn't yield, then Vegeta was relieved he took matters into his own hands. After dealing with his own father, fearing for the lives of everyone he cared about, he couldn't watch any other go through the same, especially not his son and not Bulma who had already taken a liking to the princess from a few mere moments.

He decided it was time to return to his quarters so that he too could get some rest for the next day's festivities. It seemed like they had a good number of Saiyans competing, but Frieza had plenty of men fighting himself. Vegeta let his mind run through the Saiyans who moved on, and his thoughts landed on his own son. He couldn't believe Goku had become so strong that he could already best some of Frieza's men let alone get to the actual tournament portion of the competition.

Vegeta was proud of his son, both of them. He couldn't ask for better boys, so thoughtful yet incredibly strong. Where Trunks took more after Bulma and Goku took more after him, the twins inherited both his and Bulma's best qualities. He was incredibly thankful for that.

As he walked through the halls, something felt off…ominous. Vegeta quickly turned around to see a dark, empty hall. He still was not convinced that no one had been there, but the evil energy was gone now. He scoffed before he crossed his arms and began his trek to his and Bulma's wing.

Unbeknownst to him, Frieza revealed himself in the cover of night. He had been wandering the halls learning the layout of the palace when he overheard Vegeta's guard, the former queen's consort, delivering a message to the Needellen king. Everyone knew the race's outdated culture, and so when Princess Thia's name was read it caused quite the commotion. Frieza knew that the matter to be discussed was related to the princess. To hear how vehemently Vegeta fought for this little girl amused Frieza immensely, and now he had learned of a strange hidden weakness.

Vegeta was a fair king, a kind king. Vegeta didn't want a war. Frieza did.

A horrid idea took root in the Arcosian's mind as his sinister smirk glowed in the dark light from the outside world. Things are about to get a lot more interesting.

The next day there was so much hustle and bustle, members of all races entering a stadium that had been built on Planet Vegeta long ago that was completely redone after the defeat of the former king. It was normally used for army training, so the Saiyans knew the ring well which would be a point in their advantage. Kalina watched as the people entered. Her sons had arrived earlier, Tarble going off to inspect the place. Vegeta had Bulma and Trunks sitting off the left of him, his mother sitting behind them. Unfortunately, because they had their esteemed guests with them, Frieza decided to sit beside the king. Bulma felt ill once more when he showed up and began talking pleasantries with her mate. Vegeta was able to keep calm, but Bulma could sense his anger through their connection. She caught the tail end of their conversation.

"I look forward to seeing what your men have to offer," Frieza stated in an arrogant tone.

"As do I," Vegeta remarked. He looked to his mother and waved her hand as a signal.

The former queen offered her son a reassuring smile. She knew how difficult this must be for him, knowing the atrocities Frieza and his men committed against his mate and his grandfather. She didn't have time to linger on those thoughts as she stood up and addressed the people. "Welcome, everyone, to the first intergalactic tournament of our empire. These twenty-four competitors have worked very hard to make it to this first round and have carried the honor of their worlds with them. To begin, we will be having the competitors draw lots to see who will be fighting with who. So without further ado, let's begin today's round."

As the former queen sat, there were cheers throughout the stadium. She looked at the empty seat beside her wondering where Tarble had wandered off. What she didn't know was that her son had gone down to investigate the barracks of the stadium to make sure there was nothing disgraceful going on. He didn't trust Frieza's men not to screw around with someone before a fight.

"Well, hello there, prince."

Tarble didn't trust Frieza's women, either.

The prince turned to face the woman he had spoken with the previous night, the one who had dangerously gotten close and had his heart racing in fear and distrust. His eyes narrowed at her as he took a step back. Immediately, he crossed his arms, and now he realized why Vegeta chose to do this often. He had felt too exposed to this untrustworthy enemy and crossing his arms made him feel safer in her presence. "Prada."

The woman only laughed, tossing her long, muted crimson-colored hair. "Oh wow," she teased. "I didn't expect such a cold reaction after we had such a lovely talk."

"If you want to call it that," Tarble countered. "You should be inside. They'll be drawing lots soon."

"I know, but I was curious what the prince would be doing down here instead of sitting with his family," Prada sang. "You wouldn't, by any chance, be spying on the combatants, would you?" Tarble didn't respond. "Of course, what reason would you have to, right?"

"I'm leaving," Tarble grunted as he turned away from the woman. He froze instantly, when he felt the woman's hands on his back.

Prada simply laughed as she traced her fingers on the prince's shoulder blades. "You're so tense, prince," she said, her hands moving to his neck. Tarble's heart was racing, though he couldn't tell if it was fear or something else. He tried to be indifferent around this woman, and he was thankful she couldn't see his face as he closed his eyes and cringed. What in the world was she doing to him? "Hah," she lightly chuckled. "You know, I can feel your pulse, Prince Tarble. Right here." She pressed lightly down on the point where her fingers had stopped, and Tarble felt a jolt go down his spine. "Such a strong beat. I can feel it. You're attracted to me."

"That's absurd," Tarble said, his voice deeper than even he had ever heard it. He attempted to pull away when he felt her hands rubbing the tail that had been wound tightly around his waist. "W-What are you-?"

"Sh," she chided lightly before he felt her lips on his neck. "Just relax. It will be easier if you just accept it. I'm attracted to you, too. Whether you mentally choose to accept it, your body already has."

Tarble wanted to know what she meant by that when he realized that his tail had acted on its own accord and was wrapped tightly around Prada's arm. The woman looked positively amused, but Tarble felt his stomach lurch. He quickly forced his tail away and started to leave the barracks and return to his mother's side. Prada's laughed reached his ears and chilled his very core. He needed to get away from her. What had just happened was wrong. When a Saiyan's tail acted on its own like that, it indicated that a Saiyan had found their mate, and Tarble was far from thrilled.

This woman was not someone he could trust. She worked for Frieza, the monster who had hurt his sister and grandfather. His men had committed such atrocities against the Saiyans, and Tarble could not stomach that. It's why he felt so ill now, his heart racing for a different reason. His body's reaction had actually scared him. He needed to get back to his family, away from this enchantress. She clearly knew what she was doing, and Tarble didn't like that one bit. He would have to stay away from this woman. She was too unpredictable and hazardous to him and his people. He didn't give a damn about what his instincts were telling him. He would not go near her ever again.

He had to promise himself that he wouldn't.

Prada watched the prince's abrupt departure with amusement dancing in her eyes. She hadn't expected that to go so well. As per her orders from Frieza, she was to enchant the lesser prince to find out what the Saiyans knew about him. Of course, Tarble didn't give her an answer when she made her fishing attempt. Instead, her flirtation had ensnared him, and to be honest that was better than she could have hoped for.

Despite her orders, she hadn't been faking. There was something about the prince she liked, and so she decided to play with him a little bit. She had gotten under his skin for herself. It was not part of Frieza's plan; however, it could be. Now that she had wormed her way into his mind, she could thoroughly undo him to find out all his secrets. It wouldn't be the last time they interacted, she was certain.

"And now," Nappa's voice reached her, "it is time to begin the drawing of lots."

"To make this tournament as fair as possible," Nappa spoke, "we have decided that each day there will be a new drawing so that every competitor will not know who they are fighting until the day of the fight."

All the competitors drew their slips of paper, and the order of the fights was decided. "For the first round of the tournament, the fights are as followed: Sintia versus Tomala, Prince Goku versus Turles, Dodoria versus Prince Tri, Videl versus Kane, Gohan versus Prince Zolid, Princess Thia versus Prada, Prince Inone versus Prince Sri, Cui versus Hercule, Raditz versus Breten, General Kakarot versus Onoir, Rudaba versus Zarbon, and finally Peppan versus Tamē.

"So, without further ado, I'd like to start this tournament. First match of the lineup, Sintia versus Tomala. Competitors, enter the ring."