A human soldier looked hesitantly through his binoculars as he inspected the strange alien craft standing open in the rocky terrain. A few of the alien freaks wearing the same armor reported around the globe were walking outside the craft but other than that, there was little activity going on with them except for the occasional few that traveled to West City every now and then. He set the binoculars down next to him, the long distance between the ship and where he sat apparent from how small it now looked.
"What's the status of the alien craft," his commanding officer called through his radio.
"Relatively quiet sir," he replied back. "They have been sitting here for the past few days after the whole sky turned dark in the middle of the day."
"Strange…what could they possibly still be here for if their original objective was to obtain those strange orange orbs based on the reports? Oh screw it. We'll have to force them to tell us or force them to get the hell out of here! Fallback and regroup with your squadron soldier!"
"Yes sir!"
The soldier looked back at the craft, retreating away back to where the rest of his squadron were.
"…yes. Understood," King Furry's attendant spoke through the phone. "I shall inform him right away."
"Well," King Furry asked rather a bit concerned.
"The Commander is awaiting your orders to "confront" the spacecraft and the aliens head on," the attendant explained. Pausing a bit and glancing away a bit hesitantly.
"And?"
"W-Well, he hadn't requested himself personally but I have been thinking…do you not think we should call on the Red Ribbon-."
"What?! What makes you think we even require the help of those scoundrels?!"
"S-Sir, based on the reports, these aliens seem to be capable of extraordinary abilities such as the power of flight and as some eye witness claim to "manipulate" energy. P-Plus I can agree on not wanting to rely on such a terroristic army but when it comes to terms of strength, they exceed our army by large numbers."
The King sat there, weighing his options and the information given to him. He glanced down at the reports that contained information that specifically was not published to the public. It wasn't a big number but the fact there was already a death count committed by these aliens was enough for him. Including the facts based on the reports and from eye witnesses, these aliens have proven to be a threat to Earth that needed to be rid of.
Yet the idea of still calling upon the Red Ribbon Army didn't sit well with him. Should the Red Ribbon army actually agree to help, they surely will just go back to their old ways of wreaking havoc around the Earth again and he nor the military will be able to stop them. But…his attendant had a strong point. The Red Ribbon Army's strength is well renowned to even the most secluded places on Earth and a major reason as to why their military couldn't defeat them. Plus, they could already be aware of the aliens' presence already for all he knew but still…
"No…," the King sighed wearily. "The risk is too great to call upon them. However, we will call upon them if the situation at hand becomes drastic."
"Yes sir," his attendant said.
Both turning their head towards the news cast following along the military.
"Just a few more minutes and your wound should be healed to no longer need the bandages," the muffled voice of the doctor spoke.
I opened my eyes to see the blue rehabilitating liquid and the blurry image of the doctor through the liquid and glass. It felt…strange being inside the medical machine yet I could agree with Goku's statement during the Namek saga, it did feel oddly calm in here. I closed my eyes again, the calm feeling slowly replaced with dread the moment I had to get out of the machine. I faintly heard the machine beep for a few seconds after a few minutes pass before the liquid began to drain away followed by the machine opening and the cold air hitting against my skin.
"You may open your eyes now," the doctor said.
Opening my eyes again, I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest. I carefully made my way off the machine to the cold floor. The cold floor sent a shiver up my spine but I ignored it.
"Let see how the wound looks now," the doctor said where I turned around so my back was towards him. "As I expected, the skin has healed over and formed scar tissue. Anyways, your mentor left the box containing your new armor over there at the counter and I'll inform at once him when you are ready after you are dressed."
"…okay," I muttered, walking over to the counter and grimacing at the thoughts running in my head on how my back now looked.
After slipping my underwear first, I looked down at my new armor. It still consisted of the same black bodysuit, white gloves but the boots no longer had the yellow strips at the toes. The armor now was of the same model that the others wore except mine was still white and without the annoying side guards.
…I'm officially one of them now.
"I want her to have a reminder to never have that behavior nor do a stunt like that again."
I clawed at my back with my left hand and gritted my teeth tightly. If he wants this scar to be that then so be it. I don't care anymore. I'm one of them now. I'll do what he bids…
"He should be here very soon," the doctor suddenly said. "As for your prescriptions, you can still keep the painkillers in the near or far future. As for your antibiotics, just give them back to me whenever you can so I can safely dispose of them."
"Alright…"
I stepped outside of the Med Bay and leaned against the wall while I waited for him. My stomach turned while I put my hair back up onto a ponytail at the whole reason as to why I finally was healed up and where I was going. A sudden weird feeling ran through my body and I cursed under my breath as I put my hand over my face.
You're fine Maria…There is no need to feel like this. Just act like normally and as a soldier. Sure…Appule got the bastard's permission quicker than you expected but it's probably either to get more information about this dimension or some other reason. Why else will he finally let your wound heal quickly? You have to follow orders now. At least you're no longer in pain…
Not physically at least…
"Hey there," Appule's voice suddenly spoke right next to me. I nearly jump from where I stand and slightly glare at him. "How are you feeling?"
"…fine," I said, lowering my hand back to my side.
"T-That's good! Must be great not to have your back hurting anymore," he said awkwardly.
I didn't reply other than stare at him.
"Y-Yeah…Don't worry about the twins, I took care of them while you were getting patched up and I brought you your scouter too."
He held his hand up with my scouter where I swiped it out of his hand, and put it on. I avoided his gaze nor did I reply to what he did just say before following him again. Though I couldn't help but mentally thank him seeing my relation with the twins right now. They haven't spoken to me since I snapped at them. Not that I blame them but it has made sharing our quarters a whole lot more awkward.
"Greetings Miss Maria," Frieza said as I entered the room with the large circle window and saw he was sitting on his hovercraft. "You certainly look livelier than the last time I saw since I gained my immortality no thanks to your help."
"You wish to see me my Lord," I asked straight to the point, ignoring his comment on looking "livelier" despite the dark circles under my eyes.
"Curious aren't you? Nevertheless, I plan to integrate Planet Earth to my collection of planets and I am having you accompany me to meet with Earth's leader once I have Dodoria and Zarbon have taken care of a little obstacle."
"'Little obstacle'," I asked a bit hesitantly, and confused on what he meant.
"I already have reports from my men that there is a large military force heading towards our direction coming from the Northeast." He began walking out the room but paused briefly right next to me, and I found myself holding my breath. "You don't happen to know where this leader resides do you."
"…n-no," I replied shakily, fear spreading all around my body. "I-I don't my L-Lord…"
It's not going to happen again. It's not going to happen again. It's not going to happen again. He won't punish you. He won't punish just because you don't know.
"There is no need to apologize Miss Maria. I don't expect you to know everything but I might as well tell my men to keep one soldier alive to lead us the way." He paused again. "Besides, you yourself know exactly how I feel when others are unwilling to cooperate with me. I'll be seeing you before we depart."
"…y-yes sir."
I stood there longer once he left. Leaving me alone with the turmoil in my mind and finding myself being able to breathe easier after he left. I put my hand over my head and ran it through my hair as I took a deep breath of air. As if he didn't need to remind me of my knowledge and indirectly give me the more reason to hate myself.
"Commander," his second in command radioed in. "We have confirmation of movement from the ship! I believe we have the right to assume that the aliens are expecting us as the ones outside have retreated inside the ship and seem to have send out their own troops!"
"I'm not surprised," the Commander replied back, looking at the ship as it slowly grew bigger. "How many troops have they sent out?"
"Only two sir."
"Just two?!"
The Commander frowned and sat back from where he was sitting as he thought back on the reports. He didn't believe a word of what the eye witnesses said what these aliens could do but a tiny part of him almost wanted to believe it. Only a tiny part of him. Still, what was said sounded completely impossible and it didn't stop the fact that these aliens have already proven to be a threat.
"It doesn't matter how many men they send out," he thought. "We have the advantage in numbers. We'll make them pay for daring to come to Earth and terrorizing our kind."
"Alright men listen up," he said through the radio after linking it up with all units. "Get ready to engage with the target at any moment!"
The army roared in unison before increasing their march to a charge. He imagined King Furry and everybody else on the planet watching intently at the TV screens with the following news cast. Watching at the edge of their seats as the ship loomed closer and closer. He would prove the world their military might and finally scare off the Red Ribbon Army.
"Get ready to fire," the Commander shouted. The army coming to a halt. "READY…AIM…FIR-!"
A large explosion erupted from his far left followed by the sound of metal crashing against metal and the screams of his men. Another explosion followed by the same sounds came again but to his right this time.
Time slowed around him and he couldn't hear anything as the explosions and screams fell deaf on his ears. The only sounds he could hear was his own breathing and heartbeat.
…what has he done?
"R-RETREAT," he screamed, snapping out of his daze.
Soldiers and vehicles ran as what felt like hot beams flew past them and caused dirt to erupt the ground. The Commander kept his eyes focused right on ahead, trying his hardest to cut out the screams and the sound of explosions around him. He knew there were going to be causalities but he didn't expect this! These aliens…monsters…they were killing them off like their nothing! There is nothing he can do. Nothing they can-
An explosion shot right behind his car, causing him and his driver to fly up in the air. He landed on the ground with a large thud and let out cry of pain upon the impact. He snapped shut as his car barely missed him as it fell and bounced a bit away from him. Using whatever energy he had left, he flipped himself to his back so he could stare at the sky slowly get covered in dark smoke.
The entire military, rendered to absolute nothingness…
He imagined how everyone on the Earth must be feeling to witness the destruction of their army before most certainly the TV and radios cutting to static. The last thing they would hear being the cries of their fellow man.
Slowly at the edge of the Commander's peripheral vision, he watched as a large figure loom closer and closer towards him. His heart pounded louder and louder against his chest as his wheezing breath grew rapid as the large alien stood right next to him, staring down at him with a terrifying look before looking up ahead.
"Lord Frieza," the alien shouted. He…he could understand it? "I found one who's still breathing!"
The Commander grew petrified as two more aliens walked closer and his eyes locked on to the one in some hovercraft vehicle floated closer and closer to him.
"Greetings Earthling," the alien spoke, slightly leaning down from where he sat. "I am Lord Frieza, ruler of the universe, and I currently wish to speak to the ruler of this planet. Based on your uniform compared to the rest of the other Earthlings here, you seem to be of a higher ranking in this…"army"."
He wanted to say something but his ability to speak was all gone and held back by his growing fear.
"Seeing your ranking and your condition right now, I do believe it will be most gracious if you would take us to him. In return, I will even allow you for your wounds to be treated within my own ship."
He continued to stare at the alien named Frieza with terror before numbly nodding. The alien smiled at him but the smile did nothing to turn down his fear. If anything, it only elevated it.
I stared down at the wreckage below of what was even left from Earth's military from where I sat, looking away and trying hard to not look back at the destruction. I knew this was going to happen to the army if Frieza sent out Dodoria and Zarbon to deal with them but the sight was sickening me to my stomach. Though…I should get used to this…causalities are a part of fights anyway. I need to get used to this…
I glanced at the apparent only surviving soldier from the "fight" who was staring straight ahead and only occasionally talking to the soldier driving the space car to give directions. He only once glanced back at me where I adverted my gaze straight ahead, trying my best to keep a straight face as my guilt ate away from me.
"Are you alright," Appule asked who was flying beside the space car.
I couldn't help but grumble in my head as I thought it was just going to be Frieza and the usual two who are always next to him and the soldier driving this space car that were going. Why did he have to be here too? Of course, it seems Frieza always needs at least some weaker soldiers to tag along despite Zarbon and Dodoria are more than enough in my opinion.
"I'm fine…just tired," I lied, trying to sound confident as best I could, glancing back at him. Well, it was a partial lie.
It looked like he was about to say something but I went back to staring straight ahead of me and blocked out what he had to say. I knew what I was doing was rude but I don't care.
We arrived to our destination and I quickly recognized the place. Right, I saw this place during the Cell saga after the military tried to "defeat" Cell. If I remember correctly, they showed this place in Dragon Ball but I never got to that part from reading the manga.
The surviving soldier got off the space car the same time I did. I watched as he approached Frieza before motioning him and the rest of us to follow. The troops guarding quickly were armed to fight but they slightly lowered their weapons as the surviving soldier told them hold their fire and explained the situation. The troops immediately lowered the weapons down while one ran inside to inform the King. The troops immediately moved to the sides to allow us to walk through and I could clearly read the fear on their faces.
You brought this upon them…
I shoved the thought away and frantically tried to distract myself with something else. I immediately focused on this place's, or palace's I really should be calling, interior and merely observed it. Compared to the ship and the base back on Frieza Planet No. 1, the style in here is very similar to some designs back in my dimension. Course, this is Planet Earth so I am bound to some similar designs inside the buildings here.
We soon reached a room where I spotted the same King from the Cell saga sitting behind his desk. Staring fearfully at us as we walked inside the room but maintaining a calm posture. I had to give him credit for not allowing his fear to take him over that easily.
I soon found myself standing behind Frieza and in between Zarbon and Dodoria. I felt my heart begin to slowly pound faster against my chest and my hands quiver. I kept telling myself to calm down and just because I'm standing next to the man who gave me the scar behind my back doesn't mean it's going to happen again. I'm fine…I'm fine…I'm fine…Don't panic…don't panic…
"You must be the self-esteemed King Furry I have heard of," Frieza said, snapping my attention at the conversation at display.
"A-and you must be Lord Frieza, Ruler of the Universe as I heard from my soldier," King Furry replied, stammering a bit in the beginning before regaining his composure.
"Indeed but I'll cut this introduction short as I will like to discuss a deal with you."
"A d-deal?"
"Yes. You see, I run a little business called the Planet Trade Organization or commonly referred to as the Frieza Force where we sell planets deemed suitable for buyers, or we give the planet in question a chance of employment should I deem it useful with or without the natives inhabiting it."
"W-Wait! Are you saying you plan to terminate my people so you can sell this planet t-to our o-organization?!"
"Oh my! Do not rush to such conclusions yet sire. I didn't say I was planning on terminating every single Earthling to sell this planet. Gracious no! In fact, I wish to integrate your planet to my collection of planets, and enlist your kind to my organization."
My hand grasped tightly into a fist as I glance down at the ground. I shouldn't feel like this…I would have felt worse if Frieza decided to destroy this Planet Earth. At least then, the Earthlings here keep their lives…even if they are forced to serve this bastard. I shouldn't feel like this…I should get used to this…why can't I stop feeling like this?
"I p-presume this is the deal you spoke of earlier," King Furry asked carefully.
"Correct," Frieza said. "I already have gone ahead and contacted one of my subordinates to send a representative of sorts and a few soldiers to meet and discuss with you about plans for building a new base and set up the demand of certain supplies produced here on this planet. They should arrive here within two months or so-."
"F-Forgive me L-Lord F-Frieza but what does Earth have that possibly has caught your interest to already have a demand of supplies," King Furry interrupted. Jumping a bit to what I can assume was Frieza's scorn before it would change to his smile.
"Well, if you must know, during the search of my original intent of coming to this planet, I discovered a fascinating piece of technology. I believe you are aware of these things called capsules, am I correct? Anyways, I have been letting my one of my top engineers go and discuss with the Earthling behind the creation of them after we first introduce ourselves to them-."
What?
I stood there frozen stiff upon hearing what Frieza was even saying. Frieza has been sending Kikono out since he got the stupid dragon radar? How come I never noticed this before? I mentally slapped myself after realizing I was so bent up in trying to get a hold of the Dragon Balls during that time and being cooped up in my quarters after… that day. No way would I notice it.
My hands began shaking again when Frieza started talking about the gravity chamber. I honestly hoped he had forgotten about it seeing I talked about that over a month ago but I was stupid to believe that. Why did I think he would forget? Why? I'm being so stupid right now! Why do I-?!
"-what do you say King," I heard Frieza ask. "The decision is yours but I am sure you are very well aware to what happens to those who won't cooperate with me."
Fear washed over King Furry's face and he gritted his teeth but once again, contained his composure and sat up taller. I glanced over to the surviving soldier who on the other hand shook violently and was staring down at the ground. On the ground in front of his feet laid tiny and a few wet spots.
"…v-very well," King Furry said in defeat. "I…I shall let you rule Planet Earth…but promise me this! You will promise that you won't hurt or kill any more of my people!"
"I shall promise you that," Frieza said and despite the fact I was standing behind him, I could feel the smile he gave to the King. My blood ran cold for merely imagining it in my own mind. "Also, you will still rule this planet but you and your people will have to answer to me now."
"Y-yes…Lord Frieza…"
"You will receive the rest of the information in two months or so as I mentioned earlier. In the meantime, my men and I will depart later today to allow for you and your planet to prepare to settle to your new situation. Also…you don't happen to have a way to broadcast yourself around the world do you?"
I watched and stood by in the farthest corner of the room where I felt the most at ease and as it was changed around a little bit. King Furry was still sitting by at his desk, though a microphone was propped up in front of him and a camera facing him standing a little away from his desk. Frieza stood a little bit off from the camera's view with Zarbon and Dodoria standing on the opposite end of the room from me.
"My subjects and my friends," King Furry began speaking after one of his men motioned him to start speaking. "A-As you saw in the previous broadcast, our military turned to face the mysterious aliens but were decimated. As your king, I take the fault for the loss of so many lives…I wish there was another way but back then, I saw it as the only way. However…"
He stopped and his face contorted with a mixture of immense fear and anger. Though one quick cold look from Frieza snapped him back to talking again.
"H-However, we w-were wrong to a-assume they m-meant harm to us. After meeting with their leader, he now wishes to meet the rest of you…"
The camera quickly moves to Frieza who changes his cold face to one with his usual charisma and smiles. I mentally scoffed to see how fake the smile.
"Hello Earthlings," Frieza said. "I am Lord Frieza, ruler of the universe and your new emperor. Indeed, my men were the ones responsible for the sightings and little skirmishes. I am also well aware that my men are responsible for the destruction of your military where I simply wished to talk but I had to respond accordingly to the situation at the time."
"However," he said, slightly leaning forward, his smile almost disappearing off his face. "That should serve to all of you as a warning to avoid getting me angry. You're my subjects now and I expect all of you to comply and serve me faithfully. I wouldn't want to erase this planet from existence so soon. I look forward to working with you all."
King Furry motioned to the troop to stop recording and the troop complied. I stood there, unsure on how to feel upon hearing what Frieza said. My mind arguing if I should feel horrified, disgusted or just accept what I heard. The scar on my back tells me otherwise…
"We'll be leaving now," Frieza said, beginning to hover towards the door. "Until next time King Furry."
"…I couldn't do anything…," I heard the surviving soldier choke up as I was almost out the door. "I couldn't do anything sire…n-not even as their commander…"
I looked back and I wish I didn't. The commander sat on the floor on his knees, shaking and with a hand over his face. King Furry stood next to him as if trying to comfort him but he raised his eyes up towards me and they contained nothing but fear and anger towards me. I immediately left without a word, and no amount of words in general would be enough to free me of my guilt or calm them down.
I quietly caught up with the rest of the group and stared down at the ground. Walking out of the building, I felt a few drops of water land on me. Looking up towards the sky, the once bright sky was covered in clouds as it lightly drizzled from the sky.
Kami stared down at the earth below, clutching his staff tightly as the events below played out. The wind picking up as storm clouds covered the earth.
"K-Kami," Mr. Popo asked in a concerning voice.
"Mr. Popo, I never would have imagined that the Dragon Balls would bring this untold evil here," Kami said, shaking by the mere power level he was sensing from the alien entity. "I cannot help but feel I am the one to be blamed for bringing another danger to the planet. However, I cannot understand how this being even learned of them."
"What do you mean your Holiness?"
"The Earth has been relatively normal with no abnormalities but for this alien being to suddenly appear out of nowhere and in search of the Dragon Balls. I would have believed something from space would have come and landed here earlier and then return to space but no such thing has happened. None of the mortals here could be the source either. I wonder…could it be the strange power level I sense close to this monstrosity that could be the cause…"
He hardly noticed it when the aliens had first arrived but as he continued observed the situation down below did he finally spot it. Its power paled in comparison to the other power levels it was with which would probably be the main reason as to why he didn't spot it earlier. It was something completely new from what he had sense before and he didn't know exactly how to describe it. At best from what he pondered for the past few days, it was almost as if it belonged somewhere else and not here in this world.
"Who knows…," he said weakly, holding his staff with one hand now. "The only way I can confirm it if I were to go down there and see who the strange power level is myself."
He continued to look down despite the clouds obscuring the view, and he faintly could smell rain.
"…the rain is as if the planet is weeping of all the recent events…," Kami said sadly, bowing his head.
I found myself sitting on the same couch I sat two nights ago and staring out the same window too, though the only difference being it was still day time outside and along the fact there were actual soldiers in here too. I would have just stayed in my quarters to avoid the stares I was getting from the other soldiers after returning back to the ship but I wasn't ready to face the twins yet. Then again, in a way, I didn't mind sitting here as I was too busy wandering in my own thoughts and processing the whole meeting with Earth's leader. Allowing me to drown the activity noise out and ignore the stares.
I felt the couch shift next to me and I mentally panicked a bit until I saw who it was. I should have known better that seeing him only during training would be impossible…
"…you know you start training again tomorrow, right," Appule finally decided to speak and breaking the awkward silence.
"…okay," I said, resting my chin on my hand.
"…it'll still be the same routine but I think you're ready to start learning the basic fighting techniques now."
"…okay."
"I'll give you your space now," he suddenly said, getting up from the couch. "Get plenty of rest tonight."
He left after saying those words. I looked around the room to see if he just went to another part of the room as if he still needed to keep an eye on me but I couldn't find him anywhere. He actually did leave me alone. I went back to staring out the window and faintly seeing some of the room through the reflection. All the other soldiers hanging around in groups of two, three or more all the while I was alone. All alone…
I placed my left hand over my right shoulder where the scar ended on my upper back and hunched over to stare down at the ground. The weird feeling coming back but this time, I just sat there wallowing in it. All alone with people I didn't even want to talk too.
I'm pathetic as a soldier but I don't want to be weak forever…
Ooh boy. I feel kind of bad for updating later than I would have liked as my goal is to update two or three weeks but honestly, that's unrealistic as writing these chapters completely depend on my motivation and how busy I am with other stuff, and I don't want to rush these chapters either. Oh well.