Chapter 18: Hope of Feral Control

Katie-

One more thing that is different is the conversation I had with Vegeta. He kind of opened up a bit and told me more about Saiyans. I was amazed that he told me so much, but then again, Vegeta always surprised me. I didn't use my new transformation against the Ginyu force… I was still scared to use it. So I didn't fight Ginyu. He was too goofy to get mad at enough to transform. I knew Frieza would be the one to cause my first Feral transformation.

I got to the hospital bay door and knocked. Goku laid asleep inside, and Vegeta was probably about to go to sleep as well.

"Enter." He said smugly. When he saw it was me he snorted.

"I wanted to thank you for helping with Goku." I took a seat near Vegeta as we began to talk.

"I'll need his help to defeat Frieza. That's all; I still consider Kakorot, his brat, the human, and you my enemies, along with Frieza, so don't get cozy."

In reply I scooted away from him a bit. I understood him very well, unlike most people.

"So then who do you consider your friends?"

"Friendship is for the weak." He spat.

"Allies?"

"I've never had a true ally. Not even Nappa, and he was my partner for nearly twenty years." He said.

"Then why should we work with you?" I spat, getting angrier than I thought I would.

"We have a common goal." We sat in silence for a few moments.

Now seems the perfect time to tell Vegeta. Goku said to trust my heart, and that's what I'll do.

"Vegeta, I told you I would tell you my secret when the time was right, so if you're ready, I'll tell you now."

"Afraid you won't get the chance later?" he retorted.

"Yes." I really was afraid, nothing had been going right, so what if Vegeta or I died and stayed dead?

"Then go ahead."

"No arguments? No witty retorts?"

"Just do it."

"Katie, are you sure?" Goku asked telepathically.

"Yes." I answered.

"My name is Katie. I am not clairvoyant, but you weren't too far off. I do know the future."

"Then what are you? Who are you?" Vegeta asked, interested.

"I wasn't born a Saiyan, but human, on an earth in another dimension. There, on my earth, was a television-"

"Television?"

"That's a… well, they're stories. Plays made with moving pictures, recorded and sent through radio waves... I guess. One of these stories was called Dragonball Z." I saw recognition in his eyes.

"So what you're trying to tell me… is that I'm fake in your world? That everyone… we're all made-up story characters in children's stories?" he said hastily, standing up.

"Yes and no. You're real here… but also television characters at my home." I sighed, holding my head in one hand. It was hard to explain.

"And you know these stories how well?"

"Let's say that there are over two-hundred parts to this play, and the day before I came here I saw the last part. And I have seen all the parts."

"So how did you get here?" he asked after letting this all set in for a moment.

"So you believe me, huh? Well, that I don't know, but what I do know is that there are some facts in the story that have happened different here. Ginyu was supposed to get tricked into a frog's body, but he died instead." I explained, and Vegeta snorted.

"For a human, you fake Saiyan pretty good." Vegeta said.

"That's the thing, I am a Saiyan, now. But I know I'm not a true Saiyan, and I don't pretend to be one. I knew a lot about your kind from the stories, the writers did have some solid facts that remained."

"So… I guess you really know nothing about real Saiyans then, do you?"

"Uh… well... no, I don't." I said, surprised.

"No wonder you kept going feral."

"Then you know how I could control it?" I asked just a bit too eager. Vegeta laughed at me.

"No. Not every Saiyan goes feral. The ones that did back on Planet Vegeta were usually killed on the spot." He sneered.

"So then…"

"You'll get use to it too. What Zarbon said… Frieza has done some awful things to me, but he has not in any form of the word 'neutered' me."

"So… when I become an adult, will I be able to control it?" I asked.

"I don't know… but… it will be okay. Don't worry." Vegeta said. His eyes were cold, but his tone was softer than I had ever heard come from him. He was being understanding.

"Okay… I'll trust you Vegeta. After all, why would you lie to me about that?" I said, looking at the ground.

So… I can get this in control… I can stop fearing my feral side…

"So, what about your fighting skills? How'd you learn to fight?"

"I couldn't fight until I was trained with Piccolo."

"So you've used your knowledge of the future in your fights? I have to say you haven't done too well."

"It's the Chaos Theory at work. Nothing happens the exact same way twice. And if one thing changes, it all changes."

"So even with your knowledge of the future, anything's possible?" he asked.

"Yes."

"So… you knew all about Nappa and why I had to kill him?"

"Yes. And I know… I know other things that will happen." I almost let the fight with Frieza slip. And I knew my aura showed my hesitation.

"That wasn't what you were going to say. What was it! Tell me!" Vegeta stood and lifted me by my collar. My feet were inches off the ground and Vegeta had a look like he was ready to kill.

"I can't." I said, turning away.

"You will! Now!" he screamed, shaking me.

"No! I can't!" I said, looking him straight in the eye, "Believe me when I say I would do anything to be able to tell you… but the risk is too great…" I was fighting back tears with all my strength. If Vegeta saw tears he'd think I was weak and use that to his advantage.

He dropped me on my butt. I got back up and faced him as he did me. Anger flicking behind his eyes, he kept his cool and sat back down, as did I.

"If I did tell you I could mess up this history. This whole dimension's history." There was a pause as Vegeta thought of what he wanted to say.

"Back on Planet Vegeta, we had a legend about the legendary Super Saiyan and his band of warriors. I always liked the leader in the story the best as a boy." He paused as if trying to read my reaction. I was interested, so he continued. "Everyone has a favorite character in any story they know. Kakorot must be yours. He's the 'good guy', the hero… your brother." Anger again flickered in his eyes.

That's a really revealing story. Why is he telling me this stuff? I know he has secrets too, but he hates me. He would do that unless he… respected me…

"Actually, my favorite character was… you. You always do what you think is right, even if others think it's wrong. You're the most realistic. You're powerful, smart, serious, strong, everything Goku isn't."

I can't get too close to anyone here, because if what Guru told me was true, it'll all end and I'll be gone one way or another…

"Does that mean Super Saiyan, too?" Vegeta asked, getting my mind back on to the present.

"I wish." I laughed bitterly.

"I see. I respect someone who doesn't back down when faced with death. You may be worthy of being a… ally. A true ally. Someday."

"You have no idea how much that means to me."

"Enough with the sentimental stuff. We should rest for a while. We'll need it for when Frieza arrives."

"I know." I got up and moved over to in front of Goku's healing chamber to sit and rest. Vegeta was nearly asleep already.

"Katie, is it true about Vegeta being your favorite character?" Goku asked.

"Sorry, nothing personal, Goku. But you have to admit, he has his standards. This whole time he's only done what he perceived as right."

"Just as I have, huh?"

"Exactly. Goku, I have to go out for a moment. Try to warn me if Vegeta wakes up before I return."

"Okay. Where are you going?"

"To see if the dragon's been summoned yet." I got up and quietly left the room so I wouldn't wake up Vegeta. If I know him, and I do, he would follow me if he thought it suspicious.

AS22: So Vegeta couldn't help Katie. But that doesn't mean she's got no hope for the future. Just review and you'll see.